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and even the mighty falls of Niagara, a humble cascade.*

Whether these suggestions may assist in explaining our Bard's deficiency of impression on the occasion referred to, or whether it ought rather to be imputed to some pre-occupation, or indisposition of mind, we presume not to decide; but that he was in general feelingly alive to the beautiful or sublime in scenery, may be supported

by

* This reasoning might be extended, with some modifications, to objects of sight of every kind. To have formed before-hand a distinct picture in the mind of any interesting person or thing, generally lessens the pleasure of the first meeting with them. Though this picture be not superior, or even equal to the reality, still it can never be expected to be an exact resemblance; and the disappointment felt at finding it something different from what was expected, interrupts and diminishes the emotion that would otherwise be produced. In such cases the second or third interview gives more pleasure than the first.-See The Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind, by Mr. Stewart, p. 484. Such publications as The Guide to the Lakes, where every scene is described in the most minute manner, and sometimes with considerable exaggeration of language, are in.this point of view objectionable.

by irresistible evidence. It is true this pleasure was greatly heightened in his mind, as might be expected, when combined with moral emotions of a kind with which it happily unites. That under this association Burns contemplated the scenery of the Devon with the eye of a genuine poet, the following lines, written at this very period, may bear witness.

On a Young Lady, residing on the banks of the small river Devon, in Clackmannanshire, but whose infant years were spent in Ayr-shire.

How pleasant the banks of the clear-winding Devon, With green-spreading bushes, and flowers blooming fair;

But the bonniest flower on the banks of the Devon
Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr.

Mild be the sun on this sweet blushing flower,

In the gay rosy morn as it bathes in the dew! And gentle the fall of the soft vernal shower,

That steals on the evening each leaf to renew.

O spare the dear blossom, ye orient breezes,

With chill hoary wing as ye usher the dawn! And far be thou distant, thou reptile that seizest The verdure and pride of the garden and lawn!

Let Bourbon exult in his gay gilded lilies,

And England triumphant display her proud rose;
A fairer than either adorns the green vallies
Where Devon, sweet Devon, meandering flows.

The

The different journies already mentioned did not satisfy the curiosity of Burns. About the beginning of September, he again set out from Edinburgh on a more extended tour to the Highlands, in company with Mr. Nicoll, with whom he had now contracted a particular intimacy, which lasted during the remainder of his life. Mr. Nicoll was of Dumfries-shire, of a descent equally humble with our poet. Like him he rose by the strength of his talents, and fell by the strength of his passions. He died in the summer of 1797. Having received the elements of a classical instruction at his parish school, Mr. Nicoll made a very rapid and singular proficiency; and by early undertaking the office of an instructor himself, he acquired the means of entering himself at the University of Edinburgh. There he was first a student of theology, then a student of medicine, and was afterwards employed in the assistance and instruction of graduates in medicine, in those parts of their exercises, in which the Latin language is employed. In this situation he was the contemporary and rival of the celebrated Dr. Brown, whom he resembled in the particulars of his history, as well as in the leading features of his character. The office of assistantteacher in the High-school being vacant, it was, as usual, filled up by competition; and in the face of some prejudices, and perhaps of some wellfounded objections, Mr. Nicoll, by superior learn

VOL. I.

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ing,

ing, carried it from all the other candidates. This office he filled at the period of which we speak.

It is to be lamented that an acquaintance with the writers of Greece and Rome, does not always supply an original want of taste and correctness, in manners and conduct; and where it fails of this effect, it sometimes inflames the native pride of temper, which treats with disdain those delicacies in which it has not learnt to excel. It was thus with the fellow-traveller of Burns. Formed by Nature in a model of great strength, neither his person nor his manners had any tincture of taste or elegance; and his coarseness was not compensated by that romantic sensibility, and those towering flights of imagination, which distinguished the conversation of Burns, in the blaze of whose genius, all the deficiencies of his manners were absorbed and disappeared.

Mr. Nicoll and our poet travelled in a postchaise, which they engaged for the journey, and passing through the heart of the Highlands, stretched northwards about ten miles beyond Inverness. There they bent their course eastward across the Island, and returned by the shore of the German sea to Edinburgh. In the course of this tour, some particulars of which will be found in a letter

of

of our bard, vol. 11. p. 96, they visited a number of remarkable scenes, and the imagination of Burns was constantly excited by the wild and sublime scenery through which he passed. Of this several proofs may be found in the poems formerly printed. Of the history of one of these poems, The Humble Petition of Bruar Water (vol. III, p. 355) and of the bard's visit to Athole-house, some particulars will be found in vol. 11. No. 33, and No. 35; and by the favour of Mr. Walker of Perth, then residing in the family of the Duke of Athole, we are enabled to give the following additional account.

"On reaching Blair, he sent me notice of his arrival (as I had been previously acquainted with him) and I hastened to meet him at the inn. The Duke, to whom he brought a letter of introduction, was from home; but the Dutchess, being informed of his arrival, gave him an invitation to sup and sleep at Athole-house. He accepted the invitation, but, as the hour of supper was at some distance, begged

* See vol. 111. Lines on seeing some water fowl in Loch-Turit, a wild scene among the hills of Ochtertyre, p. 360. Lines written with a pencil over the chimneypiece, in the inn at Kenmore, Taymouth, p. 363. Lines written with a pencil standing by the fall of Fyers, neat Lochness, p. 365.

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