Tuesday night [Cumnock, 2nd March 1788]
I hope and am certain that my generous Clarinda will not think my
silence for now a long week has been in any degree owing to my
forgetfulness—I have been tosst about thro’ the Country ever since I
wrote you; and am here, returning from Dumfries-shire, at an Inn,
the Post-Office of the place, with just so long time as my home eats
his corn to write you—I have been hurried with business and
dissipation almost equal to the insidious degree of the Persian
Monarch’s mandate, when he forbade asking petition of god or man
for forty days: had the venerable Prophet been as throng as I, he had
not broke the decree; at least, not thrice a day.—
I am thinking my farming scheme will yet hold.—A worthy,
intelligent farmer, my father’s friend and my own, has been with me
on the spot: he thinks the bargain practicable.—! am myself, on a
more serious review of the lands, much better pleased with them.—l
won’t mention this in writing to any body but you and Mr Ainslie.—
Don’t accuse me of being fickle: I have the two plans of life before
me, and I wish to adopt the one most likely to procure me indepen-
dance. I shall be in Edinburgh next week.—l long to see you: your
image is omnipresent to me: nay, I am convinced I would soon
idolatrize it most seriously; so much do absence and memory
improve the medium thro’ which one sees the much loved Object.—
Tonight, at the sacred hour of eight, I expect to meet you—at the
Throne of Grace.- I hope as I go home tonight, to find a letter from
you at the Post-Office in Mauchline.—l have just once seen that dear
hand since I left Edinburgh,a letter indeed which much affected me.
—Tell me, first of womankind, will my warmest attachment, my
sincerest friendship, my correspondence, will they be any compen-
sation for the sacrifices you make for my sake? If they will, they are
yours. If I settle on. the farm I propose, I am just a day and a half’s
ride from Edinburgh—we will meet—don’t you say, “perhaps too
often!”—
Farewel, my fair my charming Poetess! May all good things ever attend you!
I am ever, My dearest Madam,
yours—
Sylvander
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