Thomas Pennant to George Paton

8 April 1776

ID: 0208 [see the .xml file] [download the xml file]
Identifier: NLS ADV. MSS. 29.5.5 (2 vols.) i, 157-158
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Cite: 'Thomas Pennant to George Paton 8 April 1776' in Curious Travellers Digital Editions [editions.curioustravellers.ac.uk/doc/0208]

London. April 8th 1776

Dear Sir

I quite agree with you about neglecting the attack from the Macgregor.1 Mr Low’s M.S. will be welcome at any time but it need not be hurried as I shall be much out this summer.

Pray do you know anything of a Poem by James I. called la Beltain.2 I am told it exists. I see it mentioned in Major. The Prints shall be sent with my books as soon as the last appear. I must take the liberty of troubling you with the distribution. I am in much haste. But command my services here till May. 1st. when I leave town.

I am Dr Sir
yr very humble Servt


Tho. Pennant

Pray say nothing of my request of not communicating what I think I have a right to. or people will be angry at me.

My escape from the fall of Buckingham Church is very true.3

Editorial notes
1. See Pennant's letter to Paton on 3rd February 1776 and notes.
2. Probably a reference to the popular ballad 'Peblis to the Play', in which Beltane celebrations are mentioned. The attribution to James I of Scotland is disputed.
3. In his Literary Life Pennant writes: 'At Buckingham I narrowly escaped a death suited to an antiquary; I visited the old church at 8 o'clock in the morning of March the 26th. It fell before 6 in the afternoon, and I escaped being buried in its ruins.' (London: 1793), p.24.