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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... a' their pride! Were this the charter of our state, "On pain o' hell be rich and great,". Damnation then would be our fate Beyond remead; But, thanks to Heaven, that's no the gate We learn our creed. For thus the royal mandate ran, When first the human race began, "The social, friendly, honest man, Whate'er he be, 'Tis he fulfils great Nature's plan, And none but he!" 1 Given me many a 3 Can. 6 Girl. jerk and fright. 4 Timber. 7 Big paunch. 3 Gray head. Jade. 8 Haughty. Behind a counter to He and lear. O mandate, glorious and divine! The ragged followers o' the Nine, Poor, thoughtless devils! yet may shine In glorious light, While sordid sons o' Mammon's line Are dark as night. Though here they scrape, and squeeze, and grow?. Their worthless nievefu' 1ofa soul May in some future carcase howl, The forest's fright; Or in some day-detesting owl May shun the light. Then may Lapraik and Burns arise, To reach their native kindred skies, And sing their pleasures, hopes, and joys, In some mild sphere, Still closer knit in friendship's ties Each passing year! EPISTLE TO JOHN GOUDIE, KILMARNOCK, ON THE PUBLICATION OF HIS ESSAYS. John Goudie's essay on the authority of the Holy Scriptures appeared in 1780, and attracted a considerable amount of attention. He was a tradesman in Kilmarnock. The following epistle was sent to him on the publication of a new edition of his work. O Goudie! terror of the Whigs, Dread of black coats and reverend wigs, Sour Bigotry, on her last legs, Girnin',2 looks back, Wishin' the ten Egyptian plagues Wad seize you quick. Poor gapin', glowerin' Superstition, Waes me! she's in a sad condition; Fie! bring Black Jock, her state physician, To see her water: Alas! there's ground o' great suspicion She'll ne'er get...