[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

I
in the principles of rectitude, and had the advantage of that early instruc-
tion which few Scottish families are without. She was
l
remarkable for
beauty—both of face and
I
figure— properties which, joined to a romantic
I and poetic fancy, had no doubt their influence in shaping her future unl
fortunate career. She was also an excellent singer. Until within these
Ifew years, Kilmarnock had no theatre, or at least any building so called ;
but strolling parties of players were in the habit of frequenting the town
, at fairs, and on other public occasions, sometimes performing in booths, or
in the " Croft Lodge," long known as a place of amusement. Having
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been a witness to some of these exhibitions, Jeanie unhappily became enamoured
of the stage ; and in an evil hour eloped with one of the heroes
of the sock and buskin. Her subsequent life, as may be guessed, was one
of adventure, checkered, if Burns is to be credited, with the extremes of
folly, vice, and misfortune. About the time the Iron Works commenced,
a brother of Jeanie (James Glover) removed from Kilmarnock to Muir-
\ kirk ; and there, in the employ of " the Company," continued until his death,
\ which occm-red about fourteen years ago, leaving a daughter (the niece
formerly mentioned), whose husband is one of the carpenters employed at
the works. This individual, as well as several others, recollects having
seen Jeanie and the " slight-of-hand blackguard"—whose name was Richard—at
Muirkirk, forty-three years ago (about 1795), where they perl
formed for a few nights in the large room of a public-house called the
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" Black Bottle," from a sign above the door of that description, kept by
i one David Lennox. During her stay on this occasion she complimented
her brother with a cheese and a boll of meal— a circumstance strongly in-
; dicative of her sisterly affection, and the success that had attended the
J entertainments given by her and her husband. Those persons who rel
collect her appearance at this time, notwithstanding the many viscissitudes
she must have previously encountered, describe her as exceedingly handi
some. One old woman with whom we conversed, also remembered hav-
\ ing seen Jeanie at a fair in Irvine, gaily attired, and playing on a tam-
I
barine at the mouth of a close, in which was the exhibition-room of her
\ husband the conjurer. " Weel do I remember her," said our informant,
[
" an' thocht her the bi-avest woman I had ever seen step in leather shooni"
\ Such are our Muirlurk reminiscences of Jeanie Glover. From another