Letter to James King: 4 June 1809
Mr James King
Soldier Capt.
Smith’s Compy Renfrew
Shire Militia Portsmouth Paisley
4th June 1809 Dear Sir, I received yours of
the 9th of May, and have likewise seen a letter which your
Mother had from you on Friday se’enight – We had it current here that your Regt
was on its way for Scotland – your letter showed it to be without
foundation — The Argyle Shire, now in Aberdeen, have got the route for Glasgow
– The˄re˄ is I believe a hundred Paisley lads in it — I am concerned
that you are poorly in your health – and so uneasy in your mind – I sympathise
with you but can administer little consolation – I see no end of this war
system – however, this much to ballance your present situation – The people in
paisley have been so hard-lac’d for some years past, that you would not, even
here, find all that happiness you perhaps immagine – I was going to give you a
very gloomy picture – but complaint is unpleasant – and we’ll lay it aside —— I
hope your Ode will be put to a better use than being used for match-paper – I
think you might easily polish it a little --
Owen’s Return is very well written – yet I think you might have given it
a more pleasing cast by making him come ˄home˄ “before his locks were
grey” — besides I am not sure of its being proper to give him a harp at all –
it is such an unweildy instrument that the mind cannot easily suppose a soldier
to be carrying one of them about with him — I have never before heard of the
man McKerney whom you mention – and I cannot guess whom you mean by
the Duntreck Bard – be more explicit in your next — Craig’s I have not
seen, B— tell’s me they are ˄low˄ stuff. I must
entreat you to burn John M’s last will – I had no
thought of its being in existence – I was surpriz’d lately on seeing a [#] I
wish you to send me another copy of Laird R– –n’s Elegy – I lent the one to
Borland long since and have never had it back – I have some hopes of geting it
Printed in this Town – which I will endeavour to do should you wish it – I here
that your Brother has sail’d – I have written two or three letters for your
Mother to him, and before closing this I will go up to her, as she wishes me to
write one to you – This may do for both – Tell me how you like the following
little song -- Scottish
Song Tune
– – Gilly Calum. __________ I’ll hie me to the
shealing hill, And bide amang the
braes, Calum, Ere I gang to Crochan
Mill, I’ll live on hips and
slaes, Calum; Wealthy pride can
never hide Your measly, runkl’d
shins, Calum, Lyart pow, as white’s the tow, And beard as rough’s
the whins Calum! Wily woman aft
deceives, Sae ye’ll think, I
ween, Calum, Trees may keep their
wither’d leaves Till ance they get
the green, Calum; Blythe young Donald’s
won my heart, Has my willing vow,
Calum, How, for a’ your
couthy art, I winna gang wi’ you, Calum. _____________ You
please me, and do as I wish [#] 5th
June I
called at your Mother’s last night – your sister Jean was there, with her two
children – Jenny and her had just returned from a walk along with two cousins
of yours one of them a sister of Hugh Blacks, I have just now heard
that your Regt was on its way for Portsmouth – write on
receipt of this and let me know how affairs are going with you -- I remain yours
sincerely R. Tannahill Emendations: Public-house • Public-|-house Copy Text: MS Robertson 1/24 Previous Publications: Notes: |