Burns Chronicle 2000
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Robert Burns World Federation Limited www.rbwf.org.uk 2000 The digital conversion of this Burns Chronicle was sponsored by Ian Bascombe Shaw The digital conversion was provided by Solway Offset Services Ltd by permission of the Robert Burns World Federation Limited to whom all Copyright title belongs. www.solwayprint.co.uk Edinburgh Crystal has been creating wonderful Scottish crystal in Scotland’s capital since 1867. Whatever the occasion, an elegant gift of Edinburgh Crystal will be treasured forever. BURNS CHRONICLE 2000 We are delighted to offer a special service to members of The Robert Burns World Federation. ♦ A select range of our exclusive Scottish quality crystal ♦ Personalised with your message or crest for that special gift or prize ♦ Delivered direct to your home, anywhere in the world More details can be found in the enclosed leaflet. For more information about Edinburgh Crystal, why not have a look at our website, www.edinburgh-crystal.com Edinburgh Crystal, Eastfield, Penicuik EH26 8HB Tel: +44 (0) 1968 672244 Fax: +44 (0) 1968 675077 E-mail: [email protected] Solway Offset the Printers, 11 Catherinefield Ind. Estate, Heathhall, Dumfries. Motto — “A man’s a man for a’ that” THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION LIMITED Company Registration No. 196895. Scottish Charity No. SCO29099 (Formerly THE BURNS FEDERATION) Instituted 1885 HEADQUARTERS: DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK, DOWER HOUSE, KILMARNOCK. KA3 1XB. TEL/FAX: 01563 572469. OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. HONORARY PRESIDENTS Mrs. S. G. Baillie, Mrs. Stella Brown, Charles Murray, Lew W. Reid, James Mason, George Irvine, Gordon M. Mackley, Professor G. Ross Roy, Archie McArthur, Dr. Donald A. Low, William Williamson, Murdo Morrison, James Parnham, Lawrence Burness, Tom G. Paterson, Peter J. Westwood, James Hempstead, Provost of East Ayrshire, Joseph Campbell, Professor Henryk Minc, Kenneth McKellar, Jimmy Shand, M.B.E., Alastair Gowans, Robert Cleland. OFFICIALS Chief Executive: SHIRLEY BELL, “Inveresk,” Kelton, Dumfries. DG1 4UA. Tel/Fax: 01387 770283. President: JOHN SKILLING, 16 Craigstewart Crescent, Doonfoot, Ayr. KA7 4DB. Tel: 01292 445230. Senior Vice-President: JAMES GIBSON, Craigowan Cottage, 28 Brewlands Road, Symington, Ayrshire. Junior Vice-President: JIM ROBERTSON, 4 Hunter’s Close, Dunnington, York. YO1 5QH. Tel: 01904 489201. Clerical Secretary: Mrs. MARGARET CRAIG, Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock. KA1 3BU. Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. Honorary Legal Advisor: DAVID STEVENSON. Auditors: SMITH & WALLACE & CO. CONVENERS 200 Club: MOIRA RENNIE DUNSMORE, 59 Beechwood Court, Dunstable, Beds. LU6 1YA. Tel: 01582 705671. Schools Competitions: ANNE GAW, 7 Highfield Place, Girdle Toll, Irvine. KA11 1BW. Tel: 01294 217481. Scottish Literature: CLIFF PARR, 22 Moy Terrace, Inverness. IV2 4EL. Tel: 01463 232806. Memorials Committee: JOE KENNEDY, 49 Sutherland Drive, Kilmarnock. KA3 7JW. Tel: 01563 531688. Marketing/Advertising: MURDO MORRISON, 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw. ML2 8HU. Tel: 01698 372638. Conference Committee: JIM ROBERTSON, 4 Hunter’s Close, Dunnington, York. YO1 5QH. Tel: 01904 489201. PAST PRESIDENTS Joe Campbell, Bob Dalziel, Moira Rennie Dunsmore, Andrew McKee, Murdo Morrison, David C. Smith, John Mor- rison, Charles Kennedy, Donald Urquhart, Hutchison Sneddon, C.B.E., J.P., Anne Gaw, Enez Anderson, J. Connor, M.D.I.R.C.P. (Edin), L.R.F.P.S. (Glas)., D. Wilson Ogilvie, M.A., F.S.A.Scot., John Inglis, T. McIlwraith, George Anderson, Mollie Rennie, S. K. Gaw. Dower House, Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, July 2000. Main Sponsor of The Robert Burns OFFICES FEDERATION OPENING OF NEW World Federation new offices in Federation and friends who attended the official opening of Federation’s Members of the Robert Burns World BURNS CHRONICLE Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. Editorial Consultant: Professor RAYMOND GRANT, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Advertising Manager: MURDO MORRISON, 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw, ML2 8HU. Tel/Fax: 01698 372638. Contents President Joe Campbell ..................................3 Agnes Burns Cottage ...................................90 From the Editor ..............................................4 Service at Brow Well ...................................91 In the Beginning (Greenock B.C.) .................7 Two Fragments of Letters “The Mother Club” 1 .....................................9 by Robert Burns .......................................92 “The Mother Club” 2 ...................................17 Burns Federation and Return of the Robert Wilson and The Songs of Burns .......22 Glenriddel Manuscripts ............................94 An (Alleged) Son of Robert Burns ..............28 Psychological Vacation Tours of Robert Burns and Falkirk .............................31 Robert Burns in 1787 .............................105 Re-Dedication of the Loudoun Spout ..........37 From the Literary Editor ............................109 200 Club .......................................................41 The Geddes Burns ......................................114 A Fragment of an Unpublished Letter Burns Anniversary - A Poem......................124 of Sir Walter Scott ....................................42 North American Tributes to Burns .............125 “Sealed in Stone” - Time Capsule ................51 William Nicol Burns - Patronage ...............128 Robert Burns and The Dumfriesshire Letter to the Editor .....................................130 Volunteers .................................................52 The Gentle Art of the Sculptor - Return of Robert Burn to the Castle Inn, Edmonton Statue ....................................131 New Cumnock .........................................57 Obituaries ...................................................139 Robert Fergusson .........................................59 Places of Interest in Glasgow Burns, Thomson and Beethoven ..................63 for Burnsians ..........................................142 Correspondence between Beethoven John Murdoch ............................................146 and George Thomson ...............................69 An American Poem of the Poet’s Poet .......157 The Courage of John Weaver .......................76 George Thomson and Robert Burns ...........159 New Title for N.A.A.F.B. .............................85 How I Met Tam o’ Shanter .........................163 The Robert Burns World Federation Limited does not accept any responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed in the Burns Chronicle. Contributors are responsible for articles signed by them; the Editor is responsible for articles initialed or signed by him, as well as for those unsigned. Articles, photographs, items for review and all correspondence should be addressed and forwarded to the Editor at the above address. Articles offered should be in typescript with double spacing and on the one side of the sheet. A stamped addressed envelope should be forwarded for return of articles and photographs. © THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION LIMITED 1 2 JOE CAMPBELL President of the Robert Burns World Federation or someone who loves the works of Robert Burns there can be no greater thrill or honour than to be invited to be the President of the Federation founded in his name in 1885. So it was that in September, 1999, I Fexperienced that thrill and honour which was soon to be replaced by a feeling of humility and responsibility as we entered a new millennium with all the opportunities and challenges it offers. The Burns Federation of 1885 is very similar to the Robert Burns World Federation of today in many ways. It is still sustained by men and women of passion and of love for the works and the life of the poet, but the world has changed dramatically over the years. Communication is instant creating new accessibility to all sorts of cultural and other pursuits, and because of these and other factors, we had to change our structure, never an easy thing to do given the history of the Federation. However, now we are officially a world wide organisation with full charitable status and I have no doubt that the next few years will prove to be fruitful as we access that same old world through our website. Without question the indelible memory of my years as your President was the joy of meeting so many good people in various parts of the country. It is difficult to believe that anyone who studies and appreciates the words of Robert Burns could be anything other than a good person and so it has proved in my experience. The nineteenth century saw the birth of the Federation, the twentieth saw it mature into a potent force, and I believe the twenty first will witness it become a global company taking the works of Robert Burns to ever increasing millions and bringing honour to the land of his birth. Thank you for the great privilege you bestowed on me and your friendship. 3 FROM THE EDITOR his being the first issue of theBurns Chronicle in the new Millennium it is with much pleasure that we mark an historic occasion within the world of Robert Burns by featuring the forth-coming Bi-Centenary of the founding of Greenock Burns TClub. The Club very much alive today met for the first time on 21st July, 1801 and held their first supper the following year. Sadly in the 1920’s the pages of the Club’s first minutes disappeared and this has led over the years to a controversy as