Morning journal and courier., 1880-01-29
Robert Burns, Anniversary.
Honoring scotland's Poet-Addresse
 Songs, Banquet and Dancing.

Honorine ScotIand,s Poet-Addresses,
 Songs, Banquet and Dancing.
 The New Haven Oaledonian Club celebra- ted the 121st anniversary of the birthday of Robert Burns at their rooms No. IS, IA and Is Insurance building, last evening. Chief Robert McArthur presided, and stated the ob- ject of the gathering and thanked the mem bers for their attendance. The programme for the evening was opened with sAuld Lang Syne," which was sung by quartette, the audience joining in the chorus.
 The opening address was delivered by Rob- ert McArthur. He paid a fine tribute to the memory of the great poet, and spoke of the influence the bard had exerted for the good of humanity. The speaker offered many se lections from Burns, which he recited to the evident satisfaction of his audience.
 W. Robertson sang ''Scots wha Hae' in an acceptable manner. The audience then lis tened to song from Mrs. J. Wood, who sang 1.-The Star of Glengarre."
 "Woes me for Prince Charlie'' was rendered by J. Wood, after which quartette of voices, namely, Mrs. Peck, Mrs. Jones, Messrs. Fletcher and Robertson, sang Sweet Hour of Night"
 The Rev. A. H. Ball, of Fair Haven, next addressed the audience. He spoke very hap oily of one of the characteristics of the Scot tish people-hospitality and sociality. The speaker compared Whittier, of New England, with Burns. Both stood for Ga man. !" Burns is known among the highlanders and lowlanders, and those beautiful songs of that great poet were to be heard on all the hillsides in Scotland.
 Several songs were rendered, both senti. mental and comic and were well received, es- pecially that sung by }. Fletcher, entitled st Call her back and kiss her.'' The "Scotch | Tea party" by T. P. Gillespie provoked con- siderable amusement.
 Professor W. M. Barbour, D. D. of Yale | College was next introduced. He returned l thanks for his reception and after speaking of | the ties of nationality said he had decided to speak of minor poets of Scotland. Wm. Thom was one. The speaker remembered seeing sign ss he passed through town ln Scotlahd, when he was boy, reading " Will ! liam Thom customer weavers." It was sin | gular how many weavers have been poets. When he saw this sign he peeped out of the | coach window, and saw the door open and | out shot the pale face of Willie Thom He \ wore Q white apron as all customer weavers | did in those days The next time he saw him y a swimming match. Poor fellow, he lost the match The speaker would never forget his \ meetings with Thom. He then read one ol ! Thom's poems.
 There was another poet, Robert Tannahill, | who was crushed before he was given a fail chance. He sent some of his manuscript to | an Edinburgh paper for publication, but ow- \ ing to an unusual press of such matter it wal rejected and sent back to him. He was de jected after that, and his body was found 1T l river where he had thrown himself in fl l of insanity.
 Professor Barbour paid high tribute tt I James Ramsay, an unknown poet compara
 lively.
 Alexander Wilson, Paisley weaver, cam' to this country and became authority upoI
 birds. After spending many years in th'
 study of birds and game, he finally succeeded
 and has lived and died noted man. H,
 spoke of this to show how some of Scotlandl l people have succeeded at last, after meeting all kinds of drawbacks and hardships H
 also drew bright picture of the life of Rob ert Nicoll, who met many reverses, but witha
 was wonderful man and good poet. H.
 read poem entitled 'The Town Where
 Was Born, which was written by Nicoll
 Prof. Barbour said it would not do for him t Burns. He then read Burns Address to
 Mouse," and spoke of the simplicity ani
 beauty combined in his works.
 The balance of the programme, comprising
 songs, duets and quartettes, was rendered
 after which the party adjourned to the ban quet hall and enjoyed a fine spread arrange, by the ladies interested in the club The fes tivities closed with 8 dance, which was kep up until late hour this morning.