Letter from Hugh Blair to Robert Burns on Scottish literary talent, 1787 [Library reference: MS.3408, f.3].
Hugh Blair (1718-1800) was one of Edinburgh's leading intellectuals, or 'literati'.
He was particularly interested in language and literary criticism, and he chaired a sub-society within the Select Society to this end.
Blair took great pride in identifying and promoting Scottish literature, most notably the works of Ossian.
In this letter to Burns he notes the public attention that was on the Ayrshire poet, and expresses admiration for the way Burns had handled it.