HEARTS OF SCOTCHMEN THRILL WITH GRATITUDE GENEROSITY OF MR GRIBBEL CAUSES GENERAL JUBILATION Special Cable Dispatch. LONDON, December 1.-John Gribbel's announcement of his intention to return the Glenriddel Manuscripts to Scotland comes as a startling culmination to the recent history of these Burns relics, and will send a pleasant thrill of gratitude through the hearts of all the Poet's countrymen and his British admirers. Cable dispatches have given the details as they developed, of the manner in which the manuscripts left the Liverpool Athenæum. of the efforts made to retain them in this country, of the suits with which the Athenæum was threatened, of the search for a direct heir of the Poet who could be put in the forefront of a legal battle whereby the right of the Athenæum to dispose of them was to be contested, and of their final transfer to America. But the cabled record of these facts failed, perhaps, to give an idea of the consternation that was created throughout Scotland by the news that these treasures were being taken to America. The newspapers north of the Tweed spoke of the loss of the manuscript as something akin to a national disaster. Burns Clubs by the score held special meetings to deplore the action of the Liverpool Athenæum. Lord Rosebery and other Scotchmen of note joined in the universal protest. It was said that the Athenæum authorities parted with the treasures for what was termed the paltry sum of $2500, and Scotchmen held up their hands in horror and declared that if it cost them ten times that amount the manuscript should be preserved in Caledonia as a national heirloom. Under these circumstances the news that, after all, the Glenriddel manuscripts are to be returned to Scotland through the generosity of an American purchaser comes like manna from heaven. Telephonic inquiries to-night to various Scotch papers show that the news was received too late for editorial comment this morning, but general jubilation was expressed. —Philadelphia Public Ledger. REVIEWS. DOUGLAS'S YEAR-BOOK OF SCOTTISH ASSOCIATIONS. THIS is a handy directory for all the Scottish Societies throughout the world, so complete that scarce an existing organisation of the kind has escaped the keen eye of the editor. The present is the ninth issue of the volume, which is nicely got up and sold at the modest price of sixpence. To the patriotic Scot at home and abroad it is an invaluable possession, and every year it is becoming more valuable. Copies may be procured from Mr John Douglas, 6 St. Mary's Grove, Barnes Common, London, S.W. MERRIE CARLISLE AND POEMS OF TRADITION. By Hugh Falconer, B.D. (Carlisle C. Thurnham & Sons, 11 English Street.) THIS is a volume partly prose and partly poetry, dealing with local traditions, the Christian tradition, together with several hymns breathing the spirit of devotion, as addenda at the end of the volume. The historical traditions include Solway Moss, Kinmont Willie, the Burning of the Hexham Bairns, Queen Mary at the Sauceries, &c., &c., to each of which a prose chapter and metrical composition are devoted. The verse is original in form and elevated in diction, but the author appears at his best in such ballads as "Lindsay's Lament," which contains many stanzas of exceptional merit and haunting sweetness. We may add that the book is embellished with fifteen artistic illustrations of local landmarks of great interest and value to archæologists and men of the Border. The price is 2s 6d, and the volume is well worth the money. AYR FORT, THE TOWNE OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. By T. C. Carrick. (Ayr: The Ayrshire Post, Limited, Nile Street.) THIS volume is a veritable vade mecum of the antiquities of the "auld toun," brightly written, full of reliable information, and procurable by post for the small sum of Is 2d. It runs to 107 pp., with scarce a dull page from beginning to end. Among the subjects treated of are--the early Columban Church at Ayr, the Church of John the Baptist, the Obit-Book of Ayr, the burning of Maggie Osborne the last witch in Scotland, the Friars of Ayr, Bruce's leper house at Ayr, &c., &c., and it concludes with a protest and appeal against the threatened secularisation of the Church and Churchyard of John the Baptist. The book deserves a wide circulation, not only on account of its intrinsic merits, but for the commendable object to which the profits are to be devoted, viz.. to aid the fund for providing a Burns bust for St. Giles' Cathedral. Edinburch We cordially recommend it to our readers. AN EDINBURGH FAC-SIMILE OF THE KILMARNOCK EDITION. ABOUT four years ago, Messrs Brown & Coy., Kilmarnock, successors to Jas. M'Kie, the well-known Burns publisher, issued a fac-simile of the first edition of Burns; the original, as everybody knows, being printed by John Wilson, within a few yards of the modern business premises which have taken the place of the old printing shop of 1786. The venture was not accomplished without considerable outlay. The paper, for instance, was specially manufactured in Holland by hand process, is of the same texture and weight, and bears the same watermarks as the original. Each page was carefully photographed, and the resultant blocks submitted to the most minute examination and correction before being passed on to the printer. The paper wrappers were chosen with the utmost discrimination to secure the proper quality and exact shade of blue. The result amply repaid the care bestowed upon the work. Everywhere it was acknowledged to be a triumphant success, and so great was the demand that of the 612 copies printed, only a small number remained on hand three months after publication. These, the publishers pardonably conserved, and they have hitherto disposed of them as occasion offered at an enhanced price. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we notice that this compliment has been paid the Messrs Brown by an Edinburgh firm of publishers, who have recently issued an imitation of the Kilmarnock masterpiece which resembles its prototype in much the same degree as a chap-book does an Elzevir. We have scarce patience to speak of it, and only do so because of the bombastic phrasing of its misleading pretensions. Externally, it fails miserably. The covers recall a drysalter's parcel which has been rescued from a dirty puddle, while the machine-made paper of the body of the book looks as if it had been purloined from the store of a butter or ham merchant. To give an air of antiquity to the whole, the sheets have been subjected to some sort of “kippering " process, or treated with sheep dip" of a nondescript colour. The result conveys the idea of an amount of dirt and filth sufficient to give a book-lover the creeps." We confess to a great curiosity regarding the identity of the "uncut copy which served as model for the curious production. We know them all, yet we don't know this one. Apart from paper and binding, the production fails as miserably. The title-page is more than half an inch too long, with a corresponding overplus in breadth, and the notes in small type all through the book are blurred and barely readable. When the blocks went so very far wrong, the publishers should have applied to Messrs Brown for a tip or two. The title-page and the capital letters have evidently proved too much for their blockmaker; in fact, the whole performance is not worth a fraction of the twelve-and-sixpence asked for it. we say again we would like to see the model from which it professes to have been taken. For the prevention of forgery, the Messrs Brown put private marks on their fac-simile, which, marvellous to relate, are faithfully reproduced in this Edinburgh one. This is surely a curious coincidence, requiring some explanation. That, however, is the business of Messrs Brown, who may not consider it worth their while. In the circumstances, we have prevailed upon the Kilmarnock publishers to dispose of the few remaining conies at the original price of half-a-guinea. We are therefore enabled to announce that a few copies of The Kilmarnock Fac-simile of the First Edition But WILL BE SUPPLIED TO Burns Clubs and Members of the Burns Federation, AT THE Original Price-10s 6d. Ali desirous of securing a copy will please make early application. N.B. The blocks were destroyed shortly after the issue was completed. CLUB NOTES. [COMMUNICATED.] THE LONDON ROBERT BURNS CLUB THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT. Vice-President, Past-Presidents, and Members all, Since you did me the honour of electing me to be your President, another year has rolled-and I am not quite sure what it has rolled, but certainly it has enrolled a good many new members to our Club, all good men and true, yet withal not so many as was anticipated, nor quite so many as we wished for. FINANCIAL POSITION GOOD. As you have just heard confirmed by our Hon. Auditors, our financial position is good, thanks to the careful work of our Officers. Last year we were able to place £25 to the Emergency Fund, and this year a further £15, making the total £120 in the four years, which is not unsatisfactory, and we hope the whole matter may soon be relegated to past history. The chief regret is that it sadly hampers our charitable subscriptions, and with the approaching visit of the Burns Federation to London, we may hope this legacy may be made a back number quickly. NEARING OUR JUBILEE. In these days approaching our jubilee, with us, as with all Metropolitan Clubs, there are great fluctuations in membership roll. Considering the number of societies and associations county, national, and indiscriminate--that are continually springing up in London, not only central, but suburban and local, we may think ourselves fortunate in maintaining our numbers, and I am glad to report that our newcomers just balance the departures. A SAD OBITUARY. We Death, unfortunately, has not passed us during the year. have to mourn the passing of the Father of the Club, Andrew Gifford Soutter, who for forty-two years was one of our strongest supporters and a much-loved friend to many of our members. Another loss is Mr James Fowler, who throughout a long illness repeatedly wrote |