Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-31
SPEECH OF DIR. .sI.ER.

delivered at the Inauguration of the new
town of Ayr, Qate Groton Junction,) Ms.]
LADIES AND CONDEMNATION the wes-
tern coast of Scotland where it slopes into
the Irish Sea, river, rising on the noun
tains of the inner land, winds down among
thehills and empties into the Firth Of Clyde.
From remote time it has been called Ayr,
from an old Scotch word "Ayry," mean
ing an eagles nest-the river of the eagles
nest. Near its mouth and contiguous
harbor, long stood hamlet which became
a royal burg or town named from the river,
and now about one-third as large as Lowell
the city of Ayr. For more than a thou
sand years it has been noted in the history
of Scotland. During the wars of Robert
Bruce it was one of his resorts, and was es-
pecially favored by him because he was
there cured of leprosy. Oliver Cromwell
made it one of the depots and headquarters
of his army in his attack upon Scotland,
and one of his old forts is now the citadel
of Ayr.
But above all its distinctions, Ayr was the
birthplace of the poet Burns. And what
poet What voice has he given to all the
endearments of homel How has he hal
lowed the cottage and all it covers-weans
and wife, patches and poverty, beans, bar
ley, ale, hardship and the poor mans toll.
How he wraps with tenderness whatever
he names, even his bleak leagues of pas
ture, the stubble-feld, ice, snow, sleet and
rain, brooks, birds, mice, thistles and heath
er. His Bonny Doom, John Anderson my
I,L al 7 /
Mary roll round the world in ever ringing
symphony with what is purest and best in
human nature. His songs WOO and melt
the hearts of youth and maidens, bring sol
ace to the Borrowing and courage to the
overburdened by their lot. His inspira-
ton has set the affections to music in strains
that are immortal.
No other one man has made a language
classic, but he has rendered that lowland
Scotch a Doric dialect of fame. The name
of his home and his beloved river Ayr was
lifted on the wings of his pathos, and now
the approaching traveller yearns to reach
the spot his genius has sanctifed.
Along the borders of the sea in a paral-
telegram and surrounding the town is
county of the same name-Ayrshire.
1t would weary your patience to hear the
history of my ancestors from one ancient
John of Ayr, then John Ayr, down through
the centuries to this Aver now before you;
through their vicisstudes of poverty and
plenty-of fortune and misfortune; how
they have intermarried with England, Ire
land and Scotland, and later with the Amer
leans, whoare an excellent mixture of them
ali.
My friends, you have chosen the name
inherited for your town with an eXtraordi-
nary unanimity, and have thereby conferr
ed an honor upon me, the proper acknowl-
edgment of which do not feel able to ex-
press But l beg you to be assured that it
is appreciated, and that it will be gratefully
remembered with living interest in your
prosperity while life remains to me, and, l
trust, beyond that by my children after
me.
If this name has become noted among the
many that are worthier around you, that is
greatly due to its publicity. May be per-
mitted TO state whence that came? Until
within few centuries all the civilized ma
lions OF the globe were pent up on the East
ern continent. Two or three hundred years
ago they leaked over into this; few and
fearfuily at hrst, then more and more, but
always in their settlements timidly hug
ging the Atlantic coast Within the last
two or three generations, they have burst
out, as 1t were, and overrun these vast con-
tnents OF the west. Now they are scatter
ed mere ana possess these measureless
stretches oil mountains and valleys, hills
plains, forests and prairies with the bound
less pampas ana mountain ranges OF South