Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX THE EVIDENCES OF CREDIBLE WITNESSES IN FAVOUR OF MICHAEL Bruce's RIGHT TO THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE "ODE TO THE CUCKOO," AND OTHER PIECES, ALSO, THAT HE HAD PREPARED FOR THE PUBLICATION OF HIS WORKS The poet's early circumstances--David Pearson's knowledge and testimony--John Logan's visits to Kinnesswood--Bruce's intention to publish--His preparedness for this--His death--Visit from fellow-students--Logan succeeds in securing Bruce's finished MSS. book in 1767--Pearson's testimony as to Bruce's early production of " Ode to the Cuckoo"--The hymns--Old letters--Bruce's poems published 1770--The last stanza of" Ode to the Cuckoo "--Mr Young's hymn claimed--Preface to 1770 edition--Logan refuses to give up Bruce's MSS.--Daphnis's opinions of Bruce's poems--Dr Davidson 8 evidence--David Bickerton--Dr R. Anderson--Dr Baird's MSS. burned--The old copies of letters lately discovered--Logan's volume of 1781--Rev. Dr Robertson of Dalmeny--Logan's statements--" The Braes of Yarrow"--Rev. Dr Grant's letters--Rev. Dr Carlyle--The paraphrases--Isaac Disraeli. The full consideration of the early circumstances and upbringing of Michael Bruce will be found in the chapters devoted to his life. We now turn to his works. The chief concern will be to keep before the reader the facts that David Pearson and others testify that Bruce wrote poetry before he left his native village, and amongst these pieces was the " Ode to the Cuckoo." So far as Logan is concerned there has not been a vestige of evidence produced in favour of his having written or "handed about" any MS. copies of this ode till after September 1767, when he had visited the poet's father and obtained from him Michael Bruce's MSS. on loan for publication. Then it must be kept in mind that...