ROBERT BURNS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21019, 22 November 1933, Page 15

ROBERT BURNS

TO THE IDIIO* OF TilS i'JIKS?. Sir—l regret to say that there is a grave amount of ignorance among the people, irrespective of their nationality, as to the greatness of Robert Burns, Scotland's bard. For the benefit of the uninformed the following delineation from a physical and phrenological aspect may be appreciated. Robert Burns was a man sft lOin in height, of a form which denoted agility as well as strength, his lofty forehead, shaded "by dark curling hair, indicated intellectual capacity, his eyes were large, dark, full of ardour and intelligence, nose well formed, countenance uncommonly interesting and expressive, his demeanour gentle, manly and dignified. His head was in size much above the Scottish average, well balanced and proportioned. The phrenological verdict is confirmed on the re-examination of the cast of his skull by the most modern anatomical methods. Sir Arthur Keith, the noted anthropologist, said the poet's head and brain were of unusual mass. His head was nearly half an inch longer than the average and very high. His massive brain measured more than the average Scot's, more than Robert Bruce's, more than Sir Thomas Brown's, more than Dean Swift's. His skull volume meant that he must have walked the earth with a feeling of superiority over all those among whom his lot was cast. He was not only the greatest poet; he was the best brained man Scotland ever produced and capable of eminence in any walk of life. Professor Dugal Stewart, from personal observation and his own gifts entitled to form an opinion, perceived this. "All the faculties of his mind,' he said, "so far as I could judge, were equally vigorous and his predilection for poetry was rather the result of his own enthusiastic and impassioned nature than gifts specially adapted ~for that particular species of composition. By his conversation I should pronounce him to be fitted to excel in any walk or ambition of life he may have chosen to exercise his ability." Carlyle said the poet was colossal — great in his weakness as well as his strength. His emotional said Chambers, was titanic, as was his intellect. In conversation his brilliant and expansive versatility shone forth. The Duchess of Gordon said that no man's conversation ever raised her so completely from her feet as that of Robert Burns. An English lady of note, who was familiarly acquainted with many of the prominent men of her time, i said that Robert Burns, in his happiest [ of social hours, possessed a charm she had never seen equalled.—etc., I R. M. oFlii<r\a. | November 21, 1933.