Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory

DINNER.

The Anniversary Dinner of 1908 was most successful. The company was not so large as formerly, but what we lacked in numbers was more than compensated for by the enthusiasm shown by those who were privileged to attend.

Mr J. Jeffrey Hunter, Glasgow, was the guest of the Club, and proposed the toast of the "Immortal Memory."

CONCERT.

The Annual Scottish Concert was held in the Victoria Hall, on Thursday, February 3rd, 1908.

This is now one of the events of the season, as was evidenced by the large gathering.

THE "CHRONICLE."

Here we have the very best articles on matters relating to Burns, his Works and influence, placed before you which cannot fail to interest the student of Burns. The genial editor, Mr D. M'Naught has given yeoman service in order to bring this work up to a high standard of excellence. May we again appeal to those members who have not yet taken this work to give it a trial, it will amply repay the modest shilling expended on its purchase.

SYLLABUS.

1907. Oct.

2. President's Address-Mr W. H. Turner.

20.

16. “Burns in Edinburgh and Dumfries”—Mr G. Mackay. Nov. 6. "Burns at Friars' Carse”—Mr D. Bain (Gateshead). "The Border Poet-Matthew Welsh "—Mr W. Jackson. "Down the Clyde to Rothesay "-Trinity Church Hall. 18. "Burns and Byron-a contrast "-Rev. J. M. Little. 1908.

Dec.

Jan. 15. "Robert Burns "-Mr W. Stevenson (Darlington).

25. Anniversary Dinner-Mr J. Jeffrey IIunter (Glasgow).

Feb. 3. Scottish Concert, Victoria Hall.

5. "James Boswell-Chief of Biographers "—Mr W. Ogilvie, S. Shields. 19. "Some Scottish Authors and their Works"-Mr R. C. Lyness.

Mar. 4.

Beauty Spots of South-West Scotland "-Trinity Church Hall.

18. "Scottish Wit and Humour "-Mr J. Mathieson.

April 1. Business Meeting (Consett).

May 6. Annual Meeting: Election of Officers.

Sept. 2. Business Meeting.

Never in our history have we had such an array of visitors who have entertained us with excellent papers, and to these gentlemen we express our thanks.

Our members have also given papers and lectures at Gateshead, Middlesbrough, and Bishop Auckland, a system of reciprocity which ought to be cultivated. A special feature this session was the introduction of questions and answers on matters historical, &c., one of which raised the debatable question of the birthplace of Robert the Bruce.

IN MEMORIAM.

We have to record the loss by death of our esteemed Past-President, Mr Robert Falconer, which took place at Falmouth on December 23rd, 1907.

He was a quiet unassuming conscientious man, who had always the welfare of the Club at heart, and was ever ready to give a helping hand where required. The sympathy of the members was conveyed to the sorrowing widow and family.

FEDERATION MEETING.

The event of the year has undoubtedly been the Annual Meeting of the Burns Federation, which was held here on Saturday, September 7th, 1907. A large number of delegates arrived on the Friday evening and were entertained at a Smoking Concert held in the Palatine Hotel.

On Saturday morning at 10.30 the delegates assembled in the Town Hall, where they were received by the Mayor (Coun. S. M. Swan). Ald. Burns briefly introduced the Mayor, who gave the delegates a hearty welcome to the town of Sunderland. David Murray, President of the Federation, made an eloquent reply. At the business meeting which followed, the Secretary's report showed that seven new clubs had joined the Federation, six of them hailed from the North of England, another evidence of the influence of the Sunderland Burns Club.

After luncheon the company drove to Marsden, via Cleadon and Harton, where an excellent tea was provided in the Grotto, the return journey being via Whitburn, reaching Sunderland shortly after six. This proved a most enjoyable part of the proceedings.

On Sunday evening the Rev. J. M. Little preached in Trinity Church a splendid and impressive sermon on the "The Religious Teaching of Robert Burns," at which a large number of delegates were present.

This brought to a termination the first meeting of the Federation held in England, and we trust that the effort put forth by our Club was such that it may induce them, should they receive the invitation from any other Club, to again invade English territory.

My report cannot close without some reference to the amount of work entailed upon me by reason of the Federation Meeting. I take it we are all banded for one common purpose. That being the root principle nothing more is needed, save a due appreciation of the services rendered to the Club by any

I am

member; even the Secretary is much more in evidence than he desires. deeply sensible of all the kind things that have been said and done for me, and I hope that we may go on firmly convinced that our purpose in life is to make the most of it as pleasantly and profitably as we can. I extend cordial greetings to every member of the Sunderland Burns Club.

M. NEILSON, Hon. Secretary.

GREENOCK BURNS CLUB.

Club Meetings are held in Club Room, 36 Nicholson Street, at 8 p.m.

The work of the Club, as outlined in last year's syllabus, was carried out satisfactorily. Lectures were delivered by Messrs John Gray Thomson, F.E.I.S., Paisley, and Hugh Mackintosh. Two very enjoyable ladies' nights were held, when the members and their lady friends were entertained by Mr Walter Weir, Glasgow, and Mr Ernest Brown, who introduced a Glasgow concert party. Very successful smoking concerts took place on St. Andrew's Night and on the occasion of the Rosebery Club visit. The 106th Annual Celebration was held in the Tontine Hotel. Sir John Ure Primrose, Bart., ex-Lord-Provost of the City of Glasgow, proposed the " Immortal Memory” in most suitable terms. In September the members and lady friends journeyed to Dumfries, where a most enjoyable day was spent.

On the 25th January the "Immortal Memory " will be proposed by the Hon. President, Sir Donald MacAlister, Principal of Glasgow University.

Jan. 8. Lecture, "Castles in the Air"- Rev. J. M'Kechnie.

Feb. 19. Ladies' Night. Glasgow Concert Party-Introduced by Mr Ernest

Brown.

Mar. 19. Lecture, "Victorian Stage-a Retrospect" (with Lantern Illustra

tions) Mr Victor Meyer.

April 28. Quarterly Meeting.

NATIONAL BURNS CLUB, LIMITED.

REPORT.

The Annual General Meeting was held in the Club Rooms, 93 Douglas Street, on Thursday, 5th December, 1907, when Mr J. Jeffrey Hunter, President, occupied the chair.

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In the course of his remarks Mr IIunter referred to the work the Club had accomplished during his tenure of office, and particularly with regard to the steps taken in connection with the scheme for the preservation of the "Auld Brig o' Ayr" and the proposed foundation of a Chair of "Scottish History and Literature" in Glasgow University.

On demitting office the Chairman proposed as his successor Mr Jame Ballantyne, who was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year, while Mr John Carmichael was elected Vice-President.

The Secretary and Treasurer (Mr Martin) submitted the Directors' Annual Report and Treasurer's Financial Statement, which were adopted.

The Club continues to make steady progress, having a membership of 230, while the Club premises are conveniently situated and handsomely furnished and equipped.

The Library contains over 400 volumes of well-selected books of reference, principally relating to Scottish life, literature, and history, and to this collection new books are being added periodically.

The following is a copy of the syllabus for 1908-9 :— 1908.

Oct. 8. Opening Supper.

22. Lecture by Rev. J. Forrest, M.A.

Life."

Subject-"Literature and

Nov. 5. Smoking Concert-arranged by the President.

19. Lecture by D. M'Naught, Esq., Kilmaurs, Editor of the Burns Chronicle. Subject—“ The Libel of The Merry Muse›,"

30. St. Andrew's Day Supper.

Dec. 17. Lecture by Rev. David Graham, St. Gilbert's, Pollokshields. Subject-" Burns and Scottish Theology."

1909.

Jan. 14. Smoking Concert-arranged by Mr John R. Brotchie.

28. Lecture by Rev. John Hunter, D.D., Trinity Church. Subject— "The Cult of Robert Burns."

Feb. 11. Smoking Concert-arranged by Mr George Fisher.

25. Lecture by Rev. John Glasse, D.D., Edinburgh.
"William Morris."

Mar. 11. Smoking Concert-arranged by Mr Alec Izat.

Subject

The Directors give a hearty invitation to all Burnsians to apply for membership of the Club, which affords many privileges both social and literary, and the annual subscription is moderate, being only £1 Is for town and 10s 6d for country members.