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Literary
January 8, 1860
Daily National Democrat
Marysville, Yuba County, California
What is this article about?
Anecdote recounting Robert Burns' encounter with a West Country farmer in simple attire on his way to Leith, where he warmly engages the man, then defends his action against a young Edinburgh critic by stressing the man's true worth over superficial appearances.
Clipping
OCR Quality
100%
Excellent
Full Text
The Man, not the Coat.—Burns paid but little difference to the artificial distinction of society. On his way to Leith one morning, he met a man in hodden grey—a west country farmer; he shook him heartily by the hand, and stopped and conversed with him. All this was seen by a young Edinburgh blood, who took the poet roundly to task for his defect of taste. "Why, you fantastic gomeral," said Burns, "it was no great coat, the sconce-bonnet, and the Sanquhar boot-jack I spoke to, but the man that was in them; and the man, sir, for truth and worth would weigh you and me, and ten more such, any day."
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Robert Burns
Social Distinctions
True Worth
Anecdote
Hodden Grey
Leith
Literary Details
Title
The Man, Not The Coat.
Key Lines
"Why, You Fantastic Gomeral," Said Burns, "It Was No Great Coat, The Sconce Bonnet, And The Sanquhar Boot Jack I Spoke To, But The Man That Was In Them; And The Man, Sir, For Truth And Worth Would Weigh You And Me, And Ten More Such, Any Day."