Draft letter from Robert Burns to the Earl of Eglinton, February 1787
Letters from -- -- to several Persons.-
To the Earl of Eglington on receiving ten guineas
from M.r Wauchope as his Lordship's subscription
My Lord
As I have but slender pretentions to philosophy
I cannot rise to the exalted ideas of a Citizen of the world at
large; but have all those national prejudices, which, I believe
glow peculiarly strong in the breast of a Scotchman.-
There is scarcely any thing to which I am so feelingly
alive as the honor and welfare of old Scotia; and, as a
Poet, I have no highter enjoyment than singing her Sons
and Daughters! - Fate had cast my station in the veriest
shades of Life, but never did a heart pant more ardently
than mine to be distinguished; though, till very lately
I looked round for a ray of light in vain.- It is easy then
to guess how supremely I was gratified, in being honored
with the countenance and approbation of one of my dear
lov'd Country's most illustrious Sons when M.r Wauchope
called on me yesterday on the part of your Lordship. -
Yours
To the Earl of Eglington on receiving ten guineas
from M.r Wauchope as his Lordship's subscription
My Lord
As I have but slender pretentions to philosophy
I cannot rise to the exalted ideas of a Citizen of the world at
large; but have all those national prejudices, which, I believe
glow peculiarly strong in the breast of a Scotchman.-
There is scarcely any thing to which I am so feelingly
alive as the honor and welfare of old Scotia; and, as a
Poet, I have no highter enjoyment than singing her Sons
and Daughters! - Fate had cast my station in the veriest
shades of Life, but never did a heart pant more ardently
than mine to be distinguished; though, till very lately
I looked round for a ray of light in vain.- It is easy then
to guess how supremely I was gratified, in being honored
with the countenance and approbation of one of my dear
lov'd Country's most illustrious Sons when M.r Wauchope
called on me yesterday on the part of your Lordship. -
Yours
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/12
- Alt. number
- 3.6038
- Date
- February 1787
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Montgomerie, Archibald, Earl of Eglinton
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/12
- Alt. number
- 3.6038
- Date
- February 1787
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Montgomerie, Archibald, Earl of Eglinton
Description
Draft letter from Robert Burns to the Earl of Eglinton, dated Edinburgh, February 1787.
This is a draft of a letter Burns wrote to his patron the Earl of Eglinton to thank him for his support. The Earl of Eglinton was one of approximately 1500 people who subscribed for copies of Burns's Edinburgh edition of his poems and whose names were printed as an appendix. The Earl subscribed for forty-two copies. This is Burns's draft. There are no recorded posted copies of this letter.
Burns eulogises on his feelings of being a Scotchman and expresses his gratitude at being supported by one who he considers one of Scotland's 'most illustrious Sons'.
The Edinburgh edition of Burns's poems were published in 1787 for which Burns sold the copyright for 100 guineas. Two thousand eight hundred copies were printed in two consecutive editions, the second of which was less well proof read by Burns and contains a number of now well known discrepancies.
The Edinburgh edition of Burns's poems were published in 1787 for which Burns sold the copyright for 100 guineas. Two thousand eight hundred copies were printed in two consecutive editions, the second of which was less well proof read by Burns and contains a number of now well known discrepancies.
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Draft letter from Robert Burns to the Earl of Eglinton, February 1787