28.03.2013 Views

with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

219<br />

ly in the old Scottish dialect ; <strong>and</strong> it is as old a thing<br />

as I remember, my fondness for * Chryste-Kirk o*<br />

the Greeny which I had <strong>by</strong> heart ere I was twelve<br />

years of age, <strong>and</strong> which, some years ago, I attempted<br />

to turn into Latin verse. While I was young, I dab-<br />

bled a good deal in these things ; but, on getting the<br />

black gown, I gave it pretty much over, till my<br />

daughters grew up, who being all tolerably good<br />

singers, plagued me for words to some of their fa-<br />

vourite tunes, <strong>and</strong> so extorted those effusions which<br />

have made a public appearance beyond my expecta-<br />

tion, <strong>and</strong> contrary to my intentions,—at the same<br />

time that I hope there is nothing to be found in them<br />

uncharacteristic, or unbecoming the cloth, which I<br />

would always wish to see respected. As to the as-<br />

sistance you propose from me in the undertaking you<br />

are engaged in, I am sorry I cannot give it so far as<br />

I could wish, <strong>and</strong> you perhaps expect. My daugh-<br />

ters, who were my only intelligencers, are all /ores-<br />

familiate, <strong>and</strong> the old woman, their mother, has lost<br />

that taste. There are two from my own pen, which<br />

I might give you, if worth the while : One to the<br />

old Scotch tune of * Dumbarton drums' The other,<br />

perhaps, you have met <strong>with</strong>, as your noble friend the<br />

Duchess has, I am told, heard of it. It was squeez-<br />

ed out of me <strong>by</strong> a brother parson in her neighbour-

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!