with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

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was then very complaisant, and said he did not mean
to offend me, but swore vengeance against those who
had left the room. He insisted on my going into
his best apartment, which I did, and found his books
and papers scattered on the floor, as they were in the
other chamber. He asked me to drink with him,
which I refused. He paid me some compliments as
a neighbour, and said he would give me a history of
his life. He told me he had a great passion for
books, of which he possessed the finest collection in
England. That he had written upon many subjects,
and had confuted many who had written upon law
and theology. He said he was then writing a pam-
phlet proving Jesus Christ an impostor ! but that
something had lately discomposed him, and he was
therefore resolved to destroy many of his manuscripts,
for which purpose he was then sorting his papers.
I heard him patiently for an hour and an half, when
I advised him to go to bed, which he said he would
do, and I left him seemingly composed. About an
hour after, he became very violent and outrageous,
throwing his furniture about his chambers and break-
ing his windows. I then went to him again, and
endeavoured to pacify him, but without effect. He
had a dagger in one hand and a knife in the other,
though I had taken the other dagger from him, and