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 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, ROBT. BURNESS.‡ *Connel, the Mauchline carrier. + 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" beginning "Dear S, 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. 242. To MR. MW- -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 feeling 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 humble, afflicted, tormented ROBT. BURNS. No. 243. To MONS. JAMES SMITH, MAUCHLINE. Monday Morning, Mosgiel, 1786, MY DEAR SIR, I WENT to Dr. Douglas yesterday, fully resolved to take the opportunity of Capt. Smith; but I found the Doctor with a Mr. and Mrs. White, both Jamaicans, and they have deranged my plans altogether. They assure him, thai to send me from Savannah la Mar to Port Antonio will cost my master, Charles Douglas, upwards of fifty pounds; besides running the risk of throwing myself into a pleuritic fever, in consequence of hard travelling in the sun. On these accounts, he refuses sending me with Smith, but a vessel sails from Greenock the first of Sept. right for the place of my destination. The Captain of her is an intimate of Mr. Gavin Hamil. ton's, and as good a fellow as heart could wish: with him I am destined to go. Where I shall shelter, I know not, but I hope to weather the storm. Perish the drop of blood of mine that fears them! I know their worst, and am prepared to meet it. I'll laugh, an' sing, an' shake my leg, On Thursday morning, if you can muster as much self-denial as to be out of bed about seven o'clock, I shall see you as I ride through to Cumnock. After all, Heaven bless the sex! I feel there is still happiness for me among them. O woman, lovely woman! Heaven designed you No. 244. To MR. DAVID BRICE. DEAR BRICE, Mosgiel, June 12, 1786. I RECEIVED your message by G. Paterson, and as I am not very throng at present, I just write to let you know that there is such a worthless, rhyming, reprobate, as your humble servant, still in the land of the living, though I can scarcely say,, in the place of hope. I have no news to tell you that will give me any pleasure to mention or you to hear. And now for a grand cure; the ship is on her way home that is to take me out to Jamaica; and then, farewel dear old Scotland, and farewel dear, ungrateful Jean; for never, never will I see you more. You will have heard that I am going to commence Poet in print; and to-morrow my works go to the press. I expect it will be a volume of about two hundred pages-it is just the last foolish action I intend to do; and then turn a wise man as fast as possible. I HAVE paid every attention to your commands, but can only say, what perhaps you will have heard before this reach you, that Muirkirklands were bought by a John Gordon, W.S. but for whom I know not; Mauchlands, Haugh Miln, &c. by a Frederick Fotheringham, supposed to be for Ballochmyle Laird, and Adamhill and Shawood were bought for Oswald's folks. This is so imperfect an account, and will be so late ere it reach you, that were it not to |