The complete works of Robert Burns (self-interpreting) . er ideas I wrote some lines,which I inclose you, as I think they have a gooddeal of poetic merit ;t and Miss Nimmo tells me youare not only a critic but a poetess. Fiction, youknow, is the native region of poetry ; and I hope youwill pardon my vanity in sending you the bagatelleas a tolerable off-hand jeu-d esprit. I have severalpoetic trifles which I shall gladly leave with MissNimmo, or you, if they were worth house-room ; asthere are scarcely two people on earth by whom itwould mortify me more to be forgotten, though at thedistance of
The complete works of Robert Burns (self-interpreting) . er ideas I wrote some lines,which I inclose you, as I think they have a gooddeal of poetic merit ;t and Miss Nimmo tells me youare not only a critic but a poetess. Fiction, youknow, is the native region of poetry ; and I hope youwill pardon my vanity in sending you the bagatelleas a tolerable off-hand jeu-d esprit. I have severalpoetic trifles which I shall gladly leave with MissNimmo, or you, if they were worth house-room ; asthere are scarcely two people on earth by whom itwould mortify me more to be forgotten, though at thedistance of ninescore miles.—I am. Madam, with thehighest respect, your very humble servant, RoBT, Burns. Thursday Evening. * Dates within brackets are given from internal evidence, and some memoranda,made in 1802, by Mrs. MLehoses son. The dating here occasionally varies fromthat of her grandson referred to above. t These lines by Burns, which he commends in a style so unwonted whenspeaking of his own work, seem not to have been preserved. ^^ri€7- ria-. Mr. 29.] THE CLARINDA CORRESPONDENCE. 17 OTO MRS. M%EHOSB, EDINBURGH. (Stewart, 1802.) [DEC. 8, 1787.]I CAN say, witli truth, Madam, that I never metwith a person in my life whom I more anxiouslywished to meet again than yourself. To-night I wasto have had that very great pleasure—I was intoxi-cated with the idea; but an unlucky fall from a coachhas so bruised one of my knees, that I cant stir myleg oflf the cushion : so if I dont see you again, Ishall not rest in my grave for chagrin. I was vexedto the soul I had not seen you sooner ; I am deter-mined to cultivate your friendship with the enthusiasmof Religion ; but thus has Fortune ever served cannot bear the idea of leaving Edinburgh withoutseeing you. I know not how to account for it—I amstrangely taken with some people; nor am I oftenmistaken. You are a stranger to me ; but I am anodd being ; some yet unnamed feelings—things, notprinciples, but better than whims
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