No. CCLXI.

TO MRS. DUNLOP.

MADAM,

Brow, Saturday, 12th July, 1796.

I HAVE Written you so often, without receiving any answer, that I would not trouble you again, but for the circumstances in which I am. An illness which has long hung about me, in all probability will speedily send me beyond that bourn whence no traveller returns. Your friendship, with which for many years you honoured me, was a friendship dearest to my soul. Your conversation, and especially your correspondence, were at once highly entertaining and instructive. With what pleasure did I use to break up the seal! The remembrance yet adds one pulse more to my poor palpitating heart. Farewell!!! R. B.

["Burns had, however, the pleasure," says Currie, "of receiving a satisfactory explanation of his friend's silence, and an assurance of the continuance of her friendship to his widow and children; an assurance that has been amply fulfilled. It is probable that the greater part of her letters to him were destroyed by

our bard about the time that this last was written. He did not foresee that his own letters to her were to appear in print, nor conceive the disappointment that will be felt, that a few of this excellent lady's have not served to enrich and adorn the collection. The above letter is supposed to be the last production of Robert Burns, who died on the 21st of the month, nine days afterwards." The kindness of three friends enable me to add others of a date still later. ED.]

No. CCLXII.

TO MR. JAMES BURNESS,

WRITER, MONTROSE.

Dumfries, 12th July.

MY DEAR COUSIN,

WHEN you offered me money assistance, little did I think I should want it so soon. A rascal of a haberdasher, to whom I owe a considerable bill, taking it into his head that I am dying, has commenced a process against me, and will infallibly put my emaciated body into jail. Will you be so good as to accomodate me, and that by return of post, with ten pounds? O, James! did you know the pride of my heart, you would feel doubly for

me! Alas! I am not used to beg! The worst of it is, my health was coming about finely; you know, and my physician assured me, that melancholy and low spirits are half my disease: guess, then, my horrors since this business began. If I had it settled, I would be, I think, quite well in a manner. How shall I use the language to you, O do not disappoint me! but strong necessity's curst command.

I have been thinking over and over my brother's affairs, and I fear I must cut him up; but on this I will correspond at another time, particularly as I shall [require] your advice.

Forgive me for once more mentioning by return of post;-save me from the horrors of a jail!

My compliments to my friend James, and to all the rest. I do not know what I have written. The subject is so horrible, I dare not look it over again. Farewell. R. B.

[James Burness sent his cousin ten pounds the moment he received his letter, though he could ill spare the money, and concealed his kindness from the world, till, on reading the life and letters of the poet, he was constrained, in support of his own good name, to conceal it no longer. I was informed by my friend Dr. Burnes that his grandfather, now in his eighty-fourth year, was touched by the dubious way in which I had left the subject in the poet's life, and felt that he was liable to the imputation of coldness of heart. In a

matter of such delicacy I could not ask the family, and accordingly had left it as I found it, without comment or remark. The following letters will make all as clear as day, and right my venerable friend in a matter respecting which he cannot be but anxious:

"SIR,

TO MR. BURNESS, MONTROSE.

"AT the desire of Mrs. Burns, I have to acquaint you with the melancholy and much regretted event of your friend's death. He expired on the morning of the 21st, about five o'clock. The situation of the unfortunate Mrs. Burns and her charming boys, your feeling heart can easily paint. It is, however, much to her consolation that a few of his friends, particularly Mr. John Syme, collector of the stamps, and Dr. William Maxwell, both gentlemen of the first respectability and connections, have stepped forward with their assistance and advice; and I think there can be no doubt but that a very handsome provision will be raised for the widow and family. The former of these gentlemen has wrote to most of the Edinburgh professors, with whom either he or Mr. Burns were acquainted, and to several other particular friends. You will easily excuse your not having sooner an answer to your very kind letter, with an acknowledgement of the contents, for, at the time it was received, Mr. Burns was totally unable either to write or dictate a letter, and Mrs. Burns wished to defer answering it till she saw what turn affairs took. "I am, with much respect, your most obedient and very humble servant, "JOHN LEWARS”.

TO MRS. ROBERT BURNS, DUMFRIES

"MY DEAR COUSIN,

"IT was with much concern I received the melancholy news of the death of your husband. Little did I expect when I had the pleasure of seeing you and him, that a change so sudden would have happened.

"I sincerely sympathize with you in your affliction, and will be very ready to do any thing in my power to alleviate it.

"I am sensible that the education of his family was the object nearest to my cousin's heart, and I hope you will make it your study to follow up his wish by carefully attending to that object, so far as may be possible for you; or, if you think of parting with your son Robert, and will allow me to take charge of him, I will endeavour to discharge towards him the duty of a father, and educate him with my own sons.

"I am happy to hear that something is to be done for you and the family; but as that may take some time to carry it into effect, I beg you will accept of the inclosed five pounds to supply your present necessities.

66

'My friend mentioned to me that any little thing he had was in the hands of his brother Gilbert, and that the payment of it at present would be hard upon him; I have therefore to entreat that, so far as your circumstances will permit, you will use lenity in settling with him.

"I have farther to request that you will offer my best thanks to Mr. Lewars for his very friendly letter to me on this melancholy event, with my sincere wishes that such a warm heart as his may never want a friend.

"I shall be glad to hear of your welfare, and your