Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 22 February 1813
Jarra Mirzapore 22nd Febr 1813
My dearest Mother!
This will be delivered by you
by Mr Hodges, a Gentleman to whom I am
indebted greatly on the recommendation of my
Name only he invited me kindly to go into his
Cabin to read or write during the whole of a six
Months tedious voyage you will I know
make him welcome for my sake, to whatever you
have, and a room during his stay in Dumfries.
My situation is much the same as when I
last wrote you with this exception, that I am
rather nearer promotion, though still a great
way from it. What a lucky fellow William
is! Only 8 months before he was promoted after
he arrived into the Country and now very high
in his Regt for one of his time. Do you know
the several Names which are left blank
in my Father’s Poems? If you do, in your
My dearest Mother!
This will be delivered by you
by Mr Hodges, a Gentleman to whom I am
indebted greatly on the recommendation of my
Name only he invited me kindly to go into his
Cabin to read or write during the whole of a six
Months tedious voyage you will I know
make him welcome for my sake, to whatever you
have, and a room during his stay in Dumfries.
My situation is much the same as when I
last wrote you with this exception, that I am
rather nearer promotion, though still a great
way from it. What a lucky fellow William
is! Only 8 months before he was promoted after
he arrived into the Country and now very high
in his Regt for one of his time. Do you know
the several Names which are left blank
in my Father’s Poems? If you do, in your
next, tell them to me as I will very much like to
know. I have been reading his works very
carefully lately and really like his letters
better than the Poetry. With what form
of expression they are written, my Uncle Gilbert
also writes in a superior manner though his
letters do not profess the fire which my
Father’s do. What a noble defence of his conduct that letter
of his to Mr Graham is! In it is expressed
nobly all the honest warmth of an offended
[?]. What would I give to have a part
of his Abilities, and how do I curse the
Day I went to London, there I was lost,
had I continued in Dfs and been educated in
common with my Brothers, I should have done
but it is now needless to [?], and
I must put up with my present lot, with
these comforting thoughts, that all was
know. I have been reading his works very
carefully lately and really like his letters
better than the Poetry. With what form
of expression they are written, my Uncle Gilbert
also writes in a superior manner though his
letters do not profess the fire which my
Father’s do. What a noble defence of his conduct that letter
of his to Mr Graham is! In it is expressed
nobly all the honest warmth of an offended
[?]. What would I give to have a part
of his Abilities, and how do I curse the
Day I went to London, there I was lost,
had I continued in Dfs and been educated in
common with my Brothers, I should have done
but it is now needless to [?], and
I must put up with my present lot, with
these comforting thoughts, that all was
done with the best intentions [page torn]
You used to be [?] [page torn]
speaking [?]! Vanity [page torn]
speak as fine English as the [page torn]
left England, [page torn]
some of our Off[page torn]
allow me to be a [page torn
[?] lately [page torn]
several letters from home [page torn]
not had but one yet. In Mr Thomson's letter
to me he mentions having sent with the
there I would be obliged by your sending
me by Mr Hodges [page torn]
Remember me kin[page torn]
who I hope is now[page torn]
also remember[page torn]
Maxwell & all[page torn]
You used to be [?] [page torn]
speaking [?]! Vanity [page torn]
speak as fine English as the [page torn]
left England, [page torn]
some of our Off[page torn]
allow me to be a [page torn
[?] lately [page torn]
several letters from home [page torn]
not had but one yet. In Mr Thomson's letter
to me he mentions having sent with the
there I would be obliged by your sending
me by Mr Hodges [page torn]
Remember me kin[page torn]
who I hope is now[page torn]
also remember[page torn]
Maxwell & all[page torn]
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/03/06/10
- Alt. number
- 3.6453
- Date
- 22 February 1813
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, James Glencairn (Author)
- Recipient
- Burns, Jean Armour
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/03/06/10
- Alt. number
- 3.6453
- Date
- 22 February 1813
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, James Glencairn (Author)
- Recipient
- Burns, Jean Armour
Description
Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, dated Jarra Mirzapore, 22 February 1813.
James Glencairn Burns (1794 – 1865) was the second youngest son of Robert and Jean. He was sent to London for his education and then travelled to India in 1810 to serve in the East India Company’s army. At the end of his long military career he retired as a brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel in the 15th Bengal Native Infantry.
A series of letters from the young James Glencairn Burns to his family and friends survives, detailing his schooling in London, his journey to India and his initial experiences there.
Here James writes that this letter will be delivered to Dumfries, by the Scottish Surgeon who allowed him to use his cabin during the voyage to India. James also complains that unlike his brother William, his prospects for promotion as still very poor.
He also comments on his father's works, which he has been reading. He asks his mother if she knows the identity of any of the blank names contained in his poetry. He also observes:
'I have been reading his works very carefully lately and really like his letters better than the Poetry.'
He also laments that he has not inherited his father's poetical sensibilities before signing off.
Here James writes that this letter will be delivered to Dumfries, by the Scottish Surgeon who allowed him to use his cabin during the voyage to India. James also complains that unlike his brother William, his prospects for promotion as still very poor.
He also comments on his father's works, which he has been reading. He asks his mother if she knows the identity of any of the blank names contained in his poetry. He also observes:
'I have been reading his works very carefully lately and really like his letters better than the Poetry.'
He also laments that he has not inherited his father's poetical sensibilities before signing off.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters, documents and ephemera regarding the family of Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
-
Letters and documents relating to James Glencairn Burns
(
materials grouped together because they are of a similar type)
- Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 22 February 1813