224 Transactions. 



1850, the following occurred: "I had the satisfaction of seeing 

 old George Thomson last week. He tells me he never saw Robert 

 Barns, although he corresponded so mucli with him, and got him 

 to write some of his finest words for the old Scottish airs." 

 Friends and admirers of Burns in aU parts of the world were asked 

 to subscribe to the fund. The Provost and Magistrates of Dum- 

 fries gave the scheme their countenance. Mrs Jordan, the cele- 

 brated actress, gave a performance in Dumfries in aid of the funds, 

 as is shown by this play bill, which produced £33 18s ; and Sir 

 Walter Scott was instrumental in securing the valuable services of 

 Mr and Mrs Siddons for the same object, and they gave a full 

 dress benefit night in Edinburgh, which realised the sum of £39 

 14s. His letters to Mr Grierson on that subject were as follow :— ■ 



Edinburgh, 20th May, 1814. 



I did not answer your last favour because I did not find au oppor- 

 tunity to suggest to Mr Siddons the plan of a benefit for Burns' Monu- 

 ment. The fact is there are so many demands of this nature upon a 

 theatrical manager that unless I were to find a very favourable moment 

 I should not much like to suggest any thought that may enlarge this tax. 

 My own idea was to speak to John Kemble when there, which would 

 have been certain to make a house, but I was obliged to leave town 

 while he was acting. I will keep the proposal, however, in view ; in 

 the meantime, I send some subscriptions on the other side, which may 

 be added to those lists already circulated. 



My own circle of friends is very limited, but I trust to get a good 

 many guineas if I go to London before the books are closed. I have 

 always declined taking money, so that you will have the trouble to 

 collect the subscriptions by some proper person here. 



Walter Scott. 



Edinburgh, 3d December, 1814. 



I have only time to write you two lines, being very busy just now. 



Mr Siildous readily and handsomely agrees to give the benefit, and gives 



two guine;is himself. The expense of the house is £40. It holds .£200. 



I must endeavour, though my interest lies little in that way, to get some 



women of fashion to patrouise the thing, when possibly we may gather 



£100. 



Walter Scott. 



Edinburgh, 14th December, 1814. 



Our benefit took place last night. We had by no means a crowded 



but a very genteel audience. The boxes particularly were filled with 



fashionable people, but neither the pit nor gallery so full as I should have 



expected they might have been from the name of the bard. In this 



