Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-01
ROBIN ADAIR.

ROBIN ADAIR.
Robert Adair, the hero of the song, was
we'll known in the London fashionable Cir
cles Of the last century by the sou6riquet
of the fortunate Irishman;" but his
parentage and the exact place of his birth
are. unknown. He was brought up as a
surgeon, but his. indiscretioH in an early
amour, drove him precipitately from Dub
lin" to push his fortunes in England
Scarcely had he crossed the Channel
when the chain of lucky events that ulti-
mately led him to fame and fortune COM
menced. -
Near Holyhead, perceiving carriage
overturned, he rendered assistance. The
sole occupant of this vehicle was "lady
of fashion well known in polite circles,'s
who received Adair's attentions with
thanks snd, being slightly hurt, apd hear
ing'that he was surgeon, requested him
to travel with her in her carriage,to Lon
don. On their arrival in the metropolis
she presented him with fee of one hum
dred g,lineas, and gave him general in
vitstion to her house. In after life, Adair-
used to say that it was not SO much the
amount OF this fee, but the time it was
given, that was of service to HIM, as he
was then almost destitute. But the invi-
tation to her house was a still greater SER
vice, for there he met the person who de-
cided his fate in: life. This was Lady
Caroline Keppel, daughter of the second
Earl Of Albemarle, and Of Lady Anne
Lenox, daughter of the Duke Of Rich
: mond. Forgetting her high lineage, Lady
Caroline, at the first sig ht of the Irish
surgeon, fell desperately in love with him !;
and her emotion was 80 sudden and so
violent as to attract the attention of the
company. -, -
Adair, perceiving his advantage, lost
no time in pursuing it; while the Abe
marie and Richmond families were dis
mayed at the prospect of such terrible
mesalliance. Every means were tried to
induce the young lady to alter: her mind,
but without effect. Adair's biographer
tells us that amusements, a long journey,
an advantageous offer, and another com
mon mode Of shaking off what was consid-
cred by the family as an improper match,
were already tried, but in vain the health
of Lady Caroline was evidently impaired,
and the family at last confessed, with a
good sense that reflects honor on their un-
Outstanding, as we'll as their hearts, that
it was possible to prevent, but never to
dissolve an attachment; and that marriage
was the honorable, and indeed, the only
alternative, that could secure her happiness
and life."
When Lady Caroline was taken by her
friends from London to Bath, that she
might be separated from her lover, she
wrote, it is said, the song Of "Robert
, Adair," and set it to plaintive Irish tune
that she had heard him sing. Whether
written by Lady Caroline or not, the song
is simply expressive of her feelings at the
time, and as it completely corroborates the
circumstances just related, which were the
town talk Of the period, though now little
more than family tradition, there can be
no doubt that they were the origin of the
song. the words Of which, as originally
written, are the following:
What's this dull town to me?
Robins not near;
He whom wish to see
Wish for to hear.
Where's all the joy and mirth
Made life heaven on earth ?
oh! they're all fed with thee,
Robin Adairl
What made the assembly shine?
Robin Adairl
What made the hall SO fine
Robin was there
What. when the play was DER,
What made my heart so soreP
Obi it was parting with
Robin Adairl
But now thou art from me,
-" Robin AdairI
But now never see
Robin Adairl
Yet he l loved so well
Still in my heart shall DWELL
Obi can Ine' er forget
I'D. Robin Adarl
Immediately after his marriage witt
Lady Caroline, Adah', he was appointed in
spector general of military hospitals, and
subsequently, becoming. a favorite., O
. George III, he was mad e surgeon of Chel
sea hospital. Very fortunate men have
seldom many friends, bGt Adair, by de
Ill, lo~ A1,r,k:. L. L