Burns at Mossgiel. By William Jolly. (A. Gardner, Paisley.)— Mr.
Jolly describes Mossgiel, the farmhouse where the poet was born, and its surroundings, distinguishing between what the place was, and what it is. He also gives as the reminiscences of Burns by his herd- boy. This herd-boy was a man of more than eighty, bat still brisk and intelligent, when Mr. Jolly saw him in 1859, and he lived till 1864. He worked on the farm for four years (1781-1788), and was able to give some very vivid recollections of the poet, his family, friends, and neighbours, recollections which have all the appearance of being genuine, and not furbished up from later knowledge. If the cults& of Burns did not produce anything more objectionable than this little book, with its very modest proportions and moderate tone, no one could criticise it. Will there be a centenary of the " herd-boy " having entered Barns's service ? It would help to 611 up the interval, till Scotland can celebrate the great anniversary of the death.
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