BURNS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10571, 28 September 1910, Page 4

BURNS.

If there is one statement in which a Scotchman is positive and will-stand no contradiction it is that Burns is the finest poet in the world. He will admit grudgingly that there is something in the grandeur of Alilton and Shakespeare is "no sae bad," but none of them can touch Caledonia's idol. Therefore it is not surprising that the announcement of a concert and songlecture on Burns attracted a crowded attendance to St. Luke's Hall last night. Alost of those present wore Scotch by birth or descent, but there were others who, with no Scotch blood in their veins, could acknowledge the excellencies of the poet and enjoy the entertainment, while yet with characteristic southern prejudice retaining the right to pronounce a bard of their own superior to Burns. The lecture was indeed by itself of great merit, for the Rev. P. C. Ronnie proved that he had a true sympathy with the poet and a proper appreciation of his work. To give some adequate idea of all the characteristics of Burns as displayed in his poems, Air Ronnie had to condense his lecture greatly: but this crowding of matter served to make each statement more iiitoiesting and each quotation more impressive. The range of subjects and styles of Burns' works is wide, but, commencing with a short sketch of the poet's life the lecturer treated briefly en each characteristic. He spoke of Burns' humor, his pathos, his homeness. his emotion, his pensiveness, his patriotism, his descriptiveness. his tenderness, his independence, and his humannoss, illustrating each with well-chosen quotations. But though the lecture in itself was an entertainment fit for any man from either side of the Tweed, it was made doubly attractive by the singing and recitations. The English language is not in comparison with other tongues particularly rich in folk-songs : but of the few the Scotch tongue claims many and Burns a great number of those. These songs are specially suited for rendering by a glee party : and the glee party under the able baton of Air J. B. Fergusson did 'full justice. Each glee was sung with admirable attention to harmony, intonation and expression, and it would be idle to single out any particular number for special mention. The glees were "There was a lad." "Duncan Gray." "Bonnie Doone," "Scots wha line," "CV the Yowcs," "Green grow the rashes," "A man's a man for a' that," concluding with "Auld Lang Syne." A beautiful rendering of "Afton Water" was given by Atr Crnmhie. and '-'Aly Nannie's awa' " was delightfully sung by Mr C. AfacGibbon. Mrs .1. B. Fergusson pleased greatly with recitations of "Cottar's Saturday Night" and "Alan was made to mourn." At the conclusion of the entertainment heartv votes of thanks were accorded the' Rev. P. C. Ronnie, his partv of helpers, and the chairman, the Rev! W. Wright.