A TRIP THROUGH THE LAND OF BURNS.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 8, 17 July 1930, Page 12

A TRIP THROUGH THE LAND OF BURNS.

Or Avid Ayr, whom ne'er a toon surpasses, for honedt men and ibohnic

lasses

Be that as. it may, it is the town honoured by the birth place of Seatland's greatest poet that ever lived— Robert Burns. Ido not intend to touch., upon the life or works of- the Bard of Ayre'here,, but I will •endeavour to go over the surroundings and taunts frequented by him 1. 'iFirstly, we'find oureelves in Ayr, as it were, the towjx historic' for its beautiful surroundings such as the Banks and Braes of Bonnie Doon, etc., and while in the town of Auld Ayr we visit T&m o 'Shantar hotel where Burns spent many happy nights ia company with his drouthy cronies. We can see here many relics pertaining to Burns suctb. as the.cha.ir which lie sat upon on these occasions^ -.algbr. the cup or vessel used by him.. _Tihis is also: whera Tain o'Shantur.andL his ancient trusty doiitthy cTonie the tippin Soutar Johnnie sat bousin' at Jhe nappy gettin fou and unco happy, ne'er thinkin of

the lang Seats miles that lay ■between, them and their hame Where sat their sulky sullen dame gathering her brows like gathering storms nursing hex wratii. *o keep its warm. Next we go out to Burns's cottage aibout two miles out from the town. It stands on the roadside no far from the doon, and-although it looks aged and worn, yet dearer to me than mansion or toon is that cottage, .^rlhere Burns was 'born. And as we o Rioter in to the cottage, first thing we «<ee is an inscription with, the words under this Toof "Burns was Born." Many wonder at these words and say, Why does it not say "this is the cottage "where Burns was born? '..' And many arguments have taken place as to whether it is the cottage where the poet -was born. Now, ever since I can Temember, it was in general understood t&at Burns was born in the auld day 'biggin wJiieh was built by his father, and was 'blown down by # a blast o' Janwary wind. Consequently Mrs. Burns with her baby had to ibe carried across the road to the -present Burns's cottage, and^iater on t!he rqof of the auld clay biggin was carried across and ■was put on .to t!xe present cottageehence *as I understand the reason ,d£ those words under this • roof ' 'Burns Was Born." And as we get- inside we are shown many relics of the Bard of Ayr such as the bed in which he was born; also chairs, vessels and ptiheT articles pertaining to him. And IngarsolL paying tribute to Burns in the auld clay biggin, h© say: Within this wonderous cot I stand Like one who clasps a shrine When the glad lips at last have m«t That somet&ing deemed deyine. Nlext we visit the monument of Burns at which, is a real life like statue of the poet, and as we enter into the hall we sac face to face with Tarn o 'Shamtar and Sbutar Jonnnie, his ancient trusty douthy crdnie. Tarn loved t»he Soutar (Kke a brither. rDhey had been fou for weeks thegither. They are each holding their glass in hand—\ Thxe/s.a iiand my trusty freen And gjies a hand. o* thine, And we'el drink each ither'-s health ance mare For a 7 lang syne.

We go out into this gardens where we have lea, etc., but first thing we come in contact with there is ,a statue of Auld Nick and he does not look too bonnie, although;;j<jM/is quite harmless. Then we see /fch'e; puir at&d granny sitting at her spinning "wheel; She is spinning! the wool to make.a sark for &er .ainJ wee Nannie,. flier.., Jfe.vourit\p bairnv Ah, but little Jceiii: that reverent 'granny that s'aTk she.coosif"ifor' her wee Nannie wi two puncls "Scots-;tiwas a ' !her riches would ever graced a iba-iid.^j'of pitches. * ',',;■ We next cross the road and we stand on the Brig, q'_D<aon where Taiii o' Shantar's grey ;niaye nradie ther rgreat leap: aiid saved Tarn from the,witehes at the expense of losing her tail. ;• For. the Carlin claugait her \>y the .' ''lump ... ■'•-;■•»«■■ ■ ■'V S-hknd left-fpuir Maggie; scare i£ stump. 'Next we arrive at Mauehline,* a little town historic for its lovely scenery, kftiis is wihere Bui-ns lived for some years at the farm 'of Mosgiel of which was rented by- :the Burns family for many years. It was here where the poet was ploughing one day when hie turned ,up with tthe -ploughshare the little moiise from its wee feit housie which it had built to live in. , ( But mousie thou are no thy lane In proving foresight may be vain The best' laid schemes 'o' mice and . .'..• .'• men ■;'■ ■"■;.■ .: ■•■'.- ! Gang aft aglee And leave us nought but grief and pain For. promised-^ joy. '■/'.■_ We visit here ,a (hotel named Possie Nancy of which I have myself visited several times and it is here where the scene of the" Jolly Beggars as is understood take place the Jolly Beggars toeing a gang of rough gangrel-randie bodies composed of both women and men who sat drinking until tJieir money was done then they pawned their ora duddies to ! giet more. | Wi. quaffing and wi laughin I They ranted and they sang Wi jumping an ;thumpin The very girdle rangl On one of those occasions Burns dropped in amongst them—this is where &.e f oulid the tßeme of, the Jolly Beggars. : . next week) ■-• . W. Watson, Moera.