To Mrs Frances Anna Dunlop of DunlopEdinburgh, 30th April 1787 Madam, I would not be capable of such an insult to you as to have sent the volumes in question to a woman who once bore the honoured name of Lady Wallace.- There is a lady that I met with in town who I am told has a legal title to that designation, and I knew not of any other; but the lady discovered her and my mistake, and the other day returned the books, which you will receive by today’s Carrier. Your criticism, Madam, I understand very well, and could have wished to have pleased you better.- You are right in you guesses that I am not very amenable to counsel.- Poets, much my superiors, have so flattered those who possessed the adventitious qualities of wealth and power that I am determined to flatter no create being, either in prose or verse, so help me God.-= I set as little by kings, lords, clergy, critics &c, as all these respectable gentry do by my Bardship.-I know what I may expect from the world, by and by, illiberal abuse and perhaps contemptuous neglect: but I am resolved to study the sentiments of a very respectable Personage, Milton’s Satan – “Hail horrors! Hail, infernal world! I am happy, Madam, that some of my own favourite pieces are distinguished by your particular approbation.- For my DREAM which has unfortunately incurred your loyal displeasure, I hope in four weeks, or less, to have the honor of appearing, at Dunlop, in its defence in person.- I have the honor to be, Madam,
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