had taken two notable tours, one in that romantic border country afterward so celebrated by Scott and Wordsworth, and a second in the highlands. But neither of these tours had resulted in poetic inspiration. In each, unfortunately, the poet was accompanied by those who hindered rather than helped his social and literary development. In fact, all through life, despite his many boon companions, and despite the kindness which many noble men and women displayed toward him, Burns seems to have missed true friendship. It is pitiful to reflect how much he might have accomplished, how much the world would have gained, had he found, when once fortune's sun beamed kindly upon him, some true friend, who could have held him to his proper course until he had safely passed the critical years of transition from lowliness to distinction, from obscurity to fame. But alas, that friend was never found, and perhaps never sought for. Burns pursued his way alone, even distrusting the good intentions of those who would and might have helped him, for he was jealous of his independence. He had some expectation of receiving a public appointment, but the expectation proved to be illusive. He then determined to become a farmer. Burns' fancy fixed upon "Ellisland" as his new home. This was a small place of a hundred acres on the river Nith, six miles north of Dumfries. It was "a poet's choice," however, "not a farmer's," as a sagacious acquaintance presently informed him, and as, unfortunately, he soon found out for himself. But with what remained of his £500, after he had paid the expenses of his two winters in Edinburgh and of his two tours, and after, also, he had lent his brother £180 and made handsome presents to his mother and sisters, he stocked his farm, and furnished his house; and, having formally completed his marriage contract, he brought his wife to Ellisland as their future home (November, 1788). For a very short time Burns was very happy at Ellisland. Some of his finest love lyrics owe their inspiration to the feeling of supreme contentment which his newly established. domestic life engendered within his breast. His wife proved to be a capable, loving woman, who bore her part both there and ever afterward with wonderful tact, patience, dignity, and kindness. As a master he was beloved; as a neighbor he was liked and respected. The gentry and the farmers of the whole countryside became his friends. But his farm was a poor one, and he spent his little capital in making up the deficiencies of his income. He worked hard, and strove earnestly to plan well and do well; but with all his efforts he could not make up for his error in locating upon land whose natural beauty and not its fertility had been its chief recommendation to him. Bad harvests also occurred to add to his misfortunes. It became exceedingly difficult for him to pay his way. To eke out his income he applied to be appointed excise officer for his district. The position was granted him; but its duties were galling to his pride and distressing to all his finer feelings, and his whole soul rebelled against them. "Searching auld wives' barrels- That clarty barm1 should stain my laurels ; But what 'll ye say? These movin' things, ca'd wives and weans, Wad move the very hearts o' stanes!" 1 Filthy yeast. But he did his public work efficiently in every particular. He saw clearly enough, however, that the degradation of his new life would interfere with his career as poet; but he resolved manfully to endure it for the sake of the dear ones dependent upon him. In a letter to a brother poet he thus humorously expresses his resolve: "But what d' ye think, my trusty fier,' Ye'll now disdain me, And then my fifty pound a year "Ye glaikit, gleesome, dainty daimies," 6 They maun hae brose' and brats o' duddies "; I need na vaunt, But I'll sned besoms" - thraw saugh woodies,1o But the income Burns derived from his excise work was only £50 a year, and his financial distresses increased rather than diminished. His position became almost unbearable. "My poor, distracted mind is so torn, jaded, and racked, to make one guinea do the business of three, that I detest and abhor the very word business." His excise work not only took him |