VERSES ON THAT OCCASION. 143 sion during the remainder of their days. They little thought, probably, that the remaining days of one of these were to be so few. Alexander's feelings on this occasion are recorded in some verses, among which the following occur :— Shall I, Alas! 'No longer hear the friendly tone, 'No longer see the evening fire, 'No longer see thy aged form Or move, with gentle step, and slow 'As from its place beyond the fire, Thy hand still firm, although thy head 'And can those hands, which busy still Some lighter task would ply, Nor shrink from labour to the last, 'And can that eye, which still was bright 'Now in my ear a voice proclaims 'No more for me thy task shall be, Dry clothing to prepare, When Winter's drenching rain had made Such needful task thy care.' CHAPTER IV. 6 PUBLICATION OF TALES AND SKETCHES OF THE SCOT TISH PEASANTRY' FAVOURABLE WORK NOTICES OF THE FRIEND CORRESPONDENCE WITH LITERARY 6 AND DR. MURRAY-TERMS OF PUBLICATION OF PRACTICAL ECONOMY'-VISIT OF THE MESSRS. BETHUNE TO EDINBURGH-A. BETHUNE'S VIEWS AND FEELINGS IN REGARD TO HIS LITERARY LABOURS-CONNEXION WITH BORDER TALES' 6 SISTERS'. เ -DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE PUBLICATION OF PRACTICAL ECONOMY'-NEGLECT OF THAT WORK. THE following Letter from Mr. Bethune's literary friend, of date the 6th February, 1838, announced the publication of Tales and Sketches of the Scottish Peasantry'; as also the appearance of some highly favourable reviews and notices of the work: February 6, 1838. My dear Sir, The Tales are "just published," and I am proud to say, what I think you, with all who have seen it, will acknowledge-that the book is a handsome one. For one opinion-one valuable opinion, in which many with myself most sincerely and cordially concur-I refer you to Dr. Murray's Notice in the accompanying Newspaper, which does high credit alike to his discrimination, good taste, and generous, kindly feelings. In addition to this, my ears have, unobserved, drank the applause bestowed on your work by those whose opinions were worth having and unprejudiced. Its faults too have been commented on, you need not doubt; but these are few in number, and far more than counterbalanced by its beauties. I have already said too much on that score. Mr. has willingly entered into the proposal that you should become a contributor to his Border Tales-and he has promised to send me a parcel for you ere this departs-and to it I refer you for particulars.-I have this moment been most agreeably interrupted by the entrance of a friend bearing the enclosed copy of the Athenæum, containing a review of the Tales. I cannot tell you whether I am most surprised or delighted at this most desirable circumstance. The paper is of very high literary standing in the metropolis; and as the review comes, unsolicited, from the pen of a stranger, you have great reason to be proud of it. But you can judge for yourself-and I will not take up your time with my chaff when you have so much good corn before you. This however, I may say that since matters have turned out so favourably, or rather begun so auspiciously, I would not advise you rashly to close with Mr. in any engagement which might in the smallest degree fetter your exertions in other literary undertakings. This may pave the way to a future volume of Tales; and I would not-at all CONTRIBUTIONS OF HIS BROTHER JOHN. 147 events till it is seen how your volume succeeds— throw away your good things upon any ephemeral periodical of the time. If, however, you think your resources sufficient, which I doubt not, to supply them and keep something good in reserve, you by no means should hesitate to become a contributor. It is always a marrow bone to pick, and "ae' bird i' hand is worth twa in bush." I have this moment received -'s parcel, which appears to contain a copy of the Border Tales. Work is pouring in upon you-I hope you will be able to accomplish it all. I beg you will let me see any manuscript you may send for their work, which I shall read and despatch to them with all expedition. Your compunctious visitings about getting all the credit of the book, you ought to send to the right about. I regret that your brother's three poems should not bring him all the credit they merit-I think, however, you will not cast out about it.' The following extract from the Life of John Bethune, will explain the allusions, in the foregoing letter, to his contributions to the volume just published. In the composition of this work, it was at first intended that he, (John,) should have taken a larger share, but circumstances prevented him from doing so ; and "The Dedication,' The Decline and Fall of the Ghost,' ," "A Wish," "A Vision of Death," and "An Infant's Death-bed," were his only contributions. * * * * Literary fame 9966 |