MR. JAMES JEFFREY HUNTER, OF GLASGOW : VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BURNS FEDERATION, 1900-1925.

(Died 27th November, 1925.)

The first page of this volume records the death, on 1st June, 1925, of the Emeritus-President of the Burns Federation, Dr. D. M'Naught. Here we record with regret that, on 27th November, 1925, the Senior VicePresident of the Federation, Mr. James Jeffrey Hunter, died suddenly in Glasgow.

Mr. Hunter was about sixty-four years of age, and was a son of the late Bailie Archibald Jeffrey Hunter, a man of advanced views whose picturesque figure was for long well known in the streets of Glasgow, and who was for two decades secretary to the Glasgow United Trades Council, and for several years a member of the Town Council and a Magistrate of the city. He received his training with the firm of Messrs. Maclay, Murray & Spens, and attended law classes at Glasgow University. In 1892 he began business as a solicitor on his own account, and during the subsequent thirty-three years built up a large Court practice.

Mr. Jeffrey Hunter's interests in his native city were many and varied-chiefly political and municipal, theatrical and literary-and his services were freely given to them.

Liberal in politics, he travelled the country to speak on behalf of candidates for parliamentary honours, and on several occasions acted as agent at elections. He was also a member of Glasgow Corporation, representing the First (Dalmarnock) Ward during the years 1899-1901; was a member of the Institute of Journalists, a lecturer on literary subjects, and an amateur actor of considerable reputation.

In 1900 Mr. Jeffrey Hunter was elected a Vice

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President of the Federation of Burns Clubs; at the time of his death he was Senior Vice-President, and looked forward to filling the Presidential chair. During the twenty-five years that have elapsed since his election to that office he devoted a very large portion of his time and his energies to the advancement of the Burns cult. He was Secretary of the Tam o' Shanter Burns Club (Glasgow) for fifteen years; and was one of the founders, as well as President for two years, of the National Burns Club, instituted in 1904. He also assisted in 1920 to establish the Burns House Club, which provides a central meeting-place for the clubs of Glasgow and surrounding district; and from its inception was Secretary of the Glasgow and District Burns Association, founded nearly twenty years ago "to promote closer union between the clubs in the district, and to bring members of the clubs into more harmonious relationship."

It was largely due to the pertinacity of Mr. Alexander Pollock and the late Mr. Jeffrey Hunter-who pressed the matter on the attention of the members of the Burns Federation-that the question of school children's competitions was taken up seriously by them. This movement has made great progress within the last few years, and, on the suggestion of the President of the Federation, is now being followed by the formation of vernacular associations. One was recently instituted at Glasgow, and it was fortunate to secure Mr. Jeffrey Hunter as its first secretary.

Mr. Jeffrey Hunter's services to all these organisations were invaluable. He gave generously of his time sincerely and enthusiastically to further the objects for which they had been founded, guiding them through the difficulties of their early years; and he had the satisfaction of knowing that the members recognised their obligations to him.

MR. JAMES BLACK MORISON, OF GREENOCK. (Died 8th March, 1925.)

Among the notable Burnsians removed by death last year, J. B. Morison holds an honoured place. Not so long ago membership of a Burns Club carried only a doubtful distinction. To-day it is different. One thinks kindly of the comparatively small band of men who, between forty and fifty years ago, gave themselves to the task of setting their countrymen right with Burns. Too many of the Poet's own countrymen tried to blotch his reputation and deride his influence for good, and they dared their Lilliputian darts even against his unassailable literary position. Our National Bard suffered much in the house of his friends. It is trite now to say that all that is changed. One of the men who wrought for the newer and truer vogue of Burns in his own country was the subject of these notes. Morison's love for Burns was a tender and sensitive affection that endured the sinister mouthings with pain.

He began with his own Club, which had fallen into a moribund condition. Occasionally it had a carousal on the natal night, and that carousal it regarded as a "celebration" of the Bard. It was in these circumstances that Morison took over the Secretaryship. Mere words of praise sound hollow when genius is asserting itself. Genius carves its own way; therein is the secret of Morison's success.

Greenock and the neighbourhood has vividly interesting associations with the Bard, and if there was one district in Scotland where a Burns Club should be worthy and powerful, it surely was Greenock. So Morison thought, and with that end in view he worked. His energy kept pace with his genius for organising and developing the varied interests of the institution. Such

was his enthusiasm-always a wisely directed enthusiasm for the cause to which he gave the best years of his life that the sharp edge was taken off the severe secretarial duty; and the duty became loving service. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it is not surprising that the Club and the Cause prospered.

In the controversy regarding the precedence of the Club he used his literary and historical gift with the finest effect. He claimed that the precedence of the date of institution of Burns Clubs lay with the Club at Greenock. The date of its institution was 1802. He was in antagonism with the keenest wits and trained intellects of the other Clubs. He could follow a clue with the best of them, and he did it indefatigably and with all the zest of conviction. Far and near he sought and secured, and ultimately submitted, his incontrovertible evidence. It was admitted, and at last he had the great joy of knowing that he had established the claim of his Club as the Mother Burns Club of the world.

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But his enthusiasm took a wider sweep. prestige as his Club had achieved required, he knew, acknowledgment and interested response among the greatest in Literature and Art, and, accordingly, on his initiation, the Club from time to time elected many distinguished men as Honorary Members. They gladly accepted office. The roll of Honorary Presidents is one of remarkable names, for the Club continues his practice of inviting distinguished men to the annual anniversary. They come, and they are glad to acknowledge the prestige of the Mother Club.

The

In the Club rooms are many Burns relics. walls are covered with portraits and pictures, and there is a library of Scottish literature. Most of these were collected for the Club by Morison, for he was a lover of art and poetry and literature. His private library was indicative of the man. It was particularly rich in