BURNS'S HOUSE IN MAUCHLINE. ΟΝ N 28th August, 1915, there was formally opened at Mauchline the house in one of whose rooms Robert Burns and Jean Armour began their married life. That town already had, in its Cottage Homes-erected to commemorate the first centenary of his death-the most practical of all memorials to the National Poet, standing within sight of East Mossgiel, where is sunk a large portion of the profits of his printed Poems; but that memorial lacks the direct connection attaching to those at Ayr and Dumfries. She has now got such a public memorial, and in surroundings unrivalled by either of these county towns. The building that contains the Burns House stands in what is now called Castle Street; in the Poet's time, and for many years thereafter, that street formed a portion of the coach road between Kilmarnock and Ayr, and was known as the Back Causeway. It is at the very heart of Burns associations. Directly opposite, and only thirty paces away, is the scene of "The Holy Fair "—the parish kirkyard where lie some of the Poet's children and many persons remembered now only through their appearance in his writings. On the other side of the little "God's acre are the Cowgate and "Poosie Nansie's ". the meeting-place of "The Jolly Beggars." The former Back Causeway held also the hostelry immortalised as "auld Nanse Tinnock's," which stands to-day much as it did 130 years ago. Mossgiel itself-Burns's home for the most fruitful four years of his life-is only a mile distant. Built of red sandstone, which is still in excellent condition, and covered with thatch, the building is oldat least two hundred years-and was originally a selfcontained lodging of two flats, holding six apartments. Downstairs were kitchen, dining-room, and, probably, sitting-room upstairs were three rooms-all probably sleeping apartments. At what time, and for what reason, 66 the change was made is not known, but the house had fallen to a more humble estate by the year 1788, when its rooms appear to have been let separately. The proprietor of the property at that time was Archibald Muckle, tailor in Machlin," to whom it had been conveyed by James Aird, merchant in Glasgow, by disposition dated 26th May, 1779, for a price of £51. In February of 1788, finding on his return from Edin burgh that " a much-loved fellow-creature was homeless on his account, Burns rented one of the three upper apartments of the house for Jean Armour. Mr Andrew Smith, who nearly a hundred years ago founded the boxmaking business that is still thriving at Mauchline, and who is reputed to have been one of the most accurate of men, recorded in print (about 1850) that "in the two upper rooms to the left of the stair "the Poet Burns and his Pro beloved Jean took up their first marital residence." bably that was a tradition in the Mauchline of Andrew Smith's day, and it was repeated in 1859 by William Patrick (who had been one of Burns's herdboys at Mossgiel) to the late Mr William Jolly, who recorded it in his Robert Burns at Mossgiel (1881). That both Andrew Smith and William Patrick were wrong is clear from a letter-dated from Mauchline on 3rd March, 1788, and never yet published in full-in which Burns informed Robert Ainslie that "Jean I found banished like a martyr, and I have taken her a room." In that room were born their second twins, whose births are recorded by the Poet himself in his family Bible, and by Saunders Tait, the Tarbolton poetaster, in his Poems and Songs (1790). Following the taking of the room for Jean Armour in February of 1788 came Burns's decision, in April, to acknowledge her as his wife to the world. And so Jean appears to have lived in the Back Causeway of Mauchline until Ellisland was ready to receive her, in the interval being "regularly and constantly apprentice to my mother at and sisters in their dairy and other rural business Mossgiel. (Burns to Mrs Dunlop, 10th July, 1788). Burns himself went to reside in Dumfriesshire on 13th June, 1788: thereafter “I am eight or ten days at Mauchline and Ellisland alternately." Doubtless on these flying visits to Ayrshire he lived mostly at the house in the Back Causeway, but his and his wife's connection with that house almost certainly ceased at Martinmas, 1788, when Jean Armour joined her husband at the " poet's choice" of a farm on the banks of the river Nith. For many years the house and its several things of interest have been shown with pride by the various tenants, the last of whom lived there for nearly thirty years. Undoubtedly the house had a strong claim on Burnsites common and uncommon, and its owner was understood to be willing to consider an offer for the property. Three years ago a local society with a strong desire to purchase considered the question, but decided against making any offer. In the early days of 1915 the matter was brought to the notice of the Glasgow Association of Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies, and steps were immediately taken by the members of that body with a view to the acquisition of the property. In a very short time the negotiations were brought to a most satisfactory conclusion, having been expedited by the generosity of Mr Charles R. Cowie, J.P., President of Partick Burns Club, who gave as his contribution to the scheme the purchase price agreed upon between the proprietrix and the Association. Having acquired the property, the Association at once proceeded to put it into habitable condition, for the interior was in bad repair. In that work it was advised and greatly assisted by Mr Ninian Macwhannell, F.R.I.B.A., of Glasgow, who freely gave his services, and by Messrs Thomas Findlay and Sons, of Mauchline, who carried out the architect's instructions in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. The property has now been thoroughly restored, and unsightly erections at the rear of the building removed, the very considerable expense of these repairs and alterations having also been found by Mr Cowie. The Burns room is now open to visitors, and is being furnished as it may have been-for no record of its furnishings is known to exist, except that they included "a mahogany bed," presented to Jean by Burns-during the period of the Poet's tenancy. That, of course, is a matter of time. The adjoining apartment is being utilised as a Museum; already several portraits of the Poet and his wife, their family and their friends, adorn the walls, and some interesting books and relics are exhibited in showcases. A catalogue of the Museum has been printed for the information of visitors. Following the excellent example of Glasgow Mauchline Society in its Cottage Homes, the Glasgow Association of Burns Clubs determined to set aside the four remaining rooms of the building to accommodate deserving old people, and already all these rooms are tenanted. The formation of an endowment fund to provide small pensions for these same people will complete the present scheme, and an appeal for funds will be made when days of peace return. J. C. EWING. THOUGHTS AWAKENED AT ELLISLAND. 30th JANUARY, 1912. (1) For years I've longed to see this hallowed spot, While human hearts uphold the better part : He saw the good and bad; and had the art Of choosing what should live from what should die; And tho' from Folly's fate he oft did smart, And breathed with keen remorse the bitter sigh, His works have brought the brotherhood of man more nigh. (2) He sings of Nature's charms in all her moods; Man's cruelty to creatures he bewails, A glamour o'er the Scottish heart he flings, (3) And who like him with love of Scotia fired ? Her tales, and tunes, and songs to him were dear By these his patriot soul became inspired To sing of Scotia's glories loud and clear; To praise the good to which we should adhere; To ban the wicked customs of his time; To ring the knell of bonds he could not bear; To fire his brother Scots thro' prose and rhyme, To make the land he loved and served the more sublime. (4) The "rights of man inspired his noblest strain; He lays the stress on innate moral worth; The dignity of toil he does maintain, And speaks as democratic King of earth. |