Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-22
THE LAST DAYS OF BURNS

THE LAST DAYS OF BURNS.
The following reeollections of the last
days of Burns were written by one who /
knew him well, and were published many
years ago in the London Magazine:
The first time I ever saw Burns was
in Nithsdale. | was then child, but
his looks ard voice cannot well be forgot
ten; and while | write this behold him
as distinctly as did when stood at my
fathers knee, and heard the bard repeat
his Tam 0'Shanter. He was tall ana of
a manly make, his brow broad and high,
and his voice varied with the character OF
his inimitable tale yet through all its va
riations ii was melody itself. He was OF
great personal strength and proud, too, of
displaying it !; and have seen him lift
load with ease, which few ordinary men
who would nave willingly undertaken.
The last time | saw Burns in life was
on his return from Brow-weIl of Solway;
he had been aiIing all spring and sum
mer had come without bringing health
with 1t; he had gone away very i'll, and
he returned worse. He was brought
back, think, in a covered spring cart.
and when he alightea at the end of the
street in which he lived, he could scarce
stand upright. He ached his door with
difficulty. He stopped much, and there
was visible change n his looks. Some
may think it not unimportant to know
that he was at that time dressed in blue
coat with undress nankeen pantaloons of
the volunteers, and that his neck, which
was inclined to be short. caused his hat
to turn up behind, in the manner of the
episcopal clergy. Truth obliges me to
add that he was not fastidious about his
dress, and that an officer, curious in the
personal appearance and equipment OF
company, might have questioned the mil
itary nicely Of the poets clothes and
arms. But his colonel was a maker Of
rhyme. and the poet had to display more
7 OF his charity for his commanders verse
than the other had to exercise when he
inspected the clothing and arms of the
!, careless bard. From the day Of his re
:, turn home till the hour of his uutimely
: death. Dumfries was like a besieged place
1t was known he was dying,and the anx
;, iety, not of the rich and learned only ,bu
of the mechanics and peasants. exceede,
:, all belief Whenever two or three peo
- pie stood together, their talk was of him
. and of him alone they spoke Of bis his
tory-of his persen--of his works.
. his family-of his fame, and Of bis un
"A timely and approaching fate, with warmt
-, and an enthusiasm which win ever endea
to Dumfries to my remembrance. All tha
II he said or was saying-the opinions {
" the physicians land Maxwell was a kin
OF and skillful one were eagerly caught u
is and reported from street to street, an
from house TO house.
er His good humor was unruffied, an
a his wit never forsook him. He locke
to one Of his fellow volunteers with
We smile, as be stood by the bedside with b
he eyes wet. and said, John, don't let I'll
ve awkward squad fire over me- lie va
he aware that death was dealing with bin
a He asked lady who visited him, MOI
. in sincerity than in mirih, what con
to mands she had for the other world I
ne repressed with smile the hopes Of
loi friends, and told them he had lived Ior
. enough. As he drew near a close, ii
,ur eager, yet deeorous solieitude Of his fe
nix low fowDsmen increased. lie was
e9 exciseman,it is true--a name odious. fro
,pe many associations, to bis countrynDen-
bat be did his duty meekly and kindI
Iou and repressed rather than encouraged d
die desire Of some Of bis companions 70 pa