DEPTHS AND HEIGHTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 1 (Supplement)

DEPTHS AND HEIGHTS

BURNS’ MIDDLE DAYS (By T.C.L.) Burns was 24 when his father’s death made it possible a few months later to close the unhappy Lochlea chapter. From there he went to Mossgiel, a farm- about a mile from tho village of Mauchlinc. That was in March, 1874. His amazing outburst of song began 13 months later, and from that time until tho appearance of the Kilmarnock edition in July, 1876, his inspiration was at white heat. Burns’ record as a farmer was as unfortunate as ever. For months his health was indifferent, but the sense of freedom, the richer nature of the 1 soil ho was cultivating, and the fire within him all helped to renew the man. It was while he was at Mossgiel that his passion drove prudence from the mind of Jean Armour, of Mauchline, and she became his wife when things were at their blackest and in spite of all that parental counsels, warnings, and correction could do to prevent the match. The house at Mossgiel farm has been altered since Burns’ day. It was then a one-storeyed thatched cottage, but the hedge in front of the present homestead may have been planted by the poet and his brother. Within sight of the farm is a memorial one likes to think would have appealed most of all to the Burns of the tender songs of the poor and oppressed. Behind a tower containing a Burns’ museum there are several pretty cottages in which deserving old people are offered a free home. The Glasgow society responsible for the memorial has showp a real appreciation of the sympathy that underlay so many of Burns’ writings. Poverty was his companion through life, and to lessen the fear of that grisly companion for some folk is a happy way of honouring his memory.

In Mauchlinc churchyard some of his children are buried, and in the village the visitor is shown the old cottage in which, in a single apartment, Burns and Jean Armour ’“set up house” as man and wife. It was at Mauchlinc that he knew all the heights of inspiration, of returned health, of love requited, and, alas, the depths of remorse and disappointment. For the Mossgiel farm was no success, and early in J 786 Burns accepted the offer of a position in Jamaica. “The thought of exile,” says an enthusiast, “appalled him. But it was the black hour before the dawn.’’ Burns had met other than cottage folk at Mauchline. At Masonic gatherings he met outsiders capable of recognising a new force. He ranked among his friends those who were as interested in Scottish story and verse as Burns himself. They spoke of his poetry to others, and while he, with heavy heart, was making preparation to go oversea, John Wilson, a printer of Kilmarnock, and some friends, greatly daring, decided to publish some of his work.

So the visitor to the Burns’ country goes north-west a few miles to the quaint town of Kilmarnock. It was once a thriving town, but slackness of trade has caused a good deal of unemployment, and to-day the visitor sees a throng of young and old mon, listless and unhappy, thronging the narrow, crooked streets of the old town The visitor proceeds to Kay Park, where is a memorial no less impressive than the one near the Brig-o’-Doon. It is built of red sandstone, the lower part square, and topped by a Gothic, tower with a striking “look out” at its summit. In front a massive stairway leads to the entrance, which is occupied by a statue of the poet, said to be one of the best that has been executed. The museum adjoining contains an excellent collection of Burns’ manuscripts and relics. But interesting as is the memorial, to some tho narrow Waterloo’Street in old Kilmarnock £ives a greater thrill. For there in an attic in one of the plainest of buildings was the first edition of Burns’ printed. It was more than a success. Old and young, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, bought the book. Though it brought the author but £2O in cash it gave him

a new lease of life. There was to be no exile for him. The literary folk in Edinburgh invited him to tho capital where, as one writer soberly remarks, "he was much caressed, but efforts for his relief were trifling. He went from a duchess’ reception to share a garret with a law student for which they paid a rental of 3s a week.” His personality, his utter lack of sycophancy, and his charm of expression increased his fame.

As a lad Sir Walter Scott met Burns at a society function, and bis unaffected bearing, amid the adulation that might easily have turned his head, made a life-long impression upon the famous novelist. His Edinburgh visit was a triumph, but it ended .in a return to the old house al Mauchlinc and the struggle to make ends meet. But the success of a second edition of his poems was assured. It appeared the year following his first visit to Edinburgh and netted the author £4OO. With funds for once available Burns took that walking tour of which any enthusiast will wax eloquent. It led

to his knowledge and liking of the Border country, and when the need for a settled home and occupation had to bo satisfied ho turned southwards to the valley of the river Nith. Tn June, 1788, he took a farm at Ellisland, though his wife did not join him there for another six months. Once again the poet triumphed over the farmer, and Burns ch sc a farm for its lovely situation rather than its fertility. His house at Ellisland has been bequeathed to the nation. Tt has neon considerably altered since Burns erected it, but the view from the homestead is beautiful enough to justify a poet’s choice. A year’s experience made it. clear that the EHisland farm was to be no success. Burns’ capital had gone, but in August, 1789, he, was appointed district excise officer .it a salary of £s< a year. For two

vears ho tried to combine the duties of farmer and exciseman. Tt was no light task, and in 1791. he left tho homo he had built to become exciseman at Dumfries at a salary of £7O a year. Burns, who had visited Dumfries on

his tour of four years earlier, had made many good friends there. It was willi a sense of relief, ho told a friend, that he left behind the cares of husbandry, lie was going to friends, and if some of his official duties were distasteful it was work with which he had a work

ling acquaintance. Further, and most j important, his children would have the chance of attending a good school. In spite of disappointment, and loss of money at Ellisland, the Dumfries chap--1 ter of his life opened brightly.