with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

197
Since I wrote to Mr. Mudford, Mrs. Mickle has in-
formed me, without being asked, that she now perfectly
recollects that Mr. Mickle gave her the ballad as his
own composition, and explained to her the Scottish
words and phrases ; and she repeated to me, with a very
Httle assistance, the whole of the song, except the eight
lines, which I have, and I think with justice, ascribed
to Dr. Beattie. When I asked her why she hesitated
at first ? she said, that the question coming unexpect-
edly upon her, flurried her, and the flurry, together
with the fear that she might be called upon to substan-
tiate what she then said upon oath, made her answer
with diffidence and hesitation. This struck me at that
time to have been the case; and I believe such a be-
haviour to be very natural to persons labouring under
a disorder so depressive as a paralysis.
I shall only add, that Mickle had too high an opinion
of his own poetical powers to have adopted the compo-
sitions of but very few of his contemporaries ; and cer-
tainly too much honour and integrity, to give the least
occasion to the publishing of the works of another as
his own productions.
I remain, dear Sir, your most obedient
To Mr. Cromek.
very humble servant,
J. Sim.
The first sketch of the beautiful ballad, " There's
nae luck about the bouse/' from the hand-writing of