66

with sheep dip

of a nondescript colour. The result conveys

the idea of an amount of dirt and filth sufficient to give a book-lover

66

66

the creeps." We confess to a great curiosity regarding the identity of the uncut copy " which served as model for the curious production. We know them all, yet we don't know this one. Apart from paper and binding, the production fails as miserably. The title-page is more than half an inch too long, with a corresponding overplus in breadth, and the notes in small type all through the book are blurred and barely readable. When the blocks went so very far wrong, the publishers should have applied to Messrs Brown for a tip or two. The title-page and the capital letters have evidently proved too much for their blockmaker; in fact, the whole performance is not worth a fraction of the twelve-and-sixpence asked for it. we say again we would like to see the model from which it professes to have been taken. For the prevention of forgery, the Messrs Brown put private marks on their fac-simile, which, marvellous to relate, are faithfully reproduced in this Edinburgh one. This is surely a curious coincidence, requiring some explanation. That, however, is the business of Messrs Brown, who may not consider it worth their while. In the circumstances, we have prevailed upon the Kilmarnock publishers to dispose of the few remaining conies at the original price of half-a-guinea. We are therefore enabled

to announce that a few copies of

The Kilmarnock Fac-simile of the First Edition

But

WILL BE SUPPLIED TO

Burns Clubs and Members of the Burns Federation,

AT THE

Original Price-10s 6d.

All desirous of securing a copy will please make early application.

N.B. The blocks were destroyed shortly after the issue was completed.

CLUB NOTES.

[COMMUNICATED.]

THE LONDON ROBERT BURNS CLUB

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

Vice-President, Past-Presidents, and Members all,-Since you did me the honour of electing me to be your President, another year has rolled-and I am not quite sure what it has rolled, but certainly it has enrolled a good many new members to our Club, all good men and true, yet withal not so many as was anticipated, nor quite so many as we wished for.

FINANCIAL POSITION GOOD.

As you have just heard confirmed by our Hon. Auditors, our financial position is good, thanks to the careful work of our Officers. Last year we were able to place £25 to the Emergency Fund, and this year a further £15, making the total £120 in the four years, which is not unsatisfactory, and we hope the whole matter may soon be relegated to past history. The chief regret is that it sadly hampers our charitable subscriptions, and with the approaching visit of the Burns Federation to London, we may hope this legacy may be made a back number quickly.

NEARING OUR JUBILEE.

In these days approaching our jubilee, with us, as with all Metropolitan Clubs, there are great fluctuations in membership roll. Considering the number of societies and associations-county, national, and indiscriminate that are continually springing up in London, not only central, but suburban and local, we may think ourselves fortunate in maintaining our numbers, and I am glad to report that our newcomers just balance the departures.

A SAD OBITUARY.

We

Death, unfortunately, has not passed us during the year. have to mourn the passing of the Father of the Club, Andrew Gifford Soutter, who for forty-two years was one of our strongest supporters and a much-loved friend to many of our members. Another loss is Mr James Fowler, who throughout a long illness repeatedly wrote

wishing the Club all prosperity. The sudden demise of Mr J. Mathew, who had just been elected, gave a great shock to his many friends.

NOT PLEASURE ONLY.

May I take this opportunity of pointing out that the Club's utility is not confined entirely to social pleasure. Members are always willing to be of help in the cause of charity.

LONDON NEXT YEAR.

All

We,

Members must bear in mind that the Conference of the Federation Delegates will take place in London next year. honour must be paid the Immortal Bard in the Metropolis. as the representative and only Federated Burns Club in London, must support the President and Committee, and entertain the representatives from all parts of the world in a manner worthy of our Club and our patron-prophet Bard.

FINALLY: THANKS.

Our success is, of course, due to our Hon. Secretary, our Stewards, M.C.'s, and last, though not least, our Hon. Pipers Pipe-Major Reith, G. Shand, and J. Cowie; and I take this opportunity of tendering them my thanks for the uniform kindness I have received, and the hearty manner in which they have each and all carried out their various duties. I would also thank the members of the committee for the courtesy extended to my wife and self during the year, and especially for the patience with which you have endured the rambling rhapsody which I have been obliged to inflict on you this evening. It is part and parcel of what we are all striving for, viz., the success of the Robert Burns Club.

OPENING MEETING OF THE FORTY-SIXTH SEASON.

The committee have much pleasure in announcing that the new season will be inagurated by a Social Gathering, to be holden at Furnival Hall, on Thursday evening, the 2nd of October, 1913, assembling at 7.30 o'clock. Gentlemen in every-day clothes, and Ladies "Demi-Toilet."

A Short Lecture upon Scottish, Country, Highland, and Folklore Dancing will be given, and some reels and strathspeys will be included in the evening programme-our Honorary Pipers furnishing the music-and the Stewards will complete arrangements for the series of six following Scottish dances.

Admission free to members and to their friends (ladies and gentlemen personally introduced). Light refreshments may also

be obtained, at the usual tariff charges, in the public room of the Restaurant-open till nine o'clock.

The chief object this year is to strengthen the Club Roll, and give the Delegates to the Federation Conference-on the third Saturday in September, 1914-the greatest reception they have ever had. From many definite promises proffered at Galashiels, the attendance from all parts of the world is likely to be a record one, and we want as many members as there are delegates.

JAMES THOMSON, Hon. Secretary,

and Federation Representative for the City of London.

To the Editor of the "Burns Chronicle."

DEAR SIR,

29TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE DELEGATES TO THE BURNS FEDERATION, SEPTEMBER, 1914.

The meeting for 1914 having been fixed to be held in London, on behalf of the President, Vice-president, and Committee, as well as of all the Members of No. 1 Club, I ask you to publish a hearty invitation for each and all the Federated Clubs and Associations to send a full complement of representatives to the Metropolis in September-for Friday, the 18th, and Saturday, the 19th insts. More especially do we ask you to do so in order that the many Clubs furth of the United Kingdom may have ample notice. Many Burnsians visit the auld country about that date, and, by knowing exactly when the Federation is to meet, can make arrangements to be in London at the right time.

All roads and sea routes lead to the Capital of the Empire. Everyone wants to visit there, and, by thus having a great inducement to be there at this particular date, surely everyone of the 230 Clubs can manage to be represented at the Burns Meeting.

As the Chronicle is bought and read by many Burnsians who are not members of a Federated Club or Association, this invitation may stimulate them either to join or form a local Club and become affiliated to the Federation.

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The advantage of a strong Federation was never more powerfully felt than at the present time, when the unholy and immoral sale " of the Glenriddel MSS. is in question, and those Clubs who have not yet seen their way to join this excellent association may now be convinced that the Federation is proving the best possible means of keeping hold of the rising generations, stimulating the admirers of the immortal Bard to common action, and encouraging the young to study and understand the Poet's teaching.

With further regard to the Conference of September next, if

the Secretaries of the United Kingdom Clubs will give as early intimation as possible-not later than the end of April-we shall try to arrange with the Railway Companies for special fares or the extension of week-end tickets from various centres, so that a full Friday and Saturday programme may be enjoyed.

There is nothing more delightful than meeting with Burnsians at the Federation gatherings. Formality of personal introduction is unnecessary, and many lasting friendships have been "southert on these occasions.

The suggestion that the delegates should have a buttonhole badge is a good one, especially for London, and the idea is having consideration.

If any Club has suggestions to offer for the London Meeting, the London Club will endeavour to give them effect, provided they are approved by the Executive. But the chief thing is for every Club to send up delegates-"the mair the merrier."—Yours faithfully, JAMES THOMSON, Hon. Secy.

SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB

REPORT.

In presenting the sixteenth Annual Report of our Club we have the usual hackneyed and somewhat stereotyped phase of the question to face -Have we prospered ? : Are we justifying our existence ? We can answer this quite frankly; we have held our ground, indeed we have added to our numbers, and all this means progress. The most important matter during the year has been the raising of a Memorial to the Founders of the Federation in the shape of a Chain of Office for the President.

In this, as in all other matters of the Federation we have taken an honourable part. Long may we continue to take an active part in any scheme having for its object a dignifying and ennobling purpose. True, it may only be trappings, but there is an eternal fitness in all things, and we feel the President of the Federation ought to be fittingly adorned for his important office.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The Annual General Meeting of last year was well attended, the members manifesting a keen interest in the working of the Club. The various reports submitted were well received. The principal item of business was a proposal to make a grant from the