The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-12
Highland Mary.

Highland Mary was Mary Campbell from
Campbeltown, in Argyleshre, and lived in Coils
field, in the humble situation of dairymaid to
Colonel Montgomery. She also lived at one time
MS nursemaid in the family of Burns's friend and
patron, Gavin Hamilton, where he visited her.
Mary had gone to the West Highlands to make
arrangements among her friends for her marriage
with the poet, and on her return to Greenock-
where it was appointed they should meet-she
was seized with fever, of which she died few
days before Burns even heard of her illness. This
was the cause Of their sudden separation.
Although Mr. Denham travels over some of the
grounds touched upon by sHeather Jack, yet as
he relates incidents many OF them unknown to
the general reader, believe it will repay for the
time lost in the perrsal: ''Most people, most read
ing people, writes Thomas Dcnham, "are more
or less acquainted with the bard's two beautiful
effusions Highland Mary and the address to
Mary in Heaven Poor Highland Mary was II
beautiful, interesting, and innocent young crea-
ture; tor human loneliness, goodness, and great
ness
g Can nestle in the lowly build,
AS weel's in castle ha. Y
And though brought up in the humble circum-
stances, Mary had charms which attracted many
wooers; and says Allen Cunningham: "There was
not wanting the temptations, &c., to allure. -
But nothing could win her young affections from
the peasant poet; they were betrothed. Mary
was to go home to the western highlands to make
arrangements for their marriage. Sand their
adieu, says Cromeck, an author, twas performed
in striking, moving way. The lovers stood On
opposite sides of small brook, face to face; they
laved their hands in the running stream, holding
Bible between them; pronounced their VOWS to
be faithful to each other, and parted never to
meet again. !"
BY way of continuation Burns s own words are:
sat the close of the following autumn she crossed
the sea to meet at Greenock, where she had
scarcely landed when she was seized with n ma
hat RI to or
grave in few days before | even could learn of
her illness" The Bible they made use of on this
final parting was afterwards in the possession of
Mary's sister, in two volumes, on each of which
is inscribed quotation from itself in Burns S
handwriting. On the first, 'sAnd We shall not
swear by my name falsely am the Lord On
the second, ''Thou shalt not foreswear myself,
but perform unto the Lord thy oaths. -
There is something exceedingly touching in
this phase of poor Burns's existence, and the pa
thos and deep feeling evinced in these two admit
rabe poems can well attest how his sensitive heart
must have wrthed under the narrowing affection
which wrenched the tenderest, dearest chords.
Long songs pail upon the ear, and tits customary
to abbreviate them in singing; but l cannot see
how one link Of this sweet chain can be spared
without marring its beautiful symmetry. May
God amend the taste that can mutilate "High-
land Mary"
Who of our readers has not ridden for hours in
crowded railroad car, painting with heat, suffo-
Gated with dust, and suffering with thirst to a
degree that would render drink of cool water an
inappreciable luxury Not many we presume
have escaped this infection, and they can pro-
perly value the following paragraph, showing that
in some parts Of the world the necessary wants of
the traveller not overlooked. We know some
railroads in this vicinity that would do well to
take a hint from this eastern road, and show
proper consideration for their passengers by not
allowing trains to depart without each car being
furnished with a full supply ofpure cool water.
Baltimore american.
CoLD WATER IN RAILROAD CARs.-A silver
urn, with iced water, is carried through the cars
of the Boston and Worcester railroad, at proper
intervals OF time, by lad especially employed for
that obect-the urn being strapped to the boy 8
shoulder, so that passengers, with n silver goblet
with which they furnished, may help them
selves. The little water-bearer, whose presence
is grateful to travellers, constant attendant
upon the train to which he is attached, and, yalu-
able ms the refreshment is which he bestows he
is not allowed to take any pay from the reci-
pients
NEWSPAPER CHANcEs.-Mr Hough, who has
edited the Loudoun Chronicle for the last four years
has sold out to Charles l.. Stewart, of Charles
town, and the charge becomes one of politics as
well of proprietorshp. MIR. Stewart is fine
writer and ~ highly recommended in ever othel
respect, but he is about to enter upon mournfu
undertaklng-that of editing Democratic journal
"a old Loudoun.
The Republican Vindicaior, Of Staunton, has
changed hands. Messrs. Absalom Koiner and
John A. Hartman have succeeded II. w Steven
son in the proprietorshp r. J. Alfred also re-
tires from the editorial chair.
LWfnehester (Ta) Republican.