MY DEAR SIR,
I have not yet been able to procure that song of Craig's [1] which I promised to send you. I have called on him repeatedly, but he was always from home. You may depend on having it as soon as I can get hold of it. When you can get leisure to write me the air of “The Tinker Man,” I expect you to send it. Please give me the first verse and chorus along with it, as they will help me to its crank measure. The volumes you left with me are a real treasure. I cannot say when I will be over with them, but shall take proper care of them till I send them to your friend Archd. The enclosed bill will inform you respecting Mr. Smith's concert. I have no doubt of his, having a full audience. Do you recollect a song in Johnson's,' beginning “O merry hae I been teething a heckle.” ’Tis to a Highland air. I forget the name; but I have seen it elsewhere called “The auld Wife o the glen.” On the other page, I will give you a few verses newly strung up to it, perhaps to little purpose. You shall again soon hear from me. When you write (on receipt of this), say whether you have seen Mr. Ross. I would have been happy to have had a few lines from him concerning that last song of ours which Hamilton published. Give my best wishes and warm respects to Charles Marshall and Thomas Buchanan.
I am,
Yours (you know the rest),
ROBT. TANNAHILL.
P.S.—Mr. Stuart is well.
This letter is in possession of David Laing, Esq., Edinburgh.—Ed
[1] Mr. William Craig was born at Paisley on 11th June, 1789, and was educated for the medical profession. He was chairman of the Paisley Burns Club at the Anniversary on January 29th, 1809, when in the 20th year of his age, and where he delivered an animated address. Tannahill was present, and several of Craig's pieces were sung. He wrote the following burst of melody, probably the song referred to by Tannahill:—
“THE WREATH.
“I stood on the spot where his lyre is unstrung,
Where cold is the bosom it fired;
I wept o'er the bones of the Sovereign of Song—
The Minstrel whom Nature inspired.
“I plucked a green wreath from the Bard's hallowed tomb,
But it was not the wreath of his fame ;
No, the wreath of his fame shall unfadingly bloom
In the glory that circles his name.
“Yes, Burns, while the children of Scotia shall heave
A sigh o'er the grave of the Bard,
To the native Minstrel affection shall weave
A wreath of eternal regard.”
These charming lines were afterwards inserted in the Minute Book of the Club, and are a fine specimen of the poetical talent and felicity of expression of a son of Paisley. Several of Craig's songs were published by R. A. Smith in his Scotish Minstrel. His father, Robert Craig, grain merchant in Paisley, purchased the old Meal Market built in 1665, took it down in 1799, and erected a three-story house on the site. William Craig commenced the arduous profession of a country surgeon in Kilbarchan, removed to Neilston, and in 1825 came to Paisley with his family to practise. He took up his residence in the house erected by his father. He died on 18th January, 1829, aged 40.—Ed.
The song of “Rab Roryson's Bonnet,” No. 110, is given on the third page.—Ed.