Record

CollectionGB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections
LevelItem
Ref NoMS 30/2/450
TitleJohn Pinkerton to James Beattie from Knightbridge No. 3
Date20 March 1784
Extent1 Item
Administrative HistoryJohn Pinkerton [1758-1826] historian and ballad collector. He introduced himself to Beattie in 1775 by sending a copy of his poem 'Craiggmillar Castle', which he wanted to dedicate to Beattie. Beattie made detailed suggestions for improving it, and showed commendable toleration of Pinkerton's often rather brash and presumptuous letters. At Pinkerton's request he even included a puff for Pinkerton's Rimes (London, 1781) in Dissertations Moral and Critical
DescriptionGlad to hear Beattie publishing Minstrel again. Wishes he would finish it - another canto of sixty stanzas might do the business. Criticises stanzas on progress of science, and on Homer and Virgil, since no Minstrel would be acquainted with these subjects. Others have made the same criticism. Mock credit and debit account showing how Beattie would gain from completing Minstrel
Access StatusOpen
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