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found that he had over-rated Mount Oliphant, and that he could not rear his numerous family upon it. After being there some years, he removed to Lochlea, in the parish of Tarbolton, where, I believe, Robert wrote most of his poems.'

So far, therefore, Mr. M. his early preceptor, leads us we must now look to another quarter for further information. Robert, henceforwards, for some time at least, laboured on the farm with un. common industry; but these employments engrossed not the whole of his attention. To use the elegant words of his biographer (Dr. Currie, of Liverpool), "while the ploughshare, under his guidance, passed through the sward, or the grass fell under the sweep of his scythe, he was humming the songs of his country, musing on the deeds of ancient valour, or wrapt in the illusions of fancy, as her enchantments rose on his view. Happily, the Sunday is yet a sabbath, on which man and beast rest from their labours. On this day, therefore, Burns could indulge in a free intercourse with the charms of nature. It was his delight to wander alone on the banks of the Ayr, whose stream is now immortal, and to listen to the song of the blackbird at the close of the summer's day. But still greater was his pleasure, as he himself informs us, in walking on the sheltered side of a wood in a cloudy day, and hearing the storm rave among the trees; and more elevated still his delight, to ascend some eminence during the agitations of nature, to stride along its summit while the lightning flashed around him, and amidst the howlings of the tempest to apostrophise the spirit of the storm.

Such

situations, he declares, most favourable to devotion-"" rapt in enthusiasm, I seem to ascend towards him who walks on the wings of the wind!”

In the year 1781 we find the subject of our biography at Irvine-whence he writes an excellent

letter to his father, in which the views of a future life are spoken of with an affecting sensibility. On this circumstance Dr. C. has this just paragraph:"This letter, written several years before the publication of his poems, when his name was as obscure as his condition was humble, displays the philosophic melancholy which so generally forms the poetical temperament, and that buoyant and ambitious spirit, which indicates a mind conscious of its strength. At Irvine, Burns, at this time, possessed a single room for a lodging, rented, perhaps, at the rate of a shilling a week. He passed his days in constant labour, as a flaxdresser; and his food consisted chiefly of oatmeal, sent to him from his father's family. The store of this humble, though wholesome nutriment, it appears was nearly exhausted, and he was about to borrow till he should obtain a supply. Yet even in this situation his active imagination had formed to itself pictures of eminence and distinction. His despair of making a figure in the world, shews how ardently he wished for honourable fame, and his contempt of life, founded on this despair, is the genuine expression of a youthful and generous mind. In such a state of reflection and of suffering, the imagination of Burns naturally passed the dark boundaries of our earthly horizon, and rested on those beautiful representations of a better world, where there is neither thirst, nor hunger, nor sorrow, and where happiness shall be in proportion to the capacity of happiness*.

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In this letter Burns has these expressions :-" It is for this reason I am more pleased with the 15th, 16th, and 17th verses of the seventh chapter of the Revelations, than with any ten times as many verses in the whole Bible, and would not exchange the noble

Robert now became a member of a little debating society in the village of Tarbolton, which he had formed with care and attention. Here his powers were exerted, and no doubt improved. A few of their questions shall be transcribed-Whether do we derive more happiness, from love or friendship? Whether between friends who have no rea son to doubt each other's friendship, there should be any reserve? Whether is the savage man or the peasant of a civilized country in the most happy situation? Whether is a young man of the lower ranks of life likeliest to be happy, who has got a good education, and his mind well informed, or he who has just the education and information of those around him?

It was during this period, that Burns wrote most of his poems-in his own circle he was known for his poetical talents, and drew no small admiration. He therefore resolved to extend his fanie by the publication of his poems-and they met with a favourable reception. At this juncture, however, and fearing the horrors of a jail, he had determined to emigrate to Jamaica, and was on the point of embarkation, when a kind letter from Dr. Blacklock kept him in his native country. To Edinburgh he went towards the latter end of the year 1786 and was received there by some celebrated characters, with marks of great attention.

A new and enlarged edition of his poems were now published, and dedicated to the Caledonian Hunt, an association of the principal nobility and gentry of Scotland. In his prefatory address occurs the following animated paragraph :-" I con

enthusiasm with which they inspire me, for all that this world has to offer." It is greatly to be regretted that our bard did not adhere to these sentiments.

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gratulate my country that the blood of her ancient heroes runs uncontaminated, and that from your courage, knowledge, and public spirit, she may expect protection, wealth, and liberty. May corruption shrink at your kindling indignant glance, and may tyranny in the ruler, and licentiousness in the people, find in you an inexorable foe!" The patronage which the poet received from this society increased the profits of the sale, and thus he was enabled to gratify himself in making a tour through the country.

To be concluded in our next. )

1

For the Monthly Visitor.

ANECDOTE

OF

MR. DE SALLO,

THE FIRST INVENTOR OF PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.

N the year 1692, when Paris was afflicted with

IN

a long and severe famine, M. de Sallo, returning from a summer's evening walk, with only a little foot-boy, was accosted by a man, who presented his pistol, and, in a manner far from the resoluteness of a hardened robber, asked him for his money. M. de Sallo observing that he came to the wrong man, and that he could get little from him, added, “I have only three pistoles about me, which are not worth a scuffle; so, much good may you do with them; but let me tell you, you are in a bad way." The man took them, and without asking him for more, walked off with an air of dejection and terror.

The fellow was no sooner gone, than M. de Sallo ordered the boy to follow him, to see where

he went, and to give him an account of every thing. The lad obeyed; followed him through several obscure streets, and at length saw him enter a baker's shop, where he observed him change one of the pistoles, and buy a large brown loaf. With this purchase he went a few doors father, and, entering an alley, ascended a pair of stairs. The boy crept up after him to the fourth story, where he saw him go into a room, which had no light but what it received from the moon; and peeping through a crevice, he perceived him throw it on the floor, and burst into tears, saying, "There, eat your fill; that's the dearest loaf I ever bought; I have robbed a gentleman of three pistoles; let us husband them well, and let me have no more teazings; for sooner or later these doings must bring me to the gallows; and all to satisfy your clamours." His lamentations were answered by those of the whole family; and his wife having at length calmed the agony of his mind, took up the loaf, and cutting it, gave four pieces to four starving children.

The boy having thus happily performed his commission, returned home, and gave his master an account of every thing that he had seen and heard. M. de Sallo, who was much moved, ordered the boy to call him at five in the morning. This humane gentleman arose at the time appointed, and taking the boy with him to shew him the way, enquired, in the neighbourhood, about the character of a man who lived in such a garret, with a wife and four children; when he was told, that he was a very industrious good kind of man; that he was a shoemaker, and a neat workman, but was overburthened with a family, and had a hard struggle to live in such bad times.

Satisfied with this account, M. de Sallo ascended the shoemaker's garret; and knocking at the door,

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