To WILLIAM M'LAREN.
1805.
KING GEORDIE [1] issues out his summons,
Tae ca his bairns, the Lairds an Commons, [2]
Tae creesh the nation's moolie-heels,
An butter Commerce' rusty wheels,
An see what new, what untried tax,
Will lie the easiest on oor backs.
The priest convenes his scandal court,
Tae ken what houghmagandie sport
Has been gaun on within the parish
Since last they met,—their funds tae cherish.
But I, the servant of Apollo, [3]
Whase mandates I am proud tae follow,—
He bids me warn you as the friend
Of Burns's fame, that ye'll attend
Neist Friday e'en, in Luckie Wricht's, [4]
Tae spend the best—the wale o nichts ;
Sae, under pain o ha'f-a-merk
Ye'll come, as signed by me, the Clerk.
This poetical invitation from the Clerk of the Burns' Anniversary Society convening a meeting, first appeared in the Glasgow periodical called the Selector, VoI. I., page 195, with the signature MODESTUS. William Mayer, the editor, was horn in Banff in 1775. He was a scholar, and a man of considerable talent. He commenced business as a bookseller in Glasgow; afterwards became a book auctioneer in that city; and was engaged in the latter business when he edited The Selector. The book was issued in numbers, 18mo size, and Tannahill took the periodical out in that way. Vols. I., II., and III., were completed respectively on 7th September, 2nd November, and 28th December, 1805, and Vol. IV. on 7th March, 1806,—each containing 284 pages. The Gleaner, of similar size, by the same editor, was completed in one volume on lst July, 1806. The Selector and Gleaner contained seventeen pieces by Tannahill. In 1809, Mr. Mayer edited an edition of Johnson's Dictionary, 8vo, giving several thousands of additional words. This was a first-class work, and highly prized throughout Scotland, and was well known as “Maver's Johnson's Dictionary.” He afterwards became a teacher of Mathematics and the higher rules of Arithmetic, and published a supplement to Morrison's Arithmetic. Mr. Mayer died in 1830, aged 65. Tannahill was rather hurt at seeing the signature Modestus added by the editor, as he said “affected modesty was the silliest of all affectations,” and which was explained on the cover of the following number. The poet and editor became personal acquaintances and correspondents; but not a vestige of a letter that passed between them can now be found.—Ed.
[1] King George III.—Ed.
[2] The two Houses of Parliament.—Ed.
[3] In Heathen Mythology, the inventor of Poetry and Music.—Ed.
[4] A house noted for “cauldron yill.”—Ed.
[Semple 5]