TO MR. M'ADAM OF CRAIGENGILLAN. Among men of some figure who took notice of Burns, in consequence of the publication of his first volume of Poems was Mr. M'Adam of Craigengillan. SIR, o'er a gill I gat your card, I trow it made me proud; Now diel-ma-care about their jaw, 'Twas noble, sir; 'twas like yoursel' Though, by his banes who in a tub praised On my ain legs, through dirt and dub, puddle 1 Diogenes. And when those legs to guid warm kail, Wi' welcome canna bear me, A lee dike-side, a sybow-tail, lonely-wall -leek And barley-scone, shall cheer me. Heaven spare you lang to kiss the breath And bless your bonny lasses baith I'm tauld they're lo'esome kimmers ! And God bless young Dunaskin's laird, And may he wear an auld man's beard, cake girls. LYING AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE ONE NIGHT, THE AUTHOR LEFT THE FOLLOWING VERSES IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT. Another person of local eminence whose friendly regard Burns obtained through the merit of his poetical volume, was the Rev. Mr. George Lawrie, minister of the parish of Loudon, a few miles from Mossgiel. This appears to have been a remarkably fine specimen of the old moderate clergy of the Scottish establishment sensible, upright, kind-hearted, and with no mean taste in literature. At Loudon manse, in a beautiful situation on Irvine Water, entitled St. Margaret's Hill, the rustic bard paid the good minister a visit. He was received with the greatest cordiality, and immediately found himself in the midst of what was to him a scene equally novel and charming. Among the liberalities of Mr. Lawrie was a love of dancing, with a conviction that it was useful in promoting health and cheerfulness in his house. Scarcely a day passed in the manse when this exercise was not indulged. It was, therefore, exactly what might have been expected, that after dinner, or in the course of the evening, there was a dance, led by the excellent pastor and his lady, and in which Burns and other guests joined. Burns, it may be observed, though somewhat heavy-limbed, was a good dancer. He retired for the night, with feelings deeply touched by the simple refinement, goodnature, and mutual affection of this family, as well as by the unaffected kindness which had been shown to himself. Он thou dread Power who reign'st above, When for this scene of peace and love The hoary sire the mortal stroke, - Long, long be pleased to spare, To bless his filial little flock, And shew what good men are. She, who her lovely offspring eyes And when those legs to guid warm kail, Wi' welcome canna bear me, A lee dike-side, a sybow-tail, lonely-wall- leek And barley-scone, shall cheer me. cake Heaven spare you lang to kiss the breath I'm tauld they're lo'esome kimmers ! And God bless young Dunaskin's laird, And may he wear an auld man's beard, girls. LYING AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE ONE NIGHT, THE AUTHOR LEFT THE FOLLOWING VERSES IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT. Another person of local eminence whose friendly regard Burns obtained through the merit of his poetical volume, was the Rev. Mr. George Lawrie, minister of the parish of Loudon, a few miles from Mossgiel. This appears to have been a remarkably fine specimen of the old moderate clergy of the Scottish establishment — sensible, upright, kind-hearted, and with no mean taste in literature. At Loudon manse, in a beautiful situation on Irvine Water, entitled St. Margaret's Hill, the rustic bard paid the good minister a visit. He was received with the greatest cordiality, and immediately found himself in the midst of what was to him a scene equally novel and charming. Among the liberalities of Mr. Lawrie was a love of dancing, with a conviction that it was useful in promoting health and cheerfulness in his house. Scarcely a day passed in the manse when this exercise was not indulged. It was, therefore, exactly what might have been expected, that after dinner, or in the course of the evening, there was a dance, led by the excellent pastor and his lady, and in which Burns and other guests joined. Burns, it may be observed, though somewhat heavy-limbed, was a good dancer. He retired for the night, with feelings deeply touched by the simple refinement, goodnature, and mutual affection of this family, as well as by the unaffected kindness which had been shown to himself. Он thou dread Power who reign'st above, I know thou wilt me hear, When for this scene of peace and love The hoary sire the mortal stroke, Long, long be pleased to spare, To bless his filial little flock, And shew what good men are. She, who her lovely offspring eyes |