Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 5 October 1791

Robert Burns was suffering from an injured leg and low spirits. He bemoans his lot to Graham, his main Patron now the Earl of Glencairn has died. With his marvellous mind for detail, Burns characterises his woes. He wishes he was dull and uninspired so he could then have a contented life.

In this first page Burns tell Graham of his recent injuries and asks him to soothe him by listening to his hard-luck story. While Nature looks after creatures in the wild, Burns complains that she does not look after him, a mere poet.

In this second page Burns again berates Nature for leaving him defenceless against his fate, with nowhere to hide. He wishes he was snug in dullness. He castigates his publisher Creech and he is appalled by the malice of critics.

In thie third page, Burns gives up and wishes for the peace of the grave. Again he longs for dullness and selfish ease, without a care in or for the world around him.

In this last page Burns turns to his own fervent cares, accepting the mad-cap turmoil of being a poet and worrying about his family responsibilities. He wishes Graham, his remaining Patron, a long and bright life.

Burns met Robert Graham at Athole House, Blair Atholl in 1787. They became friends and later, once Graham had become a Commissioner of the Scottish Board of Excise, Burns sought Graham's good offices to get himself a position with the Excise in Dumfries.