Masonic Poets Of Scotland—No. I.

that cannot be repressed , bearing testimony to the value of that training Avhich has made Scotland's sons Avhat they Avere , and what many of them still are—a bold , honest , virtuous , selfdenied , and religious race .

Burns' life also reminds us that applause and celebrity may be attended by unhappines ^ . The animal , as well as the spiritual nature , Avere strong in Burns . The misfortunes of genius have furnished a theme , not unfrequently dilated upon .

Poets , in particular , from Homer , " the blind old man of Sico ' s rocky isle , " down to the present day , have often seemed to afford a mark for the arrows of misfortune . The action on the nervous

sensibilities—the Avear and tear of brain—the heat and hurry of emotion , as Avell as other reasons , haA r e led to the cypress being- often entwined with the laurel . With all our admiration , too , of the genius of such men as Burns and others , let us

not excuse their vices , or palliate the blots that sully some of their writings—the scorn of piety , the gilding over of vice , the writing of what stimulates the passions , or sets before the young false vieAvs of truth or dutv . From such a charge we

-cannot allege that Burns is entirely free . Not , however , in extenuation of the fault , but in alluding to this , it is right to consider the peculiarity of his position . His bosom thrilling Avith the impulses of a strong sensitive nature , gifted

Avith rare poAver of satire , at a time Avhen intoxication was greatly prevalent amongst the higher as well as the middle-class ; the infection of doubt having seized upon his mind , and personal sin

having made him obnoxious to church censure ; measuring , fairly enough , perhaps , as regarded intellectual stature , not a feAV of hid censors , encouraged by the plaudits of the " new light" party in Ayrshire—associating vdth a " fast" and

freeliving class , his temperate youth having passed aAvay , thick coming fancies , flashes of Avit , roars of merriment accompanying the social glass—and some customs obtaining that Avere by no means favourable to purity of demeanour ; his person

and countenance , if not " cast in beauty ' s mould , " at least such as to catch the eye , above his felknvs in mental power and fervency of feeling , he had by this time ceased to preserve the " virgin whiteness of his soul : " though despite of such

aberrations , andthoughthe faithful , affectionate , forgivingpartner of his married life had also loved " too fondly , " yet he so far redeemed the error . Led astray , as by an " ignis fatuus , " by that Avhich ,

according to Ins OAVU admission , " hardens a Avithin , and petrifies the feeling "—we have in Bm ^ ns a warning that only God ' s Word can be man's sure guide . How affecting to think that this , in much noble—son of the soil Avas sometimes

perplexed by doubts ! How emphatic his intervals of remorse ! HOAV pleasing to be toicl of him , when strength Avas ebbing , and clouds of misfortune loured , when sunshine-friends had fled , and a parent's anxieties filled his heart , that he read

intently the Book of books , and , it may be hoped , with reveutial submission and adoring mind . Tet preferable had been his lot , without the applause of the careless and scornful , or the flattering and deceptive notice of the great in Edinburgh , whither

Burns had repaired after the " g loomy nig ht seemed gathering fast : " after Highland Mary had been torn from his embrace , to Avhom he had bidden fareAvell at that memorable parting , Avhich is described in verse of such exquisite pathos ; Avhen

beside the stream , less broad than that of death , troth Avas so solemnly plighted , Avhen suddenly , like another bard , he found that he Avas famous ;

had he but folloAved his father s steps , and kept steadfast by his father's faith , happier had been his course . But Burns came to Edinburgh at a hazardous period of life , and in Avhat Ave may truly call an evil time ; Avhen over-indulgence in

strongdrinks Avas thought but a venial sin ; Avhen a withering sceptical spirit Avas too prevalent among the better informed ; Avhen it Avas thought manly to drink deep , and not considered a breach of manners ( not to speak of morals ) to swear . Burns

Avas , moreover , the lion of the time ; Henry Mackenzie had , by a generous paper in the Mirror , apprised the Edinburgh literati that a painter of manners , and poet of the people , had arisen . Though , then , the poet ' s manly independence Avas

retained , he left Edinburgh by no means a better man than he had entered it . Still , contact Avith its polished and literary circles had good effect ; and the memorable scenes and localities , then untouched comparatively by the hand of innovation ,

would attract his wondering gaze , suggest much to his impressible mind , and largely contribute to " beet" the patriotic fire that gloAved within his breast .

We are generally anxious to know something about the personal appearance and demeanour of those Avho have earned a place in the gallery of fame , and have left a deep impression upon the minds of their countrymen . Sir Walter Scott