72 Transactions. 
irritable, nervous, and bilious. If you and any other dear friend will help 
me to materials I will attack them piecemeal, and endeavour to render a 
second edition, if ever we arrive at it, more worthy of the public favour, 
Tam proud that any lady, ‘a ‘friend of yours, does me the honour of singing 
a composition of mine. I have therefore enclosed a correct copy of 
‘¢ Bonaparte o’er the'sea,” which you can transcribe for her amusement. 
p ’ 
* * * * * * * * w 
I wish it were in my power to assist you in the goodly work of charity 
which so laudably engrosses your attention. A good deal of money in old 
guineas might be picked up here annually for the purpose of improving and 
extending the comforts of the town’s hospital in Dumfries. I do not know 
any person in London so likely to promote this great end as Mr Kay—he 
is so well known, and so generally esteemed. I wish you would write to 
him once more before you go to press with your annual report. I am not 
only too obscure, but too much oceupied with business to be of service to 
you or him on this occasion. By allsmeans, however, write to the Duke of 
Queensberry by post. His Grace sis'benevolence itself, and will, I am sure, 
be delighted with a new opportunity of smoothing his path to eternity, now 
fast closing upon him. I claim to myself some merit in having suggested 
to Mr Laurie of Ironespie the London subscription for the family of Burns, 
to which I was the first subscriber of five guineas. Mr Laurie was inde- 
fatigable for a while, and collected upwards of 200 guineas, which was 
ultimately vested in the hands, I believe, of Alderman Shaw. I do not 
‘know how it comes, but I have a kind of presentiment that this spring wil) 
see you in London. Is there any hope of such a pleasure? Commend me 
to-all friends, and believe me truly, my dear sir, your much obliged, 
J. Mayne. 
William Grierson, Esq., Junr., Dumfries. 
In a friendly letter Mayne congratulated Mr Grierson ‘upon 
his marriage with Miss Sibbald in a very neat manner :— 
London, 14th September, 1815. 
I lose no time, my dear sir, in replying to your letter of the 7th from 
Haddington, received this morning, announcing to me the consummation 
of all your wishes in your marriage with Miss Sibbald—an event on which 
I beg leave to congratulate you with my whole heart, entreating my most 
respectful compliments to your amiable lady, with every wish that you 
may be —- 
Blest with all that Heaven can send— 
Long life, long health, long pleasure, and a friend. 
I have sent the Star, as you desired, to Dr Sibbald, and shall always be 
proud to manifest the respect with which I am, my dear sir, yours truly, 
J. MAyNE. 
Many editions of the ‘Siller Gun” were published,.and in a 
letter of date 25th June, 1816, the following occurred ;— 
London, 25th June, ‘1816. 
Dear Sir,—I'am glad that you were so well pleased with the manner in 
‘which everything connected with the dinner at the Freemasons’ Tavern 
