1781. He proposes marriage to Alison Begbie, and is rejected. Joins a Masonic Lodge in July. Shortly after, becomes a flax-dresser at Irvine, where he makes the acquaintance of Richard Brown. 1782. Back from Irvine, in January, to farm-work at Lochlie. Writing poetry, 1784. Death of his father, aged 62, in February. The family remove at Whitsunday from Lochlie to Mossgiel. Burns begins his satirical attacks on clerical hypocrisy. 1785. Acquaintance with Jean Armour. Composition of Halloween, Cotter's Saturday Night, The Jolly Beggars, &c. A year of great literary productivity. 1786. Disowned by the Armours (some time in spring). Episode of Highland Mary.' First edition of his Poems published at Kilmarnock, on 31st July. Prepares for emigration to Jamaica. Dr. Blacklock's letter of invitation, or advice. Burns enters Edinburgh, evening of 28th November. His Poems reviewed by Henry Mackenzie in The Lounger of 9th December. Is received into the world of rank and fashion, and welcomed by the literati. [This was his most productive year. To it belong The Twa Dogs, The Holy Fair, The Brigs of Ayr, &c.] 1787. First Edinburgh Edition of his Poems published, on 18th April, and the book re-printed twice in the same year. Tour in the Border Counties, begun early in May. Tour in the West Highlands, begun end of June. His great tour-in the North Highlands, from 25th August to 16th September. Excursion to the Ochils in the end of Autumn. The 'Clarinda' episode, beginning on 6th December of this year, and ending rather abruptly in March of the next. 1788. Married to Jean Armour, in May. Enters in May upon a lease of Ellisland in Dumfriesshire. His marriage confirmed by the Church at Mauchline in August. A home at last established at Ellisland in December, by the arrival of his wife and child. 1789. Enters on duty as an officer of Excise in October. 1790. Tam o' Shanter written. 1791. Removes from Ellisland at Martinmas to the second storey of a house in the Wee Vennel (in Bank Street), in the town of Dumfries. His salary from the Excise, now his only source of income, about £50 a year,—never more than £70. 1792. His sympathy with the French Revolution, now in progress. Correspondence with George Thomson begins, in September. Order by the Board of Excise to inquire into Burns's political conduct, in December. Hope of promotion in the Excise put back, if not put out. 1793. Second Edinburgh Edition of his Poems published (2 vols.), in February. Removes from the flat in the Wee Vennel to a' self-contained' house of two storeys, and attics, in the Mill Vennel (now Burns Street), in May. Scots wha hae composed in this year. 1795. A Man's a Man for a' That written. 1796. Fatal illness. Tries sea-bathing at Brow-on-Solway, early in July. Returns home so weak as to be scarcely able to stand, on the 18th. Death on Thursday morning, the 21st. Burial at noon, Monday, the 25th, in St. Michael's Churchyard. |