In testimony of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the Magistrates and Council as a distinguished Scotsman and of their appreciation of his high attainments and in recognition of his pre-eminent position in the realms of literature and drama.
"If I could only be as satisfied with myself today as I am with my Burgess Ticket! But, despite the moving words of the Lord Provost, and the very generous words of the Secretary for Scotland, I know very well with the poets that all my life I have only been trying to catch the wind with a net.
I suppose all the howes and hills and waters of Scotland which creep nearer to Edinburgh in the night look upon her as their Royal Mother. And now to be told by her leading citizen that somehow she is pleased with the contents of my net, and just a few withered leaves left behind by the wind! All I can say is that I am at her feet."