Transactions. 235 



The bust of Sir Walter Scott, by Chantrey, referred to iu the 

 above letter was duly despatched, and the donor again writes on 

 December 25th, 1823 : — 



Some teu or twelve days ago I forwarded to you by way of Leith 

 the bust of Sir Walter Scott for the Burns Club of Dumfries. I hope by 

 this time it has reached you in safety. You kuow much better than me 

 how such things are introduced. You will therefore oblige me by pre- 

 senting it in your own way at the next meeting. T trust you will have a 

 large increase of members, and much mirth and eloquence. It was my wish 

 to have written you earlier. T have long felt how much all owe to your 

 discreet and active enthusiasm iu other mattei-s as well as those of song, 

 and though slow in expressing it, I have not felt it the less sensibly. 

 To render our native town distinguished, to make it, though less 

 populous, as f;u- known and famed as prouder cities, ought, and I trust 

 has been, the wish of all her sous. For my own part, though living iu a 

 distant place, and out of the way too far to be with you iu person, I feel 

 not the less solicitude for the fame and name of Dumfries than those 

 who have the happiness of dwelliug in her streets. Humble and remote 

 as I am, my best wishes are ever with you, and I lov»> my native vale 

 and district zealously to do it honour as the wisest or the proudest of its 

 children. I am willing to think that I have, though in a far less degree, 

 in the wish of him in whose lionour you are so soon to ;issemble re- 

 desired, and was ever a desire more amply fulfilled for the sake of his 

 country and the love he bore her—" To sing a song at least." 



Remember me to Mr Macdiarmid. 



Allan Cunningham. 



London, 25th December, 1823. 



The only further trace of the Bums Club he could produce 

 was contained in the following letter from Sir Walter Scott, dated 

 from Abbotsford, 29th December, 1831 : — 



I am very much flattered with the invitation of the Burns Club of 

 Dumfries to take their chair upon the 2Gth of January next, and were it 

 iu my power to do myself so great honour it would give me the most 

 sincere satisfaction. But my oflicial duty detains me iu close attendance 

 on the Court of Session during its sittings, besides which I am not now 

 so equal as at a former part of my life either to winter-journeys or to 

 social exertion. The severe illness to which I was subjected some years 

 ago obliges me to observe great caution in these particulais. 



I beg to express my siucere wishes for the conviviality of the meet- 

 ing, anil to express my most respectful thanks for the honour which the 

 Club have conferred upon 



Walter Scott. 

 Abbotsford, 29th December, 1831. 



