The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27
ROBERT BURNS.
The Birthday of Scotland's Bard-Cele-
bration by the Caledonia Club
Speeches, Songs. &c.

bration by the Caledonia Club
Speeches, Songs, sc.
The one hundred and fifteenth anniversary OF the
birth OF the Nlustrious poet Robert Burns, was
celebrated last evening by the Caledonia club or
this city, at their house in sullivan street. with ap-
propriate festivities. No event IN the calendar
awakens more genuine feeling OF pride and en-
thusiasm among our Scottish residents than the
natal day of their immortal bard. Last evening
the rooms OF the Caledonia Club were thronged
with guests, and shortly after eight O'Clock over
200 ladies and gentlemen sat down TO supper. The
han was neatly decorated. but prominent among
the numerous attractive features which presented
themselves painting Of the great poet. Mr..
II. G. Thomson, the chief OF the club, presided. An
important Item in this entertainment was The In
PRODUCTION of the 'haggls," favorite Scotch DISH
and which formed the subject Of an address 10y
Mr.. Warnock. In proposing the first toast-"The
Memory oil Robert Burns'--the Chairman alluded in
fitting terms to the occasion when called the as
semolage together, and said that so long as their
tongue was spoken, the cherished memory OF
Burns would be kept green. The toast was drunk
in silence. MIR. Andrew II. Dawson responded to
the toast oil The Genius OF Burns" and in the
course OF heightened address pointed out the
difficulty as to tue exact meaning OF genius, but If
ever any man possessed what was generally un.
derstood by tnat word Robert Burns assuredly aid.
He adyerted TO the great lessons which the poet
nan taught the world IN his matchess
o anoa lie had wns9 srues ' Taa aSSns
Having alluded to his power OF intellect he
called attention to the TACT that however often
Burns poems were read, there was always some
thing new TO be found IN their perusal The
speaker paid high tribute to the genius intel
humanity OF Scotland's favorlte son. The next
toast OF the evening. Scottish Literature" was
ferring to the happy occasion which brought sucn
large assemolag together. entered fully into the
subject. He alluded to the distinction which ex-
lsted between the literature, purely Scotch, and
those lmperishaple works In English written by
Sco!chmen Having briefly traced the history
to the present day he made appropriate reference
to the poets, statesmen and philosophers OF Scot
land, who had shed lustre on their native land.
Following this address came several excellent
songs, both humorous and patriotic, which created
general enthusiasm "rne Land Of Our Birth and
the Land of Our Adoption" the third toast on the
list. formed two topics for very interesting address
by the Rev. David Mitchell, who lnterspersed tue
Subject with some capital jokes, which put the
guests in the best OF humor. delegation from
the Burns Club was warmly received. Then iol-
lowed more songs ana speeches. and, the pro-
grlmme having been exhausted the spacious
room was cleared for dancing. Altogether the ar
engagements were admirably carried out and the
festival was enc OF the most enjoyable ever seen
under the auspices OF the club.
The Brooklyn Ceiebration-Eievent An
citation.
The eleventh anniversary banquet in honor Of
the Hath birthday OF Robert Burns took place at
the Wall House, IN Williamsburg last night. some
twenty-five members OF the Burns Association, OF
the city OF Brooklyn f. D., and about fifty invited
guests sat down at eight O'Clock to a dinner,
which proved to be as excellent in a culinary
point Of view as 1t was cheerful ana socable The
dining room was beautifully decorated with United
States aud Scotcn nags. busts and pictures Of the
| great bard and prolusion Of fresh flowers, which
| seemed TO he scattered everywhere.
Mr.. william Cleland, clad in the perfect Highland
| varh pla ynl tha haOp
James G. Eadie President of the Association acted
| as chairman. After the dinner speechmaking was
in order. Mr. Robert Anderson responded to the
toast The Genius OF Burns" He said scotland
world gave him it's blrthright. The name OF Burns
naturally mingled with the brightest thoughts and
tice. "A is a man for a. that" Ali America
responded TO the sentiment expressed in these
sublime words, and was glad to sing paan on this
toast scotland" IN which he particularly referred
to the industrious character of It's sons who had
Won themselves an honorable name IN every quar-
ter OF The globe where they could be found.
Mayor John W. Hunter, OF Brooklyn, in respond
ing to the toast, "City OF BROOKLYN spoke in
glowing terms OF enthusiasm oil the great luture
OF Brooklyn, and neld Burns up as the poet OF
manhood and liberty and human rights. Bernard
Peters. response to the toast, 1.-THE Press" paid
q graceful tribute 70 the marvellous progress OF
Journalism and the vast influence it exercised
upon the age. Mr. Albert G. Mcdonald spoke of
''The Ladies, ter the music had played 'Green
Grows the Rusnes, o." Lie quoted the well known
Aud nature swears the lovely dears
Her nobles she classes. OF
Her prentice han she tried man.
And then she made the lasses, OF
The following letters will be read with INTEREST,"
DEAR SIR greatly Obliged to the Burns Assoca-
ton OF Brooklyn, the honor done in the invita-
ton TO attend their annual banquet, which ] found
delightful last year however obliged by another
engagement TO decline, and only send my thanks in
return. am sir very truly yours
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
DEAR sR-It Is with no merely rhetorical regret that
am compened by my tgcnre engagemens in the West
the anniversary banquet Of the Burns Association OF
Brooklyn, D., TO be holden the 10th inst, honor
Of the ayrshire Pioughman the poet whose singular
destination 10 be no less admired and loved today
in all English speaking countries than when, nearly
century in the high tide OF his young life ne
the pride of Edinboros scholars and the idol the
fish peasant
feel with you how Ineagre and yet how superfuous
these words OF euogy, but as is permitted to all