Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1885-01-27
REMEMBERING ROBERT BURNS.

The New Haven Caledonian Club Cele-
brates His One Hundred and Twenty
Sixth AnnfVersary-SOngs, Speeches,
Banquet and Dancing.
The New Haven Caledonian club celebrated
last evening at LOOMS Temple of Music the
one hundred and twenty-sixth anniversary
of the birthday of Robert Burns. The hall
was comfortably filed with admirers of the
Scotch bard, who seated themselves on
chairs arranged between the three long ta-
bles which stretched their bright surfaces
across the hall.
The formal exercises of the evening were
opened by few appropriate Introductory re-
marks by Chief John Mckay. Then fol-
lowed musical programme of five num-
bers sung by Glee party, with solos by
John Moore, Master Hunter and R. Hunter.
The selections were mainly Scotch airs
familiar to the audience and they were all
rendered without musical accompaniment.
The Rev. DIR. John E. Todd was next intro
duced. He spoke on Burns" He called
attention to the fact that wherever the Scotch
people are gathered together they always
have common theme, the name and poetry
of Robert Burns. He spoke of the harsh
features of the poets life and his great
bravery and determination. He was, in his
days of adversely, maligned by his enemies
and bore his burdens in such way as to
call forth from Wordsworth the tribute of
being Sublime being" When he had a
family of his own he thought it their highest
privilege to make their lives most COM
Portable. His plain circumstances did not
narrow his spirit. There was a marvellous
generosity about him which nothing could
repress. 1t is even more remarkable that
his experience did not distil one drop of
bitterness into his being. His best
poems are full of humor and
in many of his poems he mingles pathos and
humor in way particularly delightful. The
humor was often sharpened by keen wit.
But even in the most tremendous satires
there is no bitterness, but only little honest
indignation. He was very proud. And
there was in his poetry a vein OF sorrow
which perhaps more than his humor makes
his songs popular. He touches the real
deeps of human nature. This spirit of sad
ness grew upon him
Burns was great lover of nature He de-
lighted in her various records He was
nursed in her lap. He loved his native
country with a patriotic fervor. His fare
wells to his country are among his most pa
thetic poems.
Dr. Todd's remarks were interspersed with
quotations from the poetry of Burns He
receiz ed the closest attention of the audience.
The Gee party rendered ''The Cot Where
We We're Born and Robert Small sang
memories Dear" receiving an encore. Mr..
A. Herch also had to respond to an encore
for his recitation. Miss Lidden rendered a
solo, 'Will ye no come back again" for
which the Glee party sang the chorus, and
the music was infectious that several
young men in the rear of the hall Joined in.
Judge Samuel A. York was introduced to
speak on "America." After brief intro
duction he said that the subject was so i'm
mense and his ignorance of the subject SO
dense that he would not attempt to enlighten
the audience on the subject. He said that
it was safe to say that America, that is the
United States: was place of refuge for the
at least the politicians tell us SO.
1t was not true that the
Scotch people were oppressed and
the presence of so many of them in this |
country was not due to that. Judge York |
paid high compliment to the Scotch in their |
relations American citizens.
The Glee party appeared again in songs and |
D. Barron sang two solos, Robert Small sang |
again very acceptably. The exercises con
GUIDED with the singing of "Auld Lang |
5yne."
Afterward came banquet, for which Del
Del catered, and dancing, which was heartily |
enjoyed.
New Haven Orphan Asylum.
The monthly meeting of the managers
will be held at the asylum Thursday
morning of this week, January 80, at quar-