ALEXANDER WILSON. 
XXV11 
criticisms, and had never answered any of them, but as Wilson was 
of a superior order, he would reply to it, and proceeded to justify his 
poem. This was Wilson’s first introduction to a short acquaintance 
with Burns ; previously, he had gone to Ayr on purpose to visit him, 
but found him from home, and had only the satisfaction to converse 
for a considerable time with his sister, who must have made a 
favourable impression upon his mind, as he was heard to remark, on 
his return, “ that Burns must be a very superior man if like his 
sister.” The poets met, some years after, at Burns’s farm, spent 
a pleasant evening, and made an exchange of the poems which 
occasioned their introduction. This was their first and last meeting. 
It was natural to suppose that a disposition, bearing a stamp so 
superior and different from his fellow operatives in a similar station, 
would form associations with somewhat kindred minds. Mr 
Crichton, Dr Barlas, and Mr Brodie, he looked up to with a certain 
awe, and held them more as preceptors, or friends, to whose steady, 
guidance he could trust, than as participators in all his whims and 
youthful frolics ; and we find him in frequent society with Gavin 
Turnbull, E. Picken, and James Kennedy, who formed part of 
his companions in his song of “ The Group.” It was by their 
means that he was introduced to a debating society held in the 
Edinburgh Pantheon, where the merits of various questions given 
out for discussion were contested in speeches by individuals 
taking different sides, and decided by the votes of the audience, 
which consisted of both ladies and gentlemen. Wilson made all 
his addresses in poetry, generally in the form of a tale applicable 
to the subject, and wrote for this society several pieces, which, 
considering the time he devoted to them, may rank among the best 
of his juvenile performances. 
The first address he delivered there was unpremeditated ; he had 
gone without any intention of mingling in the debate ; but, after 
others had spoken upon the subject, “ Whether affection or interest 
was the greatest inducement to matrimony,” — his feelings had 
been warmed, and a pause ensuing, during which the audience 
seemed to expect some other orator, he availed himself of the 
opportunity, and delivered an address which astonished the audience 
as much as it surprised himself. The ice was now broken unawares ; 
he began to throw aside his natural diffidence, and appeared a 
