THE BURNS STATUE FUND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6307, 29 April 1882, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE BURNS STATUE FUND.

TO THE EDITOK. > Slj?,—-Pardon me for just, informing you that I'was one of those who helped to crowd the Garrison Hall at tho concert last evening in iwl °fHH o above fund, and I assure you that I was -deiig!;!:?<i beyond my expectation!), tho more so when I Lj«.r2?d that the ladies and gentlemen on the platform, including thg, excellent pianist, gave their services gratuitously for this most laudable object. The Committee must speak for themselves. I trust their efforts will bo crowned with success, and that a statue of tho " immortal bard " will ore long bo in our midst. I am digging" into some of his writings, but often find it difficult to got a proper idea of his vast conceptions or what he wishes to convey. This occurs, no doubt, from my being an Englishman; and I sometimes think it was a pity Burns was not born in the Midland Counties of England, then my chances of understanding him better'would no 'doubt have been greater than they are. But I must not be covetous, for we are told that would be idolatry. Allow mo to 'say of the poet (using his own language in the epitaph on Captain Matthew Henderson): "He was a true, great, and rare man." Ho had his cares, griefs, and sorrows, but on these occasions ho says, "I kittle up my rustic reed —it gi'os me case." I suppose this means in English, " I play upon my poetic fancy," or, perhaps, "I amuso and cheer myself in writing poetry." And, Sir, lie played to some purpose. His songs and sentiments have found a iiomo in the hearts, and have, formed the character and influenced the lives of millions. He evidently possessed a soul that asserted its own right to think, inI quire, and express itself! He was one of Nature's own men, whose very being was energised by increasing rays of celes tial light—a true reformer, who sought to pulldown and destroy that which oppressed his fellow man, either politically or religiously. Ho gave a national poetry to his country. The melodious music from his rustic reed sounds in the humblest cottago and proudest mansion. His songs ring on the hills of his native land, and are echoed forth to the ends of the earth—at the plough and in the banquet-hall; at the loom, in the workshop, on tho farm-; in the mine, on the ocean ; in the lowly vale, on the mountain top; and, I would ask, where are they not beard, and where ft to memory not

revered? and echo answers back-"Where? 1' \\ c are told that Robert Burns was a Scotchman ; he styles himself a Scottish Hard, and s *y? he was proud of the name He adds that his highest ambition was to sin? in his country s service," We pardon his pride. We love him for his patriotism. Permit me, Sir as an Jinghshman, to express my opinion of this man. I see in Burns the man ; and in tins 1 bsnold more than can be said of any ■nationality. Scotland has reaspn to be proud ot the many illustrious names which adorn her history ; but she has only one Burns and he possessed a soul larger than his country .He would allow no one to say, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." He could not and would not be pegged in by the boundarylme of nationality. His large heart throbbed lor suffering, down-trodden humanity He was one who rejected . and loathed highsounding names, lofty titles, belted knights, and gilded tinsel. He sought for the true man, whatever his circumstances, condition and country. Ever ready to weep with those who weep, as well as to rejoice with these who rejoice. In the presence of this man bcotia s mountain tops sink their proud heads and appear hat .pigmies. Her brave and mighty warriors and liberty-loving heroes gather around Burns with bowed and uncovered heads., silently contemplating the man. 1 thank the promoters and-Committee for the good work they have undertaken in determining on having his statue erected in Dime in, and I reel sure the public will determine to help them, and I confidently predict success. I can say no more, and apolo^mtor trespassing on your valuable space: lm°t fair, let me close, by saying that it took Scotland just about GOOO years tovprodnce Burns and if m the COOO years to come she can produce Ins equal she will deserve well at the hands of the race.—l am, &c, April 21st. " GUM'