Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 21 February 1814

Jarra, Mirzapore 21st Feby 1814

My dearest Mother!

As some Ships, I believe, are about
to sail, I shall send you a line to notify that I am
still in the world of Cares. I am beginning to
think you are either dead or very lazy, not having
had a letter for Lord knows when; do with more
often, you cannot concern the exquisite pleasure
it gives us poor Devils to receive assurances
of the welfare of much loved friends, who,
however distant, are still always present in
our mind's eye. I have recovered my
Miniature, and shall take the earliest
opportunity of sending it you, which will
soon happen as I have applied to be
admitted into civil College of Calcutta
to study the Languages of this Country, as in
the event of my admission shall most likely

be able to send it by some person going
home. It is [?] a correct likeness
so you will be able to judge whether I
 

am at all altered since last but you saw me;
[?] you still it up in some [?]
part of the House, or if can my Vanity,
I think it will be a great ornament to it.
I am still at this [?], uncertain to what
regiment I shall be appointed. Since
the arrival of Lord M[?], Calcutta, I
understand, has taken leave of its senses,
as his Lordship has every thing done with
the ceremony and [?] attendant and a King
in which light he views himself, and acts
accordingly; the sudden change from the
plain way his predecessor had of doing
things has quite [?] every trachy's brain
and [?],[?],[?], London
bonnets so [?] are quite the [?]. By the
way I should wish to have some little or other
recommendation to Lady Loudon, who from
being an Ayrshire Woman might be inclined
to do something for me; she is by all accounts
a good affable Lady, quite different from her

husband who is a stiff lump of self conceit.
I heard from William ^lately who was quite well, but
complains much of not having received any
letters from home. Tell me in your next
all the domestic [page torn] of Dumfries.
I h[?] you go to Edinburgh, you will of
course, as the Widow of the great Robert Burns
receive the most marked attention, so violent
should any one, who has the power, express
the inclination to serve you, among other
things do not forget to push for [page torn]
interest for your house in the Country, [page torn]
for without, whatever their merit be,
they will stand a poor chance of getting
of getting on in this World -- What is
Robert about? I [seal], if you th[?], the
particulars of his unfortunate Marriage, for
such is much be when a Man of his abilities then
throws himself away, upon an ignorant
person, of whom he [?] -- How is the
 

worthy Mr McClure? Well I trust give him
my best regards and also all my friends
in Dumfries. If you look on the Seal
you will observe I am in common with other
fools, got my crest out on my seal.

Let me know of my other [?]
arms, he invented, in the Herald’s office.
Your affectionate
Son
J G Burns