XX LIFE OF 



I would look over them at my leisure. He put the small volume, 

 which was neatly written, into my hand, and left it with me, saying 

 that he would soon call again to hear my opinion." * Mr Crichton 

 having given his sanction to the volume, the very sanguine disposi- 

 tion of our now about-to-be young author, in addition to his being 

 also a poet, bore him through all preliminary difficulties. He con- 

 tracted with his printer in Paisley, circulated his prospectus, and 

 having, he tells us,t "committed the contents of my pack to a hand- 

 bill,! m a style somewhat remote from any I have yet seen," he a 

 second time sallied forth, " to make one bold push for the united 

 interest of pack and poems." 



He had now, by the solicitation of his friends, been induced to 

 keep a journal. We learn from it, that, after travelling to Edinburgh, 



* Biographical Sketches of the late Alexander Wilson, in a Series of Letters 

 by Senex (Mr Crichton, Town's Hospital, Paisley), p. 13. 

 t Journal, Poems, 2nd Edit. 



J Advertisement Extraordinary. 



Fair ladies, I pray, for one moment to stay, 



Until with submission I tell you, 

 What muslins so curious, for uses so various, 



A poet has here brought to sell you. 



Here's handkerchiefs charming; book-muslins like ermine, 



Brocaded, striped, corded, and check'd ; 

 Sweet Venus, they say, on Cupid's birthday, 



In British-made muslins was deck'd. 



If these can't content ye, here's muslins in plenty, 



From one shilling up to a dozen, 

 That Juno might wear, and more beauteous appear, 



When she means the old Thunderer to cozen. 



Here are fine jaconets, of numberless sets, 



With spotted and sprigged festoons ; 

 And lovely tambours, with elegant flowers, 



For bonnets, cloaks, aprons, or gowns. 



Now, ye Fair, if ye choose any piece to peruse, 



With pleasure I'll instantly show it ; 

 If the Pedlar should fail to be favour'd with sale, 



Then I hope you'll encourage the Poet. 



— Journal, Poems, 2nd Edit. 



