Letter from Robert Burns to John Richmond, 17 February 1786
My Dr Sir,
I have not time at present to upbraid you for your
silence and neglect, I shall only say I rec.d 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 Kilmck, 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 shown it to the world. -- My chief Patron now is Mr Aitken in Ayr who is pleased to express great approbation of my works. -- Be so good as send me Ferguson by Connel and I will remit you the money. -- I have no news to acquaint you with about Machlin, 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 can not guess, but I shall give you the particulars another time. -- I am extremely happy with Smith; he is all the friend I have NOW in Machlin. -- 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 estrange or
alter me. -- Excuse haste as I got yours but yesterday and am at present a little throng. -- If you write me duely I shall afterwards give you letters as long as my arm. --
Mossgiel 17th Feb. 1786
I am, My Dr Sir
your
Robt Burness
I have not time at present to upbraid you for your
silence and neglect, I shall only say I rec.d 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 Kilmck, 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 shown it to the world. -- My chief Patron now is Mr Aitken in Ayr who is pleased to express great approbation of my works. -- Be so good as send me Ferguson by Connel and I will remit you the money. -- I have no news to acquaint you with about Machlin, 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 can not guess, but I shall give you the particulars another time. -- I am extremely happy with Smith; he is all the friend I have NOW in Machlin. -- 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 estrange or
alter me. -- Excuse haste as I got yours but yesterday and am at present a little throng. -- If you write me duely I shall afterwards give you letters as long as my arm. --
Mossgiel 17th Feb. 1786
I am, My Dr Sir
your
Robt Burness
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/06
- Alt. number
- 3.6032
- Date
- 17 February 1786
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Richmond, John
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/06
- Alt. number
- 3.6032
- Date
- 17 February 1786
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Richmond, John
Description
Letter from Robert Burns to John Richmond, dated Mossgiel, 17 February 1786.
John Richmond was a close friend of Robert Burns from his Mauchline days who became a lawyer in Edinburgh and with whom Burns conducted an active correspondence.
In this letter, Burns tells Richmond of his latest work, listing six titles and announcing that Robert Aitken of Ayr was now his chief patron. He mentions that nothing has changed recently in 'Machlin', that he has important news of his own which he chooses not to divulge, and that the other member of their group, James Smith, was now his only friend remaining.
This letter also shows the original spelling of Robert’s surname. The family used both ‘Burness’ and ‘Burnes’, but by the end of 1786 Robert had changed the spelling of his surname to ‘Burns'.
This letter also shows the original spelling of Robert’s surname. The family used both ‘Burness’ and ‘Burnes’, but by the end of 1786 Robert had changed the spelling of his surname to ‘Burns'.
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
Caring for collections
A gift of £5 a month can help us ensure collections like the Robert Burns Collection receive ongoing care and are shared with as many people as possible.