Letter from Robert Burns to Captain Richard Brown, 4 November 1789
I have been so hurried my ever dear Friend, that tho' I got both your
letters I have ^not been able to command an hour to answer them as
I wished; and even now, you are to look upon this merely as
confessing debt and craving days. - Few things could have
given me so much pleasure as the news that you were once more
safe & sound on Terra Ferma & happy in that place where
happiness is alone to be found - in the fire-side circle. - May
the Benevolent Director of all things peculiarly bless
you in all those endearing connections consequent on the tender
and venerable names - Husband & Father! -
I have indeed been lucky, extremely lucky, in getting
an additional income of 50£ a year, while at the same time
the appointment will not cost me above 10, or 12 £p.r an.
of expenses, more than I must inevitably have been.
The worst of it is the excise Division which I have got
is so extensive, no less than ten parishes to ride over, & besides
abounds with so much business, that I can scarce steal a
spare moment. - However, Labour endears Rest, and both
are absolutely necessary for the proper enjoyment of Human
I cannot meet you anywhere; no less than an order from
the Board of Excise at Edinburgh is necessary before I can have so
much time as meet you in Ayr-shire. - But, do you come
and see me! We must have a social Day& perhaps lengthen
it out with half the night, before you go again to Sea.
You are the earliest Friend I now have on earth, my brother
excepted, & is not that an endearing circumstance? When you
& I first met, we were at a green period of human life when
the twig would easily take a bent - but would as easily return
to its former state. - You & I not only took a mutual bent
bent; out by the melancholy tho' strong influence of being
both of the family of the Unfortunate , we were inter-
twined with one another in our growth towards advanced
age; and blasted be the sacrilegious hand that shall attempt
to undo the union! - You & I must have one bumper
to my write toast - May the Companions of our Youth
be the Friends of out Old Age! - Come and see me, one
year; I shall see you a P. Glasgow the next; & if we can contrive
to have a gossiping between out two bedfellows ^it will be so much
additional pleasure. - M.rs Burns joins me in our kindest
Compliments to you & M.rs Brown.
Adieu! I am ever, My dear Sir, yours,
Rob.t Burns
![](https://ciim-data.nts.org.uk/media/iiif/3/pf%2F2%2F1%2F40%2F705%2FNTSBRNp03515.ptif/full/!640,640/0/default.jpg)
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/35
- Alt. number
- 3.6062
- Date
- 4 November 1789
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Brown, Captain Richard
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/35
- Alt. number
- 3.6062
- Date
- 4 November 1789
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Brown, Captain Richard
Description
Letter from Robert Burns to Captain Richard Brown, dated 4 November 1789.
Captain Richard Brown, a ships captain, was a long standing friend of Burns from his Irvine flax working days. Brown has now settled down to married life in Port Glasgow and has written two recent letters to Burns to arrange a meeting with him in Ayrshire.
Robert’s friend Richard Brown persuaded him to take his writing seriously. Here, Robert nostalgically wishes that ‘the companions of our youth be the friends of our old age!’
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to Captain Richard Brown, 4 November 1789