United States or Maldives ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Soon after passing Dunscore, we entered the valley of the Cairn, which, with its chalet-like farmhouses far up the slopes on both sides, reminded us much of Switzerland. Here, a few miles onward, we saw Maxwellton House, surrounded by those slopes so warmly spoken of in Scottish song Maxwellton braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew; Where I and Annie Laurie, Made up the promise true, &c.
His eyes looked far away as he sang, through the wall oh, yes, I'm sure they could see through the wall at that moment perhaps as far as "Maxwellton Braes"; perhaps still farther, searching for Mrs. West wherever she might be. I don't know how it would make one feel if such a man with such a voice looked into one's eyes and sang a song of love. I'm afraid it might make one rather foolish.
He started as the first notes of her voice stole forth, and hung quivering on the air, "Maxwellton braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew." What wonder was this? Dr. Anthony had come prepared to hear, he quite knew what, a child's voice, pretty, perhaps, thin and reedy, nasal, of course.
Of this estate, the Laggan of William Nicol was originally a part, being sold in 1790 by Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwellton, a gentleman whom Burns has celebrated in his famous poem of 'The Whistle. Even in this splendid summer-day, the whole vale has a rude and triste appearance, somewhat at issue with the declaration of the old song just quoted, and not likely, one would have thought, to attract the regard of such men as William Nicol and Robert Burns.
Somewhat unexpectedly, and not at all in keeping with the idea of either Maxwellton braes or Laggan's many hills, we discovered in our walk that the rough terrace-like ground over which we had passed before coming in sight of Nicol's estate, was a moraine, or mass of débris, produced and left there by a glacier.
Nothing loath to humor his strange, sympathetic little guests, he began the second time to grind out the wheezy notes of the beautiful, time-honored song, and Peace's red lips took up the accompaniment, while Allee's sweet, childish voice warbled the words: "Maxwellton braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew, And it's there that Annie Laurie Gied me her promise true Gied me her promise true, Which ne'er forgot will be; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee."
Long before that the charming Annie had given her promise true to Craigdarroch; and she had to keep it, tant bien que mal, for it was pronounced in the Tron Church, instead of on the braes of Maxwellton. I wonder if she inscribed those verses in her scrap-book? I dare say she did, and sang them to her grandchildren, in a cracked treble."
Word Of The Day