Still my honest fame is my dearest concern; and a thousand times have I trembled at the idea of those degrading epithets that malice or misrepresentation may affix to my name. I have often, in blasting anticipation, listened to some future hackney scribbler, with the heavy malice of savage stupidity, exulting in his hireling paragraphs"BURNS, notwithstanding the fanfaronade of independence to be found in his works, and after having been held forth to public view, and to public estimation as a man of some genius, yet, quite destitute of resources within himself to support his borrowed dignity, he dwindled into a paltry exciseman, and slunk out the rest of his insignificant existence in the meanest of pursuits, and among the vilest of mankind.”

In your illustrious hands, Sir, permit me to lodge my disavowal and defiance of these slanderous falsehoods. BURNS was a poor man from birth, and an exciseman by necessity: but-I will say it the sterling of his honest worth, no poverty could debase, and his independent British mind, oppression might bend, but could not subdue. Have not I, to me, a more precious stake in my Country's welfare, than the richest dukedom in it?—I have a large family of children, and the prospect of many more. I have three sons, who, I see already, have brought into the world souls ill qualified to inhabit the bodies of SLAVES.-Can I look tamely on, and see any machination to

wrest from them the birthright of my boys,—the little independent BRITONS, in whose veins runs my own blood? - No! I will not! should my heart's blood stream around my attempt to defend it!

Does any man tell me, that my full efforts can be of no service; and that it does not belong to my humble station to meddle with the concern of a nation?

I can tell him, that it is on such individuals as I, that a nation has to rest, both for the hand of support, and the eye of intelligence. The uninform'd мов may swell a nation's bulk; and the titled, tinsel, courtly throng, may be its feathered ornament; but the number of those who are elevated enough in life to reason and to reflect; yet low enough to keep clear of the venal contagion of a court !—these are a nation's strength.

I know not how to apologize for the impertinent length of this epistle; but one small request I must ask of you farther-When you have honoured this letter with a perusal, please to commit it to the flames. BURNS, in whose behalf you have so generously interested yourself, I have here, in his native colours drawn as he is; but should any of the people in whose hands is the very bread he eats, get the least knowledge of the picture, it would ruin the poor BARD for ever!

My poems having just come out in another edition, I beg leave to present you with a copy

as a small mark of that high esteem and ardent

gratitude, with which I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your deeply indebted,

And ever devoted humble servant,

R. B.

[Erskine of Mar gave a copy of the poet's letter to Cromek, who published it in the "Reliques:" It was rumoured that Burns was not only admonished by the Board of Excise but actually dismissed from his situation: this induced Erskine to propose a subscription in his favour, which was refused by the bard with that elevation of sentiment which characterized his mind. It was well that the future Earl of Mar heard the report, since it drew from Burns this truly manly and well considered letter-it was all but the latest act of his life to write it down from his memory among his memoranda. And yet men are not wanting who impeach the accuracy of the poet of these the chief is Mr. Findlater, his superior officer in Dumfries at the time. That gentleman eulogizes the conduct of the Board of Excise: avers that the bard received only a gentle-a courteous admonition, and was never for a moment in danger of being dismissed. He has fairly given the lie to the poet, and the question is, to whose statement are we to attach credit. Burns informs Graham that Mitchell had confounded him with the information, that he had received orders to inquire into his political conduct, for he was blamed as a person disaffected to the government. Does Mr. Findlater deny that the collector was so com

missioned? In the present letter the poet farther says, that but for the interposition of Graham of Fintray, he would have been turned adrift with his helpless family to all the horrors of want: and moreover that he was documented by the Board, that his business was to act not to think, and that whatever might be men and measures, it was his duty to be silent and obedient.

"You

Those who contradict the testimony of Burns should do it on better authority than their own assertion: the poet's word will weigh down any other man's, so long as he speaks from his own knowledge. Findlater argues, Burns states facts. The poet is supported by the testimony of Robert Ainslie, to whom all his affairs were known in a letter to the editor, dated 3rd September, 1834, without being aware that his illustrious friend's assertions were impeached, he says, know that the poet was a friend of the people' during the days of political ferment in his time a circumstance which impeded his advancement in the excise he never rose higher than the nicked stick,' the badge and implement of a common gauger. The Commissioners of Excise, irritated at his opinions, wrote him a formal official letter, sealing with the large seal of office, informing him that a 'petty officer' had 'no business with politics.' "The proud heart of Burns did not like this humbling: after a few wrathful words in secret to one of his friends, he took a pencil and wrote these lines on the envelope:

"In politics if you would mix,

And low your station be,

Keep this in mind-be deaf and blind,

Let great folks hear and see."

ED.]

No. CCXVII.

TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE.

April, 26, 1793.

I AM d-mnably out of humour, my dear Ainslie, and that is the reason, why I take up the pen to you 'tis the nearest way (probatum est), to recover my spirits again,

I received your last, and was much entertained with it; but I will not at this time, nor at any other time, answer it,-Answer a letter? I never could answer a letter in my life!-I have written many a letter in return for letters I have received; but then-they were original matter-spurt-away! zig, here; zag, there; as if the Devil that, my Grannie (an old woman indeed) often told me, rode on will-o'-wisp, or, in her more classic phrase, SPUNKIE, were looking over my elbow.-Happy thought that idea has engendered in my head! SPUNKIE➡ thou shalt henceforth be my symbol, signature, and tutelary genius! Like thee, hap-step-andlowp, here-awa-there-awa, higglety-pigglety, pellmell, hither-and-yon, ram-stam, happy-go-lucky, up tails-a'-by-the light-o'the moon; has been, is, and shall be, my progress through the mosses and