Burns was much taken with Peggy and her bosom friend and relative Charlotte Hamilton, often speaking of them together in his letters. On 21 November 1787 he told Peggy that Charlotte and she are two favourite resting places for his soul, in its "
wanderings through the weary, thorny wilderness of this world." Whilst in Edinburgh, living with her mother in 1786 and 1787, for the blind Dr
Thomas Blacklock and Burns could well have met her again at his home in West Nicholson Street. and they managed to remain friends. Burns later took French lessons with Louis Cauvin's at his home, accompanied by
John Beugo as a result of this embarrassing interaction. Only nine days before the poet's death he posted the song the “Fairest Maid on Devon Banks” to George Thomson from the Brow Well. As stated it has been suggested that it was written for Margaret ‘Peggy’ Chalmers, In a letter dated 31 January 1788, Agnes Maclehose wrote "''Miss Chalmers' letters are charming. Why did not such a woman secure your heart? O the caprice of human nature, to fix on impossibilities.''" After his return from his tour of the West Highlands he wrote to
James Smith and refers to a lady who he had taken a great liking to, but who had overestimated his intentions and had written to him with a firm rejection. Burns however wrote that "
But I am an old hawk at the sport; and wrote her such a cool, deliberate, prudent reply as brought my bird from her aerial towerings, pop, down at my foot like corporal Trims hat." It has been suggested that the lady was Peggy. The manuscript letter has been lost and the name removed in the published text. After Burns's death Peggy's husband, Lewis Hay, ensured that despite a lack of precedent his bank would assist with raising funds for Jean and her family.
Correspondence A number of his letters were not dated and this had led to different authors sometimes giving differing dates for the eleven known examples of his correspondence. None of the five recorded letters from Peggy survive and none were copied. In October 1787 he wrote that "
I am determined to pay Charlotte a poetic compliment, if I could hit on some glorious old Scotch air, in number second. You will see a small attempt on a shred of paper in the book; but, though Dr Blacklock commended it very highly, I am not just satisfied with it myself." On 21 November 1787 Burns wrote "''I insist that you shall write whatever comes first: what you see, what you read, what you hear, what you admire, what you dislike, trifles, bagatelles, nonsense; or fill up a corner, e'en put down a laugh at full length."'' On 12 December 1787, he wrote to Peggy from Edinburgh "
I am here under the care of a surgeon, with a bruised limb extended on a cushion .... I have taken tooth and nail to the Bible, and am got through the five books of Mosses, and half way in Joshua. It is really a glorious book." He goes on say "
I inclose you a proof copy of the "Banks of the Devon," which present with my best wishes to Charlotte. The "Ochel-hills" you shall probably have next week for yourself. None of your fine speeches." On 22 January 1788, he wrote to Peggy commenting that he had
broke measures with his publisher
William Creech and wrote him a frosty, keen letter saying that he had
promised me upon his honour that I should have the account on Monday; but this is Tuesday and I still have not heard a word from him. Burns finished by saying that
my limb will soon be sound, and I shall struggle on. On 14 March 1788, he wrote informing her that "
Yesternight I compleated a bargain with Mr Miller, of Dalswinton, for the farm of Ellisland, on the banks of the Nith, between five and six miles above Dumfries. I begin at Whit-Sunday to build a house, drive lime, etc.; and heaven be may help! for it will take a strong effort to bring my mind into the routine of business." He shared his plans in connection with the Excise Service writing that "''You will condemn me for the next step I have taken: I have entered into the Excise. I stay in the West about three weeks, and then return to Edinburgh for six weeks' instructions: afterwards, for I get employ instantly ... The question is not at what door of fortune's palace shall we enter in; but what doors she open to us.''" On 7 April 1788 Burns wrote saying "
I am going on a good deal progressive in "mon grand but", the sober science of life. I have lately made some sacrifices for which, were I "viva voce" with you to paint the situation and recount the circumstances, you would applaud me. This suggests that he given up his bachelorhood and had acknowledged Jean Armour as his wife." In what was to be his last known letter to her, the recently married Burns wrote to her from near
Ellisland Farm on 16 September 1788 saying"
I am here, driven in with my harvest-folk by bad weather; and as you and your sister once did me the honour of interesting yourselves much a l'egard de moi,
I sit down to beg the continuation of your goodness. I can truly say that, all the exterior of life apart, I never saw two whose esteem flattered the nobler feelings of my soul." "
When I think of you - hearts the best, minds the noblest, of human kind - unfortunate, even the shades of life - when I think I have met with you, and have lived more of a real life with you in eight days, that I can do with almost anybody I met in eight years. When I think on the improbability of meeting you again in this world - I could sit down an cry like a child" Many of Peggy's letters to Burns have not been found and according to
R.H.Cromek they were thrown into a fire by Gavin Hamilton's sister, Peggy's great friend, Mrs Adair aka Charlotte Hamilton. saying "
... is to me as insufferable as the preaching cant of old Father Smeaton, Whig-minister at Kilmaurs. Darts, flames, Cupids, loves, graces, and all that farrago, are just a Mauchline sacrament, a senseless rabble". In a letter to Crauford Tait dated 15 October 1790, Burns asks that "
If you have an opportunity, please remember me in the solemn league and covenant of friendship to Mrs. Lewis Hay. I am a wretch for not writing to her; but I am so hackneyed with self-accusation in that way, that my conscience lies in my bosom with scarce the sensibility of an oyster in its shell." Peggy is known to have written to Burns twice between 1788 and 1792 and one was an invitation to visit her at Parliament Square. It is not known whether Burns ever met Peggy after her marriage in 1788. ==References==