GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF THE POET HIS ASSOCIATES AND THOSE CELEBRATED 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! O, rich inheritor of fame, rewarded well at last, Whose strong soul, like a sword of flame, smites with fierce light the past, 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, And o'er this grassy heap sing dool, Is there a man whose judgments clear, Here pause-and through the starting tear 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, A Bard's Epitaph. |