Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-01-27
Burns and Highland Mary.

The most beautiful episode IN his life
was his attachment 10 Highland Mary
the pure-minded maiden who pledged
her trolh 10 him In his gloomiest hour
who died SO early, and left him lonely in
the world 10 clutch nj worthless enjoy
ments, 10 struggle onward against power
~, neglect, insult aud self-upbraidingu,
till at thirty-seyen years of age he passed
away. Formerly il was believed that his
parting interview with Mary Campbell
was an early event, even as he himself
declared il to have been. He wished 10
mystify inquiries and preserve the secret
Of that holy affection.
Less ready might his Bonny Jean "
have forgiven the intense worship paid
by his soul TO the innocent Highland
Mary, immeasurably her superior, than
the transient wanderings Of his fancy to-
ward unworthy rivals. SO the man bore
the secret in his own heart, striving
bravely against evils that were partly his
own bringing only at rare intervals he
gave vent 30 the agony of memory, such
as inspired his beautiful lines "To Mary
in Heaven" We envy no one who can
read unmoyed the narrative OF the an
niversary when Ny Mary from my side
was torn. We remember the carefully
guarded manner by which the poet, usn-
ally unreserved in speech, emded quss-
tions Of curiosity regarding that event
Robin, Robin, the earthly punishment Of
thy fault 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 allotted 10 thee. instead
Of the early wronged woman who had no
power or win 10 lift thee 20 holier life
We now know the date of his engage
ment with Mary-l7S6 The disastrous
intrigue with Jean Armour had wrecked
his character aud peace Of mind. His
offer OF repantion had been insultingly
refused by the father OF Jean. The girl
herself, either from mercenaFy fears,
weakness of heart, or from willingness 10
accept another suitor, had agreed 10 the
contemptuous rejection of Burns.
Wrecked IN reputation, abandoned by
friends, despairing of himself or Of any
advancement in his natl land, he de-
termined TO emigrate, AMI attempt IN the
West Indies 20 gain independence. In
"a few months the pestilcntial climate
might have robbed us Of the trnest poet
Scotland ever bore. At this hour came
the wild excitement that produced fruit
in him OF those marvellous baochanalian
songs" Willie brewed peck o. Maut, %
aud {" The Whistle II was dangerous
time, the peril of q noble soul in the
darkness In despair. he remembered
the innocence and affection Of young
girl, Mary Campbell-the Highland
Mary TO whose name his own is INSOFAR
ably joined.
All voices were loud against him, pru-
dence forebade her union with this ont
lawed man, but the girl dared 10 trust
the love in her own heart, and looked 10
her Heavenly Father for protection. She
knew that Burns had sinned, and how
he had repcnted. She knew he was free
to be her bushand-made free even 10y
the scorn of that Jean whom he had in
jured She knew how little prospect OF
fortune he had, but she believed in his
affection. She vowed 30 oe true 10 him,
and called heaven To witness that vow.
They exchanged bibles and parted, look
ing 10 O speedy reunion but death came
between, and they never on earth met
again. In Dumfries the ashes OF the
great poet rest There is followed dust
in Greenock, also, that no lover OF Burns
can fnil TO reverence paying pilgrimage
20 the tomb Of Highland Mary.