Dr. Peebles, as a candidate for poetical fame, no doubt found this "Burnomania" sufficiently annoying; he therefore put forth his puny arm, in the publication alluded to by ELGINENSIS, to stem it, and, considering that the poetry of Burns was then in the zenith of its popularity, we need not add that the worthy Doctor's work proved but a turf to the cataract, and is only now known as a curiosity.
I may however notice, that Dr. Peebles had a deeper grudge than rivalry to settle with Burns, the satirical poet having aimed at him in the "Holy Fair" and the "Kirk's Alarm;" and should your correspondent seek to know more of the author of his book, he will find him noticed in Paterson's Contemporaries of Burns, Edinburgh, 1830.
While upon the subject I may further note, that among many other carpers at the "Burnomania" was James Maxwell, better known as the "Poet in Paisley," who attacked Burns and his friend Lapraik in a brochure, entitled "Animadversions on some Poets and Poetasters of the present Age, especially R——t B——s and J——n L——k, with a Contrast of some of the former Age: Paisley, Neilson, for the Author, 1788. In this curious piece, which was unknown to Motherwell,—our pair of poets, with all their patrons and friends,—among whom Maxwell is shocked to find both ministers and elders,—
"For some of our clergy his poems esteem,
And some of our elders think no man like him,"—
all these, and such like, are severely censured by the moral poet for admiring "this stupid blockhead," besides being menaced with a certain place, to which their favourites are certainly doomed, should they continue to support such arch-enemies of the Kirk and order. How appropriate, then, is the remark of the Rev. Hamilton Paul, one of Burns' warmest admirers and editors, when, lumping all these envious spirits together, he says,—
"Some weak attempts have been made by narrow-minded men to expose to ridicule this 'Burnomania,' as they term it; but like self-love converted by the plastic power of the poet into social affection, it is spreading wider and wider every day."
"Friends' kindred, neighbour, first it doth embrace; Our country next, and next all human race."
J. O.