red freestone from which he wrought the figure of the lion which rested over the antique portico (an object of great curiosity to many a passer-by, contented with a peep from the bridge, and never privileged further to investigate the museum of curiosities), was brought from the Cairn Hill, and every one who knows how inaccessible such a locality is will have an idea of the labour thereby incurred. The residence of Charles Wilson was visited by many who possessed a taste for such productions, though not unfrequently men of various grades paid a visit to him who were not privileged to enjoy his conversation, as his work very often took him from home. On one such occasion two gentlemen alighted from a machine, and asked to be allowed a few minutes in his garden and museum. This was readily granted, Mrs Wilson being frequently called upon to give such opportunities. No special notice was taken of the two strangers by her, but after their departure a paper was found containing the following:-"We have to-day, when on a visit to Carlops, been permitted to visit the cottage and garden of Mr Charles Wilson, and having been previously informed of the many specimens of artistic skill, the productions of his own head and hands, we were consequently the less surprised, though not the less gratified, when we found ourselves in the midst of them. One thought which struck us very forcibly was this, that it was a great pity such decided genius should be allowed to remain in such a quiet though romantic village among the everlasting hills. How very different the remuneration it would bring, and how very different the opportunities presented for the development of such powers were such a man to be transplanted to a populous centre! We have on this occasion been deprived of the opportunity of enjoying conversation with one who proves his superiority in a manner which compels us to expect in such a man mental talents of a high order, unless it can be the case-which we cannot readily believe-that artistic skill can exist without such congenial companionship. เ Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The deep unfathomed caves of ocean bear; Mr Wilson, however, never yielded to any influence brought to bear on him with regard to leaving the district, but quietly plodded on, believing that man's true happiness consisted not altogether in the abundance of the things he possessed. What was very gratifying to him was the thought that his acquirements were not altogether misunderstood by those among whom he dwelt. On the contrary, in 1824, the dwellers in the district, sensible of his deservings, presented a lengthy memorial to the Secretary of the Highland Society, soliciting a consideration of his claim to one of their premiums. This memorial had the desired effect, and very shortly afterwards he was presented, through Mr James Maclean of Nine-Mile-Burn, with a medal bearing the following inscription:-"Voted by the Highland Society of Scotland, to Charles Wilson, parish of West Linton, as a mark of approbation in respect to the cleanliness and neatness with which the cottage occupied by him has been kept.-1824." The medal is in the possession of his son, William Wilson, in Penicuik, a gentleman now in advanced years, but who, in his youth, frequently assisted his father in his tedious and laborious undertakings. The memorial presented to the Highland Society on behalf of Mr Wilson stated that "the individual we have taken the freedom to recommend resides in the village of Carlops a village not only famed for its picturesque and truly romantic beauty, but for its being the scene which gave birth to our far-famed national comedy of 'The Gentle Shepherd.' The village is about fourteen miles from Edinburgh, the property of Robert Brown, Esq. of Newhall, advocate, and amidst the romantic peculiarities which distinguish it and which make it the resort of many visitors, the dwellinghouse of Charles Wilson is not least conspicuous. Since the formation of this elegant little village his house has always been a model of neatness and cleanliness, and has been pointed out as such by every passing stranger. Possessing a genius superior to his situation in life, his little room may well be called a museum of natural and agricultural curiosities. The display of his genius has not stopped here, for he has erected with his own hands-although unlearned in the trade-in his little garden, a stone Temple of Gothic architecture which would compare with many of the famed productions of ancient or modern Athens. Travellers who have seen it declare it to be the finest production of the kind in any village in the United Kingdom. When once it is finished in the inside, it is our intention at some future period to present your Society with a drawing of it, along with a plan of his garden-a similar pattern of neatness. Sensible of the neglect to which genius in humble life is not unfrequently subjected, we feel we cannot make a better appeal to the consideration of a society of noblemen and gentlemen associated for the express purpose of encouraging by their illustrious patronage all that is ingenious in the mental capacity or distinguished in the active industry of Caledonia's sons, than in the feeling and warm-hearted effusion of a very distinguished member of your Society on visiting the late abode of a genius who, when living occupied a similar rank in humble life to the individual we have recommended to your consideration." The memorial concludes with the effusion alluded to, and which refers to a visit paid to the cottage at Gairney Bridge, near Kinross, where Michael Bruce the poet resided. ROBERT SCOTT OF WOBURN. WE have in these papers been speaking exclusively of persons who were either natives of or had a prolonged connection with the Carlops district. There were other parties whose connection with the district was more transient, but who nevertheless figured conspicuously in local events. Notable amongst these was one who came from Dryfesdale, and who in his humble position exhibited much of the chivalry of the genuine border man. Robert Scott, farmer of Woburn, a small holding on Newhall estate, was a cousin of Sir Walter Scott, a relationship of which he was justly proud; and in recognition of which he called one of his sons by his name. The name of Robert Scott was frequently before the public, sometimes as a composer of satire in verse, but oftener on account of his suspected exploits in smuggling; and the deft and skilful manner in which he evaded the officers of the excise, in the words of Burns, "set the world a' in a roar o' laughin' at them.” The last of these recorded of him was a capture at his own dwelling at Woburn. The two gentlemen who were successful had a machine which they left on the Edinburgh road, his house being three hundred yards distant. Robert Scott agreed at once to go with them, but on their way up, and at a part of the road opposite a marshy and almost impassable spot, he said to them, "Now I have treated you as gentlemen, you will allow me a few seconds to adjust my shoes." To this they frankly agreed; in an instant, the tall and supple farmer of Woburn sprang over the fence, and looking back on them with an air of defiance said, "Now, gentlemen, in the words of my own illustrious cousin, They'll hae fleet steeds that follow.'" It was nearing the close of a dark November day, pursuit was deemed alike hopeless and impracticable, and Scott vanished from the sight of the crestfallen officers, who rather ruefully regarded the escape of the smuggler, who had again proved more than a match for them. A RUN TO THE BIRTH-PLACE OF BURNS. IT was in the fulfilment of a long cherished hope, that I found myself, on a bright July morning, on the way to the "Toon o' Ayr," Burns' Cottage, and Alloway's auld haunted Kirk. My companions were few and well chosen; the one, my first-born, a young man set free for a few days from the office and the desk; the other an old friend, a keen musician, and one who intelligently cherished an enthusiastic admiration of the sentiment, the patriotism, and the general beauty by which the writings of Robert Burns are characterised. Finding ourselves at Carstairs at an early hour, the question came to be "Shall we go by Glasgow, or shall we choose the shorter route by Muirkirk?"- "The latter by all means," replied my friend. "The smoke, the bustle, the noise, and the excitement of the western metropolis can present but little attraction on a day when we expect for an hour to 'Linger by the Doon's low trees, or "Well," I replied, "by adopting the latter we may have our Covenanting proclivities revived by a glimpse of Aird's Moss, where Richard Cameron and a number of his followers fell in the memorable encounter which took place there in 1686, and where, in the words of the beautiful ballad which has doubtless deepened and intensified the interest taken in this bleak and lonely scene, 'Cameron's sword and his Bible are seen Engrav'd on the stane where the heather grows green."" Passing from Lanark to Douglas the scenery is wonderfully diversified and interesting, but after passing the latter place it becomes bleak almost beyond description. Its monotony is now and again broken up by the appearance of a smoky, and frequently a smokeless chimney, telling the traveller of successful and unsuccessful experiments and enterprise into which men and companies have embarked. |