Letter to James King: 12 November 1809
Mr James King Soldier Capt.
Smith’s Comy Renfrew
Shire Militia Portsmouth. Paisley
12th Novr 1809 Dear James The receipt of yours
of the 2d current gave me much pleasure I was truly concerned at your long
silence from a fear that you might be lying ill in the camp – your situation
may be hard, but ’tis only by comparison we ought to ballance our happiness –
In all likelihood your Regt will be order’d for Scotland next summer, and
altho’ it should not – your situation is enjoyable compared with those in Spain
and [#] I
observed in the Newspapers lately that your Brother’s Regt
had arrived safely in Rio Jeinera, S. America, on its way for Botoney – they
perhaps have gone so far west to take in some neccessary supplies —— From your
last, poor R—n’s mind must have been in a deplorable state. When any one of a
delicate habit and keen sensibility flies to the bottle to drown disagreeable
thought, the oblivious hour is soon past, and every care rises doubly
formidable to his tortured recollection — I am afraid this was the case with
him, and that he saw nothing but a world of misery before him, with scarcely
one ray of happiness in view to induce him to live for it. I hardly ever in my
life began a fuddle volunteerly, but, when at any time I have been led into it
(at least to lengths that I have some times been) I never felt so unhappy, so
truly miserable in all my life – a social night passed in moderation is life to
me – but the bestial roar of inebriation, I never could, nor ever shall be able
to bear -- It affords me much
pleasure to see that you and our friend Borland are in good terms again – it is
nothing wonderful that in half a life-time of intercourse little dryness should
take place, but, we ought to consider the frailties of poor, erring Humanity,
and cherish a spirit of forgiveness. Through the wanton malice of a third
person, we had some of these little differences to settle at our last Meeting –
which were found to be base and without foundation – we are both satisfied –
and if the fiend-like spirit that fabricated them had any design for so doing –
it may brood o’er its failure in sullen disappointment. Trade has been
tolerably good here for some time past, but house-rents, and every article of
living have risen exorbitantly – people in Paisley, at this day, I believe work
harder than ever and those who go much to the Alehouse get rid of their
shillings in a very short time ——— Shall reserve my finishing page till I see
your Mother. [#] Novr
the 16th – When
I called up on Sunday night your mother & Jenny were just going out to the
evening Sermon, She bade me tell you that she has been rather poorly for some
time past, and that your other friends were all well. They have not yet got the
least notice of Bauldy, it is a strange circumstance – Tis very likely he is on
board some vessel abroad – and as he was but weakly he may have died, and you
may never here more of him. however ’tis but right to hope the best – Simm, and
the others of the Recruiting party arrived here on Saterday night – I am happy
you are exempt from duty by being employed to bring up the General’s orders. Scottish Song1 Air
–– Alex.
Donn’s Strathspey The midges dance
aboon the burn The dews begin to fa’ The pairtricks down
the rushy howm Set up their e’ening ca’ Now sweetly clear the
blackbird’s sang Rings thro’ the briery shaw While fleeting gay
the swallows play Around the castle wa’. Beneath the golden
gloamin’-sky The mavis mends her lay The redbreast pours
its sweetest strains To charm the ling’ring day While weary yeldrins seem
to wail Their little nestlings torn The merry wren frae
den to den Gaes jinkin thro’
the thorn. The roses fauld their silken leaves The foxglove shuts its bell The honey-suckle and
the birk Spread fragrance thro’ the dell Let others crowd the
giddy court Of mirth and revelry The simple joys that
nature yields Are dearer far
to me. _________________________ What
think you of this for a gloamin scene – We will all be happy to hear from you
soon. Yours &c &c —-- R.
Tannahill Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/29 Previous Publications: Notes: 1Arranged in two
columns, the first stanza on the left, the second stanza on the right, and the
final stanza centered below. |