Some few months ago there was published in Edinburgh the first collected and only complete edition of the Poems by the three brothers "Sir James, Robert, and Francis Sempill of Beltrus," better known as the authors of "The Pack-Man's Paternoster; or, a Picktooth for the Pope," "The Life and Death of Habbie Simson, Piper of Kilbarchum," "The Blythsome Wedding," "Maggie Lauder," &c., with biographical notices of their lives. I am now anxious to know if any of your numerous correspondents can inform me if copies of the original editions of the Poems by "Robert Sempill" can be procured, or if they are in any of the public or private libraries in England? The following are what I am in quest of, viz.:
1. The Regentis Tragedie, 1570.
2. The Bischoppis Lyfe and Testament, 1571.
3. My Lorde Methwenis Tragedie, 1572.
4. The Sege of the Castel of Edinburgh, 1573.
Also where any notice as to his family, life, and character can be found.
A collection of Sempill's Poems, with some authentic account of the author, is certainly a desideratum in Scottish literature.
T. G. S.
Edinburgh, Oct. 18. 1851.