Mrs Frances Anna Dunlop, in some distress after the death of her
husband, was given a copy of 'The Cotter's Saturday Night' and was
so moved by it she ordered six copies of the Kilmarnock
Edition. A long friendship followed. Anna Dunlop fussed
over the poet with a kindly concern. Even though they fell
out badly over the French Revolution, they were reconciled as Burns
lay dying.
"I have only been able to send you five copies: they are all
I can command. - I am thinking to go to Edinburgh in a week or two
at farthest, to throw off a second impression of my book: but on my
return I shall certainly do myself the honour to wait on you, and
thank you in person for the obliging notice you have been pleased
to take….."
(Mossgiel, 15th November 1786.)
