Draft letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 31July 1789

Ellisland 31st July - 1789

Sir,
The language of Gratitude has been so prostituted by servile adulation
and designing flattery, that I know not how to express myself when
I would acknowledge the receipt of your ^last letter of the 19th Inst- I beg and
hope, ever honoured
"Friend of my life! True Patron of my rhymes"
that you will always give me credit for the sincerest, chastest gratitude!
The callous Hypocrite may be louder than I, in his grateful professions
professions which he never felt; or the selfish heart of the Covetous
may pocket the bounties of Beneficence with more rejoicing exultation,
but for the brim-full eye springing from the ardent throbbings
of an honest bosom, at the goodness of a kindly active Benefactor and
Politely generous Friend, I dare call the Searcher of Hearts & Author
of all goodness to witness, how truly these are mine to you. -

Mr Mitchel did not wait my calling on him, but sent me a kind
letter giving me a hint of the business, and on my waiting on him
yesterday, he entered with the most friendly ardour into my views
and interests. He seems to think, and from my own private
knowledge I am certain he is right, that removing the present
Officer who now does and for these many years has done duty
in the Division in the middle of which I live will be attended

productive of at least no disadvantage to the Revenue, and may likewise
be done without any detriment to him. - Should the Honourable Board
think so, and should they deem it eligible to appoint me to officiate in his
present place, I am then at the top of my wishes. - The emoluments
of my Office will enable ^me to carry on and enjoy those improvements
in my farm, which, but for this additional assistance, I must in a year
or two have abandoned. Should it be judged improper to place me in
this Division, I am deliberating whether I had not better give up farming
altogether, and go into the Excise wherever I can find employment.
Now that the Salary is £50 per annum. the Excise is surely a much superior
object to a farm which, without some foreign assistance, must for
half a lease be a losing bargain. - The worst of it is, I know that there
are some respectable Characters who do me the honour to interest them-
selves in my welfare & behaviour, and as leaving the farm so soon
may have an unsteady giddy-headed appearance, I had perhaps
better lose a little money than hazard such people's esteem.

You see, Sir, with what freedom I lay before you all my little matters
- little indeed to the World, but of the most important magnitude
to me. - You are so good, that I trust I am not troublesome. - I
have both heard and read a good deal of Philanthropy, Generosity and Great-
ness of soul, and when rounded with the flourish of declamatory periods
of poured in the mellifluence of Parnassian measure, they have a tolerable
effect on a musical ear; but when there high-sounding professions are

compared with the very act and deed as they are usually performed, I do not
think there is anything in or belonging to Human Nature, so boldly dis
proportionate. - In fact, were it not for a very few of our Kind, among whom
an honoured Friend of mine that to you, Sir I will not name is a distinguished
individual, the very existence of Magnanimity, Generosity, and all their
kindred Virtues, would be as much as question among Metaphysicians,
as the existence of Witchcraft. - Perhaps the nature of man is not so much to blame
for all this as the, cursed situation in which, by some miscarriage or other, he is
placed in this world.- The poor, naked, helpless wretch, with such veracious ap
petites and such a famine of provision for them, is under a ^kind of cursed necessity of
turning selfish in his own defence. - Except here & there a sclerite who
seems to be a Scoundrel from the womb by Original Sin, thorough paced selfish
ness is always a work of time. - Indeed in a little time we generally grow so
attentive to ourselves and so regardless of others, that I have often in poetic
frenzy looked on this world as one vast ocean, occupied and commixed by
innumerable vortices, each whirling round its centre, which vortices are
the children of men; and that the great design, & merit of I may say so, of
every particular vortex consists, in how wide it can extend the influence
of its circle, and how much flouting trash it can suck in and absorb.-

I know not how why I have got into this preaching vein, except it be to
show you, Sir, that it is not my ignorance but my knowledge of man-
kind which makes me so much admire your goodness to your humble
servant. -
I hope this will find my amiable young acquaintance, John, recovered
from his indisposition, and all the members of your charming
fireside circle well and happy. - I am sure I am anxiously interested
in all their welfares: I wish it with all my soul; nay I believe
 

I sometimes catch myself praying for it. - I'm not impatient of
my own impotence under that immense debt which I owe to your goodness, but I wish and beseech
that Being who has all good things in his hands to bless and reward
you with all those comforts and pleasures which He knows I would
bestow on you were they mine to give.-

I shall return your books very soon. I only wish to give Dr Smith one
other perusal which I will do in two or three days - I do not think that
I must trouble you for another cargo, at least for some time, as I am going
to apply to Lead bolter Symons on Gaging and to study my Sliding
rule, Branan's rule &c. with all possible attention.
An apology for the impertinent length of this, epistle, would only
add to the evil.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
your deeply indebted humble serv.t

Rob.t Burns