The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-06-13
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CrImtne among the countless shrlnes
created by tho livingpresonce of Robert
Bprns in southwesteJn Scotland, and
looking down along the flaming shat OF
LIGHT that links his genius andhisworld-
cirding human loFsandmaguanimityt
the iadelcss Immortality othis memory
and name, 1 have always felt that the
ono among them oil which most
breathes to the behoIder the spirit OF
inoffable pathos and Tenderness, was
this, the bard'sfarm-home OF Ellisland'
In the period between May, 1885, at
the ace Of 81 years, and the end OF the
wear 1871. when he came from this Ellis
land farm to the three rooms IN tho
HWee Venue" in Dunfrles, a period oil
hut four and one halt years, more per,
sonal hope aud disappointment, Joy ana
tsuffcrinG, anguish fromimpulaive wrong
doing andt5aven of the purest domes.
, tic bliss, temptation and victory, ag9n;;
iscd despair and triumph, were crowded
into the poets experiences, than tnl TO
The lot OF most great men in their entire
lives. In this brief time, first he was
disowued and deserted by Jean Armour,
through theabitter and ever unreason-
inc opposition OF her father. He was
then betrothed ia. Highland mary,
Campbell, the heroine OF his immortal
ode, ITO Mary in Heaven, who shortly
died OF malignant fever at GreenocE.
About l00of his most characteristic
poems we're already written, and the
now priceless edition Of the same had
been isguedffom the rural press OF Xii.
Dafaock, in the county OF Dumbarton.
Twin children had been born to him
ont Of wedlook by Jean Armour, one Of
whom, Robert, In after years q man OF
rare character and worth, survived the
poet 6S years, his deeease occurring at
pumfries in 1857, and his body being
inferred In tho Burns lnausoleum in
that city, Burns local fame having at
tracted the attention Of the literary CO.
terie at Edinburgh, he was invited to
that city, where no was affiliated" at
tho famous lodge OF Freemasons (Which
still meets in the veritable room then
used and subsequently "inaugurated"
as Its poet laureate, the latter event be-
ing the subject Of LIBERATED paintings
willie he was made the literary lion OF
the day, as new and enlarged editions
OF his poemsappeared. He then made
tour OF the border counties OF England
and Scotland, and nntarntshed
bv fame, returned to Mauchline,
tile old home-spot in Ayr, drawn there
BY his true love for his Jean, who re-
pented INSTRUMENTATION, and with whom
the former Intimacy was renewed. Tho
tour OF tho North was then made.
Burns returned to greater Edinburgh
literary triumphs. He was introduced
to Mrs. Maclehose, the "Clarinda" OF
his famous correspondence; and again
returning to his beloved Jean, took her
secretly to Tarbolton Mill, where twins,
both Of which died, were again born to
them. nj
VaARRIRD AT LAST.
Being now Independent Of scandal
GUS opposition, Burns publicly and
proudly acknowledged" Jean Armour
as his wife, then as sacred and binding
marriagein Scotland as any other,
and, in THIS instance, necessary only be-
cause debRrFed formal marriage by the
wife's parents, who thus were solely re-
sponsible for the cloud upon the poets
marital record. Burns also Satisfied"
the church, which in those days was
not SO very difficult OF satisfaction
He was also in u position to satisfy"
Jeans parents; for on settlement with
Creech, his Edinburgh publisher, the
then astounding sum OF S2,600 was
found to be at his disposal.
Thoy, notpa kbn Hntaf hEtUkt 1Ouu
Magnanimously generous always, much
OF this sum, the first and last good for
tune Burns ever knew, went to jeans
parents, and to assist his brother, Gil
bert Burns, III ayerting disaster in the
lAtter's farm life efforts, His lucky
meeting with the ingenious and kindly
Patrick Miller, OF Dalswinton Hall, had
occurred. 1t had been settled that the
poet, who hated the city with royal
hatred, should return TO the plough.
Tho nobility OF the day never quite for.
gave this plebian longing and love, the
source OF bis grandest inspirations, This
beautiful farm OF Ellisland, five miles
above Duthtries, was taken at q rental
OF ESQ perpeaH. Burns unaided began
his farm labors the first Monday after
Whitsunday, 1883. He toiled mGnfully
until the autumn OF that year, mean
time singing many a iusty song to his
absent wife. and built the lovely cot
tage which stands here embowered in
roses to this day.
SORROW FOLLOWS JOY.
And then was celebrated tho sim.
pie but glorious home coming,
when, With rustic rites, and his
bonnie Jean upon his arm, proceeded
by 30 peasant girl carrying
the family Bible and bowl Of
salt" he marched proudly into his little
home-hcayeu beside the winding NTH.
All evidences agree that In the brief pc
Rod of tribe over two years, between
Whitsund0y 1883 and Martinmas, 1901,
Burns and his good jean experienced
an Eden OF labor and love, despite their
final enforced departure. II was also
the period Of Burns' best and greatest
poetic fccundity. But moro children
cumeto them. Thesemust be supported.
The crops failed, and inevitable ruin
was approaching. 1t was then, with
nowhere else on earth to turn, with no
one on earth to defend him from the
wretched Influences OF such environ
mentt that TO save his wife and chill.
dren frotn actual want ,.lle was forced to
accept the government position OF OK.
cisenaD, at the baggardly pittance Of
Cooper ycdrt The five remaining years
OF his lie, after the poet, his Jean and
their throo children, Robert, Francis
Wallace, and William Nicol, removed to
the humble lodgings, their first home in
Dumfries, checkered, sad pathetic be.
You'd comprehension, are known to all.
Although thousands Of Americana