Excerpt from Poems

The Old scholars and numerous friends of Mr. David Stevenson, for many years teacher at Hessilhead, parish of Beith, and latterly at Kingston, Dunlop, will regret to learn that he is now no more. Failing health and the infirmities of age having laid him aside from active duties for more than a year, he was still able to walk about till within a few days of his death, which occurred on the 24th ult., when he quietly and resignedly passed away. He was a man of more than ordinary talents, of' unassuming manners and independent spirit. Of a kindly and generous disposition, he made many friends, and few, if any, enemies. Possessed of a rich fund of humour and a keen appreciation of both the sublime and the ridiculous, he was an indispensable guest at the many social gatherings in the districts where he resided. He was one of the very, very few schoolmasters we have known who had nothing of the pedant about him and whatever he had of the dominie was 0always judiciously locked behind him In the school - an example which many of our modern teachers would do well to follow. He courted the Muse and not unsuccessfully, as she Ofttimes favoured his suit. Some of his verses have acquired more than a local fame, such as 'loch Libo, ' 'gordon and Gree, ' 'the Crackin' o' N eilston Bell, ' etc. His rhythm is occasionally a little metallic, but this is amply compensated by the rich vein of humour which pervades the whole. But, alas! The strings of his lyre are now for ever broken, and what was mortal of him who awakened their responsive chords life's fitful fever o'er' - at last reposes in peace in Neilston Churchyard - a spot rendered (at least locally) classic by his muse.

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