[Thomson, it would appear by his answer to this letter, was at issue
with Burns on the subject-matter of simplicity: the former seems to
have desired a sort of diplomatic and varnished style: the latter felt
that elegance and simplicity were "sisters twin.
with Burns on the subject-matter of simplicity: the former seems to
have desired a sort of diplomatic and varnished style: the latter felt
that elegance and simplicity were "sisters twin.
Robert Forst
I call them simple; you would
pronounce them silly. Do you know a fine air called "Jackie Hume's
Lament? " I have a song of considerable merit to that air. I'll enclose
you both the song and tune, as I had them ready to send to Johnson's
Museum. [219] I send you likewise, to me, a beautiful little air, which I
had taken down from _viva voce. _[220]
Adieu.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 218: Songs CXCII. and CXCIII. ]
[Footnote 219: Song CXCIV. ]
[Footnote 220: Song CXCVIII. ]
* * * * *
CCLIV.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[Thomson, it would appear by his answer to this letter, was at issue
with Burns on the subject-matter of simplicity: the former seems to
have desired a sort of diplomatic and varnished style: the latter felt
that elegance and simplicity were "sisters twin. "]
_April, 1793. _
MY DEAR SIR,
I had scarcely put my last letter into the post-office, when I took up
the subject of "The last time I came o'er the moor," and ere I slept
drew the outlines of the foregoing. [221] How I have succeeded, I leave
on this, as on every other occasion, to you to decide. I own my vanity
is flattered, when you give my songs a place in your elegant and superb
work; but to be of service to the work is my first wish. As I have often
told you, I do not in a single instance wish you, out of compliment to
me, to insert anything of mine. One hint let me give you--whatever Mr.
Pleyel does, let him not alter one iota of the original Scottish airs, I
mean in the song department, but let our national music preserve its
native features. They are, I own, frequently wild and irreducible to the
more modern rules; but on that very eccentricity, perhaps, depends a
great part of their effect.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 221: Song CCXXXIV. ]
* * * * *
CCLV.
TO JOHN FRANCIS ERSKINE, ESQ. ,
OF M A R.
[This remarkable letter has been of late the subject of some
controversy: Mr.
pronounce them silly. Do you know a fine air called "Jackie Hume's
Lament? " I have a song of considerable merit to that air. I'll enclose
you both the song and tune, as I had them ready to send to Johnson's
Museum. [219] I send you likewise, to me, a beautiful little air, which I
had taken down from _viva voce. _[220]
Adieu.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 218: Songs CXCII. and CXCIII. ]
[Footnote 219: Song CXCIV. ]
[Footnote 220: Song CXCVIII. ]
* * * * *
CCLIV.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[Thomson, it would appear by his answer to this letter, was at issue
with Burns on the subject-matter of simplicity: the former seems to
have desired a sort of diplomatic and varnished style: the latter felt
that elegance and simplicity were "sisters twin. "]
_April, 1793. _
MY DEAR SIR,
I had scarcely put my last letter into the post-office, when I took up
the subject of "The last time I came o'er the moor," and ere I slept
drew the outlines of the foregoing. [221] How I have succeeded, I leave
on this, as on every other occasion, to you to decide. I own my vanity
is flattered, when you give my songs a place in your elegant and superb
work; but to be of service to the work is my first wish. As I have often
told you, I do not in a single instance wish you, out of compliment to
me, to insert anything of mine. One hint let me give you--whatever Mr.
Pleyel does, let him not alter one iota of the original Scottish airs, I
mean in the song department, but let our national music preserve its
native features. They are, I own, frequently wild and irreducible to the
more modern rules; but on that very eccentricity, perhaps, depends a
great part of their effect.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 221: Song CCXXXIV. ]
* * * * *
CCLV.
TO JOHN FRANCIS ERSKINE, ESQ. ,
OF M A R.
[This remarkable letter has been of late the subject of some
controversy: Mr.
