Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-10-23
9t1istellaneuns &eading.
ROBIN ADAIR.

The very beautiful and very touching little
song entitled Robin Adair, was most genuine
ly popular for space of sixty years 1t is
even known now, though vaguely, and only.
seen darkly, as through blue glass. Yet
our grand. mothers used to sing it, and our
mothers, too, when their matronhood was in
the prospective and they we're girls.
Most of us are familiar with the song, and
We believe that most of us accredit its author
ship to Robert Burns. He did not write it.
With it is connected romance that adds ad-
ditional interest to the new song.
Robin Adair was not legendary character,
but of flesh and blood substance, and the
song was, as originally written, pathetic
piece of temporary heart-broken woe from
dear little girl who loved her robin Adair."
Adair was young Irishman, of great popu-
larity, in London, during the latter portion
of the last century. He was surgeon by
profession, and was compelled to leave Ire.
land from the same reasons that 'precipitated
the late Mr.. Conkling to jump Rhode Island.
He reached England, and there struck his
fortune. His first adventure was to be pres.
ent at runaway, when a carriage was over
turned and lady of "high degree" some.
what injured. He attended her, was amply
rewarded-and he needed the money-and in
further favor, was invited to her house as a
guest. 1t was there that he met Lady Caro-.
line Keppel, the daughter of the Earl of Al
bermarle. This young lady, from the first
meeting, formed a desperate affection for the
handsome young Irishman-love leveling
rank in her condition-and she did not dis
guise the fact. Robin Adair did not hold
back, but pressed his suit. The family. Of
course, was dismayed at the idea of a mesaL
lance; the thought of marriage between the
daughter of hundred earls and poor Irish
surgeon-whose pedigree was not known, nor
ever was-of course seemed horrible. All
measures were employed to break up and off
the unseemly affection of young hearts. Trips
to the continent, prayers and persuasions OF
sisters cousins and aunts, bons boas and mals-
mails of all sorts were offered, but in vain.
1t was during one of their prolonged and
enforced separations that Lady Caroline wrote
and set to music plaintive Irish air-the
song, that grew so popular and so we'll known,
of Robin Adair. AS now published and
sung, it is somewhat changed, and we'll so for,
though we respect and admire the young
lady's love and devotion, her grammar was at
a discount and her word.usage somewhat on
the John Logan style. The song, as origin.
ally written, ran:
What's this dull town to me?
Robins notnear;
He whom Iwsh to see,
| Wish for he to hear.
| Where's all the Joy and mirth,
Made life heaven on earth!
Oh |! they've all fled with thee,
Robin Adair
What made the assembly shine?
Robin Adair!
What made the ball so fine?
| Robin was there!
What when the play was DER,
What made my heart so sore?
Oh it was the parting with
Robin Adair.
But thou art far from me,
Robin Adair!
But now never see
Robin Adair
Yet he love so we'll
Still in my heart shall dwell
Oh can ne'er forget
Robin Adair.
Finding all efforts to break up and off the
mutual love Of the young people, the family
of Lady Caroline very sensibly and very
nobly, under the circumstances, yielded to the
fate of young love, and consented to the mar
riage. This was especially a grand act in
those days, when the demarking lines Of aris.
tocracy were wider than the bloody chasm OF
politics, and so impossible that only high
born angel could fly over it. Robin Adalr
was, like most Irishmen, lucky.
Immediately after his marriage he was ap-
pointed Inspector. General of the Military Ho
pitfalls. He became a favorite of George | l.,
and was designated to important offices. BY
refusing a baronetcy and the title incident
thereto, he grew very popular with the masses,
and at the same time held his popularity with
the King He died in 1890, being at that
time nearly eighty years of age. Lady Car
oline's married life was brief but happy. She
died of consumption in a few years after her
wedding. Her last request to her Robin
Adair was that he should wear mourning for
her as long as life lasted. This he religiously
fulfilled, and, though sought after by many
desirable ladies of the court, never married
again, burying his heart with the corpse OF
II