* * * * * XXXV.--To MR. JOHN BALLANTINE, BANKER, AT ONE TIME PROVOST OF AYR. EDINBURGH, 13_th December_ 1786. MY HONOURED FRIEND,--I would not write you till I could have it in my power to give you some account of myself and my matters, which, by the by, is often no easy task. I arrived here on Tuesday was se'nnight[26], and have suffered ever since I came to town with a miserable headache and stomach complaint, but am now a good deal better. I have found a worthy warm friend in Mr. Dalrymple, of Orangefield, who introduced me to Lord Glencairn, a man whose worth and brotherly kindness to me I shall remember when time shall be no more. By his interest it is passed in the "Caledonian Hunt," and entered in their books, that they are to take each a copy of the second edition, for which they are to pay one guinea. I have been introduced to a good many of the _noblesse_, but my avowed patrons and patrones es are, the Duchess of Gordon--the Countess of Glencairn, with my Lord and Lady Betty[27]--the Dean of Faculty--Sir John Whitefoord. I have likewise warm friends among the literati; Professors Stewart, Blair, and Mr. Mackenzie--the Man of Feeling. An unknown hand left ten guineas for the Ayrshire bard with Mr. Sibbald, which I got. I since have discovered my generous unknown friend to be Patrick Miller, Esq., brother to the Justice Clerk; and drank a glass of claret with him, by invitation, at his own house yesternight. I am nearly agreed with Creech to print my book, and I suppose I will begin on Monday. I will send a subscription bill or two, next post; when I intend writing my first kind patron, Mr. Aikin. I saw his son to-day, and he is very well. Dugald Stewart, and some of my learned friends, put me in the periodical paper called the _Lounger_,[28] a copy of which I here enclose you. I was, Sir, when I was first honoured with your notice, too obscure; now I tremble lest I should be ruined by being dragged too suddenly into the glare of polite and learned observation. I shall certainly, my ever honoured patron, write you an account of my every step; and better health and more spirits may enable me to make it something better than this stupid matter-of-fact epistle.--I have the honour to be, good Sir, your ever grateful humble servant, R. B. If any of my friends write me, my direction is care of Mr. Creech, Bookseller. [Footnote 26: A mistake for "a fortnight."] [Footnote 27: Cunningham] [Footnote 28: The paper here alluded to was written by Mackenzie, the celebrated author of _The Man of Feeling_.] * * * * XXXVI.--TO MR. ROBERT MUIR. EDINBURGH, _Dec_. 20_th_, 1786.