Hello,
As some will be aware I'm trying to get as much information as possible on a Henry Richardson Lawrie who was a schoolteacher/headmaster in the village of Eckford for over 50 years in the 1800's. A distant relative of my wifes lines who he is in, forwarded me the poem below from Canada recently. I'd imagine it'd have been written in the late 1880's. I also don't know if it's been amended from another poem. If it was written by MC Hinshelwood I applaud him/her.
My request is - can anyone find MC Hinshelwood on census records in Roxburghshire in the late 1800's or know anything about the individual.
Thanks very much. Regards, Steve :O)
The poem below has been cut and pasted from the message received.
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Poem "A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT' to H.R. LAWRIE, ECKFORD.
From an old pupil on hearing of his approaching Jubilee.
Instructor of my thoughtless youth,
Revered and honoured still,
Twas thou who trained my youthful mind,
And bent my stubborn will.
Twas thou who poured the golden drops
From out thy precious store
Of knowledge o'er my childish heart,
So ignorant before.
The best instruction I received,
Beneath thy gentle rule,
The happiest days I ever knew
Were those I spent at School.
Thy honoured name can still recall,
Bright days, remembered well;
Can turn the key in Memory's ward
Of each forgotten cell.
Revealing with a golden gleam,
Like yonder sunny ray,
Familiar faces one beloved,
Now long since passed away.
Illuming with the mellow light,
Which o'er the past doth shine,
Each thoughtless act, each foolish word,
and careless task of mine.
Each time my heedlessness annoyed,
Thee, deeply I regret,
And bless thee for my counsels wise,
Which I can ne'er forget.
Thy pupils dwell in many lands,
In many a distant spot,
They teach their children precepts they
Dare never to forget
Full fifty years thou has bestowed
Instruction on the young,
Well may we now extol thy name
Well may thy praise be sung
May thy declining years be spent,
In perfect rest and peace,
And as death's shadow dim thy sight,
May heavenly light increase
Farewell - thy labour soon must close,
they work be laid aside,
But while I live thy precepts still,
Shall be my strength and guide.
M.C. Hinshelwood. Granetary? Cottage, Jedburgh.