The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-26
BURNS'S BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY.
The Occasion Is Appropriately Commemorated
by Admirers of the Scotch Bard.

The one-hund red and twenty ninth anniver-
sary of the birth of Robert Burns was cele-
DRAFTED in Lyra Hall last night, and fully 500
ladies and gentlemen were present. The cee-
bration was given under the auspices of the In
dianapolis Caedonian Quoting Club. Among
the prominent Scotchmen who occupied seats on
the stage were Peter F. Bryce. R. NJ.
Foster, David Nicolson, A. M. Prather, John
Wilkinson, David Low, James Calderhead,
James N. Mayhem John A. McGaw John
Jenkins w. l.. Ramsey, j. B. Dobsou and NJ.
Fl. Rice. The entertainment opened with the
rendition of a selection of Scottish airs by the
Lyra orchestra. after which Hon. John L.
Grfiths delivered the address of the evening.
In closing his remarks he said: BURNS had
little leisure for books study He never
ceived liberal education. The overreach-
ing sky, tracked with clouds by
day and hung with stars at night,
the towering mountains in their massive and
sulen erandsur-the streams they danced
merrily along or cbafed In their narrow chan
nels between the rocks-these were his teachers.
To the signing of the winds tho rumbling of the
thunder, the flashing of the lightning, the CAROL
Ing of the birds and the beauty of the flowers he
was as responsive as loving child to the voice
of its mother. He was, indeed, lover and wor-
shipper of nature IN all its varied manifestations
of beauty and power When we read Burns we
impressed with his sincerity and genuine
ness. No one has ever interpreted tho emotions
OF the human heart, ITS joys and sorrows, its
hopes and fears. it's loves and longings, with
the same fidelity that Burns has done. Burns
is read to-day the civilized world over, because
ne portrays SO faithfully the actual experiences
which we have all undergone. His creations
men and women who in the flesh jostle as on
the street from day to day. and meet us in the
crowded market-places, and with whom we
come in contact in all of the vicissitudes of Ife
The remainder of the programme princ-
pally musical. All the selections rendered were
from the writings of Burns. Andrew Smith
sang, There Was Lad Was Born in Kyle
and on being recalled gave other songs of the
poet. "Annie Laurie" was sung by the ladies of
the Lyra Society and next Miss Lenora Snider
sang Comm Thro' the Rye" The selection
s ssmirers of the ens yr as0f'' poet and
Miss Snider had to repeat the chorus number
of times. Prof George F. Bass to have
read selections from the poets writings,
but instead he recited Mark Twain's funny
story of his first duel. in way that afforded the
audience much merriment. After violin solo
by Miss Lucy Schrader, Mr.. B. f. Watts sang
warrior Bold" t.Afton Water was sung by
Mrs. s. L. Morrison, and ..Gae Bring to Me- by
Mr.. Andrew Smith The Lyra Orchestra rem
dered another selection of Scottish airs. after
which the ladies of the Lyra society sang Blue
Bells of Scotland.
The next on the programme Prof Geo.
F. Bass. He announced that he had been asked
to give select reading and he had decided to
resite some short poems by James Whitcomo
Rley. the Bobby Burns of Indiana. Both, he
said. were dialect poets, and poets of the peo-
pie. and he believed the day would come when
the people of Indiana would be proud of
James Whitcomb Riley the Scotchmen of
Robert Burns. His remarks were greeted with
applause. and his rendition of several OF the
Hoosier poets shortest dialect poems was
heartily received.
Following Mr.. Bass. Miss Mary Downs sang
"Nellie Brown" and then Mr.. James Lindsay
created much enthusiasm among the native
Scotchmen by singing the national air, 4!Scots
Who Hae wi Wallace Bled." Mrs. 8. L. Morri-
son sang .sThe Aud Scotch Songs" and Mr.. B.
F. Watts Goodbye, Darling" After the sing
ing of "Bonnia Dundee" by Mrs. S.
L. Morrison. comical ske tch, entitled
The Hotel Ghost" was rendered by Messrs.
Wirtz, Jones and Wirtze The enter tainrnent
closed by the 500 people standing and singing
Aud Lang Syne." Peter +. Bryce dismissed
the audience with the hope that all would be
present each succeeding year for many to come
and join in singing Aud Lang Syne" After
the entertainment the hall cleared and the
young people engaged in dancing.