Burns — Alexander Wilson. 83 



poem was so rapid that Mr. Neilson, the printer, sold in a few 

 weeks, it is said, the vast number, of 100,000 ; and the author's 

 recompense reported as twelve copies of his own poem. To 

 the latter assertion by Wilson to a third person, Neilson re- 

 plied, " It is all true, but did he tell thatj I became security for 

 a coat to him. I suppose not; well, / had to pay for it." 



It is said that he furnished the words of seven hymns for 

 Robert Gilmour's " The Psalm-Singer's Assistant," published 

 in Paisley in 1791 ; and the material for the '' Spouter," sep- 

 arately published, being a collection in itself; the best is a 

 piece entitled " The Spirit of the Lake's Song." The chorus : — 



"Then hark! hark! hark I 



To my fairy song ; 



As I dart like a spark 



The clouds among, 



In sovereign swa.v. 

 Till break of day, 

 Chanting with glee m.v wild war song." 



Wilson had returned to the loom, but continental Europe 

 was in a ferment, British exports fell off, and times became 

 almost unbearable. In the inevitable dispute between capital 

 and labor over the reduction of wages Wilson threw all his 

 strength of a mind made bitter by want and adversity on the 

 side of the workingman, publishing anonymously several crude 

 lampoons, one of which was entitled " The Shark, or Lang 

 Mills Detected." Pie was suspected, and waylaid coming from 

 the printer. William Sharp, the manufacturer, considered him- 

 self libeled, so Wilson was fined and condemned to burn the 

 satirical verses at the public cross, Feb. 6, 1793. Under the date 

 of ]\Iay 21. he writes from the Paisley jail to David Brodie : 

 .... I sincerely thank you, sir, for the token of friendship 

 which you have sent me, which I will repay as soon as Provi- 

 dence shall open the door for my release from this new scene of 

 misery, this assemblage of wretches and wretchedness, . . . Be- 

 ing unable to pay the sum awarded against me, which is in toto 

 £12, 13s. 6d., I yesterday gave oath accordingly, and had the 

 comfort to be told that Mr. Sharp was resolved to punish me 



