180 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



specimens of Grecian art. The substructure is very massy, and forms an 

 appropriate basement, the monument being so placed that each side is respec- 

 tively opposite one of the three great divisions of Ayrshire. The interior of 

 the basement aflfords a circular chamber, upwards of eighteen feet in diameter, 

 and sixteen feet high, lighted by a cupola of stained glass. Opposite the 

 entrance is a large semi-circular recess, supported by columns of the Grecian- 

 Doric order, the entablature of which is continued round the whole apartment. 

 Between these columns it is proposed to place a statue, or at least a bust, of 

 the poet. A staircase, entering from the interior, leads to a gallery above, 

 which commands an extensive prospect of varied landscape, including many of 

 the scenes described or alluded to in the poetry of Burns.* 



" The monument is surrounded by a handsome cast-iron railing, of a triangular 

 form, which gives breadth to, and greatly relieves, the substructure ; and the 

 whole is inclosed by a stone wall. The grounds are tastefully laid out in gravel 

 walks; they contain a richly sculptured sun-dial, the gift of a lady; and are 

 planted with all sorts of plants and shrubs, of which two are sapling plants from 

 Shakspeare's famous " mulberry-tree" at Stratford-on-Avon. The monument 

 contains an excellent portrait of Burns, painted by Stevenson, from the original 

 by Nasmyth. It contains also various editions of the poet's works, some curious 

 and richly mounted quaighs (drinking-cups) and snuff-boxes, made from the roof- 

 timber of Alloway kirk, and is furnished with a massive oaken table and chairs, 

 all of which were presented by admirers of his genius. In a grotto, apart, are 

 now placed the celebrated statues of ' Tam O'Shanter, and Souter Johnny,' 

 executed by Mr. Thom, the self-taught sculptor, which were some years ago 

 exhibited in London, and the principal cities of the United Kingdom."f 



• On the top of the basement, and exactly above tl<e entrance on the one side, and above each of the 

 niches upon the other two sides of the monument, is placed a very massive tablet, with a rich scroll orna- 

 ment, in the centre of vthich is a representation of the mountain daisy, so beautifully apostrophized in one 

 of tile finest poems of the bard. The superstructure is composed of nine columns, corresponding to the 

 number of the Muses ; and the frieze of their entablature is richly decorated with chaplets of laurel. The 

 principal cornice, and also the highly sculptured ornaments surrounding the dome, are of a character similar 

 to those of the Athenian monument of Lysicrates, which the architect fixed on as a model. He has, how- 

 ever, made some important deviations, such as adopting the design of the columns from that of the temple 

 of Jupiter Stater, at Rome, which is by far the finest specimen of the order now extant, and which, so far 

 as we know, had not previously been imitated in this country. An ornament of considerable magnitude, 

 upwards of seven feet high, wholly composed of various kinds of fruit, flowers, and foliage, and supported 

 by tliree dolphins, pointing to the three diflerent angles of the base, surmounts the dome, and forms an 

 .ippropriate pedestal for a richly gilt tripod, six feet high. 



f We have been more particular in our description of this interesting building than may seem necessary 

 to those of our readers who may already have had the pleasure of seeing it ; but we would plead, in excuse, 

 that many of the admirers of Burns are not aware of the attractions which this monument presents. In 



