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www.DDSR.com ROBERT BURNS CHRONICLE 1973

THE BURNS FEDERATION KILMARNOCK

Price 40p-Paper bound: 6Sp-Clotll bound: Pritt to Noo-Memben 50p-Papu bound: 75p-Clotb boUDd. 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

Scotch as it used to be BURNS CHRONICLE CHARLES C. EASTON, F.S.A. President, Burns Federation BURNS CHRONICLE AND CLUB DIRECTORY INSTITUTED 1891 PUBLISHED ANNUALLY

THIRD SERIES: VOLUME XXII

THE BURNS FEDERATION KILMARNOCK 1973 Published by The Burns Federation Kilmarnock Printed by William Hodge & Company Limited Great Britain

- LIST OF CONTENTS

PAGE John Wilson, 1759-1821 by Farquhar McKenzie ..

The Spoken Word by R. Peel 6

Bums's Other Tale. A New Look at 'Death and Doctor Hornbook' by Donald A. Low 8

Samuel W. Love. Tribute by A. Neil Campbell . . 19

Book Review by Alice V. Stuart 20

Glaumerie. Poem by John Kirk 24

A Memorial to McGonagall by Jane Burgoyne 25

Auguste Angellier. Translation by Jane Burgoyne 26

First Lady President 53

The Trip To Liverpool by Robert D. Thornton 54

All Square. Poem by Kate Y. A. Bone 77

Mirk. Poem by L. M. Stirling 78

The Bums Federation-

(a) List of Hon. Presidents, Executive Committee, Office-bearers and District Representatives, Sub- committees, Auditors and Associate Members . . 79

(b) List of Past Presidents 85 List of Places at which the Annual Conference of the Council has been held 86

(c) Constitution and Rules 87

(d) List of Districts 92

(e) Minutes of Annual Conference, 1972, incor­ porating the Hon. Secretary's Report, Financial Statement, Bums Chronicle and Schools Compe- titions reports 100

(h) Alphabetical List of Clubs on Roll 183

List of Advertisements 187

I I ~- ILLUSTRATIONS

Charles C. Easton, President, Bums Federation frontispiece

Portrait of John Wilson facing Editorial Note

John Wilson Tombstone facing page 1

Mrs. Jean Anderson facing page 32

J EDITORIAL NOTE

The Burns Federation does not accept responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed in the Burns Chronicle. Writers are responsible for articles signed by them: the Editor undertakes responsibility for all unsigned matter.

- Manuscripts for publication should be addressed to the Editor and each must be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. The Editor cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.

JAMES VEITCH. Ni!WBtGGINO, Twl!l!DSMUIR, BIGGAR, LANARKSHIRI!.

--~' Portrait of John Wilson, Publisher of the Kilmarnock Edition of Burns's Poems (1786), from the original in the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock.

JOHN WILSON, 1759-1821

On the 25th of October, 1752, Kilmarnock Town Council agreed to wall off the river and build new foot-paths on either side of what was a mere passage or close running from the Cross to the Town Green. Despite these important alterations the street remained un­ named until after the Napoleonic Wars when, to balance the newly opened Nelson Street, the older passage was named Waterloo Street. Approaching from Kilmarnock Cross there was, midway down on the left, a building comprising ground floor, two upper floors and a garret or attic floor. Entrance to the building was by a narrow close, or hole-in-the-wa', along the far gable end at whose extremity the close gave entrance to an open courtyard. Looking to the left, a covered stairway gave access to the building, on the third floor of which John Wilson housed his printing press. Crossing the court­ yard one came to the Star Inn which, in later years, was to give its name to the entry. Born in the same year as Robert Bums, Wilson started printing about 1780. The son of a shop-keeper variously described as keeping a general store or a barber's shop, John Wilson at an early age showed good business acumen. The first printing press in Ayrshire was set up in Kilmarnock in 1780 by a jobber named Peter McArthur; no proof is available of Wilson's taking over McArthur's press and types but this would seem likely. As a bookseller with premises in the Foregate, it would have been more convenient to print there rather than for Wilson to instal his press three floors up in a separate building. But, so soon after his venture into printing, Wilson was fortunate enough to be visited in the summer of 1786 by Robert Burns whose desire was to see his verse in 'guid black prent'. They must have made a contrasting pair-the small, cautious business man, off-setting possible losses by requiring materials and sponsors, and the athletic farmer bubbling with enthusiasm yet, as the book went through the press, keeping a wary eye on proof-reading and for any move for his apprehension by James Armour. Despite future misinterpretations, Wilson and Bums must have worked well together-Walter Graham, Wilson's press man, stated that Burns frequently visited the print shop overseeing the printing of his poems. This close relationship between author and printer continued through the Edinburgh Edition-vide Kinnear's description of Bums in Smellie's printing house-and makes Burns rank with Ben Jonson as the leading

A 2 JOHN WILSON, 1759-1821

examples of poets actively seeing their work being accurately and correctly printed. Whilst W. Craibe Angus has described the Kilmarnock Edition as the 'first really beautiful book that he (Wilson) produced', John D. Ross more realistically values it as 'poorly printed on poor paper'. In a way, both are correct. With printing not being introduced into Ayrshire until 1780, Wilson's work lacks the beauty of the printed word of the 15th and 16th centuries and, being produced on a cheap plan, was not meant to be the collectors' piece that it became. On the other hand, the variety of clear-cut type and the tasteful use of ornament and device did lead to a satisfying example of the printer's art. Wilson did afford generous and balanced proportions in the margins which gave the printed page a most pleasing appearance; the pity is that later book-binders, solely on the grounds of economy, reduced these margins to meagre and detracting sizes. With Wilson's brother, Peter, commencing book-selling in Ayr, a flood of work followed the printing of the Kilmarnock Edition. In her excellent article, John Wilson, an Ayrshire printer, publisher and bookseller (Bibliothek, vol. 5, no. 2, 1967), Frances M. Thomson provides a check-list of the work of Wilson. Two works are listed between 1783 and 1785, then follows Burns's poetry in 1786; after that, a veritable rush of publications-poems by George Campbell, John Lapraik, and David Sillar, Ramsay's Tea-table miscellany; sermons and religious tracts; and Latin syntax and classical works. The type and ornaments of the Kilmarnock Edition continue in use within these works-then, for an unexplained reason, Wilson moved his press and types to Ayr in 1790. The county town may have had additional business attractions or the Star Inn Close print shop, three floors up, may have become inconvenient for the volume of traffic and movement of materials and productions. John Wilson con­ tinued his other work in Kilmarnock and Peter attended to the printing in Ayr where in 1803 they launched the Ayr Adrertiser which, after an unprofitable beginning, has continued in production to this day. As business in Kilmarnock thrived, John Wilson undertook community work and, serving on the Town Council, was elected a bailie of the town. He was also a noted member of the Kilmarnock Kilwinning St. John's Lodge, No. 22, of which Burns was an honorary member. Although at this time Kilmarnock was one of the smaller and less important towns in Ayrshire, it was the focal point of Bums's social and business life-even when he moved to JOHN WILSON, 1759-1821 3

Ellisland he continued to order his seeds from the firm of Tam Samson. Some of his dearest and most intimate friends lived in Kilmarnock and there can be little doubt that the poet and the 'small, active and well-dressed' printer must have met on occasions other than in the Star Inn Close. Despite this, the myth has developed of Burns's indignation over Wilson's conditions for a second edition of the poems and of his composing the biting epitaph on 'Wee Johnie'. This epitaph appears in the Kilmarnock Edition long before the success of the publication could be gauged; not one shred of evidence from any source testifies to any acrimony between the author and printer; and it is beyond the bounds of decency that Burns would have thus lampooned his printer before and during the publication of his poetry, as well as beyond the realms of credulity that the business-like Wilson would have printed such a condem­ nation of himself. Reference, then, must be made to an Edinburgh Edition annotated by Burns himself and originally in the possession of Dr. Mundell ofCloseburn. The 'Wee Johnie' referred to is neither JOhn Wilson, printer, nor any other John Wilson. Rather the identity is that of the Rev. John Kennedy, perhaps he of that name of the Ochiltree assistantship and later minister at Terregles. A respected figure in Kilmarnock, then, John Wilson sold his business there and moved in 1810 to Ayr where he died in 1821. He was buried in the Old High Kirk of his native Kilmarnock and the gravestone, by Archibald Baird, was erected in 1827 by Wilson's sister, Elizabeth. In his will, John Wilson left his Kilmarnock property to be shared among three nieces and an educational endowment for the poor children of the town. He advised that the income for the trust should be used to buy up the other three shares as and when they became available and the total income to be invested until enough capital accrued 'in the accompt till there be a fund sufficiently large to build a house of one storey, containing a room big enough for a numerous school ... to be appropriated solely for the support of a school for the education of poor children in teaching them reading, writing and arithmetic only. On allowing them to leave the seminary, I could wish, if there be funds, that each scholar should receive a neat pocket Bible on which might be wrote A B , educated at Wilson's Charity School'. Unfortunately, when the third and last share of the property had been purchased only £230 remained in the fund and the Provost and Magistrates of Kilmarnock agreed in July, 1880, that the basic terms of the will were being met by the Education (Scotland) Act of 1872. The 4 JOHN WILSON, 1759-1821

endowment was therefore transferred to the Burgh School Board 'with a preference for the children of the old inhabitants of the town'. History has done badly by John Wilson. His name and gener­ osity besmirched by misinterpretation; a successor to the Ayr Ad~·ertiser, Thomas M. Gemell, had in the centenary year of 1859 the famous printing press converted into a commodious armchair. This chair, depicting scenes from Bums's works and containing the platen of the original press in its base, is now housed in the Burns Cottage Museum, Alloway. Equally unfortunate was the fate of the Star Inn Close building. With its hole-in-the-wa' and open courtyard it had as perfect a setting as any l 7th century Dutch town house and doubtlessly was created for museum purposes. But, as Bums's cottage was despoiled by the drunken and mendacious John ('Miller') Goudie, so Wilson's printing shop declined into being used as a pawnbroker's premises. In 1934, when its condition was a matter for public safety, the birthplace of the Kilmarnock Bums was demolished. We readily grant that the original press was worm-holed and that, in the 1930s, poverty and unemployment were rampant. But the thought of the Christopher Plantin Museum in Antwerp with its original building, original presses, its use of antique paper and type-the thought of this makes one wonder what sort of an impact a Star Inn Close museum would have today. Think, then, of what Burns and Wilson-and Kilmarnock-have been robbed; consider what has been denied to the visitor of today. With the press, the building, the courtyard, the hardly changed street and the hole-in­ the wa', together with the mass of original Bums manuscripts, together with a Kilmarnock Edition all in the possession of Kil­ marnock Town Council-think of the Mecca that could have been offered today to the rising tide of tourism and to the vast number of Burns students. But is it too late? At a time when the Irvine Bums Club have paid a world record price of £4,000 for a bound copy of the Kilmarnock Edition, Mr. Adam McGregor Dick (a descendant of Rob Roy McGregor) has taken the trouble to restore, out of his own pocket, the gravestone of John Wilson. The original stone had been renovated in 1880 by that lover of Bums, James McKie, but water and time had again ravaged the stonework. We are indebted to Mr. Dick for his kindness and fortitude. As Auld Killie is being modernised with the building of a new town centre, is it too late for something to be done in respect of JOHN WILSON, 1759-1821 5

John Wilson and the Kilmarnock Edition? The affluent 70s have replaced the hungry 30s; television has brought out a new awareness of history; of the three great memorials due to Robert Burns, two are world-famous-the birthplace at Alloway and his resting place at Dumfries. Only the Star Inn Close-perhaps the greatest of them all-is missing. Already there is some hope. Kilmarnock Town Council have adopted the principle of providing a museum of local history and industry within the new centre precincts. Mr. James C. W. Nicol, President of the Kilmarnock No. 0 Club, is engaged with two gifted townsmen of his-one the principal of a College of Printing, the other the principal of a Technical College-in building a replica of the Wilson press. Together with the original manuscripts this would feature the story of the Kilmarnock First Edition in the proposed museum but how much more inspiring it would be if the Town Council, the Burns Federation and the development company could co-operate in making some fitting memorial in the Star Inn Close. It would mark Kilmarnock's greatest claim to fame; it would recognise the worth of one of its most noted citizens, John Wilson. But, as in most things of high drama it's now-or NEVER. Farquhar M'Kenzie THE SPOKEN WORD by R. PEEL

Those who have followed the Argo series of 'The English Poets' will be delighted that it has now reached Robert Bums. The series, when complete, will range from Chaucer to Yeats in some sixty records, and is prepared in conjunction with the British Council and Oxford University Press. The importance of this undertaking cannot be over-emphasised, for the full flavour of any poet is realised only when he is read aloud. No major poet responds more in this respect than Burns, for his is essentially a spoken language. To leave the vernacular to the printed page is to condemn it to obscurity, and Burns becomes weakened by so doing. Attempts to bring Burns alive therefore are always welcomed, and this selection comprises some thirty items intended to convey the full range of his genius. It contains such early pieces as, 'Green Grow the Rashes O' from the Commonplace book of 1784, to 'The Luvely Lass o' Inverness,' published posthumously in volume 5 of Johnson's 'Scots Musical Museum'. It samples the poet's various themes; his addresses to the lower order in 'To a Mouse' and 'To a Louse', his satiric attacks against hypocrisy in 'Holy Willie's Prayer,' the solemnity of 'The Cotter's Saturday Night,' and the verse epistle in 'To a Young Friend'. What it does not do is illustrate his complete mastery of the traditional Scottish verse forms, which seems an essential adjunct if Burns is to be placed in an historical setting. The 'Standart Habbie' is there in abundance of course, but there is no 'Christis Kirk' metre as modified in 'The Holy Fair,' or the 'Cherry and the Slae' stave as characterised in the 'Epistle to Davie'. Its major fault, however, lies in not using the full potential of the gramophone by adding music and having the songs sung. Many of Burns's words can stand on their own feet, 'Scots wha Hae' and 'Is there for Honest Poverty,' are two such examples. But the full impact of 'I'm o'er Young to Marry yet' and 'John Anderson' is not experienced without music, and it is praiseworthy that Isla Blair can wring such meaning from the simplicity of 'Jamie, come try me'. Full credit though for adding the less popular versions of 'The Banks o' Doon' (Kinsley No. 328A) and of 'Whistle and I'll come to Ye, my Lad' (Kinsley No. 420). Considering the doubts concerning its authenticity, it is rather a pity that the final piece should be 'The THE SPOKEN WORD 7

Tree of Liberty'. Kinsley remains firmly neutral concerning its authorship, Crawford and Chambers-Wallace come down on the side of Burns, and Henley-Henderson considered that Burns neither wrote nor copied 'the trash". Duncan Mcintyre, incidentally, can also be heard on the Robert Henryson, William Dunbar record entitled 'The Scots Chaucerians' Argo ZPL 1006 stereo. The complete Burns record is as follows: Side 1 Band 1 'To a Mouse.' 'Green Grow the Rashes.' 'My Wife's a Wanton wee thing.' 'To a Louse.' Band 2 'O Saw Ye bonnie Lesley.' 'Open the Door to Me oh.' 'A Red Red Rose.' 'My bonnie Mary.' Band 3 'Thou Hast Left Me Ever.' 'The Banks o' Doon'. 'John Anderson.' 'Jamie Come Try Me.' 'Tam Glen.' 'What Can a Young Lassie do wi' an Auld Man.' Band 4 'Address to the Unco Gu id.' 'The Cotter·s Saturday Night.' (stanzas 1to4, 12, 14, 15, 19 and 20). 'Auld Lang Syne.' Side 2 Band 1 'Scots Wha Hae.' 'Is There for Honest Poverty.' 'Highland Mary.' 'Mary Morison.' 'Epistle to a Young Friend.' Band 2 'Address to the Tooth-ache.' 'Scotch Drink' (stanzas 1 to 5, 9, 18, 20 and 21). 'The Luvely Lasso' Inverness.' 'O Whistle and I'll come to Ye My Lad.' 'For the Sake of Somebody.' 'I'm O'er Young to Marry Yet.' 'There's a Youth in this City.' Band 3 'Holy Willie's Prayer' (stanzas 1 to 11 and 17). 'The Tree of Liberty' (stanzas 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 11). Read by Isla Blair, Julian Glover and Duncan Mcintyre. Record No. PLP 1034 Mono. Price £1 ·50.

J BURNS'S OTHER TALE A NEW LOOK AT 'DEATH AND DOCTOR HORNBOOK' by DONALD A. Low

The fame of Burns's second tale has almost entirely eclipsed that of the first. He himself stated somewhat ruefully that 'Tam o' Shanter' was his 'standard performance in the poetical line'. Traditionally, this uniquely brilliant and popular poem has been discussed on its own; but 'Tam o' Shanter' appears in a new light when placed beside 'Death and Doctor Hornbook,' the merits of which deserve to be better known. Bums married in the period which intervened between the two poems. One reason for the popularity of 'Tam o' Shanter' is that it has a new dimension of humour, that of marriage and sex. There are the references to Tam's wife waiting at home, to the landlady's favours 'secret, sweet, and precious,' and to the witches: Now, Tam, 0 Tam! had thae been queans, A' plump and strapping in their teens ... The sexual comedy provides the supreme event in the tale: Even Satan glowr'd, and fidg'd fu' fain, And hotch'd and blew wi' might and main: Till first ae caper, syne anither, Tam tint his reason a' thegither, And roars out, 'Weel done, Cutty-sark!' This rollicking humour of physical desire transforms the atmos­ phere of 'Tam o' Shanter,' and helps to universalise the fable. 'Death and Doctor Hornbook' was written in 1785, 'Tam o' Shanter' not until 1790. The first poem was conceived as a satire, the second as an extended illustration of the legend of Alloway Kirk. But although the two poems were produced by very different occasions, and separated by this long interval, they have a surprising amount in common. Both are comic tales about a drunken hero who meets Something on his way home at night. 'Death and Doctor Hornbook' is, on one level, a personal satire or lampoon on the character of 'Jock Hornbook,' but it is also a poem which mocks at the idea of Death by robbing it of terror and solemnity. 'Tam o' Shanter' is primarily a comic tale. It corresponds to the earlier poem in that it once again incidentally reduces the dignity of a supernatural power, this time the Devil. The two tales operate within similar limits. The most obvious technical difference between them is that 'Death and Doctor Horn-

L BURNS'S OTHER TALE 9 book' is a first person narrative while 'Tam o' Shanter' is a third person narrative. This difference between dramatic monologue and 'external' narrative is radical, and one of the subtlest features of 'Tam o' Shanter' is that most of the action is viewed through the eyes ofa 'crony narrator' with a fondness for moralising (in English). Despite this, there is a clear similarity in treatment of the subject between the poems. Fundamental to the success of each is the projection of the character of the intoxicated hero. The exhibition of his credulous personality and heightened state of consciousness is in each case the 'action' before the action proper, building up suspense and making possible both unusual narrative economy at the climax and an ironic conclusion. In other words, the hero holds the tale together, rather than events. It is tempting to identify as the matrix of 'Death and Doctor Hornbook' a brief poem 'On Tam the Chapman,' which was first collected in the Aldine edition of Burns in 1839: As Tam the chapman on a day Wi' Death forgather'd by the way, Wee! pleased, he greets a wight sae famous, And Death was nae less pleas'd wi' Thomas, Wha cheerfully lays down his pack, And there blaws up a hearty crack: His social, friendly, honest heart Sae tickled Death, they could na part; Sae after viewing knives and garters, Death taks him hame to gie him quarters. Neither Burns's authorship of these lines nor their date or compo­ sition is certainly established: but internal evidence strongly sup­ ports Professor Kinsley's view that 'On Tam the Chapman' belongs with Bums's poems of 1785 (Poems And Songs Of Robert Burns, Oxford, 1968, I, 84). Kinsley prints it immediately after 'Death and Doctor Hornbook'. But these lines read like a first sketch of the comic situation which was fully developed in 'Death and Doctor Hornbook'. Admittedly, the fragment does no more than outline an encounter between the 'social, friendly' chapman and Death, and the ending is different; there can be no proof that the shorter poem was written first. However, the essence of the unexpected supernatural meeting described in 'Death and Doctor Hombook' is found here, while the characters of Tam the chapman and of Death appear to foreshadow those in the verse tale. A poet is presumably more likely to develop a situation and characters from

j 10 BURNS'S OTHER TALE an initial brief draft than to base a fragmentary sketch upon an idea worked out in a long poem. The difference in the endings can be explained as something which is very common in Burns-a result of inspiration during the act of writing a long poem (compare any of the famous epistles). It seems probable that the hero's escape from Death, who promises 'Niest time we meet, I'll wad a groat, He gets his fairin'' was one of the many artistic ironies which suggested itself to the poet while he was actually at work on 'Death and Doctor Hombook'. Whether or not they were written first, the lines 'On Tam the Chapman' provide a remarkable analogue to the traveller's 'news' with Death in 'Death and Doctor Hombook'. Their interest extends beyond this. The chapman's name, and his sociable garrulous nature both recur in 'Tam o' Shanter'. These common features may be rejected as having no particular significance. Burns's two allusions to chapmen in 'Tam o' Shanter'- When chapman billies leave the street and By this time he was cross the ford, Where, in the snaw, the chapman smoor'd can also be dismissed as coincidental similarities. It is more reason­ able to assume, however, that in writing his comic masterpiece Bums drew for a second time on his original theme of the open­ hearted chapman who met Something by the wayside. The lines 'On Tam the Chapman' contain the first elements of characterisation and the central incident of a supernatural folk-tale. Bums made use of the idea more than once because of its power and quality as a folk-motif. Drink was prominently introduced into both tales as a catalyst of the comedy, but the trusting character of the hero provided the basis of comic incongruity in his meeting with the supernatural. Most modern readers, standing outside live folk tradition, indis­ criminately categorise various kinds of supernatural tale as 'ghost stories'. Bums's attitude was very different. As he informed Dr. Moore in his autobiographical letter of August 1787, his interest in the supernatural began in childhood. He distinguished among supernatural phenomena with a cool analytical skill which any folk­ lorist or scientific investigator might envy. Yet even in doing so, he BURNS'S OTHER TALE II admitted to being so close to popular superstition that it could prey on his imagination when he was alone and off guard: In my infant and boyish days, too, I owed much to an old Maid of my Mother's, remarkable for her ignorance, credulity and superstitiori.-She had I suppose the largest collection in the country of tales and songs concerning devils, ghosts, fairies, brownies, witches, warlocks, spunkies, kelpies, elf-candles, deadlights, wraiths, apparitions, cantraips, giants, inchanted towers, dragons and other trumpery.-This cultivated the latent seeds of Poesy; but had so strong an effect on my imagination, that to this hour, in my nocturnal rambles, I sometimes keep a sharp look-out in superstitious places; and though nobody can be more sceptical in these matters than I, yet it often takes an effort of Philosophy to shake off these idle terrors. This confession proves that Bums was directly affected by country superstitions to the point of sharing their 'terrors'; that he was never­ theless profoundly sceptical about the nature of the experiences on which they were based; and that he found them a fine subject for poetry. In 'Hallowe'en' he attempted to present a kind of living museum of such folk-lore, which would be true to the 'manners' and language of his part of Ayrshire and at the same time instructive and entertaining to people who did not share his knowledge of rural customs. The poem succeeds in its purpose of description, but naturally lacks the spontaneous development of folk-tale. Burns was able to express his complex enjoyment of superstition much more effectively in his verse tales, where he was freed from the self­ imposed responsibility of comprehensive 'manners-painting'. Instead of maintaining a steady semi-sociological detachment, he could enter fully into the mythopoeic-and tipsy-state of mind of his hero. Thus 'Tam o' Shanter' would be praised by Coleridge for its 'freshness of sensation,' for carrying on the feelings of childhood into the powers of manhood. But paradoxically, Burns's adoption of the apparently artless narrative form of folk-tale, which released so much imaginative power within him, also allowed him to convey his ironic vision of superstitious man. It was only when he based his poetry on oral and popular models that he managed to fulfil his aesthetic aim without diminishing the human identity of his material. Every gift was then given expression, and the poetry which resulted was at once more immediately communicative and more subtle in its art. 12 BURNS'S OTHER TALE

'Death and Doctor Horn book' has the narrative energy and decep­ tive surface simplicity of folk-tale. Formally, on the other hand, it is a satire cast in the genre of dramatic monologue. Burns thus combines in the same poem elements which might appear to be wildly heterogeneous. He is able to do this because he is completely at ease in his use of the 'Standart Habby' stanza: 'That's just a swatch o' Hornbook's way, Thus goes he on from day to day, Thus does he poison, kill, an' slay, 'An's wee! pay'd for 't, Yet stops me o' my lawfu' prey, 'Wi' his d-mn'd dirt!' This verse form has a significance in Burns's literary career equal to that of ottava rima in Byron's. Whenever he used it, its effect was liberating. It allowed him to be himself as a poet in that it kept him close to spoken Scots and encouraged him to exploit the potential of a strong native tradition in poetry. Traditionally used for comic elegies and familiar epistles and addresses, it became in Burns's hands even more flexible than his predecessors Sempill, Ramsay and Fergusson had already made it. He extended the range of the stanza in elegy, epistle, comic testament, and monologue, and adapted it with partial success for a long poem mainly in English, 'The Vision'. 'Holy Willie's Prayer' is a dramatic monologue in 'Standart Habby' written shortly before 'Death and Doctor Hornbook'. Here Burns cleverly plays on different levels and associations of the vernacular, creating a kind of speech which is exactly true to the hypocritical character Willie reveals, that of lustful instinct masquer­ ading behind ecclesiastical zeal and respectability. Linguistic incongruities abound. The key to Burns's success lies in his ability to modulate without warning from one sort of Scots to another. Religious cant is interwoven with the language of the market and of the byre. Contrasts in the vernacular speech 'register' provide Burns with his chief means of tripping up his victims. But he under­ lines the absurdity of Willie's position by deliberately creating a further contrast between Willie's attempts at genteel or 'English' Scots and his own introductory prose 'Argument,' which begins: Holy Willie was a rather oldish batchelor Elder in the parish of Mauchline, and much and justly famed for that polemical BURNS'S OTHER TALE 13

chattering which ends in tippling Orthodoxy, and for that Spiritualized Bawdry which refines to Liquorish Devotion. Bums's 'Argument' in 'Holy Willie's Prayer' deserves to be thought i' of as an essential part of the poem. The discrepancy between its witty language and Willie's unconsciously ridiculous devotional utter­ ance in polite Scots is a highly original variation upon a technique common in eighteenth-century English poetical satire. The poet provides a yardstick with which to measure his victim's pretensions, which are focussed in the unstable linguistic compound of the prayer. Satire is directed within, at the monologuist, rather than outwards, at the objects of his discourse. The implications of course extend to the class of men and set of attitudes which Willie represents. In 'Death and Doctor Hombook,' the poet's way of proceeding is different from this, and more complicated. There is not one monologuist, but two, and the primary satire is directed by the words of the second at a third figure, 'Hornbook' the quack. He does not speak in his own person. Instead, Death reveals his offences against linguistic and natural decorum by listing some of the names of his medicines and describing his notorious therapy. When he is first mentioned-which is not until line 77-Burns has a footnote placing him as a satirical target. Its function is similar to that of the 'Argument' in the earlier poem, but this time the language is mock­ heroic, simultaneously parodying and distancing 'Jock Hornbook i' the Clachan'; This gentleman, Dr. Hornbook, is, professionally, a brother of the sovereign Order of the Ferula; but, by intuition and inspiration, is at once an Apothecary, Surgeon, and Physician. The prose comment is again integrated into the satire. Along with the dominie's nick-name (a hornbook was something every eight­ enth-century beginner at school knew), and the acquired linguo of his second profession- Their Latin names as fast he rattles As A BC -Burns's phrase 'the sovereign Order of the Ferula' identifies Hombook as an authority figure, and moreover a fraudulent one. As such, he is fair game. Gilbert Bums's account of the origin of 'Death and Doctor Hombook' suggests that the first monologuist is, quite simply, the poet. Remembering that his brother had spoken of a moment of inspiration during a solitary walk home at the end of a masonic 14 BURNS'S OTHER TALE evening spent in the company of the schoolmaster John Wilson, Gilbert wrote: at the place where he describes his meeting with Death, one of those floating ideas of apparition he mentions in his letter to Dr. Moore, crossed his mind; this set him to work. There is perhaps nothing inherently implausible in this version of how the supernatural and satirical themes first came together in Burns's mind. But the words 'where he describes his meeting with Death' obscure a vitally important distinction. The character in the poem who meets Death is based in part on the poet's own, but he is also a persona, whose failings are viewed sardonically, like those of Holy Willie himself. The mockery is kinder and less obvious in this poem because the traveller's kind of self-deception is more sociable than Holy Willie's. But he has something of the spiteful nature of a parish-pump gossip, as well as the gullibility of Tam the Chapman. Much of the pleasure of listening to gossip and funny stories is in noticing how they reveal the shortcomings or oddities of outlook of the story-teller. And if a man tells a story against himself he earns a right to tell one against somebody else. The traveller who staggers home by the light of the moon gives away his weaknesses, and so does Death. The reader is entertained not only by the nefari­ ous dealings of Hombook, but by the fact that Hombook is seen through the envious eyes of Death; and Death in tum is viewed by a drunken gossip who wants to know all about everyone: 'Guid-een,' quo' I; 'Friend! hae ye been mawin, 'When ither folk are busy sawin?' A possible criticism of the poem is that the 'objective' satire of Hornbook is too long delayed. Bums's remark that he thought the poem 'too prolix' may indicate that he himself took this view. But the quality of any tale is largely determined by the build-up and incidentals which precede the climax; and in this poem these features are comparable with anything in Chaucer or Byron in terms of wit, irony, and sheer entertainment. The traveller's initial protestation that what he has to say is true-and the subtitle 'A True Story'­ serve an important purpose. Bums knows exactly how to confuse any attempt to decide whether or not his hero is what systematic critics of fiction call a Reliable Narrator (James Hogg was to show similar skill in The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner). The traveller reveals idiosyncratic views straightaway, some would say bias: --- BURNS'S OTHER TALE 15

Ev'n Ministers they hae been kenn'd, In holy rapture, A rousing whid, at times, to vend, And nail't wi' Scripture. But this that I am gaun to tell, Which lately on a night befel, Is just as true's the Deil's in h-11, Or Dublin city.

Swiftly, the poem passes to circumstantial narration. It is clear at least that the traveller has had an unusual Experience. Wordsworth greatly admired Burns's art in discriminating between the states of alcoholic illumination and intoxication. Rather solemnly, he explained:

Burns at this time had very rarely been intoxicated, or perhaps even much exhilarated by liquor. Yet how happily does he lead his reader into that track of sensations! and with what lively humour does he describe the disorder of his senses and the confusion of his understanding, put to test by a deliberate attempt to count the horns of the moon! Behold a sudden apparition that disperses this disorder, and in a moment chills him into possession of himself. Coming upon no more important mission than the grisly phantom was charged with, what mode of introduction could have been more efficient or appropriate? Not only did Wordsworth imitate the unsteady return home in 'Benjamin the Waggoner,' Hugh McDiarmid used the traveller's description of his progress as a guiding theme in his vernacular Scots masterpiece, A Drunk .Man Looks at the Thistle: It's no' that I'm sae fou' as juist deid dune, And dinna ken as muckle's whar I am Or boo I've come to sprawl here 'neth the mune. That's it! It isna me that's fou' at a', But the fu' mune, the doited jade, that's led Me fer agley, or 'mogrified the warld.

This brief extract shows that MacDiarmid responded to the double reference of Burns's incidental comedy and satire. The traveller's vision may have been unsteady, 16 BURNS'S OTHER TALE

The rising Moon began to glowr The distant Cumnock hills out-owre; To count her horns, wi' a' my pow'r, I set mysel, But whether she had three or four, I could na tell. -nevertheless, through the traveller, Bums succeeded in observing also the topsy-turvy disorder of the cosmos. Ruskin's sarcasm that, for Bums, the moon always rose over Cumnock hills stands as one of the least perceptive literary judgments of the nineteenth century. Burns was usually most universal when adhering to native forms and to local observation; and this poem proves the point. Death ignores the traveller's threatening bluster, then accepts his invitation to give his 'news'. He is true to the chronology of the catechism in beginning a monologue the tone of which is that of outraged professional pride: Sax thousand years are near hand fled 'Sin I was to the butchering bred, 'And mony a scheme in vain's been laid, 'To stap or scar me; 'Till ane Hornbook's ta'en up the trade, 'And faith, he'll waur me. He speaks like an undertaker cheated of the business which is his due. And it is natural that he should pass on to an exasperated catalogue of Hombook's cures. By this stage, the traveller has fulfilled his main role in the poem; Burns has 'changed horses' from the first to the second monologuist. He proceeds to create comic and satirical effects at the expense both of Death and of Hornbook. Some of these are splendidly direct and simple in humorous content (e.g. lls. 109-ll4); others depend upon a combination of coarseness and sophisticated literary irony (e.g. 11 s. 85-90); still others, upon rapid linguistic transitions which give away the game of Hombook's abracadabra (e.g. I ls. 127-131). Bums guards against the danger that the satire may become too generalised, thereby losing its force, by introducing an element of symmetrical structural planning. Death has described Horn­ book's efforts to save lives. The credulous traveller interrupts with apparent solicitude: 'Waes me for Johnny Ged's-Hole now,' Quoth I, 'if that thae news be true! 'His braw calf-ward whare gowans grew, BURNS'S OTHER TALE 17

'Sae white an' bonie, 'Nae doubt they'll rive it wi' the plew; 'They'll ruin Johnie!' He need not fear, Death replies, with an eldritch laugh­ Hornbook kills off many more than he saves! He launches into a gleeful description of Hornbook's thoroughly successful invasions into his own previous monopoly: 'A countra Laird had ta'en the batts, Or some curmurring in his guts, His only son for Hornbook sets, And pays him well, The lad, for twa guid gimmer-pets, Was Laird himsel. After being described as formidable, Hornbook is laughed to scorn. The general formula of building up a victim in satire, and then destroying him, is found in many contexts in Dryden, Samuel Garth, Pope, and other English verse satirists whose work Burns had read. There is plentiful evidence to suggest that Garth's poem The Dispensary supplied Burns with more than one idea for 'Death and Doctor Hombook'; and Sterne's characterisation of Doctor Slop no doubt contributed something also. But the interplay of folk-humour and double-edged irony with minor echoes from Augustan satire is unlike anything produced by an earlier eighteenth­ century satirist. Indeed, to find a parallel to Bums's general narrative technique in this poem, it is necessary to tum to a twentieth-century novelist, Lewis Grassie Gibbon. In Gibbon's short stories, and in his best work in A Scots Quair, especially 'Sunset Song', dramatic speech is used to satirise both the speaker and those he speaks about. In the following extract, the comedy is primarily directed outwards, at the expense of Munro, but the last sentence brings out that there is also a vein of irony (which runs throughout) exposing the prejudiced view of the undefined teller of the tale, the 'voice' of the region: Well, Peesie's Knapp and Blawearie were the steadings that lay Stonehaven way. But if you turned east that winter along the Auchinblay road first on your right was Cuddiestoun, a small bit holding the size of Peesie's Knapp and old as it, a croft from the far-off times. It lay a quarter-mile or so from the main road and its own road was fair clamjamfried with glaur from late in the harvest till the coming of Spring. Some said

j 18 BURNS'S OTHER TALE

maybe that accounted for Munro's neck, he could never get the glaur washed out of it. But others said he never tried. He was on a thirteen years' lease there, Munro, a creature from down south, Dundee way, and he was a good six feet in height but awful coarse among the legs, like a lamb with water on the brain, and he had meikle feet that seemed aye in his way. He was maybe forty years or so in age, and bald already, and his skin was red and creased in cheeks and chin and God! you never saw an uglier brute, poor stock. Any comparison between Burns and Lewis Grassie Gibbon is inevitably general; but the heritage of folk narrative skill endued with an extra gloss and irony learned from books is common to the two. Even leaving out of consideration the fascinating point that Burns's father came from the Mearns Gibbon knew so well, this parallel in narrative and satirical technique ought to be fully explored. In the end, 'Death and Doctor Hornbook' goes beyond specific satire to a level at which the poet demonstrates the folly of every­ body, and the triviality of Death. As a supernatural tale, the poem lacks the varied comic resonance of 'Tam o' Shanter'; and 'Holy Willie's Prayer' surpasses it as a dramatic monologue: in each instance, the antics of man the amorous creature provide a source of laughter which is only glanced at in 'Death and Doctor Horn­ book'. But it is nevertheless an ambitious, complex, and very funny poem, one which illustrates among other things a couplet of the satirist Garth: The wise, through thought th'insults of death defy; The fools, through blest insensibility. It is certainly among the two or three most successful satirical verse tales of its century. Mr. SAMUEL W. LOVE

Samuel W. Love's death on 30th November, 1971, at his home, 1 Queensborough Gardens, Glasgow, W.2., was a shock to his many friends and associates, for Sam, as he was affectionately known to a wide circle, liked people. A Bank Manager by profession, his other main interests were Masonic and Bums. In each, he attained a place of honour and respect. When he retired from the British Linen Bank after a lifetime of service, the Bank and its customers expressed appreciation and thanks for long and loyal service to their mutual interests. In the Masonic world, Sam was much respected and, at the time of his death, was due to demit office after a strenuous but successful term as Right Worshipful Grand Warden of Grand Lodge of Scotland. He was also a Past Master of Lodge Thorntree, No. 512, and Past Provincial Grand Master Renfrewshire East. Bums affairs always interested him. Mr. Samuel W. Love was Secretary ofSandyford Burns Club, Glasgow, for twenty-five years, 1933-58, demitting office to become its President, 1958-59, during the Bi-centenary Year. His term of office as President was certainly a crowning achievement to his years of service. He was for many years a member of the Executive Committee of the Glasgow & District Burns Association, being elected its President for the period 1957-59. During his term, the new Jean Armour Bums Houses at Mossgiel, Mauchline, were opened. He joined the Executive of the Burns Federation in 1954. He was Hon. Treasurer 1960-61 and for many years a member of the Finance Committee, where his knowledge and judgment were invaluable. He became President of the Burns Federation in the year 1964-65. But even the foregoing list of his achievements do not convey the warmth of personality which surrounded Sam. We were close personal friends for thirty years and were attracted to each other by our mutual desire to see that the finest traditions of the Bums Federation were maintained. Past President Alex. Macmillan's spontaneous tribute summed up the Sam I knew. He said, 'Sam was a friendly man, ever ready to help in any worthwhile enterprise. He would always greet you with a smile and an outstretched hand, so that you felt you were some­ body, and he would always listen sympathetically to your troubles. We are all the poorer for his going, and his cheerful personality will be greatly missed'. And so say all the friends of Sam Waterson Love.

A. NEIL CAMPBELL BOOK REVIEW

THE HURDY GuRDY WIFE AND OTIIER POEMS by Meg Marshall. Macdonald Printers (Edinburgh) Limited. 50p.

THISTLE BY-BLAWS by Kate Y. A.Bone. TheCastlelawPress, West Linton. 35p.

Here are two engaging small books of verse, published almost simultaneously this summer. Both have an attractive appearance, Meg Marshall's with a line-drawing on the cover of the hurdy-gurdy wife and her pony (reproduced from a picture of this much loved Edinburgh character of a more colourful past) and Kate Bone's with a striking grass-green cover. Miss Marshall's contains a greater number of poems, thirty-one in all, but this is to some extent counter­ balanced by the fact that in Mrs. Bone's small collection of only eleven poems there is one that extends to two pages, the diverting and perceptive Scots one Is This The Lass, while Miss Marshall's most sustained effort is the full-page eight-stanza ballad The Bogle Bairn, a fine handling, with an unusual twist, of its eerie theme. Meg Marshall's collection is entirely in Scots (designedly so, for her English writings she likes to sign 'Margaret Marshall') whereas Kate Bone's alternates between poems in English and poems in Scots. She, like Meg Marshall, writes simple unaffected Scots, but in her witty poem On First Looking into the Latest Part of the Scottish National Dictionary she toys affectionately with 'fremmit words •.. like nanty, nashick, orret'. One is tempted to write 'her witty sonnet' and indeed this fifteen-line poem has very much the structure of a sonnet, and deliberately echoes a well-known one by Keats, not only with its title, but in the familiar phrase embedded in these lines- Afore I kent of noraleg or nue, Afore nyarb had swum intae my ken. Meg Marshall in the small compass of her briefest lyric can achieve a true poignancy, as in the eight-line The Darkenin' and the evocative three-stanza Bird Sang The gowk in the wud cries 'No' you, no' you.' The peesweep cries 'He is gane,' But the whaup's sang breaks like a wave on ma hert, The whaup's sang says 'It is true' ... A similar poignancy of effective repetition is in Kate Bone's Some Ghaists Haunt Hooses BOOK REVIEW 21

Some ghaists haunt hooses, this ane haunts my hert, An' aye I harken for its lichtlie step That gars a stound gan thru' me ... Here the moving first line is repeated at the end of the poem. In a short Foreword Robert Garioch commends Mrs Bone's collection, among other qualities, for 'its quiet good sense, good humour and deceptively penetrating wit, all well under control' and this praise is certainly fully merited. Miss Marshall's, exhibiting similar excellent qualities, quickly won its way in the favour of the public, for a second impression has already been brought out. These are the first published collections by the two authors concemed­ may they be but the prelude to many more. ALICE V. STUART

BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE by Moray McLaren.(RupertHart-Davis). £2·50.

In the long list of his books surely the author has done nothing better than this posthumously published volume. We are given the life of the prince in due proportion, first the early years of his up­ bringing abroad, the hope of the Jacobite court; next, the landing at Eriskay and the venture of the Forty-Five; and, after its disast­ rous outcome and his fugitive wanderings through Scotland, the long years abroad again. It is understandable that the central act of this three-act drama should have most attention focussed on it, but justice is also done to the young prince, ardent with ambition to reclaim the throne of the Three Kingdoms for his father, and again, to the disillusioned and ageing man, living out the forty-two years of his subsequent life. A touch of prejudice adds spice to a biography, and Moray McLaren gives convincing evidence to support his prejudice against Charles' wife Louise of Stolberg and her lover, the poet Alfieri. To balance this, we have a moving account of 'how the last days of Charles were sweetened by his daughter Charlotte'. She was the natural daughter of Charles and Clementina Walkinshaw, later legitimised and created by her father Duchess of Albany, and it was to her Bums paid tribute in'The bonnie lass of Albany'. In those final years, McLaren tells us, his youth came back to Charles' mind, together with deep distress for what he had made his humble Highlanders suffer. One wonders whether also the 'ifs and 22 BOOK REVIEW ans' of the Forty-Five returned to his recollection ... if he had not turned back at Derby, overborne by the insistence of his advisers; if, even after the Culloden defeat, he had attempted the rendezvous to reassemble the clans which he had in mind. The Chevalier de Johnstone describes in his Memoir how a considerable force of the prince's followers assembled at Ruthven, two days after Culloden, 'full of animation and ardour, and eager to be led against the enemy'. However, they received no reply to their entreaty to the prince to come and lead them, and on the 20th April the laconic message came from Lord George Murray 'Let everyone seek his own safety in the best way he can'. McLaren does not mention this account of Johnstone's, but does make it clear that in his opinion it was the discouragement the prince received from Lord George Murray which caused him to abandon all plans for reassembling his army, and to make for the Western Islands. This is altogether a readable, interesting and well informed biography and in assessing its merits one should add that the biblio · graphy is no mere list, but is enriched by the author's comments, and the black and white illustrations, including a number of portraits, well illuminate the text. ALICE V. STUART

ROBERT BURNS SCOTLAND and THE BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE COUNTRY by Rev. J. A. Carruth, M.A. Jarrold Colour Publications, Norwich. 30p each.

The most remarkable thing about these two glossy publications, lavishly illustrated in colour with pictures of the highest quality, is that they are obtainable at such a modest price. The texts in both booklets by the Rev. J. A. Carruth, M.A., are well-balanced and comprehensive. To Bums Clubs who provide prizes for children's competitions, I would especially recommend 'Robert Burns Scotland'. Indeed, Burns Clubs in Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Dumfries, some­ times ill to please, can have no grouse with the manner in which the background to Burns's life has been handled and presented. I have seen, for example, no more attractive photograph ofBums'sHouse, Dumfries, than the one depicted here, whilst another, the Tam o' Shanter Inn at Ayr, will surely delight its curator, Mr. John Gray. There is included, too, a full page reproduction of a document BOOK REVIEW 23 signed by Burns in March, April, June and July, 1796. There can be no more painful indication of the deterioration in his health than that shown by his final signature on this plain, matter-of-fact document. These publications may be intended mainly for the tourist industry, but, without question, Burns and Prince Charles Edward Stuart have been well served and both booklets will please and satisfy their admirers everywhere.

THE WIT OF ROBERT BURNS compiled by Gordon Irving. Leslie Frewin Ltd. £1 ·20. To their popular 'Wit Series', which has already dealt with the wit of Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Brendan Behan, Peter Ustinov and many other famous people, the publisher has now added 'The Wit of Robert Burns'. Gordon Irving, who wrote 'Great Scot!' a biography of Sir Harry Lauder, and 'The Wit of the Scots', has selected quotations from Bums's works and letters. Most of them are familiar and, on the whole, they provide us with more wisdom than wit, although, as Mr. Irving points out, 'wisdom goes along with wit in many instances'. He claims that 'some of the poet's wittiest moments come when he speaks or writes on the subject of romance' and quotes: Had we never lov'd sae kindly, Had we never lov'd sae blindly! Never met ...or never parted, We had ne'er been broken-hearted. Most people, I assume, interpret those moving lines as an ex­ pression of true pathos; their wit, I confess, escapes me. For that matter, I do not share Mr. Irving's view that Lockhart is 'a most reliable chronicler'. This said, however, I have no doubt that the reader new to Bums will find this an agreeable bedside book that may well tempt him to delve more deeply into the poet's life and works. (If there is a re-print, Mr. Irving may be interested to note .that the quotation on page 46, 'How wretched is the man that hangs on by the favours of the great!' is repeated on page 59).

THE SOLWAY SMUGGLERS by Gordon Irving. Robert Dinwiddie & Co., Ltd, Dumfries. 65p. 'No longer can we say, with that knowing wink: There's brandy at the Abbey Head, Gin at Heston Bay. 24 BOOK REVIEW

It's all got to be bought and legally paid for nowadays ... duty and all!'. On this sad note, Gordon Irving concludes his lively account of the Solway Smugglers. This handy-sized book, based on Smuggling in the So/way by the late Dr. J. Maxwell Wood of Dumfries (1908), recaptures those great days and nights of adventure, escapes and hurried journeys. 'The Church,' Mr. Irving relates, 'took a rather surprising attitude to smuggling. It condoned the offence on weekdays, but condemned it if it took place on a Sunday! The offence was considered to be really one of "breaking the Sabbath Day!'." Vivid, full-blooded characters abound in these pages and there is, too, the oft-told tale of Burns's part in the clash between the excise­ men and the crew of the brig Rosamond. Well illustrated and complete with an index and excellent map, the book is indeed good value for the money.

GLAUMERIE

A biggin', a' its lane, Staun's deaf and dour, its shouther tae the blast, Its puir bit craps scouthered by the weet, Ilk bluffer! like eneuch tae be its last. Forfochen the biggin', disjaskit the cotter, Thowless an' doolie, syne donnert an' daunert, Alane, a' its lane, Me wantin' you. But look! 'yont the ben, ower the tap o' the glen, A sunblink skinkles frae the wind-flaucht lift, A glisk o' sunsheen in a drumlie yerd, Skailin' the doolie, dowie drift. An' noo the sun's nainsel' keeks oot, Switherin'-Is there a neuk for him? A neuk? The glen, the yerd, God's lairddom! Come oot, man! Wantin' ye, the hale warl's tume. Thank God, the sun! Nae mirk, nae dool noo, But warmth i' the hert an' singin' an' dansan, Fair glaumerie! Ma luve, me wi' you JOHN KIRK A MEMORIAL TO McGONAGALL

On Sunday, 24th September, 1972, for the very first time, William McGonagall, self-styled poet and tragedian, was publicly honoured in the city which he never tired of celebrating in his verses. On their last outing of the season some forty members of the Edinburgh Scottish Bums Club and the Scottish Heritage Group travelled by coach to Dundee where after lunch their organiser, Mr. Alex Bruce, a devotee of the Dundee bard's works, presented a seat in memory of the poet to the Town Council. Councillor Mulholland, who was accompanied by Councillor Stewart, received the gift and thanked the donors. As is appropriate this seat is situated near the statue of Burns. All the Dundee Burns Clubs were well represented and an interesting feature was the presence of two of the Dundee poet's grand-daughters. After the presentation the company adjourned to the Gilfillan Memorial Church, (dedicated to the memory of the minister George Gilfillan who had always befriended William McGonagall and fostered his poetic aspirations), and heard an eloquent and moving tribute to McGonagall given by the Rev. Gemmell Campbell of Arbroath and so effectively delivered that many who might have come to scoff almost remained to pray! After tea, where the Dundee contingent joined the Edinburgh Bumsians, there were some short speeches. It was most interesting to hear from the representative of the firm which publishes McGonagall's poems of the enormous demand for them. Mr John Gray, Curator of the Tam o' Shanter Museum, Ayr, expressed his appreciation of the fine oratory and the congenial company, and Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, Edinburgh, added a few words and proposed an omnibus vote of thanks. On the homeward run the weather was beautiful and the countryside looking its best, making this a memorable ending to a unique, somewhat mirthful excursion.

JANE BURGOYNE

j AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

FIFTH TRANSLATED PASSAGE FROM HIS WORK ON BURNS by JANE BURGOYNE (In the French text this extract is prefaced by an exhaustive review of wit and humour as they appear in the works of famous authors of every country and age. By this careful analysis Professor Angellier hopes to arrive at a clear definition of Burns's particular brand of humour. 'All the critics,' he says, 'recognised that Burns was a humorist: one of them, R.L.S., even declared that he was the best of all the humorous poets.)

THE HUMOUR OF BURNS

What strikes one straightway about Burns's humour is gaiety, and it is not gaiety under false signs, as often happens in the case of humorists whose sign-board does not correspond to the merchandise. At the door of some of them there waves a burlesque notice, and one goes into a house where melancholy day-dreams are sitting. At that of others there hangs a respectable, serious-looking sign: go in, clowning and buffoonery assail you, tease you and knock you about. Here, sign and inn are on a par: the sign of laughter really does advertise mirth. And what mirth! healthy, noisy, contagious, full of gusto. The pleasure produced by most humorists is intellectual and pure cerebral enjoyment. Here the gaiety is almost physical and takes possession of the whole body and intoxicates it with laughter. It is the materialistic laughter of Falstaff and Rabelais, but reduced to moderate, temperate proportions. It is not boundless and epic: it is ordinary-sized, but it is truly of the same blood, and like them, happy to be alive. Thus Burns's mockery, except in a few personal cases of anger, is without malice and without gall. It is ridicule full of almost friendly joviality and good-nature. Even those who are its subject could not be angry with it. Tam Samson could not bear a grudge against Bums for having written his elegy; nor Tam o' Shanter for his having told the story of his adventure. If Doctor Hornbook found it more difficult to digest Death's confidences, that was because doctors do not like people to speak ill of their profession: Fagon stamped when de Brissac made fun of medicine before Louis XIV. Burns's humour leaves no after-taste, as does the acrid laughter which makes one stop abruptly, astonished at having laughed. It is not a fruit AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 27 full of ashes, gathered on bitter strands. It is a healthy fruit fallen from the benevolent tree of Insouciance. If such fruits did not fall from it from time to time, man would die of melancholy. Naturally, this humour does not deal with vices, eccentricities or absurdities. It has no moral pretention, no critical aim, like those of Swift, Addison or Thackeray, so different in other respects. It thinks neither of giving lessons nor of inflicting reprimands. It is as disinterested as that of Sterne. It simply seeks out comic situations and droll adventures. Burns is neither a pamphleteer nor the 'week-day preacher' of whom Thackeray speaks; he is an artist who is amused by what he sees. He seizes in the passing an enjoyable anecdote, a ridiculous incident, and reproduces them alive. He has almost the humour of a painter-not of a moralistic painter like Hogarth, but of a purely picturesque painter like Teniers or Van Ostadt. He is a man who when he sees something funny and while he is still laughing at it relates it. And indeed most of his humorous poems are the recital of a meeting, an adventure, one of those stories such as are told at fairs and markets, amid a circle of red faces, puffed up and ready to split with laughter. The observation which as usual is precise deals with the gestures and the words of the characters, as is fitting in story-telling. Everything is in facts and actions. No humour is more nourished with those particular and picturesque details which Jean-Paul considers justly to be indispensable. Added to these qualities there is movement, so powerful in Burns. It takes possession of them, sweeping them along, urging them on, stirring them up, animating them, lashing them. This gaiety, so buoyant in itself, is in a hurry, gets excited and rushes on still faster. The details are crowded together, jostling each other, bumping into each other, climbing over each other, like sheep leaving the fold. They walk, run, dash on: the tale takes on a music from the pace that completes it; laughter oozes from it on all sides, increasing with a kind of acquired speed, bursting forth in a turbulence of mirth and becoming irresistible. It is one of the effects of the strength of the observation in Burns that his humour has no sensibility, at least as far as mankind is concerned. Let us rather say that it contains more sympathy than sensibility. The latter again is an intervention of the author. Steme's characters for example are true, but they are always seen through his emotion. Something, were it something as precious as a tear, is interposed between them and us. The humorist feels for them rather 28 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

than with them; and in some way he puts himself in their place. Burns's observation is more detached from himself and deserts him altogether. This remnant of personality is broken. His characters live outside him, fully independent. They have nothing more than their own sympathy for themselves, as that is found in great pro­ ducers and as that is, after all, the true reality. It is a decisive sign of strength and the mark of an observation which throws itself into the heart of things. The sensibility is perforce less, and is replaced by that sort of friendly cordiality which great creators have for their characters. However, with regard to animals, Burns's humour is quite different and becomes on the contrary exquisitely sensitive. When he has before him one of those poor dumb creatures which suffer and are obscurely surprised at suffering, he softens, loses his noisy laughter, becomes pensive, almost melancholy, and is filled with pity to the point of tears. His poems to his dying ewe, Mailie, or to a mouse whose nest the plough has destroyed, are models of this delicate kind of humour which makes use of mockery to hide its emotion. It was this feature which specially struck Carlyle, for whom sensibility is necessary to humour. 'We speak not,' he says in his essay on Burns, 'of his bold and often irresistible faculty of cari­ cature; for this is Drollery rather than Humour; but a much tenderer sportfulness dwells in him and comes forth here and there, in evanescent and beautiful touches; as in his Address to the Mouse, or The Farmer's Mare, or in his Elegy on Poor Mailie, which last may be reckoned his happiest effort of this kind. In these p!eces there are traits of a humour as fine as that of Sterne; yet altogether different, original, peculiar-the Humour of Burns.' Perhaps we should prefer the poem to the Mouse? However that may be, these pieces, as delicious as the most touching passages in Sterne, are in our eyes superior to them, because of something simpler and more real. Perhaps one can explain this difference between Burns's humour with regard to men and to animals by the fact that observation with regard to the latter is always much more a work of invention. Their ways of existence being closed to us, we cannot possibly feel with them, we must feel for them and that is where sensibility comes in. However that may be, we shall meet further on that extremely singu­ lar part of his humour. Here we are only considering the portion which relates to man and to human life. For similar reasons his humour is not rich in fantasy. That disorder which some humorists have affected and which some AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 29 critics have proclaimed to be one of the attributes of humour, is not to be met with in him. One finds in him none of those oddities, incoherences, shocks, sudden stops, unrestrained deviations-none of those thousand extravagances and buffooneries which writhe, grimace, wind and entangle themselves around the pages of certain authors, like a framework of grotesques. Rabelais lingers over feats of enumeration, suddenly opens cages from which there escape flights of adjectives which he laughingly watches getting longer and longer, amuses himself by imbricating genealogies, nailing 'beget­ tings' on top of each other, and seeks out a thousand ways, in a riot of buffoonery, to disorientate the mind. Sterne, who imitates him, makes his chapters play leap-frog, knits some of them in black, others in white, begins, breaks off, never finishes anything, and laughs at making the reader's attention struggle with the tangled skeins. One would think that they had made a wager about incoherence, and taken pleasure in dislocating their books. Without going as far, others have glimpses of poetry, lyrical outbursts, like Dickens and Carlyle. The premeditated, intentional plan, the pro­ portion of the various parts, their concordance with a calculated effect, harmony-in a word, order-seem not to exist for them. Theirs is the domain of the unexpected and the fantastic; games of imagination and caprice are played there; everything haphazardly follows the impression of the moment. It is at this point that some critics have tried to make this strangeness one of the features of humour. (See M. Taine, in his chapter on Carlyle, in his History of English Literature.) Burns has the onus of refuting them, for there is nothing like that in him. Apart from the fact that these intemper­ ate displays of eccentricity conform badly with the qualities of sobri­ ety with which his mind was so solidly constructed the very elements of his humour protected him from these deviations. His observation keeps too close to reality, it is too strictly adjusted to it to lose it for a single moment, and as what is real is not disconnected, as it is made up of continuity and logic, his humour, which is made up of observation, remains compact and coherent. In the same way its movement keeps it from stopping or swerving, and pushes it straight to the goal. There is neither room nor leisure for these irrelevances; they can find neither an interval nor a minute to slip into it. Burns's most humorous pieces proceed without one digression, without one eccentricity. They are as well proportioned and as perfectly composed as those of other humorists affect to be deranged and peculiar. It is not too much to say that they are as briefly managed as one of u 30 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

La Fontaine's fables. They justify Addison's filiation which made humour the son of Truth and Good Sense. It seems to us that Burns's humour is now emerging and that we can see what is original about it. It does not possess much sensibility, at least towards men, or great imagination; but candid gaiety, good nature, irony in the characters themselves, the comedy not coming from reflections about them, but from their own gestures and words, indefatigable action and movement, something rich, full, so natural that the laughter seems to be in these things themselves, and so accurate that it does not deform reality and never savours of caricature; with all that, brisk, nimble, of moderate proportions, well formed with a free and easy movement. Jn spite of ourselves, it makes us think of French gaiety, it is so clear and sparkling. Humour has been compared to ale, a strong, serious drink, which sometimes has the sharp taste of whisky. That of Burns recalls the joviality which resides in the light-hearted soul of our wines. Again, it makes us think of the humour of our story-tellers by an indefinable element of moderation and balance; by a solid fund of reason which it has much more than bursts of fantasy. There is in English litera­ ture no humour more restrained and at the same time more vigorous, more alert and more dramatic. There is none which is less what is conventionally called English. Often on the Ayrshire roads one sees pretty, flighty, laughing girls wearing short skirts and walking along with animated gestures. They arc smaller and less poetic than English girls, but better proportioned and more lively. Their hands and feet are not so large, their step is lighter, and there is something fresher about them. If a clumsy farmer rides awkwardly past, they chaff him and laugh uproariously at him; but if they see a little wounded bird, tears come into their eyes before the pink rose of their mirth has time to fade upon their lips. Burns's humour is like them. This humour circulates everywhere and is found on all the high­ ways and byways of his work. Almost all his great poems abound with it: Hallowe'en, The Holy Fair, the Address to the De!!, the Address to the Haggis, Tam Samson's Elegy, all the satires against the clergy: The Ordination, The Two Herds, The Address to the Unco Guid, the famous Holy Willie's Prayer. All his Epistles are almost exclusively composed of it. There is some in all the corners of his songs, his epigrams, his epitaphs and his impromptus, with­ out mentioning the quite special, tender humour in the poems dealing with animals. One has already had examples of his ironic treatment

L AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 31 of human life, in the quotations which we have given a propos of his gaiety and his observation. The genius of a poet does not deterior­ ate. It is a wine which has the same qualities in all the glasses into which it is poured. However, according to the year which has matured it and the bottles which have preserved it, it may be that one of these qualities is more evident than the others and pre­ dominates. Thus there are some poems in which his humour comes out better and makes itself more freely appreciated. We can quote as examples of this, two pieces, one written right at the beginning, the other almost at the end of his life. They show to what degree this faculty was both natural and constant in his case. The first, Death and Doctor Hornbook, belongs to 1785, just after Burns had settled near Mauchline. As almost always the subject is borrowed from a real incident. John Wilson, the Tarbolton school­ master, had opened a grocery shop, to augment his meagre earnings a little. Having come across some books on medicine, he had read them and had added to his business the sale of medicaments. He had even put up a notice advertising free consultations in the shop. He was nothing but a poor, rather pedantic, ridiculous fellow; but at a masons' meeting in Tarbolton he had the misfortune to get in­ volved in an argument with the poet, and with stupid vanity to p':irade his medical knowledge. He had not long to wait before he repented it. As Burns was returning home at night, at the exact spot where Death meets the passer-by, he had a sudden idea which he began to develop as he continued his journey. It was the poem with which we are dealing here, one of his first important compo­ sitions and one of the best specimens of his humour. The satire appears in the very first lines. The opening is indeed to vouch for the veracity of wh':it follows and to put people on their guard against certain distrustful ideas that might occur to them. Nobody having heard it would still wish to doubt the truth of the adventure. Some books are !Jes frae end to end, And some great lies were never penn'd; E'en ministers, they hae been kenn'd In holy rapture, A rousing whid at times to vend, An' nail't wi' Scripture. But this that I am gaun to tell, Which lately on a night befel, Is just as true's the Deil's in hell 32 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

Or Dublin city; That e'er he nearer comes oursel 'S a muckle pity. We are warned: let us now listen to the veracious account. Here then is what happened to him. He was leaving the village to return to the farm. After the first houses the road bends right and passes a mill. The places have hardly changed since then. The village ale had been particularly good that evening and had gone to his head. There is one very pretty description: the stanzas stagger with verbs that indicate vacillatinr movements, and the picture of the drunk man vainly trying to count the moon's horns is delightful. He hesi­ tates good-humouredly between three and four. The clachan yill had made me canty, I wasna fou, but just had plenty; I stacher'd whyles, but yet took tent aye To free the ditches; An' hillocks, stanes, an' bushes kenn'd aye, Frae ghaists an' witches. The rising moon began to glow'r The distant Cumnock hills out-owre. To count her horns, wi' a' my power, I set mysel! But whether she had three or four, I cou'd na tell. I was come round about the hill, And toddlin' down on Willie's mill, Setting my staff wi' a' my skill, To keep me sicker: Tho' leeward whyles, against my will, I took a bicker. Suddenly at this point he comes upon something which surprises him, and with the slowness of perception due to his state, it takes him some time to understand. I there wi' Something did forgather, That pat me in an eerie swither; An awfu' scythe, out-owre ae shouther, Clear-dangling, hang; A three-taed leister on the ither Lay, large an' Jang. Its stature seem'd Jang Scotch ells twa, The queerest shape that e'er I saw, (see page 53)

AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 33

For fient a wame it had ava; An' then, its shanks, They were as thin, as sharp an''sma As cheeks o' branks. With the joviality of a drunk man he addresses it. Nothing could be funnier than the dim light that penetrates his confused ideas: why has this stranger a scythe? After all it is not harvest time! 'Guid-e'en,' quo' I; 'Friend! hae ye been mawin' When ither folk are busy sawin'? It seem'd to mak a kind o' stan', But naething spak. At length says I, 'Friend, whare ye gaun, Will ye go back?' All that is charmingly true to life, up to that last suggestion made by a drunk man, always ready to accompany the first comer. One little detail to mark the sincerity of Burns's traits: the poem was in fact composed at the time when a scythe is surprising-at the moment of the seed-sowing in 1785. The little scene that follows is, again, very neat. The movement of the toper who fears nothing and suddenly finds himself ready to skirmish is shrewdly indicated. · It spak right howe-'My name is Death, But be na fley'd'-Quoth I, 'Guid faith, Ye're maybe come to stap my breath; But tent me, billie; I rede ye well, tak care o' skaith, See, there's a gully!' Death has had no idea of frightening such a good sot and making him pass from a hot to a cold sweat, as Montaigne puts it. He bids him be reassured and put his knife back in his pocket. If he wanted to do him a bad tum, he (Death) would mind it as little as a spittle. The other is not displeased at what he hears, yet his dignity will not allow him to accept it as a gift. Drunk men are full of consideration and respect for themselves. He wants it to be a bargain, tit for tat. '\Veel, wee!!' says I, 'a bargain be't; Come, gie's your hand, an' sae we'll gree't: We'll ease our shanks an' tak a seat, Come, gie's your news; This while ye'll hae been mony a gate, At mony a house.' There we have the drunk man showing interest in Death and putting him at his ease. A little more and he would be slapping him

B 34 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

familiarly on the femur as he would a friend's thigh. Sitting side by side they begin to chat, and it is a good picture: he cordial and benevolent; Death, rather thoughtful, leaning on his scythe in the attitude of a tired reaper. He takes the drunk man into his confidence. 'Ay, ay!' quo' he, an' shook his head, 'It's e'en a Jang, Jang time indeed Sin' I began to nick the thread, An' choke the breath Folk maun do something for their bread, An' sae maun Death.' It is not all roses in this trade: it has its worries. Death has been practising this profession for almost six thousand years. Many plans and attempts have been made to stop him or frighten him, but all in vain, until a certain Hornbook whom the poet knows well in the village, has taken a hand in the business. 'Deil mak' his kings­ hood in a spleuchan !' This Horn book is threatening to overcome Death. 'Here's a scythe and there's a dart which have pierced many a valiant heart.' When Horn book is there, they are worthless. The day before, Death tried his dart which rebounded, blunted, scarcely able to pierce a cabbage stalk. The fact is that Hornbook is every­ where with his arsenal: with his medical saws and knives, of all dimensions, shapes and mettles; with all kinds of boxes, mugs and bottles; with his barks and earths and cakes of fossils; with true sal marinum of the seas, the farina of beans and peas, aqua-fortis, and what else? New and rare remedies: urinus spiritus of capons; mite-horn shavings, filings and scrapings, sal-alkali of midge-tail clippings-what has he not got? As Death angrily reels off this enumeration, the drunk man jumps up. What! If this is what is happening and nobody is dying any more, poor Johnny Ged, the grave-digger, is a ruined man! Better to turn the cemetery into a cornfield! He speaks with emotion. He expresses his commiseration. This reflection made by a drunk man who can see in all that only the grave-digger's interest is splendidly comical. 'Wae's me for Johnny Ged's hole now,' Quo' I, 'if that these news be true! His braw calf-ward where gowans grew Sae white and bonnie, Nae doubt they'll rive them wi' the p\ew; They'll ruin Johnny!' AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 35

What follows is still more amusing by the unexpected turn which the poem takes. Right to the end it is a macabre satire which begins with a grating snigger and ends with a threat from Death. The creature grain'd an eldritch laugh, And says, 'Ye needna yoke the pleugh, Kirkyards will soon be till'd eneugh, Tak ye nae fear; They'll a' be trench'd wi' mony a sheugh In twa-three year. Whare I kill'd ane a fair strae death, By loss o' blood or want o' breath, This night I'm free to tak my aith, That Hornbook's skill Has clad a score i' their last claith, By drap or pill. An honest wabster to his trade, Whase wife's twa nieves were scarce weel-bred, Gat tippence-worth to mend her head, When it was sair; The wife slade canny to her bed, But ne'er spak mair. A countra laird had ta'en the batts, Or some curmurring in his guts, · His only son for Hornbook sets, An' pays him well. The lad, for twa guid gimmer-pets, Was Laird himsel. That's just a swatch o' Hornbook's way; Thus goes he on from day to day, Thus does he poison, kill an' slay, An's weel paid for 't. Yet stops me o' my lawfu' prey, Wi' his damn'd dirt.' And Death, bitter and exasperated, swears that he will manage to 'nail this self-conceited sot as dead's a herrin' '. He wagers a groat that next time they meet, he will give Hornbook his due. But just as he began to tell, The auld kirk-hammer strak the bell, Some wee short hour ayont the twal, Which rais'd us baith; u 36 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

I took the way that pleas'd mysel, And sae did Death. This manner of parting company when they have become so intimate is amusing. The drunk man goes off, less loquacious than previously. This colloquy has made him serious. His familiarity has lessened. He makes for home without suggesting to Death to return with him. Death goes up towards the village, casting the shadow of his long skeleton on the road, carrying away with him his. imple­ ments which gleam in the moonlight. He is going in search of Hornbook. One sees how natural the laughter is in this piece, and at the same time how accurate is the observation. The drunk man's impressions are perfectly coherent and always translated by a gesture, a move­ ment, something concrete. The poem ran through the countryside, and this time the blow was rather severe. Poor Hornbook was obliged to leave the village. He went off to Glasgow where he subsequently became Session Clerk in one of the city suburbs. He prospered in this new position and lived till 1839. The second poem belongs to 1791. Burns had still five years to live when he composed it. It is the famous Tam o' Shanter, that is, Thomas of the farm of Shanter. It is the only important poem written by Burns during the second part of his life, after his sojourn in Edinburgh. Here again the story rests upon a foundation of reality and personal observation. All the characters have been traced. This farm of Shanter was occupied by a certain farmer named Douglas Graham, whom Burns had known during his stay in Kirkoswald. This man really was the cheerful, carefree, good-natured drunkard exactly as he has been described. His wife tried in vain to cure him of his failings. Tam's friend, Souter Johnnie, also existed. There is not a single character, not excepting Cutty Sark, who had not a model: in her case this was a woman called Kate Steven who lived in Kirk­ oswald and died in 1811. The details of the locality are also accurate. The road today is more to the east than Tam's route, but by follow­ ing the old lie one can find both the ford and the big stone where Charlie broke his neck and the cairn where the corpse of a new-born child was found. As for Tam's inn, the old church at Alloway, the bridge over the Doon, they are the same today as they were then. On the way one can follow all the ups and downs of the story. The tale opens with the description of the evening of a market day, sketched in a few very animated lines: one sees the pedlars AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 37 departing with their wares, neighbours meeting neighbours, the roads becoming thronged with people. The wise folk are going home. In the enumeration of the perils of the road there is a remote warning for those who linger; still further off, at the end of the scale, the farmer's cross wife who is waiting and preparing a reception for her husband is described in a very effective line. When chapman billies leave the street, And drouthy neebors neebors meet, As market-days are wearin late, An' folk begin to tak the gate; While we sit housing at the nappy, An' gettin' fou an' unco happy, We think na on the lang Scots miles, The mosses, waters, slaps, and styles, That lie between us and our hame, Whare sits our sulky, sullen dame, Gathering her brows like gathering storm, Nursing her wrath to keep it warm. This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter, As he frae Ayr ae night did canter (Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men an' bonny lasses). Here is Tam! We soon get to know him: a good-for-nothing fellow, a drinker, a frequenter of taverns, as his wife tells him often enough. With all these faults, he is jovial, cheerful, good-natured, the best chap in the world. One can guess how, good-humouredly intoxicated, he listens to his wife Kate's apostrophes, laughing all the while. AU those household scenes are recounted or rather sug­ gested with a great deal of truth. They are terminated by a little ironical couplet, regarding gentle, wifely remonstrances. 0 Tam, hadst thou been but sae wise, As ta'en thy ain wife Kate's advice! She tauld thee wee! thou wast a skellum, A bletherin', blusterin', drunken blellum; That frae November till October, Ae market-day thou was na sober; That ilka melder wi' the miller, Thou sat as lang as thou had siller; That every nag was ca'd a shoe on, The smith and thee gat roarin' fou on; That at the Lord's house, e'en on Sunday, J 38 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

Thou drank wi' Kirkton Jean till Monday. She prophesy'd that, late or soon, Thou wad be found, deep drown'd in Doon! Or catch'd wi' warlocks in the mirk, By Alloway's auld haunted kirk. Ah, gentle dames! it gars me greet To think how mony counsels sweet, How mony, Jengthen'd, sage advices The husband frae the wife despises. The scene which follows is a lively one, set in an inn. Tam has found a cosy corner, near a good fire, and has settled down in it. He has met an old boon companion, to whom he is bound by tender ties of friendship: they have so often been thirsty together. The night goes on, they become noisy, singing and hitting their glasses on the table. There is in Tam a touch of gallantry and jauntiness. He gets friendly with the hostess who responds to his overtures. Then the interior is complete: the souter tells his funny stories, the host, who sees or pretends to see nothing, is all ears. All that is vividly indicated. But to our tale:-Ae market night, Tam had got planted unco right; Fast by an ingle, bleezing finely, Wi' reaming swats, that drank divinely; An' at his elbow, Souter Johnie, His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony; Tam lo'd him like a verra brither; They had been fou for weeks thegither! The night drave on wi' sangs an' clatter; An' aye the ale was growing better; The landlady and Tam grew gracious, Wi' favours secret, sweet and precious; The Souter tauld his queerest stories; The landlord's laugh was ready chorus: The storm without might rair and rustle­ Tam didna mind the storm a whistle. Care, mad to see a man sae happy, E'en drown'd himsel amang the nappy. As bees flee hame wi' lades o' treasure, The minutes wing'd their way wi' pleasure: Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious! AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 39

The loftier manner in which the passage of happiness over this grotesque foursome is described was admired by Wordsworth. Without doubt the scene is vulgar, but a moment of joy, of forget­ fulness of ills, is such a precious thing that it is fitting to speak seri­ ously of it. One must be indulgent to those who seek it even in intoxication. After all, they are trying for a moment to overcome misfortune. There is something solemn and profound about the situation. 'I pity him who cannot perceive that in all this, though there was no moral purpose, there is a moral effect,' says Words- worth, quoting the two lines: · Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious. He explains what this moral effect is: 'What a lesson do these words convey of charitable indulgence for the vicious habits of the principal actor in this scene, and of those who resemble him ... The poet, penetrating the unsightly and disgusting surfaces of things, has unveiled with exquisite skill the finer ties of imagination and feeling that often bind these beings to practices productive of much un­ happiness to themselves, and to those whom it is their duty to cherish -and, as far as he puts the reader into possession of this intelligent sympathy, he qualifies him for exercising a salutary influence over the minds of those who are thus deplorably deceived.' (Words­ worth's Letter to a friend of Robert Bums, 1816.) This is very sermonic, relating to such a merry scene. There is, however, in the tone which changes and becomes loftier in speaking of that transient victory of man over the ills that beset him something that explains Wordsworth's commentary. He has shrewdly grasped that there was an involuntary lesson of sympathy in the description. Alas! The best things cannot last. The lines in which pleasures are compared to all that is fugitive and intangible suddenly rise to lofty poetry. What astonishing flexibility and, to use Pascal's expression, what astonishing agility of genius did the man capable of such contrasts possess! And it is done without effort, smoothly, by a wave of inspiration, which swells and mounts and falls back with equal ease. But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed. Or like the snowfall in the river, A moment white-then melts for ever; Or like the borealis race, That flit e'er you can point their place; 40 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

Or like the rainbow's lovely form, Evanishing amid the storm.­ Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approaches Tam maun ride; That hour o' night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hour he mounts his beast in; An' sic a night he taks the road in, As ne'er puir sinner was abroad in. The weather is indeed frightful and the darkness menacing. The description of the storm is done with two or three powerful strokes. The geniality and the banter reappear with Tam's battle against the elements. The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last; The rattling show'rs rose on the blast; The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd; Loud, deep, and Jang the thunder bellow'd; That night, a child might understand The Deil had business on his hand. Weel mounted on his grey. mare, Meg- A better never lifted leg- Tam skelpit on thro' dub an' mire, Despising wind, an' rain, an' fire; Whiles holding fast his guid blue bonnet; Whiles crooning o'er some auld Scots sonnet; Whiles glow'ring round wi' prudent cares, Lest bogles catch him unawares; Kirk-Alloway is drawing nigh, Where ghaists an' houlets nightly cry. How well worthy Tam's sentiments are indicated here! At first he is full of courage, and laughs at the lightning and the squalls. Yet the latter shake him, and he is already beginning to be afraid and to sing to himself for reassurance. He glances round about him -a bad sign. He cannot progress a step without encountering the scene of a crime or an accident. These lugubrious memories haunt him; the storm increases in violence; and suddenly he catches sight of something strange. By this time he was cross the foord, Whare in the snaw the chapman smoor'd; An' past the birks and meikle stane, Whare drunken Charlie brak's neck-bane; An' thro' the whins, an' by the cairn,

L AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 41

Whare hunters fand the murder'd bairn; An near the thorn, aboon the well, Whare Mungo's mither hang'd hersel. Before him Doon pours a' his floods; The doublin' storm roars thro' the woods; The lightnings flash from pole to pole; Near and more near the thunders roll; When, glimmerin' thro' the groanin' trees. Kirk-Alloway seem'd in a bleeze; Thro ilka bore the beams were glancin'; An' loud resounded mirth and dancin'. At other times Tam would have been little reassured, but John Barleycorn, father of courage, keeps up his heart. What he saw was nevertheless calculated to make him tremble. Nowhere else is there a description of a witches' sabbath comparable to this one. The hor­ ror of the accessories makes one think of the witches' brew in Macbeth. It is like one of those scenes of witchcraft painted by old Teniers. It is still more infernal, for there is not that freshness and that gaiety of colours which takes away from those charming can­ vases all their terror. Here the lightning is gloomy and uneasy, like the rest. One would think that one of those visions, which are rendered so strange by the invention of the details, has been placed, to complete it, in the fantastic gleam of a Rembrandt. Inspirin' bold John Barleycorn! What dangers thou canst mak us scorn Wi' tippenny, we fear nae evil; Wi' usquebae we'll face the Devil! The swats sae ream'd in Tammie's noddle, Fair play, he cared na deils a baddie. But Maggie stood, right sair astonished, Till, by the heel an' hand admonished, She ventur'd forward on the light; An', wow! Tam saw an unco sight! Warlocks an' witches in a dance; Nae cotillion brent new frae France, But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, an' reels Put life an' mettle in their heels. At winnock-bunker in the east, There sat auld Nick in shape o' beast; A towzie tyke, black, grim an' large, To gie them music was his charge;

j 42 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

He screw'd the pipes an' gart them skirl, Till roof an' rafters a' did dirl. Coffins stood round, like open presses; That shaw'd the dead in their last dresses; And (by some devilish cantraip sleight) Each in its cauld hand held a light; By which heroic Tam was able To note upon the haly table A murderer's banes in gibbet aims; Twa span-tang, wee, unchristen'd bairns; A thief, new-cutted frae a rape- Wi' his last gasp his gab did gape; Five tomahawks, wi' bluid red-rusted, Five scimitars, wi' murder crusted; A garter, which a babe had strangled; A knife, a father's throat had mangled, Whom his ain son o' life bereft, The grey hairs still stack to the heft; Wi' mair o' horrible an' awfu, Which e'en to name wad be unlawfu'. We have gone far enough in the horrific. With the same ease, the story comes down again to the laughable. The sight of the old witches, caught up in a frenzy of dancing, brings us back to reality and prepares that well-known exclamation about the blue plush breeks which bursts out suddenly, with an irresistibly comic effect. As Tammie glowr'd, amaz'd an' curious, The mirth an' fun grew fast an' furious; The piper loud an' louder blew, The dancers quick an' quicker flew; They reel'd, they set, they cross'd, they cleekit, Till ilka carlin swat an' reekit, An' coost her duddies to the wark, An' linket at it in her sark. Now Tam! 0 Tam! had they been queans A' plump an' strappin' in their teens; Their sarks, instead o' creeshie flannen, Been snaw-white seventeen hunder linen! Thir breeks o' mine, my only pair. That ance were plush, o' guid blue hair, I wad hae gien them aff my hurdies, For ae blink o' the bonnie burdies. AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 43

But withered beldams, auld an' droll, Rigwoodie hags wad spean a foal, Lowping an' flinging on a crummock, I wonder didna turn thy stomach. We are wrong to worry. Tam is not so much to be pitied as he seems. He is not the fellow to linger over such things: he is more fastidious. If he remains bright-eyed with excitement, it is because there is something there which is to his taste. But Tam kenn'd what was what fu' brawlie: There was ae winsome wench an' walie, That night enlisted in the core (Lang after kenn'd on Carrick shore; For mony a beast to dead she shot, An' perish'd mony a bonnie boat, An' shook baith meikle corn an' bear, An' kept the country-side in fear), Her cutty sark, o' Paisley yarn, That, while a lassie, she had worn, In longitude tho' sorely scantie, It was her best, an' she was vauntie. Ah! little kenn'd thy reverend Grannie, That sark she coft for her wee Nannie, Wi' twa pund Scots ('twas 'a her riches), Wad ever grac'd a dance o' witches! We understand why Tam stood there nailed to the spot. What he was seeing was not calculated to make him feel sick, and the blue plush trousers would if necessary have temporarily changed owner. Nothing is more gaily and more amusingly animated than the spectacle which paralysed him with admiration: that pretty girl in the too short garment cavorting in the light: Satan playing louder and louder; she dancing quicker and quicker, the music having difficulty in following her supple limbs in an acceleration of capers; and in the shadows Tam's face visibly expanding with pleasure at this delectable picture, till the moment when he cannot contain himself any longer and bursts into speech. All that is perfect. But here my Muse her wing maun cour; Sic flights are far beyond her pow'r; To sing how Nannie lap an' flang (A souple jade she was, an' strang), An' how Tam stood, like ane bewitch'd, . An' thought his very e'en enrich'd; ,J 44 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

E'en Satan glowr'd, an' fidg'd fu' fain, An' botched an' blew wi' might an' main. Till first ae caper, syne anither, Tam tint his reason a' thegither, An' roars out, 'Weel done, Cutty-Sark!' An' in an instant all was dark; An' scarcely had he Maggie rallied, When out the hellish legion sallied. What has he done? A pail of holy water falling in the middle of the festivities and splashing all this devilry could not have produced a greater tumult. The light goes out, the diabolical bag-pipe stops, a great hubbub is heard. Quick, Tam! You have just time to get Maggie away. You did well to speak, old babbler! Not to mention that you Jost the rest of these capers, which were becoming more and more interesting. Gallop, Tam! From all sides, the furious witches are rushing out of the ruin. As bees buzz out wi' angry fyke, When plunderin' herds assail their byke; As open pussie's mortal foes When pop! she starts before their nose; As eager runs the market crowd, When 'Catch the thief!' resounds aloud; So Maggie runs, the witches follow, Wi' mony an eldritch screech an' hollow. It is a mad race. The road followed by Tam ran along the right bank of the Doon, passing between the river and the church. A little further on is the old hog-backed bridge with a single arch, under which the water was roaring. If Tam reaches the key-stone of the bridge before the witches, he is saved. It is well known that witches, ghosts and none of the evil spirits have the power to pursue an unhappy wretch further than the middle of the nearest stream. So Tam, terrified, wild-eyed, his face buried in Maggie's mane, gallops frantically, while the horde of witches, howling, shrieking in the darkness, pursues him. Outdistancing the others Nannie, furious at having been seen and burning to avenge herself on the imprudent fellow, leaps forward. The key-stone of the bridge is a few hundred feet away. Ah, Tam! ah, Tam! thou'lt get thy fairin'! In hell they'll roast thee like a herrin' ! In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin'. Kate soon will be a woefu' woman! AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 45

Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg, An' win the key-stone o' the brig; There at them thou thy tail may toss, A running stream they darena cross; But ere the key-stane she could make, The fient a tail she had to shake! For Nannie, far before the rest, Hard upon noble Maggie prest, An' flew at Tam wi' furious ettle­ But little wist she Maggie's mettle­ Ae spring brought off her master hale, But left behind her ain grey tail; The carlin claught her by the rump, An' left puir Maggie scarce a stump. Saved, Tam! But nothing would make him stop. He is still feeling the infernal band at his shoulders. He continues to gallop without looking round and is swallowed up in the darkness. Pretty Cutty Sark waves Maggie's tail, infuriatedly, feeling that this vengeance is not enough. The story stops at this picture and ends with this moral: Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read, Ilk man and mother's son take heed: Whene'er to drink you are inclin'd, Or cutty-sarks run in your mind, Think! ye may buy the joys o'er dear­ Remember Tam o' Shanter's meare. In truth, the story resembles Tam's mare: it too has lost its tail. It is too abruptly cut off. The mind is not satisfied. Involuntarily, one accompanies Tam to his farm, expecting to see him appear before his wife Kate, who has had time during these adventures to keep her anger warm. There is room there for a scene which seemed to be announced at the beginning and which would have made a pretty match for that of the inn and the landlady. One can imagine the farmer's wife's welcome, Tam's excuses, and his shame-faced look when the lantern suddenly reveals to him Maggie's strange condition. The moral would have been better at that point, for the punishment would have been more complete. To lose one's mare's tail is no doubt a serious matter, but to justify the loss to one's wife is much more terrible. Perhaps Tam would willingly have given the mane along with the tail, to see what he had seen. The painful moment was the explanation to Kate. That is really 46 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

what may keep scallywags like Tam from drinking and purge their brain of cutty sarks for the rest of their lives. Critics differ about this poem, which is so remarkable in Burns's work. Some consider it as his masterpiece. That is the opinion of Lockhart and many others. Carlyle on the contrary is surprised at the high degree of favour which it enjoys. 'It is not so much a poem,' he says, 'as a piece of sparkling rhetoric; the heart and body of the story still lies hard and dead.' He reproaches the poet with not having gone back, much less carried us back, into that dark, earnest, wondering age, when the tradition was believed, and when it took its rise; with not having struck anew 'that deep mys­ terious chord of human nature, which once responded to such things; and which lives in us too, and will for ever live.' He is inclined to believe that this piece could have been written by a man who, in place of genius, had only had talent. He adds that he prefers the poem Tire Jolly Beggars, of which we shall speak a little further on, to it. On this last point we should agree with him. For the rest, it seems to us that he is unjust in reproaching Burns with not having done something different from what he wanted to do. Carlyle would have liked a reconstitution of the state of mind, superstitious and always surprised, of olden times, done seriously and respectfully. Burns could not think of that. He who had never seen anything but contemporary life and whose merit it is to have seen it clearly, has described superstition such as it existed around him: not wholly in command, not quite dead. That is how it appeared at moments in himself. In his autobiographical letter to Dr. Moore, speak­ ing of the tales of ghosts and spirits which an old woman had told him in his childhood, he added, 'This had so strong an effect on my imagination, that to this hour, in my nocturnal rambles, I sometimes keep a sharp look-out in suspicious places; and though nobody can be more sceptical in these matters than I, yet it often takes an effort of Philosophy to shake off these idle terrors.' This 'effort of philosophy' was not within the reach of all peasants. At night, in a storm, it only needed an unexplained light, a strange noise, for them to be seized once more with the old terrors. In a head whose faculties of control are dispossessed and whose imagination is over­ excited by drink, the hallucination could become complete; and we have seen with what art Burns has accumulated all the circum­ stances-the storm, the gloomy memories-which could prepare it. Next day, in the bright sunshine, one could laugh at the fears of the night before. That is where the fun came in. Burns has therefore

L AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 47 seized the exact point which the superstition of his time had reached. He has succeeded in blending the fear which it still preserved with the mockery it aroused. The effort demanded of him by Carlyle, namely to reconstitute belief in the deep, religious elements of that superstition, was right off his course. It was one of those attempts at retrospective sympathy which have interested our time but have never furnished any first-rate work. It was asking Burns to write like Scott. And what would have become of the gaiety of this poem, which is after all a burst of laughter? As for Burns himself, he thought that Tam o' Shanter was his masterpiece and he frankly explained why. In a letter to Mrs. Dunlop (dated 11 th April, 1791), speaking of his eldest son, whose god-mother she had been, he said: 'Indeed, I look upon your little Namesake to be my chef-d'oeuvre in that species of manufacture, as I look upon Tam o' Shanter to be my standard performance in the poetical line. 'Tis true, both the one and the other discover a spice of roguish waggery that might perhaps be as well spared; but then they also shew in my opinion a force of genius and a finishing polish that I despair of ever excelling.' Be that as it may, it is a work of the first order, so solid, so full of matter in such small volume, and of such variety and animation! It seems impossible to assemble more pictures and scenes in less space. There are only two hundred and twenty-four lines in the poem: see how many subjects a cartoonist can find in it and of how many different kinds: the end of the market-day; the good faces of Tam and his friend the shoemaker; that charming description of the inn which is in itself a whole canvas by Wilkie; the storm; the route; Tam jogging on horseback through the rain; then the old church, fantastically lit up, all that powerful, rich phantasmagoria of the witches' sahbath, Satan at the window with his bagpipes, Tam's head in tht: shadows, Nannie's cavortings, the flight, the pursuit, the old bridge, the catastrophe-it is a series of paintings, familiar, terrible, supernatural, always picturesque, made to exhaust an artist's talent. And how well-marked we find the two features of the humour: the raillery which runs through the whole piece, attacking Tam's dallying with the landlady as well as Nannie's short chemise; and an observation which is constant, direct and concrete to the greatest possible degree! And what movement! The diversity of the situations and of the settings would make us believe that this was a work of fantasy, if the whole thing was not so well calculated, so coherent, so well proportioned, so indispensable to the progress of 48 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

the story, that we have variety rather than fantasy, and that even there, we again find the character of restraint and reason which is at the very heart of Burns's humour. One cannot help comparing Tam o' Shanter's ride with another ride famous in English literature-that of John Gilpin of amusing memory. No doubt the adventure of the cloth merchant clinging to the mane of his horse, losing his hat, his wig, his red cloak, smash· ing his bottles, flashing through villages, passing and repassing, unable to stop his mount in front of the balcony where his wife is waiting for him, is charmingly and unaffectedly funny; but it is only the clever and quite literary development of a ridiculous situation, which seems thin and quickly exhausted beside the story of Tam o' Shanter. The latter is different, being rich, varied and profound. Above all it has the sap of real life in it, which renews itself and gushes forth everywhere. John Gilpin might have been written by a man of talent. The immortal Tam, whatever Carlyle says on the subject, is the creation of a man of genius. And here again one comes up against the regret that Burns's life did not give all it contained. Writing to one of his friends, to whom he sent the poem, he said: 'I have just finished a poem which you will find inclosed (sic). It is my first essay in the way of tales.' (Letter to A. Cunningham, 23rd January, 1791.) Imagine what a volume of stories of this kind would have been­ diverse, gathered from all quarters, and written with that power of life, comedy and poetry. It would have been a book to put beside the admirable Canterbury Tales of old Chaucer. This humour of Burns burst forth among the Scots like a revela­ tion. They did not know that their soil could produce such a succu­ lent fruit. In number 83 of the Mirror, a periodical in the style of the Spectator, published in Edinburgh on 22nd February, 1780, that is· to say, shortly before Burns's arrival in that city, one finds an article dealing with an investigation into the causes of the scarcity of humorous writers in Scotland. The author, after stating that on other subjects his country produces writers of considerable merit, is surprised that the Tweed should establish such a striking line of demarcation as far as humour is concerned: 'In one species of writing, however, in works and compositions of humour, there can be no doubt that the English stand per· fectly unrivalled by their northern neighbours. The English excel in comedy; several of their romances are replete with the most humorous representations of life and character, and AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 49

many of their other works are full of ridicule. But, in Scotland, we have hardly any book which aims at humour, and, of the very few that do, still fewer have any degree of merit. Though we have tragedies written by Scots authors, we have no comedy, excepting Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd, and though we have tender novels, we have none of comedy.' The author of the article was right as far as the erudite literature of his country was concerned. It was not surprising that it lacked the concrete, direct element on which humour lives. It was general, abstract and cosmopolitan. 'It is curious to think,' writes Carlyle in his Essay on Burns', that Scotland, so full of writers, had no Scottish culture, nor indeed any English; our culture was almost exclusively French. It was by studying Racine and Voltaire, Batteux and Boileau, that Karnes had trained himself to be a critic and philosopher; it was the light of Montesquieu and Mably that guided Robertson in his political speculations; Quesnay's lamp that kindled the lamp of Adam Smith. Hume was too rich a man to borrow; and perhaps he reacted on the French more than he was acted on by them, but neither had he aught to do with Scotland; Edinburgh, equally with La Fleche, was but the lodging and laboratory, in which he not so much morally lived, as meta­ physically investigated. Never, perhaps, was there a class of writers so clear and well-ordered, yet so totally destitute, to all appearance, of any patriotic affection, nay, of any human affection whatsoever.' What was there astonishing in the fact that there was no humour to be found in their writings? It was a literature which had nothing distinctive about it: it had nothing native about it, no tang of the soil. It lacked picturesqueness and life. From that comes the opinion that the Scots were incapable of humour. Charles Lamb has upheld it in a charming essay in which he contrasts the affirmative, absolute Caledonian spirit with the spirit which he calls anti-Caledonian, full of imagination, content with glimpses, germs, doubts and glimmerings of truth. 'Above all, you must beware of indirect expressions before a Caledonian. Clap an extinguisher upon your irony, if you are unhappily blest with a vein of it.' He reports as an example that he was once present at a party of Scotsmen where one of Bums's sons was expected. 'I happened to drop a silly expression that I wished it were the father instead of the son-when four of them started up at once to inform me that that was impossible, because he was dead.' This reputation of the Scots has spread. It has ended in finding a definitive formula J 50 AUGUSTE ANGELLJER in Sydney Smith's famous witticism that 'it requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding'. If no humour was found, the reason was that it was being sought where it could not possibly exist, in a rarefied literature denuded of anything picturesque. One has only to read Ramsay and Fergus­ son, the former's Gentle Shepherd, the latter's Caller Water, for instance, to encounter some excellent humour. It is to be found in abundance in the songs and still more in the little popular poems, to begin with the famous Gaberlunzie Man of James V. More recently the collections of Dean Ramsay, Dr. Rogers and Mr. Bax ton Hood, composed of witty sayings, anecdotes and reminiscences have brought together an admirable stock of it. These writers had only to let their nets down into the conversation and the poetry of the people to bring them back full of humorous features. The collections of proverbs also contain a great deal of humour. In reality, few countries have produced more or greater humorists: Smollett, Arbuthnot, Burns, Carlyle, without mentioning the humour scat­ tered about in Scott's work, in that delightful book The Annals of the Parish by John Galt, which for tender humour is a worthy companion to the Vicar of Wakefield, or in the charming Autobiography of Mansie Waugh. On the contrary, there has been from all times a rich fund of humour in Scotland. It is true that Dr. Alexander Carlyle oflnveresk, whom his active life and sojourn in a little parish brought more into contact with the people, had protested against this judg­ ment. Referring precisely to the article in the Mirror, he said: 'I shall take this opportunity of correcting a mistake into which English authors have fallen, in which they are supported by many of the Scotch writers, particularly by those of the Mirror -that is, that the people of Scotland have no humour. That is a gross mistake which could be proved by innumerable songs, ballads, and stories that are prevalent in the South of Scotland, and by every person old enough to remember the times when the Scottish dialect was spoken in purity in the Low Country, and who have been at all conversant with the common people. Since we began to affect speaking a foreign language, which the English dialect is to us, humour, it must be confessed, is less apparent in conversation.' Dr. Carlyle and the writer in the Mirror agree in attributing, one the absence, the other the reduction of humour to the abandonment ofthe native dialect. Let us notice how much this fact corrobor­ ates the importance of the concrete element in the composition of AUGUSTE ANGELLIER 51 humour. The passage in the Mirror in particular is specific. It is to be read with care, so instructive is it with regard to this point: 'This circumstance of a Scots author not writing his own natural dialect must have a considerable influence upon the nature of his productions. When he is employed in any grave, dignified composition, when he writes history, politics or poetry, the pains he must take to write in a manner different from that in which he speaks, will not much affect his productions; the language is in every case raised above that of human life; and therefore the deviation which a Scots author is obliged to make from the common language of the country can be of little prejudice to him. But if a writer is to descend to common and ludicrous pictures of life; if in short he is to deal in humorous compositions, his language must be, as nearly as possible, that of common life, that of the bulk of the people. But a Scotsman who wants to be English cannot do this. He neither speaks the English dialect, nor is it spoken by those around him. Any knowledge he has acquired of the language is got from books, not from conversation. In confirmation of these remarks it may be observed that almost the only works of humour which we have in this country are in the Scots dialect, and most of them were written before the union of the kingdoms, when Scots was the written as well as the spoken language of the country. The Gentle Shepherd, which is full of natural and ludicrous representations of low life, is written in broad Scots; many of our ancient ballads are full of humour.' Thus as soon as one passes to abstract literature, humour dies; as soon as one returns to popular, concrete, living, picturesque language, as soon as one approaches reality again, as soon as one is restored by the language it speaks in contact with it, humour is reborn. The only compositions which contain any are equally those which contain ordinary life as it has been lived and observed; so certain is it that without this element humour withers away and disappears. This was the language which Burns had taken up again and which he used to give such a brilliant denial to those who refused the Scottish mind the faculty of humour. Let us make no mistake, this gift of humour is one of the greatest gifts a writer can have. It is almost a mark of genius. At the very least, it is something approaching it, resembling it and containing a particle of it. Carlyle said it was the touchstone of genius, but Carlyle loves to utter aphorisms the truth of which is weakened J 52 AUGUSTE ANGELLIER

because they claim to contain the whole truth. It is incontestable that there have been geniuses, like Milton and Wordsworth, who were very poor in humour. Coleridge, whose judgments hurled fewer thunderbolts at things and saw deeper into them, said with more moderation and justice that men of humour are always to some degree men of genius. The fact is that there comes into humour the faculty of looking directly at life, of representing reality, the gift of objectivity. It is one of the rarest aptitudes in literature: neither work nor study furnish it, and talent does not attain it. However narrow the field of the true humorists may be, they are men of genius in their own corner. Without speaking of the great humorists like Shakespeare, Cervantes, Rabelais and Moliere, what other word can be applied to Swift, Sterne and Dickens? And if for others like Goldsmith and Charles Lamb this word seems too big, how many terms will one use to get anywhere near the same idea? One will say that they have charm, something original, something inimitable, some indefinable quality peculiar to themselves. Would it not be better to say that they have a little genius, a particle, however small? However poor their work may be, it has an essence which can only be defined thus. They are themselves because they have seen life for themselves. And so humorists are creators and the greatest of them have naturally had recourse to the novel and the theatre. FIRST LADY PRESIDENT

In 1970, having for long enough tried its prentice han' on man, the Bums Federation had the good sense to elect its first lady president in the person of Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A. Since then, the Ayrshire Association of Bums Clubs has also seen the light and made Mrs. Jean Anderson its first lady president. It is interesting to note that the chain of office, which she now wears, was obtained by the Ayrshire Association for Bums's bi­ centenary in 1959 and-wait for it!-the first name engraved upon it is that of Mrs. Anderson's husband, Mr. Thomas Anderson, who is now Senior Vice-President of the Burns Federation. Mrs. Anderson believes that, in electing her as its president, the Association is honouring the ladies who work for the movement throughout Ayrshire. Even so, there are clubs in Ayrshire which still stubbornly refuse to admit female members. According to the Kilmarnock Standard, Mrs. Anderson feels that a small chink may at long last be appearing on the blockade. 'Ladies are gradually beginning to get in,' she told a reporter. 'And not before time. We have been keeking in far too long.' Thanks to her mother, Mrs. Anderson was well acquainted with the poems and songs of Bums in her childhood. Her active interest began after the formation of Symington Bums Club in 1946. At that time, she was teaching in the village school and has been secretary of the local club since 1954 and also treasurer since 1956. It is obvious, therefore, that the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs knew what it was doing when it broke with tradition. Mrs. Jean Anderson is well equipped to be a successful president.

J THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

by ROBERT D. THORNTON The Mail departing the George Inn, Dumfries, about seven o'clock of the Friday evening, 25 August 1797, could not have conveyed two more uneasy travellers to Liverpool than John Syme and Gilbert Bums.I At forty-two years Syme had too much settled into life to welcome the sport of a trip to the big city, especially when his companion was to be an all but total stranger, a sober Ayrshire farmer riding in place of the gay intimate Alexander Cunningham. With Syme and Robert Bums, Cunningham had formed a 'trinity in unity,' for the three men had shared one idea of 'conviviality and friendship'. With Syme and James Currie, Cunningham had studied at the Uni­ versity of Edinburgh and become heated in the controversies of the oyster cellar. To be without Cunningham was to be without sparkle of anticipation, relaxations of familiarity and common background, and relief from accents upon duty and work. Of work Syme had had his fill during the previous two months, months which had extended his day in the Stamp Office beyond the customary eight hours. Time spent in Liverpool, moreover, not only would rob him of at-home advantages of a slack season, but also would pile up his desk at Nithside while rushing him towards his next thrang season of Martinmas. Syme's last Jong letter from Currie, written so that 'we should understand each other,' had left little room for thoughts of time off to see Liverpool: First, as to Bums. If copies had been forwarded me of the printed pieces that are to go into the posthumous publication, or correct copies of any part of his works, as was promised, the printers might have been going on, and the work advancing. But the unaccountable delay of-and-and the accountable delay of your visit here, has rendered it impossible to commence the work. For my own part, I have had, as you know, a confused and undigested mass of sketches and scraps thrown upon me, without explanation, and without dates or arrange­ ment. Several of these are the first rude sketches of songs, 1 For the date and circumstances of departure see Gilbert Bums's Journal ofa trip to Liverpool, an unpaginated manuscript held at the Burns Cottage. Through the courtesy of the Trustees of the Burns Monument, Ayr, Scotland, I have a microfilm copy of the original, hereafter cited as 'Gilbert Journal'. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 55

correctly printed, but which I have never seen; and though I requested Elphinstone Balfour to apply to Cunningham to send me copies to the printed songs, they are not come in a packet of Scotch publications he has sent me. What is essential, or at least important, is to have all the materials before us-after this, to have the whole examined by one acquainted with their history-then to decide what is to be published-then how, and in what order. AU this is not so difficult, if you and I were a few days together, and had the assistance of Roscoe and McCreery. But then you must bring everything with you that you can lay your hands on, among other things, the letters you may have received on the subject from various quarters, my own included; for, among these, hints and suggestions may be found that are important. When you come here I have a bed and a private room for you. There I will set you to work, with pen and ink before you; and I will be with you as much as I can. Till our work is done, you shall not accept a single invitation, nor look at the wonders of Liverpool. You shall be as retired and as abstemious as a hermit; and you shall rise with the sun, and go to bed as he goes down. Your coming, however, is essential; and, that you may under­ stand how much so it is, I declare most solemnly that if you do not come I will write to G. Burns, and publish a manifesto abandoning the work. It is no matter, however, whether you come instantly, or by the 20th or 25th, or the end of the month. I am very sorry to hear of Heron's undertaking; and I wish he were remonstrated with. It is a scandalous thing for any one to interfere with the family on an occasion like this. * * * * * Why do you make such perpetual apologies about hurry, the excise business, or rather stamp-office business, &c.? I can assure you that these apologies only remind me of the extent of my obligations for the time you devote to my affairs [Syme served Currie as factor of his Dumfriesshire lands, Stake­ ford and Dumcrieff], and have never once been necessary for any neglect or inattention, or even for any obscurity of composition. For my part, I make no apologies, though God knows I am in a perpetual bustle, as you will see.2

2 [D. McNaught], 'Dr. Currie and His Biography of Bums,' in B.C., XXVIII (1919). 30-1; this letter is dated 11Aug.1797. J 56 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

One has every reason to doubt that Syme or anybody else could misinterpret this Jetter as a promise of merry sunshine! Such talk of more and more manuscripts, such concern for correct form, such enthusiasm for monklike practice under the abbacy of Currie must have brought the stamp collector right up to his breaking-point. If he was to have retirement, it had better be of his own preference: that retirement offered by Ryedale. Ryedale was Syme's Kirkcudbrightshire cabin and twenty-four acres across the Nith from Dumfries. So comfortable, so favourable to outdoor sports, so convenient for commutation to the Stamp Office yet so removed from 'stupid' citizenry and 'female Gossips' was this property that there and only there had Syme his heart's content. From it he seems never to have travelled beyond Edinburgh and, if to England, then only quickly just over the Border to a spot like Carlisle. Without the ambition of his countrymen but with every bit of their nationalism, he was one Scotsman happy to remain at home. At Ryedale he had a wife to bear his sons and to take charge of his bread and beer. He could plant five-hundred gooseberry bushes and tend his garden roots in 'quite Italian' climate. In the privacy of his own home he could read Lewis' Monk or call Mrs. Oswald of Auchencruive 'the old hag'. Twelve years after the trip to Liverpool Syme described his retreat to Cunningham upon the occasion of his having to abandon it for 'a large strong house' in Dumfries 'full of conveniences': I own I fondly cling to the Cabin. It is an old and intimate acquaintance, and has oddities &c. about it which hit my fancy and render it kindly. Were I to describe its intricacies and vari­ eties, its nooks and diverse easements and conveniences, the cot beds in which I swing my boys, the wee snug closet in which I make my winter bed of rest (the kitchen fire back at the foot, which keeps my feet warm and seasons the whole hard and dry and warm), the nice little clean neat stone flagged sitting room or parlour, with a glass door in the gable looking into a conservatory where peaches, nectarines, grapes, and flowers of various kinds stare you in the face: were I to describe these and the impression they have made upon me by the custom of 18 years enjoyment, I would get into the incongruous style of age aping youth.3

3 J.C.E., 'Correspondence of John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, 1789-1811 VII (Conclusion).' in B.C.. XVII (1942). 11; a letter dated 19 July 1809. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 57

Freedom was not either nectarine or bed for John Syme. Like his close friends he indulged in drink and republican sentiments, and like them he managed each year to get over the Dumfries 'Races and dissipations' of early October. Even the burdens of his various factories could be lifted occasionally, as he informed Cunningham in a letter of 8 June 1798: ' ... I have passed two or three days at Moffat, on Dr. Currie's beautiful estate of Dumcrief, which I am endeavouring to manage better for him that it has been conducted. I dined along with the Towns folks last Monday and went to the Ball in the Evening-very festive the dinner and violently hopping the dames.'4 At thirty-seven years Gilbert Bums lived as though a violently hopping dame did not exist. Looking something like his older brother and writing a hand which bore striking resemblances to that of the dead poet, he despairingly worked the soil at Mossgiel even as he considered leasing a Dumfriesshire farm as one more start after one more ruinous failure. Robert's success in Edinburgh had brought Gilbert a loan for continuance at Mossgiel; but try as he could, the younger brother had not been able to cancel the debt. On his conscience he had such knowledge as the thought that nine days before death Robert had begged their cousin James for "£10 to 'Save me from the horrors of a jail!' in a note to which he added, 'I have been thinking over & over my brother's affairs & I fear I must cut him up. •s Since Robert's death he had exchanged views on the matter of his indebtedness with the trustees of the estate, as we know from a letter which Syme wrote Cunningham, 7 March 1797: 'We do not think it proper to use injorous measures in exacting payment of a £300 bill due by Gilbert Bums, who has fairly stated his present inability to discharge the debt-but, I hope it will be secure in the end.'6 Thus, far from having been able to reduce the principal (?£200), Gilbert had not been able to keep up with the interest, even by deducting for the cheese and potatoes which he supplied Robert's widow and children. With him at Mossgiel were his five children and his wife Jean pregnant with a sixth, his sisters Agnes and Annabelle, his mother for whom Robert had requested that £5 be taken from the loan as annuity, and 'dear bought Bess' for whose support

4 J.C.E., 'Correspondence of John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, 1789-1811 VI,' in B.C.. XV (1940). 20. s Leuers, II. 328, dated 12 July 1796. 6 From a manuscript of John DeLancey Ferguson composed of his quotations from and notes upon the unedited Syme-Cunningham corres­ pondence. Hereafter cited as 'Ferguson Manuscript.' J 58 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Robert had specified a second annuity as another deduction. Falling behind, Gilbert looked ahead. Mossgiel had to be aban­ doned as a lost cause; but until a new farm had been leased and cultivated, care and uncertainty would continue as his frame of mind. Fanner though he was and farmer though he remained to death, Gilbert had in August 1797 not a whit of that satisfaction with the ploughman's existence which he came to identify three years later: I can say, from my own experience, that there is no sort of farm labour inconsistent with the most refined and pleasurable state of the mind that I am acquainted with, thrashing alone excepted. That, indeed, I have always considered as insupportable drud­ gery; and think the ingenious mechanic who invented the thrashing machine, ought to have a statue among the bene­ factors of his country, and should be placed in the niche next to the person who introduced the culture of potatoes into this island.7 Such best bib-and-tucker comments probably make Gilbert out to be more of a stick-in-the-mud than he actually was, although here as elsewhere evidence of imagination and wit more lively than Robert's, as the ,tutor .Murdock asserted, seems nil. Syme's opportunity for cornering somebody to share the Liver­ pool excursion came with Gilbert's presence in and around Dumfries to find a suitable farm of one-hundred acres. In meeting, each served the other. For his part Gilbert could have raised fewer objections to the trip into England because lending himself out to family causes had become the pattern of his life. More plainly, anything he could do for his brother's household would contribute to the welfare of his own. Representing the interests of his kin, however, was not the limit of his actions. At the time of Robert's death, Gilbert had been deputised by Mrs. Dunlop to keep her informed as to each and every development. One would not wish to question this lady's motives as more selfish or idly curious than altruistic; nevertheless, by 2 April 1797, Gilbert was writing to Dunlop House, 'The manu­ script book of letters is at Liverpool as an important part of the materials from which the future publication is to be selected, but as soon as it has served that purpose you may depend on getting it. ·s After taking note that Gilbert's rights to the second Glenriddell 7 University of Glasgow Library, David Murray Collection; holograph letter, Gilbert Bums to Dr. James Currie, dated 24 Oct. 1800. 8 William Wallace, Robert Burns a11d Mrs. D1111lop (London 1898), p. 423.

L ____ THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 59 manuscript were no more certain than Mrs. Dunlop's or those of almost any other of the horde who have waved them in the past century or two, one may advance to another passage in the same letter which shows that quite apart from hoping to be able to settle Gilbert on a promising farm, Mrs .. Dunlop was sending him money: I found my brother's debts to exceed my calculation by 12 or 15 pounds. My own resources too had fallen so short that I had determined to borrow your present agreeable to your kind offer. But Mrs. Bums needed money and was shy of applying to the Trustees on the funds, so I gave her your present determined to meet the Trustees in the midst of my deficiencys and my poverty. So Gilbert had his own reasons for going to Liverpool, reasons beyond the challenge of 'the longest journey I have ever undertaken.' Thanks to novelty, to resolution in repressing 'malignant powers of Indolence,' and to connubial intent of sharing 'the pleasures and remarks of this sojourn with my dear Jeanie the wife of my bosom and the friend of my Soul,' we have Gilbert's journal, unfortunately all too much a mere chronicle of meals and travel conditions. In less detail and sententiousness, we have, also, Syme's blunt account to be found as a letter to Cunningham written on Sunday, 10 Septem­ ber, three days after the return to Dumfries.9 Because the journal is far and away the fuller of the two sources, the story may better be left to Gilbert save where Syme supplements with personal observation. Beginning with something of what transpired that was not directly relative to the edition of Bums may provide necessary perspective. Neither Gilbert nor Syme had pleasant feelings of his situation when he set out at end of day: Mr. Syme had been informed that a very pretty young girl was to be our fellow-traveller to Carlisle, but judge of our dis­ appointment when a little out of Dumfries we were stopt by some greasy looking mechanics, and a meagre ill-dressed mellancholly-looking woman d'une certainne age entered the chaise. We were drawn by a pair of poor wind-broke, worn-out horses and the driver seemed little less a brute than they. 'The gloomy night was gathering fast' around us before we past Locher-moss . . .

9 J.C.E., 'Correspondence of John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, 1789-1811 V,' in B.C., XIV (1939). 82-5.

/ 60 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

By way of Annan and Gretna the chaise came into Carlisle at 2.00 a.m. Saturday. Six hours later the two men were on their way again as the only passengers 'in a very convenient coach drawn by three good horses.' The morning was pleasant, and 'many country people met us in going to the fair. The farmers seemed all to have that plain decent appearance which I always wish to see them have.' Fresh horses pulled the coach out of Penrith as Gilbert listened to a dialogue on snipe hunting between a fat fellow and Syme. About half way to Shap [the next stage] we passed near but not in sight of Lawtherhall the seat of the earl of Lonsdale. This nobleman has the felicity to be very rich and to have made himself eminent by uniting in himself more of the detestable qualitys that are sometimes to be found in human nature than any other person can boast of I suppose in the present age. A character more universally reprobate is not in the kingdom .•. it is one feature of his Lordship's character that he finishes nothing but works of oppression. Gilbert and Syme dined at Shap with a 'very pretty well-dressed young lady' who had come into their coach near Lonsdale's seat 'with a great deal of native modesty and propriety of behaviour.' Frank conversation with this Miss Grandy helped pass the way to Kendall. Then it was on to Burton, a long walk forward until the coach came up, and night closing round before Lancaster, a dish of tea, and bed. After breakfast and a chance to admire 'a beautiful new prison,' the travellers went on in very agreeable company, a seaman just from the West Indies and a Scots clergyman's son. Passing through Garstang, Preston, and Ormskirk, they arrived in Liverpool, 5.00 p.m., Sunday, the twenty-seventh. Tired and shaken Gilbert found time before descending to remark to Mr. Syme 'that almost every agreeable person we had met on the road were con­ nected with our native country.' We had got an indifferent account of the inn at which the coach stopped so did not wish to lodge there. As soon as we alighted we ordered tea and dressed ourselves. Mr. Syme sent a note to Dr. Currie who to our mortification we found had gone out of town to his family who were at country lodgings about a mile and a half out of town. After we had drank tea we went out in quest of Mr. Thomas Sloan with whom I intended to lodge if he could accommodate me. I had got a direction for the counting house he was employed in but it being Sunday there was no possibility of finding him. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 61

We called at Dr. Currie's house but he was not returned. We returned to our inn fatigued disappointed and vexed. We took a view of their acconunodation and resolving to take up our lodging there, we sent a note to Dr. Currie's house informing him of our resolution and that we would wait on him in the morning. Mean time Mr. John Mccreery printer came to the inn to call for us. He told us that Dr. Currie expected us to live with him that he had a bed in his house not far distant for me, that the Dr. would be much disappointed if we were not with him at supper or if we broke through the arrangement he had made. He pressed us much to allow our baggage to be removed agreeable to this arrangement, but Mr. Syme who has a particu­ lar soreness of feeling would not consent till the arrival of a note from Dr. Currie which insisted on our being with him immediately. We supped with the Dr. who is a stout vigorous keen looking man. He has not all the Solemnity in his manner I was made to expect but has a good deal of stateliness about him and lives in good stile. McCreery supped with us. He is an honest hibernian, a most ingenious man in his profession A great admirer of my brother's poetry and so zealous a democrate as to despise every suggestion of caution and prudence. He is married a year or two ago to a very worthy pleasant welsh girl, they are both very attentive to me and I am very happy with them. Apart from failing to judge accurately the arrival of the Lancaster coach, Currie, under the circumstances, seems to have done every­ thing else in his power to entertain his guests and to make them comfortable. As Gilbert found time to deliver a letter to David Paton (possibly related to Robert's Elizabeth), so he took time to call upon Thomas Sloan, friend of the poet when he lived at Ellisland. On Monday after breakfast Mccreery took Gilbert to drop in on Edward Rush­ ton, the blind poet who had composed verses to Robert's memory: 'He is a Bookseller a very worthy honest man but a most im­ prudently stern democrate and enymy to the slave trade the source of so much wealth in this town and which consequently so many here are interested in defending.' From Ruston's the pair went on to rejoin Currie and Syme at the doctor's house. At first opportunity after the Liverpool trip, Syme was to convey his impressions of his host: 62 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Currie, from a strong and vivid natural capacity with which he was endowed, but which did not strike me (at Colledge with him) to be uncommonly supported by literary attainments, has, wonderfully to my observation, acquired a knowledge, taste, and, if I may so term it generally-a faculty which ranks him among the first characters. In Liverpool he is literally the principal and most respectable public man.10 Syme continued with his view of Roscoe, who called upon the two Scots visitors after their first dinner with Currie: Mr. Roscoe however is a Being of another stamp. Mild, fluent, simple in the extreme in manner, but that simplicity the most endearing and most elegant and most sincere, he impresses at once on your senses and amiable as a child, yet firm, intelligent, conscious of his rank and title in the heraldry of the human race. In short, I never saw figure, countenance, demeanour and dig­ nity more happily blended with all that is simple and attractive. His house, family, every thing of him and about him is in character. Gilbert echoes Syme on Roscoe after identifying the author of Lorenzo as 'a very tall thin man of brown complexion': 'His manner is the mildest most oblidging and modest that I have seen, he brightens in conservation and convinces one of superiour genius yet carries his faculties so meekly that Mr. Syme complains that he wields an argument so modestly as not to carry conviction.' Three-o'clock dinners and late evening suppers introduced Gilbert and Syme within Liverpool circles. On Tuesday they dined at The Park, Gateacre, with Mrs. Currie as their hostess. The doctor's wife 'vastly pleased' Gilbert: She is a very good looking woman with that degree of sonsie­ ness which every one wishes to see in a wife. Her manners are very Genteel but plain and oblidging. Her conversation very sensible and good natured and displaying a very just and correct taste in the Belles lettres. She has been the mother of two boys and three girls yet her looks and spirit are quite young. That evening Gilbert went alone to sup with the McAdam family, countrymen to whom he carried letters. Mistress of the household was a 'Miss McAdam'll who displayed 'great good sense and a 10 Op. cit., p. 83. II Even with the support of the Liverpool Record Office, I have been unable to trace this lady's Christian name. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 63 serene composure of mind and manner which even the acid ferment­ ing situation of an old maid' could not 'discompose'. Seated in honour between this lady and her more attractive sister 'Miss Cathrine,' Gilbert looked down the board to an uncle John Loudon McAdam of Saughrie, a brother-in-law 'Mr. Stuart' ('I wish we had him in Air shire to make him a justice of the peace'), a niece 'Miss Stuart' ('a good looking fine figure in the bloom of youth'), a youth 'Willy McAdam,' and a well-powdered old bachelor Mr. Conway. Wednesday's dinner at Dr. Currie's brought Syme and Gilbert together with a party of gentlemen that included the Liverpool merchant Mr. Willis Earl, the 'hobby horsied' entrepreneur Mr. Thomas Wakefield ('the heart does not acknowledge him as an object of it's devotion and attachment'), and the 'very rich' Quaker Mr. William Rathbone 'who Dr. Currie says is the most eloquent man in Liverpool.' For supper Currie and his wife Lucy carried their guests to the widow Hodson's where the company consisted of their hostess ('charming,' 'elegant,' 'a glorious etherial sort of communi­ cation of sentiment'), her sister Mrs. Barton, and two of Currie's relations, sons of the Reverend Mr. George Duncan, Lochrutton, one of whom tutored Mrs. Barton's children. Although Syme thought Mrs. Hodson had 'too much of the plaister of fashion about her,' Gilbert spent 'a very agreeable evening.' Thursday the travellers rose from their dinner at Currie's to greet William Clarke jr, the 'very rich' banker who had procured materials for Roscoe's Lorenzo. Later on in the day banker and Scotsmen supped at McCreery's with Rushton and Mrs. Roscoe, the latter escorted by her eldest son William. Friday Gilbert was left alone with Currie at the dinner table: Mr. Syme had been engaged to dine with a Mr. Armstrong a pompous wine merchant here originally from Dumfries. When I returned I found him quite excoriated with the feelings which had been roused in him at Mr. Armstrong's. His appetite had been well whetted for his dinner which was just set on the table at five o'clock in the afternoon near two hours after our usual dinner time. There were twelve strangers at dinner, and what with this crowd, the emptiness of his stomach before hand and the pomposity of the entertainment he seemed to have enjoyed his dinner very ill. In the evening Syme and Gilbert went to the theatre by them­ selves; but not even the vision of the pretty, young actress Miss Melon as 'Almanthis the child of nature' could lift their spirits as J 64 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

they returned to their lodgings 'fatigued, disappointed and vexed with the loss of so much time and money.' Saturday morning Gilbert 'could not prevail with Mr. Syme' to go with him and the McCreerys for breakfast with Mrs. Roscoe ('she has exactly the appearance of a decent farmer's wife'): I had a view of Mr. Roscoe's library which is very liberaly furnished with books and a great many fine drawings and paint· ings among which is a head of Dr. Currie very well executed by an artist of this place [John Williamson], the same artist did a head of Roscoe which is in Dr. Currie's study but which I have not yet seen. Dinner on Saturday was out in the country with Thomas Wakefield, Roscoe's partner in the draining of Chat Moss. There Gilbert and Syme were shown 'the best practices in farming' by a son John, who had 'something of that boorish conceited appearance that some· times marks the consequential english farmer.' After admiring how as many as three-hundred cows could be fed fermented grain bought for a song from local breweries, 'pig styes which are regularly cleaned out every day,' and 'two large up standing churns drove by a horse gin,' the guests sat down to an elegant dinner 'at the conclusion of which a large plate of grapes was sat on the table of which we all partook largely.' Sunday meals were taken with Currie. After supper Currie accompanied Syme and Gilbert for a conference with Roscoe and a chance to say goodbye: 'It is not likely that I shall ever have the pleasure of again meeting with this agreeable family in this world· but why should deistical philosophers officiously deprive us of the pleasing hope of meeting with those we love and esteem in a more perfect state of existence?' Bright and early on Monday morning, the fourth of September, Syme and Gilbert prepared to embark for Dumfries on board the Grizzy, a coal sloop of about seventy tons burthen commanded by Captain Cummings: Willy Roscoe called on me immediately after breakfast at Mr. McCreery's. He presented me with a very elegant copy of the Sentimental Journey for my nephew Robt. and Gay's fables for my son William as memorials of him which I shall teach the young fellows to revere. This amiable youth paid a most assiduous attention to me and seemed to court my friend· ship with which I was much flattered. He was engaged in some business but said he would come and see me if possible which he did and staid till we were nearly out of the dock. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 65

At the Mouth of the Mersey the ship could not clear the shoals, so Cwruning cast anchor to await a favourable wind with the next tide. Syme and Gilbert were a good deal chagrined and their spirits 'flagged prodigiously.' Not until Tuesday forenoon could the Grizzy pass safely into the Irish Sea. When it did the wind blew so fresh that the fellow-passengers Thomas Sloan, his wife, child, and niece all got very sick: Mrs. Sloan occupyed the only bed in the cabin so that there was nothing left for Mr. Syme and I when we wanted to take any rest but put up with the beds in the stirrage which in every respect are as poor sleeping shops as can be imagined. I began to grow pretty sick about three in the afternoon from the violent tossing of the vessel and was oblidged to go to bed. As night came on the wind blew harder till toward ten o'clock when it was a perfect tempest. The sea rolled prodigious waves on the top of which we one while danced like a light thing before the wind and then the Ocean threatened to swallow us up. The waves appeared often higher than the mast every now and then inundating every part of the sloop. At length a great wave filled our main sail and split it all to tatters. This produced great alarm. To add to the confusion the master by frequent visits to the spirits in the cabin was become visibly tipsy. Mr. Syme urged me to get up to try if any thing could be done to save our lives. I came up upon deck but quite feeble and giddy. Here the scene was truly awful and allarming. The wind raving wildly upon the face of the deep which was rougher the Captain afterwards assured us than he had ever seen it though he had been both in the north seas and the Atlantic ocean frequently. From the want of the main sail they had no government of the sloop which was drifted at the pleasure of the wind and tide for about two hours. They at length got an old sail fitted up which made them once more capable of directing the vessel but the tempest continued till two o'clock on Wednesday morning without any abatement and during the whole of that time we were in continual appre­ hension for what might befal us. In the light of morning the passengers could see the Isle of Man. Instead of heading, however, for the mouth of the Nith, Captain Cumming put in at Whitehaven on Wednesday noon: I was very glad to get my foot once more on Terra firma. Mr. Syme proposed if we could find a vessel at Whitehaven c J 66 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

ready to sail for the Nith we should take that mode of conveying ourselves thither. I was vecy indifferent about any more sailling for this time & was secretly pleased there was no vessel ... We breakfasted near one o'clock after I had nearly fasted twenty-six hours. I was very giddy and crazy & still seemed to be tossing on the waves. Gilbert's journal closes with the voyagers setting out for Wigtown after having observed a child's funeral procession at Cockermouth: 'The coffin which was covered with a white cloth was carried by four little girls the joiner supporting the head.' Failure to continue the journal to its logical conclusion, though regrettable, is under­ standable. The return by sea is almost the only point of the Liverpool episode where Syme permits 'a little touch of myself' to enter his account to Cunningham. The sloop, he observes, was dirty and ugly; the embarkation mood was one of being 'reserved for some great catastrophy,' the storm presented the 'hideous jaws of death' to 'suffering senses': Such a scene of horror I could not conceive as I witnessed. Gilbert Bums was so sick and done up that he lay like brute matter in the hold. I sustained all the misery and distress of wakeful sense- ... The Skipper got drunk from desperation. The crew at times raving wild and at times resigned to their fate. Dismay alone reigned-at length we providentially got into Whitehaven about one o'clock of Wednesday, and took a chaise and reached Dumfries on Thursday night. We have recovered our fatigues. Bums has gone home and here I am as well as ever, tho' I have sustained, I think, as much suffering as my nature, I believe, could support. I have lost some cloaths, and upon the whole the jaunt has been a severe one in point of expence also. 'Tisa pretty Executcy. But I will go through it if possible. Mercy on me-the tempest still shudders me. Some vessels were lost, and the dead bodies have been cast on shore .•.12 Rather remarkably, Syme seems to have sustained from first to last a peevish, disagreeable, niggardly, contracy mood of selfishness and vanity; whereas, the simple, sentimental, sententious Gilbert reacted unpredictably with such winning touches of humanity as curiosity, civility, and affection. Altogether, then, Syme and Gilbert had exactly seven workdays

12 Op. cit., pp. 84-5. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 67 in Liverpool: Monday, the twenty-eighth of August, through Sunday, the third of September. On each of these days except for the last they probably spent at least seven hours a day on the papers; on the last they laboured till dinner, conversed with Currie till evening, and then went with the doctor to Birchfield, Roscoe's home on Folley Lane, for a final session. Currie was not always standing by; on the first morning, for instance, he 'set us to work to arrange my brother's papers and rode out to visit some patients.' But he did have more than enough time with Gilbert and Syme, together and apart, to understand their character and circumstance, to listen to their opinions and receive their knowledge, to guide them in what he needed, to ask and to answer questions, and to agree upon procedure and policy. Roscoe, conversely, could participate only very briefly. He became acquainted with Currie's visitors on Tues­ day morning and entered the long discussion on Sunday evening; betweenwhiles he was in Lancaster obliged to attend the assizes. One guesses that Currie arranged for some help from an amanuensis, perhaps the same person who had listed the letters to Burns and who may very well have been his relative Duncan who tutored the child­ ren of Mrs. Barton. If Cunningham had had Gilbert's journal, he would have thought the trip to Liverpool was for the larks. What he did have was Syme's tetchy letter of the tenth of September: I take a large sheet of paper and the first opportunity to communicate to you as much intelligence concerning my jaunt to Liverpool as I shall be able to write and, I dare say, as much as you can have patience to peruse at several times ... We were closeted in Dr. Currie's the whole time, so that I saw but very little of either Town or Country ... Our business was to go through all the MSS., and note dates, explain circumstances, and make such remarks as struck us to be necessary. But so great and confused was the mass of letters and scraps of unfinished and irregular pieces that it would have occupied us for 3 months to have read and marked every particular thing . . . . The papers were so far assorted as to decide us in the opinion that at least one 4to. volume of interesting and original matter could be made up. The principal part of this volume will be the Bard's selected letters to various people-yourself and others, his intimates. The correspondence with Mr. Thomson, which Dr. Currie and Mr. Roscoe think highly of, and they justly give him their best tribute of applause and esteem for the 68 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

liberal and handsome manner in which he has acquit himself. I presume they will write him to this effect. The biography and critical dissertation will occupy a considerable number of pages and I have reason to believe it-particularly the latter-will be an elegant and distinguished composition. The subject will invoke much new matter, intimately connected with the original nature of a vigorous and feeling mind, by which that vehement impulse-(! cannot convey my meaning)-that nerve of genius, nature and force was so singularly and energetically displayed by the Bard. I am not at liberty at present to mention the departments which will be sustained by the gentlemen at Liver· pool. But you may rest satisfied that the tasks will be ably executed. • • • • • The publication of Burns posthumous works will take place in the course of next autumn. There are so many necessary pre­ paratory steps, and so much preliminary matter to be arranged and executed before the printing can be accomplished, that it was found impracticable to compleat the business before autumn 1798. But there is no occasion to mention this particu· larly to the public. Mr. Thomson, however, should know it, as he will be satisfied that the publication will not interfere with his musical work. The plan resolved on by Dr. Currie and Mr. Roscoe is, as I said, a quarto volume-to be immediately announced by a proper advertisement-to be published as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers is obtained. The number must be at least a thousand, to yield half that sum to the family. The subscription to be one guinea. I thought that half a guinea, and the book to be a large 8vo. or 12mo., might bring more to the family because the expence of printing and paper etc. would be much less, and because (at least in Scotland) 3 times more subscribers at this price etc. would be obtained. But I was entirely out voted. So that the 4to. at £1 :1/- is the plan. I don't think you or any of us should anticipate the intelli· gence to the public. Let it form its own verdict on the matter. Its tribunal is ultimate. We must do our endeavours to extend the subscription. It will be necessary to send to Dr. Currie Johnston's Musical museum. It was not to be found in Liverpool. Tell Elphinston Balfour to do this. We must also take the measures pointed out by you and Mr. Thomson, to stop the probably piracy which Johnston may commit. Will I

THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 69

you be so good as mention me in the most grateful manner to Mr. Thomson, that I received his elegant present of the musical work and that I delivered the copy to Dr. Currie [Vol. 1 Set 1 of Original Scotish Airs with seven songs of Burns as original material, 10s. 6d.]? Mrs. Currie is charmed with it. She is a performer, I understand, on the piano forte, but as she resided at Bathing quarters I saw her only one day. I would have written Mr. Thomson, but really I have so much to bring up that I dare not venture to do any thing after this long letter. I fain hope this may answer in the meantime. By the bye, there was a long letter I once wrote you, giving a desultory sketch of an expedition which the Bard and I made through Galloway some years ago. That letter will elucidate some particular circumstances. Dr. Currie wishes to see it. If you keep such trifles and can lay your hands on it, I wish you would send it to him. The reason is-Burns composed one or two grand pieces at that time, and Dr. Currie wishes to know in what scenes he could exert his talent so supremely, and in what mood he might be at the time, which if I mistake not I described in that account.13 Who could have answered more of Currie's questions about Robert Burns with more authority than Gilbert Burns and John Syme? Who was more bound to the poet's memory by the ties of kindred and affection, who more intimately acquainted with his pursuits and habits, his thoughts and feelings? And if there was anybody better qualified than they, could he have been anybody not readily accessible to either or both of them? One like Jean or Cunningham, Hamilton or Mrs. Dunlop? Maria already had had her day in the Liverpool court and was continuing to extend her help. Robert Riddell was dead: William Nicol, dead or dying; Ainslie, Thomson, and 'Clarinda,' alive: whether they were living or dead, Currie had channels through which he could learn of their associations with Burns. Thus he readily could approach Robert Riddell's widow Elizabeth through her sister Rachel Kennedy, her brother Gilbert, or through any one of several Manchester families like the Bayleys. It would be unreasonable to assume that Thomson's gift of a volume of his songs was the only Burns material which Syme and Gilbert brought to Liverpool as their answer to Currie's appeal. They could have had Burns's letters to Mrs. Dunlop and George

13 Op. cit., pp. 82-5. J 70 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Thomson. Gilbert could have carried some form of his narrative of Robert's life written for Mrs. Dunlop. Syme could have offered for the doctor's perusal that volume of Burns's poetry which he described to Cunningham in a letter dated 10 January 1810: I lost a most val. old copy of the immortal Bard's poems. It must have been stolen. He, with his own hands, filled up all the blanks & made notes, etc all over the margin & foot of each page. Why 'twas worth £500. Some fair Lady must have had curiosity to borrow it and-not to return it-but I can't trace it.14 What definitely was brought seems indeterminable. Assuredly, all papers that could have been taken were not; for scarcely a relative or friend of the poet, not excluding Gilbert, Syme, and McMurdo, lived on after the appearances of Currie's edition without offering from time to time, either for examination or publication, a 'new' manuscript. William Wallace Currie, eldest son of the doctor, is no more explicit than Syme and Gilbert in describing what was accomplished during the visit: '. .. he [Currie] ... obtained from them the most ample and interesting personal details and much important assistance in the arrangement and elucidation of the numerous MSS.'15 The work of three months could not be done in seven days, but Syme's impression of so much labour implies that Currie knew what was needed and got down to brass tacks as far as possible. Sometimes he picked Gilbert's mind by way of identifying the heroine of a song or the genesis of a poem like 'Tam o' Shanter'; sometimes he sat Gilbert down to a manuscript, such as the autobiographical letter to Dr. John Moore, and requested that he annotate; sometimes he gave an ear to Gilbert as he volunteered the name of John Murdock and told how he might be reached. Time and time again, Currie's private conversations with Syme must have dwelt upon Bums's character because before the two men separated in Liverpool, they had agreed upon 'the exact lineaments of this great and original genius.' Less than three years later the doctor was to thank the stamp-collector for 'the assistance of your observations in the charac­ ter I formed of Burns. '16 When one is reminded that some of these 14 Ferguson Manuscript. IS Memoir of the Life, Writings and Correspondence of James Currie, M.D., F.R.S. of Lfrerpoo/, ed. William Wallace Currie (London 1831), I. 293. 16 [D. McNaughtJ, 'Dr. Currie and His Biography of Burns,' in B.C., XXVIII (1919); this letter is dated 10 Oct. 1800. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 71 observations could have arisen from Syme's report to Currie of his late reading of both sides of the 'Sylvander-Clarinda' correspond­ ence, he may realise the all but unique experience that Syme could bring to bear upon the subject. The first Commonplace Book of Robert Burns shows most precisely what Syme and Gilbert could and did do for Currie. Here the very first words are not by Burns, but rather a pen-and-ink heading in the hand of John Syme: 'Examined Js. 30th Augt 1797.'17 From this we infer that Gilbert was looking over Syme's right shoulder during the examination because the two were working together at Currie's home on that Wednesday morning. Syme took advantage of the verse of the first leaf as the first blank space in the manuscript. There he wrote: The following pieces marked thus X appear to JS to be agree­ able & interesting-not only from their own merit but from the circumstances and time in which they must have been written­ The observations &c made by Bums give them additional value The Maxims & remarks also seem to me worthy of being published for the same reason. 17 Robert Burns's Commo11p/ace Book 1783-1785, edd. James Cameron Ewing and Davidson Cook, Glasgow 1938, and with an introduction by David Daiches, London 1965. The facsimile of the original manuscript here presented indicates four hands. Bums wrote the text and corrections of it, some of which, apparently, were made later than the time of entry. Currie's hand is traceable in a single instance where the doctor has crossed out 'green' in the phrase 'feelings of green eighteen' (p. 3) and substituted above the line 'a youth of.' Two other individuals have entered comments against the text or offered a change within it. One of these is John Syme ('JS.'); the other is a 'WR' flimsily identified by William Scott Douglas (IV. 52) as William Ronald, Mauchline merchant. The identification seems to rest wholly upon the degree to which the Kilmarnock Edition reflects the advice of 'WR'. Had Scott Douglas examined Currie's edition by the same principle, he might have realised how invalid it is. Today the temptation is to read 'WR' as William Roscoe; and I believe that one could so read if it were not, more or less, for the phrase 'your fathers' (p. 15) and for the difference between the 'A' of 'WR' and that of Roscoe as he customarily formed this character in 1797. In the 1938 edition (ix), Ewing writes, 'He ('WR'] certainly was not, as has been suggested, William Roscoe of Liverpool'; but Ewing gives no evidence for his confident assertion. David Daiches nowhere in his introduction questions Ewing's opinion nor does he add any information of his own. What all this boils down to is that I cannot put forth William Roscoe as 'WR' even while I am left to ponder why Ewing and Daiches did not. Sometime, hopefully, an editor of the first Commonplace Book will devote to the manuscript that close attention which all too long it has richly deserved. J 72 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Syme's 'X' was not reserved for previously published pieces; these he indicated with a 'printed' or a 'printed-Creech'. Most of the material received either the 'X' of approval or an indication that it had been published. Those items not approved for publication show that Syme did not take greatly to Burns's tragic muse ('All devil as I am, a damned wretch'), did not subscribe to printing bawdry ('My girl she's airy, she's buxom and gay'), did not wish to offend through a tart epitaph ('Here lies Boghead amang the dead'), or did not wish to show his friend in an unflattering light (his comment upon the prose passage where Burns distinguishes between 'the Grave and the Merry' amongst young men reads, 'This is the labour of an inexperienced [?raw] moralist'). Where Syme was undecided as to previous publication ('Tibby I hae seen the Day'), he raised a query: 'Is this printed? Tis good, considemg all circumstances.' Without regard for disagreement with 'WR,' whoever he may have been, Syme adds comment after comment. Here a cross-reference sending Currie to another source, there an identification of a person; here a predilection of Burns, there Syme's own; here a date, there an assist from Gilbert for the song 'Altho' my bed were in yon muir' ('indifferent & G. B. says it is a parody of an old Scotch song'); here a hint as to where Currie might best use a prose observation, there a clue to his understanding such material as 'the love letters to Peggy'. Occasionally Syme passed too far from fact to opinion, from assistant to editor. On the ninteenth page Burns had entered a poem titled 'Misgivings in the hour of Despondency and prospect of death.' Above the word 'angry' in the eighth line, 'I tremble to approach an angry God,' Syme wrote 'offended' as a suggested euphemism. When time came for adding this piece to the 1800 edition (III. 190), Currie left the line unchanged in accordance with one of his editorial principles: that wording of the poetry be authorised by Robert Burns. Not always was it given to Currie to check against his informants. The 'Sylvander-Clarinda' correspondence, for example, was never conveyed to Liverpool. Where he could check, however, he did not always do so because he did not doubt the reliability of such wit· nesses as Syme and Gilbert or because time was too precious to sift the last shreds of evidence. Thus upon Gilbert's authority he places Burns's study of mensuration at Kirkoswald in the 'nine­ teenth,' not in the 'seventeenth' summer as the poet informed Dr. John Moore [Currie Burns (1800), I. 47]. And thus upon Syme's authority Currie offers a story of the genesis of 'Scots wha hae' THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 73 during the Tour of Galloway [Currie Burns (1800), I. 212-13 & IV. 108]. Without a full account of precisely what entered into the Liver­ pool conversations between John Syme and Dr. James Currie, writers upon 'Scots wha hae' have allowed themselves to blow up a force-12 wind. Despite twentieth-century obfuscation certain points stand out in unmistakable outline. From his earliest days Currie had evidenced a particular love of Scots songs; amongst the rich­ ness of this heritage he came to regard 'Scots wha hae' as his favour­ ite. Something of this interest in Bums and Scottish folksong appears as notes based upon the talks with Syme in Liverpool: Burns composed his songs chiefly in a morning walking on the Dock, down by the Castle-dyke & the Kingham [the Kingholm Quay below Dumfries on the River Nith opposite Mavis Grove]­ Latterly he resorted to the banks of the Clouden where most of his later songs were composed. He never road by himself without company. He took a journey thro' Galloway wt. Mr. Syme in the year 1793 or 4-called at Kenmure, Parlin, Ardwell, Gate-house, Lord Selkirk's. A Journal of this was sent by S. to Cunning­ hame- It must be enquired after.IS On 10 September 1797 Syme recalled in a letter to Cunningham that he had sent Cunningham 'a desultory sketch of an expedition' which he Syme and Burns had made through Galloway 'some years ago' (late July and early August 1793). Syme requested that Cunning­ ham send this sketch to Currie: 'The reason is-Burns composed one or two grand pieces at that time, and Dr. Currie wishes to know in what scenes he could exert his talent so supremely, and in what mood he might be at the time, which if I mistake not I described in that account.' Cunningham mailed the sketch not to Currie, but to Syme. Before getting it off to Currie, Syme made two additions of what he had been able to recall in the meantime about the 'one or two grand pieces'. The first of these reads as follows: Either on this ride to Dumfries [?1 August 1793] or next day [?2 August] Burns I believe composed-'Scots wha hae with Wallace bled'-the sublime [song (deleted)] address of Bruce to his troops-Burns sent it soon after to J Dalzell-He shewed it next day to JS in the Stampoffice-19

18 Currie Notebook, pp. [6] f. 19 J.C.E., 'Burns's Tour of Galloway,' in B.C., XIII (1938). 61. J 74 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

That Syme should qualify his statement with 'I believe' is admission of difficulty in recalling events of four years ago. Whether or not this bit of reminiscence belongs to a whole which was brought out in conversation with Currie cannot be known; whether or not Syme developed this reminiscence in that letter which carried off the sketch from Dumfries to Liverpool cannot be known, for the accompanying letter, if there ever was one, is not thought to be extant. What is known is that when Currie came to speak of 'Scots wha hae' in his edition (see above), he used details beyond those which Syme entered in his sketch. So Syme attributes composition of 'Scots wha hae' to the last days of the Galloway Tour, either the first or the second of August. Then Syme notes, 'Burns sent it soon after to J. Dalzell­ He shewed it next day to JS in the Stampoffice-' Granted that the 'soon after' could mean a day or two or three or more. But, logically, can the 'He' refer to anybody but 'J. Dalzell'? Presumably he had come from Kirkcudbright to Dumfries, Bums learned of his proximity, Burns sent his song to Dalzell in Dumfries, and Dalzell showed the song to Syme at work in the Stamp Office on the follow­ ing day. If these two sentences mean exactly what they say, no discrepancy exists. But if discrepancy there must be, one can make it arise only by stretching the personal pronoun 'He' so as not to refer correctly to the nearer of two proper-noun antecedents, but to the farther. Thus it is Burns who showed the song to Syme. And thus the discrepancy, for such an interpretation contradicts what Syme wrote originally in his sketch under the date '14th August'; 'I have not seen Robert since'-i.e. since the first or second of August.20 Difficulties exist without fashioning more. In an undated Jetter Robert Bums wrote George Thomson: There is a tradition, which I have met with in many places of Scotland, that it [the air 'Hey tutti taitie1 was Robert Bruce's March at the battle of Bannock-bum.-This thought, in my yestemight's evening walk, warmed me to a pitch of enthusiasm on the theme of Liberty & Independance, which I threw into a kind of Scots Ode, fitted to the Air, that one might suppose to be the gallant ROYAL Scar's address to his heroic followers on that eventful moming.21 20 The late James Cameron Ewing found this so-called discrepancy and discussed it in his 'Burns's Tour of Galloway in 1793,' in B.C., XII (1937). 73. 21 Letters, II. 195. THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL 75

Currie printed this letter (IV. 107-8), but in so doing he altered 'my yestemight's evening walk' to 'my solitary wanderings'. He dates the letter 'Sept. 1793.' Why is not known. Ferguson ascribes the date '[About 30 August 1793]' in the Oxford edition of the letters. Why is not known. Others22 begin with Ferguson and go on from there. Truth is nobody knows the exact date and arguments could be advanced in support of a date in early August that would cancel all of what has called Syme's testimony into question. Like 'The Rape of the Sabines' the genesis of 'Scots wha hae' fascinates with its inconclusive evidence and its tantalisation to conjecture. If one seeks to make out John Syme as a miscreant wretch, he can do so by playing the game to meet the case. Similarly, Currie can be made to appear as a cool, unscrupulous villain, and even Bums himself can be made into something of a goat by leaning upon the facts that for him the Galloway Tour was, at least in part, an experience in getting 'utterly drunk', in fuming and raging, and in wanting 'to drink like a fish'. Important elements of Burns's information, moreover, were presented when his head ached miserably from 'last night's debauch.'23 Of course, Syme could not both have seen and not seen Bums between the second and the fourteenth of August, and Currie did substitute a sentimental generalisation for Bums's distinct phrase 'yesternight's evening walk'. Perhaps this leaves room for one more exercise in conjecture, especially where the reader is called to mind that what follows is surmise and nothing but, and that the intent is not to do off with a head, but to reconstruct what truly may have been. I think that 'Scots wha hae' was one of those 'grand pieces' that entered the mind of Robert Burns while the poet was touring Galloway with John Syme in August 1793, as I think that Burns sent Dalzell a version of the song shortly after the tour concluded. I believe that Burns continued to work on the song so as to be able to send Thomson another version on about the thirtieth of August; and I know that he kept at the verses for sometime afterwards, for in September 1793 he mailed still another version to Thomson.24 Syme's account of the tour, as a letter to Cunningham, carries the post-office stamp 'Au 28.' Just about four years after this date

22 See, for example, Thomas Lawson's 'Letters to Johnson and Thom­ son,' in B.C., XXIII (1948). 51. 23 Letters, II. 197, a letter to George Thomson dated 'Se. 3 [1793, Postmark].' 24 /bid. J 76 THE TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Syme went to Liverpool to be of whatever help he could in forward· ing the subscription-edition of Bums under the editorship of Dr. Currie. I suggest that the two men talked over the songs and, speci­ fically, 'Scots wha hae,' that Syme recounted to the doctor all that he remembered about the creation of this song, and that, then or soon after, Currie jotted down the salient points of Syme's dis· closure. We know that Syme admitted to being rather murky and that because of this inability to remember completely, he asked Cunningham to lend Currie the Jetter-sketch of 1793. Having set his memory to work already, Syme found something to add to his sketch before mailing it to Liverpool; and I believe that it is not at all unlikely that he gave Currie still more knowledge in a letter written to convey the sketch. I believe that from such materials and with a bias from the fashion of Gothicism Currie drew his account of 'Scots wha hae,' not hesitating to make his account jibe with what he had been told to be true and not stopping to note particulars of sources, even as the practice continues today amongst some of those dealing with Robert Burns. But all this is conjecture-save for the very last. The visit of John Syme and Gilbert Bums to Liverpool introduced additional materials, answered leading questions, and gave definition and incentive to what lay ahead for James Currie. If the visitors were awake to the realities of life in Currie's circle, they must have departed with some doubts that Roscoe would find time to share in the Bums enterprise by contributing a critique of the poetry, some awareness that Currie first had to complete his Medical Reports before freeing his leisure hours completely for the new edition, some satisfaction that a man like Mccreery, at the height of his Liverpool career in printing, was to contribute his skill and know· ledge to the venture, and some hope that Cadell & Davies, recognis­ ing the interest of Roscoe, McCreery and Currie, would become the publisher.

State University of New York, College at New Paltz. ALL SQUARE

When stooks were stooks my Jass an' me Were gey an' thrang at daffin'. She blamed me for her tousled hair, But aye we fell a-laughin'.

The bearded barley made a tent, We crept intae its bield. The stooks were gowden in the licht, Gowden the stibble field.

We tellt the stooks oor inmaist thocht, We tellt oor marriage day; The wee bit hoose we bode tae buy, The bairns we hoped to hae.

An' when thae things had come tae pass For me an' for my Bess, We Jookit on the stookit fields Wi' joy an' thankfulness.

Oor dochters coort in Mini cars, They talk aboot the pill; An' if they're bairned afore their time, It canna be God's will.

They're savin' up for Jots o' gear, Ower costly an' ower braw, Fridges an' Tapes, an' Vacuums, Washin' machines ana'.

We baith hae learnt tae hud oor tongues, Tae blame we wudna dare. What cud we say in sicca world, Whaur even stooks are square. KATE Y. A. BONE (Reprinted by Mrs. Bone's permission from 'Thistle By-Blaws', which is reviewed in this issue.)

J MIRK

A wee bit tremlin' rushy-wick Aince lit the warld for men, Noo nuclear licht frae Calder-ha' E'en fails tae guide my pen.

The starns, the mune, the sun itsel Shine brichtly as lang-syne, But in my hert December's mirk An' Janwar's snaws entwine.

Auld Wull Dunbar an' Rab himsel Had licht within I ween, God's sunshine deep within their herts An' glintin' throwe their een.

An' sae sweet, lichtsome music cam' Quick-loupin' frae their quills, Noo i' the mirk I idly maen The atomic warld's ills. L. M. STIRLING MOTrO-"A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT" THE BURNS FEDERATION INSTITUTED 1885

Hon. Presidents. Mrs. ANNIE DUNLOP, O.B.E., LL.D., D.Litt., Ph.D., Dunselma, Fenwick, By Kilmarnock. ALEX. MACMILLAN, J.P., M.A., M.Ed., 13 Kilwinning Road, Irvine. A. NEIL CAMPBELL, F.C.I.S., 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh, EHIO 5PP. FRED. J. BELFORD, M.A., F.E.I.S., 3 Park Grove, Liberton, Edinburgh, EH16 6JE. ANDREW STENHOUSE, J.P., M.A., LL.B., 82 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C. I. Mrs. S. G. BAILLil!, 38 Gordon Street, Balwyn, E.8, Victoria, Australia. JoHN GRAY, "Ceres," 135 Whitletts Road, Ayr. ALEX. JOHNSTONE, J.P., Ch.Eng., F.I.Prod.E., 41 Benwerrin Ave., Carss Park, Blakehurst, N.S.W. WILLIAM J. OLIVER, 2 Bellevue Street, Dunedin, New Zealand. A. Y. CRAWFORD, 164 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh. Mrs. M. COULSON, 10 Queensberry Court, Dumfries. J. NORVAL MURRAY, Commercial Bank Buildings, Bank Street, Irvine. G. W. BURNEIT, 40 Brecks Lane, Rotherham. ALEXANDER C. CooK, 4 School Terrace, Coalsnaughton, Tillicoultry. Mrs. JANE BURGOYNE, M.A., 12 Lockharton Avenue, Edinburgh, EH141AZ. WILUAM Scarr, 28 Knockinlaw Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 lSG. Mrs. V. W. BROOM, 12 Whitecotes Lane, Chesterfield, S40 3HL. J. D. MCBAIN, 33 Humbledon Park, Sunderland. DOUGLAS SMALL, 36 Abernethy Road, Barnhill, Dundee.

Officials. President-CHARLF.S C. EASTON, F.S.A., 55 Rosehill Drive, Aberdeen. Senior Vice-President-THOMAS ANDERSON, 36 Linfern Avenue East, Kilmarnock. Junior Vice-President-Provost ERNEST ROBERTSON, Rosemount Street, Dumfries. Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer-I. F. T. THOMSON, M.A., F.L.A., Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock, KAI 3BU. Hon. Editor-JAMF.S VEITCH, Newbigging, Tweedsmuir, By Biggar, Lanarkshire, ML12 6QS. Schools Competitions-FRED. J. BELFORD, M.A., F.E.I.S., 3 Park Grove, Liberton, Edinburgh, EH16 6JE. ALBERT w. FINLAYSON, M.A., F.E.I.S., East Galla­ berry, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, DGl lSY. Assistant Hon. Secretary-ANDREW STENHOUSE, J.P., M.A., LL.B., 82 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C.I. 80 THE BURNS FEDERATION

Past-Presidents-MATIHEW McLAUCHLAN, Glebe House, Knottingley, Yorks. Mrs. JANE BURGOYNE, M.A., 12 Lockharton Avenue, Edinburgh, EHl4 lAZ. DANIEL J. MclLDOWIE, J.P., "lnvennay," Doune Road, Dunblane, Perthshire. ROBERT DONALDSON, 42 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, C.2. Dr. JOHN I. TAYLOR, M.B., Ch.B., 7 Kennedy Close, Millhouse Green, Pennistone, Yorks. GEORGE v ALLANCE, 5 Park Terrace, Lugar, Cumnock, KAIS 3LD. Dr. J. S. MoNrGOMERIE, M.B., Ch.B., D.T.M.&H., F.S.A., "The Mount," High Barnes, Sunderland, Co. Durham. W. J. KINO·GrLUES, "The Lomonds," Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty, Fife. ANDERSON WILSON, 35 Long Lane, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Worksop, Notts. H. GEORGE McKERRow, J.P., 52 Buccleuch Street, Dumfries. ANDREW STENHOUSE, J.P., M.A., LL.B., 82 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C.1. FRED. J. BELFORD, M.A., F.E.I.S., 3 Park Grove, Edinburgh, EHl6 6JE. A. NEIL CAMPBELL, F.C.I.S., 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh, EHIO 5PP• . ALEX. MACMILLAN, J.P., M.A., M.Ed., 13 Kilwinning Road, Irvine. District Representatives. I. Ayrshire-DAVID DUNLOP, The Ross Hotel, John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock. J. GLASS, M.A., 1 Doonholm Road, Alloway, Ayr. KA74QA. SAM S. GAW, 66 Bank Street, Irvine. II. F.dinburgh-R. A. B. McLAREN, 11 South Lauder Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2NB. Ill. Glasgow-R. DICKSON JOHNSTON, 77 Clouston Street, Glasgow, N.W. GEORGE ANDERSON, 97 Calderwood Road, Burnside, Glasgow. IV. Dunbartonshire and Argy/I- V. Fife-A. A. FARMER, "Braeface," Tarvit Avenue, Cupar, Fife. VI. Lanarkshire-ABE TRAIN, 71 Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Lanarkshire. THOMAS BosLEM, 82 Mosshall Street, Newarthill, Motherwell. VII. Mid and East Lothians and Borders-A. Y. CRAWFORD, 164 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh. VIll. West Lothian- IX. Renfrewshire-ROBERT MILLER, F.S.A.Scot., 11 Murdieston Street, Greenock, PAIS 4DT. X. Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perth Shires-Mrs. W. G. STEWART, 17 Park Terrace, Tullibody, aack· mannanshire, FKIO 2QA. JOHN 0. STEWART, 17 Park Terrace, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, FKIO 2QA. ALEXANDER YOUNG, Glen Terrace, Kilsyth. THE BURNS FEDERATION 81

XI. East Perthshire, Angus and Kinross- XII. Northern Scottish Co11nties-DouGLAS W. CRUICKSHANK, 7 Baillieswells Drive, Bieldside, Aberdeen. XIII. Southern Scottish Counties-Huou CuNNINoHAM, 7 Assembly Street, Dumfries. Mrs S. KNIGHT, 17 Greenlea Road, Annan, Dumfriesshire. XIV. London and South-Eastern England-A. F. ROBERTSON, 30 Dorset Court, 211-213 Kingsway, Hove, Sussex, BN3-4FD. XV. North Eastern England-W. K. Donnan, 5 Buxton Gardens, Sunderland, Co. Durham. XVI. North Western England-Mrs. T. G. DUNLOP, "Dinarth", 16 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Lancashire. XVII. Yorkshire-James Parnham, North Lane Gardens, Roundhay, Leeds, LSS 2QT XVIlI. North and East Midlands-G. W. BURNl!TI', 40 Brccks Lane, Rotherham, Yorkshire. J.E. INGLIS, "Glentress," 13 Halloughton Road, Southwell, Notts. XIX. West Midlands of England- XX. South Westem England- XXl. Wales-ROBERT FYFE, 32 Main Road, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield, S30 3DN. XXII. lreland­ XXIII. Africa- XXIV. Australia-Ex-Baillie JOHN GRAY, 135 Whitletts Road, Ayr. XXV. New Zealand-Mrs. M. RENNIE, 3 Kintore Tower, Cambuslang, Glasgow. XXVI. Canada-Provost E. ROBERTSON, Rosemount Street, Dumfries. XXVU. lndia- XXVIII. U.S.A.-MARVIN D. MCQUEEN, D'Arcy-MacManus Inter­ marco, Pmdential Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, U.S.A. XXIX. Europe-Mrs. M. Com.soN, 10 Queensberry Court, Dumfries.

Sua-CoMMITI'EES. Finance: Mr. H. G. McKerrow (Convener), Mrs. M. Rennie, Messrs. Neil Campbell, T. Anderson, R. Dickson Johnstone, J. S. Montgomerie, R. Donaldson, D. J. Mcildowie and E. Train. Memorials: Mr. G. Vallance (Convener), Mrs. M. Rennie, Messrs.J. Gray, H. Cunningham, G. W. Burnett, A. Y. Crawford, E. Robertson, R. A. B. McLaren, D. J. Mcildowie, J. E. Inglis and Sam Gaw. Literature: Mr. Alex MacMillan (Convener), Mrs. W. G. Stewart, Messrs. F. J. Belford, T. Anderson, J. S. Montgomerie, Anderson Wilson, G. W. Burnett, J. E. Inglis, T. Boslem, D. J. Mclldowie, Albert W. Finlayson, W. K. Donnan, Mrs. Jane Burgoyne and J. Parnham. Schools: Mr. Fred J. Belford and A. W. Finlayson (Joint Conveners), Mrs. M. Coulson, Messrs. A. MacMillan, G. W. Burnett, Anderson Wilson, J. Gray, R. A. B. McLaren, J. 0. Stewart, J. Glass, James Pam· ham and Alexander Young.

Auom>ll. Henry Brown & Co., 2 Market Lane, Kilmarnock. 82 THE BURNS FEDERATION

AswclATB MEMBERS. (A.r at I.rt November, 1968) Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Attwood, 16 Orchard Road, Melbourn, Royston, Herts. Gordon M. Mackley, 92b Renwick Street, Marrickville, Sydney, Australia. Mrs. M. Shearer, 211 Lochside Road, Lochside, Dumfries. Miss M. I. Dickson, Argyle House, 16 Victoria Road, Darlington, Co. Durham. Mrs. J. Henderson, 9 Balmoral Avenue, Dumfries. Miss Marie Lax, 101 Grosvenor Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 2. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Miskell, 43 Norfolk Crescent, Bishopbriggs. Glasgow. W. R. Platt, 86 Silverknowe Gardens, Edinburgh, 4. Mr. and Mrs. G. Irvine, "Ulvescroft," 67 Bonet Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham, Yorks. F. Cameron, 93 Lochlea Road, Cumbemauld, Glasgow. William Mcintosh, 134 Kylepark Drive, Uddingston. G. Walker, 7 Geneva Crescent, Darlington, Co. Durham. Dr. D. M. O'Flaherty, 9 Cherry Orchards, Tetbury, Gloucester. Mrs. Little, 8 Wallace Street, Dumfries. Miss M. McGeorge, 39 Wallace Street, Dumfries. Mrs. Rogerson, 16 Caul View, Dumfries. Dr. Donald M. McKay, Belisera Medical Dept., Kalighat P.O., South Sylhet, E. Pakistan. Robert Wallace, 3 Campbell Place, Dreghorn. Frank J. Parr, 29 Elmsway, Bramhall, Cheshire. Wm. Ferguson, 91 Dunlop Road, Dumfries. R. S. Binnie, Glenbervie, 27 Lockton Avenue, Heanor, Derbyshire. John Skillin, Lochengelly, Gartmore, Stirling. John C. Weir, 75 Wilson Road, Allanton, Shotts, Lanarkshire. Duncan Smith, 18 Newton Drive, Newmains, Lanarkshire. Miss C. Rodway, Park View Boys' Home, Falmer Road, Darlington. R. Peel, 25 Raby Road, Newtonhall Estate, Framwellgate Moor, Durham City. Master Frank Zwolenski, Denpark, Abernethy, Perthshire. W. McCallum, 2 Redwood Crescent, Bishopton, Renfrewshire. Prof. Colin R. Blyth, U.I. Math. Dept., Urbana, Illinois. S. Alexander, 8 Ash Drive, Wear Valley View Estate, Willington, Co.Durham. Walter B. Elder, "The Spittal,'' Stonehouse, Lanarkshire. James Snodgrass, "Elrig'', Gartmore, Stirling. Lt.-Col. J. Fraser, Southbank, Grange Loan, Edinburgh, 9. Mrs. N. Kristiansen, Vestre Holbergsalmenning 16, Bergen, 5000, Norway. Toshio Namba, 29-19, 1-Chome, Shimizu, Suginami-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. James Mitchell, 62a Rosetta Road, Peebles. Wm. Merrilees, O.B.E., 41 Park Road, Edinburgh, 6. Bruce H. Garrett, "lpsley," 27A Featherston Road, Streetly, nr. Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. G. A. McNicoll, P.O. Box 20, Gibsons, B.C., Canada. Professor Kenneth W. Gordon, 412 Captain Cook Apts., 1025 Sutlej Street, Victoria B.C., Canada. James Moffat, 14 Beechwood Crescent, Lesrnahagow. William Fisher, 2910 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Edward Lowe, 57 Brownley Court, Hollyhedge Road, Benchill, Man- chester, 22. James Simpson, 3 Bonnyton Place, Dunfermline. John Begg, 16 Dobroyd Parade, Haberfield 2045, Sydney, Australia. THE BURNS FEDERATION 83

John Allan, 60 Hazeldean Crescent, Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Mrs. M. Watson, "Glen Elgin", 67 Henhurst Hill, Burton-on-Trent. Mrs. Senga Millican, Robert George, .Erskine Bank, Overtown, by Wishaw. Hector A. Brown, 717-745 Wolseley Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Robert Alexander Williamson, 97 Mellons Bay Road, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand. F. Magyar, Budapest House, 232 Oxford Road, Caine, Wilts. Mrs. Isabel Anderson, 263 Millhouses Lane, Sheffield 11. Mrs. M. D. Morley, 29 Renshaw Road, Elderslie, Renfrewshire. Mrs. Margaret McKellar, 50 Douglas Street, Viewpark, Uddingston, Lanarkshire. Mrs. M. McDougall, 6 Fairfield Avenue, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Murdo McDougall, 6 Fairfield Avenue, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Robert Burns, Mrs. D. Biggar, 18 Brook Street, Dumfries. Mrs. McWilliams, 6 Briarbank, Dumfries. J. D. Lamb, Qatar National Cement Co., (S.A.Q.), Doha-Qatar, P.O. Box No. 1333, Arabian Gulf. William Muirhead, 236 Haugh Street, Bainsford, Falkirk. B. M. Stowe, 5554 Waterman, St. Louis, Mo. 63112, U.S.A. Mrs. Chloe Sue Woods, 1751 N. Woodlawn Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63124, U.S.A. Thos. Newall, 92 Robson Road, Keiraville, Via Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia. Archibald N. C. Paton, 63 St. John's Avenue, Mangerton, Via Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia. Dr. A. Bruce Wallace, Hunterston, Leckhampton Hill, Cheltenham. William A. Allan, 67 Bonet Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham. Mrs. Austin, Oakvale, 142 Annan Road, Dumfries. Frederick Allwood, M.Inst.R.A., 73 Church Street, Leigh, Lanes. R. L. Brown, 25 Ladywell Road, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, North. G. K. Murray, 25 West Chapelton Drive, Bearsden, Glasgow. Mr. and Mrs. A. Ellis, 9 Balmoral Road, Kirk Hallam, llkeston, Derby- shire. Miss N. J. Symons, "Edina", 15 Cross Lane, Bebington, Cheshire. Barrie Tiernan, P.O. Box 795, Darwin NT 5794, Australia. Mrs. Mary Andrews, Knocknareagh, Ballynafern, Annaclone, Banbridge, Co.Down. Mrs. Jean Jeavons, 36 Brunswick Road, Rotherham. Iain C. Paul, 608E Burkwood Ct., Urbana, lllinois, 61801, U.S.A. Mrs. E. Kirkland, 17 Kirkcowan St., Dumfries. John R. Pollock, Fire Station Bungalow, Glasgow Road, Bathgate, West Lothian. Bryan Booth, 27 Sandy Lane, Irlam, Manchester. Mrs. Jean Wilson, 23 Ellisland Drive, Summerhill, Dumfries. Mrs. Davina Wilson, 25 Church Street, Dumfries. Miss Angela Flannery, 8 Festival Road, Rainford, St. Helens, Lanes. Mrs. Minto, 59 Edinburgh Road, Peebles. Lawrence Maxton, 3 Grasmere Court, Grasmere Road, Long Eaton. Mrs. May Murray, 45 Beconsfield Street, Currock, Carlisle. Miss S. M. Watson, A.I.S.T.D., Clayton Lodge Hotel, Newcastle, Staffs. Anthony Thorniley, 160 Bath Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Mrs. M. S. Dalgleish, 1 ta Climie Place, Kilmarnock. 84 THE BURNS FEDERATION

Rev. Father S. Corkery, The Library, St. Patricks College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. J. W. Taylor, 14 St. David's Road North, St. Annes, Lanes. Mrs. M. Shaw, 39 Holmhead, Kilbirnie. Mrs. W. G. Diggle, 18 Gorses Mount, D'Arcy Lever, Bolton, BL2 lPQ, Lanes. James R. McEwan, 52 Hayocks Road, Stevenston, Ayrshire. Mrs. C. T. Massey, 10 Ordsall Park Drive, Retford. Miss J.C. Massey, 523 Crookesmoore Road, Sheffield. David J. Allan, 41 South Terrace, Great Broughton, Cockermouth, Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. H. Ketton, 55 Orchard Flatts Cres., Rotherham. J. F. T. Thomson, Dick Institute, Kilmarnock. Rev. Dr. Cumming Thom, 74A Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. Miss M. E. Thomson, 74A Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. Miss Yvonne H. Stevenson, Apt. 1104 Goodacre Towers, 350 Douglas Street, Victoria BC., Canada. R. Brown, 78 Deanpark Ave., Balerno, Midlothian, EH14 7EA. Alex. Baird, 56 High Main Street, Dalmellington. Thomas Cooney, 45 Sandringham Drive, Leigh, Lanes. George Marshall, 38 Darlington Road, Hartburn, Stockton on Tees. Mrs. Mary J. Hurst, Legatesden, Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire. Miss Margaret Harkins, 10 Duke Street, Leith, Edinburgh, 6. Mr. and Mrs. P. Crarnmond, Tillibirnie, 1 Teesdale Road, Startforth, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham. Wallace Vinnell, 30A Stratford Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. A. Brindley Roberts, 74 Briony Avenue, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WAIS SQA. R. A. B. McLaren, 11 South Rauder Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2NB. THE BURNS FEDERATION 85

LIST OF PAST PRESIDENTS 1885-1899 : Provost Peter Sturrock, Kilmarnock. 1899-1906 : Provost David Mackay, Kilmarnock. 1906-1907 : David Murray, M.A., B.Sc., Kilmarnock. 1907-1909 : William Wallace, M.A., LL.D., Glasgow. 1909-1910 : Captain David Sneddon, V.D., Kilmarnock. 1910-1923 : Duncan McNaught, LL.D., Kilmaurs. 1923-1927 : Sir Robert Bruce, D.L., LL.D., Glasgow. 1927-1930 : Sir Joseph Dobbie, S.S.C., Edinburgh. 1930-1933 : Sir Alexander Gibb, G.B.E., C.B., London. 1933-1937 : Ninian Macwhannell, F.R.I.B.A., Glasgow. 1937-1943 : M. H. McKerrow, F.S.A.Scot., Dumfries. 1943-1946 : John S. Oarke, J.P., Glasgow. 1946-1948 : Sir Patrick Dollan, D.L., LL.D., J.P., Glasgow. 1948-1950 : Thomas B. Goudie, Hamilton. 1950-1951 : John McVie, O.B.E., M.S.M., Edinburgh. 1951-1952 : James R. Crawford, F.S.A.Scot., Norwich. 1952-1953 : J. Kevan McDowall, F.S.A.Scot., Glasgow. 1953-1954 : John W. Oliver, M.A., D.Litt., Edinburgh. 1954-1955 : A. Wilson Boyle, C.A., Ayr. 1955-1956 : John E. Barbour, Bristol. 1956-1957 : Alex Macmillan, M.A., Ed.B., Irvine. 1957-1958 : James B. Hardie, F.I.A.C., Glasgow. 1958-1959 : A. Neil Campbell, F.C.I.S., Edinburgh. 1959-1960 : Fred J. Belford, M.A., F.E.I.S., Edinburgh. 1960-1961 : Andrew Stenhouse, M.A., LL.B., Glasgow. 1961-1962 : H. George McKerrow, J.P., Dumfries. 1962-1963 : Anderson Wilson, Worksop, Notts. 1963-1964 : W. J, King Gillies, Edinburgh. 1964-1965 : Samuel W. Love, Glasgow. 1965-1966 : Dr. James S. Montgomerie, M.B., Ch.B., D.T.M.&H., F.S.A.Scot., Sunderland. 1966-1967 : George Vallance, Cumnock. 1967-1968 : Dr. J. I. Taylor, M.B., Ch.B., Sheffield. 1968-1969 : Robert Donaldson, Glasgow. 1969-1970 : Daniel J. Mclldowie, J.P., Dunblane. 1970-1971 : Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., Edinburgh. 1971-1972 : Matthew McLauchlan, Knottingley. List ofplaces at which the Annual Conference of the Council has been held.

1885-93 Kilmarnock 1932 Stirling 1894 Glasgow 1933 London 1895 Dundee 1934 Glasgow 1896 Kilmarnock 1935 Ayr and Kilmarnock 1897 Greenock 1936 Elgin 1898 Mauchline 1937 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1899 Dumfries 1938 Dumfries 1900 Kilmarnock 1940-46 Glasgow 1901 Glasgow 1947 Dunoon 1902 Greenock 1948 Stirling 1903 Edinburgh 1949 Mauchline 1904 Stirling 1950 Bristol 1905 Hamilton 1951 Montrose 1906 Kilmarnock 1952 Norwich 1907 Sunderland 1953 Paisley 1908 St. Andrews 1954 Sheffield 1909 Dunfermline 1955 Edinburgh 1910 Lanark 1956 Cheltenham 1911 Glasgow 1957 Aberdeen 1912 Carlisle 1958 Harrogate 1913 Galashiels 1959 Ayr 1915-19 Glasgow 1960 Glasgow 1920 London 1961 Dumfries 1921 Dunfermline 1962 Durham 1922 Birmingham 1963 Stirling 1923 Ayr 1964 London 1924 Dumfries 1965 Hamilton 1925 Edinburgh 1966 Troon 1926 Perth 1967 Sheffield 1927 Derby 1968 Falkirk 1928 Aberdeen 1969 Southport 1929 Troon 1970 Arbroath 1930 Greenock 1971 Coventry 1931 Hawick 1972 Aberdeen The Council did not meet in 1914 and in 1939. CONSTITUTION AND RULES 87

CONSTITUI10N AND RULES

Name. 1. The Association shall be called "The Bums Federation," with headquarters at Kilmarnock.

Objects. 2. The objects of the Federation shall be- (a) To encourage Societies and Movements who honour Robert Burns. (b) To strengthen the bond of fellowship among members of Burns Clubs and kindred Societies all over the world. (c) To keep alive the old Scottish Tongue. (d) To encourage and arrange School Children's Compe­ titions in order to stimulate the teaching and study of Scottish history, literature, art and music. (e) To stimulate the development of Scottish literature, art and music. (f) To mark with suitable inscriptions, repair, or renew memorials of Robert Burns and his contemporaries.

Membership. 3. (a) The Federation shall consist of- (1) Federated Clubs and kindred Societies. (2) Associate members. Burns Clubs and kindred Societies may be admitted to the Federa­ tion by the Executive Committee on application in writing to the Hon. Secretary, enclosing a copy of their Constitution and Rules and List of Office-bearers. Such applications shall be considered by the Executive Committee at its next meeting. (b) Burns Clubs and Societies shall be grouped into Districts as shown in the subjoined Schedule, but those on the borders of Districts may elect to which District they wish to belong, subject to the agreement of the Executive Committee. (c) Ladies or gentlemen, whether or not they are members of a federated Club or Society, may become Associate Members of the Federation on application in writing to the Hon. Secretary. Such applications shall be considered by the Executive Committee at its next meeting. They shall not be represented on the Executive Committee, but shall have the right to attend at Conferences of the Council, without voting powers.

J 88 CONSTITUTION AND RULES

(d) Ladies or gentlemen who have rendered conspicuous service to the Burns movement may be elected by the Council to the position of Honorary President on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

Council. 4. The Council shall consist of the Hon. Presidents; Executive Committee; Associate Members; and members of each Club and kindred Society of whom three will be elected to vote on any business conducted.

Conference of the Council. S. (a) The Annual Conference of the Council shall be held, at such place as may be arranged, on the second Saturday of September, when the Annual Reports shall be submitted and Office-bearers elected for the ensuing year.-Only in exceptional circumstances may this date be varied. (b) Clubs and Societies outwith the United Kingdom may be represented by proxy at the Conference. (c) Nominations for Offices shall be made by the Executive Committee or by Clubs and Societies. The Executive Committee shall have power to make interim appointments. (d) Nominations of Office-bearers, Intimation of Election of District Representatives and Notices of Motion shall be lodged in writing with the Hon. Secretary not later than the first Saturday in June.

(e) The Agenda of the Conference and the Annual Reports shall be issued to the Oubs and Societies by the Fon. Secretary not less than one month before the Conference.

6. (a) The Executive Committee shall consist of- (1) The President, Vice-Presidents, Past Presidents, Hon. Secre­ tary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Editor of the Burns Chronicle, Hon. Convener of Schools Competitions, and Hon. Assistant Secretary. (2) The offices of Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer may be combined. (b) All office-bearers shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election.

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CONSTITUTION AND RULES 89

(c) District Representative members who shall be elected annually by Districts on the basis of one member for the first five Clubs, and one member for every additional ten Clubs in each District; but for Overseas Districts, one Club in each shall qualify for admission as a District. If a District fails to elect a representative member, the Executive Committee may fill the vacancy at its October meeting. Meetings of the Executire Committee. 7. (a) The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Federation. It shall meet on the third Saturday of October, December, March and June. Only in exceptional circumstances may these dates be varied. The place of each meeting shall be fixed at the previous meeting. (b) The Hon. Secretary shall give at least one week's notice of meetings, along with the Agenda. (c) Notices of motion and other business to appear on the Agenda should reach the Hon. Secretary at least a fortnight before the meeting. (d) Special meetings may be held on a written request to the Hon. Secretary signed by not fewer than ten members of the Com­ mittee and stating the business to be considered. (e) Ten shall form a quorum at meetings.

Standing Sub-Committees. 8. (a) Standing Sub-Committees may be appointed by the Executive Committee. They shall be appointed annually and shall consist of such members as may be considered necessary. They shall have power to co-opt additional members.' (b) The President, Vice-Presidents, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall be ex officiis members of all Standing Sub-Com­ mittees. (c) Five shall form a quorum at meetings. (d) The Sub-Committee on Finance shall meet prior to all Executive Quarterly Meetings. All other Sub-Committees shall meet as may be arranged.

Subscriptions. 9. (a) Each Club, or Society, on admission to the Federation, shall pay a registration fee of Five Pounds. (b) The Annual Subscription shall be Three Pounds or such other sum as the Executive Committee shall decide. (c) Clubs in arrear with their subscriptions shall not be entitled to be represented at the Annual Conference of the Council. 90 CONSTITUTION AND RULES

(d) Clubs failing to pay their subscriptions for two consecutive years shall cease to be members of the Federation, but may be re-affiliated, at the discretion of the Executive Committee. (e) The annual subscription for the Associate Members shall be One Pound or such other sum as the Executive Committee may decide; this shall include the cost of a copy of the Burns Chronicle. Finance. 10. (a) The Bank Account shall be kept in the name of the Federation and shall be operated by the Hon. Treasurer for the time being, and one member of the Sub-Committee on Finance. Deposit Receipts shall be taken out in the name of the Federation, to be drawn on the endorsement of the President, Vice-Presidents, Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer, or any two of them. All other securities, investments and properties shall be held in the names of the President, Vice-Presidents, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, and their successors in office, as Trustees for the Federation. (b) No accounts shall be paid without the authority of the Sub-Committee on Finance, which shall submit a report to the Quarterly Meetings of the Executive Committee.

Honorary Secretary. 11. The Hon. Secretary shall keep the Minute Book of the Federation, in which shall be recorded the proceedings of all Council, Executive and Sub-Committee Meetings. He shall conduct the correspondence of the Federation, convene all meetings and issue Diplomas of Membership. He shall submit to the Executive Committee the Annual Report on the year's transactions for submission to the Conference of the Council.

Honorary Treasurer. 12. The Hon. Treasurer shall have charge of all monies paid to the Federation, and shall pay all accounts authorised by the Sub-Committee on Finance. He shall prepare a statement of his accounts for the year to 30th April, which shall be audited by duly appointed Auditors, who shall not be members of the Executive Committee. Publications. 13. (a) The Scottish Literature Committee shall advise the Executive Committee on policy in connection with any publications issued by the Federation. (b) The Burns Chronicle shall be the official publication of the :I

I

CONSTITUTION AND RULES 91

Federation and shall be published annually, not later than lst January, at such price as the Executive Committee may decide. It shall contain a Directory of the Clubs and Societies on the roll of the Federation, reports of the transactions of the Federation and of affiliated Oubs and Societies during the previous year, and such literary matter and illustrations as may be decided by the Hon. Editor. (c) The Hon. Editor shall be responsible for the publication of the Burns Chronicle, and shall submit annually a report on the latest issue. (cl) Estimates for the printing of all publications shall be approved by the Sub-Committee on Finance.

Schools Competitions 14. The Hon. Convenor of Schools Competitions shall give assistance to affiliated Clubs and Societies in the organisation of their competitions, and shall endeavour to co-ordinate the efforts of the various Oubs. He shall submit annually a report on the Competitions organised by the Oubs and by the Federation.

Benefits. 1.5. (a) Each Oub and Society on affiliation, shall be supplied gratis with the Charter of Membership of the Federation. (b) On application to the Hon. Secretary, members of affiliated Oubs shall be entitled to receive a Pocket Diploma on payment of the requisite price. (c) On application to the Hon. Secretary, Associate Members and members of affiliated Clubs and Societies shall be entitled to receive a Bums Federation Badge, on payment of the requisite price. (cl) Affiliated Oubs and Societies shall be entitled to be supplied gratis with one copy of the Burns Chronicle. (e) Members of affiliated Oubs and Societies and Associate Members shall be entitled to be supplied with copies of all works published by the Federation, at such discount as may be fixed by the Executive Committee. 16. No alteration shall be made to the "Constitution and Rules" except at the Conference of the Council, and then only by a two­ thirds majority of those entitled to vote. LIST OF DISTRICTS (See Article No. 6c of "Constitution")

I. Ayrshire. II. Edinburgh. III. Glasgow. IV. Dunbarton, Argyll, and Bute Shires. V. Fife. VI. Lanarkshire. VII. Lothians (Mid and East) and Borders. VIII. Lothian (West). IX. Renfrewshire. X. Stirling, aackmannan, and West Perth Shires. XI. East Perthshire, Angus and Kinross. XII. Northern Scottish Counties. XIII. Southern Scottish Counties. XIV. London and South-Eastern England. Essex, Hertford, Middlesex, Berks., Buckingham, Oxford, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent. XV. North-Eastern England. Northumberland, Durham. XVI. North-Western England. . Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, Cheshire. XVII. Yorkshire. XVlll. North and East Midlands of England. XIX. West Midlands of England. XX. South-Western England. Hereford, Gloucester, Wilts., Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Monmouth. XXI. Wales. XXII. Ireland. XXIII. Africa. XXIV. Australia. XXV. New Zealand. XXVI. Canada. XXVII. India. XXVIII. United States of America. XXIX. Europe. LIST OF DISTRICTS 93

I. Ayrshire-34 Clubs: 3 Members 0 Kilmarnock 593 Barrmill Jolly Beggars 35 Dairy 632 Symington 45 Cumnock 664 West Kilbride 56 Muirkirk Lapraik 671 St. Andrew's Cronies 173 Irvine (Irvine) 179 Dailly Jolly Beggars 681 Cronies, Kilmarnock 192 Ayrshire B.C. Assoc. 728 Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton 252 Alloway 772 Pr:stwick 274 Troon 773 Cumnock Cronies 275 Ayr 811 Logangate, Curnnock 310 Mauchline 815 B.M.K. (Netherton), 349 "Howff," Kilmarnock Kilmarnock 365 Catrine 821 Ayr Masonic 370 Dundonald 859 Irvine Eglinton Burns Club 377 Kilbirnie Rosebery 892 Ayrshire Metal Products 500 New Cumnock 900 Irvine Valley Burns Club 568 Darvel 906 Ayrshire Constabulary 592 Benwhat 908 "Brithers Be" Kilmarnock Secretary: George Vallance, 5 Park Terrace, Lugar, CUmnock, KAIB 3LD.

II. Edinburgh-14 Clubs: 1 Member 22 Edinburgh 340 Balerno Burns Club 124 Ninety 341 Leith 212 Portobello 346 Oakbank Mossgiel 198 Gorebridge 378 Edinburgh B.C. Assoc. 293 Newcraighall 398 Colinton 307 Edinburgh Ayrshire 516 The Airts Burns Club Association 825 Clarinda Ladies 314 Edinburgh Scottish Secretary: R. A. B. McLaren, 11 South Lauder Road, Edinburgh, EH92NB.

ill. Glasgow-15 Clubs: 2 Members 7 Thistle 153 Scottish 9 Royalty 169 Glasgow Burns Club 33 Haggis Association 36 Rosebery 263 Masonic 49 Bridgeton 282 Burns Bowling Association 68 Sandyford 581 Cumbernauld 72 Partick 585 Queen's Park Clarinda 74 National Burns Memorial 612 Torrance Masonic Cottage Homes Secretary: Andrew Stenhouse, M.A., LL.B., 82 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C.1. J 94 LIST OF DISTRICTS

IV. Dunbarton, Argyll and Bute Shires-6 Clubs: 1 Member 2 Alexandria 580 Cumbrae 10 Dumbarton 695 Kilmaronock (Dunbarton· 766 Glencoe and District shire) 831 Lochgoilhead Secretary:

V. Fife-7 Clubs: 1 Member 62 Cupar 768 Auchterderran Jolly 85 Dunfermline Beggars 350 Markinch 803 Bowhill People's Club 688 Poosie Nansie Ladies, 832 Lochore "Lea Rig" Kirkcaldy Secretary:

VI. Lanarkshire-22 Clubs: 2 Members 20 Airdrie 577 Dalserf and Clydesdale 133 Newarthill 578 Lanarkshire B.C.A. 152 Hamilton 614 Bellshill Caledonian Burns 237 Uddingston Masonic Club 348 Newton Bonnie Jean 637 Larkhall Applebank 356 Burnbank Masonic 761 Kirkton Bonnie Jean, 387 Cambuslang Mary Carluke Campbell 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars 388 Kyle (Shotts) Ladies 885 Motherwell and Wishaw 392 Whiffiet 889 G.E.C./A.E.I. Motherwell 494 Motherwell United Services 907 Stonehouse Bums Club 520 Uddingston Lochlie Ladies · 910 Bankend Jolly Beggars 542 Newart Hill White Heather Secretary: Abe Train, 71 Woodside Cres., Newmains, Lanarkshire

VII. Mid and East Lothian and Borders-9 Clubs: 1 Member 5 Ercildoune 740 Thorntree Mystic 96 Jedburgh 784 Kelso 187 Galashiels Burns Club 813 Tranent "25" 199 Newbattle and District 839 Coldstream 239 Hawick Secretary: LIST OF DISTRICTS 95

VIII. West Lothian-

Secretary:

IX. Renfrewshire-9 Clubs: 1 Member 21 Greenock 430 Gourock 48 Paisley 472 Renfrewshire, B.C.A. 59 Gourock Jolly Beggars 576 Fort Matilda 190 Port-Glasgow 748 Ouplaymuir 209 Greenock St. John's Secretary: Robert Miller, F.S.A.Scot., 11 Murdieston Street, Greenock, PAIS 4DT.

X. Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perthshire-30 Clubs: 3 Members 4 Callander 725 Ben Clench, Tillicoultry 37 Dollar 741 Plean SO Stirling 769 Robert Bruce 116 Greenloaning (Clackmannan) 126 Falkirk 195 Longcroft, Bonnybridge and 426 Sauchie District 469 Denny Cross 824 Stirling, Clackmannan and 503 Dunblane West Perthshire 510 I.C.I., Grangemouth 833 Alloa "Crown" 543 Abbey Craig 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie 620 Muirhead 852 Fishcross Jolly Beggars 630 Coalsnaughton 865 Foresters Arms 646 Clear Winding Devon, Alva 876 Tullibody Working Men's 648 Carron Bridge, Kilsyth Burns Club 657 Fallin Burns Club 895 WestertonArmsBumsOub 665 Gartmorn Ladies 902 Newmarket Burns Club 679 Tullibody and Cambus 911 Borestone Bowling Club Secretary: Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Terrace, Tullibody, Alloa FK102QA.

XI. East Perthshire, Angus and Kinross-8 Clubs: 1 Member 14 Dundee 242 Montrose 42 Stratheam 360 Lochee, Dundee 76 Brechin 627 Kinross 82 Arbroath 659 Dundee Bums Society Secretary:

J % LIST OF DISTRICTS

XII. Northern Scottish Counties-10 Clubs: 1 Member 40 Aberdeen 470 St. Giles (Elgin) 149 Elgin 691 Inverness 336 Peterhead 698 Turriff 403 Fraserburgh 723 Strathpeffer 458 Stonehaven 897 Glenbervie Secretary: Miss Ethel Hall, 3 St. Mary's Place, Aberdeen, ABl 2HL.

XIII. Southern Scottish Counties-19 Oubs: 2 Members 112 Dumfries Howff 536 Whithom 217 Eskdale 562 Castle Douglas 226 Dumfries 626 Moffat and District 323 Kirkcudbright 629 Sanquhar 393 Annan Ladies 660 The Langholm Ladies 401 Brig-En' (Waverley) 693 Masonic, Kirkcudbright 437 Dumfries Ladies 730 Wigtown 479 Queen of the South Ladies 818 Dalbeattie and District 530 Southern Scottish Counties 913 Terregles Bums Club B.C.A. 916 Hole I' the Wa' Bums Club Secretary: Mrs. M. Shearer, 211 Lochside Road, Dumfries, DG2 OEH

XIV. London and South-Eastern England-9 Clubs: 1 Member 1 Burns Club of London 663 Bournemouth and District 492 Harrow Cal. Soc. Cal. Soc. 570 Scottish Clans Assoc. of 719 Chelmsford and District London Scottish Society 617 Reading and District Cal. 743 Romford Scottish Assoc. Assoc. 788 Harlow and Dist. Cal. Soc. 791 Swindon and Dist. Cal. Soc. Secretary: A. F. Robertson, 30 Dorset Court, 211-213 Kingsway, Hove, Sussex B.N.3.4.F.D.

XV. North-Eastern England-12 Clubs: 1 Member 89 Sunderland 759 Sunderland and District 158 Darlington Cal. Soc. 534 Bedlington and District 775 Hartlepools Cal. Soc. 696 Whitley Bay 796 Gateshead and District St. 699 Choppington Andrew's Society 744 Durham and District 898 Peterlee and District Cal. Soc. Cal. Soc. 745 Northumberland and 901 Cramlington Burns Club Durham Cal. Soc. Secretary: L. A. Nicol, 49 Hips bum Drive, Sunderland. LIST OF DISTRICTS 97

XVI. North-Western England-14 Clnbs: 1 Member 71 Carlisle 674 Manchester and Salford 95 Bolton Cal. Assoc. 236 Whitehaven 753 Westmorland St. Andrew 363 Barrow St. Andrew's Soc. Society 366 Liverpool 754 Thornton Cleveleys and 417 Burnley and District Dist. Scottish Society 436 Walney Jolly Beggars Ladies 780 Isle of Man Cal. Soc. 572 Chester Cal. Assoc. 834 St. Andrews Soc. 618 Altrincham and Sale Cal. Soc. (Altrincham, Sale & Dist) Secretary: Mrs. W. G. Diggle, 18 Gorses Mount, D'Arcy Lever, Bolton, Lanes.

XVII. Yorkshire-13 Clubs:. 1 Member

548 Leeds Cal. Soc. 812 The St. Andrew's Society of 551 Scarborough Cal. Soc. Bradford 555 Harrogate St. Andrew's Soc. 836 Hornsea and District 718 St. Andrew Society of York 880 Otley and District 722 Bridlington Cal. Society 894 Beverly and District 763 Wakefield Cal. Soc. 905 Keighley and District 808 Pontefract and Dist. Cal. 909 Richmond (Yorks) Cal. Soc. Soc. Secretary: A. Anderson Reid, 'Failte', 75 Fairview, Carleton, Pontefract, Yorks.

XVID. North and East Midlands of England-23 Oubs: 2 Members

11 Chesterfield Cal. Soc. 746 Grimsby and District Cal. 17 Nottingham Soc. 55 Derby 822 Mansfield Dist. Cal. Soc. 329 Newark and District 854 North-East Midlands Assoc. 405 Sheffield Cal. Soc. of Scottish Societies 439 Barnsley Scottish Soc. 861 Cal. Soc. of Lincoln 454 Rotherham 862 Market Rasen Scottish 461 Leicester Cal. Soc. Association 556 Doncaster Cal. Soc. 866 Heanor and Dist. Cal. Soc. 563 Norfolk Cal. Soc. 872 East Midlands Scottish Soc. 606 Corby 878 Worksop Burns and Cal. 706 North Lindsey Scots Society Club 720 Retford Cal. Soc. 887 Gainsborough District 903 Newhall, Burton-on-Trent Burns Club. Secretary: J.E. lnglis, 'Glentress,' Halloughton Road, Southwell, Notts.

D J 98 LIST OF DISTRICTS

XIX. West Midlands of England-11 Clubs: 1 Member 167 Birmingham 707 Malvern Scots Club 296 Walsall 751 Worcester Scots Society 553 Wolverhampton 777 Nuneaton Scottish Society 559 Coventry Cal. Soc. 845 Tam o' Shanter, Coventry 661 Leamington and Warwick 881 Rugeley and District Cal. Soc. Bums Club 683 Stratford upon Avon and District Cal. Soc. Secretary: A. M. McDowall, 15 Greensleeves Close, Coventry.

XX. South-Western England-6 Clubs: 1 Member 120 Bristol 535 Plymouth and District Cal. 446 Herefordshire Soc. 462 Cheltenham Scottish Soc. 721 Plymouth Burns Club 899 Portsmouth Secretary: Mrs. Dora Dodd, 11 Westmorland House, Durdham Park, Bristol, BS6 6XH.

XXI. Wales-I Club: 1 Member 444 Swansea and West Wales

XXII. Ireland-2 Clubs: 1 Member 15 Belfast 904 Star of Burns, Lame Secretary:

XXIII. Africa-2 Clubs: 1 Member 873 Ndola Tam o' Shanter 896 Sierra Leone

XXIV. Australia-12 Clubs: 1 Member 511 Perth 726 Melbourne 523 Highland Society ofN.S.W. 864 Bumei Bums Club, 566 Scottish Soc. and Burns Club Tasmania of Australia 869 Port Adelaide Men's Club 711 Victorian Scottish Union 874 Melbourne Masonic 716 Royal Caledonian Society of 882 Canberra Highland Soc. Melbourne 890 Wollongong Bums Society 914 Ipswich & West Moreton LIST OF DISTRICTS

XXV. New Zealand-5 Clubs: 1 Member 69 Dunedin 851 Auckland Burns Assoc. 497 St. Andrew (Wellington) 860 Southland Burns Club 915 Canterbury Burns Club

XXVI. Canada-14 Clubs: 1 Member 197 Winnipeg 710 The Burns Society of }03 Victoria (B.C.) St. Andrew's Toronto Soc. 841 Robert Burns Association 443 Burns Club of Victoria (B.C.) of Montreal 476 Border Cities (Ont.) 842 Ye Bonny Doon, Hamilton, 501 Galt Ontario 561 London (Ontario) 877 Montreal Cal. Soc. 571 Edmonton Burns Club 888 Vancouver Burns Club 575 Windsor (Ont.) Jean 893 North Bay B.C., Ontario Armour

XXVII. India-1 Club: 1 Member 355 Calcutta

XXVIII. U.S.A.-12 Clubs: 1 Members 220 St. Louis 557 Atlanta Ladies 238 Atlanta 594 CUyahoga County B.C. 284 Philadelphia 597 The Burns Society of the 320 Troy City of New York 413 San Francisco St. Andrew's 701 Detroit Soc. 826 North Carolina 870 Massachussctts Secretary: Howard D. Whinnery, 560 Fourth Avenue, North Troy, New York, U.S.A.

XXIX. Europe-2 Clubs: 1 Member 727 The St. Andrew Society of Denmark 912 DIU Club, Jevicko MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF COUNCIL

BEACH BALLROOM, ABERDEEN. 9th September, 1912. The Annual Conference of the Burns Federation was held here today at 9.30 a.m. The President, Mr. Matthew McLauchlan, occupied the chair, and was accompanied by Mr. Charles C. Easton, F.S.A., Aberdeen, and Mr. Thomas Anderson, Kilmarnock, and the officials.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES REPRESENTED The figures in brackets denote the number of delegates who handed in their cards. 0 Kilmarnock Burns Club (3), I Burns Club of London (3), 7 Peterhead Burns Club (1), 9 Royalty Burns Club, Glasgow (1), 11 Chesterfield and District Caledonian Association (I), 14 Dundee Burns Club (2), 21 Greenock Burns Club (2), 36 Rosebery Burns Club (1), 40 Aberdeen Burns Club (3), 62 Cupar Burns Club (2), 68 Sandyford Burns Club (3), 89 Sunderland Burns Club (3), 95 Bolton Burns Club (3), 112 Burns Howff Club, Dumfries (3), 133 Newarthill Burns Club (1), 158 Darlington Burns Association (3), 167 Birmingham and Midland Scottish Society (1), 169 Glasgow and District Burns Association (2), 173 Irvine Burns Club (I), 192 Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs (2), 192 Gorebridge Burns Club (2), 217 Eskdale Burns Club (2), 226 Dumfries Burns Club (3), 242 Montrose Burns Club (2), 252 Alloway Burns Club (1), 263 Glasgow Masonic Burns Club (3), 274 Troon Burns Club (1), 275 Ayr Burns Club (3), 307 Edinburgh Ayrshire Association (3), 314 Scottish Burns Club, Edinburgh (3), 336 Peterhead Burns Club (2), 348 Newton Jean Armour Burns Club (2), 349 HowffBurns Club, Kilmarnock (2), 360 Lochee Burns Club (3), 365 Catrine Burns Club (2), 366 Liverpool Burns Club (2), 378 Edinburgh and District Burns Clubs Association (3), 387 Cambuslang Mary Campbell Burns Club (2), 393 Annan Ladies Burns Club (3), 403 Fraserburgh Burns Club (2), 405 Sheffield Caledonian Society (2), 437 Dumfries Ladies No. I Burns Club (3), 443 Robert Burns Club of Canada, Victoria, B.C. (1), 454 Rotherham and District Scottish Association (3), 458 Stonehaven (Fatherland) Burns Club (3), 461 Leicester Caledonian Society (3), 470 Elgin St. Giles Burns Club (2), 492 Harrow and District Caledonian Society (3), 503 Dunblane Burns Club (1), 520 Lochlea Ladies Burns Club, Uddingston (2), 530 Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association (3), 548 Leeds Caledonian Society (3), 559 Coventry and District Caledonian Society (3), 566 Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia (2), 578 Lanarkshire Association of Bums Clubs (2), 630 Coalsnaughton Burns Club (3), 632 Symington Burns Club (3!, 659 Dundee Burns Society (3), 660 Langholm Ladies Burns Club (2), 679 Tulh· body and Cambus Burns Club (3), 631 Kilmarnock Cronies Burns Club (3), 696 Wh!tley Bay and District Society of St. Andrew (1), 706 North Lindsay .sc~ts Society (1), 718 St. Andrew Society of York (2), 719 Chelmsford and D1stnct Scottish Association (1), 721 Plymouth Burns Club (3), 726 Melbourne ~ur,ns Club (1), 743 Romford Scottish Association (1), 744 Durham and District Caledonian Society (2), 759 Sunderland Caledonian Society (2), 808 Pontefract and District Caledonian Society (3), 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars Burns Club (3), 811 Logangate Burns Club (2), 813 Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perth Area (3), 822 Mansfield District Caledonian Society (I), 839 Coldstream Burns Oub (2), 845 Tarn o' Shanter, Coventry (3), 851 Auckland Bums Association(!), ~54 North East Midlands Scottish Association (2), 887 Gainsborough Caledon!an Society (2), 894 Beverley Caledonian Society (1), 897 Glenbervie Burns Memonals Association (3), 906 Ayrshire Constabulary Burns Club (1), Observers (15), Executive Conunittee and Officials (39), Total 225. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 101

Apologies for absence were intimated from Mr. Robert Donaldson, Glasgow (Executive Committee), Mr. Andrew Stenhouse, Glasgow (Assistant Hon. Secre­ tary), Mr. Hugh Cunningham, Dumfries (Executive Committee), Mr. Fred C. Jordan (Past President of Torrance Masonic Burns Club No. 612), and Dr. Annie I. Dunlop, Kilmarnock (Hon. President of the Burns Federation). Greetings were received from the Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia, Melbourne Burns Club, Mr. John W. Begg, Miss BronWYD Bryant, St. Andrews Society of Denmark, and Mr. Tom Meffan, who was Lord Mayor of Coventry last year. The delegates were then welcomed and special mention was made of Mrs. Mary Lawson, Melbourne, Australia, Miss Kay Don, Sydney, Australia; Mr. George Peddison, Auckland, New Zealand; Mrs. Etta Burness, Fiji Islands; Mrs. Margaret Ryles, Victoria, Canada, Burns Club; Mr. Alex Johnstone, Sydney, Australia, and Rev. Dr. Cumming Thom, Patron of the Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of the previous meeting were taken as read and adopted by acclamation. SECRETARY'S REPORT The Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, M.A., F.L.A., presented the annual report. The year under review got off to one of the worst possible starts when a nwn­ ber of old friends departed from our midst: Our sympathy goes out to the families of Mrs. Albert Finlayson, Rev. A. M. Beaton, Mr. Edgar Young and Mr. Sam Love. It is indeed grievous to suffer the loss of friends who have held office within the Burns Movement; it is equally moving to lose those who have stood in the shade sharing in and encouraging the self-denial that the duty of office demands. It is with affection and a feeling of emptiness that we remember these departed; it is with indebtedness that we recall their service and enthusiasm which assured the continuation of the Burns Federation. However, it is with joy that we receive once more among us the quiet, depend­ able fellowship of Andrew Stenhouse, recovered from his heart attack; we thank him for continuing in his duties as Assistant Secretary. And the energetic, amusing and lovable Mrs. Mabel Burnett joins with us again. The severity of the injuries sustained in a car accident shattered us but determination and an unquenchable enthusiasm for life sees Mabel continuing to share her laughter with us. One of my regrets has been that our President, Mr. Matthew McLauchlan, has not enjoyed the good health we all wished him on attaining our highest office at Coventry. A hard and generous worker over the years, Matthew should have been basking in the limelight of his office; rather he has borne his ill-health with patience and fortitude, restricting his activities to a smaller geographical area. To have offered him our help has been our privilege rather than duty. Personally, I do not apologise for any treading on toes that I have done in safe-guarding the President but thank all clubs and members for their understanding and support. It must be some considerable time since the Federation engaged so much in the publishing world. Arrangements have been made with the American Micro­ film Society to reprint the Burns Chronicle in toto. It is hoped that a cumulative index from 1892-1972 will also be offered as a valuable key to the material contained in these 81 years of studies. The Microfilm Division of the E.P. Group will in January 1973, reprint the Glenriddell Manuscript and I would hope that

J 102 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

the story will be told of the shameful adventures of these manuscripts. This company are interested in reprinting the bi-centenary material of Robert Fergus­ son and of the Kilmarnock 1786 edition. The Scottish Literature Committee have been engaged on the reprinting of the 'Scots Reader' and in the up-dating of John McVie's leaflet on the Federation. Most exciting of all is the interest being shown by the Daily Mirror Group of the giant International Printing Corporation. Mr. Paul Boyle, the Publications Manager, is keen to produce a fine edition of the works of Robert Burns. A limited number will be printed as a collector's item and, we hope, will represent the high skills in Scottish paper-making, typography and binding. Such a biblio­ graphical treasure is indeed a compliment to Robert Burns and we must await further developments with patience and muted excitement. Associated with the last-named project must surely be the Scottish Tourist Board's plans for a Burns Heritage Trail. Their intentions are to make Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire as noted as Stratford-upon-Avon, with interpretation and information centres, a national Burns sign, guide books, restoration work, etc. This cannot be done cheaply and it is to be hoped that local authorities will emulate the enthusiasm of the Federation in this undertaking. The world may be a shrinking place on account of the growth and speed of communication but it is nevertheless warming to have active contact with so many and diverse parts of the world-the home counties. Scandinavia; Eastern Europe; Australia; New Zealand; United States; Canada; Africa; to mention some that come to mind. But, surely, our most extensive means of communica­ tion must have been during the 1972 Anniversary celebrations when broadcasting featured Burns as never before. Scottish Television produced an hour-long interview programme on the afternoon of the 25th; in the evening, and lasting slightly longer, a Burns Supper in colour was broadcast, under the creation and chairmanship of Mr. Larry Marshall. BBC Television produced an hour of Burns' song and topography, together with a regional programme in northern England; another long feature was on the 'Mainly Magnus' TV show; whilst BBC radio also afforded a programme of music and verse. At such a catalogue of broadcasting activity even George Vallance was known to be silent-his tribute to continual criticism of lack of such support. Contact with the broadcasting authorities has been maintained and your Secretary represented the Federation in another hour-long religious colour TV programme. In late June, the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation visits Kil­ marnock to do some Burnsian filming. My last point at this juncture is addressed to district authorities. Will district secretaries please let me have annually their representatives to the Executive Committee? Some districts have never been in contact with the Federation for years other than for the payment of subscriptions; others have ceased to exist; representatives have departed-yet names are willy-nilly reprinted annually in the Chronicle. Let me add that this tidying up will start with the Executive Committee itself who have been asked to submit annually their nominations for overseas representations and for such other areas as falls within their jurisdiction.

Membership A note of congratulation to Kilmarnock whose number of clubs now total five-surely a record for a provincial town of some 50,000 people. We would hope that these clubs will thrive on their independence rather than dissipate their energies in numerical extension. We note also our first East European member, from Jevicko, Czechoslovakia. Number of Clubs on roll as at October 1971 322 Lapsed or disbanded I 7

I L MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 103

Affiliated: 'Brothers Be' Burns Club, Kilmarnock Newarthill White Heather Club Edmonton Bums Oub, Alberta Richmond (Yorks) Caledonian Society Stonehouse Bums Club Muirkirk Lapraik Burns Club Bankend 'Jolly Beggars' Burns Club Borestone Bowling Burns Club Jevicko High School Burns Club, Czechoslovakia Re-affiliated : Auckland Bums Club 10 315

Clubs In Arrears Club Name Years in arrears No. 1 2 3 120 Bristol x 199 New battle x 238 Atlanta .. x 350 Markinch x 401 Brig En' Waverley x 444 Swansea .. x 494 Motherwell x 516 Tranent x 523 Highland Society NSW .. x 543 Abbey Craig x 568 Darvel x 575 Windsor .. x 592 Benwhat .. x 618 Altrincham x 620 Muirhead .. x 648 Carronbridge x 710 Toronto x 716 Royal Cal~donian Society, Melbourne x 728 Bachelors Club .. x 766 Glencoe x 769 Clackmannan x 773 Cumnock Cronies x 788 Harlow x 795 Longcroft; Bonnybridge. ~nd District .. x 812 Bradford .. x 815 BMK x 832 Lochore .. x 833 Alloa x 841 Montreal .. x 864 Tasmania .. x 873 Ndola x 876 Tullibody Worki~ Me~·; Bur~ Club x 877 Montreal .. x 899 Portsmouth x 904 Lame x 26 5 5

J 104 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Scottish National Dictionary As one of the longer-lived literary associations, the Burns Federation has long since known the value of patience and perseverance. It took some 20 years for the Federation to get the first Chair of Scottish History and Literature founded. Due to the very nature of the work, it has taken longer for the Scottish National Dictionary to reach a possible date of conclusion. As I write Part 1 of Volume IX (Stang-Sin) has been issued. We congratulate the Dictionary staff in the continuation of their mammoth task and would once more remind Burnsians that they can still engage in this investment by purchasing the Dictionary for the throw-away price of £50. Balance brought forward from last Report .. £3,429·41 Donations sent to the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Burns Federation: 872 East Midlands Scottish Association 4·00 469 Denny Cross Burns Oub 2·10 Miss Nancy J. Symons .. 7·00 226 Dumfries Burns Club 5·00 580 Cumbrae Burns Club 5·00 691 Inverness Bums Club .. 2·10 £3,454·61 Donations sent direct to the Scottish National Dictionary: Paisley Burns Club 10·00 Leicester Caledonian Society .. 5·00 Sheffield Caledonian Society ...... 10·00 Northumberland and Durham Caledonian Society .. 3·00 Belfast Burns Association 25·00 Hamilton Burns Club .. 15·00 Sunderland Burns Club . . . . 2·10 Burns Society of the City of New York 8·15 Fraserburgh Burns Oub 10·00 London Burns Club 5·00 Plymouth Burns Oub .. 10·00 Alloway Burns Club 16·30 Paisley Burns Club 10·00 Caledonian Society of Sheffield 10·00 Greenock Burns Club 45·00 Aberdeen Burns Oub .. 5·00 £3,644·16

Quarterly Meetings During the year the following Quarterly Meetings were held: October 1971 and June 1972-Kilmarnock; December 1971-Glasgow; March 1972- Edinburgh.

Jean Armour Burns Houses The 'Mauchline Belles' continue to thrive and it is heartening to witness the relationship between these old ladies and their benefactors, the Glasgow and District Burns Association. No memorial could ever be nearer to the heart of Robert Burns than this caring for one's fellow men. It deserves the most generous support and all donations will be warmly accepted by the indefatigable Hon. Treasurer, Mr. A. Neil Campbell, F.C.I.S., 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh EH105PP. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 105

Conclusion My thanks to one and all for their support and encouragement in the past year. To the presidential office-bearers, my gratitude for sharing the burdens or administration; to the committee conveners, my thanks for taking their share of the strain; to all members for being willing Aunt Sallys; lastly, my apologies to clubs and officials that these and other committed interests preclude my visiting as many districts and clubs as I would wish.

BRIDGE REPORTS New Bridge Good condition-no maintenance required, other than possible minor pointing of stonework. Auld Brig Good condition-no maintenance required other than possible minor point- ing of stonework. . Allo"·ay Bridge Good condition-no maintenance required other than possible minor point­ ing of stonework. Auld Brig o' Doon This bridge is being restored gradually over a period of years. Much has already been done but much remains to be done. The south abutment and the downstream side of the arch are in greatest need or attention. Further work will be carried out during the winter months. The report being approved, Mr. Thomson then submitted the Treasurer's report. r

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDED 30tb APRIL, 1972 ORDINARY FUND

RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1971/72 1970/71 1971/72 1970/71 £45-41 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: £48 By Stationery £35·53 111 ,, Posts .. 162·07 £56 Current Account 282-60 71 ,, Printing .. 108·61 744 Deposit Account 14·14 18 ,, Meetings 21·04 1 Cash on Hand 25 ,, Audit 25·00 £332·27 45 ,, Tax 23-60 Annual Subscriptions: 22 ,, Miscellaneous 0·60 765-39 Baimsangs 3·00 779 Current 21·00 11 ,, Wreaths and Flowers 10·79 87 Arrears 0·76 70 ,, Secretary's Expenses . . . . 35-72 5 Advance 72-67 714 ,, Salary, National Insurance, etc. . . 759·70 62 Associate Members Affiliation Fees .. 10·50 Donation to Royal Caledonian Schools 3·00 10 19·90 2 ,, Donation to Scottish Council of Social 12 ,, Diplomas 35·40 Services 43 Badges ...... Administration of Literature and Cen- 3 ,, Bank Charge . . . . 2-35 tral Funds ...... 100·00 11 ,, Past President's Badge .. 11-65 Received for purchase of Books 11·00 12 ,, Insurance 12·25 Miscellaneous .. 1-75 10 ,, Advertising 10·00 7 1·51 of Books ...... 9·73 1 Burns Check .. Purchase 3 J. K. Annand's Book HI 100 ,, President's and Vice-Presidents' Allow- Bairnsangs . . . . 2·00 ances ...... 100·00 1 1-75 1 Burns Stamped envelopes Transferred to Scottish Literature Fund 5 Postages .. 16·98 -Income from Sales of Hans Hecht Hans Hecht £120·00 Burns and Edinburgh and B. F. Song 21 Burns and Edinburgh . . . . 2·21 Book ...... 125·66 2 Burns Federation Song Book .. 3-45 154 ,, Federation Badges .. 125-66 283} ,, Balance on Deposit Account 19 ,, Interest on Deposit Account .. 6·24 100 (for Visits Fund) .. £48·84 35 ,, Balance in Current Account 2·68 14 ., Cash on Hand .. 4·19 55-71 £1,525·89 £1,859 £1,525·89 I £1,859 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ACCOUNT RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1970/71 1971/72 1970/71 1971/72 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: By Purchase of Back Numbers .. £3·04 £18 Deposit Account £0·79 £304 ,, Editor's Allowance and Expenses 310·50 531 Sales to Clubs ...... 600·62 Contributors' Fees . . . . 35·00 85 Sales to Trade and Individuals 111 ·65 1,260 ,, Printing, etc...... 1,353·64 45 Sales of Back Numbers 60·92 ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972: Donation ...... 20·11 Deposit Account . . . . 1·84 246 ,, Advertising ...... 314·70 636 Transferred from Scottish Literature Fund .. 590·00 4 ,, Interest on Deposit Account .. 5·23 £1,565 £1,704·02 I £1,565 £1,704·02

SCOTIISH LITERATURE FUND RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1970/71 1971/72 1970/71 1971/72 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: By Allowances and Expenses: £18,127 £22,300 5% Treasury Stock (at cost) .. £18,127·00 £141 Schools Competitions Conveners £126·87 78 ,, Deposit Account ...... 243·09 ,, Printing-Schools Competitions: 28 ,, Sales of Declaration of Arbroath . . . . 26·00 116 Certificates ...... 142·36 19 ,, Royalties on Sale of Bums Federation Song 83 Examination Papers, etc ... 58·65 Book ...... 26-89 - ,, Purchase of Hans Hecht . . . . 150·00 10 ,, Half Affiliation Fees ...... 10·50 636 ,, Burns Chronicle subsidy-transferred to Transferred from Current Ac­ Chronicle Account .. 590·00 count for: Fees for Angelier Translation 60·00 Sales of Hans Hecht . . £120·00 ,, Fee for Jamie the Saxt extract . . . . 50·00 Sales of Bums Federation I 35 ,, Transferred to Reserve Fund towards pay­ Song Book . . . . 3·45 ment of Scots Reader (£130 from year Sales of Burns and Edin- 1970/71-£140 from year 1971/72) .. 270·00 burgh ...... 2·21 Administration of Account-transferred to 125-66 Current Account .. 50·00 1,115 ,, Interest on Treasury Stock ...... 1,115·00 I 6 ,, School Prizes . . . . 56·09 10 ,, Interest on Deposit Account . . . . 10·18 - ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972: 18,127 £22,300 5 % Treasury Stock 1986/89 (M.V. £16,725) .. 18,127·00 243 Deposit Account .. 3-35 £19,387 £19,684·32 I £19,387 £19,684·32

~ r

CENTRAL FUND RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1970/71 1971/72 1970/71 1971/72 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: By Erection of: £12,404 £15,200 S% Treasury Stock (at cost) •. £12,404·00 Arbroath Seat £26·30 199 Deposit Account . . . . 444·91 Ballochmyle Seat . . . . 41·59 30 Miscellaneous-Donations, etc. £209 Maintenance of Memorials: 7(,(J ,, Interest on Treasury Stock .. 7(J(J·00 Leglen Wood ...... 12-49 15 ,, Interest on Deposit Account 16·42 Failford (for years 1969-1970-1971) .. 24·00 Transferred to Reserve Fund towards pay­ ment of Scots Reader (£250 for year 1970/71-£350 for year 1971/72) .. 600·00 ,, Administration of Account-transferred to Current Account .. 50·00 ,, Donations: 100 Scottish National Dictionary . . . . EllislandAccess Road(reservedfrom 1971) 100·00 Heritage Trail (transferred to Reserve Fund) .. .. 100·00 Glenbervie Memorials 50·00 100 Jean Armour Burns Houses 86·00 100 National Memorial Homes 86·00 50 Burns House Museum .. 43·00 ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972: 445 Deposit Account . . . . 1·95 12,404 £15,200 5% Treasury Stock 1986/89 (M.V. £11,400) .. 12,404·00 £13,408 £13,625'33 £13,408 £13,625·33 RESERVE FUND RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1970/71 1197/72 1970/71 1971/72 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: By Expenses of Officials attending Conference £93'92 £858 Deposit Account £814·86 £84 ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972 ,, Edgar Young Memorial 50·00 815 Deposit Account 1,776·69 ,, Coventry Conference 10-00 ,, Reserved for Heritage Trail 100·00 ,, Reserved for Scots Reader .. 870·00 41 ,, Interest on Deposit Account 25·75 £1,R70·61 £R99 £1.R70·61 ~ ------JOSEPH LAING WAUGH MEMORIAL FUND RECEIPTS PAYMENTS 1971/72 1970/71 1971/72 1970/71 £13 By School Children's Competitions £7·72 To Balance as at lst May, 1971: ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972 £6 Deposit Account . . . . £5-90 207·00 6 Deposit Account ...... 5·90 207 £300 4 % Consolidated Stock 207 £300 4% Consolidated Stock (M.V. £138) 207·00 5 ,, Income Tax Refund .. ,, Interest on: 7 Consolidated Stock 7·36 1 Deposit Account .. 0·36 £220·62 £220·62 £226 £226 GENERAL APPEAIS FUND PAYMENTS RECEIPTS 1971/72 1971/72 1970/71 1970/71 By Donations forwarded to: To Balance as at lst May, 1971: £96·18 £2·57 £160 Jean Armour Bums Houses £99 Deposit Account . . . . 25 Scottish National Dictionary 25·20 191 ,, Donations received for: 66-44 ,, Balance as at 30th April, 1972: Jean Armour Bums Houses 2 Deposit Account .. 2·76 Scottish National Dictionary .. 25-20 29·74 2 Burns Cottage . . . . Ladies at Jean Armour Bums Houses 103 T. W. Dalgleish Presentation 2 ,, Interest on Deposit Account 0·19 £292 £124-14 £292 £124-14 VISITS FUND PAYMENTS RECEIPTS By Balance as at 30th April, 1972: To Balance on Deposit Account ...... £100·00 £127·09 ,, Donation-Scottish Society and Bums Club of Australia 25·00 Deposit Account . . . . ,, Interest on Deposit Account . . 2·09 £127·09 £127·09

KILMARNOCK, lst June, 1972.-We have examined the Books and Accounts of the Bums Federation for the year ended 30th April, 1972, and have obtained all the information and explanations required. We certify that the foregoing Financial Statement is in accordance with the Books, and we have verified that the Funds and Securities at 30th April, 1972, as shown in the Statement are correct. HENRY BROWN & CO., Chartered Accountants. 110 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th APRIL, 1972 To date, despite quickly spiralling costs and the sleight-of-hand called deci­ malisation, we have made it a point of honour to peg costs and charges to an absolute minimum. Many of our sales items are uneconomic and the view has been taken that, being a non-commercial organisation, we were not concerned with profit-making. Until the day of our benevolent and anonymous patron, the Federation had to earn and safeguard every penny it made and spent; nor can I personally see any sin in making modest profit margins. If this introduction seems somewhat foreboding, let me add that the Ordinary Fund these last two years has had to exist for periods of time on income rightly belonging to the Scottish Literature Funds; only when subscriptions and other income have been realised have we been in a position to repay the latter fund. An examination of balances in hand will show how rising costs have reduced our holdings in this direction: Balance 1967-68 £1,183 1968-69 780 1969-70 801 1970-71 332 1971-72 55 Expenditure has established a pattern over the years, but despite reductions in salaries and postal services, we find that other administrative charges, together with huge rises in printing and postal charges, our absorption of these increases has led to a drastic reduction in our balances. If no provision is made for the ensuing year-either in increased income or reduced expenditure-we shall most definitely be faced with a deficit in 1972-1973. 'Chronicle' Account Whilst the Scottish Literature Fund exists to aid such work as the Burns Chronicle, spiralling printing costs see the subsidy here rise from £300 in 1968 to £590 in 1972. It cannot but be admitted that the Chronicle continues to be sold at a completely uneconomical price. Not only do Clubs and Associate members obtain their copies free of charge but additional copies are charged at a price which is utterly unrealistic. Our sales to non-members are at less than cost. Your Editor and printers have for years advised us on this lack of realism. Scottish Literature Fund Apart from the national schools competition and the Chronicle subsidy, the only other major item of expenditure has been the allocation of £270 towards the printing of the new Scots Reader. Central Fund With the impending publication of the Scots Reader the Memorials Sub­ Committee have been sparing in their commitments this year. In order to put aside £600 for publication costs, our charitable distributions have also been somewhat reduced this year. Conclusion Whilst some of the above accounts are relatively healthy, I would add that labyrinthine difficulties relating to covenants, deeds of gift, Inland Revenue Corporation Tax, and other such financial nightmares prevent the interchange of monies between the various funds. The Ordinary Fund is that which concerns me most in my housekeeping and I look expectantly to the Convener and mem­ bers of the Finance Committee to guide us by their policy making. J. F. T. THOMSON, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 111 Mr. George McKerrow, Convener of the Finance Committee, explained the accounts in detail. Among other things, he pointed out that only the Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia had sent a donation to the Visits Fund and appealed to delegates to ask their clubs to send a small donation to help to send a representative of the Burns Federation on an overseas visit. Adoption of the Treasurer's Report was moved, seconded and approved. Mr. Alex Johnstone (Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia, 566), said that he felt overseas clubs especially should support the Visits Fund and he was not going to ask other clubs to do what his was not willing to do. He had pleasure in presenting a cheque from his Society for £25 and also made a personal donation. Mr. D. J. Mclldowie, Mr. M. McLauchlan, Dr. Cumming Thom, Dr. J. Taylor and others also gave donations and a sum of £72 was collected towards the fund. THE 'BURNS CHRONICLE' , Mr. James Veitch, Editor of the Burns Chronicle, submitted the following report. In the 1972 Burns Chronicle, the children's section, entitled the Junior Bums Chronicle, appeared for the last time. Thanks to headmasters and teachers, painting competitions were fairly well supported; but otherwise the response was poor from the beginning. This section, in short, did not attract a sufficient number of children, chiefly, I suggest, because their attention was not directed towards it. This unhappy situation has been carefully considered by the Scottish Literature Committee and the members of the Executive Committee have agreed-regretfully-to the recommendation that the Junior Burns Chronicle be discontinued. If we cannot reach the children, it also appears that we still fail to engage the interest of new adult readers. The sales of the 1972 Burns Chronicle showed no improvement over the 1971 issue, and, as was stated last year, we require to sell at least another thousand copies before we can begin to pay our way. JAMES VEITCH, Editor. Clubs which purchased 20 or more copies: Copies 566 Burns Society of City of New York 170 226 Dumfries . . . . 102 476 Border Cities, Ontario 50 ~~~ ~ 35 Dairy 36 275 Ayr . . 36 21 Greenock . . 31 0 Kilmarnock ...... · . . . . 30 566 Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia 30 845 Tam o' Shanter, Coventry 30 263 Glasgow Masonic 26 469 Denny Cross . . 25 701 Detroit 25 173 Irvine . . 24 748 Ouplaymuir . . 24 238 Atlanta ...... 21 307 Edinburgh Ayrshire Association . . 21 10 Dumbarton . . 20 40 Aberdeen 20 95 Bolton . . . . 20 112 Burns Howff, Dumfries 20 349 The Howff, Kilmarnock 20 360 Lochee Burns Club 20 370 Dundonald Burns Club 20 500 New Cumnock 20 503 Dunblane . . . . 20 811 Logangate . • . . 20 The report was approved. 112 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SCHOOLS COMPETITION REPORT Mr. Fred J. Belford submitted the following report. The Schools Competition in Scottish Literature and Music continues to show gratifying results. Here are the figures for last year and this year. , 1971 1972 Schools 547 565 Competitors . . 136,510 137,391 Certificates issued 6,488 6,559 From the schools encouraging reports have been received of the interest taken in these competitions by teachers and pupils alike, in the study of the poems, prose items and songs of our native land. The high standard of the work in the written tests as well as in verse-speaking and singing is worth reporting. Bums Clubs up and down the country continue to contribute substantially by encouraging children to recite the poems and sing the songs of Scotland. These are usually performed before an audience and are augmented in many cases by choirs of young folk. It is increasingly interesting to note that several Burns Clubs hold competi­ tions for adults who are invited to recite in full one of the longer poems of the National Bard, and these contests have proved a great success. One or two most excellent projects have been submitted from both large and small schools and they give evidence of a vast amount of research not only on the life and works of Robert Burns but also on the economic state of Scotland in the times in which he lived. On behalf of the Burns Federation we thank all who so willingly assist in running these competitions, as well as the co-operation of the Directors of Edu­ cation, the Headmasters and their staffs. F. J. BELFORD, A. W. FINLAYSON, Joint Secretaries. Mr. Belford suggested that if any delegates knew of schools which did not enter the competitions, they might visit them and ask the headmasters to consider giving their support. Mr. James Dawson, Darlington, said he had been asked to give a talk on Burns in a school in his area and he was pleased to inform Mr. Belford that his school showed a great interest in Burns. The report was unanimously approved. SCOTTISH LITERATURE COMMITTEE REPORT The Burns Chronicle maintains its high standard of readability, although there is no perceptible increase in its number of buyers. We have plenty of material flowing in, and if only the advertising could be increased, or the readership extended, we could put out a fatter volume. The Junior Chronicle has now exhausted itself: it was never a viable project as it did nothing to increase our sales. Some members of Committee fought hard to have it published separately, but the Editor pointed out the kind of market in children's papers it would have to compete against. Forbye, we haven't the money. The New Scots Reader, after a great deal of work, should be on the market by the time this is read. At 65 pence for limp covers, and £1 for hard-back, it should be snapped up by all who love the Scottish tongue. It has always been intended mainly for the Burns Competitions, but has sufficient variety, I hope, to please young and old. The suggested project by Dundonald Bums Club, that the Federation should publish a 'modest' volume of fifty songs of Burns with the original music, has had the attention of the Literature Committee. Once the payments to the publish­ ers of the New Scots Reader are completed, this project will be examined more closely. Meantime, some market research might be done among Bums Clubs and their singers, to see if they would be interested to buy such a volume, and, having bought it, use it. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 113

The reprint of the John McVie leaflet, once it has been brought up-to-date, has, as is usual come up against some snags. These, however, should be overcome in time for the Aberdeen Conference, when the new pamphlet should be ready. We have taken notice of the fact that 1974 marks the bicentenary of Robert Fergusson's death. A reprint of his poems should be undertaken, but the Federation cannot do it, for financial reasons. However, we will support a reprint, from whatever direction it comes. I should like to thank the Committee for its courtesy and patience over the New Scots Reader. I can only hope their patience has been rewarded. The report was approved. ALEX. MACMILLAN, Convener Mr. Alexander Bruce (Scottish Burns Club, Edinburgh, 314), said he felt a great deal of money could be saved by cutting out much of the information at the back of the Chronicle. He gave details of what he thought could be omitted. Whilst not in agreement, Mr. Veitch said this could be considered. Mr. A. Neil Campbell (Glasgow and District Burns Association, 169), suggested that this be remitted to the Scottish Literature Committee and moved next business. MEMORIALS COMMI'ITEE REPORT Mr. George Vallance submitted the following report. The Memorials Committee meetings have again been well attended and we were able to complete our meetings within the time allowed. The seats at Arbroath Abbey and Ballochmyle Hospital are now in position; some repairs were necessary at Leglen Wood Memorial and were completed before the Ayr Burns Club Annual Service. We have not been too successful with our efforts to have something concrete carried out at the Kirk Lane Burial Ground; Glasgow Corporation are hard to move-they have assured us that Betty Paton's headstone is in good order. New notice boards have been erected at the entrance to Ellisland Farm but a motorist could be at the entrance before he would see the notice; it has been suggested to Dumfries that these notices could be placed better. The Memorials Committee recommend that the Bums House, Bank Street, Dumfries, should not be renovated; Dumfries clubs and the Federation concur. The Clubs in the North East have been busy at Gardenston Arms Hotel and the Glenbervie Committee will have something of interest to show the Conference visitors in September. The Memorials Committee recommend that every assistance be given to Irvine Burns Club to try to keep the Heckling Shed and the surrounding area in Irvine Venne! as near as possible to what it was during the Poet's sojourn there. Through the kindness of Adam Dick, John Wilson's headstone in the Old High Kirk, Kilmarnock, has been renovated. Mr. R. A. B. McLaren has been busy in Edinburgh keeping a watch on any places of Burns interest that may be demolished and he has obtained the plaque from the Generals Entry where Burns and Clarinda met. The site of 'Winsome Willie's' School at Ochiltree has been declared unsuitable for housing; your committee will continue to watch for any future development. Our Hon. Secretary and myself have been attending the meetings of the Burns Heritage Trail Working Committee and have kept the views of the Federa­ tion well to the fore; if this exercise is completed it will be the greatest boost ever given to the Burns Movement. I wish to thank the members of the Memorials Committee for their Co­ operation and Mr. Thomson for the time he expends to help my Committee. The report was approved. GEORGE VALLANCE, Convener. Mr. Nicol, Kilmarnock No. 0 Club, reported that Kilmarnock Town Council were making provision in their plans for the town centre for Burns matters. A member of the College of Printing in Glasgow was reconstructing for Kilmarnock Town Council an 18th century printing press which will be part of the Museum of Development in Kilmarnock.

J 114 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NEW PRESIDENT INSTALLED Mr. McLauchlan formally announced the election of Mr. Charles C. Easton as the new President. He invested him with the chain of office and Mr. Easton suitably replied. The new President presented Mr. McLauchlan with the Past President's Badge and wished both he and Mrs. McLauchlan health and happiness. OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS Mr. Thomas Anderson, Kilmarnock, was appointed Senior Vice-President. The Secretary then read a letter from Mr. James Inglis, Southwell, to say that after consulting his sponsors and having the best interests of the Federation at heart, he had decided to withdraw his name from the list of candidates for Junior Vice-President. Mr. Inglis wished Provost Robertson the very best in his future roll in the Federation. Provost E. Robertson, O.B.E., J.P., was then elected Junior Vice-President. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, M.A., F.L.A., Kil­ marnock; Hon. Editor of the Burns Chronicle, Mr. James Veitch, Tweedsmuir; Schools Competitions, Joint Secretaries, Mr. Fred J. Belford, M.A., F.E.I.S., Edinburgh, and Mr. Albert W. Finlayson, M.A., F.E.I.S., Dumfries; Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. Andrew Stenhouse, M.A., LL.B., Glasgow; Auditors, Messrs. Henry Brown & Co., Kilmarnock.

MOTION FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 'That the Annual Subscription be increased to Five Pounds per annum.' Mr. George McKerrow, Convener of the Finance Committee, spoke to the motion, and Mr. Thomson, Greenock, seconded. Mr. Vallance spoke against the increase and Mr. S. Gaw, Irvine 173, also expressed disagreement with the motion. Mr. Reid, Gainsborough 887, moved an amendment that there be a levy on clubs according to membership rather than an increase in annual subscriptions. Mr. Irvine, No. 854, seconded the amendment. After some discussion a vote was taken and the motion carried by a substantial majority. MOTION FROM AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS 'That the Junior Burns Chronicle be continued as an encouragement to the young.' Mr. John Gray spoke to the motion and was seconded by Mr. Reid, Gains­ borough, 887. Mr. Bruce, Scottish Burns Club, Edinburgh 314, suggested that what was needed was a cheap newspaper to distribute to schools. . Mr. Veitch, in speaking against the motion, pointed out that bigger orgaru­ sations than the Federation had tried to maintain children's magazines and news­ papers and had failed for lack of support. Mr. Macintyre Hood, Edinburgh Scottish 314, asked the members to be realistic. The adult membership did not support the Chronicle so why expect the children to be interested? A vote was taken and, as the majority voted against the motion, it was con­ firmed that the J1mior Burns Chronicle be discontinued.

MOTION FROM NORTH AND EAST MIDLANDS OF ENGLAND, No. 18 DISTRICT .. 'That at Annual Conferences in future, the installation of the new President MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 115 takes place at the Conference Luncheon in the presence · of the assembled delegates and their friends.' Mr. J. E. Inglis said his district had put forward the motion because they felt a President should continue until all business of the year was completed before handing over. Mr. Anderson Wilson, Retford 722, seconded, and the motion was carried. MOTION FROM SCOTIISH SOCIETY AND BURNS CLUB OF AUSTRALIA 'That the Society supports, in principle, the formation of an Australian District, to be centred in Canberra, and that this should be run in the form of a Federal Secretariat in which all affiliated Societies should have representation.' Mr. Alex Johnstone said he had been told that he did not need the Federation's permission to form a District and they had convened a meeting. They were forming an Australian District on the same basis as the Associations of Clubs in this country and were only asking the Federation's blessing on this District Association. It was agreed that this was an excellent idea. PLACE OF NEXT CONFERENCE Provost Robertson, on behalf of the Southern Scottish Counties Burns Associa · tioo extended an invitation to the Burns Federation to hold its Annual Confer­ ence in Dumfries, and the invitation was unanimously accepted. The Dumfries Conference would be held on the second Saturday of September, 1973. ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 1974 Mr. R. A. B. McLaren extended an invitation to the Federation from the Edinburgh and District Bums Association to hold the Annual Conference in Edinburgh, and the invitation was unanimously accepted.

OTHER BUSINESS Mrs. W. Ross Baxter, 721 Plymouth, intimated that down in the South Western Region, a Burns Supper had been televised live, a fact which showed that the most southerly region of Britain also recognised Robert Burns. The meeting then concluded with Mr. A. Neil Campbell proposing a vote of thanks to the President. SOCIAL FUNCTIONS On Friday the Executive of the Federation were guests of the Corporation of Aberdeen at a luncheon and fellow guests were officers and ratings from H.M. Submarine Walrus which was on a visit to the city. Bailie Fraser welcomed the company and Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, Secretary of the Federation, thanked the town council for their hospitality. On Friday evening delegates and friends were given a civic reception in the Beach Ballroom. Thanks was expressed to all concerned by Mr. Thomas Ander­ son, Kilmarnock, Junior Vice-President of the Federation. The conference luncheon was held in the Beach Ballroom after the business meeting on Saturday. The toast of 'The Burns Federation' was proposed by Mr. Kenneth Dron, Rector of Brechin High School. Mr. Easton, the newly-elected President, presided and replied to the toast. A collection on behalf of the Jean Armour Burns Houses, Mauchline, raised £77·47. On Saturday evening a dinner and ceilidh was held in the Music Hall, Union Street. The hosts were the Northern Scottish Counties Area of the Federation and the chair was occupied by Bailie A. Duncan, Peterhead Burns Club. 116 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

On Sunday morning a wreath was laid at the Burns Statue in Union Terrace by Mr. George Sherriffs, Hon. Vice-President, Aberdeen Burns Club. Delegates and friends then attended a service in the West Church of St. Nicholas. In the afternoon there was a bus tour through the Mearns, with visits to Cloch­ nahill Memorial cairn and Glenbervie Churchyard, where a wreath was laid on the family tombstones by Mr. Ronald A. Stephen, President of Banchory Bums Club. At Laurencekirk, Mr. L. K. Burness, a descendant of the Burns family of Kincardineshire, unveiled a plaque at the Gardenston Arms Hotel to commemo­ rate the stay there of Robert Burns during his northern tour in September, 1787. · The final function was a reception at Stonehaven for those on the bus tour, given by office-bearers and members of Stonehaven Fatherland Bums Club, whose President, Mr. W. K. Murray, laid a wreath at the Burns bust in the town. Provost Dr. David Barclay welcomed them on behalf of the town council and Mr. Thomas Anderson replied and proposed votes of thanks. While the business meeting was in progress on Saturday the ladies not attending the meeting were entertained at a coffee morning in the Caledonian Hotel. In the course of the weekend a telegram conveying loyal greetings was sent to the Queen. BURNS CLUB NOTES

0: KILMARNOCK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January, 1972, the 'Inunortal Memory~ was proposed by Rev. T. Gemmill Campbell, M.A. Other events: At our St. Andrew's Night Dinner on 30th November, 1971, the toast, 'Auld Scotia', was proposed by Professor William E. Tyler, M.A., F.L.A. A. REID HAMILTON, Secretary.

1: BURNS CLUB OF LONDON Anniversary Dinner Report: On the 22nd January, 1972, Mr. Duncan Mcintyre proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: During the winter, a meeting of the Vernacular Circle was held each month with guest speakers. A wreath ·was laid at the Burns Statue on the Embankment before the commemorative service at Crown Court Church. A. c. BROWN, Secretary.

2: ALEXANDRIA BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The principal toast was made by Hugh Mcintyre, J.P. JOHN BARTON, Secretary.

5: ERCILDOUNE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Im­ mortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Fred Belford, M.A., F.I.E.S., of Edinburgh. JOHN RAE, Secretary. 7: TlllSTLE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Im­ mortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. R.H. M. Kennedy. Collection for Burns Benevolence amounted to a record sum of £71·00. Other events: Prizes were awarded to the pupils of Adelphi Secondary School for Burns Competition. WILLIAM JAMIESON, Secretary. 118 BURNS CLUB NOTES

9: ROYALTY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Cliffe Hanley. The annual appeals for charities realised £367. Other events: On 30th November, 1971, St. Andrew's Night Dinner. Annual bus run to Prestwick and Ayr took place on 1 lth May, 1972. A wreath was laid at the Burns Statue in George Square, on 22nd January, 1972. Prizes were awarded to pupils of Williamwood High School and Eastwood High School for interest in 'Burns' Works'. JAMES G. JAAP, Secretary.

11 : CHESTERFIELD AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, television personality, David Butler, proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: President's Reception anci Ball, Ceilidh, Haggis Supper and Barn Dance, Wine and Cheese party during the course of the season. The Association was very gratified to hear that its long-standing member, Mrs. V. Broom, had been made an Honorary President of the Federation. W. T. CHAPPELL, Secretary.

14: DUNDEE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Provost J. B. Pow, J.P., of Tayport, Fife. Other events: Annual Club Dinner was held in June, 1972, and our St. Andrew's Night function was held on 27th November, 1971. Social evenings and film shows were held throughout the year. Two wreaths were laid at Burns Statue in Albert Square, one in January and the other one in July, 1972. Members attended a Burns Service in St. Andrew's Church. The Club supplied speakers at various Bums Suppers. It is with regret that I report the death of one of our members, Mr. D. Laird, who was one of the two longest serving members of the Club. FRANK CURRAN, Secretary. BURNS CLUB NOTES 119

20: AIRDRIE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Professor Wm. Barclay. Other events: St. Andrew's Dinner on 30th November, 1972. Former Club President, Mr. William Scobbie, was appointed a Freeman of the Burgh and the Club was well represented at the function. THOMAS J. DUNLOP, Secretary.

21: GREENOCK BURNS CLUB (THE MOTHER CLUB) Anniversary Dinner Report: Professor William Barclay, D.D., proposed the 'Immortal Memory' at the annual celebration on 25th January, 1972. He accepted an Honorary Presidency of the Club. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner on 30th November, 1971. A party of members of Glasgow Haggis Club (No. 33) which celebrated its Centenary this year were entertained by the Club. Spring outing was held to Burns' Cottage and Mausoleum at Alloway, with the President and Secretary of the Alloway Burns Club (No. 1.52) accompanied by their wives as guests at tea. The follo·Ning donations have been made: Jean Armour Burns Homes, £67; Scottish National Dictionary, £45. R. SMITH MACFARLAN, Secretary.

22: EDINBURGH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by The Very Rev. R. Leonard Small, O.B.E., D.D. Other events: Monthly meetings were held during the winter session. (Mrs.) AMELIA ST. C. MUIR, Secretary.

40: ABERDEEN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: 1972 was a memorable year for the Club, marking as it did its Centenary, which was celebrated with a dinner. The 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Donald B. McLeod, D.A., of the B.B.C.

.J 120 BURNS CLUB NOTES

Other events: Apart from the monthly meetings a summer two­ day excursion took place to Dumfries. We also held a St. Andrew's Night function. We had the pleasure in September of acting with other Clubs in the Northern Scottish Counties as hosts to the Bums Federation annual conference. Our Club had the further honour of having our President, Mr. Chiirles C. Easton, elected as President of the Bums Federation. MARGARET A. HAUGHS, Secretary.

42: STRATHEARN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Hugh McColl. Other events: A great write-up in the press, regarding the drop in our membership, has had no response at all. GEORGINA LOWE, Secretary.

45: CUMNOCK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' was pro­ posed by President Mr. James McGirr, and our guest speaker, who proposed the toast of 'Hail Caledonia', was Mr. R. de Soldenhoff, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.O.G. K. H. McCALL, Secretary.

48: PAISLEY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, as always the meeting was chaired and the 'Immortal Memory' proposed by the Club President, on this occasion Mr. Archd. F. Craig. Other events: On 15th June, 1972, our summer outing took us to Argyllshire, birthplace of Dr. T. Y. Bennie, who became President in February, Neil Munro, and innumerable Dukes of Argyll. Sunday, 14th May, 1972, saw the culmination of an effort spon­ sored by the Club to raise funds for a new headstone for Alexander Wilson's grave in Old Swede's Church, Philadelphia. The dedication ceremony took place in Paisley Abbey on that day and the headstone has now been shipped to America. CLARK HUNTER, Secretary.

L BURNS CLUB NOTES 121

49: BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Sheriff Irvine-Smith. Other events: Hallowe'en Supper held on the last Saturday in October. School competition was held on 3rd December, 1971, and was attended by over 300 pupils from the East-end schools in Glasgow. School concert and prize-giving ceremony took place on the 7th January, 1972. PETER DONALDSON, Secretary.

50: STIRLING BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. A. Doyle of Falkirk. HENRY ROBB, Secretary.

55: DERBY SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION AND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by George Gibson, esq., Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Association. Other events: The Guest of Honour at the President's Reception on 15th September, 1971, was the President of the Bums Federation, Matthew McLauchlan, Esq. DEREK McLEOD, Secretary.

62: CUPAR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, Mr. Thomas H. Mann of Arbroath Bums Club gave the toast of the 'Immortal Memory'. F. SMALL, Secretary.

69: DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Club Patron, Mr. William Brown, M.B.E. Other events: On 23rd January, 1972, in the presence of Club members the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr. J. G. Barnes, placed a wreath on the Burns Statue in the Octagon, Dunedin, after which some 60 members attended Evening Service in First Church, Dunedin. The first Minister of this Church was Rev. Dr. Thomas Burns, a nephew of the poet. 122 BURNS CLUB NOTES

On 24th January approximately 700 persons attended the Burns Anniversary Concert in the Concert Chamber of Dunedin Town Hall. The Club continues to hold monthly concerts in Burns Hall on the third Wednesday and during the winter months additional subsidiary meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. We maintain a friendly liason with the Southland Burns Club in Invercargill, 60 of our members having joined with the Southland members on 25th September, 1971, for a concert and supper. We were favoured with a return visit by members of the Southland Club who travelled to Dunedin on 18th March, 1972. Dunedin Burns Club was represented at the inaugural meeting of the Canterbury Burns Club recently formed in Christchurch. Members of the Dunedin Burns Club Entertainment Group have provided entertainment for the inmates of old people's homes, rest homes and hospitals during the year. J. D. McDONALD, Secretary.

Editor's Note: Although posted to us, we regret that the previous year's report of the above Club failed to arrive.

71: CARLISLE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January, 1972, the 'Inunortal Memory' was proposed by Edward C. Annstrong, Town Clerk and Chamberlain of Langholm. Other events: At the annual general meeting Dr. R. M. Yule was proposed as President, a position he occupied in 1962/3. The annual bowling fixture with the Port Carlisle Bowling Club was won by the Port Carlisle team. S. SINCLAIR, Secretary.

74: THE NATIONAL BURNS MEMORIAL AND C01TAGE HOMES, MAUCHLINE During the year the improvements to the Pavilion mentioned in last year's report have been completed. The Committee were able, during the fuel crisis in the winter, to arrange for emergency feed heating and lighting which was very much appreciated by the Cottagers. Funds are still required and the continued support of the Federa­ tion and Clubs affiliated thereto is much appreciated. JOHN FINDLAY, Secretary and Treasurer. BURNS CLUB NOTES 123

85: DUNFERMLINE UNITED BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 19th January, 1972, the Hon. Lord Birsay. C.B.E., T.D., M.A., LL.B., Q.C., submitted the 'Immortal Memory'. J. TORRIE, Secretary.

89: SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Inunortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Andrew Charters, President of Ayr Bums Club. Other events: Fortnightly meetings from September to April were again well attended and speakers mainly of a very high quality thanks to the exertions of the President, Mr. R. G. Wilson. As last year's report went astray in the post, regrettably, a very excellent President, Mr. R. G. Wilson, went unrecorded in the List of Clubs, and the Chronicle missed the story of how Mr. and Mrs. Bruce brought the Scottish Bums Club from Edinburgh on a visit to Co. Durham and how they were entertained by the Sunderland Burns Club, where one of the visitors, Mrs. John McVie, renewed acquaintance with a very old friend, Bums Federation Past-President Dr. J. S. Montgomerie. w. K. DONNAN, Secretary.

96: JEDBURGH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. David M. S. Steel, M.A., LL.B., M.P. J. K. PATON, Secretary.

112: BURNS HOWFF CLUB, DUMFRIES Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Rev. F. I. MacDonald, M.A.(Edin.), Tinwald, Dumfries. Other events: On 25th January, 1972, after a memorial service in St. Michael's Church, the Rev. F. I. MacDonald laid a wreath on the Poet's grave in the Mausoleum on behalf of the Club. This ceremony was attended by the Provost, Magistrates and Councillors of Dumfries and also members of the various Bums Clubs in the town. _J 124 BURNS CLUB NOTES available The following back numbers of the Burns Chronicle are them:- which we are prepared to sell to any Club which requires copy; 1936, 1916, 2 copies; 1925, 1 copy; 1926, 2 copies; 1935, 1 2 copies; 4 copies; 1937, 1copy;1938, 2 copies; 1939, 1copy;1940, 1950, 1942, 2 copies; 1943, 1 copy; 1948, 2 copies; 1949, 26 copies; 7 copies; 2 copies; 1951, 1copy;1952, 1copy;1958, 11copies;1959, copy; 1964, 1960, 10 copies; 1961, 10 copies; 1962, 1 copy; 1963, 1 1 copy; 8 copies; 1966, 2copies; 1967, 5 copies; 1968, 5copies;1969, 1970, 3 copies; 1971, 4 copies. DAVID SMITH, Secretary.

120: BRISTOL CALEDONIAN SOCIETY the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. J. Sluglett. Day Other events: The usual functions, including St. Andrew's Dinner/Dance and St. Andrew's Festival Church Service. Lieut. Comdr. DOUGLAS W. WooLER, R.N., Secretary.

133: NEW ARTHILL BURNS CLUB the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. George Vallance. was Other events: Our annual School Children's Competition held on 25th January, 1972. THOS. BOSLEM, Secretary.

149; ELGIN BURNS CLUB the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, Daiches. 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Professor David WILLIAM D. G. CHALMERS, Secretary.

152: THE HAMILTON BURNS CLUB toast Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the by Mr. to the 'Immortal Memory of Robert Bums', was proposed G. Morris Smellie, President of the Club. 1972 to Other events: Prizes were awarded during the summer of Scottish the seven senior schools in Hamilton in connection with the in the Literature Competition. About 1000 pupils took part competition, which is arranged by the staff of each school. L. PATTISON, Secretary. BURNS CLUB NOTES 125

153: SCOTTISH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January, 1972, our guest speaker, who proposed the 'Immortal Memory', was Mr. Andrew Hamilton, Dechmont Farm, Cambuslang. A generous collection for the Jean Armour Burns Houses was forwarded to the Glasgow and District Burns Association. Other events: On 22nd January, 1972, our Club was represented by our President, Mr. John C. McNicol, at the Burns Statue Wreath Laying Ceremony in George Square, Glasgow. On 6th May, 1972, we made our annual visit to the Jean Armour Bums Houses at Mauchline and thereafter to the Irvine Burns Club Museum. On lst August, 1972, the Club was represented by 9 fours at the annual competition for the McLennan Cup organised by the Glasgow and District Burns Bowling Association. Usual monthly meetings were held from October to March. J.E. FISHER, Secretary.

158: DARLINGTON BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: The Burns Federation's Secretary/ Treasurer, Mr. Jock Thomson, proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: St. Andrew's Celebration Dinner. Our regular events, Literary Evening, Whist Drives, Hallowe'en Ceilidh, Scottish C.D. Classes, etc., were held as usual and were well attended. T. W. CRATER, Secretary.

167: THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SCOTTISH SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: At the Bums Dinner and Dance the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Professor J. M. Sinclair. Other events: A St. Andrew's Dance, St. Andrew's Day church service, Hogmanay Ball and Caledonian Ball. W. F. PRINGLE, Secretary.

173: IRVINE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by President James Wales.

j 126 BURNS CLUB NOTES

Other events: Wreath laying Ceremony at Irvine Moor on Sunday, 23rd January, 1972. Fund raising Barn Dance at Corsehill Farm in June. St. Andrew's Night function. Among many aquisitions to the Club are five original paintings depicting Tam O' Shanter by Angus Scott, and a pencil drawing of Bums by Alexander Naysmith, but the highlight of the year was the purchase of a beautiful copy of the Kilmarnock Edition. ANDREW Hooo, Secretary.

190: PORT GLASGOW BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Bro. 'Bob' Smith, ofGourock Jolly Beggars. Other events: St. Andrew's Night function. The annual coach tour took place at the end of May to Dumfries and surrounding district. A few harmony evenings were held during the winter. COLIN MACKENZIE, Secretary.

192: AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS Our Association hold an Annual Church Service i~ place of a dinner. This year we were privileged to attend morning service with the congregation of Tarbolton Parish Church. The Minister, Revd. I. McDonald, conducted the service and the praise, well led by the church choir, consisted of old Scots psalms. The lessons were read by Pres. Mrs. Jean Anderson and Mr. T. Anderson, Junior Vice-Pres. the Bums Federation. The Masonic Lodge and Bachelors' Club were specially opened to allow our members to visit these places with such memorable connection with Burns. Tea was provided in the church hall by the kindness of the Bachelors' Club. The Association laid a wreath at Burns Statue Square on 25th January, 1972, and also before the Leglen Wood Ceremony. Both occasions were well attended by our members. Quarterly meetings were held at Burns Cottage, Alloway, Irvine Burns Club and at Ayr and Kilmarnock. GEORGE VALLANCE, Secretary. BURNS CLUB NOTES 127

197: THE WINNIPEG ROBERT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, Mr. W. A. Welsh gave the toast to the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: A picnic at Sinawik Bay for our members. Our President presented the Winnipeg Pipe Band (the winners) with the usual annual Trophy. Mrs. HELEN DRAYSON, Secretary.

209: GREENOCK ST. JOHN'S BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 20th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Rev. Donald Morrison, M.A. The Club took part in the Wylie Bowling Trophy Competition. ROBERT MILLER, Secretary. 212: PORTOBELLO BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, Hugh C. Brown was installed as Honorary President and he proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. The proceedings were recorded on tape to be sent to Professor Toshie Namba of Tokio University. Other events: The Club continued its practice of awarding prizes to schools in the neighbourhood to encourage the study of Scots literature. Twenty-four prizes were awarded. The Club held a bus outing in East Lothian in April and a Bowling Competition in August. ROBERT MACKAY, Secretary.

217: ESKDALE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. James Veitch, Editor of Robert Burns Chronicle. (Mrs.) JEAN M. MACKIE, Secretary.

220: BURNS CLUB OF SAINT LOUIS Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, Mr. Edmund C. Rogers, our President, proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. Dr. James T. Cleland, Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, gave an address on the subject: 'ls Robert Bums in Heaven?'. ROBERT E. BURNS, Secretary. 128 BURNS CLUB NOTES

226: DUMFRIES BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. Jane Burgoyne. Other events: On the morning of 25th January, 1972, the Club President, Mr. A. W. Finlayson, laid a wreath at Bums Statue. In the afternoon a short commemorative service was held at St. Michael's Church attended by civic dignitaries and members of the various Burns Clubs of Dumfries. After the service the Club President presided at a short wreath laying ceremony at the Mauso­ leum in the church yard. Other events: Mr. Andrew Young was the principal speaker at the St. Andrew's Night function where honorary membership was conferred on Mr. James Kingan. W. J. McJANNET, Secretary. 242: MONTROSE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, Mr. Chas. Easton, Aberdeen, gave the 'Immortal Memory' . . JAMES SMEATON, Secretary. 252: ALLOWAY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by R. D. Hunter, M.B.E., Town Clerk, Curnnock. Other events: October, 1971-Talk and slide show, 'Memories of Ayr', by Wm. M. Ramsay, Esq., of Ayr. St. Andrew's Night, November, 1971-A talk by Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., Past President Bums Federation. During the evening the Club's President, Mr. James Wilson, was presented with the Badge of Office by Mrs. J. Limond, of Alloway. This Badge of Office was purchased by members' contributions, and this is the first time that Alloway Burns Club has had a Badge of Office since the Club was formed in 1908. February, 1972-The annual concert given by pupils of Alloway Primary School enabled the Club to donate £16·30 to the Scottish National Dictionary Association. March, 1972-Film show and talk was given by J. Kirkwood Milroy on the work of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution. The usual prizes were donated to winners of the Bums Competi· tion in Alloway School. Two summer outings were held, visit to Irvine Burns Club in May, and a visit to Dumfries in June. GEORGE A. BRYAN, Secretary. BURNS CLUB NOTES 129

263: GLASGOW MASONIC BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., Past President of the Bums Federation. This was a unique occasion for it was the first time a lady had proposed the toast at our annual dinner. Other events: The St. Andrew's Night address was given by Bro. Samuel Love, P.G.G.M. (Ren. East), Club Hon. President. Talks were given during the session. Annual bus run took place to Irvine Burns Club. Children's Verse Speaking Competition. We deeply regret the passing of several of our members, including our Hon. President, Bro. Samuel Love, P.G.G.M. (Ren. East). LESLIE S. McGREGOR, P.P. Secretary.

274: TROON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by our President, H. M. McCulloch, M.A. Other events: A presentation was made to T. Montgomery Brown, who was the Club Secretary for 21 years. ROBERT C. INNES, Secretary.

293: NEWCRAIGHALL DISTRICT POOSIE NANSIE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Rev. John Sinclair, Minister of the lo'cal Parish Church. This was a repeat of 50 years ago when the Minister then, Rev. Adam Hunter, proposed the first 'Immortal Memory' in the Club. The President received an inscribed Gavel on behalf of the Club, kindly presented by Mrs. May Mallinson, the wife of one of our past Presidents. Other events: The Club donated seven booksofBums's Works to seven schools in the district, as prizes for the Bums Competition. Our annual 'Bums Shiela' Bowling Competition was held at Niddrie Bowling Green with the result-Jewel Bowling Club 3!- pts, Burns Club It pts, Niddrie Club 1 pt. Our Club acted as hosts. GEORGE FLOCKHART, Secretary.

E 130 BURNS CLUB NOTES

307: EDINBURGH AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' was pro· poseci by Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., immediate Past President of the Burns Federation. Other events: Various functions included annual Dinner Dance, Whist Drive, Children's Party, Ladies Whist Drive, Social Evening and Travel Talk by Mrs. Tennant on 'Panama', and 'A' Rockin. G. HENDERSON LAING, Secretary.

310: MAUCHLINE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Rev. A. M. Nicolson, Cath· cart Church, Ayr. An appeal on behalf of the Jean Armour Burns Houses raised £17. Other events: Monthly formal and informal meetings are still attracting good attendances. The Club presented prizes to Auchinleck Academy on the occasion of its first Burns' Song Contest. DAVID I. LYELL, · Secretary.

314; SCOTTISH BURNS CLUB (EDINBURGH) Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. A. Mackie. Other events: 20th June, 1972, annual outing to Glamis and Kirriemuir. 19th November, 1971, 48 members travelled by private coach to the EDBCA Prize Draw and Social Evening at the Musselburgh Golf Club. Monthly meetings from October to April-Illustrated Talks and Musical Entertainment. (Mrs.) JESSIE A. BRUCE, Secretary.

323; KIRKCUDBRIGHT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. David Shankland, Lochmaben, Dumfries. ADAM GRAY, Secretary. BURNS CLUB NOTES 131

329: NEWARK AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. Anderson Wilson of Sheffield. Other events: Eight very successful functions were held, including a St. Andrew's Night ceilidh. (Mrs.) CATHERINE KENNEDY, Secretary.

346: OAKBANK MOSSGIEL BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. M. Brown, Dedridge. E. G. WALKER, Secretary. 348: NEWTON JEAN ARMOUR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The dinner was held on 21st January, 1972. A successful evening's entertainment was supplied by Mrs. Barclay and Mrs. Rennie, visitors to the Club. Members of the Club also joined in to make this an enjoyable evening. Other events: Xmas Dinner and Dance was held on the 23rd December, 1971, and was a success. Member, Mrs. Milligan, acted as Santa and goods bought from Santa's sack came to the amount of £7·00. This the Club donated to the Old Age Pensioners' Annual Treat. Mrs. SKEAN, Secretary.

349: HOWFF BURNS CLUB (KILMARNOCK) Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January, 1972, the 'Im­ mortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. Maisie Garven, Kilmarnock. Other events: Our Club compiled a 'Burns Quiz' and sold copies at 5 pence each. Book tokens were awarded to the three winners. On 23rd January, 1972, several members attended the Burns Church Service in Tarbolton. On 25th January, 1972, a wreath was laid on behalf of the Club by the Secretary at Burns Statue, Ayr. On 23rd July, 1972, several members attended the wreath-laying at Ayr; a wreath was laid by our President. We also attended the service at Leglen Wood. A book of 'Bums's Poetical Works' was awarded to the winner of School Bums Competition in James Hamilton Academy. (Mrs.) ENEz LooAN, Secretary.

J 132 BURNS CLUB NOTES

360:LOCHEEBURNSCLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January, 1972, the J. 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by our Hon. Chaplain, Rev. Mackay Nimmo, M.A. Other events: Members of the Club took part in 37 Burns Suppers and Concerts at Old Folk's Homes, Handicapped and Old Age Pensioners Clubs, Community Centres and W.R. Institutes. Members attended Bums Services in St. Andrew's and St. Columba's Churches. Seven monthly meetings were held during the session and our at Annual Supper and Dance took place on the Sth April, 1972, Blairgowrie. We regret to have to report the death of Mr. John J. Tosh on the 25th April, 1972. He was a loyal member and a good friend of Club with a deep love and profound knowledge of the Bard. J. G. WATI, Secretary.

365: CATRINE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. James Glass, Ayr. Other events: A Sununer outing in May, 1971, to Dumfries. Monthly meetings were held from October, 1971, till April, 1972. JAMES Y. ROXBURGH, Secretary.

366: LIVERPOOL BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 197'?, the 'Inunortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Fitzroy Lloyd-Maclean, Director of Liverpool Design Centre. Other events: The usual socials and Club evenings were held the during the winter months and rambles were arranged during summer. MARGARET J. BROWNLIE, Secretary.

370: DUNDONALD BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Rev. James Currie proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: The Club is sponsoring a special Scottish Night in the Station Hotel, Ayr, in memory of the late Rev. A. M. Beaton, BURNS CLUB NOTES 133

Hon. President of the Club and President of An Comunn Gaidhealach, to raise funds for the National Mod to be held in Ayr in October, 1973. St. Andrew's Night function. Monthly meetings are also held. G. DAWES, Secretary.

378: EDINBURGH AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUBS ASSOCIATION The wreath-laying ceremony at Burns Monument, Regent Road, took place on 23rd January, 1972. Annual Burns Verse ana Song Competition for Edinburgh primary schools. Prize draw and social evening. G. HENDERSON LAINO, Secretary.

403: FRASERBUROH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' was pro­ posed by Mr. David Yellowlees of Muirhall, Perth, formerly Chairman of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board and the National Farmers Union. Other events: Two members, Mr. William D. Kennedy, retired Rector of Fraserburgh Academy, and Mr. James M. Fraser,janitor of the school, were elected Honorary Members of the Club. Both had joined the Club at the Centenary Scott Dinner in 1932 and have given loyal and yeomen service to the Cl~b. Mr. Kennedy was a Past President and had served on the Com­ mittee for over 20 years and had proposed the 'Immortal Memory', while Mr Fraser, also a Past President, had piped in 'The Haggis' at practically every dinner and was reserve reciter of 'Tam o' Shanter' JAS. B. KAY, Secretary.

437: DUMFRIES LADIES' BURNS CLUB NO 1 Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Im­ mortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. Young, Headmaster of Locharbriggs School. Other events: At monthly meetings we had demonstrations and talks. 134 BURNS CLUB NOTES

Evening drive took place round Solway Shore. Our usual prize was sent to Dumfries Musical Festival. Christmas donation was given to the residents of Rowantree House Old Folk's Home and gifts were taken to elderly members of our Club. MARY B SCHLAG, Secretary.

443: VICTORIA BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: After postponement owing to weather, our dinner was held in February, 1972; the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr John Barbour. Other events: Fourteen members have passed away during the past two seasons, so that our membership has dwindled to 30 and four Life Members. Our Club had a cruise around the Gulf Islands on 6th July, 1972. At present our Secretary is in Scotland and hopes to attend the annual conference. (Mrs.) ANGUS McKAY, for Secretary.

454: ROTHERHAM AND DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, a past President and Honorary Treasurer for many years, Mr. Bob Matthews, proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: President's Reception, St. Andrew's Dinner Dance, lst December, 1971, and New Year's Ball, lst January, 1972. W. INGRAM, Hon. Secretary. I ! 458: THE STONEHAVEN (FATHERLAND) BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Rev. James Wilkie. Other events: A programme of a Burns Supper dated 26th I January, 1903, was gifted to the Club by one of our oldest members, Mrs. Pithie. 011r annual outing was to Blair Castle on 4th June, 1972. I (Mrs.) MARJORY LEIPER, I Secretary. !

469: DENNY CROSS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. McNeilage. BURNS CLUB NOTES 135

For the first time in the history of the Club 'Tam o' Shanter' was recited by a lady, Mrs. D. Blair. Other events: St. Andrew's Dinner. Garden Fete in aid of old folks. School Competitions were held. Monthly meetings, talks, film shows, etc. A. HUNTER, Secretary.

470: ST. GILES BURNS CLUB, ELGIN Anniversary Dinner Report: On 20th January, 1972, the principal guest was Mr. Tom Chasser, Chief Constable, North East Counties Constabulary. After proposing the 'Immortal Memory' Mr. Chasser was made an Hon. Member. Other events: The Club received a double blow during the year by the death of two well-known members: Lord Provost George Edgar, and ex-Lord Provost George Smith, who was our principal guest in 1971. The Club gave a donation of £20 towards the Aberdeen Con- ference funds. LOUIS G. GOWANS, Secretary.

472: RENFREWSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS The Annual Burns Essay Competitions in schools produced 1,195 entries. This year's Wylie Bowling Competition was won by Fort Matilda Burns Club, which also won the prize for the highest-up rink. ROBERT MILLER, Secretary. 476: BORDER cmES BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, the speaker was Mr. Allan Strachan, reporter from the Windsor Star in Windsor. Other events: Ladies' Night, St. Andrew's Night and the Annual Golf Tournament. JOHN G. SAUNDERS, Secretary.

492: HARROW AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by W. B. Champion, Esq., of the Burns Club of London. Other events: The season included many cultural and entertaining 136 BURNS CLUB NOTES The diversions, such as Mr. Kenneth Roberton discoursing on 1972, Orpheus Choir, a St. Andrew's celebration on 30th October, and the annual Children's Hallowe'en Party. G. F. MACFARLANE, Secretary.

511: PERTH (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. J. Gray, Treasurer. The proceedings were televised and has resulted in good publicity for our Club meetings. Other events: A luncheon held at the 'Robert Burns Eating House'. Guests at Perth and Fremantle Scottish Societies' Burns Dinners. Picnics to Kings Park and Cotteslow Civic Centre (Mrs.) JANET RUSSELL, Secretary.

516: THE AIRTS BURNS CLUB, PRESTONPANS the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, M.A., 'Immortal Memory' was given by Mr. Fred. J. Belford, F.E.l.S., a past President of the Burns Federation. Other events: Monthly dances throughout the year, and a Burns Concert during the Prestonpans Civic Week. Bus drive round East Lothian and Berwickshire. WALTER M. MUIR, Secretary.

530: SOUTHERN SCOTilSH COUNTIES BURNS ASSOCIATION The Commemorative Service was held in St. Michael's Church and on 25th January, 1972. Provost E. Robertson, J.P., 0.B.E., representatives from Bums Clubs were in attendance. The wreath­ laying ceremony at the Mausoleum followed thereafter. Twenty-four schools and 2,717 pupils took part in the Scottish Literature Competition and 70 prizes were donated. of Two Burns Clubs visited Dumfries and were met by members the Association. Visits to places of interest were made, including Burns House and Mausoleum. (Mrs.) MARY SHEARER, Secretary.

534: BEDLINGTON AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, BURNS CLUB NOTES 137

'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. T. M. Sinclair of Berwick. Other events: A series of six dances were held during the season, the proceeds of which were given to local charities. R. B. HAMILTON, Secretary. 548: LEEDS CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. James McGregor from Aberfeldy. J. B. TURNBULL, Secretary.

551: SCARBOROUGH CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by our own member, Peter Mitchell. Other events: Our Scottish Ball was held on 5th November, 1971. The St. Andrew's Night Dinner and Dance. T. FERGUSON, Secretary.

553; WOLVERHAMPTON AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. R. McDonald Rowland. Other events: A Barn Dance, Hallowe'en Party, St. Andrew's Dance, Hogmanay Dance and other functions. A. s. NEILSON, Secretary.

555: HARROGATE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: the 'Immortal Memory' was pro- posed by Mr. Ian H. Johnston, B.Sc., of York. Other events: St. Andrew's Day Commemoration Service. St. Andrew's Day Dinner and Dance. Hogmanay Dance and other functions. IAN ROBERTSON, Secretary.

566: THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY AND BURNS CLUB OF AUSTRALIA Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, our Guests of Honour were The Hon. Wal. Fife, Minister for Mines and 138 BURNS CLUB NOTES

Minister for Conservation, and Mrs. Fife. by our The toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed Immediate Past President, Mrs. H. V. S. (Jean) London. Evening Other events: At our St. Andrew's Remembrance of Epping function in November, 1971, the Rev. Peter Boase, our TV Presbyterian Church and a well-known personality on Channels, was the principal speaker. Our monthly programmes have been very well attended. (Miss) GRACE c. CAMPBELL, J.P., Secretary.

572; CHESTER CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION by Anniversary Dinner Report: The principal toast was proposed the Reverend W. Scott Campbell, M.A. Other events: A ceilidh was held in October, 1971. A Caledonian Ball in honour of St. Andrew's Day and a Highland Ball were also held. T. s. LEA, Secretary.

Editor's Note: The Editor takes this opportunity to thank Mr. heraldic Lea for sending him a copy of his Club's version of Burns's arms and has brought this to the notice of the Scottish Literature Committee.

580:CUMBRAEBURNSCLUB the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, O.B.E., 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Robt. S. Allan, B.E.M. Other events: Annual Ladies' and St. Andrew's Night Dance. JAS. c. ALLAN, Secretary.

585: QUEEN'S PARK 'CLARINDA' BURNS CIRCLE the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, John 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Provost of Paisley, S. Smart, B.L., J.P. at A collection was taken on behalf of the Jean Armour Houses Mauchline and £26 received. Other events: Four other well-attended meetings held throughout the session. G. 0. MARTIN, Hon. Secretary.

J BURNS CLUB NOTES 139

593: BARRMILL JOLLY BEGGARS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, Mr. W. Graham proposed the toast to the 'Inunortal Memory'. During the evening ex-President-Cronie J. McCowan was pre­ sented with a copy of The Burns Encyclopaedia. Other events: Open Nights, with guest speakers, were held throughout the season. We also held a St. Andrew's Night function on 26th November, 1971. B. c. BEARE, Secretary.

597: THE BURNS SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Anniversary Dinner Report: A. Mervyn Davies, author and lecturer, delivered a toast entitled 'Abe Lincoln's Affection for the Bard'. ROBERT W. MORRISON, Secretary.

612: TORRANCE MASONIC SOCIAL AND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Glasgow Sheriff, J. Irvine Smith, M.A., LL.B. A hearty response to the 'Jean Armour Building Fund' Appeal resulted in a collection of £20·50. Other events: St. Andrew's Night function on 27th November, 1971. The Club attended Armistice Anniversary Divine Service in Torrance Church. The Club also joined in combined Divine . service with the Glasgow Masonic Burns Club in Colston-Milton Church where the Rev. John M. Stewart, Hon. Pres. of Torrance Masonic Burns Oub, gave the sermon. FRED. C. JORDAN, P.P., Secretary.

626: MOFFAT AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. David Campbell, Dalruscan Cottage, Amisfield, by Dumfries. Other events: Usual monthly meetings were held from October to April. CHARLES J. YoUNo, Secretary. L 140 BURNS CLUB NOTES

627: KINROSS JOLLY BEGGARS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the Rev. Robert Paterson, B.D., F.S.A.Scot., Balloch. We have to record with deep regret the passing of two loyal members, Mr. John S. Lowe, who was a former President and committee member, and Mr. Andrew M. Kirker, who was accom· panist for many years. JOHN Kwo, Secretary.

630: COALSNAUGHTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Alderman Tom Meffen, Lord Mayor of Coventry. Collection uplifted on behalf of the Jean Armour Burns Houses was£20. This year the Club organised an Anniversary Dinner for the wives of members. This was held within the Club rooms on 18th January, 1972. Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., Past President and Hon. Presi· dent of the Bums Federation, proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: 30th October, 1971-Hallowe'en Party for mem· hers, members' wives and children. lOth June, 1972-Children's Picnic to Burntisland. 23rd July, 1972-Members with wives attended the Wreath Laying and Service at Leglen Wood and also visited Irvine Burns Club Museum. This was the first occasion the President's Badge of Office was worn. Book prizes were awarded to winners of School Bums Compe· tition. Books were also gifted to young children who took up school during the year. Social evenings were held within the Club rooms during the year. ALEX. c. COOK, Secretary.

632: SYMINGTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Andrew Charters, Ayr. A collection taken on behalf of the Bums Houses and Burns Memorial Homes at Mauchline amounted to £13·60.

"' · ...... BURNS CLUB NOTES 141

Other events: Annual outing took the form of a sail on Loch Lomond. St. Andrew's Night function at which Mr. D. J. Mclldowie, a Past President of the Burns Federation, was the guest speaker. Our Club was represented at Burns Church Service in January at Tarbolton, and Burns Commemorative Service in July at Leglen Wood. Prizes were awarded to winners of School Burns Competitions, who with other school children provided the entertainment at the March meeting. Usual functions during the session and usual donations given to charities. (Mrs.) JEAN ANDERSON, Secretary.

646: CLEAR WINDING DEVON BURNS CLUB, ALVA Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Chief-Inspector Roland Fraser of Stirling and Clackmannanshire Constabulary. Other events: Prizes were again donated to the local school. A St. Andrew's Night was held and five other social evenings were arranged at monthly intervals during the winter season. An active interest was taken in the activities of the local Area Federation. The Club suffered a great loss in July by the passing of Mrs. Christina Allan, a Founder Member of the present Club and an active supporter of its predecessor, the former Alva Burns Club, at a time when its membership was all-male. Mrs. Allan, who was in her 85th year, was an Honorary Vice-President of the Club in recognition of her yeoman service to the Bums movement and was also a regular attender at meetings of the Area Federation until 1971. (Mrs.) ANNA LAW, Secretary.

659:DUNDEEBURNSSOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January, 1972, the Rev. T. Gemmel Campbell, M.A., F.S.A.(Scot.), of Arbroath, proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. JAMES N. ROBB, Secretary.

L_ 142 BURNS CLUB NOTES

660: LANGHOLM LADIES' BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January, 1972, the 'Inunortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. A. E.W. Finlayson, M.A., F.E.I.S., President of Dumfries Burns Club. Other events: At the St. Andrew's Night meeting the speaker was the Revd. J. J. Glover, M.A., Minister of Erskine Parish Church, Langholm. A bring-and-buy sale in aid of Club funds was held in February. On 17th May, 1972, a Coffee Evening and Sale was held in aid of Federation Conference (1973) Fund. The Sale was opened by Mr. D. S. Brockbank, Dumfries, Treasurer of the Conference Fund. Also present were Mr. H. G. McKerrow, J.P., and Mr. H. Cunningham, Members of the Execu­ tive of the Burns Federation, and Provost J. Grieve, Langholm. (Mrs.) MARGARET A. BROWN, Secretary.

681 : CRONIES BURNS CLUB, KILMARNOCK Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' was pro­ posed by the Rev. E. T. Hewitt, Loudoun Old Parish Church, Newmilns. Other events: Thirty-two members attended the Annual Church Service in Tarbolton Church on 23rd January. At our closing meeting in April, we had 33 members of Riccarton Harmony Club as our guests. Bus outing on 2lst May to Dumfries and Ellisland. Over 30 members attended the Wreath Laying Service at Burns Statue Square on Sunday 23rd July, 1972, the President, Mr. T. A. MacMillan, laying a wreath on behalf of the Club. The members thereafter attended the service at Leglen Wood and visited Burns Cottage at Alloway. STUART TwEEDIE, Secretary.

683: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Im· mortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. T. Baird of Coventry. Other events: Visit of Burns Federation Conference on Sunday, 12th September, 1971. President's Evening in September, 1971, and various other traditional functions. (Mrs.) A. K. SINTON, Secretary.

...... ' BURNS CLUB NOTES 143

695: KILMARONOCK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. James Goldie of Dum­ barton. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held on 26th November, 1971. A members' social night was held in March and October. MAY CALDWELL, Secretary.

696: WHITLEY BAY AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Jimmy Mason, Esq., Centenary President of London Burns Club. Other events: St. Andrew's Ball and Annual Church Service. (Miss) J. H. CoLVILLE, Secretary.

699; CHOPPINGTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner was not held due to lack of support on account of miners' strike. Other events: Hallowe'en Dinner Dance in October, 1971. St. Andrew's Dinner Dance in November, 1971. J.E. GODDEN, Secretary.

701: THE DETROIT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by the President of the Club, Mr. John Ross. Other events: Ladies' Night luncheon and concert, 3rd March, 1972. Since our last meeting another of our brothers, Mr. Jack McPhee, has gone to the 'Land of the Leal'. SAM R. DICKEY, Secretary.

706: NORTH LINDSEY SCOTS SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. James Pryde of Selkirk. Other events: President's Reception, 15th October, 1971.

_____ j 144 BURNS CLUB NOTES

St. Andrew's Dinner and Dance, 26th November, 1971. Traditional functions were celebrated throughout the year. ELIZABETH L. DAVENPORT, Secretary.

718: THE ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF YORK Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was submitted by Dr. D. MacMillan, Leeds. Other events: President's Reception was held in October, 1971. Hogmanay Ball on 3lst December, 1971. Final of the Yorks Societies Quiz was hela at York. Various functions were held during the year and we also have an active Ladies' Circle within the Society. ROBERT R. FERGUSON, Secretary.

720: RETFORD DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mrs. C. T. Massey, B.Sc., mother of the President, and a past President of the Society. Other events: Hallowe'en Party, St. Andrew's Night, Haggis Supper, social evenings and a joint evening with the Welsh Society. D. I. wALKER, Secretary.

721: PLYMOUTH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was given by the President. Cheques were donated to local charities. Other events: The Secretary appeared live on Westward TV to address the Haggis. This is something we have wanted for many years and at long last we had a Burns Night for the region. Usual traditional functions were held. A week-end outing to London. Twelve of our members attended the Burns Federation Conference at Coventry. A Burns Nicht at which the Lassies give all the toasts. (Mrs.) W. Ross BAXTER, Secretary.

!

' L. " BURNS CLUB NOTES 145

722: BRIDLINGTON AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'lrrunortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. G. Mair, President of Whitby Caledonian Society. Other events: All the usual functions and a Scottish Family Night on 21st July, 1972. E. PENROSE, Secretary.

723: STRATHPEFFER BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Robert M. Inglis, Esq., M.A., Director of Education for Ross and Cromarty. Other events: The Annual Burns Competition held at the Fodderty and Contin Schools were once again keenly contested, when the prize-winners received copies of the Works of Burns, these being provided by the Club. WILLIAM S. FAIRHOLM, M.B.E., Secretary.

726: MELBOURNE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Due to an electrical strike, the dinner was postponed until 2Sth February, 1972. The 'Inunortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Tom Paterson, a well known speaker on Robert Burns. Other events: An evening spent at the home of the President, Mr. M. B. Price. Another effort by the Club was held to raise money for the Jean Armour Homes. Our socials have been a success and our membership has in- creased, although we have lost a number of elderly members, whose passing we deeply regret. STELLA M. BROWN, Secretary.

743: ROMfORD SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: Russell Johnston, Esq., Member of Parliament for Inverness, proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' on 26th January, 1972. Other events: President's Reception, Hogmanay Dance, Reel Club Dance and Ceilidhs. (Mrs.) J. A. MACKINTOSH, Secretary.

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748: OUPLAYMUIR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, James McAulay, Esq., proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memozy'. ALEX SCOUSE, Secretary.

768: AUCHTERDERRAN JOLLY BEGGARS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, Mr. John Burke, a member of the Club, proposed the 'Immortal Memozy'. Other events: Hallowe'en Supper on 30th October, 1971. Club. members provided a night's entertainment at The British Legion Club, Kirkcaldy. Burns Supper also at the Minto Social Club, Lochgelly. The Club donated book prizes and Federation Diplomas to the Auchterderran Secondary School competitions. JAS. PENMAN, Secretary.

780: ISLE OF MAN CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversazy Dinner Report: On 25th Januazy, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was given by Mr. George Deans, Secretary of the Royal Caledonian School. Other events: Hallowe'en Dance, St. Andrew's Dinner/Dance, Hogmanay Ball, Coffee Evening and Mannequin Parade in aid of Anti-Cancer Fund, Car Rally and Spring Dance. A. C. PETERKIN, Secretary.

796: GATESHEAD AND DISTRICT ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. James Grant, a Past President of the Society. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner. A coffee evening was held on 17th May, 1972. On 3rd June, 1972, the Society acted as hosts for the North East Federation Annual General Meeting which was preceded by a Bowls Competition in Saltwell Park. Mr. Andrew Black, the Society President, was presented with the Chain of Office as President of North East Burns Federation. LILIAN M. CHALMERS, Secretary.

I I "''... ,.. . ·"""~------~.~ ~ BURNS CLUB NOTES 147

803: BOWHILL PEOPLe's BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Dr. Gordon Greig, Bowhill. Other events: The Club members put on a full show at the following Bums Suppers: Links O.A;P.A., Kirkcaldy; Sinclairtown Railway Club, Kirkcaldy; Dysart O.A.P.A., Kirkcalcly; Bonnie Jean Travel Club, Kirkcaldy; North Queensferry' Hotel Burns Supper. They also gave a Burns Concert for the old folk at Bowhill. Speakers ga\

808: PONTEFRACT AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. W. Brodie, P.P. Cale­ donian Society of Worksop. Other events: Traditional functions, including visit to Edinburgh Tattoo. A visit was made to the Bums Conference at Coventry, for the installation of our Society's own Patron, Mr. M. McLauchlan. The Society's Pipe Band was again very active, visiting several Games and winning cups, and also appearing on Television. Scottish Country Dancing Club again held two very successful dances. Badminton Club goes from strength to strength. (Mrs.) vALERIE RICHMOND, Secretary.

809: ALLANTON JOLLY BEGGARS Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. John Shedden, Esq., a member of the Club. Other events: On 15th March, 1972, our Club held its annual Schools' Bums Competition for singing and elocution. Pupils from three local primary schools competed. 148 BURNS CLUB NOTES

We entertained members of a sister Club, Stonehouse 'A the Airts', on 25th March, 1972. (Mrs.) ELIZABETH TRAIN, Secretary. 811: LOGANGATE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, M.A., F.L.A., the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, Burns Federation. Other events: St. Andrew's Dinner on 26th November, 1971. Monthly members' meetings were held from September, 1971, to April, 1972. The annual outing to Stirling and The Trossachs was held in June, 1972. WALTER HALL, Secretary. 813: TRANENT '25' BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January, 1972, Mr. R. W. Munro proposed the toast to the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held on 29th November, 1971. The Annual Competition of Song and Verse Speaking was held in February. Due to the miners' strike and the possibility of power cuts, the competition was staged in the school during school hours and the adjudication was left to the teachers. GEORGE MURDOCH, Secretary. 821: AYR MASONIC BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by one of our own members, Crony William Logan. During the evening our Treasurer, Crony James Richardson, was presented with a sum of money in recognition of his long service to the Club. Other events: On 23rd January, 1972, our Club was well repre­ sented at the wreath laying ceremony at the Statue, when a wreath was placed by our President, Cr. R. Graves. We were again represented at the wreath laying ceremony at the Statue on 23rd July, 1972, and at the commemorative service held at Leglen Wood. The Club has suffered a very great loss this year by the passing of our Vice-President, Cr. James Weir, and Cr. John Young, a former President, both loyal and faithful members, who will be sadly missed. CHAS. P. STRoYAN, Secretary.

J BURNS CLUB NOTES 149

822: MANSFIELD DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: Our Annual Dinner was held on 28th January, 1972. Other events: Various traditional functions, including a haggis supper for St. Andrew's Night. With deep regret we report the death of Mr. T. S. Robertson, Past President and Secretary of the Society. J. EDGAR, Secretary.

839: COLDSTREAM BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. John Pollock, B.Sc., F.E.I.S., Rector of Mainholm Academy, Ayr. Other events: 'A nicht wi' Burns wi' the women folk' was held on llth February, 1972. WM. JACKSON, Secretary.

842: YE BONNIE DOON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. Duncan Beattie proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. (Mrs.) J. CASSIDY, Secretary.

845: TAM o' SHANTER BURNS CLUB, COVENTRY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. R. McDowall. Other events: Club members were pleased that the Conference held in Coventry had been such a success. Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, M.A., unveiled the Jimmy Fitzpatrick Memorial Library in the Club. St. Andrew's Night buffet and dance. JAMES McCAW, Secretary.

851: AUCKLAND BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. W. Pirie, formerly of Aberdeen but now living at Paeroa, 82 miles south of Auckland. Other events: On 23rd January, 1972, our President, Geo. A. Peddieson, formerly of Edinburgh, laid a commemorative wreath at the Statue of Burns in the Auckland Domain. Social evenings were held in May, July, September and November, 1971. (Mrs.) N. HoosoEN, Hon. Secretary. 150 BURNS CLUB NOTES

860: SOUTHLAND BURNS CLUB, INVERCARGILL Anniversary Dinner Report: On 25th January, 1972, the Guest Speaker was Rev. Lester J. Reid, who proposed the 'Immortal Memory'. Other events: Eight concerts were held during the year. Dunedin Burns Club paid us a visit which we returned, when combined Clubs staged a concert on both occasions. We regret having lost several valuable members during the pa't year through bereavement. (Mrs.) J. L. BoNE, Secretary.

862: MARKET RASEN SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Andrew Young of Dumfries. Other events: A donation of £50 was made to the Jean Armour Bums Houses. JOHN A. BELL, Secretary.

864: BURNIE BURNS CLUB, TASMANIA Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. Robb. Other events: Annual Meeting was held on 20th April, 1972. Bon Voyage evening was held on 13th July, 1972, for Mr. J. Cameron who was returning home to Scotland for a short holiday. (Mrs.) E. N. TUNBRIDGE, Secretary.

866: HEANOR AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 2lst January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Geo. Large, Past Presi­ dent, Leicester Caledonian Society. Other events: President's Reception on 24th September, 1971. A Treasure Hunt, Hallowe'en Party, St. Andrew's Dinner/Dance and Lassies' Nicht were also held during the season. M. SAVAGE, Secretary.

878: WORKSOP BURNS AND CALEDONIAN CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' was pro­ posed by Mr. Alistair Duff, S.R.N., O.N.C. BURNS CLUB NOTES 151 Mr. Tom Other events: 23rd February, 1972-The President, of Com­ English, and Mrs. English were entertained at the House Club's Bums mons by Mr. Joe Ashton, M.P., twice a guest at our Suppers. 8th April, 1972-President's Reception. concert at 16th April, 1972-Members attended N.E.M.A.SS Bowl for which Florence Miller was presented with Binnie Rose . verse speaking competition (junior). this year at 15th July, 1972-N.E.M.A.SS Children's Day, held Worksop. Scottish social evenings every six weeks. KATHLEEN F. ENGLISH, Secretary.

881 : RUGELEY AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB the most, Anniversary Dinner Report: This was one of, if not successful Suppers held by this Club. a children's Other events: Outings to Coventry and Corby, and trip to Twycross Zoo. A party also travelled to Edinburgh Tattoo. C. SMITH, Secretary.

887: GAINSBOROUGH AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY was pro­ Anniversary Dinner Report: The 'Immortal Memory' District Cale­ posed by Mr. J.E. Inglis, Past President, Mansfield donian Society, and Past President, Retford andDistrictCaledonian Society. 1971. Other events: President's Reception on 24th November, A ceilidh was held on 21st April, 1972, at which neighbouring support. LEW W. REID, Societies gave their Secretary.

889: G.E.C./A.E.I. 'BONNIE JEAN' BURNS CLUB the toast Anniversary Dinner Report: On 19th February, 1972, President to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. Cowan, Lanarkshire Association of Bums Clubs. November, Other events: St. Andrew's Night function on 27th 1971. Tarbolton. On 3rd June, 1972, the Club visited Kilmarnock and R. CLELAND, Secretary.

L 152 BURNS CLUB NOTES

890: THE WOLLONGONG BURNS SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Alex. Johnstone of Sydney. LACHLAN M. CHIRNSIDE, Secretary.

893: NORTH BAY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was given by Mr. John Monaghan, a native of Glasgow. The traditional toasts and addresses were all given by native Scots. Other events: The Club meets every month except July and August and attendances are very good. A children's trip took place in July. Traditional functions are held throughout the year. WILLIAM CARSON, . Secretary.

894: BEVERLEY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. J. W. C. Leslie, G.M., a member of the Scots Society of St. Andrew's, Hull. Other events: 19th November, 1971-Caledonian Ball. 28th November, 1971-St. Andrew's Day Church Service. 31st December, 1971-Hogmanay Party. 17th March, 1972-Buffet Dance. JOHN LIVINGSTON, Secretary.

897: GLENBERVIE BURNS MEMORIALS ASSOCIATION The past year has been one of much activity for the Association, culminating in the unveiling ceremony at Laurencekirk, to coincide with the Federation Conference in Aberdeen, of the memorial plaque at Gardenston Arms Hotel, to commemorate the visit of the Poet in 1787. The proprietor, Mr. Edward Acton, has co-operated most wholeheartedly in this scheme, and has assisted materially in other projects, including restoration work; and in appreciation the Association has made him its first Honorary President. For the first time in years, a Burns Supper is to be held in 1973 in Laurencekirk, under the auspices of the Glenbervie Memorials Association. R.H. WATSON, Secretary . ..._,---- BURNS CLUB NOTES 153

900: IRVINil VALLEY BURNS CLUB 1972, the Anniversary Dinner Report: On 4th February, McVean of 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Donald Prestwick Burns Club. October, 1971, Other events: Monthly meetings were held from to April, 1972. June, 1972, to The annual summer outing took place on llth Mary's Irvine Burns Club and Museum, with a visit to Highland Monument at Failford en route. (Mrs.) HELEN P. R. McMILLAN, Secretary.

901: CRAMLINGTON BURNS CLUB owing to Anniversary Dinner Report: The function was cancelled the miners' stoppage. place during Other events: Various traditional functions took the year. F. HAMILTON, Secretary.

902: NEWMARKET BURNS CLUB Bailie Wm. Anniversary Dinner Report: On 19th January, 1972, Memory'. Mathew of Grangemouth proposed the 'Immortal year. Other events: Two meetings were held during the WILLIAM MUIRHEAD, President.

906: AYRSHIRE CONSTABULARY RECREATION CLUB (LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY) M.A., Anniversary Dinner Report: The Rev. Robt. Paterson, the B.D., F.S.A.(Scot.), Jamestown Church, Balloch, proposed 'Immortal Memory' on 13th January, 1972. Supt. DONALD IRVING, Secretary.

907: 'A' THE AIRTS' BURNS CLUB, STONEHOUSE the toast to Anniversary Dinner Report: On 14th January, 1972, Paterson. the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Rev. Robert the youngest The address to the Haggis was ably performed by . . Club member, 8-year old Margaret Inglis. organisations Other events: The Oub also supplied artistes to 17 154 BURNS CLUB NOTES within and outwith the district, on the occasion of their Anniversary Dinners. St. Andrew's Night, 26th November, 1971. Closing Social on 5th May, 1972, took the form ofa concert and dance. RICHARD GIBB, Secretary.

909\ RICHMOND (YORKS) CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 20th January, 1972, the principal speaker was Mrs. Jean Workman of Whitley Bay. Other events: St. Andrew's Ball on 26th November, 1971, Hallowe'en Party, Hogmanay Buffet Supper and a visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo. M. LAING, Secretary.

912: BORESTONE BOWLING BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January, 1972, the toast to the 'Immortal Memory' was proposed by Mr. Willie Barker, Tillicoultry. Other events: Our first social evening was held on 26th October, 1972, the visiting Clubs being Denny Burns Club and the 'Westerton Arms', Bridge of Allan. ROBERT HOGGAN, Secretary and Treasurer.

914: CANTERBURY BURNS CLUB, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND Anniversary Dinner Report: The Inaugural Bums Dinner was held on 25th January, 1972, the 'Immortal Memory' being proposed by William Brown, M.B.E., Past President, Dunedin Bums Club. Other events: Regular monthly friendship meetings. The Club sponsored vocal and elocution competitions through the Christchurch Competitions Society. The President, Mr. W. Vinnell, and Mrs. Vinnell toured the Bums Country and affiliated the Club with the Bums Federation in Kilmarnock in August, 1972. Several Burns Clubs hospitably entertained Mr. and Mrs. Vinnell. GEORGE PoSTE, Secretary. LIST OF THE 322 BURNS CLUBS AND SCOTTISH SOCIETIES ON THE ROLL OF THE BURNS FEDERATION, 1972. (Corrected to 3lst October, 1972)

Secretary Inst. Fed. Members President No. Name A. Reid Hamilton, 84 John Finnie Street, - 1808 1885 38 James C. W. Nicol, 0 Kilmarnock Bums Club BL., M.l.L.G.A. Kilmarnock KAl lBX Alex Pow A. C. Brown, 45 Cecil Park, Pinner, The Bums Club of London - 1868 1885 204 Middlesex John Barton, Cedar Cottage, 126 Middleton 120 Robert Armstrong 2 Alexandria Burns Club - - 1884 1885 Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire Archd. Whitehead, Woodvale, Lanrannoch, 43 A. R. Thompson 4 Callander Bums Club - - 1877 1885 Callander Alex V. Smail John Rae, East Morriston, Earlston, 50 5 Ercildoune Bums Club - - 1885 1963 Berwickshire 50 Thomas Graham James McAulay, 32 Busby Road, Car- 7 Thistle Bums Club - 1882 1885 munnock, Glasgow G76 9BN 207 C. R. Blues James C. Jaap, 83 Elmore Avenue, Simshill, 9 Royalty Bums Club - 1882 1886 Glasgow, G44 5BN A. E. Thurgood Thomas Wilson, 111 Brucehill Road, 10 Dumbarton Burns Club - 1859 1886 120 Dumbarton Miss I. Cannichael Trevor Chappell, 26 Ashgate Avenue, 11 Chesterfield and District Cale- 164 Chesterfield donian Association -- 1886 1886 Ian Martin Frank Curran, c/o Dundee Bums Club, 14 Dundee Bums Club -- 1860 1886 60 37 Union Street, Dundee Mrs. Tom Allan M. White, ::;; 15 Belfast Burns Association - 1886 1886 124 v. r

::;: No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary 17 Nottingham Scottish Assoc. - 1871 1886 400 S. H. S. Dove R. W. Williamson, 'Whitecroft', Main °' Steet, Gunthope, Notts. 20 Airdrie Bums Club - 1883 1885 147 Rev. Duncan C. Thomas J. Dunlop, 22 Manor Drive, Airdrie - McPhee 21 Grccnock Bums Club - 1801 1886 140 Dr. H. S. McCallum R. Smith McFarlan, 'Rostherne,' Loch- - winnoch Road, Kilmacolm, Renfrew- shire PA13 4DY 22 Edinburgh Burns Club - 1848 1886 34 H.J. Hayhoe Mrs. A. St.C. Muir, 11 Royston Terrace, - Goldenacre, Edinburgh, EH3 5QU 33 Glasgow Haggis Club - 1872 1886 100 James MacDonald David Watson, C.A., 147 Bath Street, - Freer Glasgow, C.2 35 Dairy (Ayrshire) Burns Club- 1825 1887 90 William B. Walker James G. Rennie, 11 Lynn Avenue, Dairy, Ayrshire 36 Rosebery Bums Oub -- 1885 1887 90 Robert Lindsay John Melville, 24 Woodlands Road, Glas- gow G3 6UR 37 Dollar Burns Oub - 1887 1887 80 J. Gordon Fyvie Alex. B. Mciver, Gowanlea, 30 Dewar - Street, Dollar, Clackmannanshire 40 Aberdeen Bums Club - 1872 1889 99 Charles C. Easton, Miss Margaret A. Haughs, B.Sc., 37 Kirk - F,S.A.Scot. Crescent North, Cults, Aberdeen ABl 9RP 42 Stratheam Bums Club - - 1889 1890 20 John Duncan Mrs. G. B. Lowe, 10 Millar Street, Crieff, Perthshire 45 Cumnock Burns Club - 1887 1891 130 H. G. Kerr K. H. McCall, 51 Richmond Terrace, - Cumnock KA18 lDN 48 Paisley Bums Club 1805 1891 38 Dr. T. Y. Bennie Clark Hunter, 'Holmdale,' 27 Thomley -- Park Avenue, Paisley PA2 7SD 49 Bridgeton Burns Club - 1870 1891 1325 William Aitkenhead Robert Donaldson, 42 Bothwell Street, - Glasgow, C.2 so Stirling Bums Oub 1886 1892 100 Archibald Y. Henry Robb, LL.B., 3 Pitt Terrace, Stirling -- Paterson Secretary President No. Name Inst. Fed. Members 55 Derby Scottish Association John D. MacFarlane D. McLeod, 7 Balmoral Close, Littleover, r and Bums Club -- 1890 1893 473 Derby, DE3 6DY William Livingstone R. Ramsay, 10 Shawknowe Avenue, Muir­ 30 56 Muirkirk Lapraik Bums Club 1893 1971 kirk Robert Smith, 105 Kirn Drive, Gourock . 59 Gourock Jolly Beggars Bums 90 Robert Smith F. Small, 4 Hill Street, Cupar, Fife Club ---- 1893 1893 100 Provost Andrew M. 62 Cupar Bums Club -- 1884 1893 Scott W. Page Burgess, 42 Renfield Street, 68 Sandyford (Glasgow) Burns W. J. W. Graham Club ---- 1893 1894 550 Glasgow G2 lNE J. D. McDonald, 8 McGeorge Avenue, 391 J. K. McGrouther 69 Dunedin Burns Club, inc. • 1861 1894 Dunedin, New Zealand S. Sinclair, 3 Holme Close, Scotby, Carlisle 20 Dr. R. M. Yule 71 Carlisle Burns Club -- 1889 1895 CA48BN Russell A. Sharp, 270 Dumbarton Road, 90 T. Murray Niven, 72 Partick Burns Club -- 1885 1895 T.D.,D.L. Partick, Glasgow, W.l John Findlay, 299 West George Street, 74 National Burns Memorial and Sir Claud Hagart Cottage Homes, Mauchline 1888 1895 Alexander of Glasgow G2 4LA Ballochmyle, Bart. David Young, "Glenavon," 19 Eastbank, 60 Alex. L. Eggo 76 Brechin Burns Club - 1894 1896 Brechin David Chapel, M.B.E. R. Robertson, 10 Gallowden Rd., Arbroath, 87 82 Arbroath Burns Club - - 1888 1896 Angus The Rt. Hon. the J. Torrie, 14 Park Avenue, Dunfermline 85 Dunfermline United Burns 125 Club - - • 1812 1896 Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, D.L., - J.P.,M.A. '""""" r,1

- No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary °'00 89 Sunderland Burns Club - 1897 1897 84 Don. McL. Nicol W. K. Donnan, 5 Buxton Gardens, Sunder- land, SR3 lLZ 95 Bolton Bums Club - - 1881 1897 200 H. Busby John Irving, 18 Normandale Avenue, Heaton, Bolton, BLl 6BQ, Lanes. 96 Jedburgh . . . . 1897 1897 60 Richard Douglas John Ker Paton, 2 Meadow Street, Jedburgh Rox. TD8 6LR 112 Dumfries Bums Howff Club - 1889 1899 80 Councillor M. G. D. Smith, 22 Cargenbridge, Troqueer, Laing Dumfries DG2 8LW 116 Greenloaning Bums Club - 1889 1900 40 Daniel J. Mclldowie Norman Ure, 31 Roman Way, Dunblane Perthshire FK15 9DJ. 120 Bristol Caledonian Society - 1820 1900 280 N. A. Hall Lieut. Comdr. D. W. Wooller, R.N., 'Parkwood,' Hazelwood Road, Bristol, BS91PX 124 The Ninety Bums Oub- - 1890 1902 56 Dr. J. R. Muir J.C. McVittie, W.S., 4 North Charlotte St., Edinburgh, EH2 4HT 126 Falkirk Burns Oub . . 1866 1902 200 Campbell McAulay, Alex. Bennie, c/o Festus Moffat & Co., J.P. 138 High Street, Falkirk 133 Newarthill Bums Club - - 1903 1904 30 R. Paton Thomas Boslem, 82 Mosshall Street, Newarthill, Motherwell 149 Elgin Bums Club - . - 1901 1905 120 William Wittet, William D. G. Chalmers, Royal Bank C.B.E., J.P. Buildings, Elgin, Moray 152 The Hamilton Bums Club 1877 1906 189 G. Morris Smellie Lisle Pattison, T.D., F.C.I.S., Lisdor, - Glasford Road, Strathaven, Lanarkshire 153 Scottish Burns Club - - 1904 1906 140 John C. McNicol K. E. Fisher, 160 Hope St., Glasgow G22TJ 158 Darlington Burns Association 1906 1906 76 Dr. W. A. Hogg T. W. Chater, 26 Langdale Road, Darling- ton, Co. Durham Secretary Members President No. Name Inst. Fed. r 167 Birmingham and Midland W. F. Pringle, 48 Chesterwood Road, W. B. Scott Scottish Society - - 1888 1924 263 Birmingham, BI3 OQF Andrew Stenhouse, M.A., LL.B., 82 West 169 Glasgow and District Burns 1908 15 Qubs James M. Deas Association - - - 1907 Nile Street, Glasgow, C.1 Andrew Hood, 'Chamberhouses,' Irvine 1908 550 James Wales 173 Irvine Burns Club - - 1826 KA12 OJQ John Dorward, 17 Linfem Road, Dailly 1909 9 Dr. R. Mcinroy 179 Dailly Jolly Beggars Club - 1909 M. McNeill, 13 Tweed Cres., Galashiels 1909 100 Dean of Guild 187 Galashiels Burns Club - - 1908 J. J. Geddes Colin McKenzie, 67 Pladda Avenue, Port 1910 1910 12 Joseph Hill 190 Port Glasgow Bums Club - Glasgow, Renfrewshire George Vallance, 5 Park Terrace, Lugar, 192 Ayrshire Association of Bums 1910 22 Clubs Mrs. Jean Anderson Oubs - 1908 Cumnock KAI 8 3LD - - - Mrs. Helen Drayson, 826-320 Sherbrook 1907 1911 38 Alex. Cross Manitoba, Canada 197 Winnipeg Bums Club - - Street, Winnipeg, R3B2W6 William Wardrop, Clapperton Villa, Bonny- 1911 250 Archibald Lochrie 198 Gorebridge Bums Oub - 1906 bank Road, Gorebridge, Midlothian A. Wilson, 103 Sixth Street, Newtongrange 199 Newbattle and District Bums 60 J. Telford Oub - - - - 1910 1911 Greenock St. John's Bums Robert Miller, F.S.A.Scot, 11 Murdieston 209 50 Robert Miller Oub - . - 1909 1909 Street, Greenock PAIS 4DT - Robert Mackay, 'Quardene,' Bryce Avenue, 1913 56 J. Stanley Cavaye u; 212 Portobello Burns Qub - - 1892 Edinburgh EH7 6TX '° - No. Name Inst. Fed. Afembers President Secretary ~ 217 Eskdale Burns Club 1886 1913 150 Mrs. Jean Dickson Mrs. Jean Mackie, 3 Holmwood Crescent, - - Langholm, Dumfriesshire DG13 OPU 220 Bums Club of St. Louis 1904 1913 39 Stephen T. Kohlbry Robert E. Burns, 619 West Polo Drive, - St. Louis, Missouri 63105, USA. 226 Dumfries Burns Club - 1820 1913 100 A. W. Finlayson, William J, McJannet, M.A., B.Com., 4 - M.A., F.E.I.S. Albany Place, Nunholm Road, Dumfries DGlIJN 236 Whitehaven Burns Club - 1914 1914 60 Dr. A. S. Smith G, Young, 9 Whalley Drive, Miagey, Whitehaven 237 Uddingston Masonic Burns Cub . . - 1914 1914 30 Joseph Polson Robert Paton, 91 Viewfield Road, Bellshill, - Lanarkshire 238 Burns Club of Atlanta - 1896 1914 90 Louis N. Betts Burt A. Richardson, 203 Eric Ave., Decatur, - Georgia 30030, U.S.A. 239 Hawick Burns Club - - 1878 1914 914 Edward Berridge Thomas Hunter, Albert Bridge, Hawick 242 Montrose Burns Club - - 1908 1915 120 R. M. Livingston James F. Smeaton, 5 Whinfield Way, Mon- trose, Angus 252 Alloway Bums Club - 1908 1918 155 James Glass, M.A. George A. Bryan, A.M.I.T.E., 20 Hawkhill - Avenue, Ayr KA8 9JP 263 Glasgow Masonic Bums Club 1919 1919 140 Robert Hopkirk Leslie S. McGregor, 120 Moss Heights Avenue, Glasgow G52 2TZ 274 Troon Burns Club 1920 1920 120 H. R. M. McCulloch Robert C. Innes, 33 Donald Crescent, - - Troon, Ayrshire 275 Ayr Bums Club 1886 1920 185 William Graham Robert Cuthbertson, IS Carrick Avenue, --- Ayr 282 The Burns Bowling Assoc. 1898 1920 17 Clubs John C. McNicol John Melville, 24 Woodlands Road, Glas- - gow G3 6UR ... No. Nanu! Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary 284 Philadelphia North-eastern Burns Club --- 1896 1921 32 Douglas Mackay Alex. Macdonald, 4203 E. Barnett Street, Philadelphia, P.A., 19135, U.S.A. 293 Newcraighall Welfare Poosie Nansie Burns Club- - 1921 1921 35 Robert Porteous George Flockhart, 173 Portobello High r Street, Edinburgh EH15 lEU 296 Walsall Burns Club -- 1900 1922 150 G. H. Henderson W. A. Reid, 16 Harpur Road, Walsall, Staffs.

303 VictoriaCaledonian St. Andrew's Society and- 1872 1922 344 W. James Kirk Mrs. J.C. Sutherland, 2315 Blanchard St., Victoria, B.C., Canada

307 Edinburghation Ayrshire---- Associ- 1914 1922 202 Rev. N. M. Bowman, G. Henderson Laing, 50 Marrionville Dr., M.A., B.D. Edinburgh, EH7 6BW 310 Mauchline Bums Club -- 1923 1923 106 Dr. John Strawhorn D. I. Lyell, M.A., 5 Jean Armour Drive, Mauchline

314 ScottishEdinburgh Burns Club,--- 1920 1923 80 M. Mcintyre Hood Mrs. A. Bruce, 9 Victor Park Terr., Corstor- phine, Edinburgh, EH12 SBA 320 Troy Bums Club --- 1903 1924 30 Neil Laird James A. MacAdam, 31 Cardinal Avenue, Albany, N.Y., 12208, U.S.A. 323 Kirkcudbright Bums Oub - 1918 1924 102 Robin Raining Adam Gray, Jnr., Ingleston, Borgtle, Kirk- cudbrightshireDG6 4UA

326 Bingry Jolly Beggars Ladies' Bums Club --- 1924 1924 42 Mrs. W. Letham ~ 329 Newark and District Cal. Soc. 1923 1924 125 Frank Kennedy Mrs. Catherine Kennedy, 'Kendale', Shelley - Close, Balderton, Newark, Notts. . 'i' (

~ No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary tJ 336 Peterhead Burns Club • - 1826 1925 260 Alexander J. Clark J. M. M. Smith, 28 Blackhouse Terrace, Peterhead 340 Balemo Burns Club - 1881 1965 34 J. Taylor George Orr, 10 Deanpark Grove, Balemo, Midlothian EH14 7EA 341 Leith Burns Club - - 1826 1925 65 William Brunton H. Robb, 6 Casselbank Street, Leith, Edinburgh, 6 346 Oakbank Mossgiel Burns Club 1923 1925 15 Mrs. Elizabeth Mrs. E. Walker, 33 Calderhall Avenue, East Jamieson 348 Newton Jean Armour Burns Calder, Midlothian EH53 ODL Club ---- 1924 1925 40 Mrs. M. Kennedy Mrs. S. Kean, 14 Woodland Crescent, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire 349 The Howff Burns Club - - 1925 1925 38 Robert Logan Mrs. Enez Logan, lE Richardland Place, 350 Markinch Burns Club - Kilmarnock KAl 3HF - 1899 1925 100 James Foulis John Reid, 16 Selkirk Street, Markinch, Fife 355 Calcutta Burns Club - 1926 1926 88 W. Burt A. T. Robertson, Bengal Chamber of Com- 356 Burnbank and Dist. Masonic merce & Industry, Royal Exchange, Calcutta, 1, India Burns Club --- 1826 1926 48 Adam Russell Charles C. Brownlie, 4 Yews Crescent, 360 Lochee Burns Club Hamilton - 1926 1926 60 Robert McNaughton J. G. Watt, 300 Clepington Road, Dundee, Angus DD3 BEL 363 Barrow St. Andrew's Society 1878 1926 148 Dr. W. J. Liddle, W. Eccles, "Greystead", 30 Dane Avenue, M.B., F.R.C.S.(Ed.) Barrow-in-Furness 365 Catrine Burns Club • - 1925 1926 40 Allan Stoddart James Y. Roxburgh, 28 John St., Catrine, Mauchline, Ayrshire KA5 6PX 366 Liverpool Bums Club -- 1924 1926 80 Miss Nancie Symons Miss Margaret J. Brownlie, 452 Queen's Drive, West Derby, Liverpool L4 SUA 370 Dundonald Bums Club - 1963 1964 100 C. W. Botcherby George Dawes, 'Glel;>elands,' Main Street, Dundonald, Ayrshire No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary 377 Kilbimie Rosebery Burns Club 1906 1927 80 William J. Smith George Dickie, 9 Borestone Ave., Kilbimie r KA256EG 378 Edinburgh Dist. Bums Clubs Association - - - 1925 1927 13 Clubs Mrs. K. Y. A. Bone G. Henderson Laing, 50 Marionville Drive, M.A. Edinburgh EH7 6BW 387 Cambuslang Mary Campbell Burns Club - - 1965 9 Mrs. M. Rennie Mrs. M. Easton, 65 Trossachs Road, - Cathkin, Rutherglen 388 Kyle Ladies' Burns Club - 1925 1927 26 Mrs. M. McPhail Mrs. H. Shaw, 4 Hunter Street, Dykehead, Shotts, Lanarkshire 392 Whifilet Bums Oub - - 1920 1928 40 William T. Scott W. C. Sproul, 65 Blair Road, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire 393 Annan Ladies' Burns Oub - 1928 1928 120 Mrs. Crighton Mrs. Black, 18 Newington Avenue, Annan, Dumfriesshire 398 Colinton Burns Oub - - 1907 1928 53 Mrs. K. Y. A. Bone, J. J. D. Wallace, 51 Hailes Gardens, M.A. Colinton, Edinburgh EHI3 OJH 401 Brig-en' (Waverley) Bums Oub, Dumfries - - 1876 1928 30 Dr. W. D. Balfour R. Agnew, 5 Greystone Ave., Dumfries 403 Fraserburgh Bums Oub - 1928 1928 180 Robert G. Booth, James B. Kay, J.P., A.C.I.S., F.I.B.(Scot)., M.A. Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd., 62 Broad Street, Fraserburgh, AB4 SAS 405 Caledonian Soc. of Sheffield 1822 1929 450 Anderson Wilson R. Fyfe, 32 Main Road, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield, S30 3DN 413 St. Andrew Society of San Fransisco - - - 1863 1929 100 Donald J. H. Sinclair Charles M. Doig, 33 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California 94109, U.S.A. 417 Burnley and Dist. Caledonian ~ Society - - - 1924 1929 111 Mrs. G. Greig James Clegg and Miss K. M. Clegg, 541 ... - Colme Road, Rudley, Burnley Secretary - No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President ~ 426 Sauchie Bums Club 1929 1929 100 David Gow, J.P. David S. Robertson, 31 Craigbank, Sauchie, - - By Alloa, Clackmannanshire FKlO 3EG

430 Gourock Burns Club 1887 1929 120 James Moore D. Ferguson, M.A., 'Rockside', 9 Albert - - Road, Gourock PA191NH 436 Walney Jolly Beggars Ladies' Club 1929 1930 150 Mrs. L. Nicholson Mrs. R. Stutchbury, 1 Hirnalaya Avenue, --- - Barrow-in-Furness, Lanes. 437 Dumfries Ladies' Burns Club 1930 1930 99 Mrs. J. Henderson Mrs. E. Kirkland, 17 Kirkcowan Street, Dumfries DG2 9JU 439 Barnsley and District Scottish Society - - 1930 1930 64 Mrs. E. Gilfillan, C. L. Sutherland, 'Woodleigh,' Alverthorpe, - - M.B.E. Wakefield, Yorks. 443 Victoria (B.C.) Burns Club - 1922 1931 30 Mrs. Agnes McKay Mrs. M. Ryles, 859 Cormorant Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada 444 Swansea and West Wales Cale- donian Society - 1921 1931 312 A. K. Miller J. Lightbody, 42 Fairy Grove, Killan, - Swansea 446 Herefordshire Burns Club 1910 1931 53 Very Rev. W. P. W. A. Muir, 3 Orchard Close, Holmer, - Shannon Hereford 453 North-Eastern Burns Club of Philadelphia Ladies' Aux. 1927 1931 60 Mrs. Gertrude Mrs. Isabel Montgomery, 2 Purnell Avenue, McGuire Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, U.S.A. 454 Rotherham and Dist. Scottish Association - 1924 1931 85 Lawrence K. Barker W. Ingram, 10 Mortain Road, Moorgate, -- Rotherham S60 3BX 458 Stonchaven (Fatherland) Burns Club - -- 1926 1932 120 W.R. Murray Mrs. E. Thomson, 56c High Street, Stone- l haven, Kincardinshire AB3 2JQ Secretary No. Name Jn.rt. Fed. Members President r J. Mccoll, 22 Lincoln Drive, Bia by, Leicester 461 Leicester Caledonian Society 1877 1932 320 Russel Taylor E. C. Fisher, Hamilton House. The 462 Cheltenham Scottish Society - 1930 1932 173 Alistair H. G. Major McKelvie Park, Cheltenham, Glos., GLSO 2RW Row, Dunipace, Denny Cross Burns Club 1932 1932 27 Thomas Fergus A. Hunter, S7 Milton 469 - Denny, Stirlingshire FK6 6NB 28 King Street, New St. Giles' Burns Club 1923 1932 100 James Thomson Louis G. Gowans, 470 -- Elgin, Moray Association of 472 Renfrewshire 11 Murdieston Burns Clubs - 1929 1932 11 Clubs Matthew Foulds Robert Miller, F.S.A.(Scot.). - - Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire PAIS 4DT Saunders, 796 Monmouth Road, 476 Border Cities Bums Club 1932 1933 121 Ian Donnelly John G. - Windsor. 15, Ontario, Canada of the South Ladies' 479 Queen Bums Street, Dumfries BumsOub - - - 1932 1933 57 Mrs. E. Black Miss M. Esdaile, 20 Dist. Caledonian 492 Harrow arid Rayners Lane, Society • 1928 1934 4SS A. Mathie G. F. Macfarlane, S24 - - - Pinner, Middlesex HAS SDJ 494 Motherwell United Services Burns Club 1934 1934 85 F. Paterson Angus Cameron Allan, 322 Watson Street, - -- Motherwell 497 St. Andrew Bums Club (Well- ington, N.Z.)- -- 1934 1934 130 A. E. Milne Miss B. Oark:, P.O. Box 1049, Wellington, New Zealand SOO New Cumnock Bums Club - 1923 1934 2SO James Swan W. C. G. Pearson, M.A., Schoolhouse 33 Lanehead Terrace, New Cumnock, Ayr- shire Street, Galt, ~ 501 Galt Burns Club - 1907 1935 74 Andrew Weir William Pettigrew, 9a Todd .... - - Ontario, Canada

L______~ No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary °' 503 Dunblane Bums Club - - 1923 1935 80 D. A. McNeill, T.D., J. C. Sturrock, The Royal Bank of Scotland B.L. Ltd., 53a High Street, Dunblane 510 I.CJ. Grangemouth Burns Club ---- 1935 1935 150 G. J. Richards I. M. Halkett, c/o I.C.I. Grangemouth Recreation Club, Earl's Road, Grange­ mouth, Stirlingshire 511 Perth (West Australia) Bums Club ---- 1935 1935 60 Mrs. A. Hackett Mrs. J. Russell, 56 Carcoola Street, Nolla­ mara, Perth 6061, West Australia 516 Airts Bums Club, Prestonpans 1936 1959 50 Robert Hamilton Walter M. Muir, 89 Gardiner Road, Prestonpans, East Lothian 520 Uddingston Lochlie Ladies' Burns Club --- 1935 1936 15 Mrs. Elsie Gilmour Mrs. Olive Napier, 47 Douglas Street, Viewpark, Uddingston, Glasgow 523 Highland Society of New South Wales --- 1877 1936 143 J. Millar A. R. McKenzie, Post Office Box C 172, Clarence Street Post Office, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia 530 Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association -- 1937 1937 17 Clubs Hugh Cunningham Mrs. Mary Shearer, 211 Lochside Road, Lochside, Dumfries DG2 OEH 534 Bedlington and District Burns Club ---- 1934 1937 140 Dr. John Brown R. B. Hamilton, 1 Acom Avenue, Bedling­ ton, Northumberland, NE22 5SN 535 Plymouth and District Cale- donian Society -- 1927 1937 130 A. C. Christie R. Stanley Scott, 45 Reddington Road, Higher Compton, Plymouth 536 Whithorn and District Burns Club ---- 1937 1937 68 Rev. Angus W. William Rae, B.L., 58 George Street, l Morrison, B.D. Whithorn, Newton Stewart Secretary No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President r William Bums Andrew Pettigrew, 43 Shawstonfoot Road, 542 Newarthill White Heather Cleland Bums Club Kier St., Bridge of Club 1935 1938 95 A. J. Gourlay A. J. Gourlay, "Fedra", 543 Abbey Craig Burns - Allan J. Brian Turnbull, 23 Hollin Hill Drive, Leeds Caledonian Society 1894 1938 271 Dr. W.S. 548 - MacDonald Leeds LS8 2PW T. Ferguson, M.R.C.V.S., 203 Scalby Road, SSl Scarborough Caledonian Soc. 1934 1938 9S Mrs. A. V. Chamberlain Scarborough Y012 6TE SS3 Wolverhampton and District Oak Drive, Society 1937 1937 127 J. J. Johnston Dr. A. S. Neilson, "Dunelm", Caledonian - off Ebstree Road, Seisdon, Staffs WVS 7ET Franklin Mount, Harro- St. Andrew's Soc. 1921 1938 210 Stanley Fair8 Ian Robertson, 4 SSS Harrogate gate, Yorks HGl SEJ 135 Zetland Rd., Doncaster Caledonian Soc. of Doncaster 1883 1938 150 G. D. Pratt G. N. Thomas, SS6 Yorks. Atlanta, SS1 Ladies' Bums Oub of Bolling Rd., N.E. Georgia 1937 1938 lS Mrs. W. C. Mason Mrs. W. A. Bums, 161 - - - Atlanta, Georgia, 30305, U.S.A. Baginton Rd., Styve- 5S9 Coventry and Dist. Cal. Soc.- 1911 1938 375 Alexander M. John R. McCreath, 51 McDowall chale, Coventry, CV3 6JX, Warwickshire Street, 561 London (Ontario) Bums Oub 1938 1939 65 Robert Oements Eldon W. Mitchell, 171 Dundas London, Ontario, Canada Castle 562 Castle Douglas Burns Club - 1930 1939 80 Dr. T. M. Donald John C. Stoddart, 9 Emespie Road, Douglas Road, S63 Norfolk Caledonian Society - 1934 1939 323 Mrs. D. McGregor Mrs. V. Livingstone, 12 Eastern Thorpe St. Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk, ...:a~ NOR83T

L__ ~ No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary 00 566 Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia -- 1939 1939 240 Charles Murray Miss Grace C. Campbell, J.P., 'Colingra', 238 King Street, Mascot, 2020, N.S.W., Australia 568 Darvel Burns Club - 1938 1939 80 J. Gilliland James Hamilton, 18 Paterson Terrace, Darvel, Ayrshire 570 The Scottish Clans Associ- ation of London, Ltd. - 1898 1939 400 W. P. Raffan W. P. Raffan, M.Sc., F. Inst.P., 2 Erridge Road, Merton Park, London, S.W. 19 571 The Edmonton Burns Club - 1921 1971 - Jim Lefevre R. D. Laurenson, 8944 116 Street, Edmon­ ton Alberta, Canada 572 Chester Caledonian Assoc. - 1884 1939 75 D. M. L. Watt, T. S. Lea, Kirkton House, Hunter Street, L.D.S. Chester CHI 2AS 515 Windsor (Ont.) Jean Armour Bums Club --- 1937 1939 22 Mrs. Marie Auld Mrs. Bella Tough, 2437 Arthur Road, Sand, Windsor, 19, Ontario, Canada 576 Fort Matilda Bums Club - 1934 1940 100 Leslie Bacon A. B. Hawkins, 9 Denholm Street, Greenock 511 Dalserf and Clydesdale Bums Club ---- 1939 1940 30 William Tannahill William Crawford, 69 Tinto Crescent, Wishaw 578 Lanarkshire Assoc. of Burns 1924 1942 23 Clubs J. Cowan Clubs ---- Thos. N. Paterson, 32 Etive Street, Pather Wishaw, Lanarkshire 580 Cumbrae Bums Club - - 1896 1942 120 James Meehan Jas. C. Allan, Craigengour, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae 581 Cumbcrnauld and Dist. Burns Club ---- 1943 1943 40 John Boyle Thos. Stewart, 1 Carrick Road, Cumber­ l nauld No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary r SBS Queen's Park Bowling Club Clarinda Burns Circle - 1930 1943 200 Kenneth Riley, G. 0. Martin, 175/15 Cathkinview Place, M.B.E. Glasgow G41. 592 Benwhat Burns Club 1941 1944 80 James Hill James McPhail, 17 Broomknowe, Dalmell- -- ington 593 Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club 1944 1967 42 James Peat B. C. Beare, 31 Crummock Street, Beith, ---- Ayrshire KAIS 2BD 594 Cuyahoga Bums Club - 1934 1944 32 Robert F. Campbell Mrs. R. F. Campbell, 3797 Parkdale Road, - Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 44121, U.S.A. 591 The Bums Society of the City of New York- 1871 1944 160 Leslie D. Taggart Robert W. Morrison, 1869 Cider Mill Road, - - Union, N.J. 07083, U.S.A. 606 Corby Stewarts & Lloyds' Burns Club - 1944 1945 32 W. Montgomery, J.P. R. G. Baldwin, 56ARibblesdaleAve., Corby, - - Northamptonshire 612 Torrance Masonic Social and Burns Club 1928 1945 60 Frank McAdam Fred C. Jordan, Past President, Loch- - - - fauld Farm, Lambhill, Glasgow, N.W. 614 Bellshill Caledonian Bums Club -- 1969 1969 45 William Mitchell D. McKnight, 44 Belvidere Crescent, - - Bellshill, Lanarkshire 617 Reading and Dist. Caledonian Association - 1906 1946 200 R. C. Stuart Sturrock Mrs. Robina M. Hagnell, 58 Wokingham - - Road, Reading, Berks. 618 Altrincham and Sale Cale- donian Society - 1945 1945 200 D. H. Watson Mrs. E. Hewson, 330 Northenden Road, - Sale, Cheshire ;: 621) The Muirhead Burns Club - 1942 1945 120 J. N. Lawson A. R. Crawford, "Greenan", High Station, IQ Falkirk L rI

Secretary ~ No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Charles J. Young, 4 Eastgate, Moffat, 626 MoffatandDistrictBurnsClub 1946 1946 80 T. Sweetman Dumfriesshire DG 10 9AA 627 Kinross Jolly Beggars Burns Rev. Thomas Shearer, John Kidd, Little Aldie, Fossoway, Kinross Oub ---- 1889 1946 100 B.D., B.U.T.T. 60 T. A. Johnston R. Fraser, 14 Castle Avenue, Sanquhar, 629 Sanquhar Black Joan Club - 1945 1946 Dumfriesshire 96 Donald Archibald Alex. C. Cook, 4 School Terrace, Coals­ 630 Coalsnaughton Burns Club - 1945 1946 naughton, Tillicoultry 128 Thomas Anderson Mrs. Jean Anderson, 36 Linfem Avenue 632 Symington Bums Oub - - 1946 1946 East, Kilmarnock KAl 3LL - 1941 1946 20 David Banks John Perrie, 28 Westerton Ave., Strutherhill, 637 Millheugh Bums Club - Larkhall, Lanarkshire 646 The Qear Winding Devon 64 Mrs. Marion Fox Mrs. Anna Law, 65 Queen Street, Alva, Alva Bums Oub -- 1946 1947 Qackmannanshire 648 Carron Bridge Cronies Burns Oub, Kilsyth -- 1941 1947 35 Tom Baxter John Milligan, 6 Anderson Street, Bonny­ bridge, Stirlingshire 6S1 Fallin Gothenberg Burns Qub 1947 1947 38 J. Young D. Hutchison, 60 Stirling Road, Fallin, Stirling James N. Robb, 659 Dundee Burns Society - - 1896 1947 120 Mrs. Jessie W. 14 Bum Street, Dundee, Myles DD30LA 49 Mrs. N. Ewart Mrs. Margaret A. Brown, 32 Thomas 660 Langholm Ladies' Burns Club 1947 1947 Telford Road, Langholm, Dumfries­ shire DG 13 OAP 661 Leamington and Warwick 70 Dr. A. Urie Miss S. Henderson, 62 Clarendon Avenue, l Caledonian Society - 1947 1947 Learnington Spa, Warwickshire Secretary No. Name Inst•. Fed. Members President 663 Bournemouth and Dist. Cale- 1907 1947 200 Jack Campbell A. F. Shapley, S Berwick Road, Talbot donian Society - - Woods, Bournemouth West Kilbride Burns Club 1947 1947 180 Gordon A. Diack H. G. Showell, 'Dalblair', Meadowfoot Rd., 664 - West Kilbride, Ayrshire 665 Gartmom Ladies' Burns Club 1947 1948 36 Mrs. C. Fudge Mrs. Jane Dolan, 88 Gartmom Road, Sauchie, by Alloa 671 St. Andrew's Cronies Bums Club - - - - 1947 1949 135 William Mattews John Hutchison, 48 Clark Drive, Irvine 674 Manchester and Salford Cale- donian Association 1890 1948 250 L. M.Angus- Mrs. F. S. Wenbom, 8 Firs Avenue, Firs- - Butterworth, wood, Manchester, 16 M.A., F.S.A.Scot. 679 Tullibody and Cambus Burns Club 1947 1948 so S. Cherrie Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Terrace, - - - - Tullibody, Clackmannanshire FKlO 2GA 681 The Cronies Bums Club, Kil- mamock 1948 1948 90 T. A. McMillan Stuart Tweedie, 18 Whatriggs Road, Kil- - - - mamock KAI 2DT 683 Stratford-upon-Avon and Dist. Caledonian Society 1947 1948 100 E. Cornet Mrs. A. Sinton, S Highfield Road, Stratford- upon-Avon, Warks. 688 Kirkcaldy Poosie Nansie Ladies' Bums Club - 1939 1949 31 Mrs. A. Smith Mrs. C. Saunders, 77 Strathkinnes Road, - Kirkcaldy, Fife 691 Inverness Bums Club - 1949 1949 70 N. R. Y. Agnew, D. F. MacDougall, "Belle Vue," Stratherick - B.L. Road, Inverness 693 Masonic Burns Club, Kirk- cudbright 1949 1949 77 Thos. A. Sproat Andrew S. Ross, 4A Atkinson Place, -.J - - - - Kirkcudbright f

Name Ill.ft. Fed. Members President Secretary s ::s Kilmaronock Bums aub 1949 1949 56 George Forshaw Miss May Caldwell, Mid Gartocham Farm, (Dunbartonshire) - - By Alexandria, Dunbartonshire 696 Whitley Bay and Dist. Society 1930 1949 200 A. S. McKinlay Miss Jessie H. Colville, 60 Park Parade, of St. Andrew - - WhitleyBay,Northumberland,NE261DX 698 Turriff Bums Cub 1920 1949 so G. Morrison L. G. A. Ruxton, Dundrennan, St. Andrew's - - Drive, Turriff AB2 7DR 699 Choppington Burns Cub 1948 1949 36 Campbell Keen1yside J. E. Godden, 91 East Green, Choppington, - Northumberland 701 The Detroit Bums Cub 1912 1949 74 John Burnie Sam R. Dickey, 4700 Curtis Ave., Dearborn, - Michigan, U.S.A. 48126 706 North Lindsey Scots Society- 1927 1949 142 Alec. Brewster Mrs. Elizabeth L. Davenport, 206 Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, Lines. 707 Malvern Scots Club 1945 1949 100 J.B. Arthur Miss Penny Holland, 17 Mason Close, - - Malvern, Worcs. 710 Burns Society of Toronto 1896 1970 163 Robert W. McVey Jock Anderson, 17LamontAvenue, Weston, - Ontario, Canada 711 The Victorian Scottish Union 1905 1950 A. J. Erskine F. R. Stewart, 46 Donald Street, Footscray, Victoria, Australia 716 Royal Caledonian Society of 1856 1950 E. McPhee H. R. McKenzie, 14 Queen's Road, Mel- Melbourne - - bourne, Australia 718 The St. Andrew Society of 290 R. C. Brown Robert R. Ferguson, 'Ferguslea', 1 Deer- York - - - - 1894 1950 stone Way, The Paddocks, Dunnington, l York. No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary r 719 Chelmsford and Dist. Scottish D. A. Hodge, The Sheiling, White Hart Society • - • - 1934 1950 120 John Main Lane, Springfield, Chelmsford, CMl STD

720 Retford and Dist. Caledonian 90 Mrs. T. K. McFarlane Mrs. D. I. Walker, 37 Harewood Avenue, Society ---- 1949 1950 Retford, Notts. 160 Mrs. Susan Hosking Mrs. W. Ross Baxter, 35 The Knoll, Wood­ 721 The Plymouth Burns Club • 1948 1950 ford, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 4SH, S. Devon · 722 Bridlington and District Cale.- 45 George Main Mrs. E. Penrose, 201 Sewerby Road, donian Society -- 1949 1950 Bridlington, East Yorkshire Y016 5DD William S. Fairholm, M.B.E., B.E.M., 723 Strathpeffer Burns Club - 1920 1950 100 John McLintock, M.A.,LL.B. Ardival Terr, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire 73 Alex Cook John H. Reid, 13 Chapelle Crescent, 725 Ben Cleuch Burns Club- - 1936 1950 Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire 76 Mrs. Glen Rouse Mrs. Stella M. Brown, 10 Elgar Road, 726 Melbourne Burns Club- · • 1950 1951 Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia 727 The St. Andrew Society of 283 Alex Miller Mr. Per Bergenholz, 16 Radhuspladsen, Denmark - - • 1949 1951 1550 Copenhagen V, Denmark 728 Bachelors' Club Committee, Tarbolton --- 1951 1951 13 John Weir, D.S.O., Charles H. Garven, 109 St. Quivox Road, M.A., F.E.I.S., Prestwick, Ayrshire J.P. :::; 730 Wigtown Burns Club - - 1905 1951 60 Gordon S. Henry David S. Gladstone, "Glassock," Newton ~ Stewart, Wigtownshire rI

~ No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary ~ 740 Thorntree Mystic Burns Club 1949 1952 68 Wm. Cockburn W. Muir, 101 High Street, Prestonpans, East Lothian 741 Plean Burns Club - 1952 1952 44 J. Keirs D. Ferguson, 22 Wallace Crescent, Plean, - - Stirling 743 The Romford Scottish Assoc. 1931 1952 125 W. B. Wallace A. Semple, 32 Queen Gardens, Cranham- Upminster RM14 ING 744 Durham and Dist. Calcdonian Society - 1950 1952 168 Mrs. Jessie Goodall J. A. McLeish, "Woodlands,'' 32 Caragb --- Road, Chester Le Street, Co. Durham 145 Northumberland and Durham Caledonian Society 1924 1952 500 J. S. Fraser J. G. Gall, 145 Osborne Road, Jesmond, - Newcastle-on-Tyne, NE2-3JU 746 Grimsby and Dist. Calcdonian Society -- 1906 1952 114 Mrs. Dyte Miss M. J. Sutherland, Back 50 Patick - - Street, Grimsby 748 Ouplaymuir Burns Club 1940 1953 32 Dr. Jas. H. Imrie, A. Scouse, 10 Pollock Avenue, Uplawmoor, - M.D., F.R.C.S. Glasgow (Edin. & Glas.) M.R.C.(Path.) 751 Worcester Scots Society 1949 1953 100 N. A. Pringle J. F. C. Paine, Treasurer, 18 Fountain Court, - Evesham, Yorks. 753 Westmorland St. Andrew Soc. 1938 1953 150 V. W. N. Forrest G. M. Miller, 96 Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Westmorland 754 Thornton Cleo;clcys and Dist. Scottish Society -- 1951 1953 85 H. Robert A. A. Geddes, 50 Westmorland Avenue, Cleveleys, Blackpool, FY5 2LX 159 Sunderland and District Cale- donian Society 1950 1953 72 H.J. Lyons Mrs. D. W. Jackson, 10 Valebrooke, - - Tunstall Rd., Sunderland, Co. Durham l SR27HT Secretary Fed. Members President No. Name Inst. Kirkton Bonnie Jean Burns John Stewart, 28 Mount Stewart Street, 761 1953 1953 40 Andrew Young, r Club, Carluke - - M.A. Carluke, MLS SEB, Lanarkshire Mrs. E. Young, 54 Silcoate Lane, Wren- 120 P. M. Moyes 763 Wakefield Caledonian Society 1953 1953 thorpe, Wakefield WF2 ONY I. W. McColl, 18 Rob Roy Road, Kinloch- 73 John Glenday 766 Glencoe and Dist. Burns Oub 1953 1953 leven, Argyll

Auchterderran Jolly Beggars James Penman, 12 Balderran Drive, Car- 768 75 Thomas Herd Burns Qub - - - 1912 1954 denden, Fife Per Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Terrace, 1954 50 John Russell 769 Robert Bruce Burns Qub - 1953 Tullibody, Clacks. FKlO 2QA Peter Hynd, 'Corrie,' 50 Ayr Road, Prest- 1954 60 Henry Thow 772 Prestwick Burns Club - - 1954 wick Stewart Gilmour, 9 Riverview, Cumnock 1954 40 John McCreadie 773 Cumnock Cronies Bums Club 1910 The Hartlepools Caledonian 775 154 A. M. F. Doig, B.Sc. Mrs. J. R. Taylor, 1 Coniscliffe Road, Society - - - - 1899 1954 Hartlepool, Co. Durham

777 Nuneaton and Dist. Scottish G. Herbert Norman Spence, M.R.C.V.S., Bardon Cot- Society - - - - 1949 1954 137 tage, Church Walk, Atherstone, Warwick- shire 250 Mrs. Jean Bisset A. C. Peterkin, 'Dene Villa', Little Switzer- :::i 780 Isle of Man Caledonian Soc. - 1920 1955 land, Douglas, Isle of Man v. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary ~ ~;4 Kelso Burns Club - - 1872 1955 130 James C. Henderson R. Donaldson, C.A., 19 The Square, Kelso 788 Harlow and Dist. Cal. Soc. - 1955 145 John Millar D. M. Austin, 74 Stile Croft, Harlow, Essex

791 Swindon and Dist. Cal. Soc. 1946 1955 60 William Henderson

795 Longcroft, Bonnybridgc and District Bums Club -- 1955 1956 36 D. H. Mann David Mann, 31 Mansfield Avenue, Bonny- bridge 796 Gateshead and District St. Andrew's Society - 1955 1956 50 Andrew A. Black Mrs. Lilian M. Chalmers, 68 Simpson Street, - Cullercoats, North Shields, Northumber- land 803 Bowhill People's Bums Club - 1940 1957 70 James G. Gillies James Ewan, 39 Kirkbum Drive, Carden- den, Fife

808 Pontefract & Dist. Cal. Soc. - 1956 1957 164 A. J. McHardy Mrs. D. Richmond, Maypole Farm, Wis- towgate, Cawood, near Selby, Yorkshire Y08 OSH 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars Bums Club 1957 1957 21 Abe Train Mrs. Elizabeth Train, 71 Woodside Cres., -- - - Newmains, Lanarkshire, ML2 9NA

811 Logangatc Burns Club - 1957 1957 70 Alex. McSorland Walter Hall, 11 Paterson Avenue, Logan, - Cumnock, Ayrshire KAIS 3HR

812 St. Andrew's Soc. of Bradford 1886 1957 162 A. J. Adams, T. A. Mason, C.A., 40 Ashwell Road, l B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. Bradford 9, Yorks. Secretary No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President George Murdoch, 64 Briarbush Road, r 813 Tranent "25" Burns Club - 1892 1958 46 Alexander McNeil MacMerry, East Lothian EH33 lPT David Orr, 39 Hemphill View. Knocken­ 815 B.M.K. (Netherton) Bums - 1958 1958 27 Andrew Wilson Club -- tiber, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock Ewan C. Mair, Briardale, Haugh Road, 818 Dalbeattie & Dist. Bums Club 1958 1958 40 James Campbell Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire Chas. P. Stroyan, 50 Bentfield Dr., Prestwick Richard Graves 821 Ayr Masonic Bums Club - 1919 1958 20 KAT 199 Mrs. J. Edgar, 129 Marples Ave., Mansfield, 43 James Clark, 822 Mansfield Dist. Cal. Society - 1952 1959 M.R.C.V.S. Woodhouse, Notts. 824 Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perthshire Assoc. of Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Terrace, Tulli­ Fed. Qubs --- 1946 1959 36 Qubs John O. Stewart body FKlO 2QA

825 The "Oarinda" Ladies Burns Mrs. Barbara Hutton Mrs. C. W. Henderson, 36 Gracemount Oub, Edinburgh -- 1959 1959 54 Avenue, Edinburgh, EH16 6SS

826 Burns Society of Charlotte, James B. Hunter Mrs. John Seaton, 1142 Wilharten Drive, North Carolina -- 1955 1959 189 Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211, U.S.A.

Robert Armstrong Calum MacDonald, Burnside, Lochgoil­ 831 Lochgoilhead Bums Club - 1960 1960 32 head, Argyll William Renton 832 Lochore Lea Rig Bums Club 1959 1960 30

- 833 Alloa "Crown" Bums and J. McConnell D. O'May, 115 Ashley Terrace, Alloa :::1 Social Club - - • 1948 1960 60 :::j No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Ser.retary 00 834 St. Andrew's Soc. (Altrinc- ham, Sale and District) • 1959 1960 140 W. Fitzpatrick T. C. Lochead, 44 Kenmore Road, Sale, Cheshire 836 Homsea and District Burns Qub - - • - 1960 1960 80 Mrs. L. Jacobsen Mrs. J. W. Banks, "Ballendean," Edenfield Avenue, Hornsea, E. Yorks. 839 Coldstream - - 1888 1961 108 • James S. Davidson, William Jackson, Homestead, Hirsel, Cold· B.Sc. stream, Berwickshire 841 Robert Burns Association of Montreal, Canada -- 1955 1961 160 James Murray W. J. McCullough, 555 80th Ave., Lasalle, Rue, Canada 842 "Ye Bonnie Doon" Burns Qub, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ---- 1932 1961 25 William Lambie Mrs. J. Cassidy, 459 Franklin Road, Hamilton, 53, Ontario, Canada

845 Tam o' Shanter, Coventry - 1959 1961 1600 Peter Grimes James McCaw, Tam O' Shanter Club Hertford Place, Coventry, Warwickshire CVl 3JZ 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie -- 1956 1961 60 James Westwood Russell Henderson, Mansefield Arms. Sauchie, Alloa, Qackmannanshire

851 Auckland Burns Association- 1959 1962 40 George Peddison J. Shearer, 2 Maranui Avenue, Point Chevalier, Auckland 2, New Zealand

852 Fishcross Jolly Beggars • 1962 1962 83 George McCaig James B. McCaig, 41 Pitfaim Road, Fish­ l cross, by Alloa, Clackmannanshire se.. retary Inst. Fed. Members President No. Name r Mrs. J. A. Irvine, .. Ulvescroft", 67 Bonet 854 North-East Midlands Assoc. 1962 24 Socs. Matthew of Scottish Societies - - 1956 McLauchlan Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham J. J. Caldwell, Eglinton Arms Hotel, Irvine 1960 1963 130 R. Whyte 859 Eglinton Burns Qub, Irvine - Mrs. Jane L. Bone, 220 Pomona Street, 860 Southland Burns Oub, New 93 William Adam Zealand- - - - 1962 1963 Invercargill, New Zealand Mrs. F. D. Caldwell, 3 The Steepers, 1948 1963 75 David R. McNair- 861 Cal. Soc. of Lincoln - - Taylor Nettleham, Lincoln LN2 2SX J. A. Bell, 'Attadale', Orford Road, Bin- 862 Market Rasen Scottish 150 E. A. Gass Association - - - 1960 1963 brook, Lincoln LN3 6DU Mrs. E. N. Tunbridge, 143 David Street, J. Cameron 864 Burnie Burns Club, Tasmania - 1962 1970 - East Devonport, Tasmania, 7310 David Glen, 2 Bruce Terrace, Cambus- 1960 1963 35 L. Pope 865 Foresters Arms Burns Club - barron, Stirling Mrs. M. Savage, 19/21 High Street, Codner, 866 Heanor and Dist. Caledonian 106 W. Clarke Society - - - - 1955 1963 Derbyshire

870 Scottish Burns Association of Mrs. Jessie Burns Robert R. Matson, 14 Woods Avenue, W. Massachusetts - - 1961 1964 128 Somerville, Massachusetts, 02144, U~S.A. Ian MacLachlan, 24 Collinwood Avenue, 1949 1964 9 Socs. Dr. Wm. Marshall, 872 East Midland Scottish Socs. - O.B.E. Corby, Northants 873 Tam o' Shanter Club, Ndola, A. G. Beveridge Zambia - - - - 1961 1964 -\cl II

:;; No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary o 874 The Masonic Club Burns Club, Melbourne 1963 1964 40 Chieftain Dan George Doig, 9 Courtis Street, Williams­ - - - Stevenson town, Melbourne, Australia 876 Tullibody Working Men's Burns Club - - - 1964 1965 40 D. Steel G. Penman, 42 Stirling Rd., Tullibody 877 Montreal Caledonian Society 1855 1965 157 Rev. A. G. Hasson, M.A., B.D., S.T.M. 878 Worksop Bums & Cal. Club - 1965 1965 130 A. W. Duff., S.R.N., Mrs. Kathleen English, 166 Raymoth Lane, O.N.C. Worksop, Notts. S81 7DY

880 Otley and Dist. Cal. Society - 1960 1965 58 Mrs. Bessie Lockwood Mrs.ElizabethM. Warner, 'Ardlui,' 35 Long +18Jun. Meadows, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9DU 881 Rugeley & Dist. Burns Club - 1966 1966 50 R. Cochrane C. Smith, 6 The Croft, Little Tixall Lane, Great Haywood, Stafford 882 Canberra Highland Society & Burns Club 1924 1966 780 Ron V. Kelly K. F. Smith, P.O. Box 69, Kingston, -- - Canberra A.C.T., 2604, Australia 885 Motherwell & Wisbaw Miners Welfare Bums Club - 1966 1967 71 John Milligan James Pearson, 12 Corrie Drive, Motherwell 887 Gainsborough & District Cale- donian Society 1952 1967 30 James Murray Lew W. Reid, Lea Rig, 152 Lea Road, - - Gainsborough, Lines. DN21 lAN 888 Vancouver Burns Club - 1967 1967 20 lain McLellan Mrs. Doris Lawrie, 3284 W; 14th Avenue, - Vancouver, 8, B.C. 889 G.B.C./A.B.I. "Bonnie Jean Burns Club 1967 1967 20 Ian Hutchison R. B. Cleland, 16 McClurg Court, Mother- - - - well Secretary Members President Name Inst. Fed. L. M. Chirnside, 24 Hurt Parade, Unan- r No. 1966 1967 26 William C. Scott derra, 2526, N.S.W., Australia 890 The Wollongong Bums Soc. - Robert Campbell, 3 Gulliland Place, Irvine, 1968 170 William ·Adrain Ayrshire · 892 Ayrshire Metal Products Burns 1966 William Carson, 1526 Pinewood Crescent, Club - - Ernest Roy - - 1968 1968 67 North Bay, Ontario, Canada 893 North Bay Bums Oub, Ont. John Livingston, 'Lynton', 51 All Hallows 1968 64 Mrs. Jean Young Road, Walkington, Beverley, Yorkshire Beverley & Dist. Cal. Soc. 1967 894 - HU17 SSH James Johnstone, 28 Castleview Drive, 40 James Johnstone Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire Westerton Arms Burns Club- 1968 1968 895 B. W. McCombe, c/o S.L.S.T. Ltd., P.O. 1957 1968 55 F. C. Marks Box 11, Spiritus House, Howe Street, 896 Sierra Leone Caledonian Soc. Freetown, Sierra Leone, W.A. R.H. Watson, 6 Derbeth Crescent, Summer- 897 Glenbervie Burns Memorials 1969 20 Charles C. Easton, hill, Aberdeen AB2 6LH Association - - - 1948 F.S.A. L. H. C. Battersby, 61 Relford Road, Peterlee & District Caledonian John R. Napier 898 1969 20 Peterlee, Co. Durham Society - - - - 1954 Portsmouth and District Cal- A. Hind, "Bonnie Banks," 39 Carmarthan 899 1969 130 Mrs. I. Joly edonian Society - 1898 Avenue, E. Cosham, Portsmouth - Miss Helen McMillan, 5 Mill Crescent, 1970 42 James McC. Irvine Valley Bums Club - 1968 McMillan Newmilns, Ayrshire 900 F. Hamilton, 9 Sunnyside, Cramlington, 30 Colin J. Bradshaw Cramlington Bums Club - 1970 1970 Northumberland 901 James Kemp, 49 Kincardine Road,· Carron- 1970 54 William Muirhead ~ 902 Newmarket Burns Club - 1959 shore, by Falkirk - No. Name Inst. Fed. Members President Secretary ~ 903 Newhall Bums Club 1970 1970 Hugh D. Parker Mrs. E. Logie, 4 Abbots Crescent, Newhall, Burton-on-Trent 904 'Star of Burns Club', Lame - 1970 1971 25 R. Craig D. J. Black, 28 Lealies Drive, Anteville, Lame, N.I. 905 Keighley & Dist. Cal. Soc. - 1971 1971 Mrs. D. Fletcher, Ashley House, Park Road, Crosshills, Keighley, Yorks. 906 Ayrshire Constabulary Liter- ary & Debating Society - 1926 1971 100 Supt. Donald Irving Sergt. Samuel Guthrie, Ayrshire Consta­ bulary H.Q., Ayr 907 Stonehouse Bums Club- 1971 44 George Mcinnes Richard Gibb, 157 Strathaven Road, Stone- house, Lanarkshire 908 'Brithers Be' Bums Club - 1971 1971 50 Harry McFarlane Roy Robb, 48H Macdonald Drive, Kilmar- nock 909 Richmond (Yorks) Cal. Soc. - 1964 1972 63 Dr. H. Morrison S. P. Halsey, 28 Stanley Grove, Richmond, Yorks. 910 Bankend 'Jolly Beggars' Bums Club ----- 1971 1972 10 Robert Strang Wm. J. Mcintyre, 1 Coalburn Road, Coalbum, Lanarkshire 911 Borestone Bowling Club- - 1947 1972 40 Alex. Irvine Robert Hoggan, 91 Milton Gardens, Whins of Milton, Stirling 912 DIU-Club, Czechoslovakia 1968 1972 20 Jan Chovanec Oldrich Bubenik, profesor, Jevicko 178, Czechoslovakia 913 Terregles Burns Club -- 1969 1972 78 L. Thomson Wm. Houston, Brooms Road, Dumfries 914 Ipswich & West Moreton Caledonian Soc. & Bums Club ----- 1903 1972 50 Jack Borthwick Mrs. Margaret Cowe, 9 Gwendoline St., Raceview, Ipswich, Qld. 4305, Australia 915 Canterbury Bums Club (Inc)- 1971 1972 70 Wallace Vinnell George Poste, 39 Stoke Street, Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand 916 Hole i' the Wa', Bums Club - 1964 1972 75 Max Houliston William Ferguson, 91 Dunlop Road, Dumfries ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CLUBS

No. No. S43 Abbey Craig 908 Brithers Be, Kilmarnock 40 Aberdeen 3S6 Bumbank 889 A.E.I. (Motherwell) "Bonnie 864 Burnie Burns Club, Tasmania Jean" 417 Burnley 20 Airdrie 282 Bums Bowling Association S16 Airts Burns Club 112 Bums Howff 2 Alexandria S97 Bums Society of the City of 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars New York 833 Alloa "Crown" Bums Club 3SS Calcutta 252 Alloway 4 Callander 618 Altrincham Caledonian Soc. 387 Cambuslang Mary Campbell 393 Annan Ladies 882 Canberra Highland Society 82 Arbroath 91S Canterbury Bums Club (Inc.) 238 Atlanta 71 Carlisle S57 --Ladies 761 Carluke 768 Auchterderran Jolly Beggars 648 Carron Bridge Cronies 851 Auckland Burns Assoc. S62 Castle Douglas 906 Ayrshire Constabulary 36S Catrine 566 Australia, Scot. Soc. of 719 Chelmsford 275 Ayr 462 Cheltenham 821 Ayr Masonic S72 Chester Caled. Assoc. 192 Ayrshire Assoc. 11 Chesterfield 699 Choppington 892 Ayrshire Metal Products Clear Winding Devon Alva 728 Bachelors' Club (Tarbolton) 646 340 Balemo 630 Coalsnaughton 910 Bankend Jolly Beggars, Coalbum 839 Coldstream 439 Barnsley 398 Colinton 593 Bamnill Jolly Beggars 606 Corby SS9 Coventry 363 Barrow Coventry Tam o' Shanter 534 Bedlington and District 84S 15 Belfast 901 Cramlington 614 Bellshill Caledonian S81 Cumbernauld 725 · Ben Qeuch S80 Cumbrae 4S Cumnock 592 Benwhat --Cronies 894 Beverley & District Caledonian 773 62 Cupar Society Cuyahoga County 167 Birmingham 594 818 Dalbeattie and District 815 B.M.K. (Netherton) Dailly Jolly Beggars 95 Bolton 179 476 Border Cities (Ont.) 3S Dairy 577 Dalserf and Clydesdale 911 Borestone Bowling Club Darlington 663 Bournemouth 1S8 S68 Darvel 803 Bowhill People's Club Denny Cross 76 Brechin 469 SS Derby 49 Bridgeton Detroit 722 Bridlington 701 37 Dollar 401 Brig-en' (Waverley) Doncaster 120 Bristol . SS6 184 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CLUBS No. No. 10 Dumbarton 916 Hole i' the Wa' 226 Dumfries 836 Homsea and District 437 --Ladies No. 1 510 I.C.I. Grangemouth 503 Dunblane 691 Inverness 14 Dundee 914 Ipswich & W. Moreton 659 --Burns Society 173 Irvine 370 Dundonald Bums Club 859 Irvine Eglinton Burns Oub 69 Dunedin N.Z. 900 Irvine Valley 85 Dunfermline 780 Isle of Man 744 Durham Caled. Soc. 348 Jean Armour (Newton) 872 East Midlands Scottish Soc. 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie 22 Edinburgh 96 Jed burgh 307 --Ayrshire Assoc. 912 Jevicko-DIU Club 825 --Clarinda Ladies Burns 905 Keighley & District Club 784 Kelso 378 --District Assoc. 377 Kilbimie 571 Edmonton 0 Kilmarnock 149 Elgin 681 --Cronies 217 Eskdale 695 Kilmaronock (Dunbartonshire) 5 Ercildoune Bums Club 627 Kinross Jolly Beggars 126 Falkirk 323 Kirkcudbright 657 Fallin Gothenberg 693 --Masonic 852 Fishcross Jolly Beggars 388 Kyle Ladies 865 Foresters Arms BumsClub 578 Lanarkshire B.C.A. (Cambusbarron) 660 Langholm Ladies 576 Fort Matilda 637 Larkhall Applebank 403 Fraserburgh 661 Leamington and Warwick 887 Gainsborough and District 548 Leeds Caledonian Society 187 Galashiels 461 Leicester 501 Galt 341 Leith 665 Gartmom Ladies 861 Lincoln Caledonian Society 796 Gateshead and District 366 Liverpool 169 Glasgow Assoc. 360 Lochee 263 --Masonic 831 Lochgoilhead Burns Oub 897 Glenbervie Burns Memorials 832 Lochore Lea Rig Bums Oub Assoc. 811 Logangate, Cumnock 766 Glencoe 1 London 198 Gore bridge 570 --Clans Assoc. 430 Gourock 561 London (Ontario) 59 Gourock Jolly Beggars 795 Longcroft and District 116 Green loaning 707 Malvern Scots Club 21 Greenock 674 Manchester and Salford 209 --St. John's 822 Mansfield Cal. Socy. 746 Grimsby 862 Market Rasen and District 33 Haggis Scottish Association 152 Hamilton 350 Markinch 842 Hamilton, Ontario 870 Massachusetts 788 Harlow and District 310 Mauchline SSS Harrogate 726 Melbourne 492 Harrow 874 Melbourne Masonic 349 Howff, Kilmarnock 716 --Royal Caled. Society 775 Hartlepools Cal. Soc. 626 Moffat and District 239 Hawick 877 Montreal Cal. Soc. 866 Heanor and District Cal. 841 Montreal Robert Burns Society Association 446 Herefordshire 242 Montrose ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CLUBS 185 No. No. 494 Motherwell United Services 454 Rotherham 885 Motherwell and Wishaw 9 Royalty 620 Muirhead 881 Rugeley and District 56 Muirkirk Lapraik 834 St. Andrew's Society 74 National Memorial (Altrincham, Sale & District) 873 Ndola Tam o' Shanter 812 St. Andrew's Soc. of Bradford 500 NewCumnock 727 St. Andrew Soc. of Denmark 903 Newhall, Burton Trent 671 St. Andrew's Cronies, Irvine 523 N.S.W. Highland Soc. 470 St. Giles, Elgin 329 Newark 220 St. Louis 133 Newarthill 413 San Francisco 542 Newarthill White Heather 68 Sandyford 199 Newbattle 629 Sanquhar 293 Newcraigball 426 Sauchie 902 Newmarket 551 Scarborough 124 Ninety 314 Scottish (Edin.) 563 Norfolk 153 Scottish (Glas.) 893 North Bay, Ontario 405 Sheffield 826 North Carolina 896 Sierra Leone Cal. Soc. 706 North Lindsey Scots Society 530 Southern Scot. Counties 745 Northumberland and Durham 860 Southland B.C., New Zealand Caled. Soc. 904 'Star of Bums' Club, Lame 854 North-East Midlands Assoc. so Stirling of Scottish Societies 824 Stirling, Clackmannan and 17 Nottingham West Perth Assoc. 777 Nuneaton 458 Stonehavcn 346 Oakbank 907 Stonehouse 880 Otley and District 683 Stratford upon Avon 748 Ouplaymuir 42 Strathearn 48 Paisley 723 Strathpeffer 72 Partick 89 Sunderland 511 Perth (West Australia) 759 Sunderland and Dist. Cal. 336 Peterhead Society 898 Peterlee and District Cal. Soc. 444 Swansea 284 Philadelphia North-eastern 632 Symington 453 --Ladies 791 Swindon Caledonian Society 741 Plean 913 Terregles 721 Plymouth 7 Thistle (Glasgow) 53S Plymouth Caledonian Soc. 754 Thornton Clevelcys 808 Pontefract 740 Thorntree 688 Poosie Nansie Ladies 710 Toronto Kirkcaldy 612 Torrance Masonic 869 Port Adelaide Men's Club 813 Tranent "25" 190 Port-Glasgow 274 Troon 212 Portobello 320 Troy 899 Portsmouth 679 Tullibody and Cambus 772 Prestwick 876 Tullibody Working Men's Club 479 Queen of the South Ladies 698 Turriff SSS Queen's Park Clarinda 520 Uddingston Locblie Ladies 617 Reading Caledonian Assoc. 237 Uddingston Masonic 472 Renfrewshire Assoc. 888 Vancouver 720 Retford 303 Victoria St. Andrew's Soc. 909 Richmond (Yorks) 443 Victoria Bums Club 769 Robert Bruce (Clackmannan) 711 Victorian Scottish Union 743 Romford Scott. Assoc. 763 Wakefield 36 Rosebery (Glas.) 436 Walney Ladies 186 ALPHABETICAL LIST .OF CLUBS

No. No. 296 Walsall 696 Whitley Bay and District 497 Wellington St. Andrew 730 Wigtown 664 West Kilbride 515 Windsor (Ont.) Jean Armour 895 Westerton Arms 197 Winnipeg 753 Westmorland St. Andrew's 890 Wollongong 392 Whiffiet 553 Wolverhampton 236 Whitehaven 751 Worcester 536 Whitbom 878 Worksop Bums and Cal. Oub 718 York St. Andrew Society 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

List of Advertisements

Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society 203 Ayr County Council 201 Ayr Public Library 207 Ayr Town Council 191 Bank of Scotland cover iv Baxters Badges 208 Blacklock Farries & Sons, Dumfries 205 Boydell Press 192 Burns House, Dumfries cover iii Burns House Museum, Mauchline 199 Clarkson & Sons, Irvine 207 Clydesdale Bank, Ltd. • • 202 Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky cover ii Dick Institute, Kilmarnock 194 Dinwiddie of Dumfries 188 Thos. Findlay & Sons Ltd., Mauchline 206 195 Globe Inn, Dumfries .. 197 Grant Bros. Ltd., Glasgow Geoffrey (Tailor) Highland Crafts, Edinburgh 203 196 Jean Armour Bums Houses, Mauchline 207 Robert Hom, Glasgow 205 Irvine Bums Club •• 201 Lochcarron Products Ltd., Galashiels 208 Hugh MacPherson (Scotland) Ltd., Edinburgh 206 Mauchline Bums Club 204 Mogerley's Dumfries .. 198 National Bums Memorial and Cottage Homes 193 National Trust for Scotland .. 204 Pearsons, Dumfries 201 Polybooks, London .. 189 Scottish National Dictionary 208 Scottish White Heather Farm, Dunoon 200 Tam O'Shanter Museum 207 Veitch's, Peebles • . . . 190 N. H. Woolley, & Co. Ltd., London .. 188 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

SECRETARIES OF BURNS CLUBS AND CALEDONIAN socmTIES are specially catered for by our Robert Bums Department Some bAe meat and canna cat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can cat, And sae the Lord be thanket. in colour with Poet's PAPER NAPKINS (our own speciality) printed Lang Sync also 45 head and quotation Brithers A', Selkirk Grace, Auld post free. Packet of Clan Crests and Tartan Scottie. Box of 250-£1.15p 50-35p. ins.) gilt edge. Our Tartan cloth bound pocket series (4 in. x 2t Poems & Songs of Robert Burns (with notes)-40p. 'Brush up your Scotland' by Gordon Irving. --40p. the newest 'The Wit of All new books on BURNS as published-including Robert Burns' by Gordon lrving-£1.20p. ofBurns's Poems usually Fine second hand copies ofearly illustrated editions in stock. Steps of Robert Burns' 50 Superb 'Braemar' colour 35mm slides-'In the £4·00 with extensive commentary on each view. Ribbon t in and TARTAN PAPER in rolls 22 in. x 11 yds. Tartan 1 in. bunting and silk SCOTTISH LION and ST. ANDREWS' FLAGS-wool nylon always in stock-prices on request.

St. Andrew's Night Send for our price List B.Sc.6 of Burns Supper and Inquiries invited. specialities and souvenirs for all Scottish occasions. INWIDDIE'S of D UMFRIRS 'The Clan Gift Shop'

ETC. PR1NTERS, PuBLISHERS, BooKSELLERS, STATIONERS, Established since 1846 by the Old Midsteeple, DUMFRIES (Telephone 5248). STD code 0387 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 189

SCOTTISH NATIONAL DICTIONARY

The object of the Dictionary is to record for posterity the language of the Scottish nation as it is enshrined in our literature, and not least in the works of Robert Burns.

Vols. I, II, Ill, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII have already been published and at least £30,000 will be required to complete the remaining two volumes.

The Dictionary is recognised as a Charity by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

A Subscription to the work costs £50 (or £75 bound) and Donations and Legacies will be welcomed towards the cost of production.

Full particulars from The Secretary, Scottish National Dictionary, 27 George Square, Edinburgh. 190 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

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The principal Dealers in the Local Authority field of investment invite inquiries

SHORT LOAN & MORTGAGE COMP ANY LTD. BANKERS, DISCOUNT AND FISCAL AGENTS

§ 118 OLD BROAD STREET § I LONDON EC2N 1AH I ~ Telephone: 01-588 6292 (20 lines) ~ ~ Telex: 885380 ~ - - ~ ~ ~ ~ N. H. Woolley & CO. LTD. BANKERS

118 OLD BROAD STREET LONDON EC2N 1AH

Telephone: 01-588 6292 (20 lines) Telex: 885380 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 191

A Town full of fun for the whole family

There's so much to do at AYR-a holiday town with attractions for everyone in your family. Enjoy sea, sun and sand, golfing, boating, dining, dancing, cinemas, theatres, indoor swimming. Explore the old town interest and new town shops, relax in the beautiful parks and gardens­ make the most of your holiday in the heart of Bums country.

Send lOp for your copy of the illustrated guide to Tourist Information Bureau, Dept. BC, 30 Miller Road, Ayr. ADVERTISER 192 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ROBERT BURNS'S JOURNAL OF HIS BORDER TOUR RAYMOND LAMONT BROWN

all the For the first time, tl!e 'Border Journal' with and editorial explanation essential to its enjoyment penetra­ understanding. The terse but often vivid and noted ting sketches of places and people which Burns identifying down are here presented with full annotation, route and the many interesting characters he met en with giving additional material about their relationship £2·00 Burns. 36 illustrations, map

BOYDELL PRESS PO Box 24 Ipswich 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 193

Souter Johnnie's House The home of John Davidson, village cobbler and original Souter Johnnie of Burns' 'Tam o' Shanter'. Life sized stone figures of the Souter, Tam, the Innkeeper and his wife, in garden. Thatched cottage contains Burns's relics. Open weekdays April to Sept. 2.30-8 p.m. In Kirkoswald village. The Bachelors'Club

In this 17th cent. thatched house, Burns and his friends formed their club in 1780 and it was here Burns was initiated into Freemasonry in 1781. Small museum. Open on request. In Tarbolton village.

If you are tracing the footsteps of the Bard, visit these properties preserved for public enjoyment by

~!~ THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND •.; 5 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4DU 031-225 2184

G 194 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

This is the Dick Institute Kilmarnock boiler house of the Burns Federation

When you visit the Burns Country Auld Killie is well worth a visit 195 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

Established 1610

@'.he ~lobe ~nn .

years ' ... the Globe Tavern here which for these many has been my How.ff . .. '

Extract from letter by Robert Burns to George Thomson, April 1796

Bed & Breakfast Lunches High Teas

Manageress: Mrs. S. C. Baxter Telephone 2335

56 High Street, Dumfries -= 196 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

JEAN ARMOUR BURNS HOUSES

MAUCHLINE, AYRSHIRE

In 1959, to mark the Bi-centenary of the Birth of Robert who Burns, the Glasgow and District Burns Association, building manage the Jean Armour Burns Houses, completed the , near of ten new houses on the historic farm of Mossgiel there, Mauchline and these are now occupied. The tenants Jive rent and rate free and receive a small pension. ten Funds are urgently required to complete a further Houses.

Please help this worthy cause by sending your donation

now to :- A. eil Campbell, F.C.I.S., Hon. Treasurer, 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh, EHlO SPP 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 197

Grant Bros. (MEAT CANNERS) Ltd. 706 GARSCUBE RD., GLASGOW NW Tel : 041-3328111 ' ADVERTISER 198 'BURNS CHRONICLE

established in honour of 'that greatest of benevolent institutions Robert Burns.'-G/asgow Herald. The National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes, Mauchline, Ayrshire the most fitting Memorial Created for Deserving Old People-as to Poet Burns.

built at Mauchline, in the TWENTY of these comfortable houses, by deserving old folks, heart of the Burns Country, are occupied The Cottagers pay neither carefully selected from all quarters. an annual allowance. rent nor taxes, and in addition, receive have their own key, There are no irksome restrictions. They and go as they please, their own furniture if they so desire, come as they wish. have their own friends calling on them and allow the Cottagers whole aim and object of the scheme is to The of their 'ain fireside' to continue the enjoyment of the quiet comfort in ideal surroundings. being improved and The amenities of the Homes are constantly added to, and for this purpose,

MONEY IS ALWAYS REQUIRED WILL YOU PLEASE HELP

by sending a Subscription to:­ John Findlay, Secretary and Treasurer, 299 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 4LA Tel. 041-221 5951. 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 199

from demolition The Burns House Museum, Mauchline, rescued of Burns lovers all and completely restored through the generosity over the world, is now open for your inspection.

his works, there is on In addition to many relics of the Poet and etc., illustrating display a collection of 'Folk objects', furniture district. the history and industry of Mauchline and

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open Weekdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday or by arrangement Children 6d Admission Adults 1/-

building will be Donations for the maintenance of this historic gratefully received by the Secretary: Street, Mauchline William Bee, M.P.S., F.S.A.Scot., 5Loudoun 200 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

A visit to the Land of Burns should include a visit to the Tam O' Shanter Inn. This historic building the starting point of "Tam's" immortal ride to Alloway Kirk is now open to the public as a Museum, containing many interesting exhibits connected with Robert Burns and his epic story of "Tam O' Shanter".

Open Daily (except Sunday) April to September 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. October to March 12 noon to 4 p.m. During June, July, August Sundays 2.30 p.m. till 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults 5p School Children 3p. 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 20l AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR BURNS LOVERS A limited quantity of the handsome, paperbound Luxor edition of Robert Burns's MERRY MUSES are available for Burns lovers, at special discount prices for mail orders! For single copies of this fascinating, illustrated 192-pageedition ofBurns's bawdy frolics, you pay only its flat published price of 48p post free. More­ over, for additional copies {THE MERRY MUSES makes a marvellous gift for your friends) add only 30p per copy (thus saving l 8p on every additional copy you order). For example, two copies come to you for only 78p POST F REE, three copies for only £1 ·08p POST FREE etc.! But only limited numbers are available at this price, so please do order now from :

POLYBOOKS 50 Alexandra Road London SW 19 Great Britain

LOCHCARRON PRODUCTS LTD makers of ties scarves sashes and materials in Burns check ' ' Goods in the Burns check can be supplied either to your local retailer or to your club

Waverley Mill, Galashiels Scotland RONICLE' ADVERTISER 202 'BURNS CH Busy people find it quicker by cheque 's no need to keep more convenient. Safer too, as there .. . not only quicker. but so much a Clydesdale Bank or in your pocket. Enjoy the freedom large sums of ready cash beside you look in and arrange time you're near one of our Branches cheque book confers upon you; next find our staff friend ly and helpful. to open a current account. You'll Clydesdale Bank Limited

MEAN BUS INESS THE BANK FOR PEOPLE WHO

llllllllll AVR iiilii~ ~c:~~~(~ programme The County has a growing expansion with new for industry, building, and recreation, other back-up academies, technical schools and area in facilities to make it the most advanced by Robt. Burns this part of the country, so beloved

Brochures and further information from DEPT., COUNTY ARCHITECTURAL & PLANNING COUNTY BUILDINGS, AYR Tel . 0292-66922 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 203 History of HIGHLAND CRAFTS (Privately owned by Scots} Highland Crafts was established shortly after the second world war. It has been a going concern for over a quarter of a century. Its reliability and good name is renowned by Seen the world over. Situated in Morningside, one of Edinburgh's thriving suburbs, it is away from the centre of the town. - Prices can be kept keen and still the high quality of Scottish Craftsmanship is maintained. Above all, the aim is to please you, the customer, at home or overseas. Send for our illustrated catalogue giving a full range of Highland Dress and Accessories. A full range of Clan Tartans of different qualities is de­ tailed at the back of the catalogue. A II Overseas orders are supplied tax free. GEOFFREY (Tailor) HIGHLAND CRAFTS Kil t Make r and Gen ts Tail ors, H ig hland Outfi tters . 189 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EHIO 4QP. (Dept. E) Telephone 031 - 447-1294 Suppliers of sporr ans and kilt jackets to this y ear"s World Pipe Band Cha mpions of Grade 2 and the runn ers -up of Grade 4.

THE ARMSTRONG MAPS OF AYRSHIRE (Showing Ayrshire and Ayr Town as they were at the time of Robert Burns) 6 sheets 1 Ayr Town 13t ins 1 mile 6 Ayrshire 1 ins 1 mile originally printed in 7775 reprinted and available price £1 ·50 from AYRSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY c/o Reference Librarian Ayr Public Library 12 Main Street Ayr, KA8 8ED Ayrshire

please include remittance with order. ADVERTISER 204 'BURNS CHRONICLE'

Aboune them a' Mogerley's (G. LITI'LE, PROP.) HAGGIS SPECIALISTS 49 FRIARS' VENNEL DUMFRIES Burns Clubs Supplied all over Britain Enquiries Im•ited

Famous for SCOTTISH KNITWEAR BORDER TWEEDS AND TARTAN TIES

(including the Burns Tartan) for almost half a century

PEARSONS OF DUMFRIES 77 Friars Venne) and Church Crescent Just near Burns Statue - 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER 205

When in Dumfries- we invite you to visit our Bookshop

Blacklock Parries & Sons

General and Specialist Booksellers

18-26 Church Crescent

DUMFRIES

Tel. 4288/9

Irvine Burns Club Now on view, in the Club Museum, Eglinton Street, Irvine:

Five new and original paintings of scenes from 'Tam 0 Shanter' by Angus Scott. An original pencil drawing of the poet by Naysmith. The Irvine Collection of original Burns Manuscripts. Recently acquired beautifully bound copy of the Kilmarnock edition of Burns. The Club will be opened at any time by appointment Enquiries should be made to Andrew Hood, Hon. Secretary, Chamberhouses, Irvine. Telephone Irvine 2126 (day) 3596 (night). ADVERTISER 206 'BURNS CHRO ICLE'

Mauchline Burns Club Federation o. 310 on the ~ The cronies of Mauchline Burns Club, cordial occasion of their 50th Anniversary, send clubs greetings and best wishes to all kindred in Scotland and throughout the world.

'Through busiest streets and loneliest glen felt the flashes of his pen.' Are Wordsworth.

Secretary ent Presid D. I. Lyell, M.A. Dr. J. Strawhorn

Building Contractors THOS. FINDLAY &Sonsl~ MAUCHLINE Established 1879 Telephone ; Mauchline 374 / 5

GENERAL CONTRACTORS FOR BUILDING WORK OF ALL KINDS

JOINERY FOR BANKS, SCHOOLS, etc. CHURCHES, HOUSES, HOTELS. Woodworking Specialists "B R HRO ICLE' ADYERTlSER 207

PRINTING? ROUND OLD AYR Phone IR IN 3039 A GUIDED WALK by II cla c commercial work Ronald W. Brash, M.A. *Billhead and * L ttcrhead Allan Leach, D.P.A., F.L.A. * Imoice, Order Books * \: edding tationery illustrated by G. S. Copeland, A.R .l.B.A., ommi ion Agent ' Betting A.R.l.A.S., F.S.A. (Scot.) , lip Book and ard Available price 15p Prompt de/i1·ery guaranteed From: Reference Librarian Wm. Clarkson &Sons, Ayr Public Library, 12 Main 10 E T ROAD, IR INE Street, Ayr, KA8 8ED

ROBERT BURNS TIE BDBEIT HDIN

28 St. Enoch Square, Glasgow Gl 4DB 041-221 5788

Woven in Jacquard • Wine Shade Terylene with Bards Head interspersed Suppliers of Badges and with thistles. Supplied in Presentation Box. Insignia £1 including P & p Overseas Postage 15p. of Office to the VEITCH'S BUR S FEDERATION CORNER HOUSE PEEBLES, SCOTLAND 208 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

and Sole Distributors of the beautiful newly designed Edinburgh Northwest Territories Tartans HUGH MACPHERSON (SCOTLAND) LTD. Outfitters Bagpipe and Kilt Makers, Knitwear Manufacturers, Highland EH12 SEA 17 WEST MAITLAND STREET, EDINBURGH, Telephone: 031-225 4008 , Send for Price Lists . Agents in Canada, U.S.A., Australia , Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Belgium, Holland Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Japan

Presentation Spray . £2-00 Horseshoe £2-50 WHITE 4 Gift Sprays . £2 ·00 5 Greeting Cards (with envelopes) £1 ·00 HEATHER (after April add 10% VAT) U.K. Postage 20p Abroad (Air) 75p an ideal gift Buttonhole Sprigs . Plain Sprigs . Loose Heather Any quantity . Any time . Anywhere Send for illustrated leaflet

THE SCOTTISH WHITE HEATHER FARM Toward DU NOON Argyll PA23 7UA

Baxters Badges

For TRADE DESCRIPTION ACT

Regimental Blazer Badges The Burns Federation cannot hold themselves respon ible Clan Crest Blazer Badges (wire) for any misleading description of goods advertised in the SpC'cialists in 'Chronicle'. Jntending pur­ chasers are advised to sati fy Terylene Crested Ties themselves that goods conform Badges Copied to description.

24 Ropergate, Pontefract, York WF8 !LY 'BURNS CHRONICLE' ADVERTISER

... at Bank of Scotland, with a wide range of services specially tailored for personal and business needs. It's probably the most comprehensive range of services you'll find, all designed to take the worry out of money. For example- SCOTLOAN-helps you get the things you want, without waiting SCOTBUDGET-provides the easiest way to meet your bills SCOTCASH-dispenses money 24 hours a day Call in at any of our Branches and start to live . • B4!!!~0!!!!LAD