THE IMMORTAL MEMORY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 26 January 1933, Page 2

THE IMMORTAL MEMORY

* burns night in i-iawera. '• LECTURE BY MR E. BARNS. 1 The memory of the birth and life of > Robert Burns was celebrated by the 1 Hawcra Scottish Society last night, 3 when at the Carlton Rooms a company of approximately 100 admirers of the 3 great poet gathered to> hear an address a on his life, his history and his poems, i, delivered by Mr Ernest Baras, of - Wanganui. 1 Mr J). G. Smart, chief of the sot ciety, presided and briefly introduced t Mr Barns, woo was formerly [District . Public Trustee in ITawera. t Mr Smart said that, despite the pasg sage of 174 years, Bums still had his 3 grip on the affections of the people, and all over the world people meet in j almost every town and centre to do homage to his: memory, a man who did great good for the world and for humanity. ,In thanking the chief of the society for /giving him the honour of propos--3 ing the toast of “The Immortal ' Memory,” Mr Barns brieflyrelated ’ the historical details concerning the 3 poet’s birth 174 years ago “in a little 1 clay biggin at Doonholm, Aryshire, one of the greatest geniuses and probi ably the sweetest songster the world E ever knew.” He told of his father . having to leave his northern home in E Kineardinshire and to go south to seek i a livelihood, first in Edinburgh and - then in Ayr, where lie was with several lairds and then with Mr Cfaw- - ford, of Doonside, building his own i cottage of clay. " An interesting description was quot- ' ed of this humble abode, which “when 3 cast over inside and out with lime had _ a. neat and comfortable appearance.” Here the poet’s father, William Burns, married Agnes Brown, and their first born was the great poet, born 12 years . before Scott. The family moved seven * years later to a small farm a few miles ■ away, and then to Lochlea, where the - father died in 1784. The speaker drew attention to the historical fact that, “though the parents of a great genius may be of humble origin, the parents as a- rule come of good stock, and to this.- fact the children owe not a few. of the [■ qualities possessed by them, or at least i that the parents supply the firm root . from which genius might grow.” He told of the many good qualities of the parents, physically, morally and mentally, and their superior instincts and habits, which by general admission be- - longed to the Scottish peasantry. Robert, going to school at six, began writing when 15, liis first song being “Oh, once I had a ibonnie lass,” and before fie was of full age (25) his writings showed “the genuine warmth, unaffected simplicity and easy grace of truthful nature which are sought for in vain in the lyrical productions of many of the great poets of other countries.” Burns had a passionate love for his country, which went far to make him recognised by his countrymen the world over as their typical representative. . Mr. Barns referred to the poet’s forming a literary society, one, of the rules being that every member must be of an open and frank heart above anything mean, and a professed lover ’ of one of the fair sex. No mean spirited. worldly mortal was to be admit- * ted, but “such as are true to their friends and just well enough off to be ■ hanpy in this world.’” Mir. Barns told of the dibatli of the poet’is father, who, on his deatboed expressed fears for the future conduct of his eldest son and with these words he was. launched on “the brilliant career which he was destined tc achieve.” He went to a farm with brother, Gilbert, at Mosgiel, but all the time that he worked he was longing for a wider field of activity and would write after work “playful letters that are of inestimable value for tlipir biographical material.” “The Epistle to. Davie”, written to a young farmer was one of these, in which lie showed a mind alternating between j fits of fretful discontent, and pious | acquiescence m the lot that Providence j had assigned to him. In another there was a'{'one of recklessness and a misguided surrender to fitful passions. During his ploughing, he turned up a wee field mouse and again a crimson tipped daisy was seen by him and these inspired two of liis most delightful early poems. Then followed the “Cottar’s Saturday Night,” “Jolly Beggars”, and “Holy Willie’s Prayer,” showing a wonderful versatility. “The Cottar’s Saturday Night” was referred to as “.one of the most beautiful gems of sacred poetry in the English language.” ' • Then, into the poet’s life came Jean Armour, who had “the handsomest figure, the sweetest temper, the soundest constitution and the kindest heart in \ the country,” as stated in a, letter | from the poet to Mrs Chalmers. At the same time appeared in his life’s story Highland Mary, and these two loomed large in the poet’s life and history. After the death of Mary, the poet’s heart was soothed and comforted by Jean wiio was devoted to him and promised to follow him wherever he might go. Mr. Barns quoted from a true and vivid pen portrait from Chambers, by Josiah Walker, Professor of Latin at Glasgow University, and from Sir WnlI ter Scott who knew Burns well and jecialled his being mgrVelliously impressed as a boy with Burnst. sen jus for poetry. “To a Mountain Daisy” was written when Burns was twenty-seven and this, with many others, were published to provide funds to take him to Jamaica, but, just on the point of sailing, lie received a letter from Dr. Blacklock, in appreciation of his work and pieilicting a great future. Thi.s letter, said the lecturer, changed the t ar.r.nt of Burns’ life and sent him to try ids fortune in Edinburgh. He was at once hailed by the people of the city and, after publishing a second volume, he took a farm at Dumfries and married Jean Armour. “To Mary in Heaven” appeared in T 789 and was a ve ( ry beautiful' and touching poem of the most chaste tenderness, produced on the same scenes as witnessed liis marriage with liis devoted Jean. He had to send liis wife to Ayr while his new house was being built and this separation ; inspired “0 A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blow,” one of his most beautiful love songs.

The 'subsequent appointment as exciseman' in 1790, which inspired ‘The Elegy of Capt. Henderson” and “Tam O’ Shanter,” the return of the family to Dumfries and then the heavy clouds east on his life by sickness and detit and his death at the age - f 37 years, concluded the historical section of Mr. Barns’ address.

Touching on the genius and character of the poet, Mr. Barns quoted the words of Dr. Hutchison, a writer distinguTsho.il no Jess by his imaginative. sympathy than by his philosophic subloty, who affirmed that “Burns’ writing lives in every line and he has given more of his own life than any other poet I know.” “You feel that his song is always the direct emphatic utterance of his honest self, moved with the quick pulse of an alert and general vitality,” continued Mr. Barns. “It may flow out, hot as a boiling geyser, or mild as summer dew, but it is always spontaneous—the poet is always tile

man. Reality, most intense and human, is the stuff of which his > arses are made. He is the Shakespeare of lyric poetry.’’ Delicate sensibility to beauty was . always combined with, the firmest grip and most manly stoutheartedness.

In conclusion, Mr. Bairps quoted from “a man’s a man for a’ that” and the tragic story of the later years of the poet as pictured in a poem in his earliest edition which proved that his insight into the deepest things of life was as true and incisive in his early manhood as in liis mature years. He was, said Mr. Barns, a preacher of righteousness to the youth of his country. This was emphasised by the letter of adv.ice lie sent to the son of one of his best;, friends, Andrew Aiken, a letter so stamped with genial humanity, kindliness and practical wisdom, that lie could not conclude better than by urging everyone to read this wonderul letter, for it would be a suitable epilogue to a sketch of the brilliant career of the greatest of the poetic sons of Scotia. OTHER; TOASTS.

In proposing the toast of “Caledonia, ’ Mr. )\ . G. Simpson said that all Scotch loved the land of their birth, “a land full of memories, as the heavens full of stars” and expressed so,well by H. Ward Beecher. He said that a great English historian, Fronde, had stated that “no nation had scored such a deep mark in the history of the world and no people could more justly' claim to be proud of thenblood.’ He likened them to the valiant Greeks who by their stand against the mighty Persians and their victory made civilisation possible. Mr. Simpson traced the origin of i Caledonia, according to the Roman his- j torian, Taitus, back to 8S A.D., when' a leader in Caledonia withstood themight of the Romans and was the first of the Scottish race. Mr. Simpson then referred to the later heroes, William Wallace, the victor of Stirling Bridge; Robert the Bruce who affirmed that so long as there were a hundred men of Scotland left, they- would brook no interference. from abroad. i

.Referring to modern times, Mr. Simpson spoke of the men who had upheld the honour of the country—poets, musicians, warriors, writers, explorers—enriching by their work and lives the source of inspiration to the people for all time. The Rev W. D. Morrison Sutherland spoke of “Scots humour” giving many amusing stories to illustrate the wit and the humour of the people and affirming that in no class of people was humour more abounding than among the ministers. He spoke of the humour of Burns, Scott, Barrie, Galt and a host of others and affirmed that all the greatest writers were noted for their appreciation of witty stories and anecdotes, which were associated with the history of the people. Mr. W. S. Gibson gave “an appreciation of the bard by a minor poet, “Robin Lochairn,” of New Zealand, j who was identified as Robert Hogg, editor of the “New Zealand Scotsman.” This aptly pictured in poeric language the fame and the wonderful writings of the national poet and songster. “The Lasses 0” was the text of the toast given by Mr. L. A. Taylor, who said it would be impossible to have a Burns Festival without such a toast bulking large in the programme. He referred interestingly to Burns’ love snugs, ’ imagination flights of fancy in bis poetry and bis lyrics. The reply was given by Mr. J. E. Edmcmston with wit and humour and cordial appreciation, inter-mingled. “Kindred Societies,” by Mr. D. > Wards concluded the toast list. After the oration by Mi - . D. McCormick, ol' the “Ode to the Haggis,” Mr. L. A. Taylor brought in the famous dish piped in advance by Pipers B. Henson and G. Reid. During the evening, songs were given by miss Elsie Twaddle, “My Love is Like a .Red, Red Rose,” “Mai Hert is Sair for Somebody”; Mrs. Gannaway, “O a’ the Airts” and “A Highland Lad, M.v Love”; Mr. A. Galloway, “Bonnie Wee Thing',” “Flow Gently Sweet Alton” and Mr. W. G. Simpson, “Scots Wha Hae and “Happv We are Together. Mrs L. . A. Taylor played the accompaniments The ‘poem by Andrew Aiken referred, to by Mr. 33<w % nSj was recited, by JVli. Smart. n “Auld Lang Syne” sung by the company in time honoured fashion, concluded the evening,