The text mentions Borejkowszczyzna, where Władysław Syrokomla stayed almost until his death. Syrokomla's memorial table is recalled, as well as the cottage inhabited by the literary man; there is also a brief note on Borejkowszczyzna itself, which belonged to Count B. Tyszkiewicz and later given to the Narkiewicz family. This is followed by a brief physical description of the manor itself and its interior (Source: Tygodnik Illustrowany, Warsaw 1901, Półrocze I, p. 394, after: Digital Library of the University of Łódź).

A modernised reading of the text

A description of Syrokomla's cottage and table in Borejkowszczyzna

Despite the lack of special archaeological societies in our country, whose immediate task would be to care for the monuments of the past and protect the places and things dear to the wider public, it is a pleasure to welcome every sign of goodwill and noble feeling on the part of individuals or a small circle of friends. This is exactly what one experiences in Borejkova, a farmstead made famous by the residence of the irreverent Władysław Syrokomla from 1851 with short breaks almost to the last moments of the dear singer's life.

And this feeling of joy is all the more pleasant for the one to whom Mr Cz. Jankowski's mournful lamentation about the neglect of the memorial fell a few years ago. Mr Cz. Jankowski hooked up only with Borejkowszczyzna, and by that time a modest group of admirers of the unlamented poet had already decided to place a memorial table in Borejkowszczyzna, and in the near future this intention came to fruition. I mention this minor circumstance to point out how few connecting threads there sometimes are between the vital life and the... report. Well, the memorial table in front of us with the appropriate inscriptions on the four sides of the thick granite slab.

As for the farmstead itself and its furnishings, we can testify in all conscientiousness that the cottage, once inhabited by the late Władysław Syrokomla, although necessarily rebuilt, has strictly preserved its original character and is kept in complete order by the present tenant of the Borejkovec estate. There is also the millstone table, which served the poet in his time, and not a single one of those old lindens and poplars that cast a shadow over his humble everyday life. The Borejkova estate, a manor belonging to Count Tyszkiewicz's estate in Nieman, was given to the Narkiewicz family soon after the poet's death and has remained in their hands ever since.

This manor, now small in size (less than 5.5 w³óka), at the time of the poet's economy consisted of little more than three w³óka, but with good land and meadows. It was, therefore, without too much exaggeration, the cottage of a small farmer, a manor of modest and limited needs, who constantly needed to seek support from the other, sometimes slightly more abundant tenant's coffers - in literary income. But things were different there. Perhaps the best witness to this was Imć Mr Kociukiewicz, once an innkeeper at the Borejkowszczyzna tavern, who constantly performed the duties of treasurer and supplier at the poet's manor. Kociukiewicz ran errands in Vilnius on account of the propination fee, he also gave some cash for products received from the manor, he also sometimes saved the host from trouble in the face of a visiting guest. So it is not surprising that he often turned a blind eye or lied when he was too close to the wall. The location of the farmstead, as if in a valley of trees and bushes, is picturesque.

The farmstead can be seen from the Šiemansk road, which runs along a ribbon of trees and bushes for less than a quarter of a mile. However, we know that guests visited the lirnyk in large numbers, perhaps even too many, and even today the path is not overgrown with turf, because the youth is still full of honour and recognition. Syrokomla's works do not grow old, neither do the noble and unfeeling feelings, the ardent desires of youth. Today and in a hundred years, they will be read by old and young alike with the same feeling of delight, charm and tearful mood. The flurries of new artistic currents and momentary fancies will pass over them without a trace and without damage. They will endure for years to come and take hearts and feelings with them, because their creation was accompanied by heartfelt pain, love and tears. It is a durable material. Our table is modest, but also durable. And it does not glitter here beside the manor courtyard, for it is surrounded by lime trees and ancient poplars, and in the hum of their leaves resounds the songs of a favourite singer.

An alluring Lithuanian girl, listening to stanzas just read, looks just as much at home in front of the cottage in Borejkowszczyzna as a vivacious worker with an expression of health and physical effort in her appearance. Syrokomla was first and foremost a poet of his own society and most peculiar surroundings. The village of Borejkowszczyzna is situated about 14 versts south-west of Vilnius, by the oszmiański inn. There is no trace of the once propinational inn today, and the almost hermit-like cottage of the poet's friend Korotyński collapsed into ruins two years ago.