Ο Be't kent to a' the warld in rhime, August, 1782. [The above lines are on the original indenture, in the same part as they are here seen, and supposed to have been written by Wilson shortly after the conclusion of his apprenticeship. The handwriting is evidently that of one little accustomed to use the pen, and in appearance is far from being like the bold and beautiful handwriting of his latter days, a specimen of which-written when he was deeply immersed in his great undertaking-is presented to the reader at the bottom of his portrait.] O O Miscellaneous Prose Writings. JOURNAL. [Before the reader enter upon the following sheets, I think it necessary to inform him, that, signifying, some time ago, to an intimate friend, an intention I had of traversing the eastern parts of Scotland, he entreated me to keep a Journal, which, by way of amusement, and to comply with his request, I did, by committing to paper, each night, the most remarkable occurrences of the day, interspersed with such descriptions of the places, through which I passed, as the shortness of my stay would allow. On my return, a number of acquaintances having examined the scroll, expressed their approbation of it, and requested me to publish it along with the poetical pieces. With their solicitation I have ventured to comply, in hopes that the perusal of it may be a relaxation to the reader; and, while the novelty of the incidents entertain, the truth of them may be perhaps not uninstructive.-A. W.] Edinburgh, Sept. 17, 1789. As youth is the most favourable time to establish a man's good fortune in the world; and as his success in life depends, in a great measure, on his prudent endeavours and unwearied perseverance, I have resolved to make one bold push for the united interests of Pack and Poems. Nor can any one justly blame me for it, since experience has now convinced me, that the merit I am possessed of (which is certainly considerable) might lie for ever buried in obscurity, without such an attempt. I have therefore fitted up a proper budget, consisting of silks, muslins, prints, &c., &c., for the accommodation of those good people who may prove my customers-a sufficient quantity of proposals for my poetical friends; and to prevent those tedious harangues, which otherwise I would be O obliged to deliver at every threshold, I have according to the custom of the more polite pedlars, committed the contents of my pack to a hand-bill, though in a style somewhat remote from any I have yet seen. ADVERTISEMENT EXTRAORDINARY. FAIR ladies, I pray for one moment to stay, What muslins so curious, for uses so various, A poet has here brought to sell you. Here's handkerchiefs charming, book-muslin like ermine, Sweet Venus, they say, on Cupid's birth-day, In British-made muslins was decked. If these can't content ye, here's muslins in plenty, That Juno might wear, and more beauteous appear, Here are fine jacconets, of numberless sets, Now, ye fair, if you choose any piece to peruse, If the pedlar should fail to be favoured with sale, SEPT. 18.-Departed from Edinburgh, designing to cross over to Fifeshire; changed my resolutions, and proceeded forward to Musselburgh, beneath a most oppressive load. Arrived at this place late in the evening.-Musselburgh (so called from the vast quantities of mussels that are found along the shore) is a small, though a neat town, six miles east from Edinburgh, stretching along the frith of Forth, which, at this place, may be ten or twelve miles broad; the streets are wide and well paved; its in |