MY DEAR FRIEND,
I received your very welcome letter, dated 19th July, and should have answered ere now, but the truth is, I have been obliged to scribble so much of late that writing anything is become a real labour to me. However, that apathy is now beginning to wear off, and I promise you that I will be more punctual in future. I received the packet which you forwarded by Mr. Donaldson, and am highly pleased with the kindness Mr. Ross of Aberdeen has shown me. In all our dealings, he has used me like a gentleman. The music he has set to my songs, I think, is excellently suited to the words. Have you tried that to the “Highland Plaid?”[1] It stamps a value on the words, which they would by no means possess without it. Smith and Barr are well pleased with them. By-the-by, have you heard that Mr. R. A. [2] is now precentor to our old church ? Dr. Boog [3] sent for him about two months since, and he engaged with him for ten or twelve pounds per annum. Messrs. Stuart, Cumming, and Locke, sit in his band. His employment in the teaching line has, as yet, scarcely come up to his wishes; but the proper season for it is just coming in. He has bespoke a room for it above the Cross, and is going to open a class for young ladies and gentlemen some of these nights. The influence of the Old Kirk gentry may be of use to him. Mr. Ross has likewise set music to “The Braes of Gleniffer.” It does capitally. It is published by Hamilton in a very elegant style.—I was not a little sorry that I did not see you on the night before you left Paisley. However, at that time I was poorly; and even in your company, would have been as flat as a flounder. I will write you a little song on chance; I don't know how it may please you,— “While the grey-pinioned Lark,” [4] &c.—Now, my dear friend, I hope you will not long deny me the pleasure of letting me hear from you. There are so many rubs in life that we ought to make one another as comfortable as possible ; and I assure you that hearing from you frequently affords me much happiness. Give my best respects to my cousin, and to my friend Tom, and Mrs. Buchanan, and rest assured that, among your numerous acquaintances, none esteems you more truly than your friend,
R. T.
[1] This is the song, No. 93, which we have titled “Young Donald and his Lawland Bride.”—Ed.
[2] Note by Ramsay.— “By this abbreviation, R. A. Smith was familiarly known among his friends.”
[3] The minister of the first charge of the Abbey Church, Paisley.—Ed.
[4] From the Author in this song, No. 67, using the names of “Fairy Woodside” and “Sweet Ferguslie,”—the places or haunts of his boyhood,—we altered the title of the song to “Fairy Woodside and Sweet Ferguslie; or, The Grey-Pinioned Lark.”—Ed.