The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-17

Probably few Of us in America
would ever have heard Of daxwelton
had not John Douglas, of FiugaH. had
his little love affair with Annie Laurie,
and spoke so feelingly Of its bonnie
braes" and his sweetheart, the fair
est that e'er the sun shone on" This
little love affair Of the Fingall youth
has been turned into one Of the pref
test sentimental songs IN the English
language, and although written con-
siderably more than 100 years ago, IT
is stin sung everywhere. and its popu-
larity Is no doubt lasting.
No sweetheart was ever paid higher
compliment in song than was be-
slowed upon Annie by Douglas he
found her the acme Of perfection IN
every way, and IL seems a pity that
so ardent a lover was unable 10 have
his affections reciprocated. When
Annie gave him the mitten" and
went of and married Alexander Fer
guson. II IS not noted whether Doug
las continued 10 believe she possessed
all the charms he had ascribed 20 her,
for he was no doubt an impetuous
young lover, and either Counted his
chickens before they were Matched
when he says that Annie "gf'ed me
her promise true. or # may be that
Annie was tickle.
But then II must be remembered
that the verses. as we sing them to-
day. were not exactly as Douglas
wrote them, for he found ample space
in two verses 10 describe all OF An
MES charms. as follows:
Marvellous banks are bonnie.
They're a clad ovre vi dew.
Where ] ar Annie LauIie
Made Up the bargain tue.
Made up the bargain true
Which nC'er forgot shall be;
An for bonnie Annie Laurie.
I'd lay ne dove an dee.
She's baekit IKE tho psuoock.
She's breistt Ike the swan,
She's imp about the middle
Her waist ye weel m-cht span.
Her waist ye Weel MIGHT span
An she has rolling ee;
An for bonnie Annie Laurie.
I'd lay me down an dee
Who wrote the third verse IS not
known. but IL is as much OF a favor.
tie as, the other two. and no lover Of
the song would willingly dispens,
with Il.
For a long time 70 was SUPPOSED
that Annie Laurie" was a creatur,
Of the song-writer's fancy, but thi
is not true, for Annie actually ex
listed. She was born at Maxweltor
House. and in the heart Of the mos
pastorally lovely OF Scottish shrine.
-Dumfries. Her father was Sir Rob
ert Laurie. who was first baTonet. ant
her mother was Jaen Riddeu. Hel
father gives the date Of her birth a.
December Is. 1852.
Maxwelton House was a turretet
building, and was originally the castl,
OF the Earls % GIencairn, but III,
founder OF the Laurie family purchas
ed it in 1911. Although the origina
house was partly destroyed by fire
it was later rebuilt, and to-day, II
one Of the living rooms. hangs a por
tran OF the heroine OF the song. TIL,
picture shows her hair TO be a darl
brown, and her eyes OF a stilt decree
hue, in spite Of the fact that tn
writer OF the song speaks OF he
dark blue ee."
As the story goes, Douglas. OF Fin
gall. was deeply in love with Annie
but she rather preferred the youthful
face. the dark eyes. and curling hair
OF Alexander Ferguson, who won her
and Douglas beautiful sentiment o
Annie was lost on the highland lassie
Douglas was a somewhat near neigh
Dor of Annie. as FirgaI Is PRACTICAL,
an adjoining parish to her home.
The music of the song Is consid
erably more modern than the words
and was composed by Lady JON
Scott. The composer was only guesse;
at for many years, but later Lad,
Scott acknowledged the authorship.
Maxwelton House is white and 4
built around three sides OF a sum,
court. Over the entrance door OF IN
tower arc inserted two marriag
stones. those Of Annie's father an,
mother. and OF her grandfather ant
grandmother. They are about twr
feet square The initials OF the Bird
and bridegroom and the date OF tn
marriage are cut upon them, togethe
with the family coat OF arms, whicl
CCouyright. 1893 -