CLUB NOTES. [COMMUNICATED.] "SUNDERLAND" BURNS CLUB REPORT. Mr. M. NEILSON, an Ayrshire man and the enthusiastic secretary, forwards the following report :-"The annual meeting of 1899 was largely attended, and altogether a most important meeting. Several alterations of Rules were considered and adopted. The principal alterations were:-To have a recess during June, July, and August; also the appointment of trustees to invest the funds of the Club. Your present officers were elected by ballot, according to rule, and no more harmonious body of men ever met to discuss and arrange the affairs of any Club. "Our Annual Dinner took place on the 25th of January, and was a great success, the number present being larger than on any former occasion, while the speeches were excellent. Our Hon. President (Ald. Burns, J.P.), owing to a family bereavement, was not in his accustomed place. Our retiring President (Robert Falconer, Esq.) made an excellent chairman, discharging the duties with that tact and good grace which are peculiarly his own. Our Hon. Vice-President (William Allan, M.P.) was the guest of the evening, giving the toast of 'The Immortal Memory.' "Few will forget the sympathy, tenderness, and beauty of thought expressed by Mr. Allan; the poem composed for the occasion, and delivered for the first time at our dinner, will ever remind us of that pleasantest of times when 'Gently scan your brither man was the test which preceded "THE DAY THAT YE WERE BORN.' "Ah! Robin, little did ye ken That owre the warl' your countrymen "The warl' was dark until ye came! The day that ye were born. "O! had ye seen the muses train The day that ye were born. "Our Annual Scottish Concert was given under the auspices of the Club in the Victoria Hall on the 1st of February. "The Conversazione was again held in Mr. Wetherell's Rooms, on Wednesday, March 21st, 1900. Councillor Biggam and Mr. W. H. Turner acted as M.C.'s, Mr. Fred Wood's band supplying the music; while Mrs. Potts had charge of the refreshment room. "The Picnic took place on the 17th of July to Lambton Park, permission being granted to visit the Castle and Grounds by Lord Durham. The day was exceedingly fine, and the drive thither was enjoyed by all. Tea was served in the Station Hotel, Fencehouses, after which Alderman Burns, J.P., spoke of the pleasant afternoon spent within the grounds of Lambton Park, of the kindness and courtesy received at the hands of Messrs. Hunter, and expressed the hope that on the next visit to Lambton a whole-day trip would be arranged, and that the tea would be served on the lawn in picnic fashion. "The Chronicle is a publication which I recommend to every member. There is nothing in the market which is so thoroughly up-todate in all the phases of Burns's life and works. True, we sold all we got this year; but, out of a membership of eighty, surely forty could promise support. Your Committee commend this yearly book to your consideration. "The question of membership has taken up the attention of your Committee, with the result that, after due consideration, they decided to strike off all members who were two years in arrears. During the year we have added fourteen new members, and it is very gratifying to report that, with one exception, they have all paid their subscription. We have also to record several removals during the year, so that at the present time we have eighty members on our roll." 19 April 2 Annual Dinner, Palatine Hotel. "Burns: the Secret of his Power," "Burns as a Religious Reformer," Mr. M. M'Lennan Mr. W. Ogilvie Mr. J. F. Crooks "Scotland's share in industrial development," Mr. H. MacColl May 7 Business Meetings. Sept. 2 Meetings held in Palatine Hotel at 8 p.m. EDINBURGH "NINETY" BURNS CLUB REPORT. Mr. Lawson Johnstone, hon. secretary, reports in the Year-Book as follows: In sending out the third issue of the Year-Book, the Editor has pleasure in stating that the prosperity of the Club continues unabated. The work of a successful year has tended to strengthen its position and increase its influence among Burns societies. The membership remains most satisfactory. During the session 2 life members and 45 ordinary members have been admitted, and after deleting the names of those who have resigned, &c., there are now on the roll I honorary members, 6 life members, and 165 ordinary members. This year, on account of the lamented death of Queen Victoria, there was no Anniversary Dinner. All the arrangements had been made to celebrate the 25th with the customary ceremony; but in accordance with the national mourning for Her Majesty, it was at once decided to abandon the function. At the same time the Burns Anniversary of 1901 was not allowed to pass altogether unmarked. In response to an appeal from the Committee, the members subscribed a sum of over £20 to the National Burns Collection in aid of the widows and orphans of our Scottish soldiers. The other meetings of the session were held as usual, and were much appreciated by those present. The Annual Excursion, which took place on Victoria Day to Kinross and Loch Leven, was particularly enjoyable. A pleasant feature of the year has been the marked development of friendly relationship between the various Burns Clubs of the metropolitan district. This was largely due to their association together in the organisation of a great National Anniversary Collection for the War Fund. The arrangements were carried through by a Joint-Committee representing all the Clubs; and although the calamity of the Queen's death prevented them from reaping the full reward of their labours, they were enabled to hand over nearly £250 to the Scotsman Shilling Fund. The good feeling thus promoted was exemplified by the success of the Club's Reception in March, when the representatives of eleven kindred Clubs honoured the "Ninety" by accepting an invitation to meet the members. The proceedings throughout were of a most hearty and agreeable character. The Treasurer reports that a substantial sum has been added to the balance at the credit of the Club. By the election of Mr. John Irving, whose portrait we give, the Club secures as its new President one who has a close connection with Burns's family. He is a grand-nephew of "Bonnie Jean,” the wife of the Poet. Mr. Clues, after eight years' faithful service as Hon. Secretary, becomes Vice-President. Perhaps the chief event of the past session was the completion, under the auspices of the Club, of the Memorial Stone to Jean Lorimer (Burns's "Lassie wi' the lint white locks") in Preston Street graveyard. By the erection of this monument the Club has accomplished the first part of the task to which it is committed-viz., to mark in an adequate manner the graves of the two best known of the Poet's heroines. In carrying out that purpose the Committee have to acknowledge with gratitude the kind assistance of several kindred societies and of many admirers of Burns. The stone-a beautiful Celtic Cross in grey granite, appropriately ornamented and inscribed-is an excellent specimen of the sculptor's art, and reflects the utmost credit on Messrs. Stewart M'Glashen & Son, who executed it. It was formally unveiled on the afternoon of Saturday, 25th May, in the presence of a numerous company of members and subscribers, by the Rev. George Murray, B.D., of Sauchie, the Chaplain of the Club. The event evoked considerable interest in Burns circles, both in this country and America; and the memorial has since been visited by large crowds, by whom it has been much admired. A full account of the unveiling ceremony, with an illustration of the Cross, will appear in the forthcoming issue of the Burns Chronicle, to be published early in January. As soon as practicable, it is intended to proceed with the second part of the scheme-the restoration of "Clarinda's" tomb in Canongate Churchyard. Additional funds are urgently required for this purpose, and contributions will be gratefully received by Mr. Peter Smellie, 69 Henderson Row, the Hon. Treasurer. Members are reminded that the Annual Subscription (2/6) is payable not later than the 25th of January each year. It will much facilitate the work of the Club if all Subscriptions are paid to the Treasurer on or before that date. The limit of Membership is 180, and there are now only a few v acanci on the roll. Any gentleman desiring to join should communicate at on ce with the Secretary. A Club Badge may be had in silver (price 5/) from Messrs. Tho mas Smith & Sons, 47 George Street. In conclusion, it may be permitted to draw attention to the ad vertisements in these pages. It is only by the assistance of the Advertisers ( most of whom are members of the Club), that the production of this Year- Book is rendered possible. "CO-OPERATIVE" BURNS CLUB. SYLLABUS, 1901-1902. The following meetings (25th January and 26th April excepted) will be held in Room No. 10, M'Culloch's Restaurant, Croy Place, 9 Maxwell Street, and 109 Argyle Street, Glasgow, commencing at the hour named prompt : : Saturday, 2nd November, 1901, at 8 p.m. CONVERSAZIONE. Paper by Mr. Thomas Miller, Glasgow. Subject-"Scotland's Bards." Saturday, 7th December, 1901, at 8 p.m. CONVERSAZIONE. Paper by Mr. George Murray Kaye, Glasgow. Subject-"Labour in Literature." Saturday, 4th January, 1902, at 8 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING. Appointment of Auditors, &c., followed by a Musical Evening. Arrangements by Mr. William Galbraith, Govan. 8p Saturday, 25th January, 1902, in the Union Tea Rooms, West Nile Street, Glasgow. BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY. Councillor J. Jeffrey Hunter, President of the Club, will propose "The Immortal Memory of the Bard." Special announcement will be sent to all members of this Meeting. Saturday, 1st February, 1902, at 8 p.m. CONVERSAZIONE. Paper by Mr. Alexander Gilchrist, Glasgow. Subject-"Rev. Patrick Brewster, Chartist and Christian Socialist." Saturday, 1st March, 1902, at 8 p.m. CONVERSAZIONE. Paper by Mr. Malcolm Neil, Kilbarchan. Subject "Reminiscences of an Old Radical." Original Reading by Mr. Archd. Norval, Glasgow. Saturday, 5th April, 1902, at 8 p.m. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. Election of Office-bearers, &c., followed by a Conversazione. Paper by Mr. John Dewar, Cathcart. Subject-" The Comical Side of Co-operation." Saturday, 26th April, 1902. SPECIAL CONVERSAZIONE. Lecture by a Corporation Official, illustrated with Lantern Views. Subject, Lecturer, Place, and Time of Meeting will be announced prior to date. Saturday, 3rd May, 1902, at 8 p.m. CONVERSAZIONE. Paper by Mr. James Deans, Kilmarnock. Subject "Burns as seen in his Correspondence." |