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berate falsehood, no, not though even. worse horrors, if worse can be, than those I have mentioned, hung over my head and I say, that the allegation, whatever villain has made it, is a lie! To the British Constitution, on revolution principles, next after my God, I am most devoutly attached: You, Sir, have been much and generously my friend.Heaven knows how warmly I have felt the obligation, and how gratefully I have thanked you.-Fortune, Sir, has made you powerful, and me impotent; has given you patronage, and me dependance. I would not, for my single self, call on your humanity: were such my insular, unconnected situation, I would despise the tear that now swells in my eye-I could brave misfortune, I could face ruin; for at the worst, "Death's thousand doors stand open;" but, good God! the tender concerns that I have mentioned, the claims and ties that I see at this moment, and feel around me, how they unnerve courage, and wither Resolution! To your pa tronage, as a man of some genius, you have allowed me a claim; and your es. teem, as an honest man, I know is my due: To these, Sir, permit me to appeal; by these may I adjure you to save me from that misery which threatens to overwhelm me, and which, with my latest breath I will say it, I have not deserved.

p. 130.

The following short passage from a letter to Lord Buchan, appears to us strongly expressive of that proud patriotism, which formed a strong feature in his character:

Independent of my enthusiasm as a Scotsman, I have rarely met with any thing in history which interests my feelings as a man, equal with the story of Bannockburn. On the one hand, a cruel but able usurper, leading on the finest army in Europe to extinguish the last spark of freedom among a greatlydaring, and greatly-injured people; on the other hand, the desperate relics of a gallant nation, devoting themselves to rescue their bleeding country, or perish with her. P. 152.

The observations on Scottish Songs contain a good deal of curious matter, though they do not quite come up to what we should have expected on such March 1809.

a subject from Burns. The following remark is curious:

that the Scottish Muses were all jacoBy the bye, it is singular enough bites. I have paid more attention to every description of Scots songs than perkaps any body living has done, and I do not recollect one single stanza, or even the title of the most trifling Scots, air, which has the least panegyrical re

ference to the families of Nassau or Brunswick; while there are hundreds satirizing hem.-This may be thought no panegyric on the Scots Poets, but I 'mean it as such. For myself, I would

always take it as a compliment to have it said, that my heart ran before my head.-and surely the gallant though unfortunate house or Stewart, the kings of our fathers for so many heroic ages, is a theme

*

* *

P. 201.

On the subject of May Eve, or Kate of Aberdeen, he says,

Kate of Aberdeen is, I believe, the work of poor Cunningham the player; of whom the following anecdote, tho' told before, deserves a recital. A fat dignitary of the church coming past Cunningham one Sunday, as the poor poet was busy plying a fishing-road in some stream near Durham, his native country*, his reverence reprimanded Cunningham very severely for such an occupation on such a day. The poor poet, with that inoffensive gentleness of manners which was his peculiar characteristic, replied, that he hoped God and his reverence would forgive his seeming profanity of that sacred day," as he had no dinner to eat, but what lay at the bot tom of that pool!" This, Mr Woods, the player, who knew Cunningham well, and esteemed him much, assured me P. 212.

was true.

The beautiful song, called "Mary's Dream," was, he informs us, composed by a Mr Alexander Lowe, who afterwards went to North America.

Of Tranent Muir, he tells the following anecdote :

"Tranent Muir," was composed by a Mr Skirvan, a very worthy respec*able

*Cunningham was a native of ireland. See Dr Anderson's Life of Cunningham, British Poets, vol. x.

table farmer, near Haddington. I have heard the anecdote often, that Lieut. Smith, whom he mentions in the ninth stanza, came to Haddington after the publication of the song, and sent a challenge to Skirvan to meet him at Haddington, and answer for the unworthy manner in which he had noticed him in his song." Gang awa back,” said the honest farmer, " and tell Mr Smith, that I hae na leisure to come to Hadding: to; but tell him to come here; and I'll tak a look o' him, and if I think I'm fit to fecht him, I'll fecht him; and if noI'll do as he did-I'll rin awa." P. 232.

There are several letters from William Burns, a brother of the poet, who died; a good simple young man, without the least spark of genius. Burns, who was his elder brother, appears to have been very kind to him, and to have given him abundance of good advice.

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Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met-or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.
Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest !
Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge
thee,

Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
P. 428

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and Co. Edinburgh; Constable, Hunter, Park & Hunter, 10, Ludgate Street; or Mr Triphook, St James's Street, London.

A member of the Wernerian Natural History Society has in the press, a Translation of Von Buch's Mineralogical Description of the environs of Landeck in Silesia.

Mr Henry Weber will speedily publish, in three volumes crown 8vo, Metrical Romances of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Centuries, copied from Ancient Manuscripts, and illustrated by an Introduction, Notes, cation is intended to comprehend the and a Glossary. The present publimost valuable of those Romances, which have not yet been submitted to the public. The Life of Alexander, attributed by Warton to Adam Davie, and strongly recommended by him for publication, will form the first article; and will be followed by Richard Cour de Lion, which, besides its very considerable poetical merit, must excite a strong national interest; and by others selected either for the beauty of the narrative, or some circumstances rendering them curious; among which a few Comic Romances will be found.

If

To the introduction, the Editor, at the request of several gentlemen who take an interest in the publication, has subjoined a summary account of the German early Poetry and Romance; a subject of high interest, but as yet entirely unknown to this nation, and but little cultivated on the Continent. the present publication should meet with the encouragement, which the importance of this species of composi tion in the history of English Poetry deserves, a continuation, comprising those excluded from this selection, on account of its limited extent, will be published.

Mr Alex. Murray, F.A.S. E. and Secretary for foreign Correspondence, has in the press Researches into the Origin and Affinity of the Greek and Teutonic languages. The immediate

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object of this work is, to illustrate the early state and connexion of these lan guages, on accurate and philosophical principles. The light which is thus thrown on the structure of the Greek tongue, gives a new and interesting form to the whole of classic philology; exhibits an extensive view of the process by which the mind invents and improves articulate speech; and leads to a development of the origin of the most ancient European nations. The notices ascertained in the course of investigation depend, not on conjecture, but on a camparison of almost every European language with those to which it is respectively allied. In the train of inquiry pursued in the researches above mentioned, particular regard has

A pamphlet is about to be published, entitled, "Objections to the present form and state of the Small-debt Court for the County of Edinburgh, together with some reflections, general as well as particular." The subject of this pamphlet, as the writer observes, is one of undoubted interest to every inhabitant of the city or county of Edinburgh.

We understand that the Rev. G. J. Hamilton is preparing for publication, “Essays on some of the most interesting subjects relating to Agriculture, to rural and political economy, under the patronage of the Honourable the Board of Agriculture.

been paid to the Oriental tongues Literary Intelligence, ENGLISH and those having been examined which bear no affinity to the Teutonic, as well as those which appear to be rela

FOREIGN.

NEW edition is in the press, and

ted to it. For a plan and outline of A will speedily be published, of the

the whole work, reference may be made to page 505 of an "Account of the Life and Writings of James Bruce of Kinnaird, Esq. Author of Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, in the years 1768-1773," published last year (1808.) It will form one volume 4to.

Mr Walter Nicol, Designer of Gardens, &c. and author of the Forcing Fruit and Kitchen Gardener, the Practical Planter, &c. will speedily publish, in one volume 8vo. The Citizen's Garden Directory, or Menthly Index of Work to be done in Town and Villa Gardens, Parterres, &c.; with Hints on the Treatment of Plants and Flowers kept in the Green-Room, the Lobby, and the Drawing Room. It will · contain also hints on the formation of town and villa gardens, the improvement of their soils, &c. and will exhibit the newest modes of cultivating kitchen vegetables, sallads, herbs, fruits, flowers, and shrubs, so as to form a complete assistant to those Ladies and Gentlemen who direct the management of their own gardens, parterres, &c.

Works of the Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper; including the best Translations of the Classics. It will form twenin two columns, and will, in every resty-two volumes, royal octavo, printed pect, constitute one of the handsomest library books that has appeared for several years.

The works of the late Mr Barry, the painter, will speedily be published in tain letters from Italy, with an account two large 4to volumes. They will conof the principal works of art in that country; letters to and from Edmurid Burke, with other interesting pieces.

Mr Bewick, of Newcastle, so deservedly celebrated for his skill in engraving in wood, has, for a considerable time, been engaged on a System of Economical or Useful Botany, which will include about 450 plants, the most useful in the Materia Medica, in Diet and Manufactures. The text has been prepared by Dr Thornton, and will contain a body of valuable information relative to the History and Uses of the several Plants. There will be two editions, one on royal paper, of which only a small number has been printed; and the other on demy, neither of them inferior in beauty to Mr Bewick's former productions.

Mr

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Mr Rose has announced some Observations on the Historical Fragment of Mr Fox, and an Original Narrative of the Duke of Argyle's Insurrection in 1685.

Mr Rylance is composing a romance, to be entitled, Francesco, or the Fool of Genius, founded on the extraordinary life of Mazzuoli, celebrated as a painter, by the name of Parmegiand

Mr Park's edition of Warton's History of English Poetry, is in a state of great forwardness. The editor's plau is not only to revise both text and notes, and free the extracts from the charge of inaccuracy to which they have hitherto been subjected, but also to supply a Continuation in furtherance of Mr Warton's plan. The very copious Annotations on Warton's History by the late learned antiquary, the Rev. George Ashby, together with various Manuscript Obser

vations left by that acute critic Mr Rit.. son, are in the hands of the present edi tor; and so far as the purposes of correction and illustration can be served, will be appended to the notes of Mr Warton.

A new edition of Lardner's Works is in considerable forwardness, and is to appear in monthly parts. The first part will make its appearance on the first of March, and the others in succession, on the first day of every month, or earlier, at the option of subscribers. It is calculated that the whole works will be comprised in about thirty-two parts, and that this will be the cheapest edition of the Works of Lardner ever published.

The first volume of a new Analysis of Chronology by Dr Hales, is expected to appear this month. The work will form three quarto volumes.

Poetry.

LINES,

ON GENERAL MOORE.

WHY heaves Britannia's bosom high?
Why o'er her cheek the grateful tear
Bursts from her anguish-speaking eye,
While gazing on yon coming bier?
"Tis thine, illustrious Moore, 'tis thine;
For thee her tortur'd bosom bleeds,
For thee she weaves the wreath divine,
A tribute to thy glorious deeds.
Yet, what avails the burst of wo,

The empty honours of a name;
In death the gallant Chief lies low,
Heedless, alike, of grief and fame.
But nature's voice resistless cries,

Resistless flows the gushing tear;
The wreaths of fame unbidden rise,
To deck a tomb for ever dear.
His country's hope, his country's pride,

He scorn'd the Tyrant's rage to fear;
With glory crown'd, he bravely died,
And conquering clos'd his bright career.
When nameless years have roll'd away,

Some Briton on Corunna's shore, While swells his glowing breast, shall say, In Freedom's cause here died the gallant MOORE.'

B.

LINES,

Written on hearing that the Inhabitants of GLASGOW intended to erect a Monument to LIEUT.-GEN. SIR JOHN MOORE, whe was born in that City.

BLEST be the Chief who for his country dies,

And rests unshrouded in a soldier's grave;
A grateful nation points where honour lies,
And consecrates the ashes of the brave.
Ye kindred sons of silver-flowing Clyde,
Pursue your just and generous design;
MOORE was your ancient City's boast and
pride;

Glory demands, and ye devote the shrine.
Peace to his Shade!-In early youth belov'd,
The splendour of his riper years admir'd,
His skill and valour by his King approv'd,
And every soldier by his deeds inspir'd.
Victorious! Yet the Gallant Victor fell,
His memory to his country ever dear,
Marble or bronze shall of his triumph tell,
While Friendship bathes the trophy with a

tear.

Columns may rise, the arch sublimely bend,
To grace and dignify the warrior's name;
But the fond heart, which sighs and sor
rows rend,
Deplores the fatal sacrifice to Fame.

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