"Auld Robin Gray."

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 52

"Auld Robin Gray."

Lady Anne Lindsay wrote "Auld Robin Gray" when she was 21. It was published anonymously in 1776, and various persons claimed the authorship. Lady Anne did not acknowk'dgu it was her own until two years before her death, when she wrote to Sir Walter Scott, and confided' the history of the ballad to him. It appears that tho gifted lady was induced to write the song by a desire to see an old Scottish air, " The bridegroom grat when the sun gaed doon," fitted with words more suitable than the ribaldry which, for want of better, had been sung to it. The name of " Auld Robin Gray " was taken from an ancient herd of Bsdcarres. Lady Anne was a daughter of James Lindsay, fifth Earl of Baloarres. She" married Andrew Barnard, son of Thomas, Bishop of Limerick, and they went out to the Cape, where he died in ISO 7. Lady Anne returned to London, and lived with her sister in Berkeley Square until 1812. The sister's house was a literary centre, and was frequented by Burke, Sheridan, Windharn, Douglas, and the Prince of Wales, who were all habitual visitors. Lady -Anne won the life-long attachment of' the Prince Regent. She died in 1825, in her seventy-fourth, year. No one has ever questionedLady Anne Barnard's claim to the authorship of the words of "Auld Robin Gray," and though I am not going to cast doubb upon the word of the waiter at this late day, it is necessary to mention that prior nob only to the appearance, but to the writing, of the worldfamous song there was a French ballad extant containing the gist of the story and the plot, by Paradis de Moncrif, entitled •' Les Constautes Amours d'Alix et d' Alexis."— S. J. Adair Fitz- J Gerald, in Lloyd's. 11 Scotland's Qneen." A fountain, which marks an incident in the j Queen's life .in her northern home, is so inscribed; Once, when her Majesty rode across the ' Grampian Hills, and afterwards passed the j Castle of.Faaauej tbe. residence of Sis Thomas

Gladstone, a halt was made, and the Queen being thirsty; she stooped in order to get » drink of the beautifully cleap spring water; which bubbled' up from a gratsy spot amoDg the heather.

. This well, in memory ofi thef .simple event,, is now covered by an imposing granite fountain, bearing the following inscription — Heßt, stranger, on this lovely scene. And drink and pray for Scotland's Queoff— Victoria.

The fountain ettmdrin the glen of Invermark. Some tourist, fonder of beer than water, has pencilled the- following' couplet beneath the above —

We'll pray for Queen Victoria here; But go and drink her health in beer.