THE WILL OF ANNIE LAURIE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2009, 18 February 1890, Page 3

THE WILL OF ANNIE LAURIE.

Scarcely one of the famous beauties of ancient or of modern times enjoys a renown equal to that of Annie Laurie, the daughter of a plain Scottish baronet, Sir Eobert Laurie, of Maxwellton, Dumfriesshire. And yet, while being a woman of great beauty and of great worth, she never did anything remarkable in the way of personal effort or achievement. But it was her good fortune to win the heart of a man who, on her account, and at a time when the course of their true love through no fault of theirs—was not running too smoothly, wrote one of the loveliest love songs in the world. iSo song is more universally admired or in more general request than “Maxwellton Braes are Bonnie,” of which Annie Laurie is the theme, and Richard Fergusson of Graigdarroch was the author. A few months ago, at an exhibition in Dumfries, an interesting momento of the affection of these famous lovers was : exhibited by their descendant the present Laird of Graigdarroch, Captain Outlar Fergusson, This was not a love song, but a prose document—namely, the lastwill and testament of the immortal Annie herself. It shows that she, so remarkable for beauty in her youth, was, .to. the end no less remarkable for affection as a wife and good sense as a woman. Here is the will, word for word, as printed in the Dumfries Standard of November 13, 1889 ;

I, Anna Lauri, spouse to Alexr. Fergussone off Graigdarroch, Forasmuchas I considering it a dev/tie upon everie persons whyle they are fin health and sound judgement so to settle yr. worldly affairs that yrby all animosities betwixt friends and relatives may obviat, and also for the singular love and respect I have for the said Alex. Fergussone, in case ho survive me I do heirby make my letter will as follows: First, I recommend my soule to God, bopeing by the meritorious righteousness of Jesus Christ to be saved ; secondly, X recommend my body to be decently and orderly interred; and in the third plaice nominate and appoynt the sd, Altxr. Fergussone to be my sole and only executor, Legator, and universall intromettor with my baill goods, gear, debts, and soums off money that shall pertain and belong: to me the tyrae off my decease or shall be dew to me by bill, bond, oyrway ; with powr to him to obtain himself confirmed and decreed exr. to me and to do eyerie

thing for fixing and establishing the right off my spouse in his person as law requires ; in whereoff thir pntts. [written P] he John Wilsone off Capeli, (wryter in Dumfrise) are subd, by mo at Graigdarruch the twenty eight day of Apryle- Jajvij and eleven. [l.7il] years, before the witnesses the sd. John Wilsone and John Nieholsone his servitor. Auk Laurie. Jo. Wilsoke, witnes. Johk uoat, witnes.