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Songs and Ballads of Clydesdale.

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To Adelaide Mary Bertram of Kersewell, Carnwath.

MADAM,

It is not that my grandfather was an old tenant of the Kersewell family; it is not that my father was Quarter-Master in the Regiment of Cavalry commanded by the late Col. Bertram of Kerse well, and who, on returning with his comrade, Sergeant Martin, had the interesting and memorable interview with Jean Armour at the grave of Burns, as related by Gilfillan in his account of the Poet.

The deep interest you have long taken in the religious instruction of the young, and the warm sympathy you have shown for the unfortunate, the old and the imbecile, in being mainly instrumental in supporting for such a lengthened period the soup kitchen for their comfort, certainly entitles you to the gratitude of the recipients, and the public respect.

For these reasons, Madam, I take the liberty of most respectfully dedicating this volume to you, a trifling compliment, no doubt, but I had nothing better to offer.

With warmest wishes for prosperity and happiness to Mr. Bertram, yourself, and your interesting family,

I remain, MADAM,

Your much obliged and most obedient

CARNWATH, May, 1882.

A. NIMMO.

P.S.-It is another striking instance of the awful uncertainty of human life, that after the above lines of dedication were not only written but printed, Mrs. Bertram had an attack of illness on Thursday, the 25th of May, 1882, which closed her valuable life in a few hours. Mrs. Bertram was the daughter of John Bateman, Esq. This gentleman, many years ago, hired a small vessel at Tasmania to carry him and his two daughters to Australia; and these three, we believe, were the first settlers in Victoria, and thus in a sense may be said to have laid the foundations of what will yet be a great and flourishing empire.

A. N.

June, 1882.

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