The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-01
TIE LAND or punxs.

The little town Of Ayr, which II Is said .Ne'ei
town SURPRISES, for honest men an bonnie
lasses" Is remarkable for It's delightful scenery
and the historical events associated with II. IL
10 situated ut the mouth Of the river OF the
same name, on IN eminencc which rises gradu-
ally from the sea. or the buildings. these
most worthy Of notice arc the COUNTY BUILD
mos, completed In 1922 ut cost OF ESQ 200,
and the TOWN BUILDINGS founded In 1873 and
costing about ETC, 200. The river Is spsnned
by two massive bridges each resting on four
arches, and the "suld brig" is quite ancient,
have been built during the reign OF Alexander
UI. between 1910 and 1885 by two maiden
ladies named Lowe, who II Is said devoted their
whole fortune to It's construction. Here are
also the "Auld Kirk o. Ayr" and the "Tam
0'Shanter Inn" the names Of which have been
made so familiar by the pen Of Burns. AT the
r. r. Station We were met by two friends
with IA spirited span Of horses and an open
carriage, and ride Of about two miles brought
US to the house In which Burns was born. II
Is little cottage with walls made OF clay and
matched roof, and originally consisted OF on
iy kitchen and spence or buttcry. but addi-
tons have since been made. In the kitchen Is
o recess opposite the fireplace, which now con-
tains bed, though not the one on which the
poet was born. On the back side OF the room
Is window, consisting Of four pancs Of glass
II by inches, which was originally the only
window in the room. The room Is 10 feet BY
-, and the old dresser, the CRATE, and some OF
the hooks and links on the crane ore the same
that were in use there ut the time OF Burn's
birth. We next visited Burns monument, In
the grounds around which the carly flowers
were in bloom. The monument Is an open cir
cular temple Of simple but elegant beauty, 6o
feet In height. In the basement Is circular
chamber is feet In diameter and 10 feet high,
lighted through o roof OF stained glass, In
which is a glass case containing copies Of all
the best editions Of his works, and the bibles
which he presented 10 Highland Mary" on
the occasion of their last meeting, as nc him.
self sings.
"whcre by tho winding Ayr VIC met,
To live ono day OF parting love-"
The room is adorned with sketches Of scenes
from his poems, and marble bust OF him.
This monument Is about "a miles from Ayr on
the road to Maybole and overlooks the river OF
"Bonnie Doom" over which 10 the famous
bridge where Tam O'Shanter's Maggy lost her
grey tail, pulled Of by the witches. We took
look into Alloway Kirk, where Tam saw the
witches and COLLINS holding their revel, which
church Is about 30 feet by 10, and Is now roof
less. In small cottage near by, wo saw the
original statues of "Tam 0'Shanter md Souter
JOHNNY" in stone, life size and very expressive.
These were exhibited In England and Ireland
before being located where they now are, and
must be seen to be appreciated. Refreshments
now demanded our attention, In nice little
inn close Mt hand. In the garden back OF this
inn, and the Doom Is q sea shell palace OF octa-
gon form, 20 feet in diameter, and covered in.
side and out with shells; in recess with mir
rors at tho back and sides Is n small fountain
covered with glass case about feet high. the
water striking tho top and running down the
sides. The whole Is the work of one man, and
"a really beautiful. We then took pleasant
ride of @ miles, on q road lined most OF the
way with fine shade trees, and from which we
had q good view OF Greenan castle, which
crowns an abrupt cliff overhanging the sea -
We also passed many beautiful residences, one
of which has been recently built by one OF the
Bards already spoken of, ut n cost OF over
5000, 900. Returning to the Il. X. station Mt
5 O'Clock, we rcgretfully took leave OF our
friends, and were soon on our way to Glasgow.
Soon after leaving Ayr we had good view OF
Ailsa Craig, n pile of ledge in the form of IN
inverted howl, rising hundreds Of feet out Of
the sea. also noticed many focks OF the ma
tive sheep feeding. and they have this PECULIAR
ity, that their faces and legs arc always black,
hut their wool Is abundant, long and white
Their bodies are small, and their flesh is excel
lent, rs can testify. having eaten i nearly
every day since came here. Thirty miles. past
nbbeys, castle, churches and villas, through pic.
turesque scenery, and our days excursion was
ondal