GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF

THE POET HIS ASSOCIATES AND THOSE CELEBRATED
IN HIS WRITINGS

The Lineage of the Poct

BY THE LATE REV. CHARLES ROGERS, D.D., LL.D.

The Life of the Poct

BY REV. J. C. HIGGINS, A. M., B.D.,

TARBOLTON

IN THREE VOLUMES

VOL. III

EDINBURGH

PRINTED FOR THE GRAMPIAN CLUB

VIMU

Heart that no sorrow wrings!
Man, in whose praises all are loud! Voice that for ever sings!
A people's love, the holy bier, that holds thy worth in trust,
With glory flashing through the tear that drops above thy dust;

O, rich inheritor of fame, rewarded well at last,

Whose strong soul, like a sword of flame, smites with fierce light the past,
The sculptured piles, in trumpet tones, attest thy vast renown,

A nobler heirship than the thrones of princes handed down.

A. G. MURDOCH.

PREFACE.

HAVING been asked, with a view to the completion of this Work, to prepare a short biography of Burns, I have aimed at writing a concise narrative, setting forth as many of the incidents of the Poet's career as the available space would allow, and at making as large use as possible of the Poet's own words.

For the purpose of writing a "Life of Burns," the late Dr. Charles Rogers had gathered a mass of notes; but these notes could have been advantageously utilised only by Dr. Rogers himself.

Every one knows that the subject of the Poet's Life and Writings has already been fully and powerfully dealt with by many eminent authors.

Having agreed, however, though not without misgivings, to complete Vol. III. of the Book of Robert Burns, I have tried to perform my task clearly, faithfully, and sympathetically.

J. C. H.

833424

Is there a whim-inspired fool,

Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;

And o'er this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.

Is there a man whose judgments clear,
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs himself life's mad career,
Wild as a wave,

Here pause-and through the starting tear
Survey this grave.

The poor inhabitant below

Was quick to learn and wise to know,

And keenly felt the friendly glow,

And softer flame;

But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stained his name.

A Bard's Epitaph.