Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-04-17
Burns and Highland Mary.

The most beautiful episode in his
LIE was the deep attachment to High
land Mary-the pure-minded maiden
who pledged her troth to him in his
gioomiest hour, who died so early, and
left him lonely in the world to clutch
at worthless enjoyments, to struggle
onward against poverty, neglect, insult
and self-upbraidingS, till at thirty.
seven years of age he passed away.
Formerly it was believed that his
parting interview with Mary Camp
bell was an early event, even as he
himself declared it to have been. He
wished to mystify inquiries and pre-
serve the secret Of that holy affection.
Less readily might his lBonny JEAN
have forgiven the intense worship
paid by his soul to the innocent High
land Mary, UNNECESSARILY her superb
or, than the transient wanderings of
his fancy towards unworthy rivals
30 the man bore the secret in his own
heart striving bravely against ills that
were partly his own bringing; only at
rare intervals he gave vent to the ag-
ony OF memory, such as inspired his
beautiful lines "To Mary in Heaven"
We envy no one who can read unmov-
ed the narrative OF the anniversary
when, &" My Mary from my side was
torn. We remember the carefully
guarded manner by which the poet,
usually unreserved in speech, eluded
questions of curiosity regarding that
event. Robin, Robin, the earthly pun
lshment Of thy faults was manfully
borne, but it would have been better
for thee had that gentle Highland girl,
with her piOus courage, her meek but
answering faith, been the partner al
lotted to thee, instead Of the early.
wronged woman who had no power or
will to lift thee to a holier life. We
now know the date of his engagement
with Mary-l786 The disastrous in
trigue with Jean Armour had wrecked
his character and peace of mind. His
offer OF reparation had been insulting
Iy refused by the father of Jean. The
girl herself, either from mercenary
Tears, weakness of heart, or from will
llngness to accept another sutton, had
agreed to the contemptuous rejection
OF Burns. Wrecked in reputation.
abandoned by friends, despairing of
himself or of any advancement in his
native land, he determined to emigrate
and attempted in the West Indies to
gam independence. In few months
the pestilential climate, might have
robbed US Of the truest poet Scotland
ever bore. AT this hour came the wild
excitement that produced fruit in him
OF t h o5e marvellous Bacchanalian
songs" Willie Brcwed a Peck oil
Maui, and "The Whistle" 1t was a
dangerous time, the peril Of noble
soul IN the darkness. In despair, he
remembered the innocense and afec-
ton Of a young girl, Mary Campbell, |
the Highland Mary to whose name /
his own is inseparably joined. All
voices were loud against him. pru-
dence forbade her union with this out
lawed man, but the girl dared to trust
the love in her own heart, and looked
to her Heavenly Father for protection.
She knew that Burns had sinned. and
now ne had repcnted. She knew he
was Tree to be her husband, made free
1ven 10y the scorn Of thot Jae>v4 -,-l-~--
he had injured. She knew how little
prospect of fortune he had, but she
believed in his affection. She vowed
TO be true 20 him, and called Heaven
10 witness the VOW. They exchanged
Bibles, and parted, looking to a speedy /
reunion but death came between, and |
they never on earth met again. In
Dumfries the ashes of the great poet
rest. There is Hallowed dust in
Greenock, also, that no lover of Burns
can tail to reverence, paying pilgrim
age to the tomb of Highland Mary
KorlS Legacy, By the Reu. J. ". AJs-
,oo1th.