The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-08
LETTER TO BURNS.
Governor Pingree Sends Valuable Missiys
to Donald Mckay.

Governor Pingrea Sends Valuable Missive
to Donald Mckay.
Donald Mckay of this city received
recently an antique document which he
values highly. 1t is the original manu-
script of letter written ITO years ago
by Bishop John Geddes to Robert
Burns, the Scottish poet. The letter
was presented to M Mckay by Gov
Pingree of Michigan, who expressed
the belief when forwarding the letter
that it would be of interest to the
Scotch citizens of Worcester. The
manuscript is remarkably we'll pre-
served, the paper being quite yellow,
as might be expected, but the clear,
careful writing is as leglble as il. it
We're penned but dozen years ago in
stead of a hundred. The folded and
sealed missive (as was customary in
those pre-envelOpe days. bears the fol-
lowing superscription:
Robert Burns
at Ellisland
Near Dumfries.
1.-The methodical ways of Robert
Burns may be inferred from the follow
ing inscription written by him on the
VI Tie letter.
from Bishop John Geddes. acknoWl-
edging receipt of verses. Feb. H. 1889"
Inc letter was evidently sold at auc-
lon' Tor it has little printed slip at
tacheo TO one corner part of the auc-
Iloheer cataloguing. The slip SAYS
NO. 6l46; Burns-A. L. s. of Bishop
John Geddes to Robert Burns with
MS autograph endorsement"
Following is the letter which is now
puUllsheo Tor the first time;
Blackfriars Wynd.
Edinburgh, Feb. 18th, 1889.
My dear Sir,
was out of Town. when the Cow Of
four Poems and the Letter You have
laFoured me with were brought to if
ana am again obliged to depart this
morning for Perthshire and Angus. but
cannot think of delaying (hoWeyer
ilttie llme L can commando the ac-
knoWledglng the Receipt of what I so
much value. / truly do think myself
very much obliged to You for the
verses, and l will strive to keep the
BOOK during my Whole Life, as a prec-
lous Treasure, and will do my endesv-
our to get ii placed after my Death.
Where 1t will be Monument long hence
OF the Friendship with which the An
lnor mas been pleased to honour me.
~" ituClI am L pleased with Your
Letter, which is now mine, and of
winch am not a little tempted to be
very vain. l am extremely glad to
learn, that You are joined in an hon
ofaple way with Your beloved lean.
Many very happy Years may You have
together, and may You be blessed with
an offspring, that may give You Salts
faction! The last Advice, which I had
the Pleasure of giving You near to The
Register Office here has, | see. been
wisely followed. 1 hope to have q. Feast
OF the Mind in seeing You together in
Your own House, before this Year come
70 an end. Do you know? l was in
Dumfries about three Weeks ago; and
mad not they told me, that You were in
AYRSHIRE neither the Want of time.
nor the Badness of the Weather should
have hindered me from seeing You at
Elllsland. But the Beginning of next
Month will soon come, when 1 intend,
God willing, to be in town, and will be
extremely we'll pleased to have a C,n-
versation with You In the meantime
L must, with Reluctance, bid you adieu,
Offering my sincere good Wishes to You.
and to Your Jean, and [ am with yerv
great Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir.
Your much obliged and
obedient humble Servant