CHAP. VIII. Is more beset in town than country-His early biographers, (Dr.
Currie not excepted), have coloured too darkly under that head---It is not correct
to speak of the Poet as having sunk into a toper, or a solitary drinker, or of his
revels as other than occasional, or of their having interfered with the punctual
discharge of his official duties---He is shown to have been the affectionate and be-
loved husband, although passing follies imputed; and the constant and most as-
siduous instructor of his children---Impulses of the French Revolution---Symp-
toms of fraternizing---The attention of his official superiors is called to them--
Practically no blow is inflicted, only the bad name---Interesting details of this pe-
riod-Gives his whole soul to song making---Preference in that for his native
dialect, with the other attendant facts, as to that portion of his immortal lays, Ici—cix
CHAP. IX.--The Poet's mortal period approaches--- His peculiar temperament---
Symptoms of premature old age---These not diminished by narrow circumstances
Chagrin from neglect, and death of a Daughter---The Poet misses public pa-
tronage: and even the fair fruits of his own genius---the appropriation of which
is debated for the casuists who yielded to him merely the shell.--His magnani-
mity when death is at hand; his interviews, conversations, and addresses as a
dying man-Dies, 21st July 1796---Public funeral, at which many attend, and
amongst the rest the future Premier of England, who had steadily refused to ac-
knowledge the Poet, living---His family munificently provided for by the public
---Analysis of character---His integrity, religious state, and genius---Strictures
upon him and his writings by Scott, Campbell, Byron, and others,~~~~~~~~ CX---CXXXİV
Verses on the death of Burns, by Mr. Roscoe of Liverpool,
Character of Burns and his Writings, by Mrs. Riddell of Glenriddell,
Preface to the First Edition of Burns's Poems, printed in Kilmarnock,
Dedication to the Caledonian Hunt, prefixed to the Edinburgh Edition,