Page:Life of Robert Burns, the Ayrshire Bard.pdf/14

14 was mean or base; and none could condemn more severely, or feel deeper compunction and repentance for his errors, than he did himself.

About this time he got embroiled with the Excise, on account of some rash expressions he uttered on political matters, but the interest of his friends at the head of the Excise saved him. His indiscretion, however, was remembered for a time, and caused him much uneasiness. He was also in the habit of indulging in jests on his new profession without much circumspection, but these were comparatively harmless. On one occasion, referring to the discreditable nature of his employ, he said, "I have the same consolation, however, which I once heard a recruiting sergeant give to his auditors on one of the streets of Kilmarnock,―'Gentlemen,' said he, 'I can assure you, for your further encouragement, that ours is the most blackguard corps under the crown, consequently an honest man has the better chance of promotion.'"

The concluding and most mournful part of our sketch must necessarily be brief. After continuing to hold the farm for some time after entering on his new duties, he came to the resolution of abandoning Ellisland, and betaking himself altogether to the revenue. His salary was advanced to £70; and although his time was a