Framed letter of Agnes McLehose to John Syme
Edinr. 30th December --96
Dear Sir,
I make no Apology for the freedom
of the Epithet; all the friends' of him who was so beloved
must be dear to me, ---- I have indeed, wondered, at
your & Dr. M's unaccountable silence --it was entirely
inconsistent with the Character Mr Riddell gave of both
-- it was so with common politeness not to answer a Lady's
Letter -- I am truly sorry for the cause of Dr. M.'s Silence
& hope by this time he is nearly well; I shall be happy
to hear from himself, that He is so --, but, as to your
apology, -- it reminds me of some lines by Lord Sythleton's
to his Lucy, "She would have answered with her tear's
But that --d he had not time"!
You indeed Illustrate the truth of yr. own Remarks, viz.[?]
"that apology sits but a whayward on a Candid mind." ----
I was glad however, you came to the Point, at last -- and
more so, that your opinion Coincides with mine, as
to the utter impropriety of these Letters being given to the
world at present -- but, what can have impressed such an
Idea as that I ever conceived the most distant intention
to destroy these precious memorials of an attachment
Dear Sir,
I make no Apology for the freedom
of the Epithet; all the friends' of him who was so beloved
must be dear to me, ---- I have indeed, wondered, at
your & Dr. M's unaccountable silence --it was entirely
inconsistent with the Character Mr Riddell gave of both
-- it was so with common politeness not to answer a Lady's
Letter -- I am truly sorry for the cause of Dr. M.'s Silence
& hope by this time he is nearly well; I shall be happy
to hear from himself, that He is so --, but, as to your
apology, -- it reminds me of some lines by Lord Sythleton's
to his Lucy, "She would have answered with her tear's
But that --d he had not time"!
You indeed Illustrate the truth of yr. own Remarks, viz.[?]
"that apology sits but a whayward on a Candid mind." ----
I was glad however, you came to the Point, at last -- and
more so, that your opinion Coincides with mine, as
to the utter impropriety of these Letters being given to the
world at present -- but, what can have impressed such an
Idea as that I ever conceived the most distant intention
to destroy these precious memorials of an attachment
the recollection of which would warm my very soul were I to
Live till I was four score! ----no, no -- be assured I never will
suffer one line of them to perish if I can prevent it -- this I
give you my solemn word of honour upon -- what I trust is
all the "pledge" you would desire from Clarinda. Nay, more,
on Condition you send me my Letter's, I will select such
passages of our dear Bard's Letters, as will do honour to his
memory, & cannot hurt my own fame, even wt the mort[?]
as to taking extracts from mine, I really to not think they
would interest any one; at least, only a few. but, every mind
of the least teaste must be gratified by any thing that flow'd
from the Pen of him! who was indeed "his Country's glory
& her Shame." His Letter's to me are realy not Literary –
they are the passionate Effusions of an Elegant mind --
indeed too tender to be exposed to any Eye but thath of a
partial friend -- If you, or D M. favour me with a
Call when you come to Edinr. you shall be judges, whether
I am right -- were the world composed of minds [?]
as your's & his, it would be cruel even to "Bury" them
but - ah! how very few wd. understand much less relish such
Composition! -- you title yourself "Eccentric" - Clarinda
perhaps is no less so -- & she too glory's in these gifts of
heaven that makes her so --but - we must not lose sight
Live till I was four score! ----no, no -- be assured I never will
suffer one line of them to perish if I can prevent it -- this I
give you my solemn word of honour upon -- what I trust is
all the "pledge" you would desire from Clarinda. Nay, more,
on Condition you send me my Letter's, I will select such
passages of our dear Bard's Letters, as will do honour to his
memory, & cannot hurt my own fame, even wt the mort[?]
as to taking extracts from mine, I really to not think they
would interest any one; at least, only a few. but, every mind
of the least teaste must be gratified by any thing that flow'd
from the Pen of him! who was indeed "his Country's glory
& her Shame." His Letter's to me are realy not Literary –
they are the passionate Effusions of an Elegant mind --
indeed too tender to be exposed to any Eye but thath of a
partial friend -- If you, or D M. favour me with a
Call when you come to Edinr. you shall be judges, whether
I am right -- were the world composed of minds [?]
as your's & his, it would be cruel even to "Bury" them
but - ah! how very few wd. understand much less relish such
Composition! -- you title yourself "Eccentric" - Clarinda
perhaps is no less so -- & she too glory's in these gifts of
heaven that makes her so --but - we must not lose sight
of what the world demands of us altogether -- & you know well
In what light even worthy people views a Love correspondence
with a married woman? the bulk of mankind are stranger's to
the delicate refinements of Superior minds. -- I have dear Sir
& intrust you will make known my above promise, of select-
-ing Extracts from B's. Letters in my possession, if you think
they will be of use in the Posthumous Vol. -- & conditionally
after concerning my own Letters. --who I can see no use they can
be lying in Dr. Ms Desk -- and hope you will not be
"passive" but exert yourself to persuade the other
Gentleman to restore them to me immediately.
I shall impatiently wait your answer - & instantly set about
the selection -- if my conditions are not agreed to, &
that very soon, I shall not think myself ^not at all
well used. You have promised not to Allow them
to be published, & I have given you my sacred word of
honour, they shall never be annihilated or destroy'd.
You flatter my Epistolary talent too much - but, your Ideas of the
merit of the Letters I have of B's can hardly exceed the reality.
I had a Letter on Monday from Mrs B --. She mentions she has
not heard from any of Bs. trustees since she left D. shire --
she is a Charming Correspondent –
& I shall ever love her dearly
for her uncommon affection for our dear B. & his poor Infants;
I am hurt at the languid manner the subscriptions goes on here?
Would that I had anything in my power to be of service to those little ones
But [?] Fortune has denied me this, & other Benevolent pleasures
Adieu. hoping for your acquiescence in my proposal, I remain
with regard & Esteem Yrs Clarinda ----
In what light even worthy people views a Love correspondence
with a married woman? the bulk of mankind are stranger's to
the delicate refinements of Superior minds. -- I have dear Sir
& intrust you will make known my above promise, of select-
-ing Extracts from B's. Letters in my possession, if you think
they will be of use in the Posthumous Vol. -- & conditionally
after concerning my own Letters. --who I can see no use they can
be lying in Dr. Ms Desk -- and hope you will not be
"passive" but exert yourself to persuade the other
Gentleman to restore them to me immediately.
I shall impatiently wait your answer - & instantly set about
the selection -- if my conditions are not agreed to, &
that very soon, I shall not think myself ^not at all
well used. You have promised not to Allow them
to be published, & I have given you my sacred word of
honour, they shall never be annihilated or destroy'd.
You flatter my Epistolary talent too much - but, your Ideas of the
merit of the Letters I have of B's can hardly exceed the reality.
I had a Letter on Monday from Mrs B --. She mentions she has
not heard from any of Bs. trustees since she left D. shire --
she is a Charming Correspondent –
& I shall ever love her dearly
for her uncommon affection for our dear B. & his poor Infants;
I am hurt at the languid manner the subscriptions goes on here?
Would that I had anything in my power to be of service to those little ones
But [?] Fortune has denied me this, & other Benevolent pleasures
Adieu. hoping for your acquiescence in my proposal, I remain
with regard & Esteem Yrs Clarinda ----
John Syme
Rye-dale near Dumfries.
Rye-dale near Dumfries.
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/07/32
- Alt. number
- 2012.394
- Date
- 30 December 1796
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- McLehose, Agnes (Author)
- Recipient
- Syme, John
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/07/32
- Alt. number
- 2012.394
- Date
- 30 December 1796
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- McLehose, Agnes (Author)
- Recipient
- Syme, John
Description
Framed letter of Agnes McLehose to John Syme, dated 30 December 1796. In a wooden frame.
The letter is a composite of a Letter from Agnes M'Lehose ("Clarinda"), alternately entreating and demanding the return of her love letters to Burns, which were then in the possession of Dr. Maxwell, following Burns's death on 21 July 1796.
Apparently unpublished, Agnes M'Lehose had left her married husband because of his cruelty and moved to Edinburgh in 1782. She met Burns on 3 December 1787 and thereupon they immediately began to exchange letters and verse, Burns addressing Agnes as "Clarinda" and she addressing him as "Sylvander". Their correspondence was short but passionate and Burns sent Clarinda the moving poem "Ae Fond Kiss". After Burns's death Agnes M'Lehose was naturally extremely keen to have her letters to Burns returned and six months after Burns's death, as this letter makes clear, she remains determined to have them returned to her.
Dr. William Maxwell (1760 - 1834), Burns's doctor and friend attended Burns during his last illness, diagnosing the stabbing agonies of endocarditis as 'flying gout' and prescribing him sea-bathing in country quarters and horseriding, 'cures' which probably hastened Burns's end. Together with Cunningham and Syme, Maxwell became one of the Trustees who collected money for a fund to ensure that Burns's widow and children did not want. It would appear that Maxwell had retained Agnes's love letters to Burns for 'safe keeping'.
John Syme (1755-1831), Collector of Stamps, became a friend of Burns when the poet moved to Dumfries in 1791, renting a flat on the floor above Syme's office. He befriended the poet and in the summer of 1794 accompanied Burns on an extended tour through Galloway. He visited Burns at Brow on 15th July 1796, and again a few days later, when Burns had returned to Dumfries and was horrified at the poet's deteriorated condition. After Burns's death, Syme, with Dr Maxwell, organised the funeral, and, with Alexander Cunningham, worked to raise the money needed to help the poet's widow and children. He was one of those who urged Dr Currie to undertake his edition of Burns work.
In a later letter, dated 9 January 1797, Agnes tells Syme "I am happy you have consented to return my letters at last, and that my pledge has pleased you...you must pardon me for refusing to send Burns's. I never will. I am determined not to allow them to be out of my house" (quoted in J.C. Ewing, Robert Burns's letters addressed to Clarinda, 1921).
Dr. William Maxwell (1760 - 1834), Burns's doctor and friend attended Burns during his last illness, diagnosing the stabbing agonies of endocarditis as 'flying gout' and prescribing him sea-bathing in country quarters and horseriding, 'cures' which probably hastened Burns's end. Together with Cunningham and Syme, Maxwell became one of the Trustees who collected money for a fund to ensure that Burns's widow and children did not want. It would appear that Maxwell had retained Agnes's love letters to Burns for 'safe keeping'.
John Syme (1755-1831), Collector of Stamps, became a friend of Burns when the poet moved to Dumfries in 1791, renting a flat on the floor above Syme's office. He befriended the poet and in the summer of 1794 accompanied Burns on an extended tour through Galloway. He visited Burns at Brow on 15th July 1796, and again a few days later, when Burns had returned to Dumfries and was horrified at the poet's deteriorated condition. After Burns's death, Syme, with Dr Maxwell, organised the funeral, and, with Alexander Cunningham, worked to raise the money needed to help the poet's widow and children. He was one of those who urged Dr Currie to undertake his edition of Burns work.
In a later letter, dated 9 January 1797, Agnes tells Syme "I am happy you have consented to return my letters at last, and that my pledge has pleased you...you must pardon me for refusing to send Burns's. I never will. I am determined not to allow them to be out of my house" (quoted in J.C. Ewing, Robert Burns's letters addressed to Clarinda, 1921).