The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-10
New York ard Boston On Burus--the
Difference

Stw ara hOsf0b Oo butus-toe
Difference.
The almost universal response from every
quarter Of the globe, where the English
language has been carried-to the memory
Of RoRERr Burns, upon the Centennial An.
niversary Of his birth the enthusiasm and
spontanety Of the tributes from orators and
poets aud statesmen and above all, from the
great rough hear. Of the people, whose poet
he was, show the world better than any
other sign, to what height Of grandeur the
lame OF the rustic poet has grown in these
hundred year,, and how the roots Of it have
taken hold Of the great humanity to which
he sang. Nowhere WINS the completion OF
this centennial cycle celebrated with
warmer sympathy for the genial and gener-
Gus poet OF Scotland than in America; and
in America, although few cities failed TO do
honor to his name, il was Boston and New
York, "A usual, which led the festal
procession Other towns cast flowers
in the track of the Centennial sun
which bore before the revolving nations
Of the world the overlooking urn OF his
Astounding famc--but it was these two, and
the choice spirits which they assembled,
which placed the laureate crown Of univer-
AL empire upon bis brow. And OF these
two, it must be admitted that on this as on
other occasions in which tie sugustness Of
the exhibition consists less in external pa.
genntry than in the array Of intellect and the
pomp Of great names, Boston maintained
her prominence. Brilliant and great men
were gathered at the New York festivals 10
testify OF BURNS. At the Astor House din
ner. W. &. BRYANT, presided; Frrr GREENE
HALLxcK, PARSx GopwIs, and others oil
lcss note, distinguished merchants, politi-
clans, and officials were there. But in Bos-
ton, IL there were no names which outweigh
these singly, the aggregate weight Of mind
WAS greater, and the general character OF
the exhibition was more accordant with the
genius of the hourNew. York was brilliant
auditory AMI ornate Boston was genial,
sincere and classical. 1t set the day to Burns
own music, and fifty tuned the spirit Of
the occasion to poetic harmonies. In
all the minute associations which edge the
temper of such occasions, Boston was
studious to find some palpahle Interpretation
Of DuRNs to the eye, and ear, and heart
The guests endured for BuRSs sake, llaggis
made in BuRSs' own cottage, which-the
llsggis-weut down with letter from n
son of Burns and another from his niece
Numerous relies of the poets home were also
exhibited.
Very BrRsslikc poems were read by
l.owxl. lIoLuEs, WHITTIER and SuuLA-
BgR.
New York was all glitter. and talk and
vine, but its bartls were silent, and il sought
no access Of sentiment from the fragrant
hsun,s Of the Poe, himself
To pursue the idea suggested by the diff
terence in tie spirit and character Of the
celebrations at the two cities. one cannot
help regarding il 81 as a difference OF kind
r Ia L. I.r1,,,,. II
American letters, Boston is the House OF
Lords. rvsplenleu, with a native aristoc
racy Of intellect. New York, on the other
hand has its type in The House Of Commons,
aud il less soiste and scholarly and Sen'i
mental than her sister She is more rhetorical,
and popular, and practical. The ideas OF
Boston are ,rar sni,tei hboriously in books;
those OF New York flow cut broadcast in
the periodical literature Of the day. Boston
after all lies at the bottom OF New York,
ss will appear II any one will take the trou
hlc 10 examine the antec,,ients Of the great
men Of GOTHAM. The feature Of the Boston
celebration, howeYr. WAS the poems by
Low III. >WtikRER ard WHITTIER We
have room Tor only shor, extract from Low.
stL. Bvsss soul IS rcpoSen,ei as waiting
=, the wicker gate NJ heaven. WHERE Holy
Willie sa' ior the hay in the place Of the
good -, rttsr Willie had sworn 20 he
particularly seycr with the Shos,ly eaudi,
dates for admission.