The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-17

1877. in Church place, Dumfries. The
only other occupant of Church place
at that time was a venerable scotch.
man who. standing in the shadows OF
the Greyfrl9r's church, seemed. though IN
merely an idle curiosity on his part, as in !
tently regarding me as had been studying
the statue. finally made bold to approach
him with request for information regard
ing the road should take to Ellisland, at
the same time expressing my Intention OF
visiting it on the morrow. Inc cnance
meeting was pleasant one; and on discov-
ering that the gentleman, Mr.. Thomas
Brown of Queensbury street, was quite at
leisure for the next day, invited him to
Join me on the excursion, to which he heart
lily acceded, and the day was glorious one
on account of his lntelllgent company; Ior
his perfect familiarity with details OF the
life and experiences of the poet, at which
then wondered. though attributing the same
to the universal treasuring of Burns-lore
by the people of Nithsdale. was source
Of the greatest delight, The companion
ship resulted in ret t1;and,n Vi fsmiIn
on the same evening of the Ellisland jour-
ney. On presenting myself at his door, l
was admitted by young lady whose race
and presence startled me as completely as
though Robert Burns had himself greeted
itation. There stood a fair young woman
in whose face was repeated every lineament
of the poet. Her hair was raven black; her
brows we're broad and high; the eyes like
flaming orbs; the nose perfectly chlseled;
the mouth large, impassloned, tender; ana
indeed Burns face. chasstened and soft
ened by the pure soul of woman looking
through it. :.
Completely overcome by the extraordina-
~ likeness and situation; l could scarcely
use my tongue, but at last faltered,
= AZ =. ~ n q
Brown, with whom an American gentleman
has an engagement for the EVENING""
''It isl the young lady smilingly an
swered. Father and mother are expecting
you"
And you are?'-
Brownr'
1t was to the home of the granddaughter
and great-granddaughte of Robert Burns l
had come. The CHEEKY, handsome, white
haired hostess of the evening, Mrs. Thomas
Brown, lady GO years of age, who sang toi
Us, "Of a the ARTS the wind can blaW,
with extreme pathos and feeling, is the sur
| viving daughter of Robert Burns, Dr.. the
| poets oldest son, who died here in Dunn
fries in 1857, at the age of 70 years. His
early education was chiefly the charge OF
Burns himself and with HIM, hand in hand
he wandered again and again IN every
loved haunt of Nithsdale from Criffel on
the Solway to Frlar's Carse, above Ellis
land. A page of this paper could be delight.
fully filled with the experiences OF thai
evening and of later hours, in this PLAIN
and pleasant home-in itself museum anc
shrine of Burns memorial. relic and sentl
ment. But aside from these and the mar
velous reproduction of figure, face anc
radiant speech of eyes and look of the poe
in his great-grand- daughter. Jean Armour
Burns Brown, two things came to me, witt
conviction which cannot be shaken, ane
| which would set down to remain, witt
earnest and solemn emphasis.
The first is, that Robert Burns, Dr., was I
man of extraordinary intellect, attainment
and character, He was an attache OF tn
British stamp Office, in London, for thirt.
years. during which period, and to the dc.
of his death. as have evidence, he was on
his time. no more learned scholar lived
and Carlyle himself was not his superior II
J depth of philosophical research. Unitet
with these. were qualities of heart and char
) acter which were grandly pure and sweet
while hidden and restrained by loyalty Z
his fathers name and fame, 70 discerl
: which gives one glimpse of what true he
roism means. was. as also have evidence
a gift of the Hottest poetic power. VIII
this new light upon father and son canno
, contemplate the ones extreme attachmen
| perhaps unconscious, bat still mighty. asid
from the sacred filial tie, held the matured
, and budding, intellect SO tsnderly together
The other thing ! would cay from couvis
ton ID this: Jean Armour vas woman
loftier soul than has ever yet been depicfec
/ Burns genius was illimitably too great
} require unworthy contrast 70 render y MOI
/ SURPRISINGLY transcendent. Carlyls's ds1
= itson Of the function ct WoDan-to Ne