No. X. MR. BURNS TO MR. THOMSON. SONG. Tune-"I HAD A HORSE." O Poortith cauld, and restless love, This warld's wealth when I think on, Fie, fie on silly coward man, O why, &c. Her Her een sae bonie blue betray, O wha can prudence think upon, And sae in love as I am? How blest the humble cotter's fate!* GALLA "The wild-wood Indian's fate" in the original MS. E. GALLA WATER. THERE'S braw braw lads, on Yarrow braes, But Yarrow braes, nor Ettric shaws, But there is ane, a secret ane, Altho' his daddie was nae laird, Yet rich in kindest, truest love, We'll tent our flocks by Galla water. It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth, O that's the chiefest warld's treasure! Jan. Jan. 1793. MANY returns of the season to you, my dear Sir. How comes on your publication? will these two foregoing be of any service to you. I should like to know what songs you print to each tune, besides the verses to which it is set. In short, I would wish to give you my opinion on all the poetry you publish. You know, it is my trade; and a man in the way of his trade may suggest useful hints, that escape men of much superior parts and endowments in other things. If you meet with my dear, and much-valued C. greet him, in my name, with the compliments of the season. Yours, &c. No. XI. MR. THOMSON TO MR. BURNS. Edinburgh, Jan. 20, 1793. YOU make me happy, my dear Sir, and thousands will be happy to see the charming songs you you have sent me. Many merry returns of the season to you, and may you long continue among the sons and daughters of Caledonia, to delight them, and to honour yourself. you The four last songs with which favoured me, for Auld Rob Morris, Duncan Gray, Galla water, and Cauld kail, are admirable. Duncan is indeed a lad of grace, and his humour will endear him to every body. The distracted lover in Auld Rob, and the happy shepherdess in Galla water exhibit an excellent contrast they speak from genuine feeling, and powerfully touch the heart. The number of songs which I had originally in view was limited, but I now resolve to include every Scotch air and song worth singing; leaving none behind but mere gleanings, to which the publishers of omnegatherum are welcome. I would rather be the editor of a collection from which nothing could be taken away, than of one to which nothing could be added. We intend presenting the subscribers with two beautiful stroke engravings; the one characteristic of the plaintive, and the other of the lively songs; and I have Dr. Beattie's promise of an essay upon the subject of our national music, if his health will permit him to write it. As a number of our songs have doubtless been called forth by particular events, |