COCKBURN, ALICIA or ALISON Scottish poet, author of one of the most exquisite of Scottish ballads, the "Flowers of the Forest," was the daughter of Robert Rutherfurd of Fairnalee, Selkirkshire, and was born on Oct. 8, 1713, and died on Nov. 22, 1794. There are two versions of this song—the one by Mrs. Cockburn, the other by Jean Elliot (1727-1805) of Minto. Both were founded on the remains of an ancient Border ballad. Mrs. Cockburn's—that beginning "I've seen the smiling of For tune beguiling"—is said to have been written before her marriage to Patrick Cockburn of Ormiston in 1731, though not published till 1765. It was composed many years before Jean Elliot's sister verses, written in 1756, beginning, "I've heard them liltin' at our ewe-milkin'." At her house on Castle-hill, and afterwards in Crichton street, Mrs. Cockburn received Mackenzie, Robertson, Hume, Home, Monboddo, the Keiths of Ravelston, the Balcarres family, Lady Anne Barnard, the author of "Auld Robin Gray," and others. As a Rutherfurd she was a connection of Sir Walter Scott's mother, and was her intimate friend. Scott, at six years old, is said to have given as a reason for his liking for Mrs. Cock burn that she was a "virtuoso like himself." See her Letters and Memorials . . ., with notes by T. Craig Brown (190o).