Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory

CLUB NOTE S.

[COMMUNICATED.]

NATIONAL BURNS CLUB.

The persistent efforts of Burns enthusiasts in Glasgow, aided by such well-known admirers of the poet as J. Jeffrey Hunter, Jas. Ballantyne, D. C. Wardrop, and others, to form a first-class institution as a permanent rallying place and centre, have been crowned with success. A large flat of commodious rooms were rented on the 11th November, 1904, and over twenty pounds expended on papering and painting.

Mr Joseph Martin, the honorary treasurer, was most indefatigable in adding to the list of membership, and when the lease was signed over a hundred members were on the roll, and numerous additions promised.

The printed rules declare that the objects of the club are (1) the promotion of the study of Burns's works, and Scottish literature generally; (2) the collecting of books, prints, and pamphlets connected therewith; and (3) social intercourse and recreation.

Already a copy of the first edition of Currie's Life of Burns has been gifted, and other donations of prints or books will be gladly received by the honorary secretary,

65 Oswald Street, Glasgow.

D. C. WARDROP.

SUNDERLAND

BURNS CLUB.

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT.

We have passed the baby stage of our existence, and may now be considered a full-blown, healthy society, with a strong membership and a good balance standing to our credit. The last Annual Meeting was a great success, each member, it seems to me, striving to excel his "brither Scot" in his desire for the well-being of the Club. Year by year we grow more like to the ideal created and expounded by the Bard, when the solemn moment comes and the guest of the evening finishes that oration so nobly spoken, so sympathetically tendered :

A last request permit me here,

When yearly ye assemble a',

One toast (I ask it wi' a tear),

Tae him the Bard that's far awa'."

Representatives were present from North Shields and the Welsh Associations. We are indebted to our President, Mr Hugo M'Coll, and our Hon. VicePresident, Mr Robert Falconer, for their kindness in entertaining our visitors. The Annual Scottish Concert of 1903 was perhaps the most successful ever held under the auspices of the Club. A larger company assembled to listen to the "Auld Scots Sangs" than on any previous occasion,

The Concert of the present year (1904) was also well attended, and through the kindness of Mr J. G. Mackintosh, Bandmaster, we were able to introduce to the audience the East End Prize Brass Band, which proved a distinct success. The Hallowe'en celebration was held in Mr Wetherell's Rooms on Friday, October 30th, 1903. As usual, we had a slight financial loss on the gathering, but to those loyal members who attended it was indeed a great treat and well worthy of our Club. The summer outing was abandoned. It was fortunate that such a decision was made, as it rained incessantly the whole day. The Chronicle now reaches us early in December, instead of the end of January, as formerly. This is a decided advantage to the readers, as the very best Burns literature can be enjoyed before the Anniversary, many memories refreshed, many minds invigorated by the warming influence received.

During the past year we have brought ourselves into line with the federated Clubs by subscribing one guinea to this special fund. Of late years this work has been greatly improved, and we confidently look for the very best articles obtainable. If we do not read we cannot grow, and no better food for thought can be had anywhere. I leave this suggestion with you, i.e., that we have a Chronicle night on our syllabus. During the past eighteen months we have added seventeen new members, three have withdrawn, and one has passed "the portals of the great mystery untold." We have a sound healthy roll of seventy-four, which shows an increase on last year. We hope that our new members will take an active interest in the work. We do not measure our success by the number of subscribing members - although that is very necessary-but by the number of honest men who are willing to cultivate a love for the poetry, the art, the literature and traditions of our native land, that while we love and honour Burns, we do not forget the minor poets of our country.

Our syllabus still shows a good literary tendency, and the papers read at our meetings reveal a great amount of research, care, and interest, which I am quite sure repays the reader as well as the listener.

1904.

SYLLABUS - SESSION 1904-5.

Oct. 5. Coleridge's "Ancient Mariner"
Oct. 19. Sir William Wallace, the Hero of
Scotland.

Nov. 2. Don Quixote, the Greatest Hero of

Romance

Nov. 16. Joe Chamberlain

Dec 7. Characteristics of Countries I have

Visited

Mr R. C. Lyness.

Mr R. Archbold.

Mr W. Ogilvie.
Mr N. Elliot.

Mr H. M'Coll.

Dec. 21. Sir David Wilkie, Scottish Artist... Mr W. H. Turner.

1905.

Jan. 4. Song and Story

Jan. 18. Lord Byron

...

Jan. 25. Anniversary Dinner ...

Feb. 1. Scottish Concert, Victoria Ha.l.
Feb. 15. John Knox, the Scottish Reformer...
Mar. 1. William Tennant and Auster Fair..
Mar. 15. "The popularity of Burns"

Apr. 5. Business Meeting.

May 3. Annual Meeting; Election of Officers,
Sept. 6. Business Meeting.

Members.

Mr G. Gardner.

Rev. J. C. Carrick, B.D.,
Dalkeith, N.B.

Mr A. R. Calvert.
Mr M. MacLennan.
Mr A. Black.

IN MEMORIAM.

It is with regret that we draw the attention of the members to the loss the Club has sustained by the death of our Hon. Vice-President, the late Sir William Allan, and the late Mr William M'Farlane, Durham. Few will forget the eloquent speech our late Hon. Vice-President made at the Anniversary Dinner of 1900, when he delivered the toast of the "Immortal Memory." The special poem he wrote for that occasion ought to be printed and hung in our room. He was a true Scot. His last advice, given to Scotsmen throughout the world, is one we may well take to heart-" Keep the Lion flag flying."

Mr Macfarlane attended our special gatherings and always took a lively interest in the welfare of the Club. The sympathy of the members was conveyed to the families of the deceased gentlemen.

This Club was represented by Mr W. H. Turner at the Federation Meeting, held in Edinburgh in September last. This is decidedly a forward movement, which I hope will be continued, so that we may be kept in touch with the very best Burnsonians of the present day. With all our success we have also exercised that grandest of all gifts-Charity: we allocated seven guineas to various funds, also materially assisting a neighbouring Club, this is only what we ought to do-help our "brithers as much as possible.

A feeling that we are Scotsmen and lovers of Burns will always give us due regard for our own conduct, so that the men we come in contact with will see the influence of the Burns Club at work.

M. NEILSON, Hon. Secretary,

BRIDGETON

BURNS CLUB

(Instituted 1870).

ANNIVERSARY REPORT-JANUARY, 1904.

The annual business meeting of the Club was held in the side room, Mechanics' Hall, Canning Street, Calton, on the evening of Wednesday, 13th January, 1904. D. L. Stevenson, Esq., President, in the chair.

The Secretary (Mr Cochran) read the Directors' Report on the past year's proceedings of the Club, which is as follows:

"The Directors met on several occasions for the purpose of transacting the business of the Club.

During the year twenty-seven new members have been admitted.

The Directors regret to record the death of Mr William Freeland, which took place in November, 1903. Mr Freeland was a past President of the club and a most active member. He had always taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the study of Burns. He was one of the leading lights of literature, and for some time served on the staff of the Glasgow Hera'd, Evening Citizen, and latterly was the editor of the Times. He was a companionable man, and was always willing to help young men in the start of life. Ilis loss will be greatly felt by the Club,

The Club competed in the Glasgow and District Burns Clubs Bowling Tournament. Three rinks entered for the M'Lennan Cup, but we regret to say that their efforts were unsuccessful. The Directors would again urge on all bowlers who are members of the Club and willing to compete in these competitions to send their names to the Secretary so that as strong teams as possible can be put forward to represent the Club in next year's competition.

The summer excursion took place on 18th June last, to Girvan, thence by coach to Ballantrae and Colmonell. There was a very good turnout of members of the Club and their friends, and every one spent a most enjoyable day.

The Directors received an invitation from the members of the Greenock Burns Club, Greenock, and visited that Club on 12th November. The deputation were much impressed with the admirable premises which the Greenock Club have, and would ask all members of the various Burns Clubs in Glasgow to take into serious consideration the advisability of establishing a Club on similar lines for the benefit of all Burns Club members in Glasgow. The members of the Greenock Burns Club paid a return visit to this Club on 22nd December, 1903. A very pleasant social gathering was spent together. The Directors look on these interchange of meetings with other Clubs as very helpful for spreading the interest in Burns literature, and also for bringing the members of the various Clubs in closer contact with each other.

COMPETITIONS.

Gold Medal Competition. The piece selected this year was the Epistle to Davie." There were ten entrants for this competition, representing Hozier Street and Queen Mary Street Schools. The examination was conducted by Mr Andrew Hoy, F.E.I.S., and after careful examination of the various papers, he awarded the gold medal to Samuel Jamieson, Queen Mary Street School.

Senior Recitation Competition.—Six girls and eight boys entered for this competition. The pupils were from Gorbals, Hozier Street, Whitehill, Queen Mary Street, and Rockvilla Schools. The piece selected for the competition was the "Epistle to a Young Friend.” The examiner, Mr John Forsyth, F.S.Sc., London, Elocutionist, after hearing the various competitors, made the following awards :-Silver medal-Jeanie Haymarch, Gorbals School; second prize, John Gough, Hozier Street School. He also recommended the Committee to award a special prize to Agnes L. Petrie, Whitehill School, who showed great excellency in reciting.

Junior Recitation Competition.-There were three competitors from Rockvilla and Hozier Street Schools in this competition. The piece selected was "The Combat," from Scott's "Lady of the Lake," Canto V., Stan. 12 and 13. After hearing the various competitors, Mr Forsyth awarded the first prize to John O'Hara, Hozier Street School.

Senior Singing Competitions.-The competitors in these competitions were from the following schools :-Martyrs, Finnieston, Queen Mary Street, Rockvilla, Hozier Street, and Gorbals. In the Senior Girls' Competition there were fourteen entrants, and in the Senior Boys' Competition there were ten entrants. Mr George Newton acted as judge in the competitions, and

after hearing the various competitors, made the following awards :—Girls— Silver medal, Annie Fraser, Finnieston School; second prize, Mary Russell, Hozier Street School. Boys-Silver medal, John Charters; second prize, Samuel Jamieson, both of Queen Mary Street School.

Junior Singing Competition.-There were six girls and two boys from Gorbals, Rockvilla, and Hozier Street Schools in this competition, and after hearing the various competitors, Mr Newton awarded the first prize to Kate Gibson, Hozier Street School.

Choir Singing Competition.-Four choirs entered in this competition, representing Rockvilla, Hozier Street, Finnieston, and Martyrs Schools. A change was made in the regulations this year by stipulating that each choir should sing a piece selected by the examiner. The examiner chose "Duncan Gray" as the test piece this year. This change was much appreciated by the various choir conductors competing, and after a very keen contest, Mr George Newton awarded the Shield to Martyrs Public School.

Annual Concert.-The Annual Children's Concert in connection with the Club was held in the Mechanics' Hall, Canning Street, on 22nd January— D. L. Stevenson, Esq., President, in the chair. Among those present were Councillor Wm. Nicol, Wm. Cochran, Daniel Duncan, Alexander Bouik, James Young, and others. The President remarked that the concert was given by the children who had been successful in the various competitions held under the auspices of the Club. The competitors are from various schools in Glasgow, and are all under fifteen years of age. An enjoyable programme was presented by the various competitors and prize-winners in the competitions.

Anniversary Dinner.-The Anniversary of Burns's Birthday was celebrated by a dinner in the Arcade Café, on 25th January. About sixty gentlemen were present. D. L. Stevenson, Esq., presided, and Councillor William Nicol, J.P., acted as Croupier. Mr Stevenson proposed the "Immortal Memory of Burns," and during the evening a number of gentlemen contributed songs and recitations towards the evening's enjoyment."

ROSEBERY BURNS CLUB, GLASGOW.

SYLLABUS FOR SESSION 1904-1905.