“SOUL OF SCOTLAND”

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20714, 26 January 1939, Page 2

“SOUL OF SCOTLAND”

BURNS’ IMMORTAL POETRY MR A. W. GRANT’S ADDRESS fTimes Special Reporter) TE AROHA, Thursday “Whenever we think of Scotland we think of Robert Burns, and when we think of Burns we naturally think of Scotland." said Mr A. W. Grant, when delivering the address on Robert Burns at the Te Aroha Caledonian Society’s "Burns’ Night" Tngleside last evening. Lord and Lady Galway were the guests-of-honour at the function which was presided over by the chief of the society, Mr N. G. McLeod. »‘Tn the 20th century few people rpad poems and fewer still understand them." said Mr Grant. "Tn the 18th and 10th centuries, however, a much greater interest was taken in poetry and it was the fashion among the people tn patronise the popts. Tt was fortunate for the world of poetry that Burns lived in such times. Tn England the post Of Poet Laureate was instituted as a means of fostering an interest in poetry, but. apart from sehool children, there are few people to-day who could tell you the name of the present holder of the position.’

Continuing, the speaker traced the life of Robert Burns, and dealt with the hardships against which he always had to fieht. Hp was essentially a Scottish poet, and he was a poet of the lowlands.

"There is no other poet who has put the soul of Scotland fnto his work as did Robert Burns." said Mr Grant. * -Whprevpr the English language is spoken the works of Burns are still enjoyed, and as long as there is a Scotland his poems will continue to inspire.”