Burn's Snuff-box.
Burns and Mr. Bacon, the latter an inn-keeper near Dumfries, were very intimate, and, as a token of regard, the former gave to the latter his snuff-box, which for many years had been his pocket companion. On Mr. Bacon's death, in 1825, his effects were sold. The snuff-box was put up for sale among the other things, and some one bid a shilling. There was a general exclamation that it was not worth twopence. The auctioneer, before knocking it down, opened the box. He saw engraved on the lid, and read aloud, the following inscription:—
"Robt. Burns,
Officer
of
The Excise."
The value of the box suddenly rose. Shilling after shilling was added, until it was finally knocked down for five pounds to a Mr. Munnell, of Closburn.—Hone.