He bequeathed them to his country, and she has shown herself worthy of the trust. (Great applause.) presence. Tea we have from China, coffee from Arabia, sugar from the Indies, and fruit from Spain and the sunny south; bread from We cannot help wishing that some of his the metropolis of the Land o' Cakes, songs by great friends had been more true to Burns, and Burns himsel', sung by lads and lasses he would more energetic on his behalf; that in his case, have loved to listen to; stringed music from a at least, politics had been overlooked, and that generous-hearted German admirer of the Bard, the rulers of the nation had honoured them- and matchless wind music from our Sussex selves in honouring him, although perhaps we brothers, the "braw, braw lads" from the Castle. are wrong to expect much in that way in times Surely this evening shall be one, not only of of Sedition Bills, imprisoning of newspaper honour to the memory of Robert Burns, but of editors, and prosecutions of Thomas Muir, happiness to every one I have the privilege of Skirving, and others. But whatever views we addressing-a happiness enhanced when we remay take of the doings of the great men in member that the surplus funds are to be depower-the titled, the wealthy, the philoso- voted, through the medium of the Royal Inphers, the clergy, and the critics of that time-firmary, to the alleviation of human suffering we are bound to say this, and we say it with and woe. (Great cheering.) pride the working-men of his day with their wives and their sons and daughters-the men who, like himself, had earned their bread by the sweat of their brow, and knew what it was to toil, and to bear, and to suffer-were ever true to him; and their successors of the present generation, whether it be their lot to whistle at the plough, or, far from the light of heaven, to dig out the hidden treasures of the earth, to tend the loom, or wield the hammer; whether watchers of sheep or diggers for gold in far Australia; pioneers of civilization in Africa or America; fishermen on our rivers, or sailors on the ocean; old warriors at the ingleside, or Scotchmen, worthy of the country of Wallace and of Bruce, avenging, 'neath India's burning sun, their murdered and outraged kindred, this day hail Robert Burns as their poet and their brother, and proclaim that his memory shall be hallowed and enshrined in their hearts for ever! One word as to the various festivals now being held in honour of our great national poetand they are as varied in their character as are his poems: there is the great festival in the Crystal Palace, which was held at noon to-day, and has been attended, I learn by telegramkindly sent me by the directors-by 15,000 persons; there is the St. George's Hall banquet in Liverpool, for which 3,500 tickets have been issued; there are the great demonstrations in our own city, in Glasgow, Ayr, and Dumfries, in Dundee, Aberdeen, and all our great towns, the hearty gatherings in every country village, and in every Highland clachan. Dinners there are, and suppers, sheep's heads and haggises, washed down by Edinburgh ale and whiskytoddy. Masonic lodges, enthusiastic enough, but ungraced by the fair; and social gatherings like our own, where Scotland's bonnie lasses grace the festive boards, and prove that spirits are not indispensable to happiness and mirth when we have their pleasant smiles and gracious The song, par excellence, of the evening, entitled "Ye sair wrought sons o' daily toil," (written expressly for the occasion by Mr. John Brown,) having been sung with excellent taste by Mr. Bishop-the Chairman then introduced Miss Somerville, who sang with pathos and feeling "My Nannie's Awa." She was well received, and was succeeded by Mr. Shiels, who sang Bonnie wee thing," followed by Mr. Smith, who gave great effect to "A man's a man for a' that," will in the chorus. The part songs of "The Birks of the immense assemblage joining with hearty good Aberfeldy," and "Banks and Braes" came next, and after a tune from the Band, Mr. Manderson, (a blind gentleman,) recited with humour and correctness the tale of "Tam o' Shanter." The Chairman here repeated a few original verses, written by Mr. Manderson, showing a considerable degree of poetical talent. Several other songs were sung-and a vote of thanks to the Chairman was moved by Councillor Anderson, which was warmly responded to. After which the Band gave dismission to the meeting by playing "Auld Langsyne." GLOBE HOTEL. A number of gentlemen dined together in the Globe Hotel in Hill Place, and spent the evening in the most agreeable manner. The chair was occupied by Mr. JAMES BURN, of Elder Street, who proposed the toast of the occasion. After some introductory remarks he said :-It may be argued that Burns was not a poet like Homer, Virgil, Shakspeare, Milton, or many others we might name, and that his experience of men's social habits and modes of thought was confined to a very narrow circle. I grant such to have been the case, but though he could only survey the world of life from a very humble position, the extraordinary quickness of his perception more than compensated for his want of worldly education. And we must bear in mind that much of the wisdom he has left for our inheritance was the produce of inspiration rather than the result of worldly experience. Burns possessed the magic power of acting upon the living sympathies of man's nature, from kings to beggars, and he contributed most to our happiness when he told us the things we knew, but could not express. The impulses of men's minds are the secretsprings of their actions; and though all our passions and feelings are very simple things, yet simple as they appear, gentlemen, how few there are who can describe them as they really exist. Burns' power of imagery and truthfulness of description was of the highest order; but it is in dwelling upon the mysteries of human thought and action in the daily concerns of life in which he excels. If in a sad hour of reflection he sang the melancholy lay that "Man was made to mourn," he has cheered our hopes and gladdened our hearts with his picture of happiness in humble life in his "Cottar's Saturday Night." Whether he strikes the lyre to love or patriotism, we are made to feel the force of his magic power; in the one case his flame is the pure devotion of the heart, and in the other we have the ardour, courage, and determination of a man who would rather die in the defence of his country, than live on the ruins of her liberty. In the dialogue of the "Twa Dogs," the ploughman shows a keen insight into the affairs of men in the various ranks of society, and in the true spirit of the poet and the philanthropist he never fails to plead the cause of suffering humanity, and claim for the sons of toil the rights of freemen. Who that has read the inimitable "Death and Dr. Hornbook" can ever forget the journey of the half-drunken man as he floundered on his way home in the dead hour of night? How graphically he describes the different conditions of his mind as reason or whisky prevails, and how the courage of the toper and the superstition of the man battles for mastery! How playful the wit, how droll the humour, and how keen and cutting the satire when exposing the evils of quackery! We love Burns for his kind and generous sympathy with our nature, we admire him for his manly independence, and we are pleased with his sparkling wit and rollicking humour. In his moments of gladness he plays with our susceptibilities until he inoculates us with his own thoughts and feelings. The imagery, the wit and pathos, combined in "Tam o' Shanter," makes it one of the most unrivalled productions in our own or any other language; and if Burns had never written another line, this poem would have immortalized him. Gentlemen, I am convinced that no man can truly admire a poet until he has felt him; this is the great secret of Burns, the different states and conditions of his own mind are communicated to his readers, and whether our souls are tinged with melancholy over the dear departed shade of his "Mary in Heaven," carried away by the full flowing tide of friendship in "Auld Langsyne,” or dwelling in the misty delights between the late and early "wi' a wee drappie in our e'e," we are made to feel that the poet is a living part of our own nature. The ploughman bard had a mission independent of that of ministering to men's lighter enjoyments; he wielded the club of satire with the arm of a giant, and he made men feel the force of ridicule who were impervious both to reason and common-sense. Some of his satires upon the canting Pharisees and saintly sinners of his time were well directed, and, what is of no small consequence, they are as applicable to certain mistaken Christians, or double dealers, now as they were seventy years ago. We have often heard the poet found fault with for the manner in which he lampooned the unco gude, but the conduct of the parties he flagellated was a greater reproach to religion than could have been inflicted upon it by its worst enemies. Upon more than one occasion some of the able Christians of his own country have endeavoured to brand his name with infidelity; this day has proved how far they have succeeded. My opinion is that Burns' idea of religion was far exalted above the narrowminded, sectarian bigots he so justly exposed. I must confess, gentlemen, that I am not one of those who join in the insane cry that Burns was badly used by his countrymen while living. His literary career was of short duration, and the public had not sufficient time to sit in judgment upon his merits as a poet; and it must be remembered, too, that the newspaper press, the great organ of public opinion, was then only in a state of helpless infancy. No man in the present day, with anything like Burns' talents, could long go unrewarded; and we have good proof of what his countrymen would have done for him, if they had known the living man as well as they have since known the poet. HOWLET CLUB. The members of the Howlet Club, having resolved to celebrate the Burns Centenary, met in Bourgeois' Hotel, and after an excellent dinner, most ably presided over by Mr. J. M'Intosh, spent such a "nicht wi' Burns" as will be long remembered by those who had the gratification of being at this happy meeting. DRUMMOND STREET HALL. On Tuesday night the Loyal Sir Ralph Abercromby Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., a number of brethren of the sister lodges, and other friends, assembled in their Lodge-room, Drummond Street Hall, to celebrate their sixteenth anniversary, and in honour of the centenary of Burns. John Middleton, M.D., the surgeon of the lodge, presided, supported right and left by ex-Baron-Bailie Robert Ritchie, C.E., Dr. Murray Thomson, Messrs. John Dalgleish, Andrew Thomson, James Wilson, P.G., Hugh Cameron, P.C.S., William Scott, P.G.M., &c. Past Grand Walter Henderson, and Past Secretary A. Fraser, officiated as croupiers. The Chairman, in an eloquent speech, gave the toast of the evening, "The memory of our illustrious bard, Robert Burns." The toast was most enthusiastically received, and in commemoration of the bard's connexion as poetlaureate of the Freemasons, "The Lodge Canongate Kilwinning," was given with real "Canongate honours." Various appropriate toasts and sentiments followed, and the hilarity of the evening was much enlivened by songs, recitations, glees, &c. FRUIT SOIREE. A fruit soiree, under the auspices of the Dean and Water of Leith Mutual Improvement Society, took place in the Free Dean Church Schoolroom, on Tuesday evening, in order to afford to the inhabitants of the neighbouring village and district an opportunity, at a moderate cost, of paying respect to the memory of our great national bard. The schoolroom was quite crowded. Interesting addresses were delivered in the course of the evening, on the life, genius, and character of Robert Burns; and some of his finest songs were sung, and recitations of some of his poems given. The entertainment went off with great spirit. STUDENTS' MEETING. About forty legal and medical students from the counties of Dumfries, Ayr, and Galloway, attending the Edinburgh University, celebrated the centenary of the nativity of Robert Burns by dining together in the Turf Hotel, Princes Street. The duties of the chair were very ably performed by Mr. William Shaw, Stranraer; Mr. James Roy and Mr. A. D. Muir officiating as croupiers. The cloth having been removed, the CHAIRMAN, who was received with great cheering, briefly proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, all of which were received with the utmost enthusiasm, the whole company singing the National Anthem after the toast of the Queen. The CHAIRMAN again rose to propose the toast of the evening, and said,-You are all aware that patriotism is a valued characteristic of the people of Scotland. (Cheers.) There is not a man within whose veins the blood of a Scottish ancestry flows who would suffer the slightest imputation to blot the fair fame of his native land. (Great cheering.) It was patriotism which brought us here to-night; it is our love for our native land, because it is our admiration of the immortal genius of a native of Scotland. It is for the purpose of still more indelibly impressing upon our minds the immortal memory of Robert Burns, the ploughboy of Ayrshire; and I am sure a sincere, grateful, and loving tribute will be devoted at the shrine of his immortal genius. (Continued cheering.) It was on this day one hundred years ago that Robert Burns was born. It was at a period not much later, when but a youth, and following the team, "the Genius of poetry first threw her inspiring mantle around him." Then came, as you all know, what he has left behind-poems and songs which have made his name immortal-poems which sang and still sing, the loves, the joys, and the sorrows of "Auld Scotland." It is a pleasing duty to reflect on some of the finer traits in the poet's character. In all his history he was actuated by uprightness. In his friendships he was sincere, and he was the life and soul of the social circle. "That man to man, the world o'er, was one of his favourite maxims, and he never deviated in the most minute degree from its proper observances. Of course, we dare not deny that he had weak points: but take into consideration the preponderance of goodcould there be found in the motley throng which struts its little hour upon the chequered stage of life, the single instance of a man, who has not for a time allowed the passions implanted within him as it were to overcome the better rules laid down for our self-government? Our insufficient knowledge of ourselves is the cause of this, and why then should anathema be cast at the fame of Robert Burns, because the same failings clung to him which cling to us? (Cheers.) It would, therefore, be uncharitable to parade before you those worldly pleasures which "Hovering and blazing with illusive light, Mislead the amazed night wanderer from his way, To bogs and mires." We cannot but sincerely regret that many of our fellow-countrymen, actuated with feelings not distantly related to hypocrisy, have thought fit to make the weaknesses of our poet a reason LOWER MUSIC HALL. The Free Masons, Free Gardeners, and members of other corporations, in order not to be behind their neighbours in paying a tribute of respect to the memory and genius of Scotland's favourite bard, availed themselves of the preva held a ball on Tuesday night in honour of his centenary. This festival was exceedingly well attended by ladies and gentlemen in full dress. The programme, which was strictly adhered to, included all the popular and favourite dances of the present day, with a superabundance of quadrilles, mazourkas, waltzes, and schottisches. Mr. Macaulay, with the aid of a first-rate band and an efficient master of ceremonies, conducted the charming symposium with great and deserved success. The Barony Broughton Flute Band were also in attendance, and played well several lively strains. After the banquet in the upper hall was over, a few gentlemen not tired out with the feasting and toasting then brought to a close, joined the company in the lower hall, and soon were engaged in tripping it on the light fantastic toe. In the course of the evening Messrs. Stewart and Hutton danced the Highland fling in costume, in a very superior style. There was also a sailor's hornpipe in character; and several songs were sung with great taste and feeling-but we have only space to mention Miss Bruce's beautiful interpretation of "My Nannie's Awa." Dancing was kept up till an early hour on Wednesday, when all separated in an orderly manner, evidently pleased with their night's enjoyment. The whole arrangements, under the auspices of Mr. Hutton, were admirably conducted; everything passed off in a quiet and orderly manner, for which the company are entirely indebted to the zeal and active efforts of that gentleman. why his centenary should not be celebrated. | pany, after having sung "Auld Langsyne," broke up, We have, however, reason and judgment as highly delighted. well as they, and reason and judgment have dictated the course we have to pursue. Who could forget the sad history of Burns and his Highland Mary? Suppose a summer's night when all around enchanted was in nature's sweetest dreams, while Burns with his dearest Mary sat among the whispering wood beneath the fragrance of the fair flower, and enchanted by the echoing music of the never drumlie streams which encircled the Castle of Mont-lent kindly feeling towards the great poet, and gomery. He was there, brought by sincere and ardent affection, but he did not know he was to take his last farewell. The green birk waved carelessly overhead, while he clasped her to his bosom under the fragrant shade of the hawthorn. But the stream of life may cease to run when least expected. There were the youthful lovers indulging in the sweetest dreams of future prospects, and they saw each other no more. (Sensation.) Gracefully and feelingly did he sing the rural scenes and fireside pleasures of his country. That section of his poems abounds in sublimity-summer is as it were made more sunny, while dark and dreary winter is made brilliant by the sunshine of his genius. (Great cheering.) The scene depicted in "The Cottar's Saturday Night," one of the finest, if not the finest of all his productions, when carefully read is not easily forgotten. The picture of nature given in this poem is as enchanting as it is wonderful. The last day of the week arrived, and the weary cottar is returned to his ingleside, his toil is forgotten in the felicity of his little ones. The little infant is his tender care, while his own good example is his children's only heritage. Truly this is a noble poem. After having adverted at some length to the poems of Burns, the Chairman concluded as follows-But while we admire his genius and respect his memory, we cannot, we dare not forget, that he was sadly neglected during his life, and our forefathers having neglected him, shall we not do what we can now to wipe out the stain? (Cheers.) Now then, gentlemen, shall I test your enthusiasm. Now let every feeling be evinced at the mention of the name and memory of Burns. Though he be gone (it is hoped to a better world), his spirit still hovers around us. Let heartfelt responsiveness be the reception of the toast. Drink to the great and good-the noble spirit and the independent mind--commemorate the centenary of Robert Burns-the immortal Bard of Scotland! (The toast was drunk with great cheering, and unbounded enthusiasm prevailed for several minutes.) Numerous other toasts followed, and the greatest hilarity prevailed during the evening, and the com HOLYROOD. On Tuesday evening a number of gentlemen assembled to celebrate the centenary in the house of Mr. Robert Finlayson, WatergateJohn Fulton, Esq., of Nettlehurst (Ayrshire), in the chair; and Mr. Garratt discharged the duties of croupier. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been given, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening "The Immortal Memory of Burns," in an able and eloquent speech. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. Dreghorn proposed the health gant speech, gave "The Memory of Burns," "William concluding amidst great cheers. Younger & Co." was next given, and the song of "Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut" was then sung. Mr. Bruce also delivered a neat address on the genius of Burns; he also gave "The Travellers," which was responded to by Mr. Greenlaw, who also gave a poetical production of his own on our poet. "A Man's a Man,” Ye Banks and Braes," "I am a Young Man," and many other songs, were sung. "Auld Langsyne," concluded the celebration. The party then broke up, greatly delighted with the treat, next day showing that the evening's amusement was able to bear the morning's reflections. The employées of Messrs. Schenck and McFarlane held a supper and ball in Mr. Dewar's class-room, South Bridge, on Tuesday," in honour of the centennial anniversary of the birth of our great national poet. Several appropriate speeches and songs were given in the course of the evening, and dancing was kept up till far on in the morning. TAM O' SHANTER CLUB. RAINBOW HOTEL. The Tam o' Shanter Club met in Souter's Inn, South Back of Canongate Mr. Wm. Among the many private celebrations of the Darling in the chair, Messrs. James Brown and great centenary in Edinburgh, we have to reWilliam Dalglish, croupiers. After partaking cord a very successful one which took place in of an excellent supper, the chairman gave a the Rainbow Hotel, where between fifty and feeling address, and the "Memory of the Im-sixty gentlemen sat down to dinner, presided mortal Bard" was given by Mr. Brown with all the honours. The evening was spent with and recitations. songs ABBEY BREWERY WORKMEN. The workmen (amounting to the number of about two hundred) in the employment of William Younger & Co. assembled on Tuesday to celebrate the centenary of Robert Burns in the large barn within their work, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion with bay leaves, holly, and evergreen. On one side of the place, "R. B.," the initials of the poet, Speed the Plough," &c., were exhibited; on the other, "V. R.," and other devices; at the back of the chairman was observed "William Younger & Co.," elegantly done with flowers; while at the back of the croupier a bust of the bard, surrounded by seventy dazzling lights, added great beauty to the place. A sumptuous dinner was given to the workmen by their employers, which was handsomely got up. Amongst other dainties was the haggis, a dish that is every Scotchman's brag. Andrew Smith, Esq., occupied the chair, and Mr. Cuthbert acted as croupier. The chairman began by giving the usual loyal and patriotic toasts-"The Queen," which was followed by the "National Anthem;" the "Army and Navy," which was responded to by John Younger, Esq. A variety of Burns's songs were sung-"A' the Airts,' "Afton Water,' "The Birks o' Aberfeldy," "Bruce's Address." Mr. Cuthbert, in an ele 19 over by Mr. Henry Kerr, watchmaker; Mr. James Gow acting as croupier. After due and loyal honour had been done to the usual preliminary toasts, the Chairman gave the toast of the evening, "The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns," in a speech characterised alike by great judgment and a true appreciation of the poet's genius and character. His remarks were frequently and deservedly applauded, and the toast was drunk with all the honours, in the most enthusiastic manner. The most popular of the poet's songs were sung in the course of the evening-a glee party from one of the musical associations in town lending their valuable assistance. "Tam o'Shanter" was recited with much spirit by Mr. Henderson. Mr. Douglas delivered an eloquent address on "The Genius of Burns;" and several toasts in connection with the poets and poetry of our native land were given and warmly responded to. "The bonnie lassies" were not forgotten, and although "a man's a man for a' that," his happiness is never complete without them. However, notwithstanding their absence, the meeting was a great success, and assisted, in however humble a way, to throw a stone on the great cairn which was that day reared to the poet's memory. They "a' were proud oʻ Robin." THE EDINBURGH BRECHINERS. A large company of gentlemen resident in Edinburgh, connected with Brechin and neigh |