A PUBLIC LIBRARY was opened in Dumfries about 1792, and Burns, who aided in establishing it, was admitted a free member on 5th March, 1793. In September of the same year, he presented four books to the Library – “Humphrey Clinker,” “Julia de Roubigne,” “Knox’s History of the Reformation,” and “De Lolme on the British Constitution.” The last named volume bore the following holograph inscription:-
“Mr. Burns presents this book to the Library, and begs they will take it as a creed of British liberty – until they find a better. – R. B.”
