Letter from Mrs Agnes McLehose to Robert Burns, 22 February 1788

Edinr Monday Ev. 22. Feb

I wish you had given me a hint, my Dear
Sylvander, that you was to write me only once in a week. --
Yesterday I look'd for a letter -- to day, never doubted it -- but
both days, have terminated in disappointment! a thousand
conjectures have conspired to make me most unhappy. --
Often have I suffer'd much disquiet, from forming the Idea of such
an attention, on such & such an occasion -- as often have and Experienced
quite the reverse. But, in you, and you alone, I have ever
found my highest demands of kindness accomplished; nay, even
my fondest wishes, not gratified only, but anticipated!
So what then, can I attribute your not writing me one line, since
Monday? --God forbid, that your nervous ailment has incapacitate
you for that office, from which you derived pleasure singly;
as well is that most delicate of all enjoyments, pleasure
Reflected. To morrow - I will hope to hear from you! Hope!
Blessed hope! thou balm of every woe! Poses, and fill my
Bosom with thy benign Influences! ---- I have been solitary
since the "tender farewell," till tonight, I was solicited to go to
Dr. Moyes's Lecture with Miss Craig, & a Gallant of Hers a Student,
one of the many stupid animals, knowing only in the Science of
Puppyism - or "the nice conduct of a clouded cane" -- with what
 

sovereign contempt did I compare his trite insipid frivolity, with
the Intelligent manly observation, which ever marks the Conversation
of Sylvander! ---- He is a Glorious piece of divine Workmanship
Dr Moyes! the subject to night, was the origin of
minerals, springs, lakes, & the Ocean. Many parts, were
far beyond my weak Comprehension - & indeed that of most
women's - what I understood, delighted me - and altogether,
raised any thoughts to the Infinite wisdom and boundless
Goodness of the Deity! -- the man himself marks both -
presented with a universal Blank of nature's works -- his Mind
appears to be Illuminated with Celestial light. he concluded with
some lines from the "Essay on Man" "All are but parts one stupendous
Whole" &c a Passage I often have read with sublime pleasure . ----
Miss Burnet sat just behind me -- what an angelic girl! I stared at her,
having never seen her so near -- I remember'd you. talking to her & c what
felicity to witness her "Softly speak and sweetly smile"! how could you
celebrate any other Clarinda? O! I would have adored you as Pope
of Exquisite taste, & refinement, had you lov'd, sigh'd, & wrote upon
her forever! breathing your passion only to the woods & streams!
but Poets, I find are not quite incorporeal more than other's ----
My Dear Sylvander, to be serious, I realy wonder you ever admired
Clarinda after beholding Miss B----'s superior Charms--?
If I don't hear tomorrow -- I shall form dreadful reasons -- God forbid
Bishop G----- was written a foot of me too. What field for Contemplation both!
Good night! God bless you prays Clarinda