66 We praise him, not for gifts divine - Was ever heart more human? -From a poem read at the Boston Celebration. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. Dear Bard and Brother! let who may Against thy faults be railing (Though far, I pray, from us be they That never had a failing !) One toast I'll give, and that not long, Makes man of prince and peasant! -From a poem read at the Boston Celebration. To-day be every fault forgiven Of him in whom we joy! We take, with thanks, the gold of Heaven, And leave the earth's alloy. Be ours his music as of Spring, His sweetness as of flowers, The songs the Bard himself might sing In holier ears than ours. -From a poem read at the Boston Celebration. RALPH WALDO EMERSON.-Not Latimer, not Luther, struck more telling blows against false theology than did this brave singer. The "Confession of Augsburg," the "Declaration of Independence," the French Rights of Man," and the "Marsellaise" are not more weighty documents in the history of freedom than the songs of Burns. His satire has lost none of its edge. His musical arrows yet sing through the air. He is so substantially a reformer that I find his grand plain sense in close chain with the greatest masters-Rabelais, Shakespeare in comedy, Cervantes, Butler, and Burns. — At Boston. Hon. JOHN P. KENNEDY.-His poetry was addressed to the future as well as to the firesides of the day in which he lived, and now, after years have passed away, nobility goes to his tomb to pay homage, while mankind meet, as on this evening, to celebrate his worth.-At Baltimore. Ex-Governor M'COMAS. -Other poets, Prometheus-like, might steal from heaven its fire, and worship the airy figments of their own brain. Burns worshipped the infinite that was in the humblest life around; he sung the divinity that was in fallen man; he clothed no angels in the forms of men. But, oh with what tones of melody did he not sing the heaven that still lingers in the breast of woman!—At Chicago. A. C. WHITE, Glasgow Herald Library. LINES ON THE POET'S BIRTHDAY. Auspicious day! A nation hails thy light, But why this wintry day with plaudits hail, From Irvine's woods where loud the west wind sighs, Alas! too soon thy harp in silence hung, Too soon the sorrowing winds thy requiem sung. Yet, sadly bending o'er thine early tomb, - From a Centenary Ode, 1859. CLUB NOTES. [COMMUNICATED.] ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS. THE Glasgow and District Burns Club Association, formed late in 1907 for the purpose of creating greater harmony and producing more efficient work in local Burns circles, has had a very gratifying success. The headquarters of the Association are at the National Burns Club, 93 Douglas Street, Glasgow. Twenty-seven clubs in Glasgow and neighbourhood have joined, and arrangements are being made for a social evening of members and friends early in January. The Association has done a great deal during the year in the way of providing lecturers and speakers to Burns Clubs, and this assistance has also been extended, when invited, to Clubs outwith the sphere of its operations-Fifeshire, Stirlingshire, Argyllshire, &c. Among the matters discussed during the year have been the Auld Brig Fund and the Chair of Scottish History. This Association has, from the first, taken the view that the money not needed for the Auld Brig restoration should be handed over to the Scottish Chair or to some other worthy object, instead of being left in Ayr for the purpose of repairing the Brig in all time, and this view will probably be acted upon. With regard to the Chair the work done has been purely educative." Explanations have been given and misconceptions cleared away. Several of the Association's officials have been asked to explain the scheme to numerous Clubs. As yet little of a definite character has been done as regards collecting money, but there is no doubt that the scheme will be taken up heartily during the coming session by all interested in the Burns cult. Specially good work has been done by the Co-operative Club, which has circularised all the societies in their neighbourhood and has already secured a considerable number of subscriptions, and also by the Western Club, which is repeating the efforts it made on behalf of the Auld Brig. The Association is taking active steps to secure the proper celebration of the Ter-Jubilee of the Poet in January. It asks Clubs to attend to the decoration of statues of the Poet in their district, and to the worthy celebration of the anniversary by an adequate rendering of the Poet's songs, noting with regret that the inanities of music halls frequently usurp the Poet's place. The Association is endeavouring to arrange for a grand theatrical matinée towards the end of the season in aid of the Scottish Chair. On 14th November a circular was issued to all Clubs in the district, dealing with above and other subjects. Clubs in the district which have not yet joined are cordially invited to do so. The office-bearers are as follows:-President, Rev. James Forrest, M.A. (Tam o' Shanter); Vice-Presidents, James Ballantyne (Carlton) and Alex. Pollock (Rosebery); Secretary and Treasurer, J. Jeffrey Hunter, Writer, 109 Bath Street, Glasgow (National); Committee, A. C. Alston (Rutherglen Cronies), Robert Smith (Old Kilpatrick), James Tudhope (Carlton). Donald M'Farlane (Baillieston), Arch. Clarke (Hamilton Mossgiel), P. M. Carrick (Clarinda), Provost Wilson (Haggis), J. Blair Smith (Co-operative), Alex. M Kenzie (Tam o' Shanter). ROSEBERY BURNS CLUB, GLASGOW. The Club meets on Tuesdays, at 7.45, in Prince of Wales Restaurant (Messrs Ferguson & Forrester, Ltd.), Buchanan Street, Glasgow. 1908. SYLLABUS-SESSION 1908-1909. Oct. 13. Smoking Symposium-President's Address-Mr William C. Goldie. 27. Lecture-Mr A. M. Williams, M.A., Vice-President, Chairman. Nov. 3. Lecture, "The Travels of Burns" (Lime-light Views)-Mr A. M'Callum. Visit from Carlton Burns Club. 4. Visit to Bridgeton Burns Club-President, Mr George H. Laird. 1908. Dec. 1. Visit from Greenock Burns Club-President, Mr John Neil, M.A., J. P. 15. Ladies' Night-Mr Peter Smith, Jr., Convener. 1909. Jan. 11. Lecture," The Interpretation of Scenery" (Lime-light Views)— Mr Fred Mort, M.A., B.Sc., F.R.G.S. 26. Anniversary Dinner-Rev. John Hunter, D.D. 2. Visit to Carlton Burns Club-President, Mr Andrew M'Lure. Gemmell, M.A. 23. Band of Hope Competition-Judges, Messrs Angus and Pollock. Mar. 9. Lecture-Rev. William Dunlop. 24. Gold Medal Competitive Concert-Mr A. Pollock, Convener. April 13. Tattie-an'-Herrin' Supper—Mr William C. Goldie, Chairman. The Executive request that members of the Club will endeavour to attend all meetings promptly at 7.45 p.m. COMPETITIONS. The Club holds senior and juvenile competitions in singing and reciting Scottish songs and poems during each session. Mem The juvenile competitions are in connection with Bands of Hope. bers provide silver medals and prizes. The Executive will endeavour to supply all applications from Bands of Hope with medals, and also, if desired, judges for competitions. The Senior Competition.-Highly valuable gold medals are presented by members of the Club. The success which attended the concerts of previous years has been most encouraging, and the Executive spare no efforts to make each competition concert an advance on its predecessor. All communications regarding juvenile or senior competitions should be addressed to the Convener of Competition Committee, Mr Alex. Pollock, 52 West Nile Street, Glasgow. SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB. ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT-APRIL, 1908. REPORT. Since our association with the Federation we have been active to the extent of claiming their attention, an attention which resulted in the first Conference on this side of the border being held in Sunderland. This has been the central feature of our Club life this last year, for every member was conscious that a great honour was being conferred upon our town. |