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LETTERS, &c.

No. I.

To Mr. JOHN RICHMOND, Edinburgh.

Mosgiel, Feb. 17, 1786.

MY DEAR SIR,

I HAVE not time at present to upbraid you for your silence and neglect; I shall only say I received yours with great pleasure. I have enclosed you a piece of rhyming ware for your perusal. I have been very busy with the muses since I saw you, and have composed among several others, The Ordination, a poem on Mr. McKinlay's being called to Kilmarnock; Scotch Drink, a poem; The Cotter's Saturday Night; An Address to the Devil, &c. I have likewise completed my poem on the Dogs, but have not shewn it to the world. My chief patron now is Mr. Aiken in Ayr, who is pleased to express great approbation of my works. Be so good as send me Fergusson, by Connel,* and I will remit you the money. I have no news to acquaint you with about Mauchline, they are just going on in the old way. I have some very important news with respect to myself, not the most agreeable, news that I am sure you cannot guess, but I shall give you the

*Connel, the Mauchline carrier.

B

particulars another time. I am extremely happy with Smith;* he is the only friend I have now in Mauchline. I can scarcely forgive your long neglect of me, and I beg you will let me hear from you regularly by Connel. If you would act your part as a FRIEND, I am sure neither good nor bad fortune should strange or alter me. Excuse haste, as I got yours but yesterday. -I am,

My dear Sir,
Yours,

ROBERT BURNESS.t

Mr. James Smith, then a shop-keeper in Mauchline. It was to this young man that Burns addressed one of his finest performances "To J. S

"Dear S

beginning

the sleest, paukie thief.”

He died in the West-Indies.

This is the only letter the Editor has met with in which the Poet adds the termination ess to his name, as his father and family had spelled it.

No. II.

To Mr. M W

-IE, Writer, Ayr.

Mosgiel, 17th April, 1786.

IT is injuring some hearts, those hearts that elegantly bear the impression of the good Creator, to say to them you give them the trouble of obliging a friend; for this reason, I only tell you that I gratify my own feelings in requesting your friendly offices with respect to the inclosed, because I know it will gratify yours to assist me in it to the utmost of your power.

I have sent you four copies, as I have no less than eight dozen, which is a great deal more than I shall ever need.

Be sure to remember a poor poet militant in your prayers. He looks forward with fear and trembling to that, to him, important moment which stamps the die with-with-with, perhaps the eternal disgrace of, My dear Sir,

Your humbled,
afflicted,

tormented

ROBERT BURNS.

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