Gall, Richard and others
An archive of manuscript poetry, many by Richard Gall
Epistle to Mr. Robert Burns, 9 x 15cm, comprising 7 manuscript pp., initialed ‘R.G. but with notes and corrections in another hand; The Puppy: a poem, in an epistle to a Minor Son o’ Thespis, 12 x 19.5cm, 6 manuscript pp., initialed ‘R.G.’, dated September 1796, with a few small corrections in another hand, with a printed copy accompanying the manuscript (corrections do not appear in print); The Mists o' Love dwell on my Soul, 14 x 19.5cm, part only, initialed R.G., extensively corrected; and 25 further poems with the ‘R.G.’ initial, with a large quantity of other writings by or after other late 18th century Scottish poets, or comprising of communications with publishers (quantity)
A curious archive of manuscript poetry and writings, much seeming to be by Richard Gall. “The Mists o' Love dwell on my Soul” can be found printed on p.106 of Poems and Songs by the Late Richard Gall, 1819, with several amendments from the part item found here. The work was published posthumously by Oliver Boyd in 1799, and this collection of manuscripts includes letters to this publisher, along with a document entitled “Proposals for publishing by S. in one vol. duodec. with a hand of the Author The Poetical Works of Richard Gall”. The initials R.G. on many of these manuscript poems, written in the same hand, suggests that much of this is an archive of poetry written by Gall himself. Corrections in another hand - and another ink - could be those of an editor, possibly working for Oliver Boyd. The collection features other poems and writings in other hands, such as “Sonnet Composed at Dunkeld” by the artist and poet, Robert Carlile. It is unclear whether these are in the authors' original hands, or copied. It could be speculated that Gall wrote these poems, and amassed others, whilst working as an agent for the Edinburgh Evening Courant. One poem (in Gall's hand) is addressed to himself: “Mr Gall, Courant Office”. The collection may then have become the possession of the publisher, Oliver Boyd, before being sold on further.A fascinating archive warranting further study and research.