The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-26 00:00:00

PRICE 4D. ST AMPED, SD.

and which that heart, as long its it beats in unison
with noble sentiment, will not willingly let
die. I need not say that I am speaking of the
genius of Burns in its bright est and finest moods,
and, though we have but m( ;re fitful snatches of
these, surely there is enough t call forth our grate-
ful admiration and our deepe it pity. Had this not
been the case—had there not I cen in his writings the
stamp of imperishable genius, t at sympathetic some-
thing which makes the -world kin, which appeals
to the universal heart—the name of Burns would
have perished. It would have been dragged down
into oblivion by the baser part of his life and
writings. As time passes the impure sediment will
sink, but the pure stream •of gen ius itself flowing
above that, and looked at al ary ft om that, will ever
be regarded with grateful admiration, and will
remain a " thing of beauty and 11. joy for ever." It
is well that the Scottish peo pie, g enerally speaking,
have had the good sense e.nd tVie charity to look
at their national poet in this dis2riminating way,
The diamond is Still the diamond .notwithstanding
the baser materials in which it is embedded, and in
which it shines. lam anxious not to exaggerate
in any way ou an ()erasion when there is so much
Danger of this ; and whilst we express our admira-
tic of the genius of the national poet, let us feel
as if we were invited by the bard himself to stand
by his grave and read the epitaph. which he com-
pc sed for himself—
•

" Is there a whim-inspired fool
Owre fast for thought, oWre ha for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre prciud to snool,
Let hit n draw near, _
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And di up a tear.

The poor inhabital tt below
Was quick to learn. and wise to kaaw,,
And keenly felt tho friendly glow,
And softer flame ;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stained his name."
Notwithstanding all. these drawbacks, his genius
has wreathed around the brow of old Scotland a
garland of poetic be may imperishable as her own
heathery glens, and sweet and simple as her own
" Mountain Daisy," to -which that genius has given
a deathless fame.

DINNER AT THE GUILDHALL COFFEE-

HOUSE.

Last evening upwards of 100 gentlemen, chiefly
from the land of the po whose birthday centenary
they had met, to celeb.rate dined together at the
Guildhall Coffee-house, King-street, Cheapside ;
Mr. Hannay in the chair. The customary loyal
toasts having been given, villivened with appropriate
songs, the Chairman prof )osed, in a very able speech,
" The Memory of Robmt Burns," whose many
sterling qualities and few- failings he compared to a
rich field of corn—whereiii a few weeds had grown
up, standing out the more conspicuously from the
golden hue of the grain, and the gaudy show of the
poppies with which it was here and there dotted.
He believed that posterity -would yet do justice to
the memory of a man who, living in a day when
.men and manners were mu eh less refined than now,
was one of nature's true nobility, for his poetical
works formed only one of Vie phases in which his
character might be viewed with. advantage. Many
other toasts followed, including. " The Memory' of
Wallace, Bruce, and the 1 'atriots of Scotland,"
" The Memory of Knox and -the Scottish Covenan-
ters," " The Literature of. Sec rtlana and of England,"
" The Peasantry of Scothu id," " The Lasses," and
" The Press," all of which were duly responded to,
and a very harmonious ever ing was concluded with
the national finale of " ild Lang Syne," at the
" wee short hour." We must not omit to mention
that the veteran Templeton kindly came from the
London Tavern to sing on.e song of his countryman
Burns. He'gave "My /1-annie, 0," most sweetly,
and was rapturously app lauded.