Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-01-28
aAraERIrG or TEE oLAEs.

The Caleaenian Club Ban4uets ana
Celebrates the 1876 Anniversary OF
Robert Burns-Knshuslasm stirred
by CID Tlne scotch Airs-Addrsss BY
Mr. Herbers II. Benton.
Few men are there in history who have 80
securely entwined their memory and self in
the hearts Of nation, and more go loved and
rsvered in certain peculiar way, az IL Rob.
ert Burns, by his country men, in whatever
part of the globe they may be found. It
surely could have been no ordinary charac-
ter to have lived in memory so, through q
century long. But Burns was patriot and
q poet, brave and fearless whose memory, not
Scots alone, but all lovers of freedom and
poesy the world over delight to honor.
Last evening the New Haven Caledonia.
club held Its twentieth annual celebration of
his anniversary at Loomis' hall. There were
about $50 present to participate in the fes-
tivities. fathers, mothers. lads and bright
checked lassies. The hall was decorated with
flags of the United States and Old England,
and on the floor, the long tables were spread
with tempting viands, prepared by Caterer
Deible, and there stood holding out their In
vitation till after the finish of the programme
of musical selections and the Grafton.
Chairman Chief Andrew Currie, after max
ing few brief remarks to the effect that
they were assembled for the purpose of csle-
brating the anniversary of Robert Burns and
wishing all present good time, introduced
the first number of the programme, an old
part song admirably rendered by the Abt
quartette.
The entire list was made up from Scottish
ballads and now and then the dormant en-
thusiasn was aroused as only national song
can excite. Especially could mods of ap-
proval be detected when Miss Nora Russell
sang as an encore "Coming .Thro' the Rye. .,
Mr.. Bell rendered some of the typical old
Scotch dialect songs in a manner to bring
down the house.
Address By AR. BENTON.
During the interval between the first and
second parts of the programme, Mr.. Benton
was introduced by the chairman and deliv-
cred very we'll written address on "Burns. ,
BE made a brief apology for appearing in
role of the speaker Of the evening and
thought that the committee had evidently
made some mistake, and continuing as fol-
lows:
The event whose anniversary we are assem-
bled here this evening to celebrate was one
which was and ia destined to remain ever
memorable in the annals of the human race,
SO long, at least, as the popular mind aud
heart continue to do homage to genius or to
pay tribute to grandeur of soul. One hum
dred and thirty years ago near the banks of
Ayr was born Robert Burns. Nothing in his
surroundings to give promise of his coming
achievements, and little in his lineage, born
as he was In the humble cottage of common
ploughman. 1t Is not my purpose and it is
not necessary on such an occasion to trace
the growth and development of the bud that
finally blossomed into such brilliant flower
There is something inspiring, however, in
picturing to oneself what must have been the
experience OF this youthful soul struggling
under the impositiens of the hard tastes to
which his circumstances in life compelled
him to submit, and to note how while his
shoulders were bowed by the physical load
upon them his buoyant humor bore him mp.
He was poet not guided by rules and forms
out his poems were the outpourinRs of the
moment, the responses of the feelings to tho
Immediate circumstances of life. His poetry,
like all true poetry, was loved; it was music
and grandeur in his own soul 6rst, then put
into words in q way to best produce upon
others the same effects as those in himself.
1t was this power of kindling the fires of
mirth and beauty in others souls which was
the real power and charm of OUR povt, 90 i.
must be of every great poet. But he was
peculiarly the poet of the people and it was
Al suo NItAo sIues VI nature lnaG ne was e6pe-
oially great. Though Scotland may with
just pride claim him for her own con, his
genius will continue to be recognized and
honored throughout the world SO long as
patriotism, love and honor exist
About 1880 they were seated for the sup.
per. which was thoroughly enjoyed, and this
over the floor was hastily cleared for the
dancers, who held possession for several hours.
The music was rendered by Thomas. The
several committees were:
Arrangements-A.C urrie, J. Logic, w. G. McIn-
B. Christie.
Reception-w. D. Nsbet, j. McLay, George Gard
There were many other we'll known faces
present, among whom were Mr.. Alexander
Forsyth, Peter Stirling, John Brown, John
4ackay, W. G. Mcintosh, Robert Mao Arthur,
J. Logic, w. Chalmers, ex-Chief McLauch-
Ian, George D. Bone.