Description:

Burns Robert



Robert Burns, Poet & Drinker, Signs a Permit to Grab a Cask of Rum!


Partly-printedDocument Signed, "Robt.Burns," as exiseman, 1 page, 6" x 4", Dumfries, March 1,1793, with blanks filled out in his hand, permitting Robert Anderson to "receive one Cask of Foreign Rum…" Professionally matted and framed to 20" x 13.5". Marginal losses which affect a few printed words expertly filled with areinforced backing on verso, light soiling, else very good.

 


A superb associationpiece from one of Scotland's most celebrated poets (and drinkers). Burns, who had attempted farming for sometimewithout success, decided to become a tax collector in 1789 and moved toDumfries two years later. He remained in Dumfries until his death in July 1796.The present document, executed as the exciseman for Dumries, authorizes RobertAnderson to remove a nine-gallon "Cask of Foreign Rum" from the stock of JamesGrieves, a Dumfries merchant.


Although Burns enjoyeda reputation as a drinker, it was not the cause of his death at age 37, but itcertainly did not help. His first biographer, James Currie, a temperanceadvocate, who was scandalized by reports of Burns' drinking prowess originated themyth that alcohol was responsible for the poet's demise. In his biography,Currie described Burns as “Perpetually stimulated by alcohol in one or other of itsvarious forms... in his moments of thought he reflected with the deepest regreton his fatal progress, clearly foreseeing the goal towards which he washastening, without the strength of mind necessary to stop, or even to slackenthe course. His temper became more irritable and gloomy; he fled fromhimself into society, often of the lowest kind.” Currie, a reformedalcoholic, decided to make Burns a cautionary example by describing hisdrinking and womanizing exploits in great detail. While it was well-known thatBurns enjoyed alcohol and was inebriated on numerous occasions, modern medicalforensic research has demonstrated that it was rheumatism that weakened hisheart—ultimately killing him.

 


TheRobert Anderson who is mentioned in the present document is most likely aDumfries tradesman from whom the poet had purchased a pair of boots. (Life and Works of Robert Burns, Vol. 4, p.18n). 



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