PROPOSED BURNS MEMORIAL AT

MAUCHLINE.

IN

N view of the approaching Centenary of the death of Burns, an endeavour is being made to celebrate the event by the erection of a Monument or Memorial at Mauchline. The matter has been taken up by the GlasgowMauchline Society (a Benevolent Society composed chiefly of natives of Mauchline in Glasgow); and a Provisional Committee has been formed to take the initial steps in the movement. The Committee has issued the following appeal to the public:

PROPOSED NATIONAL BURNS MEMORIAL AT MAUCHLINE. GLASGOW, July, 1895.

Of all the places made sacred by the genius of Robert Burns, in virtue of their association with the most important incidents of his life, Mauchline and Mossgiel are the most notable. Their landmarks of house and field, of river, bush, and road, have all been worked into his immortal pictures of Scottish life. Over a hundred of his poems were written there, among them "The Cottar's Saturday Night,” “Hallowe'en," "The Jolly Beggars,” “The Twa Dogs,” and “The Lass o' Ballochmyle." There are Monuments and Statues to him all over the world, but hitherto none has been erected in this-the very heart of the Burns country. other place can claim to be more closely identified with his life's work, and nowhere is it more fitting that there should be some suitable Memorial to his genius. Next year is the Centenary of his death, and encouraged by the frequency with which the desire for a Memorial has been expressed, the Committee of the Glasgow-Mauchline Society think the present a fitting occasion for something practical being done.

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After mature consideration, the form that has found most favonr is the erection of Cottage Homes, combined with a Tower, the lower portion of which would be suitable for holding relics of Burns, while the upper portion would be provided with a wide balcony, from which visitors could view the surrounding country. Burns taught us that "The best o'chiels are whiles in want," and the Committee believe that no memorial could be more in harmony with that spirit of humanity that breathes through the Poet's writings.

A site has been acquired very near Mossgiel Farm, at the point where "Upon a simmer Sunday morn, when Nature's face was fair," the Poet walked forth to gain material and inspiration for the " Holy Fair." From the proposed site visitors will be able to see, in the near distance, Mossgiel,

with still a portion of the "Auld clay biggin'," where "ben in the spence many of the poems were written; close at hand, the sward speckled with the successors of the "wee modest crimson-tipped flower," and a little to the right, the field where the "sleekit, cowering, timorous beastie" started "awa' wi' bickering brattle.' Immediately to the south lies the village of Mauchline, the scene of the "Holy Fair," the birthplace of Jean Armour, and the home of the Poet's friend, Gavin Hamilton. The position is a singularly commanding one, and from the top of the Tower should be seen, far to the north, Ben Lomond; on the east "the rising sun o'er Galston muirs ; the Cumnock hills to the south; and to the west, "auld Colia's plains and fells," the heads of Ayr and Goatfell.

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It is proposed to give the use of the Homes only to persons who have been respectable and deserving, for example—an aged couple, a workman in ill health, a ploughman or a cottar; to people who are not quite destitute, but to whom, when misfortune comes, or "when banes are crazed and bluid' is thin," it would be of some moment to live rent free. There would be accommodation for six tenants. The Society, which is a permanent one, will make arrangements for the care of the Tower and buildings, and the selection of suitable occupants.

The desire of the Committee is to give the use of the Cottages rent free,. with, if possible, a small endowment. The sum aimed at is from £2000 to £3000. This is exclusive of the cost of any statue of Burns; but it is proposed to ask the ploughmen and cottars of Scotland, "wha drudge and drive through wet and dry wi' never ceasing toil," to contribute, by small subscriptions, a bust of Burns, and a niche for it will be left in the Tower.

The following noblemen and gentlemen have already agreed to act as Honorary Patrons :—

:

His Grace the Duke of Portland.

The Most Noble the Marquis of Bute.

The Earl of Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand.

Hon. Thos. Cochrane, M.P., 12 Queen's Gate, London.

Major-General Sir Claud Alexander, Bart., of Ballochmyle, Hon. President.

of the Society.

Sir Wm. Arrol, M.P., Seafield, Ayr.

Sir John Neilson Cuthbertson, Blythswood Square, Glasgow.

J. G. A. Baird, Esq., M.P., of Muirkirk.

G. A. L. Whitelaw, Esq., ex-M. P., Colzium, Kilsyth.

Eugene Wason, Esq., ex-M. P., Blair, Girvan.

H. J. Tennant, Esq., M.P., The Glen, Peeblesshire.

Rev. Donald Macleod, D.D., Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

James Somervell, Esq., of Sorn, Sorn Castle, Mauchline.

W. K. Hamilton Campbell, Esq., of Netherplace, Mauchline.

Chas. Howatson, Esq., of Glenbuck, &c.

Jas. Baird Thorneycroft, Esq., of Hillhouse, Netherplace, Mauchline.
Marcus Bain, Esq., C. C. and J.P., Mauchline.

Hugh Alexander, Esq., Manufacturer, Eastfield, Rutherglen.
Deacon-Convener James M'Lennan, Glasgow.

Judge Morrin, J.P., Glasgow.

Major John Cassels, Pollokshields, President of the Glasgow-Ayrshire Society.

Rev. Thos. Somerville, Blackfriars, Glasgow.

Rev. S. R. Crockett, Author of "The Raiders," &c.

William Wallace, Esq., Glasgow Herald, Author of "Scotland Yesterday." D. M'Naught, Esq., J.P., Kilmaurs, Editor of "Burns Chronicle."

D. Sneddon, Esq., Kilmarnock, Secretary of Burns Federation.

Provost Mackay, Kilmarnock.

Peter Sturrock, Esq., ex-M. P., London Road, Kilmarnock, President of Burns Federation.

Bailie John Baird, Kilmarnock.

Rev. R. Logan, Moffat, Honorary President Abington Burns Club.
James Paterson, Esq., Manchester.

Provost Kirkwood, Govan.

Bailie John Marr, Govan.

Hamilton Marr, Esq., Govan.

Bailie G. A. Ramsay, Greenock.

Dr. Sloan, Catrine.

William Smith, Esq., Manufacturer, Mauchline.

Rev. Joseph Mitchell, The Manse, Mauchline.

Rev. Wilson Baird, U.P. Manse, Mauchline.

Rev. Wm. Binnie, Free Church Manse, Mauchline.

Col. John M. Denny, M.P., Shipbuilder, Dumbarton.

J. Lawrie Coulson, Esq., Failford, Tarbolton.

A complete List of the Patrons and Subscriptions will be published as the scheme progresses.

Cheques and Drafts may be marked "Burns Memorial Fund," and sent either to Mr. William M'Millan, Commercial Bank, Mauchline, or to Mr. Thomas Killin, 168 West George Street, Glasgow, who will act as Honorary Treasurers.

In name of the Committee of the Glasgow-Mauchline Society,

THOMAS KILLIN, President,

168 West George Street, Glasgow.

J. LEIPER GEMMILL, Vice-President,

162 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

W. S. M'MILLAN, Secretary,

153 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

The scheme has been favourably received by a considerable number of the Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies both at home and abroad, and subscriptions amounting to about £800 have already been promised.

In aid of this scheme an Open-air Concert, by a chorus composed of over 200 voices drawn from Catrine and Mauchline, was given within the classic grounds of Ballochmyle, kindly granted by Major-General Sir Claud Alexander, Bart. The Concert was a great success, and the Committee of the

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Catrine Choral Union, under whose auspices it was inaugurated, are considering the practicability of making it an annual one.

The Rosebery Burns Club have also made arrangements for a Lecture in Glasgow, on "Sir Walter Scott," by George G. Napier, Esq., M.A., in aid of the proposed Memorial.

The Committee had hoped to have the buildings completed and ready for a grand opening ceremony on the 21st of July next, but the time at their disposal has been found to be too short to admit of this. They hope, however, to arrange for the laying of the foundation-stone on the Centenary day. W. S. M'MILLAN, Hon. Secy.

GLASGOW, 15th October, 1895.

LETTER FROM BURNS'S GRAND-DAUGHTER,
MRS B. W. HUTCHINSON.

MY DEAR SIR,-I wish you to get this letter on the oth-St. Andrew's Day—as you may be at some of the public dinners, where they are sure to speak about Burns, and how the Centenary of his death in 1896 ought to be celebrated. I enclose you a cutting rom the Celtenham Examiner, of October 30th, giving an account of the Allan Home in Glasgow. Is it not possible to build houses and give rooms to old couples and aged widows and widowers as is proposed to lx done at Mauchline? Give the married people two rooms, and let them have five and coals, and so much weekly to live upon. They could bring their own finiture to make their rooms home-like, and they could do their own cook g. Single men and women might have one room each. There aigh. Iso be a nice public room for reading, and little meetings and entertainie nis given by the ladies and gentlemen resident in the neighbourhood. Why ti row away more money on statues and memorials to Burns's memory? Already £50,000 has been expended in that way, and nobody ha benefited but artists and sculptors. Burns's warm-hearted sympathy word go with work like this. They could, in this way, give the old s 1 Blackhall shelter to the end of his life; and other old Scotch people would enjoy such a home, where they could think and talk of Burns their true friend and benefactor. The Glasgow Corporation 1 take this up, in preference to a shilling subscription for another memone usual sort. The money would be easy to raise for such a purpose. Before he 25th of January comes round, I would deem it a great favour if you won'a ventilate my proposal in the Burns Chronicle, and enlist the stay of the Burns Federation. You might make a beginning yourself, Mr. M'Nought, and I hope you may be successful.

I am full of the idea, and can write no mor regards, believe me, yours sincerely,

Mr. D. M'Naught, Kılmaurs.

Berkeley Street, Cheltenham, Nov. 29th, 1895.

day. With kind S. HUTCHINSON.

THE AUTHENTIC PORTRAITS OF

BURNS.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

WE

E offer no apology for once more reverting to the authentic portraits of Burns.

Through the kindness of Mr. Thomas Ferguson, Kilmarnock, a distinguished amateur photographer, we have before us an excellent set of the above portraits. Mr. Colin Rae Brown has also sent us a copy of the " Nasmyth" in the National Portrait Gallery, London. We have, in addition, an impression of the replica at Auchendrain, near Ayr, taken by a professional photographer about a dozen years. ago, by special permission of Miss Cathcart. We also give a portrait of Jean Armour from a well-known engraving. Had time permitted we would have reproduced the portrait of her in the possession of Mr. George Gray, which is referred to at p. 46, and which may be presented to the readers of the Chronicle on a future occasion.