Invercargill Burns Club

Southland Times, Issue 13959, 26 January 1898, Page 2

Invercargill Burns Club

The anniversary of the birth of the Scottish poet Robert Burns was celebrated by 5 this club yesterday evening in the Caledonian restaurant, where Mr Raeside had prepared a sumptuous spread in splendid style in his large new dining hall, which proved fully adapted for such purposes, its acoastic properties being decidedly good. There was a good attendance and the gathering was eminently enthusiastic. The President of the Society (Mr R. Gilmour) occupied the chair, and in opening proposed the health of the Queen, which was toasted with musical honours.

Mr Hugh Hunter sang “There was a lad was born in Kyle ” in his much appreciated style. The President proposed the toast of the evening “ Robert Burns.’, He apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr W. B. Scandrett. In speaking to the toast he said that words failed him to express the admiration and enthusiastic regard he had for the greatest of all Scotsmen—Robert Burns. There were no doubt poets who had written more than Burns, and whose writings would probably last longer, because of the dialect in which Burn’s writing were couched. Ho compared the writings of Shakespeare and Burns. Tbe former wrote more for the intellect, whereas the latter touched the very cord of the human being—the soul of man. That was where Burns had such a grip of human nature. Burns had done more to revolutionise the world by his writings than any other one he knew. Burns appealed to the emotions and sentiments. Mr Gilmour referred to the disturbance on Indian frontier in verification of the fact that the blood of Caldcdonia was still strong and warm, and should Britain ba envelopec. in a war he was quite pure tho Caledonians would lead the van. He did not know a writer who had done more to knock away the shackles of superstition from the human mind, whether iu religion or politics than Burns. The poet was inspired with the same inspiration that the poets of old times were inspired with the Divine light from heaven. Burns had the power of seeing through things. Mr Gilmour proceeded to speak of the majesty of the poet. He was not a small and common man, as could be seen by the sentiments embodied in hissongsaud poetry. They would not realise Burns's true greatness for another hundred years, when men rose in freedom and recognition of their own and other men’s rights—only then would they begin to appreciate at his full grandeur that great man that was born in Kyle 139 years ago. The great distinction of every poetic mm was his sincerity. There was no greatness in human nature without sincerity, and he regretted to ray that in the rising generation there was a marked absence of sincerity and earnestness, which perhaps was hot altgether their fault, as the same discipline was not brought to bear on them as it was on those who were up in years now. A young society such as theirs should live and exercise a strong influence on the young people of the colony. Certainly the rising generation had not the same advantages as their forefathers, bub he thought they should be sent to the interior, where they could draw inspiration from Nature ; where they could admire the beautiful mountains, rivers, and lakes, and thus have feelings of awe and admiration instilled in them, and by this have the mind purified and enlightened. Nature’s greatest poet was Robert Burns, and they should transmit to their children some of the admiration and enthusiasm they entertained for that great name. The toast was drunk in silence.

Mr J. W. Mitchell spoke in highly eulogistic terms of the President’s address. He concluded that the reason people met together to commemorate the memory of Burns was because his writings showed that he had the ideal man in his eyes. Robert Burns was a true democrat ; he believed in good deeds and meritorious actions and sympathising with those in need of sympathy. That was the greatest source of attraction which caused people to assemble to commemorate his memory. Mr G. Lumsden proposed “ Kindred Societies.” He spoke in high terms of Highland Mary and gave a long and interesting account of the great poet’s attitude towards her—of his love and admiration for one whom he so greatly esteemed. Mr W. G. Mehaffey spoke of Burns’ character and of his works as being inexhaustible. As ages rolled on the name of Burns would be more widely spread and his works more widely known. Burns was preeminently the song writer of the world—there was not another who approached him. Messrs Raeside, John Thomson, and A. MoKellar, also made a few remarks. Songs were capitally given by Mrs Blue, Misses M. and S. Murray. Messrs H. Hunter, P. McEwan, R Gilmour, G. Braik, W. Smith; a recitation by Mr Prentice, and pipe solos by Mr Anderson. Mrs Gilmour and Mrs Blue played the accompaniments to the songs in an efficient manner. The meeting, which had been a . most enthusiastic one, was concluded by a hearty vote of thanks to the host and hostess, and also to the President, who had been indefatigable in his zeal to make the thing a success. “Auld Lang Syne ” was cordially sung.