Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Findlater, October 1789
Ellisland Thursday morn:
Sir,
Jogging home yesternight it occurred to me that
as your next night the first night of the New
Year, a few lines allusive to the Season, by way of
Prologue, Interlude, or what you please, might take
pretty well. - The enclosed verses are very incorrect,
because they are almost the first crude suggestions of
my Muse, by way of bearing me company in my
darkling journey. - I am sensible it is too late to send
you them; but if they can any way serve you, use, alter,
or if you please neglect them. - I shall not be in the
least mortified though they are never heard of; but if
they can be of any service to Mr Sutherland and his
friends, I shall kiss my hand to my lady Muse, and
own myself much her debtor.
I am, sir, yours
Robert Burns
Sir,
Jogging home yesternight it occurred to me that
as your next night the first night of the New
Year, a few lines allusive to the Season, by way of
Prologue, Interlude, or what you please, might take
pretty well. - The enclosed verses are very incorrect,
because they are almost the first crude suggestions of
my Muse, by way of bearing me company in my
darkling journey. - I am sensible it is too late to send
you them; but if they can any way serve you, use, alter,
or if you please neglect them. - I shall not be in the
least mortified though they are never heard of; but if
they can be of any service to Mr Sutherland and his
friends, I shall kiss my hand to my lady Muse, and
own myself much her debtor.
I am, sir, yours
Robert Burns
Old[?] disputes me here before ye,
Not for ^here to preach - but tell his simple story. -
The sage, good Ancient coughed & bade me say,
You're one year older this important Day:
If wiser too, he hinted some suggestion,
But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask the question;
And with a would-be-roguish leer & wink
Said Sutherland in one word bid them Think!
Not for ^here to preach - but tell his simple story. -
The sage, good Ancient coughed & bade me say,
You're one year older this important Day:
If wiser too, he hinted some suggestion,
But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask the question;
And with a would-be-roguish leer & wink
Said Sutherland in one word bid them Think!
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/34
- Alt. number
- 3.6061
- Date
- October 1789
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Findlater, Alexander
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/34
- Alt. number
- 3.6061
- Date
- October 1789
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Findlater, Alexander
Description
Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Findlater, dated Dumfries, October 1789. undated, but written at Ellisland, Thursday morning. 2 leaves, more on caption.
Burns wrote this single page letter to Mr A Findlater, Supervisor of Excise in Dumfries, from Ellisland. Findlater later became the Excise supervisor under whom Burns worked and to whom he reported. The letter is thought to be dated in October 1789, not long after Burns started his Excise duties on 1 September.
The letter is a simple request by Burns confirming an earlier verbal agreement with Alexander Findlater, who has agreed to carry a letter from Burns to a friend in Glasgow and pick one up for return when he next journeyed to Glasgow. Burns closes the letter by wishing him a 'safe journey'.
Alexander Findlater joined the Excise in 1774, becoming an Examiner in 1790, and settled in Dumfries as Supervisor in 1791. His Excise career extended until retirement in 1825.
Alexander Findlater joined the Excise in 1774, becoming an Examiner in 1790, and settled in Dumfries as Supervisor in 1791. His Excise career extended until retirement in 1825.
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
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Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Findlater, October 1789