On payre of guilt pottes.
On payre of guilt flagons.
On guilt cup, w' a cover.
On guilt cup of assaye.
On guilt leyer.

xij guilt trencher plates.
xij guilt spons.

On guilt jugg, wt a lyd. vj guilt chaundellors.

On bason & ewer of silv, parcell guilt.
Two round saltis of silv".

On flagon of silv", parcel guilt.
On bolle of silvr.

Two jugges, w' two eares apece.
On bason & ewer of silv', parcell guilt.
On peire of pottes, parcell guilt.
On payre of flagons.
On salt, parcell guilt.
Two bolls of silv.

On jugg, wij eares.
iiij platters of silv',

cell guilt.

vj dimy platters.

x disshes.

xij small dishes.

par

viij sawsers of silv', lykwise parcell guilt.

xl peeces.

21 Decembris 1584. Copie of the Inventary of Napry and plate apointid to be brought downe to Tutbury, for the vse of the Scotish Queene, and my L. St John.

PLAN FOR ABOLISHING AN ABUSE PREVALENT AT COUNTRY FUNERALS.

MR EDITOR,

THE lower classes of the community, in many districts of the country, lay an unnecessary and oppressive tax on themselves, by the costly and unsuitable style in which they conduct funerals. On these occasions, large crowds are collected, and lavishly entertained with bread and spirits. The company feast sometimes for hours together, and often every thing appears in their behaviour but sobriety and sorrow.

I have known a family reduced to distress by one funeral, and the survivors kept in great pecuniary embarrassment for a long period.

There can be no question, in every view of the case, that this absurd and pernicious fashion should be abolished.

In attempting this, however, there may be some difficulty, for it is confirmed by long and very general practice; and no individual is willing to be the first in departing from it.

In these circumstances, I beg to recommend to the attention of the clergy and landed proprietors who take an interest in the conduct and comfort of the lower classes, the following scheme, which has been successfully adopted in one country parish in Perthshire, and which, being highly approved in the neighbourhood, is about to be introduced (mutatis mu◄ tandis) into adjoining parishes.

The minister and session, with the approbation of the principal heritor, circulated a paper, which they earnestly recommended for general signature by the parishioners. In this paper they bind themselves to the following conditions:

"1. That the hour of assembling shall, when convenient, be twelve o'clock, and the hour of lifting the corpse never later, in that case, than one o'clock; but, in all cases, never later than one hour after the time fixed for assembling.

"2. That no meat or drink shall be given to the persons assembled, except the offer of a single glass of whisky, either at the door of the house, or in the house where they assemble.

"3. That if any shall break through, or contravene these rules, they bind themselves and their heirs to pay on demand to the kirk-session one guinea, for the use of the poor; and that for every instance of the breach of either of the aforesaid rules."

This paper has been generally and most willingly subscribed by the great body of those concerned, and a most desirable reform, as to this particular, is now in progress.

Permit me, Mr Editor, to add further, that, while this is a reform most useful to the lower classes, it is one in which I am satisfied, from much inquiry, they are predisposed to concur; but, for obvious reasons, it is expedient and essential for persons of a higher class to give any plan for the purpose, the authority and influence of their recommnendation. I am convinced myself, that much good would follow from such plans becoming general; and, therefore, I anxiously wish that this ephemeral suggestion may be noticed and acted upon by those whose station and office enable them to attempt its practical adoption.

I am, Mr Editor, your obedient servant, PAUPERIS AMICUS.

Sept. 1817:

ROBERT BURNS AND HELEN MARIA

WILLIAMS.

THE two following articles form part of a selection from the unpublished correspondence of Robert Burns, now in possession of the Editor. The first, a letter from the celebrated Helen Maria Williams to the poet, relates chiefly to some occasional verses by Dr Moore, not in our possession, and about which it does not seem necessary to inquire more particularly. The second is a criticism by Burns upon a poem of Miss W.'s, which it appears she had submitted to his opinion. The critique, though not without some traits of his usual sound judgment and discrimination, appears on the whole to be much in the strain of those gallant and flattering responses which men of genius usually find it incumbent to issue, when consulted upon the productions of their female admirers.

SIR,-Your friend, Dr Moore, having a complaint in his eyes, has desired me to become his secretary, and thank you, in his name, for your very humorous poem, entitled, Auld Willie's Prayer, which he had from Mr Creech.

I am happy in this opportunity of expressing my obligations to you for the pleasure your poems have given me. I am sensible enough that my suffrage in their favour is of little value; yet it is natural for me to tell you, that, as far as I am capable of feeling poetical excellence, I have felt the power of your genius. I believe no one has read oftener than myself your Vision, your Cotter's Evening, the Address to the Mouse, and many of your other poems. My mother's family is Scotch, and the dialect has been familiar to me from my infancy; I was, therefore, qualified to taste the charm of your native poetry, and, as I feel the strongest attachment for Scotland, I share the triumph of your country in producing your laurels.

I know the inclosed poems, which were addressed to me by Dr Moore, will give you pleasure, and shall, therefore, risque incurring the imputation of vanity by sending them. I own that I gratify my own pride by so doing. You know enough of his character not to wonder that I am proud of his friendship, and you will

VOL. I.

not be surprised that he who can give so many graces of wit and originality to prose, should be able to please in verse, when he turns his thoughts that way. One of these poems was sent to me last summer from Hamil ton House; the other is so local, that you must take the trouble to read a little history before you can understand it. My mother removed lately to the house of a Captain Jaques, in Southampton Row, Bloomsbury Square. What endeared this situa tion not a little to my imagination, was the recollection that Gray, the poet, had resided in it. I told Dr Moore that I had very solid reason to think that Gray had lived in this very house, and had composed the Bard in my little study; there were but fifty chances to one against it, and what is that in poetical calculation? I added, that I was convinced our landlord was a lineal descendant of Shakespeare's Jaques. Dr Moore laughed, as he has often occasion to do, at my folly; but the fabric which my fancy had reared upon the firm substantial air, soon tottered; for it became a matter of doubt if our habitation was in Southampton Row, or in King Street, which runs in a line with it. In the meantime, Dr Moore called upon me, and left the inclosed verses on my table.

It will give me great pleasure, Sir, to hear that you find your present retirement agreeable, for, indeed, I am much interested in your happiness. If I only considered the satisfaction I should derive from your acquaintance, I should wish that your fortune had led you towards London; but I am persuaded that you have had the wisdom to chuse the situation most congenial to the Muses.-I am, Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient servant,

H. M. WILLIAMS.
London, June 20th, 1787.

A few Strictures on Miss Williams' Poem on the Slave Trade.

I KNOW very little of scientific criticism, so all I can pretend to in that intricate art is merely to note, as I read along, what passages strike me as being uncommonly beautiful, and where the expression seems to me perplexed or faulty.

P

The poem opens finely. There are none of these idle prefatory lines which one may skip over before one comes to the subject. Verses 9th and 10th in particular,

Where ocean's unseen bound
Leaves a drear world of waters round,

are truly beautiful. The simile of the hurricane is likewise fine; and, indeed, beautiful as the poem is, almost all the similies rise decidedly above it. From verse 31st to verse 50th, is a pretty eulogy on Britain. Verse 36th," that foul drama deep with wrong," is nobly expressive. Verse 46th, I am afraid, is rather unworthy of the rest; 66 to dare to feel," is an idea that I do not altogether like. The contrast of valour and mercy, from the 46th verse to the 50th, is

admirable.

The idea

is exceedingly beautiful. from verse 81st to the 85th, that the "blest decree" is like the beams of morning ushering in the glorious day of liberty, ought not to pass unnoticed, nor unapplauded. From verse 85th to verse 108th, is an animated contrast between the unfeeling selfishness of the oppressor on the one hand, and the misery of the captive on the other. Verse 88th might perhaps be amended thus: "Nor ever quit her narrow maze." We are said to pass a bound, but we quit a maze. Verse 100th is exquisitely beautiful.

They, whom wasted blessings tire. Verse 110th is, I doubt, a clashing of metaphors; " to load a span" is, I am afraid, an unwarrantable expression. In verse 114th, "Cast the universe in shade," is a fine idea. From the 115th verse to the 142d is a striking description of the wrongs of the poor African. Verse 120th, "the load of unremitted pain," is a remarkable strong expression. The address to the advocates for abolishing the slave-trade, from verse 143d to verse 208th, is animated with the true life of genius. The picture of oppression,

While she links her impious chain,
And calculates the price of pain;
Weighs agony in sordid scales,
And marks if death or life prevails,
is nobly executed.

What a tender idea is in verse 180th; indeed, that whole description of Home may vie with Thomson's description of Home, somewhere in the beginning of his Autumn. I do not remember to have seen a stronger expression of misery than is contained in these verses.

Condemned, severe extreme, to live When all is fled that life can give. The comparison of our distant joys to distant objects, is equally original and striking.

The character and manners of, the dealer in this infernal traffic is a well done, though a horrid picture. I am not sure how far introducing the sailor was right; for, though the sailor's common characteristic is generosity, yet, in this case, he is certainly not only an unconcerned witness, but in some degree an efficient agent in the business. Verse 224th is a nerexpressive-"The

Vous

heart convulsive anguish breaks." The description of the captive wretch when he arrives in the West Indies, is carried on with equal spirit. The thought that the oppressor's sorrow on seeing his slave pine, is like the butcher's regret when his destined lamb dies a natural death, is exceedingly fine.

I am got so much into the cant of criticism, that I begin to be afraid lest I have nothing except the cant of it; and, instead of elucidating my author, am only benighting myself. For this reason, I will not pretend to go through the whole poem. Some few remaining beautiful lines, however, I cannot pass over. Verse 280th is the strongest description of selfishness I ever saw; the comparison in verses 285th and 286th is new and fine; and the line, "Your alms to penury you lend," is excellent.

In verse 317th, "like" should surely be "as," or "so;" for instance, His sway the hardened bosom leads To cruelty's remorseless deeds; As (or so) the blue lightning, when it springs With fury on its livid wings, Darts to the goal with rapid force, Nor heads that ruin marks its course.

If you insert the word like where I have placed as, you must alter darts to darting, and heeds to heeding, in order to make it grammar. A tempest is a favourite subject with the poets, but I do not remember any thing even in Thomson's Winter, superior to your verses from the 347th to the 351st. Indeed, that last simile, beginning with "Fancy may dress," &c., and ending with the 350th verse, is, in my opinion, the most beautiful passage in the whole poem; it would do honour to the greatest names that ever graced our profession.

I will not beg your pardon, Madam, for these strictures, as my conscience tells me, that, for once in my life, I have acted up to the duties of a Christian, in doing as I would be done by.

VIEW OF THE CHANGE OF MANNERS IN SCOTLAND DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAST CENTURY.

(Concluded from p. 14.)

THE change of manners in the next generation was very remarkable. The Union with England carried many of

our nobility and gentry to London. Sixty of the most considerable people being obliged to pass half the year there, would no doubt change their ideas, besides, many English came to reside at Edinburgh. The Court of Exchequer and Boards of Customs and Excise were mostly all of that nation ; at least all the under officers were. These were well-bred people, and well received by the first people in Scotland. As the intercourse with the English opened our eyes a little, so it gave us a liberty of trade we had not before, from the Union. Many of our younger sons became merchants, and went abroad;-it likewise became the fashion for young men of fortune to study for some years in Holland, after which, to make a tour through France and Italy; on their return home, they brought to Scotland foreign politeness, grafted on the self-importance and dignity of their fathers. May we not suppose it was at this time our nation acquired the character of poverty and pride?

About the 24, a weekly assembly for dancing was set up at Edinburgh; this, with private balls carried on by subscription, took place of marriages, baptisms, and funerals.

enlarged, but it required time to have The society now came to be more a proper effect. The manners of the men, though stiff, and evidently assumed, yet were better than those of the women, who were indelicate in their conversation, and vulgar. As the awe and reverence for parents and elder friends wore off, they brought into company the freedom and romping they had acquired amongst their brothers and near relations; many of them threw off all restraint, and were I to name the time when the Scotch ladies went farthest wrong, it would be between the 30 and 40, though it was far from being general. There was still in the country a taste for good morals, which was much improved by a set of teachers established among us, most of whom had had their education abroad, or who had travelled with young gentlemen. As every body at this period went regularly to church, I may justly mention ministers as teachers; Professor Hamilton, and the two Mr Wisharts, at Edinburgh, Professor Hutchison, Craig, Clarke, and Principal Leeshman, in the west. Those taught who