Page:Life of Robert Burns.pdf/13

 13 the forthcoming edition, and to subscribe indivi- dually for copies. From this date Burns continued to receive every day new introductions, and was caressed, praised, and flattered, wherever he went. Indeed, his colloquial powers, independent of his merits as a poet, by the concurring testimony of all who had the means of judging, were of themselves sufficient to make his company coveted. In grave discussions the shrewd sagacity of his judgment, joined to a masculine vigour of language, were no Jess' striking and delightful than the sparkling stream of wit and humour which ran throngh his lighter essays. It was remarked, that though born and bred in a sphere far beneath that in which lie now figured, that there was no awkward rusticity about him; or if any was perceptible to the polishied eye of fashion, it was so little as only to stamp the greater individuality of his character. With those of his own sex it was noticed, that sometimes in the collision of argument his dissent from opposite opinions was not exactly smoothed down to the established standard of courtesy: but at no time could boorishness or rudeness be marked in his behaviour, if we make but one exception, perhaps, which is worth noticing, and where the provocation of the poet it must be al- lowed was great. This was the rebuff he gave a clergyman, at a breakfast table one morning, who was violently criticising Gray's Elegy. This piece was a great favourite of Burs, who chal- lenged the impugner of its merits to point out specifically the passages or sentimients he objected to. Here unfortunately, the critic was gravelled, and in his attempts shockingly blundered the text. This roused the indignation of the poet, who,