success, and was finally ended by an accidental 6re. On his father's death he took a farm in conjunction with his brother, with the honourable view of providing for their large and orphan family. But here, too, he was doomed to be unfortunate, although, in his brother Gilbert, he had a coadjutor of excellent sense, a man of uncommon powers both of thought and expression. During his residence on this farm he formed a connection with a young woman, the consequences of which could not be long concealed. In this dilemma, the imprudent couple agreed to make a legal acknowledgment of a private marriage, and projected that she should remain with her father, while he was to go to Jamaica "to push his fortune." This proceeding, however romantic it may appear, would have rescued the lady's character, according to the laws of Scotland, but it did not satisfy her father, who insisted on having all the written documents respecting the marriage cancelled, and by this unfeeling measure, he intended that it should be rendered void. Divorced now from all he held dear in the world, he had no resource but in his projected voyage to Jamaica, which was prevented by one of those circumstances, that in common cases, might pass without obser. vation, but which eventually laid the foundation of his future fame. For once, his poverty stood his friend. Had he been provided with money to pay for his passage to Jamaica, he might have set sail, and been forgotten. But he was destitute of every necessary for the voyage, and was therefore advised to raise a sum of money by publishing his poems in the way of subscription. They were accordingly printed at Kilmarnock, in the year 1786, in a small volume, which was encouraged by subscriptions for about 350 copies. It is hardly possible to express with what eager admiration these poems were every where received. Old and young, high and low, learned and ignorant, all were alike delighted. Such transports would naturally find their way into the bosom of the author, especially when he found that, instead of the necessity of flying from his native land, he was now encouraged to go to Edinburgh and superintend the publication of a second edition. In the metropolis, he was soon introduced into the company and received the homage of men of literature, rank, and taste; and his appearance and behaviour at this time, as they exceeded all expectation, heightened and kept up the curiosity which his works had excited. He became the object of universal admiration, and was feasted, and flattered, as if it had been impossible to reward his merit too highly. But what contributed principally to extend his fame into the sister kingdom, was his fortunate introduction to Mr. Mackenzie, who, in the 97th paper of the Lounger, recommended his poems by judicious specimens, and generous and elegant criticism. From this time, whether present or absent, Burns and his genius were the objects which engrossed all attention and all conversation. It cannot be surprising if this new scene of life produced effects on Burns which were the source of much of the unhappiness of his future life: for while he was admitted into the company of men of taste and virtue, he was also seduced, by pressing invitations, into the society of those whose habits are too social and inconsiderate. It is to be regretted that he had little resolution to withstand those attentions which flattered his merit, and appeared to be the just respect due to a degree of superiority of which he could not avoid being conscious. Among his superiors in rank and merit, his behaviour was in general decorous and unassuming; but among his more equal or inferior associates he was himself the source of the mirth of the evening, and repaid the attention and submission of his hearers by sallies of wit, which from one of his birth and education, had all the fascination of won⚫ der. His introduction, about the same time, into certain convivial clubs of higher rank, was an injudicious mark of respect to one who was destined to return to the plough, and to the simple and frugal enjoyments of a peasant's life. During his residence at Edinburgh, his finances were considerably improved by the new edition of his poems; and this enabled him to visit several other parts of his native country. He left Edinburgh, May 6, 1787, and in the course of his journey was hospitably received at the houses of many gentlemen of worth and learning. He afterwards travelled into England as far as Carlisle. In the beginning of June he arrived in Ayrshire, after an absence of six months, during which he had experienced a change of fortune, to which the hopes of few men in his situation could have aspired. His companion in some of these tours was a Mr. Nicol, a man who was endeared to Burns not only by the warmth of his friendship, but by a certain congeniality of sentiment and agreement in habits. This sympathy, in some other instances, made our poet capriciously fond of companions, who, in the eyes of men of more regular conduct, were insuffer able. During the greater part of the winter 1787-8, Burns again resided in Edinburgh, and entered with peculiar relish into its gayeties. But as the singularities of his manner displayed themselves more openly, and as the novelty of his appearance wore off, he became less an object of general atten. tion. He lingered long in this place, in hopes that some situation would have been offered which might place him in independence: but as it did not seem probable that any thing of that kind would occur soon, he began seriously to reflect that tours of pleasure and praise would not provide for the wants of a family. Influenced by these considerations he quitted Edinburgh in the month of February, 1788. Finding himself master of nearly £500 from the sale of his poems, he took the farm of Ellisland, near Dumfries, and stocked it with part of this money, besides generously advancing £200 to his brother Gilbert, who was struggling with difficulties. He was now also legally united to Mrs. Burns, who joined him with their children about the end of this year. which became so unproductive that he found it convenient to resign it, and disposing of his stock and crop, removed to a small house which he had taken in Dumfries, a short time previous to his lyric engagement with Mr. Thomson. He had now received from the Board of Excise, an appointment to a new district, the emoluments of which amounted to about seventy pounds sterling per annum. While at Dumfries, his temptations to irregular. Quitting now speculations for more active pursuits, he rebuilt the dwelling-house on his farm; and during his engagement in this object, and while the regulations of the farm had the charm of novelty, he passed his time in more tranquillity than he had lately experienced. But unfortunate. ly, his old habits were rather interrupted than bro-ity recurred so frequently as nearly to overpower ken. He was again invited into social parties, with the additional recommendation of a man who nad seen the world, and lived with the great; and again partook of those irregularities for which men of warm imaginations, and conversation-talents, find too many apologies. But a circumstance now occurred which threw many obstacles in his way as a farmer. his resolutions, and which he appears to have formed with a perfect knowledge of what is right and prudent. During his quiet moments, however, he was enlarging his fame by those admirabie compositions he sent to Mr. Thomson: and his temporary sallies and flashes of imagination, in the merriment of the social table, still bespoke a genius of wonderful strength and captivations. It has been said, indeed, that, extraordinary as his poems are, they afford but inadequate proof of the powers of their author, or of that acuteness of observation, and expression, he displayed on common topics in conversation. In the society of persons of taste, he could refrain from those indulgences, which, among his more constant companions, probably formed his chief recommendation. Burns very fondly cherished those notions of independence, which are dear to the young and ingenuous. But he had not matured these by reflec tion; and he was now to learn, that a little knowledge of the world will overturn many such airy fabrics. If we may form any judgment, however, from his correspondence, his expectations were not very extravagant, since he expected only that some of his illustrious patrons would have placed him, "The emoluments of his office, which now com. on whom they bestowed the honours of genius, in posed his whole fortune, soon appeared insufficient a situation where his exertions might have been un- for the maintenance of his family. He did not, interrupted by the fatigues of labour, and the calls indeed, from the first, expect that they could; but of want. Disappointed in this, he now formed a he had hopes of promotion, and would probably design of applying for the office of exciseman, as a have attained it, if he had not forfeited the favour kind of resource in case his expectations from the of the Board of Excise, by some conversations on the farm should be baffled. By the interest of one of state of public affairs, which were deemed highly his friends this object was accomplished; and after improper, and were probably reported to the Board the usual forms were gone through, he was appoint-in a way not calculated to lessen their effect. That ed exeiseman, or, as it is vulgarly called, gauger of he should have been deceived by the affairs in the district in which he lived. "His farm was now abandoned to his servants, while he betook himself to the duties of his new appointment. He might still, indeed, be seen in the spring, directing his plough, a labour in which he excelled, or striding with measured steps, along his turned-up furrows, and scattering the grain in the earth. But his farm no longer occupied the principal part of his care or his thoughts. Mounted on horseback, he was found pursuing the defaulters of the revenue, among the hills and vales of Nithsdale." About this time (1792,) he was solicited, to give his aid to Mr. Thomson's Collection of Scotish Songs. He wrote, with attention and without delay, for this work, all the songs which appear in this volume; to which we have added those he contributed to Johnson's Musical Museum. Burns also found leisure to form a society for purchasing and circulating books among the farmers of the neighbourhood; but these, however praiseworthy employments, still interrupted the attention he ought to have bestowed on his farm, France during the early periods of the revolution, is not surprising; he only caught a portion of an enthusiasm which was then very general: but that he should have raised his imagination to a warmth beyond his fellows, will appear very singular, when we consider that he had hitherto distinguished himself as a Jacobite, an adherent to the house of Stewart. Yet he had uttered opinions which were thought dangerous; and information being given to the Board, an inquiry was instituted into his conduct, the result of which, although rather favourable, was not so much as to re-instate him in the good opinion of the commissioners. Interest was necessary to enable him to retain his office, and he was informed that his promotion was deferred, and must depend on his future behaviour. He is said to have defended himself, on this occasion, in a letter addressed to one of the Board, with much spirit and skill. He wrote another letter to a gentleman, who, hearing that he had been dismissed from his situation, proposed a subscription for him. In this last, he gives an account of the whole transaction, and endeavours to vindicate his loyalty; he also contends for an independ. ence of spirit, which he certainly possessed, but which yet appears to have partaken of that extra-pointed supervisor he might be nominated on the vagance of sentiment which is fitter to point a stanza than to conduct a life. A passage in this letter is too characteristic to be omitted." Often," says our poet, "in blasting anticipation have I listened to some future hackney scribbler, with heavy malice of savage stupidity, exultingly asserting that Burns, notwithstanding the fanfaronade of independence to be found in his works, and after having been held up to public view, and to public estimation, as a man of some genius, yet quite destitute of resources within himself to support his borrowed dignity, dwindled into a paltry exciseman; and slunk out the rest of his insignificant existence, in the meanest of pursuits and among the lowest of mankind." This passage has no doubt often been read with sympathy. That Burns should have embraced the only opportunity in his power to provide for his family, can be no topic of censure or ridicule, and however incompatible with the cultivation of genius the business of an exciseman may be, there is nothing of moral turpitude or disgrace attached to it. It was not his choice, it was the only help within his reach: and he laid hold of it. But that he should not have found a patron generous or wise enough to place him in a situation at least free from allurements to "the sin that so easily beset him," is a circumstance on which the admirers of Burns have found it painful to dwell. Mr. Mackenzie, in the 97th number of the Lounger, after mentioning the poet's design of going to the West Indies, concludes that paper in words to which sufficient attention appears not to have been paid: "I trust means may be found to prevent this resolution from taking place; and that I do my country no more than justice, when I suppose her ready to stretch out the hand to cherish and retain this native poet, whose "wood notes wild" possess so much excellence.-To repair the wrongs of suffering or neglected merit: to call forth genius from the obscurity in which it had pined indignant, and place it where it may profit delight the world :-these are exertions which give to wealth an enviable superiority, to greatness and to patronage a laudable pride." Although Burns deprecated the reflections which might be made on his occupation of exciseman, it may be necessary to add, that from this humble step, he foresaw all the contingencies and gradations of promotion up to a rank on which it is not usual to look with contempt. In a letter dated 1794, he states that he is on the list of supervisors; that in two or three years he should be at the head of that list, and be appointed, as a matter of course; but that then a friend might be of service in getting him into a part of the kingdom which he would like. A supervisor's income varies from about £120 to £200 a year: but the business is "an incessant drudgery, and would be nearly a complete bar to every species of literary pursuit." He proceeds, however, to observe, that the moment he is ap Collector's list, "and this is always a business purely of political patronage. A collectorship varies from much better than two hundred a year to near a thousand. Collectors also come forward by precedency on the list, and have, besides a handsome income, a life of complete leisure. A life of literary leisure with a decent competence, is the summit of my wishes." He was doomed, however, to continue in his present employment for the remainder of his days, which were not many. His constitution was now rapidly decaying; yet, his resolutions of amendment were but feeble. His temper became irritable and gloomy, and he was even insensible to the kind forgiveness and soothing attentions of his affection. ate wife. In the month of June, 1796, he removed to Brow, about ten miles from Dumfries, to try the effect of sea-bathing; a remedy that at first, he imagined, relieved the rheumatic pains in his limbs, with which he had been afflicted for some months: but this was immediately followed by a new attack of fever. When brought back to his house at Dumfries, on the 18th of July, he was no longer able to stand upright. The fever increased, attended with delirium and debility, and on the 21st he expired, in the thirty-eighth year of his age. He left a widow and four sons, for whom the inhabitants of Dumfries opened a subscription, which being extended to England, produced a considerable sum for their immediate necessities. This has since been augmented by the profits of the edition of his works, printed in four volumes, 8vo.; to which Dr. Currie, of Liverpool, prefixed a life written with much elegance and taste. His eyes As to the person of our poet, he is described as being nearly five feet ten inches in height, and of a form that indicated agility as well as strength. His well-raised forehead, shaded with black curling hair, expressed uncommon capacity. were large, dark, full of ardour and animation. His face was well formed, and his countenance uncommonly interesting. His conversation is universally allowed to have been uncommonly fascinating, and rich in wit, humour, whim, and occasionally in serious and apposite reflection. This excellence, however, proved a lasting misfortune to him: for while it procured him the friendship of men of character and taste, in whose company his humour was guarded and chaste, it had also allurements for the lowest of mankind, who know no difference between freedom and licentiousness, and are never so completely gratified as when genius condescends to give a kind of sanction to their grossness. He died poor, but not in debt, and left behind him a name the fame of which will not be soon eclipsed. Mrs. Burns continues to live in the house in which the Poet died: the eldest son, Robert, is at present in the Stamp-Office: the other two are officers in the East India Company's army, William is in Bengal, and James in Madras, (May, 1813) Wallace, the second son, a lad of great promise, died of a consumption. |