Life and Works (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...Dumfries in the course of a visit to his brother, a clergyman, residing in that county; he was accompanied by his son, who was then a boy, and a groom, all three travelling on horseback. The son, Mr John Pattison, now residing at Carnbroe, Lanarkshire, has a perfect recollection of the circumstances. On riding up to the inn, a gentleman was seen standing on the stairs, whom Mr Pattison at once hailed as Burns. To quote from his son's recital: ----'He who had remained motionless till now, rushed down the steps, and caught my father by the hand, saying: Mr Pattison, I am delighted to see you here; how do you do? I need not say this was our immortal bard. My father continued: Burns, I hope you will dine with me at four o'clock? Too happy, sir, replied the poet. Then, may I beg of you to go with my compliments to your friend, Dr Maxwell, and say, I will be glad if he will do us the pleasure of joining us? At the hour named, my father sat down at the head of tha table, Dr Maxwell at the foot, and the grammar-school boy opposite Burns. Upwards of half a century has jr.ssed away; but the recollection of that day is as fresh and green in my memory, as if the events recorded had occurred yesterday. It was, in fact, a new era in my existence. I had never before sat after dinner; but now I was chained to my chair till late at night, or rather early in the morning. Both Dr Maxwell and my father were highly-gifted, eloquent men. The poet was in his best vein. I can never forget the animation and glorious intelligence of his countenance, the rich, deep tones of his musical voice, and those matchless eyes, which absolutely appeared to flash fire, and stream forth rays of living light. It was not conversation I heard; it ...