with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

194
During the time she kept a school at Crawfords-
dyke, she exhibited some singular traits of enthu-
siasm. She told her pupils, that having lately read
Clarissa Harlowe, she felt such a deep interest in it,
and such sentiments of reverence for its author, that
she had determined to walk to London to pay her
personal respects to Mr. Richardson. This singular
and romantic journey she actually performed in about
six weeks, and returned to teach her school at Craw-
fordsdyke.
One day she told her pupils she would read to
them a play of Shakespeare's. She fixed upon
Othello, which Mrs. Crawford remembers she read
with uncommon pathos, and was so affected at the
close of that powerful drama, that she (Jean Adam)'
actually fainted away, and remained for some time
insensible. She treated her pupils with ©reat ten-
derness, and was much beloved by all of them, and
was esteemed by all who knew her as a woman of
singular piety.
Of the close of her unfortunate life few particu-
lars are known. There is great reason to conclude
that it was chequered by all the varieties of disap-
pointment and distress, for the above anecdote
clearly shews how prone she was to obey the im-
pulses of that random enthusiasm which is ever at
variance with the dictates of prudence, and which is
too often the bane of the votaries of genius.