addressed to Mrs [or Miss] Alexander of Ballochmyle, Mauchline, 8 x 12cm., with a contemporary note "Written April 1842 by Miss Alexander, Burns's Bonnie Lass of Ballochmyle, presented by Mrs [or Miss] Alexander", both pasted onto album leaf Note: Wilhelmina Alexander was the daughter of Claud Alexander of Newtoun and sister of Claud Alexander, laird of Ballochmyle estate on the Ayr, near Mauchline. Burns saw her while out walking and on returning to Mossgiel, composed his song, 'The Bonnie Lass of Ballochmyle', which he sent her with a high-flown letter of compliment on 18th November 1786. He requested permission to publish the song in 'a second edition of my poems'. She never married and in later life Burns's letter and love song became her most cherished possession. Miss Alexander ignored his letter.