Page:Life of Robert Burns.pdf/12

 12 Pursuing past unhappy loves, Farewell, my friends! farewell, my foes ! My peace with these-my love with those-- "The bursting tears my heart declare, Farewell, the bonny banks of Ayr." At this critical juncture of his life and fortunes, he was presented with a letter, addressed to a friend of his in the West, from the celebrated Dr Blacklock of Edinburgh, himself a poet and man of fine genius, the subject of which was a most flattering descant on the merits and genius of Burns; and strongly advising that a second and more perfect edition of his poems should be im- mediately printed, and staking his reputation on their triumphant success. Under this encourage- ment Burns instantly came to the resolution of repairing to the capital, which at that time was the residence, as it is now, of many of the most. distinguished names that adorn the annals of Scottish literature. He was immediately intro- duced by the kind Dr Blacklock, who received him with all the warmth of paternal affection, to the notice and acquaintance of the most eminent literati. It was arranged that his second edition should come out under the auspices of Mr Creech, then the first of the metropolitan booksellers; and the merits of the work were previously made known in a criticism from the pen of the cele- brated Henry Mackenzie, author of The Min of "Feeling, which appeared in The Lounger, a celebrated periodical of the day. The Earl of Glencairn, a noblemen of great affability and benevolence, whose kindness Burns acknowledges with grateful revererce, also made interest: with the Caledonian Hunt, (an association of most of the Scottish nobilily) to accept the dedication of