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sion; and if there seems to be too much acrimony in some of our correspondent's remarks, we fear that the poet has set him the example. The Letter is before the public, and the public will judge between the parties.]
It has been generally understood, that a new edition of Burns' Works is preparing for publication by Cadell & Davies, and that Mr Gilbert Burns is to furnish a Life of his illustrious brother. The more editions of the immortal Scottish bard the better; and we have no doubt that Gilbert Burns, a man of feeling and intelligence, will do himself honour by his share in the publication. There is something very touching and affecting in the idea of brother performing this sacred duty to brother,—the grave, the sedate, and the reflecting mind, describing the life and character of the more highly-gifted, but also the more erring and unfortunate.
It would appear, that Gilbert Burns had communicated to Mr James Gray of the High School of Edinburgh, a man, we understand, of ability and virtue, his intention of writing his brother's life, and that he had requested the aid and advice, which that gentleman is in many respects so well qualified to bestow. A pamphlet soon after appeared, we presume in consequence of this request, containing Observations, by a Mr Peterkin, on the Criticisms in the Quarterly and Edinburgh Reviews upon Burns' life and genius, and a letter from Mr Gray to the said Mr Peterkin, communicating what he knew of Burns' habits and mode of life; and, if we distinctly understand the pamphlet, the result of the inquiry seems to be, that, in the opinion of these gentlemen, the character of our great poet has been ignorantly, wantonly, and grossly traduced,—that he was not addicted to dissipation,—that he was a most exemplary family-man,—and that all stories to the contrary are exaggerations, fabrications, and falsehoods.
This pamphlet, it appears, Mr Gray transmitted to Mr Wordsworth, requesting the opinion of that celebrated person, on the best mode of composing the biographical memoir. Mr Wordsworth writes to Mr Gray a very long and laboured Letter on the subject, and of that Letter we shall give our readers some little account.
But, in the first place, we conceive that Mr Wordsworth has made a slight mistake, in saying that Gilbert Burns has done him the honour of requesting his advice. This does not appear to have been the case; the request was made by Mr Gray, and not by Mr Burns, who, we have good reason to know, was scarcely aware of Mr Wordsworth's existence,—had never read a single line of his poetry,—and had formed no idea, good, bad, or indifferent, of his character.
In the second place, it appears that this "Letter" was originally a private communication to Mr Gray,—and it is a pity that it did not remain so; for we think that there is great indelicacy, vanity, and presumption, in thus coming forward with printed and published advice, to a man who most assuredly stands in no need of it, but who is infinitely better acquainted with all the bearings of the subject than his officious and egotistical adviser.
In the third place, Mr Wordsworth says, "do not give publicity to any portion of these (his opinions), unless it be thought probable that an open circulation of the whole may be useful;" and to this very pompous injunction he adds, in a note, "that it was deemed that it would be so, and the Letter is published accordingly."
We wish to ask Mr Wordsworth, Who deemed it would be so? Did Gilbert Burns so deem? Did Mr Gray so deem? Or was it only Mr Wordsworth himself who did so deem? We believe that the latter gentleman alone recommended its publication.
In the fourth place, it is natural to ask, what peculiarly fits Mr Wordsworth to give advice on the subject? He has never lived in Scotland,—he knows nothing about Burns,—he very imperfectly understands the language in which Burns writes,—he has not even read those publications which are supposed to be unjust to his memory;—yet, in the midst of all this portentous ignorance,—and in the face of these manifest disqualifications,—he has the effrontery to offer advice to Gilbert Burns, one of the most intelligent and strong-minded men alive, on a subject nearest and dearest to his heart, which he has doubtless contemplated in every possible light, and of which he must know many deeply interesting particulars, unthought of by the world.