Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-11-26
Jessie, the Flower of Dunblane.

The following sketch forms an interesting cpl
sodc in the life of the talented, but unfortunate,
Scottish poet, Tannahill. There are few Of our
readers, We suppose, but are familiar with the
beautiful poem, and the delightful music, of "Jes
sie the flower of Dupblane."
The fair object Of this song was bonnie las
sic in Dunblane. Her family were of poor ex-
traction, and Jessie herself was contented with
a PEASANTS lot. When Tannahill became ac-
quainted with her, she was in her teens, aslight,
dimpc-chccked, happy lassic; her hair yellow
colored aud luyuriant; her eyes large and full.
overhowing with the vouptuous langour which
is so becoming in young blue eyes with golden
lashcs Tannahill was struck with her beauty,
and as in all things he was enthusiastcal, became
forthwith her ardent worshipper. But her heart
was not to be won. Young, thouglltlcss, ard
painting to know and see the world, she left her
poor aInourant To- nl.,a-eos 70 his mistress eye
browE;- While She reckcss!y rambled, along the
howcry meads of Dunblane, or Of an evening
sang his inspired verses to him with the most
mortifying non-chalance. This was 4 two fold
misery to the sensitive poet. A creature so
swec,ly elegant, so dear to him. so very lovely
and innocent, and yet, wthal so encaSed i'll III
sensibiity, as apparently to be neither conscious
of the beauty of the verses trembling on herdul-
Get tongue, no carcsses of her lover; twas too
much; to mar! all this, and feel it with the feel
ing of poet was the acme Of misery. But the
.Flowcr of Dunblauc was not that ,unteellng,
uuimaeinative being which Tannahill pictured
her. She was creature all feeling all magna-
ton, although the bard had not that in person
or manners to engage her attention or to arrest
her fancy. The young affections are not to be
controlled. Love-almighty love-must bel free
else it ceases to be love.
Tannahl was plain in his person and uncouth
in his manners, and felt and expressed discomfort
as the cruel disappointment which it had been
his unhappy fate almost invariably to encounter
Jessie, looked upon the world as a brilliant specta-
Gle yet to be seen and enjoyed-as vast para
disc full of the beauty of heaven and of earth,
where mem walked forth in the image Of th'ir
creator, invested with his attributes, and woman
trod proudly amidst the lovely creation, an angel
vcnerated and adored. To express dissatisfaction
under all these circumstances was, to her mind,
the extravaganza of a misanthropc, the madness
of real lover Of misery, and sufficient cause for
her not to respect him. Both viewed the world
thro' false medium, and their deductions, al
though at variance, gave color to their minds
and accelerated their fate. Jessie could not COM
prelcnd what appeared to her the folly of her
suitor She relished not his sickly sentiment,
aud as all womankind ever did and do, shescor
ed cooling lover. The bard was driven to dcs
pair, and summoning up an unwontcd energy of
mind, departed, and left his adored to her youth
full alterations. Soon after this period the song
of "Jcssic, the Flower of Dunblanc," together
with the music was published and became apub-
lie ftvortc; it was sung everywhere, IN theatres
and at parties world of praise was showercd
upon it from woman's fattering lips, and men
became md to know the lady In short period
it was discovered. Jessie Montcith, the pretty
peasant of Dunblane, was the favored one
From all quarters young men and bachelors
flocked to see her, and her own sex were curious
and critical. Many promising youths paid their
addresses to her, and experienced the same rcccp-
ton as her first lover. Nevertheless, poor Jessie
became really enamored. A rakish spark from
Midlothians adorned with education, being of
polished manners and confident from wealth and
superiority of rank, gained her young affections.
She too credulously trusted in his unhalowed
professions The ardor of first love overcame
her better judgment, and abandoning herself to
her love-passion, she made an imprudent escape
from the protection Of her parents, and soon
found herself in elegant apartments near the city
of Edinburgh. The song of nelected Tannahil
was to his Jessie both glory and a curse while
| it brought her into notice and enhanced her
beauty, it laid the foundation of her final de-
struction. Popularity is dangerous elevation,
whether the object of it be peasant or prince;