A CANTATA.
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This inimitable poem, unknown to Currie and unheardof while the poetlived, was first given to the world, with other characteristic pieces,by Mr. Stewart of Glasgow, in the year 1801. Some have surmised thatit is not the work of Burns; but the parentage is certain: theoriginal manuscript at the time of its composition, in 1785, was putinto the hands of Mr. Richmond of Mauchline, and afterwards given byBurns himself to Mr. Woodburn, factor of the laird of Craigen-gillan;the song of "For a' that, and a' that" was inserted by the poet, withhis name, in the _Musical Museum_ of February, 1790. Cromek admired,yet did not, from overruling advice, print it in the _Reliques_, forwhich he was sharply censured by Sir Walter Scott, in the _QuarterlyReview._ The scene of the poem is in Mauchline, where Poosie Nancy hadher change-house. Only one copy in the handwriting of Burns issupposed to exist; and of it a very accurate fac-simile has beengiven.]
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