Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/18

154 volume of Scottish Songs, which had already run through two editions, by which he was encouraged to publish in January 1724, the first volume of "The Tea Talile Miscellany," a collection of Songs, Scottish and English. This was soon followed by a second; in 17-27, by a third; and some years afterwards by a fourth. The demand for this work was so great that, in the course of a few years, it ran through twelve editions. In later times Ramsay has been condemned for what he seems to have looked upon as a meritorious piece of labour. He had refitted about sixty of the old airs with new verses, partly by himself, and partly by others; which was perhaps absolutely necessary on account of the rudeness and indecency of the elder ditties. Modern antiquaries, however, finding that he has thus been the means of banishing the latter order of songs out of existence, declaim against him for a result which he perhaps never contemplated, and which, to say the least of it, could never have occurred, if the lost poems had possessed the least merit. That Ramsay, in publishing a work for the immediate use of his contemporaries, did not consult the taste or wishes of an age a century later, was certainly very natural ; and though we may regret that the songs are lost, we cannot well see how the blame lies with him. Ramsay, let us also recollect, was at this very time evincing his desire to bring forward the really valuable productions of the elder muse. In the year 1724, he published the "Ever-Green, being a Collection of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 1600." Ramsay, however, was neither a faithful, nor a well informed editor. He introduced into this collection, as ancient compositions, two pieces of his own, entitled, "The Vision," and "The Eagle and Robin Redbreast," the former being a political allegory with a reference to the Pretender.

Ramsay had already written and published, in his first volume of original poetry, "Patie and Roger," which he had followed up the following year with "Jenny and Maggy," a pastoral, being a sequel to "Patie and Roger." These sketches were so happily executed, as to excite in every reader a desire to see them extended. He therefore proceeded with additional colloquies in connexion with the former, so as to form in the end a dramatic pastoral in five acts. In the following letter, published here for the first time, it will be seen that he was engaged on this task in spring 1724, at a time when the duties of life were confining him to the centre of a busy city, and when, by his own confession, he had almost forgot the appearance of those natural scenes which he has nevertheless so admirably described:

"Edinburgh, April 8th, 1724.

"Sir, These come to bear you my very heartyest and grateful wishes. May you long enjoy your Marlefield, see many a returning spring pregnant with new beautys ; may every thing that's excellent in its kind continue to fill your extended soul with pleasure. Rejoyce in the beneficence of heaven, and let all about ye rejoyce whilst we, alake, the laborious insects of a smoaky city, hurry about from place to place in one eternal maze of fatiguing cares, to secure this day our daylie bread and something till't. For me, I have almost forgot how springs gush from the earth. Once, I had a notion how fragrant the fields were after a soft shower; and often, time out of mind! the glowing blushes of the morning have fired my breast with raptures. Then it was that the mixture of rural music echo'd agreeable from the sorrounding hills, and all nature appear' d in gnyety.

"However, what is wanting to me of rural sweets I endeavour to make up bj