Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-05-17

But, Oh dear! let us say 10 more about
the horrors Of var, but take Q stroll
s'sdowu winding Nth, " and try 70 forget
that Its waters once ran blood, and that
human gore once fertilixed these moors,
To NJ. the greatest hero b not the man
who kills the greAtest number Of people,
but the one who keeps the greatest nam-
Der from being killed, though doubtless
many more would have been slain had Il
not bern for tfese valiant warriors.
Dumfries also has lie "Auld brig" and
lie "new brig" The auld brig wss
built In the l3th century bv the mother
Of John Bslliol, the candidate against
Bruce for the throne Of scotland. II
consisted originally Of Is arches. IL Il
crossed nos only by foot passengers.
JOS, across this bridge 10 MsxwelltOn, %
.when early falls th~ dew" we will wan
der across where "Maxwellton's bra~s
are bonnie" and see II Ne can discover
Anpie Laurie or her counterpart, though
se have already seen her counterpart
many times aimee coming 10 Scotlsnd-ii
s'bros like the snswdrift," ''thro Al
like the s~an,- and . "face the fairesi
that s'cr the sun shone on," Ii anything
to 20 by.
No wonder poor Bobbie Burns could
do nsught but succumb To the charms oi
the Highland l.sses. Much has been
sid of the beauty OF the modest English
maiden. and the vlvacious French
msdemoiselle; and the beautiful Irish
Colleen has been immortslized In poety
and In song; but 40 Tar 20 the observation
Of your correspondent goes, "Bonnie
blus-eyed Scotch lassie Jean" is far
beyond them all.
OF course We must loyalty except our
own countrywomen, whose beauty and
talent and culture IL beyond comparison.
The illustrious IL Hung Chang, in q
conservation with Mrs. Hiram Maxim In
London, paid high tribute to American
beauty. On being told that she was an
American, "Ah," said the gallant Ii,
"America Il the land Of beauty"
But this Il not continuing our walk, 90
We 20 on TO Terregles, one OF the
environs Of Dumfries, where Queen Mary
spent q few hours before her ill-fated
flight to England, and various relies OF
that visit are still preserved in Maxwell
ton House, formerly the residence OF the
Maxwells, Esrls OF Nlthsdale, who
formerly owned great possessions here,
which gave the precinct the poetic name
OF Msxwellton. II Is still owned BY a
| Maxwell.
Drumlaurig Castle is another interest
ing old ruin, built by william, first Duke
Of Queensbury, who, after spending
yesrs 10 its construction, slept but one
night within Its walls.
"How shall sing Drumiaurtg's grace.
Discarded remnant Of . race
Onoe great In martial storyl"
II WAS much defaced by the Highland
soldiers, who occupied It 10 l745 In their
jealous endesvors in behalf Of their
Prince Charlie
I'VE trusted In your He land men.
They trusted you. dear Charlie"
Sweetheart Abbey is another msgnii-
cent ruin. 1t was erected In 1873 by
Devorgilla asa tribute of affection "a
her husband John Bailiol. She had his
heart enshrined here, which seems tn
have been the custom 10 those days, and
thus gave II its romantic nsme.
And now we come 10 Glenriddel and
the mausion-house Of Friars' Carse,
where our pioughman was frequently
the honored guest Of his friend Robert
Riddel, who dispensed here generous
hospitality.
"How can ye charm. 70 flowers. with all your
| dyes;
Ye blow upon the sod that wraps my friend;
How can 20 the tuneful strain attendi
| That strain nows round the untimely tomb where
| Riddel ncs."
i nd nom ,.,a IN m thoaa haa . f,,l
moors-blesk and dreary and lonely now
though still baautiful-"where lsmbkins
wanton through the broom"-one might
almost wish 10 be q lambkin too, and
revsl In the glorious coloring and exqui-
site fragrance OF this wondrous flower
hat to come down to the commonplace,
the lambkin would want pretty long
wool tn "wanton"a great deal, for the
broom has q very prickly stalk. II
grows about two feet high and resembles
our ground hemlock, only that II stands
up erect, hinging It's yellow perfume
laden banners to the breeze. 1t is nc
wonder the Scottish poets sing the
praises OF this wonderful flower. The
bluebell and heather are beautiful To-
deed, but can 10 no way compare with
this radiant blossom, whose color rivals
the sunshine; and It's greatest attraction
Is that 1t blooms in the cold and dreary
winter when all other flowers have
fade d-and this is the strsngest thing
about Il, for though the foliage Is hardy
and ever green, the flower is the most
delicate that could be imagined, resem
bling an orchid. At Christmas time the
hillsides and valleys are covered with It.
In Scotland It is called whin, In England
gorse, and In Ireland furze, but the uni
versal name Is broom, and the British
Isles can lay exclusive claim 70 1t, for II
grows no other where, though your cor.
respondent has seen Q few scant bios
SONS in Brittany, France, but II extends
no farther In that direction.
20. the broom. the bonnie. bonnie broom"
| MARTHA MAXIM.