THE Poetry of BURNS has had such an extensive

circulation as to occasion no little surprise that the LETTERS of the Bard could not hitherto be procured without the re-purchase of the poetical volumes, already in the hands of the greater part of his readers; some accommodation, it is presumed, that part of his readers will acknowledge, from the publication of the present volumes. It is not necessary to repeat the biography of the Poet in this place: it has not only been condensed from Dr. Currie's Memoirs, and prefixed to all the later editions of his Poems, but is told by Burns himself in the twenty-sixth Number of this edition, so as to leave nothing to be wished for in a classical edition of his "LETTERS."

LETTERS

OF

ROBERT BURNS.

I.

TO HIS FATHER.

HONOURED SIR,

Irvine, Dec. 27, 1781.

I HAVE purposely delayed writing, in the hope that I should have the pleasure of seeing you on Newyear's day but work comes so hard upon us, that I do not choose to be absent on that account, as well as for some other little reasons, which I shall tell you at meeting. My health is nearly the same as when you were here, only my sleep is a little sounder; and, on the whole, I am rather better than otherwise, though I mend by very slow degrees. The weakness of my nerves has so debilitated my mind, that I dare neither review past wants, nor look forward into futurity; for the least anxiety or perturbation in my breast, produces most unhappy effects on my whole frame. Sometimes, indeed, when for an hour or two my spirits are a little lightened, I glimmer a little into futurity;

but my principal, and indeed my only pleasurable employment, is looking backwards and forwards in a moral and religious way. I am quite transported at the thought, that ere long, very soon, I shall bid an eternal adieu to all the pains, and uneasinesses, and disquietudes of this weary life; for I assure you I am heartily tired of it; and, if I do not very much deceive myself, I could contentedly and gladly resign it.

"The soul, uneasy, and confined at home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come."

It is for this reason I am more pleased with the 15th, 16th, and 17th verses of the 7th chapter of Revelations,* than with any ten times as many verses in the whole Bible, and would not exchange the noble enthusiasm with which they inspire me, for all that this world has to offer. As for this world, I despair of ever making a figure in it. I am not formed for the bustle of the busy, nor the flutter of the gay. I shall never again be capable of entering into such scenes. Indeed I am altogether unconcerned at the thoughts of this life. I foresee that poverty and obscurity probably await me: I am in some measure prepared, and daily preparing to meet them. I have but just time and paper to

15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat,

"17. For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."