ROBERT BURNS

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1929, Page 4

ROBERT BURNS

LECTURE BY HON .JAMES CRAIGIE

The Whangarei St- Amlew's Society opened its 1920 session in notable manner last evening, when the Hon James Craigie, M.L.C., an Hon President of the Burns Federation in Britain, delivered a lecture on “The Humanity of Robert Burns." The lecture, to which a free invitation to the public had been extended by the society, was given at the Town Hall in the presence of a fairly large audience. The Chief of the St Andrew's Society, Mr Magnus Fraser, -presided, and he was supported, by the- past Chief, Mr W. A. Carruth.

In introducing the speaker, Mr Fraser paid a warm tribute to Mr Craigie, who, ho said, was a world wide authority on Burns, and had devoted a lifetime to promoting interest in the works of the poet and other great Scottish singers. In this connection Mr Fraser referred specially to Mr Craigie's practical enthusiasm in procuring, at his own expense, a beautiful memorial to Robert Fergusson, and which he had journeyed from New Zealand to unveil in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh. Mr Craigie, who was warmly received, explained that so wide a. field presented itself to the student of Burns that it was impossible, in the course -of a lecture, to deal with more than one phase of the immortal poet's Works. He had decided to speak upon the humanity of Burns, whose great heart overflowed with tenderness for man and beast. This was the predominating characteristic of the poet and it was manifested in poems which were household words and which constituted an imperishable monument to his memory. , Mr Craigie sketched in masterly manner.the early history of Burns, shedding illuminating ligKt upon his home life, and the family and social influences under which he passed his childhood and early manhood. Burns early manifested evidence of poetical genius, and many of the poems which will live for all time were written when he was quite :young. He wrote because his genius moved him, not because, he expected material reward. His poems were sent to friends, and they expressed the sincere mo things of the writer’s heart. He was at the time faced with poverty, anil it was only when lie was seriously contemplating emigration to Jamaica that ho first obtained, through the intervention of friends, _ money for his poemsi But the amounts obtained were trivial. The Kilmarnock Edition, for instance, was sold at three shillings a copy, whereas a. copy recently brought £3OOO. The Edinburgh Edition realised only a comparatively small amount, yet the great heart of the poet made him send half of the amount (which hcsorely needed) to his brother to keep a roof over his parents and family. It was this spirit of generosity and kindheartedness which governed Burns in all his dealings l with his, fellow mortals, whether human or of the lower order. This was breathed in his poems, which eloquently proved, his humanity. Mr Craigie elaborated this argument by copious quotation from the poet’s works, and very full and informative comment upon each poem. Space will not permit of lengthy reference to the lecture, but Burns lovers will realise the treat provided when we mention some of the poems quoted as exhibiting the love with which Burns regarded his follow creatures and how he appealed for the charitable treatment of those who “stepped aside” but sorrowed over their fall to an extent not dreamed of by the world. Among others, Mr Craigie recalled “The Twa Dogs,” “The Auld Farmer 's .Salutation to his Aul’d Mare Maggie, ” “To a Field Mouse, ’' “Epistle to a Young Friend,” “Td Mary in .Heaven,” “John Anderson, My Jo,” “The Twa. Brigs,” and “The Unco Guid.” That Mr Craigie is a whole-hearted admirer of Burns was evident from the enthusiasm, it. • 7 might be more rightlyfermed the reverence, with which he spoke of the poet, and he left no doubt as to his endorsement of Carlyle's tribute, with which he concluded Ms fine effort: “Burns requires no man to plead for him. With pity and admiration he lies enshrined in all our hearts in far more noble masoleum. than one. of marble, and his works wall never pass from the memory of men. While Shakespeares and Miltons roll oh like mighty rivers from the country of thought, bearing traffickers and assiduous pearl fishers on their way, this Burns fountain shall also'arrest our eye, for it is of nature’s own and most cunning workmanship, bursting from the depth of the earth with full gushing current into t’ho light of day, and the future traveller will turn aside and drink of its clear waters and muse among- its rocks and. pines.” Mr Craigie then resumed his seat, and was loudly applauded.

On the motion of Air Carruth, who spoke very appreciatively of the great treat which the audience had been given, a. hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Craigie.