The D. 111.L. C. Messenger
7
some poems he said the expression was a little awkward, and the sentiment too serious. He stated which stanzas he thought were flimsy, and also which stanzas he thought were good. He proposed to Ellison Bergbie, but she turned him down. How long he continued to mourn for Ellison is hard to say. He wrote some poems soon after this, inspired, it would seem, by three different girls, which testify at once to his power of recuperation and the rapid maturing of his talent. In 1786, mounted on a borrowed pony, Burns set out for Edinburgh. Here he met a Mr. Dalrymple of Orangefield, who introduced him to Lord Clencairn. He was introduced into society and became one of the fashionable set. Many accounts have been given of his actions at this time. They are all unanimous in praise of the taste and tact with which he acquitted himself. He was neither shy nor aggressive. He impressed everyone with his brilliance in conversation. He was very shrewd in observation and criticism, and his poise and common sense in his personal relations. His manners were rustic, not clownish. His actions were plain and simple. His conversation expressed perfect self-confidence, without the slightest presumption. His dress corresponded with his manner. His address to females was extremely deferential, and always with a turn either to the pathetic or humorous, which engaged their attention particularly. He clearly threw himself into the discussions in which he took part with all the zest of his temperament. In the less formal convivial clubs to which he was welcomed he became at once the king of good fellows. Whatever his vices, ingratitude to those who showed him kindness was not among them. Burns left Edinburgh early in May for a tour in the south of Scotland. He was accompanied by his friend, Robert Ainslie. He had many love affairs during this journey. He fell in love with almost every girl he became acquainted with. He wrote many poems about them. In the spring of 1788 he married Jean Armour. He bought a farm and settled down on it with Jean. His satisfaction in his domestic situation is characteristically expressed in a song composed about ths time. It is entitled, I Hae a Wife. Meantime, his interest in politics had greatly quickened. In his youth he had been a sentimental Jacobite. He received a position by the government and moved with the family to Dumfries. Burns' chief enjoyment in these days was the work he was' doing for Scottish song. He collected and refurbished the words of old songs. He also provided new words for the melodies. This work finally amounted to .six volumes,