PLANS AND PROSPECTS. 319 



wo years ago, constituted rny almost every-day mood, 

 ban to any want of native power. You smile at my 

 ;onceit. Well, I have done so myself. Remember, 

 lowever, that the species of conceit which I display on 

 he present occasion is not quite that of the past. It 

 )lumes itself on an ability to produce, not upon anything 

 )roduced already. ... I begin to relish Spenser. . . . 



'You inquire regarding my plans and prospects. 

 Che former are not complex, the latter are not gloomy, 

 in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons I intend 

 }lying the mallet, that I may be independent ; in the 

 winter I purpose exercising the pen, that I may be 

 unused, and (the truth will out) that I may be known. 

 With independence, amusement, and a very small portion 

 rf celebrity, I trust to enjoy a competent share of happi- 

 less ; and, with the assistance of God, to prove myself not 

 pite unworthy the esteem of the few individuals whose 

 characters resemble that of my present correspondent.' 



The Mr Strahan referred to in the following letter 

 was one of the many friends whom the publication of 

 his poems procured him. Mr Strahan was himself a 

 writer of poetry ; and it may be mentioned that it is a 

 son of his whose name appears on the title-page of this 

 biography. Furthermore, that it was on Miller's recom- 

 mendation and advice that the publishing profession was 

 chosen for the son of his friend Miller himself making 

 the necessary arrangements with Messrs Johnstone and 

 Hunter of Edinburgh. 



' Cromarty, March 12, 1831. 



f In the long beautiful days of summer I have often 

 pitied my friend Mr Strahan, confined as he is by 

 his profession, to a dull monotonous apartment. After 

 flinging down my mallet to contemplate the glorious 

 sunshine, poured out around me on the fields, woods, 



