BIB_ID
363160
Accession number
MA 49.4
Creator
Dunlop, Frances Anna Wallace, 1730-1815.
Display Date
1787 Feb. 26.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan before 1913.
Description
1 item (4 p., with address) ; 22.2 cm
Notes
Addressed to "Mr. Robt. Burns / Mr. Creech's Bookseller / Opposite the Cross / Edinburgh."
Docketed.
Dunlop likely reacquired these letters after Burns's death and left them to her descendants with the Lochryan manuscripts (42 of Burns's letters to Mrs. Dunlop and some autograph poems, now MA 46 in the Morgan's collection).
Part of a large collection of letters from Frances Dunlop to Robert Burns. Letters in the collection are described in individual records; see MA 49 for more information.
With postmark and trace of a seal.
Docketed.
Dunlop likely reacquired these letters after Burns's death and left them to her descendants with the Lochryan manuscripts (42 of Burns's letters to Mrs. Dunlop and some autograph poems, now MA 46 in the Morgan's collection).
Part of a large collection of letters from Frances Dunlop to Robert Burns. Letters in the collection are described in individual records; see MA 49 for more information.
With postmark and trace of a seal.
Provenance
General Sir John Wallace; by descent to Sir William Thomas Francis Agnew Wallace; bequeathed to his brother, Colonel F.J. Wallace; acquired by Robert Borthwick Adam before 1898; purchased by Pierpont Morgan before 1913, possibly from the London dealer Pearson.
Summary
Placing an order for fifty copies of his book of poems; hoping he will come to visit her; asking where she should send the money for the books if he cannot visit; warning him that "a few ill-chosen lines" in his book are objectionable: "Forgive my saying that every undecency is below you, and sinks the voice of your fame by putting to silence your female admirers"; cautioning him that "thoughtless follies" may stain his reputation; asking how he plans to support himself and his family, and offering her assistance "to forward any favourite scheme"; recommending Dr. [John] Moore as a good advisor; promising to send her thanks in rhyme (MA 49.5); reporting that "numbers at London are learning Scots to read [his] book, but they don't like [his] Address to the King, and say it will hurt the sale of the rest."
Catalog link
Department