The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17
Pleasant Associations Of the Poet
Farmer and the Lovely
Valley.
Relics OF the Great Genius and
Memories Of His Actual
Presence.
Tenderness with Which These Mementoes
Are Preserved-A Granddaughter and
Great Granddaughter.

Especial Correspondence Of TIE INDEPENDENT.1
AMMAN. Scotland, July 18.-Complete
Ss the Identification of the man Burns with
pleoe, scene and memorial in old Dumfries
Town, there is far moro pleasant associa-
kion to be found between Burns, the poet
farmer, Burns the observation-disclosures
Burns the poet-exciseman, and the lovely
valley of the NTH. Burns boyhood Is
legacy to the winding Doom. in Ayr. The
activities Of his manhood are heritage to
the NTH, and the dale or vale through
which it makes it, songful way to the Sol
way and the sea. Tho etymoloey of
its name is Gaelic, as Is true of
Hine-tenths of the names of natural fea-
lures Of the country, and Of the cities,
Towns and villages of to-day IN Scotland as
veil @ in Ireland. Neithe was the Gaelic
water-god; hence Meth, and NTH; and
more lovely stream could not have been
found in Scotland for honoring, or being
honored by, the name. Coming from its
crystal cradle among the mountains Of
eastern Ayrshire, it wimples along in
Jsouthwesterly course, watering the Royal
BurRh of SINGULAR and the ducal village
of Thornhill, thence passing the
stupendous mass of Drumlanrig Cas-
tie which looks down upon the plain with
its innumerable windows, like great
presiding idol, the embodied genius OF feu-
dalism" Near this, the sister stream and
pass Of Enterkin. Farther to the south the
bordering mountain ranges press the NTH
closely at Auldgirth bridge; and then it's
vale broadens. giving place for myriads OF
exquisite burns. braes and lesser dales.
6oon the NTH, after passing Eilisiand. the
- 20 ,1sva kv,
the Cluden water-whlch, at Irongray, but
four miles to the westward, murmurs past
the grave of Helen Walker. whom
Scott immortalized as Jennie
Deans beneath the shadows of
Ssesa and Abbey su oVs. e saaa
shadows, or slowly moving over quiet
depths. the river sweeps under the red
bridge-arche of Dumfries, and for eight
miles to the Solway Firth flows stately on
through a shining and spacious plain like
that of Lombardy IN miniature.
There is not in all this fair domain cas-
tie, a gentleman's seat, . manse, farm
house, cabin, or an old roadside inn, that
existed in Burns time, which does not pre-
serve some relic of the poet, or some memory
of his actual presence. The rich and Grea'
regard these as their most priceless heir
looms; but the tenderness with which tn
lowly preserve the most trifling tradition O
what Burns did, or said, or of sOme acct
dental meeting OF kindly visit. possesse
the deepest signifcance. He VA essen
italy of the lowly. He was ever III at ess
among the gentry and nobility. His great
generous heart was keenly alive to the hum
bic folk about him; and even a. Ranger. tn
most dreaded and hated capacity in whic
law ever took form. in the eyes Of II
eeotch Of that day, and Of the Irish Of a
tounote time, there was Q love for burn
fkpoaRh tbs valley coun1Syaide tbs
new no bounds, as rode o
kk horses Pegasus and Peg Nict
" 10 nilss each vssk j