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On the late Captain Grose's Peregrinations thro' Scotland collecting the Antiquities o that kingdom

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/02/194
Alt. number
3.6264
On display
No
Creator
Burns, Robert (Author)
Recipient
Grose, Captain Francis

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Description

On the late Captain Grose's Peregrinations thro' Scotland collecting the Antiquities o that kingdom. Begins: "Hear, Land o' Cakes, and brither Scots". 10 six-line verses. Another copy of this poem is in the collection.

In this poem, Robert writes of his friend Captain Francis Grose and warns his fellow Scots to take note of their behaviour as he will soon be writing about them. Captain Grose had written books on the antiquities of England and Wales and was about to turn his attention to Scotland. Burns met him at Friars' Carse, near Ellisland Farm, in 1789. They became friends and it was for Grose that Burns wrote of Alloway's old haunted Kirk in the tale of Tam o' Shanter.

The first part of the poem describes Captain Grose, noting his is physical and mental characteristics. It continues by describing Grose's interests and obsession with the supernatural. He tells how Grose has given up army life and is now a collector of antiquarian stories and items.

The second portion of the poem continues to tell of Captain Grose's improbable collection of antiquities, making the reader aware of the author's detailed knowledge of the books of the Old Testament. The poem finishes with a flourish, bidding folks to sit down and enjoy a drink with his friend Grose when he comes to visit.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs ( )
  2. On the late Captain Grose's Peregrinations thro' Scotland collecting the Antiquities o that kingdom