SCOTLAND'S BARD

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1935, Page 13

SCOTLAND'S BARD

BURNS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SUPPER The anniversary of the birth of Robert Burnsf the national poet of Scotland, was celebrated by the Wellington Burns Club at a supper .given in. the V.M.C.A. building on' Saturday evening. Mr. R. 11. Nimmo presided, and amongst those present were the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) and representatives of the Gaelic Club and the Shetland Society. la proposing the toast "To the Immortal Memory of the Bard, Robert Burns," Mr. David McLaren said thoso present were but part of a great concourse of people assembled about this time to do honour to the memory of a great lyrical poet who probably stirred the heart of humanity more than any writer of modern days. What Burns received by way of education was secured by most earnest toil. His scholastic training was very limited. Whilst he was_ a voracious reader, the books he could "secure were small in number. That he made so muchv out of sq little was the marvel we gazed upon in awe. The speaker urged his hearers to think of these facts, for they shed light by which we could the more justly read the life and work of this most remarkable man. His, span of life -war 37 years in all. From 15 ho had to do the work of a man in the field and on the farm. At 18 he moved with his father to another farm, and all worked hard to keep off fell want. When he had reached 25, his father died in distressful circumstances, and Robert took on the cares and burdens. ' He just" stepped into his father's place, even per.forming the offices of family worship in deep sincerity, as his father had done. He was subsequently appointed exciseman, to save his family from ruin, He visited Edinburgh several times, and toured the Highlands collecting songs and ballads. - - Every great poet was iv a greater or lesser degree a prophet and a. seer, said Mr.. McLaren. Burns was a prophet of democracy. It1 was not mechanised democracy he ever dreamed of, but a time "when sense and worth o'er a' the earth shall bear the groe an' a' that.." This man, in a sense, had looked into the future as. far as human eye could see. He was both nationalist and internationalist. He gave to mankind what others of lesser gifts squandered upon party. Proud, yet humble; fierce, yet tender; sagacious, yet burdened with human frailty. SYMPATHY AND TOLERATION. In one thing did Robert Burns greatly excel—the virtue of sympathy and toleration towards others, said the speaker. Though ho used satire to lash hypocrisy' and cant, none could more kindly and gracefully express good feeling and pay deserved compliments. The- humour and flashing in^ sight of wit and wisdom he displayed had passed into the intellectual currency of everyday life. For over a hundred years his songs had spread in ever-widening circles until they covered a large part of the globe. "This- man, of course, had as all great ,or prominent men have, many critics," said Mr. McLaren. "Critics of his character may. mostly be divided into two classes, the censorious and the stupid. The former paint Burns blacker than he was, even blacker than he could have been. Tho other class excuse and apologise for him until they almost present him as an angel. Robin never made any pretence of being an angel. He was just an ordinary sinner. Those inclined to pass judgment on our ■ bard had better first considor the lesson of' toleration conveyed in his own words: ■. Then lightly scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman, THE LOVE SONGS. Burns's love songs, remarked the speaker, passed from passion to idealisation, and in some approached the adoration, that was almost spiritual. "Flow Gently Sweet Afton," with its liquid cadence, breathed tho gentle ardour of a love-sick swain. "O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast" spoke the language of the loving protector who counted no sacrifice too great for the woman ho loves. Were ever more beautiful words and sentiments addressed to woman than these: — "O were I in the wildest waste, Of earth and air, of earth and air, The desert were a paradise If thou wert there, if thou wert there; Or were I monarch of the Globe Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign, The only jewel in my crown Would be my Queen, would be, my Queen." That song was not addressed to any particular woman, but to pure womanhood. "O a' the airts the win' can blaw," written to his wife, was a song of manly love and kindness. The poem "To Mary in Heaven" was a song to be read or sung in'private, so pure and holy were the feelings expressed. After quoting the tribute paid to Burns by James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and others, Mr. McLaren said that Burns was a master of the human heart whom all acclaimed because so true to Nature waa the artist that each and all in turn found something of himself in what they read.