XXV111 
MEMOIR OF 
yielded to the soft but potent sovereignty of love. In 
this respect he is almost alone among the warm-hearted 
sons of song. Rarely does he write of love ; and, when 
he does, it is like a man who might have thought about 
it, as about any other interesting mental phenomenon, 
but had never experienced its subduing power. It is said 
that he kept up a sort of Platonic attachment and 
correspondence with a young lady of some rank and accom- 
plishments, but never went beyond the usual language of 
sentimental courtesy, and laid it easily aside the moment 
that his mind became fixed on emigration. 
Various schemes crossed his mind as to the mode of 
earning a livelihood in America ; and, among others, 
one seems to have been, to qualify himself, by a know- 
ledge of writing and arithmetic, for entering into some 
mercantile occupation. With this view, early in the 
year 1794, he applied to a friend, who at that time kept 
a school, to have himself taught these branches of 
education ; but, after one day’s study, departed ; nor, till 
several months had elapsed, did he return, and then 
only to bid a final farewell. This sudden change of 
mind has generally been attributed to his restless 
instability of purpose ; and brought forward as a parallel 
to the story which Burns tells of his own mathematical 
studies. A more correct view of the affair is given by 
one of his American friends, who must have had it from 
himself: When he finally determined on emigration, he 
was not possessed of funds sufficient to pay his passage. 
In order to surmount that obstacle, he adopted a plan 
of extreme diligence at the loom, and rigid personal 
economy ; by which means he amassed the necessary sum. 
After living for a period of four months, at the rate of 
one shilling per week, he paid farewell visits to several of 
his most intimate friends, among others, to the above- 
mentioned teacher, retraced some of his old favourite 
haunts, and, bidding a last adieu to his native land, set out 
