nered Columbians; and it was then the practice for recruiting serjeants, after parading for a due space, with all the warlike pageantry of drums, trumpets, "glancing blades, and gay cockades," to declaim in heroic strains of the delights of a soldier's life-of glory, patriotism, plunder-the prospect of promotion for the bold and young, and his Majesty's munificent pension for the old and the wounded, &c. &c. Dodds, who was a man of much natural talent, and whose abilities afterwards raised him to an honourable rank and independent fortune, had made one of his most brilliant speeches on this occasion; a crowd of ardent and active rustics were standing round, gaping with admiration at the imposing mien, and kindling at the heroic eloquence of the manly soldier, whom many of them had known a few years before as a rude tailor boy;-the serjeant himself, already leading in idea a score of new recruits, had just concluded, in a strain of more than usual elevation, his oration in praise of the military profession, when Gemmels, who, in tattered guise, was standing close behind him, reared aloft his meal-pocks on the end of his kent or pike-staff, and exclaimed with a tone and aspect of profound derision, "Behold the end o't!" The contrast so. A lady who was residing there at that time, and who witnessed his latter days, has furnished me with the following particulars, which I transfer to you in her own simple and expressive words: "He came to Newtown at that time in a very weakly condition; being, according to his own account, 105 years of age. The conduct of some of the country folks towards poor Andrew in his declining state, was not what it should have been: probably most of his old patrons had died out, and their more genteel descendants disliked to be fashed and burdened with a dying beggar; so every one handed him over to his next neighbour; and he was hurried from Selkirk to Newtown in three days, a distance of sixteen miles. He was brought in a cart and laid down at Mr R's byre-door, but we never knew by whom. He was taken in, and laid as usual on his truss of straw. When we spoke of making up a bed for him, he got into a rage, and swore, (as well as he was able to speak,) "That many clever fellow had died in the field with his hair frozen to the ground-and would he submit to die in any of our beds ?”— He did not refuse a little whisky, however, now and then; for it was but cold, in the spring, lying in an out-house among straw. A friend who was along with me, urged him to tell what cash he had about him, you know," said she, "it has always been reported that you have money.' Andrew replied with a look of derision, "Bow, wow, wow, woman! women folk are aye fashing theirsels- about what they hae nae business wi'." Another time, Andrew went to vi- He at length told us he had changed sit one of his patrons, a poor Scotch a note at Selkirk, and paid six shillaird, who had recently erected an lings for a pair of shoes which he had expensive and fantastic mansion, of on him; but not a silver coin was which he was very vain, and which found in all his duddy doublets,—and but ill corresponded with his rank or many kind of odd like pouch he had: his resources. The beggar was stand-in one of them was sixpence worth ing leaning over his pike-staff, and looking very attentively at the edifice, when the laird came forth and accosted him :- "Well, Andrew, you're admiring our handiworks here?"-"Atweel am I, sir."-"And what think o' them, Andrew ?"ye "I just think ye hae thrawn away twa bonny estates, and built a gowk's was irresistible-the beau ideal of Serjeant Dodds, and the ragged reality of Andrew Gemmels, were sufficiently striking, and the former, with his red-coat followers, beat a retreat in some confusion, amidst the loud and universal laughter of the surrounding multitude. nest." Gemmels died in the year 1793, at Roxburgh-Newtown, near Kel as of halfpence, and two combs for his he often prayed, and to good purpose; but if the servants did not feed him right, (for he could not lift a spoon to his mouth for several days before his death,) he would give them a passing bann. He lived nine days with us, and continued quite sensible till the hour of his decease. Mr R got him decently buried. Old Tammy Jack, with the mickle nose, got his shoes for digging his grave in Roxburgh kirk-yard. Andrew was well known through all this country and great part of Northumberland. suppose he was originally from the west country, but cannot speak with certainty as to that; it was, however, commonly reported that he had a nephew or some near relation in the west, who possessed a farm which Andrew had stocked for him from the profits of his begging." I Should the above notice appear worthy of preservation, Mr Editor, in your useful publication, I shall take much pleasure in communicating any further particulars that may fall in my way relative to this remarkable beggar, or other interesting originals. I am, &c. Sept. 22, 1817. S. E. and highly approved timber for the ship building carried on in his Majesty's dock-yards. Sept. 1817. G. H. B. QUEEN ELIZABETH AND QUEEN MARY., IN the notices prefixed to our last Number, we intimated that we were in possession of original letters of Queen Elizabeth and her ministers, of which we shall now present a short specimen. The first article is a letter from Queen Elizabeth to Sir Ralph Sadler, prefaced by an address written by her own hand, of which we give a correct fac-simile, and which is referred to by Sadler in a letter to her Majesty, dated at Wingfield, 7th December 1584. Queen Mary was carried to Wingfield, a manor-house near Sheffield, belonging to the Earl of Shrewsbury, in September of that year, and removed to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire in January 1585. The inventory subjoined contains the articles that were to be carried with her to Wingfield; and it would appear, from the indorsement of this paper, * that the same articles were transported with her to Tutbury. In the sequel of the work referred to, there are many grievous complaints by Sadler of the wildness and poverty of the country around Wingfield, and also of the scantiness of this inventory, particularly in the article of sheets, for the new éstablishment at Tutbury. At the time of this removal, Queen Mary was in a bad state of health, and the roads were almost impassable, it being then the depth of winter; but every consideration seems to have been sacrificed by Elizabeth, excepting always her invincible economy, to the security of her unfortunate prisoner, who had then 'pined seventeen years in captivity, the victim of the confidence she had rashly reposed in the insidious professions of her rival. State Papers and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler, Vol. II. p. 460.-Sir Ralph here says, "Your letters, vouchsafed upon so poure a man as I am, being one of the pourest subjects of that degree which I am called unto, and specially those few wordes of your Highnes' owne hand, conteyning this precept, Vse olde trust, and new diligence, together with your most gracious promise shortly to relieve me of this charge, have not a little comforted me." The but glde Erust and new diligence TRUSTIE and right welbeloued counsello', we greete you well, and let you wit, that whereas of cousin of Shrewsbury hath ben an humble suto vnto vs, to be now eased of the chardge he hath hetherto had of the Scotishe Queene, we therefore fynding yt reasounable to satisfye his request therein, for the considerations by him alleadged of his decayed health and weake estate of body, haue assented thereto; and, therfore, or pleasure is, you shall proceede to the removing of the said Queene to of Castell of Tutbury, according to such direction as, by of order, you have receaued from our principall Secretary for that purpos, at such tyme as, the howse being in a readines to receaue hir, you shall in your ownediscretioun thincke fit and convenyent; and that, for yo assistaunce therein, you caule vnto you the Shirife, and such other gentlemen of that our countie of Derbie as to yor self shalbe thought meete; assuring you, that, for the care we haue to releeue you of the said chardge in respect of yo* yeres, we will, wth as convenient speede as maie be, dispatche one thether to take the same vppon him. Geuen vnder of signet, at o' manno' of St James, the third of December, in the xxvij yere of of regne. ffor that we vnderstand the said Queene is at this present somewhat in By the Quene, disposed of hir body, or pleasure To our trustie and right welbe- (Indorsed) 3 Decembris 1584, SUCH LYNEN AN INUENTORIE OF Imprimis lx payre of sheetis. Itm. vj dozen of damask napkins. The Plaitt. On Salt of Calsedon, garnished w sil- On payre of couerid basons guilt. 1 On payre of guilt pottes. xij guilt trencher plates. On guilt jugg, wt a lyd. vj guilt chaundello". On bason & ewer of silv', parcell guilt. On flagon of silv', parcel guilt. Two jugges, wt two eares apece. On jugg, wij eares. iiij platters of silv', par-) cell guilt. x disshes. vj dimy platters. xij small dishes. viij sawsers of silv', lykwise parcell guilt. (Indorsed) 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 are 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 mutandis) 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 recommendation. 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 secin 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 humourous 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 enclosed 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. 1. 4 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 Hamilton 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 mean time, Dr Moore called upon me, and left the enclosed 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. 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. |