poverty and obscurity probably await me, and I am in some measure
prepared, and daily preparing, to meet them. I have but just time and
paper to return you my grateful thanks for the lessons of virtue and
piety you have given me, which were too much neglected at the time of
giving them, but which I hope have been remembered ere it is yet too
late. Present my dutiful respects to my mother, and my compliments to
Mr. and Mrs. Muir; and with wishing you a merry New-year's day, I shall
conclude.--I am, honoured Sir, your dutiful son,

ROBERT BURNESS.

P. S.--My meal is nearly out, but I am going to borrow till I get more.

[Footnote 2: "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve
him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the
sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes."]

* * * * *

VII.--To SIR JOHN WHITEFOORD, BART., OF BALLOCHMYLE.[3]

SIR,--We who subscribe this are both members of St. James's Lodge,
Tarbolton, and one of us in the office of warden, and as we have the