"CIVIS" AND BURNS WORSHIPPERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11303, 22 December 1898, Page 3

"CIVIS" AND BURNS WORSHIPPERS.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —" Civis" could hardly have had th» Dunedin Burns' Club in his mind when writ- ■ ing his note about Burns worshippers last week, as it (the Burns Club) does not (like the Shakespeare Club, for instance) confine. itself to .the writings or adoration of the poet; whose name it bears, as witness the grand banquet recently hold under Us auspices in honour of St. Andrew (and his connection with Scotland is somewhat mythical).' It has not yet held such a festival in honour of St. Robert. Its objects, as stated in the constitution, are to perpetuate the popularity of Burns and to foster a love for Scottish litera^ ture, music, and song—a wide field to work in. It will be admitted that it has done something to increase the popularity of Burns here, but it does not forget the many other great names in Scottish literature, and the songs of most of the sweet singers of Scotia are to be hoard at its meetings. Scotsmen, know that there aro many stars in. "thel North British literary firmament," but to , most of us Burns is .the brightest. He has been no shooting meteor: ho . has , shed a glour. o'er the national life of Scotland which is not likely to pass away. ScotsI men can hardly think of their native land without thinking of Burns, ; and wherever . they gather his is a name to conjure with; but a study of his poems is not conduoive to a narrow range of sympathies, literary. or otherwise.—l am, etc., A Member of the Bukss Cujb ■ Dunedin, December 20.