The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-01-27
Celebration OF Burns, Birth D.y.

the Burns Club OF the city OF New York, and a
number OF invited guests and friends, celebrated
the line tieth anniversary OF the birth day OF Scot
lands great bard, by splendid dinner at tn HI
tei de Paris, No. 1874 Broadway. 1t was a happy
ana social gathering, and the festivities were con-
tnued till late hour. Col. Vim. H. Maxwell,
the President Of the Club, presided on the occasion
aud was supported on his right by Mr. Barclay, tie
Briti,h Consul, and the left by Dr. Bartlett late
editor OF he Albion Mr. Moody acted as vice pref.
dent
After due hon-r had been done to the viands, the
clio removed, and tnen ensued feast OF reason
and n nov OF soul" that reflected crediGably on che
eous OF the land Of the mountain and the food.u
The regular tossts being IN order, the President d.
rectrd the company to charge for the fret. Bsfore
proposing It, he thanked tho Club for the honor which
had conierrtd upon him by electng him its pre-.
sident a was the frat time that he had the lessure
Of meeting the members since his election hs was
aware OF the able or 10 which the chair had been
FLIED by his predecessors and he feared that his efforts
would contrast unfavorAbly with theirs. He wouid
claim tho privilege extended generally to debutants
and would throw himself on their KIND consideration
He then proposed
"rhe Day and q VIVA honor it," Drank with great
enihusiasm"J
ing the subject If II in with am, vi
the club tho Preside MT ssdt may b. expected that
should off.r some few introductory observations rsa
tive 10 the "great bard OF Scotland whose natal
niversary w arc here ths eveniog to celebrate In
speaking OF Burns, as q man and poet, have the
history oil one and the beauties or other to in
struct but In al udiog to his genius spaak Of
the eDsnstionsof inspired mind spirit, SUCH as
dictated the ideas and prompted the expressions the
great philosophers, painters and poets of autq uty
The genius OF poetry the beautiful
anthems and the mag ufospt Imagery Of Job and
Isaiah; IL swsed the bosom Of Homer, when he sung
"the Trojan War" IL fred the strains of SApho and
II kindled the glowing numbers Of Anacreon. 1t Is
the same undyig spirit that in later times animated
the lofty Of Milton Of DANTE Of Pstrarch Of
SO. OF ShskspeaIe, and Of own immortal Burns
Genius 10 my theme How difficult to define it, How
Of po+t-, doubtless, alter long elaboration, called
it the god Of human nature''-an earthly d.
vinity 1t is, indeed, great principie-one of
perior to human laws and the nonaities OF
ciety. II outltves the pride and pref JUDGES OF an
epoch to rise still rsspis ndent amid the visions
OF the future have mentioned the names OF seve.
raj men Of genius whose inspiration has shed bright
lustre upon their age and could, in connection
In their ves to incidents In the of Burns but
in doing 80, should delay you too long will seect,
then only the name Of shak.pears genius who, like
hisl'fetme but will like Burns, live forever In the
meries OF his countrymsn shakespeare, as actor
AND dramatst, was, at least appsuded, though not
justly appreciated by Queen Elizabeth and her
TIERS but the gems of his genius sumbered in parch
ment century after his DEATH in the moth eaten
Libraries OF the corrupt and tersts of the
Virgin Queen. The genius Of Shakespeare was either
overlooked or forgotten wbie Rochester and Waller
the recipients Of royal fav and the delight OF
the dssipated sristoorsoy of England. in the latter
part of the seventeenth century But only for
q
lowered DER the fame Of the drama tst soon passed
away. and the darkness was foiloW by light that
has shed EN- imm.rta halo around the name Of Shake
pesre; and illuminated English literature beyond all
praise, and all precedent. Robert Burns In
humble live; but as il drinking in early infancy from
the Castslisn fount, as II Dursed in secret by tho
directed by that Cola sung 70 sweety in
his vision he pours forth his rspturous melodies,
almost uuno Iced 1t the moment IL Is true but which
gently swelling the of time has filled world
with hip music Burns genius simple nervous natural
and fervent attracted not the Of the fashion
hsa
with the song upon his lips that to be- the delight
and admiration Of all nations throughout all time
Burns died neglected; but his genius the divinity Of
depore the man, but adore his memory, and delight
in the priceless treasures hs has bequeathed to
fear am intrudpg too long upon your indulgence.
must hasten to conclude Gentlemen, We are hsrs to
do honor to his memory, and honorsd In
here to. night Let us Indulge the pessn Il
sheos banquet Fill your glasses, thsn, to the
brim, and in flowing bumpers let US bid is welcome
Gentlemen, give you the nd regular toast
The genius Of Burns [Dran with all the honors
Mr.. CLrREHUcH was then called upon for a song and
In compliance there with he sang Highland Mary,'
prefscing it with some observations on the oiroum.
stances connected with the OF the song her at
tachmeut and betroths to the poet and her sickness
and death The song was warmly appauded, and was
The Poets Of Scotland" was the next sentiment.
Drank with enthusiasm.l
MIR. DRAPER sang Duncan Gray to the great
amusement Of the company. The next regular toast
The Poets Of America
Mr.. MooDY, the Vice President Of the evening in q
neat speech referred to the difficulty he experienced
In cemme ncing his remarks, and could help smil
ing the fact that at the adversary of birth.
day for the year 1S4Y assembago had to preside
over them Psesident who could stop, and Woe
President who could not start (Laughter) He then
into tho character of the writings of Burns
which we're characterized, he said by evidences OF
most generous and mob spirit As man. B arms was
perfect than any other yet he had fe yer of
the mpere hso any other, and of the per.
fections. He then glanced at Scotland and her sons
and concluded by giving as toast
The Lsndo Cakes"
MIR. JAMES BOOZE then favored the company by re-
citing Young Lochinvar" which he did in q very
credita msnn.r.
AZ this point the company seemed to get into the
spirit of the thing and the decanters and bottles of
champagne danced mer1iiy along che tables Each
OF the company seemed determined to enjoy himself
and TO make all DO the same
ME-; MOODY proposed" Inc native poets Of America"
Drank, VITA all the honors.
MI CLARkE, OF the Knieker6ocker, responded to the
ast toast ne sa'd ne wac perhaps the only Ameri
ran present. but poetry 10 like nature; touch Of 1t
all brotherhood, for it ID but tOuch