Letter from James Candlish to Robert Burns, 13 February 1779

The letter reflects on the value of friendship and general philosophical matters. He gives Burns positive encouragement with respect to the Country Dancing lessons he has undertaken.

Page one has Candlish discussing the value of friendship and the correspondence ensuing from it. He supports Burns's winter projects which he has told Candilsh about in a letter written a little more than a week before, but Burns's letter has not survived and Candlish does not identify what it was.

Page two continues with more philosophical chit chat from Candlish who then comments on the news he had from Burns that he was reading Pope. He congratulates him on having made a good choice and goes on to express his own views on the work of this author whose philosophy he does not believe is original.

In page three Candlish concludes his thoughts on Pope and then comments that he thinks Burns is making a good move in attending dancing school. He goes on to say how delighted he is with Burns's verses which he has received and hopes for more. He comments that he has not written any poetry of his own on account of the studying he is having to do in medical school at Glasgow University.

Candlish signs off asking to be reminded to Gilbert and a hope for further correspondence. He signs himself McCandlish at this stage in his life but later dropped the 'Mc' to be known as Candlish. The letter is a little damaged making it difficult to read in places but it provides one of the earliest examples of Burns's correspondence if only from the receiving end.