74 Transactions. 



they have our best acknowledgments. I have no doubt you will com- 

 municate to me further particulars on this interesting subject. 



My father was born in Dumfries on tlie •26th of March, IToO, and after a 

 life devoted to literary pursuits in this metropolis, and distinguished by 

 every virtue which can adorn a public life or hallow domestic retirement, 

 died on the 14th March, 1836, at his residence in Lisson Grove South, 

 Marylebone. His remains are deposited in the Churchyard of St. Mary's, 

 Paddington. 



Most fully estimating your friendship and exertions on this occasion. — I 

 remain, my dear sir, yours very truly, W. H. Mayne. 



Loudon, Friday, 10th March, 1843. 



In the correspondence whicli arose out of this proposal Dr 

 Robert Carruthers, of Inverness, a native of Dumfriesshire, wrote 

 the following spirited letter : — 



Inverness, -Tan. 24, 1843. 



My Dear Sir, — I am glad to see that you arc still as active as ever in 

 promoting any laudable or patriotic object connected with our native 

 district. The proposed tablet to the memory of Mr Mayne is a just and 

 proper mark of distinction from his fellow-townsmen, and I am much 

 obliged to you for affording me an opportunity of subscribing towards it. 

 I remember our late excellent friend with strong affection and regard. He 

 was peculiarly kind and attentive to me when I was young and unfriended, 

 and had no claim on his hospitality beyond that of being a native of 

 Dumfries. In later years we had few opportunities of meeting, but I never 

 went to London without seeing him, and we kept up a friendly acquaint- 

 ance till the time of his death. You knew him much better, and can 

 testify to the warmth of his heart and the strength of his local attachments. 

 Apart, however, from all personal considerations, the merits of Mr Mayne 

 as a Scottish poet entitle him to this posthumous honour from his fellow- 

 townsmen. His muse was a true native of the banks of Nith, and in 

 depicting local scenes and customs he had a certain homely penetrative 

 humour and liveliness of illustration, joined to genuine Scottish simplicity, 

 that are perfectly inesistible with natives of Dumfries and its neighbour- 

 hood. I have seen a verse of the " Siller Gun," and even an illusion to 

 the poem, operate as a spell among our townsmen. 



Do you mean to confine the subscription to natives of Dumfries ? You 

 would recollect Mrs Allan Cunningham, or her son Peter ; the latter is a 

 gentleman of literary taste and acquirements. If poor Allan himself 

 had been alive he would have gone cordially into our scheme. I remember 

 Mr Edward Hyslop, of the Londonderry Journal, used to be much with 

 our friend about the year 1818 or 1819. There is a very worthy and 

 accomplished native of the County of Dumfries (Mouswald or Dalton, I 

 think) who must have known Mayne. I mean Dr William Beattie, author 

 of various works, as "Scotland Illustrated," " Switzerland Illustrated," 

 &c. If you think of applying to him, his address is No. 6 Park Square, 

 Regent's Park. I have no doubt, however, but your own zeal and intimate 



