CONTENTS. To Mr John Gribbel-W. Munro... ... The Burnsian Welcome-T. C. F. Brotchie Elegy on Stella-Davidson Cook ... Two Artists of the People-Albert Douglas ... Removal of the Highland Mary Memorial Highland Mary Memorial at Failford At Mary's Shrine-Chas. L. Brodie ... PREFACE. THE phenomenal demand for the Chronicie last yearthe whole issue was sold out within eight days after publication-occasioned much disappointment amongst the Clubs whose orders had been inadvertently delayed. The national shortage of paper restricted the issue to the average of the war period, but arrangements have now been made to cope with the ever-increasing demand. The chronicling of current events has demanded so much space in the current issue that several articles of merit have been unavoidably held over. Owing to the serious illness of Mr Albert Douglas, the compiler of the general Index to the Chronicle, its publication has been delayed, but it is expected that it will be ready for delivery early in February. The Editor's thanks are again due to all who have assisted him in preparing this year's volume. BENRIG, KILMAURS, January 1st, 1921. D. M'NAUGHT. VISIT OF MR JOHN GRIBBEL TO. SCOTLAND. HE great debt which Scotland owes to Mr John 66 restored the Glenriddel MSS. of Robert Burns to the Nation after they had been unwarrantably disposed of by the Directors of Liverpool Athenæum, can never be adequately discharged; but the Burns Federation embraced the opportunity of a visit of Mr Gribbel to the land of the mountain and flood," to mark its heartfelt appreciation of his generous action and his munificent gift. On Tuesday, 27th July of this year, the Federation entertained Mr Gribbel at dinner in the Grand Hotel, Glasgow, and presented him with a splendid album containing an illuminated address and drawings in oils, water colours, and black-and-white by no fewer than 36 famous Scottish artists. Under the guidance of the Office-bearers of the Federation, Mr Gribbel made a tour in the land of Burns, visiting Ayr, Alloway, and Kirkoswald on Thursday, and Kilmarnock, Mauchline, and Tarbolton on Friday. Mr Gribbel has been greatly delighted with his visit to Scotland and with the hearty reception accorded him everywhere by the admirers of the National Poet. THE DINNER AND PRESENTATION. The dinner and presentation passed off with the utmost success, the company being large and representative, and the proceedings being characterised by intense enthusiasm. Mr Duncan M'Naught, J.P., Kilmaurs, President of the Federation, occupied the chair, supported on the right by the guest of the evening, Mr Gribbel; Sir Robert Cranstoun, Edinburgh; Sir D. M. Stevenson, Glasgow ; Mr Hugh McColl, Glasgow; Ex-Bailie Munro, Kilmarnock ; Mr Alexander Pollock, Mr T. Maxwell, Mr J. Connell, Glasgow; and Mr Thomas Amos, M.A., Hon. Secretary of the Federation; and on the left by ex-Provost Mathew Smith, Kilmarnock ; Mr A. Brownlie Docharty, artist; ex-Provost Wilson, Govan; Mr T. C. F. Brotchie, curator of the Art Galleries, Glasgow; Mr Philip Sulley, Edinburgh; and Mr George A. Innes, M.B.E., Hon. Treasurer of the Federation. The Croupiers were Mr Charles R. Cowie, Partick; Mr Tom Hunt, Artist; Mr Thomas Killin, Glasgow Mauchline Society; and Mr J. C. Ewing, Baillie's Institution, Glasgow; and amongst others present were Mr David Yuille, Mr Adam Mackay, and Mr J. P. Dickson, Kilmarnock; Mr J. Leiper Gemmill, Mr Alexander Mackenzie, Mr John Carmichael, ex-Bailie Douglas, and Captain Douglas, Glasgow ; Mr Peter Paterson, Dunfermline; Mr James Thomson, London; Mr W. H. Turner and Mr A. W. Semple, Sunderland, &c. The company numbered about 150. During the service of the dinner, which was admirably purveyed, several Scottish selections were skilfully played on the pianoforte. The Chairman, in a few opening remarks, said— He had to congratulate the Executive of the Federation and the Federation itself on the grand turnout that night in order to do honour to Mr Gribbel. It was a very awkward season of the year for a meeting of that kind, and he knew that some of them must have exercised a considerable amount of self-denial in order to be there, but he hoped that they would not consider their time misspent. The next remark he would make was on the unusual brevity of the toast list. The Executive thought that it would be better to have very few formal toasts, and leave the remainder to take care of themselves. If any gentleman felt inspired to say anything afterwards they would be very glad to afford him an opportunity. The last remark he had to make was that the speeches were to be brief. (Laughter.) Of course from that they excepted their honoured guest, Mr Gribbel, who would have carte blanche in that respect. The Chairman then were heartily honoured. President of America, proposed the loyal toasts, which He also proposed a toast to the "that wise, far-seeing man, Mr re Woodrow Wilson." (Applause.) The company sponded to the toast by singing " He's a jolly good fellow." 66 Mr Cowie, in proposing The Imperial Forces," and referring to the part that America had taken in the war, said That the poems and songs of Burns had done more than anything else to cement America and this country together. They all knew how enthusiastic the Americans were over Burns. His songs resounded throughout the land, and it was believed that these would have an ever-increasing influence in binding the two countries more closely together. 66 Sir Robert Cranstoun replied to the toast, and after referring to Mr Gribbel as our most worthy and most welcome guest," he spoke of the camaraderie that existed amongst the fighting forces during the war, their one idea being their God, their King, and their country." They had fought for the love of God, the honour of the King, and the welfare of the people. 66 66 The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, Our Guest, Mr Gribbel," said That a long-looked-for occasion had come at last. He was not going to inflict upon them the story of the Glenriddel Manuscripts. The facts were as well known to them as to himself. Suffice it to say, that whenever the alarm was sounded in this country every Burnsian sprang to his feet, and they all did what they could to prevent the manuscripts from going across the Atlantic, but without success. When the Manuscripts came into the hands of Mr Gribbel it was not for the purpose of adding to his own collection. He sent them back to Scotland as a gift to the Nation---(applause) --not in any ostentatious spirit, because that was contrary to his nature--not to ingratiate himself with Burnsians over the Empire, but from a sheer sense of duty. (Applause.) The outstanding characteristic of Mr Gribbel was an abounding love of Scotland and everything Scottish. At an early date he (the Chairman) had suspected that there was a strong strain of Scottish blood in Mr Gribbel. He had turned up all the authorities he could think of -all the place-names and surnames in Scotland, but with very little effect. He was on the wrong trail. The name was not Gribb-el" but Gri-bbel," and Bell was a common name in Scotland. It was a well-known name in Glasgow. Not long 66 |