DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2589, 28 October 1903, Page 58

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB.

The popularity of the monthly concerts of the Dunedin Burns Club is now proverbial, and that given in the Choral Hall on the 21s. was as fully enjoyable as the most ardent admirer of the poet could wish it to be. The President of the society (Mr A. Thomison) presided, and in the course of a short opening address said that he had to apologise for dye abse-nee of come of the members of the choir who were engaged at the competitions. He also reminded the audience that the next meeting of the society would be on October 30 — Halloween Night. Dr Gordon Macdonald had promised to give them a good entertainment ; and although he (Mr Thomson) did not know a great deal about Halloween himself, he had no doubt but that Dr Macdonald would ba able to provide a good evening's amusement.

The chief item on the programme was an address by Mr R. Gilkison. In calling upon Mr Gilkison to deliver his lecture, the Chairman said that Mr Gifkison was a grandsca of one of Scotland's most famous ipoets — Hogg, who was better known as the "Ettrick Shepherd," and whom those amons them who had trod the heather would remember as the author of the song "When the kye comes hame." Mr Gilkison, who was received with applause, took as his subject " The Treatment of the Supernatural by Burns, Scott and ■Hogg." He said that he had to thank the audience for the kind reception accorded to him. It was with feelings of pleasure, mingled with awe and trepidation, that he had undertaken the task of addressing them —pleasure at joining with them in domg reverence to the immortal memory ot [Robert Burns, and trepidation at the thought of his own incompetency tc do justice to the theme. He looked upon that Society as a sacred college dedicated to the memory of Burns. Members of the Burns Club gathered mcath after month and year after year and heard the choice Ijnoa of the bard sung and lectures from students of literature upon their favourite subject, and after a course ot 10 year* or so of such the members of the club must be *n«iderld not only a* enthusiasts but also » experts in the- cult and graduates m the college. It was only possible for him to touch on one small phase of Burns s work and influence, and the subject that he had -hosen was "The Treatment of the Supernatural by Bums, Scott, and Hogg. Ine ipe-aker then went on to refer to the euperrtition of the eighteenth century, in which Burns lived and died, and in order to bring out clearly the contrast shown by Burns to bi3 surroundings touched on some of the superstitions of that age, and after giving an" exhaustive account of the witchcraft that prevailed- in England and Scotland, and tho manner in which it was regarded by imminent men, went on to say: "To us in these days of light and knowledge it ia an easy "thing to laugh at old wives^ tales of ' tho hairst afore the Sherramuir, but for the young ploughman of the eighteenth century to scoff at euch required both pluck, individuality, sound philosophy, and eound common sense." An example of Burns's treatment of the supernatural was found, in his inimitable poem " Tarn o Shanter," from which a number of extracts wore read. Comparing Burns with Scott *nd Hogg, they might say that Burns'a treatment of the supernatural exhibited throughout the trenchant spirit of modern timea. On the other hand, to Scott and Hogg the poetic beauty and the glamour of the unknown world appealed as they never did to Burns. Hogsr especially was the poet of the supernatural. His tale of the fate of Macgregor still made the cold thrill pass down the back of the most sceptical. Scott and Hogg wrote mostly in the oarly part of the nineteenth century, when the feeling had already changed. There were many who looked back regretfully and with the deepest interest to the fairy and spirit lore. The beauty of the supernatural never appealed to Burns. He only admitted a supernatural light into, his tales for the purpose of brightening up human life and character. Examples of the manner in which Scott and Hogg dealt with the unknown world were then given, the lecturer being particularly happy in the extracts which he read. In concluding, Mr Gilkison said that the more one studied the history of the times when Burns wrote the more we wondered at his freedom from the prejudices of the age. With unerring directness he would go to the heart of the matter, and with a few brilliant and •weird touohes lay it before men as it bad never been seen before. Far ahead of his time as a thinker, we have not yet caught up to him. No mere provincial bard was he, but rathe* a poet for all time. The lecture was singularly well delivered, and Mr Gilkison resumed his eeat amidst applause. During the evening Miss Thomson contributed two songs in a very pleasing manner, as did also Mrs Morrison, both Sadies having to submit to encores. Mr ■R. Kennard sang "The carnival," and Miss Docherty received an emphatic encore for ■her song, "Robin Adair." Mr J. T. Carter sang " Scotland yet," and, in response to further demands, gave "Flow gently, sweet Afton." The other vocalists were Messrs A. Beissel and D. M. Fea. Mr A. Flint played a violin solo, and a clarionet solo by Herr Paul Sonderhof proved a most enjoyable item. Mr J. G. Stevens recited "Kissing Cup's Race*." The slnginjr of a number of part songs by the choir under the conductor (Mr W. R. Don) was a feature of the concert. Mr J. B. Thomson proposed a vote of thanks to all who had assisted to make the oyening a success, and especially to Mr Gilkkon, whose address they haa all so much enjoyed. The singing of "Ai^i lang syne" brought the concert to a c. 1 vse.

Ripe strawberries are already announced in the Palmerston North papers. Caj.tain M'Dougall, the representative of tho Shaw, Savin, and Albion Company, has .written to the Harbour Board (says the (Lyttelton Times) stating that its port i« *he dearest in the colony for big steamers ko call at, if they make a long stay. The Award asserts that the port is one of the cheapest if the steamera stay but a day or two. Two visits of the Wadwera on one -voyage cost in harbour charges £349 3b 3d. The steamer remained com& time, an-d Sanded and shipped 4300 tons.

The Fibeilan is in great danger from falling bricks or timbers, as well as from the flames. No fire department is properly equipped without a supply of Civarnberlain's Pain Balm. This liniment is unexcelled for burns and bruises One application gives relief. Try it. All dealers sell it.