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.
[26] A mistake for "a fortnight."
[27] Cunningham
[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