The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-09-20
STORY OF ROBIN ADAIR.

lrlshmanj Dut ms parentage ana the ex-
act place Of his birth are unknown. He
was brought up as surgeon, "his detec-
tion in an early amour drove him precipi-
lately from Dublin, to push his fortunes
in England. Scarcely had be crossed the
channel when the chain Of lucky events
that ultimately led him TO fame aud for.
tune commenced Near Kolyhead, per
ceiying a carriage overturned, he ran to
render assistance
The sole occupant of this vehicle was
"lady Of fashion, well known in polite cir
cles, who received Adairs attentions with
thanks, and, being lightly hurt, and hear
ing that he was a surgeon, requested him
to travel with her In her carriage to Lon
don. On their arrival In the metropolis,
she presented him with fee Of 100 guin-
eas, and gave him general invitation to
her house. In after life Adair used TO
say that il was not 80 much the amount
Of this fee, but the time il was given, that
was Of service to him, as he was then al
most destitute But the invitation to her
house was a still greater service, for there
he met the person who decided his fate in
life. This was Lady Caroline Keppei,
daughter of the second Earl of Albermarle
and of Lady Anne Lennox, daughter Of
the first Duke of Richmond. Forgetting
her high lineage, Lady Caroline, at the
first sight of the Irish surgeon, fell des-
peratcly in love with him, and her emo.
tions were so sudden and so violent as 10
attract the general attention Of the COM
pany. Adair, percciying his advantage
lost no time in pursuing it, while the AL
bemarle and Richmond families were die.
mayed at the prospect Of such terrible
mesallianee. Every means we're tried tc
induce the young lady to alter her mind
but without effect Adair's biographel
tells us that ''amusements," a long Jour
ney, an advantageous offer, aud other com
mon modes Of shaking off what was con
sidcred by the family as an improper match
were already tried, but in vain, the healtl
Of Lady Caroline was evidently impaired
and the family at last confessed, with
good sense that reflects honor on their un
derstandings as well as their hearts, thn
it was possible to prevent, but never 4
dissolve an attachment; and that marriag
was the honorable, and, indeed, the onl
alternative that could secure her happines
and life.
When Lady Caroline was taken by he
friends from London to Bath, that sh
might be separated from her lover, sh
wrote, it is said, the song Of Robin Adair,
and set ii to a plaintiye Irish tune that sh
had heard him sing Whether written b
Lady Caroline or not, the song is simpl
expressive Of her feelings at the time, an
as it completely corroborates the circuu
stances just related, which were the tow
talk of the period, though now little moi
than family tradition, there can be no doul
that they we're the origin Of the song, Il
words Of which, as originally written, a
the following
What's this dun town TO me9
Robins not near.
He whom wish 10 see.
Wish for W hear.
where's all the 10y and minh.
Made life heaven eaTth9
Oh they re all ied with thee,
Robin Adair,
What made the assembly shinei
Robin Adairi
What made the ball 50 fine?
. Robin was there
What, when the play was DER
What made my heart 10 sore
oh Il was parting with
Robin AdaiT
But now thou art far from oneI
Robin Adalrg
But now never see
Robin Adair
Yet he love so well
slll in my heart shall dwell;
Oh can ncer forget
Robin Adairg
Immediately after his marriage wi
Lady Caroline, Adair was appointed
spector- General of Military Hospitals al
! subsequently,, becoming favorite
!, George Ill, he was made surgeon gener
kings sergeant surgeon, and surgeon
Chelsea Hospital. Very fortunate IN
have seldom many friends, but Adair,
} declining baronetcy that was offered
him by the king, for surgical aitcndan
on the Duke Gs Gloucester, actually o
quired considerable popularity before |
death, which took place when be W
nearly four-soore years Of age, in 1890.
In the Gentleman's Magazine Of th
year there are verses Goa the death
Robert Adair, Esq, late surgeon Generl
by j, Crane, NJ. d. who, il is TO be hope
was a much better physician than poe
Lady Caroline Adair's married life "
short, but happy. She died of consum
, tion after giving birth to three childre
one Of them a son. On her death bed $
} requested Adair to wear mourning for b
as long as he lived; which he scrupulous
did, save on the kings aud queens birt
I days, when his duty to his sovereign I
quired him TO appear at court in full drc
If this injunction respecting mourni
, were to prevent Adair marrying again,
had the desired effect; he did not marry
second time, though he had many offe
Home Journal.