Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

TAKISH OF YARROW. 279
" Hector," his favorite dog, rests at his feet, with head erect, sur-
veying the hills behind, as if conscious that he should tend the
flocks during the poetic reverie of his master. The pedestal
accords with the style and proportions of the figure ; ten feet in
height, it is of square form and a})propriate breadth. A wreath of
oak leaves and acorns surrounds the entablature, while a finely
sculptured ram's head projects from each of the corners. Each
side contains a square panel. The front panel represents the
poetic harp surmounted by the head of Queen Mary, and a wreath
of flowers, including " the briar rose and heather bell." Beneath
is the inscription —
"James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. Born 1770. Died 1835."
The other panels are adorned with these inscriptions from " The
Queen's Wake :" —
" Instead of arms or golden crest.
His harp with mimic flowers was drest ;
Around, in graceful streamers, fell
The briar rose and the heather bell."
At even-fall, in lonesome dale,
He kept strange converse wdth the gale,
Held worldly pomp in high derision.
And wandered in a world of vision."
" Oft had he viewed, as morning rose,
The bosom of the lonely Lowes ;
Oft thrilled his heart at close of even
To see the dappled vales of heaven.
With many a mountain, moor, and tree,
Asleep upon the Saint Mary."
James Hogg was born at Ettrick ; he was baptized on the 9th
December, 1770. Of humble parentage, he was born to the sheep-
fold. He taught himself to read and write on the hOl-side. He
attempted farming and failed. In 1810 he left the forest to
attempt a literary career at Edinburgh. His " Queen's Wake "
appeared in 1813, and at once established his reputation. He
became the associate and correspondent of many of his more