with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

215
The two subjoined letters were written by Burns
to Mr. Skinner. They have not appeared in the se-
ries of his Correspondence published either by Dr.
Currie, or the Editor of these volumes. In the sum-
mer of 1787, Burns made a tour through the west
and north of Scotland ; and at Aberdeen met with
Mr. Skinner's son, between whom an interesting
conversation took place. The particulars of this in-
terview were communicated to the father, stating
also how much Burns regretted that he did not know
where L.irishart lay, as he would have gone twenty
miles out of his way to have seen the author of
Tullochgorum. This compliment immediately pro-
duced an Epistle in familiar verse, addressed to
Burns, who returned the following letter in reply,
which, though without a date, appears to have been
written in Edinburgh.
' Reverend and venerable Sir,
* Accept, in plain dull prose, my most siricere
thanks for the best poetical compliment I ever receiv-
ed. I assure you, Sir, as a poet, you have conjured
up an airy demon of vanity in my fancy, which the
best abilities in your other capacity would be ill able
to lay. I regret, and while I live shall regret, that
when I was in the north, I had not the pleasure of
paying a younger brother's dutiful respect to the Au-