Letter from Robert Burns to William Creech, 16 April 1792

Dumfries 6.th April 1792

I this moment have yours, & were it
not that habit as usual, has deafened conscience
my criminal indolence should lead me an uneasy
life of Reproach. - I ought long ago to have
written you on this very business. -

Now, to try a language of which I am not
half master, I shall [page torn] as well as I can, the
man of business.- I suppose, at a gross guess,
that I could add of new materials to your two
volumes, about fifty pages. - I would also correct
& retrench a good deal. - These said fifty pages
you know are as much mine as the thumb-
stall I have just now drawn on my finger
which

I unfortunately gashed in mending my p[page torn]
A few Books which I very much want, are
all the recompense I crave, together with as many
copies of this new edition of my own works
as Friendship or Gratitude shall prompt
me to present - There are three Men whom
you know, & whose friendly Patronage I think I
can trouble so far, Messrs Mc Kenzie, & Stuart, &
F. Tytler; to any of these I shall submit my
M.S.S. for their strictures, & also let them say
on my informing them, I mean any of them,
what Authors I want [page torn] to what value I am
of them I am entitled. - If they he adjudge me
only a Thom-thumb, I am content - The
Man of Feeling & Professor Stuart, are I hear,
busy with Works of their own, for which reason
I shall prefer Mr Tytler - So soon as I hear from
you, I shall write Mr Tytler; & in a fortnight

I shall put my M.S.S. in his hands. -
If the thing were possible that I could receive
the Proof-Sheets by our Dumfries Fly, which
runs three times a week, I would earnestly
wish to correct them myself. -

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your very humble serv.
Rob.t Burns