Letter from Dr John Moore to Robert Burns, 23 May 1787

Moore had received a copy of the Kilmarnock edition of Burns's poems from Mrs Dunlop in 1786, which started an ongoing correspondence between Dr Moore and Burns. In this letter Dr. Moore advises the Poet to write more in English and less in Scots to widen his readership and learn more ancient and English history.

Moore has subscribed to Burns's second edition of Poems, several copies of which he has just received from Creech. He points out to Burns that a subscriber would expect only one copy not a number proportionate to his subscription. However he reports that he has taken twelve copies and Eglinton six.

At the end of the page he praises the Poet's additional works and highlights a number which he finds particularly pleasing including "A winters Night" and "Green grow the rashes".

In page two Moore launches into a schoolmasterish critique of Burns's style, recommending that he follows a particular form which he believes he is best at. He then goes on to praise "the Vision" and "Cotters Saturday Night" for their fine imagery and other attributes. Observing that Burns has a good command of English, he suggests that he should use it more and avoid the vernacular to give his work wider access to persons of taste.

Moore suggests that Burns should attempt a longer work and explains how he should go about the planning of it.

On page three Moore continues his lecture, advising Burns that he should learn about heathen mythology and in particular he should learn more modern history particularly of France and Great Britain from Henry 7th onwards.

In good school report fashion Moore then says his pupil is doing well and is capable of reaching an above average standard if he puts his mind to it. At the end of the page he says he has heard that Burns has some unpublished poems of a satirical and humorous nature.

In this last page Moore continues expressing his interest in the unpublished poems especially one called "somebody's confession" which if Burns were to send it to him he would read, but not copy. Moore now wishes Burns well in his farming ventures hoping that he will be good at both citing Virgil as an example.

Moore winds up his letter inviting Burns to visit him if he is in London and promising to look Burns up if he is ever in the region.