Letter from Robert Burns to unknown recipient, 1788

Sir, I have been wandering for some time past, like Satan in the first chapter of the book of Job, "Going to and fro in "the earth, and walking up and down in it" - Some weeks by past indeed, I have been a cripple in one of my legs, owing to a fall by the drunken stupiditiy of a coachman. I am got a good deal better, but can walk little yet without my crutches. - "It is an ill-wind blows nobody good:" the witlings of my acquaintance have made much of , "a Poet on stilts." - My brother the bearer of this, has just now written me to assist him a little in money matters. - I cannot stir out, not even in a chair, to raise as much as he wants and without my personal presence, I could not so well do it. - That account for my copies in your or Mr. Cowan's hands, you will please give it him. - Should he  

want half a dozen pounds more, dare I ask you to ac- commodate him? I shall not on this side eternity forget a pecuniary offer you once made me, when it was dangerous to accept it. - So soon as I can walk, I return to Ayrshire; and I think I shall walk in ten days or a fortnights farthest. - I beg you will take the trouble to present my most re- spectful compliments to the Patron of my virgin Muse M.r Aiken. - I was with an old worthy friend of his, or rather he was with me, last night, M.r Ain- slie at Dunse; and on my telling him that Andrew Aiken was in Liverpool, he mentioned two gentlemen there, John Lawson Esq. of Garnatie; and Mr Clarke and eminent merchant who are Mr Ainslie's particular friends; and if introducing Andrew to them would do him any service, Mr. Ainslie begs his old friend MrAiken will let him know. Mr Ainslie's son in my most intimate friend here, so the channel is easy; or Mr. Ainslie will be found