Letter from Robert Burns to Miss Isabella Mabane, 1 December 1787

Here have I sat, my dear Madam in the [page torn]
attitude of perplexed study for fifteen vexatious mi-
nutes; my head askew, binding ever the intended
card; my fixed eye insensible to the very light of
day poured around; my pendulous goose-feather
loaded with ink, hanging over the future letter;
all for the important purpose of writing a
complimentary card to accompany your trin-
ket. - Compliments, is such a miserable
Greenland expression, lies at such a chilly,
Polar distance from the torrid zone of my
constitution, that I cannot for the very soul
of me use it to any person for whom I have
the twentieth part of the esteem everyone must
have for you who knows you. -

I leave town in three of four days, I can
for a minute. - Tuesday evening, sometime
about seven, or after, I shall wait on you for

farewell commends. -
hinge of your box I put into the hands
the proper connoisseur; but, it is like
[?] skate, "past redemption"
The broken glass likewise went under review,
but deliberative Wisdom thought it would
too much endanger the whole fabric. -
I am,
Dear Madam,
with all the sincerity of Enthusiasm,
your very humble serv.t

Rob.t Burns
Saturday noon
N 2d S.t James' sq.r
Newtown