The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-11-24
Buyu, aud Highland Mary.

The most beautiful episode in Robert
Burns life was the deep attachment to
Highland Mary---thc puresminded maids
en- who pledged her iroth TO him in his
gloomiest hour, who died so early and
left him alone in the world 10 clutch at
worthless enjoyments, TO struggle onward
against poverty, neglect, insult, and self
upbraidings till 81 years had passed away,
Formerly it was believed that his parting
interview with Mary Campbell was an
early event, even as ho himself declares
il to have been, He wished TO mystify
inquirers and preserve the secret Of t1at
holy affection.
Less readily might his "Bonnie JEAN
have forgiven the intense worship paid by
his soul to the innocent Highland Mary,
immeasurabiy her superior, than the
transient wanderings Of his fancy toward
unworthy rivals. So 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 agony of memory, such as ins
spired his beautiful lines "To Mary in
Heaven"
We envy no one who can read unmovs
ed the narrative Of the anniversary when
''My Mary from my side was torn" We
remember the carefully guarded manner
in which the poet, usually unreserved in
speech, cluded questions Of curiosity re.
garding the event, Robin, Robin, the
carly punishment of thy fault was man.
fully borne, but il would have been better
for thee had that gentle Highland girl,
with her pious courage, her meek but un-
swerving faith, been the partner allotted
thee, instead Of the early wronged woman
who had no power or will to holer life.
We now know the date of his engagement
with Mary-17S6, The disastrous ins
trigue with Jean Armour had wrecked his
peace of mind. His offer of reparation
had been insultingly refused by the father
of Jean. The girl herself, either from
mercenary fears, weakness of heart, or
from willingness to accept another suitor,
had agreed to the contemptuous rejection
Of Burns
Wrecked in reputation, abandoned by
friends, desparing of himself or any ad-
vancement in his native land, he deter
mined TO emigratc, and attempt in the
West Indies to gain 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
those marvellous bacchanaian songs,
''Wilic Iircwed a Peck O. Maut," and the
''Whis,lc'
1t was Il dangerous time, the peril Of
noble soul in the darkness, In despair
he remembered the innocence and affec,
lion ofa young girl, Mary Campbell-the
Highland Mary TO whose name his own ia
inscperabIy joined, All voices were
turned against HIM; prudence forbade her
union with this outlawed man, but the
girl dared to trust her love in her own
heart. and looked to her Heavenly Father
for protection She knew that Burns had
sinned, and that he had repented. She
knew that he was free TO be her husband
made so even by the scorn of that Jean
whom lie had injured. She knew how
little prospect for the future he had, but
she believed in his affection. She vowed
to be true to him, and called on Heaven
TO witness the vow. They exchanged
Bibles and parted, looking to a speedy re-
union. but death came between them, and
T IN iiDSysr iDyusmriiriies iii the ashes Of the poet rest.
There is hallowed dust in Greenock, that
no lover of Burns can fail to reverence,