MY DEAR SIR,
I hope you have been well and happy since I saw you. Although we seldom see one another, I should be truly and deeply mortified to suspect that any neglect of mine had lessened me in your esteem. We sons of labour cannot square everything to our minds and every man has his fault. [1] You wrong me if you think me wanting in respect for the kindness you have ever shewn me, and which I am proud to acknowledge; I am happy in making you any little return which I have in my power. Please accept of the enclosed song as a small mark of my regard, and rest assured that with true esteem,
I remain yours,
R. TANNAHILL.
The original is in possession of Mr. J. Wright, Kirkcaldy.—Ed.
[1] An excerpt from this letter, without name or date, was inserted in the memoir by Dr. Muir, in the 1815 and 1817 editions, page xxi., and copied by Ramsay into the Memoir in the 1838 edition, page xxxiii.—Ed.