Mr McGonagall, the poet, having presented a copy of his poems to the Rev. G. Gilfillan, the rev. gentleman has addressed the following letter to the poet in acknowledgment:—
Stonehaven, 16th July, 1878.
My Dear Sir, — Many thanks for your poems, and especially for your very kind lines addressed to myself. I hope you are none the worse of your far- famed journey to Balmoral. I am here on holiday, but return in some days. — I am, dear sir, yours very truly,
Geo. Gilfillan.
Dundee Courier, 19th July 1878
It is perhaps interesting to point out that within four weeks of receiving this early collection of McGonagall gems, the reverend Gilfillan was dead. Could the two facts be related?