To Mrs Frances Anna Dunlop of DunlopAyr, 26th March 1788 “Speak sister, is the deed done?” I have at last, my honored Friend, entered the list of Country farmers.-I returned from Edinburgh on Saturday last, with my tack in my pocket; and since that time, I assure you, cares and business have occupied my every moment.-I have talked fondly of magnanimous resolution and persevering firmness, but every Declaimer talks of them@: I wish to prove my claim to them by exertion.-I have given up all literary correspondence, all conversation, all reading (prose reading) that is of the evaporating, dissipating kind.-My favourite quotation now, for I always have ONE, IS FROM Young- “On reason build resolve; I know you will be pleased with this; but were you as weak as most of the family of the Muses, you would be more pleased with what I am going to tell you.-= I was one day, last time I was in Edinburgh, with Mr Mckenzie, the glorious Man of Feeling; and among other things, I read him such of your pieces I thought proper, such of them as were quite general (they were the two I got from you when I last had the honor of being your guest) and he passed the highest econiums on them.-He warmly begged leave to read them to Mrs Mckenzie, whose judgement he very deservedly highly values, and she admired them so much that she anxiously wished a copy; but this I positively declined.- If I had the pieces about me, I would mention to you the most admired lines.- My letters for some time to come, will be miserable scraps, and not worth half a glance except to such as you who honor me so much interesting yourself in all that concerns me.- My most respectful Compliments to all your family; the kind Tutoress of my friend Coila, deserves my particular acknowledgements.-The happiest night by much, of all I spent last in Edinburgh, was one at Lady Wallace’s.- I have the honor to be, Madam
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