Scotland/Scots > Life of Robert Burns

ROBERT BURNS. 295
est Love, I delayed writing until I could tell you
what effect sea-bathing was likely to produce. It
would be injustice to deny that it has eased my pains,
and I think has strengthened me ; but my appetite
is still extremely bad. No flesh nor fish can I
swallow: porridge and milk are the only things I
can taste. I am very happy to hear, by Miss Jess
Lewars, that you are all well. My very best and
kindest compliments to her and to all the children.
I will see you on Sunday. Your affectionate hus¬
band, R. B. ”
There is a very affecting letter to Gilbert, dated
the 7th, in which the poet says, “ I am dangerous¬
ly ill, and not likely to get better.—God keep my
wife and children.” On the 12th, he wrote the
letter to Mr George Thomson, above quoted, re¬
questing L.5 ; and addressed another, still more
painful, to his affectionate relative Mr James
Burnes of Montrose, by whose favour it is now
before the reader.
“ My Dearest Cousin,
“ When you offered me money assistance,
little did I think I should want it so soon. A
rascal of a haberdasher, to whom I owe a consi¬
derable bill, taking it into his head that I am dy¬
ing, has commenced a process against me, and will
infallibly put my emaciated body into jail. Will
you be so good as to accommodate me, and that
by return of post, with ten pounds ? O, James !
did you know the pride of my heart, you would
feel doubly for me ! Alas ! I am not used to beg !
Ihe worst of it is, my health was coming about
finely. \ou know, and my physician assures me,
that melancholy and low spirits are half my dis¬
ease ; guess, then, my horrors since this business