with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

218
To this letter Mr. Skinners answer was as fol-
lows :
" Sir,
Limhart, 14th November, 1787.*
" Your kind return, without date, but of post-
mark October 25th, came to my hand only this day.
Your acknowledgment of my poor but just enco-
miums on your surprising genius, and your opinion of
my rhyming excursions, are both, I think, by far too
high. The difference between our two tracks of
education, and ways of life, is entirely in your favour,
and gives you the preference every manner of way. I
know a classical education will not create a versify-
ing taste, but it mightily improves and assists it ; and
though, w^here both these meet, there may sometimes
be ground for approbation, yet where taste appears
single, as it were, and neither cramped nor supported
by acquisition, I will always sustain the justice of its
prior claim to applause. A small portion of taste
this way I have had almost from childhood, especial-
* Though this letter is already printed by Dr. Currie, in his
edition of Burns's works, yet it cannot be deemed misplaced
here, as it not only contains several curious and praise-worthy
incidents in Mr. Skinner's life, but also historical remarks on
some of the Songs published in this Collection.
Ed.