3
Esk, not unlike that of "auld haunted" Alloway on the Doon, eternised by Robert Burns. The locality has otherwise many attractions, both historical and literary. A few paces south of the Upper North-water bridge, was born in a humble cottage, James Mill, the historian of British India, father of the late J. S. Mill, M. P., the celebrated political economist; while the bridge itself, which was built by Superintendent Erskinene of Dun, was used as a resting place or prison, for the Covenanters when on their way from the South of Scotland to Dunnottar Castle, in 1685.
When’er the gowden sun gade doun,
An’ gloomie ev’nin’ fell;
Frae a fireless flame of azure hue,
By foot o’ Pert’s kirke bell;
Ane winsome boy there wont to come,
With slae black eyne an’ hair;
His cheiks an’ lips were deadlie pale,
An’ head an’ feet wore bare.
Thoch lang atween the kirke an’ furde,
This sprite a-wanderin’ went,
Nae livin’ either heard its tale,
Or cause o’ mourning kent.
But ae dark nichte‘s ane miller chiel’
Had langst the road to gae,
The lad kept rinnin’ by his side,
Lamentin’ o’er his wae
