TliANSACTlUNS. 61 



to observe that you are now the happy father of a fine boy, and 

 that Mrs Grierson and he are as well as can be expected, as the 

 saying is. Offer my kind congratulations to both and to Grand- 

 mamma, and accept the same yourself from my inmost heart," &c. 

 The fine boy here referred to died in infancy, and the late Dr 

 Grierson, who was born on 19th February, 1818, was the next 

 offspring of the marriage. I have found among the papers a 

 poetical piece on the death of an infant boy, initialed " A. C," which 

 I think refers to the death of this child. From the handwriting I 

 think it is by Allan Cunningham, and it certainly does not detract 

 from his known powers as a poet. 



A VISION OF MIEZA : 

 "Written on the Death of an Infant Boy. 



On a desert shore methought I stood, 



As the closing day withdrew, 

 And wide o'er the ocean's solitude 



The shades of twilight grew. 



The troubled sea was rolling dark, 



And the tempest gathering fast, 

 When I spied a slender little bark 



On the stormy billows cast. 



One lonely wight was all its freight, 



And he seemed to weep and mourn, 

 For he looked like one on a journey gone 



Where the travellers ne'er return. 



I sighed to think of that hapless wight 



On a sea of perils thrown. 

 For the sky was dark with the cloud of night 



And he rode the waves alone. 



But still he rowed amid the blast, 



And slowly he bore away 

 Through the wizard glum that, all oercast. 



On the water's bosom lay 



Oh, how shalt thou the boisterous shock 



Of wind and tide repel, 

 Or guide thy course through reef and rock, 



Or signs of danger tell. 



Thy bark is light to tempt the storm 



^Vith a mariner so young. 

 While blackening clouds of phantom-form 



Are round the welkin hung. 



