122 .MEMOIR OF DR WRIGHT. 



and among others, that of the learned and eccentric 

 Lord Monboddo. 



About this time Dr Wright's correspondence with 

 Dr Currie was closely kept up. The latter had now 

 engaged in the work which has since connected his 

 name so inseparably with that of Robert Burns ; a 

 circumstance which gives to the following passage a 

 peculiar interest. It is probable from his knowledge 

 of the tastes and habits of Dr Wright, that he did 

 not anticipate much encouragement in that quarter 

 for the prosecution of the undertaking, a feeling 

 which, when combined with the delicate state of Dr 

 Currie's health, may have had some influence on the 

 tone of his expression. The letter, from which the 

 extract is taken, is dated the 18th of August 1799 : 



" I enjoy," he says, " but indifferent health, and write at 

 present in my bed-room. Being much exposed to the late 

 tempestuous weather, I have got a cough, which is teasing. 

 I am compelled to bleed, which makes me languid, especially 

 as I cannot lie by. 



" I have unwittingly engaged in a work, from which I ex- 

 pected nothing but amusement and relaxation, but which has 

 consumed some valuable time, — superintending a complete 

 edition of the works of poor Burns, which is printing here, 

 and now on the eve of publication. This ill-fated genius died 

 in Dumfries, where I saw him, in an excursion I made to 

 Scotland in 1792. His family's great friend, Mr Svme, was 

 an early and particular intimate of mine ; and by him I was 

 induced first to engage to give an anonymous article as a pre- 

 face to the works ; afterwards to give my opinion of what 

 MSS. should be printed, and finally to superintend the print- 

 ing, transact with the booksellers, and, in short, undertake 



