some others since his time, have written some beautiful songs; but it is universally allowed that none of them have approached to Burns in the number and perfection of his songs. It is, certainly, as a lyric poet that he is most popular with Scotchmen. (Applause.) The Chairman, after apologizing for the imperfect manner in which he had proposed the toast, concluded by reciting, amid applause, the "Bard's Epitaph." (The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm.)

The following toasts were also given :"The Poets of Scotland," by Professor Geddes; "The Poets of England and Ireland," by the Dean of Guild; "The Immortal Memory of that truly great and good man, Sir Walter Scott," by Mr. Cooper; "The Sons of Burns," by the Chairman; "The Peasantry of Scotland," by Mr. Adam; "Our Local Poets," by Mr. Jopp; "The Press," by Councillor J. Jamieson; "The Biographers of Burns," by Dr. Jamieson; "The Health of Professor Geddes," by Mr. Adam.

The Band of the Royal Aberdeenshire Highlanders contributed their share to a most pleasant and siastic meeting.

We may mention that the dinner ticket was very tastefully got up. Besides indicating, in the usual way, the object of the meeting, it embraced a neat likeness of the poet, with representations of Tam o' Shanter, the Twa Dogs, the Doon Monument, &c., executed by Messrs. Keith & Gibb, Lithographers; and Mr. Robertson, much to the satisfaction of the company, allowed them to retain this appropriate

memento of the festival.

morning,-Mr. Duprey, leader of the TheatreRoyal, conducting the music.

TRADESMEN'S SUPPER.-A party of Tradesmen, to the number of fifty, met in Mr. Smith's Salmon Hotel, 13 Exchequer Row, on Tuesday night, for the purpose of celebrating Robert Burns' centenary by a supper, which was served by the host in a very neat and efficient manner. After the cloth was removed, the usual loyal toasts were given from the chair, which was occupied by Mr. James Fyfe; Messrs. David Milne and John Wood acting as croupiers. During the evening a number of other toasts were given and responded to, and the company were enlivened with a good many of Burns' best songs; altogether the evening was spent most harmoniously.

OPERATIVE SHOEMAKERS.-The Operative Shoemakers held a Soiree and Ball in Dr. Bell's Schoolroom, Frederick Street, when upwards of three hundred assembled to add their mite of honour to the name and genius of Burns. At half-past eight o'clock, P.M., Mr. Adam Low was called to the chair, and after intimating the enthu-object of the meeting, the programme, &c., the stewards, a number of very active young men, served the company with bread and tea in abundance. dance. Then followed appropriate speeches, music (vocal and instrumental), from members of the body and visitors. To add to the pleasure and harmony, Mr. H. Nimmo, from the Mechanics' Hall, along with an amateur young lady of the company, sung a duet with excellent effect and delight to the audience. twelve o'clock the stewards again added to their former abundance by serving a large quantity of first-class oranges. During a short interval preparations were made for the ball, when about sixty couple entered the dance, which was kept up with spirit until a late hour in the morning, when all separated in the highest of glee in a very becoming manner. We may state that, by careful management, there is a surplus of £3 on the meeting, which is to be given to the following:-£1 to the descendants of Burns; £1 to the Infirmary; £1 to the scholars in Dr. Bell's Schools as prizes.

THE SPECULATIVE SOCIETY.-The members of this literary society, chiefly young tradesmen in the city with commendable tact and foresight, devoted the tenth of their series of lectures, which fell due on Tuesday night, to "The Life and Writings of Burns," and were fortunate enough to secure Mr. William Cadenhead, author of "Flights of Fancy," &c., to discourse from this theme. The lecture was delivered in Rev. Mr. Arthur's Church, George Street, to a numerous and respectable audience, who testified their approbation of its merits by frequent applause.

At half-past nine, the members and friends, including ladies, assembled in the Music Hall Buildings, and there held a festival in honour of our National Bard. Mr. W. H. Martin efficiently presided, supported by Mr. J. Nicol and Mr. A. Fletcher as croupiers. The Chairman ably gave the toast of the evening, and amongst the other speakers were the Croupiers, and Messrs. Brodie and Brander, &c. There were plentiful services of cake and wine, a number of the poet's choicest songs were sung by Messrs. Copland, Anderson, &c., and a choir, and about twelve a ball commenced, which was carried on with much spirit till

At

A MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT, constituting a spirited interpretation of Burns, was given in Sinclair's Hall, by Mr. Francis Beattie and assistants.

At the Bon-Accord Temperance Society's Festival, the hall was crammed in every part. Mr. Fordyce, President of the Society, occupied the chair. Addresses on the life and character of Burns were given by Mr. Buchanan (who exhibited a much-admired model of Burns' house), Mr. Dickie, and Mr. C. Wisely. A selection of the poet's songs was also sung, and the meeting was an excellent one.

Andrew Valentine occupied the chair; and Mr. George Adam acted as croupier. After supper, the usual loyal toasts were drunk; and the chairman, in a speech which drew forth rounds of applause, proposed the toast of the evening, "The Memory of Burns." After which, a number of the Bard's pieces were recited, and several of his songs sung with good taste and feeling. Votes of thanks having been proposed to the chairman and croupier for the efficient manner in which they had discharged the duties of their respective offices, the party separated at eleven o'clock, highly pleased with the evening's entertainment, and gratified with the opportunity thus afforded them of publicly expressing their admiration of the genius of Scotland's greatest bard.

THE MASONS.-The Mason Lodges in the the Lemon Tree Hotel, and partook of an excity met in their Hall to celebrate the Centen-cellent supper, provided by Mrs. Ronald. Mr. ary of Burns' birth-day, when a party of upwards of eighty sat down to supper, under the presidency of Br. J. Rettie, Prov. G. S. Warden. Enlivened by the singing of a number of the choicest of Burns' songs, the Brethren spent a very pleasant evening; made all the more agreeable by the reflection that Burns himself was a keen and zealous Mason, and one who thoroughly understood and appreciated the principles that should actuate all "Brethren of the mystic tie." The hall was tastefully decorated. THE JURIDICAL SOCIETY.-The members of this Society, to the number of forty, supped together in Mr. Machray's, St. Nicholas Lane -Mr. J. F. Lumsden in the chair, and Messrs. Davidson and Brown acting as croupiers. The usual loyal and other toasts having been duly honoured, "The Memory of Burns" was given, and responded to with strong feeling. "The Legal Profession," &c., followed, and a number of excellent songs were sung by Messrs., Machray, Milne, Allan, and others. Altogether the evening passed off most pleasantly.

The Upholsterers and females in the employment of Messrs. J. Allan & Sons, met on the Burns' night to tea and supper in Mrs. Sheriff's Hotel, and under the genial presidency of Mr. A. Allan-Mr. Cattanach, the oldest upholsterer in Aberdeen, acting as croupier-spent a very pleasant evening. The toast list included the usual loyal and patriotic toasts. "The Memory of Burns," also the health of the respected firm-" J. Allan & Sons"- and of "Mrs. and Miss Allan"-were drank with enthusiasm. During the evening several neat speeches were delivered, and verses composed for the occasion recited. The viands supplied by Mrs. S. were excellent.

LOYAL ROBERT BURNS LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS.-The Brethren of the above Lodge sat down to an excellent supper, in their Hall, 41 Queen Street, to celebrate the centenary of the" Peasant Bard," from whom it takes its name. P. P. G. M. John Logie (a warm admirer of the poet) occupied the chair, the duties of which he discharged with great tact and ability. Prov. G. M. James Reid, of the Star of the North Lodge, acted as croupier; THE BROADFORD OPERATIVES.-Upwards and the proceedings were much enlivened by of a hundred of the mechanics and operatives P. P. G. M. William Gellan and others singing, employed at Richards & Co.'s Works, Broadin first-rate style, a number of Burns' most ford, met in the Odd-fellows' Arms Inn, Queen popular songs. Altogether, a pleasanter even-Street, to celebrate our bard's centenary. Mr. ing could scarcely have been spent. The mellowing influence of the Poet's writings fell kindly on the whole company, who, for the occasion at least, seemed to anticipate the "good time coming," when

"Man to man the warld o'er,

Shall brithers be, an' a' that." NEPTUNE LODGE.-The Brethren of the Neptune Lodge assembled in the Queen's Hotel in the evening. Col. Gordon very kindly favoured them with two pipers, who played before them from the Hotel to the Lodge, 115 Union Street-blue lights being displayed before the procession. On entering the Hall they found a number of the Brethren assembled from other Lodges, with whom they spent a very pleasant evening.

THE ABERDEEN JOINERS' MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.-The members of this body, with a few of their friends, met in

John Smith, engineer, was called to the chair, and Mr. George Anderson, painter, acted as croupier. The chairman, in a very able speech, illustrated Burns' worth, who, although dead, yet liveth. The health of "The Queen and Royal Family" was drunk amidst great applause, and the apprentices belonging to the work, who had formed themselves into "The Broadford Choral Society," sung the National Anthem. The toast of the "Immortal Burns" was drunk in solemn silence, when the band struck up "A man's a man for a' that." With each toast of the evening there was a song from the Choral band, whose training does them great credit. There were also several recitations from Burns' works, by Messrs. Anderson, Joss, Ross, and M'Intosh, &c. The meeting was throughout a most harmonious one.

A number of the Overseers and Flax-dressers in the employment of Richards & Co., Broadford Works, celebrated the centenary of

K

twenty aged and retired farmers and crofters of the town and neighbourhood. Mr. Camp

Connon, croupiers. Many a battle was fought over again that evening; many a "drouthy simmer" and stormy winter long ago was recalled to mind when the jolly old rustics were young and in their prime. Conclusion-"Should auld acquaintance be forgot," and parting "richt merrilie."

Burns with an excellent supper, prepared by Mrs. Phinn, Upperkirkgate. The room was tastefully decorated with evergreens surround-bell occupied the chair, and Messrs. Brown and ing the portrait of the bard. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Craig, who gave a graphic sketch of the poet's life, and was supported by Mr. Youngson, croupier. After supper the chairman gave the toast of the evening, "The Immortal Robert Burns," which was drunk with all the honours. The company were enlivened with a selection of the poet's finest songs, sung in excellent style by Messrs. M'Leod, MDonald, Thain, N. Anderson, and others; and the spirit of the meeting was maintained with great glee beyond the "wee short hour ayont the twal."

Fifty gentlemen's coachmen and livery stablemen in this quarter celebrated Burns' centenary in the Hall, 14 Castle Street-Mr. J. Taylor, chairman, supported by Messrs. Miller and Marshall, croupiers. Everything was in the best style, and the hours flitted away fast and pleasantly.

66

In honour of the centenary a number of Messrs. Stewart, Rowel, Stewart, & Co.'s workmen met at supper in Gilbert's St. Nicholas Hotel. Mr. Chalmers presided, and Mr. L. Savage was croupier. An address in memory of Burns was delivered by the chairman, and the after speeches were interspersed with songs, glees, and recitations from the works of the bard. The evening was a happy one, Mr. Gilbert's good things giving every satisfaction.

The workers in the employment of Mr. Edmond, bookbinder, were entertained at supper by that gentleman, when the memory of Burns was done due honour to, and a fine spirit of kindred feeling was displayed between master and servants. Many of Robin's songs were sung, and a dance concluded a pleasant meeting.

FOOTDEE did itself the honour of celebrating the centenary by a social meeting and ball. The meeting was held in the large premises belonging to the Messrs. Hall, which were tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags and appropriate mottoes, and was presided over BON-ACCORD LITERARY ASSOCIATION.-The by these gentlemen. The party, amounting to above Association held their Festival in honour 500, met at half-past seven, and the duties of of the Burns Centenary in the large Hall of the evening commenced with the whole assem- the Union Row Academy, which had been bly joining in singing the Hundredth Psalm, tastefully decorated for the occasion with everafter which refreshments were served. With a greens, pleasingly interspersed with banners, few pertinent remarks, the Chairman proposed bearing the following inscriptions:-"Scots "The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns," wha hae," "A man's a man for a' that," "The which was pledged in whisky-punch by the Cottar's Saturday Night," "Tam o' Shanter," company, while standing, in solemn silence. "Success to the Bon-Accord." The chair Before resuming their seats, Should auld having been taken by Mr. William Bruce, at acquaintance be forgot" was sung, the chorus half-past eight o'clock, that gentleman, in a being reiterated till the rafters rang. Enlivened neat speech, introduced the business of the by songs and recitations from the poet's works, meeting, which consisted of readings from which were admirably given by amateurs, the Burns, varied with recitations, and songs from evening passed rapidly away. At eleven o'clock an efficient choir, under the conductorship of the fiddlers struck up "Hearts of oak," and the Mr. Melvin. A vote of thanks having been dancing, which then commenced, was carried given to the Chairman for his services, at halfon with unabated vigour until half-past four past eleven o'clock the room was cleared for o'clock, and finished with three cheers for their dancing, and the mirth and fun kept up till entertainers, when that ill-natured loon neces-about four o'clock, when the meeting separated, sity put an end to pleasure, in order to prepare highly delighted with their evening's enjoyfor the coming day's work. The whole arrangements. At suitable intervals the company ments were under the direction of a committee were served with fruit, wine, and cake, &c. of young ship carpenters, and did great credit to their taste and judgment, leaving nothing to be wished done that was not, and certainly nothing to be wished undone which was done.

On the evening of Burns' centenary, Mr. Campbell, Bellfield; Mr. Brown, Megray; Mr. Connon, Elf Hill, and other gentlemen, entertained at dinner, in the Stonehaven Hotel, about

We may notice, that the city bells were rung at intervals in the afternoon and evening, and the vessels in the harbour displayed their colours. A humble but very popular and hearty mode of celebration may also be mentioned. Mr. Fidler had two silver jugs attached to his fountain at the top of the Quay, and this being pretty generally known, it is calculated that,

between nine A. M., and six P. M., about ten | the remains of a rose brought from Alloway thousand partook of a cooling draught from Kirk in autumn, 1822. the jugs-in many cases drinking to auld Scotland's favourite bard. We are informed the tankards suffered no injury, although the well was "mobbed" the whole day, and used at the rate of fifteen persons and four horses per minute! The day was bright, sharp, and sunny throughout.

ABERDEEN (OLD). The Centenary was celebrated in this place by a select ball in the Town-house, got up under the auspices of the Convener Court of the Incorporated Trades, and of the various Friendly Societies in connexion with the town, and conducted by Provost Gordon and Convener Stables, assisted by a committee of stewards. The national and civic flags belonging to the town were displayed in the Hall along with fae-similes of poems in Burns' handwriting. The motto, "The Land o' Burns," was also prominently exhibited. These, in connection with the new appearance of the Hall, which has just undergone a thorough repair and decoration-being beautifully painted in the walls and roof in panelled oak, with tasteful scroll-work- had a very imposing effect. Immediately after the hour of assembling, the Hall was completely filled with the youth and beauty of the city, along with several parties from the neighbouring district, who had been invited to be present. The dancing was kept up with great spirit and vigour till long after

WOODSIDE. The centenary of Burns, our national bard, was celebrated at Woodside by a soiree held in the Free Church Schoolroom, under the management of a joint committee of the Newhills and Woodside Mutual Improvement Societies. The room presented a lively appearance, being decorated with evergreens and national colours, amongst which were interspersed several appropriate mottoes and quotations from the works of the Bard, two portraits of whom occupied conspicuous places on the walls. On account of accommodation the committee were compelled to limit the number of tickets to three hundred, but had they issued twice the number we believe they would have been disposed of, so great was the demand for them. The chair was taken at half-past seven by Mr. A. Troup, who happens to be a member of both societies. A blessing having been asked, tea was served up by the young ladies of both localities, which service, we are happy to observe, included the oaten cakes of old Scotia. After tea, the chairman opened the proceedings with an appropriate speech, after which the following gentlemen spoke in their turns:-Messrs. A. Wilson, jun., A. J. Hodge, A. Duguid, W. M'Kechnie, W. Murray, jun., and J. Troup; the first three of whom were from Newhills, the remainder being from Woodside. Five pieces of original poetry were read, two of which were anonymous contributions from the Newhills Society. The other three were read by their authors, Messrs. Fullarton, G. Philip, and Fisher, one of our local poets, and who also delivered an During the evening, several of the poet's most excellent speech. The speeches and poems had choice songs were sung by the ladies and all special reference to Burns. The following gentlemen present, and were received with songs were sung throughout the evening:great applause and enthusiasm. The party "Mary, dear departed shade;" "Scots wha were honoured by an address from Mr. Adam hae;" "A man's a man for a' that;" "Willie of the Herald, in which, after various happy brewed a peek o' maut;" "Thou hast left me illustrations taken from the life of the poet, heever, Jamie;" the first two of which were sung expressed his opinion that, if departed spirits were gifted with the power of knowing what was going on in this nether world-the idea by which Burns was inspired when he wrote his poem, "To Mary in Heaven "—he doubted not but he would look with as much satisfaction and pleasure on the gay assembly then before him as he would do on other demonstrations of a more extensive nature. cluded by introducing Mr. Morrison, of the Scottish North-Eastern Railway, and request-brated in the Aberdour Hotel by a goodly ing him to favour the company with a recital of some piece relative to the occasion. Mr. Morrison then gave, with great feeling, the beautiful verses to the memory of Burns by Fitzgreen Halleck, of New York, on viewing

"The wee short hour ayont the twal."

He con

by a choir. An instrumental band was in attendance, including Mr. Cheyne, who performed some excellent solo Scottish airs on the flute. The company seemed to enter into the spirit of the evening's proceedings, keeping it up till considerably past "the wee short hour ayont the twal," when they separated after singing " Auld Langsyne" and the National Anthem.

ABERDOUR.-Burns' centenary was cele

company of the young and middle-aged, male and female, with abundance of tea, cake, wine, and toddy. All went merry as a marriage-bell, with song and sentiment, and many a chorus, vocal and instrumental; and while in the act

of tasting wine to the memory of "Scotland's Patriotic Ploughman Poet," not a heart present but beat with a purer and more exalted sympathy, while the sparkling eye denoted a clearer vision of the sublime and beautiful. Such a meeting of Scotland's true sons and daughters was never witnessed heretofore in the ancient barony of Aberdour. The chair was filled by Mr Goodsir, merchant-Mr Rattray, croupier.

ABERLADY.—The Centenary of our great National Poet was celebrated here by a public dinner in Aberlady Inn. The Chairman (Mr. Tait), in giving the toast of the evening, dwelt at considerable length on the peculiar qualities and characteristics of our great Poet's writings, particularly his songs, which, being united to our beautiful national melodies, were, he said, especially destined to carry down the Poet's fame to remote generations. Many appropriate toasts were given, and songs sung, and the evening was passed with great enthusiasm, harmony, and decorum.

not pretend to justify much in Burns' poems, more especially in his satires, he held that in this species of writing great freedom of language is allowed, and that Burns' strong spirit of independence led him to leave upon record what a more polished or less fearless author would have modified. So full and so truthfully did Burns enter into and honour the affections of his countrymen in describing their manners and customs, rejoicing in their enjoyments and sympathizing with their cares and sufferings, that his name was a household word in both hall and cottage; many have acknowledged that, until they began to read Burns, poetry had no charms for them, but that a taste for poetry had been acquired, and a source of intellectual pleasure opened up by them. He briefly touched on the poet as a patriot, as "A man's a man for a' that," as an admirer of nature, as an unrivalled portrayer of domestic life, and as a satirist, giving a few quotations of his style in each. He concluded by requesting all to join in the manifestation of love and gratitude which had this night been taken up, and echoed "frae Maiden Kirk to John o' Groats," to the imperishable memory of Scotland's Poet-Robert Burns. (The toast was drunk with every manifestation of feeling and

ABERLOUR.-Here there were a supper and ball in the Hall of the Aberlour Hotel. By eight o'clock, an assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, to the number of about sixty, convened, and shortly after sat down to a sump-respect.) tuous and elegantly arranged supper, consisting of all the delicacies of the season.

The chair was occupied by Dr. Gerrard, and Mr. Grant, Schoolhouse, officiated as croupier, both having lady patronesses and young ladies as supporters.

After ample justice had been done to the good things on the board, and the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, the Chairman called for a special bumper to the toast of the evening-The memory of our National Bard. In his remarks in connection with the toast, he especially referred to the fact of our country having perhaps never witnessed a demonstration so generally entered into, or more enthusiastically carried out-a demonstration not confined to Scotland, but held wherever Scotchmen are to be met with, or Scottish poetry is understood. He characterised the demonstration as a debt, too long due, as an eloquent and powerful protest, if not against the obloquy cast upon Burns, at least against the neglect with which he had, during his lifetime, been treated. He wished to view the Poet apart from the man, and, while upholding the singular merits of the former, he denied our right to constitute ourselves strict judges of the latter. He believed that many of those who are apt to censure Burns' works, are induced to do so from the opinions of others, without reading for themselves. While he could

After supper the ladies were beginning to get impatient to take a more active part in the proceedings, and, having decorated the gentlemen with handsome rosettes, appended to each being choice and appropriate references to some of Burns' verses, the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with unabated spirit till "three short hours ayont the twal." The music, supplied by Signor Bernaschina and his talented son Andrea, a youthful prodigy in music, was of great excellence, and gave the utmost satisfaction. Appropriate tunes were played after the several toasts, and some of Burns' best songs were sung.

ABERUTHVEN.-The Aberuthyen Musical Society dined together in the Aberuthven Inn on the 20th, in celebration of the birthday of Robert Burns-Mr. J. Sinclair in the chair. The dinner was got up in excellent style, and included all the rarities of the season.

The cloth being removed, the Chairman gave the usual routine toasts, and Mr. G. Robertson then gave "Our Forefathers;" after which Mr. J. McKenzie gave the toast of the evening. No apology, he said, was needed for him whose centenary we are met to celebrate. One hundred years have gone since he was ushered into existence in the "auld clay biggin'" on the "Banks o' the Doon," and for upwards of 60 of those years he has been in the land of the