MEMOIR OF DR WRIGHT. 12^ 



the management of the publication. At first I expected no- 

 thing but amusement. You must know I am a great admirer 

 of Burns, and have a partial attachment to our old interesting 

 country ; but it has happened from various causes that this 

 task has occupied and almost engrossed my little leisure from 

 professional pursuits. Thank God it will soon be off mv 

 hands. 



" I mean to prefix a discourse on the condition and man- 

 ners of the Scottish peasantry ; and I mean also to speak of 

 the effects of opium and alcohol on the temperament of ge- 

 nius. So you see I shall give it a professional colouring. 

 Can you indicate to me any book in which I may find assist- 

 ance in this last particular ? 



" I am sensible that I have been imprudent in this under- 

 taking, and that it interrupts me in the pursuit of objects 

 fairly in my path and in my view. But I must get through 

 it now as well as I can." 



In Dr Wright's next letter to Dr Currie, of 

 the 24th of August 1799, the following passages oc- 

 cur : 



" Your welcome and kind letter of the 18th current came 

 duly to hand, and relieved me considerably from the anxiety 

 I had concerning you. I hope a little time and attention on 

 your part will restore you. We all know the ill effects of a 

 sedentary life, while at the same time the mind is making ex- 

 ertions. I rejoice that Bukns is now so nearly off your 

 hands, and that you will soon be able to turn your attention 

 to other subjects. 



" Ckumpe has written best on opium, so far as regards its 

 virtues in diseases, and Trotter De Ebrietate ; but I do 

 not at present recollect any author who treats cither on alco- 

 hol or opium, as it influences the morals or the modes of think- 

 ing in mankind. The latter I should suspect might best be 



