Honours Degree in History would of necessity include the national story. But while, in deference to some that see lions in the path, there has been indicated briefly how they may be scared away, all concerned should look ahead. Those are blind readers of the signs of the times who do not see how the development of the schools is bringing ever nearer a complete reorganisation of the University system. The time cannot be far distant when the existing method of building up graduation courses will be abandoned, and students will come up to study in a department of knowledge. History will then mean a group of courses in the various divisions of the subject, and will require a staff of professors, lecturers, and assistants. What is required meantime is substantial support to the Fund about to be opened. Subscribers may be assured that their efforts will achieve a desirable educational end and take away a reproach from our patriotism.

ACTION OF BURNS CLUBS.

It seems singularly appropriate, and of good omen, that the first official act of the newly formed Glasgow and District Burns Clubs Association should have been a recommendation to all the bodies composing it to do everything in their power to afford moral and financial support to the proposed Scottish Chair of History and Historical Literature. Such a recommendation is entirely in the spirit of Burns himself, and one can well imagine the enthusiasm with which the Poet, with his robust and sensible patriotism, would have devoted himself to the furtherance of a plan which promised to be of so much utility to Scotland. Such a movement, also, gives a practical meaning to Burns Clubs, and more than justifies their existence. And the movement is appropriate also, not only as being a posthumous echo of Burns's own spirit, but as emanating from institutions whose object is the perpetual commemoration of the man whose genius is now universally recognised as the crown of Scottish literature.

DR WM. WALLACE,

Editor," Glasgow Herald."

CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE BURNS FEDERATION.

GLASGOW, June, 1908.

Chair of Scottish History and Literature.

DEAR SIR,

You are doubtless aware of the movement to establish a Chair of Scottish History and Literature in the University of Glasgow. The project for such a Chair has recently occasioned much interesting discussion, an epitome of which will be found in the pamphlet enclosed. Evidently there exists a strong public opinion that adequate provision should be made in our Universities for full and systematic instruction in a subject which lies so closely and vitally at the roots of national character and conduct. There is urgent necessity, not only that ordinary students, including prospective school teachers, should receive direction in the subject, but also that advanced students should have opportunities of technical training in the methods of original research.

To promote the enterprise a Scottish History and Literature. Chair Committee, widely representative of national feeling and culture, has been formed, at a recent meeting of which it was resolved that various Scottish Associations should be invited to form local committees for procuring subscriptions. A subscription sheet is enclosed herewith, and as many additional sheets will be sent as you may require.

A sum of £20,000 would be necessary for the adequate endowment of a Chair. This sum can easily be raised if the scheme is everywhere taken up with energy. A considerable portion of the amount has already been promised, and Sir William Bilsland, Bart., Lord Provost of Glasgow, Principal MacAlister of Glasgow University, Sir John Ure Primrose, Bart., and other wellknown public men, are actively interesting themselves on behalf of the scheme.

The committee earnestly commend the movement to your Association, and suggest that a special meeting of the members

should be called at an early date to consider it. In order that the Committee may know what amount of support the enterprise is likely to receive, it will be a favour if your Association will intimate to one of the joint-secretaries within the next three months the approximate amount of contributions.

Remittances should be sent to the honorary treasurers, Joseph Brockie, Esq., J.P., Royal Bank, Kilmarnock, or John S. Samuel, Esq., J.P., F.R.S.E., City Chambers, Glasgow.

Yours faithfully,

WILLIAM WALLACE, Editor, "Glasgow Herald,"

JAS. MARTIN,

Chairman of Committee.

163 West George Street, Glasgow.

THOMAS AMOS,

Sunnyside, Glebe Road, Kilmarnock."

Joint
Secretaries.

THE ONLY LIVING GRANDSON OF

ROBERT BURNS.

JAMES GLENCAIRN THOMSON FUND.

IN

N response to a letter to the papers from Mr John K. M'Dowall, a meeting was held in the Religious Institution Rooms, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, on Wednesday, 25th April, 1906. Sir John Ure Primrose, Bart., LL.D., presided. About thirty gentlemen attended.

The Chairman explained that Mr Thomson was the only surviving grandson of Robert Burns, the Poet, and but for the intervention of friends, who honoured the name and connection, Mr Thomson might suffer from want in his declining years, and he was perfectly confident there were persons sufficiently devoted who would never allow such a thing to occur. The facts having come to his knowledge through Mr M'Dowall, he agreed with that gentleman that the proper method was to bring a few gentlemen together who would constitute themselves a committee to raise a sum to ensure Mr Thomson's declining years being passed in at least moderate comfort. Mr J. Bruce Walker (Canadian Government Agent in Glasgow) moved, "That the meeting approve of the institution of a fund to provide an annuity in favour of Mr Thomson-and that a committee be appointed, with an executive of four gentlemen, including a secretary and treasurer." Speaking to the motion Mr Walker asked that some effort be made to make some restitution to the name and fame of, and some amends for the indifference shown to, Mr Thomson's grandfather by their forefathers years ago. Mr David Fortune,

J.P., in a few well-chosen remarks, seconded, and the resolution was unanimously adopted.

The following committee was then elected, viz. :—

General Committee-*Sir John Ure Primrose, Bart., LL.D., Chairman; Councillor Hugh Alexander, J.P.; Robert S. Allan, Esq., J.P.; Wm. Allan, Esq. (Rosebery Burns Club); Rev. Jas.

Barr, B.D.; Colonel R. J. Bennet, V.D.; Dr J. Wilson Cameron; J. M'Naught Campbell, Esq., F.Z.S., Provincial Grand Secretary; Robert Chalmers, Esq.; Councillor Frank I. Cohen; Robert Crawford, Esq., LL.D., D.L., J.P.; Thomas Devlin, Esq.; *David Fortune, Esq., J.P., F.S.S.; James Glen, Esq., M.A., B.L.; Joseph Graydon, Esq.; Councillor Jas. Henderson, J.P.; Andrew Hewat, Esq., J.P. (Sandyford Burns Club); J. B. Livingstone, Esq.; Henry F. Lowndes, Esq., B.L.; *Robert M'Callum, jun.,