BIB_ID
363268
Accession number
MA 49.14
Creator
Moore, John, 1729-1802.
Display Date
1787 Nov. 8.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan before 1913.
Description
1 item (8 p., including address and enclosed poem) ; 22.8 cm
Notes
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 trace of a seal.
With 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
Acknowledging his letter and apologizing for not responding more promptly; encouraging him to write in English rather than Scottish; arguing that "Scotch is as provincial a dialect of the English as the Somersetshire or Yorkshire. And therefore no serious work can be written in it to advantage"; exhorting him to "plan out some work of importance" that is "suitable to [his] genius"; advising him to write a book of new poems, and reminding him "to reflect very attentively to choose right subjects"; offering to give his opinion about "any particular subject"; inviting him to visit if he comes to London. Incorporates a 2-page autograph poem by Miss [Helen Maria] Williams (first line: "I confess I have said -- but pray do not pout --").
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