Letter from Robert Burns to John McMurdo, 26 November 1788
Sanquhar 26th Nov. 1788
Sir,
I write you this & the enclosed literally en passant, for
I am just baiting on my way to Ayr-shire. - I have
Philosophy or Pride enough, to support me with unwounded
in difference against the neglect of my mere dull superiors,
the nameless rank & file of Noblesse & Gentry, nay even to
keep my vanity quite sober under the larding of their Compliments;
but from those who are equally distinguished by
their Rank & Character, those who bear the more elegant
impressions of the Great Creator, on the richest materials,
their little notices & attentions are to me among the first of
earthly enjoyments. - The honor you did my Fugitive Pieces in
requesting copies of them is so highly flattering to my feelings &
Poetic Ambition that I could not resist even this half-opportunity
of scrawling off for you the enclosed as a small but
honest testimony how truly & gratefully I have the honour to be,
Sir, your deeply indebted humble serv.t
Rob.t Burns
Sir,
I write you this & the enclosed literally en passant, for
I am just baiting on my way to Ayr-shire. - I have
Philosophy or Pride enough, to support me with unwounded
in difference against the neglect of my mere dull superiors,
the nameless rank & file of Noblesse & Gentry, nay even to
keep my vanity quite sober under the larding of their Compliments;
but from those who are equally distinguished by
their Rank & Character, those who bear the more elegant
impressions of the Great Creator, on the richest materials,
their little notices & attentions are to me among the first of
earthly enjoyments. - The honor you did my Fugitive Pieces in
requesting copies of them is so highly flattering to my feelings &
Poetic Ambition that I could not resist even this half-opportunity
of scrawling off for you the enclosed as a small but
honest testimony how truly & gratefully I have the honour to be,
Sir, your deeply indebted humble serv.t
Rob.t Burns
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/28
- Alt. number
- 3.6055
- Date
- 26 November 1788
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/28
- Alt. number
- 3.6055
- Date
- 26 November 1788
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
Description
Letter from Robert Burns to John McMurdo, dated Sanquhar, 26 November, 1788.
Robert Burns wrote this letter to John McMurdo, Chamberlain to the Duke of Queensberry at Drumlanrig on 26 November, 1788.
With the letter, Burns also enclosed a 'small but honest testimony', possibly a poem titled 'To Mr McMurdo, with a pound of Lundiefoot snuff'. This song or poem is now lost.
Burns wrote this letter while he passing through Sanquhar probably en route between Ellisland and Mauchline, as Jean had not yet moved to Ellisland at that time. He had earlier passed some verse 'fugitive Pieces' on to John McMurdo who has asked Burns for a copy and this has clearly pleased the Poet, to the extent that he has written another short poem to express his thanks.
John McMurdo was Chamberlin to the Duke of Queensberry at Drumlanrig Castle near Dumfries from 1780 to 1797. Burns wrote several letters to him and his family, often enclosing songs or poems. McMurdo was one of his friends to whom he lent his special notebook of bawdy folk songs.
Burns wrote this letter while he passing through Sanquhar probably en route between Ellisland and Mauchline, as Jean had not yet moved to Ellisland at that time. He had earlier passed some verse 'fugitive Pieces' on to John McMurdo who has asked Burns for a copy and this has clearly pleased the Poet, to the extent that he has written another short poem to express his thanks.
John McMurdo was Chamberlin to the Duke of Queensberry at Drumlanrig Castle near Dumfries from 1780 to 1797. Burns wrote several letters to him and his family, often enclosing songs or poems. McMurdo was one of his friends to whom he lent his special notebook of bawdy folk songs.
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to John McMurdo, 26 November 1788
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