The only other association of Burns with Upper Clydesdale is the following epigram, known to every reader of the poems, said to have been written by him in the kirk at Lamington :

The lines were first printed in 1828 by Lockhart, who, without quoting any authority, attributes them to Burns. The only information which Lockhart offers is that on one occasion Burns, being storm-stayed at Lamington, went to church, and after the congregation had dispersed, the indignant beadle invited the attention of the clergyman to the stanza, which had been inscribed with a diamond on the window by which a noticeable stranger had been sitting. Assuming the epigram to be the work of Burnsand Scott Douglas observes that it is too characteristic

to be doubted as his production-the minister must have been unfortunate enough to be in bad form on the day he had such a critical listener. Messrs Henley and Henderson inform us that the minister was the Rev. Thomas Mitchell, who was described as "an accomplished scholar." "He was presented (1772) to Kinglassie by the Earl of Rothes; but as the parishioners were unanimously against him, it was arranged that he should exchange with the original presentee to Lamington."

These few incidents complete the story of Burns and Upper Clydesdale. They form but a short part of his short life, and they had little influence on his career either as a man or as a Poet. But whatever opinion may be entertained as to their value, their interest will not be disputed, and their presentation as a complete narrative may be acceptable as a further contribution to what is apparently the inexhaustible by-way literature of Burns.

ANDREW M'CALLUM.

MAUCHLINE IN BURNS'S TIME.

TH

HERE is no record of Burns's first visit to Mauchline, though it is highly probable that he may have attended a Mauchline Fair from Lochlea, to which he had removed with his father in 1777, and which was only a matter of three miles distant. We are told that at a Mason's meeting at Tarbolton he had met with Gavin Hamilton (his worthy friend and patron), Dr Dugald Stewart, and other Mauchline men, before the removal to Mossgiel.

What like Mauchline was at that time we cannot exactly say. But from what we have learned from the old people, with whom we have been for long in touch, and from our own personal observation, the town was not by any means so extensive as it presently is. The accompanying sketch map may perhaps give some idea, if compared with the map which will be found in the opening page of my brochure, Mauchline Town and District, published in 1911.

It should be noted that in Burns's day there was no New or Kilmarnock Road, and no Earl Grey Street, these having taken the place of the Backcauseway and the Cowgate, then the principal streets leading north and south. There were no houses then on what is now called the Barskimming Road, and below the Loudoun Street entrance to Netherplace (along what is sometimes called the New Street or Ayr Road) perhaps not more than one or two dwellings. The Auld Kirk was then standing, as also the Auld Manse ("Daddy Auld's"). The former was supplanted by the present building about ninety years ago, at which time the Kirkyaird must have been greatly curtailed, though the houses built on it to the north were at that time pulled down, their site being added to the burying-ground. As for the old Manse, it stood in its own grounds, and was approached by a road leading off the Cowgate, and also,

very probably, by way of the Bellman's Vennel and the country road to Welton.

The Cowgate, with its Tweedly's Square; round the Cross; the Backcauseway; the Knowe; the Burnside; and the High Street, would seem by all accounts to have

been the streets where the bulk of the people lived. As to the general appearance of the houses at that time, a few old buildings here and there, particularly in the Backcauseway and the Knowe, give a fairly good idea. Nor must we forget that some few remain, somewhat altered no doubt, but still preserving their original lines: Poosie Nancy's; Nance Tinnock's; the house where the Poet began housekeeping with his Bonnie Jean; Dr Mackenzie's; John Richmond's, the house at the top of the Cowgate where, tradition says, "The Haggis" was begotten; the Castle, and the residential part of it adjoining; the Place, and the old Archway in the High Street.

As for the inhabitants of Mauchline-how they lived, and their probable number, it is somewhat difficult to say. As to their occupation, most probably they were mostly weavers; though we are told on good authority that besides the usual joiners, wheelwrights, sawyers, masons, and blacksmiths there was a fair sprinkling of nailers, coopers, maltsters, tanners. and curriers-Mauchline being a town of more than ordinary importance in these early years as the trading centre of a wide district. The fact of there being no fewer than thirteen fairs (horse and cattle), and an annual race," bespeaks an important place in the social economy of a people.

"

As to the population of "The old Burgh of Barony at the middle and latter end of the eighteenth century, it is difficult to put a figure upon it. Everything, however, tends to the conclusion that it was smaller than at the present time.

There was a decided increase in the middle of last century owing to railway building, but stress of circumstances was responsible for a large exodus about thirty years ago. Indeed, it almost looked as if Mauchline was going to the wall, her young men and women leaving by the dozen. The development of the quarries no doubt helped to stay the emigration (meanwhile they are closed); but the fact that there is at the present time only one boxwork, employing about forty hands, as against three