The Letters of Robert Burns

Robert Burns
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Robert Burns, by Robert Burns #3 in our series by Robert Burns Copyright la s are changing all o!er the orl"# Be sure to check the copyright la s for your country before "o nloa"ing or re"istributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook# This hea"er shoul" be the first thing seen hen !ie ing this Project Gutenberg file# Please "o not re$o!e it# %o not change or e"it the hea"er ithout ritten per$ission# Please rea" the &legal s$all print,& an" other infor$ation about the eBook an" Project Gutenberg at the botto$ of this file# 'nclu"e" is i$portant infor$ation about your specific rights an" restrictions in ho the file $ay be use"# (ou can also fin" out about ho to $ake a "onation to Project Gutenberg, an" ho to get in!ol!e"# ))*elco$e To The *orl" of +ree Plain ,anilla Electronic Te-ts)) ))eBooks Rea"able By Both .u$ans an" By Co$puters, /ince 0120)) )))))These eBooks *ere Prepare" By Thousan"s of ,olunteers3))))) Title4 The Letters of Robert Burns 5uthor4 Robert Burns Release %ate4 +ebruary, 6778 9EBook #1:83; 9(es, e are $ore than one year ahea" of sche"ule; 9This file as first poste" on <ctober 6=, 6773; E"ition4 07 Language4 English Character set enco"ing4 5/C'' ))) /T5RT <+ T.E PR<>ECT G?TE@BERG EB<<A T.E LETTER/ <+ R<BERT B?R@/ )))

Pro"uce" by Charles +ranks, %ebra /torr an" PG %istribute" Proofrea"ers

B?R@/B/ LETTER/# T.E LETTER/ <+ R<BERT B?R@/, /ELECTE% 5@% 5RR5@GE%,

*'T. 5@ '@TR<%?CT'<@, B( ># L<G'E R<BERT/<@, C#5#

D&(ou shall rite hate!er co$es first,EE hat you see, hat you rea", hat you hear, hat you a"$ire, hat you "islikeF trifles, bagatelles, nonsense, or, to fill up a corner, eBen put "o n a laugh at full length&DEEBurns# D&Cy life re$in"e" $e of a ruine" te$ple4 hat strength, hat proportion in so$e parts3 hat unsightly gaps, hat prostrate ruin in others3&DEEBurns#

GE@ER5L C<RRE/P<@%E@CE To Ellison or 5lison Begbie GHI To Ellison Begbie To Ellison Begbie To Ellison Begbie To Ellison Begbie To his +ather To /ir >ohn *hitefoor", Bart#, of Balloch$yle To Cr# >ohn Cur"och, school$aster, /taples 'nn Buil"ings, Lon"on To his Cousin, Cr# >a$es Burness, riter, Controse To Cr# >a$es Burness, riter, Controse To Cr# >a$es Burness, riter, Controse To Tho$as <rr, Park, Airkos al" To Ciss Cargaret Aenne"y To CissEEEE, 5yrshire To Cr# >ohn Rich$on", la clerk, E"inburgh To Cr# >a$es /$ith, shopkeeper, Cauchline To Cr# Robert Cuir, ine $erchant, Ail$arnock

To Cr# >ohn Ballantine, banker, 5yr To Cr# CB*hinnie, riter, 5yr To >ohn 5rnot, EsJuire, of %alJuats oo"

To Cr# %a!i" Brice, shoe$aker, Glasgo To Cr# >ohn Rich$on", E"inburgh To Cr# >ohn Rich$on" To Cr# >ohn Aenne"y To his Cousin, Cr# >a$es Burness, riter, Controse To Crs# /te art, of /tair To Cr# Robert 5ikin, riter, 5yr To %r# CackenKie, CauchlineF inclosing hi$ !erses on "ining ith Lor" %aer To Crs# %unlop, of %unlop To Ciss 5le-an"er 'n the @a$e of the @ine# D5$enD To >a$es %alry$ple, EsJuire, <rangefiel" To /ir# >ohn *hitefoor" To Cr# Ga!in .a$ilton, Cauchline To Cr# >ohn Ballantine, banker, at one ti$e Pro!ost of 5yr To Cr# Robert Cuir To Cr# *illia$ Cha$bers, To the Earl of Eglinton To Cr# >ohn Ballantine To Crs# %unlop To %r# Coore To the Re!# G# La rie, @e $ilns, near Ail$arnock To the Earl of Buchan To Cr# >a$es Can"lish, stu"ent in physic, Glasgo College To Cr# Peter /tuart, E"itor of &The /tar,& Lon"on To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop To %r# Coore To Crs# %unlop riter, 5yr

To Cr# *illia$ @icol, classical $aster, .igh /chool, E"inburgh To Cr# *illia$ @icol To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Cr# >a$es /$ith, Linlithgo , for$erly of Cauchline To Cr# >ohn Rich$on" To Cr# Robert 5inslie To %r# Coore To Cr# 5rchibal" La rie To Cr# Robert Cuir, Ail$arnock To Cr# Ga!in .a$ilton To Cr# *alker, Blair of 5thole To his Brother, Cr# Gilbert Burns, Cossgiel To Cr# Patrick Ciller, %als inton To Re!# >ohn /kinner To Ciss Cargaret Chal$ers, .ar!ieston To Crs# %unlop of %unlop .ouse, /te arton To Cr# >a$es .oy, Gor"on Castle To the Earl of Glencairn To Ciss Chal$ers To Ciss Chal$ers To Ciss Chal$ers To Cr# Richar" Bro n, 'r!ine To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop To the Re!# >ohn /kinner To Crs# Rose, of Ailra!ock To Richar" Bro n, Greenock To Cr# *illia$ Cruikshank To Cr# Robert 5inslie

To Cr# Richar" Bro n To Cr# Robert Cuir To Crs# %unlop To Cr# *illia$ @icol GperhapsI To Ciss Chal$ers T.E CL5R'@%5 LETTER/ GE@ER5L C<RRE/P<@%E@CE GRE/?CE%IEE To Cr# Ga!in .a$ilton To Cr# *illia$ %unbar, *#/#, E"inburgh To Crs# %unlop To Cr# >a$es /$ith, 5!on Printfiel", Linlithgo To Professor %ugal" /te art To Crs# %unlop To Cr# /a$uel Bro n, Airkos al" To Cr# >a$es >ohnson, engra!er, E"inburgh To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop, at Cr# %unlopBs, .a""ington To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Peter .ill, bookseller, E"inburgh To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Beugo, engra!er, E"inburgh To Cr# Robert Graha$, of +intry To his *ife, at Cauchline# To Ciss Chal$ers, E"inburgh To Cr# Corison, right, Cauchline To Crs# %unlop, of %unlop

To Cr# Peter .ill To the E"itor of the &/tar& To Crs# %unlop, at Coreha$ Cains To %r# Blacklock To Crs# %unlop To Cr# >ohn Tennant To Crs# %unlop To %r# Coore, Lon"on To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Professor %ugal" /te art To Cr# Robert Cleghorn, /aughton Cills To Bishop Ge""es, E"inburgh To Cr# >a$es Burness To Crs# %unlop To, Crs# CBLehose Gfor$erly Clarin"aI To %r# Coore To his Brother, Cr# *illia$ Burns To Cr# .ill, bookseller, E"inburgh To Crs# CBCur"o, %ru$lanrig To Cr# Cunningha$ To Cr# Richar" Bro n To Cr# Robert 5inslie To Crs# %unlop To Ciss .elen Caria *illia$s To Cr# Robert Graha$, of +intry# To %a!i" /illar, $erchant, 'r!ine# To Cr# >ohn Logan, of Anock /hinriock To Cr# Peter /tuart, e"itor, Lon"on To his Brother, *illia$ Burns, sa""ler, @e castleEonETyne

To Crs# %unlop To Captain Ri""el, +riars Carse To Cr# Robert 5inslie, *#/# To Cr# Richar" Bro n, PortEGlasgo To Cr# R# Graha$, of +intry To Crs# %unlop To La"y *inifre" C# Constable To Cr# Charles A# /harpe, of .o""a$ To his Brother, Gilbert Burns, Cossgiel To Cr# *illia$ %unbar, *#/# To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Peter .ill, bookseller, E"inburgh To Cr# *# @icol To Cr# Cunningha$, riter, E"inburgh To Cr# .ill, bookseller, E"inburgh To Crs# %unlop To %r# >ohn Coore, Lon"on To Cr# Cur"och, teacher of +rench, Lon"on To Cr# Cunningha$ To Cr# Craufor" Tait, *#/#, E"inburgh To Crs# %unlop To Cr# *illia$ %unbar, *#/# To Cr# Peter .ill To %r# Coore To Crs# %unlop To the Re!# 5rch# 5lison To the Re!# G# .air" To Cr# Cunningharn, riter, E"inburgh To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Cunningha$

To Cr# Tho$as /loan To Cr# 5inslie To Ciss %a!ies To Crs# %unlop To Cr# *illia$ /$ellie, printer To Cr# *illia$ @icol To Cr# +rancis Grose, +#/#5 To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Cunningha$ To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop To Cr# R# Graha$, +intry To Crs# %unlop To Cr# Robert Graha$, of +intry To Cr# 5le-# Cunningha$, *#/#, E"inbiugh To Cr# Cunningha$ To Ciss Benson, (ork, after ar"s Crs# Basil Contagu To Cr# >ohn +rancis Erskine, of Car To Ciss CBCur"o, %ru$lanrig To >ohn CBCur"o, EsJ#, %ru$lanrig To Crs# Ri""el To Crs# Ri""el To Crs# Ri""el To Crs# Ri""el To Cr# Cunningha$ To Crs# %unlop To Cr# >a$es >ohnson To Cr# Peter .ill, >un#, of %als inton

To Crs# Ri""el To Crs# %unlop To Crs# %unlop, in Lon"on To the .on# The Pro!ost, etc#, of %a$fries To Crs# %unlop To Cr >a$es >ohnson To Cr# Cunningha$ To Cr# Gilbert Burns To Crs# Burns To Crs# %unlop To Cr# >a$es Burness, riter, Controse To his +atherEinEla , >a$es 5r$our, $ason, Cauchline T.E T.<C/<@ LETTER/

B?R@/B/ LETTER/# 't is not perhaps generally kno n that the prose of Burns e-cee"s in Juantity his !erse# The orl" re$e$bers hi$ as a poet, an" forgets or o!erlooks his letters# .is place a$ong the poets has ne!er been "enie"EEit is in the first rankF nor is he lo est, though little re$e$bere", a$ong letterE riters# .is letters ga!e >effrey a higher opinion of hi$ as a $an than "i" his poetry, though on both alike the critic sa the seal an" i$press of genius# %ugal" /te art thought his letters objects of on"er scarcely less than his poetry# 5n" Robertson, co$paring his prose ith his !erse, thought the for$er the $ore e-traor"inary of the t o# 'n the popular !ie of his genius there is, ho e!er, no "enying the fact that his poetry has eclipse" his prose# .is prose consists $ostly of letters, but it also inclu"es a noble frag$ent of autobiographyF three journals of obser!ations $a"e at Cossgiel, E"inburgh, an" Ellislan" respecti!elyF t o itineraries, the one of his bor"er tour, the other of his tour in the .ighlan"sF an" historical notes to t o collections of /cottish songs# 5 full enu$eration of his prose pro"uctions oul" take account also of his $asonic $inutes, his inscriptions, a rather curious business paper "ra n up by the poetEe-cise$an in prosecution of a s$uggler, an" of course his !arious prefaces, notably the "e"ication of his poe$s to the $e$bers of the Cale"onian .unt# .is letters, ho e!er, far e-cee" the su$ of his otherEprose ritings# Close upon fi!e hun"re" an" forty ha!e alrea"y been publishe"# These are not all the letters he e!er rote# *here, for e-a$ple, is the literary correspon"ence in hich he engage" so enthusiastically ith his Airkos al" schoolfello sH &Though ' ha" not three farthingsB orth of business in the orl", yet e!ery post brought $e as $any letters as if '

ha" been a broa"Eplo""ing son of "aybook an" le"ger#& *here are the letters hich brought to the plough$an at Lochlie such a constant an" copious strea$ of repliesH The circu$stances of his position ill e-plain hy they perishe"4 he as then &a youth an" all unkno n to fa$e#& 't is e!en "oubtful if the fi!e hun"re" an" forty publishe" letters inclu"e all the letters of Burns that no e-ist# /carcely a year passes but so$e epistolary scrap in the ellEkno n han" riting is unearthe" an" cere$oniously a""e" to the pre!ious su$ total, 5n" yet, not ithstan"ing losses past or ithin recall, it is probable that e ha!e long ha" the hole of BurnsBs $ost characteristic letters# 't as ine!itable that these shoul" be preser!e" an" publishe"# .is fa$e as so roote" in the popular regar" in his lifeti$e, that a characteristic letter fro$ his han" as sure to be recei!e" as so$ething singularly precious# 't $ust not be forgotten, ho e!er, that BurnsBs personality as so intense as to colour the s$allest frag$ent of his correspon"ence, an" it is on this account "esirable that e!ery note he penne" that yet re$ains unpublishe" shoul" be pro"uce"# 't $ight gi!e no ne feature to our conception of his characterF but it oul" help the sha"ingEE hich, in the portraiture of any person, $ust chiefly be furnishe" by the $inor an" $ore co$$onplace actions of his e!ery"ay life# The correspon"ence of Burns, as e ha!e it, co$$ences, presu$ably, near the close of his t entyEsecon" year, an" e-ten"s to all but e-actly the $i""le of his thirtyEeighth# The "ates are a "ay so$e here at the en" of 02:7, an" Con"ay, 0:th >uly 0218# Bet een these li$its lies the printe" correspon"ence of si-teen years# The su$ total of this correspon"ence allo s about thirtyEfour letters to each year, but the actual "istribution is !ery uneJual, ranging fro$ the $ini$u$, in 02:6, of one, a $asonic letter a""resse" to /ir >ohn *hitefoor" of Balloch$yle, to the $a-i$u$ nu$ber of ninetyEt o, in 02::, the great year of the Clarin"a episo"e# 't is in 02:8, the year of the publication of his first !olu$e at Ail$arnock, the year of his literary birth, that his correspon"ence first beco$es hea!y# 't rises at a leap fro$ t o letters in the prece"ing year to as $any as fortyEfour# The pheno$enal increase is partly e-plaine" by the success of his poe$s# .e beca$e a $an that as orth the kno ing, hose correspon"ence as orth preser!ing# The siyears of his publishe" correspon"ence pre!ious to the "isco!ery of his genius in 02:8 are represente" by only fourteen letters in all# But in those years his letters, though both nu$erous an" priKe" abo!e the co$$on, ere not consi"ere" as likely to be of future interest, an" ere therefore suffere" to li!e or "ie as chance $ight "eter$ine# They $ostly perishe", the recipients thinking it har"ly orth their hile to be sae nice iB Robin as to preser!e the$# 5fter the recognition of his po er in 02:8, the recor" of his preser!e" letters she s, for the ten years of his literary life, se!eral fluctuations hich a"$it of easy e-planation# Co$$encing ith 02:2, the nu$bers are4EE2:, 16, =L, 33, LL, 30, 88, 37, 62, 6L# The first of these years as totally se!ere" fro$ rural occupations, or business of any kin", if e e-cept the publication of the first E"inburgh e"ition of his poe$s# 't as a co$plete holi"ay year to hi$# .e as either resi"ent in E"inburgh, stu"ying $en an" $anners, or touring about the country, !isiting those places hich history, song, or scenery ha" $a"e fa$ous# *here!er he as, his fa$e brought hi$ the acJuaintance of a great $any ne people# .is leisure an" the no!elty of his situation affor"e" hi$ both opportunity an" subject for an e-tensi!e correspon"ence# +or a large part of the ne-t year, 02::, he as si$ilarly circu$stance", an" the nu$ber of his letters as e-ceptionally increase" by his entangle$ent ith Crs# CBLehose# To her alone, in less than three $onths

of this year, he rote at least thirtyEsi- letters,EEconsi"erably o!er oneEthir" of the entire epistolary pro"uce of the year# 'n 02:1 e fin" the nu$ber of his letters fall to fiftyEfour# This as, perhaps, the happiest year of his life# .e as no co$fortably establishe" as a far$er in a ho$e of his o n, busie" ith healthy rural ork, an" fin"ing in the happy firesi"e cli$e hich he as $aking for ife an" eans &the true pathos an" subli$e& of hu$an "uty# .e has still, ho e!er, ti$e an" inclination to rite on the a!erage one letter a eek# +or each of the ne-t three years the a!erage nu$ber is thirtyEsi-# 'n 0213 the nu$ber su""enly goes up to si-tyEsi-4 the increase is "ue to the heartiness ith hich he took up the sche$e of George Tho$son to popularise an" perpetuate the best ol" /cottish airs by fitting the$ ith or"s orthy of their $erits# .e rote, in this year, t entyEsi- letters in support of the sche$e# There is a sa" falling off in BurnsBs or"inary correspon"ence in the last three years of his life# The a$ount of it scarcely touches t enty letters per year# E!en the correspon"ence ith Tho$son, though on a subject so "ear to the heart of Burns, rousing at once both his patriotis$ an" his poetry, sinks to about ten letters per year, an" is irregular at that# Burns as losing hope an" health, an" caring less an" less for the orl"Bs fa!our an" the orl"Bs frien"ships# .e ha" lost largely in selfErespect as ell as in the respect of frien"s# The loss ga!e hi$ little heart to rite# BurnsBs correspon"ents, as far as e kno the$, nu$bere" o!er a hun"re" an" fifty persons# The nu$ber is large an" significant# @either Gray, nor Co per, nor Byron co$$an"e" so i"e a circle# They ha" not the farEreaching sy$pathies of Burns# They ere all $ore or less fasti"ious in their choice of correspon"ents# Burns, on the contrary, as as catholic, or as careless, in his frien"ships as his o n DCaesarDEE ho &*a" spen" an hour caressinB E!Bn iB a tinkler gipsyBs $essan#& .e $o!e" freely up an" "o n the hole social scale, blin" to the i$aginary "istinctions of bloo" an" title an" the e-trinsic "ifferences of ealth, seeing true superiority in an honest $anly heart, an" bearing hi$self here!er he foun" it as an eJual an" a brother# .is correspon"ents ere of e!ery social gra"eEEpeers an" peasantsF of e!ery intellectual attain$entEEphilosophers like %ugal" /te art, an" si$ple s ains like Tho$as <rrF an" of al$ost e!ery !ariety of calling, fro$ professional $en of recognise" e$inence to obscure shopkeepers, cottars, an" tra"es$en# They inclu"e ser!antEgirls, gentle o$en, an" la"ies of title" rankF country school$asters an" college professorsF $en of la of all "egrees, fro$ poor >ohn Rich$on", a plain la Eclerk ith a lo"ging in the La n$arket, to the .onourable .enry Erskine, %ean of the +acultyF far$ers, s$all an" largeF lair"s, large an" s$allF shoe$akers an" shopkeepersF $inisters, bankers, an" "octorsF printers, booksellers, e"itorsF knights, earlsEEnay, a "ukeF factors an" ineE$erchantsF ar$y officers, an" officers of E-cise# .is fe$ale correspon"ents ere o$en of superior intelligence an" acco$plish$ents# They can lay clai$ to a large proportion of his letters# Crs# CcLehose takes fortyEeightF Crs# %unlop, fortyEt oF Caria Ri""ell, eighteenF Peggy Chal$ers, ele!en# These four la"ies recei!e" a$ong the$ rather $ore than oneEfourth of the hole of his publishe" correspon"ence# @o four of his $ale correspon"ents can be accre"ite" ith so $any, e!en though George Tho$son for his in"i!i"ual share clai$s fiftyEsi-#

't is rather re$arkable that so fe of the letters are a""resse" to his o n relati!es# .is cousin, >a$es Burness of Controse, an" his o n younger brother *illia$ recei!e, in"ee", ten an" eight respecti!elyF but to his other brother Gilbert, ith ho$ he as on the $ost affectionate an" confi"ential ter$s, there fall but threeF to his ife only t oF one to his fatherF an" none to either his sisters or his $other# 5 $aternal uncle, /a$uel Bro n, is fa!oure" ith oneEEif, in"ee", the ol" $an as not scan"alise" ith itEEan" there are t o to >a$es 5r$our, $ason in Cauchline, his so$e hat stonyEhearte" fatherEinEla # BurnsBs letters e-hibit Juite as $uch !ariety of $oo"EEsel"o$, of course, so picturesJuely con!eye"EEas his poe$s# .e is, in pro$iscuous alternation, refine", gross, senti$ental, serious, hu$orous, in"ignant, repentant, "ignifie", !ulgar, ten"er, $anly, sceptical, re!erential, rakish, pathetic, sy$pathetic, satirical, playful, pitiably selfEabase", $ysteriously selfEe-alte"# .is letters are confessions an" re!elations# They are as sincerely an" spontaneously autobiographical of his inner life as the sacre" lyrics of %a!i" the .ebre # They ere in"ite" ith as $uch free fearless aban"on$ent# The a"!ice he ga!e to young 5n"re to keep so$ething to hi$selB, not to be tol" e!en to a boso$ crony, as a $a-i$ of orl"ly pru"ence hich he hi$self "i" not practice# .e "i" not &reck his o n re"e#& 5n", though that habit of unguar"e" e-pression brought upon hi$ the rath an" re!enge of the Philistines, an" kept hi$ in $aterial po!erty all his "ays, yet, pro$pte" as it al ays as by sincerity, an" nearly al ays by absolute truth, it has $a"e the $anhoo" of toE"ay richer, stronger, an" nobler# The orl" toE"ay has all the $ore the courage of its opinions that Burns e-ercise" as a right the free"o$ of sincere an" enlightene" speechEEan" suffere" for his bra!ery# The subjects of his letters are nu$erous, an", to a pretty large e-tent, of $uch the sa$e sort as the subjects of his poe$s# <ften, in"ee", you ha!e the anticipation of an i$age or a senti$ent hich his poetry has $a"e fa$iliar# (ou ha!e a gli$pse of green bu"s hich after ar"s unfol" into fragrance an" colour# This is an interesting connection, of hich one or t o e-a$ples $ay be gi!en# /o early as 02:0 he rote to 5lison BegbieEE&<nce you are con!ince" ' a$ sincere, ' a$ perfectly certain you ha!e too $uch goo"ness an" hu$anity to allo an honest $an to languish in suspense only because he lo!es you too ell#& 5lison Begbie beco$es Cary Corison, an" the senti$ent, so elegantly turne" in prose for her, is thus $elo"iously trans$ute" for the la"yElo!es of all languishing lo!ersEE &< Cary, canst thou reck his peace *ha for thy sake oul" gla"ly "ee, <r canst thou break that heart of his *haBs only faut is lo!ing theeH 'f lo!e for lo!e thou iltna gie, 5t least be pity on $e sho n4 5 thocht ungentle canna be The thocht oB Cary Corison3& 5gain, in the first $onth of 02:3 he rites to Cur"och, the school$asterEE&' a$ Juite in"olent about those great concerns that set the bustling busy sons of care agogF an" if ' ha!e here ith to ans er for the present hour, ' a$ !ery easy ith regar" to anything further# E!en the last orst shift of the unfortunate an" retche" "oes not greatly terrify $e#& >ust one year later this senti$ent as sent current in the ellEkno n stanKa conclu"ingEE

&But, %a!ie la", neBer fash your hea" Though e hae little gearF *eBre fit to in our "aily brea" 5s langBs eBre hale anB fierF Cair speer na, nor fear naF 5ul" age neBer $in" a fig, The last oBt, the arst oBt, 's only for to beg3& 5gain, in the letter last referre" to occurs the passageEE&' a$ a strict econo$ist, not in"ee" for the sake of the $oney, but one of the principal parts in $y co$position is a kin" of pri"e, an" ' scorn to fear the face of any $an li!ing# 5bo!e e!erything ' abhor as hell the i"ea of sneaking into a corner to a!oi" a "un#& This is $etrically ren"ere", in Cay 02:8, in the follo ing lines4EE &To catch "a$e +ortuneBs gol"en s$ile, 5ssi"uous ait upon her, 5n" gather gear by e!ery ile ThatBs justifie" by honour4EE @ot for to hi"e it in a he"ge, @or for a train atten"ant, But for the glorious pri!ilege <f being in"epen"ent#& 't oul" be easy to $ultiply e-a$ples4 he is jostle" in his letters by $arketE$en before he is &hogEshouthere" an" jun"ie"& by the$ in his !erseF an" the legen"s of 5llo ay Airk are narrate" in a letter to Grose before the i$$ortal tale of Ta$ oB/hanter is o!en for DThe 5ntiJuities of /cotlan"D# There is nothing $orbi" or narro in BurnsBs letters# They are frank an" healthy# (ou can spen" a "ay o!er the$, an" feel at the en" of it as if you ha" been an"ering at large through the free"o$ of nature# They see$ to ha!e been ritten in the open air# The first con"ition necessary to an appreciati!e un"erstan"ing of the$ is to concern yourself ith the senti$ent# 5n", in"ee", the strength an" sincerity of the senti$ent byEan"Eby "ra you a ay to obli!ion of the style, ho e!er $uch it $ay at first strike you as re"un"ant an" affecte"# They are not the letters of a literary $an# They ha!e nothing suggesti!e of the stu"ious cha$ber an" the $i"night la$p# There is often a narro ness of i"ea in the $erely literary $an hich li$its his au"itory to $en of his peculiar pattern# To this narro ness Burns, ith all his faults of style, as a stranger# .is letters are the utterances of a $an ho refuse" to be i$prisone" in any single "epart$ent of hu$an thought# .e as no specialist, pinne" to one stan"point, an" $aking the i"th of the orl" co$$ensurate ith the narro ness of his o n horiKon# .e $o!e" about, he looke" abroa"F he ha" no pet subject, no restricte" fiel" of stu"yF nature an" hu$an nature in their $ultitu"inous phases an" $any retreats ere his range, an" he e-presse" his !ie s as freely an" !igorously as he took the$# The general tone of the letters is high# The subject is not sel"o$ of supre$e interest# Muestions are "iscusse" hich are rarely "iscusse" in or"inary correspon"ence# The riter rises abo!e cree"s an" for$ularies an" arbitrarily establishe" rule# .e speculates on a theology beyon" the boun"s of Cal!inis$, on a philosophy of the soul abo!e the "ialectics of the school$en, on a $orality at !ariance ith con!entional la # .e interrogates the intuitions of the $in" an" the inti$ations of nature in

or"er that, if possible, he $ay learn so$ething of the soulBs origin, "estiny, an" supre$est "uty# But let us hear hi$self4EE DGaID &' ha!e e!er looke" on $ankin" in the lu$p to be nothing better than a foolish, hea"Estrong, cre"ulous, unthinking $obF an" their uni!ersal belief has e!er ha" e-tre$ely little eight ith $e#### ' a$ "ra n by con!iction like a Can, not by a halter like an 5ss#& DGbID &DB<n Earth %iscor"3 5 gloo$y .ea!en abo!e opening its jealous gates to the nineteenEthousan"th part of the tithe of $ankin"3 5n" belo an ine-orable .ell e-pan"ing its le!iathan ja s for the !ast resi"ue of $ortals3BD < "octrine co$fortable an" healing to the eary oun"e" soul of $an3 (e sons an" "aughters of affliction, to ho$ "ay brings no pleasure an" night yiel"s no rest, be co$forte"3 BTis one to but nineteen hun"re" thousan" that your situation ill $en" in this orl", an" Btis nineteen hun"re" thousan" to one, by the "og$as of theology, that you ill be "a$ne" eternally in the orl" to co$e#& DGcID &5 pillar that bears us up a$i" the reck of $isfortune an" $isery is to be foun" in those feelings an" senti$ents hich, ho e!er the sceptic $ay "eny or the enthusiast "isfigure the$, are yet, ' a$ con!ince", original an" co$ponent parts of the hu$an soulF those Dsenses of the $in"D, if ' $ay be allo e" the e-pression, hich link us to the a ful obscure realities of an allEpo erful an" eJually beneficent Go" an" a orl"EtoEco$e beyon" "eath an" the gra!e#& DG"ID &Can it be possible that hen ' resign this frail, fe!erish being ' shall still fin" $yself in conscious e-istenceH### /hall ' yet be ar$ in life, seeing an" seen, enjoying an" enjoye"H (e !enerable /ages an" holy +la$ens, is there probability in your conjectures, truth in your stories, of another orl" beyon" "eath, or are they all alike baseless !isions an" fabricate" fablesH 'f there is another life, it $ust only be for the just, the bene!olent, the a$iable, an" the hu$aneF hat a flattering i"ea then is a orl" to co$e3 *oul" to Go" ' as fir$ly belie!e" it as ' ar"ently ish it3### >esus Christ, thou a$iablest of characters3 ' trust thou art no i$postor#### ' trust that in Thee shall all the fa$ilies of the earth be blesse"#& DGeID &+ro$ the see$ing nature of the hu$an $in", as ell as fro$ the e!i"ent i$perfections in the a"$inistration of affairs, in both the natural an" $oral orl"s, there $ust be a retributi!e scene of e-istence beyon" the gra!e#& DGfID &' ne!er hear the lou" solitary histle of the curle in a su$$erBs noon, or the il" $i-ing ca"ence of a troop of grey plo!er in an autu$n $orning, ithout feeling an ele!ation of soul like the enthusias$ of %e!otion or Poetry# Tell $e, $y "ear frien", to hat can this be o ingH 5re e a piece of $achinery, that, like the 5Eolian harp, passi!e, takes the i$pression of the passing acci"entH <r "o these orkings argue so$ething ithin us abo!e the tro""en clo"H& DGgID &Gracious .ea!en3 hy this "isparity bet een our ishes an" our po ersH *hy is the $ost generous ish to $ake others blest, i$potent an" ineffectualH### <ut upon the orl"3 say ', that its affairs are a"$inistere" so ill#& DGhID &5t first glance, se!eral of your propositions startle" $e as para"o-ical# That the $artial clangour of a tru$pet ha" so$ething in

it !astly $ore gran", heroic, an" subli$e than the t ingleEt angle of a je BsEharpF that the "elicate fle-ure of a roseEt ig, hen the halfEblo n flo er is hea!y ith the tears of the "a n, as infinitely $ore beautiful an" elegant than the upright stub of a bur"ockF an" that, fro$ so$ething innate an" in"epen"ent of all associations of i"easEEthese ' ha" set "o n as irrefragable ortho"otruths#&9a; DGiID &<, ' coul" curse circu$stances, an" the coarse tie of hu$an la s hich keeps fast hat co$$onEsense oul" loose, an" hich bars that happiness it cannot gi!eEEhappiness hich other ise lo!e an" honour oul" arrant3& DGjID &'f there is no $an on earth to ho$ your heart an" affections are justly "ue, it $ay sa!our of i$pru"ence, but ne!er of cri$inality, to besto that heart an" those affections here you please# The Go" of lo!e $eant an" $a"e those "elicious attach$ents to be besto e" on so$ebo"y#& The ineJualities of fortune, the pleasures of frien"ship, the $iseries of po!erty, the glories of in"epen"ence, the pri!ileges of ealth allie" to generosity, the sin of ingratitu"e, an" si$ilar topics, are continually recurring to pro!e the ele!ation at hich his spirit usually soare" an" sur!eye" $ankin"# 't has been charge" against hi$9b; that these subjects ere not the foo" of his "aily conte$plation, but ere lugge" into his letters for the sake of effect, an" that their clu$sy intro"uction as freJuently apologise" for by the co$plaint that the riter ha" nothing else to rite about# The freJuent apologies here spoken of ill be har" to fin", an" the criticBs only reason for a"!ancing the charge, for hich he oul" fain fin" support in the fancie" apologies of Burns, is that $any of the letters &relate neither to facts nor feelings peculiarly connecte" ith the author or his correspon"ent#& This only $eans that a !ery large proportion of BurnsBs letters are not like the letters of or"inary $en, an" therefore "o not satisfy the criticBs i"ea or "efinition of a letter# They treat of the$es that are not specially Da proposD of passing e!ents, an" therefore they are force" an" affecte"# +e are likely to be i$pose" upon by such shallo reasoning# 5nother critic9c; a!ers that & hile Burns says nothing of "ifficulties at all, he yet lea!es an a"$irable letter, out of nothing, in your han"s3& *e $ay pit the one critic against the other, an" so lea!e the$, hile e peruse the letters, an" for$ an opinion for oursel!es# *hile both the !erse an" the prose of Burns are re!elations, his letters re!eal $ore than his poe$s the failings an" frailties of the $an# .is poe$s, taken altogether, she hi$ at his best, as e ish toEEan" as e $ainly "oEEre$e$ber hi$F a $an to be lo!e", a"$ire", e!en en!ie", an" by no $eans pitie", for his soul, though often !e-e" ith the irritations inci"ental to an obscure an" toiling lot, has a strength an" buoyancy hich rea"ily raise it to "i!ine altitu"es, here it $ight ell be content to see an" s$ile at the petty class "istinctions an" the paltry social tyranny fro$ hich those irritations chiefly spring# .is letters, on the other han", present hi$ to us less freJuently on those co$$an"ing altitu"es# .e is oftener careful an" concerne" about $any things, groping occasionally in the orl"Bs ays for the orl"Bs gifts, an" han"icappe" in the struggle for the$ by a conte$ptuous an" halfEhearte" a"option of the orl"Bs $etho"s of inning the$# The sa$e personality that stan"s forth in the poe$s is e!ery here

present in all essential features in the letters# *e ha!e in the latter the sa$e !ie of life, present an" futureF the sa$e fierce content$ent ith honest po!ertyF the sa$e aggressi!e in"epen"ency of $anhoo"F the sa$e patriotis$, susceptibility to fe$ale lo!eliness, lo!e of sociality, un"aunte" likes an" "islikes# The hu$our is the sa$e, though often too elaborately e-presse"#9"; 'n one i$portant respect, ho e!er, his letters fail to reflect that i$age of hi$ hich his poetry presents# 't is re$arkable that his "escriptions of rural nature, an" one $ight a"" of rustic life, so full an" plentiful in his !erse, are so fe an" slight in his letters# .e see$s to ha!e reser!e" these "escriptions for his !erse# The best, because the $ost genuine, biography of Burns is furnishe" by his o n ritings# .is letters ill, if carefully stu"ie", "ispro!e $any of the positions taken up so confi"ently by oul"Ebe interpreters of his history# 't is not the purpose of this "iscursi!e paper to take up the "etails of the Clarin"a episo"eF but philan"ering is scarcely the or" by hich to "escribe the $utual relations of the lo!ers# 5s for Crs# CBLehose, the se!erest thing that can ith justice be sai" against her is that, if she $aintaine" her !irtue, she en"angere" her reputation# <ne re$arkable position taken up by a recent riter9e; on the subject of BurnsBs a$ours is, that he ne!er really lo!e" any o$an, an" least of all >ean 5r$our# The letters oul" rather arrant the con!erse of his state$ent# They go to pro!e that hile BurnsBs affections ere $ore than oriental in their strength an" liberality, they ere especially centre" upon >ean# .e felt &a $iserable blank in his heart ith ant of herF& &a roote" attach$ent for herF& &ha" no reason on her part to rue his $arriage ith herF& an" &ne!er sa here he coul" ha!e $a"e it better#& 'f Burns as ne!er really in lo!e, it is $ore than probable that the hole orl" has been $istaking so$e other passion for it# 't is this sa$e riter ho in one breath speaks of Burns philan"ering ith Clarin"a, an" yet "eclaring his attach$ent to her in the best songs he e!er rote# 5nother error hich the letters shoul" correct is the belief e-presse" in so$e Juarters that Burns as no longer capable of pro"ucing poetry after his fatal resi"ence in E"inburgh# 't as, as a $atter of fact, subseJuent to his resi"ence in E"inburgh that he rote the poe$s for hich he is no , an" for hich he ill be longest, fa$ousEEna$ely, his songs# The riter alrea"y referre" to co$pares the co$position of these songs to the car!ing of cherryEstones# They ere, he says in effect, the a$use$ent of a $an ho coul" "o nothing better in literature3 The orl" has agree" that they are the best things Burns has "oneF an" rates hi$ for their sake in the highest rank of its poets# The truth is that Burns ca$e to Ellislan" ith nu$erous sche$es of future poetical ork, !igorous hopes of carrying so$e of the$, an" an inspiration an" faculty of utterance uni$paire"# 't as in %u$friesshire that he co$pose" the $ost ten"erly an" $elo"iously seraphic of his lyricsEE&To Cary in .ea!en& an" &.ighlan" CaryF& the $ost po erful an" popular of his narrati!e poe$sEE&Ta$ <B /hanterF& the first of all patriotic o"esEE&BruceBs 5""ress to his 5r$y&F an" the noblest $anifesto of the rights an" hopes of $anhoo"EE&5 CanBs a Can for aB that#& *ith one or" on his style as a proseE riter this short paper $ust close# The $ost "i!erse opinions ha!e been uttere" on the subject# The critics trip up each other ith char$ing in"epen"ency# To >effrey they see$e" to be &all co$pose" as e-ercises an" for "isplay#& Carlyle "eclare" that they ere ritten &for the $ost part ith singular force an" e!en gracefulness,& an" that hen Burns rote &to truste" frien"s on real interests, his style beca$e si$ple, !igorous, e-pressi!e, so$eti$es e!en beautiful#& %r# *a""ell prefers hi$ to Co per an" Byron as a

letterE riter# /cott, hile allo ing passages of great eloJuence, foun" in the letters &strong $arks of affectation, ith a tincture of pe"antry#& Taine thinks &Burns brought ri"icule on hi$self by i$itating the $en of the aca"e$y an" the court#& Lockhart thought, ith *alker, that &he acco$$o"ate" his style to the tastes& of his correspon"ents# 5n" so on# 't is orth hile to learn fro$ Burns hi$self hat he thought of his talent for proseEco$position# 5n" in the first place it is to be note" that he practise" proseEco$position before he took to poetry# 5t si-teen he as carrying on an e-tensi!e literary correspon"ence, hich as !irtually a co$petition in essayE riting# .e kept copies of the letters he like" best, an" as flattere" to fin" that he as superior to his correspon"ents# .e stu"ie" the essayists of Mueen 5nneBs ti$e, an" for$e" his style upon theirs, an" that of their $ost "istinguishe" follo ers# /teele, 5""ison, / ift, /terne, an" CackenKie ere his $o"els# .e like" their roun"e" sentences, an" caught their con!entional phrases# .e foun" "elight in i$itating the$# .e !olunteere" his ser!ices ith the pen on behalf of his fello Es ains# .e beca$e the &Co$plete LetterE*riter& of his parish, an" as prou" of his function an" his faculty# .e as a are of his &abilities at a billetE"ou-#& To the !ery last he ha" a high opinion of hi$self as a riter of letters# .e speaks of one letter being in his &!ery best $annerF& an" of aiting for an hour of inspiration to rite another that shoul" be as goo"# .e retaine" copies of about thirty of his longer letters, an" ha" the$ boun" for preser!ation# The $ost serious, al$ost the only charge brought against the prose style of Burns is the charge of affectation $ore or less occasional# 5ll the earlier critics $ake it or i$ply it, an" ith such an apparent sho of proof that it has generally been belie!e"# Later critics, hile unable to "eny the feature of his style hich so looks like affectation, ha!e e-plaine" it to such goo" effect as to $ake it appear a beautyF they ha!e aske" us to regar" it as the happy result of a sy$pathetic $in" a"apting itself to the object of its a""ress# This looks !ery like bla$ing BurnsBs correspon"ents for the ba"ness of his style# There is so$e truth in the e-planation, putting it e!en so e-tre$ely# But hen this allo ance is $a"e, there still re$ains a i"e an" ellE$arke" "ifference bet een his use of English prose an" his $astery of /cottish !erse# The latter is co$pleteEEit is the $astery of an originator of style# The for$er, on the other han", is the attain$ent of a cle!er pupil hen the senti$ent is co$$onplaceF hen it is "eep an" !ehe$ent, it is often, in the language of Carlyle, &the effort of a $an to e-press so$ething hich he has no organ fit for e-pressing#& Co$$on people, to ho$ niceties of style are unkno n, an" ho rea" pri$arily or e-clusi!ely for the sake of the $atter, percei!e nothing of this affectation, an" think scarcely less highly of BurnsBs letters than they "o of his poetry# ># L<G'E R<BERT/<@# 2 L<CA.5RT<@ TERR5CE, /L5TE+<R%, E%'@B?RG.# 9+ootnote a4 This is really the e-posure of an absur"ity#; 9+ootnote b4 By >effrey#;

9+ootnote c4 %r# .ately *a""ell#; 9+ootnote "4 /ee, for e-a$ple, the DCheeseD Letter to Peter .ill, or the D/nailBsEhornsD Letter to Crs# %unlop#; 9+ootnote e4 Cr# R# L# /te!enson#;

GE@ER5L C<RRE/P<@%E@CE# LETTER/ '#EETo ELL'/<@ <R 5L'/<@ BEGB'E GHI 90; *hat you $ay think of this letter hen you see the na$e that subscribes it ' cannot kno F an" perhaps ' ought to $ake a long preface of apologies for the free"o$ ' a$ going to takeF but as $y heart $eans no offence, but, on the contrary, is rather too ar$ly intereste" in your fa!our,EEfor that reason ' hope you ill forgi!e $e hen ' tell you that ' $ost sincerely an" affectionately lo!e you# ' a$ a stranger in these $atters, 5EEE, as ' assure you that you are the first o$an to ho$ ' e!er $a"e such a "eclarationF so ' "eclare ' a$ at a loss ho to procee"# ' ha!e $ore than once co$e into your co$pany ith a resolution to say hat ' ha!e just no tol" youF but $y resolution al ays faile" $e, an" e!en no $y heart tre$bles for the conseJuence of hat ' ha!e sai"# ' hope, $y "ear 5EEEE, you ill not "espise $e because ' a$ ignorant of the flattering arts of courtship4 ' hope $y ine-perience of the ork ill plea" for $e# ' can only say ' sincerely lo!e you, an" there is nothing on earth ' so ar"ently ish for, or that coul" possibly gi!e $e so $uch happiness, as one "ay to see you $ine# ' think you cannot "oubt $y sincerity, as ' a$ sure that hene!er ' see you $y !ery looks betray $e4 an" hen once you are con!ince" ' a$ sincere, ' a$ perfectly certain you ha!e too $uch goo"ness an" hu$anity to allo an honest $an to languish in suspense only because he lo!es you too ell# 5n" ' a$ certain that in such a state of an-iety as ' $yself at present feel, an absolute "enial oul" be a $uch preferable state# 9+ootnote 04 The original C/# of the foregoing letter is the property of >ohn 5"a$, EsJuire, Greenock, an" the letter as first publishe" in 0:2:# 'f it is a genuine lo!eEletter, an" not a $ere e-ercise in lo!eEletter riting, it as probably the first of the short series to 5lison Begbie, ho is suppose" to ha!e been the "aughter of a s$all far$er, an" ho has been i"entifie" ith the Cary Corison of the ellEkno n lyric# The senti$ent of the last paragraph of the letter agrees ith the senti$ent of the last stanKa of the song#; ) ) ) ) )

''#ETo ELL'/<@ BEGB'E# 9L<C.L'E, 02:7#;

C( %E5R E#,EE' "o not re$e$ber, in the course of your acJuaintance an" $ine, e!er to ha!e hear" your opinion on the or"inary ay of falling in lo!e, a$ongst people in our station in lifeF ' "o not $ean the persons ho procee" in the ay of bargain, but those hose affection is really place" on the person# Though ' be, as you kno !ery ell, but a !ery a k ar" lo!er $yself, yet, as ' ha!e so$e opportunities of obser!ing the con"uct of others ho are $uch better skille" in the affair of courtship than ' a$, ' often think it is o ing to lucky chance, $ore than to goo" $anage$ent, that there are not $ore unhappy $arriages than usually are# 't is natural for a young fello to like the acJuaintance of the fe$ales, an" custo$ary for hi$ to keep the$ co$pany hen occasion ser!esF so$e one of the$ is $ore agreeable to hi$ than the restF there is so$ething, he kno s not hat, pleases hi$, he kno s not ho , in her co$pany# This ' take to be hat is calle" lo!e ith the greater part of usF an" ' $ust o n, $y "ear E#, it is a har" ga$e such a one as you ha!e to play hen you $eet ith such a lo!er# (ou cannot refuse but he is sincere, an" yet though you use hi$ e!er so fa!ourably, perhaps in a fe $onths, or at farthest in a year or t o, the sa$e unaccountable fancy $ay $ake hi$ as "istracte"ly fon" of another, hilst you are Juite forgot# ' a$ a are that perhaps the ne-t ti$e ' ha!e the pleasure of seeing you, you $ay bi" $e take $y o n lesson ho$e, an" tell $e that the passion ' ha!e professe" for you is perhaps one of those transient flashes ' ha!e been "escribingF but ' hope, $y "ear E#, you ill "o $e the justice to belie!e $e, hen ' assure you that the lo!e ' ha!e for you is foun"e" on the sacre" principles of !irtue an" honour, an" by conseJuence so long as you continue possesse" of those a$iable Jualities hich first inspire" $y passion for you, so long $ust ' continue to lo!e you# Belie!e $e, $y "ear, it is lo!e like this alone hich can ren"er the $arriage state happy# People $ay talk of fla$es an" raptures as long as they please, an" a ar$ fancy, ith a flo of youthful spirits, $ay $ake the$ feel so$ething like hat they "escribeF but sure ' a$ the nobler faculties of the $in" ith kin"re" feelings of the heart can only be the foun"ation of frien"ship, an" it has al ays been $y opinion that the $arrie" life as only frien"ship in a $ore e-alte" "egree# 'f you ill be so goo" as to grant $y ishes, an" it shoul" please Pro!i"ence to spare us to the latest perio"s of life, ' can look for ar" an" see that, e!en then, though bent "o n ith rinkle" ageEEe!en then, hen all other orl"ly circu$stances ill be in"ifferent to $e, ' ill regar" $y E# ith the ten"erest affection, an" for this plain reason, because she is still possesse" of those noble Jualities, i$pro!e" to a $uch higher "egree, hich first inspire" $y affection for her# <3 happy state, hen souls each other "ra , *here lo!e is liberty, an" nature la # ' kno , ere ' to speak in such a style to $any a girl, ho thinks herself possesse" of no s$all share of sense, she oul" think it ri"iculousEEbut the language of the heart is, $y "ear E#, the only courtship ' shall e!er use to you# *hen ' look o!er hat ' ha!e ritten, ' a$ sensible it is !astly "ifferent fro$ the or"inary style of courtshipEEbut ' shall $ake no apologyEE' kno your goo" nature ill e-cuse hat your goo" sense $ay see a$iss#

'''#EET< ELL'/<@ BEGB'E# 9L<C.L'E, 02:7#; ' !erily belie!e, $y "ear E#, that the pure genuine feelings of lo!e are as rare in the orl" as the pure genuine principles of !irtue an" piety# This, ' hope, ill account for the unco$$on style of all $y letters to you# By unco$$on, ' $ean their being ritten in such a serious $anner, hich, to tell you the truth, has $a"e $e often afrai" lest you shoul" take $e for so$e Kealous bigot, ho con!erse" ith his $istress as he oul" con!erse ith his $inister# ' "onBt kno ho it is, $y "earF for though, e-cept your co$pany, there is nothing on earth gi!es $e so $uch pleasure as riting to you, yet it ne!er gi!es $e those gi""y raptures so $uch talke" of a$ong lo!ers# ' ha!e often thought, that if a ellEgroun"e" affection be not really a part of !irtue, Btis so$ething e-tre$ely akin to it# *hene!er the thought of $y E# ar$s $y heart, e!ery feeling of hu$anity, e!ery principle of generosity, kin"les in $y breast# 't e-tinguishes e!ery "irty spark of $alice an" en!y, hich are but too apt to infest $e# ' grasp e!ery creature in the ar$s of uni!ersal bene!olence, an" eJually participate in the pleasures of the happy, an" sy$pathise ith the $iseries of the unfortunate# ' assure you, $y "ear, ' often look up to the %i!ine "isposer of e!ents ith an eye of gratitu"e for the blessing hich ' hope .e inten"s to besto on $e, in besto ing you# ' sincerely ish that .e $ay bless $y en"ea!ours to $ake your life as co$fortable an" happy as possible, both in s eetening the rougher parts of $y natural te$per, an" bettering the unkin"ly circu$stances of $y fortune# This, $y "ear, is a passion, at least in $y !ie , orthy of a $an, an", ' ill a"", orthy of a Christian# The sor"i" earthE or$ $ay profess lo!e to a o$anBs person, hilst, in reality, his affection is centre" in her pocketF an" the sla!ish "ru"ge $ay go aE ooing as he goes to the horseE$arket, to choose one ho is stout an" fir$, an" as e say of an ol" horse, one ho ill be a goo" "ru"ge an" "ra kin"ly# ' "is"ain their "irty, puny i"eas# ' oul" be heartily out of hu$our ith $yself, if ' thought ' ere capable of ha!ing so poor a notion of the se-, hich ere "esigne" to cro n the pleasures of society# Poor "e!ils3 ' "onBt en!y the$ their happiness ho ha!e such notions# +or $y part, ' propose Juite other pleasures ith $y "ear partner# ) ) ) ) )

',#EET< ELL'/<@ BEGB'E# 9L<C.L'E, 02:l#; C( %E5R E#,EE' ha!e often thought it a peculiarly unlucky circu$stance in lo!e, that though, in e!ery other situation in life, telling the truth is not only the safest, but actually by far the easiest ay of procee"ing, a lo!er is ne!er un"er greater "ifficulty in acting, or $ore puKKle" for e-pression, than hen his passion is sincere, an" his intentions are honourable# ' "o not think that it is !ery "ifficult for a person of or"inary capacity to talk of lo!e an" fon"ness hich are not felt, an" to $ake !o s of constancy an" fi"elity hich are ne!er inten"e" to be perfor$e", if he be !illain enough to practice such "etestable con"uctF but to a $an hose heart glo s ith the principles of integrity an" truth, an" ho sincerely lo!es a o$an of a$iable person, unco$$on refine$ent of senti$ent, an" purity of $annersEEto such

a one, in such circu$stances, ' can assure you, $y "ear, fro$ $y o n feelings at this present $o$ent, courtship is a task in"ee"# There is such a nu$ber of forebo"ing fears an" "istrustful an-ieties cro " into $y $in" hen ' a$ in your co$pany, or hen ' sit "o n to rite to you, that hat to speak or hat to rite, ' a$ altogether at a loss# There is one rule hich ' ha!e hitherto practise", an" hich ' shall in!ariably keep ith you, an" that is, honestly to tell you the plain truth# There is so$ething so $ean an" un$anly in the arts of "issi$ulation an" falsehoo", that ' a$ surprise" they can be use" by any one in so noble, so generous a passion as !irtuous lo!e# @o, $y "ear E#, ' shall ne!er en"ea!our to gain your fa!our by such "etestable practices# 'f you ill be so goo" an" so generous as to a"$it $e for your partner, your co$panion, your boso$ frien" through life, there is nothing on this si"e of eternity shall gi!e $e greater transportF but ' shall ne!er think of purchasing your han" by any arts un orthy of a $an, an", ' ill a"", of a Christian# There is one thing, $y "ear, hich ' earnestly reJuest of you, an" it is this4 that you oul" soon either put an en" to $y hopes by a pere$ptory refusal, or cure $e of $y fears by a generous consent# 't oul" oblige $e $uch if you oul" sen" $e a line or t o hen con!enient# ' shall only a"", further, that if beha!iour, regulate" Gthough perhaps but !ery i$perfectlyI by the rules of honour an" !irtue, if a heart "e!ote" to lo!e an" estee$ you, an" an earnest en"ea!our to pro$ote your happinessF if these are Jualities you oul" ish in a frien", in a husban", ' hope you shall e!er fin" the$ in your real frien" an" sincere lo!er# ) ) ) ) )

,#ETo ELL'/<@ BEGB<E# 9L<C.L'E, 02:0#; ' ought, in goo" $anners, to ha!e ackno le"ge" the receipt of your letter before this ti$e, but $y heart as so shocke" ith the contents of it, that ' can scarcely yet collect $y thoughts so as to rite you on the subject# ' ill not atte$pt to "escribe hat ' felt on recei!ing your letter# ' rea" it o!er an" o!er, again an" again, an" though it as in the politest language of refusal, still it as pere$ptoryF &you ere sorry you coul" not $ake $e a return, but you ish $e& hat, ithout you, ' ne!er can obtain, &you ish $e all kin" of happiness#& 't oul" be eak an" un$anly to say that ithout you ' ne!er can be happyF but sure ' a$, that sharing life ith you oul" ha!e gi!en it a relish, that, anting you, ' can ne!er taste# (our unco$$on personal a"!antages, an" your superior goo" sense, "o not so $uch strike $eF these, possibly, in a fe instances $ay be $et ith in othersF but that a$iable goo"ness, that ten"er fe$inine softness, that en"earing s eetness of "isposition, ith all the char$ing offspring of a ar$ feeling heartEEthese ' ne!er again e-pect to $eet ith, in such a "egree, in this orl"# 5ll these char$ing Jualities, heightene" by an e"ucation $uch beyon" anything ' ha!e e!er $et in any o$an ' e!er "are" to approach, ha!e $a"e an i$pression on $y heart that ' "o not think the orl" can e!er efface# Cy i$agination has fon"ly flattere" $yself ith a ish, ' "are not say it e!er reache" a hope, that possibly ' $ight one "ay call you $ine# ' ha" for$e" the $ost "elightful i$ages, an" $y fancy fon"ly broo"e" o!er the$F but no ' a$ retche" for the

loss of hat ' really ha" no right to e-pect# ' $ust no think no $ore of you as a $istressF still ' presu$e to ask to be a"$itte" as a frien"# 5s such ' ish to be allo e" to ait on you, an" as ' e-pect to re$o!e in a fe "ays a little further off, an" you, ' suppose, ill soon lea!e this place, ' ish to see or hear fro$ you soonF an" if an e-pression shoul" perhaps escape $e, rather too ar$ for frien"ship, ' hope you ill par"on it in, $y "ear CissEE, Gpar"on $e the "ear e-pression for onceI R# B# ) ) ) ) )

,'#EET< .'/ +5T.ER# 'R,'@E, D%ece$ber 62,D 02:0# .<@<?RE% /'R,EE' ha!e purposely "elaye" riting in the hope that ' shoul" ha!e the pleasure of seeing you on @e (earBs "ayF but ork co$es so har" upon us that ' "o not choose to be absent on that account, as ell as for so$e other little reasons hich ' shall tell you at $eeting# Cy health is nearly the sa$e as hen you ere here, only $y sleep is a little soun"er, an" on the hole ' a$ rather better than other ise, though ' $en" by !ery slo "egrees# The eakness of $y ner!es has so "ebilitate" $y $in" that ' "are neither re!ie $y past ants nor look for ar" into futurityF for the least an-iety or perturbation in $y breast pro"uces $ost unhappy effects on $y hole fra$e# /o$eti$es, in"ee", hen for an hour or t o $y spirits are a little lightene", ' gli$$er a little into futurityF but $y principal, an" in"ee" $y only pleasurable, e$ploy$ent, is looking back ar"s an" for ar"s in a $oral an" religious ayF ' a$ Juite transporte" at the thought, that ere long, perhaps !ery soon, ' shall bi" an eternal a"ieu to all the pains, an" uneasiness, an" "isJuietu"es of this eary lifeF for ' assure you ' a$ heartily tire" of itF an", if ' "o not !ery $uch "ecei!e $yself, ' coul" contente"ly an" gla"ly resign it# The soul, uneasy, an" confinB" at ho$e, Rests an" e-patiates in a life to co$e# 't is for this reason ' a$ $ore please" ith the 0=th, 08th, an" 02th !erses of the 2th chapter of Re!elation96; than ith any ten ti$es as $any !erses in the hole Bible, an" oul" not e-change the hole noble enthusias$ ith hich they inspire $e, for all that this orl" has to offer# 5s for this orl", ' "espair of e!er $aking a figure in it ' a$ not for$e" for the bustle of the busy, nor the flutter of the gay# ' shall ne!er again be capable of entering into such scenes# 'n"ee", ' a$ altogether unconcerne" at the thoughts of this life# ' foresee that po!erty an" obscurity probably a ait $e, an" ' a$ in so$e $easure prepare", an" "aily preparing, to $eet the$# ' ha!e but just ti$e an" paper to return you $y grateful thanks for the lessons of !irtue an" piety you ha!e gi!en $e, hich ere too $uch neglecte" at the ti$e of gi!ing the$, but hich ' hope ha!e been re$e$bere" ere it is yet too late# Present $y "utiful respects to $y $other, an" $y co$pli$ents to Cr# an" Crs# CuirF an" ith ishing you a $erry @e EyearBs "ay, ' shall conclu"e#EE' a$, honoure" /ir, your "utiful son, R<BERT B?R@E//# P# /#EECy $eal is nearly out, but ' a$ going to borro till ' get $ore#

9+ootnote 64 &Therefore are they before the throne of Go", an" ser!e

hi$ "ay an" night in his te$pleF an" he that sitteth on the throne shall " ell a$ong the$# They shall hunger no $ore, neither thirst any $oreF neither shall the sun light on the$, nor any heat# +or the La$b, hich is in the $i"st of the throne, shall fee" the$, an" shall lea" the$ unto li!ing fountains of atersF an" Go" shall ipe a ay all tears fro$ their eyes#&; ) ) ) ) )

,''#EETo /'R ><.@ *.'TE+<<R%, B5RT#, <+ B5LL<C.C(LE#93; /'R,EE*e ho subscribe this are both $e$bers of /t# >a$esBs Lo"ge, Tarbolton, an" one of us in the office of ar"en, an" as e ha!e the honour of ha!ing you for $aster of our lo"ge e hope you ill e-cuse this free"o$, as you are the proper person to ho$ e ought to apply# *e look on our Cason Lo"ge to be a serious $atter, both ith respect to the character of $asonry itself, an" like ise as it is a charitable society# This last, in"ee", "oes not interest you further than a bene!olent heart is intereste" in the elfare of its fello EcreaturesF but to us, sir, ho are of the lo er or"er of $ankin", to ha!e a fun" in !ie on hich e $ay ith certainty "epen" to be kept fro$ ant, shoul" e be in circu$stances of "istress, or ol" ageEEthis is a $atter of high i$portance# *e are sorry to obser!e that our lo"geBs affairs ith respect to its finances ha!e for a goo" hile been in a retche" situation# *e ha!e consi"erable su$s in bills hich lie by ithout being pai", or put in e-ecution, an" $any of our $e$bers ne!er $in" their yearly "ues, or anything else belonging to the lo"ge# 5n" since the separation9L; fro$ /t# %a!i"Bs e are not sure e!en of our e-istence as a lo"ge# There has been a "ispute before the Gran" Lo"ge, but ho "eci"e", or if "eci"e" at all, e kno not# +or these an" other reasons e hu$bly beg the fa!our of you, as soon as con!enient, to call a $eeting, an" let us consi"er on so$e $eans to retrie!e our retche" affairs#EE*e are, etc# 9+ootnote 34 The C/# of the foregoing joint letter in BurnsBs han" riting belongs to >ohn 5"a$, EsJuire, Greenock, an" the letter as first publishe" in 0:2:# Burns as first a"$itte" in /t# %a!i"Bs GTarboltonI Lo"ge in >uly, 02:0# 5t the separation preferre" to he beca$e a $e$ber of the ne lo"ge, /t# >a$esBs, of hich, t o years after ar"s, he as "eputeE$aster#; 9+ootnote L4 't ) ) ) ) as in >une, 02:6#; )

,'''#EETo CR# ><.@ C?R%<C., /C.<<LEC5/TER, /T5PLE/ '@@ B?'L%'@G/, L<@%<@# L<C.L'E, D0=th >anuaryD, 02:3# %E5R /'R,EE5s ' ha!e an opportunity of sen"ing you a letter ithout putting you to that e-pense hich any pro"uction of $ine oul" but ill repay, ' e$brace it ith pleasure, to tell you that ' ha!e not

forgotten, or e!er ill forget, the $any obligations ' lie un"er to your kin"ness an" frien"ship# ' "o not "oubt, /ir, but you ill ish to kno hat has been the result of all the pains of an in"ulgent father, an" a $asterly teacherF an" ' ish ' coul" gratify your curiosity ith such a recital as you oul" be please" ithFEEbut that is hat ' a$ afrai" ill not be the case# ' ha!e, in"ee", kept pretty clear of !icious habitsF an" in this respect, ' hope, $y con"uct ill not "isgrace the e"ucation ' ha!e gottenF but as a $an of the orl", ' a$ $ost $iserably "eficient# <ne oul" ha!e thought that, bre" as ' ha!e been, un"er a father ho has figure" pretty ell as Dun ho$$e "es affairesD, ' $ight ha!e been hat the orl" calls a pushing acti!e fello F but to tell you the truth, /ir, there is har"ly anything $ore $y re!erse# ' see$ to be one sent into the orl" to see an" obser!eF an" ' !ery easily co$poun" ith the kna!e ho tricks $e of $y $oney, if there be anything original about hi$ hich sho s $e hu$an nature in a "ifferent light fro$ anything ' ha!e seen before# 'n short, the joy of $y heart is to &stu"y $en, their $anners, an" their aysF& an" for this "arling subject, ' cheerfully sacrifice e!ery other consi"eration# ' a$ Juite in"olent about those great concerns that set the bustling, busy sons of care agogF an" if ' ha!e to ans er for the present hour, ' a$ !ery easy ith regar" to anything further# E!en the last, orst shift of the unfortunate an" the retche"9=; "oes not $uch terrify $e4 ' kno that e!en then $y talent for hat countryfolks call &a sensible crack,& hen once it is sanctifie" by a hoary hea", oul" procure $e so $uch estee$ that e!en thenEE' oul" learn to be happy# .o e!er, ' a$ un"er no apprehensions about thatF for though in"olent, yet so far as an e-tre$ely "elicate constitution per$its, ' a$ not laKyF an" in $any things, especially in ta!ern $atters, ' a$ a strict econo$istF not, in"ee", for the sake of the $oneyF but one of the principal parts in $y co$position is a kin" of pri"e of sto$achF an" ' scorn to fear the face of any $an li!ing4 abo!e e!ery thing, ' abhor as hell the i"ea of sneaking in a corner to a!oi" a "unEEpossibly so$e pitiful sor"i" retch, ho$ in $y heart ' "espise an" "etest# BTis this, an" this alone, that en"ears econo$y to $e#98; 'n the $atter of books, in"ee", ' a$ !ery profuse# Cy fa!ourite authors are of the senti$ental kin", such as /henstone, particularly his DElegiesFD Tho$sonF DCan of +eeling,DEEa book ' priKe ne-t to the BibleF DCan of the *orl"DF /terne, especially his D/enti$ental >ourneyDF CacphersonBs D<ssianD, etc#FEEthese are the glorious $o"els after hich ' en"ea!our to for$ $y con"uct, an" Btis incongruousEEBtis absur" to suppose that the $an hose $in" glo s ith senti$ents lighte" up at their sacre" fla$eEEthe $an hose heart "isten"s ith bene!olence to all the hu$an raceEEhe & ho can soar abo!e this little scene of things&EEcan he "escen" to $in" the paltry concerns about hich the terraeEfilial race fret, an" fu$e, an" !e- the$sel!es3 <, ho the glorious triu$ph s ells $y heart3 ' forget that ' a$ a poor insignificant "e!il, unnotice" an" unkno n, stalking up an" "o n fairs an" $arkets, hen ' happen to be in the$ rea"ing a page or t o of $ankin", an" &catching the $anners li!ing as they rise,& hilst the $en of business jostle $e on e!ery si"e as an i"le incu$brance in their ay# But, ' "aresay, ' ha!e by this ti$e tire" your patienceF so ' shall conclu"e ith begging you to gi!e Crs# Cur"ochEEnot $y co$pli$ents, for that is a $ere co$$onplace storyF but $y ar$est, kin"est ishes for her elfareF an" accept the sa$e for yourself, fro$,EE%ear /ir, yours, etc# 9+ootnote =4

&The last oBt, the arst oBt, 's only for to beg#& EED+irst Epistle to %a!ie#D; 9+ootnote 84 &+or the glorious pri!ilege <f being in"epen"ent#& EEDEpistle to a (oung +rien"# D; ) ) ) ) )

'N#EETo .'/ C<?/'@, CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//, *R'TER, C<@TR</E# L<C.L'E, D60st >une, 02:3#D %E5R /'R,EECy father recei!e" your fa!our of the both current, an" as he has been for so$e $onths !ery poorly in health, an" is in his o n opinion Gan", in"ee", in al$ost e!ery bo"yBs elseI in a "ying con"ition, he has only, ith great "ifficulty, ritten a fe fare ell lines to each of his brothersEinEla # +or this $elancholy reason, ' no hol" the pen for hi$ to thank you for your kin" letter, an" to assure you, /ir, that it shall not be $y fault if $y fatherBs correspon"ence in the north "ie ith hi$# Cy brother rites to >ohn Cair",98; an" to hi$ ' $ust refer you for the ne s of our fa$ily# ' shall only trouble you ith a fe particulars relati!e to the retche" state of this country# <ur $arkets are e-cee"ingly highF oat$eal 02"# an" 0:"# per peck, an" not to be got e!en at that price# *e ha!e in"ee" been pretty ell supplie" ith Juantities of hite peas fro$ Englan" an" else here, but that resource is likely to fail us, an" hat ill beco$e of us then, particularly the !ery poorest sort, .ea!en only kno s# This country, till of late, as flourishing incre"ibly in the $anufacture of silk, la n, an" carpetE ea!ingF an" e are still carrying on a goo" "eal in that ay, but $uch re"uce" fro$ hat it as# *e ha" also a fine tra"e in the shoe ay, but no entirely ruine", an" hun"re"s "ri!en to a star!ing con"ition on account of it# +ar$ing is also at a !ery lo ebb ith us# <ur lan"s, generally speaking, are $ountainous an" barrenF an" our lan"Ehol"ers, full of i"eas of far$ing gathere" fro$ the English an" the Lothians, an" other rich soils in /cotlan", $ake no allo ance for the o""s of the Juality of lan", an" conseJuently stretch us $uch beyon" hat in the e!ent e ill be foun" able to pay# *e are also $uch at a loss for ant of proper $etho"s in our i$pro!e$ents of far$ing# @ecessity co$pels us to lea!e our ol" sche$es, an" fe of us ha!e opportunities of being ell infor$e" in ne ones# 'n short, $y "ear /ir, since the unfortunate beginning of this 5$erican ar, an" its as unfortunate conclusion, this country has been, an" still is, "ecaying !ery fast# E!en in higher life, a couple of 5yrshire noble$en, an" the $ajor part of our knights an" sJuires, are all insol!ent# 5 $iserable job of a %ouglas, .eron O Co#Bs bank, hich no "oubt you ha!e hear" of, has un"one nu$bers of the$F an" i$itating English an" +rench, an" other foreign lu-uries an" fopperies, has ruine" as $any $ore# There is a great tra"e of s$uggling carrie" on along our coasts, hich, ho e!er "estructi!e to the interests of the king"o$ at large, certainly enriches this corner of it, but too often at the e-pense of our $orals# .o e!er, it enables in"i!i"uals to $ake, at least for a ti$e, a splen"i" appearanceF but +ortune, as is usual ith her hen she is unco$$only la!ish of her fa!ours, is generally e!en ith the$ at lastF an" happy ere it for nu$bers of the$ if she oul" lea!e the$ no orse than hen she foun" the$#

Cy $other sen"s you a s$all present of a cheeseF Btis but a !ery little one, as our last yearBs stock is sol" offF but if you coul" fi- on any correspon"ent in E"inburgh or Glasgo , e oul" sen" you a proper one in the season# Crs# Black pro$ises to take the cheese un"er her care so far, an" then to sen" it to you by the /tirling carrier# ' shall conclu"e this long letter ith assuring you that ' shall be !ery happy to hear fro$ you, or any of our frien"s in your country, hen opportunity ser!es# Cy father sen"s you, probably for the last ti$e in this orl", his ar$est ishes for your elfare an" happinessF an" $y $other an" the rest of the fa$ily "esire to inclose their kin" co$pli$ents to you, Crs# Burness, an" the rest of your fa$ily, along ith those of, "ear /ir, your affectionate cousin, 9+ootnote 84 The riterBs uncle#; ) ) ) ) )

N#ETo CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//, *R'TER, C<@TR</E# L<C.L'E, 02th +eb# 02:L# %E5R C<?/'@,EE' oul" ha!e returne" you $y thanks for your kin" fa!our of the 03th of %ece$ber sooner, ha" it not been that ' aite" to gi!e you an account of that $elancholy e!ent, hich, for so$e ti$e past, e ha!e fro$ "ay to "ay e-pecte"# <n the 03th current ' lost the best of fathers# Though, to be sure, e ha!e ha" long arning of the i$pen"ing stroke, still the feelings of nature clai$ their part, an" ' cannot recollect the ten"er en"ear$ents an" parental lessons of the best of frien"s an" ablest of instructors, ithout feeling hat perhaps the cal$er "ictates of reason oul" partly con"e$n# ' hope $y fatherBs frien"s in your country ill not let their connection in this place "ie ith hi$# +or $y part ' shall e!er ith pleasureEE ith pri"e, ackno le"ge $y connection ith those ho ere allie" by the ties of bloo" an" frien"ship to a $an hose $e$ory ' shall e!er honour an" re!ere# ' e-pect, therefore, $y "ear /ir, you ill not neglect any opportunity of letting $e hear fro$ you, hich ill !ery $uch oblige,EECy "ear Cousin, yours sincerely, R<BERT B?R@E//# ) ) ) ) )

N'#EETo CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//, *R'TER, C<@TR</E# C<//G'EL, D3r" 5ugustD 02:L# C( %E5R /'R,EE' ought in gratitu"e to ha!e ackno le"ge" the receipt of your last kin" letter before this ti$e, but, ithout troubling you ith any apology, ' shall procee" to infor$ you that our fa$ily are all in goo" health at present, an" e ere !ery happy ith the une-pecte"

fa!our of >ohn Cair"Bs98a; co$pany for nearly t o eeks, an" ' $ust say it of hi$ that he is one of the $ost agreeable, facetious, ar$Ehearte" la"s ' as e!er acJuainte" ith# *e ha!e been surprise" ith one of the $ost e-traor"inary pheno$ena in the $oral orl", hich, ' "are say, has happene" in the course of this half century# *e ha!e ha" a party of Presbytery relief, as they call the$sel!es, for so$e ti$e in this country# 5 pretty thri!ing society of the$ has been in the burgh of 'r!ine for so$e years past, till about t o years ago a Crs# Buchan fro$ Glasgo ca$e a$ong the$, an" began to sprea" so$e fanatical notions of religion a$ong the$, an" in a short ti$e $a"e $any con!ertsF an" a$ong others their preacher, Cr# *hyte, ho, upon that account, has been suspen"e" an" for$ally "epose" by his brethren# .e continue", ho e!er, to preach in pri!ate to his party, an" as supporte", both he, an" their spiritual $other, as they affect to call ol" Buchan, by the contributions of the rest, se!eral of ho$ ere in goo" circu$stancesF till, in spring last, the populace rose an" $obbe" Crs# Buchan, an" put her out of the to nF on hich all her follo ers !oluntarily Juitte" the place like ise, an" ith such precipitation that $any of the$ ne!er shut their "oors behin" the$F one left a ashing on the green, another a co bello ing at the crib ithout foo" or anybo"y to $in" her, an" after se!eral stages they are fi-e" at present in the neighbourhoo" of %u$fries# Their tenets are a strange ju$ble of enthusiastic jargonF a$ong others, she preten"s to gi!e the$ the .oly Ghost by breathing on the$, hich she "oes ith postures an" practices that are scan"alously in"ecentF they ha!e like ise "ispose" of all their effects, an" hol" a co$$unity of goo"s, an" li!e nearly an i"le life, carrying on a great farce of preten"e" "e!otion in barns an" oo"s, here they lo"ge an" lie all together, an" hol" like ise a co$$unity of o$en, as it is another of their tenets that they can co$$it no $oral sin# ' a$ personally acJuainte" ith $ost of the$, an" ' can assure you the abo!e $entione" are facts# This, $y "ear /ir, is one of the $any instances of the folly of lea!ing the gui"ance of soun" reason an" co$$on sense in $atters of religion# *hene!er e neglect or "espise these sacre" $onitors, the hi$sical notions of a perturbate" brain are taken for the i$$e"iate influences of the %eity, an" the il"est fanaticis$, an" the $ost inconsistent absur"ities, ill $eet ith abetters an" con!erts# @ay, ' ha!e often thought, that the $ore outEofEtheE ay an" ri"iculous the fancies are, if once they are sanctifie" un"er the sacre" na$e of religion, the unhappy $istaken !otaries are the $ore fir$ly glue" to the$# ' e-pect to hear fro$ you soon, an" ' beg you ill re$e$ber $e to all frien"s, an" belie!e $e to be, $y "ear /ir, your affectionate cousin, R<BERT B?R@E//# P#/#EE%irect to $e at Cossgiel, parish of Cauchline, near Ail$arnock# 9+ootnote 8a4 Probably >ohn Cair", junior, as the father oul" be o!er si-ty if he as about his ifeBs age, an" she, Elspat Burnes, as born, e kno , in 026=#; ) ) ) ) )

N''#EET< T.<C5/ <RR, P5RA, A'RA</*5L%#

%E5R T.<C5/,EE' a$ $uch oblige" to you for your last letter, though ' assure you the contents of it ga!e $e no $anner of concern# ' a$ presently so curse"ly taken in ith an affair of gallantry that ' a$ !ery gla" Peggy92; is off $y han", as ' a$ at present e$barrasse" enough92a; ithout her# ' "onBt choose to enter into particulars in riting, but ne!er as a poor rakish rascal in a $ore pitiful taking# ' shoul" be gla" to see you to tell you the affair#EECean hile ' a$ your frien", R<BERT B?R@E//# C<//G5,'L, 00Dth @o!D# 02:L# 9+ootnote 24 Peggy Tho$son#; 9+ootnote 2a4 Birth of his illegiti$ate chil" by EliKabeth Paton, once a ser!ant ith his father at Lochlie#; ) ) ) ) )

N'''#ET< C'// C5RG5RET AE@@E%(#9:; 9D5 young la"y of se!enteen, hen this letter as a""resse" to her, an" on a !isit to Crs# Ga!in .a$ilton at Cauchline#D; 9DProbably 5utu$nD, 02:=#; C5%5C,EEPer$it $e to present you ith the enclose" song as a s$all though grateful tribute for the honour of your acJuaintance# ' ha!e in these !erses atte$pte" so$e faint sketch of your portrait in the une$bellishe" si$ple $anner of "escripti!e truth# +lattery ' lea!e to your lo!ers hose e-aggerating fancies $ay $ake the$ i$agine you are still nearer perfection than you really are# Poets, Ca"a$, of all $ankin", feel $ost forcibly the po ers of beauty,EEas, if they are really poets of natureBs $aking, their feelings $ust be finer an" their taste $ore "elicate than $ost of the orl"# 'n the cheerful bloo$ of spring, or the pensi!e $il"ness of autu$n, the gran"eur of su$$er, or the hoary $ajesty of inter, the poet feels a char$ unkno n to the $ost of his species# E!en the sight of a fine flo er, or the co$pany of a fine o$an Gby far the finest part of Go"Bs orks belo I, has sensations for the poetic heart that the her" of $en are strangers to# <n this last account, Ca"a$, ' a$, as in $any other things, in"ebte" to Cr# .a$iltonBs kin"ness in intro"ucing $e to you# (our lo!ers $ay !ie you ith a ishEE' look on you ith pleasureF their hearts in your presence $ay glo ith "esireEE$ine rises ith a"$iration# That the arro s of $isfortune, ho e!er they shoul", as inci"ent to hu$anity, glance a slight oun", $ay ne!er reach your heartF that the snares of !illainy $ay ne!er beset you in the roa" of lifeF that innocence $ay han" you by the path of honour to the " elling of peaceEEis the sincere ish of hi$ ho has the honour to be, etc# R# B# 9+ootnote :4 @iece of /ir 5n"re Cathcait, of Carleton# 5 $elancholy interest attaches to her subseJuent history# BurnsBs prayers for her happiness ere una!ailing#; ) ) ) ) )

N',#EET< C'// EEEE, 5(R/.'RE#91;

902:=#; C( %E5R C<?@TR(*<C5@,EE' a$ so i$patient to sho you that ' a$ once $ore at peace ith you, that ' sen" you the book ' $entione", "irectly, rather than ait the uncertain ti$e of $y seeing you# ' a$ afrai" ' ha!e $islai" or lost CollinsBs Poe$s, hich ' pro$ise" to Ciss 'r!in# 'f ' can fin" the$ ' ill for ar" the$ by youF if not, you $ust apologise for $e# ' kno you ill laugh at it hen ' tell you that your piano an" you together ha!e playe" the "euce so$eho about $y heart# Cy breast has been i"o e" these $any $onths, an" ' thought $yself proof against the fascinating itchcraftF but ' a$ afrai" you ill &feelingly con!ince $e hat ' a$#&# ' say, ' a$ afrai", because ' a$ not sure hat is the $atter ith $e# ' ha!e one $iserable ba" sy$pto$,EE hen you hisper, or look kin"ly to another, it gi!es $e a "raught of "a$nation# ' ha!e a kin" of ay ar" ish to be ith you ten $inutes by yourself, though hat ' oul" say, .ea!en abo!e kno s, for ' a$ sure ' kno not# ' ha!e no for$e" "esign in all thisF but just, in the nake"ness of $y heart, rite you "o n a $ere $atterEofEfact story# (ou $ay perhaps gi!e yourself airs of "istance on this, an" that ill co$pletely cure $eF but ' ish you oul" notF just let us $eet, if you please, in the ol" beaten ay of frien"ship# ' ill not subscribe $yself your hu$ble ser!ant, for that is a phrase, ' think, at least fifty $iles off fro$ the heartF but ' ill conclu"e ith sincerely ishing that the Great Protector of innocence $ay shiel" you fro$ the barbe" "art of calu$ny, an" han" you by the co!ert snare of "eceit# R# B# 9+ootnote 14 La"y uni"entifie"#; ) ) ) ) )

N,#EET< CR# ><.@ R'C.C<@%, L5* CLERA, E%'@B?RG.#907; C<//G'EL, D+eb# 02thD, 02:8# C( %E5R /'R,EE' ha!e not ti$e at present to upbrai" you for your silence an" neglectF ' shall only say ' recei!e" yours ith great pleasure# ' ha!e enclose" you a piece of rhy$ing are for your perusal# ' ha!e been !ery busy ith the $uses since ' sa you, an" ha!e co$pose", a$ong se!eral others, &The <r"ination,& a poe$ on Cr# CBAinlayBs being calle" to Ail$arnockF &/cotch %rink,& a poe$F &The CottarBs /atur"ay @ightF& &5n 5""ress to the %e!il,& etc# ' ha!e like ise co$plete" $y poe$ on the &%ogs,& but ha!e not sho n it to the orl"# Cy chief patron no is Cr# 5ikin, in 5yr, ho is please" to e-press great approbation of $y orks# Be so goo" as sen" $e +ergusson900;, by Connell, an" ' ill re$it you the $oney# ' ha!e no ne s to acJuaint you ith about Cauchline, they are just going on in the ol" ay# ' ha!e so$e !ery i$portant ne s ith respect to $yself, not the $ost agreeableEEne s that ' a$ sure you cannot guess, but ' shall gi!e you the particulars another ti$e# ' a$ e-tre$ely happy ith /$ithF900a; he is the only frien" ' ha!e no in Cauchline# ' can scarcely forgi!e your long neglect of $e, an" ' beg you ill let $e hear fro$ you regularly by Connell# 'f you oul" act your part as a frien", ' a$ sure neither goo" nor ba" fortune shoul" estrange or alter $e# E-cuse haste, as ' got yours but yester"ay#EE' a$, $y "ear /ir, yours, R<BERT B?R@E//#

9+ootnote 074 Three $onths before this letter as ritten Rich$on" as a clerk in the office of Cr# Ga!in .a$ilton, riter, Cauchline#; 9+ootnote 004 +ergussonBs DPoe$sD#; 9+ootnote 00a4 Aeeper of a haber"ashery store in Cauchline#; ) ) ) ) )

N,'#ET< CR# >5CE/ /C'T.906;, /.<PAEEPER, C5?C.L'@E# 9D/pring of D02:8#; ### 5gainst t o things ' a$ fi-e" as fate,EEstaying at ho$e, an" o ning her conjugally# The first, by .ea!en, ' ill not "o3EEthe last, by .ell, ' ill ne!er "o3 5 goo" Go" bless you, an" $ake you happy up to the ar$est eeping ish of parting frien"ship3 ### 'f you see >ean tell her ' ill $eet her, so help $e Go" in $y hour of nee"3 R# B# 9+ootnote 064 The confi"ant of his a$our ith >ean 5r$our, "aughter of >a$es 5r$our, $ason, Cauchline# @ot ithstan"ing the blustering threatEEfor hich /$ith as probably $ore than half responsibleEEBurns as after ar"s content to &o n bonny >ean conjugally#&; ) ) ) )

N,''#EET< CR# R<BERT C?'R, *'@E CERC.5@T, A'LC5R@<CA# C<//G'EL, 67Dth CarchD, 02:8# %E5R /'R,EE' a$ heartily sorry ' ha" not the pleasure of seeing you as you returne" through CauchlineF but as ' as engage", ' coul" not be in to n before the e!ening# ' here inclose you $y &/cotch %rink,& an" &$ay the "eil follo ith a blessing for your e"ification#& ' hope, so$eti$e before e hear the go k, to ha!e the pleasure of seeing you at Ail$arnock, hen ' inten" e shall ha!e a gill bet een us, in a $utchkinEstoupF hich ill be a great co$fort an" consolation to, "ear /ir, your hu$ble ser!ant, R<BERT B?R@E//# ) ) ) )

N,'''#EETo CR# ><.@ B5LL5@T'@E, B5@AER, 5(R# GHI 9D5prilD 02:8#; .<@<?RE% /'R,EECy proposals906a; ca$e to han" last night, an", kno ing that you oul" ish to ha!e it in your po er to "o $e a ser!ice as early as any bo"y, ' enclose you half a sheet of the$# ' $ust consult you, first opportunity, on the propriety of sen"ing $y DJuon"a$D frien", Cr# 5iken,906b; a copy# 'f he is no reconcile" to $y character as an honest $an, ' oul" "o it ith all $y soulF but ' oul" not be behol"en to the noblest being e!er Go" create" if he i$agine" $e to be a rascal# D5proposD, ol" Cr# 5r$our pre!aile" ith hi$ to $utilate that unlucky paper906c; yester"ay# *oul" you belie!e itH though ' ha" not a hope, nor e!en a ish to $ake her $ine after her con"uct, yet hen he tol" $e the

na$es ere cut out of the paper, $y heart "ie" ithin $e, an" he cut $y !eins ith the ne s# Per"ition seiKe her falsehoo"3 R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote 06a4 Proposals for publishing his /cottish Poe$s by subscription#; 9+ootnote 06b4 *riter in 5yr#; 9+ootnote 06c4 The ritten ackno le"g$ent of his $arriage hich Burns ga!e to >ean# /he, influence" by her father, consente" to "estroy it#; ) ) ) )

N'N#EET< CR# CB*.'@@'E, *R'TER, 5(R# 9C<//G'EL, 02Dth 5prilD 02:8#; 'T is injuring so$e hearts, those hearts that elegantly bear the i$pression of the goo" Creator, to say to the$ you gi!e the$ the trouble of obliging a frien"F for this reason, ' only tell you that ' gratify $y o n feelings in reJuesting your frien"ly offices ith respect to the enclose", because ' kno it ill gratify yours to assist $e in it to the ut$ost of your po er# ' ha!e sent you four copies, as ' ha!e no less than eight "oKen, is a great "eal $ore than ' shall e!er nee"# hich

Be sure to re$e$ber a poor poet $ilitant in your prayers .e looks for ar" ith fear903; an" tre$bling to that, to hi$, i$portant $o$ent hich sta$ps the "ie ithEE ithEE ith, perhaps, the eternal "isgrace of, $y "ear /ir, your hu$ble, afflicte", tor$ente", R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote 034 Cp# &/o$ething cries D.oolie3 ' re"e ye, honest $an, tak tent, yeBll sho your folly3D&; ) ) ) )

NN#EET< ><.@ 5R@<T, E/M?'RE, <+ %5LM?5T/*<<%# 9D5prilD 02:8#; /'R,EE' ha!e long ishe" for so$e kin" of clai$ to the honour of your acJuaintance, an" since it is out of $y po er to $ake that clai$ by the least ser!ice of $ine to you, ' shall "o it by asking a frien"ly office of you to $e#EE' shoul" be $uch hurt, /ir, if any one shoul" !ie $y poor Parnassian Pegasus in the light of a spurEgalle" .ack, an" think that ' ish to $ake a shilling or t o by hi$# ' spurn the thought# 't $ay "o, $aun "o, /ir, iB the$ ho Caun please the greatEfolk for a a$eEfouF +or $e, sae laigh ' nee"na boo +or, Lor" be thankit3 ' can plooF 5n", hen ' "o na yoke a naig, Then, Lor" be thankit3 ' can beg# (ou ill then, ' hope, /ir, forgi!e $y troubling you ith the enclose",90L; an" spare a poor heartEcrushe" "e!il a orl" of apologiesEEa business he is !ery unfit for at any ti$e, but at present,

i"o e" as he is of e!ery o$anEgi!ing co$fort, he is utterly incapable of# /a" an" grie!ous of late, /ir, has been $y tribulation, an" $any an" piercing $y sorro sF an", ha" it not been for the loss the orl" oul" ha!e sustaine" in losing so great a poet, ' ha" ere no "one as a $uch iser $an, the fa$ous 5chitophel of longEhea"e" $e$ory, "i" before $e, hen he & ent ho$e an" set his house in or"er#& ' ha!e lost, /ir, that "earest earthly treasure, that greatest blessing here belo , that last, best gift hich co$plete" 5"a$Bs happiness in the gar"en of blissF ' ha!e lost, ' ha!e lostEE$y tre$bling han" refuses its office, the frighte" ink recoils up the Juill,EE' ha!e lost a, a, a ife# +airest of Go"Bs creation, last an" best, @o art thou lost3 (ou ha!e "oubtless, /ir, hear" $y story, hear" it ith all its e-aggerationsF but as $y actions, an" $y $oti!es for action, are peculiarly like $yself an" that is peculiarly like nobo"y else, ' shall just beg a leisure $o$ent an" a spare tear of you until ' tell $y o n story $y o n ay# ' ha!e been all $y life, /ir, one of the ruefulElooking, longE!isage" sons of "isappoint$ent# 5 "a$ne" star has al ays kept $y Kenith, an" she" its hateful influence in the e$phatic curse of the prophetEE&5n" behol" hatsoe!er he "oth, it shall not prosper3& ' rarely hit here ' ai$, an" if ' ant anything, ' a$ al$ost sure ne!er to fin" it here ' seek it# +or instance, if $y penknife is nee"e", ' pull out t enty thingsEEa ploughE e"ge, a horse nail, an ol" letter, or a tattere" rhy$e, in short, e!erything but $y penknifeF an" that, at last, after a painful, fruitless search, ill be foun" in the unsuspecte" corner of an unsuspecte" pocket, as if on purpose thrust out of the ay# /till, /ir, ' long ha" a ishing eye to that inesti$able blessing, a ife# ### 5 young fello , after a fe i"le co$$onplace stories fro$ a gentle$an in black ### no one "urst say black as his eyeF hile ' ### only anting that cere$ony, a$ $a"e a /un"ayBs laughingEstock, an" abuse" like a pickpocket# ' as ell a are, though, that if $y illEstarre" fortune got the least hint of $y connubial ish, $y sche$e oul" go to nothing# To pre!ent this ' "eter$ine" to take $y $easures ith such thought an" foreEthought, such cautions an" precautions, that all the $alignant planets in the he$isphere shoul" be unable to blight $y "esigns #### .ea!en an" Earth3 $ust ' re$e$berH $y "a$ne" star heele" about to the Kenith, by hose baleful rays +ortune took the alar$#90=a; ### 'n short, Pharaoh at the Re" /ea, %arius at 5rbela, Po$pey at Pharsalia, E" ar" at Bannockburn, Charles at Pulto ay, Burgoyne at /aratogaEEno prince, potentate, or co$$an"er of ancient or $o"ern unfortunate $e$ory e!er got a $ore sha$eful or $ore total "efeat# .o ' bore this can only be concei!e"# 5ll po ers of recital labour far, far behin"# There is a pretty large portion of Be"la$ in the co$position of a poet at any ti$eF but on this occasion ' as nine parts an" nine tenths, out of ten, stark staring $a"# 5t first ' as fi-e" in stuporific insensibility, silent, sullen, staring like LotBs ife besaltifie" in the plains of Go$orrha# But $y secon" paro-ys$ chiefly beggars "escription# The rifte" northern ocean, hen returning suns "issol!e the chains of inter, an" loosening precipices of longEaccu$ulate" ice te$pest ith hi"eous crash the foa$ing "eep,EEi$ages like these $ay gi!e so$e faint sha"o of hat as the situation of $y boso$# Cy chaine" faculties broke looseF $y $a""ening passions, rouse" to tenfol" fury, bore o!er their banks ith i$petuous, resistless force, carrying e!ery check an" principle before the$#

Counsel as an unhee"e" call to the passing hurricaneF Reason a screa$ing elk in the !orte- of Calstro$F an" Religion a feeblyEstruggling bea!er "o n the roarings of @iagara# ' reprobate" the first $o$ent of $y e-istenceF e-ecrate" 5"a$Bs follyEinfatuate" ish for that goo"lyElooking but poisonEbreathing gift hich ha" ruine" hi$ an" un"one $eF an" calle" on the o$b of uncreate" night to close o!er $e an" all $y sorro s# 5 stor$ naturally o!erblo s itself# Cy spent passions gra"ually sunk into a luri" cal$F an" by "egrees ' ha!e subsi"e" into the ti$eEsettle" sorro of the sableE i"o er, ho, iping a ay the "ecent tear, lifts up his griefE orn eye to lookEfor another ife# /uch is the state of $anF toE"ay he bu"s .is ten"er lea!es of hopeF toE$orro blosso$s 5n" bears his blushing honours thick upon hi$F The thir" "ay co$es a frost, a killing frost, 5n" nips his root, an" then he falls as ' "o#90=; /uch, /ir, has been the fatal era of $y life# 5n" it ca$e to pass that hen ' looke" for s eet, behol" bitterF an" for light, behol" "arkness# But this is not all4 alrea"y the holy beagles begin to snuff the scent, an" ' e-pect e!ery $o$ent to see the$ cast off, an" hear the$ after $e in full cryF but as ' a$ an ol" fo-, ' shall gi!e the$ "o"ging an" "oubling for it, an" by an" by ' inten" to earth a$ong the $ountains of >a$aica# ' a$ so struck, on a re!ie , ith the i$pertinent length of this letter, that ' shall not increase it ith one single or" of apology, but abruptly conclu"e ith assuring you that ' a$, /ir, yours an" $iseryBs $ost hu$ble ser!ant# R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote 0L4 Proposals for publishing#; 9+ootnote 0=4 CisJuote" fro$ /hakspeareBs D.enry ,'''D#; 9+ootnote 0=a4 Reference to the rejection of his ackno le"g$ent of $arriage#; ) ) ) )

NN'#EETo CR# %5,'% BR'CE, /.<EC5AER, GL5/G<*# C<//G'EL, D>uneD 06DthD, 02:8# %E5R BR'CE,EE' recei!e" your $essage by G# Paterson, an" as ' a$ not !ery DthrongD at present, ' just rite to let you kno that there is such a orthless, rhy$ing reprobate as your hu$ble ser!ant still in the lan" of the li!ing, though ' can scarcely say in the place of hope# ' ha!e no ne s to tell you that ill gi!e $e any pleasure to $ention, or you to hear# Poor, illEa"!ise", ungrateful 5r$our ca$e ho$e on +ri"ay last# (ou ha!e hear" all the particulars of that affair, an" a black affair it is# *hat she thinks of her con"uct no ' "onBt kno F one thing ' "o kno EEshe has

$a"e $e co$pletely $iserable# @e!er $an lo!e", or rather a"ore" a o$an $ore than ' "i" herF an", to confess a truth bet een you an" $e, ' "o still lo!e her to "istraction after all, though ' onBt tell her so if ' ere to see her, hich ' "onBt ant to "o# Cy poor "ear unfortunate >ean3 ho happy ha!e ' been in thy ar$s3 't is not the losing her that $akes $e so unhappy, but for her sake ' feel $ost se!erely4 ' foresee she is in the roa" to, ' a$ afrai", eternal ruin# Cay 5l$ighty Go" forgi!e her ingratitu"e an" perjury to $e, as ' fro$ $y !ery soul forgi!e herF an" $ay .is grace be ith her an" bless her in all her future life3 ' can ha!e no nearer i"ea of the place of eternal punish$ent than hat ' ha!e felt in $y o n breast on her account# ' ha!e trie" often to forget herF ' ha!e run into all kin"s of "issipation an" riots, $asonE$eetings, "rinkingE$atches, an" other $ischief, to "ri!e her out of $y hea", but all in !ain# 5n" no for a gran" cureF the ship is on her ay ho$e that is to take $e out to >a$aicaF an" then, fare ell, "ear ol" /cotlan"3 an" fare ell, "ear ungrateful >ean3 for ne!er, ne!er ill ' see you $ore# (ou ill ha!e hear" that ' a$ going to co$$ence poet in printF an" toE$orro $y ork goes to the press# ' e-pect it ill be a !olu$e of about t o hun"re" pagesEEit is just the last foolish action ' inten" to "o, an" then turn a ise $an as fast as possible#EEBelie!e $e to be, "ear Brice, your frien" an" ellE isher# R# B# ) ) ) )

NN''#EETo CR# ><.@ R'C.C<@%, E%'@B?RG.# C<//G'EL, 1Dth >ulyD 02:8# *ith the sincerest grief ' rea" your letter# (ou are truly a son of $isfortune# ' shall be e-tre$ely an-ious to hear fro$ you ho your health goes onF if it is in any ay reEestablishing, or if Leith pro$ises ellF in short, ho you feel in the inner $an# @o ne s orth anythingF only go"ly Bryan as in the inJuisition yester"ay, an" half the countrysi"e as itnesses against hi$# .e still stan"s out stea"y an" "enyingF but proof as le" yesternight of circu$stances highly suspicious, al$ost D"e factoDF one of the ser!ant girls $a"e oath that she upon a ti$e rashly entere" into the house, to speak in your cant, &in the hour of cause#& ' ha!e aite" on 5r$our since her return ho$eF not fro$ the least !ie of reconciliation, but $erely to ask for her health, an" to you ' ill confess it, fro$ a foolish hankering fon"ness, !ery ill place" in"ee"# The $other forba"e $e the house, nor "i" >ean sho that penitence that $ight ha!e been e-pecte"# .o e!er, the priest,90=a; ' a$ infor$e", ill gi!e $e a certificate as a single $an, if ' co$ply ith the rules of the church, hich for that !ery reason ' inten" to "o#908; ' a$ going to put on sackcloth an" ashes this "ay# ' a$ in"ulge" so far as to appear in $y o n seat# DPecca!i, pater, $iserere $eiD# Cy book ill be rea"y in a fortnight# 'f you ha!e any subscribers, return the$ by Connell# The Lor" stan" ith the righteousF a$en, a$en# R# B# 9+ootnote 0=a4 Re!# Cr# 5ul"EE%a""ie 5ul"#; 9+ootnote 084 This accor"ingly he "i"#;

NN'''EETo CR# ><.@ R'C.C<@%# <L% R<CE +<RE/T,902; 37Dth >ulyD 02:8# C( %E5R R'C.C<@%,EECy hour is no co$eEEyou an" ' ill ne!er $eet in Britain $ore# ' ha!e or"ers, ithin three eeks at farthest, to repair aboar" the D@ancyD, Captain /$ith, fro$ Cly"e to >a$aica, an" to call at 5ntigua# This, e-cept to our frien" /$ith, ho$ Go" long preser!e, is a secret about Cauchline# *oul" you belie!e itH 5r$our has got a arrant to thro $e in jail till ' fin" security for an enor$ous su$# This they keep an entire secret, but ' got it by a channel they little "rea$ ofF an" ' a$ an"ering fro$ one frien"Bs house to another, an", like a true son of the Gospel, &ha!e no here to lay $y hea"#& ' kno you ill pour an e-ecration on her hea", but spare the poor, illEa"!ise" girl, for $y sakeF though $ay all the furies that ren" the injure", enrage" lo!erBs boso$ a ait her $other until her latest hour3 ' rite in a $o$ent of rage, reflecting on $y $iserable situationEEe-ile", aban"one", forlorn# ' can rite no $oreEElet $e hear fro$ you by the return of the coach# ' ill rite you ere ' go#EE' a$, "ear /ir, yours, here an" hereafter, R# B# 9+ootnote 024 'n the neighbourhoo" of Ail$arnock# .ere he ha" "eposite" his tra!elling chest in the house of a relati!e#; ) ) ) )

NN',#ETo CR# ><.@ AE@@E%(# A'LC5R@<CA, D5ugustD 02:8# C( %E5R /'REE(our truly facetious epistle of the 3r" instant ga!e $e $uch entertain$ent# ' as only sorry ' ha" not the pleasure of seeing you as ' passe" your ayF but e shall bring up all our lee ay on *e"nes"ay, the 08th current, hen ' hope to ha!e it in $y po er to call on you, an" take a kin", !ery probably a last a"ieu, before ' go for >a$aicaF an" ' e-pect or"ers to repair to Greenock e!ery "ay# ' ha!e at last $a"e $y public appearance, an" a$ sole$nly inaugurate" into the nu$erous class#90:; Coul" ' ha!e got a carrier, you shoul" ha!e got a score of !ouchers for $y authorshipF but, no you ha!e the$, let the$ speak for the$sel!es#EE +are ell, "ear frien"3 $ay gui" luck hit you, 5n" B$ang her fa!ourites a"$it you, 'f eBer %etraction shore to s$it you, Cay nane belie!e hi$, 5n" ony %eil that thinks to get you, Goo" L<R%, "ecei!e hi$, R#B# 9+ootnote 0:4 The Ail$arnock E"ition of his poe$s 3ist >uly#; ) ) ) ) as publishe" on

NN,#EETo .'/ C<?/'@, CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//, *R'TER, C<@TR</E#

C<//G'EL, DTues"ay @oonD, 68Dth /ept#D 02:8# C( %E5R /'R,EE' this $o$ent recei!e yoursEErecei!e it ith the honest hospitable ar$th of a frien"Bs elco$e# *hate!er co$es fro$ you al ays akens up the better bloo" about $y heart, hich your kin" little recollections of $y parental frien" carries as far as it ill go# BTis there that $an is blest3 BTis there, $y frien", $an feels a consciousness of so$ething ithin hi$ abo!e the tro""en clo"3 The grateful re!erence to the hoary earthly authors of his being, the burning glo hen he clasps the o$an of his soul to his boso$, the ten"er yearnings of heart for the little angels to ho$ he has gi!en e-istenceEEthese @ature has poure" in $ilky strea$s about the hu$an heartF an" the $an ho ne!er rouses the$ to action by the inspiring influences of their proper objects loses by far the $ost pleasurable part of his e-istence# Cy "eparture is uncertain, but ' "o not think it ill be till after har!est# ' ill be on !ery short allo ance of ti$e in"ee", if ' "o not co$ply ith your frien"ly in!itation# *hen it ill be ' "onBt kno , but if ' can $ake $y ish goo" ' ill en"ea!our to "rop you a line so$e ti$e before# Cy best co$pli$ents to Crs# BurnessF ' shoul" be eJually $ortifie" shoul" ' "rop in hen she is abroa", but of that, ' suppose, there is little chance# *hat ' ha!e rote, hea!en kno s# ' ha!e not ti$e to re!ie it, so accept of it in the beaten ay of frien"ship# *ith the or"inary phrase, an" perhaps rather $ore than the or"inary sincerity, ' a$, "ear /ir, e!er yours, R# B# ) ) ) )

NN,'#ETo CR/# /TE*5RT, <+ /T5'R#901; 9D<ctD# 02:8#H; C5%5C,EEThe hurry of $y preparations for going abroa" has hin"ere" $e fro$ perfor$ing $y pro$ise so soon as ' inten"e"# ' ha!e here sent you a parcel of songs, etc#, hich ne!er $a"e their appearance, e-cept to a frien" or t o at $ost# Perhaps so$e of the$ $ay be no great entertain$ent to you, but of that ' a$ far fro$ being an a"eJuate ju"ge# The song to the ti$e of &Ettrick Banks&967; you ill easily see the i$propriety of e-posing $uch e!en in $anuscript# ' think, $yself, it has so$e $erit, both as a tolerable "escription of one of natureBs s eetest scenes, a >uly e!ening, an" as one of the finest pieces of natureBs ork$anship, the finest in"ee" e kno anything of, an a$iable, beautiful young o$anF but ' ha!e no co$$on frien" to procure $e that per$ission, ithout hich ' oul" not "are to sprea" the copy# ' a$ Juite a are, Ca"a$, hat task the orl" oul" assign $e in this letter# The obscure bar", hen any of the great con"escen" to take notice of hi$, shoul" heap the altar ith the incense of flattery# Their high ancestry, their o n great an" go"like Jualities an" actions, shoul" be recounte" ith the $ost e-aggerate" "escription# This, Ca"a$, is a task for hich ' a$ altogether unfit# Besi"es a certain "isJualifying pri"e of heart, ' kno nothing of your connections in life, an" ha!e no access to here your real character is to be foun"EEthe co$pany of your co$peers4 an" $ore, ' a$ afrai" that e!en the $ost refine" a"ulation is by no $eans the roa" to your goo" opinion# <ne feature of your character ' shall e!er ith grateful pleasure

re$e$berEEthe reception ' got hen ' ha" the honour of aiting on you at /tair# ' a$ little acJuainte" ith politeness, but ' kno a goo" "eal of bene!olence of te$per an" goo"ness of heart# /urely "i" those in e-alte" stations kno ho happy they coul" $ake so$e classes of their inferiors by con"escension an" affability, they oul" ne!er stan" so high, $easuring out ith e!ery look the height of their ele!ation, but con"escen" as s eetly as "i" Crs# /te art of /tair# R# B# 9+ootnote 014 Crs# /te art, of /tair, as the first person of note to "isco!er in the 5yrshire plough$an a genius of the first or"er#; 9+ootnote 674 The Bonnie Lass of Balloch$yle; ) ) ) )

NN,''#EET< CR# R<BERT 5'A'@, *R'TER, 5(R# 9D<ctD# 02:8#H; /'R,EE' as ith *ilson, $y printer, tBother "ay, an" settle" all our byEgone $atters bet een us# 5fter ' ha" pai" hi$ all "e$an"s, ' $a"e hi$ the offer of the secon" e"ition, on the haKar" of being pai" out of the first an" rea"iest, hich he "eclines# By his account, the paper of a thousan" copies oul" cost about t entyEse!en poun"s, an" the printing about fifteen or si-teen4 he offers to agree to this for the printing, if ' ill a"!ance for the paper, but this, you kno , is out of $y po erF so fare ell hopes of a secon" e"ition Btill ' gro richer3 an epocha hich, ' think, ill arri!e at the pay$ent of the British national "ebt# There is scarcely anything hurts $e so $uch in being "isappointe" of $y secon" e"ition, as not ha!ing it in $y po er to sho $y gratitu"e to Cr# Ballantine, by publishing $y poe$ of &The Brigs of 5yr#& ' oul" "etest $yself as a retch, if ' thought ' ere capable in a !ery long life of forgetting the honest, ar$, an" ten"er "elicacy ith hich he enters into $y interests# ' a$ so$eti$es please" ith $yself in $y grateful sensationsF but ' belie!e, on the hole, ' ha!e !ery little $erit in it, as $y gratitu"e is not a !irtue, the conseJuence of reflection, but sheerly the instincti!e e$otion of $y heart, too inattenti!e to allo orl"ly $a-i$s an" !ie s to settle into selfish habits# ' ha!e been feeling all the !arious rotations an" $o!e$ents ithin, respecting the E-cise# There are $any things plea" strongly against itF the uncertainty of getting soon into businessF the conseJuences of $y follies, hich $ay perhaps $ake it i$practicable for $e to stay at ho$eF an", besi"es, ' ha!e for so$e ti$e been pining un"er secret retche"ness, fro$ causes hich you pretty ell kno EEthe pang of "isappoint$ent, the sting of pri"e, ith so$e an"ering stabs of re$orse, hich ne!er fail to settle on $y !itals like !ultures, hen attention is not calle" a ay by the calls of society, or the !agaries of the $use# E!en in the hour of social $irth, $y gaiety is the $a"ness of an into-icate" cri$inal un"er the han"s of the e-ecutioner# 5ll these reasons urge $e to go abroa", an" to all these reasons ' ha!e only one ans erEEthe feelings of a father# This, in the present $oo" ' a$ in, o!erbalances e!erything that can be lai" in the scale against it# (ou $ay perhaps think it an e-tra!agant fancy, but it is a senti$ent hich strikes ho$e to $y !ery soul4 though sceptical in so$e points of our current belief, yet, ' think, ' ha!e e!ery e!i"ence for the reality of a life beyon" the stinte" bourne of our present e-istenceF if so,

then, ho shoul" ', in the presence of that tre$en"ous Being, the 5uthor of e-istence, ho shoul" ' $eet the reproaches of those ho stan" to $e in the "ear relation of chil"ren, ho$ ' "eserte" in the s$iling innocency of helpless infancyH <, thou great unkno n Po er3EEthou 5l$ighty Go"3 ho has lighte" up reason in $y breast, an" blesse" $e ith i$$ortality3EE' ha!e freJuently an"ere" fro$ that or"er an" regularity necessary for the perfection of Thy orks, yet Thou hast ne!er left $e nor forsaken $e3 /ince ' rote the foregoing sheet, ' ha!e seen so$ething of the stor$ of $ischief thickening o!er $y follyE"e!ote" hea"# /houl" you, $y frien"s, $y benefactors, be successful in your applications for $e, perhaps it $ay not be in $y po er, in that ay, to reap the fruit of your frien"ly efforts# *hat ' ha!e ritten in the prece"ing pages, is the settle" tenor of $y present resolutionF but shoul" ini$ical circu$stances forbi" $e closing ith your kin" offer, or enjoying it only threaten to entail farther $iseryEEE To tell the truth, ' ha!e little reason for this last co$plaintF as the orl", in general, has been kin" to $e fully up to $y "eserts# ' as, for so$e ti$e past, fast getting into the pining, "istrustful snarl of the $isanthrope# ' sa $yself alone, unfit for the struggle of life, shrinking at e!ery rising clou" in the chanceE"irecte" at$osphere of fortune, hile, all "efenceless, ' looke" about in !ain for a co!er# 't ne!er occurre" to $e, at least ne!er ith the force it "eser!e", that this orl" is a busy scene, an" $an, a creature "estine" for a progressi!e struggleF an" that, ho e!er ' $ight possess a ar$ heart an" inoffensi!e $anners G hich last, by the by, as rather $ore than ' coul" ell boastI still, $ore than these passi!e Jualities, there as so$ething to be "one# *hen all $y schoolEfello s an" youthful co$peers Gthose $isgui"e" fe e-cepte" ho joine", to use a Gentoo phrase, the &hallachores& of the hu$an raceI ere striking off ith eager hope an" earnest intent, in so$e one or other of the $any paths of busy life, ' as &stan"ing i"le in the $arketEplace,& or only left the chase of the butterfly fro$ flo er to flo er, to hunt fancy fro$ hi$ to hi$# (ou see, /ir, that if to kno oneBs errors ere a probability of $en"ing the$, ' stan" a fair chance4 but, accor"ing to the re!eren" *est$inster "i!ines, though con!iction $ust prece"e con!ersion, it is !ery far fro$ al ays i$plying it# ) ) ) )

NN,'''#EET< %R# C5CAE@P'E, C5?C.L'@EF '@CL</'@G .'C ,ER/E/ <@ %'@'@G *'T. L<R% %5ER# D*e"nes"ay CorningD 90Dst @o!D# 02:8;# %E5R /'R,EE' ne!er spent an afternoon a$ong great folks ith half that pleasure as hen, in co$pany ith you, ' ha" the honour of paying $y "e!oirs to that plain, honest, orthy $an, the professor960; ' oul" be "elighte" to see hi$ perfor$ acts of kin"ness an" frien"ship, though ' ere not the objectF he "oes it ith such a grace# ' think his character, "i!i"e" into ten parts, stan"s thus,EEfour parts /ocratesEEfour parts @athanielEEan" t o parts /hakespeareBs Brutus# The follo ing !erses ere really e-te$pore, but a little correcte" since# They $ay entertain you a little ith the help of that partiality ith hich you are so goo" as to fa!our the perfor$ances of, "ear /ir,

your !ery hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote 604 %ugal" /te art, Professor of Coral Philosophy in the ?ni!ersity of E"inburgh#; ) ) ) )

NN'N#EET< CR/# %?@L<P, <+ %?@L<P# D@o!D# 02:8# C5%5C,EE' a$ truly sorry ' as not at ho$e yester"ay, hen ' as so $uch honoure" ith your or"er for $y copies, an" inco$parably $ore by the han"so$e co$pli$ents you are please" to pay $y poetic abilities# ' a$ fully persua"e" that there is not any class of $ankin" so feelingly ali!e to the titillations of applause as the sons of ParnassusF nor is it easy to concei!e ho the heart of the poor bar" "ances ith rapture, hen those, hose character in life gi!es the$ a right to be polite ju"ges, honour hi$ ith their approbation# .a" you been thoroughly acJuainte" ith $e, Ca"a$, you coul" not ha!e touche" $y "arling heartEchor" $ore s eetly, than by noticing $y atte$pts to celebrate your illustrious ancestor, the sa!iour of his country# Great patriot hero3 illEreJuite" chief3 The first book ' $et ith in $y early years hich ' peruse" ith pleasure as DThe Life of .annibalDF the ne-t as DThe .istory of /ir *illia$ *allaceD4 for se!eral of $y early years ' ha" fe other authorsF an" $any a solitary hour ha!e ' stole out, after the laborious !ocations of the "ay, to she" a tear o!er their glorious, but unfortunate stories# 'n those boyish "ays ' re$e$ber, in particular, being struck ith that part of *allaceBs story, here these lines occurEE &/yne to the Leglen oo", hen it as late, To $ake a silent an" a safe retreat#& ' chose a fine su$$er /un"ay, the only "ay $y line of life allo e", an" alke" halfEaE"oKen of $iles to pay $y respects to the Leglen oo", ith as $uch "e!out enthusias$ as e!er pilgri$ "i" to LorettoF an" as ' e-plore" e!ery "en an" "ell here ' coul" suppose $y heroic country$an to ha!e lo"ge", ' recollect Gfor e!en then ' as a rhy$erI that $y heart glo e" ith a ish to be able to $ake a song on hi$ in so$e $easure eJual to his $erits# R# B# ) ) ) )

NNN#EET< C'// 5LEN5@%ER# C<//G'EL, 0:Dth @o!D# 02:8# C5%5C,EEPoets are such DoutreD beings, so $uch the chil"ren of ay ar" fancy an" capricious hi$, that ' belie!e the orl" generally allo s the$ a larger latitu"e in the la s of propriety than the sober sons of ju"g$ent an" pru"ence# ' $ention this as an apology for the liberties that a na$eless stranger has taken ith you in the inclose" poe$, hich he begs lea!e to present you ith# *hether it has poetical $erit any ay orthy of the the$e, ' a$ not the proper ju"ge4 but it is the best $y abilities can pro"uceF an" hat to a goo" heart ill, perhaps, be a superior grace, it is eJually sincere as fer!ent#

The scenery as nearly taken fro$ real life, though ' "are say, Ca"a$, you "o not recollect it, as ' belie!e you scarcely notice" the poetic Dre!eurD as he an"ere" by you# ' ha" ro!e" out as chance "irecte", in the fa!ourite haunts of $y $use, on the banks of the 5yr, to !ie nature in all the gaiety of the !ernal year# The e!ening sun as fla$ing o!er the "istant estern hillsF not a breath stirre" the cri$son opening blosso$, or the !er"antEsprea"ing leaf# 't as a gol"en $o$ent for a poetic heart# ' listene" to the feathere" arblers, pouring their har$ony on e!ery han", ith a congenial kin"re" regar", an" freJuently turne" out of $y path, lest ' shoul" "isturb their little songs, or frighten the$ to another station# /urely, sai" ' to $yself, he $ust be a retch in"ee", ho, regar"less of your har$onious en"ea!our to please hi$, can eye your elusi!e flights to "isco!er your secret recesses, an" to rob you of all the property nature gi!es youEEyour "earest co$forts, your helpless nestlings# E!en the hoary ha thorn t ig that shot across the ay, hat heart at such a ti$e but $ust ha!e been intereste" in its elfare, an" ishe" it preser!e" fro$ the ru"elyEbro sing cattle, or the ithering eastern blastH /uch as the scene, an" such the hour, hen, in a corner of $y prospect, ' spie" one of the fairest pieces of natureBs ork$anship that e!er cro ne" a poetic lan"scape, or $et a poetBs eye, those !isionary bar"s e-cepte", ho hol" co$$erce ith aerial beings3 .a" Calu$ny an" ,illainy taken $y alk, they ha" at that $o$ent s orn eternal peace ith such an object# *hat an hour of inspiration for a poet3 't oul" ha!e raise" plain "ull historic prose into $etaphor an" $easure# The inclose" song as the ork of $y returnF an" perhaps it but poorly ans ers hat $ight ha!e been e-pecte" fro$ such a scene#EE' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, your $ost obe"ient an" !ery hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# P#/#EE*ell, Cr# Burns, an" D"i"D the la"y gi!e you the "esire" per$issionH @oF she as too fine a la"y to DnoticeD so plain a co$pli$ent# 5s to her great brothers, ho$ ' ha!e since $et in life on $ore eJual ter$s966; of respectabilityEE hy shoul" ' Juarrel ith their ant of attention to $eH *hen fate s ore that their purses shoul" be full, nature as eJually positi!e that their hea"s shoul" be e$pty# Cen of their fashion ere surely incapable of being unpoliteH (e canna $ak a silkEpurse oB a so Bs lug# R# B#, 0216# 9+ootnote 664 5s %epute Caster of /t# >a$esBs Lo"ge, Burns a"$itte" Clau"e 5le-an"er, EsJ#, of Balloch$yle, an honorary $e$ber, in >uly 02:1#; ) ) ) )

NNN'#EE'@ T.E @5CE <+ T.E @'@E# D5$enD# *E, Robert Burns, by !irtue of a arrant fro$ @ature, bearing "ate the t entyEfifth "ay of >anuary, 5nno %o$ini one thousan" se!en hun"re" an" fiftyEnine,963; Poet Laureat, an" Bar"EinEChief, in an" o!er the "istricts an" countries of Ayle, Cunningha$, an" Carrick, of ol" e-tent,EETo our trusty an" ellEbelo!e" *illia$ Chal$ers an" >ohn CB5"a$, stu"ents an" practitioners in the ancient an" $ysterious science

of confoun"ing right an" rong# R'G.T TR?/T(,EEBe it kno n unto you, That hereas in the course of our care an" atchings o!er the or"er an" police of all an" sun"ry the $anufacturers, retainers, an" !en"ors of poesyF bar"s, poets, poetasters, rhy$ers, jinglers, songsters, balla"Esingers, etc#, etc#, etc#, etc#, $ale an" fe$aleEE*e ha!e "isco!ere" a certain nefarious, abo$inable, an" icke" song or balla", a copy hereof e ha!e here inclose"F <ur *ill therefore is, that (e pitch upon an" appoint the $ost e-ecrable in"i!i"ual of that $ost e-ecrable species kno n by the appellation, phrase, an" nickna$e of The %eilBs (ell @o te,96L; an" after ha!ing cause" hi$ to kin"le a fire at the Cross of 5yr, ye shall, at noonti"e of the "ay, put into the sai" retchBs $erciless han"s the sai" copy of the sai" nefarious an" icke" song, to be consu$e" by fire in presence of all behol"ers, in abhorrence of, an" terrore$ to, all such co$positions an" co$posers# 5n" this in no ise lea!e ye un"one, but ha!e it e-ecute" in e!ery point as this our $an"ate bears, before the t entyEfourth current, hen in person *e hope to applau" your faithfulness an" Keal# Gi!en at Cauchline this t entieth "ay of @o!e$ber, 5nno %o$ini one thousan" se!en hun"re" an" eightyEsi-# Go" sa!e the Bar"3 9+ootnote 634 .is birth"ay#; 9+ootnote 6L4 <l" bachelors; ) ) ) )

NNN''#EET< >5CE/ %5LR(CPLE, E/M#, <R5@GE+'EL%# 937Dth @o!D# 02:8#; %E5R /'R,EE' suppose the "e!il is so elate" ith his success ith you, that he is "eter$ine" by a Dcoup "e $ainD to co$plete his purposes on you all at once, in $aking you a poet# ' broke open the letter you sent $eF hu$$e" o!er the rhy$esF an" as ' sa they ere e-te$pore, sai" to $yself, they ere !ery ellF but hen ' sa at the botto$ a na$e that ' shall e!er !alue ith grateful respect, &' gapit i"e, but naething spak#& ' as nearly as $uch struck as the frien"s of >ob, of afflictionEbearing $e$ory, hen they sat "o n ith hi$ se!en "ays an" se!en nights, an" spake not a or"# ' a$ naturally of a superstitious cast, an" as soon as $y on"erEscare" i$agination regaine" its consciousness, an" resu$e" its functions, ' cast about hat this $ania of yours $ight porten"# Cy forebo"ing i"eas ha" the i"e stretch of possibilityF an" se!eral e!ents, great in their $agnitu"e, an" i$portant in their conseJuences, occurre" to $y fancy# The "o nfall of the concla!e, or the crushing of the Cork ru$psF a "ucal coronet to Lor" George Gor"on, an" the protestant interestF or /t PeterBs keys to ##### (ou ant to kno ho ' co$e on# ' a$ just in Dstatu JuoD, or, not to insult a gentle$an ith $y Latin, in &aul" use an" ont#& The noble Earl of Glencairn took $e by the han" toE"ay, an" intereste" hi$self in $y concerns, ith a goo"ness like that bene!olent Being hose i$age he so richly bears# .e is a stronger proof of the i$$ortality of the soul than any that philosophy e!er pro"uce"# 5 $in" like his can ne!er "ie# Let the orshipful sJuire .# L#, or the re!eren" Cass ># C# go into their

pri$iti!e nothing# 5t best, they are but illE"igeste" lu$ps of chaos, only one of the$ strongly tinge" ith bitu$inous particles an" sulphureous efflu!ia# But $y noble patron, eternal as the heroic s ell of $agnani$ity, an" the generous throb of bene!olence, shall look on ith princely eye at &the ar of ele$ents, the reck of $atter, an" the crash of orl"s#& R# B# ) ) ) )

NNN'''#ETo /'R ><.@ *.'TE+<<R%# E%'@B?RG., 0Dst %ecD# 02:8# /'R,EECr# CcAenKie in Cauchline, $y !ery ar$ an" orthy frien", has infor$e" $e ho $uch you are please" to interest yourself in $y fate as a $an, an"EE hat to $e is inco$parably "earerE$y fa$e as a poet# ' ha!e, /ir, in one or t o instances, been patronise" by those of your character in life, hen ' as intro"uce" to their notice by social frien"s to the$, an" honoure" acJuaintances to $eF but you are the first gentle$an in the country hose bene!olence an" goo"ness of heart has intereste" hi$ for $e, unsolicite" an" unkno n# ' a$ not $aster enough of the etiJuette of these $atters to kno , nor "i" ' stay to inJuire, hether for$al "uty ba"e or col" propriety "isallo e" $y thanking you in this $anner, as ' a$ con!ince", fro$ the light in hich you kin"ly !ie $e, that you ill "o $e the justice to belie!e this letter is not the $anoeu!re of the nee"y sharping author, fastening on those in upper life ho honour hi$ ith a little notice of hi$ or his orks# 'n"ee", the situation of poets is generally such, to a pro!erb, as $ay, in so$e $easure, palliate that prostitution of heart an" talents they ha!e at ti$es been guilty of# ' "o not think that pro"igality is, by any $eans, a necessary conco$itant of a poetic turn, but ' belie!e a careless, in"olent inattention to econo$y is al$ost inseparable fro$ itF then there $ust be in the heart of e!ery bar" of natureBs $aking a certain $o"est sensibility, $i-e" ith a kin" of pri"e, hich ill e!er keep hi$ out of the ay of those in"falls of fortune, hich freJuently light on har"y i$pu"ence an" footElicking ser!ility# 't is not easy to i$agine a $ore helpless state than his hose poetic fancy unfits hi$ for the orl", an" hose character as a scholar gi!es hi$ so$e pretensions to the DpolitesseD of life, yet is as poor as ' a$# +or $y part, ' thank hea!en $y star has been kin"er4 learning ne!er ele!ate" $y i"eas abo!e the peasantBs she", an" ' ha!e an in"epen"ent fortune at the ploughEtail# ' as surprise" to hear96=; that any one ho preten"e" in the least to the $anners of the gentle$an shoul" be so foolish, or orse, as to stoop to tra"uce the $orals of such a one as ' a$, an" so inhu$anly cruel, too, as to $e""le ith that late $ost unfortunate, unhappy part of $y story# *ith a tear of gratitu"e ' thank you, /ir, for the ar$th ith hich you interpos" in behalf of $y con"uct# ' a$, ' ackno le"ge, too freJuently the sport of hi$, caprice, an" passionF but re!erence to Go", an" integrity to $y fello Ecreatures, ' hope ' shall e!er preser!e# ' ha!e no return, /ir, to $ake you for your goo"ness, but oneEEa return hich ' a$ persua"e" ill not be unacceptableEEthe honest ar$ ishes of a grateful heart for your happiness, an" e!ery one of that lo!ely flock ho stan" to you in a filial relation# 'f e!er Calu$ny ai$s the poisone" shaft at the$, $ay frien"ship be by to ar" the blo 3 R# B# 9+ootnote 6=4 +ro$ %r# CackenKie, BurnsBs frien", an" $e"ical atten"ant of the fa$ily of /ir >ohn#;

NNN',#EETo CR, G5,'@ .5C'LT<@, C5?C.L'@E# E%'@B?RG., D%ecD# 2DthD, 02:8, .<@<?RE% /'R,EE' ha!e pai" e!ery attention to your co$$an"s, but can only say hat perhaps you ill ha!e hear" before this reach you, that Cuirkirklan"s ere bought by a >ohn Gor"on, *#/#, but for ho$ ' kno notF Cauchlan"s, .augh Ciln, etc#, by a +re"erick +otheringha$, suppose" to be for Balloch$yle Lair", an" 5"a$Ehill an" /ha oo" ere bought for <s al"Bs folks# This is so i$perfect an account, an" ill be so late ere it reach you, that ere it not to "ischarge $y conscience ' oul" not trouble you ith itF but after all $y "iligence ' coul" $ake it no sooner nor better# +or $y o n affairs, ' a$ in a fair ay of beco$ing as e$inent as Tho$as a Ae$pis or >ohn BunyanF an" you $ay e-pect henceforth to see $y birth"ay inserte" a$ong the on"erful e!ents in the poor RobinBs an" 5ber"een 5l$anacks, along ith the black Con"ay an" the battle of Both ell Bri"ge# Cy Lor" Glencairn an" the %ean of +aculty, Cr# .# Erskine, ha!e taken $e un"er their ingF an" by all probability ' shall soon be the tenth orthy, an" the eighth ise $an of the orl"# Through $y lor"Bs influence, it is inserte" in the recor"s of the Cale"onian .unt, that they uni!ersally, one an" all, subscribe for the secon" e"ition# Cy subscription bills co$e out toE$orro , an" you shall ha!e so$e of the$ ne-t post# ' ha!e $et in Cr# %alry$ple, of <rangefiel", hat /olo$on e$phatically calls, &a frien" that sticketh closer than a brother#& The ar$th ith hich he interests hi$self in $y affairs is of the sa$e enthusiastic kin" hich you, Cr# 5ikin, an" the fe patrons that took notice of $y earlier poetic "ays, sho e" for the poor unlucky "e!il of a poet# ' al ays re$e$ber Crs# .a$ilton an" Ciss Aenne"y in $y poetic prayers, but you both in prose an" !erse# Cay caul" neBer catch you, but a hap, @or hunger but in plentyBs lap3 5$en3 R# B# ) ) ) ) )

NNN,#EETo CR# ><.@ B5LL5@T'@E, B5@AER, 5T <@E T'CE PR<,</T <+ 5(R# E%'@B?RG., 03Dth %ece$berD 02:8# C( .<@<?RE% +R'E@%,EE' oul" not rite you till ' coul" ha!e it in $y po er to gi!e you so$e account of $yself an" $y $atters, hich, by the by, is often no easy task# ' arri!e" here on Tues"ay as seBnnight968;, an" ha!e suffere" e!er since ' ca$e to to n ith a $iserable hea"ache an" sto$ach co$plaint, but a$ no a goo" "eal better# ' ha!e foun" a orthy ar$ frien" in Cr# %alry$ple, of <rangefiel", ho intro"uce" $e to Lor" Glencairn, a $an hose orth an" brotherly kin"ness to $e ' shall re$e$ber hen ti$e shall be no $ore# By his interest it is passe" in the &Cale"onian .unt,& an" entere" in their books, that they are to take each a copy of the secon" e"ition, for hich they are to pay one

guinea# ' ha!e been intro"uce" to a goo" $any of the DnoblesseD, but $y a!o e" patrons an" patrones es are, the %uchess of Gor"onEEthe Countess of Glencairn, ith $y Lor" an" La"y Betty962;EEthe %ean of +acultyEE/ir >ohn *hitefoor"# ' ha!e like ise ar$ frien"s a$ong the literatiF Professors /te art, Blair, an" Cr# CackenKieEEthe Can of +eeling# 5n unkno n han" left ten guineas for the 5yrshire bar" ith Cr# /ibbal", hich ' got# ' since ha!e "isco!ere" $y generous unkno n frien" to be Patrick Ciller, EsJ#, brother to the >ustice ClerkF an" "rank a glass of claret ith hi$, by in!itation, at his o n house yesternight# ' a$ nearly agree" ith Creech to print $y book, an" ' suppose ' ill begin on Con"ay# ' ill sen" a subscription bill or t o, ne-t postF hen ' inten" riting $y first kin" patron, Cr# 5ikin# ' sa his son toE"ay, an" he is !ery ell# %ugal" /te art, an" so$e of $y learne" frien"s, put $e in the perio"ical paper calle" the DLoungerD,96:; a copy of hich ' here enclose you# ' as, /ir, hen ' as first honoure" ith your notice, too obscureF no ' tre$ble lest ' shoul" be ruine" by being "ragge" too su""enly into the glare of polite an" learne" obser!ation# ' shall certainly, $y e!er honoure" patron, rite you an account of $y e!ery stepF an" better health an" $ore spirits $ay enable $e to $ake it so$ething better than this stupi" $atterEofEfact epistle#EE' ha!e the honour to be, goo" /ir, your e!er grateful hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 'f any of $y frien"s Bookseller# rite $e, $y "irection is care of Cr# Creech,

9+ootnote 684 5 $istake for &a fortnight#&; 9+ootnote 624 Cunningha$; 9+ootnote 6:4 The paper here allu"e" to as celebrate" author of DThe Can of +eelingD#; ) ) ) ) ritten by CackenKie, the

NNN,'#EET< CR# R<BERT C?'R# E%'@B?RG., D%ecD# 67DthD, 02:8# C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE' ha!e just ti$e for the carrier, to tell you that ' recei!e" your letter, of hich ' shall say no $ore but hat a lass of $y acJuaintance sai" of her bastar" eanF she sai" she &"i"na ken ha as the father e-actly, but she suspecte" it as so$e oB thae bonny blackguar" s$ugglers, for it as like the$#& /o ' only say, your obliging epistle as like you# ' enclose you a parcel of subscription bills# (our affair of si-ty copies is also like youF but it oul" not be like $e to co$ply# (our frien"Bs notion of $y life has put a crotchet in $y hea" of sketching it in so$e future epistle to you# Cy co$pli$ents to Charles an" Cr# Parker# R# B# ) ) ) )

NNN,''#EET< CR# *'LL'5C C.5LCER/, *R'TER, 5(R# E%'@B?RG., D%ecD# 62DthD, 02:8#

C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE' confess ' ha!e sinne" the sin for hich there is har"ly any forgi!enessEEingratitu"e to frien"ship, in not riting you soonerF but of all $en li!ing, ' ha" inten"e" to ha!e sent you an entertaining letterF an" by all the plo""ing, stupi" po ers, that in no""ing conceite" $ajesty presi"e o!er the "ull routine of businessEEa hea!ilyEsole$n oath this3EE' a$ an" ha!e been, e!er since ' ca$e to E"inburgh, as unfit to rite a letter of hu$our, as to rite a co$$entary on the Re!elation of /t# >ohn the %i!ine, ho as banishe" to the 'sle of Pat$os by the cruel an" bloo"y %o$itian, son to ,espasian an" brother to Titus, both e$perors of Ro$e, an" ho as hi$self an e$peror, an" raise" the secon" or thir" persecution, ' forget hich, against the Christians, an" after thro ing the sai" apostle >ohn, brother to the apostle >a$es, co$$only calle" >a$es the Greater, to "istinguish hi$ fro$ another >a$es, ho as on so$e account or other kno n by the na$e of >a$es the LessEEafter thro ing hi$ into a caul"ron of boiling oil fro$ hich he as $iraculously preser!e", he banishe" the poor son of Pebe"ee to a "esert islan" in the 5rchipelago here he as gifte" ith the secon" sight, an" sa as $any il" beasts as ' ha!e seen since ' ca$e to E"inburghF hich, a circu$stance not unco$$on in storyEtelling, brings $e back to here ' set out# To $ake you so$e a$en"s for hat, before you reach this paragraph, you ill ha!e suffere", ' enclose you t o poe$s ' ha!e car"e" an" spun since ' passe" Glenbuck# <ne blank in the a""ress to E"inburghEE&+air BEEEE,& is hea!enly Ciss Burnet, "aughter to Lor" Conbo""o, at hose house ' ha!e ha" the honour to be $ore than once# There has not been anything nearly like her in all the co$binations of beauty, grace, an" goo"ness the great Creator has for$e", since CiltonBs E!e on the first "ay of her e-istence# Cy "irection isEEcare of 5n"re Bruce, $erchant, Bri"ge /treet# R# B# ) ) ) )

NNN,'''#EETo T.E E5RL <+ EGL'@GT<@# E%'@B?RG., D>anuaryD 02:2# C( L<R%,EE5s ' ha!e but slen"er pretensions to philosophy, ' cannot rise to the e-alte" i"eas of a citiKen of the orl", but ha!e all those national preju"ices, hich ' belie!e glo peculiarly strong in the breast of a /cotch$an# There is scarcely anything to hich ' a$ so fully ali!e as the honour an" elfare of $y countryF an" as a poet, ' ha!e no higher enjoy$ent than singing her sons an" "aughters# +ate ha" cast $y station in the !eriest sha"es of lifeF but ne!er "i" a heart pant $ore ar"ently than $ine to be "istinguishe"F though till !ery lately ' looke" in !ain on e!ery si"e for a ray of light# 't is easy then to guess ho $uch ' as gratifie" ith the countenance an" approbation of one of $y countryBs $ost illustrious sons, hen Cr# *auchope calle" on $e yester"ay on the part of your lor"ship# (our $unificence, $y lor", certainly "eser!es $y !ery grateful ackno le"g$entsF but your patronage is a bounty peculiarly suite" to $y feelings# ' a$ not $aster enough of the etiJuette of life to kno , hether there be not so$e i$propriety in troubling your lor"ship ith $y thanks, but $y heart hispere" $e to "o it# +ro$ the e$otions of $y in$ost soul ' "o it# /elfish ingratitu"e ' hope ' a$ incapable ofF an" $ercenary ser!ility, ' trust, ' shall e!er ha!e so $uch honest pri"e as to "etest# R# B#

NNN'N#EET< CR# ><.@ B5LL5@T'@E# E%'@B?RG., D>anD# 0LDthD 02:2# C( .<@<?RE% +R'E@%,EE't gi!es $e a secret co$fort to obser!e in $yself that ' a$ not yet so far gone as *illie Ga Bs /kate, &past re"e$ptionF& for ' ha!e still this fa!ourable sy$pto$ of grace, that hen $y conscience, as in the case of this letter, tells $e ' a$ lea!ing so$ething un"one that ' ought to "o, it teases $e eternally till ' "o it# ' a$ still &"ark as as Chaos& in respect to futurity# Cy generous frien", Cr# Patrick Ciller, has been talking ith $e about a lease of so$e far$ or other in an estate calle" %als inton, hich he has lately bought near %u$fries# /o$e lifeErente" e$bittering recollections hisper $e that ' ill be happier any here than in $y ol" neighbourhoo", but Cr# Ciller is no ju"ge of lan"F an" though ' "aresay he $eans to fa!our $e, yet he $ay gi!e $e, in his opinion, an a"!antageous bargain that $ay ruin $e# ' a$ to take a tour by %u$fries as ' return, an" ha!e pro$ise" to $eet Cr# Ciller on his lan"s so$e ti$e in Cay# ' ent to a $asonElo"ge yesternight, here the Cost *orshipful Gran" Caster Chartres, an" all the Gran" Lo"ge of /cotlan" !isite"# The $eeting as nu$erous an" elegantF all the "ifferent lo"ges about to n ere present, in all their po$p# The Gran" Caster, ho presi"e" ith great sole$nity an" honour to hi$self as a gentle$an an" $ason, a$ong other general toasts ga!e &Cale"onia, an" Cale"oniaBs Bar", Brother Burns,& hich rung through the hole asse$bly ith $ultiplie" honours an" repeate" accla$ations# 5s ' ha" no i"ea such a thing oul" happen, ' as "o nright thun"erstruck, an", tre$bling in e!ery ner!e, $a"e the best return in $y po er# >ust as ' ha" finishe", so$e of the gran" officers sai" so lou" that ' coul" hear ith a $ost co$forting accent, &,ery ell, in"ee"3& hich set $e so$ething to rights again# ' ha!e just no ha" a !isit fro$ $y lan"la"y,961; ho is a stai", sober, piouslyE"ispose", !iceEabhorring i"o , co$ing on her cli$actericF she is at present in great tribulation respecting so$e "aughters of Belial ho are on the floor i$$e"iately abo!e# Cy lan"la"y, ho, as ' ha!e sai", is a fleshE"isciplining go"ly $atron, fir$ly belie!es her husban" is in hea!enF an", ha!ing been !ery happy ith hi$ on earth, she !igorously an" perse!eringly practises such of the $ost "istinguishe" Christian !irtues as atten"ing church, railing against !ice, etc#, that she $ay be Jualifie" to $eet hi$ in that happy place here the ungo"ly shall ne!er enter# This, no "oubt, reJuires so$e strong e-ertions of selfE"enial in a hale, ellEkept i"o of fortyEfi!eF an" as our floors are lo an" illEplastere", e can easily "istinguish our laughterElo!ing, nightErejoicing neighbours hen they are eating, "rinking, singing, etc# Cy orthy lan"la"y tosses sleepless an" unJuiet, &looking for rest an" fin"ing none,& the hole night# >ust no she tol" $eEEthough byEtheEby she is so$eti$es "ubious that ' a$, in her o n phrase, &but a rough anB rounB Christian,&EEthat & e shoul" not be uneasy or en!ious because the icke" enjoy the goo" things of this life, for the ja"es oul" one "ay lie in hell,& etc#, etc# ' ha!e toE"ay correcte" $y 0=6n" page# Cy best goo" ishes to Cr# 5ikin#EE' a$ e!er, "ear /ir, your $uch in"ebte" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B#

9+ootnote 614 Crs# Carfrae, Ba-terBs Close, La n$arket, E"inburgh, accor"ing to >ohn Rich$on", la clerk#; ) ) ) )

NL#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E%'@B?RG., 0=Dth >anuaryD 02:2# C5%5C,EE(ours of the 1th current, hich ' a$ this $o$ent honoure" ith, is a "eep reproach to $e for ungrateful neglect# ' ill tell you the real truth, for ' a$ $iserably a k ar" at a fibEE' ishe" to ha!e ritten to %r# Coore before ' rote to youF but, though e!ery "ay since ' recei!e" yours of %ece$ber 37th, the i"ea, the ish to rite to hi$ has constantly presse" on $y thoughts, yet ' coul" not for $y soul set about it# ' kno his fa$e an" character, an" ' a$ one of &the sons of little $en#& To rite hi$ a $ere $atterEofEfact affair, like a $erchantBs or"er, oul" be "isgracing the little character ' ha!eF an" to rite the author of DThe ,ie of /ociety an" CannersD a letter of senti$entEE' "eclare e!ery artery runs col" at the thought# ' shall try, ho e!er, to rite to hi$ toE$orro or ne-t "ay# .is kin" interposition on $y behalf ' ha!e alrea"y e-perience", as a gentle$an aite" on $e the other "ay, on the part of Lor" Eglinton, ith ten guineas, by ay of subscription, for t o copies of $y ne-t e"ition# The or" you object to in the $ention ' ha!e $a"e of $y glorious country$an an" your i$$ortal ancestor, is in"ee" borro e" fro$ Tho$sonF but it "oes not strike $e as an i$proper epithet# ' "istruste" $y o n ju"g$ent on your fin"ing fault ith it, an" applie" for the opinion of so$e of the literati here, ho honour $e ith their critical strictures, an" they all allo e" it to be proper# The song you ask ' cannot recollect, an" ' ha!e not a copy of it# ' ha!e not co$pose" anything on the great *allace, e-cept hat you ha!e seen in printF an" the inclose", hich ' ill print in this e"ition#937; (ou ill see ' ha!e $entione" so$e others of the na$e# *hen ' co$pose" $y &,ision,& long ago, ' ha" atte$pte" a "escription of Ayle, of hich the a""itional stanKas are a part as it originally stoo"# Cy heart glo s ith a ish to be able to "o justice to the $erits of the &sa!iour of his country,& hich sooner or later ' shall at least atte$pt# (ou are afrai" ' shall gro into-icate" ith $y prosperity as a poetF alas3 Ca"a$, ' kno $yself an" the orl" too ell# ' "o not $ean any airs of affecte" $o"estyF ' a$ illing to belie!e that $y abilities "eser!e so$e noticeF but in a $ost enlightene", infor$e" age an" nation, hen poetry is an" has been the stu"y of $en of the first natural genius, ai"e" ith all the po ers of polite learning, polite books, an" polite co$panyEEto be "ragge" forth to the full glare of learne" an" polite obser!ation, ith all $y i$perfections of a k ar" rusticity an" cru"e unpolishe" i"eas on $y hea"EE' assure you, Ca"a$, ' "o not "isse$ble hen ' tell you ' tre$ble for the conseJuences# The no!elty of a poet in $y obscure situation, ithout any of those a"!antages hich are reckone" necessary for that character, at least at this ti$e of "ay, has raise" a partial ti"e of public notice hich has borne $e to a height, here ' a$ absolutely, feelingly certain, $y abilities are ina"eJuate to support $eF an" too surely "o ' see that ti$e hen the sa$e ti"e ill lea!e $e, an" rece"e, perhaps, as far belo the $ark of truth# ' "o not say this in the ri"iculous affectation of selfEabase$ent

an" $o"esty# ' ha!e stu"ie" $yself, an" kno hat groun" ' occupyF an" ho e!er a frien" or the orl" $ay "iffer fro$ $e in that particular, ' stan" for $y o n opinion, in silent resol!e, ith all the tenaciousness of property# ' $ention this to you once for all to "isburthen $y $in", an" ' "o not ish to hear or say $ore about it# But *hen prou" fortuneBs ebbing ti"e rece"es, you ill bear $e itness, that hen $y bubble of fa$e as at the highest ' stoo" uninto-icate", ith the inebriating cup in $y han", looking for ar" ith rueful resol!e to the hastening ti$e, hen the blo of Calu$ny shoul" "ash it to the groun", ith all the eagerness of !engeful triu$ph# (our patronising $e an" interesting yourself in $y fa$e an" character as a poet, ' rejoice inF it e-alts $e in $y o n i"eaF an" hether you can or cannot ai" $e in $y subscription is a trifle# .as a paltry subscriptionEbill any char$s to the heart of a bar", co$pare" ith the patronage of the "escen"ant of the i$$ortal *allaceH R# B# 9+ootnote 374 /tanKa in the &,ision,& beginning, &By stately to er or palace fair,& an" en"ing ith the first %uan#; ) ) ) )

NL'EET< %R# C<<RE#930; E%'@B?RG., D>an#D 02:2# /'R,EECrs# %unlop has been so kin" as to sen" $e e-tracts of letters she has ha" fro$ you, here you "o the rustic bar" the honour of noticing hi$ an" his orks# Those ho ha!e felt the an-ieties an" solicitu"es of authorship, can only kno hat pleasure it gi!es to be notice" in such a $anner, by ju"ges of the first character# (our criticis$s, /ir, ' recei!e ith re!erence4 only ' a$ sorry they $ostly ca$e too late4 a peccant passage or t o that ' oul" certainly ha!e altere", ere gone to the press# The hope to be a"$ire" for ages is, in by far the greater part of those e!en ho are authors of repute, an unsubstantial "rea$# +or $y part, $y first a$bition as, an" still $y strongest ish is, to please $y co$peers, the in$ates of the ha$let, hile e!erEchanging language an" $anners shall allo $e to be relishe" an" un"erstoo"# ' a$ !ery illing to a"$it that ' ha!e so$e poetical abilitiesF an" as fe , if any, riters, either $oral or poetical, are inti$ately acJuainte" ith the classes of $ankin" a$ong ho$ ' ha!e chiefly $ingle", ' $ay ha!e seen $en an" $anners in a "ifferent phasis fro$ hat is co$$on, hich $ay assist originality of thought# /till ' kno !ery ell the no!elty of $y character has by far the greatest share in the learne" an" polite notice ' ha!e lately ha"F an" in a language here Pope an" Churchill ha!e raise" the laugh, an" /henstone an" Gray "ra n the tearF here Tho$son an" Beattie ha!e painte" the lan"scape, an" Lyttelton an" Collins "escribe" the heart, ' a$ not !ain enough to hope for "istinguishe" poetic fa$e# R# B# 9+ootnote 304 +ather of the hero of Coruna, an" author of DPelucoD, etc#; ) ) ) ) )

NL''#EETo T.E RE,# G# L5*R'E, @E*C'L@/, @E5R A'LC5R@<CA# E%'@B?RG., D+ebD# =DthD, 02:2# RE,ERE@% 5@% %E5R /'R,EE*hen ' look at the "ate of your kin" letter, $y heart reproaches $e se!erely ith ingratitu"e in neglecting so long to ans er it# ' ill not trouble you ith any account, by ay of apology, of $y hurrie" life an" "istracte" attention4 "o $e the justice to belie!e that $y "elay by no $eans procee"e" fro$ ant of respect# ' feel, an" e!er shall feel for you, the $ingle" senti$ents of estee$ for a frien" an" re!erence for a father# ' thank you, /ir, ith all $y soul, for your frien"ly hints, though ' "o not nee" the$ so $uch as $y frien"s are apt to i$agine# (ou are "aKKle" ith ne spaper accounts an" "istant reportsF but, in reality, ' ha!e no great te$ptation to be into-icate" ith the cup of prosperity# @o!elty $ay attract the attention of $ankin" a hileF to it ' o e $y present DeclatDF but ' see the ti$e not far "istant hen the popular ti"e hich has borne $e to a height of hich ' a$, perhaps, un orthy, shall rece"e ith silent celerity, an" lea!e $e a barren aste of san", to "escen" at $y leisure to $y for$er station# ' "o not say this in the affectation of $o"estyF ' see the conseJuence is una!oi"able, an" a$ prepare" for it# ' ha" been at a goo" "eal of pains to for$ a just, i$partial esti$ate of $y intellectual po ers before ' ca$e here4 ' ha!e not a""e", since ' ca$e to E"inburgh, anything to the accountF an" ' trust ' shall take e!ery ato$ of it back to $y sha"es, the co!erts of $y unnotice" early years# 'n %r# Blacklock, ho$ ' see !ery often, ' ha!e foun" hat ' e-pecte" in our frien", a clear hea" an" an e-cellent heart# oul" ha!e

By far the $ost agreeable hours ' spen" in E"inburgh $ust be place" to the account of Ciss La rie an" her pianoforte# ' cannot help repeating to you an" Crs# La rie a co$pli$ent that Cr# CackenKie, the celebrate" &Can of +eeling,& pai" to Ciss La rie, the other night, at the concert# ' ha" co$e in at the interlu"e, an" sat "o n by hi$ till ' sa Ciss La rie in a seat not !ery far "istant, an" ent up to pay $y respects to her# <n $y return to Cr# CackenKie he aske" $e ho she asF ' tol" hi$ Bt as the "aughter of a re!eren" frien" of $ine in the est country# .e returne", there ere so$ething !ery striking, to his i"ea, in her appearance# <n $y "esiring to kno hat it as, he as please" to say, &/he has a great "eal of the elegance of a ellEbre" la"y about her, ith all the s eet si$plicity of a country girl#& Cy co$pli$ents to all the happy in$ates of /t# CargaretBs#EE' a$, $y "ear /ir, yours, $ost gratefully, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) )

NL'''#ETo T.E E5RL <+ B?C.5@#936; C( L<R%,EEThe honour your lor"ship has "one $e, by your notice an" a"!ice in yours of the 0st instant, ' shall e!er gratefully re$e$ber4EE Praise fro$ thy lips Btis $ine ith joy to boast,

They best can gi!e it

ho "eser!e it $ost#

(our lor"ship touches the "arling chor" of $y heart, hen you a"!ise $e to fire $y $use at /cottish story an" /cottish scenes# ' ish for nothing $ore than to $ake a leisurely pilgri$age through $y nati!e countryF to sit an" $use on those once har"Econten"e" fiel"s, here Cale"onia, rejoicing, sa her bloo"y lion borne through broken ranks to !ictory an" fa$eF an", catching the inspiration, to pour the "eathless na$es in song# But, $y lor", in the $i"st of these enthusiastic re!eries, a longE!isage", "ry $oralElooking phanto$ stri"es across $y i$agination, an" pronounces these e$phatic or"s4EE &', *is"o$, " ell ith Pru"ence# +rien", ' "o not co$e to open the illEclose" oun"s of your follies an" $isfortunes, $erely to gi!e you pain4 ' ish through these oun"s to i$print a lasting lesson on your heart# ' ill not $ention ho $any of $y salutary a"!ices you ha!e "espise"4 ' ha!e gi!en you line upon line an" precept upon preceptF an" hile ' as chalking out to you the straight ay to ealth an" character, ith au"acious effrontery you ha!e KigKagge" across the path, conte$ning $e to $y faceF you kno the conseJuences# 't is not yet three $onths since ho$e as so hot for you, that you ere on the ing for the estern shore of the 5tlantic, not to $ake a fortune, but to hi"e your $isfortune# &@o that your "earElo!e" /cotia puts it in your po er to return to the situation of your forefathers, ill you follo these illEoBE isp $eteors of fancy an" hi$, till they bring you once $ore to the brink of ruinH ' grant that the ut$ost groun" you can occupy is but half a step fro$ the !eriest po!ertyF but still it is half a step fro$ it# 'f all that ' can urge be ineffectual, let her ho sel"o$ calls to you in !ain, let the call of pri"e pre!ail ith you# (ou kno ho you feel at the iron gripe of ruthless oppression4 you kno ho you bear the galling sneer of contu$elious greatness# ' hol" you out the con!eniences, the co$forts of life, in"epen"ence an" character, on the one han"F ' ten"er you ser!ility, "epen"ence, an" retche"ness on the other# ' ill not insult your un"erstan"ing by bi""ing you $ake a choice#& This, $y lor", is unans erable# ' $ust return to $y hu$ble station, an" oo $y rustic $use in $y onte" ay at the ploughEtail# /till, $y lor", hile the "rops of life ar$ $y heart, gratitu"e to that "earElo!e" country in hich ' boast $y birth, an" gratitu"e to those her "istinguishe" sons, ho ha!e honoure" $e so $uch ith their patronage an" approbation, shall, hile stealing through $y hu$ble sha"es, e!er "isten" $y boso$, an" at ti$es, as no , "ra forth the s elling tear# R# B# 9+ootnote 364 The Earl of Buchan as the !ery pink of parsi$onious patrons#EEC<T.ER*ELL#; ) ) ) )

NL',#EET< CR# >5CE/ C5@%L'/.,933; /T?%E@T '@ P.(/'C, GL5/G<* C<LLEGE# E%'@B?RG., DCarchD 60DstD, 02:2# C( E,ER %E5R <L% 5CM?5'@T5@CE,EE' as eJually surprise" an" please" at your letter, though ' "are say you ill think, by $y "elaying so long to

rite to you, that ' a$ so "ro ne" in the into!irarion of goo" fortune as to be in"ifferent to ol", an" once "ear connections# The truth is, ' as "eter$ine" to rite a goo" letter, full of argu$ent, a$plification, eru"ition, an", as Bayes says, Dall thatD# ' thought of it, an" thought of it, an", by $y soul, ' coul" notF an", lest you shoul" $istake the cause of $y silence, ' just sit "o n to tell you so# %onBt gi!e yourself cre"it, though, that the strength of your logic scares $eF the truth is, ' ne!er $ean to $eet you on that groun" at all# (ou ha!e sho n $e one thing hich as to be "e$onstrate"4 that strong pri"e of reasoning, ith a little affectation of singularity, $ay $islea" the best of hearts# ' like ise, since you an" ' ere first acJuainte", in the pri"e of "espising ol" o$enBs stories, !enture" in &the "aring path /pinosa tro"F& but e-perience of the eakness, not the strength of hu$an po ers, $a"e $e gla" to grasp at re!eale" religion# ' a$ still, in the 5postle PaulBs phrase, &the ol" $an ith his "ee"s,& as hen e ere sporting about the &La"y Thorn#& ' shall be four eeks here yet at least4 an" so ' shall e-pect to hear fro$ youF elco$e sense, elco$e nonsense#EE' a$, ith the ar$est sincerity, R# B# 9+ootnote 334 Cr# Can"lish $arrie" Ciss /$ith, one of the siDbellesD of Cauchline# Their son as the Re!# %r# Can"lish, of +ree /t# GeorgeBs Church, E"inburgh#; ) ) ) )

NL,#EET< CR# PETER /T?5RT, E%'T<R <+ &T.E /T5R,& L<@%<@# E%'@B?RG., 02:2# C( %E5R /'R,EE(ou $ay think, an" too justly, that ' a$ a selfish, ungrateful fello , ha!ing recei!e" so $any repeate" instances of kin"ness fro$ you, an" yet ne!er putting pen to paper to say thank youF but if you kne hat a "e!il of a life $y conscience has le" $e on that account, your goo" heart oul" think yourself too $uch a!enge"# By the by, there is nothing in the hole fra$e of $an hich see$s to be so unaccountable as that thing calle" conscience# .a" the troubleso$e yelping cur po ers efficient to pre!ent a $ischief, he $ight be of useF out at the beginning of the business, his feeble efforts are, to the orkings of passion, as the infant frosts of an autu$nal $orning to the unclou"e" fer!our of the rising sunF an" no sooner are the tu$ultuous "oings of the icke" "ee" o!er, than a$i"st the bitter nati!e conseJuences of folly in the !ery !orte- of our horrors, up starts conscience, an" harro s us ith the feelings of the "a$ne"# ' ha!e inclose" you, by ay of e-piation, so$e !erse an" prose, that, if they $erit a place in your truly entertaining $iscellany, you are elco$e to# The prose e-tract is literally as Cr# /prott sent it $e# The inscription on the stone is as follo s4EE &.ERE L'E/ R<BERT +ERG?//<@, P<ET, Born, /epte$ber =th, 02=0EE%ie", 08th <ctober 022L# @o sculpture" $arble here, nor po$pous lay, B@o storie" urn nor ani$ate" bustFB This si$ple stone "irects pale /cotiaBs ay To pour her sorro s oBer her poetBs "ust#&

<n the other si"e of the stone is as follo s4EE &By special grant of the $anagers to Robert Burns, ho erecte" this stone, this burial place is to re$ain for e!er sacre" to the $e$ory of Robert +ergusson#& ) ) ) )

NL,'EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E%'@B?RG., DCarchD 66Dn"D, 02:2# C5%5C,EE' rea" your letter ith atery eyes# 5 little, !ery little hile ago, ' ha" scarce a frien" but the stubborn pri"e of $y o n boso$F no ' a$ "istinguishe", patronise", befrien"e" by you# (our frien"ly a"!icesEE' ill not gi!e the$ the col" na$e of criticis$sEE' recei!e ith re!erence# ' ha!e $a"e so$e s$all alterations in hat ' before ha" printe"# ' ha!e the a"!ice of so$e !ery ju"icious frien"s a$ong the literati here, but ith the$ ' so$eti$es fin" it necessary to clai$ the pri!ilege of thinking for $yself# The noble Earl of Glencairn, to ho$ ' o e $ore than to any $an, "oes $e the honour of gi!ing $e his stricturesF his hints, ith respect to i$propriety or in"elicacy, ' follo i$plicitly# (ou kin"ly interest yourself in $y future !ie s an" prospectsF there ' can gi!e you no light# 't is all %ark as as Chaos ere the infant sun *as rollB" together, or ha" trie" his bea$s 5th art the gloo$ profoun"# The appellation of a /cottish bar" is by far $y highest pri"eF to continue to "eser!e it is $y $ost e-alte" a$bition# /cottish scenes an" /cottish story are the the$es ' coul" ish to sing# ' ha!e no "earer ai$ than to ha!e it in $y po er, unplague" ith the routine of business, for hich .ea!en kno s ' a$ unfit enough, to $ake leisurely pilgri$ages through Cale"oniaF to sit on the fiel"s of her battlesF to an"er on the ro$antic banks of her ri!ersF an" to $use by the stately to ers or !enerable ruins, once the honoure" abo"es of her heroes# But these are all ?topian thoughts4 ' ha!e "allie" long enough ith lifeF Btis ti$e to be in earnest# ' ha!e a fon", an age" $other to care for4 an" so$e other boso$ ties perhaps eJually ten"er# *here the in"i!i"ual only suffers by the conseJuences of his o n thoughtlessness, in"olence, or folly, he $ay be e-cusableF nay, shining abilities, an" so$e of the nobler !irtues, $ay half sanctify a hee"less characterF but here Go" an" nature ha!e intruste" the elfare of others to his careF here the trust is sacre", an" the ties are "ear, that $an $ust be far gone in selfishness, or strangely lost to reflection, ho$ these connections ill not rouse to e-ertion# ' guess that ' shall clear bet een t o an" three hun"re" poun"s by $y authorshipF93L; ith that su$ ' inten", so far as ' $ay be sai" to ha!e any intention, to return to $y ol" acJuaintance, the ploughF an", if ' can $eet ith a lease by hich ' can li!e, to co$$ence far$er# ' "o not inten" to gi!e up poetryF being bre" to labour, secures $e in"epen"ence, an" the $uses are $y chief, so$eti$es ha!e been $y only enjoy$ent# 'f $y practice secon" $y resolution, ' shall ha!e principally at heart the serious business of lifeF but hile follo ing $y plough, or buil"ing up

$y shocks, ' shall cast a leisure glance to that "ear, that only feature of $y character, hich ga!e $e the notice of $y country, an" the patronage of a *allace# Thus, honoure" Ca"a$, ' ha!e gi!en you the bar", his situation, an" his !ie s, nati!e as they are in his o n boso$# R# B# 9+ootnote 3L4 The procee"s a$ounte" to $oreEEso$e L=77 or so#; ) ) ) )

NL,''EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E%'@B?RG., 0=Dth 5prilD 02:2# C5%5C,EEThere is an affectation of gratitu"e hich ' "islike# The perio"s of >ohnson an" the pauses of /terne $ay hi"e a selfish heart# +or $y part, Ca"a$, ' trust ' ha!e too $uch pri"e for ser!ility, an" too little pru"ence for selfishness# ' ha!e this $o$ent broken open your letter, but Ru"e a$ ' in speech, 5n" therefore little can ' grace $y cause 'n speaking for $yselfEE so ' shall not trouble you ith any fine speeches an" hunte" figures# ' shall just lay $y han" on $y heart an" say, ' hope ' shall e!er ha!e the truest, the ar$est sense of your goo"ness# ' co$e abroa", in print, for certain on *e"nes"ay# (our or"ers ' shall punctually atten" toF only, by the ay, ' $ust tell you that ' as pai" before for %r# CooreBs an" Ciss *illia$sBs copies, through the $e"iu$ of Co$$issioner Cochrane in this place, but that e can settle hen ' ha!e the honour of aiting on you# %r# /$ith93=; as just gone to Lon"on the $orning before ' recei!e" your letter to hi$# R# B# 9+ootnote 3=4 5"a$ /$ith, the celebrate" author of DThe *ealth of @ationsD#; ) ) ) )

NL,'''#EET< %R# C<<RE# E%'@B?RG., 63Dr" 5prilD 02:2# ' recei!e" the books, an" sent the one you $entione" to Crs# %unlop# ' a$ ill skille" in beating the co!erts of i$agination for $etaphors of gratitu"e# ' thank you, /ir, for the honour you ha!e "one $e an" to $y latest hour ill ar$ly re$e$ber it# To be highly please" ith your book, is hat ' ha!e in co$$on ith the orl"F but to regar" these !olu$es as a $ark of the authorBs frien"ly estee$, is a still $ore supre$e gratification# ' lea!e E"inburgh in the course of ten "ays or a fortnight, an" after a fe pilgri$ages o!er so$e of the classic groun" of Cale"onia, Co "en Ano es, Banks of (arro , T ee", etc#, ' shall return to $y rural sha"es, in all likelihoo" ne!er $ore to Juit the$# ' ha!e for$e" $any inti$acies

an" frien"ships here, but ' a$ afrai" they are all of too ten"er a construction to bear carriage a hun"re" an" fifty $iles# To the rich, the great, the fashionable, the polite, ' ha!e no eJui!alent to offerF an" ' a$ afrai" $y $eteor appearance ill by no $eans entitle $e to a settle" correspon"ence ith any of you, ho are the per$anent lights of genius an" literature# Cy $ost respectful co$pli$ents to Ciss *illia$s# 'f once this tangent flight of $ine ere o!er, an" ' ere returne" to $y onte" leisurely $otion in $y ol" circle, ' $ay probably en"ea!our to return her poetic co$pli$ent in kin"# R# B# ) ) ) )

NL'N#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E%'@B?RG., 37Dth 5prilD 02:2# EE(our criticis$s, Ca"a$, ' un"erstan" !ery ell, an" coul" ha!e ishe" to ha!e please" you better# (ou are right in your guess that ' a$ not !ery a$enable to counsel# Poets, $uch $y superiors, ha!e so flattere" those ho possesse" the a"!entitious Jualities of ealth an" po er, that ' a$ "eter$ine" to flatter no create" being, either in prose or !erse# ' set as little by princes, lor"s, clergy, critics, etc#, as, all these respecti!e gentry "o by $y bar"ship# ' kno hat ' $ay e-pect fro$ the orl", byEan"EbyeEEilliberal abuse, an" perhaps conte$ptuous neglect# ' a$ happy, Ca"a$, that so$e of $y o n fa!ourite pieces are "istinguishe" by your particular approbation# +or $y &"rea$,&938; has unfortunately incurre" your loyal "ispleasure, ' hope, in four eeks, or less, to ha!e the honour of appearing, at %unlop, in its "efence in person# R# B# hich

9+ootnote 384 The ellEkno n poe$, beginning, &Gui" $orning to your Cajesty#& Crs# %unlop ha" reco$$en"e" its o$ission, in the secon" e"ition, on the score of pru"ence#; ) ) ) )

LEETo CR# *'LL'5C @'C<L, CL5//'C5L C5/TER, .'G. /C.<<L, E%'@B?RG.# C5RL'/LE, D>uneD 0, 02:2# A'@%, .<@E/TE.E5RTE% *'LL'E#EE'B$ sitten "o n here, after se!enEan"Eforty $ilesB ri"inB, eBen as forjesket an" fornia B" as a forfoughten cock, to gie ye so$e notion oB $y lan" lo perElike stra!aguin sin the sorro fuB hour that ' sheuk han"s an" parte" iB aul" Reekie# Cy aul", gaB" gley"e oB a $eere has huchyallB" up hill an" "o n brae, in /cotlan" an" Englan", as teugh an" birnie as a !ery "eil iB $e# 'tBs true, sheBs as poorBs a sangE$aker an" as har"Bs a kirk, an" tipperEtaipers hen she taks the gate, first like a la"yBs gentle o$an in a $inu ae, or a hen on a het gir"leF but sheBs a yaul", poutherie Girran for aB that, an" has a sto$ack like *illie /talkerBs $eere that a" hae "isgeeste" tu$blerE heels, for sheBll hip $e aff her fi!e sti$parts oB the best aits at a "o nEsittin an" neBer fash her thu$b# *hen ance her ringEbanes an" spa!ies, her crucks an" cra$ps, are fairly

souplB", she beets to, beets to, an" aye the hin"$ost hour the tightest# ' coul" ager her price to a thretty pennies, that for t a or three ooks ri"inB at fifty $iles a "ay, the "eilEstickit a fi!e gallopers acJueesh Cly"e an" *hithorn coul" cast saut on her tail# ' hae "an"erB" o re aB the kintra frae %unbar to /elcraig, an" hae forgatherB" iB $ony a gui" fallo , an" $ony a eelfarB" hiKKie# ' $et iB t a "ink Juines in particlar, ane oB the$ a sonsie, fine, fo"gel lass, baith bra an" bonnieF the tither as a cleanEshankit, straught, tight, eelEfarB" inch, as blytheBs a lint hite on a flo erie thorn, an" as s eet an" $o"estBs a ne bla n plu$rose in a haKle sha # They ere baith bre" to $ainers by the beuk, an" onie ane oB the$ ha" as $uckle s$e""u$ an" ru$blegu$tion as the half oB so$e presbyteries that you an" ' baith ken# ) ) ) ) )

' as gaun to rite ye a lang pystle, but, Gu"e forgie $e, ' gat $ysel sae notouriously fou the "ay after kailEti$e that ' can har"ly stoiter but an" ben# Cy best respecks to the gui" ife an" aB our co$$on friens, especiall Cr# an" Crs# Cruikshank, an" the honest gui"$an oB >ockBs Lo"ge#932; 'Bll be in %u$fries the $orn gif the beast be to the fore, an" the branks bi"e hale# Gu"e be iB you, *illie3 5$en3 R# B# 9+ootnote 324 Louis Cau!in, teacher of +rench#; ) ) ) )

L'#ETo CR# *'LL'5C @'C<L# C5?C.L'@E, D>uneD l:, 02:2# Cy "ear frien",EE' a$ no arri!e" safe in $y nati!e country, after a !ery agreeable jaunt, an" ha!e the pleasure to fin" all $y frien"s ell# ' breakfaste" ith your greyhea"e", re!eren" frien", Cr# /$ithF an" as highly please", both ith the cor"ial elco$e he ga!e $e, an" his $ost e-cellent appearance an" sterling goo" sense# ' ha!e been ith Cr# Ciller at %als inton, an" a$ to $eet hi$ again in 5ugust# +ro$ $y !ie of the lan"s, an" his reception of $y bar"ship, $y hopes in that business are rather $en"e"F but still they are but slen"er# ' a$ Juite char$e" ith %u$fries folksEECr# Burnsi"e, the clergy$an, in particular, is a $an ho$ ' shall e!er gratefully re$e$berF an" his ife, Gu"e forgie $e3 ' ha" al$ost broke the tenth co$$an"$ent on her account# /i$plicity, elegance, goo" sense, s eetness of "isposition, goo" hu$our, kin" hospitality, are the constituents of her $anner an" heartF in shortEEbut if ' say one or" $ore about her, ' shall be "irectly in lo!e ith her# ' ne!er, $y frien", thought $ankin" !ery capable of anything generousF

but the stateliness of the patricians in E"inburgh, an" the ser!ility of $y plebeian brethren G ho, perhaps, for$erly eye" $e askanceI since ' returne" ho$e, ha!e nearly put $e out of conceit altogether ith $y species# ' ha!e bought a pocket Cilton hich ' carry perpetually about ith $e, in or"er to stu"y the senti$entsEEthe "auntless $agnani$ity, the intrepi", unyiel"ing in"epen"ence, the "esperate "aring, an" noble "efiance of har"ship in that great personage, /5T5@# BTis true, ' ha!e just no a little cashF but ' a$ afrai" the star that hitherto has she" its $alignant, purposeEblasting rays full in $y KenithF that no-ious planet, so baneful in its influence to the rhy$ing tribeEE' $uch "rea" it is not yet beneath $y horiKon# Cisfortune "o"ges the path of hu$an lifeF the poetic $in" fin"s itself $iserably "erange" in, an" unfit for the alks of businessF a"" to all, that thoughtless follies an" hareEbraine" hi$s, like so $any Dignes fatuiD, eternally "i!erging fro$ the right line of sober "iscretion, sparkle ith stepEbe itching blaKe in the i"lyEgaKing eyes of the poor hee"less Bar", till, pop, &he falls like Lucifer, ne!er to hope again#& Go" grant this $ay be an unreal picture ith respect to $e3 but shoul" it not, ' ha!e !ery little "epen"ence on $ankin"# ' ill close $y letter ith this tribute $y heart bi"s $e pay youEEthe $any ties of acJuaintance an" frien"ship hich ' ha!e, or think ' ha!e in life, ' ha!e felt along the lines, an" "a$n the$, they are al$ost all of the$ of such frail conte-ture, that ' a$ sure they oul" not stan" the breath of the least a"!erse breeKe of fortuneF but fro$ you, $y e!er "ear /ir, ' look ith confi"ence for the 5postolic lo!e that shall ait on $e &through goo" report an" ba" report&EEthe lo!e hich /olo$on e$phatically says &is strong as "eath#& Cy co$pli$ents to Crs# @icol an" all the circle of our co$$on frien"s# P#/#EE' shall be in E"inburgh about the latter en" of >uly# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

L''#ETo CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E#93:; 5RR<C.5R, 6:Dth >uneD 02:2# Cy "ear sir,EE' rite this on $y tour through a country here sa!age strea$s tu$ble o!er sa!age $ountains, thinly o!ersprea" ith sa!age flocks, hich sparingly support as sa!age inhabitants# Cy last stage as 'n!eraryEEtoE$orro nightBs stage %u$barton# ' ought sooner to ha!e ans ere" your kin" letter, but you kno ' a$ a $an of $any sins# R# B# 9+ootnote 3:4 5 young ) ) ) ) ) riter in E"inburgh#;

L'''#EET< CR# >5CE/ /C'T., L'@L'T.G<*, +<RCERL( <+ C5?C.L'@E# D>une 37thD, 02:2# C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE<n our return, at a .ighlan" gentle$anBs hospitable $ansion, e fell in ith a $erry party, an" "ance" till the la"ies left us, at three in the $orning# <ur "ancing as none of the +rench or English insipi" for$al $o!e$entsF the la"ies sung /cotch songs like angels, at inter!alsF then e fle at DBab at the Bo sterD, DTullochgoru$D, DLoch Erroch /i"eD,931; etc#, like $i"ges sporting in the $ottie sun, or cra s prognosticating a stor$ in a hairst "ay# *hen

the "ear lasses left us, e range" roun" the bo l till the goo"Efello hour of si-F e-cept a fe $inutes that e ent out to pay our "e!otions to the glorious la$p of "ay peering o!er the to ering top of Benlo$on"# *e all kneele"F our orthy lan"lor"Bs son hel" the bo lF each $an a full glass in his han"F an" ', as priest, repeate" so$e rhy$ing nonsense, like Tho$asEaERhy$erBs prophecies, ' suppose# 5fter a s$all refresh$ent of the gifts of /o$nus, e procee"e" to spen" the "ay on Lochlo$on", an" reache" %u$barton in the e!ening# *e "ine" at another goo" fello Bs house, an", conseJuently, pushe" the bottleF hen e ent out to $ount our horses e foun" oursel!es &@o !era fou but gaylie yet#& Cy t o frien"s an" ' ro"e soberly "o n the Loch si"e, till by ca$e a .ighlan"$an at the gallop, on a tolerably goo" horse, but hich ha" ne!er kno n the orna$ents of iron or leather# *e scorne" to be outEgallope" by a .ighlan"$an, so off e starte", hip an" spur# Cy co$panions, though see$ingly gaily $ounte", fell sa"ly asternF but $y ol" $are, >enny Ge""es, one of the Rosinante fa$ily, she straine" past the .ighlan"$an in spite of all his efforts ith the hair halter4 just as ' as passing hi$, %onal" heele" his horse, as if to cross before $e to $ar $y progress, hen "o n ca$e his horse, an" thre his ri"erBs breekless aEEEE in a clipt he"geF an" "o n ca$e >enny Ge""es o!er all, an" $y har"ship bet een her an" the .ighlan"$anBs horse# >enny Ge""es tro"e o!er $e ith such cautious re!erence, that $atters ere not so ba" as $ight ell ha!e been e-pecte"F so ' ca$e off ith a fe cuts an" bruises, an" a thorough resolution to be a pattern of sobriety for the future# ' ha!e yet fi-e" on nothing ith respect to the serious business of life# ' a$, just as usual, a rhy$ing, $asonE$aking, raking, ai$less, i"le fello # .o e!er, ' shall so$e here ha!e a far$ soon# ' as going to say, a ife tooF but that $ust ne!er be $y blesse" lot# ' a$ but a younger son of the house of Parnassus, an" like other younger sons of great fa$ilies, ' $ay intrigue, if ' choose to run all risks, but $ust not $arry# ' a$ afrai" ' ha!e al$ost ruine" one source, the principal one in"ee", of $y for$er happinessF that eternal propensity ' al ays ha" to fall in lo!e# Cy heart no $ore glo s ith fe!erish rapture# ' ha!e no para"isiacal e!ening inter!ie s, stolen fro$ the restless cares an" prying inhabitants of this eary orl"# ' ha!e only EEEE# This last is one of your "istant acJuaintances, has a fine figure, an" elegant $annersF an" in the train of so$e great folks ho$ you kno , has seen the politest Juarters in Europe# ' "o like her a "ealF but hat piJues $e is her con"uct at the co$$ence$ent of our acJuaintance# ' freJuently !isite" her hen ' as in EEEE, an" after passing regularly the inter$e"iate "egrees bet een the "istant for$al bo an" the fa$iliar grasp roun" the aist, ' !enture", in $y careless ay, to talk of frien"ship in rather a$biguous ter$sF an" after her return to EEEE, ' rote to her in the sa$e style# Ciss, construing $y or"s farther, ' suppose, than e!en ' inten"e", fle off in a tangent of fe$ale "ignity an" reser!e, like a $ounting lark in an 5pril $orningF an" rote $e an ans er hich $easure" $e out !ery co$pletely hat an i$$ense ay ' ha" to tra!el before ' coul" reach the cli$ate of her fa!our# But ' a$ an ol" ha k at the sport, an" rote her such a cool, "eliberate, pru"ent reply, as brought $y bir" fro$ her aerial to erings, pop "o n at $y foot, like Corporal Tri$Bs hat# 5s for the rest of $y acts, an" $y ars, an" all $y ise sayings, an" hy $y $are as calle" >enny Ge""es, they shall be recor"e" in a fe eeks hence at Linlithgo , in the chronicles of your $e$ory, by

R# B# 9+ootnote 314 /cotch tunes#; ) ) ) ) )

L',#ETo CR# ><.@ R'C.C<@%# C<//G'EL, 2th D>ulyD 02:2# C( %E5R R'C.C<@%,E' a$ all i$patience to hear of your fate since the ol" confoun"er of right an" rong has turne" you out of place, by his journey to ans er his in"ict$ent at the bar of the other orl"# .e ill fin" the practice of the court so "ifferent fro$ the practice in hich he has for so $any years been thoroughly hackneye", that his frien"s, if he ha" any connections truly of that kin", hich ' rather "oubt, $ay ell tre$ble for his sake# .is chicane, his leftEhan"e" is"o$, hich stoo" so fir$ly by hi$, to such goo" purpose, here, like other acco$plices in robbery an" plun"er, ill, no the piratical business is blo n, in all probability turn kingBs e!i"ences, an" then the "e!ilBs bagpiper ill touch hi$ off &Bun"le an" go3& 'f he has left you any legacy, ' beg your par"on for all thisF if not, ' kno you ill s ear to e!ery or" ' sai" about hi$# ' ha!e lately been ra$bling o!er by %u$barton an" 'n!erary, an" running a "runken race on the si"e of Loch Lo$on" ith a il" .ighlan"$anF his horse, hich ha" ne!er kno n the orna$ents of iron or leather, KigEKagge" across before $y ol" spa!inB" hunter, hose na$e is >enny Ge""es, an" "o n ca$e the .ighlan"$an, horse an" all, an" "o n ca$e >enny an" $y bar"shipF so ' ha!e got such a skinful of bruises an" oun"s, that ' shall be at least four eeks before ' "are !enture on $y journey to E"inburgh# @ot one ne thing un"er the sun has happene" in Cauchline since you left it# ' hope this ill fin" you as co$fortably situate" as for$erly, or, if hea!en pleases, $ore soF but, at all e!ents, ' trust you ill let $e kno of course ho $atters stan" ith you, ell or ill# BTis but poor consolation to tell the orl" hen $atters go rongF but you kno !ery ell your connection an" $ine stan"s on a "ifferent footing#EE' a$ e!er, $y "ear frien", yours, R# B# ) ) ) )

L,#EET< CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# C5?C.L'@E, D63r" >ulyD 02:2# C( %E5R 5'@/L'E,EThere is one thing for hich ' set great store by you as a frien", an" it is this, that ' ha!e not a frien" upon earth, besi"es yourself, to ho$ ' can talk nonsense ithout forfeiting so$e "egree of his estee$# @o , to one like $e, ho ne!er cares for speaking anything else but nonsense, such a frien" as you is an in!aluable treasure# ' as ne!er a rogue, but ha!e been a fool all $y lifeF an", in spite of all $y en"ea!ours, ' see no plainly that ' shall ne!er be ise# @o it rejoices $y heart to ha!e $et ith such a fello as you,

ho, though you are not just such a hopeless fool as ', yet ' trust you ill ne!er listen so $uch to te$ptation as to gro so !ery ise that you ill in the least "isrespect an honest fello because he is a fool# 'n short, ' ha!e set you "o n as the staff of $y ol" age, hen the hole list of $y frien"s ill, after a "ecent share of pity, ha!e forgot $e# Though in the $orn co$es sturt an" strife, (et joy $ay co$e at noonF 5n" ' hope to li!e a $erry, $erry life *hen aB thir "ays are "one# *rite $e soon, ere it but a fe lines, just to tell $e ho that goo", sagacious $an your father is,EEthat kin", "ainty bo"y your $other,EE that strapping chiel your brother %ouglasEan" $y frien" Rachel, ho is as far before Rachel of ol", as she as before her blearEeye" sister Leah# R# B# ) ) ) )

L,'ETo %R# C<<RE# C5?C.L'@E, 6n" 5ugust 02:2# /'R,E+or so$e $onths past ' ha!e been ra$bling o!er the country, but ' a$ no confine" ith so$e lingering co$plaints, originating, as ' take it, in the sto$ach# To "i!ert $y spirits a little in this $iserable fog of ennui, ' ha!e taken a hi$ to gi!e you a history of $yself# Cy na$e has $a"e so$e little noise in this countryF you ha!e "one $e the honour to interest yourself !ery ar$ly in $y behalfF an" ' think a faithful account of hat character of a $an ' a$, an" ho ' ca$e by that character, $ay perhaps a$use you in an i"le $o$ent# ' ill gi!e you an honest narrati!e, though ' kno it ill be often at $y o n e-penseF for ' assure you, /ir, ' ha!e, like /olo$on, hose character, e-cepting in the trifling affair of is"o$, ' so$eti$es think ' rese$ble,EE' ha!e, ' say, like hi$, turne" $y eyes to behol" $a"ness an" folly, an" like hi$, too, freJuently shaken han"s ith their into-icating frien"ship# 5fter you ha!e peruse" these pages, shoul" you think the$ trifling an" i$pertinent, ' only beg lea!e to tell you, that the poor author rote the$ un"er so$e t itching Jual$s of conscience, arising fro$ a suspicion that he as "oing hat he ought not to "o4 a pre"ica$ent he has $ore than once been in before# ' ha!e not the $ost "istant pretensions to assu$e that character hich the pyeEcoate" guar"ians of escutcheons call a gentle$an# *hen at E"inburgh last inter, ' got acJuainte" in the heral"Bs officeF an", looking through that granary of honours, ' there foun" al$ost e!ery na$e in the king"o$F but for $e, Cy ancient but ignoble bloo" .as crept throB scoun"rels e!er since the floo"# Gules, purpure, argent, etc#, Juite "iso ne" $e# Cy father as in the north of /cotlan" the son of a far$er, an" as thro n by early $isfortunes on the orl" at large, here, afier $any yearsB an"erings an" sojournings, he picke" up a pretty large Juantity of obser!ation an" e-perience, to hich ' a$ in"ebte" for $ost of $y

little pretensions to is"o$# ' ha!e $et ith fe ho un"erstoo" $en, their $anners, an" their ays, eJual to hi$F but stubborn, ungainly integrity, an" hea"long, ungo!ernable irascibility are "isJualifying circu$stancesF conseJuently, ' as born a !ery poor $anBs son# +or the first si- or se!en years of $y life, $y father as gar"ener to a orthy gentle$an of s$all estate in the neighbourhoo" of 5yr# .a" he continue" in that station, ' $ust ha!e $arche" off to be one of the little un"erlings about a far$ houseF but it as his "earest ish an" prayer to ha!e it in his po er to keep his chil"ren un"er his o n eye, till they coul" "iscern bet een goo" an" e!ilF so, ith the assistance of his generous $aster, $y father !enture" on a s$all far$ on his estate# 5t those years, ' as by no $eans a fa!ourite ith anybo"y# ' as a goo" "eal note" for a retenti!e $e$ory, a stubborn stur"y so$ething in $y "isposition, an" an enthusiastic i"iot piety# ' say i"iot piety, because ' as then but a chil"# Though it cost the school$aster so$e thrashings, ' $a"e an e-cellent English scholarF an" by the ti$e ' as ten or ele!en years of age, ' as a critic in substanti!es, !erbs, an" particles# 'n $y infant an" boyish "ays, too, ' o e" $uch to an ol" o$an ho resi"e" in the fa$ily, re$arkable for her ignorance, cre"ulity, an" superstition# /he ha", ' suppose, the largest collection in the country of tales an" songs concerning "e!ils, ghosts, fairies, bro nies, itches, arlocks, spunkies, kelpies, elfEcan"les, "ea"Elights, raiths, apparitions, cantraips, giants, enchante" to ers, "ragons, an" other tru$pery# This culti!ate" the latent see"s of poetry, but ha" so strong an effect on $y i$agination, that to this hour, in $y nocturnal ra$bles, ' so$eti$es keep a sharp look out in suspicious placesF an" though nobo"y can be $ore sceptical than ' a$ in such $atters, yet it often takes an effort of philosophy to shake off these i"le terrors# The earliest co$position that ' recollect taking pleasure in as &The ,ision of CirKa,& an" a hy$n of 5""isonBs, beginning, &.o are thy ser!ants blest, < Lor"3& ' particularly re$e$ber one halfEstanKa hich as $usic to $y boyish earEE &+or though on "rea"ful hirls .igh on the broken a!eEE& e hung

' $et ith these pieces in CansonBs English Collection, one of $y schoolEbooks# The first t o books ' e!er rea" in pri!ate, an" hich ga!e $e $ore pleasure than any t o books ' e!er rea" since, ere the DLife of .annibalD, an" the D.istory of /ir *illia$ *allaceD# .annibal ga!e $y young i"eas such a turn, that ' use" to strut in rapture up an" "o n after the recruiting "ru$ an" bagEpipe, an" ish $yself tall enough to be a sol"ierF hile the story of *allace poure" a /cottish preju"ice into $y !eins hich ill boil along there, till the floo"Egates of life shut in eternal rest# Pole$ical "i!inity about this ti$e as putting the country half $a", an" ', a$bitious of shining in con!ersation parties on /un"ays, bet een ser$ons, at funerals, etc#, use" a fe years after ar"s to puKKle Cal!inis$ ith so $uch heat an" in"iscretion, that ' raise" a hue an" cry of heresy against $e, hich has not cease" to this hour# Cy !icinity to 5yr as of so$e a"!antage to $e# Cy social "isposition, hen not checke" by so$e $o"ifications of spirite" pri"e, as like our catechis$ "efinition of infinitu"e, ithout boun"s or li$its# ' for$e" se!eral connections ith other younkers, ho possesse" superior a"!antagesF the youngling actors ho ere busy in the rehearsal of parts, in hich they ere shortly to appear on the stage of life, here, alas3 ' as "estine" to "ru"ge behin" the scenes# 't is not co$$only at

this green stage that our young gentry ha!e a just sense of the i$$ense "istance bet een the$ an" their ragge" playEfello s# 't takes a fe "ashes into the orl", to gi!e the young great $an that proper, "ecent, unnoticing "isregar" for the poor, insignificant, stupi" "e!ils, the $echanics an" peasantry aroun" hi$, ho ere, perhaps, born in the sa$e !illage# Cy young superiors ne!er insulte" the clouterly appearance of $y ploughEboy carcase, the t o e-tre$es of hich ere often e-pose" to all the incle$encies of all the seasons# They oul" gi!e $e stray !olu$es of booksF a$ong the$, e!en then, ' coul" pick up so$e obser!ationsF an" one, hose heart, ' a$ sure, not e!en the &Cunny Begu$& scenes ha!e tainte", helpe" $e to a little +rench# Parting ith these $y young frien"s an" benefactors, as they occasionally ent off for the East or *est 'n"ies, as often to $e a sore afflictionF but ' as soon calle" to $ore serious e!ils# Cy fatherBs generous $aster "ie"F the far$ pro!e" a ruinous bargainF an" to clench the $isfortune, e fell into the han"s of a factor, ho sat for the picture ' ha!e "ra n of one in $y tale of &T a %ogs#& Cy father as a"!ance" in life hen he $arrie"F ' as the el"est of se!en chil"ren, an" he, orn out by early har"ships, as unfit for labour# Cy fatherBs spirit as soon irritate", but not easily broken# There as a free"o$ in his lease in t o years $ore, an" to eather these t o years, e retrenche" our e-penses# *e li!e" !ery poorly4 ' as a "e-terous plough$an for $y ageF an" the ne-t el"est to $e as a brother GGilbertI, ho coul" "ri!e a plough !ery ell, an" help $e to thrash the corn# 5 no!elE riter $ight, perhaps, ha!e !ie e" these scenes ith so$e satisfaction, but so "i" not 'F $y in"ignation yet boils at the recollection of the scoun"rel factorBs insolent threatening letters, hich use" to set us all in tears# This kin" of lifeEEthe cheerless gloo$ of a her$it ith the unceasing $oil of a galleyEsla!e, brought $e to $y si-teenth yearF a little before hich perio" ' first co$$itte" the sin of rhy$e# (ou kno our country custo$ of coupling a $an an" o$an together as partners in the labours of har!est# 'n $y fifteenth autu$n, $y partner as a be itching creature, a year younger than $yself# Cy scarcity of English "enies $e the po er of "oing her justice in that language, but you kno the /cottish i"io$4 she as a &bonnie, s eet, sonsie lass#& 'n short, she, altogether un ittingly to herself, initiate" $e in that "elicious passion, hich, in spite of aci" "isappoint$ent, ginEhorse pru"ence, an" bookE or$ philosophy, ' hol" to be the first of hu$an joys, our "earest blessing here belo 3 .o she caught the contagion ' cannot tellF you $e"ical people talk $uch of infection fro$ breathing the sa$e air, the touch, etc#F but ' ne!er e-pressly sai" ' lo!e" her# 'n"ee", ' "i" not kno $yself hy ' like" so $uch to loiter behin" ith her, hen returning in the e!ening fro$ our laboursF hy the tones of her !oice $a"e $y heartEstrings thrill like an 5eolian harpF an" particularly hy $y pulse beat such a furious ratan, hen ' looke" an" fingere" o!er her little han" to pick out the cruel nettleEstings an" thistles# 5$ong her other lo!eEinspiring Jualities, she sung s eetlyF an" it as her fa!ourite reel to hich ' atte$pte" gi!ing an e$bo"ie" !ehicle in rhy$e# ' as not so presu$ptuous as to i$agine that ' coul" $ake !erses like printe" ones, co$pose" by $en ho ha" Greek an" LatinF but $y girl sung a song hich as sai" to be co$pose" by a s$all country lair"Bs son, on one of his fatherBs $ai"s, ith ho$ he as in lo!eF an" ' sa no reason hy ' $ight not rhy$e as ell as heF for, e-cepting that he coul" s$ear sheep, an" cast peats, his father li!ing in the $oorlan"s, he ha" no $ore scholarEcraft than $yself# Thus ith $e began lo!e an" poetryF hich at ti$es ha!e been $y only, an" till ithin the last t el!e $onths, ha!e been $y highest enjoy$ent#

Cy father struggle" on till he reache" the free"o$ in his lease, hen he entere" on a larger far$, about ten $iles farther in the country# The nature of the bargain he $a"e as such as to thro a little rea"y $oney into his han"s at the co$$ence$ent of his lease, other ise the affair oul" ha!e been i$practicable# +or four years e li!e" co$fortably here, but a "ifference co$$encing bet een hi$ an" his lan"lor" as to ter$s, after three years tossing an" hirling in the !orte- of litigation, $y father as just sa!e" fro$ the horrors of a jail, by a consu$ption, hich, after t o yearsB pro$ises, kin"ly steppe" in, an" carrie" hi$ a ay, to here the icke" cease fro$ troubling, an" here the eary are at rest3 't is "uring the ti$e that e li!e" on this far$ that $y little story is $ost e!entful# ' as, at the beginning of this perio", perhaps the $ost ungainly a k ar" boy in the parishEEno DsolitaireD as less acJuainte" ith the ays of the orl"# *hat ' kne of ancient story as gathere" fro$ /al$onBs an" GuthrieBs Geographical Gra$$arsF an" the i"eas ' ha" for$e" of $o"ern $anners, of literature, an" criticis$, ' got fro$ the D/pectatorD# These, ith PopeBs *orks, so$e Plays of /hakespeare, Tull an" %ickson on 5griculture, DThe PantheonD, LockeBs DEssay on the .u$an ?n"erstan"ingD, /tackhouseBs D.istory of the BibleD, >usticeBs DBritish Gar"enerBs %irectoryD, BoyleBs DLecturesD, 5llan Ra$saysBs *orks, TaylorBs D/cripture %octrine of <riginal /inD, D5 /elect Collection of English /ongsD, an" .er!eyBs DCe"itationsD, ha" for$e" the hole of $y rea"ing# The collection of songs as $y D!a"e $ecu$D# ' pore" o!er the$, "ri!ing $y cart, or alking to labour, song by song, !erse by !erseF carefully noting the true ten"er, or subli$e, fro$ affectation an" fustian# ' a$ con!ince" ' o e to this practice $uch of $y criticEcraft, such as it is# 'n $y se!enteenth year, to gi!e $y $anners a brush, ' ent to a country "ancingEschool# Cy father ha" an unaccountable antipathy against these $eetings, an" $y going as, hat to this $o$ent ' repent, in opposition to his ishes# Cy father, as ' sai" before, as subject to strong passionsF fro$ that instance of "isobe"ience in $e, he took a sort of "islike to $e, hich, ' belie!e, as one cause of the "issipation hich $arke" $y succee"ing years# ' say "issipation, co$parati!ely ith the strictness, an" sobriety, an" regularity of presbyterian country lifeF for though the illEoBE isp $eteors of thoughtless hi$ ere al$ost the sole lights of $y path, yet early ingraine" piety an" !irtue kept $e for se!eral years after ar"s ithin the line of innocence# The great $isfortune of $y life as to ant an ai$# ' ha" felt early so$e stirrings of a$bition, but they ere the blin" gropings of .o$erBs Cyclops roun" the alls of his ca!e# ' sa $y fatherBs situation entaile" on $e perpetual labour# The only t o openings by hich ' coul" enter the te$ple of fortune ere the gate of niggar"ly econo$y, or the path of little chicaning bargainE$aking# The first is so contracte" an aperture ' ne!er coul" sJueeKe $yself into itEEthe last ' al ays hate"EEthere as conta$ination in the !ery entrance3 Thus aban"one" of ai$ or !ie in life, ith a strong appetite for sociability, as ell fro$ nati!e hilarity as fro$ a pri"e of obser!ation an" re$arkF a constitutional $elancholy or hypochon"rias$ that $a"e $e fly solitu"eF a"" to these incenti!es to social life, $y reputation for bookish kno le"ge, a certain il" logical talent, an" a strength of thought so$ething like the ru"i$ents of goo" senseF an" it ill not see$ surprising that ' as generally a elco$e guest here ' !isite", or any great on"er that al ays, here t o or three $et together, there as ' a$ong the$# But far beyon" all other i$pulses of $y heart, as Dun penchant a lBa"orable $oitie "u genre hu$ainD# Cy heart as co$pletely

tin"er, an" as eternally lighte" up by so$e go""ess or otherF an", as in e!ery other arfare in this orl", $y fortune as !ariousF so$eti$es ' as recei!e" ith fa!our, an" so$eti$es ' as $ortifie" ith a repulse# 5t the plough, scythe, or reapEhook, ' feare" no co$petitor, an" thus ' set absolute ant at "efianceF an" as ' ne!er care" further for $y labours than hile ' as in actual e-ercise, ' spent the e!enings in the ay after $y o n heart# 5 country la" sel"o$ carries on a lo!e a"!enture ithout an assisting confi"ant# ' possesse" a curiosity, Keal, an" intrepi" "e-terity that reco$$en"e" $e as a proper secon" on these occasionsF an" ' "are say ' felt as $uch pleasure in being in the secret of half the lo!es of the parish of Tarbolton, as e!er "i" states$an in kno ing the intrigues of half the courts of Europe# The !ery gooseEfeather in $y han" see$s to kno instincti!ely the ellE orn path of $y i$agination, the fa!ourite the$e of $y song, an" is ith "ifficulty restraine" fro$ gi!ing you a couple of paragraphs on the lo!eEa"!entures of $y co$peers, the hu$ble in$ates of the far$Ehouse an" cottageF but the gra!e sons of science, a$bition, or a!arice, baptise these things by the na$e of follies# To the sons an" "aughters of labour an" po!erty they are $atters of the $ost serious nature4 to the$ the ar"ent hope, the stolen inter!ie , the ten"er fare ell, are the greatest an" $ost "elicious parts of their enjoy$ents# 5nother circu$stance in $y life hich $a"e so$e alteration in $y $in" an" $anners, as, that ' spent $y nineteenth su$$er on a s$uggling coast, a goo" "istance fro$ ho$e, at a note" school, to learn $ensuration, sur!eying, "ialling, etc#, in hich ' $a"e a pretty goo" progress# But ' $a"e a greater progress in the kno le"ge of $ankin"# The contraban" tra"e as at that ti$e !ery successful, an" it so$eti$es happene" to $e to fall in ith those ho carrie" it on# /cenes of s aggering riot an" roaring "issipation ere, till this ti$e, ne to $e4 but ' as no ene$y to social life# .ere, though ' learne" to fill $y glass, an" to $i- ithout fear in a "runken sJuabble, yet ' ent on ith a high han" ith $y geo$etry, till the sun entere" ,irgo, a $onth hich is al ays a carni!al in $y boso$, hen a char$ing fillette, ho li!e" ne-t "oor to the school, o!erset $y trigono$etry, an" set $e off at a tangent fro$ the spheres of $y stu"ies# ', ho e!er, struggle" on ith $y sines an" cosines for a fe "ays $oreF but stepping into the gar"en one char$ing noon, to take the sunBs altitu"e, there ' $et $y angel, Like Proserpine gathering flo ers, .erself a fairer flo er# 't as in !ain to think of "oing any $ore goo" at school# The re$aining eek ' stai" ' "i" nothing but craKe the faculties of $y soul about her, or steal out to $eet herF an" the t o last nights of $y stay in the country, ha" sleep been a $ortal sin, the i$age of this $o"est an" innocent girl ha" kept $e guiltless# ' returne" ho$e !ery consi"erably i$pro!e"# Cy rea"ing as enlarge" ith the !ery i$portant e"ition of Tho$sonBs an" /henstoneBs *orksF ' ha" seen hu$an nature in a ne phasisF an" ' engage" se!eral of $y schoolfello s to keep up a literary correspon"ence ith $e# This i$pro!e" $e in co$position# ' ha" $et ith a collection of letters by the its of Mueen 5nneBs reign, an" ' pore" o!er the$ $ost "e!outly# ' kept copies of any of $y o n letters that please" $e, an" a co$parison bet een the$ an" the co$position of $ost of $y correspon"ents flattere" $y !anity# ' carrie" this hi$ so far, that though ' ha" not threeEfarthingsB orth of business in the orl", yet al$ost e!ery post

brought $e as $any letters as if ' ha" been a broa" plo""ing son of "ayEbook an" le"ger# Cy life flo e" on $uch in the sa$e course till $y t entyEthir" year# D,i!e lBa$our, et !i!e la bagatelleD, ere $y sole principles of action# The a""ition of t o $ore authors to $y library ga!e $e great pleasureF /terne an" CackenKieEEDTristra$ /han"yD an" the DCan of +eelingD ere $y boso$ fa!ourites# Poesy as still a "arling alk for $y $in", but it as only in"ulge" in accor"ing to the hu$our of the hour# ' ha" usually halfEaE"oKen or $ore pieces on han"4 ' took up one or other, as it suite" the $o$entary tone of the $in", an" "is$isse" the ork as it bor"ere" on fatigue# Cy passions, hen once lighte" up, rage" like so $any "e!ils, till they got !ent in rhy$eF an" then the conning o!er $y !erses, like a spell, soothe" all into Juiet3 @one of the rhy$es of those "ays are in print, e-cept &*inter, a %irge,& the el"est of $y printe" piecesF &The %eath of Poor Caillie,& &>ohn Barleycorn,& an" songs first, secon", an" thir"# /ong secon" as the ebullition of that passion hich en"e" the fore$entione" school business# Cy t entyEthir" year as to $e an i$portant era# Partly through hi$, an" partly that ' ishe" to set about "oing so$ething in life, ' joine" a fla-E"resser in a neighbouring to n G'r!ineI, to learn his tra"e# This as an unlucky affair# Cy partner as a scoun"rel of the first aterF an" to finish the hole, as e ere gi!ing a elco$e carousal to the @e (ear, the shop took fire an" burnt to ashes, an" ' as left, like a true poet, not orth a si-pence# ' as oblige" to gi!e up this sche$eF the clou"s of $isfortune ere gathering thick roun" $y fatherBs hea"F an", hat as orst of all, he as !isibly far gone in a consu$ptionF an", to cro n $y "istresses, a Dbelle filleD, ho$ ' a"ore", an" ho ha" ple"ge" her soul to $eet $e in the fiel" of $atri$ony, jilte" $e, ith peculiar circu$stances of $ortification# The finishing e!il that brought up the rear of this infernal file, as $y constitutional $elancholy being increase" to such a "egree that for three $onths ' as in a state of $in" scarcely to be en!ie" by the hopeless retches ho ha!e got their $itti$usEE&%epart fro$ $e, ye curse"#& +ro$ this a"!enture ' learne" so$ething of a to n lifeF but the principal thing hich ga!e $y $in" a turn as a frien"ship ' for$e" ith a young fello , a !ery noble character, but a hapless son of $isfortune#9L7; .e as the son of a si$ple $echanicF but a great $an in the neighbourhoo" taking hi$ un"er his patronage, ga!e hi$ a genteel e"ucation, ith a !ie of bettering his situation in life# The patron "ying just as he as rea"y to launch out into the orl", the poor fello , in "espair, ent to seaF here, after a !ariety of goo" an" ill fortune, a little before ' as acJuainte" ith hi$ he ha" been sent on shore by an 5$erican pri!ateer, on the il" coast of Connaught, strippe" of e!erything# ' cannot Juit this poor fello Bs story ithout a""ing, that he is at this ti$e $aster of a large *estE'n"iaE$an belonging to the Tha$es# .is $in" as fraught ith in"epen"ence, $agnani$ity, an" e!ery $anly !irtue# ' lo!e" an" a"$ire" hi$ to a "egree of enthusias$, an" of course stro!e to i$itate hi$# 'n so$e $easure ' succee"e"F ' ha" pri"e before, but he taught it to flo in proper channels# .is kno le"ge of the orl" as !astly superior to $ine, an" ' as all attention to learn# .e as the only $an ' e!er

sa ho as a greater fool than $yself here o$an as the presi"ing starF but he spoke of illicit lo!e ith the le!ity of a sailor, hich hitherto ' ha" regar"e" ith horror# .ere his frien"ship "i" $e a $ischief, an" the conseJuence as, that soon after ' resu$e" the plough, ' rote the &PoetBs *elco$e#& Cy rea"ing only increase" hile in this to n by t o stray !olu$es of DPa$elaD, an" one of D+er"inan" Count +atho$D, hich ga!e $e so$e i"ea of no!els# Rhy$e, e-cept so$e religious pieces that are in print, ' ha" gi!en upF but $eeting ith +ergussonBs /cottish Poe$s, ' strung ane $y il"lyEsoun"ing lyre ith e$ulating !igour# *hen $y father "ie", his all ent a$ong the hellEhoun"s that pro l in the kennel of justiceF but e $a"e a shift to collect a little $oney in the fa$ily a$ongst us, ith hich, to keep us together, $y brother an" ' took a neighbouring far$# Cy brother ante" $y hairEbraine" i$agination, as ell as $y social an" a$orous $a"nessF but in goo" sense, an" e!ery sober Jualification, he as far $y superior# ' entere" on this far$ ith a full resolution, &Co$e, go to, ' ill be ise3& ' rea" far$ing booksF ' calculate" cropsF ' atten"e" $arketsF an", in short, in spite of the "e!il, an" the orl", an" the flesh, ' belie!e ' shoul" ha!e been a ise $anF but the first year, fro$ unfortunately buying ba" see", the secon" fro$ a late har!est, e lost half our crops# This o!erset all $y is"o$, an" ' returne" &like the "og to his !o$it, an" the so that as ashe", to her allo ing in the $ire#& ' no began to be kno n in the neighbourhoo" as a $aker of rhy$es# The first of $y poetic offspring that sa the light as a burlesJue la$entation on a Juarrel bet een t o re!eren" Cal!inists, both of the$ D"ra$atis personaeD in $y &.oly +air&# ' ha" a notion $yself that the piece ha" so$e $eritF but, to pre!ent the orst, ' ga!e a copy of it to a frien", ho as !ery fon" of such things, an" tol" hi$ that ' coul" not guess ho as the author of it, but that ' thought it pretty cle!er# *ith a certain "escription of the clergy, as ell as laity, it $et ith a roar of applause# &.oly *illieBs Prayer& ne-t $a"e its appearance, an" alar$e" the kirkEsession so $uch, that they hel" se!eral $eetings to look o!er their spiritual artillery, if haply any of it $ight be pointe" against profane rhy$ers# ?nluckily for $e, $y an"erings le" $e on another si"e, ithin pointEblank shot of their hea!iest $etal# This is the unfortunate story that ga!e rise to $y printe" poe$, &The La$ent#& This as a $ost $elancholy affair, hich ' cannot yet bear to reflect on, an" ha" !ery nearly gi!en $e one or t o of the principal Jualifications for a place a$ong those ho ha!e lost the chart, an" $istaken the reckoning of rationality# ' ga!e up $y part of the far$ to $y brotherF in truth it as only no$inally $ineF an" $a"e hat little preparation as in $y po er for >a$aica# But before lea!ing $y nati!e country for e!er, ' resol!e" to publish $y poe$s# ' eighe" $y pro"uctions as i$partially as as in $y po erF ' thought they ha" $eritF an" it as a "elicious i"ea that ' shoul" be calle" a cle!er fello , e!en though it shoul" ne!er reach $y earsEEa poor negroE"ri!erEEor perhaps a !icti$ to that inhospitable cli$e, an" gone to the orl" of spirits3 ' can truly say, that, Dpau!re inconnuD as ' then as, ' ha" pretty nearly as high an i"ea of $yself an" of $y orks as ' ha!e at this $o$ent, hen the public has "eci"e" in their fa!our# 't e!er as $y opinion that the $istakes an" blun"ers, both in a rational an" religious point of !ie , of hich e see thousan"s "aily guilty, are o ing to their ignorance of the$sel!es# To kno $yself, ha" been all along $y constant stu"y# ' eighe" $yself aloneF ' balance" $yself ith othersF ' atche" e!ery $eans of infor$ation, to see ho $uch groun" ' occupie" as a $an, an" as a poetF ' stu"ie" assi"uously @atureBs "esign in $y

for$ationEE here the lights an" sha"es in $y character ere inten"e"# ' as pretty confi"ent $y poe$s oul" $eet ith so$e applauseF but at the orst, the roar of the 5tlantic oul" "eafen the !oice of censure, an" the no!elty of *est 'n"ian scenes $ake $e forget neglect# ' thre off si- hun"re" copies, of hich ' ha" got subscriptions for about three hun"re" an" fifty# Cy !anity as highly gratifie" by the reception ' $et ith fro$ the publicF an" besi"es, ' pockete", all e-penses "e"ucte", nearly t enty poun"s# This su$ ca$e !ery seasonably, as ' as thinking of in"enting $yself, for ant of $oney to procure $y passage# 5s soon as ' as $aster of nine guineas, the price of afting $e to the torri" Kone, ' took a steerage passage in the first ship that as to sail fro$ the Cly"e, for .ungry ruin ha" $e in the in"#

' ha" been for so$e "ays skulking fro$ co!ert to co!ert, un"er all the terrors of a jailF as so$e illEa"!ise" people ha" uncouple" the $erciless pack of the la at $y heels# ' ha" taken the last fare ell of $y fe frien"sF $y chest as on the roa" to GreenockF ' ha" co$pose" the last song ' shoul" e!er $easure in Cale"oniaEE&The gloo$y night is gathering fast,& hen a letter fro$ %r# Blacklock to a frien" of $ine o!erthre all $y sche$es, by opening ne prospects to $y poetic a$bition# The "octor belonge" to a set of critics, for hose applause ' ha" not "are" to hope# .is opinion, that ' oul" $eet ith encourage$ent in E"inburgh for a secon" e"ition, fire" $e so $uch, that a ay ' poste" for that city, ithout a single acJuaintance or a single letter of intro"uction# The baneful star that ha" so long she" its blasting influence in $y Kenith, for once $a"e a re!olution to the na"irF an" a kin" Pro!i"ence place" $e un"er the patronage of one of the noblest of $en, the Earl of Glencairn# D<ublieK $oi, gran" %ieu, si ja$ais je lBoublieD3 ' nee" relate no farther# 5t E"inburgh ' as in a ne orl"F ' $ingle" a$ong $any classes of $en, but all of the$ ne to $e, an" ' as all attention to &catch& the characters, an" &the $anners li!ing as they rise#& (ou can no , /ir, for$ a pretty near guess of hat sort of a ight he is ho$ for so$e ti$e you ha!e honoure" ith your correspon"ence# That an" fancy, keen sensibility an" riotous passions, $ay still $ake hi$ KigKag in his future path of life is !ery probableF but co$e hat ill, ' shall ans er for hi$ the $ost "eter$inate integrity an" honour# 5n" though his e!il star shoul" again blaKe in his $eri"ian ith tenfol" $ore "ireful influence, he $ay reluctantly ta- frien"ship ith pity, but ith no $ore# Cy $ost respectful co$pli$ents to Ciss *illia$s#9L0; The !ery elegant an" frien"ly letter she honoure" $e ith a fe "ays ago ' cannot ans er at present, as $y presence is reJuire" at E"inburgh for a eek or so, an" ' set off toE$orro # ' enclose you D.oly *illieD for the sake of gi!ing you a little further infor$ation of the affair than Cr# Creech9L6; coul" "o# 5n elegy ' co$pose" the other "ay on /ir >a$es .# Blair, if ti$e allo , ' ill transcribe# The $erit is just $e"iocre# 'f you ill oblige $e so highly, an" "o $e so $uch honour as no an" then to "rop $e a line, please "irect to $e at Cauchline# *ith the $ost grateful respect, ' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your !ery hu$ble hi$

ser!ant, R<BERT B?R@/#9L3; 9+ootnote L74 Richar" Bro n#; 9+ootnote L04 5 young poetical la"y, though not a poetess#; 9+ootnote L64 .is E"inburgh publisherF a bookseller, after ar"s Lor" Pro!ost of the city#; 9+ootnote L34 The foregoing biographical letter brings us "o n to BurnsBs 61th year#; ) ) ) )

L,'L#EETo CR# 5RC.'B5L% L5*R'E#9LL; E%'@B?RG., 0LDth 5ugustD 02:2# C( %E5R /'R,EE.ere a$ '# That is all ' can tell you of that unaccountable being, $yself# *hat ' a$ "oing no $ortal can tellF hat ' a$ thinking, ' $yself cannot tellF hat ' a$ usually saying is not orth telling# The clock is just strikingEEone, t o, three, four###t el!e, forenoonF an" here ' sit in the attic storey, the garret, ith a frien" on the right han" of $y stan"ish, a frien" hose kin"ness ' shall largely e-perience at the close of this lineEEthere, thank you3EEa frien", $y "ear La rie, hose kin"ness often $akes $e blushEEa frien" ho has $ore of the $ilk of hu$an kin"ness than all the hu$an race put together, an" hat is highly to his honour, peculiarly a frien" to the frien"less as often as they co$e his ayF in short, /ir, he is thout the least alloy a uni!ersal philanthropist, an" his $uchEbelo!e" na$e is a bottle of goo" ol" Port3 'n a eek, if hi$ an" eather ser!e, ' set out for the north, a tour to the .ighlan"s# ' ate so$e @e ha!en brothEEin other or"s, boile" $usselsEE ith Cr# +arJuharsonBs fa$ily tBother "ay# @o ' see you prick up your ears# They are all ell, an" $a"e$oiselle is particularly ell# /he begs her respects to you allEEalong ith hich please present those of your hu$ble ser!ant# ' can no $ore# ' ha!e so high a !eneration, or rather i"olatriKation, for the clerical character, that e!en a little Dfuturu$ esseD priestling, ith his Dpenna pennaeD, thro s an a e o!er $y $in" in his presence, an" shortens $y sentences into single i"eas# +are ell, an" belie!e $e to be e!er, $y "ear /ir, yours, R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote LL4 /on, an" successor, to the $inister of Lou"on#; ) ) ) )

L,'''#EETo CR# R<BERT C?'R, A'LC5R@<CA# /T'RL'@G, 68Dth 5ugustD 02:2# C( %E5R /'R,EE' inten"e" to ha!e ritten you fro$ E"inburgh, an" no rite you fro$ /tirling to $ake an e-cuse# .ere a$ ', on $y ay to 'n!erness, ith a truly original, but !ery orthy $an, a Cr# @icol, one

of the $asters of the .ighEschool in E"inburgh# ' left 5ul" Reekie yester"ay $orning, an" ha!e passe", besi"es byEe-cursions, Linlithgo , Borro stounness, +alkirk, an" here a$ ' un"oubte"ly# This $orning ' knelt at the to$b of /ir >ohn the Graha$, the gallant frien" of the i$$ortal *allaceF an" t o hours ago ' sai" a fer!ent prayer for ol" Cale"onia o!er the hole in a blue hinstone, here Robert "e Bruce fi-e" his royal stan"ar" on the banks of Bannockburn an" just no , fro$ /tirling Castle, ' ha!e seen by the setting sun the glorious prospect of the in"ings of +orth through the rich carse of /tirling, an" skirting the eJually rich carse of +alkirk# The crops are !ery strong, but so !ery late that there is no har!est e-cept a ri"ge or t o perhaps in ten $iles, all the ay ' ha!e tra!elle" fro$ E"inburgh# ' left 5n"re Bruce9L=; an" fa$ily all ell# ' ill be at least three eeks in $aking $y tour, as ' shall return by the coast, an" ha!e $any people to call for# Cy best co$pli$ents to Charles, our "ear kins$an an" fello EsaintF an" Cessrs# *# an" .# Parkers# ' hope .ughoc9L8; is going on an" prospering ith Go" an" Ciss CBCauslin# 'f ' coul" think on anything sprightly, ' shoul" let you hear e!ery other postF but a "ull, $atterEofEfact business like this scra l, the less an" sel"o$er one rites the better# 5$ong other $attersEofEfact ' shall a"" this, that ' a$ an" e!er shall be, $y "ear /ir, your oblige", R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote L=4 5 shopkeeper on the @orth Bri"ge, E"inburgh#; 9+ootnote L84 The ) ) ) ) ee .ughoc $entione" in &Poor Caillie#&;

L'N#EET< CR# G5,'@ .5C'LT<@# /T'RL'@G, D6:th 5ugustD 02:2# C( %E5R /'R,EE.ere a$ ' on $y ay to 'n!erness# ' ha!e ra$ble" o!er the rich, fertile carses of +alkirk an" /tirling, an" a$ "elighte" ith their appearance4 richly a!ing crops of heat, barley, etc#, but no har!est at all yet, e-cept, in one or t o places, an ol"E ifeBs ri"ge# (ester"ay $orning ' ro"e fro$ this to n up the $ean"ering %e!onBs banks, to pay $y respects to so$e 5yrshire folks at .ar!ieston# 5fter breakfast, e $a"e a party to go an" see the fa$ous Cau"ronElinn, a re$arkable casca"e in the %e!on, about fi!e $iles abo!e .ar!iestonF an" after spen"ing one of the $ost pleasant "ays ' e!er ha" in $y life, ' returne" to /tirling in the e!ening# They are a fa$ily, /ir, though ' ha" not ha" any prior tie, though they ha" not been the brother an" sisters of a certain generous frien" of $ine, ' oul" ne!er forget the$# ' a$ tol" you ha!e not seen the$ these se!eral years, so you can ha!e !ery little i"ea of hat these young folks are no # (our brother9L2; is as tall as you are, but slen"er rather than other iseF an" ' ha!e the satisfaction to infor$ you that he is getting the better of those consu$pti!e sy$pto$s hich ' suppose you kno ere threatening hi$# .is $ake, an" particularly his $anner, rese$ble you, but he ill ha!e a still finer face# G' put in the or" still, to please Crs# .a$ilton#I

Goo" sense, $o"esty, an" at the sa$e ti$e a just i"ea of that respect that $an o es to $an, an" has a right in his turn to e-act, are striking features in his characterF an", hat ith $e is the 5lpha an" the <$ega, he has a heart that $ight a"orn the breast of a poet3 Grace has a goo" figure, an" the look of health an" cheerfulness, but nothing else re$arkable in her person# ' scarcely e!er sa so striking a likeness as is bet een her an" your little BeenieF the $outh an" chin particularly# /he is reser!e" at firstF but as e gre better acJuainte", ' as "elighte" ith the nati!e frankness of her $anner, an" the sterling sense of her obser!ation# <f Charlotte ' cannot speak in co$$on ter$s of a"$iration4 she is not only beautiful but lo!ely# .er for$ is elegantF her features not regular, but they ha!e the s$ile of s eetness, an" the settle" co$placency of goo" nature in the highest "egreeF an" her co$ple-ion, no that she has happily reco!ere" her onte" health, is eJual to Ciss BurnetBs# 5fter the e-ercises of our ri"ing to the +alls, Charlotte as e-actly %r# %onneBs $istress4EE .er pure an" eloJuent bloo" /poke in her cheeks, an" so "istinctly rought, That one oul" al$ost say her bo"y thought# .er eyes are fascinatingF at once e-pressi!e of goo" sense, ten"erness, an" a noble $in"# ' "o not gi!e you all this account, $y goo" /ir, to flatter you# ' $ean it to reproach you# /uch relations the first peer in the real$ $ight o n ith pri"eF then hy "o you not keep up $ore correspon"ence ith these so a$iable young folksH ' ha" a thousan" Juestions to ans er about you# ' ha" to "escribe the little ones ith the $inuteness of anato$y# They ere highly "elighte" hen ' tol" the$ that >ohn9L:; as so goo" a boy, an" so fine a scholar, an" that *illie as going on still !ery prettyF but ' ha!e it in co$$ission to tell her fro$ the$, that beauty is a poor silly bauble ithout she be goo"# Ciss Chal$ers ' ha" left in E"inburgh, but ' ha" the pleasure of $eeting ith Crs# Chal$ers, only La"y CackenKie being rather a little alar$ingly ill of a sore throat so$e hat $arre" our enjoy$ent# ' shall not be in 5yrshire for four eeks# Cy $ost respectful co$pli$ents to Crs# .a$ilton, Ciss Aenne"y, an" %octor CackenKie# ' shall probably rite hi$ fro$ so$e stage or other#EE' a$ e!erF /ir, yours $ost gratefully, R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote L24 /tepEbrother, $ore correctly#; 9+ootnote L:4 This is the &*ee Curlie >ohnnie& $entione" in BurnsBs D%e"ication to Ga!in .a$ilton, EsJ#D; ) ) ) )

LN#EETo CR# *5LAER, BL5'R <+ 5T.<LE#9L1; '@,ER@E//, D=th /epte$berD 02:2# C( %E5R /'R,EE' ha!e just ti$e to rite the foregoing,9=7; an" to tell you that it as Gat least $ost part of itI the effusion of an halfEhour ' spent at Bruar# ' "o not $ean it as e-te$pore, for ' ha!e en"ea!oure" to brush it up as ell as Cr# @icolBs chat, an" the jogging of the

chaise, oul" allo # 't eases $y heart a goo" "eal, as rhy$e is the coin ith hich a poet pays his "ebts of honour or gratitu"e# *hat ' o e to the noble fa$ily of 5thole, of the first kin", ' shall e!er prou"ly boastF hat ' o e of the last, so help $e Go" in $y hour of nee"3 ' shall ne!er forget# The &little angelEban"3& ' "eclare ' praye" for the$ !ery sincerely to"ay at the +all of +yers# ' shall ne!er forget the fine fa$ilyEpiece ' sa at BlairF the a$iable, the truly noble "uchess, ith her s$iling little seraph in her lap, at the hea" of the tableF the lo!ely &oli!e plants,& as the .ebre bar" finely says, roun" the happy $otherF the beautiful Crs# GEEEF the lo!ely, s eet Ciss C#, etc# ' ish ' ha" the po ers of Gui"o to "o the$ justice3 Cy Lor" %ukeBs kin" hospitalityEE$arke"ly kin" in"ee"F Cr# Graha$ of +intryBs char$s of con!ersationF /ir *# CurrayBs frien"ship# 'n short, the recollection of all that polite, agreeable co$pany raises an honest glo in $y boso$# R# B# 9+ootnote L14 Cr# *alker as tutor to the chil"ren of the %uke of 5thole# .e after ar"s beca$e Professor of .u$anity in the ?ni!ersity of Glasgo #; 9+ootnote =74 The .u$ble Petition of Bruar *ater#; ) ) ) )

LN'#EETo .is BR<T.ER, CR# G'LBERT B?R@/, C<//G'EL# E%'@BERG, 02Dth /epte$berD 02:2# Cy %ear /ir,EE' arri!e" here safe yester"ay e!ening after a tour of t entyEt o "ays, an" tra!elling near si- hun"re" $iles, in"ings inclu"e"# Cy farthest stretch as about ten $iles beyon" 'n!erness# ' ent through the heart of the .ighlan"s by Crieff, Tay$outh, the fa$ous seat of Lor" Brea"albane, "o n the Tay, a$ong casca"es an" "rui"ical circles of stones, to %unkel", a seat of the %uke of 5tholeF thence across Tay, an" up one of his tributary strea$s to Blair of 5thole, another of the "ukeBs seats, here ' ha" the honour of spen"ing nearly t o "ays ith his grace an" fa$ilyF thence $any $iles through a il" country a$ong cliffs grey ith eternal sno s, an" gloo$y sa!age glens, till ' crosse" /pey an" ent "o n the strea$ through /trathspey, so fa$ous in /cottish $usicF Ba"enoch, etc#, till ' reache" Grant Castle, here ' spent half a "ay ith /ir >a$es Grant an" fa$ilyF an" then crosse" the country for +ort George, but calle" by the ay at Ca "or, the ancient seat of CacbethF there ' sa the i"entical be" in hich tra"ition says king %uncan as $ur"ere"4 lastly, fro$ +ort George to 'n!erness# ' returne" by the coast through @airn, +orres, an" so on, to 5ber"een, thence to /tonehi!e, here >a$es Burness, fro$ Controse, $et $e by appoint$ent# ' spent t o "ays a$ong our relations, an" foun" our aunts, >ean an" 'sabel, still ali!e, an" hale ol" o$en# >ohn Cairn, though born the sa$e year ith our father, alks as !igorously as ' can4 they ha!e ha" se!eral letters fro$ his son in @e (ork# *illia$ Bran" is like ise a stout ol" fello F but further particulars ' "elay till ' see you, hich ill be in t o or three eeks# The rest of $y stages are not orth rehearsingF ar$ as ' as for <ssianBs country, here ' ha" seen his !ery gra!e, hat care" ' for fishingEto ns or fertile carsesH '

slept at the fa$ous Bro"ie of Bro"ieBs one night, an" "ine" at Gor"on Castle ne-t "ay, ith the %uke, %uchess, an" fa$ily# ' a$ thinking to cause $y ol" $are to $eet $e, by $eans of >ohn Ronal", at Glasgo F but you shall hear farther fro$ $e before ' lea!e E"inburgh# Cy "uty an" $any co$pli$ents fro$ the north to $y $otherF an" $y brotherly co$pli$ents to the rest# ' ha!e been trying for a berth for *illia$,9=0; but a$ not likely to be successful# +are ell# R# B# 9+ootnote =04 Their youngest brother, after ar"s a journey$an sa""ler#; ) ) ) )

LN''#EET< CR# P5TR'CA C'LLER,9=6; %5L/*'@T<@# E%'@B?RG., 67Dth <ctD#, 02:2# /'R,EE' as spen"ing a fe "ays at /ir *illia$ CurrayBs, <chtertyre, an" "i" not get your obliging letter till toE"ay ' ca$e to to n# ' as still $ore unlucky in catching a $iserable col", for hich the $e"ical gentle$en ha!e or"ere" $e into close confine$ent un"er pain of "eathEE the se!erest of penalties# 'n t o or three "ays, if ' get better, an" if ' hear at your lo"gings that you are still at %als inton, ' ill take a ri"e to %u$fries "irectly# +ro$ so$ething in your last, ' oul" ish to e-plain $y i"ea of being your tenant# ' ant to be a far$er in a s$all far$, about a ploughEgang, in a pleasant country, un"er the auspices of a goo" lan"lor"# ' ha!e no foolish notion of being a tenant on easier ter$s than another# To fin" a far$ here one can li!e at all is not easyEE' only $ean li!ing soberly, like an ol"Estyle far$er, an" joining personal in"ustry# The banks of the @ith are as s eet poetic groun" as any ' e!er sa F an" besi"es, /ir, Btis but justice to the feelings of $y o n heart an" the opinion of $y best frien"s, to say that ' oul" ish to call you lan"lor" sooner than any lan"e" gentle$an ' kno # These are $y !ie s an" ishesF an" in hate!er ay you think best to lay out your far$s ' shall be happy to rent one of the$# ' shall certainly be able to ri"e to %als inton about the $i""le of ne-t eek, if ' hear that you are not gone#EE' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your oblige" hu$ble ser!ant, R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote =64 .is future lan"lor", at Ellislan"#; ) ) ) )

LN'''#ETo RE,# ><.@ /A'@@ER# E"inburgh, D<ctoberD 6=DthD, 02:2# Re!eren" an" ,enerable /ir,EE5ccept, in plain, "ull prose, $y $ost sincere thanks for the best poetical co$pli$ent ' e!er recei!e"# ' assure you, /ir, as a poet, you ha!e conjure" up an airy "e$on of !anity in $y fancy, hich the best abilities in your other capacity oul" be ill able to lay# ' regret, an" hile ' li!e ' shall regret, that hen ' as in the north ' ha" not the pleasure of paying a younger brotherBs "utiful respect to the author of the best /cotch song e!er /cotlan" sa EE&Tullochgoru$Bs $y "elight3& The orl" $ay think slightingly of the craft of songE$aking if they pleaseF but, as >ob saysEE&< that $ine a"!ersary ha" ritten a book3&EElet the$ try# There is a certain so$ething in the ol" /cotch songs, a il" happiness of thought an"

e-pression, hich peculiarly $arks the$, not only fro$ English songs, but also fro$ the $o"ern efforts of songE rights, in our nati!e $anner an" language# The only re$ains of this enchant$ent, these spells of the i$agination, rest ith you# <ur true brother, Ross of Lochlee, as like ise &o re cannie&EEa & il" arlock&EEbut no he sings a$ong the &sons of the $orning#& ' ha!e often ishe", an" ill certainly en"ea!our, to for$ a kin" of co$$on acJuaintance a$ong all the genuine sons of Cale"onian song# The orl", busy in lo prosaic pursuits, $ay o!erlook $ost of usF but &re!erence thyself#& The orl" is not our DpeersD so e challenge the jury# *e can lash that orl", an" fin" oursel!es a !ery great source of a$use$ent an" happiness in"epen"ent of that orl"# There is a ork9=3; going on in E"inburgh, just no , hich clai$s your best assistance# 5n engra!er in this to n has set about collecting an" publishing all the /cotch songs, ith the $usic, that can be foun"# /ongs in the English language, if by /cotch$en, are a"$itte", but the $usic $ust all be /cotch# %rs# Beattie an" Blacklock are len"ing a han", an" the first $usician in to n presi"es o!er that "epart$ent# ' ha!e been absolutely craKe" about it, collecting ol" stanKas, an" e!ery infor$ation re$aining respecting their origin, authors, etc#, etc# This last is but a !ery frag$ent businessF but at the en" of his secon" nu$berEEthe first is alrea"y publishe"EEa s$all account ill be gi!en of the authors, particularly to preser!e those of latter ti$es# (our three songs, &Tullochgoru$,& &>ohn of Ba"enyon,& an" &E ie iB the crookit .orn,& go in this secon" nu$ber# ' as "eter$ine", before ' got your letter, to rite you, begging that you oul" let $e kno here the e"itions of these pieces $ay be foun" as you oul" ish the$ to continue in future ti$es4 an" if you oul" be so kin" to this un"ertaking as sen" any songs, of your o n or others, that you oul" think proper to publish, your na$e ill be inserte" a$ong the other authors# &@ill ye, ill ye,& oneEhalf of /cotlan" alrea"y gi!e your songs to other authors# Paper is "one# ' beg to hear fro$ youF the sooner the better, as ' lea!e E"inburgh in a fortnight or three eeks#EE' a$, ith the ar$est sincerity, /ir, your oblige" hu$ble /er!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote =34 >ohnsonBs DCusical Cuseu$D#; ) ) ) )

LN',#EETo Ciss C5RG5RET C.5LCER/, .5R,'E/T<@# G5+TER*5R%/ CR/# .5(, <+ E%'@B?RG.#I D<ctD# 68, 02:2# ' sen" Charlotte the first nu$ber of the songsF ' oul" not ait for the secon" nu$berF ' hate "elays in little $arks of frien"ship, as ' hate "issi$ulation in the language of the heart# ' a$ "eter$ine" to pay Charlotte a poetic co$pli$ent, if ' coul" hit on so$e glorious ol" /cotch air, in nu$ber secon"#9=L; (ou ill see a s$all atte$pt on a shre" of paper in the bookF but though %r# Blacklock co$$en"e" it !ery highly, ' a$ not just satisfie" ith it $yself# ' inten" to $ake it a "escription of so$e kin"4 the hining cant of lo!e, e-cept in real passion, an" by a $asterly han", is to $e as insufferable as the preaching cant of ol" +ather /$eaton, higE$inister at Ail$aurs# %arts, fla$es, cupi"s, lo!es, graces, an" all that farrago, are just a CauchlineEEa senseless rabble#

' got an e-cellent poetic epistle yesternight fro$ the ol", !enerable author of &Tullochgoru$,& &>ohn of Ba"enyon,& etc# ' suppose you kno he is a clergy$an# 't is by far the finest poetic co$pli$ent ' e!er got# ' ill sen" you a copy of it# ' go on Thurs"ay or +ri"ay to %u$fries, to ait on Cr# Ciller about his far$s# %o tell that to La"y CackenKie, that she $ay gi!e $e cre"it for a little is"o$# &', *is"o$, " ell ith Pru"ence#& *hat a blesse" firesi"e3 .o happy shoul" ' be to pass a inter e!ening un"er their !enerable roof3 an" s$oke a pipe of tobacco, or "rink aterEgruel ith the$3 *hat sole$n, lengthene", laughterEJuashing gra!ity of phiK3 *hat sage re$arks on the goo"EforEnothing sons an" "aughters of in"iscretion an" folly3 5n" hat frugal lessons, as e straitene" the firesi"e circle, on the uses of the poker an" tongs3 Ciss @# is !ery ell, an" begs to be re$e$bere" in the ol" ay to you# ' use" all $y eloJuence, all the persuasi!e flourishes of the han", an" heartE$elting $o"ulation of perio"s in $y po er, to urge her out to .ar!ieston, but all in !ain# Cy rhetoric see$s Juite to ha!e lost its effect on the lo!ely half of $ankin"# ' ha!e seen the "ayEEbut this is &a tale of other years#& 'n $y conscience ' belie!e that $y heart has been so oft on fire that it is absolutely !itrifie"# ' look on the seith so$ething like the a"$iration ith hich ' regar" the starry sky in a frosty %ece$ber night# ' a"$ire the beauty of the CreatorBs ork$anshipF ' a$ char$e" ith the il" but graceful eccentricity of their $otions, an"EE ish the$ goo"Enight# ' $ean this ith respect to a certain passion D"ont jBat eu lBhonneur "Betre un $iserable escla!eD# 5s for frien"ship, you an" Charlotte ha!e gi!en $e pleasure, per$anent pleasure, & hich the orl" cannot gi!e, nor take a ay,& ' hope, an" hich ill outlast the hea!ens an" the earth# R# B# 9+ootnote =L4 <f the /cots DCusical Cuseu$D#; ) ) ) )

LN,#EETo CR/# %?@L<P <+ %?@L<P .<?/E, /TE*5RT<@# E"in#, LDth @o!D# 02:2# Ca"a$,EE### *hen you talk of correspon"ence an" frien"ship to $e, you "o $e too $uch honourF but, as ' shall soon be at $y onte" leisure an" rural occupation, if any re$ark on hat ' ha!e rea" or seen, or any ne rhy$e that ' $ay t ist, be orth the hile ### you shall ha!e it ith all $y heart an" soul# 't reJuires no co$$on e-ertion of goo" sense an" philosophy in persons of ele!ate" rank to keep a frien"ship properly ali!e ith one $uch their inferior# E-ternals, things holly e-traneous of the $an, steal upon the hearts an" ju"g$ents of al$ost, if not altogether, all $ankin"F nor "o ' kno $ore than one instance of a $an ho fully regar"s all the orl" as a stage an" all the $en an" o$en $erely players, an" ho Gthe "ancingEschool bo e-cepte"I only !alues these players, the D"ra$atis personaeD ho buil" cities an" ho rear he"ges, ho go!ern pro!inces or superinten" flocks, D$erely as they act their partsD# +or the honour of 5yrshire this $an is Professor %ugal" /te art of Catrine# To hi$ ' $ight perhaps a"" another instance, a Popish bishop, Ge""es of E"inburgh#### ' e!er coul" ill en"ure those ### beasts of prey ho foul the hallo e" groun" of religion ith their nocturnal pro lingsF an" if the prosecution against $y orthy frien",

%r# CcGill, goes on, ' shall keep no $easure ith the sa!ages, but fly at the$ ith the DfauconsD of ri"icule, or run the$ "o n ith the bloo"houn"s of satire as la ful ga$e here!er ' start the$# ' e-pect to lea!e E"inburgh in eight or ten "ays, an" shall certainly "o $yself the honour of calling at %unlop .ouse as ' return to 5yrshire#EE' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, your oblige" hu$ble /er!ant, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) )

LN,'#EETo CR# >5CE/ .<(,9==; G<R%<@ C5/TLE# E"inburg, 8Dth @o!e$berD 02:2# %ear /ir,EE' oul" ha!e rote you i$$e"iately on receipt of your kin" letter, but a $i-e" i$pulse of gratitu"e an" estee$ hispere" to $e that ' ought to sen" you so$ething by ay of return# *hen a poet o es anything, particularly hen he is in"ebte" for goo" offices, the pay$ent that usually recurs to hi$EEthe only coin, in"ee", in hich he is probably con!ersantEEis rhy$e# >ohnson sen"s the books by the fly, as "irecte", an" begs $e to inclose his $ost grateful thanks4 $y return ' inten"e" shoul" ha!e been one or t o poetic bagatelles hich the orl" ha!e not seen, or, perhaps, for ob!ious seasons, cannot see# These ' shall sen" you before ' lea!e E"inburgh# They $ay $ake you laugh a little, hich, on the hole, is no ba" ay of spen"ing oneBs precious hours an" still $ore precious breath# 5t any rate, they ill be, though a s$all, yet a !ery sincere $ark of $y respectful estee$ for a gentle$an hose farther acJuaintance ' shoul" look upon as a peculiar obligation# The %ukeBs song, in"epen"ent totally of his "ukeship, char$s $e# There is ' kno not hat of il" happiness of thought an" e-pression peculiarly beautiful in the ol" /cottish song style, of hich his Grace, ol" !enerable /kinner, the author of &Tullochgoru$,& etc#, an" the late Ross, at Lochlee, of true /cottish poetic $e$ory, are the only $o"ern instances that ' recollect, since Ra$say, ith his conte$poraries, an" poor Bob +ergusson, ent to the orl" of "eathless e-istence an" truly i$$ortal song# The $ob of $ankin", that $anyEhea"e" beast, oul" laugh at so serious a speech about an ol" songF but, as >ob says, &< that $ine a"!ersary ha" ritten a book3& Those ho think that co$posing a /cotch song is a trifling businessEElet the$ try# ' ish $y Lor" %uke oul" pay a proper attention to the Christian a"$onition, &.i"e not your can"le un"er a bushel,& but &let your light shine before $en#& ' coul" na$e halfEaE"oKen %ukes that ' guess are a "eal orse e$ploye"F nay, ' Juestion if there are halfEaE"oKen better4 perhaps there are not half that scanty nu$ber ho$ .ea!en has fa!oure" ith the tuneful, happy, an", ' ill say, glorious gift#EE' a$, "ear /ir, your oblige" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote ==4 Librarian to the %uke of Gor"on#; ) ) ) )

LN,''#ETo T.E E5RL <+ GLE@C5'R@# E"inburg, GDEn" ofD 02:2#I

Cy Lor",EE' kno your lor"ship ill "isappro!e of $y i"eas in a reJuest ' a$ going to $ake to youF but ' ha!e eighe", long an" seriously eighe", $y situation, $y hopes, an" turn of $in", an" a$ fully fi-e" to $y sche$e, if ' can possibly effectuate it# ' ish to get into the E-cise4 ' a$ tol" that your lor"shipBs interest ill easily procure $e the grant fro$ the co$$issionersF an" your lor"shipBs patronage an" goo"ness, hich ha!e alrea"y rescue" $e fro$ obscurity, retche"ness, an" e-ile, e$bol"en $e to ask that interest# (ou ha!e like ise put it in $y po er to sa!e the little tie of ho$e that sheltere" an age" $other, t o brothers, an" three sisters fro$ "estruction# There, $y lor", you ha!e boun" $e o!er to the highest gratitu"e# Cy brotherBs far$ is but a retche" lease, but ' think he ill probably eather out the re$aining se!en years of itF an" after the assistance hich ' ha!e gi!en, an" ill gi!e hi$, to keep the fa$ily together, ' think, by $y guess, ' shall ha!e rather better than t o hun"re" poun"s, an" instea" of seeking, hat is al$ost i$possible at present to fin", a far$ that ' can certainly li!e by, ith so s$all a stock, ' shall lo"ge this su$ in a bankingEhouse, a sacre" "eposit, e-cepting only the calls of unco$$on "istress or necessitous ol" age# These, $y lor", are $y !ie s4 ' ha!e resol!e" fro$ the $aturest "eliberationF an" no ' a$ fi-e", ' shall lea!e no stone unturne" to carry $y resol!e into e-ecution# (our lor"shipBs patronage is the strength of $y hopesF nor ha!e ' yet applie" to anybo"y else# 'n"ee" $y heart sinks ithin $e at the i"ea of applying to any other of the great ho ha!e honoure" $e ith their countenance# ' a$ illEJualifie" to "og the heels of greatness ith the i$pertinence of solicitation, an" tre$ble nearly as $uch at the thought of the col" pro$ise as the col" "enialF but to your lor"ship ' ha!e not only the honour, the co$fort, but the pleasure of being your lor"shipBs $uch oblige" an" "eeply in"ebte" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# ) ) ) )

LN,'''EETo Ciss C.5LCER/# E"inburgh, D@o!D# 60, 02:2# ' ha!e one !e-atious fault to the kin"ly, elco$e, ellEfille" sheet hich ' o e to your an" CharlotteBs goo"nessEEit contains too $uch sense, senti$ent, an" goo" spelling# 't is i$possible that e!en you t o, ho$, ' "eclare to $y Go", ' ill gi!e cre"it for any "egree of e-cellence the se- are capable of attainingEit is i$possible you can go on to correspon" at that rateF so, like those ho, /henstone says, retire because they ha!e $a"e a goo" speech, ' shall, after a fe letters, hear no $ore of you# ' insist that you shall rite hate!er co$es firstEE hat you see, hat you rea", hat you hear, hat you a"$ire, hat you "islike, trifles, bagatelles, nonsenseF or, to fill up a corner, eBen put "o n a laugh at full length# @o , none of your polite hints about flatteryF ' lea!e that to your lo!ers, if you ha!e or shall ha!e anyF though, thank hea!en, ' ha!e foun" at last t o girls ho can be lu-uriantly happy in their o n $in"s an" ith one another, ithout that co$$only necessary appen"age to fe$ale blissEE5 L<,ER# Charlotte an" you are just t o fa!ourite restingEplaces for $y soul in her an"erings through the eary, thorny il"erness of this orl"# Go"

kno s, ' a$ illEfitte" for the struggle4 ' glory in being a poet, an" ' ant to be thought a ise $anEE' oul" fon"ly be generous, an" ' be rich# 5fter all, ' a$ afrai" ' a$ a lost subject# &/o$e folk hae a hantle oB faults, an" 'B$ but a neBerE"oE ell&#

ish to

D5fternoonD#EETo close the $elancholy reflections at the en" of last sheet, ' shall just a"" a piece of "e!otion, co$$only kno n in Carrick by the title of the &*absterBs grace&4EE /o$e say eBre thie!es, an" eBen sae are e, /o$e say e lie, an" eBen sae "o e3 Gu"e forgie us, an" ' hope sae ill he3 ?p an" to your loo$s, la"s# R# B# ) ) ) )

LN'N#EET< C'// C.5LCER/# E"inburgh, D%ecD# 06, 02:2# ' a$ here un"er the care of a surgeon, ith a bruise" li$b e-ten"e" on a cushion, an" the tints of $y $in" !ieing ith the li!i" horror prece"ing a $i"night thun"erstor$# 5 "runken coach$an as the cause of the first, an" inco$parably the lightest e!ilF $isfortune, bo"ily constitution, hell, an" $yself ha!e for$e" a &Jua"ruple alliance& to guarantee the other# ' got $y fall on /atur"ay, an" a$ getting slo ly better# ' ha!e taken tooth an" nail to the Bible, an" a$ got through the fi!e books of Coses, an" half ay in >oshua# 't is really a glorious book# ' sent for $y bookbin"er to"ay, an" or"ere" hi$ to get $e an octa!o Bible in sheets, the best paper an" print in to n, an" bin" it ith all the elegance of his craft# ' oul" gi!e $y best song to $y orst ene$yEE' $ean the $erit of $aking itEEto ha!e you an" Charlotte by $e# (ou are angelic creatures, an" oul" pour oil an" ine into $y oun"e" spirit# ' inclose you a proof copy of the &Banks of the %e!on&, hich present ith $y best ishes to Charlotte# The &<chil .ills&9=8; you shall probably ha!e ne-t eek for yourself# @one of your fine speeches3 R# B# 9+ootnote =84 The song in honour of Ciss Chal$ers, beginning, &*here, bra!ing angry interBs stor$s&#; ) ) ) )

LNN#EET< C'// C.5LCER/# E"inburgh, 01Dth %ecD# 02:2# ' begin this letter in ans er to yours of the 02th current, hich is not yet col" since ' rea" it# The at$osphere of $y soul is !astly clearer than hen ' rote you last# +or the first ti$e, yester"ay ' crosse" the roo$ on crutches# 't oul" "o your heart goo" to see $y har"ship, not on $y poetic, but on $y oaken stiltsF thro ing $y best leg ith an air3 an"

ith as $uch hilarity in $y gait an" countenance, as a Cay frog leaping across the ne lyEharro e" ri"ge, enjoying the fragrance of the refreshe" earth, after the longEe-pecte" sho er3 ' canBt say ' a$ altogether at $y ease hen ' see any here in $y path that $eagre, sJuali", fa$ineEface" spectre, po!ertyF atten"e" as he al ays is, by ironEfiste" oppression, an" leering conte$ptF but ' ha!e stur"ily ithstoo" his buffetings $any a har"Elaboure" "ay alrea"y, an" still $y $otto isEE' %5RE3 Cy orst ene$y is D$oi $e$eD# ' lie so $iserably open to the inroa"s an" incursions of a $ischie!ous, lightEar$e", ellE$ounte" ban"itti, un"er the banners of i$agination, hi$, caprice, an" passionF an" the hea!yEar$e" !eteran regulars of is"o$, pru"ence, an" forethought $o!e so !ery, !ery slo , that ' a$ al$ost in a state of perpetual arfare, an", alas3 freJuent "efeat# There are just t o creatures ' oul" en!y, a horse in his il" state tra!ersing the forests of 5sia, or an oyster on so$e of the "esert shores of Europe# The one has not a ish ithout enjoy$ent, the other has neither ish nor fear# R# B# ) ) ) )

LNN'#EET< CR# R'C.5R% BR<*@, 'R,'@E# E"inburgh, 37Dth %ecD# 02:2# Cy %ear /ir,EE' ha!e $et ith fe things in life hich ha!e gi!en $e $ore pleasure, than +ortuneBs kin"ness to you since those "ays in hich e $et in the !ale of $iseryF as ' can honestly say, that ' ne!er kne a $an ho $ore truly "eser!e" it, or to ho$ $y heart $ore truly ishe" it# ' ha!e been $uch in"ebte", since that ti$e, to your story an" senti$ents for steeling $y $in" against e!ils, of hich ' ha!e ha" a pretty "ecent share# Cy illEoBE isp fate you kno 4 "o you recollect a /un"ay e spent together in Eglinton oo"sH (ou tol" $e, on $y repeating so$e !erses to you, that you on"ere" ' coul" resist the te$ptation of sen"ing !erses of such $erit to a $agaKine# 't as fro$ this re$ark ' "eri!e" that i"ea of $y o n pieces, hich encourage" $e to en"ea!our at the character of a poet# ' a$ happy to hear that you ill be t o or three $onths at ho$e# 5s soon as a bruise" li$b ill per$it $e ' shall return to 5yrshire, an" e shall $eetF &an" faith, ' hope eBll not sit "u$b, nor yet cast out3& ' ha!e $uch to tell you &of $en, their $anners, an" their ays,& perhaps a little of the other se-# 5propos, ' beg to be re$e$bere" to Crs# Bro n# There, ' "oubt not, $y "ear frien", but you ha!e foun" substantial happiness# ' e-pect to fin" you so$ething of an altere" but not a "ifferent $anF the il", bol", generous young fello co$pose" into the stea"y affectionate husban", an" the fon" careful parent# +or $e, ' a$ just the sa$e illEoBE isp being ' use" to be# 5bout the first an" fourth Juarters of the $oon, ' generally set in for the tra"e in" of is"o$F but about the full an" change, ' a$ the luckless !icti$ of $a" torna"oes, hich blo $e into chaos# 5l$ighty lo!e still reigns an" re!els in $y boso$F an" ' a$ at this $o$ent rea"y to hang $yself for a young E"inburgh i"o ,9=2; ho has it an" is"o$ $ore $ur"erously fatal than the assassinating stiletto of the /icilian ban"it, or the poisone" arro of the sa!age 5frican# Cy .ighlan" "irk, that use" to hang besi"e $y crutches, ' ha!e gra!ely re$o!e" into a neighbouring closet, the key of hich ' cannot co$$an", in case of springEti"e paro-ys$s# Cy best

co$pli$ents to our frien" 5llan# 5"ieu3 R# B# 9+ootnote =24 The earliest allusion to Clarin"a GCrs# CBLehoseI# .er husban" as ali!e, in the *est 'n"ies#; ) ) ) )

LNN''EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E"inburg, D>anuaryD 60, 02::# 5fter si- eeksB confine$ent, ' a$ beginning to alk across the roo$# They ha!e been si- horrible eeksF anguish an" lo spirits $a"e $e unfit to rea", rite, or think# ' ha!e a hun"re" ti$es ishe" that one coul" resign life as an officer resigns a co$$issionF for ' oul" not take in any poor, ignorant retch by selling out# Lately ' as a si-penny pri!ate, an", Go" kno s, a $iserable sol"ier enoughF no ' $arch to the ca$paign, a star!ing ca"etF a little $ore conspicuously retche"# ' a$ asha$e" of all thisF for though ' "o ant bra!ery for the arfare of life, ' coul" ish, like so$e other sol"iers, to ha!e as $uch fortitu"e or cunning as to "isse$ble or conceal $y co ar"ice# 5s soon as ' can bear the journey, hich ill be, ' suppose, about the $i""le of ne-t eek, ' lea!e E"inburghF an" soon after ' shall pay $y grateful "uty at %unlop .ouse# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

LNN'''#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# E%'@B?RG., D+ebruaryD 06, 02::# /o$e things in your late letters hurt $eEEnot that Dyou say the$D, but that Dyou $istake $eD# Religion, $y honoure" Ca"a$, has not only been all $y life $y chief "epen"ance, but $y "earest enjoy$ent# ' ha!e, in"ee", been the luckless !icti$ of ay ar" folliesF but, alas3 ' ha!e e!er been &$ore fool than kna!e#& 5 $athe$atician ithout religion is a probable characterF an irreligious poet is a $onster# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

LNN',#EET< T.E RE,# ><.@ /A'@@ER# E%'@B?RG., 0LDth +ebruaryD 02::# Re!eren" an" %ear /ir,EE' ha!e been a cripple no near three $onths, though ' a$ getting !astly better, an" ha!e been !ery $uch hurrie" besi"e, or else ' oul" ha!e rote you sooner# ' $ust beg your par"on for the epistle you sent $e appearing in the CagaKine# ' ha" gi!en a copy or t o to so$e of $y inti$ate frien"s, but "i" not kno of the printing of it till the publication of the CagaKine# .o e!er, as it "oes great honour to us both, you ill forgi!e it#

The secon" !olu$e of the songs ' $entione" to you in $y last is publishe" toE"ay# ' sen" you a copy, hich ' beg you ill accept as a $ark of the !eneration ' ha!e long ha", an" shall e!er ha!e, for your character, an" of the clai$ ' $ake to your continue" acJuaintance# (our songs appear in the thir" !olu$e, ith your na$e in the in"e-F as ' assure you, /ir, ' ha!e hear" your &Tullochgoru$,& particularly a$ong our estEcountry folks, gi!en to $any "ifferent na$es, an" $ost co$$only to the i$$ortal author of &The Cinstrel,& ho, in"ee", ne!er rote any thing superior to &GieBs a sang, Contgo$ery crie"#& (our brother9=:; has pro$ise" $e your !erses to the CarJuis of .untleyBs reel, hich certainly "eser!e a place in the collection# Cy kin" host, Cr# Cruikshank, of the .igh /chool here, an" sai" to be one of the best Latins in this age, begs $e to $ake you his grateful ackno le"g$ents for the entertain$ent he has got in a Latin publication of yours, that ' borro e" for hi$ fro$ your acJuaintance an" $uchErespecte" frien" in this place, the Re!# %r# *ebster# Cr# Cruikshank $aintains that you rite the best Latin since Buchanan# ' lea!e E"inburgh toE$orro , but shall return in three eeks# (our song you $entione" in your last, to the tune of &%u$barton %ru$s,& an" the other, hich you say as "one by a brother in tra"e of $ine, a plough$an, ' shall thank you for a copy of each# ' a$ e!er, Re!eren" /ir, ith the $ost respectful estee$ an" sincere !eneration, yours, R# B# 9+ootnote =:4 .alfEbrother, >a$es, a riter to the /ignet#; ) ) ) )

LNN,#EET< CR/# R</E, <+ A'LR5,<CA# E%'@B?RG., D+ebruaryD 02DthD, 02::# C5%5C,EE(ou are $uch in"ebte" to so$e in"ispensable business ' ha!e ha" on $y han"s, other ise $y gratitu"e threatene" such a return for your obliging fa!our, as oul" ha!e tire" your patience# 't but poorly e-presses $y feelings to say, that ' a$ sensible of your kin"ness4 it $ay be sai" of hearts such as yours is, an" such, ' hope, $ine is, $uch $ore justly than 5""ison applies it,EE /o$e souls by instinct to each other turn# There as so$ething in $y reception at Ailra!ock so "ifferent fro$ the col", obseJuious, "ancingEschool bo of politeness, that it al$ost got into $y hea" that frien"ship ha" occupie" her groun" ithout the inter$e"iate $arch of acJuaintance# ' ish ' coul" transcribe, or rather transfuse into language, the glo of $y heart hen ' rea" your letter# Cy rea"y fancy, ith colours $ore $ello than life itself, painte" the beautifully il" scenery of Ailra!ockEEthe !enerable gran"eur of the castleEEthe sprea"ing oo"sEEthe in"ing ri!er, gla"ly lea!ing his unsightly, heathy source, an" lingering ith apparent "elight as he passes the fairy alk at the botto$ of the gar"enFEEyour late "istressful an-ietiesEEyour present enjoy$entsEEyour "ear little angel, the pri"e of your hopesFEE$y age" frien", !enerable in orth an" years, hose loyalty an" other !irtues ill strongly entitle her to the support of the 5l$ighty /pirit here, an" .is peculiar fa!our in a happier state of e-istence# (ou cannot i$agine, Ca"a$, ho $uch such feelings "elight $eF they are $y "earest proofs of $y o n i$$ortality# /houl" ' ne!er re!isit the north, as probably ' ne!er ill, nor again see your hospitable $ansion, ere ', so$e t enty years hence, to see your little

fello Bs na$e $aking a proper figure in a ne spaper paragraph, $y heart oul" boun" ith pleasure# ' a$ assisting a frien" in a collection of /cottish songs, set to their proper tunesF e!ery air orth preser!ing is to be inclu"e"F a$ong others ' ha!e gi!en &Corag,& an" so$e fe .ighlan" airs hich please" $e $ost, a "ress hich ill be $ore generally kno n, though far, far inferior in real $erit# 5s a s$all $ark of $y grateful estee$, ' beg lea!e to present you ith a copy of the ork, as far as it is printe"F the Can of +eeling, that first of $en, has pro$ise" to trans$it it by the first opportunity# ' beg to be re$e$bere" $ost respectfully to $y !enerable frien", an" to your little .ighlan" chieftain# *hen you see the &t o fair spirits of the hill,& at Ail"ru$$ie, tell the$ that ' ha!e "one $yself the honour of setting $yself "o n as one of their a"$irers for at least t enty years to co$e, conseJuently they $ust look upon $e as an acJuaintance for the sa$e perio"F but, as the 5postle Paul says, &this ' ask of grace, not of "ebt#&EE' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, etc#, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) )

LNN,'ETo R'C.5R% BR<*@, GREE@<CA# C<//G'EL, 6LDth +ebruaryD 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EE' cannot get the proper "irection for $y frien" in >a$aica, but the follo ing ill "o4EETo Cr, >o# .utchinson, at >o# Bro nriggBs, EsJ#, care of Cr# Benja$in .enriJueK, $erchant, <range /treet, Aingston# ' arri!e" here, at $y brotherBs, only yester"ay, after fighting $y ay through Paisley an" Ail$arnock, against those ol" po erful foes of $ine, the "e!il, the orl", an" the fleshEEso terrible in the fiel"s of "issipation# ' ha!e $et ith fe inci"ents in $y life hich ga!e $e so $uch pleasure as $eeting you in Glasgo # There is a ti$e of life beyon" hich e cannot for$ a tie orth the na$e of frien"ship, &< youth3 enchanting stage, profusely blest#& Life is a fairy scene4 al$ost all that "eser!es the na$e of enjoy$ent or pleasure is only a char$ing "elusionF an" in co$es repining age, in all the gra!ity of hoary is"o$, an" retche"ly chases a ay the be itching phanto$# *hen ' think of life, ' resol!e to keep a strict lookEout in the course of econo$y, for the sake of orl"ly con!enience an" in"epen"ence of $in"F to culti!ate inti$acy ith a fe of the co$panions of youth, that they $ay be the frien"s of ageF ne!er to refuse $y liJuorish hu$our a han"ful of the s eet$eats of life, hen they co$e not too "earF an", for futurity,EE The present $o$ent is our ain, The neist e ne!er sa 3 .o like you $y philosophyH Gi!e $y best co$pli$ents to Crs# B#, an" belie!e $e to be, $y "ear /ir, yours $ost truly, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) )

LNN,''#EETo CR# *'LL'5C CR?'A/.5@A#9=1; C5?C.L'@E, DCarchD 3Dr"D, 02::# Cy "ear /ir,EE5pologies for not riting are freJuently like apologies

for not singingEEthe apology better than the song# ' ha!e fought $y ay se!erely through the sa!age hospitality of this country, the object of all hosts being to sen" e!ery guest "runk to be" if they can# ' e-ecute" your co$$ission in Glasgo , an" ' hope the cocoa ca$e safe# BT as the sa$e price an" the !ery sa$e kin" as your for$er parcel, for the gentle$an recollecte" your buying there perfectly ell# ' /houl" return $y thanks for your hospitality G' lea!e a blank for the epithet, as ' kno none can "o it justiceI to a poor, ayfaring bar", ho as spent an" al$ost o!erpo ere" fighting ith prosaic icke"ness in high placesF but ' a$ afrai" lest you shoul" burn the letter hene!er you co$e to the passage, so ' pass o!er it in silence# ' a$ just returne" fro$ !isiting Cr# CillerBs far$# The frien" ho$ ' tol" you ' oul" take ith $e as highly please" ith the far$F an" as he is, ithout e-ception, the $ost intelligent far$er in the country, he has staggere" $e a goo" "eal# ' ha!e the t o plans of life before $eF ' shall balance the$ to the best of $y ju"g$entF an" fi- on the $ost eligible# ' ha!e ritten Cr# Ciller, an" shall ait on hi$ hen ' co$e to to n, hich shall be the beginning or $i""le of ne-t eek4 ' oul" be in sooner, but $y unlucky knee is rather orse, an" ' fear for so$e ti$e ill scarcely stan" the fatigue of $y E-cise instructions# ' only $ention these i"eas to you, an", in"ee", e-cept Cr# 5inslie, ho$ ' inten" riting to to$orro , ' ill not rite at all to E"inburgh till ' return to it# ' oul" sen" $y co$pli$ents to Cr# @icol, but he oul" be hurt if he kne ' rote to anybo"y an" not to hi$F so ' shall only beg $y best, kin"est, kin"est co$pli$ents to $y orthy hostess, an" the s eet little roseEbu"# /o soon as ' a$ settle" in the routine of life, either as an E-ciseEofficer, or as a far$er, ' propose $yself great pleasure fro$ a regular correspon"ence ith the only $an al$ost ' e!er sa , ho joine" the $ost attenti!e pru"ence ith the ar$est generosity# ' a$ $uch intereste" for that best of $en, Cr# *oo"F ' hope he is in better health an" spirits than hen ' sa hi$ last#EE' a$ e!er, $y "earest frien", your oblige", hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote =14 <ne of the $asters of the .igh /chool of E"inburgh#; ) ) ) )

LNN,'''#EETo CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# C5?C.L'@E, 3Dr" CarchD 02::# C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE' a$ just returne" fro$ Cr# CillerBs far$# Cy ol" frien" ho$ ' took ith $e as highly please" ith the bargain, an" a"!ise" $e to accept of it# .e is the $ost intelligent sensible far$er in the county, an" his a"!ice has staggere" $e a goo" "eal# ' ha!e the t o plans before $eF ' shall en"ea!our to balance the$ to the best of $y ju"g$ent, an" fi- on the $ost eligible# <n the hole, if ' fin" Cr# Ciller in the sa$e fa!ourable "isposition as hen ' sa hi$ last, ' shall, in all probability, turn far$er# ' ha!e been through sore tribulation an" un"er $uch buffetting of the icke" one, since ' ca$e to this country# >ean ' foun" banishe", forlorn, "estitute, an" frien"lessF ' ha!e reconcile" her to her fate, an" ' ha!e reconcile" her to her $other#### ' s ore her pri!ately an"

sole$nly ne!er to atte$pt any clai$ on $e as a husban", e!en though anybo"y shoul" persua"e her she ha" such a clai$#### ' shall be in E"inburgh $i""le of ne-t eek# Cy far$ing i"eas ' shall keep pri!ate till ' see# ' got a letter fro$ Clarin"a yester"ay, an" she tells $e she has got no letter of $ine but one# Tell her that ' rote to her fro$ Glasgo , fro$ Ail$arnock, fro$ Cauchline, an" yester"ay fro$ Cu$nock as ' returne" fro$ %u$fries# 'n"ee" she is the only person in E"inburgh ' ha!e ritten to till this "ay# .o are your soul an" bo"y putting upHEEa little like $an an" ife ' suppose#EE(our faithful frien", R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) )

LNN'N#EETo CR# R'C.5R% BR<*@# C5?C.L'@E, 2Dth CarchD 02::# ' ha!e been out of the country, $y "ear frien", an" ha!e not ha" an opportunity of riting till no , hen, ' a$ afrai", you ill be gone out of the country too# ' ha!e been looking at far$s, an", after all, perhaps ' $ay settle in the character of a far$er# ' ha!e got so !icious a bent to i"leness, an" ha!e e!er been so little a $an of business, that it ill take no or"inary effort to bring $y $in" properly into the routine4 but you ill say a &great effort is orthy of you#& ' say so $yselfF an" butter up $y !anity ith all the sti$ulating co$pli$ents ' can think of# Cen of gra!e, geo$etrical $in"s, the sons of & hich as to be "e$onstrate",& $ay cry up reason as $uch as they pleaseF but ' ha!e al ays foun" an honest passion, or nati!e instinct, the truest au-iliary in the arfare of this orl"# Reason al$ost al ays co$es to $e like an unlucky ife to a poor "e!il of a husban", just in sufficient ti$e to a"" her reproaches to his other grie!ances# ' a$ gratifie" ith your kin" inJuiries after >eanF as, after all, ' $ay say ith <thelloEE E-cellent retch3 Per"ition catch $y soul, but ' "o lo!e thee3 ' go for E"inburgh on Con"ay#EE(ours, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ) ) ) )

LNNN#EET< CR# R<BERT C?'R# C<//G'EL, 2Dth CarchD 02::# %E5R /'R,EE' ha!e partly change" $y i"eas, $y "ear frien", since ' sa you# ' took ol" Glenconner ith $e to Cr# CillerBs far$, an" he as so please" ith it, that ' ha!e rote an offer to Cr# Ciller, hich, if he accepts, ' shall sit "o n a plain far$er, the happiest of li!es hen a $an can li!e by it# 'n this case ' shall not stay in E"inburgh abo!e a eek# ' set out on Con"ay, an" oul" ha!e co$e by Ail$arnockF but there are se!eral s$all su$s o ing $e for $y first e"ition about Galston an" @e $ilns, an" ' shall set off so early as to "espatch $y business an"

reach Glasgo by night# *hen ' return, ' shall "e!ote a forenoon or t o to $ake so$e kin" of ackno le"g$ent for all the kin"ness ' o e your frien"ship# @o that ' hope to settle ith so$e cre"it an" co$fort at ho$e, there as not any frien"ship or frien"ly correspon"ence that pro$ise" $e $ore pleasure than yoursF ' hope ' ill not be "isappointe"# ' trust the spring ill rene your shattere" fra$e, an" $ake your frien"s happy# (ou an" ' ha!e often agree" that life is no great blessing on the hole# The close of life, in"ee", to a reasoning age, is %ark as as chaos, ere the infant sun *as rollB" together, or ha" trie" his bea$s 5th art the gloo$ profoun"# But an honest $an has nothing to fear# 'f e lie "o n in the gra!e, the hole $an a piece of broken $achinery, to $oul"er ith the clo"s of the !alley, be it soF at least there is an en" of pain, care, oes, an" ants# 'f that part of us calle" $in" "oes sur!i!e the apparent "estruction of the $anEEa ay ith ol"E ife preju"ices an" tales# E!ery age an" e!ery nation has ha" a "ifferent set of storiesF an" as the $any are al ays eak, of conseJuence they ha!e often, perhaps al ays, been "ecei!e"# 5 $an conscious of ha!ing acte" an honest part a$ong his fello EcreaturesEEe!en granting that he $ay ha!e been the sport at ti$es of passions an" instinctsEEhe goes to a great unkno n Being, ho coul" ha!e no other en" in gi!ing hi$ e-istence but to $ake hi$ happy, ho ga!e hi$ those passions an" instincts, an" ell kno s their force# These, $y orthy frien", are $y i"easF an" ' kno they are not far "ifferent fro$ yours# 't beco$es a $an of sense to think for hi$self, particularly in a case here all $en are eJually intereste", an" here, in"ee", all $en are eJually in the "ark# 5"ieu, $y "ear /irF Go" sen" us a cheerful $eeting3 R# B# ) ) ) )

LNNN'EETo CR/# %?@L<P# C<//G'EL, 2Dth CarchD 02::# C5%5C,EEThe last paragraph in yours of the 37th +ebruary affecte" $e $ostF so ' shall begin $y ans er here you en"e" your letter# That ' a$ often a sinner ith any little it ' ha!e, ' "o confessF but ' ha!e ta-e" $y recollection to no purpose to fin" out hen it as e$ploye" against you# ' hate an ungenerous sarcas$ a great "eal orse than ' "o the "e!ilEEat least as Cilton "escribes hi$F an" though ' $ay be rascally enough to be so$eti$es guilty of it $yself, ' cannot en"ure it in others# (ou, $y honoure" frien", ho cannot appear in any light but you are sure of being respectableEEyou can affor" to pass by an occasion to "isplay your it, because you $ay "epen" for fa$e on your senseF or, if you choose to be silent, you kno you can rely on the gratitu"e of $any, an" the estee$ of allF but, Go" help us, ho are its or itlings by profession, if e stan" not for fa$e there, e sink unsupporte"3 ' a$ highly flattere" by the ne s you tell $e of Coila# ' $ay say to the fair painter987; ho "oes $e so $uch honour, as %r# Beattie says to Ross, the poet of his $use /cota, fro$ hich, by the by, ' took the i"ea of Coila4 GBtis a poe$ of BeattieBs in the /cottish "ialect, hich,

perhaps, you ha!e ne!er seenI4EE (e shak your hea", but oB $y fegs, (eB!e set aul" /cota on her legsF Lang ha" she lien iB beffs an" flegs, Bu$baKB" an" "iKKie, .er fi""le ante" strings an" pegs, *aeBs $e, poor hiKKie# R#B# 9+ootnote 874 <ne of Crs# %unlopBs "aughters fro$ the &Coila of the ,ision&#; ) ) ) ) ) as painting a sketch

LNNN''EET< CR# *C# @'C<L GPER.5P/I# C5?C.L'@E, 2Dth CarchD 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EECy life, since ' sa you last, has been one continue" hurryF that sa!age hospitality hich knocks a $an "o n ith strong liJuors, is the "e!il# ' ha!e a sore arfare in this orl"F the "e!il, the orl", an" the flesh, are three for$i"able foes# The first ' generally try to fly fro$F the secon", alas3 generally flies fro$ $eF but the thir" is $y plague, orse than the ten plagues of Egypt# ' ha!e been looking o!er se!eral far$s in this countryF one in particular, in @iths"ale, please" $e so ell, that if $y offer to the proprietor is accepte", ' shall co$$ence far$er at *hitE/un"ay# 'f far$ing "o not appear eligible, ' shall ha!e recourse to any other shiftF but this to a frien"# ' set out for E"inburgh on Con"ay $orningF ho long ' stay there is uncertain, but you ill kno so soon as ' can infor$ you $yself# .o e!er ' "eter$ine, poesy $ust be lai" asi"e for so$e ti$eF $y $in" has been !itiate" ith i"leness, an" it ill take a goo" "eal of effort to habituate it to the routine of business#EE' a$, $y "ear /ir, yours sincerely, R# B# ) ) ) )

LNNN'''#EETo Ciss Chal$ers# E%'@B?RG., DCarchD 0LDthD, 02::# ' kno , $y e!er "ear frien", that you ill be please" ith the ne s hen ' tell you ' ha!e at last taken a lease of a far$# (esternight ' co$plete" a bargain ith Cr# Ciller, of %als inton, for the far$ of Ellislan", on the banks of the @ith, bet een fi!e an" si- $iles abo!e %u$fries# ' begin at *hitE/un"ay to buil" a house, "ri!e li$e, etc#, an" .ea!en be $y help3 for it ill take a strong effort to bring $y $in" into the routine of business# ' ha!e "ischarge" all the ar$y of $y for$er pursuits, fancies, an" pleasuresEEa $otley host3 an" ha!e literally an" strictly retaine" only the i"eas of a fe frien"s, hich ' ha!e incorporate" into a lifeEguar"# ' trust in %r# >ohnsonBs obser!ation, &*here $uch is atte$pte", so$ething is "one#& +ir$ness, both in sufferance an" e-ertion, is a character ' oul" ish to be thought to possess4 an" ha!e al ays "espise" the hining yelp of

co$plaint, an" the co ar"ly, feeble resol!e# Poor Ciss A#980; is ailing a goo" "eal this inter, an" begge" $e to re$e$ber her to you the first ti$e ' rote to you# /urely o$an, a$iable o$an, is often $a"e in !ain# Too "elicately for$e" for the rougher pursuits of a$bitionF too noble for the "irt of a!arice, an" e!en too gentle for the rage of pleasureF for$e", in"ee", for, an" highly susceptible of enjoy$ent an" raptureF but that enjoy$ent, alas3 al$ost holly at the $ercy of the caprice, $ale!olence, stupi"ity, or icke"ness of an ani$al at all ti$es co$parati!ely unfeeling, an" often brutal# R#B# 9+ootnote 804 Ciss Aenne"y, sister of Ga!in .a$ilton# /he li!e" nearly half a century after this#; ) ) ) )

T.E CL5R'@%5 LETTER/# @<TE PRE+5T<R( T< T.E LETTER/ T< CL5R'@%5# *e ha!e no arri!e", in the history of Burns, as his general correspon"ence re!eals it, at the $i""le of Carch 02::# Before the en" of the $onth he ha" broken off fro$ Clarin"a, an" shortly after ar"s he $arrie" >ean 5r$our# The correspon"ence ith Clarin"a began in the last $onth of 02:2, an" ran its course in three $onths# 't is no necessary to go back to the co$$ence$ent of this correspon"ence, an" to follo it "o n to its first conclusion at the point to hich his general correspon"ence has brought us# 't has been thought preferable to take it by itself# Clarin"aBs $ai"en na$e as 5gnes Craig# /he as the "aughter of Cr# 5n"re Craig, ho ha" been a surgeon in Glasgo # Lor" Craig of the Court of /ession as her cousin# /he as born in the sa$e year as Burns, but three $onths later# 5t the age of se!enteen she as $arrie" to Cr# >a$es CBLehose, a la agent in Glasgo # 'nco$patibility of te$per resulte" in a separation of the unhappy pair fi!e years after their $arriage# The la"y ent ho$e to her father, an" on his "eath in 02:6 re$o!e" to E"inburgh, here she li!e" in"epen"ently on a s$all annuity# .er t o sons li!e" ith her# .er husban" $ean hile ent out to the *est 'n"ies to push his fortune#

LETTER/ T< CL5R'@%5# '# DThurs"ay E!eningD 9D%ecD# 8DthD, 02:2;# C5%5C,EE' ha" set no s$all store by $y teaE"rinking tonight, an" ha!e not often been so "isappointe"# /atur"ay e!ening ' shall e$brace the opportunity ith the greatest pleasure# ' lea!e this to n this "ay

seBennight, an", probably, for a couple of t el!e$onthsF but $ust e!er regret that ' so lately got an acJuaintance ' shall e!er highly estee$, an" in hose elfare ' shall e!er be ar$ly intereste"# <ur orthy co$$on frien", in her usual pleasant ay, rallie" $e a goo" "eal on $y ne acJuaintance, an" in the hu$our of her i"eas ' rote so$e lines, hich ' inclose you, as ' think they ha!e a goo" "eal of poetic $erit4 an" Ciss @i$$o tells $e you are not only a critic, but a poetess# +iction, you kno , is the nati!e region of poetryF an" ' hope you ill par"on $y !anity in sen"ing you the bagatelle as a tolerably offEhan" DjeuE"BespritD# ' ha!e se!eral poetic trifles, hich ' shall gla"ly lea!e ith Ciss @i$$o, or you, if they ere orth house roo$F as there are scarcely t o people on earth by ho$ it oul" $ortify $e $ore to be forgotten, though at the "istance of ninescore $iles#EE' a$, Ca"a$, ith the highest respect, your !ery hu$ble ser!ant, R<BERT B?R@/# ) ''# D/atur"ay E!ening, %ecD# :DthD, 02:2# ' can say ith truth, Ca"a$, that ' ne!er $et ith a person in $y life ho$ ' $ore an-iously ishe" to $eet again than yourself# ToEnight ' as to ha!e ha" that !ery great pleasureF ' as into-icate" ith the i"ea, but an unlucky fall fro$ a coach has so bruise" one of $y knees, that ' canBt stir $y legF so if ' "onBt see you again, ' shall not rest in $y gra!e for chagrin# ' as !e-e" to the soul ' ha" not seen you soonerF ' "eter$ine" to culti!ate your frien"ship ith the enthusias$ of religionF but thus has +ortune e!er ser!e" $e# ' cannot bear the i"ea of lea!ing E"inburgh ithout seeing you# ' kno not ho to account for itEE' a$ strangely taken ith so$e people, nor a$ ' often $istaken# (ou are a stranger to $eF but ' a$ an o"" being4 so$e yet unna$e" feelings, things, not principles, but better than hi$s, carry $e farther than boaste" reason e!er "i" a philosopher# +are ell3 e!ery happiness be yours3 R<BERT B?R@/# ) '''# D%ecD# 06, 02:2# ' stretch a point in"ee", $y "earest Ca"a$, hen ' ans er your car" on the rack of $y present agony# (our frien"ship, Ca"a$3 By hea!ens, ' as ne!er prou" before# (our lines, ' $aintain it, are poetry, an" goo" poetryF $ine ere in"ee" partly fiction an" partly a frien"ship, hich, ha" ' been so blest as to ha!e $et ith you in ti$e, $ight ha!e le" $eEEgo" of lo!e only kno s here# Ti$e is too short for cere$onies# ' s ear sole$nly, in all the tenor of $y for$er oath, to re$e$ber you in all the pri"e an" ar$th of frien"ship until ' cease to be3 ToE$orro , an" e!ery "ay till ' see you, you shall hear fro$ $e# +are ell3 Cay you enjoy a better nightBs repose than ' a$ likely to ha!e# R# B# ) ',# ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

DThurs"ay, %ecD# 67, 02:2# (our last, $y "ear Ca"a$, ha" the effect on $e that >obBs situation ha" on his frien"s hen they sat "o n se!en "ays an" se!en nights astonishe" an" spake not a or"# &Pay $y a""resses to a $arrie" o$an3& ' starte" as if ' ha" seen the ghost of hi$ ' ha" injure"# ' recollecte" $y e-pressionsF so$e of the$ ere in"ee" in the la phrase &habit an" repute,& hich is being half guilty# ' cannot possibly say, Ca"a$, hether $y heart $ight not ha!e gone astray a littleF but ' can "eclare upon the honour of a poet that the !agrant has an"ere" unkno n to $e# ' ha!e a pretty han"so$e troop of follies of $y o n, an", like so$e other peopleBs, they are but un"iscipline" blackguar"sF but the luckless rascals ha!e so$ething like honour in the$EEthey oul" not "o a "ishonest thing# To $eet ith an unfortunate o$an, a$iable an" young, "eserte" an" i"o e" by those ho ere boun" by e!ery tie of "uty, nature, an" gratitu"e to protect, co$fort an" cherish herF a"" to all, hen she is perhaps one of the first of lo!ely for$s an" noble $in"sEEthe $in", too, that hits oneBs taste as the joys of .ea!en "o a saintEEshoul" a faint i"ea, the natural chil" of i$agination, thoughtfully peep o!er the fenceEE ere you, $y frien", to sit in ju"g$ent, an" the poor, airy straggler brought before you, tre$bling, selfEcon"e$ne", ith artless eyes, bri$ful of contrition, looking istfully on its ju"geEEyou coul" not, $y "ear Ca"a$, con"e$n the hapless retch to "eath ithout benefit of clergyH ' onBt tell you hat reply $y heart $a"e to your raillery of se!en years, but ' ill gi!e you hat a brother of $y tra"e says on the sa$e allusion4EE The patriarch to gain a ife, Chaste, beautiful, an" young, /er!e" fourteen years a painful life, 5n" ne!er thought it long# < ere you to re ar" such cares, 5n" life so long oul" stay, @ot fourteen but four hun"re" years *oul" see$ but as a "ay#986; ' ha!e ritten you this scra l because ' ha!e nothing else to "o, an" you $ay sit "o n an" fin" fault ith it, if you ha!e no better ay of consu$ing your ti$e# But fin"ing fault ith the !agaries of a poetBs fancy is $uch such another business as Ner-es chastising the a!es of .ellespont# Cy li$b no allo s $e to sit in so$e peace4 to alk ' ha!e yet no prospect of, as ' canBt $ark it to the groun"# ' ha!e just no looke" o!er hat ' ha!e ritten, an" it is such a chaos of nonsense that ' "aresay you ill thro it into the fire an" call $e an i"le, stupi" fello F but, hate!er you $ay think of $y brains, belie!e $e to be, ith the $ost sacre" respect an" heartEfelt estee$, $y "ear Ca"a$, your hu$ble /er!ant, R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote 864 To$ %B?rfeyBs /ongs#; ) ) ) )

,# D+ri"ay E!eningD, 6:Dth %ece$berD 02:2# ' beg your par"on, $y "ear &Clarin"a,& for the frag$ent scra l ' sent you yester"ay# ' really "o not kno hat ' rote# 5 gentle$an, for hose character, abilities, an" critical kno le"ge ' ha!e the highest !eneration, calle" in just as ' ha" begun the secon" sentence, an" ' oul" not $ake the porter ait# ' rea" to $y $uchErespecte" frien" se!eral of $y o n bagatelles, an", a$ong others, your lines, hich ' ha" copie" out# .e began so$e criticis$s on the$ as on the other pieces, hen ' infor$e" hi$ they ere the ork of a young la"y in this to n, hich, ' assure you, $a"e hi$ stare# Cy learne" frien" seriously proteste" that he "i" not belie!e any young o$an in E"inburgh as capable of such linesF an" if you kno anything of Professor Gregory, you ill neither "oubt of his abilities nor his sincerity# ' "o lo!e you, if possible, still better for ha!ing so fine a taste an" turn for poesy# ' ha!e again gone rong in $y usual unguar"e" ay, but you $ay erase the or", an" put estee$, respect, or any other ta$e %utch e-pression you please in its place# ' belie!e there is no hol"ing con!erse, or carrying on correspon"ence, ith an a$iable o$an, $uch less a Dgloriously a$iable fine o$anD, ithout so$e $i-ture of that "elicious passion, hose $ost "e!ote" sla!e ' ha!e $ore than once ha" the honour of being# But hy be hurt or offen"e" on that accountH Can no honest $an ha!e a prepossession for a fine o$an, but he $ust run his hea" against an intrigueH Take a little of the ten"er itchcraft of lo!e, an" a"" to it the generous, the honourable senti$ents of $anly frien"ship, an" ' kno but DoneD $ore "elightful $orsel, hich fe , fe in any rank e!er taste# /uch a co$position is like a""ing crea$ to stra berriesF it not only gi!es the fruit a $ore elegant richness, but has a "eliciousness of its o n# ' inclose you a fe lines ' co$pose" on a late $elancholy occasion# ' ill not gi!e abo!e fi!e or si- copies of it in all, an" ' shoul" be hurt if any frien" shoul" gi!e any copies ithout $y consent# (ou cannot i$agine, Clarin"a G' like the i"ea of 5rca"ian na$es in a co$$erce of this kin"I, ho $uch store ' ha!e set by the hopes of your future frien"ship# ' "o not kno if you ha!e a just i"ea of $y character, but ' ish you to see $e as D' a$D# ' a$, as $ost people of $y tra"e are, a strange *illEoBE*isp being4 the !icti$, too freJuently, of $uch i$pru"ence an" $any follies# Cy great constituent ele$ents are Dpri"eD an" DpassionD# The first ' ha!e en"ea!oure" to hu$anise into integrity an" honourF the last $akes $e a "e!otee to the ar$est "egree of enthusias$, in lo!e, religion, or frien"shipEEeither of the$, or all together, as ' happen to be inspire"# BTis true, ' ne!er sa you but onceF but ho $uch acJuaintance "i" ' for$ ith you in that onceH %o not think ' flatter you, or ha!e a "esign upon you, Clarin"aF ' ha!e too $uch pri"e for the one, an" too little col" contri!ance for the otherF but of all Go"Bs creatures ' e!er coul" approach in the beaten ay of $y acJuaintance, you struck $e ith the "eepest, the strongest, the $ost per$anent i$pression# ' say the $ost per$anent, because ' kno $yself ell, an" ho far ' can pro$ise either on $y prepossessions or po ers# *hy are you unhappyH 5n" hy are so $any of our fello Ecreatures, un orthy to belong to the sa$e species ith you, blest ith all they can ishH (ou ha!e a han" all bene!olent to gi!eE hy ere you "enie" the pleasureH (ou ha!e a heart for$e"EEgloriously for$e"EEfor all the $ost refine" lu-uries of lo!e4E hy as that heart e!er rungH < Clarin"a3 shall e not $eet in a state, so$e yet unkno n state of being, here the

la!ish han" of plenty shall $inister to the highest ish of bene!olenceF an" here the chill northE in" of pru"ence shall ne!er blo o!er the flo ery fiel"s of enjoy$entH 'f e "o not, $an as $a"e in !ain3 ' "eser!e" $ost of the unhappy hours that ha!e lingere" o!er $y hea"F they ere the ages of $y labour4 but hat unpro!oke" "e$on, $alignant as hell, stole upon the confi"ence of un$istrusting busy +ate, an" "ashe" your cup of life ith un"eser!e" sorro H Let $e kno ho long your stay ill be out of to nF ' shall count the hours till you infor$ $e of your return# Curse" DetiJuetteD forbi"s your seeing $e just no F an" so soon as ' can alk ' $ust bi" E"inburgh a"ieu# Lor"3 hy as ' born to see $isery hich ' cannot relie!e, an" to $eet ith frien"s ho$ ' cannot enjoyH ' look back ith the pang of una!ailing a!arice on $y loss in not kno ing you sooner4 all last inter, these three $onths past, hat lu-ury of intercourse ha!e ' not lost3 Perhaps, though,Bt as better for $y peace# (ou see ' a$ either abo!e, or incapable of "issi$ulation# ' belie!e it is ant of that particular genius# ' "espise "esign, because ' ant either coolness or is"o$ to be capable of it# ' a$ interrupte"# 5"ieu3 $y "ear Clarin"a3 /(L,5@%ER# ) ,'# DThurs"ay, >anD# 3, 02::# (ou are right, $y "ear Clarin"a4 a frien"ly correspon"ence goes for nothing, e-cept one rites his or her un"isguise" senti$ents# (ours please $e for their instrinsic $erit, as ell as because they are DyoursD, hich ' assure you, is to $e a high reco$$en"ation# (our religious senti$ents, Ca"a$, ' re!ere# 'f you ha!e, on so$e suspicious e!i"ence, fro$ so$e lying oracle, learne" that ' "espise or ri"icule so sacre"ly i$portant a $atter as real religion, you ha!e, $y Clarin"a, $uch $isconstrue" your frien"# &' a$ not $a", $ost noble +estus3& .a!e you e!er $et a perfect characterH %o e not so$eti$es rather e-change faults, than get ri" of the$H +or instance, ' a$ perhaps tire" ith, an" shocke" at a life too $uch the prey of gi""y inconsistencies an" thoughtless folliesF by "egrees ' gro sober, pru"ent, an" state"ly piousEE' say state"ly, because the $ost unaffecte" "e!otion is not at all inconsistent ith $y first characterEE' join the orl" in congratulating $yself on the happy change# But let $e pry $ore narro ly into this affair# .a!e ', at botto$, any thing of a sacre" pri"e in these en"o $ents an" e$en"ationsH .a!e ' nothing of a presbyterian sourness, an hypocritical se!erity, hen ' sur!ey $y less regular neighboursH 'n a or", ha!e ' $isse" all those na$eless an" nu$berless $o"ifications of in"istinct selfishness, hich are so near our o n eyes, that e can scarcely bring the$ ithin the sphere of our !ision, an" hich the kno n spotless ca$bric of our character hi"es fro$ the or"inary obser!erH Cy "efinition of orth is shortF truth an" hu$anity respecting our fello EcreaturesF re!erence an" hu$ility in the presence of that Being, $y Creator an" Preser!er, an" ho, ' ha!e e!ery reason to belie!e, ill one "ay be $y >u"ge# The first part of $y "efinition is the creature of unbiasse" instinctF the last is the chil" of after reflection# *here ' foun" these t o essentials ' oul" gently note an" slightly $ention any atten"ant fla sEEfla s, the $arks, the conseJuences of hu$an nature# ) ) )

' can easily enter into the subli$e pleasures that your strong i$agination an" keen sensibility $ust "eri!e fro$ religion, particularly if a little in the sha"e of $isfortuneF but ' o n ' cannot, ithout a $arke" gru"ge, see .ea!en totally engross so a$iable, so char$ing a o$an, as $y frien" Clarin"aF an" shoul" be !ery ell please" at Da circu$stanceD that oul" put it in the po er of so$ebo"y Ghappy so$ebo"y3I to "i!i"e her attention, ith all the "elicacy an" ten"erness of an earthly attach$ent# (ou ill not easily persua"e $e that you ha!e not a gra$$atical kno le"ge of the English language# /o far fro$ being inaccurate, you are elegant beyon" any o$an of $y acJuaintance, e-cept one,EE ho$ ' ish you kne # (our last !erses to $e ha!e so "elighte" $e, that ' ha!e got an e-cellent ol" /cots air that suits the $easure, an" you shall see the$ in print in the /cots DCusical Cuseu$D, a ork publishing by a frien" of $ine in this to n# ' ant four stanKas, you ga!e $e but three, an" one of the$ allu"e" to an e-pression in $y for$er letterF so ' ha!e taken your t o first !erses, ith a slight alteration in the secon", an" ha!e a""e" a thir", but you $ust help $e to a fourth# .ere they areF the latter half of the first stanKa oul" ha!e been orthy of /apphoF ' a$ in raptures ith it# Talk not of Lo!e, it gi!es $e pain, +or Lo!e has been $y foe4 .e boun" $e ith an iron chain, 5n" sunk $e "eep in oe# But +rien"shipBs pure an" lasting joys Cy heart as for$e" to pro!e4 There elco$e, in an" ear the priKe, But ne!er talk of Lo!e# (our frien"ship $uch can $ake $e blest, < hy that bliss "estroy3 9only; *hy urge the o"ious one reJuest, 9 ill; (ou kno ' $ust "eny# The alteration in the secon" stanKa is no i$pro!e$ent, but there as a slight inaccuracy in your rhy$e# The thir" ' only offer to your choice, an" ha!e left t o or"s for your "eter$ination# The air is &The banks of /pey,& an" is $ost beautiful# ToE$orro e!ening ' inten" taking a chair, an" paying a !isit at Park Place to a $uchE!alue" ol" frien"#983; 'f ' coul" be sure of fin"ing you at ho$e Gan" ' ill sen" one of the chair$en to callI, ' oul" spen" fro$ fi!e to si- oBclock ith you, as ' go past# ' cannot "o $ore at this ti$e, as ' ha!e so$ething on $y han" that hurries $e $uch# ' propose gi!ing you the first call, $y ol" frien" the secon", an" Ciss @i$$o as ' return ho$e# %o not break any engage$ent for $e, as ' ill spen" another e!ening ith you at any rate before ' lea!e to n# %o not tell $e that you are please", hen your frien"s infor$ you of your faults# ' a$ ignorant hat they areF but ' a$ sure they $ust be such e!anescent trifles, co$pare" ith your personal an" $ental

acco$plish$ents, that ' oul" "espise the ungenerous narro soul, ho oul" notice any sha"o of i$perfections you $ay see$ to ha!e, any other ay than in the $ost "elicate agreeable raillery# Coarse $in"s are not a are ho $uch they injure the keenly feeling tie of boso$ frien"ship, hen, in their foolish officiousness, they $ention hat nobo"y cares for recollecting# People of nice sensibility, an" generous $in"s, ha!e a certain intrinsic "ignity, that fires at being trifle" ith, or lo ere", or e!en too nearly approache"# (ou nee" $ake no apology for long lettersF ' a$ e!en ith you# Cany happy ne years to you, char$ing Clarin"a3 ' canBt "isse$ble, ere it to shun per"ition# .e ho sees you as ' ha!e "one, an" "oes not lo!e you, "eser!es to be "a$nB" for his stupi"ity3 .e ho lo!es you, an" oul" injure you, "eser!es to be "oubly "a$nB" for his !illany3 5"ieu# /(L,5@%ER# P#/# *hat oul" you think of this for a fourth stanKaH

(our thought, if lo!e $ust harbour there, Conceal it in that thought, @or cause $e fro$ $y boso$ tear The !ery frien" ' sought# 9+ootnote 834 Probably Cr# @icol, ho li!e" in Buccleuch Pen", a short "istance fro$ Clarin"aBs resi"ence#; ) ,''# D/atur"ay @oonD 9D=th >anuaryD;# /o$e "ays, so$e nights, nay, so$e DhoursD, like the &ten righteous persons in /o"o$,& sa!e the rest of the !api", tireso$e, $iserable $onths an" years of life# <ne of these hours $y "ear Clarin"a blest $e ith yesternight# <ne ellEspent hour, 'n such a ten"er circu$stance for frien"s, 's better than an age of co$$on ti$e3 T.<C/<@# Cy fa!ourite feature in CiltonBs /atan is his $anly fortitu"e in supporting hat cannot be re$e"ie"EEin short, the il" broken frag$ents of a noble e-alte" $in" in ruins# ' $eant no $ore by saying he as a fa!ourite hero of $ine# ' $entione" to you $y letter to %r# Coore, gi!ing an account of $y life4 it is truth, e!ery or" of itF an" ill gi!e you a just i"ea of the $an ho$ you ha!e honoure" ith your frien"ship# ' a$ afrai" you ill har"ly be able to $ake sense of so torn a piece# (our !erses ' shall $use on, "eliciously, as ' gaKe on your i$age in $y $in"Bs eye, in $y heartBs core4 they ill be in ti$e enough for a eek to co$e# ' a$ truly happy your hea"ache is better# <, ho can pain or e!il be so "aringly unfeeling, cruelly sa!age, as to oun" so noble a $in", so lo!ely a for$3 ) ) ) )

Cy little fello is all $y na$esake# *rite $e soon# Cy e!ery, strongest goo" ishes atten" you, Clarin"a3 /(L,5@%ER# ' kno not ) ,'''# D>an# :, 02::, Tues"ay @ight#D ' a$ "elighte", char$ing Clarin"a, ith your honest enthusias$ for religion# Those of either se-, but particularly the fe$ale, ho are luke ar$ in that $ost i$portant of all things, &< $y soul, co$e not thou into their secrets3& ' feel $yself "eeply intereste" in your goo" opinion, an" ill lay before you the outlines of $y belief# .e ho is our 5uthor an" Preser!er, an" ill one "ay be our >u"ge, $ust be Gnot for his sake in the ay of "uty, but fro$ the nati!e i$pulse of our heartsI, the object of our re!erential a e an" grateful a"oration4 .e is 5l$ighty an" allEbounteous, e are eak an" "epen"entF hence prayer an" e!ery other sort of "e!otion# &.e is not illing that any shoul" perish, but that all shoul" co$e to e!erlasting lifeF& conseJuently it $ust be in e!ery oneBs po er to e$brace his offer of &e!erlasting lifeF& other ise he coul" not, in justice, con"e$n those ho "i" not# 5 $in" per!a"e", actuate", an" go!erne" by purity, truth, an" charity, though it "oes not $erit hea!en, yet is an absolute necessary prereJuisite, ithout hich hea!en can neither be obtaine" nor enjoye"F an", by "i!ine pro$ise, such a $in" shall ne!er fail of attaining &e!erlasting lifeF& hence the i$pure, the "ecei!ing, an" the uncharitable e-tru"e the$sel!es fro$ eternal bliss, by their unfitness for enjoying it# The /upre$e Being has put the i$$e"iate a"$inistration of all this, for ise an" goo" en"s kno n to hi$self, into the han"s of >esus Christ, a great personage, hose relation to hi$ e cannot co$prehen", but hose relation to us is a gui"e an" /a!iourF an" ho, e-cept for our o n obstinacy an" $iscon"uct, ill bring us all, through !arious ays, an" by !arious $eans, to bliss at last# These are $y tenets, $y lo!ely frien"F an" hich ' think cannot ell be "ispute"# Cy cree" is pretty nearly e-presse" in the last clause of >a$ie %eanBs grace, an honest ea!er in 5yrshire,EE&Lor", grant that e $ay lea" a gu"e lifeF for a gu"e life $aks a gu"e en", at least it helps eel3& ' a$ flattere" by the entertain$ent you tell $e you ha!e foun" in $y packet# (ou see $e as ' ha!e been, you kno $e as ' a$, an" $ay guess at hat ' a$ likely to be# ' too $ay say, &Talk not of lo!e,& etc#, for in"ee" he has &plunge" $e "eep in oe3& @ot that ' e!er sa a o$an ho please" une-ceptionably, as $y Clarin"a elegantly says, &in the co$panion, the frien", an" the $istress#& D<neD in"ee" ' coul" e-ceptEED<neD, before passion thre its $ists o!er $y "iscern$ent, ' kne EEDtheD first of o$en3 .er na$e is in"elibly ritten in $y heartBs coreEEbut ' "are not look in on itEEa "egree of agony oul" be the conseJuence# <h3 thou perfi"ious, cruel, $ischiefE$aking "e$on, ho presi"est o!er that frantic passionEEthou $ayest, thou "ost poison $y peace, but thou shalt not taint $y honour# ' oul" not, for a single $o$ent, gi!e an asylu$ to the $ost "istant i$agination, that oul" sha"o the faintest outline of a selfish gratification, at the e-pense ) hat ' ha!e rittenEE' a$ pestere" ) ) ith people aroun" $e#

of her hose happiness is t iste" ith the threa"s of $y e-istence#EECay she be as happy as she "eser!es3 an" if $y ten"erest, faithfullest frien"ship, can a"" to her bliss, ' shall at least ha!e one soli" $ine of enjoy$ent in $y boso$3 D%onBt guess at these ra!ingsD3 ' atche" at our front in"o toE"ay, but as "isappointe"# 't has been a "ay of "isappoint$ents# ' a$ just risen fro$ a t o hoursB bout after supper, ith silly or sor"i" souls, ho coul" relish nothing in co$$on ith $e but the Port#EED<ne3DEETis no & itching ti$e of nightF& an" hate!er is out of joint in the foregoing scra l, i$pute it to enchant$ents an" spellsF for ' canBt look o!er it, but ill seal it up "irectly, as ' "onBt care for toE$orro Bs criticis$s on it# (ou are by this ti$e fast asleep, Clarin"aF $ay goo" angels atten" an" guar" you as constantly an" faithfully as $y goo" ishes "o# Beauty, hich, hether aking or asleep, /hot forth peculiar graces# >ohn Cilton, ' ish thy soul better rest than ' e-pect on $y o n pillo toEnight3 < for a little of the cartEhorse part of hu$an nature3 Goo" night, $y "earest Clarin"a3 /(L,5@%ER# ) 'N DThurs"ay @oonD, 07Dth >anuaryD 02::# ' a$ certain ' sa you, Clarin"aF but you "onBt look to the proper storey for a poetBs lo"gingEE *here speculation rooste" near the sky# ' coul" al$ost ha!e thro n $yself o!er for !e-ation# *hy "i"nBt you look higherH 't has spoile" $y peace for this "ay# To be so near $y char$ing Clarin"aF to $iss her look hile it as searching for $eEE' a$ sure the soul is capable of "isease, for $ine has con!ulse" itself into an infla$$atory fe!er# (ou ha!e con!erte" $e, Clarin"a# G' shall lo!e that na$e hile ' li!e4 there is hea!enly $usic in it#I Booth an" 5$elia ' kno ell#98L; (our senti$ents on that subject, as they are on e!ery subject, are just an" noble# &To be feelingly ali!e to kin"ness, an" to unkin"ness,& is a char$ing fe$ale character# *hat ' sai" in $y last letter, the po ers of fu""ling sociality only kno for $e# By yours, ' un"erstan" $y goo" star has been partly in $y horiKon, hen ' got il" in $y re!eries# .a" that e!il planet, hich has al$ost all $y life she" its baleful rays on $y "e!ote" hea", been, as usual, in $y Kenith, ' ha" certainly blabbe" so$ething that oul" ha!e pointe" out to you the "ear object of $y ten"erest frien"ship, an", in spite of $e, so$ething $ore# .a" that fatal infor$ation escape" $e, an" it as $erely chance, or kin" stars, that it "i" not, ' ha" been un"one3 (ou oul" ne!er ha!e ritten $e, e-cept perhaps DonceD $ore3 <, ' coul" curse circu$stances, an" the coarse tie of hu$an la s, hich keeps fast ) ) )

hat co$$on sense oul" loose, an" hich bars that happiness itself cannot gi!eEEhappiness hich other ise Lo!e an" .onour oul" arrant3 But hol"EE' shall $ake no $ore &hairEbrea"th Bscapes#& Cy frien"ship, Clarin"a, is a lifeErent business# Cy likings are both strong an" eternal# ' tol" you ' ha" but one $ale frien"4 ' ha!e but t o fe$ale# ' shoul" ha!e a thir", but she is surroun"e" by the blan"ish$ents of flattery an" courtship# The na$e ' register in $y heartBs core is DPeggy Chal$ersD# Ciss @i$$o can tell you ho "i!ine she is# /he is orthy of a place in the sa$e boso$ ith $y Clarin"a# That is the highest co$pli$ent ' can pay her# +are ell, Clarin"a3 Re$e$ber /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 8L4 /ee +iel"ingBs D5$eliaD#; ) N# D/atur"ay CorningD, 06Dth >anuaryD# (our thoughts on religion, Clarin"a, shall be elco$e# (ou $ay perhaps "istrust $e, hen ' say Btis also $y fa!ourite topicF but $ine is the religion of the boso$# ' hate the !ery i"ea of a contro!ersial "i!inityF as ' fir$ly belie!e, that e!ery honest upright $an, of hate!er sect, ill be accepte" of the %eity# 'f your !erses, as you see$ to hint, contain censure, e-cept you ant an occasion to break ith $e, "onBt sen" the$# ' ha!e a little infir$ity in $y "isposition, that here ' fon"ly lo!e, or highly estee$, ' cannot bear reproach# &Re!erence thyself& is a sacre" $a-i$, an" ' ish to cherish it# ' think ' tol" you Lor" BolingbrokeBs saying to / iftEE&5"ieu, "ear / ift, ith all thy faults ' lo!e thee entirelyF $ake an effort to lo!e $e ith all $ine#& 5 glorious senti$ent, an" ithout hich there can be no frien"ship3 ' "o highly, !ery highly, estee$ you in"ee", Clarin"aEEyou $erit it all3 Perhaps, too, ' scorn "issi$ulation3 ' coul" fon"ly lo!e you4 ju"ge then hat a $a""ening sting your reproach oul" be# &<3 ' ha!e sins to D.ea!enD but none to Dyou3D& *ith hat pleasure oul" ' $eet you toE"ay, but ' cannot alk to $eet the fly# ' hope to be able to see you on DfootD about the $i""le of ne-t eek# ' a$ interrupte"EEperhaps you are not sorry for it, you ill tell $eEEbut ' onBt anticipate bla$e# < Clarin"a3 "i" you kno ho "ear to $e is your look of kin"ness, your s$ile of approbation3 you oul" not, either in prose or !erse, risk a censorious re$ark# Curst be the !erse, ho ell soeBer it flo , That ten"s to $ake one orthy $an $y foe3 /(L,5@%ER# ) N'# D/atur"ayD, D>anD# 06, 02::# ) ) ) ) ) )

(ou talk of eeping, Clarin"a3 /o$e in!oluntary "rops et your lines as ' rea" the$# D<ffen" $eD, $y "earest angel3 (ou cannot offen" $e, you ne!er offen"e" $e3 'f you ha" e!er gi!en $e the least sha"o of offence so par"on $e, Go", as ' forgi!e Clarin"a3 ' ha!e rea" yours againF it has blotte" $y paper# Though ' fin" your letter has agitate" $e into a !iolent hea"ache, ' shall take a chair an" be ith you about eight# 5 frien" is to be ith us to tea on $y account, hich hin"ers $e fro$ co$ing sooner# +orgi!e, $y "earest Clarin"a, $y unguar"e" e-pressions# +or .ea!enBs sake, forgi!e $e, or ' shall ne!er be able to bear $y o n $in"# (our unhappy /yl!an"er# ) N''# DCon"ay E!eningD, 00 DoBclockD, 0LDth >anuaryD# *hy ha!e ' not hear" fro$ you, Clarin"aH ToE"ay ' e-pecte" itF an" before supper hen a letter to $e as announce", $y heart "ance" ith rapture4 but behol", Bt as so$e fool, ho ha" taken it into his hea" to turn poet, an" $a"e $e an offering of the firstEfruits of his nonsense# &'t is not poetry, but prose run $a"#& %i" ' e!er repeat to you an epigra$ ' $a"e on a Cr# Elphinstone,98=; ho has gi!en a translation of Cartial, a fa$ous Latin poetH The poetry of Elphinstone can only eJual his prose notes# ' as sitting in a $erchantBs shop of $y acJuaintance, aiting so$ebo"yF he put Elphinstone into $y han", an" aske" $y opinion of itF ' begge" lea!e to rite it on a blank leaf, hich ' "i",EE T< CR# ELP.'@/T<@E# < thou, ho$ poesy abhors3 *ho$ prose has turne" out of "oors3 .ear"st thou yon groanH procee" no further3 BT as laurelB" Cartial calling $urther3 ' a$ "eter$ine" to see you, if at all possible, on /atur"ay e!ening# @e-t eek ' $ust singEE The night is $y "eparting night, The $ornBs the "ay ' $aun a aF ThereBs neither frien" nor foe oB $ine But ishes that ' ere a a3 *hat ' hae "one for lack oB it, ' ne!er, ne!er can recaBF ' hope yeBre aB $y frien"s as yet, Gu"e night, an" joy be iB you aB3 'f ' coul" see you sooner, ' oul" be so $uch the happierF but ' oul" not purchase the D"earest gratificationD on earth, if it $ust be at your e-pense in orl"ly censure, far less in ar" peace3 ' shall certainly be asha$e" of thus scra ling hole sheets of incoherence# The only DunityD Ga sa" or" ith poets an" critics3I in $y i"eas, is CL5R'@%5# There $y heart &reigns an" re!els#& *hat art thou, Lo!eH hence are those char$s, That thus thou bearBst an uni!ersal ruleH +or thee the sol"ier Juits his ar$s, ) ) )

The king turns sla!e, the ise $an fool# 'n !ain e chase thee fro$ the fiel", 5n" ith cool thoughts resist thy yoke4 @e-t ti"e of bloo", alas3 e yiel"F 5n" all those high resol!es are broke3 ' like to ha!e Juotations for e!ery occasion They gi!e oneBs i"eas so pat, an" sa!e one the trouble of fin"ing e-pression a"eJuate to oneBs feelings# ' think it is one of the greatest pleasures atten"ing a poetic genius, that e can gi!e our oes, cares, joys, lo!es, etc#, an e$bo"ie" for$ in !erse, hich, to $e, is e!er i$$e"iate ease# Gol"s$ith says finely of his CuseEE Thou source of all $y bliss an" all $y oeF Thou foun"st $e poor at first, an" keepBst $e so# Cy li$b has been so ell toE"ay, that ' ha!e gone up an" "o n stairs often ithout $y staff# ToE$orro ' hope to alk once again on $y o n legs to "inner# 't is only ne-t street#EE5"ieu# /yl!an"er# 9+ootnote 8=4 5 nati!e of E"inburgh, an" a school$aster in Lon"on# .e as a frien" of /a$uel >ohnson; ) N'''# DTues"ay E!eningD, D>anD# 0=# That you ha!e faults, $y Clarin"a, ' ne!er "oubte"F but ' kne not here they e-iste", an" /atur"ay night $a"e $e $ore in the "ark than e!er# < Clarin"a3 hy ill you oun" $y soul, by hinting that last night $ust ha!e lessene" $y opinion of youH True, ' as &behin" the scenes ith youF& but hat "i" ' seeH 5 boso$ glo ing ith honour an" bene!olenceF a $in" ennoble" by genius, infor$e" an" refine" by e"ucation an" reflection, an" e-alte" by nati!e religion, genuine as in the cli$es of hea!en4 a heart for$e" for all the glorious $eltings of frien"ship, lo!e, an" pity# These ' sa EE' sa the noblest i$$ortal soul creation e!er sho e" $e# ' looke" long, $y "ear Clarin"a, for your letterF an" a$ !e-e" that you are co$plaining# ' ha!e not caught you so far rong as in your i"ea, that the co$$erce you ha!e ith DoneD frien" hurts you, if you cannot tell e!ery tittle of it to DanotherD# *hy ha!e so injurious a suspicion of a goo" Go", Clarin"a, as to think that +rien"ship an" Lo!e, on the sacre" in!iolate principles of Truth, .onour, an" Religion3 can be anything else than an object of .is "i!ine approbation# ' ha!e $entione" in so$e of $y for$er scra ls, /atur"ay e!ening ne-t# %o allo $e to ait on you that e!ening# <h, $y angel3 ho soon $ust e part3 an" hen can e $eet again3 ' look for ar" on the horri" inter!al ith tearful eyes3 *hat ha!e ' lost by not kno ing you sooner# ' fear, ' fear $y acJuaintance ith you is too short, to $ake that DlastingD i$pression on your heart ' coul" ish# /(L,5@%ER# ) ) ) ) ) ) )

N',# D/atur"ay CorningD, 01Dth >anD There is no ti$e, $y Clarin"a, hen the conscious thrilling chor"s of Lo!e an" +rien"ship gi!e such "elight, as in the pensi!e hours of hat our fa!ourite Tho$son calls, &philosophic $elancholy#& The sporti!e insects, ho bask in the sunshine of prosperityF or the or$s that lu-uriantly cra l a$i" their a$ple ealth of earth, they nee" no Clarin"a4 they oul" "espise /yl!an"erEEif they "urst# The fa$ily of Cisfortune, a nu$erous group of brothers an" sisters3 they nee" a resting place to their souls4 unnotice", often con"e$ne" by the orl"EEin so$e "egree, perhaps, con"e$ne" by the$sel!es, they feel the full enjoy$ent of ar"ent lo!e, "elicate ten"er en"ear$ents, $utual estee$ an" $utual reliance# 'n this light ' ha!e often a"$ire" religion# 'n proportion as e are rung ith grief, or "istracte" ith an-iety, the i"eas of a co$passionate %eity, an 5l$ighty Protector, are "oubly "ear# BDTis thisD, $y frien", that streaks our $orning brightF BDTis thisD that gil"s the horrors of our night#B ' ha!e been this $orning taking a peep through, as (oung finely says, &the "ark postern of ti$e long elapsB"F& an", you ill easily guess,Bt as a rueful prospect# *hat a tissue of thoughtlessness, eakness, an" folly3 Cy life re$in"e" $e of a ruine" te$pleF hat strength, hat proportion in so$e parts3 hat unsightly gaps, hat prostrate ruin in others3 ' kneele" "o n before the +ather of $ercies, an" sai", &+ather, ' ha!e sinne" against hea!en, an" in thy sight, an" a$ no $ore orthy to be calle" thy son3& ' rose, ease" an" strengthene"# ' "espise the superstition of a fanatic, but ' lo!e the religion of a $an# &The future,& sai" ' to $yself, &is still before $eF& there let $e on reason buil" resol!e, That colu$n of true $ajesty in $an3 &' ha!e "ifficulties $any to encounter,& sai" 'F &but they are not absolutely insuperableF an" here is fir$ness of $in" sho n but in e-ertionH $ere "ecla$ation is bo$bast rant#& Besi"es, here!er ' a$, or in hate!er situation ' $ay beEE BTis nought to $e4 /ince Go" is e!er present, e!er felt, 'n the !oi" aste as in the city fullF 5n" here .e !ital breathes, there $ust be joy3 D/atur"ay nightEEhalf after TenD# *hat lu-ury of bliss ' as enjoying this ti$e yesternight3 Cy e!er "earest Clarin"a, you ha!e stolen a ay $y soulF but you ha!e refine", you ha!e e-alte" itF you ha!e gi!en it a stronger sense for !irtue, an" a stronger relish for piety# Clarin"a, first of your se-, if e!er ' a$ the !eriest retch on earth to forget you, if e!er your lo!ely i$age is efface" fro$ $y soul, Cay ' be lost, no eye to eep $y en"F 5n" fin" no earth thatBs base enough to bury $e3

*hat trifling silliness is the chil"ish fon"ness of the e!eryE"ay chil"ren of the orl"3 Btis the un$eaning toying of the younglings of the fiel"s an" forestsF but here /enti$ent an" +ancy unite their s eets, here Taste an" %elicacy refine, here *it a""s the fla!our, an" Goo" /ense gi!es strength an" spirit to all, hat a "elicious "raught is the hour of ten"er en"ear$ent3 Beauty an" Grace, in the ar$s of Truth an" .onour, in all the lu-ury of $utual lo!e# Clarin"a, ha!e you e!er seen the picture realise"H @ot in all its !ery richest colouring# Last night, Clarin"a, but for one slight sha"e, picture# as the glorious

'nnocence LookB" gaily s$iling onF hile rosy Pleasure .i" young %esire a$i" her flo ery reath, 5n" pourB" her cup lu-uriantF $antling high, The sparkling hea!enly !intage, Lo!e an" Bliss3 Clarin"a, hen a poet an" poetess of @atureBs $aking, t o of @atureBs noblest pro"uctions3 hen they "rink together of the sa$e cup of Lo!e an" BlissEEatte$pt not, ye coarser stuff of hu$an nature, profanely to $easure enjoy$ent ye ne!er can kno 3 Goo" night, $y "ear Clarin"a3 /(L,5@%ER# ) N, D/un"ay @ightD, 67Dth >anuaryD# The i$pertinence of fools has joine" ith a return of an ol" in"isposition, to $ake $e goo" for nothing toE"ay# The paper has lain before $e all this e!ening, to rite to $y "ear Clarin"a, butEE +ools rushB" on fools, as a!es succee" to a!es# ) ) )

' curse" the$ in $y soulF they sacrilegiously "isturbe" $y $e"itations on her ho hol"s $y heart# *hat a creature is $an3 5 little alar$ last night an" toE"ay, that ' a$ $ortal, has $a"e such a re!olution on $y spirits3 There is no philosophy, no "i!inity, co$es half so ho$e to the $in"# ' ha!e no i"ea of courage that bra!es hea!en# BTis the il" ra!ings of an i$aginary hero in be"la$# ' can no $ore, Clarin"aF ' can scarcely hol" up $y hea"F but ' a$ happy you "o not kno it, you oul" be so uneasy# /(L,5@%ER# DCon"ay CorningD# ' a$, $y lo!ely frien", $uch better this $orning on the holeF but ' ha!e a horri" languor on $y spirits# /ick of the orl", an" all its joys, Cy soul in pining sa"ness $ournsF

%ark scenes of oe $y $in" e$ploys, The past an" present in their turns# .a!e you e!er $et ith a saying of the great, an" like ise goo" Cr# Locke, author of the fa$ous DEssay on the .u$an ?n"erstan"ingDH .e rote a letter to a frien", "irecting it, &not to be "eli!ere" till after $y "eceaseF& it en"e" thusEE&' kno you lo!e" $e hen li!ing, an" ill preser!e $y $e$ory no ' a$ "ea"# 5ll the use to be $a"e of it is, that this life affor"s no soli" satisfaction, but in the consciousness of ha!ing "one ell, an" the hopes of another life# 5"ieu3 ' lea!e $y best ishes ith you# ># L<CAE#& Clarin"a, $ay ' reckon on your frien"ship for lifeH ' think ' $ay# Thou 5l$ighty Preser!er of $en3 thy frien"ship, hich hitherto ' ha!e too $uch neglecte", to secure it shall, all the future "ays an" nights of $y life, be $y stea"y care3 The i"ea of $y Clarin"a follo sEE .i"e it, $y heart, ithin that close "isguise, *here, $i-B" ith Go"Bs, her lo!B" i"ea lies# But ' fear that inconstancy, the conseJuent i$perfection of hu$an eakness# /hall ' $eet ith a frien"ship that "efies years of absence, an" the chances an" changes of fortuneH Perhaps &such things areF& Done honestD $an98=a; ' ha!e great hopes fro$ that ay4 but ho, e-cept a ro$ance riter, oul" think on a Dlo!eD that coul" pro$ise for life, in spite of "istance, absence, chance, an" changeF an" that, too, ith slen"er hopes of fruitionH +or $y o n part, ' can say to $yself in both reJuisitions, &Thou art the $an3& ' "are, in cool resol!e ' "are, "eclare $yself that frien", an" that lo!er# 'f o$ankin" is capable of such things, Clarin"a is# ' trust that she isF an" ' feel ' shall be $iserable if she is not# There is not one !irtue hich gi!es orth, or one senti$ent hich "oes honour to the se-, that she "oes not possess superior to any o$an ' e!er sa F her e-alte" $in", ai"e" a little perhaps by her situation, is, ' think, capable of that noblyEro$antic lo!eEenthusias$# Cay ' see you on *e"nes"ay e!ening, $y "ear angelH The ne-t *e"nes"ay again ill, ' conjecture, be a hate" "ay to us both# ' tre$ble for censorious re$ark, for your sake, but, in e-traor"inary cases, $ay not usual an" useful precaution be a little "ispense" ithH Three e!enings, three s iftE inge" e!enings, ith pinions of "o n, are all the pastF ' "are not calculate the future# ' shall call at Ciss @i$$oBs toE$orro e!eningFBt ill be a fare ell call# ' ha!e rote out $y last sheet of paper, so ' a$ re"uce" to $y last halfEsheet# *hat a strange $ysterious faculty is that thing calle" i$agination3 *e ha!e no i"eas al$ost at all of another orl"F but ' ha!e often a$use" $yself ith !isionary sche$es of hat happiness $ight be enjoye" by s$all alterationsEEalterations that e can fully enter into, in this present state of e-istence# +or instance, suppose you an" ', just as e are at presentF the sa$e reasoning po ers, senti$ents, an" e!en "esiresF the sa$e fon" curiosity for kno le"ge an" re$arking obser!ation in our $in"sF an" i$agine our bo"ies free fro$ pain, an" the necessary supplies for the ants of nature at all ti$es, an" easily, ithin our reach4 i$agine further, that e ere set free fro$ the la s of gra!itation, hich bin" us to this globe, an" coul" at pleasure fly, ithout incon!enience, through all the yet unconjecture" boun"s of creation, hat a life of bliss oul" e lea", in our $utual pursuit of !irtue an" kno le"ge, an" our $utual enjoy$ent of frien"ship an" lo!e3

' see you laughing at $y fairy fancies, an" calling $e a !oluptuous Caho$etanF but ' a$ certain ' oul" be a happy creature, beyon" anything e call bliss here belo F nay, it oul" be a para"ise congenial to you too# %onBt you see us, han" in han", or rather, $y ar$ about your lo!ely aist, $aking our re$arks on /irius, the nearest of the fi-e" starsF or sur!eying a co$et, fla$ing inno-ious by us, as e just no oul" $ark the passing po$p of a tra!elling $onarchF or in a sha"y bo er of Cercury or ,enus, "e"icating the hour to lo!e, in $utual con!erse, relying honour, an" re!elling en"ear$ent, hilst the $ost e-alte" strains of poesy an" har$ony oul" be the rea"y spontaneous language of our souls3 %e!otion is the fa!ourite e$ploy$ent of your heartF so it is of $ine4 hat incenti!es then to, an" po ers for re!erence, Bgratitu"e, faith, an" hope, in all the fer!ours of a"oration an" praise to that Being, hose unsearchable is"o$, po er, an" goo"ness, so per!a"e", so inspire" e!ery sense an" feeling3 By this ti$e, ' "aresay, you ill be blessing the neglect of the $ai" that lea!es $e "estitute of paper3 /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 8=a4 5llu"ing to Captain Bro n#; ) N,'# 9DCon"ayD, 60Dst >anD# 02::#; ### ' a$ a "iscontente" ghost, a perturbe" spirit# Clarin"a, if e!er you forget /yl!an"er, $ay you be happy, but he ill be $iserable# < hat a fool ' a$ in lo!e3 *hat an e-traor"inary pro"igal of affection3 *hy are your se- calle" the ten"er se-, hen ' ha!e ne!er $et ith one ho can repay $e in passionH They are either not so rich in lo!e as ' a$, or they are niggar"s here ' a$ la!ish# < Thou, hose ' a$, an" hose are all $y ays3 Thou seest $e here, the hapless reck of ti"es an" te$pests in $y o n boso$4 "o Thou "irect to Thyself that ar"ent lo!e for hich ' ha!e so often sought a return in !ain fro$ $y fello Ecreatures3 'f Thy goo"ness has yet such a gift in store for $e as an eJual return of affection fro$ her ho, Thou kno est, is "earer to $e than life, "o Thou bless an" hallo our bon" of lo!e an" frien"shipF atch o!er us in all our outgoings an" inco$ings for goo"4 an" $ay the tie that unites our hearts be strong an" in"issoluble as the threa" of $anBs i$$ortal life3### ' a$ just going to take your &Blackbir",&988; the s eetest, ' a$ sure, that e!er sung, an" prune its ings a little# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 884 .er !erses, &To a Blackbir" /inging#&; ) N,''# DThurs"ay CorningD, 6LDth >anuary#D ) ) ) ) ) )

?nla!ish *is"o$ ne!er

orks in !ain#

' ha!e been tasking $y reason, Clarin"a, hy a o$an, ho, for nati!e genius, poignant it, strength of $in", generous sincerity of soul, an" the s eetest fe$ale ten"erness, is ithout a peer, an" hose personal char$s ha!e fe , !ery !ery fe parallels, a$ong her se-F hy, or ho she shoul" fall to the blesse" lot of a poor Dhairu$ scairu$D poet, ho$ +ortune ha" kept for her particular use, to reak her te$per on hene!er she as in ill hu$our# <ne ti$e ' conjecture", that as +ortune is the $ost capricious ja"e e!er kno n, she $ay ha!e taken, not a fit of re$orse, but a paro-ys$ of hi$, to raise the poor "e!il out of the $ire, here he ha" so often an" so con!eniently ser!e" her as a stepping stone, an" gi!en hi$ the $ost glorious boon she e!er ha" in her gift, $erely for the $aggotBs sake, to see ho his fool hea" an" his fool heart ill bear it# 5t other ti$es ' as !ain enough to think, that @ature, ho has a great "eal to say ith +ortune, ha" gi!en the coJuettish go""ess so$e such hint as, &.ere is a paragon of fe$ale e-cellence, hose eJual, in all $y for$er co$positions, ' ne!er as lucky enough to hit on, an" "espair of e!er "oing so againF you ha!e cast her rather in the sha"es of lifeF there is a certain Poet of $y $akingF a$ong your frolics it oul" not be a$iss to attach hi$ to this $asterpiece of $y han", to gi!e her that i$$ortality a$ong $ankin", hich no o$an, of any age, e!er $ore "eser!e", an" hich fe rhy$sters of this age are better able to confer#& DE!eningD, 1 DoBclock#D ' a$ here, absolutely unfit to finish $y letterEEpretty hearty after a bo l, hich has been constantly plie" since "inner till this $o$ent# ' ha!e been ith Cr# /chetki, the $usician, an" he has set it988a; finely#EEEE' ha!e no "istinct i"eas of anything, but that ' ha!e "runk your health t ice toEnight, an" that you are all $y soul hol"s "ear in this orl"# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 88a4 &Clarin"a, Cistress of $y /oul, etc#&EE/ee Poe$s#; ) N,'''# 9D+ri"ay, >anD# 6=#; Clarin"a, $y life, you ha!e oun"e" $y soul# Can ' think of your being unhappy, e!en though it be not "escribe" in your pathetic elegance of language, ithout being $iserableH Clarin"a, can ' bear to be tol" fro$ you that you & ill not see $e toE$orro night&EEthat you & ish the hour of parting ere co$eH& %o not let us i$pose on oursel!es by soun"s# 'f in the $o$ent of ten"er en"ear$ent ' perhaps trespasse" against the letter of "ecoru$Bs la ' appeal e!en to you hether ' e!er sinne" in the !ery least "egree against the spirit of her strictest statute# But hy, $y lo!e, talk to $e in such strong ter$sHEEe!ery or" of hich cuts $e to the !ery soul# (ou kno a hint, the slightest signification of your ish is to $e a sacre" co$$an"# Be reconcile", $y angel, to your Go", yourself, an" $e4 an" ' ple"ge you /yl!an"erBs honourEEan oath ' "aresay you ill trust ithout reser!eEEthat you shall ne!er $ore ha!e reason to co$plain of his con"uct# @o , $y lo!e, "o not oun" our ne-t ) ) )

$eeting ith any a!erte" looks or restraine" caresses# ' ha!e $arke" the line of con"uct, a line ' kno e-actly to your taste, an" hich ' ill in!iolably keepF but "o not you she the least inclination to $ake boun"aries# /ee$ing "istrust here you kno you $ay confi"e is a cruel sin against sensibility# &%elicacy, you kno , it as, hich on $e to you at onceEEtake care you "o not loosen the "earest, $ost sacre" tie that unites us#& Clarin"a, ' oul" not ha!e stung DyourD soul, ' oul" not ha!e bruise" DyourD spirit, as that harsh, crucifying D&Take Care&D "i" $ineEEno, not to ha!e gaine" .ea!en3 Let $e again appeal to your "ear self, if /yl!an"er, e!en hen he see$ingly halfEtransgresse" the la s of "ecoru$, if he "i" not she $ore chastene" tre$bling, faltering "elicacy than the $any of the orl" "o in keeping these la sH < Lo!e an" /ensibility, ye ha!e conspire" against $y peace3 ' lo!e to $a"ness an" ' feel to torture3 Clarin"a, ho can ' forgi!e $yself that ' ha!e e!er touche" a single chor" in your boso$ ith pain3 *oul" ' "o it illinglyH *oul" any consi"eration, any gratification $ake $e "o soH <h, "i" you lo!e like $e, you oul" not, you coul" not, "eny or put off a $eeting ith the $an ho a"ores youEE ho oul" "ie a thousan" "eaths before he oul" injure youF an" ho $ust soon bi" you a long fare ell3 ' ha" propose" bringing $y boso$ frien", Cr# 5inslie, toE$orro e!ening at his strong reJuest to see you, as he has only ti$e to stay ith us about ten $inutes for an engage$ent# But ' shall hear fro$ youEEthis afternoon, for $ercyBs sake3 for till ' hear fro$ you ' a$ retche"# < Clarin"a, the tie that bin"s $e to thee is int iste", incorporate" ith $y "earest threa"s of life3 /(L,5@%ER# ) N'N# 9D/atD#, 68 D>anD#; ' as on the ay, D$y Lo!eD, to $eet you G' ne!er "o things by hal!esI, hen ' got your car"# Cr# 5inslie goes out of to n toE$orro $orning, to see a brother of his ho is ne ly arri!e" fro$ +rance# ' a$ "eter$ine" that he an" ' shall call on you togetherF so, look you, lest ' shoul" ne!er see toE$orro , e ill call on you toEnightF Cary an" you $ay put off tea till about se!enF at hich ti$e, in the Gallo ay phrase, &an the beast be to the fore, an" the branks bi"e hale,& e-pect the hu$blest of your hu$ble ser!ants, an" his "earest frien"# *e propose staying only halfEanEhour, &for ought e ken#& ' coul" suffer the lash of $isery ele!en $onths in the year, ere the t elfth to be co$pose" of hours like yesternight# (ou are the soul of $y enjoy$ent4 all else is of the stuff of stocks an" stones# /(L,5@%ER# ) NN# D/un"ay @oon, >anD# 62DthD# ' ha!e al$ost gi!en up the e-cise i"ea# ' ha!e been just no to ait on a great person, CissEEEEBs frien", EEEE# *hy ill great people not only ) ) ) ) ) )

"eafen us ith the "in of their eJuipage, an" "aKKle us ith their fasti"ious po$p, but they $ust also be so !ery "ictatorially iseH ' ha!e been Juestione" like a chil" about $y $atters, an" bla$e" an" schoole" for $y inscription on /tirling in"o # Co$e Clarin"aECo$e3 curse $e >acob, an" co$e "efy $e 'srael3 D/un"ay @ightD# ' ha!e been ith Ciss @i$$oF she is in"ee" a goo" soul, as $y Clarin"a finely says# /he has reconcile" $e in a goo" $easure to the orl" ith her frien"ly prattle# /chetki has sent $e the song set to a fine air of his co$posing# ' ha!e calle" the song &Clarin"a#& ' ha!e carrie" it about in $y pocket an" hu$$e" it o!er all "ay# DCon"ay CorningD# 'f $y prayers ha!e any eight in hea!en, this $orning looks in on you an" fin"s you in the ar$s of Peace, e-cept here it is char$ingly interrupte" by the ar"ours of "e!otion# ' fin" so $uch serenity of soul, so $uch positi!e pleasure, so $uch fearless "aring to ar" the orl" hen ' ar$ in "e!otion, or feel the glorious sensation of a consciousness of 5l$ighty frien"ship, that ' a$ sure ' shall soon be an honest enthusiast# .o are Thy /er!ants blest, < Lor", .o sure is their "efence3 ' a$, $y "ear $a"a$, yours, /(L,5@%ER# ) NN'# DTues"ay CorningD, 61Dth >anuaryD# ' cannot go out toE"ay, $y "earest lo!e, ithout sen"ing you half a line, by ay of a sinEofferingF but, belie!e $e, Bt as the sin of ignorance# Coul" you think that ' Dinten"e"D to hurt you by any thing ' sai" yesternightH @ature has been too kin" to you for your happiness, your "elicacy, your sensibility# < hy shoul" such glorious Jualifications be the fruitful source of oe3 (ou ha!e &$ur"ere" sleep& to $e last night# ' ent to be", i$presse" ith an i"ea that you ere unhappyF an" e!ery start ' close" $y eyes, busy +ancy painte" you in such scenes of ro$antic $isery, that ' oul" al$ost be persua"e" you ere not ell this $orning# 'f ' un eeting ha!e offen"e", '$pute it not# But hile e li!e But one short hour perhaps, bet een us t o, Let there be peace# 'f Cary is not gone by this reaches you, gi!e her $y best co$pli$ents# /he is a char$ing girl, an" highly orthy of the noblest lo!e# ' sen" you a poe$ to rea", till ' call on you this night, hich ill be about nine# ' ish ' coul" procure so$e potent spell, so$e fairy char$, ) ) ) )

that oul" protect fro$ injury, or restore to rest that boso$Echor", &tre$blingly ali!e all oBer,& on hich hangs your peace of $in"# ' thought, !ainly, ' fear, thought that the "e!otion of lo!eEElo!e strong as e!en you can feelEElo!e guar"e", in!ulnerably guar"e", by all the purity of !irtue, an" all the pri"e of honourF ' thought such a lo!e oul" $ake you happyEEshall ' be $istakenH ' can no $ore for hurry# /(L,5@%ER# ) NN''# D/un"ay CorningD, 3Dr" +ebruaryD# ' ha!e just been before the throne of $y Go", Clarin"aF accor"ing to $y association of i"eas, $y senti$ents of lo!e an" frien"ship, ' ne-t "e!ote $yself to you# (esternight ' as happyEEhappiness &that the orl" cannot gi!e#& ' kin"le at the recollectionF but it is a fla$e here innocence looks s$iling on, an" honour stan"s by, a sacre" guar"# (our heart, your fon"est ishes, your "earest thoughts, these are yours to besto F your person is unapproachable by the la s of your countryF an" he lo!es not as ' "o, ho oul" $ake you $iserable# (ou are an angel, Clarin"aF you are surely no $ortal that &the earth o ns#& To kiss your han", to li!e on your s$ile, is to $e far $ore e-Juisite bliss than the "earest fa!ours that the fairest of the se-, yourself e-cepte", can besto # D/un"ay E!eningD# (ou are the constant co$panion of $y thoughts# .o retche" is the con"ition of one ho is haunte" ith conscious guilt, an" tre$bling un"er the i"ea of "rea"e" !engeance3 an" hat a placi" cal$, hat a char$ing secret enjoy$ent it gi!es, to boso$ the kin" feelings of frien"ship an" the fon" throes of lo!e3 <ut upon the te$pest of anger, the acri$onious gall of fretful i$patience, the sullen frost of louring resent$ent, or the corro"ing poison of ithere" en!y3 They eat up the i$$ortal part of $an3 'f they spent their fury only on the unfortunate objects of the$, it oul" be so$ething in their fa!ourF but these $iserable passions, like traitor 'scariot, betray their lor" an" $aster# Thou 5l$ighty 5uthor of peace, an" goo"ness, an" lo!e3 "o thou gi!e $e the social heart that kin"ly tastes of e!ery $anBs cup3 's it a "raught of joyHEE ar$ an" open $y heart to share it ith cor"ial unen!ying rejoicing3 's it the bitter potion of sorro HEE$elt $y heart ith sincerely sy$pathetic oe3 5bo!e all, "o thou gi!e $e the $anly $in" that resolutely e-e$plifies, in life an" $anners, those senti$ents hich ' oul" ish to be thought to possess3 The frien" of $y soulEEthere $ay ' ne!er "e!iate fro$ the fir$est fi"elity an" $ost acti!e kin"ness3 Clarin"a, the "ear object of $y fon"est lo!eF there $ay the $ost sacre" in!iolate honour, the $ost faithful kin"ling constancy, e!er atch an" ani$ate $y e!ery thought an" i$agination3 %i" you e!er $eet "arling topicHEE ith the follo ing lines spoken of Religion, your ) ) ) )

DBTis thisD, $y frien", that streaks our $orning brightF DBTis thisD that gil"s the horrors of our nightF

*hen ealth forsakes us, an" hen frien"s are fe , *hen frien"s are faithless, or hen foes pursueF BTis this that ar"s the blo , or stills the s$art, %isar$s affliction, or repels its "art4 *ithin the breast bi"s purest rapture rise, Bi"s s$iling Conscience sprea" her clou"less skies#982; ' $et ith these !erses !ery early in life, an" as so "elighte" ith the$ that ' ha!e the$ by $e, copie" at school# Goo" night an" soun" rest, $y "earest Clarin"a3 /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 824 +ro$ .er!eyBs DCe"itationsD#; ) NN'''# DThurs"ay @ight, +ebD# 2, 02::# 't is perhaps rather rong to speak highly to a frien" of his letterF it is apt to lay one un"er a little restraint in their future letters, an" restraint is the "eath of a frien"ly epistle# But there is one passage in your last char$ing letter, Tho$son or /henstone ne!er e-cee"e" nor often ca$e up to# ' shall certainly steal it, an" set it in so$e future poetic pro"uction, an" get i$$ortal fa$e by it# BTis hen you bi" the /cenes of @ature re$in" $e of Clarin"a# Can ' forget you, Clarin"aH ' oul" "etest $yself as a tasteless, unfeeling, insipi", infa$ous blockhea"3 ' ha!e lo!e" o$en of or"inary $erit ho$ ' coul" ha!e lo!e" for e!er# (ou are the first, the only une-ceptionable in"i!i"ual of the beauteous se- that ' e!er $et ith4 an" ne!er o$an $ore entirely possesse" $y soul# ' kno $yself, an" ho far ' can "epen" on passions, ell# 't has been $y peculiar stu"y# ' thank you for going to Cyers#98:; ?rge hi$, for necessity calls, to ha!e it "one by the $i""le of ne-t eek, *e"nes"ay at latest# ' ant it for a breastEpin, to ear ne-t $y heart# ' propose to keep sacre" set ti$es, to an"er in the oo"s an" il"s for $e"itation on you# Then, an" only then, your lo!ely i$age shall be pro"uce" to the "ay, ith a re!erence akin to "e!otion#### ToE$orro night shall not be the last# Goo"Enight3 ' a$ perfectly stupi", as ' suppe" late yesternight# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 8:4 Ciniature painter#; ) NN',# D*e"nes"ay, 03th +ebruaryD# Cy e!er "earest Clarin"a,EE' $ake a nu$erous "inner party ait $e, hile ' rea" yours an" rite this# %o not reJuire that ' shoul" cease to lo!e you, to a"ore you in $y soulEEBtis to $e i$possibleEEyour peace an" ) ) ) ) ) ) )

happiness are to $e "earer than $y soul4 na$e the ter$s on hich you ish to see $e, to correspon" ith $e, an" you ha!e the$EE' $ust lo!e, pine, $ourn, an" a"ore in secretEEthis you $ust not "eny $eF you ill e!er be to $e %ear as the light that !isits these sa" eyes, %ear as the ru""y "rops that ar$ $y heart3 ' ha!e not patience to rea" the puritanic scra l# %a$nB" sophistry3 (e hea!ens3 thou Go" of nature3 thou Re"ee$er of $ankin"3 ye look "o n ith appro!ing eyes on a passion inspire" by the purest fla$e, an" guar"e" by truth, "elicacy, an" honourF but the halfEinch soul of an unfeeling, col"Ebloo"e", pitiful presbyterian bigot,981; cannot forgi!e anything abo!e his "ungeon boso$ an" foggy hea"# +are ellF 'Bll be ith you toE$orro e!eningEEan" be at rest in your $in"EE' ill be yours in the ay you think $ost to your happiness3 ' "are not procee"EE' lo!e, an" ill lo!e you, an" ill ith joyous confi"ence approach the throne of the 5l$ighty >u"ge of $en, ith your "ear i"ea, an" ill "espise the scu$ of senti$ent, an" the $ist of sophistry# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 814 Re!# Cr# Ae$p, Clarin"aBs spiritual a"!iser#; ) NN,# D*e"nes"ay Ci"night 9+eb# 03;#D C5%5C,E5fter a retche" "ay ' a$ preparing for a sleepless night# ' a$ going to a""ress $yself to the 5l$ighty *itness of $y actions, so$e ti$e, perhaps !ery soon, $y 5l$ighty >u"ge# ' a$ not going to be the a"!ocate of passion4 be Thou $y inspirer an" testi$ony, < Go", as ' plea" the cause of truth3 ' ha!e rea" o!er your frien"Bs927; haughty "ictatorial letter4 you are ans erable only to your Go" in such a $atter# *ho ga!e any fello Ecreature of yours Gone incapable of being your ju"ge because not your peerI a right to catechise, scol", un"er!alue, abuse, an" insultEE antonly an" inhu$anly to insult you thusH ' "o not e!en D ishD to "ecei!e you, Ca"a$# The /earcher of hearts is $y itness ho "ear you are to $eF but though it ere possible you coul" be still "earer to $e, ' oul" not e!en kiss your han" at the e-pense of your conscience# 5 ay ith "ecla$ation3 let us appeal to the bar of co$$onsense# 't is not $outhing e!erything sacre"F it is not !ague ranting assertionsF it is not assu$ing, haughtily an" insultingly, the "ictatorial language of a Ro$an pontiff, that $ust "issol!e a union like ours# Tell $e, Ca"a$EE5re you un"er the least sha"o of an obligation to besto your lo!e, ten"erness, caresses, affections, heart an" soul, on Cr# CBLehose, the $an ho has repeate"ly, habitually, an" barbarously broken through e!ery tie of "uty, nature, an" gratitu"e to youH The la s of your country, in"ee", for the $ost useful reasons of policy an" soun" go!ern$ent, ha!e $a"e your person in!iolateF but, are your heart an" affections boun" to one ho gi!es not the least return of either to youH (ou cannot "o it4 it is not in the nature of things4 the co$$on feelings of hu$anity forbi" it# .a!e you then a heart an" affections hich are no $anBs rightH (ou ha!e# 't oul" be absur" to suppose the contrary# Tell $e then, in the na$e of co$$onEsense, can it be rong, is such a ) ) )

supposition co$patible ith the plainest i"eas of right an" rong, that it is i$proper to besto the heart an" these affections on anotherEE hile that besto ing is not in the s$allest "egree hurtful to your "uty to Go", to your chil"ren, to yourself, or to society at largeH This is the great testF the conseJuences4 let us see the$# 'n a i"o e", forlorn, lonely con"ition, ith a boso$ glo ing ith lo!e an" ten"erness, yet so "elicately situate" that you cannot in"ulge these nobler feelings#### 9Dcetera "esuntD#; 9+ootnote 274 Re!# Cr# Ae$p#; ) NN,'# DThurs#, 0L +ebD# &' a$ "istresse" for thee, $y brother >onathan3& ' ha!e suffere", Clarin"a, fro$ your letter# Cy soul as in ar$s at the sa" perusalF ' "rea"e" that ' ha" acte" rong# 'f ' ha!e robbe" you of a frien",920; Go" forgi!e $e3 But, Clarin"a, be co$forte"4 let $e raise the tone of our feelings a little higher an" bol"er# 5 fello Ecreature ho lea!es us, ho spurns us ithout a just cause, though once our boso$ frien"EEup ith a little honest pri"eEElet the$ go3 .o shall ' co$fort you, ho a$ the cause of the injuryH Can ' ish that ' ha" ne!er seen you, that e ha" ne!er $etH @o3 ' ne!er ill# But ha!e ' thro n you frien"lessH There is al$ost "istraction in that thought# +ather of $ercies3 against Thee often ha!e ' sinne"4 through Thy grace ' ill en"ea!our to "o so no $ore3 /he ho, Thou kno est, is "earer to $e than $yself, pour Thou the bal$ of peace into her past oun"s, an" he"ge her about ith Thy peculiar care, all her future "ays an" nights# /trengthen her ten"er noble $in", fir$ly to suffer, an" $agnani$ously to bear3 Cake $e orthy of that frien"ship she honours $e ith# Cay $y attach$ent to her be pure as "e!otion, an" lasting as i$$ortal life3 < 5l$ighty Goo"ness, hear $e3 Be to her at all ti$es, particularly in the hour of "istress or trial, a +rien" an" Co$forter, a Gui"e an" Guar"# .o are Thy ser!ants blest, < Lor", .o sure is their "efence3 Eternal *is"o$ is their gui"e, Their help, <$nipotence3 +orgi!e $e, Clarin"a, the injury ' ha!e "one you3 Tonight ' shall be ith youF as in"ee" ' shall be ill at ease till ' see you# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 204 .er $inister#; ) NN,''# DThurs"ay, 0Lth +eb#, T o oBclockD# ) ) ) ) ) )

' just no recei!e" your first letter of yester"ay, by the careless negligence of the pennyEpost# Clarin"a, $atters are gro n !ery serious ith usF then seriously hear $e, an" hear $e, .ea!enEE' $et you, $y "ear @ancy, by far the first of o$ankin", at least to $eF ' estee$e", ' lo!e" you at first sightF the longer ' a$ acJuainte" ith you the $ore innate a$iableness an" orth ' "isco!er in you# (ou ha!e suffere" a loss, ' confess, for $y sake4 but if the fir$est, stea"iest, ar$est frien"shipF if e!ery en"ea!our to be orthy of your frien"shipF if a lo!e, strong as the ties of nature, an" holy as the "uties of religionEEif all these can $ake anything like a co$pensation for the e!il ' ha!e occasione" you, if they be orth your acceptance, or can in the least a"" to your enjoy$entEEso help /yl!an"er, ye Po ers abo!e, in his hour of nee", as he freely gi!es these all to Clarin"a3 ' estee$ you, ' lo!e you as a frien"F ' a"$ire you, ' lo!e you as a o$an, beyon" any one in all the circle of creationF ' kno ' shall continue to estee$ you, to lo!e you, to pray for you, nay, to pray for $yself for your sake# E-pect $e at eight# 5n" belie!e $e to be e!er, $y "earest Ca"a$, yours $ost entirely, /(L,5@%ER# ) NN,'''# D+ebruary 0=th, 02::D# *hen $atters, $y lo!e, are "esperate, <n reason buil" resol!e, That colu$n of true $ajesty in $an# <r, as the sa$e author finely says in another placeEE Let thy soul spring up, 5n" lay strong hol" for help on .i$ that $a"e thee# ' a$ yours, Clarin"a, for life# @e!er be "iscourage" at all this# Look for ar"F in a fe eeks ' shall be so$e here or other out of the possibility of seeing you4 till then ' shall rite you often, but !isit you sel"o$# (our fa$e, your elfare, your happiness are "earer to $e than any gratification hate!er# Be co$forte", $y lo!e3 the present $o$ent is the orstF the lenient han" of Ti$e is "aily an" hourly either lightening the bur"en, or $aking us insensible to the eight# @one of these frien"s, ' $ean Cr#EEEE an" the other gentle$an, can hurt your orl"ly supportF an" for their frien"ship, in a little ti$e you ill learn to be easy, an", by an" by, to be happy ithout it# 5 "ecent $eans of li!elihoo" in the orl", an appro!ing Go", a peaceful conscience, an" one fir$, trusty frien"EEcan anybo"y that has these be sai" to be unhappyH These are yours# ToE$orro e!ening ' shall be ith you about eightF probably for the last ti$e till ' return to E"inburgh# 'n the $eanti$e, shoul" any of these t o unlucky frien"s Juestion you respecting $e, hether ' a$ the $an, ' "o not think they are entitle" to any infor$ation# 5s to their jealousy an" spying, ' "espise the$#EE5"ieu, $y "earest Ca"a$3 e $ust put on a "esperate faceEE ) ) )

/(L,5@%ER# ) NN'N# GL5/G<*, DCon"ay E!ening, 1 oBclock, 0:th +eb# 02::#D The attraction of lo!e, ' fin", is in an in!erse proportion to the attraction of the @e tonian philosophy# 'n the syste$ of /ir 'saac, the nearer objects are to one another, the stronger is the attracti!e forceF in $y syste$, e!ery $ileEstone that $arke" $y progress fro$ Clarin"a, a akene" a keener pang of attach$ent to her# .o "o you feel, $y lo!eH 's your heart ill at easeH ' fear it#EEGo" forbi" that these persecutors shoul" harass that peace, hich is $ore precious to $e than $y o n# Be assure" ' shall e!er think of you, $use on you, an", in $y $o$ents of "e!otion, pray for you# The hour that you are not in all $y thoughtsEE&be that hour "arkness3 let the sha"o s of "eath co!er it3 let it not be nu$bere" in the hours of the "ay3& *hen ' forget the "arling the$e, Be $y tongue $ute3 $y fancy paint no $ore3 5n", "ea" to joy, forget, $y heart, to beat3 ' ha!e just $et ith $y ol" frien", the ship captainF926; guess $y pleasureEEto $eet you coul" alone ha!e gi!en $e $ore# Cy brother *illia$, too, the young sa""ler, has co$e to Glasgo to $eet $eF an" here are e three spen"ing the e!ening# ' arri!e" here too late to rite by postF but 'Bll rap half a "oKen sheets of blank paper together, an" sen" it by the fly, un"er the na$e of a parcel# (ou shall hear fro$ $e ne-t post to n# ' oul" rite you a long letter, but for the present circu$stance of $y frien"# 5"ieu, $y Clarin"a3 ' a$ just going to propose your health by graceE"rink# /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 264 Richar" Bro n, ho$ he first kne at 'r!ine#; ) NNN# C?C@<CA, D6n" CarchD 02::# ' hope, an" a$ certain, that $y generous Clarin"a923; ill not think $y silence, for no a long eek, has been in any "ecree o ing to $y forgetfulness# ' ha!e been tosse" about through the country e!er since ' rote youF an" a$ here, returning fro$ %u$friesEshire, at an inn, the post office of the place, ith just so long ti$e as $y horse eats his corn, to rite you# ' ha!e been hurrie" ith business an" "issipation al$ost eJual to the insi"ious "ecree of the Persian $onarchBs $an"ate, hen he forba"e asking petition of Go" or $an for forty "ays# .a" the !enerable prophet been as throng as ', he ha" not broken the "ecree, at least not thrice a "ay# ' a$ thinking $y far$ing sche$e ill yet hol"# 5 orthy intelligent far$er, $y fatherBs frien" an" $y o n, has been ith $e on the spot4 he thinks the bargain practicable# ' a$ $yself, on a $ore serious re!ie of ) ) ) ay of ) ) )

the lan"s, $uch better please" ith the$# ' onBt $ention this in riting to any bo"y but you an" 5inslie# %onBt accuse $e of being fickle4 ' ha!e the t o plans of life before $e, an" ' ish to a"opt the one $ost likely to procure $e in"epen"ence# ' shall be in E"inburgh ne-t eek# ' long to see you4 your i$age is o$nipresent to $eF nay, ' a$ con!ince" ' oul" soon i"olatrise it $ost seriouslyF so $uch "o absence an" $e$ory i$pro!e the $e"iu$ through hich one sees the $uchElo!e" object# ToEnight, at the sacre" hour of eight, ' e-pect to $eet youEEat the Throne of Grace# ' hope, as ' go ho$e tonight, to fin" a letter fro$ you at the post office in Cauchline# ' ha!e just once seen that "ear han" since ' left E"inburghEEa letter in"ee" hich $uch affecte" $e# Tell $e, first of o$ankin"3 ill $y ar$est attach$ent, $y sincerest frien"ship, $y correspon"ence, ill they be any co$pensation for the sacrifices you $ake for $y sake3 'f they ill, they are yours# 'f ' settle on the far$ ' propose, ' a$ just a "ay an" a halfBs ri"e fro$ E"inburgh# *e ill $eetEE"onBt you say, &perhaps too often3& +are ell, $y fair, $y char$ing Poetess3 Cay all goo" things e!er atten" you3 ' a$ e!er, $y "earest Ca"a$, yours, /(L,5@%ER# 9+ootnote 234 The letter about the 63r" of +ebruary see$s to be anting#; ) NNN'# C5?C.L'@E, 8 DCarD# ' o n $yself guilty, Clarin"aF ' shoul" ha!e ritten you last eekF but hen you recollect, $y "earest Ca"a$, that yours of this nightBs post is only the thir" ' ha!e got fro$ you, an" that this is the fifth or si-th ' ha!e sent to you, you ill not reproach $e, ith a goo" grace, for unkin"ness# ' ha!e al ays so$e kin" of i"ea, not to sit "o n to rite a letter e-cept ' ha!e ti$e an" possession of $y faculties, so as to "o so$e justice to $y letterF hich at present is rarely $y situation# +or instance, yester"ay ' "ine" at a frien"Bs at so$e "istanceF the sa!age hospitality of this country spent $e the $ost part of the night o!er the nauseous potion in the bo l4 this "ayEEsickEEhea"acheEElo spiritsEE$iserableEEfasting, e-cept for a "raught of ater or s$all beer4 no eight oBclock at nightEEonly able to cra l ten $inutes alk into Cauchline to ait the post, in the pleasurable hope of hearing fro$ the $istress of $y soul# But, truce ith all this3 *hen ' sit "o n to rite to you, all is har$ony an" peace# 5 hun"re" ti$es a "ay "o ' figure you, before your taper, your book, or ork lai" asi"e, as ' get ithin the roo$# .o happy ha!e ' been3 an" ho little of that scantling portion of ti$e, calle" the life of $an, is sacre" to happiness3 $uch less transport3 ' coul" $oralise toEnight like a "eathBs hea"# < hat is life, that thoughtless ish of all3 5 "rop of honey in a "raught of gall# @othing astonishes $e $ore, hen a little sickness clogs the heels of life, than the thoughtless career e run in the hour of health# &@one saith, here is Go", $y Caker, that gi!eth songs in the nightF ho teacheth us $ore kno le"ge than the beasts of the fiel", an" $ore ) ) )

un"erstan"ing than the fo ls of the air#& Gi!e $e, $y Caker, to re$e$ber thee3 Gi!e $e to act up to the "ignity of $y nature3 Gi!e $e to feel &anotherBs oeF& an" continue ith $e that "earElo!e" frien" that feels ith $ine3 The "ignifie" an" "ignifying consciousness of an honest $an, an" the ellEgroun"e" trust in appro!ing .ea!en, are t o $ost substantial foun"ations of happiness# /(L,5@%ER# ) NNN''# C<//G'EL, D2th CarchD 02::# Clarin"a, ' ha!e been so stung ith your reproach for unkin"ness, a sin so unlike $e, a sin ' "etest $ore than a breach of the hole %ecalogue, fifth, si-th, se!enth an" ninth articles e-cepte", that ' belie!e ' shall not rest in $y gra!e about it, if ' "ie before ' see you# (ou ha!e often allo e" $e the hea" to ju"ge, an" the heart to feel, the influence of fe$ale e-cellence# *as it not blasphe$y, then, against your o n char$s, an" against $y feelings, to suppose that a short fortnight coul" abate $y passionH (ou, $y lo!e, $ay ha!e your cares an" an-ieties to "isturb you, but they are the usual recurrences of lifeF your future !ie s are fi-e", an" your $in" in a settle" routine# Coul" not you, $y e!er "earest Ca"a$, $ake a little allo ance for a $an, after long absence, paying a short !isit to a country full of frien"s, relations, an" early inti$atesH Cannot you guess, $y Clarin"a, hat thoughts, hat cares, hat an-ious forebo"ings, hopes an" fears, $ust cro " the breast of the $an of keen sensibility, hen no less is on the tapis than his ai$, his e$ploy$ent, his !ery e-istence, through future life3 @o that, not $y apology, but $y "efence is $a"e, ' feel $y soul respire $ore easily# ' kno you ill go along ith $e in $y justificationEE oul" to .ea!en you coul" in $y a"option too3 ' $ean an a"option beneath the starsEEan a"option here ' $ight re!el in the i$$e"iate bea$s of .er, the bright sun of all her se-# ' oul" not ha!e you, $y "ear Ca"a$, so $uch hurt at Ciss @i$$oBs col"ness# BTis placing yourself belo her, an honour she by no $eans "eser!es# *e ought, hen e ish to be econo$ists in happinessEE e ought, in the first place, to fi- the stan"ar" of our o n characterF an" hen, on full e-a$ination, e kno here e stan", an" ho $uch groun" e occupy, let us conten" for it as propertyF an" those ho see$ to "oubt, or "eny us hat is justly ours, let us either pity their preju"ices, or "espise their ju"g$ent# ' kno , $y "ear, you ill say this is selfEconceitF but ' call it selfEkno le"ge# The one is theo!er eening opinion of a fool, ho fancies hi$self to be hat he ishes hi$self to be thoughtF the other is the honest justice that a $an of sense, ho has thoroughly e-a$ine" the subject, o es to hi$self# *ithout this stan"ar", this colu$n in our o n $in", e are perpetually at the $ercy of the petulance, the $istakes, the preju"ices, nay, the !ery eakness an" icke"ness of our fello Ecreatures# ) ) )

' urge this, $y "ear, both to confir$ $yself in the "octrine, hich, ' assure you, ' so$eti$es nee"F an" because ' kno that this causes you often $uch "isJuiet# To return to Ciss @i$$o4 she is $ost certainly a orthy soul, an" eJualle" by !ery, !ery fe , in goo"ness of heart# But can she boast $ore goo"ness of heart than Clarin"aH @ot e!en preju"ice ill "are to say so# +or penetration an" "iscern$ent, Clarin"a sees far beyon" her4 to it, Ciss @i$$o "are $ake no pretenceF to Clarin"aBs it, scarcely any of her se- "are $ake pretence# Personal char$s, it oul" be ri"iculous to run the parallel# 5n" for con"uct in life, Ciss @i$$o as ne!er calle" out, either $uch to "o or to sufferF Clarin"a has been bothF an" has perfor$e" her part, here Ciss @i$$o oul" ha!e sunk at the bare i"ea# 5 ay, then, ith these "isJuietu"es3 Let us pray ith the honest ea!er of AilbarchanEE&Lor", sen" us a gu"e conceit oB oursel3& <r, in the or"s of the aul" sang, *ho "oes $e "is"ain, ' can scorn the$ again, 5n" 'Bll ne!er $in" any such foes# There is an error in the co$$erce of inti$acy92L; ### ay of e-change, ha!e not an eJui!alent to gi!e usF an", hat is still orse, ha!e no i"ea of the !alue of our goo"s# .appy is our lot in"ee", hen e $eet ith an honest $erchant, ho is Jualifie" to "eal ith us on our o n ter$sF but that is a rarity# *ith al$ost e!erybo"y e $ust pocket our pearls, less or $ore, an" learn in the ol" /cotch phraseEE&To gie sic like as e get#& +or this reason one shoul" try to erect a kin" of bank or storeEhouse in oneBs o n $in"F or, as the Psal$ist says, &*e shoul" co$$une ith our o n hearts, an" be still#& This is e-actly 9+ootnote 2L4 The C/# is so orn as to be in"ecipherable#; 9C/# "ilapi"ate"#; ) NNN'''# E%'@B?RG., 0:Dth CarchD 02::# ' a$ just hurrying a ay to ait on the great $an, Clarin"aF but ' ha!e $ore respect on $y o n peace an" happiness than to set out ithout aiting on youF for $y i$agination, like a chil"Bs fa!ourite bir", ill fon"ly flutter along ith this scra l till it perch on your boso$ ' thank you for all the happiness of yester"ayEEthe alk "elightful, the e!ening rapture# %o not be uneasy to"ay, Clarin"a# ' a$ in rather better spirits to"ay, though ' ha" but an in"ifferent night# Care, an-iety, sat on $y spirits# 5ll the cheerfulness of this $orning is the fruit of so$e serious, i$portant i"eas that lie, in their realities, beyon" the "ark an" narro house# The +ather of $ercies be ith you, Clarin"a# E!ery goo" thing atten" you3 /(L,5@%ER# ) NNN',# ) ) ) ) ) )

D+ri"ayD 1 9Dp#$D#, 60Dst CarchD 02::;# ' a$ just no co$e in, an" ha!e rea" your letters# The first thing ' "i" as to thank the %i!ine %isposer of e!ents that he has ha" such happiness in store for $e as the conne-ion ' ha!e ith you# Life, $y Clarin"a, is a eary, barren pathF an" oe be to hi$ or her that !entures on it alone3 +or $e, ' ha!e $y "earest partner of $y soul# Clarin"a an" ' ill $ake out our pilgri$age together# *here!er ' a$, ' shall constantly let her kno ho ' go on, hat ' obser!e in the orl" aroun" $e, an" hat a"!entures ' $eet ith# *oul" it please you, $y lo!e, to get e!ery eek, or e!ery fortnight at least, a packet of t o or three sheets of re$arks, nonsense, ne s, rhy$es an" ol" songsH *ill you open ith satisfaction an" "elight a letter fro$ a $an ho lo!es you, ho has lo!e" you, an" ho ill lo!e you to "eath, through "eath, an" for e!erH < Clarin"a3 hat "o ' o e to hea!en for blessing $e ith such a piece of e-alte" e-cellence as you3 ' call o!er your i"ea, as a $iser counts o!er his treasure# Tell $e, ere you stu"ious to please $e last nightH ' a$ sure you "i" it to transport# .o rich a$ ' ho ha!e such a treasure as you3 (ou kno $eF you kno ho to $ake $e happy, an" you "o it $ost effectually# Go" bless you ith &long life, long youth, long pleasure, an" a frien"3& To$orro night, accor"ing to your o n "irection, ' shall atch the in"o EEBtis the star that gui"es $e to Para"ise# The great relish to all is that honour, that innocence, that Religion are the itnesses an" guarantees of our affection, 5"ieu, Clarin"a3 ' a$ going to re$e$ber you in $y prayers# /(L,5@%ER# ) ) ) )

GE@ER5L C<RRE/P<@%E@CE# LETTER/# GDGeneral Correspon"ence Resu$e"D#I ) ) ) ) )

LNNN',#EETo CR# G5,'@ .5C'LT<@# 9D5prilD 02::; C<//G'EL, D+ri"ay CorningD# The language of refusal is to $e the $ost "ifficult language on earth, an" you are the $an in the orl", e-cepting one of Right .on# "esignation, to ho$ it gi!es $e the greatest pain to hol" such language# Cy brother has alrea"y got $oney,92=; an" shall ant nothing in $y po er to enable hi$ to fulfil his engage$ent ith youF but to be security on so large a scale, e!en for a brother, is hat ' "are not "o, e-cept ' ere in such circu$stances of life as that the orst that $ight happen coul" not greatly injure $e# ' ne!er rote a letter hich ga!e $e so $uch pain in $y life, as ' kno the unhappy conseJuences4EE' shall incur the "ispleasure of a gentle$an

for ho$ ' ha!e the highest respect an" to ho$ ' a$ "eeply oblige"#EE' a$ etc# R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote 2=4 5ltogether L0:7# Gilbert is $eant, an" the business referre" to as rene al of lease of Cossgiel, the poet to be cautioner#; ) ) ) ) )

LNNN,#EETo CR# *'LL'5C %?@B5R, *#/#, E%'@B?RG.# C5?C.L'@E, 2Dth 5prilD 02::# ' ha!e not "elaye" so long to rite you, $y $uch respecte" frien", because ' thought no further of $y pro$ise# ' ha!e long since gi!en up that for$al kin" of correspon"ence here one sits "o n irkso$ely to rite a letter, because he is in "uty boun" to "o so# ' ha!e been ro!ing o!er the country, as the far$928; ' ha!e taken is forty $iles fro$ this place, hiring ser!ants an" preparing $attersF but $ost of all, ' a$ earnestly busy to bring about a re!olution in $y o n $in"# 5s, till ithin these eighteen $onths, ' ne!er as the ealthy $aster of ten guineas, $y kno le"ge of business is to learn# 5"" to this, $y late scenes of i"leness an" "issipation ha!e ener!ate" $y $in" to an alar$ing "egree# /kill in the sober science of life is $y $ost serious, an" hourly stu"y# ' ha!e "roppe" all con!ersation an" all rea"ing Gprose rea"ingI but hat ten"s in so$e ay or other to $y serious ai$# E-cept one orthy young fello 922; ' ha!e not a single correspon"ent in E"inburgh# (ou ha!e in"ee" kin"ly $a"e $e an offer of that kin"# The orl" of its, the Dgens co$$eEilEfautD, hich ' lately left, an" in hich ' ne!er again ill inti$ately $i-EEfro$ that port, /ir, ' e-pect your gaKette, hat the Dbeau- espritsD are saying, hat they are "oing, an" hat they are singing# 5ny sober intelligence fro$ $y seJuestere" life is all you ha!e to e-pect fro$ $e# ' ha!e scarcely $a"e a single "istich since ' sa you# *hen ' $eet ith an ol" /cots air that has any facetious i"ea in its na$e, ' ha!e a peculiar pleasure in follo ing out that i"ea for a !erse or t o# ' trust this ill fin" you in better health than ' "i" the last ti$e ' calle" for you# 5 fe lines fro$ you, "irecte" to $e, at Cauchline, ere it but to let $e kno ho you are, ill settle $y $in" a goo" "eal# @o , ne!er shun the i"ea of riting $e because, perhaps, you $ay be out of hu$our or spirits# ' coul" gi!e you a hun"re" goo" conseJuences atten"ing a "ull letterF one, for e-a$ple, an" the re$aining ninetyEnine so$e other ti$eEEit ill al ays ser!e to keep in countenance, $y $uch respecte" /ir, your oblige" frien" an" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote 284 Ellislan", near %u$fries#; 9+ootnote 224 Robert 5inslie, *#/#; ) ) ) )

LNNN,'#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# C5?C.L'@E, 6:Dth 5prilD 02::#

C5%5C,EE(our po ers of reprehension $ust be great in"ee", as ' assure you they $ake $y heart ache ith penitential pangs, e!en though ' as really not guilty# 5s ' co$$ence far$ing at *hitsun"ay, you ill easily guess ' $ust be pretty busyF but that is not all# 5s ' got the offer of the E-cise business ithout solicitation, an" as it costs $e only si$onthsB atten"ance for instructions, to entitle $e to a co$$ission EE hich co$$ission lies by $e, an" at any future perio", on $y si$ple petition, can be resu$e"EE' thought fi!eEan"Ethirty poun"s aEyear as no ba" D"ernier ressortD for a poor poet, if +ortune in her ja"e tricks shoul" kick hi$ "o n fro$ the little e$inence to hich she has lately helpe" hi$ up# +or this reason, ' a$ at present atten"ing these instructions, to ha!e the$ co$plete" before *hitsun"ay# /till, Ca"a$, ' prepare" ith the sincerest pleasure to $eet you at the Count, an" ca$e to $y brotherBs on /atur"ay night, to set out on /un"ayF but for so$e nights prece"ing ' ha" slept in an apart$ent, here the force of the in"s an" rains as only $itigate" by being sifte" through nu$berless apertures in the in"o s, alls, etc# 'n conseJuence ' as on /un"ay, Con"ay, an" part of Tues"ay, unable to stir out of be", ith all the $iserable effects of a !iolent col"# (ou see, Ca"a$, the truth of the +rench $a-i$, Dle !rai nBest pas toujours le !raiEse$blableFD your last as so full of e-postulation, an" as so$ething so like the language of an offen"e" frien", that ' began to tre$ble for a correspon"ence, hich ' ha" ith grateful pleasure set "o n as one of the greatest enjoy$ents of $y future life# (our books ha!e "elighte" $eF ,irgil, %ry"en, an" Tasso ere all eJually strangers to $eF but of this $ore at large in $y ne-t# R# B# ) ) ) )

LNNN,''#EETo CR# >5CE/ /C'T., 5,<@ PR'@T+'EL%, L'@L'T.G<*# C5?C.L'@E, D5prilD 6:DthD, 02::# Be are of your /trasburgh, $y goo" /ir3 Look on this as the opening of a correspon"ence, like the opening of a t entyEfour gun battery3 There is no un"erstan"ing a $an properly, ithout kno ing so$ething of his pre!ious i"easF that is to say, if the $an has any i"easF for ' kno $any ho, in the ani$alE$uster, pass for $en, that are the scanty $asters of only one i"ea on any gi!en subject, an" by far the greatest part of your acJuaintances an" $ine can barely boast of i"eas, 0#6=EE0#=EE0#2= Gor so$e such fractional $atterIF so to let you a little into the secrets of $y pericraniu$, there is, you $ust kno , a certain cleanEli$be", han"so$e, be itching young hussy of your acJuaintance, to ho$ ' ha!e lately an" pri!ately gi!en a $atri$onial title to $y corpus# Bo"e a robe an" ear it, Bo"e a pock an" bear it, says the ise ol" /cots a"age3 ' hate to presage illEluckF an" as $y girl has been "oubly kin"er to $e than e!en the best of o$en usually are to their partners of our se-, in si$ilar circu$stances, ' reckon on t el!e ti$es a brace of chil"ren against ' celebrate $y t elfth e""ingE"ay4 these t entyEfour ill gi!e $e t entyEfour gossipings, t entyEfour christenings G' $ean one eJual to t oI, an" ' hope, by the

blessing of the Go" of $y fathers, to $ake the$ t entyEfour "utiful chil"ren to their parents, t entyEfour useful $e$bers of society, an" t entyEfour appro!e" ser!ants of their Go"#### &LightBs heartso$e,& JuoB the ife hen she as stealing sheep# (ou see hat a la$p ' ha!e hung up to lighten your paths, hen you are i"le enough to e-plore the co$binations an" relations of $y i"eas# BTis no as plain as a pikeEstaff, hy a t entyEfour gun battery as a $etaphor ' coul" rea"ily e$ploy# @o for business# ' inten" to present Crs# Burns ith a printe" sha l, an article of hich ' "are say you ha!e !ariety4 Btis $y first present to her since ' ha!e irre!ocably calle" her $ine, an" ' ha!e a kin" of hi$sical ish to get her the first sai" present fro$ an ol" an" $uchE!alue" frien" of hers an" $ine, a trusty Trojan, on hose frien"ship ' count $yself possesse" of as a lifeErent lease# Look on this letter as a &beginning of sorro sF& ' your eyes ache rea"ing nonsense# ill rite you till

Crs# Burns GBtis only her pri!ate "esignationI begs her best co$pli$ents to you# R# B# ) ) ) )

LNNN,'''EETo PR<+E//<R %?G5L% /TE*5RT# C5?C.L'@E, 3Dr" CayD 02::# /'R,EE' enclose you one or t o $ore of $y bagatelles# 'f the fer!ent ishes of honest gratitu"e ha!e any influence ith that great unkno n Being ho fra$es the chain of causes an" e!ents, prosperity an" happiness ill atten" your !isit to the Continent, an" return you safe to your nati!e shore# *here!er ' a$, allo $e, /ir, to clai$ it as $y pri!ilege to acJuaint you ith $y progress in $y tra"e of rhy$esF as ' a$ sure ' coul" say it ith truth, that, ne-t to $y little fa$e, an" the ha!ing it in $y po er to $ake life $ore co$fortable to those ho$ nature has $a"e "ear to $e, ' shall e!er regar" your countenance, your patronage, your frien"ly goo" offices, as the $ost !alue" conseJuence of $y late success in life# R# B# ) ) ) )

LNNN'N#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# C5?C.L'@E, LDth CayD 02::# C5%5C,EE%ry"enBs ,irgil has "elighte" $e# ' "o not kno hether the critics ill agree ith $e, but the Georgics are to $e by far the best of ,irgil# 't is in"ee" a species of riting entirely ne to $e, an" has fille" $y hea" ith a thousan" fancies of e$ulationF but, alas3 hen ' rea" the Georgics, an" then sur!ey $y o n po ers, Btis like the i"ea of a /hetlan" pony, "ra n up by the si"e of a thoroughEbre" hunter, to start for the plate# ' o n ' a$ "isappointe" in the 5Enei"# +aultless correctness $ay please, an" "oes highly please, the lettere" criticF but to that a ful character T ha!e not the $ost "istant pretensions# ' "o not kno hether ' "o not haKar" $y pretensions to be a critic of any

kin", hen ' say that ' think ,irgil, in $any instances, a ser!ile copier of .o$er# 'f ' ha" the <"yssey by $e, ' coul" parallel $any passages here ,irgil has e!i"ently copie", but by no $eans i$pro!e", .o$er# @or can ' think there is anything of this o ing to the translatorsF for, fro$ e!erything ' ha!e seen of %ry"en, ' think hi$, in genius an" fluency of language, PopeBs $aster# ' ha!e not peruse" Tasso enough to for$ an opinion4 in so$e future letter you shall ha!e $y i"eas of hi$F though ' a$ conscious $y criticis$s $ust be !ery inaccurate an" i$perfect, as there ' ha!e e!er felt an" la$ente" $y ant of learning $ost# R# B# ) ) ) )

NC#EETo CR# /5C?EL BR<*@, A'RA</*5L%# C<//G'EL, LDth CayD 02::# %E5R ?@CLE,EEThis, ' hope, ill fin" you an" your conjugal yokeEfello in your goo" ol" ay# ' a$ i$patient to kno if the 5ilsa92:; fo ling be co$$ence" for this season yet, as ' ant three or four stones of feathers, an" ' hope you ill bespeak the$ for $e# 't oul" be a !ain atte$pt for $e to enu$erate the !arious transactions ' ha!e been engage" in since ' sa you lastF but this kno EE' engage" in a s$uggling tra"e, an" no poor $an e!er e-perience" better returns, t o for one4 but as freight an" "eli!ery ha!e turne" out so "ear, ' a$ thinking of taking out a license an" beginning in fair tra"e# ' ha!e taken a far$, on the bor"ers of the @ith, an" in i$itation of the ol" patriarchs, get $enEser!ants an" $ai"Eser!ants, an" flocks an" her"s, an" beget sons an" "aughters#EE(our obe"ient nephe , R<BERT B?R@/# 9+ootnote 2:4 5 ellEkno n rock in the +irth of Cly"e, freJuente" by innu$erable seaEfo l#; ) ) ) )

NC'#EETo CR# >5CE/ ><.@/<@, E@GR5,ER, E%'@B?RG.# C5?C.L'@E, 6=Dth CayD 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EE' a$ really uneasy about that $oney hich Cr# Creech o es $e per note in your han", an" ' ant it $uch at present, as ' a$ engaging in business pretty "eeply both for $yself an" $y brother# 5 hun"re" guineas can be but a trifling affair to hi$, an"Btis a $atter of $ost serious i$portance to $e#921; ToE$orro ' begin $y operations as a far$er, an" so Go" spee" the plough3 ' a$ so ena$oure" of a certain girl#### To be serious, ' foun" ' ha" a long an" $uchElo!e" fello EcreatureBs happiness or $isery in $y han"sF an" though pri"e an" see$ing justice ere $ur"erous kingBs a"!ocates on the one si"e, yet hu$anity, generosity, an" forgi!eness ere such po erful, such irresistible counsel on the other, that a jury of all en"ear$ents an" ne attach$ents brought in a unani$ous !er"ict of Dnot guiltyD# 5n" the panel, be it kno n unto all ho$ it concerns, is installe" an" instate" into all the rights, pri!ileges, etc#, that belong to the na$e, title, an" "esignation of ife# 9+ootnote 214 Creech pai" the a$ount fi!e "ays after the "ate of this

letter#; ) ) ) )

NC''#EETo CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# C5?C.L'@E, DCayD 68DthD, 02::# C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE' a$ t o kin" letters in your "ebtF but ' ha!e been fro$ ho$e, an" horri"ly busy, buying an" preparing for $y far$ing business, o!er an" abo!e the plague of $y E-cise instructions, hich this eek ill finish# 5s ' flatter $y ishes that ' foresee $any future yearsB correspon"ence bet een us, Btis foolish to talk of e-cusing "ull epistles3 a "ull letter $ay be a !ery kin" one# ' ha!e the pleasure to tell you that ' ha!e been e-tre$ely fortunate in all $y buyings an" bargainings hitherto, Crs# Burns not e-cepte"F hich title ' no a!o to the orl"# ' a$ truly please" ith this last affair# 't has in"ee" a""e" to $y an-ieties for futurity, but it has gi!en a stability to $y $in" an" resolutions unkno n beforeF an" the poor girl has the $ost sacre" enthusias$ of attach$ent to $e, an" has not a ish but to gratify $y e!ery i"ea of her "eport$ent# ' a$ interrupte"# +are ell3 $y "ear /ir# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

NC'''#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# 62DthD DCay D02::# C5%5C,EE' ha!e been torturing $y philosophy to no purpose to account for that kin" partiality of yours, hich has follo e" $e, in $y return to the sha"e of life, ith assi"uous bene!olence# <ften "i" ' regret, in the fleeting hours of $y late illEoBE isp appearance, that &here ' ha" no continuing cityF& an", but for the consolation of a fe soli" guineas, coul" al$ost la$ent the ti$e that a $o$entary acJuaintance ith ealth an" splen"our put $e so $uch out of conceit ith the s orn co$panions of $y roa" through lifeEEinsignificance an" po!erty# There are fe circu$stances relating to the uneJual "istribution of the goo" things of this life that gi!e $e $ore !e-ation G' $ean in hat ' see aroun" $eI than the i$portance the opulent besto on their trifling fa$ily affairs, co$pare" ith the !ery sa$e things on the contracte" scale of a cottage# Last afternoon ' ha" the honour to spen" an hour or t o at a goo" o$anBs firesi"e, here the planks that co$pose" the floor ere "ecorate" ith a splen"i" carpet, an" the gay table sparkle" ith sil!er an" china# BTis no about ter$E"ay, an" there has been a re!olution a$ong those creatures ho, though in appearance partakers, an" eJually noble partakers, of the sa$e nature ith Ca"a$e, are fro$ ti$e to ti$eEEtheir ner!es, their sine s, their health, strength, is"o$, e-perience, genius, ti$e, nay, a goo" part of their !ery thoughtsEEsol" for $onths an" years, not only to the necessities, the con!eniences, but the caprices of the i$portant fe # *e talke" of the insignificant creaturesF nay, not ithstan"ing their general stupi"ity an" rascality, "i" so$e of the poor "e!ils the honour to co$$en" the$# But light be the turf upon his breast ho taught &Re!erence thyself3& *e looke" "o n on the unpolishe" retches, their i$pertinent i!es, an" clouterly brats, as the lor"ly bull "oes on the little "irty antEhill,

hose puny inhabitants he crushes in the carelessness of his ra$ble, or tosses in the air in the antonness of his pri"e# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

NC',#EET< CR/# %?@L<P, 5T CR# %?@L<PB/, .5%%'@GT<@# ELL'/L5@%, 03Dth >uneD 02::# *hereBer ' roa$, hate!er real$s ' see, Cy heart, untra!ellB", fon"ly turns to theeF /till to $y frien" it turns ith ceaseless pain, 5n" "rags, at each re$o!e, a lengthenB" chain# G<L%/C'T.# This is the secon" "ay, $y honoure" frien", that ' ha!e been on $y far$# 5 solitary in$ate of an ol" s$oky spenceF far fro$ e!ery object ' lo!e, or by ho$ ' a$ belo!e"F nor any acJuaintance ol"er than yester"ay, e-cept >enny Ge""es, the ol" $are ' ri"e onF hile uncouth cares an" no!el plans hourly insult $y a k ar" ignorance an" bashful ine-perience# There is a foggy at$osphere nati!e to $y soul in the hour of careF conseJuently the "reary objects see$ larger than the life# E-tre$e sensibility, irritate" an" preju"ice" on the gloo$y si"e by a series of $isfortunes an" "isappoint$ents, at that perio" of $y e-istence hen the soul is laying in her cargo of i"eas for the !oyage of life, is, ' belie!e, the principal cause of this unhappy fra$e of $in"# The !aliant, in hi$self, hat can he sufferH <r hat nee" he regar" his DsingleD oesH (our sur$ise, Ca"a$, is just4 ' a$ in"ee" a husban"# ' foun" a once $uchElo!e" an" still $uchElo!e" fe$ale, literally an" truly cast out to the $ercy of the nake" ele$entsEEbut there is no sporting ith a fello EcreatureBs happiness or $isery#### The $ost placi" goo"Enature an" s eetness of "ispositionF a ar$ heart, gratefully "e!ote" ith all its po ers to lo!e $eF !igorous health an" sprightly cheerfulness, set off to the best a"!antage by a $ore than co$$on han"so$e figureEEthese, ' think, in a o$an $ay $ake a goo" ife though she shoul" ne!er ha!e rea" a page but the /criptures of the <l" an" @e Testa$ents, nor ha!e "ance" in a brighter asse$bly than a penny pay e""ing# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

NC,#ET< CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# ELL'/L5@%, D>une 0LthD, 02::# This is no the thir" "ay, $y "earest /ir, that ' ha!e sojourne" in these regionsF an" "uring these three "ays you ha!e occupie" $ore of $y thoughts than in three eeks prece"ing4 in 5yrshire ' ha!e se!eral !ariations of frien"shipBs co$pass, here it points in!ariably to the pole# Cy far$ gi!es $e a goo" $any uncouth cares an" an-ieties, but ' hate the language of co$plaint# >ob, or so$e one of his frien"s, says

ellEE&*hy shoul" a li!ing $an co$plainH& ' ha!e lately been $uch $ortifie" ith conte$plating an unlucky i$perfection in the !ery fra$ing an" construction of $y soulF na$ely, a blun"ering inaccuracy of her olfactory organs in hitting the scent of craft or "esign in $y fello Ecreatures# ' "o not $ean any co$pli$ent to $y ingenuousness, or to hint that the "efect is in conseJuence of the unsuspicious si$plicity of conscious truth an" honour4 ' take it to be, in so$e ay or other, an i$perfection in the $ental sightF or, $etaphor apart, so$e $o"ification of "ulness# 'n t o or three instances lately, ' ha!e been $ost sha$efully out# ' ha!e all along, hitherto, in the arfare of life, been bre" to ar$s a$ong the light horseEEthe piJuetEguar"s of fancyF a kin" of hussars an" .ighlan"ers of the brainF but ' a$ fir$ly resol!e" to sell out of these gi""y battalions, ho ha!e no i"eas of a battle but fighting the foe, or of a siege but stor$ing the to n# Cost hat it ill, ' a$ "eter$ine" to buy in a$ong the gra!e sJua"rons of hea!yEar$e" thought, or the artillery corps of plo""ing contri!ance# *hat books are you rea"ing, or hat is the subject of your thoughts, besi"es the great stu"ies of your professionH (ou sai" so$ething about religion in your last# ' "onBt e-actly re$e$ber hat it as, as the letter is in 5yrshireF but ' thought it not only prettily sai", but nobly thought# (ou ill $ake a noble fello if once you ere $arrie"# ' $ake no reser!ation of your being ellE$arrie"F you ha!e so $uch sense, an" kno le"ge of hu$an nature, that though you $ay not realise perhaps the i"eas of ro$ance, yet you ill ne!er be illE$arrie"# *ere it not for the terrors of $y ticklish situation respecting pro!ision for a fa$ily of chil"ren, ' a$ "eci"e"ly of opinion that the step ' ha!e taken is !astly for $y happiness#9:7; 5s it is, ' look to the E-cise sche$e as a certainty of $aintenanceF a $aintenance3EElu-ury to hat either Crs# Burns or ' ere born to# 5"ieu# R# B# 9+ootnote :74 This allu"es to his $arriage#; ) ) ) )

NC,'#ET< CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# ELL'/L5@%, D37th >uneD 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EE' just no recei!e" your brief epistleF an", to take !engeance on your laKiness, ' ha!e, you see, taken a long sheet of ritingEpaper, an" ha!e begun at the top of the page, inten"ing to scribble on to the !ery last corner# ' a$ !e-e" at that affair of the ###, but "are not enlarge on the subject until you sen" $e your "irection, as ' suppose that ill be altere" on your late $aster an" frien"Bs "eath#9:0; ' a$ concerne" for the ol" fello Bs e-it, only as ' fear it $ay be to your "isa"!antage in any respectEEfor an ol" $anBs "ying, e-cept he ha!e been a !ery bene!olent character, or in so$e particular situation of life that the elfare of the poor or the helpless "epen"e" on hi$, ' think it an e!ent of the $ost trifling $o$ent to the orl"# Can is naturally a kin", bene!olent ani$al, but he is "roppe" into such a nee"y situation here in

this !e-atious orl", an" has such a hungry, gro ling, $ultiplying pack of necessities, appetites, passions, an" "esires about hi$, rea"y to "e!our hi$ for ant of other foo", that in fact he $ust lay asi"e his cares for others that he $ay look properly to hi$self# (ou ha!e been i$pose" upon in paying Cr# Ciers for the profile of a Cr# .# ' "i" not $ention it in $y letter to you, nor "i" ' e!er gi!e Cr# Ciers any such or"er# ' ha!e no objection to lose the $oney, but ' ill not ha!e any such profile in $y possession# ' "esire" the carrier to pay you, but as ' $entione" only 0=s# to hi$, ' ill rather inclose you a guineaEnote# ' ha!e it not, in"ee", to spare here, as ' a$ only a sojourner in a strange lan" in this placeF but in a "ay or t o ' return to Cauchline, an" there ' ha!e the bankEnotes through the house like salt per$its# There is a great "egree of folly in talking unnecessarily of oneBs pri!ate affairs# ' ha!e just no been interrupte" by one of $y ne neighbours, ho has $a"e hi$self absolutely conte$ptible in $y eyes, by his silly, garrulous pruriency# ' kno it has been a fault of $y o n, tooF but fro$ this $o$ent ' abjure it as ' oul" the ser!ice of hell3 (our poets, spen"thrifts, an" other fools of that ki"ney, preten", forsooth, to crack their jokes on pru"enceF butBtis a sJuali" !agabon" glorying in his rags# /till, i$pru"ence respecting $oney $atters is $uch $ore par"onable than i$pru"ence respecting character, ' ha!e no objection to prefer pro"igality to a!arice, in so$e fe instancesF but ' appeal to your obser!ation if you ha!e not $et, an" often $et, ith the sa$e "isingenuousness, the sa$e hollo Ehearte" insincerity, an" "isintegriti!e "epra!ity of principle, in the hackneye" !icti$s of profusion, as in the unfeeling chil"ren of parsi$ony# ' ha!e e!ery possible re!erence for the $uch talke"Eof orl" beyon" the gra!e, an" ' ish that hich piety belie!es, an" !irtue "eser!es, $ay be all $atter of fact# But in things belonging to, an" ter$inating in this present scene of e-istence, $an has serious an" interesting business on han"# *hether a $an shall shake han"s ith elco$e in the "istinguishe" ele!ation of respect, or shrink fro$ conte$pt in the abject corner of insignificance4 hether he shall anton un"er the tropic of plenty, at least enjoy hi$self in the co$fortable latitu"e of easy con!enience, or star!e in the arctic circle of "reary po!ertyF hether he shall rise in the $anly consciousness of a selfEappro!ing $in", or sink beneath a galling loa" of regret an" re$orseEEthese are alternati!es of the last $o$ent# (ou see ho ' preach# (ou use" occasionally to ser$onise tooF ' ish you oul", in charity, fa!our $e ith a sheet full in your o n ay# ' a"$ire the close of a letter Lor" Bolingbroke rites to %ean / ift4EE&5"ieu, "ear / ift3 ith all thy faults ' lo!e thee entirely4 $ake an effort to lo!e $e ith all $ine3& .u$ble ser!ant, an" all that tru$pery, is no such a prostitute" business, that honest frien"ship, in her sincere ay, $ust ha!e recourse to her pri$iti!e, si$pleEEfare ell3 R# B# 9+ootnote :04 /a$uel Citchelson, *#/#, ith his apprenticeship#; ) ) ) ) ho$ young 5inslie ser!e"

NC,''EET< CR/# %?@L<P#

C5?C.L'@E, D>ulyD 07DthD, 02::# C( C?C. .<@<?RE% +R'E@%,EE(ours of the 6Lth >une is before $e# ' foun" it, as ell as another !alue" frien"EE$y ife, aiting to elco$e $e to 5yrshire4 ' $et both ith the sincerest pleasure# *hen ' rite you, Ca"a$, ' "o not sit "o n to ans er e!ery paragraph of yours, by echoing e!ery senti$ent, like the faithful Co$$ons of Great Britain in Parlia$ent asse$ble", ans ering a speech fro$ the best of kings3 ' e-press $yself in the fulness of $y heart, an" $ay, perhaps, be guilty of neglecting so$e of your kin" inJuiriesF but not fro$ your !ery o"" reason, that ' "o not rea" your letters# 5ll your epistles, for se!eral $onths, ha!e cost $e nothing e-cept a s elling throb of gratitu"e, or a "eepEfelt senti$ent of !eneration# *hen Crs# Burns, Ca"a$, first foun" herself &as o$en ish to be ho lo!e their lor"s,& as ' lo!e" her nearly to "istraction, e took steps for a pri!ate $arriage# .er parents got the hintF an" not only forba"e $e her co$pany an" their house, but, on $y ru$oure" *est 'n"ian !oyage, got a arrant to put $e in jail, till ' shoul" fin" security in $y aboutEtoEbe paternal relation# (ou kno $y lucky re!erse of fortune# <n $y DeclatantD return to Cauchline, ' as $a"e !ery elco$e to !isit $y girl# The usual conseJuences began to betray herF an", as ' as at that ti$e lai" up a cripple in E"inburgh, she as turne", literally turne", out of "oors, an" ' rote to a frien" to shelter her till $y return, hen our $arriage as "eclare"# .er happiness or $isery ere in $y han"s, an" ho coul" trifle ith such a "epositH To jealousy or infi"elity ' a$ an eJual stranger# Cy preser!ati!e against the first is the $ost thorough consciousness of her senti$ents of honour an" her attach$ent to $eF $y anti"ote against the last is $y long an" "eepEroote" affection for her# ' can easily DfancyD a $ore agreeable co$panion for $y journey of lifeF but, upon $y honour, ' ha!e ne!er DseenD the in"i!i"ual instance# 'n househol" $atters, of aptness to learn an" acti!ity to e-ecute, she is e$inently $istressF an" "uring $y absence in @iths"ale, she is regularly an" constantly apprentice to $y $other an" sisters in their "airy, an" other rural business# The $uses $ust not be offen"e" hen ' tell the$, the concerns of $y an" fa$ily ill, in $y $in", al ays take the DpasDF but ' assure the$ their la"yships ill e!er co$e ne-t in place# ife

(ou are right that a bachelor state oul" ha!e insure" $e $ore frien"sF but, fro$ a cause you ill easily guess, conscious peace in the enjoy$ent of $y o n $in", an" un$istrusting confi"ence in approaching $y Go", oul" sel"o$ ha!e been of the nu$ber# Circu$stance" as ' a$, ' coul" ne!er ha!e got a fe$ale partner for life ho coul" ha!e entere" into $y fa!ourite stu"ies, relishe" $y fa!ourite authors, etc#, ithout probably entailing on $e at the sa$e ti$e e-pensi!e li!ing, fantastic caprice, perhaps apish affectation, ith all the other blesse" boar"ingEschool acJuire$ents, hich GDpar"onneK $oiD, DCa"a$eDI are so$eti$es to be foun" a$ong fe$ales of the upper ranks, but al$ost uni!ersally per!a"e the $isses of the oul"Ebe gentry#9:6; ' like your ay in your churchyar" lucubrations# Thoughts that are the spontaneous result of acci"ental situations, either respecting health,

place, or co$pany, ha!e often a strength, an" al ays an originality, that oul" in !ain be looke" for in fancie" circu$stances, an" stu"ie" paragraphs# +or $e, ' ha!e often thought of keeping a letter, in progression by $e, to sen" you hen the sheet as ritten out# @o ' talk of sheets, ' $ust tell you, $y reason for riting to you on paper of this kin" is $y pruriency of riting to you at large# 5 page of post is on such a "isEsocial, narro E$in"e" scale, that ' cannot abi"e itF an" "ouble letters, at least in $y $iscellaneous re!erie $anner, are a $onstrous ta- in a close correspon"ence# R# B# 9+ootnote :64 'n BurnsBs pri!ate $e$oran"a are these or"s4EE&' a$ $ore an" $ore please" ith the step ' took respecting $y >ean# 5 ifeBs hea" is i$$aterial co$pare" ith her heartF an" ,irtueBs Gfor is"o$, hat poet preten"s to itHI B ays are ays of pleasantness, an" all her paths are peace#B&; ) ) ) ) )

NC,'''#EETo CR# PETER .'LL, B<<A/ELLER, E%'@B?RG.# C( %E5R .'LL,EE' shall say nothing to your $a" presentEEyou ha!e so long an" often been of i$portant ser!ice to $e, an" ' suppose you $ean to go on conferring obligations until ' shall not be able to lift up $y face before you# 'n the $eanti$e, as /ir Roger "e Co!erley, because it happene" to be a col" "ay in hich he $a"e his ill, or"ere" his ser!ants greatEcoats for $ourning, so, because ' ha!e been this eek plague" ith an in"igestion, ' ha!e sent you by the carrier a fine ol" e eE$ilk cheese#9:3; 'n"igestion is the "e!il4 nay, Btis the "e!il an" all# 't besets a $an in e!ery one of his senses# ' lose $y appetite at the sight of successful kna!ery, an" sicken to loathing at the noise an" nonsense of selfEi$portant folly# *hen the hollo Ehearte" retch takes $e by the han", the feeling spoils $y "innerF the prou" $anBs ine so offen"s $y palate that it chokes $e in the gulletF an" the Dpul!ilise"D, feathere", pert co-co$b, is so "isgustful in $y nostril that $y sto$ach turns# 'f e!er you ha!e any of these "isagreeable sensations, let $e prescribe for you patience, an" a bit of $y cheese# ' kno that you are no niggar" of your goo" things a$ong your frien"s, an" so$e of the$ are in $uch nee" of a slice# There, in $y eye, is our frien" /$ellieF a $an positi!ely of the first abilities an" greatest strength of $in", as ell as one of the best hearts an" keenest its that ' ha!e e!er $et ithF hen you see hi$, as, alas3 he too is s$arting at the pinch of "istressful circu$stances, aggra!ate" by the sneer of contu$elious greatnessEEa bit of $y cheese alone ill not cure hi$, but if you a"" a tankar" of bro n stout, an" supera"" a $agnu$ of bright <porto, you ill see his sorro s !anish like the $orning $ist before the su$$er sun# Can"lish, the earliest frien", e-cept $y only brother, that ' ha!e on earth, an" one of the orthiest fello s that e!er any $an calle" by the na$e of frien", if a luncheon of $y cheese oul" help to ri" hi$ of so$e of his superabun"ant $o"esty, you oul" "o ell to gi!e it hi$# %a!i",9:L; ith his DCourantD, co$es, too, across $y recollection, an" ' beg you ill help hi$ largely fro$ the sai" e eE$ilk cheese, to enable hi$ to "igest those be"aubing paragraphs ith hich he is eternally lar"ing the lean characters of certain great $en in a certain great to n# ' grant you the perio"s are !ery ell turne"F so, a fresh egg is a

!ery goo" thing, but hen thro n at a $an in a pillory, it "oes not at all i$pro!e his figure, not to $ention the irreparable loss of the egg# Cy facetious frien" %unbar, ' oul" ish also to be a partaker4 not to "igest his spleen, for that he laughs off, but to "igest his last nightBs ine at the last fiel"E"ay of the Crochallan corps#9:=; 5$ong our co$$on frien"s ' $ust not forget one of the "earest of the$EECunningha$# The brutality, insolence, an" selfishness of a orl" un orthy of ha!ing such a fello as he is in it, ' kno sticks in his sto$ach, an" if you can help hi$ to anything that ill $ake hi$ a little easier on that score, it ill be !ery obliging# 5s to honest >ohn /o$$er!ille, he is such a contente", happy $an, that ' kno not hat can annoy hi$, e-cept, perhaps, he $ay not ha!e got the better of a parcel oif $o"est anec"otes hich a certain poet ga!e hi$ one night at supper, the last ti$e the sai" poet as in to n# Though ' ha!e $entione" so $any $en of la , ' shall ha!e nothing to "o ith the$ professe"lyEEthe faculty are beyon" $y prescription# 5s to their clients, that is another thingF Go" kno s they ha!e $uch to "igest3 The clergy ' pass byF their profun"ity of eru"ition, an" their liberality of senti$ent, their total ant of pri"e, an" their "etestation of hypocrisy, are so pro!erbially notorious as to place the$ far, far abo!e either $y praise or censure# ' as going to $ention a $an of orth, ho$ ' ha!e the honour to call frien"EEthe Lair" of Craig"arrochF but ' ha!e spoken to the lan"lor" of the AingBs 5r$s 'nn here, to ha!e at the ne-t county $eeting a large e eE$ilk cheese on the table, for the benefit of the %u$friesshire *higs, to enable the$ to "igest the %uke of MueensberryBs late political con"uct# ' ha!e just this $o$ent an opportunity of a pri!ate han" to E"inburgh, as perhaps you oul" not "igest "ouble postage# R# B# 9+ootnote :34 'n return for so$e !aluable books#; 9+ootnote :L4 Printer of the DE"inburgh E!ening CourantD#; 9+ootnote :=4 5 club of boon co$panions#; ) ) ) ) ) ) )

NC'N#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# C5?C.L'@E, D5ugustD 6Dn"D, 02::# .<@<?RE% C5%5C,EE(our kin" letter elco$e" $e, yesternight, to 5yrshire# ' a$, in"ee", seriously angry ith you at the Juantu$ of your luckpennyF but, !e-e" an" hurt as ' as, ' coul" not help laughing !ery heartily at the noble lor"Bs apology for the $isse" napkin# ' oul" rite you fro$ @iths"ale, an" gi!e you $y "irection there, but ' ha!e scarce an opportunity of calling at a postEoffice once in a

fortnight# ' a$ si- $iles fro$ %u$fries, a$ scarcely e!er in it $yself, an", as yet, ha!e little acJuaintance in the neighbourhoo"# Besi"es, ' a$ no !ery busy on $y far$, buil"ing a " ellingEhouseF as at present ' a$ al$ost an e!angelical $an in @iths"ale, for ' ha!e scarce & here to lay $y hea"#& There are so$e passages in your last that brought tears in $y eyes# &The heart kno eth its o n sorro s, an" a stranger inter$e""leth not there ith#& The repository of these &sorro s of the heart& is a kin" of Dsanctu$ sanctoru$D4 an"Btis only a chosen frien", an" that, too, at particular, sacre" ti$es, ho "ares enter into the$4EE .ea!en oft tears the boso$Echor"s That nature finest strung# (ou ill e-cuse this Juotation for the sake of the author# 'nstea" of entering on this subject farther, ' shall transcribe you a fe lines ' rote in a her$itage, belonging to a gentle$an in $y @iths"ale neighbourhoo"# They are al$ost the only fa!our the $uses ha!e conferre" on $e in that country#9:8; /ince ' a$ in the ay of transcribing, the follo ing ere the pro"uction of yester"ay as ' jogge" through the il" hills of @e Cu$nock# ' inten" inserting the$, or so$ething like the$, in an epistle ' a$ going to rite to the gentle$an on hose frien"ship $y E-cise hopes "epen", Cr# Graha$ of +intray, one of the orthiest an" $ost acco$plishe" gentle$en, not only of this country, but, ' ill "are to say it, of this age# The follo ing are just the first cru"e thoughts &unhouselB", unanointe", unannealB"4&9:2;EE .ere the $use left $e# ' a$ astonishe" at hat you tell $e of 5nthonyBs riting $e# ' ne!er recei!e" it# Poor fello ' you !e- $e $uch by telling $e that he is unfortunate# ' shall be in 5yrshire ten "ays fro$ this "ate# ' ha!e just roo$ for an ol" Ro$an +5RE*ELL# R# B# 9+ootnote :84 Lines ritten in +riarBs Carse .er$itage#;

9+ootnote :24 +irst Epistle to Robert Graha$#; ) ) ) ) ) ) )

C#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, 08Dth 5ugustD 02::# ' a$ in a fine "isposition, $y honoure" frien", to sen" you an elegiac epistleF an" ant only genius to $ake it Juite /henstonian4EE *hy "roops $y heart ith fancie" oes forlornH *hy sinks $y soul beneath each intry skyH Cy increasing cares in this, as yet, strange countryEEgloo$y conjectures in the "ark !ista of futurityEEconsciousness of $y o n inability for the struggle of the orl"EE$y broa"ene" $ark to $isfortune in a ife an" chil"renFEE' coul" in"ulge these reflections, till $y hu$our shoul" fer$ent into the $ost aci" chagrin, that oul" corro"e the !ery threa" of life#

To counter ork these baneful feelings, ' ha!e sat "o n to rite to youF as ' "eclare upon $y soul ' al ays fin" that the $ost so!ereign bal$ for $y oun"e" spirit# ' as yester"ay at Cr# CillerBs to "inner, for the first ti$e# Cy reception as Juite to $y $in"4 fro$ the la"y of the house Juite flattering# /he so$eti$es hits on a couplet or t o, Di$pro$ptuD# /he repeate" one or t o to the a"$iration of all present# Cy suffrage as a professional $an as e-pecte"4 ' for once ent agonising o!er the belly of $y conscience# Par"on $e, ye, $y a"ore" househol" go"s, in"epen"ence of spirit, an" integrity of soul3 'n the course of con!ersation, D>ohnsorfs Cusical Cuseu$D, a collection of /cottish songs ith the $usic, as talke" of# *e got a song on the harpsichor", beginning Ra!ing in"s aroun" her blo ing# The air as $uch a"$ire"4 the la"y of the house aske" $e hose ere the or"s# &Cine, Ca"a$EEthey are in"ee" $y !ery best !ersesF& she took not the s$allest notice of the$3 The ol" /cottish pro!erb says ell, &AingBs caff is better than ither folksB corn#& ' as going to $ake a @e Testa$ent Juotation about &casting pearls,& but that oul" be too !irulent, for the la"y is actually a o$an of sense an" taste# 5fter all that has been sai" on the other si"e of the Juestion, $an is by no $eans a happy creature# ' "o not speak of the selecte" fe , fa!oure" by partial hea!en, hose souls are tune" to gla"ness a$i"st riches an" honours, an" pru"ence an" is"o$# ' speak of the neglecte" $any, hose ner!es, hose sine s, hose "ays are sol" to the $inions of fortune# 'f ' thought you ha" ne!er seen it, ' oul" transcribe for you a stanKa of an ol" /cottish balla", calle" &The Life an" 5ge of CanF& beginning thus4EE BT as in the si-teenth hun"re" year <f Go" an" fiftyEthree +rae Christ as born, that bought us "ear, 5s ritings testifie# ' ha" an ol" gran"Euncle, ith ho$ $y $other li!e" a hile in her girlish yearsF the goo" ol" $an, for such he as, as long blin" ere he "ie", "uring hich ti$e his highest enjoy$ent as to sit "o n an" cry, hile $y $other oul" sing the si$ple ol" song of &The Life an" 5ge of Can#& 't is this ay of thinkingF it is these $elancholy truths, that $ake religion so precious to the poor, $iserable chil"ren of $en# 'f it is a $ere phanto$, e-isting only in the heate" i$agination of enthusias$, *hat truth on earth so precious as the lieH Cy i"le reasonings so$eti$es $ake $e a little sceptical, but the necessities of $y heart al ays gi!e the col" philosophisings the lie# *ho looks for the heart eane" fro$ earthF the soul affiance" to her Go"F the correspon"ence fi-e" ith hea!enF the pious supplication an" "e!out thanksgi!ing, constant as the !icissitu"es of e!en an" $ornF ho thinks to $eet ith these in the court, the palace, in the glare of public lifeH @oF to fin" the$ in their precious i$portance an" "i!ine

efficacy, e $ust search a$ong the obscure recesses of "isappoint$ent, affliction, po!erty, an" "istress# ' a$ sure, "ear Ca"a$, you are no $ore than please" ith the length of $y letters# ' return to 5yrshire $i""le of ne-t eek4 an" it Juickens $y pace to think that there ill be a letter fro$ you aiting $e there# ' $ust be here again !ery soon for $y har!est# R# B# ) ) ) )

C'#EETo CR# BE?G<, E@GR5,ER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, 1Dth /ept#D 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EEThere is not in E"inburgh abo!e the nu$ber of the graces hose letters oul" ha!e gi!en so $uch pleasure as yours of the 3r" instant, hich only reache" $e yesternight# ' a$ here on $y far$, busy ith $y har!estF but for all that $ost pleasurable part of life calle" /<C'5L C<CC?@'C5T'<@, ' a$ here at the !ery elbo of e-istence# The only things that are to be foun" in this country, in any "egree of perfection, are stupi"ity an" canting# Prose they only kno in graces, prayers, etc#, an" the !alue of these they esti$ate, as they "o their plai"ing ebs, by the ell3 5s for the $uses, they ha!e as $uch an i"ea of a rhinoceros as of a poet# +or $y ol", capricious, but goo"Enature" hussy of a $use, By banks of @ith ' sat an" ept *hen Coila ' thought on, 'n $i"st thereof ' hung $y harp The illo trees upon# ' a$ generally about half $y ti$e in 5yrshire ith $y &"arling >ean,& an" then ', at luci" inter!als, thro $y horny fist across $y becob ebbe" lyre, $uch in the sa$e $anner as an ol" ife thro s her han" across the spokes of her spinningE heel# ' ill sen" you the &+ortunate /hepher"ess& as soon as ' return to 5yrshire, for there ' keep it ith other precious treasure# ' shall sen" it by a careful han", as ' oul" not for anything it shoul" be $islai" or lost# ' "o not ish to ser!e you fro$ any bene!olence, or other gra!e Christian !irtueF Btis purely a selfish gratification of $y o n feelings hene!er ' think of you# 'f your better functions oul" gi!e you leisure to rite $e, ' shoul" be e-tre$ely happyF that is to say, if you neither keep nor look for a regular correspon"ence# ' hate the i"ea of being oblige" to rite a letter# ' so$eti$es rite a frien" t ice a eekF at other ti$es once a Juarter# ' a$ e-cee"ingly please" ith your fancy in $aking the author you $ention place a $ap of 'celan", instea" of his portrait, before his orksF Bt as a glorious i"ea# Coul" you con!eniently "o $e one thingHEE hene!er you finish any hea", ' shoul" like to ha!e a proof copy of it# ' $ight tell you a long story about your fine geniusF but, as hat e!erybo"y kno s cannot ha!e escape"

you, ' shall not say one syllable about it# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

C''#EETo CR# R<BERT GR5.5C, <+ +'@TR5(# /'R,EE*hen ' ha" the honour of being intro"uce" to you at 5thole .ouse, ' "i" not think so soon of asking a fa!our of you# *hen Lear, in /hakespeare, aske" <l" Aent hy he ishe" to be in his ser!ice, he ans ers, &Because you ha!e that in your face hich ' oul" fain call $aster#& +or so$e such reason, /ir, "o ' no solicit your patronage# (ou kno , ' "are say, of an application ' lately $a"e to your Boar" to be a"$itte" an officer of the E-cise# ' ha!e, accor"ing to for$, been e-a$ine" by a super!isor, an" to"ay ' ga!e in his certificate, ith a reJuest for an or"er for instructions# 'n this affair, if ' succee", ' a$ afrai" ' shall but too $uch nee" a patronising frien"# Propriety of con"uct as a $an, an" fi"elity an" attention as an officer, ' "are engage forF but ith anything like business, e-cept $anual labour, ' a$ totally unacJuainte"# ' ha" inten"e" to ha!e close" $y late appearance on the stage of life in the character of a country far$erF but, after "ischarging so$e filial an" fraternal clai$s, ' fin" ' coul" only fight for e-istence in that $iserable $anner, hich ' ha!e li!e" to see thro a !enerable parent into the ja s of a jail, hence "eath, the poor $anBs last an" often best frien", rescue" hi$# ' kno , /ir, that to nee" your goo"ness, is to ha!e a clai$ on itF $ay ', therefore, beg your patronage to for ar" $e in this affair, till ' be appointe" to a "i!ision, here, by the help of rigi" econo$y, ' ill try to support that in"epen"ence so "ear to $y soul, but hich has been too often so "istant fro$ $y situation# R# B# ) ) ) ) ) )

C''#EETo .is *'+E, 5T C5?C.L'@E# ELL'/L5@%, D+ri"ayD, 06Dth /ep#D 02::# C( %E5R L<,E,EE' recei!e" your kin" letter ith a pleasure hich no letter but one fro$ you coul" ha!e gi!en $e# ' "rea$e" of you the hole night lastF but alas3 ' fear it ill be three eeks yet ere ' can hope for the happiness of seeing you# Cy har!est is going on# ' ha!e so$e to cut "o n still, but ' put in t o stacks toE"ay, so 'B$ as tire" as a "og# (ou $ight get one of GilbertBs s eetE$ilk cheeses, an" sen" it to#### <n secon" thoughts ' belie!e you ha" best get the half of GilbertBs eb of table linen an" $ake it upF though ' think it "a$nable "ear, but it is no outlai" $oney to us, you kno # ' ha!e just no consulte" $y ol" lan"la"y about table linen, an" she thinks ' $ay ha!e the best for t o shillings a yar"F so, after all, let it alone till ' returnF an" so$e "ay soon ' ill be in %u$fries an" ask the price there# ' e-pect your ne go ns ill be !ery for ar" or rea"y to $ake, against ' be ho$e to get the Dbai!eri"ge#D9::;

' ha!e ritten $y longEthoughtEon letter to Cr# Graha$, the Co$$issioner of E-ciseF an" ha!e sent a sheetful of poetry besi"es# 9+ootnote ::4 <n her first appearance in public in a ne "ress a young o$an as subject to this ta-, if clai$e" by the young $an happene" first to $eet her# ; ) ) ) ) ) ho

C',#EETo Ciss C.5LCER/, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, @E5R %?C+R'E/, D/eptD# 08DthD, 02::# *here are youH an" ho are youH an" is La"y CackenKie reco!ering her healthH for ' ha!e ha" but one solitary letter fro$ you# ' ill not think you ha!e forgot $e, Ca"a$ an", for $y part, *hen thee, >erusale$, ' forget, /kill part fro$ $y right han"3 &Cy heart is not of that rock, nor $y soul careless as that sea#& ' "o not $ake $y progress a$ong $ankin" as a bo l "oes a$ong its fello sErolling through the cro " ithout bearing a ay any $ark or i$pression, e-cept here they hit in hostile collision# ' a$ here, "ri!en in ith $y har!estEfolks by ba" eatherF an" as you an" your sister once "i" $e the honour of interesting yoursel!es $uch Da lB egar" "e $oiD, ' sit "o n to beg the continuation of your goo"ness# ' can truly say that, all the e-terior of life apart, ' ne!er sa t o hose estee$ flattere" the nobler feelings of $y soulEE' ill not say $ore, but so $uch, as La"y CackenKie an" Ciss Chal$ers# *hen ' think of youEEhearts the best, $in"s the noblest of hu$an kin"EEunfortunate e!en in the sha"es of lifeEE hen ' think ' ha!e $et ith you, an" ha!e li!e" $ore of real life ith you in eight "ays than ' can "o ith al$ost anybo"y ' $eet ith in eight yearsEE hen ' think on the i$probability of $eeting you in this orl" againEE' coul" sit "o n an" cry like a chil"3 'f e!er you honoure" $e ith a place in your estee$, ' trust ' can no plea" $ore "esert# ' a$ secure against that crushing grip of iron po!erty, hich, alas3 is less or $ore fatal to the nati!e orth an" purity of, ' fear, the noblest soulsF an" a late i$portant step in $y life has kin"ly taken $e out of the ay of those ungrateful iniJuities, hich, ho e!er o!erlooke" in fashionable licence, or !arnishe" in fashionable phrase, are in"ee" but lighter an" "eeper sha"es of !illainy# /hortly after $y last return to 5yrshire, ' $arrie" &$y >ean#& This as not in conseJuence of the attach$ent of ro$ance, perhapsF but ' ha" a long an" $uchElo!e" fello EcreatureBs happiness or $isery in $y "eter$ination, an" ' "urst not trifle ith so i$portant a "eposit# @or ha!e ' any cause to repent it# 'f ' ha!e not got polite tattle, $o"ish $anners, an" fashionable "ress, ' a$ not sickene" an" "isguste" ith the $ultifor$ curse of boar"ingEschool affectationF an" ' ha!e got the han"so$est figure, the s eetest te$per, the soun"est constitution, an" the kin"est heart in the county# Crs# Burns belie!es, as fir$ly as her cree", that ' a$ Dle plus bel esprit, et le plus honnete ho$$eD in the uni!erseF although she scarcely e!er in her life, e-cept the /criptures of the ol" an" @e Testa$ent, an" the Psal$s of %a!i" in $etre, spent fi!e $inutes together on either prose or !erse# ' $ust e-cept also fro$

this last a certain late publication of /cots poe$s, hich she has peruse" !ery "e!outlyF an" all the balla"s in the country, as she has G< the partial lo!er3 you ill cryI the finest & oo" note il"& ' e!er hear"# ' a$ the $ore particular in this la"yBs character, as ' kno she ill henceforth ha!e the honour of a share in your best ishes# /he is still at Cauchline, as ' a$ buil"ing $y houseF for this ho!el that ' shelter in, hile occasionally here, is per!ious to e!ery blast that blo s, an" e!ery sho er that fallsF an" ' a$ only preser!e" fro$ being chille" to "eath, by being suffocate" ith s$oke# ' "o not fin" $y far$ that penny orth ' as taught to e-pect, but ' belie!e, in ti$e, it $ay be a sa!ing bargain# (ou ill be please" to hear that ' ha!e lai" asi"e the i"le DeclatD, an" bin" e!ery "ay after $y reapers# To sa!e $e fro$ that horri" situation of at any ti$e going "o n, in a losing bargain of a far$, to $isery, ' ha!e taken $y E-cise instructions, an" ha!e $y co$$ission in $y pocket for any e$ergency of fortune# 'f ' coul" set all before your !ie , hate!er "isrespect you, in co$$on ith the orl", ha!e for this business, ' kno you oul" appro!e of $y i"ea# ' ill $ake no apology, "ear Ca"a$, for this egotistic "etailF ' kno you an" your sister ill be intereste" in e!ery circu$stance of it# *hat signify the silly, i"le ge Ega s of ealth, or the i"eal tru$pery of greatness3 *hen fello Epartakers of the sa$e nature fear the sa$e Go", ha!e the sa$e bene!olence of heart, the sa$e nobleness of soul, the sa$e "etestation at e!erything "ishonest, an" the sa$e scorn at e!erything un orthyEEif they are not in the "epen"ence of absolute beggary, in the na$e of co$$on sense, are they not eJualsH 5n" if the bias, the instincti!e bias of their souls run the sa$e ay, hy $ay they not be frien"sH *hen ' $ay ha!e an opportunity of sen"ing you this, .ea!en only kno s# /henstone says, &*hen one is confine" i"le ithin "oors by ba" eather, the best anti"ote against DennuiD is to rea" the letters of, or rite to, oneBs frien"sF& in that case then, if the eather continues thus, ' $ay scra l you half a Juire# ' !ery latelyEEto it, since har!est beganEE rote a poe$, not in i$itation, but in the $anner of PopeBs Coral Epistles# 't is only a short essay, just to try the strength of $y CuseBs pinion in that ay# ' ill sen" you a copy of it, hen once ' ha!e hear" fro$ you# ' ha!e like ise been laying the foun"ation of so$e pretty large poetic orksF ho the superstructure ill co$e on, ' lea!e to that great $aker an" $arrer of projects, ti$e# >ohnsonBs collection of /cots songs is going on in the thir" !olu$eF an", of conseJuence, fin"s $e a consu$pt for a great "eal of i"le $etre# <ne of the $ost tolerable things ' ha!e "one in that ay, is t o stanKas ' $a"e to an air a $usical gentle$an of $y acJuaintance co$pose" for the anni!ersary of his e""ingE"ay, hich happens on the se!enth of @o!e$ber# Take it as follo s4EE The "ay returnsEE$y boso$ burnsEE The blissful "ay e t a "i" $eet, etc# ' shall gi!e o!er this letter for sha$e# 'f ' shoul" be seiKe" ith a scribbling fit, before this goes a ay, ' shall $ake it another letterF an" then you $ay allo your patience a eekBs respite bet een the t o# ' ha!e not roo$ for $ore than the ol", kin", hearty fare ell3

To $ake so$e a$en"s, D$es cheres Ces"a$esD, for "ragging you on to this secon" sheetF an" to relie!e a little the tireso$eness of $y unstu"ie" an" uncorrectible prose, ' shall transcribe you so$e of $y late poetic bagatellesF though ' ha!e, these eight or ten $onths, "one !ery little that ay# <ne "ay, in a her$itage on the banks of @ith, belonging to a gentle$an in $y neighbourhoo", ho is so goo" as gi!e $e a key at pleasure, ' rote as follo sF supposing $yself the seJuestere", !enerable inhabitant of the lonely $ansion# L'@E/ *R'TTE@ '@ +R'5R/EC5R/E .ERC'T5GE# Thou ho$ chance $ay hither lea", Be thou cla" in russet ee", etc# R# B# ) ) ) )

C,#EETo CR# C<R'/<@, *R'G.T, C5?C.L'@E# Ellislan", D/epte$berD 66Dn"D 02::# C( %E5R /'R,EE@ecessity obliges $e to go into $y ne house, e!en before it be plastere"# ' ill inhabit the one en" until the other is finishe"# 5bout three eeks $ore, ' think, ill at farthest be $y ti$e, beyon" hich ' cannot stay in this present house# 'f e!er you ish to "eser!e the blessing of hi$ that as rea"y to perishF if e!er you ere in a situation that a little kin"ness oul" ha!e rescue" you fro$ $any e!ilsF if e!er you hope to fin" rest in future states of untrie" beingEget these $atters of $ine rea"y#9:1; Cy ser!ant ill be out in the beginning of ne-t eek for the clock# Cy co$pli$ents to Crs# Corison# EE' a$, after all $y tribulation, %ear /ir, yours, R# B# 9+ootnote :14 The letter refers to chairs an" other articles of furniture hich the Poet ha" or"ere"#; ) ) ) )

C,'#EETo CR/# %?@L<P, <+ %?@L<P# Cauchline, 62Dth /eptD# 02::# ' ha!e recei!e" t ins, "ear Ca"a$, $ore than onceF but scarcely e!er ith $ore pleasure than hen ' recei!e" yours of the 06th instant# To $ake $yself un"erstoo"F ' ha" rote to Cr# Graha$, enclosing $y poe$ a""resse" to hi$, an" the sa$e post hich fa!oure" $e ith yours brought $e an ans er fro$ hi$# 't as "ate" the !ery "ay he ha" recei!e" $ineF an" ' a$ Juite at a loss to say hether it as $ost polite or kin"# (our criticis$s, $y honoure" benefactress, are truly the ork of a frien"# They are not the blasting "epre"ations of a cankerEtoothe", caterpillar criticF nor are they the fair state$ent of col" i$partiality, balancing ith unfeeling e-actitu"e the DproD an" DconD of an authorBs $eritsF they are the ju"icious obser!ations of ani$ate" frien"ship, selecting the beauties of the piece# ' a$ just arri!e" fro$

@iths"ale, an" ill be here a fortnight# ' as on horseback this $orning by three oBclockF for bet een $y ife an" $y far$ is just fortyEsi$iles# 5s ' jogge" on in the "ark, ' as taken ith a poetic fit, as follo s4 &Crs# +erguson of Craig"arrochBs la$entation for the "eath of her sonF an unco$$only pro$ising youth of eighteen or nineteen years of age4EE +ate ga!e the or"EEthe arro spe", 5n" pierce" $y "arlingBs heart,&GDetcD#I (ou ill not sen" $e your poetic ra$bles, but, you see, ' a$ no niggar" of $ine# ' a$ sure your i$pro$ptus gi!e $e "ouble pleasureF hat falls fro$ your pen can neither be unentertaining in itself, nor in"ifferent to $e# The one fault you foun" is just4 but ' cannot please $yself in an e$en"ation# *hat a life of solicitu"e is the life of a parent3 (ou intereste" $e $uch in your young couple# ' oul" not take $y folio paper for this epistle, an" no ' repent it# ' a$ so ja"e" ith $y "irty long journey, that ' as afrai" to "ra l into the essence of "ulness ith anything larger than a Juarto, an" so ' $ust lea!e out another rhy$e of this $orningBs $anufacture# ' ill pay the sapientipotent George $ost cheerfully, to hear fro$ you ere ' lea!e 5yrshire# R# B# ) ) ) )

C,''EETo CR# PETER .'LL# Cauchline, 0Dst <ctoberD 02::# ' ha!e been here in this country about three "ays, an" all that ti$e $y chief rea"ing has been the &5""ress to Lochlo$on"& you ere so obliging as to sen" to $e# *ere ' i$pannele" one of the authorBs jury, to "eter$ine his cri$inality respecting the sin of poesy, $y !er"ict shoul" be &Guilty3 5 poet of natureBs $aking3& 't is an e-cellent $etho" for i$pro!e$ent, an" hat ' belie!e e!ery poet "oes, to place so$e fa!ourite classic author in his alks of stu"y an" co$position before hi$ as a $o"el# Though your author ha" not $entione" the na$e, ' coul" ha!e, at half a glance, guesse" his $o"el to be Tho$son# *ill $y brotherEpoet forgi!e $e if ' !enture to hint that his i$itation of that i$$ortal bar" is, in t o or three places, rather $ore ser!ile than such a genius as his reJuire"4EEDe#g#D To soothe the $a""ening passions all to peace# 5%%RE//# To soothe the throbbing passions into peace# T.<C/<@# ' think the &5""ress& is in si$plicity, har$ony, an" elegance of !ersification, fully eJual to the &/easons#& Like Tho$son, too, he has looke" into nature for hi$self4 you $eet ith no copie" "escription# <ne particular criticis$ ' $a"e at first rea"ingF in no one instance has he sai" too $uch# .e ne!er flags in his progress, but, like a true poet of

natureBs $aking, kin"les in his course# .is beginning is si$ple an" $o"est, as if "istrustful of the strength of his passionF only, ' "o not altogether likeEE Truth, The soul of e!ery song thatBs nobly great# +iction is the soul of $any a song that is nobly great# Perhaps ' a$ rong4 this $ay be but a prose criticis$# 's not the phrase, in line 2, page 8, &Great lake,& too $uch !ulgarise" by e!eryE"ay language for so subli$e a poe$H Great $ass of aters, the$e for nobler song, is perhaps no e$en"ation# .is enu$eration of a co$parison ith other lakes is at once har$onious an" poetic# E!ery rea"erBs i"eas $ust s eep the *in"ing $argin of a hun"re" $iles# The perspecti!e that follo s $ountains blueEEthe i$prisone" billo s beating in !ainEEthe oo"e" islesEEthe "igression on the ye EtreeEE&Benlo$on"Bs lofty, clou"Een!elopB" hea",& etc#, are beautiful# 5 thun"erEstor$ is a subject hich has been often trie", yet our poet, in his gran" picture, has interjecte" a circu$stance, so far as ' kno , entirely original in the gloo$ %eep sea$B" ith freJuent streaks of $o!ing fire# 'n his preface to the /tor$, &the glens ho "ark bet een,& is noble highlan" lan"scape3 The &rain ploughing the re" $oul",& too, is beautifully fancie"# &Benlo$on"Bs lofty, pathless top,& is a goo" e-pressionF an" the surroun"ing !ie fro$ it is truly great4 the sil!er $ist, Beneath the bea$ing sun, is ell "escribe"F an" here he has contri!e" to enli!en his poe$ ith a little of that passion hich bi"s fair, ' think, to usurp the $o"ern $uses altogether# ' kno not ho far this episo"e is a beauty on the hole, but the s ainBs ish to carry &so$e faint i"ea of the !ision bright,& to entertain her &partial listening ear,& is a pretty thought# But, in $y opinion, the $ost beautiful passages in the hole poe$ are the fo ls cro "ing, in intry frosts, to Lochlo$on"Bs &hospitable floo"F& their heeling roun"F their lighting, $i-ing, "i!ing, etc#F an" the glorious "escription of the sports$an# This last is eJual to anything in the &/easons#& The i"ea of &the floating tribes "istant seen, far glistering to the $oon,& pro!oking his eye as he is oblige" to lea!e the$, is a noble ray of poetic genius# The &ho ling in"s,& the &hi"eous roar& of &the hite casca"es,& are all in the sa$e style# ' forget that hile ' a$ thus hol"ing forth, ith the hee"less ar$th of an enthusiast, ' a$ perhaps tiring you ith nonsense# ' $ust, ho e!er, $ention that the last !erse of the si-teenth page is one of the $ost elegant co$pli$ents ' ha!e e!er seen# ' $ust like ise notice that beautiful paragraph beginning &The glea$ing lake,& etc# ' "are not go

into the particular beauties of the last t o paragraphs, but they are a"$irably fine, an" truly <ssianic# ' $ust beg your par"on for this lengthene" scra l# ' ha" no i"ea of it hen ' beganEE' shoul" like to kno ho the author isF but, hoe!er he be, please present hi$ ith $y grateful thanks for the entertain$ent he has affor"e" $e#917; 5 frien" of $ine "esire" $e to co$$ission for hi$ t o books, DLetters on the Religion essential to CanD, a book you sent $e beforeF an" DThe *orl" ?n$aske", or the Philosopher the greatest CheatD# /en" $e the$ by the first opportunity# The Bible you sent $e is truly elegantF ' only ish it ha" been in t o !olu$es# R# B# 9+ootnote 174 The poe$, entitle" &5n 5""ress to Lochlo$on",& is sai" to ha!e been ritten by one of the $asters of the .igh /chool of E"inburgh#; ) ) ) ) )

C,''LEETo T.E E%'T<R <+ T.E &/T5R&# D@o!e$berD :DthD, 02::# /ir,EE@ot ithstan"ing the opprobrious epithets ith hich so$e of our philosophers an" gloo$y sectarians ha!e bran"e" our natureEEthe principle of uni!ersal selfishness, the proneness to all e!il, they ha!e gi!en usEEstill, the "etestation in hich inhu$anity to the "istresse", or insolence to the fallen, are hel" by all $ankin", sho s that they are not nati!es of the hu$an heart# E!en the unhappy partner of our kin" ho is un"one, the bitter conseJuence of his follies or his cri$esEE ho but sy$pathises ith the $iseries of this ruine" profligate brotherH *e forget the injuries, an" feel for the $an# ' ent, last *e"nes"ay, to $y parish church, $ost cor"ially to join in grateful ackno le"g$ent to the 5?T.<R <+ 5LL G<<% for the conseJuent blessings of the glorious Re!olution# To that auspicious e!ent e o e no less than our liberties, ci!il an" religiousF to it e are like ise in"ebte" for the present Royal +a$ily, the ruling features of hose a"$inistration ha!e e!er been $il"ness to the subject, an" ten"erness of his rights# Bre" an" e"ucate" in re!olution principles, the principles of reason an" co$$on sense, it coul" not be any silly political preju"ice hich $a"e $y heart re!olt at the harsh, abusi!e $anner in hich the re!eren" gentle$an $entione" the .ouse of /tuart, an" hich, ' a$ afrai", as too $uch the language of the "ay# *e $ay rejoice sufficiently in our "eli!erance fro$ past e!ils, ithout cruelly raking up the ashes of those hose $isfortune it as, perhaps as $uch as their cri$e, to be the authors of those e!ilsF an" e $ay bless G<% for all .is goo"ness to us as a nation, ithout, at the sa$e ti$e, cursing a fe ruine", po erless e-iles, ho only harboure" i"eas, an" $a"e atte$pts, that $ost of us oul" ha!e "one, ha" e been in their situation# &The bloo"y an" tyrannical .ouse of /tuart& $ay be sai" ith propriety an" justice, hen co$pare" ith the present Royal +a$ily, an" the senti$ents of our "aysF but is there no allo ance to be $a"e for the $anners of the ti$esH *ere the royal conte$poraries of the /tuarts $ore attenti!e to their subjectsB rightsH Cight not the epithets of &bloo"y an" tyrannical& be, ith at least eJual justice, applie" to the .ouse of Tu"or, of (ork, or any other of their pre"ecessorsH

The si$ple state of the case, /ir, see$s to be this4EE5t that perio", the science of go!ern$ent, the kno le"ge of the true relation bet een king an" subject, as, like other sciences an" other kno le"ge, just in its infancy, e$erging fro$ "ark ages of ignorance an" barbarity# The /tuarts only conten"e" for prerogati!es hich they kne their pre"ecessors enjoye", an" hich they sa their conte$poraries enjoyingF but these prerogati!es ere ini$ical to the happiness of a nation an" the rights of subjects# 'n this contest bet een prince an" people, the conseJuence of that light of science hich ha" lately "a ne" o!er Europe, the $onarch of +rance, for e-a$ple, as !ictorious o!er the struggling liberties of his people4 ith us, luckily, the $onarch faile", an" his un arrantable pretensions fell a sacrifice to our rights an" happiness# *hether it as o ing to the is"o$ of lea"ing in"i!i"uals, or to the justling of parties, ' cannot preten" to "eter$ineF but, like ise, happily for us, the kingly po er as shifte" into another branch of the fa$ily, ho, as they o e" the throne solely to the call of a free people, coul" clai$ nothing inconsistent ith the co!enante" ter$s hich place" the$ there# The /tuarts ha!e been con"e$ne" an" laughe" at, for the folly an" i$practicability of their atte$pts in 020=, an" 02L=# That they faile", ' bless G<%F but cannot join in the ri"icule against the$# *ho "oes not kno that the abilities or "efects of lea"ers an" co$$an"ers are often hi""en, until put to the touchstone of e-igencyF an" that there is a caprice of fortune, an o$nipotence in particular acci"ents an" conjunctures of circu$stances, hich e-alt us as heroes, or bran" us as $a"$en, just as they are for or against usH Can, Cr# Publisher, is a strange, eak, inconsistent being4 ho oul" belie!e, /ir, that in this our 5ugustan age of liberality an" refine$ent, hile e see$ so justly sensible an" jealous of our rights an" liberties, an" ani$ate" ith such in"ignation against the !ery $e$ory of those ho oul" ha!e sub!erte" the$EEthat a certain people un"er our national protection shoul" co$plain, not against our $onarch an" a fe fa!ourite a"!isers, but against our *.<LE LEG'/L5T',E B<%(, for si$ilar oppression, an" al$ost in the !ery sa$e ter$s, as our forefathers "i" of the .ouse of /tuart3 ' ill not, ' cannot, enter into the $erits of the causeF but ' "are say the 5$erican Congress, in 0228, ill be allo e" to be as able an" enlightene" as the English Con!ention as in 08::F an" that their posterity ill celebrate the centenary of their "eli!erance fro$ us, as "uly an" sincerely, as e "o ours fro$ the oppressi!e $easures of the rongEhea"e" .ouse of /tuart# To conclu"e, /irF let e!ery $an ho has a tear for the $any $iseries inci"ent to hu$anity, feel for a fa$ily illustrious as any in Europe, an" unfortunate beyon" historic prece"entF an" let e!ery Briton Gan" particularly e!ery /cots$anI ho e!er looke" ith re!erential pity on the "otage of a parent, cast a !eil o!er the fatal $istake of the Aings of his forefathers# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

C'N#EET< CR/# %?@L<P, 5T C<RE.5C C5'@/#

C5?C.L'@E, 03Dth @o!e$berD 02::# Ca"a$,EE' ha" the !ery great pleasure of "ining at %unlop yester"ay# Cen are sai" to flatter o$en because they are eak, if it is so, poets $ust be eaker stillF for Cisses R# an" A# an" Ciss G# CBA#, ith their flattering attentions, an" artful co$pli$ents, absolutely turne" $y hea"# ' o n they "i" not lar" $e o!er as $any a poet "oes his patron, but they so into-icate" $e ith their sly insinuations an" "elicate innuen"os of co$pli$ent, that if it ha" not been for a lucky recollection, ho $uch a""itional eight an" lustre your goo" opinion an" frien"ship $ust gi!e $e in that circle, ' ha" certainly looke" upon $yself as a person of no s$all conseJuence# ' "are not say one or" ho $uch ' as char$e" ith the CajorBs frien"ly elco$e, elegant $anner, an" acute re$ark, lest ' shoul" be thought to balance $y orientalis$s of applause o!erEagainst the finest heifer in 5yrshire, hich he $a"e $e a present of to help an" a"orn $y far$Estock# 5s it as on hallo E"ay, ' a$ "eter$ine" annually as that "ay returns, to "ecorate her horns ith an o"e of gratitu"e to the fa$ily of %unlop# /o soon as ' kno of your arri!al at %unlop, ' ill take the first con!eniency to "e"icate a "ay, or perhaps t o, to you an" frien"ship, un"er the guarantee of the CajorBs hospitality# There ill soon be three score an" ten $iles of per$anent "istance bet een usF an" no that your frien"ship an" frien"ly correspon"ence is ent iste" ith the heartEstrings of $y enjoy$ent of life, ' $ust in"ulge $yself in a happy "ay of &the feast of reason an" the flo of soul#& R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN#EET< %R# BL5CAL<CA# C5?C.L'@E, D@o!e$berD 0=DthD, 02::# Re!eren" an" "ear /ir,EE5s ' hear nothing of your $otions, but that you are, or ere, out of to n, ' "o not kno here this $ay fin" you, or hether it ill fin" you at all# ' rote you a long letter, "ate" fro$ the lan" of $atri$ony, in >uneF but either it ha" not foun" you, or, hat ' "rea" $ore, it foun" you or Crs# Blacklock in too precarious a state of health an" spirits to take notice of an i"le packet# ' ha!e "one $any little things for >ohnson since ' ha" the pleasure of seeing youF an" ' ha!e finishe" one piece, in the ay of PopeBs &Coral EpistlesF& but, fro$ your silence, ' ha!e e!erything to fear, so ' ha!e only sent you t o $elancholy things, hich ' tre$ble to fear $ay too ell suit the tone of your present feelings# 'n a fortnight ' $o!e, bag an" baggage, to @iths"aleF till then, $y "irection is at this placeF after that perio", it ill be at Ellislan", near %u$fries# 't oul" e-tre$ely oblige $e, ere it but half a line, to let $e kno ho you are, an" here you are# Can ' be in"ifferent to the fate of a $an to ho$ ' o e so $uchEEa $an ho$ ' not only estee$, but !enerateH Cy ar$est goo" ishes an" $ost respectful co$pli$ents to Crs# Blacklock, an" Ciss >ohnson, if she is ith you# ' cannot conclu"e ithout telling you that ' a$ $ore an" $ore please"

ith the step ' took respecting &$y >ean#& T o things, fro$ $y happy e-perience, ' set "o n as apophtheg$s in life,EEa ifeBs hea" is i$$aterial, co$pare" ith her heartF an" &,irtueBs Gfor is"o$, hat poet preten"s to itHI ays are ays of pleasantness, an" all her paths are peace#& 5"ieu3 R# B#910; 9+ootnote 104 .ere follo &The $otherBs la$ent for the loss of her son,& an" the song beginning &The laKy $ist hangs fro$ the bro of the hill#&; ) ) ) ) )

CN'#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, 02Dth %ece$berD 02::# Cy "ear honoure" frien",EE(ours, "ate" E"inburgh, hich ' ha!e just rea", $akes $e !ery unhappy# &5l$ost blin" an" holly "eaf& are $elancholy ne s of hu$an natureF but hen tol" of a $uchElo!e" an" honoure" frien", they carry $isery in the soun"# Goo"ness on your part, an" gratitu"e on $ine, began a tie hich has gra"ually ent iste" itself a$ong the "earest chor"s of $y boso$, an" ' tre$ble at the o$ens of your late an" present ailing habit an" shattere" health# (ou $iscalculate $atters i"ely, hen you forbi" $y aiting on you, lest it shoul" hurt $y orl"ly concerns# Cy s$all scale of far$ing is e-cee"ingly $ore si$ple an" easy than hat you ha!e lately seen at Coreha$ Cains# But, be that as it $ay, the heart of the $an an" the fancy of the poet are the t o gran" consi"erations for hich ' li!e4 if $iry ri"ges an" "irty "unghills are to engross the best part of the functions of $y soul i$$ortal, ' ha" better been a rook or a $agpie at once, an" then ' shoul" not ha!e been plague" ith any i"eas superior to breaking of clo"s an" picking up grubsF not to $ention barnE"oor cocks of $allar"s, creatures ith hich ' coul" al$ost e-change li!es at any ti$e# 'f you continue so "eaf, ' a$ afrai" a !isit ill be no great pleasure to either of usF but if ' hear you are got so ell again as to be able to relish con!ersation, look you to it, Ca"a$, for ' ill $ake $y threatenings goo"# ' a$ to be at the @e EyearE"ay fair of 5yr, an", by all that is sacre" in the orl", frien", ' ill co$e an" see you# (our $eeting, hich you so ell "escribe, ith your ol" schoolfello an" frien", as truly interesting# <ut upon the ays of the orl"3 They spoil these &social offsprings of the heart#& T o !eterans of the &$en of the orl"& oul" ha!e $et ith little $ore heartE orkings than t o ol" hacks orn out on the roa"# 5propos, is not the /cotch phrase, &5ul" lang syne,& e-cee"ingly e-pressi!eH There is an ol" song an" tune hich has often thrille" through $y soul# (ou kno ' a$ an enthusiast in ol" /cotch song# ' shall gi!e you the !erses on the other sheet, as ' suppose Cr# Aerr916; ill sa!e you the postage# /houl" aul" acJuaintance be forgotH Light be the turf on the breast of the .ea!enEinspire" poet ho co$pose" this glorious frag$ent3 There is $ore of the fire of nati!e genius in it than in half a "oKen of $o"ern English Bacchanalians3 @o ' a$ on $y hobbyhorse, ' cannot help inserting t o other ol" stanKas, hich please $e $ightily4EE

Go fetch to $e a pint oB R# B#

ine, etc#

9+ootnote 164 Post$aster in E"inburgh#; ) ) ) )

CN''#EET< CR# ><.@ TE@@5@T# D%ece$berD 66Dn"D, 02::# ' yester"ay trie" $y cask of hisky for the first ti$e, an" ' assure you it "oes you great cre"it# 't ill bear fi!e aters, strong4 or sior"inary to""y# The hisky of this country is a $ost rascally liJuorF an", by conseJuence, only "runk by the $ost rascally part of the inhabitants# ' a$ persua"e", if you once get a footing here, you $ight "o a great "eal of business, in the ay of consu$ptF an" shoul" you co$$ence "istiller again, this is the nati!e barley country# ' a$ ignorant if, in your present ay of "ealing, you oul" think it orth your hile to e-ten" your business so far as this countryEsi"e# ' rite you this on the account of an acci"ent, hich ' $ust take the $erit of ha!ing partly "esigne" too# 5 neighbour of $ine, a >ohn Currie, $iller, in Carse CillEEa $an ho is, in a or", a !ery goo" $an, e!en for a L=77 bargainEEhe an" his ife ere in $y house the ti$e ' broke open the cask# They keep a country publicEhouse an" sell a great "eal of foreign spirits, but all along thought that hisky oul" ha!e "egra"e" their house# They ere perfectly astonishe" at $y hisky, both for its taste an" strengthF an", by their "esire, ' rite you to kno if you coul" supply the$ ith liJuor of an eJual Juality, an" hat price# Please rite $e by first post, an" "irect to $e at Ellislan", near %u$fries# 'f you coul" take a jaunt this ay yourself, ' ha!e a spare spoon, knife, an" fork, !ery $uch at your ser!ice# Cy co$pli$ents to Crs# Tennant, an" all the goo" folks in Glenconnel an" Barguharrie# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN'''#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D@e EyearE"ay CorningD, 02:1# This, "ear Ca"a$, is a $orning of ishes, an" oul" to Go" that ' ca$e un"er the 5postle >a$esBs "escription3EEDthe prayer of a righteous $an a!aileth $uchD# 'n that case, Ca"a$, you shoul" elco$e in a year full of blessings4 e!erything that obstructs or "isturbs tranJuillity an" selfEenjoy$ent shoul" be re$o!e", an" e!ery pleasure that frail hu$anity can taste, shoul" be yours# ' o n $yself so little a Presbyterian, that ' appro!e of set ti$es an" seasons of $ore than or"inary acts of "e!otion, for breaking in on that habituate" routine of life an" thought, hich is so apt to re"uce our e-istence to a kin" of instinct, or e!en so$eti$es, an" ith so$e $in"s, to a state !ery little superior to $ere $achinery# This "ayF the first /un"ay of CayF a breeKy blueEskye" noon so$e ti$e about the beginning, an" a hoary $orning an" cal$ sunny "ay about the en" of autu$nF these, ti$e out of $in", ha!e been ith $e a kin" of holi"ay#

' belie!e ' o e this to that glorious paper in the D/pectatorD &The ,ision of CirKa,& a piece that struck $y young fancy before ' as capable of fi-ing an i"ea to a or" of three syllables4 &<n the fifth "ay of the $oon, hich, accor"ing to the custo$ of $y forefathers, ' al ays Dkeep holyD, after ha!ing ashe" $yself, an" offere" up $y $orning "e!otions, ' ascen"e" the high hill of Bag"at, in or"er to pass the rest of the "ay in $e"itation an" prayer#& *e kno nothing, or ne-t to nothing, of the substance or structure of our souls, so cannot account for those see$ing caprices in the$, that one shoul" be particularly please" ith this thing, or struck ith that, hich, on $in"s of a "ifferent cast, $akes no e-traor"inary i$pression# ' ha!e so$e fa!ourite flo ers in spring, a$ong hich are the $ountainE"aisy, the hareEbell, the fo-Eglo!e, the il" brierErose, the bu""ing birch, an" the hoary ha thorn, that ' !ie an" hang o!er ith particular "elight# ' ne!er hear the lou", solitary histle of the curle in a su$$er noon, or the il" $i-ing ca"ence of a troop of grey plo!ers, in an autu$nal $orning, ithout feeling an ele!ation of soul like the enthusias$ of "e!otion or poetry# Tell $e, $y "ear frien", to hat can this be o ingH 5re e a piece of $achinery, hich, like the 5Eolian harp, passi!e, takes the i$pression of the passing acci"entH <r "o these orkings argue so$ething ithin us abo!e the tro""en clo"H ' o n $yself partial to such proofs of those a ful an" i$portant realitiesEEa Go" that $a"e all thingsEE$anBs i$$aterial an" i$$ortal natureEEan" a orl" of eal or oe beyon" "eath an" the gra!e# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN',#ET< %R# C<<RE, L<@%<@# ELL'/L5@%, LDth >an#D 02:1# /ir,EE5s often as ' think of riting to you, hich has been three or four ti$es e!ery eek these si- $onths, it gi!es $e so$ething so like the i"ea of an or"inaryEsiKe" statue offering at a con!ersation ith the Rho"ian Colossus, that $y $in" $isgi!es $e, an" the affair al ays $iscarries so$e here bet een purpose an" resol!e# ' ha!e at last got so$e business ith you, an" business letters are ritten by the styleEbook# ' say $y business is ith you, /ir, for you ne!er ha" any ith $e, e-cept the business that bene!olence has in the $ansion of po!erty# The character an" e$ploy$ent of a poet ere for$erly $y pleasure, but are no $y pri"e# ' kno that a !ery great "eal of $y late eclat as o ing to the singularity of $y situation, an" the honest preju"ice of /cots$enF but still, as ' sai" in the preface to $y first e"ition, ' "o look upon $yself as ha!ing so$e pretensions fro$ nature to the poetic character# ' ha!e not a "oubt but the knack, the aptitu"e, to learn the CusesB tra"e, is a gift besto e" by .i$ & ho for$s the secret bias of the soulF& but ' as fir$ly belie!e that De-cellenceD in the profession is the fruit of in"ustry, labour, attention, an" pains# 5t least ' a$ resol!e" to try $y "octrine by the test of e-perience# 5nother appearance fro$ the press ' put off to a !ery "istant "ay, a "ay that $ay ne!er arri!eEEbut poesy ' a$ "eter$ine" to prosecute ith all $y !igour# @ature has gi!en !ery fe , if any, of the profession, the talents of shining in e!ery species of co$position# ' shall try Gfor

until trial it is i$possible to kno I hether she has Jualifie" $e to shine in any one# The orst of it is, by the ti$e one has finishe" a piece, it has been so often !ie e" an" re!ie e" before the $ental eye, that one loses in a goo" $easure the po ers of critical "iscri$ination# .ere the best criterion ' kno is a frien"EEnot only of abilities to ju"ge, but ith goo"Enature enough, like a pru"ent teacher ith a young learner, to praise perhaps a little $ore than is e-actly just, lest the thinEskinne" ani$al fall into that $ost "eplorable of all poetic "iseasesEEheartEbreaking "espon"ency of hi$self# %are ', /ir, alrea"y i$$ensely in"ebte" to your goo"ness, ask the a""itional obligation of your being that frien" to $eH ' inclose you an essay of $ine in a alk of poesy to $e entirely ne F ' $ean the epistle a""resse" to R# G#, EsJ#, or Robert Graha$, of +intry, EsJ#, a gentle$an of unco$$on orth, to ho$ ' lie un"er !ery great obligations# The story of the poe$, like $ost of $y poe$s, is connecte" ith $y o n story, an" to gi!e you the one, ' $ust gi!e you so$ething of the other# ' cannot boast of Cr# CreechBs ingenuous fair "ealing to $e# .e kept $e hanging about E"inburgh fro$ the 2th 5ugust 02:2 until the 03th 5pril 02:: before he oul" con"escen" to gi!e a state$ent of affairsF nor ha" ' got it e!en then, but for an angry letter ' rote hi$, hich irritate" his pri"e# &' coul"& not a &tale,& but a "etail &unfol"&F but hat a$ ' that shoul" speak against the Lor"Bs anointe" Bailie of E"inburghH913; ' belie!e ' shall, in hole, L077 copyright inclu"e", clear about LL77, so$e little o""sF an" e!en part of this "epen"s upon hat the gentle$an has yet to settle ith $e# ' gi!e you this infor$ation, because you "i" $e the honour to interest yourself $uch in $y elfare# ' gi!e you this infor$ation, but ' gi!e it to yourself only, for ' a$ still $uch in the gentle$anBs $ercy# Perhaps ' injure the $an in the i"ea ' a$ so$eti$es te$pte" to ha!e of hi$EEGo" forbi" ' shoul"# 5 little ti$e ill try, for in a $onth ' shall go to to n to in" up the business, if possible# To gi!e the rest of $y story in brief, ' ha!e $arrie" &$y >ean,& an" taken a far$F ith the first step ' ha!e e!ery "ay $ore an" $ore reason to be satisfie"F ith the last, it is rather the re!erse# ' ha!e a younger brother, ho supports $y age" $other, another still younger brother, an" three sisters, in a far$# <n $y last return fro$ E"inburgh it cost $e about L0:7 to sa!e the$ fro$ ruin# @ot that ' ha!e lost so $uchEE' only interpose" bet een $y brother an" his i$pen"ing fate by the loan of so $uch# ' gi!e $yself no airs on this, for it as $ere selfishness on $y partF ' as conscious that the rong scale of the balance as pretty hea!ily charge", an" ' thought that thro ing a little filial piety an" fraternal affection into the scale in $y fa!our, $ight help to s$ooth $atters at the Dgran" reckoningD# There is still one thing oul" $ake $y circu$stances Juite easyEE' ha!e an e-cise officerBs co$$ission, an" ' li!e in the $i"st of a country "i!ision# Cy reJuest to Cr# Graha$, ho is one of the co$$issioners of e-cise, as, if in his po er, to procure $e that "i!ision# 'f ' ere !ery sanguine, ' $ight hope that so$e of $y great patrons $ight procure $e a treasury arrant for super!isor, sur!eyorEgeneral, etc# Thus, secure of a li!elihoo", &to thee, s eet poetry, "elightful $ai",&91L; ' oul" consecrate $y future "ays# R# B# 9+ootnote 134 CreechF re$arkable for his reluctance to settle

accounts#; 9+ootnote 1L4 Gol"s$ithBs &%eserte" ,illage#&; ) ) ) ) )

CN,#EET< CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# ELL'/L5@%, D>anuaryD 8DthD, 02:1# Cany happy returns of the season to you, $y "ear /ir3 Cay you be co$parati!ely happy, up to your co$parati!e orth a$ong the sons of $enF hich ish oul", ' a$ sure, $ake you one of the $ost blesse" of the hu$an race# ' "o not kno if passing a &*riter to the /ignet& be a trial of scientific $erit, or a $ere business of frien"s an" interest# .o e!er it be, let $e Juote you $y t o fa!ourite passages, hich, though ' ha!e repeate" the$ ten thousan" ti$es, still they rouse $y $anhoo" an" steel $y resolution like inspiration# <n Reason buil" resol!e# That colu$n of true $ajesty in $an# (<?@G# .ear, 5lfre", hero of the slate, Thy genius hea!enBs high ill "eclareF The triu$ph of the truly great, 's ne!er, ne!er to "espair3 's ne!er to "espair3 C5/M?E <+ 5L+RE%# ' grant you enter the lists of life, to struggle for brea", business, notice, an" "istinction, in co$$on ith hun"re"s# But ho are theyH Cen like yourself, an" of that aggregate bo"y your co$peers, se!enEtenths of the$ co$e short of your a"!antages, natural an" acci"entalF hile t o of those that re$ain, either neglect their parts, as flo ers bloo$ing in a "esert, or $isspen" their strength like a bull goring a bra$ble bush# But to change the the$e4 ' a$ still catering for >ohnsonBs publicationF an" a$ong others, ' ha!e brushe" up the follo ing ol" fa!ourite song a little, ith a !ie to your orship# ' ha!e only altere" a or" here an" thereF but if you like the hu$our of it, e shall think of a stanKa or t o to a"" to it# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN,'#EET< PR<+E//<R %?G5L% /TE*5RT# ELL'/L5@%, 67Dth >anD# 02:1# /ir,EEThe inclose" seale" packet ' sent to E"inburgh, a fe "ays after ' ha" the happiness of $eeting you in 5yrshire, but you ere gone for the Continent# ' ha!e no a""e" a fe $ore of $y pro"uctions, those for hich ' a$ in"ebte" to the @iths"ale Cuses# The piece inscribe" to R# G#, EsJ#, is a copy of !erses ' sent Cr# Graha$, of +intry, acco$panying a reJuest for his assistance in a $atter to $e of !ery great $o$ent# To

that gentle$an ' a$ alrea"y "oubly in"ebte"F for "ee"s of kin"ness of serious i$port to $y "earest interests, "one in a $anner grateful to the "elicate feelings of sensibility# This poe$ is a species of co$position ne to $e, but ' "o not inten" it shall be $y last essay of the kin", as you ill see by the &PoetBs Progress#& These frag$ents, if $y "esign succee", are but a s$all part of the inten"e" hole# ' propose it shall be the ork of $y ut$ost e-ertions, ripene" by yearsF of course ' "o not ish it $uch kno n# The frag$ent beginning &5 little upright, pert, tart,& etc#, ' ha!e not sho n to $an li!ing, till ' no sen" it you# 't for$s the postulata, the a-io$s, the "efinition of a character, hich, if it appear at all, shall be place" in a !ariety of lights# This particular part ' sen" you $erely as a sa$ple of $y han" at portraitEsketchingF but, lest i"le conjecture shoul" preten" to point out the original, please to let it be for your single, sole inspection# @ee" ' $ake any apology for this trouble, to a gentle$an ho has treate" $e ith such $arke" bene!olence an" peculiar kin"nessF ho has entere" into $y interests ith so $uch Keal, an" on hose critical "ecisions ' can so fully "epen"H 5 poet as ' a$ by tra"e, these "ecisions are to $e of the last conseJuence# Cy late transient acJuaintance a$ong so$e of the $ere rank an" file of greatness, ' resign ith easeF but to the "istinguishe" cha$pions of genius an" learning, ' shall be e!er a$bitious of being kno n# The nati!e genius an" accurate "iscern$ent in Cr# /te artBs critical stricturesF the justness Giron justice, for he has no bo els of co$passion for a poor poetic sinnerI of %r# GregoryBs re$arks, an" the "elicacy of Professor %alKelBs taste, ' shall e!er re!ere# ' shall be in E"inburgh so$e ti$e ne-t $onth#EE' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your highly oblige", an" !ery hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN,''#EET< CR# R<BERT CLEG.<R@, /5?G.T<@ C'LL/# ELL'/L5@%, 63Dr" >anD# 02:1# ' $ust take sha$e an" confusion of face to $yself, $y "ear frien" an" brother +ar$er, that ' ha!e not ritten you $uch sooner# The truth is ' ha!e been so tosse" about bet een 5yrshire an" @iths"ale that, till no ' ha!e got $y fa$ily here, ' ha!e ha" ti$e to think of nothing e-cept no an" then a stanKa or so as ' ro"e along# *ere it not for our gracious $onarchBs curse" ta- of postage ' ha" sent you one or t o pieces of so$e length that ' ha!e lately "one# ' ha!e no i"ea of the DPressD# ' a$ $ore able to support $yself an" fa$ily, though in a hu$ble, yet an in"epen"ent ayF an" ' $ean, just at $y leisure, to pay court to the tuneful sisters in the hope that they $ay one "ay enable $e to carry on a ork of so$e i$portance# The follo ing are a fe !erses hich ' rote in a neighbouring gentle$anBs Dher$itageD to hich he is so goo" as let $e ha!e a key# ) ) ) ) )

CN,'''#EETo B'/.<P GE%%E/, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, D3r" +ebD# 02:1# ,E@ER5BLE +5T.ER,EE5s ' a$ conscious that here!er ' a$, you "o $e the honour to interest yourself in $y elfare, it gi!es $e pleasure to

infor$ you, that ' a$ here at last, stationary in the serious business of life, an" ha!e no not only the retire" leisure, but the hearty inclination, to atten" to those great an" i$portant Juestions,EE hat ' a$H here ' a$H an" for hat ' a$ "estine"# 'n that first concern, the con"uct of the $an, there as e!er but one si"e on hich ' as habitually bla$eable, an" there ' ha!e secure" $yself in the ay pointe" out by nature an" natureBs Go"# ' as sensible that, to so helpless a creature as a poor poet, a ife an" fa$ily ere incu$brances, hich a species of pru"ence oul" bi" hi$ shunF but hen the alternati!e as, being at eternal arfare ith $yself, on account of habitual follies, to gi!e the$ no orse na$e, hich no general e-a$ple, no licentious it, no sophistical infi"elity, oul", to $e, e!er justify, ' $ust ha!e been a fool to ha!e hesitate", an" a $a"$an to ha!e $a"e another choice# Besi"es, ' ha" in &$y >ean& a long an" $uchElo!e" fello EcreatureBs happiness or $isery a$ong $y han"s, an" ho coul" trifle ith such a "epositH 'n the affair of a li!elihoo", ' think $yself tolerably secure4 ' ha!e goo" hopes of $y far$, but shoul" they fail, ' ha!e an e-cise co$$ission, hich, on $y si$ple petition, ill, at any ti$e, procure $e brea"# There is a certain stig$a affi-e" to the character of an e-cise officer, but ' "o not preten" to borro honour fro$ $y professionF an" though the salary be co$parati!ely s$all, it is lu-ury to anything that the first t entyEfi!e years of $y life taught $e to e-pect# Thus, ith a rational ai$ an" $etho" in life, you $ay easily guess, $y re!eren" an" $uchEhonoure" frien", that $y characteristical tra"e is not forgotten# ' a$, if possible, $ore than e!er an enthusiast to the Cuses# ' a$ "eter$ine" to stu"y $an an" nature, an" in that !ie incessantlyF an" to try if the ripening an" corrections of years can enable $e to pro"uce so$ething orth preser!ing# (ou ill see in your book, hich ' beg your par"on for "etaining so long, that ' ha!e been tuning $y lyre on the banks of @ith# /o$e large poetic plans that are floating in $y i$agination, or partly put in e-ecution, ' shall i$part to you hen ' ha!e the pleasure of $eeting ith youF hich, if you are then in E"inburgh, ' shall ha!e about the beginning of Carch# That acJuaintance, orthy /ir, ith hich you ere please" to honour $e, you $ust still allo $e to challengeF for, ith hate!er unconcern ' gi!e up $y transient connection ith the $erely great, ' cannot lose the patronising notice of the learne" an" goo" ithout the bitterest regret# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CN'N#EET< CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//# ELL'/L5@%, D1th +ebD# 02:1# C( %E5R /'R,EE*hy ' "i" not rite to you long ago is hat, e!en on the rack, ' coul" not ans er# 'f you can in your $in" for$ an i"ea of in"olence, "issipation, hurry, cares, change of country, entering on untrie" scenes of life, all co$bine", you ill sa!e $e the trouble of a blushing apology# 't coul" not be ant of regar" for a $an for ho$ ' ha" a high estee$ before ' kne hi$EEan estee$ hich has $uch increase"

since ' "i" kno hi$F an" this ca!eat entere", ' shall plea" guilty to any other in"ict$ent ith hich you shall please to charge $e# 5fter ' parte" fro$ you, for $any $onths $y life as one continue" scene of "issipation# .ere at last ' a$ beco$e stationary, an" ha!e taken a far$ an"EEa ife# The far$ is beautifully situate" on the @ith, a large ri!er that runs by %u$fries, an" falls into the /ol ay frith# ' ha!e gotten a lease of $y far$ as long as ' pleaseF but ho it $ay turn out is just a guess, an" it is yet to i$pro!e an" inclose, etc#F ho e!er, ' ha!e goo" hopes of $y bargain on the hole# Cy ife is $y >ean, ith hose story you are partly acJuainte"# ' foun" ' ha" a $uchElo!e" fello EcreatureBs happiness or $isery a$ong $y han"s, an" ' "urst not trifle ith so sacre" a "eposit# 'n"ee", ' ha!e not any reason to repent the step ' ha!e taken, as ' ha!e attache" $yself to a !ery goo" ife, an" ha!e shaken $yself loose of e!ery ba" failing# ' ha!e foun" $y book a !ery profitable business, an" ith the profits of it ' ha!e begun life pretty "ecently# /houl" fortune not fa!our $e in far$ing, as ' ha!e no great faith in her fickle la"yship, ' ha!e pro!i"e" $yself in another resource, hich, ho e!er so$e folks $ay affect to "espise it, is still a co$fortable shift in the "ay of $isfortune# 'n the heyE"ay of $y fa$e, a gentle$an, hose na$e at least ' "aresay you kno , as his estate lies so$e here near %un"ee, Cr# Graha$, of +intry, one of the co$$issioners of E-cise, offere" $e the co$$ission of an e-cise officer# ' thought it pru"ent to accept the offerF an", accor"ingly, ' took $y instructions, an" ha!e $y co$$ission by $e# *hether ' $ay e!er "o "uty, or be a penny the better for it, is hat ' "o not kno F but ' ha!e the co$fortable assurance that, co$e hate!er ill fate ill, ' can, on $y si$ple petition to the E-cise Boar", get into e$ploy# *e ha!e lost poor uncle Robert this inter# .e has long been !ery an" ith !ery little alteration on hi$F he e-pire" 3r" >anuary# eak,

.is son *illia$ has been ith $e this inter, an" goes in Cay to be an apprentice to a $ason# .is other son, the el"est, >ohn, co$es to $e ' e-pect in su$$er# They are both re$arkably stout young fello s, an" pro$ise to "o ell# .is only "aughter, +anny, has been ith $e e!er since her fatherBs "eath, an" ' purpose keeping her in $y fa$ily till she is o$an gro n, an" fit for better ser!ice# /he is one of the cle!erest girls, an" has one of the $ost a$iable "ispositions ' ha!e e!er seen# 5ll frien"s in this country an" 5yrshire are ell# Re$e$ber $e to all frien"s in the north# Cy ife joins $e in co$pli$ents to Crs# B# an" fa$ily#EE' a$ e!er, $y "ear cousin, yours sincerely, R# B#91=; 9+ootnote 1=4 &+anny Burns, the PoetBs relation, $erite" all the co$$en"ations he has here besto e"# ' re$e$ber her hile she li!e" at Ellislan", an" better still as the ife of 5"a$ 5r$our, the brother of bonnie >ean#&EEC?@@'@G.5C#; ) ) ) ) )

CNN#ETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, LDth CarchD 02:1# .ere a$ ', $y honoure" frien", returne" safe fro$ the capital# To a $an ho has a ho$e, ho e!er hu$ble or re$oteEEif that ho$e is like $ine, the scene of "o$estic co$fortEEthe bustle of E"inburgh ill soon be a business of sickening "isgust# ,ain po$p an" glory of this orl", ' hate you3

*hen ' $ust skulk into a corner, lest the rattling eJuipage of so$e gaping blockhea" shoul" $angle $e in the $ire, ' a$ te$pte" to e-clai$EE&*hat $erits has he ha", or hat "e$erit ha!e ' ha", in so$e state of preEe-istence, that he is ushere" into this state of being ith the sceptre of rule, an" the key of riches in his puny fist, an" ' a$ kicke" into the orl", the sport of folly, or the !icti$ of pri"eH& ' ha!e rea" so$e here of a $onarch Gin /pain ' think it asI ho as so out of hu$our ith the Ptole$ean syste$ of astrono$y, that he sai", ha" he been of the CreatorBs council, he coul" ha!e sa!e" hi$ a great "eal of labour an" absur"ity# ' ill not "efen" this blasphe$ous speechF but often, as ' ha!e gli"e" ith hu$ble stealth through the po$p of Princes /treet, it has suggeste" itself to $e, as an i$pro!e$ent on the present hu$an figure, that a $an, in proportion to his o n conceit of his conseJuence in the orl", coul" ha!e pushe" out the longitu"e of his co$$on siKe, as a snail pushes out his horns, or as e "ra out a perspecti!e# This trifling alteration, not to $ention the pro"igious sa!ing it oul" be in the tear an" ear of the neck an" li$bEsine s of $any of his $ajestyBs liegeEsubjects, in the ay of tossing the hea" an" tipEtoe strutting, oul" e!i"ently turn out a !ast a"!antage, in enabling us at once to a"just the cere$onials in $aking a bo , or $aking ay to a great $an, an" that too ithin a secon" of the precise spherical angle of re!erence, or an inch of the particular point of respectful "istance, hich the i$portant creature itself reJuires, as a $easuringEglance at its to ering altitu"e oul" "eter$ine the affair like instinct# (ou are right, Ca"a$, in your i"ea of poor CylneBs poe$, hich he has a""resse" to $e# The piece has a goo" "eal of $erit, but it has one great faultEEit is, by far, too long# Besi"es, $y success has encourage" such a shoal of illEspa ne" $onsters to cra l into public notice, un"er the title of /cottish Poets, that the !ery ter$ /cottish Poetry bor"ers on the burlesJue# *hen ' rite to Cr# Carfrae, ' shall a"!ise hi$ rather to try one of his "ecease" frien"Bs English pieces# ' a$ pro"igiously hurrie" ith $y o n $atters, else ' oul" ha!e reJueste" a perusal of all CylneBs poetic perfor$ances, an" oul" ha!e offere" his frien"s $y assistance in either selecting or correcting hat oul" be proper for the press# *hat it is that occupies $e so $uch, an" perhaps a little oppresses $y present spirits, shall fill up a paragraph in so$e future letter# 'n the $eanti$e, allo $e to close this epistle ith a fe lines "one by a frien" of $ine#### ' gi!e you the$, that, as you ha!e seen the original, you $ay guess hether one or t o alterations ' ha!e !enture" to $ake in the$, be any real i$pro!e$ent# Like the fair plant that fro$ our touch ith"ra s, /hrink, $il"ly fearful, e!en fro$ applause, Be all a $otherBs fon"est hope can "rea$, 5n" all you are, $y char$ing Rachel, see$# /traight as the fo-Eglo!e, ere her bells "isclose,

Cil" as the $ai"enEblushing ha thorn blo s, +air as the fairest of each lo!ely kin", (our for$ shall be the i$age of your $in"F (our $anners shall so true your soul e-press, That all shall long to kno the orth they guessF Congenial hearts shall greet ith kin"re" lo!e, 5n" e!en sickBning en!y $ust appro!e#918; R# B# 9+ootnote 184 These lines are Crs# %unlopBs o n, a""resse" to her "aughter#; ) ) ) ) )

CNN'#EET< CR/# CBLE.</E G+<RCERL( CL5R'@%5I# ELL'/L5@%, DCar# 1thD, 02:1# Ca"a$,EEThe letter you rote $e to .eronBs carrie" its o n ans er# (ou forba"e $e to rite you unless ' as illing to plea" guilty to a certain in"ict$ent you ere please" to bring against $e# 5s ' a$ con!ince" of $y o n innocence, an", though conscious of high i$pru"ence an" egregious folly, can lay $y han" on $y breast an" attest the rectitu"e of $y heart, you ill par"on $e, Ca"a$, if ' "o not carry $y co$plaisance so far as hu$bly to acJuiesce in the na$e of &,illain& $erely out of co$pli$ent to your opinion, $uch as ' estee$ your ju"g$ent an" ar$ly as ' regar" your orth# ' ha!e alrea"y tol" you, an" ' again a!er it, that, at the ti$e allu"e" to, ' as not un"er the s$allest $oral tie to Crs# BurnsF nor "i" ', nor coul" ', then kno all the po erful circu$stances that o$nipotent necessity as busy laying in ait for $e# *hen you call o!er the scenes that ha!e passe" bet een us, you ill sur!ey the con"uct of an honest $an struggling successfully ith te$ptations the $ost po erful that e!er beset hu$anity, an" preser!ing untainte" honour in situations here the austerest !irtue oul" ha!e forgi!en a fallF situations that, ' ill "are to say not a single in"i!i"ual of all his kin", e!en ith half his sensibility an" passion, coul" ha!e encountere" ithout ruinF an" ' lea!e you, Ca"a$, to guess ho such a $an is likely to "igest an accusation of &perfi"ious treachery#& ) ) ) ) )

*hen ' shall ha!e regaine" your goo" opinion, perhaps ' $ay !enture to solicit your frien"shipF but, be that as it $ay, the first of her se- ' e!er kne shall al ays be the object of $y ar$est goo" ishes# R<BT# B?R@/# ) ) ) ) )

CNN'LEET< %R# C<<RE# ELL'/L5@%, D63r" CarchD 02:1# /ir,EEThe gentle$an ho ill "eli!er you this is a Cr# @ielson, a orthy clergy$an in $y neighbourhoo", an" a !ery particular acJuaintance of $ine# 5s ' ha!e trouble" hi$ ith this packet, ' $ust turn hi$ o!er to

your goo"ness, to reco$pense hi$ for it in a ay in hich he $uch nee"s your assistance, an" here you can effectually ser!e hi$# Cr# @ielson is on his ay for +rance, to ait on his Grace of Mueensberry, on so$e little business of a goo" "eal of i$portance to hi$, an" he ishes for your instructions respecting the $ost eligible $o"e of tra!elling, etc#, for hi$, hen he has crosse" the channel# ' shoul" not ha!e "are" to take this liberty ith you, but that ' a$ tol", by those ho ha!e the honour of your personal acJuaintance, that to be a poor honest /cots$an is a letter of reco$$en"ation to you, an" that to ha!e it in your po er to ser!e such a character, gi!es you $uch pleasure# The inclose" o"e is a co$pli$ent to the $e$ory of the late Crs# <s al" of 5uchencrui!e# (ou probably kne her personally, an honour of hich ' cannot boastF but ' spent $y early years in the neighbourhoo", an" a$ong her ser!ants an" tenants# ' kno that she as "eteste" ith the $ost heartfelt cor"iality# .o e!er, in the particular part of her con"uct hich rouse" $y poetic rath, she as $uch less bla$eable# 'n >anuary last, on $y roa" to 5yrshire, ' ha" put up at Bailie *higha$Bs, in /anJuhar, the only tolerable inn in the place# The frost as keen, an" the gri$ e!ening an" ho ling in" ere ushering in a night of sno an" "rift# Cy horse an" ' ere both $uch fatigue" ith the labours of the "ay, an" just as $y frien" the Bailie an" ' ere bi""ing "efiance to the stor$, o!er a s$oking bo l, in heels the funeral pageantry of the late great Crs# <s al", an" poor ' a$ force" to bra!e all the horrors of the te$pestuous night, an" ja"e $y horse, $y young fa!ourite horse, ho$ ' ha" just christene" Pegasus, t el!e $iles farther on, through the il"est $oors an" hills of 5yrshire, to @e Cu$nock, the ne-t inn# The po ers of poesy an" prose sink un"er $e, hen ' oul" "escribe hat ' felt# /uffice it to say, that hen a goo" fire at @e Cu$nock ha" so far reco!ere" $y froKen sine s, ' sat "o n an" rote the inclose" o"e# ' as at E"inburgh lately, an" settle" finally ith Cr# CreechF an" ' $ust o n, that at last, he has been a$icable an" fair ith $e# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNN'''#EETo .'/ BR<T.ER, CR# *'LL'5C B?R@/# '/LE, Carch 6=th 02:1# ' ha!e stolen fro$ $y cornEso ing this $inute to rite a line to acco$pany your shirt an" hat, for ' can no $ore# (our sister @annie arri!e" yesternight, an" begs to be re$e$bere" to you# *rite $e e!ery opportunityEEne!er $in" postage# Cy hea", too, is as a""le as an egg this $orning, ith "ining abroa" yester"ay# ' recei!e" yours by the $ason# +orgi!e $e this foolish looking scra l of an epistle#EE' a$ e!er, $y "ear *illia$, yours, R# B# P#/#EE'f you are not then gone fro$ Longto n, 'Bll rite you a long letter by this "ay seBennight# 'f you shoul" not succee" in your tra$ps, "onBt be "ejecte", or take any rash stepEEreturn to us in that case, an" e ill court +ortuneBs better hu$our# Re$e$ber this, ' charge you# R# B#

CNN',#EETo CR# .'LL, B<<A/ELLER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, D6n" 5prilD 02:1# ' ill $ake no e-cuse, $y "ear Bibliopolus GGo" forgi!e $e for $ur"ering language3I that ' ha!e sat "o n to rite you on this !ile paper# 't is econo$y, /irF it is that car"inal !irtue, pru"enceF so ' beg you ill sit "o n, an" either co$pose or borro a panegyric# 'f you are going to borro , apply to912; ### to co$pose, or rather to co$poun", so$ething !ery cle!er on $y re$arkable frugalityF that ' rite to one of $y $ost estee$e" frien"s on this retche" paper, hich as originally inten"e" for the !enal fist of so$e "runken e-cise$an, to take "irty notes in a $iserable !ault of an aleEcellar# < +rugality3 thou $other of ten thousan" blessingsEEthou cook of fat beef an" "ainty greens3EEthou $anufacturer of ar$ /hetlan" hose, an" co$fortable surtouts3EEthou ol" house ife, "arning thy "ecaye" stockings ith thy ancient spectacles on thy age" nose3EElea" $e, han" $e in thy clutching palsie" fist, up those heights, an" through those thickets, hitherto inaccessible, an" i$per!ious to $y an-ious, eary feet4EEnot those Parnassian crags, bleak an" barren, here the hungry orshippers of fa$e are, breathless, cla$bering, hanging bet een hea!en an" hellF but those glittering cliffs of Potosi, here the allEsufficient, allEpo erful "eity, ealth, hol"s his i$$e"iate court of joy an" pleasuresF here the sunny e-posure of plenty, an" the hot alls of profusion, pro"uce those blissful fruits of lu-ury, e-otics in this orl", an" nati!es of para"ise3EEThou ithere" sibyl, $y sage con"uctress, usher $e into thy refulgent, a"ore" presence3EEThe po er, splen"i" an" potent as he no is, as once the puling nursling of thy faithful care an" ten"er ar$s3 Call $e thy son, thy cousin, thy kins$an, or fa!ourite, an" a"jure the go" by the scenes of his infant years, no longer to repulse $e as a stranger, or an alien, but to fa!our $e ith his peculiar countenance an" protection3 .e "aily besto s his great kin"ness on the un"eser!ing an" the orthlessEEassure hi$ that ' bring a$ple "ocu$ents of $eritorious "e$erits3 Ple"ge yourself for $e, that, for the glorious cause of lucre, ' ill "o anything, be anythingF but the horseEleech of pri!ate oppression, or the !ulture of public robbery3 But to "escen" fro$ heroics# ' ant a /hakespeareF ' ant like ise an English "ictionary,EE>ohnsonBs, ' suppose, is best# 'n these an" all $y prose co$$issions, the cheapest is al ays the best for $e# There is a s$all "ebt of honour that ' o e Cr# Robert Cleghorn, in /aughton Cills, $y orthy frien", an" your ellE isher# Please gi!e hi$, an" urge hi$ to take it, the first ti$e you see hi$, ten shillings orth of anything you ha!e to sell, an" place it to $y account# The library sche$e that ' $entione" to you is alrea"y begun un"er the "irection of Captain Ri""el# There is another in e$ulation of it going on at Closeburn, un"er the auspices of Cr# Conteith of Closeburn, hich ill be on a greater scale than ours# Captain Ri""el ga!e his infant society a great $any of his ol" books, else ' ha" ritten you on that subjectF but, one of these "ays, ' shall trouble you ith a co$$ission for &The Conklan" +rien"ly /ociety,& a copy of DThe /pectatorD, DCirrorD, an" DLoungerD, DCan of +eelingD, DCan of the *orl"D,

DGuthrieBs Geographical Gra$$arD, ith so$e religious pieces, likely be our first or"er#

ill

*hen ' gro richer, ' ill rite to you on giltEpost, to $ake a$en"s for this sheet# 5t present e!ery guinea has a fi!e guinea erran" ith, $y "ear /ir, your faithful, poor, but honest frien", R# B# 9+ootnote 124 CreechH or Ra$say of DThe CourantHD; ) ) ) ) )

CNN,#EET< CR/# CBC?R%<, %R?CL5@R'G# ELL'/L5@%, D6n" CayD 02:1# Ca"a$,EE' ha!e finishe" the piece hich ha" the happy fortune to be honoure" ith your approbationF an" ne!er "i" little Ciss, ith $ore sparkling pleasure, sho her applau"e" sa$pler to partial Ca$$a, than ' no sen" $y poe$ to you an" Cr# CBCur"o,91:; if he is returne" to %ru$lanrig# (ou cannot easily i$agine hat thinEskinne" ani$alsEE hat sensiti!e plants poor poets are# .o "o e shrink into the i$bittere" corner of selfEabase$ent, hen neglecte" or con"e$ne" by those to ho$ e look up3 an" ho "o e, in erect i$portance, a"" another cubit to our stature on being notice" an" applau"e" by those ho$ e honour an" respect3 Cy late !isit to %ru$lanrig has, ' can tell you, Ca"a$, gi!en $e a balloon aft up Parnassus, here, on $y fancie" ele!ation, ' regar" $y poetic self ith no s$all "egree of co$placency# /urely ith all their sins, the rhy$ing tribe are not ungrateful creaturesEE' recollect your goo"ness to your hu$ble guestEE' see Cr# CBCur"o a""ing to the politeness of the gentle$an, the kin"ness of a frien", an" $y heart s ells as it oul" burst, ith ar$ e$otions an" ar"ent ishes3 't $ay be it is not gratitu"eEEit $ay be a $i-e" sensation# That strange, shifting, "oubling ani$al, C5@, is so generally, at best, but a negati!e, often a orthless creature, that e cannot see real goo"ness an" nati!e orth, ithout feeling the boso$ glo ith sy$pathetic approbation# *ith e!ery senti$ent of grateful respect, ' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, your oblige" an" grateful hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote 1:4 The piece beginningEEThere as a lass an" she as fair#; ) ) ) ) )

CNN,'#EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C# ELL '/L5@%, LDth CayD 02:1# Cy "ear /ir,EE(our D"utyEfreeD fa!our of the 6=th 5pril ' recei!e" t o "ays agoF ' ill not say ' peruse" it ith pleasureF that is the col" co$pli$ent of cere$onyF ' peruse" it, /ir, ith "elicious satisfactionFEEin short, it is such a letter, that not you, nor your frien", but the legislature, by e-press pro!iso in their postage la s, shoul" frank# 5 letter infor$e" ith the soul of frien"ship is such an honour to hu$an nature, that they shoul" or"er it free ingress an" egress to an" fro$ their bags an" $ails, as an encourage$ent an" $ark of

"istinction to supere$inent !irtue# ' ha!e just put the last han" to a little poe$, hich ' think ill be so$ething to your taste#911; <ne $orning lately, as ' as out pretty early in the fiel"s, so ing so$e grass see"s, ' hear" the burst of a shot fro$ a neighbouring plantation, an" presently a poor little oun"e" hare ca$e crippling by $e# (ou ill guess $y in"ignation at the inhu$an fello ho coul" shoot a hare at this season, hen all of the$ ha!e young ones# 'n"ee" there is so$ething in that business of "estroying, for our sport, in"i!i"uals in the ani$al creation that "o not injure us $aterially, hich ' coul" ne!er reconcile to $y i"eas of !irtue# Let $e kno ho you like $y poe$# ' a$ "oubtful hether it oul" not be an i$pro!e$ent to keep out the last stanKa but one altogether# Cruikshank is a glorious pro"uction of the author of $an# (ou, he, an" the noble Colonel9077; of the Crochallan +encibles are to $e %ear as the ru""y "rops hich ar$ $y heart#

' ha!e got a goo" $in" to $ake !erses on you all, to the tune of &DThree gui" fello s ayont the glenD& R# B# 9+ootnote 114 /ee the poe$ on the &*oun"e" .are#&; 9+ootnote 0774 That is, *illia$ %unbar, *#/#; ) ) ) ) )

CNN,'LEET< CR# R'C.5R% BR<*@# C5?C.L'@E, D60st CayD 02:1# Cy %ear +rien",EE' as in the country by acci"ent, an" hearing of your safe arri!al, ' coul" not resist the te$ptation of ishing you joy on your returnEE ishing you oul" rite to $e before you sail againEE ishing that you oul" al ays set $e "o n as your boso$ frien"EE ishing you long life an" prosperity, an" that e!ery goo" thing $ay atten" youEE ishing Crs# Bro n an" your little ones as free of the e!ils of this orl" as is consistent ith hu$anityEE ishing you an" she ere to $ake t o at the ensuing lyingEin, ith hich Crs# B# threatens !ery soon to fa!our $eEE ishing ' ha" longer ti$e to rite to you at presentF an", finally, ishing that if there is to be another state of e-istence, Crs# Bro n, Crs# Burns, our little ones of both fa$ilies, an" you an" ', in so$e snug retreat, $ay $ake a jo!ial party to all eternity3 Cy "irection is at Ellislan", near %u$fries#EE(ours, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNN,''LEETo CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E# ELL'/L5@%, D:th >uneD 02:1#

C( %E5R +R'E@%,EE' a$ perfectly asha$e" of $yself hen ' look at the "ate of your last# 't is not that ' forget the frien" of $y heart an" the co$panion of $y peregrinationsF but ' ha!e been con"e$ne" to "ru"gery beyon" sufferance, though not, thank Go", beyon" re"e$ption# ' ha!e ha" a collection of poe$s by a la"y put into $y han"s to prepare the$ for the pressF hich horri" task, ith so ing corn ith $y o n han", a parcel of $asons, rights, plasterers, etc#, to atten" to, roa$ing on business through 5yrshireEEall this as against $e, an" the !ery first "rea"ful article as of itself too $uch for $e# 03th# ' ha!e not ha" a $o$ent to spare fro$ incessant toil since the :th# Life, $y "ear /ir, is a serious $atter# (ou kno by e-perience that a $anBs in"i!i"ual self is a goo" "eal, but belie!e $e, a ife an" fa$ily of chil"ren, hene!er you ha!e the honour to be a husban" an" a father, ill sho you that your present an" $ost an-ious hours of solitu"e are spent on trifles# The elfare of those ho are !ery "ear to us, hose only support, hope, an" stay e areEEthis, to a generous $in", is another sort of $ore i$portant object of care than any concerns hate!er hich centre $erely in the in"i!i"ual# <n the other han", let no young, rakehelly "og a$ong you, $ake a song of his preten"e" liberty an" free"o$ fro$ care# 'f the relations e stan" in to king, country, kin"re", an" frien"s, be anything but the !isionary fancies of "rea$ing $etaphysiciansF if religion, !irtue, $agnani$ity, generosity, hu$anity an" justice, be ought but e$pty soun"sF then the $an ho $ay be sai" to li!e only for others, for the belo!e", honourable fe$ale, hose ten"er faithful e$brace en"ears life, an" for the helpless little innocents ho are to be the $en an" o$en, the orshippers of his Go", the subjects of his king, an" the support, nay the !ery !ital e-istence of his C<?@TR(, in the ensuing ageFEEco$pare such a $an ith any fello hate!er, ho, hether he bustle an" push in business a$ong labourers, clerks, states$enF or hether he roar an" rant, an" "rink an" sing in ta!ernsEEa fello o!er hose gra!e no one ill breathe a single heighEho, e-cept fro$ the cob ebEtie of hat is calle" goo" fello shipEE ho has no !ie nor ai$ but hat ter$inates in hi$selfEEif there be any gro!elling earthEborn retch of our species, a renega"e to co$$on sense, ho oul" fain belie!e that the noble creature, $an, is no better than a sort of fungus, generate" out of nothing, nobo"y kno s ho , an" soon "issipating in nothing, nobo"y kno s hereF such a stupi" beast, such a cra ling reptile, $ight balance the foregoing une-aggerate" co$parison, but no one else oul" ha!e the patience# +orgi!e $e, $y "ear /ir, for this long silence# DTo $ake you a$en"sD, ' shall sen" you soon, an" $ore encouraging still, ithout any postage, one or t o rhy$es of $y later $anufacture# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNN'N#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, 60Dst >uneD 02:1# %ear Ca"a$,EE*ill you take the effusions, the $iserable effusions of lo spirits, just as they flo fro$ their bitter springH ' kno not of any particular cause for this orst of all $y foes besetting $eF but for so$e ti$e $y soul has been beclou"e" ith a thickening at$osphere of e!il i$aginations an" gloo$y presages#

DCon"ay E!ening#D ' ha!e just hear" Cr# Ailpatrick preach a ser$on# .e is a $an fa$ous for his bene!olence, an" ' re!ere hi$F but fro$ such i"eas of $y Creator, goo" Lor", "eli!er $e3 Religion, $y honoure" frien", is surely a si$ple business, as it eJually concerns the ignorant an" the learne", the poor an" the rich# That there is an inco$prehensible Great Being, to ho$ ' o e $y e-istence, an" that .e $ust be inti$ately acJuainte" ith the operations an" progress of the internal $achinery, an" conseJuent out ar" "eport$ent of this creature hich .e has $a"eF these are, ' think, selfEe!i"ent propositions# That there is a real an" eternal "istinction bet een !irtue an" !ice, an" conseJuently, that ' a$ an accountable creatureF that fro$ the see$ing nature of the hu$an $in", as ell as fro$ the e!i"ent i$perfection, nay, positi!e injustice, in the a"$inistration of affairs, both in the natural an" $oral orl"s, there $ust be a retributi!e scene of e-istence beyon" the gra!eF $ust, ' think, be allo e" by e!ery one ho ill gi!e hi$self a $o$entBs reflection# ' ill go farther, an" affir$, that fro$ the subli$ity, e-cellence, an" purity of his "octrine an" precepts, unparallele" by all the aggregate" is"o$ an" learning of $any prece"ing ages, though, to DappearanceD he, hi$self, as the obscurest an" $ost illiterate of our speciesF therefore >esus Christ as fro$ Go"# *hate!er $itigates the oes, or increases the happiness of others, this is $y criterion of goo"nessF an" hate!er injures society at large, or any in"i!i"ual in it, this is $y $easure of iniJuity# *hat think you, Ca"a$, of $y cree"H ' trust that ' ha!e sai" nothing that ill lessen $e in the eye of one, hose goo" opinion ' !alue al$ost ne-t to the approbation of $y o n $in"# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNNN#EET< C'// .ELE@ C5R'5 *'LL'5C/# ELL'/L5@%, 02:1# Ca"a$,EE<f the $any proble$s in the nature of that on"erful creature, $an, this is one of the $ost e-traor"inaryEEthat he shall go on fro$ "ay to "ay, fro$ eek to eek, fro$ $onth to $onth, or perhaps fro$ year to year, suffering a hun"re" ti$es $ore in an hour fro$ the i$potent consciousness of neglecting hat he ought to "o, than the !ery "oing of it oul" cost hi$# ' a$ "eeply in"ebte" to you, first, for a $ost elegant poetic co$pli$entF then for a polite, obliging letterF an", lastly, for your e-cellent poe$ on the /la!e Tra"eF an" yet, retch that ' a$3 though the "ebts ere "ebts of honour, an" the cre"itor a la"y, ' ha!e put off an" put off e!en the !ery ackno le"g$ent of the obligation, until you $ust in"ee" be the !ery angel ' take you for, if you can forgi!e $e# (our poe$ ' ha!e rea" ith the highest pleasure# ' ha!e a ay hene!er ' rea" a bookEE' $ean a book in our o n tra"e, Ca"a$, a poetic one, an" hen it is $y o n propertyEEthat ' take a pencil an" $ark at the en"s of !erses, or note on $argins an" o"" paper, little criticis$s of approbation or "isapprobation as ' peruse along# ' ill $ake no apology for presenting you ith a fe unconnecte" thoughts that occurre" to $e

in $y repeate" perusals of your poe$# ' ant to sho you that ' ha!e honesty enough to tell you hat ' take to be truths, e!en hen they are not Juite on the si"e of approbationF an" ' "o it in the fir$ faith that you ha!e eJual greatness of $in" to hear the$ ith pleasure# 9.ere follo s a list of strictures#; ' ha" lately the honour of a letter fro$ %r# Coore, here he tells $e that he has sent $e so$e booksF they are not yet co$e to han", but ' hear they are on the ay# *ishing you all success in your progress in the path of fa$e, an" that you $ay eJually escape the "anger of stu$bling through incautious spee", or losing groun" through loitering neglect, ' a$, etc# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNNN'#EETo CR# R<BERT GR5.5C, <+ +'@TR(# ELL'/L5@%, 30st DjulyD 02:1# /ir,EEThe language of gratitu"e has been so prostitute" by ser!ile a"ulation an" "esigning flattery that ' kno not ho to e-press $yself hen ' oul" ackno le"ge receipt of your last letter# ' beg an" hope, e!erEhonoure" &+rien" of $y life an" patron of $y rhy$es,& that you ill al ays gi!e $e cre"it for the sincerest, chastest gratitu"e# ' "are call the /earcher of hearts an" 5uthor of all Goo"ness to itness ho truly grateful ' a$# Cr# Citchell9070; "i" not ait $y calling on hi$, but sent $e a kin" letter, gi!ing $e a hint of the businessF an" yester"ay he entere" ith the $ost frien"ly ar"our into $y !ie s an" interests# .e see$s to think, an" fro$ $y pri!ate kno le"ge ' a$ certain he is right, that re$o!ing the officer ho no "oes, an" for these $any years has "one, "uty in the %i!ision in the $i""le of hich ' li!e, ill be pro"ucti!e of at least no "isa"!antage to the re!enue, an" $ay like ise be "one ithout any "etri$ent to hi$# /houl" the .onourable Boar" 9of E-cise; think so, an" shoul" they "ee$ it eligible to appoint $e to officiate in his present place, ' a$ then at the top of $y ishes# The e$olu$ents in $y office ill enable $e to carry on, an" enjoy those i$pro!e$ents on $y far$, hich but for this a""itional assistance, ' $ight in a year or t o ha!e aban"one"# /houl" it be ju"ge" i$proper to place $e in this %i!ision, ' a$ "eliberating hether ' ha" not better gi!e up $y far$ing altogether, an" go into the E-cise hene!er ' can fin" e$ploy$ent# @o that the salary is L=7 per annu$, the E-cise is surely a $uch superior object to a far$, hich, ithout so$e foreign assistance, $ust for half a lease be a losing bargain# The orst of it isEE' kno there are so$e respectable characters ho "o $e the honour to interest the$sel!es in $y elfare an" beha!iour, an", as lea!ing the far$ so soon $ay ha!e an unstea"y, gi""yEhea"e" appearance, ' ha" better perhaps lose a little $oney than haKar" their estee$# (ou see, /ir, ith hat free"o$ ' lay before you all $y little $attersEElittle in"ee" to the orl", but of the $ost i$portant $agnitu"e to $e#### *ere it not for a !ery fe of our kin", the !ery e-istence of $agnani$ity, generosity, an" all their kin"re" !irtues, oul" be as $uch a Juestion ith $etaphysicians as the e-istence of itchcraft# Perhaps the nature of $an is not so $uch to bla$e for this, as the situation in

hich by so$e $iscarriage or other he is place" in this orl"# The poor, nake", helpless retch, ith such !oracious appetites an" such a fa$ine of pro!ision for the$, is un"er a curse" necessity of turning selfish in his o n "efence# E-cept a fe instances of original scoun"relis$, thoroughEpace" selfishness is al ays the ork of ti$e# 'n"ee", in a little ti$e, e generally gro so attenti!e to oursel!es an" so regar"less of others that ' ha!e often in poetic frenKy looke" on this orl" as one !ast ocean, occupie" an" co$$o!e" by innu$erable !ortices, each hirling roun" its centre# These !ortices are the chil"ren of $en# The great "esign an", if ' $ay say so, $erit of each particular !orteconsists in ho i"ely it can e-ten" the influence of its circle, an" ho $uch floating trash it can suck in an" absorb# ' kno not hy ' ha!e got into this preaching !ein, e-cept it be to sho you that it is not $y ignorance but $y kno le"ge of $ankin" hich $akes $e so $uch a"$ire your goo"ness to $e# ' shall return your books !ery soon# ' only ish to gi!e %r# 5"a$ /$ith one other perusal, hich ' ill "o in one or t o "ays# R# B# 9+ootnote 0704 5 collector in the E-cise#; ) ) ) ) )

CNNN'LEET< %5,'% /'LL5R, CERC.5@T, 'R,'@E#9076; ELL'/L5@%, = D5ugD# 02:1# Cy %ear /ir,EE' as half in thoughts not to ha!e ritten to you at all, by ay of re!enge for the t o "a$nB" business letters you sent $e# ' ante" to kno all about your publicationsEEyour ne s, your hopes, fears, etc#, in co$$encing poet in print# 'n short, ' ante" you to rite to Robin like his ol" acJuaintance %a!ie, an" not in the style of Cr# Tare to Cr# Tret, as thus4EE &Cr# Tret#EE/ir,EEThis co$es to a"!ise you that fifteen barrels of herrings ere, by the blessing of Go", shippe" safe on boar" the DLo!ely >anetD, M#%#C#, %uncan CacELeerie, $aster, etc#& ' hear you ha!e co$$ence" $arrie" $anEEso $uch the better# ' kno not hether the nine gipsies are jealous of $y lucky, but they are a goo" "eal shyer since ' coul" boast the i$portant relation of husban"# ' ha!e got about ele!en subscribers for your book#### Cy best co$pli$ents to Crs# /illar, an" belie!e $e to be, "ear %a!ie, e!er yours, R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote 0764 This letter as first publishe" in 0:21# The original is probably lost, but a copy is to be foun" in the $inuteEbook of the 'r!ine Burns Club# /illar as &%a!ie, a brother poet#&; ) ) ) )

CNNN'''#EET< CR# ><.@ L<G5@, <+ A@<CA /.'@@<CA#

ELL'/L5@%, @E5R %?C+R'E/, 2Dth 5ugD# 02:1# %ear /ir,EE' inten"e" to ha!e ritten you long ere no , an", as ' tol" you, ' ha" gotten three stanKas on $y ay in a poetic epistle to youF but that ol" ene$y of all Dgoo" orksD, the %e!il, thre $e into a prosaic $ire, an" for the soul of $e ' cannot get out of it# ' "are not rite you a long letter, as ' a$ going to intru"e on your ti$e ith a long balla"# ' ha!e, as you ill shortly see, finishe" &The AirkBs 5lar$F& but no that it is "one, an" that ' ha!e laughe" once or t ice at the conceits in so$e of the stanKas, ' a$ "eter$ine" not to let it get into the publicF so ' sen" you this copy, the first that ' ha!e sent to 5yrshire, e-cept so$e fe of the stanKas, hich ' rote off in e$bryo for Ga!in .a$ilton, un"er the e-press pro!ision an" reJuest that you ill only rea" it to a fe of us, an" "o not on any account gi!e, or per$it to be taken, any copy of the balla"# 'f ' coul" be of any ser!ice to %r# CBGill, ' oul" "o it, though it shoul" be at a $uch greater e-pense than irritating a fe bigote" priests, but ' a$ afrai" ser!ing hi$ in his present De$barrasD is a task too har" for $e# ' ha!e ene$ies eno , Go" kno s, though ' "o not antonly a"" to the nu$ber# /till, as ' think there is so$e $erit in t o or three of the thoughts, ' sen" it to you as a s$all, but sincere testi$ony ho $uch, an" ith hat respectful estee$, ' a$, "ear /ir, your oblige" hu$ble ser!ant R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNNN',#EET< CR# PETER /T?5RT, E%'T<R, L<@%<@# DEn" of 5ugD# 02:1# Cy "ear /ir,EEThe hurry of a far$er in this particular season, an" the in"olence of a poet at all seasons, ill, ' hope, plea" $y e-cuse for neglecting so long to ans er your obliging letter of the =th 5ugust# ### *hen ' recei!e" your letter ' as transcribing for DThe /tarD $y letter to the $agistrates of the Canongate of E"inburgh, begging their per$ission to place a to$bstone o!er poor +ergusson# 9076a; Poor +ergusson3 if there be a life beyon" the gra!e, hich ' trust there isF an" if there be a goo" Go" presi"ing o!er all nature, hich ' a$ sure there is, thou art no enjoying e-istence in a glorious orl" here orth of heart alone is "istinction in the $anF here riches, "epri!e" of their pleasureEpurchasing po ers, return to their nati!e sor"i" $atterF here titles an" honours are the "isregar"e" re!eries of an i"le "rea$F an" here that hea!y !irtue, hich is the negati!e conseJuence of stea"y "ulness, an" those thoughtless though often "estructi!e follies, hich are the una!oi"able aberrations of frail hu$an nature, ill be thro n into eJual obli!ion as if they ha" ne!er been3 R# B# 9+ootnote 076a4 5 young /cottish poet of un"oubte" ability ho perishe" $iserably in E"inburgh at the age of t entyEfour# .e as the senior of Burns, ho greatly a"$ire" an" $ourne" hi$, by about eight years#; ) ) ) ) )

CNNN,#EETo .'/ BR<T.ER, *'LL'5C B?R@/, /5%%LER, @E*C5/TLEE<@ET(@E#

ELL'/L5@%, 0LDth 5ugD# 02:1# Cy %ear *illia$,EE' recei!e" your letter, an" a$ !ery happy to hear that you ha!e got settle" for the inter# ' enclose you the t o guineaEnotes of the Bank of /cotlan", hich ' hope ill ser!e your nee"# 't is, in"ee", not Juite so con!enient for $e to spare $oney as it once as, but ' kno your situation, an", ' ill say it, in so$e respects your orth# ' ha!e no ti$e to rite at present, but ' beg you ill en"ea!our to pluck up a DlittleD $ore of the Can than you use" to ha!e# Re$e$ber $y fa!ourite Juotations4 <n reason buil" resol!e, That pillar of true $ajesty in $an#9073; an" *hat pro!es the hero truly great, 's ne!er, ne!er to "espair39073a; (our $other an" sisters "esire their co$pli$ents# 5 %ieu je !ous co$$en"e, R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote 0734 +ro$ (oung#; 9+ootnote 073a4 +ro$ Tho$son#; ) ) ) ) )

CNNN,LEET< CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D8th /eptD# 02:1# %ear Ca"a$,EE' ha!e $entione", in $y last, $y appoint$ent to the E-cise, an" the birth of little +rankF ho, by the bye, ' trust ill be no "iscre"it to the honourable na$e of *allace, as he has a fine $anly countenance, an" a figure that $ight "o cre"it to a liltle fello t o $onths ol"erF an" like ise an e-cellent goo" te$per, though hen he pleases he has a pipe, only not Juite so lou" as the horn that his i$$ortal na$esake ble as a signal to take out the pin of /tirling bri"ge# ' ha" so$e ti$e ago an epistle, part poetic, an" part prosaic, fro$ your poetess Ciss# ># Little,907L; a !ery ingenious, but $o"est co$position# ' shoul" ha!e ritten her as she reJueste", but for the hurry of this ne business# ' ha!e hear" of her an" her co$positions in this countryF an" ' a$ happy to a"", al ays to the honour of her character# The fact is, ' kne not ell ho to rite to her4 ' shoul" sit "o n to a sheet of paper that ' kne not ho to stain# ' a$ no "ab at fineE"ra n letterE ritingF an", e-cept hen pro$pte" by frien"ship or gratitu"e, or, hich happens e-tre$ely rarely, inspire" by the Cuse G' kno not her na$eI that presi"es o!er epistolary riting, ' sit "o n, hen necessitate" to rite, as ' oul" sit "o n to beat he$p# /o$e parts of your letter of the 6oth 5ugust struck $e ith the $ost $elancholy concern for the state of your $in" at present#

*oul" ' coul" rite you a letter of co$fort, ' oul" sit "o n to it ith as $uch pleasure as ' oul" to rite an epic poe$ of $y o n co$position that shoul" eJual the D'lia"3D Religion, $y "ear frien", is the true co$fort# 5 strong persuasion in a future state of e-istenceF a proposition so ob!iously probable, that, setting re!elation asi"e, e!ery nation an" people, so far as in!estigation has reache", for at least near four thousan" years, ha!e, in so$e $o"e or other, fir$ly belie!e" it# 'n !ain oul" e reason an" preten" to "oubt# ' ha!e $yself "one so to a !ery "aring pitchF but, hen ' reflecte" that ' as opposing the $ost ar"ent ishes an" the $ost "arling hopes of goo" $en, an" flying in the face of all hu$an belief, in all ages, ' as shocke" at $y o n con"uct# ' kno not hether ' ha!e e!er sent you the follo ing linesF or if you ha!e e!er seen the$F but it is one of $y fa!ourite Juotations, hich ' keep constantly by $e in $y progress through life, in the language of the book of >ob, 5gainst the "ay of battle an" of arEE spoken of religion4 BTis DthisD, $y frien", that streaks our $orning bright, BTis DthisD that gil"s the horror of our night, *hen ealth forsakes us, an" hen frien"s are fe F *hen frien"s are faithless, or hen foes pursueF Tis this that ar"s the blo , or stills the s$art, %isar$s affliction, or repels his "artF *ithin the breast bi"s purest raptures rise, Bi"s s$iling conscience sprea" her clou"less skies# ' ha!e been busy ith DPelucoD# The %octor is so obliging as to reJuest $y opinion of itF an" ' ha!e been re!ol!ing in $y $in" so$e kin" of criticis$s on no!elE riting, but it is a "epth beyon" $y research# ' shall, ho e!er, "igest $y thoughts on the subject as ell as ' can# DPelucoD is a $ost sterling perfor$ance# +are ell3 D5 %ieu, le bon %ieu, je !ous co$$en"e3D 9+ootnote 07L4 5 $ai" ser!ant at Lou"on house#; ) ) ) ) )

CNNN,'LEETo C5PT5'@ R'%%EL, +R'5R/ C5R/E# ELL'/L5@%, D08th <ctoberD 02:1# /ir,EEBig ith the i"ea of this i$portant "ay at +riars Carse, ' ha!e atche" the ele$ents an" skies, in the full persuasion that they oul" announce it to the astonishe" orl" by so$e pheno$ena of terrific portent# (esternight until a !ery late hour, "i" ' ait ith an-ious horror for the appearance of so$e co$et firing half the sky, or aerial ar$ies of sanguinary /can"ina!ians, "arting ath art the startle" hea!ens, rapi" as the ragge" lightning, an" horri" as those con!ulsions of nature that bury nations# The ele$ents, ho e!er, see$ to take the $atter !ery JuietlyF they "i" not e!en usher in this $orning ith triple suns an" a sho er of bloo",

sy$bolical of the three potent heroes907=; an" the $ighty claretEshe" of the "ay# +or $eEEas Tho$son in his *inter says of the stor$EE' shall &hear astonishe", an" astonishe" sing& The *.'/TLE an" the $an ' sing, The $an that on the histle, etc# To lea!e the heights of Parnassus an" co$e to the hu$ble !ale of prose# ' ha!e so$e $isgi!ings that ' take too $uch upon $e, hen ' reJuest you to get your guest, /ir Robert La rie, to frank the t o inclose" co!ers for $e, the one of the$ to /ir *illia$ Cunningha$, of Robertlan", Bart#, at Ail$arnock,EEthe other, to Cr# 5llan Casterton, *ritingECaster, E"inburgh# The first has a kin"re" clai$ on /ir Robert, as being a brother Baronet, an" like ise a keen +o-iteF the other is one of the orthiest $en in the orl", an" a $an of real geniusF so, allo $e to say, he has a fraternal clai$ on you# ' ant the$ franke" for toE$orro , as ' cannot get the$ to the post toEnight# ' shall sen" a ser!ant again for the$ in the e!ening# *ishing that your hea" $ay be cro ne" ith laurels toEnight, an" free fro$ aches toE$orro , ' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your "eeply in"ebte" hu$ble /er!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote 07=4 /ir Robert La rie of Ca- ellton, the hol"er of the *histle, 5le-an"er +ergusson of Craig"arroch, an" Captain Ri""el# D/eeD the Poe$# Burns as apparently absent#; ) ) ) ) )

CNNN,'''EETo CR# R<BERT 5'@/L'E, *#/# ELL'/L5@%, 0Dst @o!D# 02:1# Cy %ear +rien",EE' ha" ritten you ere no , coul" ' ha!e guesse" here to fin" you, for ' a$ sure you ha!e $ore goo" sense than to aste the precious "ays of !acation ti$e in the "irt of business an" E"inburgh# *here!er you are, Go" bless you, an" lea" you not into te$ptation, but "eli!er you fro$ e!il3 ' "o not kno if ' ha!e infor$e" you that ' a$ no appointe" to an E-cise "i!ision, in the $i""le of hich $y house an" far$ lie# 'n this ' as e-tre$ely lucky# *ithout e!er ha!ing been an e-pectant, as they call their journey$en e-cise$en, ' as "irectly plante" "o n to all intents an" purposes an officer of E-ciseF there to flourish an" bring forth fruitsEE orthy of repentance# (ou nee" not "oubt that ' fin" se!eral !ery unpleasant an" "isagreeable circu$stances in $y businessF but ' a$ tire" ith an" "isguste" at the language of co$plaint against the e!ils of life# .u$an e-istence in the $ost fa!ourable situations "oes not aboun" ith pleasures, an" has its incon!eniences an" ills4 capricious foolish $an $istakes these incon!eniences an" ills as if they ere the peculiar property of his particular situationF an" hence that eternal fickleness, that lo!e of change, hich has ruine", an" "aily "oes ruin $any a fine fello , as ell as $any a blockhea", an" is al$ost, ithout e-ception, a constant source of "isappoint$ent an" $isery# ' long to hear fro$ you ho you go onEnot so $uch in business as in life# 5re you pretty ell satisfie" ith your o n e-ertions, an"

tolerably at ease in your internal reflectionsH BTis $uch to be a great character as a la yer, but beyon" co$parison $ore to be a great character as a $an# That you $ay be both the one an" the other is the earnest ish, an" that you D illD be both is the fir$ persuasion of, $y "ear /ir, etc# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNNN'N#EETo CR# R'C.5R% BR<*@, P<RTEGL5/G<*# ELL'/L5@%, DLth @o!e$berD 02:1# ' ha!e been so hurrie", $y e!er "ear frien", that though ' got both your letters, ' ha!e not been able to co$$an" an hour to ans er the$ as ' ishe"F an" e!en no , you are to look on this as $erely confessing "ebt, an" cra!ing "ays# +e things coul" ha!e gi!en $e so $uch pleasure as the ne s that you ere once $ore safe an" soun" on terra fir$a, an" happy in that place here happiness is alone to be foun", in the firesi"e circle# Cay the bene!olent %irector of all things peculiarly bless you in all those en"earing connections conseJuent on the ten"er an" !enerable na$es of husban" an" father3 ' ha!e in"ee" been e-tre$ely lucky in getting an a""itional inco$e of L=7 aEyear, hile, at the sa$e ti$e, the appoint$ent ill not cost $e abo!e L07 or L06 per annu$ of e-penses $ore than ' $ust ha!e ine!itably incurre"# The orst circu$stance is, that the E-cise "i!ision hich ' ha!e got is so e-tensi!e, no less than ten parishes to ri"e o!erF an" it aboun"s besi"es ith so $uch business, that ' can scarcely steal a spare $o$ent# .o e!er, labour en"ears rest, an" both together are absolutely necessary for the proper enjoy$ent of hu$an e-istence# ' cannot $eet you any here# @o less than an or"er fro$ the Boar" of E-cise, at E"inburgh, is necessary before ' can ha!e so $uch ti$e as to $eet you in 5yrshire# But "o you co$e, an" see $e# *e $ust ha!e a social "ay, an" perhaps lengthen it out ith half the night, before you go again to sea# (ou are the earliest frien" ' no ha!e on earth, $y brothers e-cepte"F an" is not that an en"earing circu$stanceH *hen you an" ' first $et, e ere at the green perio" of hu$an life# The t ig oul" easily take a bent, but oul" as easily return to its for$er state# (ou an" ' not only took a $utual bent, but, by the $elancholy, though strong influence of being both of the fa$ily of the unfortunate, e ere ent ine" ith one another in our gro th to ar"s a"!ance" ageF an" blaste" be the sacrilegious han" that shall atte$pt to un"o the union3 (ou an" ' $ust ha!e one bu$per to $y fa!ourite toast, &Cay the co$panions of our youth be the frien"s of our ol" age3& Co$e an" see $e one yearF ' shall see you at PortEGlasgo the ne-t, an" if e can contri!e to ha!e a gossiping bet een our t o be"Efello s, it ill be so $uch a""itional pleasure# Crs# Burns joins $e in kin" co$pli$ents to you an" Crs# Bro n# 5"ieu3EE' a$ e!er, $y "ear /ir, yours, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNL#EETo CR# R# GR5.5C, <+ +'@TR(# D1th %ece$berD 02:1#

/ir,EE' ha!e a goo" hile ha" a ish to trouble you ith a letter, an" ha" certainly "one it long ere no , but for a hu$iliating so$ething that thro s col" ater on the resolution, as if one shoul" say, &(ou ha!e foun" Cr# Graha$ a !ery po erful an" kin" frien" in"ee", an" that interest he is so kin"ly taking in your concerns, you ought by e!erything in your po er to keep ali!e an" cherish#& @o , though since Go" has thought proper to $ake one po erful an" another helpless, the connection of obliger an" oblige" is all fairF an" though $y being un"er your patronage is to $e highly honourable, yet, /ir, allo $e to flatter $yself that,EEas a poet an" an honest $an you first intereste" yourself in $y elfare, an" principally as such still, you per$it $e to approach you# ' ha!e foun" the E-cise business go on a great "eal s$oother ith $e than ' e-pecte"F o ing a goo" "eal to the generous frien"ship of Cr# Citchell, $y collector, an" the kin" assistance of Cr# +in"later, $y super!isor# ' "are to be honest, an" ' fear no labour# @or "o ' fin" $y hurrie" life greatly ini$ical to $y correspon"ence ith the Cuses# Their !isits to $e, in"ee", an" ' belie!e to $ost of their acJuaintance, like the !isits of goo" angels, are short an" far bet eenF but ' $eet the$ no an" then as ' jog through the hills of @iths"ale, just as ' use" to "o on the banks of 5yr# ' take the liberty to inclose you a fe bagatelles, all of the$ the pro"uctions of $y leisure thoughts in $y e-cise ri"es# 'f you kno or ha!e e!er seen Captain Grose, the antiJuarian, you ill enter into any hu$our that is in the !erses on hi$# Perhaps you ha!e seen the$ before, as ' sent the$ to a Lon"on ne spaper# Though, ' "are say, you ha!e none of the sole$nEleagueEan"Eco!enant fire, hich shone so conspicuous in Lor" George Gor"on, an" the Ail$arnock ea!ers, yet ' think you $ust ha!e hear" of %r# CBGill, one of the clergy$en of 5yr, an" his heretical book# Go" help hi$, poor $an3 Though he is one of the orthiest, as ell as one of the ablest of the hole priesthoo" of the Airk of /cotlan", in e!ery sense of that a$biguous ter$, yet the poor %octor an" his nu$erous fa$ily are in i$$inent "anger of being thro n out to the $ercy of the interE in"s# The inclose" balla" on that business is, ' confess, too local, but ' laughe" $yself at so$e conceits in it, though ' a$ con!ince" in $y conscience that there are a goo" $any hea!y stanKas in it too#9078; The election balla",9072; as you ill see, allu"es to the present can!ass in our string of boroughs# ' "o not belie!e there ill be such a har" run $atch in the hole general election# ' a$ too little a $an to ha!e any political attach$entsF ' a$ "eeply in"ebte" to, an" ha!e the ar$est !eneration for, in"i!i"uals of both partiesF but a $an907:; ho has it in his po er to be the father of a country, an" ho is only kno n to that country by the $ischiefs he "oes in it, is a character that one cannot speak of ith patience# /ir ># ># "oes & hat $an can "o,& but yet ' "oubt his fate# R# B# 9+ootnote 0784 The AirkBs 5lar$#; 9+ootnote 0724 DThe +i!e Carlines#D; 9+ootnote 07:4 %uke of Mueensbury#;

CNLLEETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D03th %ece$berD 02:1# Cany thanks, "ear Ca"a$, for your sheetful of rhy$es# Though at present ' a$ belo the !eriest prose, yet fro$ you e!erything pleases# ' a$ groaning un"er the $iseries of a "isease" ner!ous syste$F a syste$, the state of hich is $ost con"uci!e to our happinessEEor the $ost pro"ucti!e of our $isery# +or no near three eeks ' ha!e been so ill ith a ner!ous hea"ache, that ' ha!e been oblige" for a ti$e to gi!e up $y e-ciseEbooks, being scare able to lift $y hea", $uch less to ri"e once a eek o!er ten $uir parishes# *hat is $anH ToE"ay, in the lu-uriance of health, e-ulting in the enjoy$ent of e-istenceF in a fe "ays, perhaps in a fe hours, loa"e" ith conscious painful being, counting the tar"y pace of the lingering $o$ents by the repercussions of anguish, an" refusing or "enie" a co$forter# %ay follo s night, an" night co$es after "ay, only to curse hi$ ith life hich gi!es hi$ no pleasureF an" yet the a ful, "ark ter$ination of that life, is so$ething at hich he recoils# Tell us, ye "ea"F ill none of you in pity %isclose the secret D*hatBtis you are, an" e $ust shortly beHD BTis no $atter4 5 little ti$e ill $ake us learnB" as you are# Can it be possible, that hen ' resign this frail, fe!erish being, ' shall still fin" $yself in conscious e-istenceH *hen the last gasp of agony has announce" that ' a$ no $ore to those that kne $e, an" the fe ho lo!e" $eF hen the col", stiffene", unconscious, ghastly corse is resigne" into the earth, to be the prey of unsightly reptiles, an" to beco$e in ti$e a tro""en clo", shall ' be yet ar$ in life, seeing an" seen, enjoying an" enjoye"H (e !enerable sages, an" holy fla$ens, is there probability in your conjectures, truth in your stories, of another orl" beyon" "eathF or are they all alike, baseless !isions, an" fabricate" fablesH 'f there is another life, it $ust be only for the just, the bene!olent, the a$iable, an" the hu$aneF hat a flattering i"ea, then, is a orl" to co$e3 *oul" to Go" ' as fir$ly belie!e" it, as ' ar"ently ish it3 There ' shoul" $eet an age" parent, no at rest fro$ the $any buffetings of an e!il orl", against hich he so long an" so bra!ely struggle"# There shoul" ' $eet the frien", the "isintereste" frien" of $y early lifeF the $an ho rejoice" to see $e, because he lo!e" $e an" coul" ser!e $e# Cuir, thy eaknesses ere the aberrations of hu$an nature, but thy heart glo e" ith e!erything generous, $anly, an" nobleF an" if e!er e$anation fro$ the 5llEgoo" Being ani$ate" a hu$an for$, it as thine3 There shoul" ', ith speechless agony of rapture, again recognise $y lost, $y e!er "ear Cary3 hose boso$ as fraught ith truth, honour, constancy, an" lo!e# Cy Cary, "ear "eparte" sha"e3 *here is thy place of hea!enly restH /eest thou thy lo!er lo ly lai"H .earBst thou the groans that ren" his breastH >esus Christ, thou a$iablest of characters3 ' trust thou art no i$postor, an" that thy re!elation of blissful scenes of e-istence beyon"

"eath an" the gra!e, is not one of the $any i$positions hich ti$e after ti$e ha!e been pal$e" on cre"ulous $ankin"# ' trust that in thee &shall all the fa$ilies of the earth be blesse",& by being yet connecte" together in a better orl", here e!ery tie that boun" heart to heart, in this state of e-istence, shall be, far beyon" our present conceptions, $ore en"earing# ' a$ a goo" "eal incline" to think ith those ho $aintain, that hat are calle" ner!ous affections are in fact "iseases of the $in"# ' cannot reason, ' cannot thinkF an" but to you ' oul" not !enture to rite anything abo!e an or"er to a cobbler# (ou ha!e felt too $uch of the ills of life not to sy$pathise ith a "isease" retch, ho has i$paire" $ore than half of any faculties he possesse"# (our goo"ness ill e-cuse this "istracte" scra l, hich the riter "are scarcely rea", an" hich he oul" thro into the fire, ere he able to rite anything better, or in"ee" anything at all# Ru$our tol" $e so$ething of a son of yours, ho as returne" fro$ the East or *est 'n"ies# 'f you ha!e gotten ne s fro$ >a$es or 5nthony, it as cruel in you not to let $e kno F as ' pro$ise you, on the sincerity of a $an, ho is eary of one orl", an" an-ious about another, that scarce anything coul" gi!e $e so $uch pleasure as to hear of any goo" thing befalling $y honoure" frien"# 'f you ha!e a $inuteBs leisure, take up your pen in pity to LE P5?,RE C'/ER5BLE# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNL''#EETo L5%( *'@'+RE% C# C<@/T5BLE# ELL'/L5@%, 08th %ECECBER 02:1# Cy La"y,EE'n !ain ha!e ' fro$ "ay to "ay e-pecte" to hear fro$ Cis# (oung, as she pro$ise" $e at %als inton that she oul" "o $e the honour to intro"uce $e at Tin al"F an" it as i$possible, not fro$ your La"yshipBs accessibility, but fro$ $y o n feelings, that ' coul" go alone# Lately, in"ee", Cr# Ca- ell, of Currachan, in his usual goo"ness, offere" to acco$pany $e, hen an unlucky in"isposition on $y part hin"ere" $y e$bracing the opportunity# To court the notice or the tables of the great, e-cept here ' so$eti$es ha!e ha" a little $atter to ask of the$, or $ore often the pleasanter task of itnessing $y gratitu"e to the$, is hat ' ne!er ha!e "one, an" ' trust ne!er shall "o# But ith your La"yship ' ha!e the honour to be connecte" by one of the strongest an" $ost en"earing ties in the hole $oral orl"# Co$$on sufferings, in a cause here e!en to be unfortunate is gloriousEEthe cause of heroic loyalty3 Though $y fathers ha" not illustrious honours an" !ast properties to haKar" in the contest, though they left their hu$ble cottages only to a"" so $any units $ore to the unnote" cro " that follo e" their lea"ers, yet hat they coul" they "i", an" hat they ha" they lostF ith unshaken fir$ness an" unconceale" political attach$ents, they shook han"s ith Ruin for hat they estee$e" the cause of their king an" their country# This language an" the inclose" !erses are for your La"yshipBs eye alone# Poets are not !ery fa$ous for their pru"enceF but as ' can "o nothing for a cause hich is no nearly no $ore, ' "o not ish to hurt $yself#EE' ha!e the honour to be, $y la"y, your La"yshipBs oblige" an" obe"ient hu$ble ser!ant#

R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNL'''#EETo CR# C.5RLE/ A# /.5RPE, <+ .<%%5C# D?n"er a fictitious /ignature, inclosing a Balla", 0217 or 0210#D9071; 't is true, /ir, you are a gentle$an of rank an" fortune, an" ' a$ a poor "e!ilF you are a feather in the cap of society, an" ' a$ a !ery hobnail in his shoesF yet ' ha!e the honour to belong to the sa$e fa$ily ith you, an" on that score ' no a""ress you# (ou ill perhaps suspect that ' a$ going to clai$ affinity ith the ancient an" honourable house of Airkpatrick# @o, no, /ir# ' cannot in"ee" be properly sai" to belong to any house, or e!en any pro!ince or king"o$F as $y $other, ho for $any years as spouse to a $arching regi$ent, ga!e $e into this ba" orl", aboar" the packetEboat, so$e here bet een %onagha"ee an" Portpatrick# By our co$$on fa$ily, ' $ean, /ir, the fa$ily of the Cuses# ' a$ a fi""ler an" a poetF an" you, ' a$ tol", play an e-Juisite !iolin, an" ha!e a stan"ar" taste in the belles lettres# The other "ay, a brother catgut ga!e $e a char$ing /cots air of your co$position# 'f ' as please" ith the tune, ' as in raptures ith the title you ha!e gi!en it, an", taking up the i"ea, ' ha!e spun it into the three stanKas inclose"# *ill you allo $e, /ir, to present you the$, as the "earest offering that a $isbegotten son of po!erty an" rhy$e has to gi!eH ' ha!e a longing to take you by the han" an" unbur"en $y heart by saying, &/ir, ' honour you as a $an ho supports the "ignity of hu$an nature, a$i" an age hen fri!olity an" a!arice ha!e, bet een the$, "ebase" us belo the brutes that perish3& But, alas, /ir3 to $e you are unapproachable# 't is true, the Cuses baptise" $e in Castalian strea$sF but the thoughtless gipsies forgot to gi!e $e a na$e# 5s the se- ha!e ser!e" $any a goo" fello , the @ine ha!e gi!en $e a great "eal of pleasureF but, be itching ja"es3 they ha!e beggare" $e# *oul" they but spare $e a little of their castElinen3 *ere it only to put it in $y po er to say, that ' ha!e a shirt on $y back3 But the i"le enches, like /olo$onBs lilies, &they toil not, neither "o they spinF& so ' $ust eBen continue to tie $y re$nant of a cra!at, like the hang$anBs rope, roun" $y nake" throat, an" coa- $y galligaskins to keep together their $anyEcoloure" frag$ents# 5s to the affair of shoes, ' ha!e gi!en that up# Cy pilgri$ages in $y balla"Etra"e, fro$ to n to to n, an" on your stonyEhearte" turnpikes too, are not hat e!en the hi"e of >obBs behe$oth coul" bear# The coat on $y back is no $ore4 ' shall not speak e!il of the "ea"# 't oul" be eJually unhan"so$e an" ungrateful to fin" fault ith $y ol" surtout, hich so kin"ly supplies an" conceals the ant of that coat# Cy hat, in"ee", is a great fa!ouriteF an" though ' got it literally for an ol" song, ' oul" not e-change it for the best bea!er in Britain# ' as, "uring se!eral years, a kin" of facEtotu$ ser!ant to a country clergy$an, here ' picke" up a goo" $any scraps of learning, particularlyEEin so$e branches of the $athe$atics# *hene!er ' feel incline" to rest $yself on $y ay, ' take $y seat un"er a he"ge, laying $y poetic allet on the one si"e, an" $y fi""leEcase on the other, an" placing $y hat bet een $y legs, ' can by $eans of its bri$, or rather bri$s, go through the hole "octrine of the Conic /ections# .o e!er, /ir, "onBt let $e $islea" you, as if ' oul" interest your pity# +ortune has so $uch forsaken $e, that she has taught $e to li!e ithout herF an", a$i" all $y rags an" po!erty, ' a$ as in"epen"ent, an" $uch $ore happy than a $onarch of the orl"# 5ccor"ing to the hackneye" $etaphor, ' !alue the se!eral actors in the great "ra$a of life, si$ply as they

act their parts# ' can look on a orthless fello of a "uke ith unJualifie" conte$pt, an" can regar" an honest sca!enger ith sincere respect# 5s you, /ir, go through your role ith such "istinguishe" $erit, per$it $e to $ake one in the chorus of uni!ersal applause, an" assure you that ith the highest respect, ' ha!e the honour to be, etc# 9+ootnote 0714 &.ere Burns plays high >acobite to that singular ol" cur$u"geon, La"y Constable# ' i$agine his >acobitis$, like $y o n, belonge" to the fancy rather than the reason#&EE/cott#; ) ) ) ) )

CNL',#EETo .'/ BR<T.ER, G'LBERT B?R@/, C<//G'EL# ELL'/L5@%, D00th >anuary 0217D# %ear Brother,EE' $ean to take a"!antage of the frank, though ' ha!e not in $y present fra$e of $in" $uch appetite for e-ertion in riting# Cy ner!es are in a curse" state# ' feel that horri" hypochon"ria per!a"ing e!ery ato$ of both bo"y an" soul# This far$ has un"one $y enjoy$ent of $yself# 't is a ruinous affair on all han"s# But let it go to hell3 'Bll fight it out an" be off ith it# *e ha!e gotten a set of !ery "ecent players here just no # ' ha!e seen the$ an e!ening or t o# %a!i" Ca$pbell, in 5yr, rote to $e by the $anager of the co$pany, a Cr# /utherlan", ho is a $an of apparent orth# <n @e EyearE"ay e!ening ' ga!e hi$ the follo ing prologue, hich he spoute" to his au"ience ith applause4EE @o song nor "ance ' bring fro$ yon great city, etc# ' can no $ore# 'f once ' as clear of this curst far$, ' shoul" respire $ore at ease# ) ) ) ) )

CNL,#EETo CR# *'LL'5C %?@B5R, *#/# ELL'/L5@%, 0Lth >an# 0217# /ince e are here creatures of a "ay, since &a fe su$$er "ays, a fe inter nights, an" the life of $an is at an en",& hy, $y "ear $uch estee$e" /ir, shoul" you an" ' let negligent in"olence, for ' kno it is nothing orse, step in bet een us an" bar the enjoy$ent of a $utual correspon"enceH *e are not shapen out of the co$$on, hea!y, $etho"ical clo", the ele$ental stuff of the plo""ing selfish race, the sons of 5rith$etic an" Pru"enceF our feelings an" hearts are not benu$be" an" poisone" by the curse" influence of riches, hich, hate!er blessing they $ay be in other respects, are no frien"s to the nobler Jualities of the heartF in the na$e of ran"o$ sensibility, then, let ne!er the $oon change on our silence any $ore# ' ha!e ha" a tract of ba" health the $ost part of this inter, else you ha" hear" fro$ $e long ere no # Thank hea!en, ' a$ no got so $uch better as to be able to partake a little in the enjoy$ents of life# <ur frien", Cunningha$, ill perhaps ha!e tol" you of $y going into the E-cise# The truth is, ' foun" it a !ery con!enient business to ha!e L=7 per annu$, nor ha!e ' yet felt any of these $ortifying circu$stances in it that ' as le" to fear#

D+eb# 6n"#DEE' ha!e not for sheer hurry of business been able to spare fi!e $inutes to finish $y letter# Besi"es $y far$ business, ' ri"e on $y E-cise $atters at least t o hun"re" $iles e!ery eek# ' ha!e not by any $eans gi!en up the Cuses# (ou ill see in the thir" !olu$e of >ohnsonBs /cots songs that ' ha!e contribute" $y $ite there# But, $y "ear /ir, little ones that look up to you for paternal protection are an i$portant charge# ' ha!e alrea"y t o fine healthy stout little fello s, an" ' ish to thro so$e light upon the$# ' ha!e a thousan" re!eries an" sche$es about the$, an" their future "estiny# @ot that ' a$ an ?topian projector in these things# ' a$ resol!e" ne!er to bree" up a son of $ine to any of the learne" professions# ' kno the !alue of in"epen"enceF an" since ' cannot gi!e $y sons an in"epen"ent fortune, ' shall gi!e the$ an in"epen"ent line of life# *hat a chaos of hurry, chance, an" changes is this orl", hen one sits soberly "o n to reflect on it3 To a father, ho hi$self kno s the orl", the thought that he shall ha!e sons to usher into it, $ust fill hi$ ith "rea"F but if he ha!e "aughters, the prospect in a thoughtful $o$ent is apt to shock hi$# ' hope Crs# +or"yce an" the t o young la"ies are ell# %o let $e forget that they are nieces of yours, an" let $e say that ' ne!er sa a $ore interesting, s eeter pair of sisters in $y life# ' a$ the fool of $y feelings an" attach$ents# ' often take up a !olu$e of $y /penser to realise you to $y i$agination, 9071a; an" think o!er the social scenes e ha!e ha" together# Go" grant that there $ay be another orl" $ore congenial for honest fello s beyon" thisF a orl" here these rubs an" plagues of absence, "istance, $isfortunes, illEhealth, etc#, shall no $ore "a$p hilarity an" "i!i"e frien"ship# This ' kno is your throng season, but half a page ill $uch oblige, $y "ear /ir, yours sincerely, R# B# 9+ootnote 071a4 Cr# %unbar ha" $a"e hi$ a present of a /penserBs Poe$s#; ) ) ) ) )

CNL,L#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D6=th >anuary 0217#D 't has been o ing to unre$itting hurry of business that ' ha!e not ritten to you, Ca"a$, long ere no # Cy health is greatly better, an" ' no begin once $ore to share in satisfaction an" enjoy$ent ith the rest of $y fello Ecreatures# Cany thanks, $y $uch estee$e" frien", for your kin" lettersF but hy ill you $ake $e run the risk of being conte$ptible an" $ercenary in $y o n eyesH *hen ' piJue $yself on $y in"epen"ent spirit, ' hope it is neither poetic licence, nor poetic rantF an" ' a$ so flattere" ith the honour you ha!e "one $e in $aking $e your co$peer in frien"ship an" frien"ly correspon"ence, that ' cannot ithout pain, an" a "egree of $ortification, be re$in"e" of the real ineJuality bet een our situations# Cost sincerely "o ' rejoice ith you, "ear Ca"a$, in the goo" ne s of 5nthony# @ot only your an-iety about his fate, but $y o n estee$ for

such a noble, ar$Ehearte", $anly young fello , in the little ' ha" of his acJuaintance, has intereste" $e "eeply in his fortunes# +alconer, the unfortunate author of the &/hip reck,& hich you so $uch a"$ire, is no $ore# 5fter itnessing the "rea"ful catastrophe he so feelingly "escribes in his poe$, an" after eathering $any har" gales of fortune, he ent to the botto$ ith the D5uroraD frigate3 ' forget hat part of /cotlan" ha" the honour of gi!ing hi$ birthF but he as the son of obscurity an" $isBortune#9007; .e as one of those "aring, a"!enturous spirits, hich /cotlan", beyon" any other country, is re$arkable for pro"ucing# Little "oes the fon" $other think, as she hangs "elighte" o!er the s eet little leech at her boso$, here the poor fello $ay hereafter an"er, or hat $ay be his fate# ' re$e$ber a stanKa in an ol" /cottish balla", hich, not ithstan"ing its ru"e si$plicity, speaks feelingly to the heart4EE Little "i" $y $other think, That "ay she cra"le" $e, *hat lan" ' as to tra!el in, <r hat "eath ' shoul" "ee3 <l" /cottish songs are, you kno , a fa!ourite stu"y an" pursuit of $ine, an" no ' a$ on that subject, allo $e to gi!e you t o stanKas of another ol" si$ple balla", hich ' a$ sure ill please you# The catastrophe of the piece is a poor ruine" fe$ale, la$enting her fate, /he conclu"es ith this pathetic ish4EE < that $y father ha" neBer on $e s$ilB"F < that $y $other ha" neBer to $e sung3 < that $y cra"le ha" ne!er been rockB"F But that ' ha" "ie" hen ' as young3 < that the gra!e it ere $y be"F Cy blankets ere $y in"ing sheetF The clocks an" the or$s $y be"fello s aBF 5n" < sa" soun" as ' shoul" sleep3 ' "o not re$e$ber in all $y rea"ing to ha!e $et ith anything $ore truly the language of $isery than the e-cla$ation in the last line# Cisery is like lo!eF to speak its language truly, the author $ust ha!e felt it# ' a$ e!ery "ay e-pecting the "octor to gi!e your little go"son the s$allEpo-# They are DrifeD in the country, an" ' tre$ble for his fate# By the ay, ' cannot help congratulating you on his looks an" spirit# E!ery person ho sees hi$, ackno le"ges hi$ to be the finest, han"so$est chil" he has e!er seen# ' a$ $yself "elighte" ith the $anly s ell of his little chest, an" a certain $iniature "ignity in the carriage of his hea", an" the glance of his fine black eye, hich pro$ise the un"aunte" gallantry of an in"epen"ent $in"# ' thought to ha!e sent you so$e rhy$es, but ti$e forbi"s# ' pro$ise you poetry until you are tire" of it, ne-t ti$e ' ha!e the honour of assuring you ho truly ' a$, etc# R# B# 9+ootnote 0074 .e as of poor parentage, an" a nati!e of E"inburgh#;

CNL,''#EETo CR# PETER .'LL, B<<A/ELLER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, D6n" +eb# 0217#D @o3 ' ill not say one or" about apologies or e-cuses for not ritingEE' a$ a poor, rascally gauger, con"e$ne" to gallop at least 677 $iles e!ery eek to inspect "irty pon"s an" yeasty barrels, an" here can ' fin" ti$e to rite to, or i$portance to interest anybo"yH The upbrai"ings of $y conscience, nay, the upbrai"ings of $y ife, ha!e persecute" $e on your account these t o or three $onths past# ' ish to Go" ' as a great $an, that $y correspon"ence $ight thro light upon you, to let the orl" see hat you really are4 an" then ' oul" $ake your fortune, ithout putting $y han" in $y pocket for you, hich, like all other great $en, ' suppose ' oul" a!oi" as $uch as possible# *hat are you "oing, an" ho are you "oingH .a!e you lately seen any of $y fe frien"sH *hat has beco$e of the borough refor$, or ho is the fate of $y poor na$esake Ca"e$oiselle Burns "eci"e"H < $an3 but for thee an" thy selfish appetites, an" "ishonest artifices, that beauteous for$, an" that once innocent an" still ingenuous $in", $ight ha!e shone conspicuous an" lo!ely in the faithful ife, an" the affectionate $otherF an" shall the unfortunate sacrifice to thy pleasures ha!e no clai$ on thy hu$anity3 ' sa lately, in a re!ie , so$e e-tracts fro$ a ne poe$, calle" the &,illage CurateF& sen" it $e# ' ant like ise a cheap copy of DThe *orl"D# Cr# 5r$strong, the young poet, ho "oes $e the honour to $ention $e so kin"ly in his orks, please gi!e hi$ $y best thanks for the copy of his book#9000;EE' shall rite hi$, $y first leisure hour# ' like his poetry $uch, but ' think his style in prose Juite astonishing# (our book ca$e safe, an" ' a$ going to trouble you ith farther co$$issions# ' call it troubling you, because ' ant only booksF the cheapest ay, the bestF so you $ay ha!e to hunt for the$ in the e!ening auctions# ' ant /$ollettBs *orks, for the sake of his inco$parable hu$our# ' ha!e alrea"y DRo"erick Ran"o$D an" D.u$phrey ClinkerDF EEDPeregrine PickleD, DLauncelot Grea!esD, an" D+er"inan"D, DCount +atho$D, ' still antF but, as ' sai", the !eriest or"inary copies ill ser!e $e# ' a$ nice only in the appearance of $y poets# ' forget the price of Co perBs DPoe$sD, but, ' belie!e, ' $ust ha!e the$# ' sa the other "ay, proposals for a publication, entitle" DBanksBs @e an" Co$plete Christian +a$ily BibleD, printe" for C# Cooke, Paternoster Ro , Lon"on# .e pro$ises at least to gi!e in the ork, ' think it is three hun"re" an" o"" engra!ings, to hich he has put the na$es of the first artists in Lon"on# (ou ill kno the character of the perfor$ance, as so$e nu$bers of it are publishe", an" if it is really hat it preten"s to be, set $e "o n as a subscriber, an" sen" $e the publishe" nu$bers# Let $e hear fro$ you, your first leisure $inute, an" trust $e, you shall in future ha!e no reason to co$plain of $y silence# The "aKKling perple-ity of no!elty ill "issipate, an" lea!e $e to pursue $y course in the Juiet path of $etho"ical routine# R# B# 9+ootnote 0004 >ohn 5r$strong, stu"ent in the ?ni!ersity of E"inburgh, ho ha" recently publishe" a !olu$e of >u!enile Poe$s#;

CNL,''L#EETo CR# *# @'C<L# ELL'/L5@%, D+eb# 1th, 0217#D Cy %ear /ir,EEThat "a$nB" $are of yours is "ea"# ' oul" freely ha!e gi!en her price to ha!e sa!e" herF she has !e-e" $e beyon" "escription# 'n"ebte" as ' as to your goo"ness beyon" hat ' can e!er repay, ' eagerly graspe" at your offer to ha!e the $are ith $e# That ' $ight at least sho $y rea"iness in ishing to be grateful, ' took e!ery care of her in $y po er# /he as ne!er crosse" for ri"ing abo!e half a score of ti$es by $e or in $y keeping# ' "re her in the plough, one of three, for one poor eek# ' refuse" fiftyEfi!e shillings for her, hich as the highest bo"e ' coul" sJueeKe for her# ' fe" her up an" ha" her in fine or"er for %u$fries fair, hen, four or fi!e "ays before the fair, she as seiKe" ith an unaccountable "isor"er in the sine s, or so$e here in the bones of the neckEE ith a eakness or total ant of po er in her filletsF an", in short, the hole !ertebrae of her spine see$e" to be "isease" an" unhinge", an" in eight an" forty hours, in spite of the t o best farriers in the country, she "ie" an" be "a$nB" to her3 The farriers sai" that she ha" been Juite straine" in the fillets beyon" cure before you ha" bought herF an" that the poor "e!il, though she $ight keep a little flesh, ha" been ja"e" an" Juite orn out ith fatigue an" oppression# *hile she as ith $e she as un"er $y o n eye, an" ' assure you, $y $uch !alue" frien", e!erything as "one for her that coul" be "oneF an" the acci"ent has !e-e" $e to the heart# 'n fact, ' coul" not pluck up spirits to rite to you, on account of the unfortunate business# There is little ne in this country# <ur theatrical co$pany, of hich you $ust ha!e hear", lea!e us this eek# Their $erit an" character are in"ee" !ery great, both on the stage an" in pri!ate lifeF not a orthless creature a$ong the$F an" their encourage$ent has been accor"ingly# Their usual run is fro$ eighteen to t entyEfi!e poun"s a nightF sel"o$ less than the one, an" the house ill hol" no $ore than the other# There ha!e been repeate" instances of sen"ing a ay si-, an" eight, an" ten poun"s a night for ant of roo$# 5 ne theatre is to be built by subscriptionF the first stone is to be lai" on +ri"ay first to co$e# Three hun"re" guineas ha!e been raise" by thirty subscribers, an" thirty $ore $ight ha!e been got if ante"# The $anager, Cr# /utherlan", as intro"uce" to $e by a frien" fro$ 5yrF an" a orthier or cle!erer fello ' ha!e rarely $et ith# /o$e of our clergy ha!e slipt in by stealth no an" thenF but they ha!e got up a farce of their o n# (ou $ust ha!e hear" ho the Re!# Cr# La son of Airk$ahoe, secon"e" by the Re!# Cr# Airkpatrick of %unscore, an" the rest of that faction, ha!e accuse", in for$al process, the unfortunate an" Re!# Cr# .eron of AirkgunKeon, that in or"aining Cr# @ielson to the cure of souls in Airkbean, he, the sai" .eron, feloniously an" treasonably boun" the sai" @ielson to the confession of faith, Dso far as it as agreeable to reason an" the or" of Go"3D Crs# B# begs to be re$e$bere" $ost gratefully to you# Little Bobby an" +rank are char$ingly ell an" healthy# ' a$ ja"e" to "eath ith fatigue# +or these t o or three $onths, on an a!erage, ' ha!e not ri""en less than t o hun"re" $iles per eek# ' ha!e "one little in the poetic ay# ' ha!e gi!en Cr# /utherlan" t o Prologues, one of hich as "eli!ere" last eek# ' ha!e like ise strung four or fi!e barbarous stanKas, to the tune of Che!y Chase, by ay of Elegy on your poor unfortunate $are, beginning

Gthe na$e she got here as Peg @icholsonI,EE Peg @icholson as a goo" bay $are, 5s e!er tro" on airnF But no sheBs floating "o n the @ith, 5n" past the $outh oB Cairn# Cy best co$pli$ents to Crs# @icol, an" little @e""y, an" all the fa$ilyF ' hope @e" is a goo" scholar, an" ill co$e out to gather nuts an" apples ith $e ne-t har!est# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNL'N#EETo CR# C?@@'@G.5C, *R'TER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, D03th +ebruary 0217#D ' beg your par"on, $y "ear an" $uch !alue" frien", for this !ery unfashionable, unsightly sheetEE Cy po!erty but not $y ill consents# riting to you on

But to $ake a$en"s, since of $o"ish post ' ha!e none, e-cept one poor i"o e" halfEsheet of gilt, hich lies in $y "ra er, a$ong $y plebeian foolscap pages, like the i"o of a $an of fashion, ho$ that unpolite scoun"rel, @ecessity, has "ri!en fro$ Burgun"y an" Pineapple to a "ish of Bohea, ith the scan"alEbearing helpE$ate of a !illageEpriestF or a glass of hiskyEto""y ith a rubyEnose" yokefello of a footEpa""ing e-cise$anEE' $ake a !o to inclose this sheetEfull of epistolary frag$ents in that $y only scrap of gilt paper# ' a$, in"ee", your un orthy "ebtor for three frien"ly letters# ' ought to ha!e ritten to you long ere no , but it is a literal fact, ' ha!e scarcely a spare $o$ent# 't is not that ' D ill notD rite to you4 Ciss Burnet is not $ore "ear to her guar"ian angel, nor his grace the %uke of Mueensberry to the po ers of "arkness, than $y frien" Cunningha$ to $e# 't is not that ' cannot rite to youF shoul" you "oubt it, take the follo ing frag$ent, hich as inten"e" for you so$e ti$e ago, an" be con!ince" that ' can antithesiKe senti$ent, an" circu$!olute perio"s, as ell as any coiner of phrase in the regions of philology# D%ece$ber 02:1#D Cy %ear Cunningha$,EE*here are youH 5n" hat are you "oingH Can you be that son of le!ity, ho takes up a frien"ship as he takes up a fashionF or are you, like so$e other of the orthiest fello s in the orl", the !icti$ of in"olence, la"en ith fetters of e!erEincreasing eightH *hat strange beings e are3 /ince e ha!e a portion of conscious e-istence, eJually capable of enjoying pleasure, happiness, an" rapture, or of suffering pain, retche"ness, an" $isery, it is surely orthy of an inJuiry, hether there be not such a thing as a science of lifeF hether $etho", econo$y, an" fertility of e-pe"ients, be not applicable to enjoy$entF an" hether there be not a ant of "e-terity in pleasure, hich ren"ers our little scantling of happiness still lessF an" a profuseness, an into-ication in bliss, hich lea"s to satiety, "isgust, an" selfEabhorrence# There is not a "oubt but that health, talents,

character, "ecent co$petency, respectable frien"s, are real substantial blessingsF an" yet "o e not "aily see those ho enjoy $any or all of these goo" things, contri!e, not ithstan"ing, to be as unhappy as others to hose lot fe of the$ ha!e fallenH ' belie!e one great source of this $istake or $iscon"uct is o ing to a certain sti$ulus, ith us calle" a$bition, hich goa"s us up the hill of life, not as e ascen" other e$inencesF for the lau"able curiosity of !ie ing an e-ten"e" lan"scape, but rather for the "ishonest pri"e of looking "o n on others of our fello Ecreatures, see$ingly "i$inuti!e in hu$bler stations, etc#, etc# D/un"ay, 0Lth +ebruary 0217#D Go" help $e3 ' a$ no oblige" to join @ight to "ay, an" /un"ay to the eek# 'f there be any truth in the ortho"o- faith of these churches, ' a$ "a$nB" past re"e$ption, an" hat is orse, "a$nB" to all eternity# ' a$ "eeply rea" in BostonBs D+ourEfol" /tateD, Carshal D<n /anctificationD, GuthrieBs DTrial of a /a!ing 'nterestD, etc#, but &there is no bal$ in Gilea", there is no physician there,& for $eF so ' shall eBen turn 5r$inian, an" trust to &/incere though i$perfect obe"ience#& DTues"ay, 08th#D Luckily for $e, ' as pre!ente" fro$ the "iscussion of the knotty point at hich ' ha" just $a"e a full stop# 5ll $y fears an" cares are of this orl"F if there is another, an honest $an has nothing to fear fro$ it# ' hate a $an that ishes to be a "eistF but ' fear, e!ery fair, unpreju"ice" inJuirer $ust in so$e "egree be a sceptic# 't is not that there are any !ery staggering argu$ents against the i$$ortality of $anF but, like electricity, phlogiston, etc#, the subject is so in!ol!e" in "arkness, that e ant "ata to go upon# <ne thing frightens $e $uch4 that e are to li!e for e!er see$s Dtoo goo" ne s to be trueD# That e are to enter into a ne scene of e-istence, here, e-e$pt fro$ ant an" pain, e shall enjoy oursel!es an" our frien"s ithout satiety or separationEEho $uch shoul" ' be in"ebte" to any one ho coul" fully assure $e that this as certain3 Cy ti$e is once $ore e-pire"# ' ill rite to Cr# Cleghorn soon# Go" bless hi$ an" all his concerns3 5n" $ay all the po ers that presi"e o!er con!i!iality an" frien"ship, be present ith all their kin"est influence, hen the bearer of this, Cr# /y$e, an" you $eet3 ' ish ' coul" also $ake one# +inally, brethren, fare ell3 *hatsoe!er things are lo!ely, hatsoe!er things are gentle, hatsoe!er things are charitable, hatsoe!er things are kin", think on these things, an" think on R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CL#EETo CR# .'LL, B<<A/ELLER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, D6n" Carch 0217#D 5t a late $eeting of the Conklan" +rien"ly /ociety, it as resol!e" to aug$ent their library by the follo ing books, hich you are to sen" us

as soon as possible4EEDThe Cirror, The Lounger, Can of +eeling, Can of the *orl",D Gthese, for $y o n sake, ' ish to ha!e by the first carrierI, Ano-Bs D.istory of the Refor$ationD, RaeBs D.istory of the Rebellion in 020=D, any goo" .istory of the Rebellion in 02L=, D5 %isplay of the /ecession 5ct an" Testi$onyD, by Cr# Gib, .er!eyBs DCe"itationsD, Be!eri"geBs DThoughtsD, an" another copy of *atsonBs DBo"y of %i!inityD# ' rote to Cr# 5# Casterton three or four $onths ago, to pay so$e $oney he o e" $e into your han"s, an" lately ' rote to you to the sa$e purpose, but ' ha!e hear" fro$ neither one nor other of you# 'n a""ition to the books ' co$$issione" in $y last, ' ant !ery $uch, an 'n"e- to the E-cise La s, or an 5bri"g$ent of all the statutes no in force, relati!e to the E-cise, by >ellinger /y$onsF ' ant three copies of this book4 if it is no to be ha", cheap or "ear, get it for $e# 5n honest country neighbour of $ine ants too a +a$ily Bible, the larger the better, but secon"Ehan"e", for he "oes not choose to gi!e abo!e ten shillings for the book# ' ant like ise for $yself, as you can pick the$ up, secon"Ehan"e" or cheap, copies of <t ayBs %ra$atic *orks, Ben >onsonBs, %ry"enBs, Congre!eBs, *ycherleyBs, ,anbrughBs, GibberBs, or any %ra$atic *orks of the $ore $o"ern Cacklin, Garrick, +oote, Col$an, or /heri"an# 5 goo" copy too of Coliere, in +rench, ' $uch ant# 5ny other goo" "ra$atic authors in that language ' ant alsoF but co$ic authors chiefly, though ' shoul" ish to ha!e Racine, Corneille, an" ,oltaire too# ' a$ in no hurry for all, or any of these, but if you acci"entally $eet ith the$ !eryEcheap, get the$ for $e# 5n" no , to Juit the "ry alk of business, ho "o you "o, $y "ear frien"H an" ho is Crs# .illH ' trust, if no an" then not so DelegantlyD han"so$e, at least as a$iable, an" sings as "i!inely as e!er# Cy goo" ife too has a char$ing & oo"Enote il"F& no coul" e four get together, etc# ' a$ out of all patience ith this !ile orl", for one thing# Cankin" are by nature bene!olent creatures, e-cept in a fe scoun"relly instances# ' "o not think that a!arice of the goo" things e chance to ha!e, is born ith usF but e are place" here a$i" so $uch nake"ness, an" hunger, an" po!erty, an" ant, that e are un"er a curse" necessity of stu"ying selfishness, in or"er that e $ay e-ist3 /till there are, in e!ery age, a fe souls that all the ants an" oes of life cannot "ebase to selfishness, or e!en to the necessary alloy of caution an" pru"ence# 'f e!er ' a$ in "anger of !anity, it is hen ' conte$plate $yself on this si"e of $y "isposition an" character# Go" kno s ' a$ no saintF ' ha!e a hole host of follies an" sins to ans er forF but if ' coul"EEan" ' belie!e ' "o it as far as ' canEE' oul" ipe a ay all tears fro$ all eyes# 5"ieu3 R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CL'#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D07th 5pril 0217#D ' ha!e just no , $y e!er honoure" frien", enjoye" a !ery high lu-ury, in rea"ing a paper of the DLoungerD# (ou kno $y national preju"ices# ' ha" often rea" an" a"$ire" the D/pectatorD, D5"!enturerD, DRa$blerD, an"

D*orl"D, but still ith a certain regret, that they ere so thoroughly an" entirely English# 5las3 ha!e ' often sai" to $yself, hat are all the boaste" a"!antages hich $y country reaps fro$ the ?nion, that can counterbalance the annihilation of her in"epen"ence, an" e!en her !ery na$eH ' often repeat that couplet of $y fa!ourite poet, Gol"s$ithEE /tates of nati!e liberty possest, ThoB !ery poor, $ay yet be !ery blest# @othing can reconcile $e to the co$$on ter$s, &English a$bassa"or,& &English court,& etc#, an" ' a$ out of all patience to see that eJui!ocal character, .astings, i$peache" by &the Co$$ons of Englan"#& Tell $e, $y frien", is this eak preju"iceH ' belie!e in $y conscience such i"eas as &$y countryF her in"epen"enceF her honourF the illustrious na$es that $ark the history of $y nati!e lan",& etc#EE' belie!e these, a$ong your D$en of the orl"D, $en ho, in fact, gui"e for the $ost part an" go!ern our orl", are looke" on as so $any $o"ifications of rongEhea"e"ness# They kno the use of ba ling out such ter$s, to rouse or lea" T.E R5BBLEF but for their o n pri!ate use, ith al$ost all the Dable states$enD that e!er e-iste", or no e-ist, hen they talk of right an" rong they only $ean proper an" i$properF an" their $easure of con"uct is, not hat they ought, but hat they "are# +or the truth of this ' shall not ransack the history of nations, but appeal to one of the ablest ju"ges of $en that e!er li!e"EEthe celebrate" Earl of Chesterfiel"# 'n fact, a $an ho coul" thoroughly control his !ices hene!er they interfere" ith his interests, an" ho coul" co$pletely put on the appearance of e!ery !irtue as often as it suite" his purposes, is, on the /tanhopian plan, the Dperfect $anDF a $an to lea" nations# But are great abilities, co$plete ithout a fla , an" polishe" ithout a ble$ish, the stan"ar" of hu$an e-cellenceH This is certainly the staunch opinion of D$en of the orl"DF but ' call on honour, !irtue, an" orth, to gi!e the /tygian "octrine a lou" negati!e3 .o e!er, this $ust be allo e", that, if you abstract fro$ $an the i"ea of an e-istence beyon" the gra!e, DthenD, the true $easure of hu$an con"uct is, DproperD an" Di$properD4 !irtue an" !ice, as "ispositions of the heart, are, in that case, of scarcely the sa$e i$port an" !alue to the orl" at large, as har$ony an" "iscor" in the $o"ifications of soun"F an" a "elicate sense of honour, like a nice ear for $usic, though it $ay so$eti$es gi!e the possessor an ecstacy unkno n to the coarser organs of the her", yet, consi"ering the harsh gratings, an" inhar$onic jars, in this illEtune" state of being, it is o""s but the in"i!i"ual oul" be as happy, an" certainly oul" be as $uch respecte" by the true ju"ges of society as it oul" then stan", ithout either a goo" ear or a goo" heart# (ou $ust kno ' ha!e just $et ith the DCirrorD an" DLoungerD for the first ti$e, an" ' a$ Juite in raptures ith the$F ' shoul" be gla" to ha!e your opinion of so$e of the papers# The one ' ha!e just rea", DLoungerD, @o# 80, has cost $e $ore honest tears than anything ' ha!e rea" for a long ti$e# CackenKie has been calle" the 5""ison of the /cots, an" in $y opinion, 5""ison oul" not be hurt at the co$parison# 'f he has not 5""isonBs e-Juisite hu$our, he as certainly out"oes hi$ in the ten"er an" the pathetic# .is DCan of +eelingD Gbut ' a$ not counsel learne" in the la s of criticis$I ' esti$ate as the first perfor$ance in its kin" ' e!er sa # +ro$ hat book, $oral or e!en pious, ill the susceptible young $in" recei!e i$pressions $ore congenial to hu$anity an" kin"ness, generosity an" bene!olenceF in short, $ore of all that ennobles the soul to herself, or en"ears her to othersEEthan fro$ the si$ple affecting tale of poor .arleyH

/till, ith all $y a"$iration of CackenKieBs ritings, ' "o not kno if they are the fittest rea"ing for a young $an ho is about to set out, as the phrase is, to $ake his ay into life# %o you not think, Ca"a$, that a$ong the fe fa!oure" of .ea!en in the structure of their $in"s Gfor such there certainly areI there $ay be a purity, a ten"erness, a "ignity, an elegance of soul, hich are of no use, nay, in so$e "egree, absolutely "isJualifying for the truly i$portant business of $aking a $anBs ay into lifeH 'f ' a$ not $uch $istaken, $y gallant young frien", 5ntony, is !ery $uch un"er these "isJualificationsF an" for the young fe$ales of a fa$ily ' coul" $ention, ell $ay they e-cite parental solicitu"eF for ', a co$$on acJuaintance, or as $y !anity ill ha!e it, an hu$ble frien", ha!e often tre$ble" for a turn of $in" hich $ay ren"er the$ e$inently happyEEor peculiarly $iserable3 ' ha!e been $anufacturing so$e !erses latelyF but as ' ha!e got the $ost hurrie" season of E-cise business o!er, ' hope to ha!e $ore leisure to transcribe any thing that $ay sho ho $uch ' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, yours, etc# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CL''#EETo %R# ><.@ C<<RE, L<@%<@# %?C+R'E/, DE-ciseE<ffice, 0Lth >uly 0217#D /ir,EECo$ing into to n this $orning to atten" $y "uty in this office, it being collectionE"ay, ' $et ith a gentle$an ho tells $e he is on his ay to Lon"onF so ' take the opportunity of riting to you, as franking is at present un"er a te$porary "eath# ' shall ha!e so$e snatches of leisure through the "ay, a$i" our horri" business an" bustle, an" ' shall i$pro!e the$ as ell as ' canF but let $y letter be as stupi" as###, as $iscellaneous as a ne spaper, as short as a hungry graceEbeforeE$eat, or as long as a la Epaper in the %ouglas causeF as ill spelt as country >ohnBs billetE"ou-, or as unsightly a scra l as Betty ByreECuckerBs ans er to itF ' hope, consi"ering circu$stances, you ill forgi!e itF an" as it ill put you to no e-pense of postage, ' shall ha!e the less reflection about it# ' a$ sa"ly ungrateful in not returning you $y thanks for your $ost !aluable present, DPelucoD# 'n fact, you are in so$e "egree bla$eable for $y neglect# (ou ere please" to e-press a ish for $y opinion of the ork, hich so flattere" $e, that nothing less oul" ser!e $y o!erE eening fancy, than a for$al criticis$ on the book# 'n fact, ' ha!e gra!ely planne" a co$parati!e !ie of you, +iel"ing, Richar"son, an" /$ollett, in your "ifferent Jualities an" $erits as no!elE riters# This, ' o n, betrays $y ri"iculous !anity, an" ' $ay probably ne!er bring the business to bearF but ' a$ fon" of the spirit young Elihu sho s in the book of >obEE&5n" ' sai", ' ill also "eclare $y opinion#& ' ha!e Juite "isfigure" $y copy of the book ith $y annotations# ' ne!er take it up ithout at the sa$e ti$e taking $y pencil, an" $arking ith asteris$s, parentheses, etc#, here!er ' $eet ith an original thought, a ner!ous re$ark on life an" $anners, a re$arkably ellEturne" perio", or a character sketche" ith unco$$on precision# Though ' shoul" har"ly think of fairly riting out $y &Co$parati!e ,ie ,& ' shall certainly trouble you ith $y re$arks, such as they are#

' ha!e just recei!e" fro$ $y gentle$an that horri" su$$ons in the Book of Re!elationEE&that ti$e shall be no $ore#& The little collection of sonnets ha!e so$e char$ing poetry in the$# 'f Din"ee"D ' a$ in"ebte" to the fair author for the book, an" not, as ' rather suspect, to a celebrate" author of the other se-, ' shoul" certainly ha!e ritten to the la"y, ith $y grateful ackno le"g$ents, an" $y o n i"ea of the co$parati!e e-cellence of her pieces#9006; ' oul" "o this last, not fro$ any !anity of thinking that $y re$arks coul" be of $uch conseJuence to Crs# /$ith, but $erely fro$ $y o n feelings as an author, "oing as ' oul" be "one by# R# B# 9+ootnote 0064 /onnets of Charlotte /$ith#; ) ) ) ) )

CL'''#EETo CR# C?R%<C.,9003; TE5C.ER <+ +RE@C., L<@%<@# ELL'/L5@%, D>ulyD 08DthD, 0217# Cy %ear /ir,EE' recei!e" a letter fro$ you a long ti$e ago, but unfortunately, as it as in the ti$e of $y peregrinations an" journeyings through /cotlan", ' $islai" or lost it, an" by conseJuence your "irection along ith it# Luckily $y goo" star brought $e acJuainte" ith Cr# Aenne"y, ho, ' un"erstan", is an acJuaintance of yours4 an" by his $eans an" $e"iation ' hope to replace that link, hich $y unfortunate negligence ha" so unluckily broke, in the chain of our correspon"ence# ' as the $ore !e-e" at the !ile acci"ent, as $y brother *illia$, a journey$an sa""ler, has been for so$e ti$e in Lon"onF an" ishe" abo!e all things for your "irection, that he $ight ha!e pai" his respects to his fatherBs frien"# .is last a""ress he sent $e as, &*$# Burns, at Cr# BarberBs, sa""ler, @o# 0:0 /tran"#& ' rit hi$ by Cr# Aenne"y, but neglecte" to ask hi$ for your a""ressF so, if you fin" a spare half $inute, please let $y brother kno by a car" here an" hen he ill fin" you, an" the poor fello ill joyfully ait on you, as one of the fe sur!i!ing frien"s of the $an hose na$e, an" Christian na$e too, he has the honour to bear# The ne-t letter ' rite you shall be a long one# ' ha!e $uch to tell you of &hairEbrea"th Bscapes in thB i$$inent "ea"ly breach,& ith all the e!entful history of a life, the early years of hich o e" so $uch to your kin" tutorageF but this at an hour of leisure# Cy kin"est co$pli$ents to Crs# Cur"och an" fa$ily#EE' a$ e!er, $y "ear /ir, your oblige" frien", R# B# 9+ootnote 0034 .e ha" been BurnsBs school$aster at Count <liphant#; ) ) ) ) )

CL',#EETo CR# C?@@'@G.5C# ELL'/L5@%, D:th 5ugust 0217#D +orgi!e $e, $y once "ear, an" e!er "ear frien", $y see$ing negligence#

(ou cannot sit "o n an" fancy the busy life ' lea"# ' lai" "o n $y goose feather to beat $y brains for an apt si$ile, an" ha" so$e thoughts of a country grannu$ at a fa$ily christeningF a bri"e on the $arketE"ay before her $arriageF or a ta!ernEkeeper at an election "innerF but the rese$blance that hits $y fancy best is, that blackguar" $iscreant, /atan, ho roa$s about like a roaring lion, seeking, searching, ho$ he $ay "e!our# .o e!er, tosse" about as ' a$, if ' choose Gan" ho oul" not chooseI to bin" "o n ith the cra$pets of attention the braKen foun"ation of integrity, ' $ay rear up the superstructure of 'n"epen"ence, an" fro$ its "aring turrets bi" "efiance to the stor$s of fate# 5n" is not this a &consu$$ation "e!outly to be ishe"H& Thy spirit, 'n"epen"ence, let $e shareF Lor" of the lionEheart, an" eagleEeye3 Thy steps ' follo ith $y boso$ bare, @or hee" the stor$ that ho ls along the sky3 5re not these noble !ersesH They are the intro"uction of /$ollettBs <"e to 'n"epen"ence4 if you ha!e not seen the poe$, ' ill sen" it to you# .o retche" is the $an that hangs on by the fa!ours of the great3 To shrink fro$ e!ery "ignity of $an, at the approach of a lor"ly piece of selfEconseJuence, ho, a$i" all his tinsel glitter, an" stately hauteur, is but a creature for$e" as thou artEEan" perhaps not so ell for$e" as thou artEEca$e into the orl" a puling infant as thou "i"st, an" $ust go out of it as all $en $ust, a nake" corse### R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CL,#EETo CR# CR5?+<R% T5'T,900L; *#/#, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, 0=th D<ctoberD 0217# %ear /ir,EE5llo $e to intro"uce to your acJuaintance the bearer, Cr# *$# %uncan, a frien" of $ine, ho$ ' ha!e long kno n an" long lo!e"# .is father, hose only son he is, has a "ecent little property in 5yrshire, an" has bre" the young $an to the la , in hich "epart$ent he co$es up an a"!enturer to your goo" to n# ' shall gi!e you $y frien"Bs character in t o or"s4 as to his hea", he has talents enough, an" $ore than enough for co$$on lifeF as to his heart, hen nature ha" knea"e" the kin"ly clay that co$poses it, she sai", &' can no $ore#& (ou, $y goo" /ir, ere born un"er kin"er starsF but your fraternal sy$pathy, ' ell kno , can enter into the feelings of the young $an ho goes into life ith the lau"able a$bition to "o so$ething, an" to be so$ething a$ong his fello EcreaturesF but ho$ the consciousness of frien"less obscurity presses to the earth an" oun"s to the soul3 E!en the fairest of his !irtues are against hi$# That in"epen"ent spirit, an" that ingenuous $o"esty, Jualities inseparable fro$ a noble $in", are, ith the $illion, circu$stances not a little "isJualifying# *hat pleasure is in the po er of the fortunate an" the happy, by their notice an" patronage, to brighten the countenance an" gla" the heart of such "epresse" youth3 ' a$ not so angry ith $ankin" for their "eaf econo$y of the purseEEthe goo"s of this orl" cannot be "i!i"e" ithout being lessene"EEbut hy be a niggar" of that hich besto s bliss on a

fello Ecreature, yet takes nothing fro$ our o n $eans of enjoy$entH *e rap oursel!es up in the cloak of our o n better fortune, an" turn a ay our eyes, lest the ants an" oes of our brotherE$ortals shoul" "isturb the selfish apathy of our souls3 ' a$ the orst han" in the orl" at asking a fa!our# That in"irect a""ress, that insinuating i$plication, hich, ithout any positi!e reJuest, plainly e-presses your ish, is a talent not to be acJuire" at a ploughEtail# Tell $e, then, for you can, in hat periphrasis of language, in hat circu$!olution of phrase, ' shall en!elope, yet not conceal, the plain story# &Cy "ear Cr, Tait, $y frien", Cr# %uncan, ho$ ' ha!e the pleasure of intro"ucing to you, is a young la" of your o n profession, an" a gentle$an of $uch $o"esty an" great orth# Perhaps it $ay be in your po er to assist hi$ in the, to hi$, i$portant consi"eration of getting a placeF but, at all e!ents, your notice an" acJuaintance ill be a !ery great acJuisition to hi$F an" ' "are ple"ge $yself that he ill ne!er "isgrace your fa!our#& (ou $ay possibly be surprise", /ir, at such a letter fro$ $eF Btis, ' o n, in the usual ay of calculating these $atters, $ore than our acJuaintance entitles $e toF but $y ans er is short4 <f all the $en at your ti$e of life ho$ ' kne in E"inburgh, you are the $ost accessible on the si"e on hich ' ha!e assaile" you# (ou are !ery $uch altere" in"ee" fro$ hat you ere hen ' kne you, if generosity point the path you ill not trea", or hu$anity call to you in !ain# 5s to $yself, a being to hose interest ' belie!e you are still a ellE isherF ' a$ here, breathing at all ti$es, thinking so$eti$es, an" rhy$ing no an" then# E!ery situation has its share of the cares an" pains of life, an" $y situation ' a$ persua"e" has a full or"inary allo ance of its pleasures an" enjoy$ents# Cy best co$pli$ents to your father an" Ciss Tait# 'f you ha!e an opportunity, please re$e$ber $e in the sole$n league an" co!enant of frien"ship to Crs# Le is .ay#900=; ' a$ a retch for not riting herF but ' a$ so hackneye" ith selfEaccusation in that ay, that $y conscience lies in $y boso$ ith scarce the sensibility of an oyster in its shell# *here is La"y CBAenKieH here!er she is, Go" bless her3 ' like ise beg lea!e to trouble you ith co$pli$ents to Cr# *$# .a$iltonF Crs# .a$ilton an" fa$ilyF an" Crs# Chal$ers, hen you are in that country# /houl" you $eet ith Ciss @i$$o, please re$e$ber $e kin"ly to her# R# B# 9+ootnote 00L4 /on of Cr# Tait of .ar!iestoun, here Burns as a happy guest in the 5utu$n of 02:2# .e as also father of the late 5rchbishop Tait#; 9+ootnote 00=4 Ciss Peggy Chal$ers#; ) ) ) ) )

CL,L#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D@o!e$berD 0217# &5s col" aters to a thirsty soul, so is goo" ne s fro$ a far country#&

+ate has long o e" $e a letter of goo" ne s fro$ you, in return for the $any ti"ings of sorro hich ' ha!e recei!e"# 'n this instance ' $ost cor"ially obey the apostleEE&Rejoice ith the$ that "o rejoiceF& for $e, to sing for joy, is no ne thingF but to preach for joy, as ' ha!e "one in the co$$ence$ent of this epistle, is a pitch of e-tra!agant rapture to hich ' ne!er rose before# ' rea" your letterEE' literally ju$pe" for joy# .o coul" such a $ercurial creature as a poet lu$pishly keep his seat on the receipt of the best ne s fro$ his best frien"# ' seiKe" $y giltEhea"e" *angee ro", an instru$ent in"ispensably necessary in the $o$ent of inspiration an" raptureF an" stri"e, stri"eEJuick an" JuickerEout skipt ' a$ong the broo$y banks of @ith to $use o!er $y joy by retail# To keep ithin the boun"s of prose as i$possible# Crs# LittleBs is a $ore elegant, but not a $ore sincere co$pli$ent to the s eet little fello , than ', e-te$pore al$ost, poure" out to hi$ in the follo ing !erses4EE / eet flo Bret, ple"ge oB $eikle lo!e, etc#9008; ' a$ $uch flattere" by your approbation of $y &Ta$ oB /hanter,& hich you e-press in your for$er letterF though, byEtheEbye, you loa" $e in that sai" letter ith accusations hea!y an" $anyF to all hich ' plea", Dnot guilty3D (our book is, ' hear, on the roa" to reach $e# 5s to printing of poetry, hen you prepare it for the press, you ha!e only to spell it right, an" place the capital letters properly4 as to the punctuation, the printers "o that the$sel!es# ' ha!e a copy of &Ta$ oB /hanter& rea"y to sen" you by the first opportunity4 it is too hea!y to sen" by post# ' hear" of Cr# Corbet lately#9008a; .e, in conseJuence of your reco$$en"ation, is $ost Kealous to ser!e $e# Please fa!our $e soon ith an account of your goo" folksF if Crs# .# is reco!ering, an" the young gentle$an "oing ell# R# B# 9+ootnote 0084 /ee Poe$s#; 9+ootnote 008a4 5 /uper!isor of E-cise#; ) ) ) )

CL,'L#EETo CR# *'LL'5C %?@B5R, *#/# ELL'/L5@%, 02Dth >anuaryD 0210# ' a$ not gone to Elysiu$, $ost noble Colonel,9002; but a$ still here in this sublunary orl", ser!ing $y Go" by propagating .is i$age, an" honouring $y king by begetting hi$ loyal subjects# Cany happy returns of the season a ait $y frien"# Cay the thorns of care ne!er beset his path3 Cay peace be an in$ate of his boso$, an" rapture a freJuent !isitor of his soul3 Cay the bloo"Ehoun"s of $isfortune ne!er track his steps, nor the screechEo l of sorro alar$ his " elling3 Cay enjoy$ent tell thy hours, an" pleasure nu$ber thy "ays, thou frien" of the Bar"3 &Blesse" be he that blesseth thee, an" curse" be he that curseth thee333&

5s a farther proof that ' a$ still in the lan" of e-istence, ' sen" you a poe$, the latest ' ha!e co$pose"# ' ha!e a particular reason for ishing you only to sho it to select frien"s, shoul" you think it orthy a frien"Bs perusal4 but if at your first leisure hour you ill fa!our $e ith your opinion of, an" strictures on the perfor$ance, it ill be an a""itional obligation on, "ear /ir, your "eeply in"ebte" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B# 9+ootnote 0024 Colonel of ,olunteers#; ) ) ) ) )

CL,''L#EETo CR# PETER .'LL# ELL'/L5@%, 02Dth >anuaryD 0210# Take these t o guineas, an" place the$ o!er against that "a$nB" account of yours hich has gagge" $y $outh these fi!e or si- $onths# ' can as little rite goo" things as apologies to the $an ' o e $oney to# < the supre$e $isery of $aking three guineas "o the business of fi!e3 @ot all the labours of .ercules not all the .ebre sB three centuries of Egyptian bon"age, ere such an insuperable business, such an infernal task3 Po!erty, thou halfEsister of "eath, thou cousinEger$an of hell3 here shall ' fin" force or e-ecration eJual to the a$plitu"e of thy "e$eritsH <ppresse" by thee, the !enerable ancient, gro n hoary in the practice of e!ery !irtue, la"en ith years an" retche"ness, i$plores a little, little ai" to support his e-istence, fro$ a stonyEhearte" son of Ca$$on, hose sun of prosperity ne!er kne a clou"F an" is by hi$ "enie" an" insulte"# <ppresse" by thee, the $an of senti$ent, hose heart glo s ith in"epen"ence, an" $elts ith sensibility, inly pines un"er the neglect, or rithes in bitterness of soul un"er the conta$ely of arrogant unfeeling ealth# <ppresse" by thee, the son of genius, hose illEstarre" a$bition plants hi$ at the tables of the fashionable an" polite, $ust see in suffering silence his re$ark neglecte" an" his person "espise", hile shallo greatness, in his i"iot atte$pts at it, shall $eet ith countenance an" applause# @or is it only the fa$ily of orth that ha!e reason to co$plain of theeF the chil"ren of folly an" !ice, though in co$$on ith thee the offspring of e!il, s$art eJually un"er thy ro"# < ing to thee, the $an of unfortunate "isposition an" neglecte" e"ucation, is con"e$ne" as a fool for his "issipation, "espise" an" shunne" as a nee"y retch, hen his follies as usual bring hi$ to antF an" hen his unprinciple" necessities "ri!e hi$ to "ishonest practices, he is abhorre" as a $iscreant, an" perishes by the justice of his country# But far other ise is the lot of the $an of fa$ily an" fortune# D.isD early follies an" e-tra!agance are spirit an" fireF DhisD conseJuent ants are the e$barrass$ents of an honest fello F an" hen, to re$e"y the $atter, he has gaine" a legal co$$ission to plun"er "istant pro!inces, or $assacre peaceful nations, he returns, perhaps, la"en ith the spoils of rapine an" $ur"erF li!es icke" an" respecte"F an" "ies a scoun"rel an" a lor"# @ay, orst of all, alas for helpless o$an3### ) ) ) ) )

*ell3 "i!ines $ay say of it hat they pleaseF but e-ecration is to the $in", hat phleboto$y is to the bo"yF the o!erloa"e" sluices of both are

on"erfully relie!e" by their respecti!e e!acuations# R# B# ) ) ) )

CL'N#EETo %R# C<<RE# ELL'/L5@%, 6:Dth >anuaryD 0210# ' "o not kno , /ir, hether you are a subscriber to GroseBs D5ntiJuities of /cotlan"D# 'f you are, the inclose" poe$ ill not be altogether ne to you# Captain Grose "i" $e the fa!our to sen" $e a "oKen copies of the proof sheet, of hich this is one# /houl" you ha!e rea" the piece before, still this ill ans er the principal en" ' ha!e in !ie 4 it ill gi!e $e another opportunity of thanking you for all your goo"ness to the rustic bar"F an" also of sho ing you, that the abilities you ha!e been please" to co$$en" an" patronise, are still e$ploye" in the ay you ish# The DElegy on Captain .en"ersonD is a tribute to the $e$ory of the $an ' lo!e" $uch# Poets ha!e in this the sa$e a"!antage as Ro$an CatholicsF they can be of ser!ice to their frien"s after they ha!e passe" that bourne here all other kin"ness ceases to be of a!ail# *hether, after all, either the one or the other be of any real ser!ice to the "ea", is, ' fear, !ery proble$aticalF but ' a$ sure they are highly gratifying to the li!ing4 an" as a !ery ortho"o- te-t, ' forget here in /cripture, says, & hatsoe!er is not of faith is sinF& so say ', hatsoe!er is not "etri$ental to society, an" is of positi!e enjoy$ent, is of Go", the gi!er of all goo" things, an" ought to be recei!e" an" enjoye" by .is creatures ith thankful "elight# 5s al$ost all $y religious tenets originate fro$ $y heart, ' a$ on"erfully please" ith the i"ea, that ' can still keep up a ten"er intercourse ith the "early belo!e" frien", or still $ore "early belo!e" $istress, ho is gone to the orl" of spirits# The balla" on Mueen Cary as begun hile ' as busy ith DPercyBs ReliJues of English PoetryD# By the ay, ho $uch is e!ery honest heart, hich has a tincture of Cale"onian preju"ice, oblige" to you for your glorious story of Buchanan an" Targe3 BT as an uneJui!ocal proof of your loyal gallantry of soul gi!ing Targe the !ictory# ' shoul" ha!e been $ortifie" to the groun" if you ha" not# ' ha!e just rea" o!er, once $ore of $any ti$es, your DPelucoD# ' $arke" ith $y pencil as ' ent along, e!ery passage that please" $e abo!e the restF an" one or t o, hich, ith hu$ble "eference, ' a$ "ispose" to think uneJual to the $erits of the book# ' ha!e so$eti$es thought to transcribe these $arke" passages, or at least so $uch of the$ as to point here they are, an" sen" the$ to you# <riginal strokes that strongly "epict the hu$an heart, is your an" +iel"ingBs pro!ince, beyon" any other no!elist ' ha!e e!er peruse"# Richar"son, in"ee", $ight, perhaps, be e-cepte"F but unhappily, his D"ra$atis personaeD are beings of another orl"F an" ho e!er they $ay capti!ate the une-perience" ro$antic fancy of a boy or a girl, they ill e!er, in proportion as e ha!e $a"e hu$an nature our stu"y, "issatisfy our riper years# 5s to $y pri!ate concerns, ' a$ going on, a $ighty ta-Egatherer before the Lor", an" ha!e lately ha" the interest to get $yself ranke" on the list of e-cise as a super!isor# T a$ not yet e$ploye" as such, but in a

fe years ' shall fall into the file of super!isorship by seniority# ' ha!e ha" an i$$ense loss in the "eath of the Earl of GlencairnEEthe patron fro$ ho$ all $y fa$e an" fortune took its rise# 'n"epen"ent of $y grateful attach$ent to hi$, hich as in"ee" so strong that it per!a"e" $y !ery soul, an" as ent ine" ith the threa" of $y e-istenceF so soon as the princeBs frien"s ha" got in, Gan" e!ery "og, you kno , has his "ayI $y getting for ar" in the e-cise oul" ha!e been an easier business than other ise it ill be# Though this as a consu$$ation "e!outly to be ishe", yet, thank .ea!en, ' can li!e an" rhy$e as ' a$F an" as to $y boys, poor little fello s3 if ' cannot place the$ on as high an ele!ation in life as ' coul" ish, ' shall, if ' a$ fa!oure" so $uch of the %isposer of e!ents as to see that perio", fi- the$ on as broa" an" in"epen"ent a basis as possible# 5$ong the $any ise a"ages hich ha!e been treasure" up by our /cottish ancestors, this is one of the bestEEDBetter be the hea" oB the co$$onalty than the tail oB the gentryD# But ' a$ got on a subject hich, ho e!er interesting to $e, is of no $anner of conseJuence to youF so ' shall gi!e you a short poe$ on the other page, an" close this ith assuring you ho sincerely ' ha!e the honour to be, yours, etc#, R# B# *ritten on the blank leaf of a book hich ' presente" to a !ery young la"y, ho$ ' ha" for$erly characterise" un"er the "eno$ination of DThe Rose Bu"#D900:; 9+ootnote 00:4 /ee Poe$sEEE&Lines to Ciss Cruikshank#&; ) ) ) ) )

CLN#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, D2th +eb# 0210#D *hen ' tell you, Ca"a$, that by a fall, not fro$ $y horse, but ith $y horse, ' ha!e been a cripple so$e ti$e, an" that this is the first "ay $y ar$ an" han" ha!e been able to ser!e $e in riting,EEyou ill allo that it is too goo" an apology for $y see$ingly ungrateful silence# ' a$ no getting better, an" a$ able to rhy$e a little, hich i$plies so$e tolerable easeF as ' cannot think that the $ost poetic genius is able to co$pose on the rack# ' "o not re$e$ber if e!er ' $entione" to you $y ha!ing an i"ea of co$posing an elegy on the late Ciss Burnet, of Conbo""o# ' ha" the honour of being pretty ell acJuainte" ith her, an" ha!e sel"o$ felt so $uch at the loss of an acJuaintance, as hen ' hear" that so a$iable an" acco$plishe" a piece of Go"Bs ork as no $ore# ' ha!e, as yet, gone no farther than the follo ing frag$ent, of hich please let $e ha!e your opinion# (ou kno that elegy is a subject so $uch e-hauste", that any ne i"ea on the business is not to be e-pecte"4 Btis ell if e can place an ol" i"ea in a ne light# .o far ' ha!e succee"e" as to this last, you ill ju"ge fro$ hat follo s# ' ha!e procee"e" no further# (our kin" letter, ith your kin" Dre$e$branceD of your go"son, ca$e safe# This last, Ca"a$, is scarcely hat $y pri"e can bear# 5s to the little fello ,900:a; he is, partiality apart, the finest boy ' ha!e of a long ti$e seen# .e is no se!enteen $onths ol", has the s$allEpo- an"

$easles o!er, has cut se!eral teeth, an" ne!er ha" a grain of "octorBs "rugs in his bo els# ' a$ truly happy to hear that the &little flo eret& is bloo$ing so fresh an" fair, an" that the &$other plant& is rather reco!ering her "rooping hea"# /oon an" ell $ay her &cruel oun"s& be heale"3 ' ha!e ritten thus far ith a goo" "eal of "ifficulty# *hen ' get a little abler you shall hear farther fro$, Ca"a$, yours, R# B# 9+ootnote 00:a4 The infant as +rancis *allace, the PoetBs secon" son#; ) ) ) ) )

CLN'#EETo T.E RE,# 5RC.# 5L'/<@# ELL'/L5@%, Dnear %u$fries 0Lth +eb# 0210#D /ir,EE(ou $ust by this ti$e ha!e set $e "o n as one of the $ost ungrateful of $en# (ou "i" $e the honour to present $e ith a book, hich "oes honour to science an" the intellectual po ers of $an, an" ' ha!e not e!en so $uch as ackno le"ge" the receipt of it# The fact is, you yourself are to bla$e for it# +lattere" as ' as by your telling $e that you ishe" to ha!e $y opinion of the ork, the ol" spiritual ene$y of $ankin", ho kno s ell that !anity is one of the sins that $ost easily beset $e, put it into $y hea" to pon"er o!er the perfor$ance ith the lookEout of a critic, an" to "ra up forsooth a "eep learne" "igest of strictures on a co$position, of hich, in fact, until ' rea" the book, ' "i" not e!en kno the first principles# ' o n, /ir, that at first glance, se!eral of your propositions startle" $e as para"o-ical# That the $artial clangour of a tru$pet ha" so$ething in it !astly $ore gran", heroic, an" subli$e, than the t ingle t angle of a >e sEharpF that the "elicate fle-ure of a roseEt ig, hen the halfEblo n flo er is hea!y ith the tears of the "a n, as infinitely $ore beautiful an" elegant than the upright stub of a bur"ockF an" that fro$ so$ething innate an" in"epen"ent of all associations of i"easFEthese ' ha" set "o n as irrefragable, ortho"o- truths, until perusing your book shook $y faith# 'n short, /ir, e-cept Eucli"Bs Ele$ents of Geo$etry, hich ' $a"e a shift to unra!el by $y fatherBs fireEsi"e, in the inter e!ening of the first season ' hel" the plough, ' ne!er rea" a book hich ga!e $e such a Juantu$ of infor$ation, an" a""e" so $uch to $y stock of i"eas, as your DEssays on the Principles of TasteD# <ne thing, /ir, you $ust forgi!e $y $entioning as an unco$$on $erit in the ork, ' $ean the language# To clothe abstract philosophy in elegance of style, soun"s so$ething like a contra"iction in ter$sF but you ha!e con!ince" $e that they are Juite co$patible# ' inclose you so$e poetic bagatelles of $y late co$position# The one in print is $y first essay in the ay of telling a tale#EE' a$, /ir, etc# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLN''#EET< T.E RE,# G# B5'R%# ELL'/L5@%, 0210#

Re!eren" /ir,EE*hy "i" you, $y "ear /ir, rite to $e in such a hesitating style on the business of poor BruceH9001; %onBt ' kno , an" ha!e ' not felt, the $any ills, the peculiar ills, that poetic flesh is heir toH (ou shall ha!e your choice of all the unpublishe" poe$s9067; ' ha!eF an" ha" your letter ha" $y "irection so as to ha!e reache" $e sooner Git only ca$e to $y han" this $o$entI ' shoul" ha!e "irectly put you out of suspense on the subject# ' only ask, that so$e prefatory a"!ertise$ent in the book, as ell as the subscription bills, $ay bear, that the publication is solely for the benefit of BruceBs $other# ' oul" not put it in the po er of ignorance to sur$ise, or $alice to insinuate, that ' clubbe" a share in the ork fro$ $ercenary $oti!es# @or nee" you gi!e $e cre"it for any re$arkable generosity in $y part of the business# ' ha!e such a host of pecca"illoes, failings, follies, an" backsli"ings Ganybo"y but $yself $ight perhaps gi!e so$e of the$ a orse appellationI, that by ay of so$e balance, ho e!er trifling, in the account, ' a$ fain to "o any goo" that occurs in $y !ery li$ite" po er to a fello Ecreature, just for the selfish purpose of clearing a little the !ista of retrospection# R# B# 9+ootnote 0014 Cichael Bruce, a young poet of AinrossE/hire#; 9+ootnote 0674 DTa$ oB /hanterD inclu"e"3 't ) ) ) ) ) as refuse"33;

CLN'''#EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C, *R'TER, E%'@B?RG.# ELL'/L5@%, 6Dth CarchD 0210# 'f the foregoing piece be orth your strictures, let $e ha!e the$# +or $y o n part, a thing ' ha!e just co$pose" al ays appears through a "ouble portion of that partial $e"iu$ in hich an author ill e!er !ie his o n orks# ' belie!e, in general, no!elty has so$ething in it that inebriates the fancy, an" not unfreJuently "issipates an" fu$es a ay like other into-ication, an" lea!es the poor patient, as usual, ith an aching heart# 5 striking instance of this $ight be a""uce", in the re!olution of $any a hy$eneal honey$oon# But lest ' sink into stupi" prose, an" so sacrilegiously intru"e on the office of $y parish priest, ' shall fill up the page in $y o n ay, an" gi!e you another song of $y late co$position, hich ill appear perhaps in >ohnsonBs ork, as ell as the for$er# (ou $ust kno a beautiful >acobite air, DThereBll ne!er be peace till >a$ie co$es ha$eD# *hen political co$bustion ceases to be the object of princes an" patriots, it then, you kno , beco$es the la ful prey of historians an" poets# By yon castle aB at the close of the "ay, ' hear" a $an sing, thoB his hea" it as greyF 5n" as he as singing, the tears fast "o n ca$eEE ThereBll ne!er be peace till >a$ie co$es ha$e# 'f you like the air, an" if the stanKas hit your fancy, you cannot i$agine, $y "ear frien", ho $uch you oul" oblige $e, if, by the char$s of your "elightful !oice, you oul" gi!e $y honest effusion, to &the $e$ory of joys that are past,& to the fe frien"s ho$ you in"ulge in

that pleasure# But ' ha!e scribble" on till ' hear the clock has inti$ate" the near approach of That hour, oB nightBs black arch the keyEstane# /o goo" night to you3 /oun" be your sleep, an" "electable your "rea$s3 5propos, ho "o you like this thought in a balla" ' ha!e just no on the tapisHEE ' look to the est hen ' gae to $y rest, That happy $y "rea$s an" $y slu$bers $ay beF +ar, far in the est is he ' loBe best, The la" that is "ear to $y babie an" $e3 Goo" night once $ore, an" Go" bless you3 R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLN',#EET< CR/# %?@L<P# ELL'/L5@%, 00Dth 5prilD 0210# ' a$ once $ore able, $y honoure" frien", to return you, ith $y o n han", thanks for the $any instances of your frien"ship, an" particularly for your kin" an-iety in this last "isaster that $y e!il genius ha" in store for $e# .o e!er, life is cheJuere"EEjoy an" sorro EEfor on /atur"ay $orning last, Crs# Burns $a"e $e a present of a fine boyF rather stouter, but not so han"so$e as your go"son as at his ti$e of life# 'n"ee", ' look on your little na$esake to be $y Dchef "Boeu!reD in that species of $anufacture, as ' look on &Ta$ oB /hanter& to be $y stan"ar" perfor$ance in the poetical line# BTis true, both the one an" the other "isco!er a spice of roguish aggery, that $ight perhaps be as ell spare"F but then they also sho , in $y opinion, a force of genius, an" a finishing polish, that ' "espair of e!er e-celling# Crs# Burns is getting stout again, an" lai" as lustily about her toE"ay at breakfast, as a reaper fro$ the cornEri"ge# That is the peculiar pri!ilege an" blessing of our hale sprightly "a$sels, that are bre" a$ong the DhayD Dan" heatherD# *e cannot hope for that highly polishe" $in", that char$ing "elicacy of soul, hich is foun" a$ong the fe$ale orl" in the $ore ele!ate" stations of life, an" hich is certainly by far the $ost be itching char$ in the fa$ous cestus of ,enus, 't is in"ee" such an inesti$able treasure, that here it can be ha" in its nati!e hea!enly purity, unstaine" by so$e one or other of the $any sha"es of affectation, an" unalloye" by so$e one or other of the $any species of caprice, ' "eclare to .ea!en ' shoul" think it cheaply purchase" at the e-pense of e!ery other earthly goo"3 But as this angelic creature is, ' a$ afrai", e-tre$ely rare in any station an" rank of life, an" totally "enie" to such an hu$ble one as $ine, e $eaner $ortals $ust put up ith the ne-t rank of fe$ale e-cellence# 5s fine a figure an" face e can pro"uce as any rank of life hate!erF rustic, nati!e graceF unaffecte" $o"esty an" unsullie" purityF natureBs $otherE it an" the ru"i$ents of taste, a si$plicity of soul, unsuspicious of, because unacJuainte" ith, the crooke" ays of a selfish, intereste", "isingenuous orl"F an" the "earest char$ of all the rest, a yiel"ing s eetness of "isposition, an" a generous ar$th of heart, grateful for lo!e on our part, an" ar"ently glo ing ith a $ore than eJual returnF these, ith a healthy fra$e, a soun", !igorous constitution, hich your higher ranks can scarcely e!er

hope to enjoy, are the char$s of lo!ely

o$an in $y hu$ble alk of life#

This is the greatest effort $y broken ar$ has yet $a"e# %o let $e hear, by first post, ho Dcher petit ConsieurD co$es on ith his s$allEpo-# Cay 5l$ighty goo"ness preser!e an" restore hi$3 R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLN,#EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C# 00Dth >uneD 0210# Let $e interest you, $y "ear Cunningha$, in behalf of the gentle$an ho aits on you ith this# .e is a Cr# Clarke, of Coffat, principal school$aster there, an" is at present suffering se!erely un"er the persecution of one or t o po erful in"i!i"uals of his e$ployers# .e is accuse" of harshness to boys that ere place" un"er his care# Go" help the teacher, if a $an of sensibility an" genius, an" such is $y frien" Clarke, hen a booby father presents hi$ ith his booby son, an" insists on lighting up the rays of science in a fello Bs hea" hose skull is i$per!ious an" inaccessible by any other ay than a positi!e fracture ith a cu"gel4 a fello ho$ in fact it sa!ours of i$piety to atte$pt $aking a scholar of, as he has been $arke" a blockhea" in the book of fate, at the al$ighty fiat of his Creator# The patrons of Coffat school are the $inisters, $agistrates, an" to n council of E"inburghF an" as the business co$es no before the$, let $e beg $y "earest frien" to "o e!ery thing in his po er to ser!e the interests of a $an of genius an" orth, an" a $an ho$ ' particularly respect an" estee$# (ou kno so$e goo" fello s a$ong the $agistracy an" council, but particularly you ha!e $uch to say ith a re!eren" gentle$an to ho$ you ha!e the honour of being !ery nearly relate", an" ho$ this country an" age ha!e ha" the honour to pro"uce# ' nee" not na$e the historian of Charles ,#9060; ' tell hi$ through the $e"iu$ of his nephe Bs influence, that Cr# Clarke is a gentle$an ho ill not "isgrace e!en his patronage# ' kno the $erits of the cause thoroughly, an" say it, that $y frien" is falling a sacrifice to preju"ice" ignorance# Go" help the chil"ren of "epen"ence3 .ate" an" persecute" by their ene$ies, an" too often, alas3 al$ost une-ceptionally al ays, recei!e" by their frien"s ith "isrespect an" reproach, un"er the thin "isguise of col" ci!ility an" hu$iliating a"!ice# <3 to be a stur"y sa!age, stalking in the pri"e of his in"epen"ence, a$i" the solitary il"s of his "eserts, rather than in ci!ilise" life, helplessly to tre$ble for a subsistence precarious as the caprice of a fello Ecreature3 E!ery $an has his !irtues, an" no $an is ithout his failingsF an" plague on that pri!ilege" plainE"ealing of frien"ship, hich, in the hour of $y cala$ity, cannot reach forth the helping han" ithout at the sa$e ti$e pointing out those failings, an" apportioning the$ their share in procuring $y present "istress# Cy frien"s, for such the orl" calls ye, an" such ye think yoursel!es to be, pass by $y !irtues if you please, but "o, also, spare $y folliesF the first ill itness in $y breast for the$sel!es, an" the last ill gi!e pain enough to the ingenuous $in" ithout you# 5n" since "e!iating $ore or less fro$ the paths of propriety an" rectitu"e $ust be inci"ent to hu$an nature, "o thou, +ortune, put it in $y po er, al ays fro$ $yself, an" of $yself, to bear the conseJuence of those errors3 ' "o not ant to be in"epen"ent that '

$ay sin, but '

ant to be in"epen"ent in $y sinning#

To return in this ra$bling letter to the subject ' set out ith, let $e reco$$en" $y frien", Cr# Clarice, to your acJuaintance an" goo" officesF his orth entitles hi$ to the one, an" his gratitu"e ill $erit the other# ' long $uch to hear fro$ you# 5"ieu3 R# B# 9+ootnote 0604 %r# Robertson, uncle to Cr# 5le-an"er Cunningha$#; ) ) ) ) )

CLN,LEETo CR# T.<C5/ /L<5@#9066; ELL'/L5@%, D/ept# 0stD, 0210# Cy %ear /loan,EE/uspense is orse than "isappoint$entF for that reason ' hurry to tell you that ' just no learn that Cr# Ballantine "oes not choose to interfere $ore in the business# ' a$ truly sorry for it, but cannot help it# (ou bla$e $e for not riting you sooner, but you ill please to recollect that you o$itte" one little necessary piece of infor$ationFEEyour a""ress# .o e!er, you kno eJually ell $y hurrie" life, in"olent te$per, an" strength of attach$ent# 't $ust be a longer perio" than the longest life &in the orl"Bs hale an" un"egenerate "ays,& that ill $ake $e forget so "ear a frien" as Cr# /loan# ' a$ pro"igal enough at ti$es, but ' ill not part ith such a treasure as that# ' can easily enter into the De$barrasD of your present situation# (ou kno $y fa!ourite Juotation fro$ (oungEE <n Reason buil" RE/<L,E3 That colu$n of true $ajesty in $an,EE an" that other fa!ourite one fro$ Tho$sonBs &5lfre"&EE *hat pro!es the hero truly GRE5T, 's, ne!er, ne!er to "espair# <r, shall ' Juote you an author of your acJuaintanceHEE *hether %<'@G, /?++ER'@G, or +<RBE5R'@G, (ou $ay "o $iracles byEEPER/E,ER'@G# ' ha!e nothing ne to tell you# The fe frien"s e ha!e are going on in the ol" ay# ' sol" $y crop on this "ay seBennight, an" sol" it !ery ell# 5 guinea an acre, on an a!erage, abo!e !alue# But such a scene of "runkenness as har"ly e!er seen in this country# 5fter the roup as o!er, about thirty people engage" in a battle, e!ery $an for his o n han", an" fought it out for three hours# @or as the scene $uch better in the house# @o fighting, in"ee", but folks lying "runk on the floor, an" "ecanting, until both $y "ogs got so "runk by atten"ing the$, that they coul" not stan"# (ou ill easily guess ho ' enjoye" the scene, as ' as no farther o!er than you use" to see $e#

Crs# B# an" fa$ily ha!e been in 5yrshire these $any +are ell3 an" Go" bless you, $y "ear +rien"3 R#B#

eeks#

9+ootnote 0664 <f *anlockhea"# Burns got to kno hi$ "uring his freJuent journeys bet een Ellislan" an" Cauchline in 02::E1#; ) ) ) ) )

CLN,''EET< CR# 5'@/L'E# ELL'/L5@%, 0210# Cy %ear 5inslie,EECan you $inister to a $in" "isease"H can you, a$i" the horrors of penitence, regret, re$orse, hea"Eache, nausea, an" all the rest of the "a$nB" houn"s of hell that beset a poor retch ho has been guilty of the sin of "runkennessEEcan you speak peace to a trouble" soulH DCiserable per"uD that ' a$, ' ha!e trie" e!ery thing that use" to a$use $e, but in !ainF here $ust ' sit, a $onu$ent of the !engeance lai" up in store for the icke", slo ly counting e!ery click of the clock as it slo ly, slo ly nu$bers o!er these laKy scoun"rels of hours, ho, "a$n the$, are ranke" up before $e, e!ery one at his neighbourBs backsi"e, an" e!ery one ith a burthen of anguish on his back, to pour on $y "e!ote" hea"EEan" there is none to pity $e# Cy ife scol"s $e, $y business tor$ents $e, an" $y sins co$e staring $e in the face, e!ery one telling a $ore bitter tale than his fello #EE*hen ' tell you e!en EEEE has lost its po er to please, you ill guess so$ething of $y hell ithin, an" all aroun" $e#EE' began DElibanks an" ElibraesD, but the stanKas fell unenjoye" an" unfinishe" fro$ $y listless tongue4 at last ' luckily thought of rea"ing o!er an ol" letter of yours, that lay by $e in $y bookcase, an" ' felt so$ething for the first ti$e since ' opene" $y eyes, of pleasurable e-istence#EEEE*ellEE' begin to breathe a little, since ' began to rite to you# .o are you, an" hat are you "oingH .o goes La H 5propos, for correctionBs sake "o not a""ress to $e super!isor, for that is an honour ' cannot preten" toEE' a$ on the list, as e call it, for a super!isor, an" ill be calle" out byEan"Eby to act as oneF but at present ' a$ a si$ple gauger, thoB tBother "ay ' got an appoint$ent to an e-cise "i!ision of L6= Dper annu$D better than the rest# Cy present inco$e, "o n $oney, is L27 Dper annu$D# ' ha!e one or t o goo" fello s here ho$ you oul" be gla" to kno # R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLN,'''#EET< C'// %5,'E/# 't is i$possible, Ca"a$, that the generous ar$th an" angelic purity of your youthful $in" can ha!e any i"ea of that $oral "isease un"er hich ' unhappily $ust rank as the chief of sinnersF ' $ean a torpitu"e of the $oral po ers that $ay be calle" a lethargy of conscience# 'n !ain Re$orse rears her horrent crest, an" rouses all her snakes4 beneath the "ea"lyEfi-e" eye an" lea"en han" of 'n"olence their il"est ire is char$e" into the torpor of the bat, slu$bering out the rigours of inter in the chink of a ruine" all# @othing less, Ca"a$, coul" ha!e $a"e $e so long neglect your obliging co$$an"s# 'n"ee", ' ha" one apologyEEthe

bagatelle as not orth presenting# Besi"es, so strongly a$ ' intereste" in Ciss %a!iesBs fate an" elfare in the serious business of life, a$i" its chances an" changes, that to $ake her the subject of a silly balla" is "o nright $ockery of these ar"ent feelingsF Btis like an i$pertinent jest to a "ying frien"# Gracious .ea!en3 hy this "isparity bet een our ishes an" our po ersH *hy is the $ost generous ish to $ake others blest i$potent an" ineffectual as the i"le breeKe that crosses the pathless "esertH 'n $y alks of life ' ha!e $et ith a fe people to ho$ ho gla"ly oul" ' ha!e sai"EE&Go, be happy3 ' kno that your hearts ha!e been oun"e" by the scorn of the prou", ho$ acci"ent has place" abo!e youF or orse still, in hose han"s are, perhaps, place" $any of the co$forts of your life# But there3 ascen" that rock, 'n"epen"ence, an" look justly "o n on their littleness of soul# Cake the orthless tre$ble un"er your in"ignation, an" the foolish sink before your conte$ptF an" largely i$part that happiness to others hich, ' a$ certain, ill gi!e yoursel!es so $uch pleasure to besto #& *hy, "ear Ca"a$, $ust ' ake fro$ this "elightful re!erie, an" fin" it all a "rea$H *hy, a$i" $y generous enthusias$, $ust ' fin" $yself poor an" po erless, incapable of iping one tear fro$ the eye of pity, or of a""ing one co$fort to the frien" ' lo!eH <ut upon the orl"3 say ', that its affairs are a"$inistere" so ill3 They talk of refor$FEEgoo" .ea!en3 hat a refor$ oul" ' $ake a$ong the sons, an" e!en the "aughters of $en3 %o n, i$$e"iately, shoul" go fools fro$ the high places here $isbegotten chance has perke" the$ up, an" through life shoul" they skulk, e!er haunte" by their nati!e insignificance, as the bo"y $arches acco$panie" by its sha"o # 5s for a $uch $ore for$i"able class, the kna!es, ' a$ at a loss hat to "o ith the$4 ha" ' a orl", there shoul" not be a kna!e in it# But the han" that coul" gi!e, ' oul" liberally fill4 an" ' oul" pour "elight on the heart that coul" kin"ly forgi!e, an" generously lo!e# /till the ineJualities of life are, a$ong $en, co$parati!ely tolerableF but there is a "elicacy, a ten"erness, acco$panying e!ery !ie in hich e can place lo!ely *o$an, that are grate" an" shocke" at the ru"e, capricious "istinctions of +ortune# *o$an is the bloo"Eroyal of life4 let there be slight "egrees of prece"ency a$ong the$EEbut let the$ be 5LL sacre"# *hether this last senti$ent be right or rong, ' a$ not accountableF it is an original co$ponent feature of $y $in"# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLN'N#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# D=th >anuaryD 0216# (ou see $y hurrie" life, Ca"a$4 ' can only co$$an" starts of ti$eF ho e!er, ' a$ gla" of one thingF since ' finishe" the other sheet, the political blast that threatene" $y elfare is o!erblo n# ' ha!e correspon"e" ith Co$$issioner Graha$, for the Boar" ha" $a"e $e the subject of their ani$a"!ersionsF an" no ' ha!e the pleasure of infor$ing you that all is set to rights in that Juarter# @o as to these infor$ers, $ay the "e!il be let loose toEEbut, hol"3 ' as praying $ost fer!ently in $y last sheet, an" ' $ust not so soon fall a s earing

in this# 5las3 ho little "o the antonly or i"ly officious think hat $ischief they "o by their $alicious insinuations, in"irect i$pertinence, or thoughtless babblings# *hat a "ifference there is in intrinsic orth, can"our, bene!olence, generosity, kin"ness,EEin all the charities an" all the !irtuesEEbet een one class of hu$an beings an" another3 +or instance, the a$iable circle ' so lately $i-e" ith in the hospitable hall of %unlop, their generous heartsEEtheir unconta$inate" "ignifie" $in"sEEtheir infor$e" an" polishe" un"erstan"ingsEE hat a contrast, hen co$pare"EEif such co$paring ere not "o nright sacrilegeEE ith the soul of the $iscreant ho can "eliberately plot the "estruction of an honest $an that ne!er offen"e" hi$, an" ith a grin of satisfaction see the unfortunate being, his faithful ife, an" prattling innocents, turne" o!er to beggary an" ruin3 (our cup, $y "ear Ca"a$, arri!e" safe# ' ha" t o orthy fello s "ining ith $e the other "ay, hen ', ith great for$ality, pro"uce" $y hig$eleerie cup, an" tol" the$ that it ha" been a fa$ilyEpiece a$ong the "escen"ants of *illia$ *allace, This rouse" such an enthusias$, that they insiste" on bu$pering the punch roun" in itF an" byEan"Eby, ne!er "i" your great ancestor lay a D/outhronD $ore co$pletely to rest than for a ti$e "i" your cup $y t o frien"s# 5propos, this is the season of ishing# Cay Go" bless you, $y "ear frien", an" bless $e, the hu$blest an" sincerest of your frien"s, by granting you yet $any returns of the season3 Cay all goo" things atten" you an" yours here!er they are scattere" o!er the earth3 R#B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNN#EET< CR# *'LL'5C /CELL'E, PR'@TER# %?C+R'E/, D66n" >anuaryD 0216# ' sit "o n, $y "ear /ir, to intro"uce a young la"y9063; to you, an" a la"y in the first ranks of fashion, too# *hat a task3 to youEE ho care no $ore for the her" of ani$als calle" young la"ies than you "o for the her" of ani$als calle" young gentle$enF to youEE ho "espise an" "etest the groupings an" co$binations of fashion, as an i"iot painter that see$s in"ustrious to place staring fools an" unprinciple" kna!es in the foregroun" of his picture, hile $en of sense an" honesty are too often thro n in the "i$$est sha"es# Crs# Ri""ell, ho ill take this letter to to n ith her, an" sen" it to you, is a character that, e!en in your o n ay as a naturalist an" a philosopher, oul" be an acJuisition to your acJuaintance# The la"y, too, is a !otary of the $usesF an" as ' think $yself so$e hat of a ju"ge in $y o n tra"e, ' assure you that her !erses, al ays correct, an" often elegant, are $uch beyon" the co$$on run of the Dla"y poetessesD of the "ay# /he is a great a"$irer of your bookF an", hearing $e say that ' as acJuainte" ith you, she begge" to be kno n to you, as she is just going to pay her first !isit to our Cale"onian capital# ' tol" her that her best ay as to "esire her near relation, an" your inti$ate frien", Craig"arroch, to ha!e you at his house hile she as thereF an" lest you $ight think of a li!ely *est 'n"ian girl of eighteen, as girls of eighteen too often "eser!e to be thought of, ' shoul" take care to re$o!e that preju"ice# To be i$partial, ho e!er, in appreciating the la"yBs $erits, she has one

unlucky failingEEa failing hich you ill easily "isco!er, as she see$s rather please" ith in"ulging in itF an" a failing that you ill easily par"on, as it is a sin hich !ery $uch besets yourselfFEE here she "islikes, or "espises, she is apt to $ake no $ore a secret of it, than here she estee$s an" respects# ' ill not present you ith the un$eaning Dco$pli$ents of the seasonD, but ' ill sen" you $y ar$est ishes an" $ost ar"ent prayers, that +ortune $ay ne!er thro your subsistence to the $ercy of a kna!e, or set your character on the ju"g$ent of a foolF but that, upright an" erect, you $ay alk to an honest gra!e, here $en of letters shall say, here lies a $an ho "i" honour to science, an" $en of orth shall say, here lies a $an ho "i" honour to hu$an nature# R# B# 9+ootnote 0634 Caria Ri""ell, a gay, cle!er, young Creole, ife of *alter, brother of Captain Ri""ell#; ) ) ) ) )

CLNNLEET< CR# *'LL'5C @'C<L# 67Dth +ebruaryD 0216# < thou isest a$ong the ise, $eri"ian blaKe of pru"ence, full $oon of "iscretion, an" chief of $any counsellors3 .o infinitely is thy pu""leEhea"e", rattlehea"e", rongEhea"e", roun"Ehea"e" sla!e in"ebte" to thy superEe$inent goo"ness, that fro$ the lu$inous path of thy o n rightEline" rectitu"e, thou lookest benignly "o n on an erring retch, of ho$ the KigEKag an"erings "efy all the po ers of calculation, fro$ the si$ple copulation of units, up to the hi""en $ysteries of flu-ions3 Cay one feeble ray of that light of is"o$ hich "arts fro$ thy sensoriu$, straight as the arro of hea!en, an" bright as the $eteor of inspiration, $ay it be $y portion, so that ' $ay be less un orthy of the face an" fa!our of that father of pro!erbs an" $aster of $a-i$s, that antipo"e of folly, an" $agnet a$ong the sages, the ise an" itty *illie @icol3 5$en3 5$en3 (ea, so be it3 +or $e3 ' a$ a beast, a reptile, an" kno nothing3 +ro$ the ca!e of $y ignorance, a$i" the fogs of $y "ulness, an" pestilential fu$es of $y political heresies, ' look up to thee, as "oth a toa" through the ironEbarre" lucarne of a pestiferous "ungeon, to the clou"less glory of a su$$er sun3 /orely sighing in bitterness of soul, ' say, *hen shall $y na$e be the Juotation of the ise, an" $y countenance be the "elight of the go"ly, like the illustrious lor" of LagganBs $any hillsH906L; 5s for hi$, his orks are perfect4 ne!er "i" the pen of calu$ny blur the fair page of his reputation, nor the bolt of hatre" fly at his " elling# Thou $irror of purity, hen shall the elfin la$p of $y gli$$erous un"erstan"ing, purge" fro$ sensual appetites an" gross "esires, shine like the constellation of thy intellectual po ers# 5s for thee, thy thoughts are pure an" thy lips are holy# @e!er "i" the unhallo e" breath of the po ers of "arkness, an" the pleasures of "arkness, pollute the sacre" fla$e of thy skyE"escen"e" an" hea!enEboun" "esires4 ne!er "i" the !apours of i$purity stain the unclou"e" serene of thy cerulean i$agination# < that like thine ere the tenor of $y life, like thine the tenor of $y con!ersation3 then shoul" no frien" fear for $y strength, no ene$y rejoice in $y eakness3 Then shoul" ' lie "o n an" rise up, an"

none to $ake $e afrai"# Cay thy pity an" thy prayer be e-ercise" for, < thou la$p of is"o$ an" $irror of $orality3 thy "e!ote" sla!e, R# B# 9+ootnote 06L4 Cr# @icol ha" purchase" a s$all piece of groun" calle" Laggan, on the @ith# There took place the Bacchanalian scene hich calle" forth &*illie bre B" a peck oB Caat#&; ) ) ) ) )

CLNN'L#EET< CR# +R5@C'/ GR</E, +#/ 5# %?C+R'E/, 0216# 5$ong the $any itch stories ' ha!e hear", relating to 5llo ay Airk, ' "istinctly re$e$ber only t o or three# ?pon a stor$y night, a$i" histling sJualls of in", an" bitter blasts of hailF in short, on such a night as the "e!il oul" choose to take the air inF a far$er or far$erBs ser!ant as plo""ing an" plashing ho$e ar" ith his ploughEirons on his shoul"er, ha!ing been getting so$e repairs on the$ at a neighbouring s$ithy# .is ay lay by the kirk of 5llo ay, an" being rather on the an-ious look out in approaching a place so ell kno n to be a fa!ourite haunt of the "e!il an" the "e!ilBs frien"s an" e$issaries, he as struck aghast by "isco!ering through the horrors of the stor$ an" stor$y night, a light, hich on his nearer approach plainly sho e" itself to procee" fro$ the haunte" e"ifice# *hether he ha" been fortifie" fro$ abo!e on his "e!out supplication, as is custo$ary ith people hen they suspect the i$$e"iate presence of /atanF or hether, accor"ing to another custo$, he got courageously "runk at the s$ithy, ' ill not preten" to "eter$ineF but so it as that he !enture" to go up to, nay, into the !ery kirk# 5s luck oul" ha!e it his te$erity ca$e off unpunishe"# The $e$bers of the infernal junto ere all out on so$e $i"night business or other, an" he sa nothing but a kin" of kettle or cal"ron, "epen"ing fro$ the roof, o!er the fire, si$$ering so$e hea"s of unchristene" chil"ren, li$bs of e-ecute" $alefactors, etc#, for the business of the night# 't as in for a penny, in for a poun", ith the honest plough$an4 so ithout cere$ony he unhooke" the cal"ron fro$ off the fire, an", pouring out the "a$nB" ingre"ients, in!erte" it on his hea", an" carrie" it fairly ho$e, here it re$aine" long in the fa$ily, a li!ing e!i"ence of the truth of the story# 5nother story, hich ' can pro!e to be eJually authentic, is as follo s4 <n a $arket "ay in the to n of 5yr a far$er fro$ Carrick, an" conseJuently hose ay lay by the !ery gate of 5llo ay kirkEyar", in or"er to cross the ri!er %oon at the ol" Bri"ge, hich is about t o or three hun"re" yar"s farther on than the sai" gate, ha" been "etaine" by his business, till by the ti$e he reache" 5llo ay it as the iKar" hour, bet een night an" $orning# Though he as terrifie" ith a blaKe strea$ing fro$ the kirk, yet as it is a ellEkno n fact that to turn back on these occasions is running by far the greatest risk of $ischief, he pru"ently a"!ance" on his roa"# *hen he ha" reache" the gate of the kirkEyar", he as surprise" an" entertaine", through the ribs an" arches of an ol" gothic in"o , hich

still faces the high ay, to see a "ance of itches $errily footing it roun" their ol" sooty blackguar" $aster, ho as keeping the$ all ali!e ith the po er of his bagpipe# The far$er stopping his horse to obser!e the$ a little, coul" plainly "escry the faces of $any ol" o$en of his acJuaintance an" neighbourhoo"# .o the gentle$an as "resse" tra"ition "oes not sayF but that the la"ies ere all in their s$ocks4 an" one of the$ happening unluckily to ha!e a s$ock hich as consi"erably too short to ans er all the purpose of that piece of "ress, our far$er as so tickle" that he in!oluntarily burst out ith a lou" laugh, &*eel luppen, Caggy iB the short sark3& an" recollecting hi$self, instantly spurre" his horse to the top of his spee"# ' nee" not $ention the uni!ersally kno n fact, that no "iabolical po er can pursue you beyon" the $i""le of a running strea$# Lucky it as for the poor far$er that the ri!er %oon as so near, for, not ithstan"ing the spee" of his horse, hich as a goo" one, against he reache" the $i""le of the arch of the bri"ge, an" conseJuently the $i""le of the strea$, the pursuing, !engeful hags ere so close at his heels, that one of the$ actually sprung to seiKe hi$F but it as too lateF nothing as on her si"e of the strea$ but the horseBs tail, hich i$$e"iately ga!e ay at her infernal grip, as if blaste" by a stroke of lightningF but the far$er as beyon" her reach# .o e!er, the unsightly, tailEless con"ition of the !igorous stee" as to the last hour of the noble creatureBs life, an a ful arning to the Carrick far$ers, not to stay too late in 5yr $arkets# The last relation ' shall gi!e, though eJually true, is not so ell i"entifie" as the t o for$er, ith regar" to the sceneF but as the best authorities gi!e it for 5llo ay, ' shall relate it# <n a su$$erBs e!ening, about the ti$e nature puts on her sables to $ourn the e-piry of the cheerful "ay, a shepher" boy, belonging to a far$er in the i$$e"iate neighbourhoo" of 5llo ay kirk, ha" just fol"e" his charge, an" as returning ho$e# 5s he passe" the kirk, in the a"joining fiel" he fell in ith a cre of $en an" o$en, ho ere busy pulling ste$s of the plant rag ort# .e obser!e" that as each person pulle" a rag ort, he or she got astri"e of it, an" calle" out, &?p, horsie3& on hich the rag ort fle off, like Pegasus, through the air ith its ri"er# The foolish boy like ise pulle" his rag ort, an" crie" ith the rest, &?p, horsie3& an", strange to tell, a ay he fle ith the co$pany# The first stage at hich the ca!alca"e stopt as a $erchantBs ineEcellar in Bour"eau-, here, ithout saying &By your lea!e,& they Juaffe" a ay at the best the cellar coul" affor", until the $orning, foe to the i$ps an" orks of "arkness, threatene" to thro light on the $atter, an" frightene" the$ fro$ their carousals# The poor shepher" la", being eJually a stranger to the scene an" the liJuor, hee"lessly got hi$self "runkF an" hen the rest took horse, he fell asleep, an" as foun" so ne-t "ay by so$e of the people belonging to the $erchant# /o$ebo"y that un"erstoo" /cotch, asking hi$ hat he as, he sai" such aEoneBs her" in 5llo ay, an" by so$e $eans or other getting ho$e again, he li!e" long to tell the orl" the on"rous tale#906=; R# B# 9+ootnote 06=4 DCp#D D.oggBs *itch of +ife#D; ) ) ) ) )

CLNN''L#EET< CR/# %?@L<P#

5@@5@ *5TER +<<T, 66Dn" 5ugustD 0216# %o not bla$e $e for it, Ca"a$EE$y o n conscience, hackneye" an" eatherEbeaten as it is, in atching an" repro!ing $y !agaries, follies, in"olence, etc#, has continue" to punish $e sufficiently# %o you think it possible, $y "ear an" honoure" frien", that ' coul" be so lost to gratitu"e for $any fa!oursF to estee$ for $uch orthF an" to the honest, kin", pleasurable tie of, no ol" acJuaintance, an" ' hope an" a$ sure of progressi!e, increasing frien"shipEEas, for a single "ay, not to think of you nor to ask the +ates hat they are "oing an" about to "o ith $y $uch lo!e" frien" an" her i"e scattere" connections, an" to beg of the$ to be as kin" to you an" yours as they possibly canH 5propos3 Gthough ho it is apropos ' ha!e not leisure to e-plainI "o you kno that ' a$ al$ost in lo!e ith an acJuaintance of yoursHEE5l$ost3 sai" 'EE' Da$D in lo!e, souse3 o!er hea" an" ears, "eep as the $ost unfatho$able abyss of the boun"less oceanF but the or" Lo!e, o ing to the Dinter$ingle"o$sD of the goo" an" the ba", the pure an" the i$pure, in this orl", being rather an eJui!ocal ter$ for e-pressing oneBs senti$ents an" sensations, ' $ust "o justice to the sacre" purity of $y attach$ent# Ano , then, that the heartEstruck a e the "istant hu$ble approachF the "elight e shoul" ha!e in gaKing upon an" listening to a Cessenger of .ea!en, appearing in all the unspotte" purity of his celestial ho$e, a$ong the coarse, pollute", far inferior sons of $en, to "eli!er to the$ ti"ings that $ake their hearts s i$ in joy, an" their i$aginations soar in transportEEsuch, so "elighting an" so pure, ere the e$otions of $y soul on $eeting the other "ay ith Ciss Lesley Baillie, your neighbour at Cayfiel"# Cr# B#, ith his t o "aughters, acco$panie" by Cr# .# of G#, passing through %u$fries a fe "ays ago, on their ay to Englan", "i" $e the honour of calling on $eF on hich ' took $y horse Gthough Go" kno s ' coul" ill spare the ti$eI, an" acco$panie" the$ fourteen or fifteen $iles, an" "ine" an" spent the "ay ith the$# T as about nine, ' think, hen ' left the$, an", ri"ing ho$e, ' co$pose" the follo ing balla", of hich you ill probably think you ha!e a "ear bargain, as it ill cost you another groat of postage# (ou $ust kno that there is an ol" balla" beginning ithEE Cy bonnie LiKKie Bailie, 'Bll lo e thee in $y plai"ie, Getc,I /o ' paro"ie" it as follo s, hich is literally the first copy, &unanointe", unannealB",& as .a$let says,EE < sa ye bonny Lesley 5s she gae" oBer the bor"erH /heBs gane, like 5le-an"er, To sprea" her conJuests farther, Getc#I /o $uch for balla"s# ' regret that you are gone to the east country, as ' a$ to be in 5yrshire in about a fortnight# This orl" of ours, not ithstan"ing it has $any goo" things in it, yet it has e!er ha" this curse, that t o or three people, ho oul" be the happier the oftener they $et together, are, al$ost ithout e-ception, al ays so place" as ne!er to $eet but once or t ice aEyear, hich, consi"ering the fe years of a $anBs life, is a !ery great &e!il un"er the sun,& hich ' "o not recollect that /olo$on has $entione" in his catalogue of the $iseries of $an# ' hope an" belie!e that there is a state of e-istence beyon" the

gra!e, here the orthy of this life ill rene their for$er inti$acies, ith this en"earing a""ition, that & e $eet to part no $ore& Tell us, ye "ea", *ill none of you in pity "isclose the secret *hat Btis you are, an" e $ust shortly be3 5 thousan" ti$es ha!e ' $a"e this apostrophe to the "eparte" sons of $en, but not one of the$ has e!er thought fit to ans er the Juestion# &< that so$e courteous ghost oul" blab it out3& but it cannot beF you an" ', $y frien", $ust $ake the e-peri$ent by oursel!es, an" for oursel!es# .o e!er, ' a$ so con!ince" that an unskaken faith in the "octrines of religion is not only necessary, by $aking us better $en, but also by $aking us happier $en, that ' shall take e!ery care that your little go"son, an" e!ery little creature that shall call $e father, shall be taught the$# /o en"s this heterogeneous letter, ritten at this il" place of the orl", in the inter!als of $y labour of "ischarging a !essel of ru$ fro$ 5ntigua# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNN',#EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C# %?C+R'E/, 07Dth /epte$berD 0216# @o3 ' ill not atte$pt an apology# 5$i" all $y hurry of business, grin"ing the faces of the publican an" the sinner on the $erciless heels of the E-ciseF $aking balla"s, an" then "rinking, an" singing the$F an", o!er an" abo!e all, the correcting the pressE ork of t o "ifferent publicationsF still, still ' $ight ha!e stolen fi!e $inutes to "e"icate to one of the first of $y frien"s an" fello Ecreatures# ' $ight ha!e "one, as ' "o at presentEsnatche" an hour near & itching ti$e of night,& an" scra le" a page or t oF ' $ight ha!e congratulate" $y frien" on his $arriageF or ' $ight ha!e thanke" the Cale"onian archers for the honour they ha!e "one $e Gthough, to "o $yself justice, ' inten"e" to ha!e "one both in rhy$e, else ' ha" "one both long ere no I# *ell, then, here is to your goo" health3 for you $ust kno , ' ha!e set a nipperkin of to""y by $e, just by ay of spell, to keep a ay the $eikle horne" "eil, or any of his subaltern i$ps ho $ay be on their nightly roun"s# But hat shall ' rite to youHEE&The !oice sai", cry,& an" ' sai", &*hat shall ' cryH&EE<, thou spirit3 hate!er thou art, or here!er thou $akest thyself !isible3 be thou a bogle by the eerie si"e of an aul" thorn, in the "reary glen through hich the her"Ecallan $aun bicker in his gloa$in route frae the faul"3EEBe thou a bro nie, set, at "ea" of night, to thy task by the blaKing ingle, or in the solitary barn, here the repercussions of thy iron flail half affright thyself, as thou perfor$est the ork of t enty of the sons of $en, ere the cockEcro ing su$$on thee to thy a$ple cog of substantial brose# Be thou a kelpie, haunting the for" or ferry, in the starless night, $i-ing thy laughing yell ith the ho ling of the stor$ an" the roaring of the floo", as thou !ie est the perils an" $iseries of $an on the foun"ering horse, or in the tu$bling boat3EE<r, lastly, be thou a ghost, paying thy nocturnal !isits to the hoary ruins of "ecaye" gran"eurF or perfor$ing thy $ystic rites in the sha"o of the ti$eE orn church, hile the $oon looks, ithout a clou", on the silent, ghastly " ellings of the "ea" aroun" theeF or taking thy stan" by the be"si"e of the !illain, or the

$ur"erer, portraying on his "rea$ing fancy, pictures, "rea"ful as the horrors of un!eile" hell, an" terrible as the rath of incense" %eity3EECo$e, thou spirit, but not in these horri" for$sF co$e ith the $il"er, gentle, easy inspirations, hich thou breathest roun" the ig of a prating a"!ocate, or the tete of a teaEsipping gossip, hile their tongues run at the lightEhorse gallop of clishE$acla!er for e!er an" e!erEEco$e an" assist a poor "e!il ho is Juite ja"e" in the atte$pt to share half an i"ea a$ong half a hun"re" or"sF to fill up four Juarto pages, hile he has not got one single sentence of recollection, infor$ation, or re$ark orth putting pen to paper for# ' feel, ' feel the presence of supernatural assistance3 Circle" in the e$brace of $y elbo Echair, $y breast labours, like" the bloate" /ibyl on her threeEfoote" stool, an" like her too, labours ith @onsense# @onsense, auspicious na$e3 Tutor, frien", an" fingerEpost in the $ystic $aKes of la F the ca"a!erous paths of physic4 an" particularly in the sightless soarings of /C.<<L %','@'T(, ho, lea!ing Co$$on /ense confoun"e" at the strength of his pinionF Reason "elirious ith eyeing his gi""y flightF an" Truth creeping back into the botto$ of her ell, cursing the hour that e!er she offere" her scorne" alliance to the iKar" po er of Theologic ,isionEra!es abroa" on all the in"s4EE &<n earth "iscor"3 a gloo$y .ea!en abo!e, opening her jealous gates to the nineteenEthousan"th part of the tithe of $ankin"3 an" belo , an inescapable an" ine-orable hell, e-pan"ing its le!iathan ja s for the !ast resi"ue of $ortals333 &EE< "octrine3 co$fortable an" healing to the eary oun"e" soul of $an3 (e sons an" "aughters of affliction, ye Dpau!res $iserables,D to ho$ "ay brings no pleasure, an" night yiel"s no rest, be co$forte"3 BTis but DoneD to nineteen hun"re" thousan" that your situation ill $en" in this orl"F so, alas, the e-perience of the poor an" nee"y too often affir$sF an" Btis nineteen hun"re" thousan" to Done,D by the "og$as of Theology, that you ill be con"e$ne" eternally in the orl" to co$e3 But of all @onsense, Religious @onsense is the $ost nonsensicalF so enough, an" $ore than enough, of it# <nly, byEtheEbye, ill you, or can you tell $e, $y "ear Cunningha$, hy a sectarian turn of $in" has al ays a ten"ency to narro an" illiberalise the heartH They are or"erlyF they $ay be justF nay, ' ha!e kno n the$ $erciful4 but still your chil"ren of sanctity $o!e a$ong their fello Ecreatures ith a nostril snuffing putrescence, an" a foot spurning filthEEin short, ith a conceite" "ignity that your title" %ouglases, or any other of your /cottish lor"lings of se!en centuries stan"ing, "isplay hen they acci"entally $i- a$ong the $anyEaprone" sons of $echanical life# ' re$e$ber, in $y ploughEboy "ays, ' coul" not concei!e it possible that a noble lor" coul" be a fool, or a go"ly $an coul" be a kna!e# .o ignorant are ploughEboys3EE@ay, ' ha!e since "isco!ere" that a Dgo"ly o$anD $ay be aEE3EEBut hol"EEhereBs tBye againEEthis ru$ is generous 5ntigua, so a !ery unfit $enstruu$ for scan"al# 5propos, ho "o you like, ' $ean DreallyD like, the $arrie" lifeH 5h, $y frien"3 $atri$ony is Juite a "ifferent thing fro$ hat your lo!eEsick youths an" sighing girls take it to be3 But $arriage, e are tol", is appointe" by Go", an" ' shall ne!er Juarrel ith any of .is institutions# ' a$ a husban" of ol"er stan"ing than you, an" shall gi!e you $y i"eas of the conjugal state, GDen passantDEEyou kno ' a$ no LatinistEis not DconjugalD "eri!e" fro$ Djugu$D, a yokeHI *ell, then, the scale of goo" ifeship ' "i!i"e into ten parts# Goo"Enature, fourF Goo" /ense, t oF *it, oneF Personal Char$s, !iK#, a s eet face, eloJuent eyes, fine li$bs, graceful carriage G' oul" a"" a fine aist too, but

that is so soon spoilt, you kno I, all these, oneF as for the other Jualities belonging to, or atten"ing on, a ife, such as +ortune, Connections, E"ucation G' $ean e"ucation e-traor"inaryI, +a$ily bloo", etc#, "i!i"e the t o re$aining "egrees a$ong the$ as you pleaseF only, re$e$ber that all these $inor properties $ust be e-presse" by Dfractions,D for there is not any one of the$, in the aforesai" scale, entitle" to the "ignity of an DintegerD# 5s for the rest of $y fancies an" re!eriesEEho ' lately $et ith Ciss Lesley Baillie, the $ost beautiful, elegant o$an in the orl"EEho ' acco$panie" her an" her fatherBs fa$ily fifteen $iles on their journey, out of pure "e!otion, to a"$ire the lo!eliness of the orks of Go", in such an uneJualle" "isplay of the$EEho , in galloping ho$e at night, ' $a"e a balla" on her, of hich these t o stanKas $ake a partEE Thou, bonnie Lesley, art a Jueen, Thy subjects e before theeF Thou, bonnie Lesley, art "i!ine, The hearts oB $en a"ore thee# The !ery "eil he coul" na scathe *hate!er a" belang thee3 .eB" look into thy bonnie face 5n" say, &' canna rang thee&EE behol" all these things are ritten in the chronicles of $y i$agination, an" shall be rea" by thee, $y "ear frien", an" by thy belo!e" spouse, $y other "ear frien", at a $ore con!enient season# @o to thee an" thy R#B# ) ) ) ) ) ife 9Detc#DEEa $ock bene"iction#;

CLNN,#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# %?C+R'E/, D6Lth /epte$ber 0216D# ' ha!e this $o$ent, $y "ear Ca"a$, yours of the t entyEthir"# 5ll your other kin" reproaches, your ne s, etc#, are out of $y hea" hen ' rea" an" think of Crs# .enriBs9068; situation# Goo" Go"3 a heartE oun"e" helpless young o$anEEin a strange, foreign lan", an" that lan" con!ulse" ith e!ery horror that can harro the hu$an feelings EEsickElooking, longing for a co$forter, but fin"ing noneEEa $otherBs feelings, too4EEbut it is too $uch4 .e ho oun"e" G.e only canI $ay .e heal3 ' ish the far$er great joy of his ne acJuisition to his fa$ily#### ' cannot say that ' gi!e .i$ joy of his life as a far$er# BTis, as a far$er paying a "ear, unconscionable rent, a Dcurse" life3D 5s to a lair" far$ing his o n propertyF so ing his o n corn in hopeF an" reaping it, in spite of brittle eather, in gla"nessF kno ing that none can say unto hi$, &*hat "ost thouH&EEfattening his her"sF shearing his flocksF rejoicing at Christ$asF an" begetting sons an" "aughters, until he be the !enerate", greyEhaire" lea"er of a little tribeEEBtis a hea!enly life3 but "e!il take the life of reaping the fruits that another $ust eat3 *ell, your kin" ishes ill be gratifie", as to seeing $e hen ' $ake $y

5yrshire !isit# ' cannot lea!e Crs# Burns until her nine $onthsB race is run, hich $ay perhaps be in three or four eeks# /he, too, see$s "eter$ine" to $ake $e the patriarchal lea"er of a ban"# .o e!er, if .ea!en ill be so obliging as to let $e ha!e the$ in the proportion of three boys to one girl, ' shall be so $uch the $ore please"# ' hope, if ' a$ spare" ith the$, to sho a set of boys that ill "o honour to $y cares an" na$eF but ' a$ not eJual to the task of rearing girls# Besi"es, ' a$ too poorF a girl shoul" al ays ha!e a fortune# 5propos, your little go"son is thri!ing char$ingly, but is a !ery "eil# .e, though t o years younger, has co$pletely $astere" his brother# Robert is in"ee" the $il"est, gentlest creature ' e!er sa # .e has a $ost surprising $e$ory, an" is Juite the pri"e of his school$aster# (ou kno ho rea"ily e get into prattle upon a subject "ear to our heart4 you can e-cuse it# Go" bless you an" yours3 9+ootnote 0684 .er "aughter, ill in +rance#; ) ) ) ) )

CLNN,'#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# D/uppose" to ha!e been "aughter, at Cuges#D ritten on the %eath of Cirs# .enri, her

' ha" been fro$ ho$e, an" "i" not recei!e your letter until $y return the other "ay# *hat shall ' say to co$fort you, $y $uchE!alue", $uchEafflicte" frien"3 ' can but grie!e ith youF consolation ' ha!e none to offer, e-cept that hich religion hol"s out to the chil"ren of afflictionEEDchil"ren of affliction3DEEho just the e-pression3 an" like e!ery other fa$ily, they ha!e $atters a$ong the$ hich they hear, see, an" feel in a serious, allEi$portant $anner, of hich the orl" has not, nor cares to ha!e, any i"ea# The orl" looks in"ifferently on, $akes the passing re$ark, an" procee"s to the ne-t no!el occurrence# 5las, Ca"a$3 ho oul" ish for $any yearsH *hat is it but to "rag e-istence until our joys gra"ually e-pire, an" lea!e us in a night of $isery4 like the gloo$ hich blots out the stars, one by one, fro$ the face of night, an" lea!es us, ithout a ray of co$fort, in the ho ling aste3 ' a$ interrupte", an" $ust lea!e off# (ou shall soon hear fro$ $e again# R# B# ) ) ) )

CLNN,''#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# %?C+R'E/, D8th %ece$ber 0216#D ' shall be in 5yrshire, ' think, ne-t eekF an", if at all possible, ' shall certainly, $y $uch estee$e" frien", ha!e the pleasure of !isiting at %unlop .ouse# 5las, Ca"a$3 ho sel"o$ "o e $eet in this orl", that e ha!e reason to congratulate oursel!es on accessions of happiness3 ' ha!e not passe" half the or"inary ter$ of an ol" $anBs life, an" yet ' scarcely look o!er the obituary of a ne spaper that ' "o not see so$e na$es that '

ha!e kno n, an" hich ' an" other acJuaintances little thought to $eet ith there so soon# E!ery other instance of the $ortality of our kin" $akes us cast an an-ious look into the "rea"ful abyss of uncertainty, an" shu""er ith apprehension for our o n fate# But of ho "ifferent an i$portance are the li!es of "ifferent in"i!i"uals3 @ay, of hat i$portance is one perio" of the sa$e life $ore than anotherH 5 fe years ago ' coul" ha!e lain "o n in the "ust, &careless of the !oice of the $orningF& an" no not a fe , an" these $ost helpless in"i!i"uals, oul", on losing $e an" $y e-ertions, lose both &staff an" shiel"#& By the ay, these helpless ones ha!e lately got an a""itionEECrs# B# ha!ing gi!en $e a fine girl since ' rote you# There is a char$ing passage in Tho$sonBs& E" ar" an" Eleanora4& The !aliant, Din hi$selfD hat can he sufferH <r hat nee" he regar" his DsingleD oesH Getc#I ' "o not re$e$ber to ha!e hear" you $ention Tho$sonBs "ra$as# ' pick up fa!ourite Juotations, an" store the$ in $y $in" as rea"y ar$our, offensi!e or "efensi!e, a$i" the struggle of this turbulent e-istence# <f these is one, a !ery fa!ourite one, fro$ his &5lfre"4& 5ttach thee fir$ly to the !irtuous "ee"s 5n" offices of lifeF to life itself, *ith all its !ain an" transient joys, sit loose# Probably ' ha!e Juote" these to you for$erly, as in"ee", hen ' rite fro$ the heart, ' a$ apt to be guilty of repetitions# The co$pass of the heart, in the $usical style of e-pression, is $uch $ore boun"e" than that of the i$aginationF so the notes of the for$er are e-tre$ely apt to run into one anotherF but in return for the paucity of its co$pass, its fe notes are $uch $ore s eet#### ' see you are in for "ouble postage, so ' shall eBen scribble out tBother sheet# *e in this country here ha!e $any alar$s of the refor$ing, or rather the republican spirit, of your part of the king"o$# 'n"ee", e are a goo" "eal in co$$otion oursel!es# +or $e, ' a$ a place$an, you kno F a !ery hu$ble one in"ee", .ea!en kno s, but still so $uch as to gag $e# *hat $y pri!ate senti$ents are, you ill fin" out ithout an interpreter# ' ha!e taken up the subject, an" the other "ay, for a pretty actressBs benefit night, ' rote an a""ress, hich ' ill gi!e on the other page, calle" &The Rights of *o$an#& ' shall ha!e the honour of recei!ing your criticis$s in person at %unlop# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNN,'''#EETo CR# R# GR5.5C, +'@TR(# D%ece$ber 0216# D /ir,EE' ha!e been surprise", confoun"e", an" "istracte", by Cr# Citchel, the collector, telling $e that he has recei!e" an or"er fro$ your Boar" to inJuire into $y political con"uct, an" bla$ing $e as a person "isaffecte" to go!ern$ent# /ir, you are a husban"EEan" a father# (ou kno hat you oul" feel, to

see the $uchElo!e" ife of your boso$, an" your helpless, prattling little ones, turne" a"rift into the orl", "egra"e" an" "isgrace" fro$ a situation in hich they ha" been respectable an" respecte", an" left al$ost ithout the necessary support of a $iserable e-istence# 5las, /ir3 $ust ' think that such, soon, ill be $y lot3 an" fro$ the "a$nB", "ark insinuations of hellish, groun"less en!y too3 ' belie!e, /ir, ' $ay a!er it, an" in the sight of <$niscience, that ' oul" not tell a "eliberate falsehoo", no, not though e!en orse horrors, if orse can be, than those ' ha!e $entione", hung o!er $y hea"F an" ' say, that the allegation, hate!er !illain has $a"e it, is a lie3 To the British Constitution, on re!olution principles, ne-t after $y Go", ' a$ $ost "e!outly attache"# (ou, /ir, ha!e been $uch an" generously $y frien"4 .ea!en kno s ho ar$ly ' ha!e felt the obligation, an" ho gratefully ' ha!e thanke" you# +ortune, /ir, has $a"e you po erful, an" $e i$potentF has gi!en you patronage, an" $e "epen"ence# ' oul" not for $y single self call on your hu$anityF ere such $y insular, unconnecte" situation, ' oul" "espise the tear that no s ells in $y eyeEE' coul" bra!e $isfortune, ' coul" face ruinF for at the orst, &%eathBs thousan" "oors stan" openF& but, goo" Go"3 the ten"er concerns that ' ha!e $entione", the clai$s an" ties that ' see at this $o$ent, an" feel aroun" $e, ho they unner!e Courage, an" ither Resolution3 To your patronage, as a $an of so$e genius, you ha!e allo e" $e a clai$F an" your estee$, as an honest $an, ' kno is $y "ue4 to these, /ir, per$it $e to appealF by these $ay ' a"jure you to sa!e $e fro$ that $isery hich threatens to o!er hel$ $e, an" hich, ith $y latest breath ' ill say it, ' ha!e not "eser!e"# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNN'N#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# %?C+R'E/, D30st %ece$ber 0216#D %ear Ca"a$,EE5 hurry of business, thro n in heaps by $y absence, has until no pre!ente" $y returning $y grateful ackno le"g$ents to the goo" fa$ily of %unlop, an" you in particular, for that hospitable kin"ness hich ren"ere" the four "ays ' spent un"er that genial roof, four of the pleasantest ' e!er enjoye"# 5las, $y "earest frien"3 ho fe an" fleeting are those things e call pleasures3 on $y roa" to 5yrshire ' spent a night ith a frien" ho$ ' $uch !alue"F a $an hose "ays pro$ise" to be $anyF an" on /atur"ay last e lai" hi$ in the "ust3 D>an# 6n", 0213#D ' ha!e just recei!e" yours of the 37th, an" feel $uch for your situation# .o e!er, ' heartily rejoice in your prospect of reco!ery fro$ that !ile jaun"ice# 5s to $yself, ' a$ better, though not Juite free of $y co$plaint# (ou $ust not think, as you see$ to insinuate, that in $y ay of life ' ant e-ercise# <f that ' ha!e enoughF but occasional har" "rinking is the "e!il to $e# 5gainst this ' ha!e again an" again bent $y resolution, an" ha!e greatly succee"e"# Ta!erns ' ha!e totally aban"one"4 it is the pri!ate parties in the fa$ily ay, a$ong the har"E"rinking gentle$en of this country, that "o $e the $ischiefEEbut e!en this ' ha!e $ore than half gi!en o!er# Cr# Corbet can be of little ser!ice to $e at presentF at least ' shoul" be shy of applying# ' cannot possibly be settle" as a super!isor for

se!eral years# ' $ust ait the rotation of the list, an" there are t enty na$es before $ine# EE' $ight in"ee" get a job of officiating, here a settle" super!isor as ill, or age"F but that hauls $e fro$ $y fa$ily, as ' coul" not re$o!e the$ on such an uncertainty# Besi"es, so$e en!ious, $alicious "e!il has raise" a little "e$ur on $y political principles, an" ' ish to let that $atter settle before ' offer $yself too $uch in the eye of $y super!isors# ' ha!e set, henceforth, a seal on $y lips, as to these unlucky politicsF but to you ' $ust breathe $y senti$ents# 'n this, as in e!erything else, ' shall sho the un"isguise" e$otions of $y soul# *ar ' "eprecate4 $isery an" ruin to thousan"s are in the blast that announces the "estructi!e "e$on# But#### R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN#EETo CR# R<BERT GR5.5C <+ +'@TR(# %?C+R'E/, DCorning of =th >an#D 0213# /ir,EE' a$ this $o$ent honoure" ith your letter# *ith hat feelings ' recei!e" this other instance of your goo"ness ' shall not preten" to "escribe# @o to the charges hich $alice an" $isrepresentation ha!e brought against $e#9062; 't has been sai", it see$s, that ' not only belong to, but hea" a "isaffecte" party in this to n# ' kno of no party here, republican or refor$, e-cept an ol" BurghERefor$ party, ith hich ' ne!er ha" anything to "o# 'n"i!i"uals, both republican an" refor$, e ha!e, though not $any of eitherF but if they ha!e associate", it is $ore than ' ha!e the least kno le"ge of, an" if such an association e-ist it $ust consist of such obscure, na$eless beings as preclu"es any possibility of $y being kno n to the$, or they to $e# ' as in the playhouse one night hen DCa 'raD as calle" for# ' as in the $i""le of the pit, an" fro$ the pit the cla$our arose# <ne or t o persons, ith ho$ ' occasionally associate, ere of the party, but ' neither kne of, nor joine" in the plot, nor at all opene" $y lips to hiss or huKKa that, or any other political tune hate!er# ' looke" on $yself as far too obscure a $an to ha!e any eight in Juelling a riot, an" at the sa$e ti$e as a person of higher respectability than to yell to the ho lings of a rabble# ' ne!er uttere" any in!ecti!es against the king# .is pri!ate orth it is altogether i$possible that such a $an as ' can appreciateF but in his public capacity ' al ays re!ere", an" al ays ill ith the soun"est loyalty re!ere the $onarch of Great Britain asEEto speak in $asonicEEthe sacre" keystone of our royal arch constitution# 5s to Refor$ principles, ' look upon the British Constitution, as settle" at the Re!olution, to be the $ost glorious on earth, or that perhaps the it of $an can fra$eF at the sa$e ti$e ' think, not alone, that e ha!e a goo" "eal "e!iate" fro$ the original principles of that Constitution,EEparticularly, that an alar$ing syste$ of corruption has per!a"e" the connection bet een the E-ecuti!e an" the .ouse of Co$$ons# This is the hole truth of $y Refor$ opinions, hich, before ' kne the co$ple-ion of these inno!ating ti$es, ' too unguar"e"ly as ' no see sporte" ith4 henceforth ' seal up $y lips# But ' ne!er "ictate" to, correspon"e" ith, or ha" the least connection ith any political association hate!er# <f >ohnstone, the publisher of the DE"inburgh GaKetteerD, ' kno nothing# <ne e!ening, in co$pany ith four or fi!e frien"s, e $et ith his prospectus, hich e thought $anly an"

in"epen"entF an" ' rote to hi$, or"ering his paper for us# 'f you think ' act i$properly in allo ing his paper to co$e a""resse" to $e, ' shall i$$e"iately counter$an" it# ' ne!er rote a line of prose to DThe GaKetteerD in $y life# 5n a""ress, spoken by Ciss +ontenelle on her benefit night, an" hich ' calle" &The Rights of *o$an,& ' sent to DThe GaKetteerD, as also so$e stanKas on the Co$$e$oration of the poet Tho$son4 both of these ' ill subjoin for your perusal# (ou ill see they ha!e nothing hate!er to "o ith politics# 5s to +rance, ' as her enthusiastic !otary in the beginning of the business# *hen she ca$e to she her ol" a!i"ity for conJuest by anne-ing /a!oy an" in!a"ing the rights of .ollan", ' altere" $y senti$ents# This, $y honoure" patron, is all# To this state$ent ' challenge "isJuisition# Cistaken preju"ice or unguar"e" passion $ay $islea", ha!e often $isle" $eF but hen calle" on to ans er for $y $istakes, though no $an can feel keener co$punction for the$, yet no $an can be $ore superior to e!asion or "isguise#EE' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your e!er grateful, etc#, R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote 0624 Because of hat Burns else here calle" &/o$e te$eraire con"uct of $ine, in the political opinions of the "ay#&; ) ) ) )

CLNNN'#EET< CR# 5LEN# C?@@'@G.5C, *#/#, E%'@B?RG.# %?C+R'E/, D67th +ebD# 0213# *hat are you "oingH *hat hurry ha!e you got on your hea", $y "ear Cunningha$, that ' ha!e not hear" fro$ youH 5re you "eeply engage" in the $aKes of the >a , the $ysteries of lo!e, or the profoun" is"o$ of DpoliticsDH Curse on the or"3 DMD# *hat is PoliticsH D5D# 't is a science here ith, by $eans of nefarious cunning an" hypocritical pretence, e go!ern ci!il politics GsicI for the e$olu$ent of oursel!es an" a"herents# M# *hat is a $inisterH 5# 5n unprinciple" fello ho, by the influence of here"itary or acJuire" ealth, by superior abilities or by a lucky conjuncture of circu$stances, obtains a principal place in the a"$inistration of the affairs of go!ern$ent# M# *hat is a patriotH 5# 5n in"i!i"ual e-actly of the sa$e "escription as a $inister, only out of place# ' as interrupte" in $y Catechis$, an" a$ returne" at a late hour just to subscribe $y na$e, an" to put you in $in" of the forgotten frien" of that na$e ho is still in the lan" of the li!ing, though ' can har"ly say in the place of hope#

' $a"e the enclose" sonnet906:; the other "ay# 5"ieu3 R<BT# B?R@/# 9+ootnote 06:4 &<n .earing a Thrush /ing#&; ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN'LEETo CR# C?@@'@G.5C# 3r" Carch 0213# /ince ' rote to you the last lugubrious sheet, ' ha!e not ha" ti$e to rite to you farther# *hen ' say that ' ha" not ti$e, that, as usual, $eans that the three "e$ons, in"olence, business, an" ennui, ha!e so co$pletely share" $y hours a$ong the$, as not to lea!e $e a fi!e $inutesB frag$ent to take up a pen in# Thank .ea!en, ' feel $y spirits buoying up ar"s ith the reno!ating year# @o ' shall in goo" earnest take up Tho$sonBs songs# ' "are say he thinks ' ha!e use" hi$ unkin"ly, an" ' $ust o n ith too $uch appearance of truth### There is one co$$ission that ' $ust trouble you ith# ' lately lost a !aluable seal, a present fro$ a "eparte" frien", hich !e-es $e $uch# ' ha!e gotten one of your .ighlan" pebbles, hich ' fancy oul" $ake a !ery "ecent oneF an" ' ant to cut $y ar$orial bearing on itF ill you be so obliging as inJuire hat ill be the e-pense of such a businessH ' "o not kno that $y na$e is $atriculate", as the heral"s call it, at allF but ' ha!e in!ente" ar$s for $yself, so you kno ' shall be chief of the na$eF an", by courtesy of /cotlan", ill like ise be entitle" to supporters# These, ho e!er, ' "o not inten" ha!ing on $y seal# ' a$ a bit of a heral", an" shall gi!e you, Dsecun"u$ arte$D, $y ar$s# <n a fiel", aKure, a holly bush, see"e", proper, in baseF a shepher"Bs pipe an" crook, saltierE ise, also proper, in chief# <n a reath of the colours, a oo"Elark perching on a sprig of bayEtree, proper, for crest# T o $ottoesF roun" the top of the crest, D*oo" notes il"DF at the botto$ of the shiel", in the usual place, DBetter a ee bush than nae biel"D# By the shepher"Bs pipe an" crook ' "o not $ean the nonsense of painters of 5rca"ia, but a D/tock an" .ornD, an" a DClubD such as you see at the hea" of 5llan Ra$say, in 5llanBs Juarto e"ition of the &Gentle /hepher"#& ByEtheEbye, "o you kno 5llanH .e $ust be a $an of !ery great geniusEE*hy is he not $ore kno nHEE.as he no patronsH or "o &Po!ertyBs col" in" an" crushing rain beat keen an" hea!y& on hi$H ' once, an" but once, got a glance of that noble e"ition of the noblest pastoral in the orl"4 an" "ear as it as, ' $ean "ear as to $y pocket, ' oul" ha!e bought itF but ' as tol" that it as printe" an" engra!e" for subscribers only# .e is the DonlyD artist ho has hit DgenuineD pastoral Dcostu$eD# *hat, $y "ear Cunningha$, is there in riches, that they narro an" har"en the heart soH ' think, that ere ' as rich as the sun, ' shoul" be as generous as the "ay4 but as ' ha!e no reason to i$agine $y soul a nobler one than any other $anBs, ' $ust conclu"e that ealth i$parts a bir"Eli$e Juality to the possessor, at hich the $an, in his nati!e po!erty, oul" ha!e re!olte"# *hat has le" $e to this, is the i"ea of such $erit as Cr# 5llan possesses, an" such riches as a nabob or go!ern$ent contractor possesses, an" hy they "o not for$ a $utual league# Let ealth shelter an" cherish unprotecte" $erit, an" the gratitu"e an" celebrity of that $erit ill richly repay it#

R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN'''#EETo Ciss BE@/<@, (<RA, 5+TER*5R%/ CR/# B5/'L C<@T5G?# %?C+R'E/, D60st Carch 0213#D Ca"a$,EE5$ong $any things for hich ' en!y those hale, longEli!e" ol" fello s before the floo", is this in particular, that hen they $et ith anybo"y after their o n heart, they ha" a char$ing long prospect of $any, $any happy $eetings ith the$ in afterElife# @o , in this short, stor$y, inter "ay of our fleeting e-istence, hen you no an" then, in the Chapter of 5cci"ents, $eet an in"i!i"ual hose acJuaintance is a real acJuisition, there are all the probabilities against you, that you shall ne!er $eet ith that !alue" character $ore# <n the other han", brief as this $iserable being is, it is none of the least of the $iseries belonging to it, that if there is any $iscreant ho$ you hate, or creature ho$ you "espise, the illErun of the chances shall be so against you, that in the o!er takings, turnings, an" jostlings of life, pop3 at so$e unlucky corner, eternally co$es the retch upon you, an" ill not allo your in"ignation or conte$pt a $o$entBs repose# 5s ' a$ a stur"y belie!er in the po ers of "arkness, ' take these to be the "oings of that ol" author of $ischief, the "e!il# 't is ell kno n that he has so$e kin" of shortEhan" ay of taking "o n our thoughts, an" ' $ake no "oubt that he is perfectly acJuainte" ith $y senti$ents respecting Ciss BensonF ho $uch ' a"$ire" her abilities an" !alue" her orth, an" ho !ery fortunate ' thought $yself in her acJuaintance# +or this last reason, $y "ear Ca"a$, ' $ust entertain no hopes of the !ery great pleasure of $eeting ith you again#EE' a$, etc# R# B# ) ) ) )

CLNNN',#ETo CR# ><.@ +R5@C'/ ER/A'@E, <+ C5R# %?C+R'E/, 03th D5pril 0213# /ir,EE%egenerate as hu$an nature is sai" to beEEan" in $any instances orthless an" unprinciple" it isEEstill there are bright e-a$ples to the contrary4 e-a$ples that, e!en in the eyes of superior beings, $ust she" a lustre on the na$e of Can# /uch an e-a$ple ha!e ' no before $e, hen you, /ir, ca$e for ar" to patronise an" befrien" a "istant an" obscure stranger, $erely because po!erty ha" $a"e hi$ helpless, an" his British har"ihoo" of $in" ha" pro!oke" the arbitrary of antonness an" po er# Cy $uch estee$e" frien", Cr, Ri""el of Glenri""el, has just rea" $e a paragraph of a letter he ha" fro$ you# 5ccept, /ir, of the silent throb of gratitu"e, for or"s oul" but $ock the e$otions of $y soul# (ou ha!e been $isinfor$e" as to $y final "is$issal fro$ the E-ciseF ' a$ still in the ser!ice# 'n"ee", but for the e-ertions of a gentle$an ho $ust be kno n to you, Cr# Graha$ of +intry, a gentle$an ho has e!er been $y ar$ an" generous frien", ' ha", ithout so $uch as a hearing, or the slightest pre!ious inti$ation, been turne" a"rift, ith $y helpless fa$ily, to all the horrors of ant# .a" ' ha" any other

resource, probably ' $ight ha!e sa!e" the$ the trouble of a "is$issalF but the little $oney ' gaine" by $y publication is al$ost e!ery guinea e$barke" to sa!e fro$ ruin an only brother, ho, though one of the orthiest, is by no $eans one of the $ost fortunate of $en# 'n $y "efence to their accusations, ' sai", that hate!er $ight be $y senti$ents of republics, ancient or $o"ern, as to Britain, ' abjure" the i"ea4 That a constitution, hich, in its original principles, e-perience ha" pro!e" to be e!ery ay fitte" for our happiness in society, it oul" be insanity to sacrifice to an untrie" !isionary theory4 That, in consi"eration of $y being situate" in a "epart$ent, ho e!er hu$ble, i$$e"iately in the han"s of people in po er, ' ha" forborne taking any acti!e part, either personally, or as an author, in the present business of Refor$4 but that, here ' $ust "eclare $y senti$ents, ' oul" say there e-iste" a syste$ of corruption bet een the e-ecuti!e po er an" the representati!e part of the legislature, hich bo"e" no goo" to our glorious constitution, an" hich e!ery patriotic Briton $ust ish to see a$en"e"# /o$e such senti$ents as these ' state" in a letter to $y generous patron, Cr# Graha$, hich he lai" before the Boar" at largeF here, it see$s, $y last re$ark ga!e great offence4 an" one of our super!isorsEgeneral, a Cr# Corbet, as instructe" to inJuire on the spot, an" to "ocu$ent $eEE&that $y business as to act, Dnot to thinkDF an" that hate!er $ight be $en or $easures, it as for $e to be DsilentD an" Dobe"ientD&# Cr# Corbet as like ise $y stea"y frien"F so bet een Cr# Graha$ an" hi$ ' ha!e been partly forgi!enF only ' un"erstan" that all hopes of $y getting officially for ar" are blaste"# @o , /ir, to the business in hich ' oul" $ore i$$e"iately interest you# The partiality of $y country$en has brought $e for ar" as a $an of genius, an" has gi!en $e a character to support# 'n the Poet ' ha!e a!o e" $anly an" in"epen"ent senti$ents, hich ' trust ill be foun" in the $an# Reasons of no less eight than the support of a ife an" fa$ily, ha!e pointe" out as the eligible, an" situate" as ' as, the only eligible line of life for $e, $y present occupation# /till $y honest fa$e is $y "earest concernF an" a thousan" ti$es ha!e ' tre$ble" at the i"ea of those D"egra"ingD epithets that $alice or $isrepresentation $ay affi- to $y na$e# ' ha!e often, in blasting anticipation, listene" to so$e future hackney scribbler, ith the hea!y $alice of sa!age stupi"ity, e-ulting in his hireling paragraphsEE&Burns, not ithstan"ing the Dfanfarona"eD of in"epen"ence to be foun" in his orks, an" after ha!ing been hel" forth to public !ie an" to public esti$ation as a $an of so$e genius, yet, Juite "estitute of resources ithin hi$self to support his borro e" "ignity, he " in"le" into a paltry e-cise$an, an" slunk out the rest of his insignificant e-istence in the $eanest of pursuits, an" a$ong the !ilest of $ankin"#& 'n your illustrious han"s, /ir, per$it $e to lo"ge $y "isa!o al an" "efiance of these slan"erous falsehoo"s# Burns as a poor $an fro$ birth, an" an e-cise$an by necessityF butEE' ill say it3 the sterling of his honest orth no po!erty coul" "ebase, an" his in"epen"ent British $in", oppression $ight ben", but coul" not sub"ue# .a!e not ', to $e a $ore precious stake in $y countryBs elfare, than the richest "uke"o$ in itHEE' ha!e a large fa$ily of chil"ren, an" the prospect of $ore# ' ha!e three sons, ho, ' see alrea"y, ha!e brought into the orl" souls ill Jualifie" to inhabit the bo"ies of sla!es#EECan ' look ta$ely on, an" see any $achinations to rest fro$ the$ the birthright of $y boys,EEthe little in"epen"ent Britons, in hose !eins runs $y o n bloo"HEE@o3 '

ill not3 shoul" $y heartBs bloo" strea$ aroun" $y atte$pt to "efen" it3 %oes any $an tell $e that $y full efforts can be of no ser!iceF an" that it "oes not belong to $y hu$ble station to $e""le ith the concerns of a nationH ' can tell hi$ that it is on such in"i!i"uals as ' that a nation has to rest, both for the han" of support an" the eye of intelligence# The uninfor$e" $ob $ay s ell a nationBs bulkF an" the title", tinsel, courtly throng $ay be its feathere" orna$entF but the nu$ber of those ho are ele!ate" enough in life to reason an" to reflect, yet lo enough to keep clear of the !enal contagion of a court3EEthese are a nationBs strength# ' kno not ho to apologise for the i$pertinent length of this epistleF but one s$all reJuest ' $ust ask of you fartherEE*hen you ha!e honoure" this letter ith a perusal, please to co$$it it to the fla$es# Burns, in hose behalf you ha!e so generously intereste" yourself, ' ha!e here, in his nati!e colours, "ra n as he isF but shoul" any of the people in hose han"s is the !ery brea" he eats, get the least kno le"ge of the picture, it oul" ruin the poor bar" for e!er3 Cy poe$s ha!ing just co$e out in another e"ition, ' beg lea!e to present you ith a copy as a s$all $ark of that high estee$ an" ar"ent gratitu"e ith hich ' ha!e the honour to be, /ir, your "eeply in"ebte", an" e!er "e!ote", hu$ble ser!ant, R# B#9061; 9+ootnote 0614 This letter as penne" in response to the sy$pathy hich Cr# Erskine ha" e-presse" for Burns in a letter to Captain Ri""ell of Carse, hen Burns as taken to task by the Boar" of E-cise for his political opinions#; ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN,#EETo C'// CBC<R%<, %R?CL5@R'G# %?C+R'E/, D>uy 0213#D ### @o let $e a"" a fe ishes hich e!ery $an, ho has hi$self the honour of being a father, $ust breathe hen he sees fe$ale youth, beauty, an" innocence about to enter into this cheJuere" an" !ery precarious orl"# Cay you, $y young $a"a$, escape that fri!olity hich threatens uni!ersally to per!a"e the $in"s an" $anners of fashionable life, The $ob of fashionable fe$ale youthEE hat are theyH 5re they anythingH They prattle, laugh, sing, "ance, finger a lesson, or perhaps turn the pages of a fashionable no!elF but are their $in"s store" ith any infor$ation orthy of the noble po ers of reason an" ju"g$entH an" "o their hearts glo ith senti$ent, ar"ent, generous, or hu$aneH *ere ' to poetiKe on the subject ' oul" call the$ the butterflies of the hu$an kin", re$arkable only for the i"le !ariety of their or"inary glare, sillily straying fro$ one blosso$ing ee" to another, ithout a $eaning or an ai$, the i"iot prey of e!ery pirate of the skies ho thinks the$ orth his hile as he ings his ay by the$, an" spee"ily by intry ti$e s ept to that obli!ion hence they $ight as ell ne!er ha!e appeare"# 5$i" this cro " of nothings $ay you be so$ething, etc# R# B#

CLNNN,'#EETo ><.@ CBC?R%<, E/M#, %R?CL5@R'G# This is a painful, "isagreeable letter, an" the first of the kin" ' e!er rote# ' a$ truly in serious "istress for three or four guineas4 can you, $y "ear sir, acco$$o"ate $eH These accurse" ti$es by tripping up i$portation ha!e, for this year at least, loppe" off a full thir" of $y inco$eF9037; an" ith $y large fa$ily this is to $e a "istressing $atter# R# B# 9+ootnote 0374 @e!er $ore than 27 ?A poun"s#; ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN,''#EETo CR/# R'%%EL# %ear Ca"a$,EE' $eant to ha!e calle" on you yesternight, but as ' e"ge" up to your bo-E"oor, the first object hich greete" $y !ie , as one of those lobsterEcoate" puppies9030; sitting like another "ragon, guar"ing the .esperian fruit# <n the con"itions an" capitulations you so obligingly offer, ' shall certainly $ake $y eatherEbeaten rustic phiK a part of your bo-Efurniture on Tues"ayF hen e $ay arrange the business of the !isit# 5$ong the profusion of i"le co$pli$ents, hich insi"ious craft, or un$eaning folly, incessantly offer at your shrineEEa shrine, ho far e-alte" abo!e such a"orationEEper$it $e, ere it but for rarityBs sake, to pay you the honest tribute of a ar$ heart an" an in"epen"ent $in"F an" to assure you that ' a$, thou $ost a$iable, an" $ost acco$plishe" of thy se-, ith the $ost respectful estee$, an" fer!ent regar", thine, etc# R# B# 9+ootnote 0304 Cilitary officers#; ) ) ) ) )

CLNNN,'''#EETo CR/# R'%%EL# ' ill ait on you, $y e!er !alue" frien", but hether in the $orning ' a$ not sure# /un"ay closes a perio" of our curst re!enue business, an" $ay probably keep $e e$ploye" ith $y pen until noon# +ine e$ploy$ent for a poetBs pen3 There is a species of hu$an genus that ' call Dthe ginEhorse classD4 hat en!iable "ogs they are3 Roun", an" roun", an" roun" they go,EECun"ellBs o-, that "ri!es his cotton $ill, is their e-act prototypeEE ithout an i"ea or ish beyon" their circleF fat, sleek, stupi", patient, Juiet, an" contente"F hile here ' sit, altogether @o!e$berish, a "a$nB" $elange of fretfulness an" $elancholyF not enough of the one to rouse $e to passion, nor of the other to repose $e in torporF $y soul flouncing an" fluttering roun" her tene$ent, like a il" finch, caught a$i" the horrors of inter, an" ne ly thrust into a cage# *ell, ' a$ persua"e" that it as of $e the .ebre sage prophesie", hen he foretol"EE &5n" behol", on hatsoe!er this $an "oth set his heart, it shall not prosper3& 'f $y resent$ent is a ake", it is sure to be here it "are not sJueakF an" ifEE####

Pray that R# B# ) )

is"o$ an" bliss be $ore freJuent !isitors of

CLNNN'N#EETo CR/# R'%%EL# ' ha!e often tol" you, $y "ear frien", that you ha" a spice of caprice in your co$position, an" you ha!e as often "isa!o e" itF e!en perhaps hile your opinions ere, at the $o$ent, irrefragably pro!ing it# Coul" any thing estrange $e fro$ a frien" such as youHEE@o3 ToE$orro ' shall ha!e the honour of aiting on you# +are ell, thou first of frien"s, an" $ost acco$plishe" of o$en ' e!en ith all thy little caprices3 R B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC#EETo CR/# R'%%EL# Ca"a$,EE' return your co$$onplace book# ' ha!e peruse" it ith $uch pleasure, an" oul" ha!e continue" $y criticis$s, but as it see$s the critic has forfeite" your estee$, his strictures $ust lose their !alue# 'f it is true that &offences co$e only fro$ the heart,& before you ' a$ guiltless# To a"$ire, estee$, an" priKe you as the $ost acco$plishe" of o$en, an" the first of frien"sEEif these are cri$es, ' a$ the $ost offen"ing thing ali!e# 'n a face here ' use" to $eet the kin" co$placency of frien"ly confi"ence, Dno D to fin" col" neglect an" conte$ptuous scornEEis a rench that $y heart can ill bear# 't is, ho e!er, so$e kin" of $iserable goo" luck, that hile D"eEhautEenEbasD rigour $ay "epress an unoffen"ing retch to the groun", it has a ten"ency to rouse a stubborn so$ething in his boso$, hich, though it cannot heal the oun"s of his soul, is at least an opiate to blunt their poignancy# *ith the profoun"est respect for your abilities, the $ost sincere estee$ an" ar"ent regar" for your gentle heart an" a$iable $anners, an" the $ost fer!ent ish an" prayer for your elfare, peace, an" bliss, ' ha!e the honour to be, Ca"a$, your $ost "e!ote" hu$ble ser!ant# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC'#EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C# 6=Dth +ebruaryD 021L# Canst thou $inister to a $in" "isease"H Canst thou speak peace an" rest to a soul tost on a sea of troubles, ithout one frien"ly star to gui"e her course, an" "rea"ing that the ne-t surge $ay o!er hel$ herH Canst thou gi!e to a fra$e, tre$blingly ali!e to the tortures of suspense, the stability an" har"ihoo" of the rock that bra!es the blastH 'f thou canst

not "o the least of these, hy ith thy inJuiries after $eH

oul"st thou "isturb $e in $y $iseries,

+or these t o $onths ' ha!e not been able to lift a pen# Cy constitution an" fra$e ere, Dab origineD, blaste" ith a "eep incurable taint of hypochon"ria, hich poisons $y e-istence# <f late a nu$ber of "o$estic !e-ations, an" so$e pecuniary share in the ruin of these curse" ti$esF losses hich, though trifling, ere yet hat ' coul" ill bear, ha!e so irritate" $e, that $y feelings at ti$es coul" only be en!ie" by a reprobate spirit listening to the sentence that "oo$s it to per"ition# 5re you "eep in the language of consolationH ' ha!e e-hauste" in reflection e!ery topic of co$fort# D5 heart at easeD oul" ha!e been char$e" ith $y senti$ents an" reasoningsF but as to $yself, ' as like >u"as 'scariot preaching the gospelF he $ight $elt an" $oul" the hearts of those aroun" hi$, but his o n kept its nati!e incorrigibility# /till there are t o great pillars that bear us up, a$i" the reck of $isfortune an" $isery# The <@E is co$pose" of the "ifferent $o"ifications of a certain noble, stubborn so$ething in a $an, kno n by the na$es of courage, fortitu"e, $agnani$ity# The <T.ER is $a"e up of those feelings an" senti$ents, hich, ho e!er the sceptic $ay "eny the$, or the enthusiast "isfigure the$, are yet, ' a$ con!ince", original an" co$ponent parts of the hu$an soulF those Dsenses of the $in"D if ' $ay be allo e" the e-pression, hich connect us ith, an" link us to, those a ful obscure realitiesEEan allEpo erful, an" eJually beneficent Go"F an" a orl" to co$e, beyon" "eath an" the gra!e# The first gi!es the ner!e of co$bat, hile a ray of hope bea$s on the fiel"4 the last pours the bal$ of co$fort into the oun"s hich ti$e can ne!er cure# ' "o not re$e$ber, $y "ear Cunningha$, that you an" ' e!er talke" on the subject of religion at all# ' kno so$e ho laugh at it, as the trick of the crafty +E*, to lea" the un"iscerning C5@(F or at $ost, as an uncertain obscurity hich $ankin" can ne!er kno anything of, an" ith hich they are fools if they gi!e the$sel!es $uch to "o# @or oul" ' Juarrel ith a $an for his irreligion, any $ore than ' oul" for his ant of a $usical ear, ' oul" regret that he as shut out fro$ hat, to $e an" to others, ere such superlati!e sources of enjoy$ent# 't is in this point of a !ie , an" for this reason, that ' ill "eeply i$bue the $in" of e!ery chil" of $ine ith religion# 'f $y son shoul" happen to be a $an of feeling, senti$ent, an" taste, ' shall thus a"" largely to his enjoy$ents# Let $e flatter $yself that this s eet little fello , ho is just no running about $y "esk, ill be a $an of a $elting, ar"ent, glo ing heartF an" an i$agination, "elighte" ith the painter, an" rapt ith the poet# Let $e figure hi$ an"ering out in a s eet e!ening, to inhale the bal$y gales, an" enjoy the glo ing lu-uriance of the springF hi$self the hile in the bloo$ing youth of life# .e looks abroa" on all nature, an" through nature up to natureBs Go"# .is soul, by s ift "elighting "egrees, is rapt abo!e this sublunary sphere until he can be silent no longer, an" bursts out into the glorious enthusias$ of Tho$son, These, as they change, 5l$ighty +ather, these 5re but the !arie" Go"# The rolling year 's full of thee# 5n" so on, in all the spirit an" ar"our of that char$ing hy$n# These are no i"eal pleasures, they are real "elightsF an" ' ask, hat of the "elights a$ong the sons of $en are superior, not to say eJual to the$H

5n" they ha!e this precious, !ast a""ition, that conscious !irtue sta$ps the$ for her o nF an" lays hol" on the$ to bring herself into the presence of a itnessing, ju"ging, an" appro!ing Go"# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC''#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# C5/TLE %<?GL5/, D6=th >une 021L#D .ere in a solitary inn, in a solitary !illage, a$ ' set by $yself, to a$use $y broo"ing fancy as ' $ay# /olitary confine$ent, you kno , is .o ar"Bs fa!ourite i"ea of reclai$ing sinnersF so let $e consi"er by hat fatality it happens, that ' ha!e so long been e-cee"ing sinful as to neglect the correspon"ence of the $ost !alue" frien" ' ha!e on earth# To tell you that ' ha!e been in poor health ill not be e-cuse enough, though it is true# ' a$ afrai" that ' a$ about to suffer for the follies of $y youth# Cy $e"ical frien"s threaten $e ith a flying goutF but ' trust they are $istaken# ' a$ just going to trouble your critical patience ith the first sketch of a stanKa ' ha!e been fra$ing, as ' passe" along the roa"# The subject is Liberty4 you kno , $y honoure" frien", ho "ear the the$e is to $e# ' "esign it an irregular o"e for General *ashingtonBs birthE"ay# 5fter ha!ing $entione" the "egeneracy of other king"o$s ' co$e to /cotlan" thus4 Thee, Cale"onia, thy il" heaths a$ong, Thee, fa$e" for $artial "ee" an" sacre" song, To thee ' turn ith s i$$ing eyesF *here is that soul of free"o$ fle"H '$$ingle" ith the $ighty "ea"3 Beneath the hallo e" turf here *allace lies3 .ear it not, *allace, in thy be" of "eathF (e babbling in"s, in silence s eep, %isturb ye not the heroBs sleep# (ou ill probably ha!e another scra l fro$ $e in a stage or t o# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC'''#EETo CR# >5CE/ ><.@/<@# %?C+R'E/, 021L# Cy %ear +rien",EE(ou shoul" ha!e hear" fro$ $e long agoF but o!er an" abo!e so$e !e-atious share in the pecuniary losses of these accurse" ti$es, ' ha!e all this inter been plague" ith lo spirits an" blue "e!ils, so that D' ha!e al$ost hung $y harp on the illo treesD# ' a$ just no busy correcting a ne e"ition of $y poe$s, an" this, $y or"inary business, fin"s $e in full e$ploy$ent# ' sen" you by $y frien", Cr# *allace, fortyEone songs for your fifth !olu$eF if e cannot finish it any other ay, hat oul" you think of ith

/cotch or"s to so$e beautiful 'rish airsH 'n the $eanti$e, at your leisure, gi!e a copy of the DCuseu$D to $y orthy frien", Cr# Peter .ill, bookseller, to bin" for $e, interlea!e" ith blank lea!es, e-actly as he "i" the Lair" of Glenri""elBs, that ' $ay insert e!ery anec"ote ' can learn, together ith $y o n criticis$s an" re$arks on the songs# 5 copy of this kin" ' shall lea!e ith you, the e"itor, to publish at so$e after perio", by ay of $aking the DCuseu$D a book fa$ous to the en" of ti$e, an" you reno ne" for e!er# ' ha!e got a highlan" "irk, for hich ' ha!e great !eneration, as it once as the "irk of DLor" Bal$erinoD# 't fell into ba" han"s, ho strippe" it of the sil!er $ounting, as ell as the knife an" fork# ' ha!e so$e thoughts of sen"ing it to your care, to get it $ounte" ane #EE(ours, etc#, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC',#EETo CR# PETER C'LLER, >?@#, <+ %5L/*'@'<@#9030; %?C+R'E/, D@o!# 021L#D %ear /ir,EE(our offer is in"ee" truly generous, an" sincerely "o ' thank you for itF but in $y present situation, ' fin" that ' "are not accept it# (ou ell kno $y political senti$entsF an" ere ' an insular in"i!i"ual, unconnecte" ith a ife an" a fa$ily of chil"ren, ith the $ost fer!i" enthusias$ ' oul" ha!e !olunteere" $y ser!icesF ' then coul" an" oul" ha!e "espise" all conseJuences that $ight ha!e ensue"# Cy prospect in the E-cise is so$ethingF at least, it isEEencu$bere" as ' a$ ith the elfare, the !ery e-istence, of near halfEaEscore of helpless in"i!i"ualsEE hat ' "are not sport ith# 'n the $eanti$e, they are $ost elco$e to $y <"eF only, let the$ insert it as a thing they ha!e $et ith by acci"ent an" unkno n to $e# @ay, if Cr# Perry, hose honour, after your character of hi$, ' cannot "oubt, if he ill gi!e $e an a""ress an" channel by hich anything ill co$e safe fro$ those spies ith hich he $ay be certain that his correspon"ence is beset, ' ill no an" then sen" hi$ any bagatelle that ' $ay rite# 'n the present hurry of Europe, nothing but ne s an" politics ill be regar"e"F but against the "ays of peace, hich .ea!en sen" soon, $y little assistance $ay perhaps fill up an i"le colu$n of a ne spaper# ' ha!e long ha" it in $y hea" to try $y han" in the ay of little prose essays, hich ' propose sen"ing into the orl" through the $e"iu$ of so$e ne spaperF an" shoul" these be orth his hile, to these Cr# Perry shall be elco$eF an" all $y re ar" shall be, his treating $e ith his paper, hich, byEtheEby, to anybo"y ho has the least relish for it, is a high treat in"ee"# *ith the $ost grateful estee$, ' a$ e!er, %ear /ir, R# B# 9+ootnote 0304 .e ha" offere" Burns a post on the staff of DThe Corning ChronicleD, of hich ne spaper Cr# Perry as proprietor#; ) ) ) ) )

CNC,#EETo CR/, R'%%EL, Ca"a$,EE' "are say that this is the first epistle you e!er recei!e" fro$ this nether orl"# ' rite you fro$ the regions of hell, a$i" the horrors of the "a$nB"# The ti$e an" $anner of $y lea!ing your earth ' "o not e-actly kno , as ' took $y "eparture in the heat of a fe!er of into-ication, contracte" at your too hospitable $ansionF but, on $y arri!al here, ' as fairly trie", an" sentence" to en"ure the purgatorial tortures of this infernal confine for the space of ninetyEnine years, ele!en $onths, an" t entyEnine "ays, an" all on account of the i$propriety of $y con"uct yesternight un"er your roof# .ere a$ ', lai" on a be" of pitiless furKe, ith $y aching hea" recline" on a pillo of e!erEpiercing thorn, hile an infernal tor$entor, rinkle", an" ol", an" cruelEEhis na$e ' think is DRecollectionDEE ith a hip of scorpions, forbi"s peace or rest to approach $e, an" keeps anguish eternally a ake# /till, Ca"a$, if ' coul" in any $easure be reinstate" in the goo" opinion of the fair circle ho$ $y con"uct last night so $uch injure", ' think it oul" be an alle!iation to $y tor$ents# +or this reason ' trouble you ith this letter# To the $en of the co$pany ' ill $ake no apology#EE(our husban", ho insiste" on $y "rinking $ore than ' chose, has no right to bla$e $e, an" the other gentle$en ere partakers of $y guilt# But to you, Ca"a$, ' ha!e $uch to apologise# (our goo" opinion ' !alue" as one of the greatest acJuisitions ' ha" $a"e on earth, an" ' as truly a beast to forfeit it# There as a Ciss 'EEEtoo, a o$an of fine sense, gentle an" unassu$ing $annersEE"o $ake, on $y part, a $iserable "a$nB" retchBs best apology to her# 5 Crs# GEE, a char$ing o$an, "i" $e the honour to be preju"ice" in $y fa!ourF this $akes $e hope that ' ha!e not outrage" her beyon" all forgi!eness#EETo all the other la"ies please present $y hu$blest contrition for $y con"uct, an" $y petition for their gracious par"on# < all ye po ers of "ecency an" "ecoru$3 hisper to the$ that $y errors, though great, ere in!oluntaryEEthat an into-icate" $an is the !ilest of beastsEEthat it as not in $y nature to be brutal to any oneEEthat to be ru"e to a o$an, hen in $y senses, as i$possible ith $eEEbutEE Regret3 Re$orse3 /ha$e3 ye three hell houn"s that e!er "og $y steps an" bay at $y heels, spare $e3 spare $e3 +orgi!e the offences, an" pity the per"ition of, Ca"a$, your hu$ble sla!e, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC,'#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# D0=th %ece$ber 021=#D Cy %ear +rien",EE5s ' a$ in a co$plete %ece$berish hu$our, gloo$y, sullen, stupi", as e!en the %eity of %ulness herself coul" ish, ' shall not "ra l out a hea!y letter ith a nu$ber of hea!ier apologies for $y late silence# <nly one ' shall $ention, because ' kno you ill sy$pathise ith it4 these four $onths, a s eet little girl, $y youngest chil", has been so ill, that e!ery "ay a eek or less threatene" to ter$inate her e-istence# There ha" $uch nee" be $any pleasures anne-e" to the states of husban" an" father, for, Go" kno s, they ha!e $any peculiar cares# ' cannot "escribe to you the an-ious, sleepless hours these ties freJuently gi!e $e# ' see a train of helpless little folksF

$e an" $y e-ertions all their stay4 an" on hat a brittle threa" "oes the life of $an hang3 'f ' a$ nipt off at the co$$an" of fate3 e!en in all the !igour of $anhoo" as ' a$EEsuch things happen e!ery "ay EEGracious Go"3 hat oul" beco$e of $y little flock3 BTis here that ' en!y your people of fortune# 5 father on his "eathbe", taking an e!erlasting lea!e of his chil"ren, has in"ee" oe enoughF but the $an of co$petent fortune lea!es his sons an" "aughters in"epen"ency an" frien"sF hile 'EEbut ' shall run "istracte" if ' think any longer on the subject3 To lea!e talking of the $atter so gra!ely, ' shall sing ith the ol" /cots balla"EE < that ' ha" neBer been $arrie", ' oul" ne!er ha" nae careF @o 'B!e gotten ife an" bairns, They cry cro "ie e!er$air# Cro "ie ance, cro "ie t ice4 Cro "ie three ti$es in a "ay4 5n ye cro "ie ony $air, (eBll cro "ie aB $y $eal a ay# D6=th, Christ$as Corning#D This, $y $uchElo!e" frien", is a $orning of ishesF accept $ineEEso .ea!en hear $e as they are sincere3 that blessings $ay atten" your steps, an" affliction kno you not3 'n the char$ing or"s of $y fa!ourite authorEE&The Can of +eeling,& &Cay the Great /pirit bear up the eight of thy grey hairs, an" blunt the arro that brings the$ rest3& @o that ' talk of authors, ho "o you like Co perH 's not the &Task& a glorious poe$H The religion of the &Task,& bating a fe scraps of Cal!inistic "i!inity, is the religion of Go" an" @atureF the religion that e-alts, that ennobles $an# *ere not you to sen" $e your DPelucoD in return for $ineH Tell $e ho you like $y $arks an" notes through the book# ' oul" not gi!e a farthing for a book, unless ' ere at liberty to blot it ith $y criticis$s# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CNC,''#EETo CR/# %?@L<P, '@ L<@%<@# %?C+R'E/, D6<th %ece$ber 021=#D ' ha!e been pro"igiously "isappointe" in this Lon"on journey of yours#### %o let $e hear fro$ you the soonest possible# 5s ' hope to get a frank fro$ $y frien" Captain Ciller, ' shall, e!ery leisure hour, take up the pen an" gossip a ay hate!er co$es first, prose or poetry, ser$on or song# 'n this last article ' ha!e aboun"e" of late# ' ha!e often $entione" to you a superb publication of /cottish songs, hich is $aking its appearance in our great $etropolis, an" here ' ha!e the honour to presi"e o!er the /cottish !erse, as no less a personage than Peter Pin"ar "oes o!er the English# D%ece$ber 61th#D

/ince ' began this letter, ' ha!e been appointe" to act in the capacity of super!isor here, an" ' assure you, hat ith the loa" of business, an" hat ith that business being ne to $e, ' coul" scarcely ha!e co$$an"e" ten $inutes to ha!e spoken to you, ha" you been in to n, $uch less to ha!e ritten you an epistle# This appoint$ent is only te$porary, an" "uring the illness of the present incu$bentF but ' look for ar" to an early perio" hen ' shall be appointe" in full for$4 a consu$$ation "e!outly to be ishe"3 Cy political sins see$ to be forgi!en $e# This is the season G@e (earBs "ay is no $y "ateI of ishing, an" $ine are $ost fer!ently offere" up for you3 Cay life to you be a positi!e blessing hile it lasts, for your o n sakeF an" that it $ay yet be greatly prolonge" is $y ish for $y o n sake, an" for the sake of the rest of your frien"s3 *hat a transient business is life3 ,ery lately ' as a boyF but tBother "ay ' as a young $anF an" ' alrea"y begin to feel the rigi" fibre an" stiffening joints of ol" age co$ing fast oBer $y fra$e# *ith all $y follies of youth, an", ' fear, a fe !ices of $anhoo", still ' congratulate $yself on ha!ing ha" in early "ays religion strongly i$presse" on $y $in"# ' ha!e nothing to say to any one as to hich sect he belongs to, or hat cree" he belie!es4 but ' look on the $an ho is fir$ly persua"e" of infinite *is"o$ an" Goo"ness superinten"ing an" "irecting e!ery circu$stance that can happen in his lotEE' felicitate such a $an for ha!ing a soli" foun"ation for his $ental enjoy$entF a fir$ prop an" sure stay, in the hour of "ifficulty, trouble, an" "istressF an" a ne!erEfailing anchor of hope hen he looks beyon" the gra!e# R# B# ) ) ) )

CN,'''#EETo T.E .<@, T.E PR<,</T, ETC#, <+ %?C+R'E/# Gentle$en,EEThe literary taste, an" liberal spirit, of your goo" to n has so ably fille" the !arious "epart$ents of your schools, as to $ake it a !ery great object for a parent to ha!e his chil"ren e"ucate" in the$# /till, to $e, a stranger, ith $y large fa$ily, an" !ery stinte" inco$e, to gi!e $y young ones the e"ucation ' ish, at the highEschool fees hich a stranger pays, ill bear har" upon $e# /o$e years ago, your goo" to n "i" $e the honour of $aking $e an honorary Burgess# *ill you allo $e to reJuest that this $ark of "istinction $ay e-ten" so far, as to put $e on a footing of a real free$an of the to n, in the schoolsH 'f you are so !ery kin" as to grant $y reJuest, it ill certainly be a constant incenti!e to $e to strain e!ery ner!e here ' can officially ser!e youF an" ill, if possible, increase that grateful respect ith hich ' ha!e the honour to be, Gentle$en, your "e!ote" hu$ble ser!ant, R# B#9036; 9+ootnote 0364 *ith the PoetBs reJuest the Cagistiates of %u$fries !ery han"so$ely co$plie"# .e as in"uce" to $ake the reJuest through the persuasions of Cr# >a$es Gray an" Cr# Tho$as *hite, Casters of the Gra$$ar /chool, %u$fries hose $e$ories are still green on the banks of the @ith#EEC?@@'@G.5C#;

CNC'N#EETo CR/# %?@L<P#9033; %?C+R'E/, D3lst >anuary 0218#D These $any $onths you ha!e been t o packets in $y "ebtEE hat sin of ignorance ' ha!e co$$itte" against so highly !alue" a frien" ' a$ utterly at a loss to guess# 5las3 Ca"a$, ill can ' affor", at this ti$e, to be "epri!e" of any of the s$all re$nant of $y pleasures# ' ha!e lately "runk "eep of the cup of affliction# The autu$n robbe" $e of $y only "aughter an" "arling chil", an" that at a "istance too, an" so rapi"ly, as to put it out of $y po er to pay the last "uties to her#9033a; ' ha" scarcely begun to reco!er fro$ that shock, hen ' beca$e $yself the !icti$ of a $ost se!ere rheu$atic fe!er, an" long the "ie spun "oubtfulF until after $any eeks of a sick be", it see$s to ha!e turne" up life, an" ' a$ beginning to cra l across $y roo$, an" once in"ee" ha!e been before $y o n "oor in the street# R# B# 9+ootnote 0334 Cunningha$ saysEE&'t see$s all but certain that Crs# %unlop regar"e" the Poet ith so$e little "ispleasure "uring the e!ening of his "ays#&; 9+ootnote 033a4 This chil" "ie" at Cauchline#; ) ) ) ) )

CC#EETo CR# >5CE/ ><.@/<@# %?C+R'E/, DLth >uly 0218#D .o are you, $y "ear frien", an" ho co$es on your fifth !olu$eH903L; (ou $ay probably think that for so$e ti$e past ' ha!e neglecte" you an" your orkF but, alas3 the han" of pain, an" sorro , an" care has these $any $onths lain hea!y on $e3 Personal an" "o$estic affliction ha!e al$ost entirely banishe" that alacrity an" life ith hich ' use" to oo the rural $use of /cotia# (ou are a goo", orthy, honest fello , an" ha!e a goo" right to li!e in this orl"EEbecause you "eser!e it# Cany a $erry $eeting this publication has gi!en us, an" possibly it $ay gi!e us $ore, though, alas3 ' fear it# This protracting, slo , consu$ing illness hich hangs o!er $e ill, ' "oubt $uch, $y "ear frien", arrest $y sun before he has ell reache" his $i""le career, an" ill turn o!er the poet to far $ore i$portant concerns than stu"ying the brilliancy of it, or the pathos of senti$ent3 .o e!er, hope is the cor"ial of the hu$an heart, an" ' en"ea!our to cherish it as ell as ' can# ' a$ asha$e" to ask another fa!our of you, because you ha!e been so !ery goo" alrea"yF but $y ife has a !ery particular frien", a young la"y ho sings ell, to ho$ she ishes to present the D/cots Cusical Cuseu$D# 'f you ha!e a spare copy, ill you be so obliging as to sen" it by the !ery first fly, as ' a$ an-ious to ha!e it soon#EE(ours e!er, R# B#903=; 9+ootnote 03L4 <f the DCusical Cuseu$D#;

9+ootnote 03=4 &'n this hu$ble $anner "i" poor Burns ask for a copy of a ork to hich he ha" contribute", gratuitously, not less than 0:L original, altere", an" collecte" songs3&EECR<CEA#; ) ) ) ) )

CC'EET< CR# C?@@'@G.5C# BR<*, D/eaEbathing Juarters, 2th >ulyD 0218# Cy %ear Cunningha$,EE' recei!e" yours here this $o$ent, an" a$ in"ee" highly flattere" ith the approbation of the literary circle you $entionF a literary circle inferior to none in the t o king"o$s# 5las3 $y frien", ' fear the !oice of the bar" ill soon be hear" a$ong you no $ore3 +or these eight or ten $onths ' ha!e been ailing, so$eti$es be"fast an" so$eti$es notF but these last three $onths ' ha!e been torture" ith an e-cruciating rheu$atis$, hich has re"uce" $e to nearly the last stage# (ou actually oul" not kno $e if you sa $e# Pale, e$aciate", an" so feeble, as occasionally to nee" help fro$ $y chairEE $y spirits fle"3 fle"3EEbut ' can no $ore on the subjectEEonly the $e"ical folks tell $e that $y last an" only chance is bathing an" country Juarters, an" ri"ing# The "euce of the $atter is thisEE hen an e-cise$an is off "uty, his salary is re"uce" to L3= instea" of L=7# *hat ay, in the na$e of thrift, shall ' $aintain $yself, an" keep a horse in country Juarters, ith a ife an" fi!e chil"ren at ho$e, on 3= poun"sH ' $ention this, because ' ha" inten"e" to beg your ut$ost interest, an" that of all the frien"s you can $uster, to $o!e our Co$$issioners of E-cise to grant $e the full salaryF ' "are say you kno the$ all personally# 'f they "o not grant it $e, ' $ust lay $y account ith an e-it truly Den poeteDF if ' "ie not of "isease, ' $ust perish ith hunger#9038; ' ha!e sent you one of the songsF the other $y $e$ory "oes not ser!e $e ith, an" ' ha!e no copy here, but ' shall be at ho$e soon, hen ' ill sen" it you# 5propos to being at ho$e, Crs# Burns threatens in a eek or t o to a"" one $ore to $y paternal charge, hich, if of the right gen"er, ' inten" shall be intro"uce" to the orl" by the respectable "esignation of D5le-an"er Cunningha$ BurnsD# Cy last as D>a$es GlencairnD, so you can ha!e no objection to the co$pany of nobility# +are ell# R# B# 9+ootnote 0384 D@otD grante"#; ) ) ) ) )

CC''#EETo CR# G'LBERT B?R@/# D07th >uly 021=#D %ear Brother,EE't ill be no !ery pleasing ne s to you to be tol" that ' a$ "angerously ill, an" not likely to get better# 5n in!eterate rheu$atis$ has re"uce" $e to such a state of "ebility, an" $y appetite is so totally gone, that ' can scarcely stan" on $y legs# ' ha!e been a eek at seaEbathing, an" ill continue there, or in a frien"Bs house in the country, all the su$$er# Go" keep $y ife an" chil"renF if ' a$ taken fro$ their hea", they ill be poor in"ee"# ' ha!e contracte" one

or t o serious "ebts, partly fro$ $y illness these $any $onths, partly fro$ too $uch thoughtlessness as to e-pense hen ' ca$e to to n, that ill cut in too $uch on the little ' lea!e the$ in your han"s# Re$e$ber $e to $y $other#EE(ours, R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CC'''#EETo CR/# B?R@/#9032; BR<*, DThurs"ay#D Cy %earest Lo!e,EE' "elaye" riting until ' coul" tell you hat effect seaEbathing as likely to pro"uce# 't oul" be injustice to "eny that it has ease" $y pains, an" ' think has strengthene" $eF but $y appetite is still e-tre$ely ba"# @o flesh nor fish can ' s allo 4 porri"ge an" $ilk are the only things ' can taste# ' a$ !ery happy to hear, by Ciss >ess Le ars, that you are all ell# Cy !ery best an" kin"est co$pli$ents to her, an" to all the chil"ren# ' ill see you on /un"ay#EE(our affectionate husban", R# B# 9+ootnote 0324 <ne e!ening, hile at the Bro , Burns as !isite" by t o young la"ies# The sun, setting on the estern hills, thre a strong light upon hi$ through the in"o # <ne of the$ percei!ing this, procee"e" to "ra the curtainF &Let $e look at the sun, $y "ear,& sai" the sinking poet, &he ill not long shine on $e#&; ) ) ) ) )

CC',#EETo CR/# %?@L<P# BR<*, D/atur"ay, 06th >uly 0218#D Ca"a$,EE' ha!e ritten you so often, ithout recei!ing any ans er, that ' oul" not trouble you again, but for the circu$stances in hich ' a$# 5n illness hich has long hung about $e, in all probability ill spee"ily sen" $e beyon" that bourne hence no tra!eller returns# (our frien"ship, ith hich for $any years you honoure" $e, as a frien"ship "earest to $y soul# (our con!ersation, an" especially your correspon"ence, ere at once highly entertaining an" instructi!e# *ith hat pleasure "i" ' use to break up the seal3 The re$e$brance yet a""s one pulse $ore to $y poor palpitating heart# +are ell333 R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CC,#EETo CR# >5CE/ B?R@E//, *R'TER, C<@TR</E# %?C+R'E/, D06th >uly#D C( %E5R C<?/'@,EE*hen you offere" $e $oney assistance, little "i" ' think ' shoul" ant it so soon# 5 rascal of a haber"asher, to ho$ ' o e a consi"erable bill, taking it into his hea" that ' a$ "ying, has co$$ence" a process against $e, an" ill infallibly put $y e$aciate" bo"y into jail# *ill you be so goo" as to acco$$o"ate $e, an" that by

return of post, ith ten poun"sH < >a$es, "i" you kno the pri"e of $y heart, you oul" feel "oubly for $e3 5las3 ' a$ not use" to beg3 The orst of it is, $y health as co$ing about finely# Celancholy an" lo spirits are half $y "isease# 'f ' ha" it settle", ' oul" be, ' think, Juite ell in a $anner# R# B# ) ) ) ) )

CC,'#EETo .'/ +5T.ERE'@EL5*, >5CE/ 5RC<?R, C5/<@, C5?C.L'@E#903:; %?C+R'E/, D0:th >uly 0211#D C( %E5R /'R,EE%o, for hea!enBs sake, sen" Crs# 5r$our here i$$e"iately# Cy ife is hourly e-pecting to be put to be"# Goo" Go"3 hat a situation for her to be in, poor girl, ithout a frien"3 ' returne" fro$ seaEbathing Juarters toE"ay, an" $y $e"ical frien"s oul" al$ost persua"e $e that ' a$ better, but ' think an" feel that $y strength is so gone that the "isor"er ill pro!e fatal to $e#EE(our sonEinEla , R# B# 9+ootnote 03:4 Crs# BurnsBs father# This is the !ery last of BurnsBs co$positions, being ritten only three "ays before his "eath#; ) ) ) )

T.E T.<C/<@ LETTER/# PRE+5T<R( @<TE# This correspon"ence began in /epte$ber 0216, hen Burns ha" alrea"y been "o$icile" nine $onths in the to n of %u$fries, an" en"e" only ith his "eath in >uly 0218# 't originate" in the reJuest of a stranger for a series of songs to suit a projecte" collection of the best /cottish airs# The stranger as George Tho$son, a young $an of about BurnsBs o n age, an" hea" clerk in the office of the Boar" of Canufactures in E"inburgh# Tho$son outli!e" his great correspon"ent by $ore than half a century# .e "ie" so recently as 0:=0, at the a"!ance" age of ninetyEt o# Robert Cha$bers has "escribe" hi$ as a $ost honourable $an, of singularly a$iable character an" cheerful $anners# 't $ay interest so$e people to kno that his gran""aughter as the ife of %ickens, the fa$ous no!elist# T.E T.<C/<@ LETTER# '# %?C+R'E/, D08th /epte$ber 0216#D /ir,EE' ha!e just this $o$ent got your letter# 5s the reJuest you $ake to $e ill positi!ely a"" to $y enjoy$ents in co$plying ith it, ' shall enter into your un"ertaking ith all the s$all portion of abilities '

ha!e, straine" to their ut$ost e-ertion by the i$pulse of enthusias$# <nly, "onBt hurry $e# &%eil tak the hin"$ost& is by no $eans the Dcrie "e guerreD of $y $use# *ill you, as ' a$ inferior to none of you in enthusiastic attach$ent to the poetry an" $usic of ol" Cale"onia, an", since you reJuest it, ha!e cheerfully pro$ise" $y $ite of assistanceEE ill you let $e ha!e a list of your airs, ith the first line of the printe" !erses you inten" for the$, that ' $ay ha!e an opportunity of suggesting any alteration that $ay occur to $eH (ou kno Btis in the ay of $y tra"eF still lea!ing you, gentle$en,9031; the un"oubte" rights of publishers, to appro!e or reject at your pleasure, for your o n publication# D5proposD if you are for DEnglishD !erses, there is, on $y part, an en" of the $atter# *hether in the si$plicity of the balla", or the pathos of the song, ' can only hope to please $yself in being allo e" at least a sprinkling of our nati!e tongue# English !erses, particularly the orks of /cots$en, that ha!e $erit, are certainly !ery eligible# &T ee"si"eF& &5h3 the Poor /hepher"Bs Cournful +ateF& &5h3 Chloris, coul" ' no but sit,& etc#, you cannot $en"F but such insipi" stuff as &To +anny fair, coul" ' i$part,& etc#, usually set to &The Cill, Cill, <,& is a "isgrace to the collections in hich it has alrea"y appeare", an" oul" "oubly "isgrace a collection that ill ha!e the !ery superior $erit of yours# But $ore of this in the farther prosecution of the business, if ' a$ to be calle" on for $y strictures an" a$en"$entsEE' say, a$en"$entsF for ' ill not alter, accept here ' $yself, at least, think that ' a$en"# 5s to any renu$eration, you $ay think $y songs either abo!e or belo priceF for they shall absolutely be the one or the other# 'n the honest enthusias$ ith hich ' e$bark in your un"ertaking, to talk of $oney, ages, fee, hire, etc#, oul" be "o nright so"o$y of soul3 5 proof of each of the songs that ' co$pose or a$en" ' shall recei!e as a fa!our# 'n the rustic phrase of the season, &Gu"e spee" the ark3&EE' a$, /ir, your !ery hu$ble ser!ant, R# B?R@/# P#/#EE' ha!e so$e particular reasons for kno n as little as possible# ishing $y interference to be

9+ootnote 0314 Tho$son in his letter spoke of coa"jutors, but in less than a year he beca$e sole e"itor of the collection#; ) ''# Cy %ear /ir,EELet $e tell you that you are too fasti"ious in your i"eas of songs an" balla"s# ' o n that your criticis$s are justF the songs you specify in your list ha!e, Dall but oneD, the faults you re$ark in the$F but ho shall e $en" the $atterH *ho shall rise up an" sayEEGo to, ' ill $ake a betterH +or instance, on rea"ing o!er &The LeaErig,& ' i$$e"iately set about trying $y han" on it, an", after all, ' coul" $ake nothing $ore of it than the follo ing, hich, .ea!en kno s, is poor enough4EE *hen oBer the hill the eastern star Tells bughtinEti$e is near, $y jo, Getc#I (our obser!ation as to the aptitu"e of %r# PercyBs balla" to the air, ) ) ) )

&@annie <,& is just# 't is besi"es, perhaps, the $ost beautiful balla" in the English language# But let $e re$ark to you, that in the senti$ent an" style of our /cottish airs there is a pastoral si$plicity, a so$ething that one $ay call the %oric style an" "ialect of !ocal $usic, to hich a "ash of our nati!e tongue an" $anners is particularly, nay, peculiarly apposite# +or this reason, an" upon $y honour, for this reason alone, ' a$ of opinion Gbut, as ' tol" you before, $y opinion is yours, freely yours to appro!e or reject as you pleaseI that $y balla" of &@annie, <&, $ight perhaps "o for one set of !erses to the tune# @o "onBt let it enter into your hea" that you are un"er any necessity of taking $y !erses# ' ha!e long ago $a"e up $y $in" as to $y o n reputation in the business of authorshipF an" ha!e nothing to be please" or offen"e" at, in your a"option or rejection of $y !erses# Though you shoul" reject one half of hat ' gi!e you, ' shall be please" ith your a"opting the other half, an" shall continue to ser!e you ith the sa$e assi"uity# 'n the printe" copy of $y &@annie, <&, the na$e of the ri!er is horri"ly prosaic# ' ill alter it, Behin" yon hills here DLugarD flo s#

Gir!an is the na$e of the ri!er that suits the i"ea of the stanKa best, but Lugar is the $ost agreeable $o"ulation of syllables# ' ill soon gi!e you a great $any $ore re$arks on this businessF but ' ha!e just no an opportunity of con!eying you this scra l, free of postage, an e-pense that it is ill able to payF so, ith $y best co$pli$ents to honest 5llan,90L7; goo"bye to ye# D+ri"ay night# /atur"ay $orning#D 5s ' fin" ' ha!e still an hour to spare this $orning before $y con!eyance goes a ay, ' ill gi!e you &@annie, <&, at length# (our re$arks on &E eEbughts, Carion&, are justF still it has obtaine" a place a$ong our $ore classical /cottish songsF an" hat ith $any beauties in its co$position, an" $ore preju"ices in its fa!our, you ill not fin" it easy to supplant it# 'n $y !ery early years, hen ' as thinking of going to the *est 'n"ies, ' took the follo ing fare ell of a "ear girl# 't is Juite trifling, an" has nothing of the $erits of &E eEbughts&, but it ill fill up this page# (ou $ust kno that all $y earlier lo!eEsongs ere the breathings of ar"ent passion, an" though it $ight ha!e been easy in afterEti$es to ha!e gi!en the$ a polish, yet that polish, to $e, hose they ere, an" ho perhaps alone care" for the$, oul" ha!e "eface" the legen" of $y heart, hich as so faithfully inscribe" on the$# Their uncouth si$plicity as, as they say of ines, their DraceD# *ill ye go to the 'n"ies, $y Cary, Getc#I &Gala *ater,& an" &5ul" Rob Corris,& ' think, ill $ost probably be the ne-t subject of $y $usings# .o e!er, e!en on D$y !ersesD, speak out your criticis$s ith eJual frankness# Cy ish is, not to stan" aloof, the unco$plying bigot of DopiniatreteD, but cor"ially to join issue ith you in the furtherance of the ork# Gu"e spee" the ark3

5$en# 9+ootnote 0L74 %a!i" 5llan, the artist#; ) '''# D@o!e$berD :DthD, 0216, 'f you $ean, $y "ear /ir, that all the songs in your collection shall be poetry of the first $erit, ' a$ afrai" you ill fin" $ore "ifficulty in the un"ertaking than you are a are of# There is a peculiar rhyth$us in $any of our airs, an" a necessity of a"apting syllables to the e$phasis, or hat ' oul" call the DfeatureEnotesD of the tune, that cra$p the poet, an" lay hi$ un"er al$ost insuperable "ifficulties# +or instance, in the air, &Cy *ifeBs a anton ee Thing&, if a fe lines, s$ooth an" pretty, can be a"apte" to it, it is all you can e-pect# The enclose" ere $a"e e-te$pore to itF an" though, on farther stu"y, ' $ight gi!e you so$ething $ore profoun", yet it $ight not suit the lightEhorse gallop of the air so ell as this ran"o$ clink# ' ha!e just been looking o!er the &CollierBs bonny %ochter&, an" if the enclose" rhapso"y hich ' co$pose" the "ay, on a char$ing 5yrshire girl, Ciss Baillie, as she passe" through this place to Englan", ill suit your taste better than the &Collier Lassie&, fall on an" elco$e# ' ha!e hitherto "eferre" the subli$er, $ore pathetic airs until $ore leisure, as they ill take, an" "eser!e a greater effort# .o e!er, they are all put into your han"s, as clay into the han"s of the potter, to $ake one !essel to honour, an" another to "ishonour# +are ell, etc# ) ',# 'nclosing &.ighlan" Cary&#EETuneEEDAatharine <gieD# (e banks, an" braes, an" strea$s aroun", Getc#I 0LDth @o!e$berD 0216# Cy %ear /ir,EE' agree ith you, that the song &Aatharine <gie&, is !ery poor stuff, an" un orthy, altogether un orthy, of so beautiful an air# ' trie" to $en" itF but the a k ar" soun" &<gie,& recurring in the rhy$e, spoils e!ery atte$pt at intro"ucing senti$ent into the piece# The foregoing song pleases $yselfF ' think it is in $y happiest $annerF you ill see at the first glance that it suits the air# The subject of the song is one of the $ost interesting passages of $y youthful "aysF an" ' o n that ' shoul" be $uch flattere" to see the !erses set to an air hich oul" ensure celebrity# Perhaps, after all,Btis the still glo ing preju"ice of $y heart that thro s a borro e" lustre o!er the $erits of the co$position# ' ha!e partly taken your i"ea of &5ul" Rob Corris&# ' ha!e a"opte" the t o first !erses, an" a$ going on ith the song on a ne plan, hich pro$ises pretty ell# ' take up one or another, just as the bee of the $o$ent buKKes in $y bonnetElugF an" "o you, Dsans cere$onieD, $ake hat use you choose of the pro"uctions# 5"ieu3 etc# ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

) ,#

68Dth >anuaryD 0213# ' appro!e greatly, $y "ear /ir, of your plans# %r# BeattieBs essay ill of itself be a treasure# <n $y part, ' $ean to "ra up an appen"i- to the %octorBs essay, containing $y stock of anec"otes, etc#, of our /cots songs# 5ll the late Cr# TytlerBs anec"otes ' ha!e by $e, taken "o n in the course of $y acJuaintance ith hi$, fro$ his o n $outh# ' a$ such an enthusiast, that in the course of $y se!eral peregrinations through /cotlan", ' $a"e a pilgri$age to the in"i!i"ual spot fro$ hich e!ery song took its rise, Lochaber an" the Braes of Ballen"ean e-cepte"# /o far as locality, either fro$ the title of the air, or the tenor of the song, coul" be ascertaine", ' ha!e pai" $y "e!otions at the particular shrine of e!ery /cots Cuse# ' "o not "oubt but you $ight $ake a !ery !aluable collection of >acobite songsEEbut oul" it gi!e no offenceH 'n the $eanti$e, "o not you think that so$e of the$, particularly &The /o Bs Tail to Geor"ie&, as an air, ith other or"s, $ight be ell orth a place in your collection of li!ely songsH 'f it ere possible to procure songs of $erit, it oul" be proper to ha!e one set of /cots or"s to e!ery air, an" that the set of or"s to hich the notes ought to be set# There is a Dnai!eteD, a pastoral si$plicity, in a slight inter$i-ture of /cots or"s an" phraseology, hich is $ore in unison Gat least to $y taste, an", ' ill a"", to e!ery genuine Cale"onian tasteI, ith the si$ple pathos or rustic sprightliness of our nati!e $usic, than any English !erses hate!er# The !ery na$e of Peter Pin"ar is an acJuisition to your ork# .is &Gregory& is beautiful# ' ha!e trie" to gi!e you a set of stanKas in /cots, on the sa$e subject, hich are at your ser!ice# @ot that ' inten" to enter the lists ith PeterF that oul" be presu$ption in"ee"# Cy song, though $uch inferior in poetic $erit, has, ' think, $ore of the balla" si$plicity in it# L<R% GREG<R(# < $irk, $irk is this $i"night hour, Getc#I (our re$ark on the first stanKa of $y &.ighlan" Cary& is just, but ' cannot alter it, ithout injuring the poetry# ) ,'# D67th Carch 0213#D Cy %ear /ir,EEThe song prefi-e" G&Cary Corison&I is one of $y ju!enile orks# ' lea!e it in your han"s# ' "o not think it !ery re$arkable, either for its $erits or "e$erits# 't is i$possible Gat least ' feel it so in $y stinte" po ersI to be al ays original, entertaining, an" itty# *hat is beco$e of the list, etc#, of your songsH ' shall be out of all te$per ith you by an" by# ' ha!e al ays looke" on $yself as the prince ) ) ) )

of in"olent correspon"ents, an" !alue" $yself accor"inglyF an" ' ill not, cannot bear ri!alship fro$ you, nor anybo"y else# ) ,''# D2th 5pril 0213# D Thank you, $y "ear /ir, for your packet# (ou cannot i$agine ho $uch this business of co$posing for your publication has a""e" to $y enjoy$ents# *hat, ith $y early attach$ent to balla"s, your book, etc#, balla"E$aking is no as co$pletely $y hobbyEhorse as e!er fortification as ?ncle TobyBsF so 'Bll eBen canter it a ay till ' co$e to the li$it of $y race GGo" grant that ' $ay take the right si"e of the inningEpost3I an" then cheerfully looking back on the honest folks ith ho$ ' ha!e been happy, ' shall say, or sing, &/ae $erry as e aB hae been& an" raising $y last looks to the hole hu$an race, the last or"s of the !oice of Coila shall be, &Goo" night, an" joy be iB you aB3& /o $uch for $y last or"sF no for a fe present re$arks as they ha!e occurre" at ran"o$, on looking o!er your list# The first lines of &The last ti$e ' ca$e oBer the Coor&, an" se!eral other lines in it, are beautifulF but in $y opinionEEpar"on $e, re!ere" sha"e of Ra$say3EEthe song is un orthy of the "i!ine air# ' shall try to D$akeD or D$en"D# &+or e!er, +ortune, ilt thou pro!e,& is a char$ing songF but &Logan Burn an" Logan Braes& are s eetly susceptible of rural i$ageryF 'Bll try that like ise, an" if ' succee", the other song $ay class a$ong the English ones# ' re$e$ber the t o last lines of a !erse in so$e of the ol" songs of &Logan *ater& Gfor ' kno a goo" $any "ifferent onesI, hich ' think prettyEE @o $y "ear la" $aun face his faes, +ar, far frae $e, an" Logan braes# &Cy Patie is a lo!er gay&, is uneJual# &.is $in" is ne!er $u""y,& is a $u""y e-pression in"ee"# Then 'Bll resign an" $arry Pate, 5n" syne $y cockernonyEE This is surely far un orthy of Ra$say, or your book# Cy song, &Rigs of Barley&, to the sa$e tune, "oes not altogether please $eF but if ' can $en" it, an" thresh a fe loose senti$ents out of it, ' ill sub$it it to your consi"eration# The &Lass oB PatieBs Cill& is one of Ra$sayBs best songsF but there is one loose senti$ent in it, hich $y $uchE!alue" frien", Cr# Erskine, ill take into his critical consi"eration# 'n /ir ># /inclairBs statistical !olu$es are t o clai$s, one ' think, fro$ 5ber"eenshire, an" the other fro$ 5yrshire, for the honour of this song# The follo ing anec"ote, hich ' ha" fro$ the present /ir *illia$ Cunningha$, of Robertlan", ho ha" it of the late >ohn, Earl of Lou"on, ' can on such authorities belie!e# 5llan Ra$say as resi"ing at Lou"on Castle ith the then Earl, father to Earl >ohnF an" one forenoon, ri"ing or alking out together, his lor"ship an" 5llan passe" a s eet ro$antic spot on 'r ine ater, still calle" &PatieBs Cill,& here a bonnie lass as &te""ing hay, barehea"e" on the green#& Cy lor" obser!e" to 5llan, that it oul" be a fine the$e for a song, Ra$say took the hint, an" lingering behin", he co$pose" the ) ) ) )

first sketch of it,

hich he pro"uce" at "inner#

&<ne "ay ' hear" Cary say,& is a fine songF but for consistencyBs sake, alter the na$e &5"onis#& *as there e!er such banns publishe", as a purpose of $arriage bet een 5"onis an" CaryH ' agree ith you that $y song, &ThereBs nought but care on e!ery han",& is $uch superior to &Poortith Caul"#& The original song, &The Cill, Cill, <,& though e-cellent, is, on account of "elicacy, ina"$issibleF still ' like the title, an" think a /cottish song oul" suit the notes bestF an" let your chosen song, hich is !ery pretty, follo , as an English set# The &Banks of %ee& is, you kno , literally &Langolee& to slo ti$e# The song is ell enough, but has so$e false i$agery in it, for instance, 5n" s eetly the nightingale sung fro$ the DtreeD# 'n the first place, the nightingale sings in a lo bush, but ne!er fro$ a treeF an" in the secon" place, there ne!er as a nightingale seen or hear" on the banks of the %ee, or on the banks of any other ri!er in /cotlan"# E-otic rural i$agery is al ays co$parati!ely flat# 'f ' coul" hit on another stanKa eJual to &The s$all bir"s rejoice,& etc#, ' "o $yself honestly a!o that ' think it a superior song# &>ohn 5n"erson, $y jo&EEthe song to this tune in >ohnsonBs DCuseu$D is $y co$position, an" ' think it not $y orst4 if it suit you, take it an" elco$e# (our collection of senti$ental an" pathetic songs is, in $y opinion, !ery co$pleteF but not so your co$ic ones# *here are &Tullochgoru$,& &Lu$ps oB Pu""inB,& &Tibbie +o ler,& an" se!eral others, hich, in $y hu$ble ju"g$ent, are ell orthy of preser!ationH There is also one senti$ental song of $ine in the DCuseu$D, hich ne!er as kno n out of the i$$e"iate neighbourhoo", until ' got it taken "o n fro$ a country girlBs singing# 't is calle" &CraigieEburn *oo"F& an" in the opinion of Cr# Clarke is one of our s eetest /cottish songs# .e is Juite an enthusiast about itF an" ' oul" take his taste in /cottish $usic against the taste of $ost connoisseurs# (ou are Juite right in inserting the last fi!e in your list, though they are certainly 'rish# &/hepher"s, ' ha!e lost $y lo!e,& is to $e a hea!enly airEE hat oul" you think of a set of /cottish !erses to itH ' ha!e $a"e one a goo" hile ago, hich ' think is the best lo!e song90L0; ' e!er co$pose" in $y lifeF but in its original state it is not Juite a la"yBs song# ' enclose an altere", not a$en"e" copy for you, if you choose to set the tune to it, an" let the 'rish !erses follo # Cr# ErskineBs songs are all pretty, but his &Lone ,ale& is "i!ine#EE(ours, etc# Let $e kno just ho you like these ran"o$ hints# ine#&;

9+ootnote 0L04 &(estreen ' ha" a pint oB ) ,'''# D5pril 0213#D ) ) ) )

Cy %ear /ir,EE' o n $y !anity is flattere" hen you gi!e $y songs a place in your elegant an" superb orkF but to be of ser!ice to the ork is $y first ish# 5s ' ha!e often tol" you, ' "o not in a single instance ish you, out of co$pli$ent to $e, to insert anything of $ine#

<ne hint let $e gi!e youEE hate!er Cr# Peyel "oes, let hi$ not alter one DiotaD of the original /cottish airsF ' $ean in the song "epart$entF but let our national $usic preser!e its nati!e features# They are, ' o n, freJuently il", an" irre"ucible to the $ore $o"ern rulesF but on that !ery eccentricity, perhaps, "epen"s a great part of their effect# ) 'N# D>uneD 0213# *hen ' tell you, $y "ear /ir, that a frien" of $ine, in ho$ ' a$ $uch intereste", has fallen a sacrifice to these accurse" ti$es, you ill easily allo that it $ight unhinge $e for "oing any goo" a$ong balla"s# Cy o n loss, as to pecuniary $atters, is triflingF but the total ruin of a $uchElo!e" frien" is a loss in"ee"# Par"on $y see$ing inattention to your last co$$an"s# ' cannot alter the "ispute" lines in the &Cill, Cill, <#&90L6; *hat you think a "efect ' estee$ as a positi!e beautyF so you see ho "octors "iffer# ' shall no , ith as $uch alacrity as ' can $uster, go on ith your co$$an"s# (ou kno +raKer, the hautboy player in E"inburghEEhe is here instructing a ban" of $usic for a fencible corps Juartere" in this country# 5$ong $any of the airs that please $e, there is one ell kno n as a reel, by the na$e of &The MuakerBs *ife&F an" hich ' re$e$ber a gran"Eaunt of $ine use" to sing, by the na$e of &Liggera$ Cosh, $y bonnie ee lass&# Cr# +raKer plays it slo , an" ith an e-pression that Juite char$s $e# ' beca$e such an enthusiast about it that ' $a"e a song for it, hich ' here subjoin, an" inclose +raKerBs set of the tune# 'f they hit your fancy, they are at your ser!iceF if not, return $e the tune, an" ' ill put it in >ohnsonBs DCuseu$D# ' think the song is not in $y orst $anner# Blithe hae ' been on yon hill, Getc#I ' shoul" ish to hear ho this pleases you# ere the thir" an" fourthEE ) ) ) )

9+ootnote 0L64 The lines

*iB $ony a s eet babe fatherless, 5n" $ony a i"o $ourning#; ) N# D>une 6=th 0213D# .a!e you e!er, $y "ear /ir, felt your boso$ rea"y to burst ith in"ignation on rea"ing of those $ighty !illains ho "i!i"e king"o$ against king"o$, "esolate pro!inces, an" lay nations aste, out of the antonness of a$bition, or often fro$ still $ore ignoble passionsH 'n a $oo" of this kin" toE"ay ' recollecte" the air of &Logan *aterF& an" it occurre" to $e that its Juerulous $elo"y probably ha" its origin fro$ the plainti!e in"ignation of so$e s elling, suffering heart, fire" at the tyrannic stri"es of so$e public "estroyer, an" o!er hel$e" ith ) ) )

pri!ate "istress, the conseJuence of a countryBs ruin# 'f ' ha!e "one anything at all like justice to $y feelings, the follo ing song, co$pose" in three Juarters of an hourBs $e"itation in $y elbo Echair, ought to ha!e so$e $erit# 9.ere follo s &Logan *ater#&; %o you kno the follo ing beautiful little frag$ent in *itherspoonBs DCollection of /cots /ongsDH 5irEED.ughie Graha$#D < gin $y lo!e ere yon re" rose, That gro s upon the castle aB, 5n" ' $yselB a "rap oB "e 'nto her bonnie breast to faB3 <h, there beyon" e-pression blest, 'B" feast on beauty aB the nightF /ealB" on her silk saft faul"s to rest, Till fleyB" a a by Phoebus light# This thought is ine-pressibly beautifulF an" Juite, so far as ' kno , original# 't is too short for a song, else ' oul" fors ear you altogether, unless you ga!e it a place# ' ha!e often trie" to eke a stanKa to it, but in !ain# 5fter balancing $yself for a $using fi!e $inutes, on the hin" legs of $y elbo Echair, ' pro"uce" the follo ing# The !erses are far inferior to the foregoing, ' frankly confessF but if orthy of insertion at all, they $ight be first in placeF as e!ery poet, ho kno s anything of his tra"e, ill husban" his best thoughts for a conclu"ing stroke# < ere $y lo!e yon lilac fair, *iB purple blosso$s to the springF 5n" ' a bir" to shelter there, *hen earie" on $y little ingF .o ' a" $ourn, hen it as torn By autu$n il", an" inter ru"e3 But ' a" sing on anton ing, *hen youthfuB Cay its bloo$ rene B"# ) N'# D>ulyD 0213# ' assure you, $y "ear /ir, that you truly hurt $e ith your pecuniary parcel# 't "egra"es $e in $y o n eyes# .o e!er, to return it oul" sa!our of affectationF but as to any $ore traffic of that "ebtor or cre"itor kin", ' s ear by that .<@<?R hich cro ns the upright statue of R<BERT B?R@/B/ '@TEGR'T(EEon the least $otion of it, ' ill in"ignantly spurn the byEEpast transaction, an" fro$ that $o$ent co$$ence entire stranger to you3 B?R@/B/ character for generosity of senti$ent an" in"epen"ence of $in" ill, ' trust, long outli!e any of his ants, hich the col", unfeeling ore can supply4 at least, ' ill take care that such a character he shall "eser!e# ) ) ) )

Thank you for $y copy of your publication# @e!er "i" $y eyes behol", in any $usical ork, such elegance an" correctness# (our preface, too, is a"$irably rittenF only, your partiality to $e has $a"e you say too $uch4 ho e!er, it ill bin" $e "o n to "ouble e!ery eifort in the future progress of the ork# The follo ing are a fe re$arks on the songs in the list you sent $e# ' ne!er copy hat ' rite to you, so ' $ay be often tautological, or perhaps contra"ictory# &The +lo ers of the +orest& is char$ing as a poe$F an" shoul" be, an" $ust be, set to the notesF but, though out of your rule, the three stanKas, beginning, ' hae seen the s$iling oB fortune beguiling, are orthy of a place, ere it but to i$$ortalise the author of the$, ho is an ol" la"y90L3; of $y acJuaintance, an" at this $o$ent li!ing in E"inburgh# /he is a Crs# CockburnF ' forget of hat placeF but fro$ Ro-burghshire# *hat a char$ing apostrophe is < fickle +ortune, hy this cruel sporting, *hy, hy tor$ent usEEDpoor sons of a "ayD3 The ol" balla", &' ish ' ere here .elen lies,& is silly, to conte$ptibility# Cy alteration of it, in >ohnsonBs, is not $uch better# 9+ootnote 0L64 D@eeD Rutherfor", of /elkirkshire# /he as then :0 years ol"#; ) N''# D5ugustD 0213# That tune, &Caul" Aail,& is such a fa!ourite of yours, that ' once $ore ro!e" out yester"ay for a gloa$inEshot at the $usesF hen the $use that presi"es oBer the shores of @ith, or rather $y ol" inspiring "earest ny$ph, Coila, hispere" $e the follo ing# ' ha!e t o reasons for thinking that it as $y early, s eet, si$ple inspirer that as by $y elbo , &s$ooth gli"ing ithout step,& an" pouring the song on $y glo ing fancy# 'n the first place, since ' left CoilaBs haunts, not a frag$ent of a poet has arisen to cheer her solitary $usings, by catching inspiration fro$ herF so ' $ore than suspect she has follo e" $e hither, or at least $akes $e occasional !isitsF secon"ly, the last stanKa of this song ' sen" you is the !ery or"s that Coila taught $e $any years ago, an" hich ' set to an ol" /cots reel in >ohnsonBs DCuseu$D# 5utu$n is $y propitious season# ' $ake $ore !erses in it than in all the year else# Go" bless you# ) N'''# D/eptD# 0213# (ou $ay rea"ily trust, $y "ear /ir, that any e-ertion in $y po er is heartily at your ser!ice# But one thing ' $ust hint to youF the !ery na$e of Peter +in"er is of great ser!ice to your publication, so get a ) ) ) ) ) ) )

!erse fro$ hi$ no an" thenF though ' ha!e no objection, as can, to bear the bur"en of the business#

ell as '

(ou kno that $y pretensions to $usical taste are $erely a fe of natureBs instincts, untaught an" untutore" by art# +or this reason, $any $usical co$positions, particularly here $uch of the $erit lies in counterpoint, ho e!er they $ay transport an" ra!ish the ears of your connoisseurs, affect $y si$ple lug no other ise than $erely as $elo"ious "in# <n the other han", by ay of a$en"s, ' a$ "elighte" ith $any little $elo"ies hich the learne" $usician "espises as silly an" insipi"# ' "o not kno hether the ol" air &.ey tuttie taittie& $ay rank a$ong this nu$berF but ell ' kno that, ith +raKerBs hautboy, it has often fille" $y eyes ith tears# There is a tra"ition, hich ' ha!e $et ith in $any places of /cotlan", that it as Robert BruceBs $arch at the battle of Bannockburn# This thought, in $y solitary an"erings, ar$e" $e to a pitch of enthusias$ on the the$e of Liberty an" 'n"epen"ence, hich ' thre into a kin" of /cottish o"e, fitte" to the air, that one $ight suppose to be the gallant Royal /cotBs a""ress to his heroic follo ers on that e!entful $orning# BR?CE T< .'/ TR<<P/, <n the E!e of the Battle of Bannockburn# D.ey tuttie taittieD# /cots, ha hae iB *allace ble", Getc#I /o $ay Go" e!er "efen" the cause of Truth an" Liberty, as .e "i" that "ay3EE5$en# P#/#EE' sho e" the air to ?rbani, ho as highly please" ith it, an" begge" $e to $ake soft !erses for itF but ' ha" no i"ea of gi!ing $yself any trouble on the subject, till the acci"ental recollection of that glorious struggle for free"o$, associate" ith the glo ing i"eas of so$e other struggles of the sa$e nature, not Juite so ancient, rouse" $y rhy$ing $ania# ClarkeBs set of the tune, ith his bass, you ill fin" in the DCuseu$DF though ' a$ afrai" that the air is not hat ill entitle it to a place in your elegant selection# ) N',# D/epte$ber 0213D# ' ha!e recei!e" your list, $y "ear /ir, an" here go $y obser!ations on it#90L3; &%o n the burn, %a!ie#& ' ha!e this $o$ent trie" an alteration, lea!ing out the last half of the thir" stanKa, an" the first half of the last stanKa, thus4EE 5s "o n the burn they took their ay, 5n" throB the flo ery "ale, .is cheek to hers he aft "i" lay, 5n" lo!e as aye the tale# *ith &Cary, hen shall e return, /ic pleasure to rene H& Muoth Cary, &Lo!e, ' like the burn, 5n" aye shall follo you#& ) ) ) )

&ThroB the oo", la""ie#& ' a$ "eci"e"ly of opinion that both in this an" &ThereBll ne!er be peace till >a$ie co$es ha$e,& the secon" or high part of the tune being a repetition of the first part an octa!e higher, is only for instru$ental $usic, an" oul" be $uch better o$itte" in singing# &Co "enEkno es#& Re$e$ber in your in"e- that the song in pure English, to this tune, beginning *hen su$$er co$es, the s ains on T ee", is the pro"uction of Cra for"F Robert as his Christian na$e#

&La""ie lie near $e,& $ust Dlie by $eD for so$e ti$e# ' "o not kno the airF an" until ' a$ co$plete $aster of a tune in $y o n singing Gsuch as it isI, ' ne!er can co$pose for it# Cy ay is4 ' consi"er the poetic senti$ent correspon"ent to $y i"ea of the $usical e-pression, then choose $y the$e, begin one stanKaF hen that is co$pose", hich is generally the $ost "ifficult part of the business, ' alk out, sit "o n no an" then, look out for objects in nature aroun" $e that are in unison or har$ony ith the cogitations of $y fancy, an" orkings of $y boso$F hu$$ing e!ery no an" then the air, ith the !erses ' ha!e fra$e"# *hen ' feel $y $use beginning to ja"e, ' retire to the solitary firesi"e of $y stu"y, an" there co$$it $y effusions to paperF s inging at inter!als on the hin" legs of $y elbo chair, by ay of calling forth $y o n critical strictures, as $y pen goes on# /eriously, this, at ho$e, is al$ost in!ariably $y ay# *hat curse" egotis$3 &Gil Corice& ' a$ for lea!ing out# 't is a plaguy lengthF the air itself is ne!er sung, an" its place can ell be supplie" by one or t o songs for fine airs that are not in your list# +or instance, &CraigieburnE oo"& an" &RoyBs *ife&# The first, besi"es its intrinsic $erit, has no!eltyF an" the last has high $erit, as ell as great celebrity# ' ha!e the original or"s of a song for the last air in the han" riting of the la"y ho co$pose" it, an" they are superior to any e"ition of the song hich the public has yet seen# &.ighlan" La""ie&# The ol" set ill please a $ere /cotch ear bestF an" the ne an 'talianise" one# There is a thir", an" hat <s al" calls the &<l" .ighlan" La""ie&, hich pleases e $ore than either of the$# 't is so$eti$es calle" &>inglan >ohnnie&, it being the air of an ol" hu$orous ta "ry song of that na$e# (ou ill fin" it in the Cuseu$, &' hae been at CrookieE"en,& etc# ' oul" a"!ise you in this $usical Juan"ary, to offer up your prayers to the $uses for inspiring "irectionF an", in the $eanti$e, aiting for this "irection, besto a libation to Bacchus, an" there is not a "oubt but you ill hit on a ju"icious choice# DProbatu$ estD# &5ul" /ir /i$on,& ' $ust beg you to lea!e out, an" put in its place &The MuakerBs *ife&# &Blythe hae ' been on yon hill& is one of the finest songs e!er ' $a"e in $y lifeF an", besi"es, is co$pose" on a young la"y positi!ely the $ost beautiful, lo!ely o$an in the orl"# 5s ' purpose gi!ing you the na$es an" "esignations of all $y heroines, to appear in so$e future e"ition of your ork, perhaps half a century hence, you $ust certainly inclu"e Dthe bonniest lass in aB the arl"D in your collection#

&%aintie %a!ie& ' ha!e hear" sung nineteen thousan", nine hun"re", an" ninetyEnine ti$es, an" al ays ith the lo part of the tuneF an" nothing has surprise" $e so $uch as your opinion on this subject# 'f it ill not suit, as ' propose, e ill lay t o of the stanKas together, an" then $ake the chorus follo # &+ee hi$, +ather&# ' enclose you +raKerBs set of this tune hen he plays it slo F in fact, he $akes it the language of "espair, ' shall here gi!e you t o stanKas in that style, $erely to try if it ill be any i$pro!e$ent# *ere it possible, in singing, to gi!e it half the pathos hich +raKer gi!es it in playing, it oul" $ake an a"$irable pathetic song# ' "o not gi!e these !erses for any $erit they ha!e# ' co$pose" the$ at the ti$e at hich DPatie 5llanBs $ither "ie"DF that as Dthe back oB $i"nightDF an" by the leeEsi"e of a bo l of punch, hich ha" o!erset e!ery $ortal in the co$pany, e-cept the hautbois an" the $use# Thou hast left $e e!er, >a$ie, Getc#I &>ockie an" >enny& ' oul" "iscar", an" in its place oul" put &ThereBs nae luck about the house&, hich has a !ery pleasant airF an" hich is positi!ely the finest lo!eEballa" in that style in the /cottish, or perhaps in any other language# &*hen she ca$e ben she bobbet&, as an air, is $ore beautiful than either, an" in the Dan"anteD ay oul" unite ith a char$ing senti$ental balla"# &/a ye $y father& is one of $y greatest fa!ourites# The e!ening before last ' an"ere" out, an" began a ten"er song, in hat ' think its nati!e style# ' $ust pre$ise that the ol" ay, an" the ay to gi!e $ost effect, is to ha!e no starting note, as the fi""lers call it, but to burst at once into the pathos# E!ery country girl singsE&/a ye $y father&, etc# Cy song is just begunF an" ' shoul" like, before ' procee", to kno your opinion of it# ' ha!e sprinkle" it ith the /cottish "ialect, but it $ay be easily turne" into correct English# +rag$ent#EETuneEE&D/a ye $y +atherD& *here are the joys ' hae $et in the $orning, Getc#I &To"lin ha$e&4 ?rbani $entione" an i"ea of his, hich has long been $ineF an" this air is highly susceptible of pathosF accor"ingly, you ill soon hear hi$, at your concert, try it to a song of $ine in the DCuseu$DEE&(e banks an" braes oB bonnie %oon&# <ne song $ore an" ' ha!e "one4 &5ul" lang syne&# The air is but D$e"iocreDF but the follo ing song, the ol" song of the ol"en ti$es, an" hich has ne!er been in print, nor e!en in $anuscript, until ' took it "o n fro$ an ol" $anBs singing, is enough to reco$$en" any air#90LL; 5?L% L5@G /(@E# /houl" aul" acJuaintance be forgot, Getc#I @o , ' suppose ' ha!e tire" your patience fairly# (ou $ust, after all is o!er, ha!e a nu$ber of balla"s, properly so calle", &Gil Corice&, &Tranent Cuir&, &CBPhersonBs +are ell&, &Battle of /heriffECuir&, or &*e ran an" they ran& G' kno the author of this char$ing balla", an" his historyIF &.ar"iknute&, &Barbara 5llan& G' can furnish a finer set of this tune than any that has yet appeare"I, an" besi"es, "o you kno that ' really ha!e the ol" tune to hich &The Cherry an" the /lae& as sungH an" hich is $entione" as a ellEkno n air in D/cotlan"Bs Co$plaintD, a book publishe" before poor CaryBs "ays# 't as then calle" &The Banks oB

.elicon&F an ol" poe$ hich Pinkerton has brought to light# (ou ill see all this in TytlerBs D.istory of /cottish CusicD# The tune, to a learne" ear, $ay ha!e no great $eritF but it is a great curiosity# ' ha!e a goo" $any original things of this kin"# 9+ootnote 0L34 /ongs for his publication# Burns goes through the holeF but only his re$arks of any i$portance are presente" here#; 9+ootnote 0LL4 't is belie!e" to ha!e been his o n co$position#; ) N,# D/epte$berD 0213# &*ho shall "eci"e hen "octors "isagreeH& Cy o"e90L=; pleases $e so $uch that ' cannot alter it# (our propose" alterations oul", in $y opinion, $ake it ta$e# ' a$ e-cee"ingly oblige" to you for putting $e on reconsi"ering itF as ' think ' ha!e $uch i$pro!e" it# 'nstea" of &so"ger3 hero3& ' ill ha!e it &Cale"onian3 on iB $e3& ' ha!e scrutinise" it o!er an" o!erF an" to the orl" so$e ay or other it shall go as it is# 5t the sa$e ti$e it ill not in the least hurt $e, shoul" you lea!e it out altogether, an" a"here to your first intention of a"opting LoganBs !erses# ' ha!e finishe" $y song to &/a ye $y +atherF& an" in English, as you ill see# That there is a syllable too $uch for the De-pressionD of the air, is trueF but allo $e to say, that the $ere "i!i"ing of a "otte" crotchet into a crotchet an" a Jua!er is not a great $atterF ho e!er, in that, ' ha!e no pretensions to cope in ju"g$ent ith you# <f the poetry ' speak ith confi"enceF but the $usic is a business here ' hint $y i"eas ith the ut$ost "iffi"ence# 9+ootnote 0L=4 /cots ) N,'# DCayD 021L# Cy %ear /ir,EE' return you the plates, ith hich ' a$ highly please"# ' oul" hu$bly propose, instea" of the younker knitting stockings, to put a stock an" horn into his han"s# 5 frien" of $ine, ho is positi!ely the ablest ju"ge on the subject ' ha!e e!er $et ith, an" though an unkno n, is yet a superior artist ith the DburinD, is Juite char$e" ith 5llanBs $anner# ' got hi$ a peep of the &Gentle /hepher"&, an" he pronounces 5llan a $ost original artist of great e-cellence# +or $y part, ' look on Cr# 5llanBs choosing $y fa!ourite poe$ for his subject to be one of the highest co$pli$ents ' ha!e e!er recei!e"# ' a$ Juite !e-e" at PleyelBs being coope" up in +rance, as it ill put an entire stop to our ork# @o , an" for si- or se!en $onths, ' shall be Juite in song, as you shall see byEan"Eby# ' got an air, pretty enough, co$pose" by La"y EliKabeth .eron, of .eron, hich she calls &The Banks of Cree#& Cree is a beautiful ro$antic strea$, an", as her la"yship is a ) ) ) ha hae#; ) ) ) ) )

particular frien" of $ine, ' ha!e ritten the follo ing song to it4EE .ere is the glen, an" here the bo er, Getc#I ) N,''# D/eptD# 021L# ' shall ith"ra $y &<n the seas an" far a ay& altogetherF it is uneJual, an" un orthy of the ork# Caking a poe$ is like begetting a sonF you cannot kno hether you ha!e a ise $an or a fool, until you pro"uce hi$ to the orl" an" try hi$# +or that reason ' ha!e sent you the offspring of $y brain, abortions an" allF an" as such, pray look o!er the$, an" forgi!e the$, an" burn the$# ' a$ flattere" at your a"opting &CaB the yo es to the kno es&, as it as o ing to $e that it e!er sa the light# 5bout se!en years ago ' as ell acJuainte" ith a orthy little fello of a clergy$an, a Cr# Clunie, ho sung it char$ingly4 an", at $y reJuest, Cr# Clarke took it "o n fro$ his singing# *hen ' ga!e it to >ohnson, ' a""e" so$e stanKas to the song, an" $en"e" others, but still it ill not "o for you# 'n a solitary stroll hich ' took toE"ay, ' trie" $y han" on a fe pastoral lines, follo ing up the i"ea of the chorus, hich ' oul" preser!e# .ere it is, ith all its cru"ities an" i$perfections on its hea"# CaB the yo es, Getc#I ' shall gi!e you $y opinion of your other ne ly a"opte" songs, $y first scribbling fit# ) N,'''# 01Dth <ctoberD 021L# Cy %ear +rien",EEBy this $orningBs post ' ha!e your list, an", in general, ' highly appro!e of it# ' shall, at $ore leisure, gi!e you a critiJue on the hole# Clarke goes to your to n by toE"ayBs fly, an" ' ish you oul" call on hi$ an" take his opinion in generalF you kno his taste is a stan"ar"# .e ill return here again in a eek or t o, so please "o not $iss asking for hi$# <ne thing ' hope he ill "oEEpersua"e you to a"opt $y fa!ourite, &CraigieEburn oo"&, in your selectionF it is as great a fa!ourite of his as of $ine# The la"y on ho$ it as $a"e is one of the finest o$en in /cotlan"F an", in fact GDentre nousDI, is in a $anner to $e hat /terneBs EliKa as to hi$EEa $istress, a frien", or hat you ill, in the guileless si$plicity of Platonic lo!e# G@o , "onBt put any of your sJuinting constructions on this, or ha!e any clish$aclai!er about it a$ong our acJuaintances#I ' assure you that to $y lo!ely frien" you are in"ebte" for $any of your best songs of $ine# %o you think that the sober ginEhorse routine of e-istence coul" inspire a $an ith life, an" lo!e, an" joyEEcoul" fire hi$ ith enthusias$, or $elt hi$ ith pathos, eJual to the genius of your bookH @o3 no3 *hene!er ' ant to be $ore than or"inary Din songDEEto be in so$e "egree eJual to your "i!iner airsEE"o you i$agine ' fast an" pray for the "i!ine e$anationH DTout au contraireD3 ' ha!e a glorious recipeEEthe !ery one that for his o n use as in!ente" by the "i!inity of healing an" poetry, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

hen erst he pipe" to the flocks of 5"$etus# ' put $yself on a regi$en of a"$iring a fine o$anF an" in proportion to the a"orability of her char$s, in proportion you are "elighte" ith $y !erses# The lightning of her eye is the go"hea" of Parnassus, an" the itchery of her s$ile the "i!inity of .elicon3 To "escen" to businessF if you like $y i"ea of &*hen she ca$ ben she bobbit&, the enclose" stanKas of $ine, altere" a little fro$ hat they ere for$erly hen set to another air, $ay perhaps "o instea" of orse stanKas# @o for a fe $iscellaneous re$arks# &The Posie& Gin the DCuseu$DI is $y co$positionF the air as taken "o n fro$ Crs# BurnsBs !oice# 't is ell kno n in the *est Country, but the ol" or"s are trash# ByEtheEbye, take a look at the tune again, an" tell $e if you "o not think it is the original fro$ hich &Roslin Castle& is co$pose"# The secon" part in particular, for the first t o or three bars, is e-actly the ol" air# &/trathallanBs La$ent& is $ineF the $usic is by our right trusty an" "eser!e"ly ell belo!e", 5llan Casterton# &%onocht hea"& is not $ineF ' oul" gi!e ten poun"s if it ere# 't appeare" first in the DE"inburgh .eral"DF an" ca$e to the e"itor of that paper ith the @e castle postE$ark on it90L8; &*histle oBer the la!e oBt& is $ineF the $usic is sai" to be by a >ohn Bruce, a celebrate" !iolin player in %u$fries, about the beginning of this century# This ' kno , Bruce, ho as an honest $an, though a re" u" .ighlan"$an, constantly clai$e" itF an" by all the ol" $usical people here is belie!e" to be the author of it# &5n"re an" his cutty gun&# The song to hich this is set in the DCuseu$D is $ineF an" as co$pose" on Ciss Euphe$ia Curray, of Lintrose, co$$only an" "eser!e"ly calle" the &+lo er of /trath$ore#& &.o lang an" "reary is the night#& ' $et ith so$e such or"s in a collection of songs so$e here, hich ' altere" an" enlarge"F an" to please you, an" to suit your fa!ourite air, ' ha!e taken a stri"e or t o across the roo$, an" ha!e arrange" it ane , as you ill fin" on the other page# TuneEEDCaul" Aail in 5ber"eenD# .o lang an" "reary is the night, Getc#I Tell $e ho you like this# ' "iffer fro$ your i"ea of the e-pression of the tune# There is, to $e, a great "eal of ten"erness in it# ' oul" be oblige" to you if you oul" procure $e a sight of RitsonBs DCollection of English /ongsD, hich you $ention in your letter# ' ill thank you for another infor$ation, an" that as spee"ily as you pleaseEE hether this $iserable "ra ling hotchEpotch epistle has not co$pletely tire" you of $y correspon"ence# 9+ootnote 0L84 &Aeen bla s the in" oBer %onocht hea", The sna "ri!es snelly throB the "ale, The GaberlunKie tirls $y sneck, 5n", shi!ering, tells his aefuB tale# &Caul" is the night, < let $e in, 5n" "inna let your $instrel faB,

5n" "inna let his in"ingEsheet Be naething but a reath oB sna #&Getc#I; ) N'N# D@o!e$berD 021L# Cany thanks to you, $y "ear sir, for your present4 it is a book of the ut$ost i$portance to $e# ' ha!e yester"ay begun $y anec"otes, etc#, for your ork# ' inten" "ra ing it up in the for$ of a letter to you, hich ill sa!e $e fro$ the te"ious "ull business of syste$atic arrange$ent# 'n"ee", as all ' ha!e to say consists of unconnecte" re$arks, anec"otes, scraps of ol" songs, etc#, it oul" be i$possible to gi!e the ork a beginning, a $i""le, an" an en"F hich the critics insist to be absolutely necessary in a ork# 'n $y last, ' tol" you $y objections to the song you ha" selecte" for &Cy lo"ging is on the col" groun"&# <n $y !isit the other "ay to $y fair Chloris Gthat is the poetic na$e of the lo!ely go""ess of $y inspirationI, she suggeste" an i"ea, hich ', on $y return fro$ the !isit, rought into the follo ing song4EE Cy Chloris, $ark ho green the gro!es, Getc,I .o "o you like the si$plicity an" ten"erness of this pastoralH ' think it pretty ell# ' like you for entering so can"i"ly an" so kin"ly into the story of D$a chlre a$ieD# ' assure you, ' as ne!er $ore in earnest in $y life than in the account of that affair hich ' sent you in $y last# Conjugal lo!e is a passion hich ' "eeply feel an" highly !enerateF but, so$eho , it "oes not $ake such a figure in poesy as that other species of the passion, *here Lo!e is liberty, an" @ature la , Cusically speaking, the first is an instru$ent of hich the ga$ut is scanty an" confine", but the tones ine-pressibly s eetF hile the last has po ers eJual to all the intellectual $o"ulations of the hu$an soul# /till, ' a$ a !ery poet, in $y enthusias$ of the passion# The elfare an" happiness of the belo!e" object is the first an" in!iolate senti$ent that per!a"es $y soulF an" hate!er pleasures ' $ight ish for, or hate!er $ight be the raptures they oul" gi!e $e, yet, if they interfere ith that first principle, it is ha!ing these pleasures at a "ishonest priceF an" justice forbi"s, an" generosity "is"ains, the purchase3 ) NN# ' a$ out of te$per that you shoul" set so s eet, so ten"er an air, as &%eil tak the ars,& to the foolish ol" !erses# (ou talk of the silliness of &/a ye $y father4& by hea!ens, the o""s is gol" to brass3 Besi"es, the ol" song, though no pretty ell $o"ernise" into the /cottish language, is, originally, an" in the early e"itions, a bungling lo i$itation of the /cottish $anner, by that genius, To$ %B?rfeyF so has no pretensions to be a /cottish pro"uction# There is a pretty English song by /heri"an in the &%uenna,& to this air, hich is out of ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

sight superior to %B?rfeyBs# 't begins, *hen sable night each "rooping plant restoring# The air, if ' un"erstan" the e-pression of it properly, is the !ery nati!e language of si$plicity, ten"erness, an" lo!e# ' ha!e again gone o!er $y song to the tune as follo s#90L2; There is an air, &The Cale"onian .untBs "elight&, to hich ' rote a song that you ill fin" in >ohnson# &(e banks an" braes oB bonnie %oon&F this air, ' think, $ight fin" a place a$ong your hun"re", as Lear says of his knights# %o you kno the history of the airH 't is curious enough# 5 goo" $any years ago, Cr# >a$es Ciller, riter in your goo" to n, a gentle$an ho$ possibly you kno , as in co$pany ith our frien" ClarkeF an" talking of /cottish $usic, Ciller e-presse" an ar"ent a$bition to be able to co$pose a /cots air# Cr# Clarke, partly by ay of joke, tol" hi$ to keep to the black keys of the harpsichor", an" preser!e so$e kin" of rhyth$, an" he oul" infallibly co$pose a /cots air# Certain it is, that in a fe "ays, Cr# Ciller pro"uce" the ru"i$ents of an air, hich Cr# Clarke, ith so$e touches an" corrections, fashione" into the tune in Juestion# Ritson, you kno , has the sa$e story of the &Black keysF& but this account hich ' ha!e just gi!en you, Cr# Clarke infor$e" $e of se!eral years ago# @o , to she you ho "ifficult it is to trace the origin of our airs, ' ha!e hear" it repeate"ly asserte" that this as an 'rish air nay, ' $et ith an 'rish gentle$an ho affir$e" he ha" hear" it in 'relan" a$ong the ol" o$enF hile, on the other han", a countess infor$e" $e, that the first person ho intro"uce" the air into this country as a baronetBs la"y of her acJuaintance, ho took "o n the notes fro$ an itinerant piper in the 'sle of Can# .o "ifficult then to ascertain the truth respecting our poesy an" $usic3 ', $yself, ha!e lately seen a couple of balla"s sung through the streets of %u$fries, ith $y na$e at the hea" of the$ as the author, though it as the first ti$e ' ha" e!er seen the$# ' a$ asha$e", $y "ear fello , to $ake the reJuestF Btis "unning your generosityF but in a $o$ent hen ' ha" forgotten hether ' as rich or poor, ' pro$ise" Chloris a copy of your songs# 't rings $y honest pri"e to rite you thisF but an ungracious reJuest is "oubly so, by a te"ious apology# To $ake you so$e a$en"s, as soon as ' ha!e e-tracte" the necessary infor$ation out of the$, ' ill return you RitsonBs !olu$es# The la"y is not a little prou" that she is to $ake so "istinguishe" a figure in your collection, an" ' a$ not a little prou" that ' ha!e it in $y po er to please her so $uch# Lucky it is for your patience that $y paper is "one, for hen ' a$ in a scribbling hu$our, ' kno not hen to gi!e o!er# 9+ootnote 0L24 <ur Bar" re$arks upon it, &' coul" easily thro this into an English $oul"F but, to $y taste, in the si$ple an" the ten"er of the pastoral song, a sprinkling of the ol" /cottish has an ini$itable effect#&; ) NN'# 01Dth @o!D# 021L# Tell $y frien" 5llan Gfor ' a$ sure that e only ant the trifling ) ) ) )

circu$stance of being kno n to one another to be the best frien"s on earthI that ' $uch suspect he has, in his plates, $istaken the figure of the stock an" horn# ' ha!e, at last, gotten oneF but it is a !ery ru"e instru$ent# 't is co$pose" of three partsF the stock, hich is the hin"er thighEbone of a sheep, such as you see in a $uttonEha$, the horn, hich is a co$$on .ighlan" co Bs horn, cut off at the s$aller en", until the aperture be large enough to a"$it the stock to be pushe" up through the horn, until it be hel" by the thicker en" of the thighEboneF an", lastly, an oaten ree" e-actly cut an" notche" like that hich you see e!ery shepher" boy ha!e, hen the corn ste$s are green an" fullEgro n# The ree" is not $a"e fast in the bone, but is hel" up by the lips, an" plays loose in the s$aller en" of the stockF hile the stock, ith the horn hanging on its larger en", is hel" by the han"s in playing# The stock has si- or se!en !entiges on the upper si"e, an" one back !entige, like the co$$on flute# This of $ine as $a"e by a $an fro$ the Braes of 5thole, an" is e-actly hat the shepher"s ont to use in that country# .o e!er, either it is not Juite properly bore" in the holes, or else e ha!e not the art of blo ing it rightlyF for e can $ake little of it# 'f Cr# 5llan chooses, ' ill sen" hi$ a sight of $ineF as ' look on $yself to be a kin" of brotherEbrush ith hi$# &Pri"e in poets is nae sin&, an" ' ill say it, that ' look on Cr# 5llan an" Cr# Burns to be the only genuine an" real painters of /cottish costu$e in the orl"# ) NN''# D>anuaryD 021=# ' fear for $y songsF ho e!er a fe $ay please, yet originality is a coy feature in co$position, an" in a $ultiplicity of efforts in the sa$e style, "isappears altogether# +or these three thousan" years e poetic folks ha!e been "escribing the spring, for instanceF an", as the spring continues the sa$e, there $ust soon be a sa$eness in the i$agery, etc#, of these sai" rhy$ing folks# 5 great critic, 5ikin on /ongs, says that lo!e an" ine are the e-clusi!e the$es for songE riting# The follo ing is on neither subject, an" conseJuently is no songF but ill be allo e", ' think, to be t o or three pretty goo" prose thoughts, in!erte" into rhy$e# +<R 5B T.5T 5@% 5B T.5T# 's there for honest po!erty, Getc#I ) NN'''# Ecclefechan,90L:; 2Dth +ebD# 021=# Cy %ear Tho$son,EE(ou cannot ha!e any i"ea of the pre"ica$ent in hich ' rite to you# 'n the course of $y "uty as super!isor Gin hich capacity ' ha!e acte" of lateI ' ca$e yesternight to this unfortunate, icke" little !illage# ' ha!e gone for ar", but sno s of ten feet "eep ha!e i$pe"e" $y progress4 ' ha!e trie" to &gae back the gate ' ca$ again,& but the sa$e obstacle has shut $e up ithin insuperable bars# To a"" to $y $isfortune, since "inner, a scraper has been torturing catgut, in soun"s that oul" ha!e insulte" the "ying agonies of a so un"er the ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

han"s of a butcher, an" thinks hi$self, on that !ery account, e-cee"ing goo" co$pany# 'n fact, ' ha!e been in a "ile$$a, either to get "runk, to forget these $iseriesF or to hang $yself, to get ri" of the$F like a pru"ent $an Ga character congenial to $y e!ery thought, or", an" "ee"I ' of t o e!ils ha!e chosen the least, an" a$ !ery "runk at your ser!ice3 ' ' rote you yester"ay fro$ %u$fries# ' ha" not ti$e then to tell you all ante" to sayF an" .ea!en kno s, at present ' ha!e not capacity#

%o you kno an airEE' a$ sure you $ust kno it, &*eBll gang nae $air to yon to nH& ' think, in slo ish ti$e, it oul" $ake an e-cellent song# ' a$ highly "elighte" ith itF an" if you shoul" think it orthy of your attention, ' ha!e a fair "a$e in $y eye to ho$ ' oul" consecrate it# 5s ' a$ just going to be", ' ish you a goo" night#

9+ootnote 0L:4 The birthplace of Carlyle#; ) NN',# (ou see ho ' ans er your or"ersF your tailor coul" not be $ore punctual# ' a$ just no in a high fit of poetising, pro!i"e" that the straitEjacket of criticis$ "onBt cure $e# 'f you can, in a post or t o, a"$inister a little of the into-icating potion of your applause, it ill raise your hu$ble ser!antBs frenKy to any height you ant# ' a$ at this $o$ent &hol"ing high con!erse& ith the Cuses, an" ha!e not a or" to thro a ay on such a prosaic "og as you are# ) NN,# D5prilD 0218# 5las, $y "ear Tho$son, ' fear it ill be so$e ti$e ere ' tune $y lyre again3 &By Babel strea$s ' ha!e sat an" ept& al$ost e!er since ' rote you last# ' ha!e only kno n e-istence by the pressure of the hea!y han" of sickness, an" ha!e counte" ti$e by the repercussions of pain3 Rheu$atis$, col", an" fe!er ha!e for$e" to $e a terrible co$bination# ' close $y eyes in $isery, an" open the$ ithout hope# ' look on the !ernal "ay, an" say, ith poor +ergussonEE /ay, herefore has an all in"ulgent .ea!en Light to the co$fortless an" retche" gi!enH This ill be "eli!ere" to you by a Crs# .yslop, lan"la"y of the Globe Ta!ern here, hich for these $any years has been $y Dho ffD, an" here our frien" Clarke an" ' ha!e ha" $any a $erry sJueeKe# ' a$ highly "elighte" ith Cr# 5llanBs etchings# &*ooB" an" $arrie" an" aB&, is a"$irable3 The DgroupingD is beyon" all praise# The e-pression of the figures, confor$able to the story in the balla", is absolutely faultless perfection# ' ne-t a"$ire &Turni$Espike&# *hat ' like least is, &>enny sai" to >ockey&# Besi"es the fe$ale being in her appearance Juite a !irago, if you take her stooping into the account, she is at least t o inches taller than her lo!er# Poor Cleghorn3 ' sincerely sy$pathise ith hi$3 .appy a$ ' to think that he yet has a ellEgroun"e" hope of health ) ) ) ) ) ) )

an" enjoy$ent in this ) NN,'# ) ) )

orl"# 5s for $eEEbut that is a "a$ning subject3 )

9DProbably CayD 0218#; Cy %ear /ir,EE'nclose" is a certificate hich Galthough little "ifferent fro$ the $o"elI ' suppose ill a$ply ans er the purpose, an" ' beg you ill prosecute the $iscreants90L1; ithout $ercy# *hen your publication is finishe", ' inten" publishing a collection, on a cheap plan, of all the songs ' ha!e ritten for you, The Cuseu$, an" othersEEat least, all the songs of hich ' ish to be calle" the author# ' "o not propose this so $uch in the ay of e$olu$ent as to "o justice to $y $use, lest ' shoul" be bla$e" for trash ' ne!er sa , or be "efrau"e" by false clai$ants of hat is justly $y o n# The post is going#EE' ill rite you again toE$orro # Cany thanks for the beautiful seal# R# B# 9+ootnote 0L14 +or infringe$ent of copyright#; ) NN,''# BR<*E<@E/<L*5(, LDth >ulyD 0218# Cy %ear /ir,EE' recei!e" your songsF but $y health is so precarious, nay, "angerously situate", that, as a last effort, ' a$ here at seaEbathing Juarters# Besi"es an in!eterate rheu$atis$, $y appetite is Juite gone, an" ' a$ so e$aciate" as to be scarce able to support $yself on $y o n legs# 5las3 's this a ti$e for $e to oo the $usesH .o e!er, ' a$ still an-iously illing to ser!e your ork, an" if possible shall try# ' oul" not like to see another e$ploye"EEunless you coul" lay your han" upon a poet hose pro"uctions oul" be eJual to the rest# +are ell, an" Go" bless you# R# B?R@/# ) NN,'''# BR<*, on the /ol ay +irth, 06Dth >ulyD 0218# 5fter all $y boaste" in"epen"ence, curst necessity co$pels $e to i$plore you for fi!e poun"s# 5 cruel retch of a haber"asher, to ho$ ' o e an account, taking it into his hea" that ' a$ "ying, has co$$ence" a process, an" ill infallibly put $e into jail# %o, for Go"Bs sake, sen" $e that su$, an" that by return of post# +orgi!e $e this earnestness, but the horrors of a jail ha!e $a"e $e half "istracte"# ' "o not ask all this gratuitouslyF for, upon returning health, ' hereby pro$ise an" engage to furnish you ith fi!e poun"s orth of the neatest songEgenius you ha!e seen# ' trie" $y han" on &Rothie$urchie& this $orning# The $easure is so "ifficult that it is ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

i$possible to infuse $uch genius into the linesF they are on the other si"e# +orgi!e, forgi!e $e390=7; +airest $ai" on %e!on banks, Crystal %e!on, in"ing %e!on, *ilt thou lay that fro n asi"e, 5n" s$ile as thou ert ont to "oH Getc#I 9+ootnote 0=74 These !erses, an" the letter inclosing the$, are ritten in a character that $arks the !ery feeble state of their author#;

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