Page:Life of Robert Burns, the Ayrshire Bard.pdf/10

10 sail from Greenock, when a letter from Dr. Blacklock of Edinburgh; overthrew his schemes.

A copy of the poems was sent to this gentleman, who pronounced a most flattering opinion of them, and advised that a second and more perfect edition should be immediately printed. This encouragement," says Burns, "fired me so muehmuch [sic], that away I posted to Edinburgh, without a single acquaintance, or a single letter of introduction. The baneful star that had so long shed its blasting influence on my zenith, for once made a revolution to the nadir; and a kind Providence placed me under the patronage of one of the noblest of men, the Earl of Glencairn."

Burns arrived in Edinburgh towards the latter end of November, 1786, and was introduced by Dr. Blacklock to the most eminent men of the day. It was arranged that this edition should come out under the auspices of Mr Creech, then the first of the metropolitan booksellers; and Mr. Henry Mackenzie kindly recommended the work to the public, in an article in The Lounger, a celebrated periodical of the day. The Caledonian Hunt, (an association of the chiefs of the northern aristocracy,) consented to accept the dedication of the forthcoming edition, and to subscribe individually for copies.

On the 6th May, 1787, after spending about