I'ransactimis. 71 



Warm as the sun and frauk and free, 



I've marked a constancy in thee — 



The type o' what true friends sliould be ; 



For without vaunting, 

 Wealth never yet had charms for me 



Where worth was wanting. 



To Wightman, priest o' Kirkmahoe, 

 The gentlest creature here below ; 

 In short, to a' the friends I know 



Remember me, 

 And ne'er may care, that bogle-boe, 



Haunt them or thee. 



And for their sakes, whom ye revere, 

 And hers, the dearest o' the dear. 

 This breast shall glow in love sincere 



By wishing to them 

 The comforts of a gude New- Year, 



And mony o' them. 



To William Grierson, Esq., of Baitford, Dumfries. 



J. Mayne. 



Then followed a letter of date 3rd March, 1809, dealing with 

 the air of "Whistle o'er the lave o't," and a number of Dumfries 

 matters. 



London, 3rd March, 1809. 



Dear Sir, — Your letter by Dr Brewster came safe, and I thank you very 

 kindly for making me acquainted with that gentleman. I am much obliged 

 to you also for your letter of the 7th ult. in reply to all my queries and 

 wishes. I am glad that j-ou have enabled me through the medium of 

 Johnny Wilson to adhere to my first statement that John Bruce, however 

 famous as a player, was not the composer of the air of " Whistle o'er the 

 lave o't." I always thought that it was of much higher antiquity. 

 Continue your kindness to Mr Wilson, and I will repay you with pleasure. 

 I wish it were possible to get a sketch of John (iass and of William 

 M'Clush, and any other of the worthies that are still living connected with 

 or mentioned in "The Siller Gun." If you can help me to these and to 

 drawings of the Craigs, or of the town, as far as they can illustrate or 

 embellish a future edition of that poem, I will clieerfiilly and handsomely 

 pay for them. A view of the procession would also be very gratifying. 

 In anything I have done or mean to do on this subject, emolument never 

 entered into my consideration. The town of Dumfries and everytliing 

 connected with its vicinity are so dear to my heart that it would afford 

 me even a dying pleasure to have been instrumental in diffusing or pro- 

 longing a knowledge of their beauties. Entreat Mr Anderson in my name 

 to read the poem over again, and as he reads to write down every anecdote 

 and observation on men and things that occurs to him. I was very 

 hurried when the notes were thrown together. What was worse, I was 



