ocrity. It is only on the gem we are disturbed to see the dust; the pebble may be soiled, and we never regard it. The eccentric intuitions of genius too often yield the soul to the wild effervescence of desires, always unbounded, and sometimes equally dangerous to the repose of others as fatal to its own. No wonder then if virtue herself be sometimes lost in the blaze of kindling animation, or that the calm monitions of reason are not inva riably found sufficient to fetter an imagination which score the narrow limits and restrictions that would chain it to the level of ordinary minds. The child of nature, the child of sensibility, unschooled in the rigid pre cepts of philosophy, too often unable to control the passons wire grond a source of frequent errors and misfortunes to him, Barns mase i ves artless apology in language more impressive that at the argumentary vindications in the world could do, in one of tus

lineates the gradual expansion of his mind to the softhetry muse," who concludes an address to her pupi, anses unque and beautiful poetry, with these lines:

I have already transgressed beyond the bounds I has proposed to self, on first committing this sketch to paper, vi compet least I have been led to deem the leading features of Burt's dade racter: a literary critique I do not deindly Salled, In these pages I have been able to delete any fee distinguished him of fine test the ploug where he passed the beak moning file de mater of poesy with the wild felt-fovers that you his enviable eminence of literary fame, where Bestent will memory with delight and gaitute; and proudly re

her cold sky a genius was riperet, vifionc

done honour to climes more favourable to fea

of colouring and fancy in which he so eniment each

From several paragraphs I have used in the phy

the idea of sending this sketch to some off

vate animosities have not yet sunited, and fat ay
ed all her shafts. I still trust, however, fat
sently affixed to Burns's character, which I f
merited by the candid and impartial among

a recollection of the imprudences that sulied is g
terpose, let the imperfection of all bu

the same time, leaving those incunáinendis nature into the seraph,

which alone can investig

TO THE

NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN

OF THE

CALEDONIAN HUNT.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

A Scottish Bard, proud of the name, and whose highest ambition is to sing in his Country's service-where shall he so properly look for patronage as to the illustrious names of his Native Land; those who bear the honours and inherit the virtues of their Ancestors? The Poetic Genius of my Country found me, as the prophetic bard Elijah did Elisha-at the plough; and threw her inspiring mantle over me. She bade me sing the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures of my native soil, in my native tongue; I turned my wild, artless notes, as she inspired. She whispered me to come to this ancient Metropolis of Caledonia, and lay my Songs under your honoured protection: I now obey her dictates.

Though much indebted to your goodness, I do not approach you, my Lords and Gentlemen, in the usual style of dedication, to thank you for past favours; that path is so hackneyed by prostituted learning, that honest rusticity is ashamed of it. Nor do I present this Address with the venal soul of a servile Author, looking for a continuation of those favours: I was bred to the Plough, and am independent. I come to claim the com mon Scottish name with you, my illustrious Countrymen; and to tell world that I glory in the title. I come to congratulate my Country, that the blood of her ancient heroes still runs uncontaminated; and that from your courage, knowledge, and public-spirit, she may expect protection, wealth, and liberty. In the last place, I come to profer my warmest wishes to the Great Fountain of Honour, the Monarch of the Universe, for your welfare and happiness.

When you go forth to awaken the Echoes, in the ancient and favourite amusement of your forefathers, may Pleasure ever be of your party; and may Social Joy await your return: When harassed in courts or camps

with the jostlings of bad men and bad measures, may the honest consciousness of injured worth attend your return to your Native Seats; and may Domestic Happiness, with a smiling welcome, meet you at your gates! May corruption shrink at your kindling indignant glance; and may tyranny in the Ruler, and licentiousness in the People, equally find an inexorable foe!

I have the honour to be,

With the sincerest gratitude,

and highest respect,

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Your most devoted humble servant,

EDINBURGH, April 4, 1787.

1

ROBERT BURNS.

CHIEFLY SCOTTISH.