224 TRANSACTIONS. 
1850, the following occurred: “I had the satisfaction of seeing 
old George Thomson last week. He tells me he never saw Robert 
Burns, although he corresponded so much with him, and got him 
to write some of his finest words for the old Scottish airs.” 
Friends and admirers of Burns in all 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 an 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 
T 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 Scort. 
Edinburgh, 3d December, 1814. 
I have only time to write you two lines, being very busy just now. 
Mr Siddons readily and handsomely agrees to give the benefit, and gives 
two guineas 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 patronise the thing, when possibly we may gather 
£100. 
WALTER Scort. 
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 
