68 Transactions. 



And health and plenty on these vales bestow : 

 So long, my son— nor can the muse deceive — 

 So loner thy name and memory shall live." 



^ w. s. w. 



There are three letters from Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., to the 

 Rev. Henry Duncan, Ruthwell, bearing upon a subscription 

 towards the erection of the Mausoleum. He was the father of 

 the present Baroness Burdett-Coutts, was the most popular 

 Eng-lish politician of his time, and the idol of the London populace. 

 The letters are : — 



" Sir, — As a warm admirer of the first poet of his time I shall 

 readily contribute my mite to do honour to his memory. I own I 

 should rather have contributed to lienefit his children, or any who 

 were dear to him, as doing more good. For, after all, a monu- 

 ment is very superfluous to one who has left such works behind 

 him. — I remain, sir, your most obt., 



" F. BUEDETT. 

 "Oxford, 30th Jany., 1814." 



" Sir, — I should not have delayed answering your letter had 

 I not been under a difficulty which, after all, I must get your 

 assistance to remove. It arises from my not knowing the sum it 

 would be handsome for me to name for the erection of the monu- 

 ment to the genius of Burns. If you would have the goodness to 

 inform me what has been subscribed by others, or what would be 

 considered as handsome, you would confer on me a great obliga- 

 tion. — I remain, dear sir, your most obedient and very humble 



servant, 



" F. BUKDETT. 



" Oxford, 8th March, 1814." 



" Sir, — I am much obliged to you for the clue you afford me 

 to escape from the difficulties I felt upon the interesting subject 

 of Burns's memory. It appears to me that, in order to do honour 

 to the poet, subscriptions should be numerous rather than large. 

 I shall therefore name the largest sum hitherto named, £10, 

 having not the least objection to double, treble, or quadruple it if 

 thoug'lit better, and if that which strikes me as desirable should 

 not equally strike the committee. — I have the honour, sir, your 

 most, 



" F. BUKDETT. 

 " Oxford, 25th March, 1814." 



Mr W. H. Mayne, son of Mr John Mayne, writes an interest- 

 ing letter to Mr Orierson while resident in Thornhill in I'egard to 



