ON BEING APPOINTED TO AN EXCISE DIVISION

Robert Burns commenced his training as an Exciseman in February 1788. Although he had lobbied long and hard to secure a position with the Excise, clearly some of the duties weren’t to his taste.

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Searching auld wives’ barrels,

Ochon the day!

That clarty barm should stain my laurels:

But—what’ll ye say?

These movin’ things ca’d wives an’ weans,

Wad move the very hearts o’ stanes!