nowhere in the book, the title of which is "The Merry Muses of Caledonia-A Collection of Favourite Scots Songs (ancient and modern) selected for the use of the Crochallan Fencibles." VI. Of these 85 compositions, only 40 appeared in any subsequent reprint, nor did any subsequent reprint pretend to be in any way connected with the first or "Crochallan " edition. VII. That a collection of filth was printed in Dublin, prior to 1827, bearing the title Merry Muses, without any reference whatever to Burns.

6.

VIII. That in 1827 a similar collection, with 42 additional pieces, was Privately Printed " somewhere. On the title-page we read "The Merry Muses-A Choice Collection of Favourite Songs gathered from many sources, by Robert Burns; to which is added two of his Letters and a Poem-hitherto suppressed—and never before printed." One of the letters is that which I have just referred to, the other will be found in almost any standard edition. The poem is "The Court of Equity," which the curious will find printed almost verbatim in the last issue of the Aldyne Edition, edited by my friend, Mr G. A. Aitken.

Jones to the "Vicar of

We need go no further. It was in 1827 that the name of Burns was first associated with the omnium gatherum of the canticular abominations of the three countries, which is as like the "Crochallan" volume as "Tom Wakefield." The modern reprints are merely copies of the villainous issue of 1827, and are produced everywhere-the copy in my possession being printed some twenty years ago in Glasgow -a book costing 6d in the get-up and sold at 20/-, or as much more as can be got for it. That is the secret of its perennial appearance as an exceedingly rare and valuable book, of which new copies are produced whenever the old ones are worked off.

When you come across a copy, read the preface, and note the printer's errors. It is disreputable in type, careless and deplorably ignorant in the editing, loathsome in its illiterate

attempt to make out Burns to be a very small figure in the galaxy of cloven-hoofed saints who are set down as the authors of ninetenths of the odoriferous anthology. The book, apart from antiquarian considerations, is fit only for the dunghill after merciful mutilation. And so I leave the subject. "An honest man's the noblest work of God" was a favourite quotation, and Buins was such a man- --so honest that he is always the chief witness for his own prosecution.

[We understand that a limited reprint of the Crochailan volume, with introduction and notes, is about to be issued by the successors of James M‘Kie, Kilmarnock, for subscribers only. The motif is commendable, and we wish it all success.-EDITOR.]

CLUB NOTES.

[CUMMUNICATED.]

THE LONDON ROBERT BURNS CLUB.

Founded 1868. Federated 1885.

FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The Forty-second Annual General Meeting was held in the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall, 7 Crane Court, Fleet Street, E.C., on Thursday, September 29th, 1910.

The President, Mr James Thomson, occupied the chair, and was supported by the Vice-President, Mr Neil Turner, a strong attendance of past presidents, officers, and other members of the Club.

The Minutes of last General Meeting having been read, were approved of, and signed by the President.

Correspondence having been duly dealt with, the Hon. Secretary read the Report of the Delegates from the Club to the Annual Meeting of the Burns Federation, held at Lanark on September 3rd.

The President then made his report upon the work of the year, and the Hon. Treasurer gave his financial statement, which were received with great satisfaction. The President's speech is printed in extenso herein.

Votes of thanks were moved and carried unanimously to the Delegates, the Hon. Treasurer, the Committee, the Auditors, the Hon. Pipers, the M.C.'s, and to the ladies, and a special message was heartily passed to be sent to Mr Andrew G. Soutter, the father of the Club.

Mr Neil Turner having expressed his acceptance of office, became President-Elect, and Mr G. St. John M'Donald was elected Vice-President for the ensuing year.

It was resolved to hereafter hold the Annual Business Meeting towards the end of the month of May.

A past-president's jewel, with a miniature portrait of Burns, was unanimously voted to be presented to the retiring President, Mr James Thomson, at the Hallowe'en Festival.

The sum of two guineas was voted to the Royal Scottish Hospital.

Mr Duncan M'Naught, J.P., President, and Mr Thomas Amos, M. A., Hon. Secretary of the Burns Federation, were unanimously elected to honorary membership of the Club.

Mr Durham having declined re-election as Hon. Secretary, was accorded a warm vote of thanks for his voluntary services during the past year, to which he replied with feeling, expressing his regret at being unable to continue the onerous duties longer than the approaching Hallowe'en Meeting.

Several new members were elected, but as the President reported, there are still some vacancies caused by deaths, and resignations of members moving from London or gone abroad, and a few who, having allowed their subscriptions to fall into arrears, have been, in accordance with the rules, struck off the roll.

After a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, who responded, the meeting terminated with "Auld Lang Syne" and National Anthem.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

The members will be gratified to learn that the London Robert Burns Club has had not only a successful year socially, but, as is shown by the Hon. Treasurer's audited accounts and statement, a most satisfactory financial result, with a pleasant balance at the bank to go on with.

From the moment

My reign of office has been a short and happy one. of my investiture with the presidential collar and jewel until now it has been everything a man could wish for. I have been most loyally supported by every past president and member of the executive, and I may well add by every active member of the Club, for which my appreciative thanks are due and given with all sincerity.

There is one member in particular, however, to whom not only I as your President, but to whom the whole Club is very deeply indebted, and you all know I refer to our Hon. Secretary, Henry Durham. At this time last year,

when the difficulty unexpectedly arose of finding a successor to the acting Hon. Secretary pro tem., Mr Durham proffered his services for the ensuing twelve months. This was readily accepted, and I can only say that his loyalty to the President, his zeal and work on behalf of the Club, has been in a great measure the means of bringing us into the happy position we are at this time. Verily, one volunteer is truly worth twenty pressed men.

Our forty-second Anniversary Festival fortunately proved more successful than was feared from the lack of a room large enough for such a big function. Yet everything passed off well, as was recorded in the most handsome brochure published, without expense to the Club, by the kindness of our Vice-President, Neil Turner. Our next Festival is to be held in the Empire suite of rooms at the Trocadero, which offers us double the accommodation of last year, so you can all invite as many guests as you wish, with promise of even a better night than last.

The three assemblies of our forty-second season were each and all thoroughly enjoyable gatherings. The attendance was a marked increase upon

previous years, and the dancers expressed satisfaction with the excellent music provided, especially the two sets of Lancers, written by Mr Tom Taylor for the Club, introducing many of the beautiful melodies of Burns's love songs, which gave great delight.

As was stated in the last circular issued, the Summer Festival was a complete success-delightful weather, perfect catering, splendid accommodation, and excellent company. The attendance this year was back again to twenty less than last year. So the question arises-was last year's better attendance because the picnic was held on a Saturday? If that is so, then let us try Saturday again. If that is a busier day on the river or other pleasure resorts, well, after all, a bit of a stir only adds to the gaiety of the occasion.

You have heard the report of the Delegates to the annual meeting of the Burns Federation held at Lanark on 3rd inst. It was a matter of poignant disappointment to me that I was unable at the last moment to accompany the delegates to represent No. 1 Club, but the best thanks of us all are due to our Vice-President (Neil Turner), Hon. Treasurer (C. J. Wilkinson-Pimbury), and Hon. Secretary (Henry Durham) for travelling such a long distance and so abiy representing our Club. As you have learned, our Hon. Secretary, being a Vice-President of the Federation, was invited to attend the Executive meeting at Kilmarnock in August, summoned to make arrangements for the Lanark meeting, and it was a great compliment to our IlIon. Secretary in person and to our Club in general that he should have been called to occupy the chair at this important meeting of the officers of the Federation.

It is, of course, a further compliment to the Club as well as a high honour to me that I should have been elected Representative of the Burns Federation in the Metropolis. It is a compliment I confess that I am very proud of, and I hope the Club will give me support in furthering the Federation ideals. Let us concur with our delegates in the hope that some day not many years hence the Federation Delegates will hold their annual meeting in London and let us give them a great time.

The Club has every reason to be grateful to the ladies for so graciously and loyally supporting by their charming presence all the festivals, assemblies, and other social gatherings of the Club. We have no discontented suffragettes demanding full membership. The ladies rather recognise that we grant them a full measure of our allegiance, every possible privilege; and while we miss their society on this occasion we do not forget that they are a large asset towards the continued prosperity of the Club.

But recollect this: We are Club No. I on the roll of the Burns Federation, and as such we must take the lead. We offer excellent value for the subscription demanded-no London Club gives more or better opportunities for social reunions, and our motto is an imperishable principle ever before us,