2001 the Digital Conversion of This Burns Chronicle Was Sponsored by RBWF Past President James Gibson
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Robert Burns World Federation Limited www.rbwf.org.uk 2001 The digital conversion of this Burns Chronicle was sponsored by RBWF Past President James Gibson The digital conversion was provided by Solway Offset Services Ltd by permission of the Robert Burns World Federation Limited to whom all Copyright title belongs. www.solwayprint.co.uk Photo by Colin Hunter McQueen Stained Glass Window –Irvine BurnsClub. Stained Glass Window Solway Offset the Printers, 11 Catherinefield Ind. Estate, Heathhall, Dumfries. BURNS CHRONICLE 2001 CHRONICLE BURNS VisitScotland TM Motto — “A man’s a man for a’ that” THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION THEA SHORT VISION EXTRACT TO by COMPLEMENT ROBERT THE ILLUSTRATION BURNS LIMITED OF THE OIL PAINTING ON THE COVER OF THIS Company Registration No. 196895. Scottish Charity No. SCO29099 ISSUE BY THE ARTIST JAMES ELDER CHRISTIE. (Formerly THE BURNS FEDERATION) Instituted 1885 ‘Then never murmur nor repine; HEADQUARTERS: DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK, DOWER HOUSE, KILMARNOCK. KA3 1XB. Stirve in thy humble sphere to shine; TEL/FAX: 01563 572469. And trust me, not Potosi’s mine, OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Nor king’s regard, Can give a bliss o’ermatching thine, HONORARY PRESIDENTS A rustic Bard. Mrs. Stella Brown, Charles Murray, Lew W. Reid, George Irvine, Gordon M. Mackley, Professor G. Ross Roy, Archie McArthur, William Williamson, Murdo Morrison, James Parnham, Lawrence Burness, Tom G. Paterson, Peter J. ‘To give my counsels all in one, Westwood, James Hempstead, Provost of East Ayrshire, Joseph Campbell, Professor Henryk Minc, Kenneth McKel- lar, Alastair Gowans, Robert Cleland. Thy tuneful flame still careful fan; Preserve the dignity of Man, OFFICIALS With soul erect: Chief Executive: SHIRLEY BELL, “Inveresk,” Kelton, Dumfries. DG1 4UA. Tel/Fax: 01387 770283. And trust the Universal Plan President: JAMES GIBSON, Craigowan Cottage, 28 Brewlands Road, Symington, Ayrshire. Tel: 01563 830312. Will all protect. Senior Vice-President: JIM ROBERTSON, 4 Hunter’s Close, Dunnington, York. YO1 5QH. Tel: 01904 489201. Junior Vice-President: H. WILSON LOGAN, 64 Ballyhampton Road, Larne, N. Ireland. BT40 2SP. ‘And wear thou this’ –She solemn said, Clerical Secretary: Mrs. MARGARET CRAIG, Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock. KA1 3BU. And bound the holly round my head: Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. Honorary Legal Advisor: DAVID STEVENSON. The polish’d leaves and berries red Auditors: SMITH & WALLACE & CO. Did rustling play; And, like a passing thought, she fled CONVENERS In light away. 200 Club: MOIRA RENNIE DUNSMORE, 59 Beechwood Court, Dunstable, Beds. LU6 1YA. Tel: 01582 705671. Schools Competitions: ANNE GAW, 7 Highfield Place, Girdle Toll, Irvine. KA11 1BW. Tel: 01294 217481. Scottish Literature: JOHN G. PATERSON, Newlands, 35 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent. CT20 2NQ. Memorials Committee: JOE KENNEDY, 49 Sutherland Drive, Kilmarnock. KA3 7JW. Tel: 01563 531688. Marketing/Advertising: MURDO MORRISON, 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw. ML2 8HU. Tel: 01698 372638. Conference Committee: MOIRA RENNIE DUNSMORE, 59 Beechwood Court, Dunstable, Beds. LU6 1YA. IRVINEThe window pictured CLUB’S overleaf is a montageSTAINED of items directly GLASS related to Burns WINDOW and his contemporaries. Tel: 01582 705671. At the top of the window is the scroll and art work taken from David Sillar’s Burgess Ticket together with the Seals of the Royal Burgh or Irvine. Immediately under this is an extract from a Burns letter PAST PRESIDENTS to his Irvine friend Captain Richard Brown dated Edinburgh 30 December, 1787, in which he credits John Skilling, Joe Campbell, Bob Dalziel, Moira Rennie Dunsmore, Andrew McKee, Murdo Morrison, David C. Smith, John Morrison, Charles Kennedy, Donald Urquhart, Hutchison Sneddon, C.B.E., J.P., Anne Gaw, Enez Anderson, J. Brown with encouraging him “to endeavour at the character of a Poet”. On the left middle is the front Connor, M.D.I.R.C.P. (Edin), L.R.F.P.S. (Glas)., D. Wilson Ogilvie, M.A., F.S.A.Scot., John Inglis, T. McIlwraith, George page of Burns Kilmarnock Edition and in the centre is the Beugo head taken from the Poet’s Edinburgh Anderson, Mollie Rennie, S. K. Gaw. Edition. Centre right is the Founding Minute of Ivine Burns Club dated Irvine 2 June, 1826, with the signatures of the twelve founding members. Bottom left is an extract from Burns autobiographical letter to Dr. Moore dated Mauchline 2 August, 1787, in which he writes of Irvine “My twenty third year Main Sponsor was an important era to me…” On the right of this is the front page of David Sillar’s book of poems printed by John Wilson, Kilmarnock, in 1789. Below this is an extract from Surgeon Fleeming’s Day Book showing the treatment and drugs prescribed for Burns during his illness in Irvine in November, of 1781. Extreme bottom centre is one of Burns letters to David Sillar dated Ellisland 22 January, 1790, in which he enclosed the sum of £2- 4/- (£2.20 in today’s currency, i.e. the book would cost 5p in The Robert Burns today’s money). To the right of this are two verses written by the Poet in Irvine where he contemplated becoming a soldier beginning “Oh why the duece should I repine…” Below this is a heckling comb World Federation with flax fibres. Bottom left is a map of Irvine as it was in Burns time. The glass of the montage is multi-coloured and the whole is attractively adorned with the bright blue flower of the flax. BURNS CHRONICLE Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. Editorial Consultant: Professor RAYMOND GRANT, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Advertising Manager: MURDO MORRISON, 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw, ML2 8HU. Tel/Fax: 01698 372638. Contents Past President John Skilling ...........................3 Portrait of Robert Burns .............................111 President James Gibson .................................5 Provand’s Lordship ....................................115 From the Editor ..............................................6 Burns and American Revolution ................116 From the Chief Executive ..............................7 Merry Minutes of Millennium ...................121 Discoveries Down Under .............................10 Oor Rab at the Savoy .................................125 Burns’ Songs American Connection ............13 Hard Times in Burns’ Day .........................130 Burns and the Devil .....................................21 Burns’s Tours 18th Century Scotland ........166 Burns and Independence ..............................31 Plough Girl Mothered the Bard ..................179 Beyond the Letters of Burns ........................44 Burns at Caledonian Club of The Selkirk Grace ........................................51 San Francisco .........................................183 A Master at Work - Burns Statue .................57 Burns’s Letter to Ainslie ............................191 Burns Among the Russians ..........................62 Afghanistan 1801-2001 ..............................204 The Murison Burns Collection .....................65 From the Literary Editor ............................205 Irvine Burns Club .........................................67 Friends Scheme Burns Heritage Park ........209 Burns Statues - North America ....................71 Book Reviews ............................................210 Lost Road in Alloway ..................................84 Louisa Fontenelle - Burns in Ulster .............................................85 “The Rights of Woman” .........................212 The Immortal Memory .................................91 Glasgow and Robert Burns ........................218 Burns and Christianity .................................99 Presentation to Burns Federation ...............220 Rev Hamilton Paul .....................................103 In Memorium .............................................222 The Robert Burns World Federation Limited does not accept any responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed in the Burns Chronicle. Contributors are responsible for articles signed by them; the Editor is responsible for articles initialed or signed by him, as well as for those unsigned. Articles, photographs, items for review and all correspondence should be addressed and forwarded to the Editor at the above address. Articles offered should be in typescript with double spacing and on the one side of the sheet. A stamped addressed envelope should be forwarded for return of articles and photographs. © THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION LIMITED 1 Margaret and John Skilling 2 REMINISCENCES OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT t was a great honour to serve as President of the Robert Burns World Federation. You would expect me to say that! But it was. And a great pleasure too, for both my wife and I. By great good fortune Margaret is a Burnsian too and she is seen opposite Iwearing the chain of President of the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs* when our terms of office overlapped. We got invited to parties, functions and competitions which we really enjoyed, met old friends and made new ones. We were invited because I had the chain but were warmly received because we were with Burnsians. The Federation is in good heart. Our finances are in the black, mainly due to Shirley Bell’s sterling efforts, and our membership is growing, at Association, Club, family and individual levels. Our Committees are focussed and our Conveners are not just holding their positions;