HANDING OVER THE MEMORIAL. Mr A. L. Brown, who was next called upon, said he had a very simple duty to perform. it was stated that he had to hand over this statue to the Town Council. He was afraid he could not literally do that, but he would formally commit the care of it to the civic fathers of Galashiels. Their civic fathers had had a great many important things to attend to, and a great many precious things to care for, but he did not think It was He that in Galashiels they had ever had committed to their care a work of art. He hoped they would rise to the occasion and guard it as the apple of their eye. a work of art-they could now see it for themselves. had a book at home containing pictures of Burns statues all over the world, and he did not think any of them were superior to that beautiful bust which was now committed to the care of the Galashiels Town Council. They saw the personification, the embodiment of the Poet as revealed to them in his works and writings. It was a little difficult just then to say exactly which of the poems was passing through the mind of the Bard. There was strength and sweetness in the features, but perhaps the quality that was most characteristic of him was that sort of pensive dignity [that breathed through so many of his works. Now that they saw the statue on the column he though they would admit that it was simple and sufficient, and that Galashiels required to envy no town for its statue of Burns. Provost Sutherland, in accepting the custody of the memorial, said :-Mr Brown, ladies and gentlemen,-We have listened with great delight to the speeches of Mr Murray and Mr Brown, as they have renewed our interest in our National Bard, in his ever living memory and in his immortal verse. Too much cannot be said of such a man, and we listen at all times to discourses such as we have now heard with great pleasure and sincere appreciation. As a life-long student of Burns, I feel very strongly that there is a contagion in the air, and if I was letting myself go I would soon be in the very thick of Burns. I can sincerely assure Mr Murray that the ratepayers of Galashiels have too much wisdom and commonsense to return as their representatives to the Town Council men whom they would describe as the "Unco guid "-and if by mistake one should ever be returned to the Council, he has mighty little chance of being elected Provost. feel sure, now that we have our first municipal piece of sculpture, which has been so gracefully unveiled by Mrs Murray, and which you have applauded so heartily, that it will be taken every care of by the present and future Councils. I have much pleasure in accepting this memorial on behalf on the Town Council. I BURNS IN THE BORDERLAND. IT T was on a Saturday May morning, 1787, Robert Burns and a lawyer named Robert Ainslie, set out from a hostelry in the High Street of Edinburgh for the Borders. They rode on horseback. I can see this youthful pair. Burns was twenty-eight years of age, in a broad-brimmed hat, a blue coat with brass buttons, knee breeches, and top boots (and, I suppose, his Holland cravat). He had attained great distinction in the city; met all her eminent citizens; and had been the idol of many a glittering drawing-room. Ainslie, his companion, was only twenty; probably dressed in similar attire; but possessing a waggishness that would contrast harshly with the grander presence of Burns. In matters of gaiety and sociality they had some affinities; otherwise the disparity would be very striking. And as the pair rode on, the Poet would sometimes relinquish conversation, become meditative, and even appear sullenly thoughtful and brooding, the younger man being left to speculate on the light and shade of his inexplicable companion. They rode to Duns by the Lammermoor Hills, and went to Church on Sunday. On Monday they proceeded to Coldstream, and there Burns saw Tweed for the first time, admiring it very much. From Kelso they proceeded to Jedburgh, where they remained for the rest of the week. He returned to Kelso, and on From Melrose he must have to Melrose on the Monday. gone by Abbotsford to Selkirk. From Abbotsford the Poet would be able to see the valley and stream of Gala, and indications of the village. Burns had a rather cold reception in Selkirk. The weather was bad, and the hospitality worse. Simply because a little selfish company of nobodies refused to allow two strangers, whom they thought not quite good enough to join them in the parlour |