MY DEAR SIR,--I have not time at present to upbraid you for your silence and neglect; I shall only say I received yours with great pleasure. I have enclosed you a piece of rhyming ware for your perusal. I have been very busy with the muses since I saw you, and have composed, among several others, "The Ordination," a poem on Mr. M'Kinlay's being called to Kilmarnock; "Scotch Drink," a poem; "The Cottar's Saturday Night;" "An Address to the Devil," etc. I have likewise completed my poem on the "Dogs," but have not shown it to the world. My chief patron now is Mr. Aikin, in Ayr, who is pleased to express great approbation of my works. Be so good as send me Fergusson[11], by Connell, and I will remit you the money. I have no news to acquaint you with about Mauchline, they are just going on in the old way. I have some very important news with respect to myself, not the most agreeable--news that I am sure you cannot guess, but I shall give you the particulars another time. I am extremely happy with Smith;[11a] he is the only friend I have now in Mauchline. I can scarcely forgive your long neglect of me, and I beg you will let me hear from you regularly by Connell. If you would act your part as a friend, I am sure neither good nor bad fortune should estrange or alter me. Excuse haste, as I got yours but yesterday.--I am, my dear Sir, yours, ROBERT BURNESS. [Footnote 10: Three months before this letter was written Richmond was a clerk in the office of Mr. Gavin Hamilton, writer, Mauchline.] [Footnote 11: Fergusson's _Poems_.] [Footnote 11a: Keeper of a haberdashery store in Mauchline.] * * * * * XVI.-TO MR. JAMES SMITH[12], SHOPKEEPER, MAUCHLINE. [_Spring of _1786.] ... Against two things I am fixed as fate,--staying at home, and owning her conjugally. The first, by Heaven, I will not do!--the last, by Hell, I will never do! A good God bless you, and make you happy up to the warmest weeping wish of parting friendship! ... If you see Jean tell her I will meet her, so help me God in my hour of need! R. B. [Footnote 12: The confidant of his amour with Jean Armour, daughter of James Armour, mason, Mauchline. Notwithstanding the blustering threat--for which Smith was probably more than half responsible--Burns was afterwards content to "own bonny Jean conjugally."] * * * * XVII.--TO MR. ROBERT MUIR, WINE MERCHANT, KILMARNOCK. MOSSGIEL, 20_th March_, 1786. DEAR SIR,--I am heartily sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you as you returned through Mauchline; but as I was engaged, I could not be in town before the evening.