Allan Ramsay. [A biography.] - National Library of Scotland

ALLAN RAMSAY 59
week by week, was of itself a considerable source of
profit. These, in addition to being sold at his shop
and hawked about the country, were disposed of on the
streets of Edinburgh by itinerant stallkeepers, who were
wont to regard the fact as one of great moment to
themselves when they could cry, 'Ane o' Maister
Ramsay's new poems— price a penny.' In this manner
his famous piece, The City of Edinburgh's Address to the
Country^ was sown broadcast over the county.
Meantime, while Ramsay's literary and commercial
prosperity was being established on so firm a basis, he
was becoming quite a family man. The httle house
opposite Niddry's Wynd was gradually getting small
enough for his increasing menage. Since his marriage
in 17 1 2, happiness almost idyllic, as he records, had
been his lot in his domestic relations. He had experi-
enced the pure joy that thrills through a parent's heart
on hearing little toddling feet pattering through his
house, and sweet childish voices lisping the name
'father.' The following entries in the Register of
Births and Baptisms for the City of Edinburgh speak for
themselves :
—
'At Edinburgh, 6th October 171 3.
'Registrate to Allan Ramsay, periwige-maker, and
Christian Ross, his spouse. New Kirk Parish—a son,
Allan. Witnesses, John Symer, William Mitchell, and
Robert Mein, merchant, burgesses ; and William Baxter.
' Registrate to Allan Ramsay, weegmaker, burges, and
Christian Ross, his spouse, North East (College Kirk)
Parish—a daughter named Susanna. Witnesses, John
Symers, merchant, and John Morison, merchant. The
child was born on the ist instant. 3rd October 17 14.