profession of arms. Such men do not court situations of danger, or tread in the paths of glory. They will not be found in your service, which, in our own days, emulates on another element the superior fame of the Macedonian phalanx, or of the Roman legion, and which has lately made the shores of Europe and of Africa resound with the shouts of victory, from the Texel to the Tagus, and from the Tagus to the Nile! The works of Burns will be received favourably by one who stands in the foremost rank of this noble service, and who deserves his station. On the land or on the sea, I know no man more capable of judging of the character or of the writings of this original genius. Homer, and Shakespear, and Ossian, cannot always occupy your leisure. These volumes may sometimes engage your attention, while the steady breezes of the tropics swell your sails, and in another quarter of the earth charm you with the strains of nature, or awake in your memory the scenes of your early days. Suffer me to hope that they may sometimes recal to your mind the friend who addresses you, and who bids you-most affectionately-adieu ! LIVERPOOL, 1st May, 1800. J. CURRIE. ADVERTISEMENT. The Editor begs to acknowledge the kindness of many re- CONTENTS. PREFATORY REMARKS ON THE CHA- Effects of the legal establishment of parochial schools-of the church establishment-of the absence of poor laws of the Scottish music and national songs-of the laws re- specting marriage and incontinence-Obser- Narrative of bis infancy and youth, by himself -Narratives on the same subject by his bro- ther, and by Mr. Murdoch, of London, bis teacher-Other particulars of Burns while resident in Ayrshire-History of Burns while resident in Edinburgh, including let- ters to the Editor from Mr. Stewart and Dr. Adair-History of Burns while on the farm of Ellisland, in Dumfries-shire-His- tory of Burns while resident in Dumfries- MEMOIR respecting BURNS by a LADY, tish literature, IF the Editor has not mentioned by name the various persons who subscribed, or who promoted the subscription for the support of the widow and children of Burns, this has arisen from his not being in possession of the necessary documents. In the 232d page of this volume, the name of Mr. Alexander Cunningham ought however to have been inserted along with those of the other gentlemen acting as trustees for the family of our poet. He was indeed particularly and indefatigably zealous in promoting the interest of the widow and her children, at a period when such services were highly important, and not a little difficult. The Editor is happy in an opportunity of doing this justice, tardy and imperfect though it be, to an old friend, of the generous qualities of whose heart he retains a just and lasting impression. By some inattention, several errors of the press appear in the valuable letter of Professor Stewart, in this volume, which the Editor very much re grets. They are as follows : Page 146, line 19, for Masonic-lodge, read Mason-lodge. Page 151, line 18, for the only other in company, read the only other person in company. Page 152, line 2, for several, read general. VOL. I. |