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

Rejoice that such a man was born, and still farther rejoice
that Scotland gave him birth. _Surroundal as -we are by
much that h emblematic of our native land, cheered by
much that reminds us of " Auld Lang Syne," with Scottish
feelings awakened, and with hearts attuned to do honour
to the memory of one who, " take him all in all, we ne'er
shall look upon his like again," let us drink to the undying
memory of Robert Burns.

" The health of Professor Masson of London" was pro-
posed by the deputy-chairman, and suitably acknowledged.
"The health of William Chambers of Edinburgh,"
was next proposed, and received with great cheering.
Mr. WILLIAM CIIAM/3EBS7 who appeared as a deputation
from the Edinburgh Festival Committee, thanked the
company for the cordial reception his name had met with,
and, after some general observations, especially addressed
himself to the occasion which had brought the company
together. He said Burns first came to Edinburgh in No-
vember, 1786, .and remained till'May, 1787, during which
interval he saw the second edition of his poems through the
press, and was in the full blaze of his fame. He became
acquainted with. Dr. Blair, Dugald Stewart, Henry Mac-
kencie, Black, Hutton, John Home, Dr. Adam Ferguson,
Lord Monboddo; tuid other diStingnished men of the time.
It was also at this time that his portrait was executed by
Nasmyth, and engraved by Bengo. So humble was he in
nis means and aspirations that he was contented with get-
ting a slOsre of the room and bed of his friend John Rich-
mond, in Baxter's-close, Lawnmarket. Frequently he was
invited or taken to the houses of his literary friends, and
among others that of Dr. Adam Ferguson, the historian of
the Roman Republic. One evening, about April, 1787, he
was conducted by Professor Stewart to a conversazione
in Dr. Ferguson's house in the Sheens. On this me-
morable occasion there was present young Walter Scott, a
lad of fifteen or sixteen years of age. Scott had heard much
of Burns, he had read much of his newly-published poems,
and was anxious to be his company. But this, as he tells
us, could not well be managed. A fellow:clerk in his
father's office Made a kind of promise to get him introduced
tnrough a friend; yet this plan, failed and Scott would
probably never have seen Burns, but for the circumstance
of having for his acquaintance the son of Dr. Ferguson, who
latterly became Sir Adam. Ferguson. Hearing about the
convcrsazione , and the probability of Burns being present,
young Adam gets hold of Walter, and takes him to his
father's house on the occasion. In the "Life of Scott" we
have an account of this remarkable interview; but Sir
Adam who died only two or three years ago, favoured my
brother with some additional particulars It seems that
Burns did not at first feel inclined to mingle easily
in the company. He went about the room, looking
at the pictbres on the walls. At length one picture
arrests his attention ; it is a common-looking print, in a
black frame. Tho painter of the picture is Banbury, and
the scene is that of a dead soldiet lying on the snow, with
his dog watching over him. and near him is his shivering
wife, who suckles a baby in her bosom—altogether a sub-
ject of a most dismal kind. Bums was much affected by
the print ; he read the lines, but before getting to the end
of them his voice faltered, and his big black eye filled with
tears. A little after, he turned with much interest to the
company, pointed to the picture, and asked with eagerness
if any one could tell him who had written these affecting
lines. All were silent; no one knew except the unnoticed
lame boy, Walter Scolt, who modestly whispered they were
written. by Langhorne, in a poem called the "Justice of
Peace." Scott was rewarded with a look which he never
forgot, and also with the words, " You'llbe a man yet, sir."
Now, there, gentlemen, hangs the identical picture. It
was presented to my brother by Sir Adam Ferguson, and
as a curiosity I have brought it with me from Edinburgh
to show on the present occasion. Intrinsically, the picture
is not worth five shillings ; but how priceless its value as
associated with that deeply-interesting and only interview
which took place between' Walter Scott and Robert Bums,
undoubtedly the two greatest men whom Scotland has ever
produced. Mr. Chambers addressed the assembly at some
length, and sat down amidst great cheering.
Dr. HODSON, in a very eloquent speech, proposed " Pros-
perity of the Fine Arts," adding to it the name of David
Roberts.

Mr. MACLURE followed, and proposed, in appropriate
termo, " The Ladies."
Various other toasts were given, and the compaay
afterwards repaired to the ball room, where dancing was
continued to an early hour. .
In the course of the evening the President referred to
their being present in the room a gallant officer (Captain
Adair), who assisted Haveleck at th relief of Lucknow ;
and another (Captain Malcolmson), who made the cele-
brated cavalry charge in the late Persian campaign, which
broke and dispersed a phalanx of infantry. The announce•
ment was received with great cheering

It:would be injustice not to notice the assiduous attention
paid to the comfort of the company by the committee of
management, and the honorary secretary, Mr. Gray, which
no doubt aided materially the happy manner in which
everything connected with the demonstration passed off.
The dinner and wines were of the best character, and
quite worthy the reputation of the London Tavern. Mr.
Higgs officiated with ability as toastmaster.

LORD BROUGHAM AND THE BURNS,

CENTENARY.

We have been favouredwith a copy of the follow-
ing letter addressed by Lord Brougham to Lord
Ardmillan, in reference to the Mims' Centenary :
My Lord,—lt is altogether unnecessary to say
how very deeply I lament the disappointment of
my hopes that I should have been able to attend
this interesting festival. Such celebrations are the
discharge of a duty, the payment, as it were, of a
debt to departed genius ; they afford occasion for
indulging in mutual congratulations, and displaying
honcst national pride. But also they should by all
means be turned to good account, in the oppor-
tunity which they give of drawing practical in-
ferences from the subject matter of our contempla-
tions. To two of those inferences I take the great
liberty of directing your attention, in order that
this celebration may be productive of some useful
result.

After his great poetical genius, there is nothing
so remarkable in Burns' history as the extraordi-
nary refinement of his sentiments, and even of his
taste, from his earliest years, the effect certainly of
his education having been greater than falls to the
lot of the peasantry,-even in Scotland. But it is
impossible to read the accounts of his family, and
his description of, and correspondence with his
friends of the same age, and the same humble sta-
tion, and not be struck with the manner in which
they were all raised above their condition by the
ordinary education of the parish schools, and the
taste for reading and for contemplation to which it
gave rise, beside its effects in forming industrious
and temperate habitq. It led in him further to the
greater cultivation of his faculties, and the nursing
and unfolding of his genius; and we have an un-
questionable right to affirm that but for this edu-
cation, he, in all likelihood, would have passed
through the life of an humble and unknown pea-
sant ; and that his genius would never have been
known either to himself or the world. The exist-

ence of genius must ever be an accident; but as it
cannot be confined to any class of the community
the chances of its appearing, that is of its existence
being known, must needs be in proportion to the
numbers placed in circumstances that shall nurse
and unfold it. Thus, besides the ordinary and every
day effects of this education, we have its necessary
tendency to mature and to disclose rare capacity of
the highest order—all that is called genius ; a Watt
to alter the whole face of the world by the changes
which his profound science and matchless skill
produced, each change an improvement, and adding
to the happiness of mankind ; a Burns, whose im-
mortal verse makes the solace and the delight of
his countrymen in every age and every country
where their lot may be cast. These are of course
very rare examples ; but it is fit to dwell upon the
common and universal effects of the system in
raising the character of our people, distinguishing,
them wherever they go for intelligence and useful-
ness, for thoughtful and therefore prudent habits.
The testimony is general and it is striking, which
is borne to them in these respects, not only by calm
observers free from all national prejudice, like M.
Biot, father of the National Institute (whose work
on our Scotch system I am publishing with notes),
but by the employers of labour in all parts of the
world, both old and new. It is truly gratifying to
reflect that wherever a native of Scotland goes lie
bears this character along with him, and finds his
claims to respect acknowledged as soon as he de-
clares his country ; not like the old Roman appeal-
ing to the fears awakened by the sound of the bar-
barous tyrant's name, and silencing the voice of
justice or preVenting its course ; but- representing
th 9 humane and enlightened nation which has
faithfully discharged its highest duty of diffusing
knowledge and promoting Virtue'
The inference to be drawn is, that what cannot
in any way be treated as the ground of empty
boast, should not be made the ground of exultation,
foolish and unprofitable.
yObur duty is, to maintainiered
and to amend the system
all mell-con d
measures, so that it may not only be perpetuated
but improved. There, as everywhere else, time has
produced some defects and disclosed others. By
our experience in both these respects we are bound
'to profit, securing the independence of teachers,
Placing them under the inspection which the law
originally intended to be effectual ; providing for
then' removal when incompetent, and for their sup-
port when disabled by age and infirmity ; appor-
tioning their advancement to their merits ; and
raising to their just place in society such as are
distinguished by their useful labours ; not ever
forgetting that to this body of men there once be-
longed one of the most powerful preachers and
eminent leaders of the National Church. That a
firm resolution to work for the attainment of these
objects may arise out of this celebration, to which
it is so peculiarly appropriate,. would not seem to be
entertaining too sanguine a view.
But it is also fit that we should, on this occasion,
poems, at least
consider in what language Burns'
by far the most celebrated, and the most justly cele-