THE FLY'S LETTER-BOX.

"A New Subscriber."--Portraits of the lead-
ing Tories were embodied in a print given
with No. 13 of the Old Series of the "Fly."
The Whig Ministers appeared in No. 12
The Coronation Numbers, so called from
the lengthy and very accurate account they
contained of that imposing ceremony, and
the admirable pictures of the Interior and
Exterior of Westminster Abbey, and a beau-
tiful likeness of the Queen in her robes of
state, are still on sale, and may be procured
from any bookseller, by ordering Nos. 35,
36, and 37 of the old series.
A likeness of Macready as Virginius," was
given with Number 1; Edmund Kean as
Brutus," with No. 4; Charles Kean as
"Hamlet," with No. 14; Macready and
Charles Kean as 66 Macbeth" and "Richard
the Third" (on one sheet), with No. 16;
Madame Vestris and Charles Mathews (on
one sheet), with No. 34; Mrs. Nisbett as

8.-Robert Burns and his Highland Mary. 9.-A Special Pleader sueing for Half a Crown.

10.-Humming Birds.
11.-The Widow.

12.-A beautiful Portrait of Robert Burns. *** Every purchaser of a number of the "Fly" is entitled to a print gratuitously.

ROBERT BURNS.

Sir, I feel that I am performing a duty to ac knowledge publicly the very great benefit which I have derived from taking Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills, after having been afflicted with Rheumatism in my left hip, thigh, shoulders, head, and arms for forty years-for a long period the pain was so great that I frequently started up in bed-in fact, for seven years before taking Blair's Pills, I had little or no rest night or day, although I had the best medical advice, both in and out of the army. I now am happy to say that I am free from this painful disease, and have been so for three months. So great was the excitement created by the These Pills were recommended to me by my brother appearance of the beautiful print, "Robert in Bath, who has been cured by them of Gout and Burns and his Highland Mary," given with Rheumatism of long standing, and advised me to lose no time in applying for them to your agent, Mr. the 8th number of the " Fly," that the ProWalker, druggist, Malmsbury, which I did, and prietors are induced to announce an accu-after taking five boxes am completely cured. Wit rate portrait of that favourite of all classes, the ness my hand this 22d of February, 1838, "true Poet of Nature," which will be presented to all subscribers to the "Fly" on the 23d instant. It will form the first of a

GALLERY OF MODERN POETS,
and will be followed at irregular intervals by
portraits of BYRON, SCOTT, &c., &c. Speci-
mens are issued to the Trade.
Fly Office, March 13, 1839.

ARFIELD'S DIAMOND PLATE

"The Young King," with No. 55; Mrs. BARFI

Honey as "Don Juan," with No. 57 of the
Old Series.

MADAME VSTRIS.

The excitement caused by the hasty return from America, and re-appearance at the Olympic Theatre, of this beautiful and talented actress, induces Mr. Glover to re-announce his accurate portrait of her, which created such a sensation previous to her departure. It is a full-length drawing on stone, by the first artist in lithography of the day, and is printed on India paper, imperial size, for framing. duced price, 6d.; or 1s. coloured.

POWDER.

WARRANTED NOT TO WEAR THE PLATE.

HENRY WILKINSON,
Upwards of 17 years of the Royal Marines,
Mr. Walker, chemist, Malmsbury, will testify re-
specting the authenticity of this letter.

The above is another proof of the great efficacy of this excellent medicine, which has called forth the grateful thanks and approbation of all classes of society. From many of the highest branches of the nobility to the poorest peasant, they have happily been the means of giving a degree of health and comfort which in most cases have not been enjoyed for years; they effectually relieve the most acute fit of Gout in a few hours, ad seldom fail to enable the patient to resume his usual avocation in 2 or 3 days, and if taken on the first symptoms, the patient is frequently left in doubt as to the reality of the attack. And there is another most important effect belonging to this Medicine-that it prevents than disease flying to the brain, stomach, or other vitak part.

W

Sold by Thomas Prout, 229, Strand, London r. and by his appointment by all respectable medi cine venders throughout the United Kingdom Price 2s. 9d. per box.

This article instantaneously cleans all kinds of tarnish or rust, and, as if by magic, produces a most inimitable polish upon Gold, Silver, Plated Goods, Brass, Tin, and Copper, and makes British Plate, Zinc, or Pewter, look equal to the best Silver. Sold wholesale and retail, at Hallet and Co.'s British Plate factory, 41, Ludgate-street; and at Old Kent-road; Birchmore, 4, New Kent-road; Wilson's, 87, Fenchurch-street; Thomas and Co., | Thomas, Hammersmith; Kussel, 67, Whitechapel road; Brown, Commercial-road; Parker, Bridgestreet, Lambeth; Whitehead, Minories; Bateman, Re-Chemist to the Queen, 8, Castle Inn, Leicestersquare; S. Chappell, 84, Lombard-street; and wholesale, at the Manufactory, 92, Fenchurch-street. Agents wanted for every Town in the Kingdom. Published for JAMES GLOVER, at Water-lane, Fleet-street. N.B.-Plate cleaned with this Powder will not again tarnish. Price 6d. per Box.

A mere sanguine temperament often passes for genius and patriotism.

Ask for Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills; an observe the name and address of "Thomas Prout 229, Strand, London," impressed upon the Govern ment Stamp, affixed to each box of the genuine medicine.

John Cunningham, rinter

-court,' Fleet-street

e

is

"UBI MEL,

IBI MUSCA."

No. 12-NEW SERIES.]

SATURDAY, MARCH 23.

Every purchaser of this number of "THE FLY," is entitled to an exquisitely-executed Lithographic_PRINT of which is presented gratuitously.—[A similar print with every number.]

THE FLY'S PICTURE GALLERY.

ROBERT BURNS. (No. XII.-New Series.)

THE HEROINES OF BURNS.

It is generally known that the fine impas-
ned songs of Burns were mostly written
th regard to real women-in some instances
no great beauty in the world's estimation,
din most of very humble rank, but almost
rays genuine flesh-and-blood women of this
rld, whom the poet was pleased to admire
the time being. In this respect he was
y different from the poets of a former age,
h their supposititious Daphnes and Phillises
rith Burns, to quote a line of old Maclaurin,
'd Dreghorn,

-"Nelly, not Neæra was her name."
n downright Annies and Nannies, and
pies and Jeannies, they were every one of
a. He was a great poet--more particu-
a great lyrical poet-perhaps we may say
very greatest that has ever lived; and,
rever he had been born, there was it cer-
that the women, whether in silk or drug-
must have been made immortal.

her still"-a very poor set of rhymes truly,
but curious as the first tunings of so sweet an
instrument. Her name appears to have been
Nelly Blair, and, like many of his subsequent
flames, she was a house-servant. The daugh-†
ter of an individual in whose house she at one

[TWOPENCE.

"Robert Burns,"

wald. The fair maid's name was Peggy Thomson, and he celebrates her in his song, "Now westlin win's and slaughtering guns :' she became the wife of a person named Neilson, and long lived in Ayr.

the happy parish of Tarbolton who had not been a transient object of worship to Robert Burns. There was one whom he celebrates under the name of Montgomery's Peggy. To this girl, who had been reared in rather an elegant way, he made love, merely to show his parts in courtship: he got really in love, and

About the time when he was two or three time served, communicated, through a news- and twenty, his attachments came in such Burns's visits on the occasions when "rock-dividualising them. Scarce a lass existed in paper, a few years ago, her recollections of thick and rapid succession, that there is no inings" were held in the house. These were meetings of the rustic youth of both sexes, at which the lasses plied their spinning-wheels (formerly their rocks-hence the name) and the lads knitted stockings, the entertainment consisting of songs, and a light supper of country fare. Often did this lady meet Burns at the head of a little troop, coming from a distance of three or four miles, to attend these meetings, with the spinning-wheel of some lass over his shoulder, and a hundred jokes in his mouth to keep the party in merriment. Often had the lady of the house to find fault with her damsels next day, for their lack of alacrity, the result of Burns's too late sitting at his courtship with Nelly Blair.

Another of his very early Dulcineas was a certain Isabella Steven or Stein, who lived e have the poet's own authority, that the near his father's farm of Lochlee. He was lame in his bosom was kindled in his 15th then about 17. But, alas! she was an heiress nn by "a bonnie sweet sonsie lass," who her father a laird; that is to say, the prossigned to him as his partner on the har-prietor of probably twenty acres of moor-land, field. She was unwitting at first of the with a cot-house and garden. She therefore she had acquired over him, and he him- looked high, and the consequence was that the id not know, as he tells us, "why he poet had occasion to write his songso much to loiter behind with her, when ing in the evening from their labours; he tones of her voice made his hearts thrill like an Æolian harp; and partiy why his pulse beat such a furious rattan he looked and fingered over her little to pick out the cruel nettle-stings and

Love brought poetry to its aid, and composed his first verses, beginning, e I loved a bonnie lass, and ay I love

was then refused. "It cost me several heartaches," he says, "to get rid of the affair." Another, named Anne Roland, the daughter of a farmer, is said to have been the "Annie" of his lively song of "the Rigs o' Barley." The heroine of My Nannie O," that most exquisite of songs, was Agnes Fleming, the daughter of a farmer at Caldcothill, near Lochlee, and at one time a servant :

"Her face is fair, her heart is true, As spotless as she's bonnie, O; The opening gowan, wat wi' dew,

Nae purer is than Nannic, O."

At about four-and-twenty, while still assisting his father in the small poor farm of Lochlee, he became acquainted with the young woman whom he addresses in several of bis published letters as "My dear E." From these letters he appears to have at first made sure of obtaining the young woman's hand, but to have been finally rejected. It is probable that this person was the heroine of his song, "From thee, Eliza, I must go," which seems to have been written when he contemplated leaving her for a distant clime. His next serious fit of passion took its rise The letters are in surprisingly pure English, while he was studying mensuration at Kirkos-and of a more moderate and rational com

"Oh, Tibbie, I hae seen the day,
Ye wadna been sae shy;
For lack o' gear ye lightly me,
But troth I carena by.
Yestreen I met you on the muir,
Ye spakna, but gaed by like stoure;
Ye geek at me because I'm poor,
But fient a hair care I," &c.

John Cunningham, Printer, Crown-court, Fleet-street.

plexion than the most of his compositions of
that class, while the song ranks with his best.

**Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear,
The mut that I adorez
A boding voice is in my ear,
We part to meet no more.

The intest thru that icaves my heart,
While death status vinna bŢ,
That throb. Era is thy part

And thine that latest sigh.”

This brings us to Highland Mary, the most
interesting of all Barrs's heroines. He was
now the joint tenant with his brother of the
Erde farm of Musgiel in the parish of
Mauchline. Mary Campbell, for such was
ber name, was as lowly a lass as any whom he
ever admired, being the dairy-woman at Col!
Montgomery's house of Cullsta There is
a thorn near the house, beneath whose boughs
the
poet lover often met his single mistress,
He cuebertes her charms, and the happiness
he enjoyed from these stolen interviews.in the
song of
the High and Lassie.

-Xa gentle dames though e'er so far.
Shil erer be my must + CLIE
The

tiles & LTE CINT SL. W.
Gut me ny HigLand assh. 0.”
Ch. were ya lik and les mme,
In palace and you parlons ine

The wand then the IT sitt know,
I bear my Highmi üsse, 0.′′

The design of going in search of fortune to
the West ladies was still upon him, and he is
found asking this mistress if she will accom-
PLET LITT:

Wyrt the Indes, my M&T,

AZE JORTE ELL NULL § SLITE,

Wo ye go to the lathes my MIT.
Across the ADEL SOLD!

At length be resolved to marry her, and en-
deavour to remain contented at home; and
they met on the banks of the Ayr, ** 1: Live
one day of parking live," previous to a visit
which she was to pay, in anticipation of her
marriage, te ber relations in Arrestine.
the song of Find Mary," the history of
is precious dry is written in immoral light
May, as is well known, sickened and died at
her lather's house in Greenock, leaving to the
port in imige wijst never frook ti in a
is after days, wi sther of joy of SiCrow, SI
OF SETER TOETS interwards, wher & married
mar at Elisland be observed the anniversary
of her death in a way which showed the depot
ać is fellings respecting her. In the evening
be retret it his statsi-yard, in a state of a

TETER Ogeruk, má tire imser or a mass
it stav, WILD Ls face rycured to the sky |
There he izy for hours, revithstanding the
In remonstrances of Lis vile. When he
Czme JLK the house, be wrote down, with the

line. She was rather above the middle sta- though, if the wives of putical husbands a
-!
ture, of dark complexion, and irregular fea- ways had their que, she ought to have beens
tures, but of a fine figure, and great gentleness' Jean survived in decem warwood for as lon
of nature, and a very agreeable singer and a time as that which formed the whole life
diseer. According to her own story, she and the poet, ring stiny as March, 1834. Sh
Burns first saw each other as she was one day, was a modest and respectatue woman, and
spreading out clothes on the green to be the last a good singer and if we are n
bucached. As he passed by, his dog ran over greatly mistaken, ast & suerte dancer., S
some of the clothes; she called to the animal had beer induirem ut her gifted though fra
in no gracious terms, and requested his master partner it is int, and she cherished his me
to take him of. The poet made a sportive mory when he was in more.
allusion to the old saying of Love me, love
my dog," and some badinage was inter-
changed. Probably neither knew on this oc-
casion who the other was; but their acquaint-
ance was not to stop short here.

The subsequent history of this pair is well
known Jear timately became the poet's
wife, and the partner of all of weal or woe
which belel him during the Elisland and
Dumfries periods of his life. It is rather re-
markable, that, excepting two or three passing
allusions, Jean was not the subject of any
poetry by Burns during the early period of
their acquaintance, nor till they were seriously
and steadfastly married. He then, however,
made up for his former suence. It was during i
the boneymoon, as he himself tells us, and
I probably wide preparing a home for her on
the banks of the Nth, that he composed his
charming song in her praise :-

* Of at the air the wind can law,
I dearie Lee the west

For there the bounн lassi IvES,
The insse Ile best ;

Though wild woods grow and rivers Tow.
W. mort all between.

Te dy anë me my fancy's fight
is ever vi my deat

1 ser her in the dewr flowES.
Sar inrer, frest, and fit.

I be her the tunes birds
W. music chern. the air:
There's In & bomme flower that spongs,
By Jouran shat. Of Fel
Nie ver a bum bord that s

But mas me i my deal"

Not long afterwards be infused his love for her into the sta. more passionate verses beginking, “Oh were I on Farnassus which one half stanza conveys a description certainly not surpassed, and we are inclined to ↑ think not ever approached in the whole circle. of British poetry-che vividness and passion rising in union from line to line, unt at the, last reaches a periert transport, in which the post varves the reader as well as himself :

* see thee dancinger the great, Try was, she imp, ty imbs sut ciELI., Try lempang ips and raguist, e CDBy beaver and earl I love thee .” Mrs. Burns as likewise celebrated in the facility of one carving fam memary, the song. This is my an lassie," in which FERGY MBIKAChoy Iymn deginting.

- Thor Ingering sun, vill jessenang tay.”

We have created Hirtland Mary shares, for her stury has been inter tid. We shi aford more space to the lacy whe next tre sided over the imagination of the hard-the cnetrated Jean Armor. The father of this YOUNG WOMEN WAS 2 master mason or hunder, of some substance, in the village of Mauch

THE DOVES.

Reasoning at every step he treads,
Nar yet misuLES IDS WIT,
Writ meaner things who instinct leads
Are rarely known 20 stray.
One slent eve I wandered late,

And heard the voice of love;
The turde thus addressed her mate,

And soothed the Istening dove:
Our mutual bond of faith and truth
No time shal disengage,
Those blessings of our early youth
Shal cheer our latest age:
What innocence without disguise
And constancy sincere,
Shall fl the circles of those eyes,
And mine can read them there;
Those Is. that wait on all below,
Shal De er be fer by me,
Or gerty felt and only se,
As being sharet with thee.

Wher hightnings fast among the trees,
Or knes are hovering near,

I fear lest thee alone they seize,
And know no other fear.

Ts then I feel myself a wife,
And press tit weaded side,
Resolved at unor formed for life
Death never shat divide.
But off fickle and unchaste,

· Forgive a transien. thought)
Thor sonic become unkind at last,
And start try present jot,
No need of lightning from on high,
Or knes will crue, beak;
Denied endearments of thine eye,
This widowed heart would break.
Thus sang the sweet sequestered bir
Saft as the passing wind,
And I recorded what I heard,
A lesson in mankind.

Cowr

the poet describes himself as meeting a face of,
the farrest kind probably that of some of the We find those who are oftions and tro
elegant ladies whom he met in genteel society, some through sheer imbecity of chara
but yet declaring that wants the witching They can neither restève to do a thing,
grace" and "kind love” which he found jet is alone; and by getting in the way
sewn inssie:" a very delightful song, for where perhaps they means te help. Tom
it takes a fine mora, feeling along with it. Of see a service, and shrink from the per
Their Groves a Sweet Myrces" we are not ante, is a prevent others from undertaki
se sure that Mrs. Burns was the heroine