The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-06-22
I'll flisfrIla II j
The Last Days of Burns.

1t is December in 1901. Burns has
quilted the pleasant farm of Ellisland
for small house in Dumfries. The ex
change IS in every point Of view unde-
sirable He begins to live town life.
and the life of small country town is
most untitled for a man of his habits
There were always idlers and loitcrers
ready to fasten upon man who had
seen tho social circles cf Edinburgh, and
who could charm away an evening as no
other man could. Then there were the
country iairds anxious to secure him for
some merry-makines, where strangers
from the south were to assemble, eager
to get a glimpse Of the untaught genius.
The work of an excise-man was not very
engrossing. His evenings were general
ly his own-the taste for tavern parties
was strong in Dumfries, and more hours
were spent in the society Of boon com
panions than liz that of his patient, trust
ing wife. and her young children.
About this time the excitement of the
French revolution was beginning to have
most perceptble effect. The same mis-
guiding star which diverted Colcridge,
Southey. and Wordsworth from the bea
ten track of employment, and filled them
with an enthusiasm for what was. after
all, but the phantom of liberty, attrac-
ted Burns by its wayward and ftful
light. lie expressed too open sympa.
thy with the chiefs of the Freuch nation
to suit the taste of some of his friends
among the higher orders. Alienation
follows, aud an increased violence iii
Burns. He dispises those who are sway
ed by such miserable feelings. He pours
forth lampoon in severe and relentless
revenge. The tavern is more frequent
" sought by him, and the society Of
those opinions agree with his own more
sedulously cultivated. 1t seems strange
too, that during the two first years Of
his residence at Dumfries, when the po
litical rancor was at the greatest, hC
should have enriched the language Will
the choicest of his songs. His engage
ment to supply his friend Thompson
with the proper materials for his collec
ton, is upon the whole vigorously fulfill
ed and even when the violence Of hi
politics threatened to draw down the dis
pleasure Of the government, he pursuci
the task, and discharges it most ably
Nothing would tempt him to receiv
money for these songs 1t was cause
he thought, in which every truc-hearte
Scot should feel interested. He had n
feeling about accepting whatever the sal
of his poems brought him Many pei
sons have expressed wonder at this de-
termination. but the distinction we hol
to be a just one The songs were tn
free outcome Of his mind They ha
risen to the heart, and poured themsolve
forth. They were more the children G
his brain than the elaborate and finisho
productions of his pen. No true ma
could bear tn receive money for his chill
burns could not accept II for his s,ng
The professional excursions of Burn
brought him into contact with man
strange persons and places Like tn
!, giuger in Guy Manncring," he was o
ten welcome guest at the tables of couI
try gentlemen from the acquaintanC
he enjoyed with several of these. he real
ed great benefit He was reputed me
ciful in his calling, and there occur man
instances of forbearance and gentlenei
& quite unusual In quiet times there a
E pears to have been great attention give
of to the education Of his sons, and a
u though his frequent alterations wou
n have lost him the love and approval
:. many women, 1t is on record that h
o wife declares that his conduct TO he
= though not altogether blameIess, was q
:. =. the whole tender and atfectionatc Iii
:. must have passed with him pleasant
n in ''the seasons Of fair weuther." III
- days labor over, he would often wand
{. with his children by the NTH, rope
j. psalms aoda fragments of old songs
} them, and endeayor as far as possible
II direct their minds in the same mann
?, ss his own rcvercd parent had done. b
= there is another side to the picture ~