I have advanced the opinion that the crisis of Burns's fate was his visit, his _first_ visit to Edinborough. From that event may be dated the complete establishment of his character during his after life; and with those who received him there, and undertook the task of doing what they, in their wisdom, thought expedient for the cultivation of his genius, and for his advancement or settlement in life, must, I think, rest the credit or the blame of much--of almost _all_ his future excellence or failure. Burns went into the midst of that gay and literary circle, ready and liable to receive the most striking impressions, as the guides of his opinions and the regulators of his actions. It was another world! It had all the freshness of a new existence in the eyes, and to the mind of the rustic Ayrshire bard. Strong-minded and high-hearted as he was, he could not but look up to his new friends and patrons, as exemplars for his own imitation: and although he was not _visibly_ perplexed with the flashings of these new and unaccustomed lights, yet he was, _at heart_, led astray by them. They were like the fabled corpse-fires, which danced merrily before the wildered eyes of the traveller, luring him onward to his doom--_a grave!_ He had left the "bonnie banks of Ayr," _a young plant_, shooting luxuriantly up into a tall and rugged, but healthful tree; and it was upon the _new_ soil, into which it had been transplanted, that this beautiful exotic received an inclination which was destined to be a final one. And yet I would not throw upon the fame of such men as Stewart, and Blair, and Robertson, and McKenzie, the imputation of design, or even of imprudence, in thus being accessory to the melancholy ruin, which followed the victim's acceptance of their kind, and really benevolent patronage. It is only to be lamented that upon his arrival at Edinburgh, he was not introduced _at once, and alone_, into that circle, which might reasonably have been designated as the only one, in which such a genius and {243} character as Burns's could be duly appreciated and cultivated. But the secret is, he was regarded by them, _not_ as a being for their _sympathy_, but a thing for the indulgence of their _curiosity_. In the language of another, "By the great he was treated in the customary fashion; entertained at their tables and dismissed: certain modica of pudding and praise are, from time to time, gladly exchanged for the fascination of his presence; which exchange once effected, the bargain is finished, and each party goes his several way."