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Description: | This three page letter written at Ellisland shortly after New Year 1789 is to congratulate his friend Robert Ainslie who had at the age of only twenty-two become a Writer to the Signet. Burns encloses a 'brushed up' version of an old song 'O Robin sure in hairst' for him, and announces his intention of visiting Edinburgh shortly to find Jenny Clow. (letter no 295)
Robert Ainslie was a Law student in Edinburgh where Burns and he first became acquainted. He accompanied Burns for part of his Borders tour in 1787 and was a lifelong correspondent with whom Burns shared many of his most intimate thoughts.
In this second page Burns concludes his thoughts on Ainslie's elevated position and turns to more personal matters. He includes an amended version of a bawdy old song which he had earlier sent to Ainslie on hearing that Ainslie had fathered an illegitimate son. This Burns offers 'with a view to your worship' and remarks that if he finds it humorous, Burns will add a verse or two for him. | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 | Publisher: | Burns Monument Trust | Temporal: | 1789-01-01 - 1789-12-31 | Source: | Burns Scotland | Identifier: | Letter of Robert Burns to Robert Ainslie | Go to resource |
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