much admired by Mr Gribbel, who expressed his appreciation in no unstinted way.

IN KILMARNOCK AND DISTRICT.

Mr Gribbel arrived in Kilmarnock on Friday morning with the ten o'clock train from Glasgow. He was met by the officials of the Burns Federation and by Provost James Smith, ex-Provost Mathew Smith, and Mr John Haggo, Town Chamberlain. The party visited the historic Laigh Kirk, the scene of Burns's poem, " The Ordination,” and afterwards proceeded to the Burns Monument in the Kay Park. Mr Gribbel was highly pleased with the external appearance of the structure, and he regards the statue as one of the finest he has seen anywhere. He spent a considerable time in the interior, being very deeply interested in the unique collection of Burns manuscripts and the numerous editions of the Poet's works, and he warmly congratulated the community, through the Provost, on having such a rich store of Burnsian treasures. The party afterwards visited the Dick Institute, which he described as one of the finest buildings he had seen in any provincial town, and he was much interested to learn that it had been utilised as an Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital during the war. After having a passing glimpse at the old building in Waterloo Street where the famous first edition was printed, the party adjourned to the Club, where an excellent luncheon was admirably served. Mr M.Naught occupied the chair, and ex-Provost Smith officiated as croupier. The others present, besides Mr Gribbel, were Provost James Smith, ex-Bailie Finlay, Mr Amos, Mr Innes, Mr D. Yuille, Mr George Clark, Mr John Haggo, and Mr J. P. Dickson.

After luncheon Mr Gribbel and the officials of the Burns Federation proceeded to Tarbolton in two cars, travelling via the Ayr Road. The weather was bright and bracing, and the run was thoroughly enjoyed. ExProvost Smith and Mr M Naught pointed out to Mr Gribbel

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the principal features by the way, and he was particularly interested in the Wallace Monument at Barnweil. On reaching Tarbolton the visitors were received by the Rev. James Higgins, B.D., who entertained them in the Manse and afterwards showed them round his extensive and well-kept garden. He then took them to Mrs Murchie's and the Masonic Hall, where they saw Burns manuscripts and also Masonic jewels which had been worn by the Poet, and in these Mr Gribbel displayed the keenest interest. He sat for a few minutes in the chair in which Burns sided o'er the sons of light," and held in his hand the mallet which the Poet had used while acting as Master of the Lodge. A visit was afterwards paid to the last of the handloom weavers in Tarbolton. Mr Gribbel had never seen a handloom before, and with the keenest interest he watched the weaver plying his shuttle in the making of a web of silk. Mr Higgins gave an order to weave a silk muffler for Mr Gribbel, who returned thanks and said that he would prize this as one of his most cherished possessions. The tourists then proceeded to Mauchline, stopping for a short time at Failford to look at the site which has been proposed for the erection of a memorial to Highland Mary. The journey was continued to the Burns Memorial Tower and Cottage Home, where the visitors were met by Sir Archibald MInnes Shaw, Mr J. Leiper Gemmill, and Mr Thomas Killin, representing the GlasgowMauchline Society.

Sir Archibald MInnes Shaw, in name of the Society, welcomed Mr Gribbel, and assured him that they counted it a great honour that he had come to see Mauchline and the good work which was being carried on there by the Society.

The visitors ascended the long narrow flight of stairs and from the top of the Tower had a splendid view of the countryside. Mr Gribbel was perfectly enchanted with the delightful prospect. The fine collection of Burns relics was inspected with much interest. Under the guidance of Mr Leiper Gemmill, Mr Gribbel visited several of the

Cottage Homes and chatted freely with the occupants. "A blessed work" was the phrase in which he described the efforts of the Glasgow-Mauchline Society to perpetuate the name and fame of Burns and at the same time to provide comfortable homes to worthy old people in the evening of their days. Returning to Mauchline Mr Gribbel was shown through the Burns House and Dr M Kenzie's House, which have been in recent years restored by the Glasgow Burns Clubs Association and are also occupied by aged people. The party then proceeded to Ballochmyle, where they were entertained to tea by Sir Archibald and Lady M'Innes Shaw, where Mr Gribbel remained over the week-end.

During the week-end Mr Gribbel visited various places. of interest in and around Mauchline. On Saturday they journeyed to Cumnock and inspected many treasures and relics in Dumfries House, afterwards partaking of tea in the Dumfries Arms Hotel.

LUNCHEON IN GLASGOW.

On Thursday Mr Gribbel was entertained at luncheon in the City Chambers, Glasgow, by Lord Provost Stewart, who is an Ayrshire man, being a native of Muirkirk. The company included Mrs Gribbel, Mrs Stewart, and Miss Stewart; four ex-Lord Provosts-Sir Samuel Chisholm, Sir D. M. Stevenson, Sir Archibald MInnes Shaw, and Sir Thomas Dunlop; Sir John Samuel; Mr Pitt, the City Librarian; Mr J. Leiper Gemmill; Mr D. M'Naught, ex-Provost Smith, and Mr Thomas Amos, M.A., Kilmarnock, representing the Burns Federation, &c. The Lord Provost, in graceful terms, proposed the health of Mr Gribbel, who happily replied, and the only other toast was that of The Lord Provost," which was given by Sir Samuel Chisholm.

MR GRIBBEL AT DUMFRIES.

M

R GRIBBEL visited Dumfries on Wednesday, 11th August, where he was accorded a civic welcome, and later entertained to luncheon by Dumfries Burns Club. Mr Gribbel has spent several weeks in Scotland, and in the course of his journeyings he has visited most of the scenes amid which the life of the Poet was spent, while he has been honoured by various Burns Clubs, and entertained by the Burns Federation and the Corporation of Edinburgh. A man of wide interests, Mr Gribbel has a strong and attractive personality, and is very desirous of seeing the ties between this country and America strengthened, and his keen friendship for Britain has been manifested in many influential ways.

On arrival he was greeted by Mr R. A. Grierson, President of Dumfries Burns Club; Mr John M. Burnie, Secretary; Provost Macaulay; and Dr Hunter, Dumfries, who were joined by Mr Duncan M'Naught, Kilmarnock, President of the Burns Federation; Sir Alexander Walker, and ex-Provost Smith, Kilmarnock.

The party proceeded to the Town Hall, where several precious Burns relics were shown by Mr G. W. Shirley, Librarian, along with a number of documents relating to early periods in the history of the burgh. The Provost afterwards formally welcomed Mr Gribbel, and there were present at this ceremony, in addition to those mentioned, Bailie Connolly, Bailie Kelly, Dean Lockerbie, Judge Smart, Judge Farrow, Mr M. H. MKerrow, and Mr John Gibson.

Mr Gribbel was afterwards entertained to luncheon in the Royal Restaurant by Dumfries Burns Club, who also extended an invitation to the Provost and Magistrates to be present.

Mr R. A. Grierson, President of Dumfries Burns Club,

presided at the principal table, and he was accompanied on his right by Mr Gribbel, Sir James Crichton-Browne, Mr Duncan M Naught, Kilmarnock, President of the Burns

The names (reading from left to right) are as follows:-Back Row-Mr Duncan M Naught (Kilmarnock), Mr M. H. M'Kerrow. Mr John M Burnie, Dr Hunter. Ex-Provost Smith (Kilmarnock), and Mr G. W. Shirley. Front Row Mr R. A. Grierson, Mr Gribbel, Provost Macaulay. Sir Alexander Walker (Kilmarnock).

(Reproduced by kind permission of the "Dumfries Courier and Herald.")

Federation; and ex-Provost Smith, President of Kilmarnock Burns Club; and on his left by Sir Alexander Walker, Kilmarnock; Provost Macaulay, Dumfries;