Aiken,[12b] a copy. If he is now reconciled to my character as an honest
man, I would do it with all my soul; but I would not be beholden to the
noblest being ever God created if he imagined me to be a rascal.
_Apropos_, old Mr. Armour prevailed with him to mutilate that unlucky
paper[12c] yesterday. Would you believe it? though I had not a hope, nor
even a wish to make her mine after her conduct, yet when he told me the
names were cut out of the paper, my heart died within me, and he cut my
veins with the news. Perdition seize her falsehood! ROBERT BURNS.

[Footnote 12a: Proposals for publishing his Scottish Poems by
subscription.]

[Footnote 12b: Writer in Ayr.]

[Footnote 12c: The written acknowledgment of his marriage which Burns
gave to Jean. She, influenced by her father, consented to
destroy it.]

* * * *

XIX.--TO MR. M'WHINNIE, WRITER, AYR.

[MOSSGIEL, 17_th April_ 1786.]

IT is injuring some hearts, those hearts that elegantly bear the
impression of the good Creator, to say to them you give them the trouble
of obliging a friend; for this reason, I only tell you that I gratify my
own feelings in requesting your friendly offices with respect to the
enclosed, because I know it will gratify yours to assist me in it to the
utmost of your power.