[William Wight of Ednam, Scottish poet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Wight') to his 'dear new Friend' 'Mr. Falconer' of Newcastle, containing his poem 'My Absent Friend'.

3pp., 12mo. Originally a bifolium, but with the two leaves now separated. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper watermarked 'S S | 1817'. The reverse of the second leaf is addressed to 'Mr. Falconer, | Newcastle on Tyne.' He begins by thanking Falconer for the 'nice little collection of Poems [...] The "Wreath" will often amuse my solitary hours'. After some pieties he states: 'I gladly subjoin a few verses for your amusement, and that of Miss Falconer [...] How glad I should be to see you and her again at Ednam! I was much gratified by the kind attention which she shewed in coming with you and Miss W. to pay me a visit.' He concludes with an impromptu poem: 'Now Fare you well & may heaven bless | You both with health & happiness | Till ye revisit Ednam green | Along with our kind-hearted Jean.' The poem 'My Absent Friend' follows the letter, and consists of eighteen lines in three stanzas (first line: 'My absent Friend is good & kind'). It is as first printed in Wight's 'Cottage Poems' (1820), where it was dated to 1815. Blackwood's Magazine, December 1821, records Wight's death on 1 November as follows: 'Suddenly, aged about 40, William Wight, of Ednam, well known in that neighbourhood as the author of various poetical pieces, some of which were recently collected and published by subscription, under the title of "Cottage Poems." Though born in a state of helpless and pitiable deformity, his assiduous perseverence early enabled him to overcome the combined disadvantages of nature and poverty, and, unassisted, to enrich his mind with knowledge and cultivation. But his literary acquirements were his least praise. It was his blameless life, his uniform practice of every virtue within his humble sphere, his unaffected piety, his cheerful resignation, his unrepining patience, his warm affection and gratitude towards those whose benevolence alleviated the evils of his lot - evils such as are rarely the portion of humanity - that gained him universal sympathy and approbation, and raised up for him friends in various parts of the kingdom, distinguished yet more by their character and talents, than by their station in life.'