generally a respectable, dignified, magnanimous animal; but at times, especially if he gets nervous, he can become as mean and cruel as any common tiger. Any kindness, or even toleration, shown to French prisoners was now a crime punishable by law; and poor Lapraik had even yet to suffer at the hands of his fellow-countrymen. After long years of imprisonment, when the exchange of prisoners took place, John found himself dumped down at Leith, so broken in mind and body that it took him over a week to reach Darnhunch, where his brother was still farmer. All along the way he was taken for a Frenchman, for he could scarcely speak a decent phrase in his native tongue, although he spoke French pretty well. Nor is this to be wondered at. David Livingstone had great difficulty in expressing his ideas in English after a long sojourn in Africa; whilst Darwin says of Jemmy Button, who was expected to interpret betwixt the crew of the Beagle and the Fuegians: "We had already perceived that Jemmy had almost forgotten his own language. I should think there was scarcely another human being with so small a stock of language." Jemmy was quite useless, and his savage brethren understood him not. Poor Lapraik was suspected by all, and any little food or shelter he received by the way was bestowed on him by stealth. Had it not been that he was so done out and helpless he would probably have suffered assault on several occasions. He got a surprise when he arrived at Parishholm, then known by the less euphonical term of Paddock-home. A large lake lay before him now where no such lake should be. The reservoir, which is overlooked by Glenbuck House, is entirely artificial. Mr Hodge says of it (page 29): "This is one of the Catrine Company's reservoirs, founded in 1802, for storage of water when water power was more in use." The date is given here to show that Lapraik's imprisonment might have been any length of time between twelve and twenty years. Although the lake is deep (36 feet) a road ran formerly right through it, and when the eastern and western banks were made, it is said that a house, trees, road, and everything were covered up with Ayr's water. It was dark when Lapraik arrived at his brother's house, where the farmer informed him that, on account of instructions issued by his landlord, he dared not harbour a French refugee. A sister of the farmer, Mary Lapraik (the same who in 1841 certified that Burns had visited her father in Muirsmill, and who afterwards married Mr John M'Minn of Wellwood), was smarter than he, for she discovered that the seeming worn-out Frenchman was no other than their long-lost brother. Needless to say, he received a hearty welcome. The Cooper never thoroughly recovered his health, either of body or mind. Two years later Mr M'Minn, now his brother-in-law, built him a workshop at the corner of the Kirkgreen, in close proximity to another house of his, where the last Lapraik in Muirkirk dwelt. Here, then, the Cooper worked out his days in peace and comfort. Every boy in the village was welcome in his workshop, and although many took full advantage of this privilege, not one was ever known to abuse it in the least degree. It is said that the Cooper had a mortal hatred of any form of imprisonment, and people had to keep their eye on him if he entered a house where any bird was encaged, for Lapraik always promptly proceeded to set it at liberty unless restrained by some one. The Cooper was never married. The last of the Lapraiks dwelling in Muirkirk was John, a grandson of the poet, and a son of James, the once farmer in Darnhunch. He was locally known as Baker Lapraik, and had his oven in a workshop up behind the Head Inns. His dwelling-house and shop have already been referred to as at the corner of Main Street and the Kirkgreen. At a later period of his life he was employed about the magazine at the Ironworks. Many of the present inhabitants of Muirkirk remember well his thin, tall, somewhat stooping figure with the white hair, as he walked the street night and morning, or went up the aisle of the parish church, of which he was an elder. This John Lapraik died in his house in the Kirkgreen about the year 1890. In conclusion, we may say that the poet Lapraik has very many descendants alive at this present time, both in Ayrshire and, indeed, throughout the world. LAPRAIK BURNS CLUB (No. 56). RONDEAU.-TO JOHN LAPRAIK. Lapraik, my man, ye'll never be forgot! Sae lang's your auld freen Rabbie's golden quair Your name will ring thro' castle an' thro' cot, He planted, an' it's spread owre a' your lair, Some freens o' yours, wi' great forethought, Though noo it lies o' stanes an' biggins bare, Lapraik, my man! W. N. N. Temperance Hall, This evening a meeting, convened by Mr John M'Donald, of all those who had subscribed their names for the purpose of forming a Burns Club and connecting it with the Burns Federation, was held in the above place. Eighteen of the subscribers attended the meeting. On the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Pringle, Mr M'Donald explained how the formation of the Club came about. It was a strange thing that up till now a place like Muirkirk (linked with the life and writings of Burns as it was through his epistles to our own moorland poet, Lapraik) could not boast of a Club to extol his genius and keep fresh his memory. But it only, &c. . . . . The first business of the meeting was to elect office-bearers and a committee of management. President-Mr JOHN M'DONALD. Vice-president-Mr ALEX. DONALD. Secretary-Mr ANDREW PRINGLE. The whole members present were put on 1st year's Committee, viz., Mr Hugh Smith, Jas. Gibson, John Lindsay, Wm. Wilson, Dd. Cutler, Wm. Howatson, Jas. Samson, John Wilson, Arthur Money, John Gilchrist, Hu. Cameron (And.), John Taylor, Jas. Y. Hobbs, and John Hair. The Rules of the Club, &c. . 29th May, 1893. The first quarterly meeting, &c. . . . . It was suggested that a parade to Laigh Dalfram, the ruined home of Lapraik, would be a first-class way of inaugurating the Club. The idea was accepted, and in order to make the outing a grand success, the Secretary was instructed to invite the co-operation of all the Friendly Societies in the town. Saturday, 24th June, was proposed as a suitable day. This 5th June, 1893. Club met to-night. . . . . Replies from Ancient Order of Foresters, Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, Sunflower Lodge of Free Gardeners, and British Order of Free Gardeners were read. All were in favour of proposed demonstration. The 24th June (being) unsuitable to some parties, it was agreed to postpone to 15th July. It was also agreed to invite Mr M'Naught, Kilmaurs, Editor of the Burns Chronicle; Mr Craibe Angus, Glasgow ; Mr D. M'Kay, Kilmarnock; Mr D. Sneddon, Kilmarnock; Mr A. B. Todd, Cumnock, to deliver short addresses on reaching destination in Dalfram Holm, &c. ... 31st July, 1893. Club met in Masons . . . . . . It was agreed to procure a Banner displaying the name and No. of the Club, with the motto, "A man's The Lapraik Burns Club, No. 56, was formally inaugurated this afternoon by a grand demonstration at Laigh Dalfram, on the spot where once stood the house of the bauld Lapraik." The members of the Club, joined by large deputations from all the Friendly and other Societies in the village, mustered at the Temperance Hall, where they were marshalled into order of procession according to seniority. . . . At one o'clock the procession started, and proceeded through the village, headed by the Parish Brass Band, arriving at Dalfram at 2.30. Here they were met by the President of the Club, and a large number of Burns enthusiasts from Glasgow, Kilmarnock, &c..... And, alas! although the first President and very many of his gallant comrades, have been called away to the "Front "since that summer afternoon in '93, a few veterans still remain who can report with pride that, chiefly owing to good recruiting, no real decay has taken place, and that Company 56, Lapraik Burns Club, is now more flourishing than ever. LAPRAIK MEMORIAL CAIRN. On Saturday, the 18th day of July, 1914, several of the members of Lapraik Burns Club journeyed per brake to Dalfram to visit the monumental Cairn lately erected to the memory of the poet, Lapraik. The party was met at the place by Mr Arch. Fairbairn, President of the Club, and a few of their country comrades. There was no time put off, and soon Mr Fairbairn was well under weigh with an admirable address. He summarised the work done during the last two years which had resulted in the formation of the Cairn, and incidentally remarked that both it |