THE GREATEST SCOTSMEN. Wallace and Bruce emancipated the nation; Burns emancipated the man.-W. B. GARDNER (“ Max Philpot.") Incomparable Robert Burns, as distinguished in song as Bruce was in battle.-Rev. Dr HALSEY (U.S.A.). ... Then shall his countrymen with rapture exalt Robert Burns, foremost among their demigods, with Knox and Wallace, and with James Watt, and with Walter Scott, even to the stars! -Rev. Dr HATELY WADDELL. For the indigent and the poor, and even for the strong and sturdy, and the Jolly Beggars among them, Knox had a certain fellow-feeling. The one point, indeed, at which Knox and Burns come together is " A man's a man for a' that!"-A. TAYLOR INNES, LL.D. ... Perhaps the Scotchmen... of most world-wide renown are-George Buchanan, John Napier, Robert Burns, and Walter Scott; ... and of the four, Burns is perhaps the most famous.-Professor G. L. CRAIK. If Watt in invention, Adam Smith in economy, Brougham in eloquence, Knox in theology, Hume in history, ... Jeffrey in criticism, and Scott in fiction, were all combined in one effulgent star, it would not equal the splendors of Burns !-Hon. S. S. Cox (U.S.A.). The three or four men of whom Scotland is so proud-Robert Burns, Thomas Carlyle, Walter Scott, and James Watt.... -D. T. HOLMES, M.P. Our country and our kin gave to the world two great giftsJames Watt's steam engine and Robert Burns.-Rev. Dr COURT (U.S.A.). Education has a necessary tendency to mature and disclose rare capacity of the highest order-all that is called genius; a Watt to alter the whole face of the world, ... adding to the happiness of mankind; a Burns whose immo tal verse makes the solace and the delight of his countrymen in every age and every country where thei lot may be cast.-LORD BROUGHAM. From Dunbar to Scott, and even further down, Scotland has given birth to many men of genuine poetic genius; but a practically unbroken consensus of Scottish opinion has placed Burns on a pedestal of honour above them all, and made him known throughout the world as The National Poet.-WILLIAM WALLACE, LL.D. In the last century the poets Ramsay, Ross, Fergusson, and Burns all excelled in this versatile and almost indescribable quality [humour].- JOHN LEYDEN, M.D. Scott made Scotland, but Burns made Scotsmen.-JUDGE COLSTON. We give Shakespeare and Scott the homage of our intellects. Burns sets our hearts on fire.-WM. FINDLAY, M.D. Scott has never equalled, never will equal Burns in the general e teem of Scotchmen.-ANDREW LANG. Knighthood was the theme of Scott; Manhood the theme of Burns. Sir DAVID BRAND. The poet of feudalism, great and noble as his genius was, could command no such homage as the poet of freedom and of the common human life.-- Rev. R. H. COLLYER (U.S.A.). One page of Burns's writings is worth more than a whole cartload that has been written by Walter Scott!-WILLIAM COBBETT. Burns,... Carlyle,... Stevenson,... Scott. ... I do not suppose that four more different geniuses could be found in the literature of any other country. Of all these four men, without doubt the one who is nearest to the hearts of his fellow-countrymen is Robert Burns.-A. J. BALFOUR, M.P. Carlyle was not quite finished in his prenatal existence. The bricklayer's mortar of his father's calling stuck to his fingers through life, but only as the soil he turned up with his ploughshare clung to the fingers of Burns. We do not wish either to have been other Their breeding brings them to the average level, carries them more nearly to the heart, makes them a simple expression of our common humanity.--OLIVer Wendell HOLMES. than what he was. A. C. WHITE. CLUB NOTES. [COMMUNICATED.] SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB. REPORT. Gentlemen,-Despite the prophecy of our best friends we have reached the harbour of safety and can now add another year (the fifteenth) to the list of things that have gone which we have enjoyed. The distinction of being associated with the suggestion and final completion of the dream of the late Wm. Freeland, is a distinction of which the Sunderland Burns Club may justly feel proud. Our National History will now have some chance of being impartially interpreted, and the Scots men and women who will follow on and enjoy the privileges it was ours to help to create, will value (when we have passed away) the glorious and inspiring advantage of being born in a country whose first and last principles has been Education. The strength of her sons and daughters is, and has been, Education. We open another door through which we hope to see multitudes of her best going forth to sustain the pride and glory for dear auld Scotland's sake. CONCERT. The Annual Scottish Concert of the Club was held in the Victoria Hall, on Wednesday, October 25th, 1911. The Committee and members certainly spared neither time nor money in placing before the public of Sunderland one of the finest Concert Companies we have had, yet it is to be regretted that the financial results were disappointing. It now becomes a question for serious consideration, whether we are justified in carrying on these concerts. I trust the members will, as they always do, give the matter due consideration. DINNER. At The Anniversary Dinner of the present year, 1912, was the sixteenth held by the Club, and differed largely from any of the previous gatherings. We had made the usual careful arrangements and had secured the promise of Hamar Greenwood, Esq., M.P., to attend and propose the toast of The Immortal Memory." the last moment, however, we were doomed to dissappointment, and had to seek a substitute. We were fortunate in securing G. O. Wight, Esq., J.P. The Club is much indebted to Mr Wight, not only for his very eloquent treatment of the subject, but also for the courteous reception given to the deputation, who were only able to give him twenty-four hours notice. Our esteemed Hon. President, Ald. W. Burns, J.P., was also absent for the second time in our history. He had been in failing health for some time previous, and his medical adviser would not permit the attendance of the Alderman, much to the regret of the entire company. Our esteemed President, Mr James Donald, was unfortunately unable to take the chair, or perhaps his modesty would not allow him to do so, and finally Mr W. H. Turner consented to preside. THE "CHRONICLE.” The members who subscribe annually to the Burns Chronicle remain much about the same in number. We seem to be stationary in this respect. We certainly add a new reader now and again, but some one drops out, which keeps us about level and certainly does not do us credit. Upwards of sixty members, with practically less than twenty readers of this important Book! Twelve months ago we were threatened with the resignation of the genial Editor, Duncan M'Naught, Esq., J.P., but after long and serious consideration, he relinquished some of his less important work and devoted himself to the Chronicle for another year at least. MEMBERSHIP. We started the year with fifty active members, during the year thirteen new members have been added, two have left the district, leaving us with sixty-one active members at the close of the year. 1911. Oct. SYLLABUS, 1911-12. 11. President's Address-Mr J. Donald. Oct. 25. Scottish Concert (Victoria Hall). Nov. 8. Impressions of the Federation and Exhibition--Mr G. Mackay. Nov. 22. " Readings: Maistly Scotch Mr M. MacLennan. Dec. 13. "Alexander Smith, Poet and Essayist "-D. Fortune, Esq., J.P., Glasgow. 1912. Jan. 10. Musical Evening-Mr A. W. Semple. Jan. 25. Anniversary Dinner (Palatine Hotel)—G. O. Wight, E37.. J.P. Feb. 14. Visit from Newcastle Burns Club. Feb. 28. "My Holiday and how I spent it "-Mr G. Murray. Mar. 14. "Burns at Mauchline "-Mr W. M. Donaldson. Mar. 28. Visit to Newcastle Burns Club. Apr. 10. Business Meeting. May 8. Annual Meeting. Election of Officers. We have had the pleasure of entertaining the members of the Newcastle and Tyneside Burns Club on Wednesday, February 14th, while they returned the compliment on March 27th. Upwards of twenty of our members made the journey to Newcastle, and a very pleasant evening was spent. We trust these visits may be continued, and might with advantage be extended. We have to acknowledge the kindness of Mr J. Taylor Gibb, Mauchline, for his gift of a signed copy of his book, Burns in Mauchline; to W. H. Turner, Esq., four volumes Edinburgh Review, 1809, 1810, 1812, 1817, presented to the Library; also the two half-tone blocks, appearing on the front of the Menu Card, by the Secretary, Mr M. Neilson. FEDERATION MEETING. The Annual Meeting of the Executive Council of the Burns Federation was held in the Burgh Hall, Municipal Buildings, Glasgow, on Saturday, September 2nd, 1911, at 10.30 a.m. Mr Duncan M'Naught, J.P., the President of the Federation, presided over a record meeting of 300 delegates from Scotland, England, and Ireland. This Club was represented by Messrs W. H. Turner, G. Mackay, and M. Neilson, while Messrs A. W. Semple, W. P. Eastwood, and D. Condie were also present. The Editor of the Chronicle submitted his Annual Statement to the meeting. On the motion of Mr W. H. Turner, the Editor was heartily thanked for his work, and the usual grant of £25 was placed at the disposal of the Editor for this work. At the close of the business meeting the delegates were shown over the palatial Municipal Buildings, and were afterwards entertained to luncheon by the Lord Provost and Corporation of Glasgow. It was an experience to be remembered to look upon that gathering when seated in the magnificent dining hall. In the unavoidable absence of the Lord Provost, Bailie Arch. Campbell, senior magistrate, presided, and in a few words gave the delegates a warm welcome to the City of Glasgow. The speeches after luncheon were brief, as the afternoon's work was heavy, and punctual to the minute, a number of private Corporation Tram Cars were in readiness to receive the delegates and convey them through the West End of Glasgow and back to the National Exhibition. The cost of this, with the free entrance to the Exhibition, was borne by the Clubs of Glasgow and District. The Historical Section of the Exhibition was reserved from four to five, during which time Mr M'Naught gave an interesting account of the exhibits in the Burns Section. Tea was served in the Atholl Restaurant at 5 p.m. Thereafter each were allowed the freedom of their own will to spend the evening as they desired, but |