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Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/02/05
Alt. number
3.6096
Date
5 October 1791
On display
No
Creator
Burns, Robert (Author)
Recipient
Graham, Robert

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Description

Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham.

This postscript was written probably from Ellisland to accompany the verse letter written to Robert Graham on 5 October 1791.

Rather than write Robert Graham a thank-you letter, which he thinks will be considered insipid, Burns composes a poem for him which he hopes Graham will find more amusing. He encloses this poem with two others and explains in this postscript the circumstances surrounding the contents.

The poem titled "To Robert Graham Esq: of Fintry" is described by Burns as "a sheetful of groans" and outlines hid current ailing state having an injured leg and also an arm injury. He explains that Graham is now is his primary Patron with the recent death of the Earl of Gencairn and threatens to send his wife more of his poems later on.

Burns finishes the letter with a veiled reminder that he is still looking to Graham to bolster his reputation in the Excise and push him forward for higher office.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs ( )
  2. Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham