Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham

Sir,
When I had the honour of being introduced to you at Athol-house, I did not
think of putting that acquaintance so soon to the test. - When Lear, in -
Shakespeare, asks old Kent why he wished to be in his service, he answers,
"Because you have that in your face I could like to call Master:" for some
such similar reason, Sir, do I now solicit your Patronage. - You know, I
dare say, of an application I lately made to your Board, to be admitted
an Officer of Excise. - I have, according to form been examined by
a Supervisor, and today I give in his Certificate with a request for
an Order for instructions. - In this affair, if I succeed, I am afraid
I shall but too much need a patronising Friend. - Propriety of conduct
as a Man, and fidelity and attention as an Officer, I dare engage for; but
^with anything like business, I am totally unacquainted. - The man who till
within these eighteen months was never the wealthy master of ten guineas, can be
but ill-acquainted with the busy routine. - I had intended to have closed
my late meteorous appearance on the stage of Life, the country Farmer;
but after discharging some filial and fraternal claims, I find I could only
fight for existence in that miserable manner, which I have lived to see
repeatedly throw a venerable Parent in the jaws of a Jail, where, but for

the Poor Man's last and often best friend, Death, he might have ended his
days. -

I know, Sir, that to need your goodness is to have a claim on it. may
I therefore beg your Patronage to forward me in this affair till I be
appointed to a Division; where, by the help of rigid Economy, I shall try
to support that Independence so dear to my soul, but which has
too often been so distant from my situation. -
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your mist humble serv.t
Robert Burns
S.t James' Square
Monday morn