Letter from Robert Burns to William Niven, 3 November 1780

I wrote you a letter in the latter end of summer I wrote you another as soon as the hurried season of Autumn was over, to neither of which have I received any answer. I am now beginning to think that either they have not reached you or else you are so wholly taken up in the pursuits of love ambition, or some other of the cares and passion, that render human life one continued up-hill gallop from the cradle to the grave - that you have not time to remember an old acquaintance, who had nothing else to recommend him but only he has an honest heart and wishes you well;

 

I have nothing particular to tell you respecting myself. I am still so happy as to have a friend or two (tho I am afraid I must no more have the honor of ha- ving you among that number) and I have now and then a sweetheart or two but with as little view of matrimony as ever. I shall be happy to hear from you how you go on in the ways of life. I do not mean so much how trade prospers or if you have the prospect of riches, or the dread of poverty; as how you go on in the cultivation of the finer feelings of the heart. For my own part I now see it improbable that I shall ever acquire riches, and am therefore endeavouring to gather a philosophical contempt of enjoyments so hard to be gained & so easily lost. I hope to have the pleasure of a letter from you soon, and am, Dear Sir yours sincerely Robert Burns Lochlee Nov 3d 1780