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Dr Wallace's edition of Chambers, vol. III., p. 96. I give only the relevant part of the passage, which is as follows:-" O for a withering curse to blast the germins of their machinations." The word in italics has been transformed into "Germans" in the newspapers' quotations referred to. The Poet was at the time fulminating against the enemies of Dr M'Gill, of Ayr (1789), and used the word as a synonym for "germs "—germinators or originators of the prosecution of that clergyman. If one tithe of the alleged atrocities perpetrated in the present war are true we have ample cause for deepest indignation and resentment; still we must be just to Burns and the Germans of his era.-I am, etc.,

-From Glasgow Herald.

D. M'NAUGHT.

JOHN BURNESS ("THRUMMY CAP ").

The following editions of " Thrummy Cap" have come under my notice during the year, and are therefore inserted here as a continuation of the subject, and for bibliographical reference. I shall be glad to have any additions to the list, which is very far from being complete.

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C. 1865. Thrummy Cap and the Ghaist: A Tale in the broad Scottish Dialect. By John Burness, author of The Northern Laird and his Tenant," Yule," &c. Quotation from "The Lamb." 8vo., 61 x 45, 16 pp., n.d. (Aberdeen Printed by James Daniel & Son, 46 and 48 Castle Street.) Copy in the possession of Mr James Fowler, Kellas, Johnstone, Aberdeen, a notable Aberdeen bibliographer and collector of Scottish and general literature.

By

C. 1900. A Legend of the Castle of Fiddes: Thrummy Cap. John Burness. (Aberdeen : Lewis Smith & Son.) 8vo., 16 pp., n.d. At the back of title page there is a sketch of the author. Tale after, with a quotation from "The Lamb Leader." Copy in the possession of Robert Johnston Robertson, Aberdeen. ROBERT MURDOCH-LAWRANCE.

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A CONTEMPORARY OF BURNS.

Searching recently among our local newspaper files I alighted on the appended paragraph in the Aberdeen Daily Free Press, 26th November, 1880. It would be interesting to general readers if

some of the able contributors to this useful annual would kindly furnish the date and place of Mrs Cunningham's death and burial, as also details of her family and relatives. Such facts, I feel sure, would be greatly appreciated.

"A living contemporary of Burns-probably the only surviving person who ever saw the Poet in the flesh-is presently to be found in the person of Mrs Cunningham, a centenarian, residing at a spot called Mallet Scheuch, adjoining Newton-Mearns, some eight miles south of Glasgow. She is in her 102nd year, her baptism having been registered at Adam Croft on the 24th October, 1778. Her father occupied a neighbouring farm when Burns and his brother Gilbert farmed Mossgiel, and she repeatedly saw and heard the Poet crackin' jokes with her elder sister, for whom he had a passing fancy. The statement receives probability from the fact that the same elder sister was in a 'schooin schule' (sewing school) along with Jean Armour, afterwards destined to be the Poet's wife. To this day, the good old woman canna understan' what the folks mak' sic a wark about Burns for-a louse, thriftless fallow, and fond o' the dram.' Mrs Cunningham is still hale in mind and voice.”

*

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The old lady's statement that Burns was thriftless and fond of strong drink is, in the writer's opinion, far-fetched, considering the period, when very hard drinking was indulged in, and the order of the day, by peer and peasant, should not and cannot be, literally accepted by those who have studied him in all the romantic phases of his brief career on earth-in fact, it is questionable if the said old lady ever saw him in his " cups." It has been well said that of him, as of other geniuses whom the world has delighted to honour, "Whom the Gods love die young."

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ROBERT MURDOCH-LAWRANCE.

Cairnchina," 23 Ashley Road, Aberdeen,

12th October, 1914.

*See Annual Burns Chronicle, 1914, p. 93.

REV. JOHN CUMMING AND BURNS.

his

Mr John Cranna, Harbour Treasurer, Fraserburgh, in excellent parish history entitled Fraserburgh Past and Present, published at the Rosemount Press, Aberdeen, 1914, at page 121 has the following passage : "When Mr Cumming was a boy he chanced one time to be living with relations in Ayrshire, and while roaming the country he met the Poet. Burns had just crossed a stream and was carrying under his arm his' hose and shoon when Mr Cumming passed him. The intellectual face, and especially

the brilliancy of the Poet's eyes, were so striking that Mr Cumming could never forget them. This meeting with the Poet the minister often related with great pride to parties gathered at the Manse." Mr Cranna further states that Mr Cumming was descended from a well-known Kilmarnock family, his father, grandfather, and some other progenitors having been provosts of that town for many years. A handsome obelisk stands in the minister's ground at Fraserburgh

to his memory. It has the following inscription : "In memory

of the Reverend John Cumming, for 42 years Minister of Fraserburgh, who died 26th January, 1857. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.'” It may be mentioned that Mr Cumming died at Cove, Roseneath, in the 85th year of his age and 42nd of his ministry. ROBERT MURDOCH-LAWRANCE.

"Cairnchina," 23 Ashley Road, Aberdeen.

DANISH SYMPATHY WITH BRITAIN.

A letter has been received by Mr D. M'Naught, President of the Burns Federation, from Mr Tonny Daa, Copenhagen. The writer is connected with the Public Library in Copenhagen, is at present a student of the University there, and like his friend, Jeppe Aakjär, the Danish lyrical poet, is a great admirer of Robert Burns. Mr Daa visited Scotland last year, his headquarters when exploring the Burns country being Kilmarnock.

In the course of his letter, which passed the censor and Press Bureau, Mr Daa states :- "We are not allowed publicly to show our sympathies, though it is impossible to rub out public opinion. And all our sympathy, all our hopes are on the side of Britain and her Allies..... Norway at the beginning of the war was rather German-influenced, but now, I think, it is on the right side. Denmark, I must repeat, is absolutely on your side. If we shall take a part in the war-and most people fear so-then it would be impossible to loosen one shot on a British ship or a British soldier. Our national hate is against Germany. It was the Germans who robbed us of Danish ground in 1864-and we are daily reminded of '64. And then there is Belgium. The dreadful fate of Belgium is more than enough to kindle a strong indignation against the Kaiser and his cruel militarism. I have written this because I wanted you to know the truth about Denmark and Germany. Perhaps that day is not far away when you will find my words confirmed in action -though God forbid that!"

-Glasgow Herald, 18th Nov., 1914.

MOTTO-"A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT."

The Burns Federation.

INSTITUTED 1885.

Hon. Presidents-The Right Hon. The EARL OF ROSEBERY, K.G., K.T. ANDREW CARNEGIE, LL.D., Skibo Castle.

Hon. Vice-Presidents-WM. WALLACE, LL.D., 42 Athole Gardens,

Glasgow.

Professor LAWSON, D.D., The University, St. Andrews.
Sir JAMES SIVEWRIGHT, K.C.M.G., Tulliallan Castle,
Kincardine-on-Forth.

OFFICE-BEARERS.

President-DUNCAN M'NAUGHT, J.P., Benrig, Kilmaurs.

Vice-Presidents--J. JEFFREY HUNTER, 89 Bath Street, Glasgow. A. M'CALLUM, News Office, Pollockshaws.

THOS. BROWN, Maryfield, Low-waters, Hamilton.

Alderman WM. BURNS, Sunderland.

JOSEPH MARTIN, 163 West George Street, Glasgow.

ALEX. POLLOCK, 52 West Nile Street, Glasgow.

W. H. TURNER, 9 The Oaks, Sunderland.

Rev. JAS. FORREST, M.A., Kirkcaldy.

JOHN CARMICHAEL, 27 Blythswood Drive, Glasgow.

P. PATERSON, 23 Bruce Street, Dunfermline.

Ex-Dean of Guild ALEX. STEVENSON, Ella House, Falkirk.
Ex-Bailie MUNRO, J.P., Howard Park Drive, Kilmarnock.
Ex-Bailie JOHN Ross, Caledonian House, Lanark.
Provost M. SMITH, J.P., Glencairn Square, Kilmarnock.
Ex-Provost WILSON, 149 Howard Street, Glasgow.

PHILIP SULLEY, F.S.A., Elgin.

Col. R. J. BENNETT, Gordon Street, Glasgow.
HUGH M'COLL, 278 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.
DAVID MAIN, Lowther Street, Carlisle.

HENRY S. MURRAY, Glenmayne, Galashiels.

Hon. Secretary-THOS. AMOs, M.A., 19 Glebe Road, Kilmarnock,

Hon. Treasurer-G. A. INNES, F.E.I.S., South Hamilton Street, Kilmarnock.

Editor "Burns Chronicle "-D. M'NAUGHT, J.P., Benrig, Kilmaurs. Auditors-Captain D. YUILLE, Burns Avenue, Kilmarnock, and ADAM MACKAY, The Crescent, Prestwick.

Local Representatives—

London-JAMES THOMSON, F.S.A. (Scot.), 85 Fleet Street, E.C.
North of England--W. H. TURNER, Sunderland.

Glasgow and District-J. JEFFREY HUNTER, 109 Bath Street,
Glasgow.

Hon. Secretary of Children's Competitions-ALEX. POLLOCK, 52 West Nile Street, Glasgow (to whom all communications should be addressed).

CONSTITUTION.

1. The Federation shall consist of Hon. Presidents, Hon. Vice-Presidents, Executive Council, and members of each affiliated

Club.

2. The Executive Council shall consist of a President, VicePresidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Editor of the Burns Chronicle, and two Auditors-all of whom shall be elected annually, and be eligible for re-election; also of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary, or any other three members of, and nominated by, each affiliated Club, and other gentlemen of eminence as Burnsians hominated by the Executive Council.

3. All Past Presidents of the Federation shall ex officio be members of the Executive Council.

4. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Office-bearers of the Federation, who shall meet quarterly, or when called by the Hon. Secretary, for the transaction of the business of the Federation. 5. Federated Clubs outwith the United Kingdom may be represented by proxy at the meetings of the Federation.

OBJECTS OF THE FEDERATION.

1. To strengthen and consolidate by universal affiliation the bond of fellowship existing amongst the members of Burns Clubs and kindred Societies.

2. To superintend the publication of Works relating to Burns. 3. To acquire a fund for the purchase and preservation of Holograph Manuscripts and other Relics connected with the life of the Poet, and for other purposes of a like nature, as the Executive Council may determine.

4. To repair, renew, and where advisable mark with suitable inscriptions any buildings, tombstones, etc., interesting from their association with Burns.

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