PREFATORY REMARKS

TO THE LIFE

OF

ROBERT BURNS.

THOUGH the dialect in which many of the happiest effusions of ROBERT BURNS are composed be peculiar to Scotland, yet his reputation has extended itself beyond the limits of that country, and his poetry has been admired as the offspring of original genius, by persons of taste in every part of the sister islands. The interest excited by his early death, and the distress of his infant family, have been felt in a remarkable manner wherever his writings have been known: and these posthumous volumes, which give to the world his works complete, and which, it is hoped, may raise his widow and children from penury, are printed and published in England. It seems proper, therefore, to write the memoirs of his life, not with the view of their being read by Scotchmen only, but also by natives of England, and of other countries where the English language is spoken or understood.

plored. But the present character of the people was not then formed; the nation then presented features similar to those which the feudal system and the catholic religion had diffused over Europe, modified, indeed, by the peculiar nature of her territory and climate. The Reformation, by which such important changes were produced on the national character, was speedily followed by the accession of the Scottish monarchs to the English throne; and the period which elapsed from that accession to the Union, has been rendered memorable, chiefly, by those bloody convulsions in which both divisions of the island were involved, and which, in a considerable degree, concealed from the eye of the historian the domestic history of the people, and the gradual variations in their condition and manners. Since the Union, Scotland, though the seat of two unsuccessful attempts to restore the House of Stuart to the throne, has enRobert Burns was, in reality, what he joyed a comparative tranquillity; and it has been represented to be, a Scottish pea- is since this period that the present chasant. To render the incidents of his hum-racter of her peasantry has been in a ble story generally intelligible, it seems, therefore, advisable to prefix some observations on the character and situation of the order to which he belonged-a class of men distinguished by many peculiarities. by this means we shall form a more A slight acquaintance with the peacorrect notion of the advantages with santry of Scotland will serve to convince which he started, and of the obstacles an unprejudiced observer, that they poswhich he surmounted. A few observa-sess a degree of intelligence not generaltions on the Scottish peasantry will not, ly found among the same class of men in perhaps, be found unworthy of attention the other countries of Europe. In the in other respects; and the subject is, in a very humblest condition of the Scottish great measure, new. Scotland has pro- peasants, every one can read, and most duced persons of high distinction in every persons are more or less skilled in writ branch of philosophy and literature; and ing and arithmetic; and, under the disher history, while a separate and inde- guise of their uncouth appearance, and of Dendent nation, has been successfully ex- their peculiar manners and dialect, a

great measure formed, though the politi cal causes affecting it are to be traced to the previous acts of her separate legislature.

stranger will discover that they possess a curiosity, and have obtained a degree of information, corresponding to these acquirements.

These advantages they owe to the legal provision made by the parliament of Scotland in 1646, for the establishment of a school in every parish throughout the kingdom, for the express purpose of educating the poor: a law which may challenge comparison with any act of legislation to be found in the records of history, whether we consider the wisdom of the ends in view, the simplicity of the means employed, or the provisions made to render these means effectual to their purpose. This excellent statute was repealed on the accession of Charles II. in 1660, together with all the other laws passed during the commonwealth, as not being sanctioned by the royal assent. It slept during the reigns of Charles and James, but was re-enacted, precisely in the same terms, by the Scottish parliament after the revolution, in 1696; and this is the last provision on the subject. Its effects on the national character may be considered to have commenced about the period of the Union; and doubtless it co-operated with the peace and security arising from that happy event, in producing the extraordinary change in favour of industry and good morals, which the character of the common people of Scotland has since undergone.*

It would be improper in this place to inquire minutely into the degree of instruction received at these seminaries, or to attempt any precise estimate of its effects, either on the individuals who are the subjects of this instruction, or on the community to which they belong. That it is on the whole favourable to industry and morals, though doubtless with some individual exceptions, seems to be proved by the most striking and decisive appearance; and it is equally clear, that it is the cause of that spirit of emigration and of adventure so prevalent among the Scotch. Knowledge has, by Lord Verulam, been denominated power; by others it has with less propriety been denominated virtue or happiness: we may with confidence consider it as motion. A human being, in proportion as he is informed, has his wishes enlarged, as well as the means of gratifying those wishes. He may be considered as taking within the sphere of his vision a large portion of The church-establishment of Scotland the globe on which we tread, and disconappily coincides with the institution just vering advantage at a greater distance mentioned, which may be called its school on its surface. His desires or ambition, establishment. The clergyman being ev- once excited, are stimulated by his imaery where resident in his particular par- gination; and distant and uncertain obish, becomes the natural patron and super-jects, giving freer scope to the operation intendent of the parish school, and is enabled in various ways to promote the comfort of the teacher, and the proficiency of the scholars. The teacher himself is often a candidate for holy orders, who, during the long course of study and probation required in the Scottish church, renders the time which can be spared from his professional studies, useful to others as well as to himself, by assuming the respectable character of a schoolmaster. It is common for the established schools, even in the country parishes of Scotland, to enjoy the means of classical instruction; and many of the farmers, and some even of the cottagers, submit to much

*Sea Appendix, No. 1. Note A.

of this faculty, often acquire, in the mind of the youthful adventurer, an attraction from their very distance and uncertainty. If, therefore, a greater degree of instruction be given to the peasantry of a coun try comparatively poor, in the neighbourhood of other countries rich in natural and acquired advantages; and if the bar. riers be removed that kept them separate, emigration from the former to the latter will take place to a certain extent, by laws nearly as uniform as those by which heat diffuses itself among surrounding bodies, or water finds its level when left to its natural course. By the articles of the Union, the barrier was broken down which divided the two British nations, and knowledge and poverty poured the

adventurous natives of the north over the fertile plains of England; and more especially, over the colonies which she had settled in the east and west. The stream of population continues to flow from the north to the south; for the causes that originally impelled it continue to operate; and the richer country is constantly invigorated by the accession of an informed and hardy race of men, educated in poverty, and prepared for hardship and danger; patient of labour, and prodigal of life.*

the first and most constant exercise of ingenuity among the peasantry of Scotland is displayed in religious disputation. With a strong attachment to the national creed, is conjoined a bigoted preference of certain forms of worship; the source of which could be often altogether obscure, if we did not recollect that the ceremonies of the Scottish Church were framed in direct opposition, in every point, to those of the church of Rome.

The eccentricities of conduct, and singularities of opinion and manners, which characterized the English sectaries in the last century, afforded a subject for the comic muse of Butler, whose pictures lose their interest, since their archetypes are lost. Some of the peculiarities common among the more rigid disciples of Calvinism in Scotland, in the present times, have given scope to the ridicule of Burns, whose humour is equal to Butler's, and whose drawings from living manners are singularly expressive and exact. Unfortunately the correctness of his taste did not always correspond with the strength of his genius; and hence some of the most exquisite of his comic productions are rendered unfit for the light.*

The preachers of the Reformation in Scotland were disciples of Calvin, and brought with them the temper as well as the tenets of that celebrated heresiarch. The presbyterian form of worship and of church government was endeared to the people, from its being established by themselves. It was endeared to them, also, by the struggle it had to maintain with the Catholic and the Protestant episcopal churches; over both of which, after a hundred years of fierce and sometimes bloody contention, it finally triumphed, receiving the countenance of government, and the sanction of law. During this long period of contention and of suffering, the temper of the people became more and more obstinate and bigoted: and the The information and the religious edunation received that deep tinge of fanati- cation of the peasantry of Scotland, procism which coloured their public transac-mote sedateness of conduct, and habits tions, as well as their private virtues, and of which evident traces may be found in our own times. When the public schools were established, the instruction communicated in them partook of the religious character of the people. The Catechism of the Westminster Divines was the universal school-book, and was put into the hands of the yonng peasant as soon as he had acquired a knowledge of his alphabet; and his first exercise in the art of reading introduced him to the most mysterious doctrines of the Christian faith. This practice is continued in our own times. After the Assembly's Catechism, the Proverbs of Solomon, and the New and Old Testament, follow in regular succession; and the scholar departs, gifted with the knowledge of the sacred writings, and receiving their doctrines according to the interpretation of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Thus, with the instruction of infancy in the schools of Scotland are blended the dogmas of the national church; and hence

*Sec Appendix, No. I, Note B.

of thought and reflection.-These good qualities are not counteracted, by the establishment of poor laws, which while they reflect credit on the benevolence, detract from the wisdom of the English legislature. To make a legal provision for the inevitable distresses of the poor, who by age or disease are rendered incapable of labour, may indeed seem an indispensable duty of society; and if, in the execution of a plan for this purpose, a distinction could be introduced, so as to exclude from its benefits those whose sufferings are produced by idleness or profligacy, such an institution would perhaps be as rational as humane. But to lay a general tax on property for the support of poverty, from whatever cause proceeding, is a measure full of danger. It must operate in a considerable degree as an incitement to idleness, and a discouragement to industry. It takes away from vice and indolence the prospect of their

*Holy Willie's Prayer; Rob the Rhymer's Wel come to his Bastard Child; Epistle to J. Gowdie; the Holy Tulzie, &c.

most dreaded consequences, and from That dancing should also be very genevirtue and industry their peculiar sanc- rally a part of the education of the Scottions. In many cases it must render the tish peasantry, will surprise those who rise in the price of labour, not a blessing, have only seen this description of men : but a curse to the labourer; who, if there and still more those who reflect on the be an excess in what he earns beyond his rigid spirit of Calvinism with which the immediate necessitics, may be expected nation is so deeply affected, and to which to devote this excess to his present grati- this recreation is so strongly abhorrent. fication; trusting to the provision made The winter is also the season when they by law for his own and his family's sup- acquire dancing, and indeed almost al port, should disease suspend, or death their other instruction. They are taught terminate his labours. Happily, in Scot- to dance by persons generally of their land, the same legislature which estab- own number, many of whom work at dailished a system of instruction for the ly labour during the summer months. poor, resisted the introduction of a legal The school is usually a barn, and the provision for the support of poverty; the arena for the performers is generally a establishment of the first, and the rejec- clay floor. The dome is lighted by cantion of the last, were equally favourable dles stuck in one end of a cloven stick, to industry and good morals; and hence the other end of which is thrust into the it will not appear surprising, if the Scot- wall. Reels, strathspeys, country-dantish peasantry have a more than usual ces, and horn-pipes, are here practised. share of prudence and reflection, if they The jig so much in favour among the approach nearer than persons of their English peasantry, has no place among order usually do, to the definition of a them. The attachment of the people man, that of " a being that looks before of Scotland of every rank, and particuand after." These observations must in-larly of the peasantry, to this amusement, deed be taken with many exceptions: is very great. After the labours of the the favourable operation of the causes day are over, young men and womer Just mentioned is counteracted by others walk many miles, in the cold and dreary of an opposite tendency; and the subject, nights of winter, to these country danif fully examined, would lead to discus-cing-schools; and the instant that the sions of great extent.

When the Reformation was established in Scotland, instrumental music was banished from the churches, as savouring too much of "profane minstrelsy." Instead of being regulated by an instrument, the voices of the congregation are led and directed by a person under the name of a precentor; and the people are all expected to join in the tune which he chooses for the psalm which is to be sung. Church-music is therefore a part of the education of the peasantry of Scotland, in which they are usually instructed in the long winter nights by the parish schoolmaster, who is generally the precentor, or by itinerant teachers more celebrated for their powers of voice. This branch of education had, in the last reign fallen into some neglect, but was revived about thirty or forty years ago, when the music itself was reformed and improved. The Scottish system of psalmody is, however, radically bad. Destitute of taste or harmony, it forms a striking contrast with the delicacy and pathos of the profane airs. Our poet, it will be found, was taught church-music, in which, however, he made little proficiency.

violin sounds a Scottish air, fatigue seems to vanish, the toil-bent rustic becomes erect, his features brighten with sympathy; every nerve seems to thrill with sensation, and every artery to vibrate with life. These rustic performers are indeed less to be admired for grace, than for agility and animation, and their accurate observance of time. Their modes of dancing, as well as their tunes, are common to every rank in Scotland, and are now generally known. In our own day they have penetrated into England, and have established themselves even in the circle of royalty. In another generation they will be naturalized in every part of the island.

The prevalence of this taste, or rather passion for dancing, among a people so deeply tinctured with the spirit and doctrines of Calvin, is one of those contradictions which the philosophic observer so often finds in national character and manners. It is probably to be ascribed to the Scottish music, which throughout all its varieties, is so full of sensibility; and which, in its livelier strains, awakes those vivid emotions that find in dancing their natural solace and relief.