The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-24
IAN MACLAREN,
The Noted Scotch Writer Given a
Warm Welcome Here.
"Rsadings From the Annals OF Drum
tochiy, With Notes."

The audience that tilied Infantry ball
"Rsadings from the Annals OF Dram.
tochty with Notes." was com posed
mainly OF people whose love for the
gifted Scotchman's writings was all-sufi-
cient cause for their cordial reception OF
the author. OF course there was Q
sprinkl!ng of persons, the attendance OF
whom rested on the fact of its being
"the thing" to see and hear Ian Mac
laren-but those individuals were fortu-
nately few. The audience as a whole was
heart and soul intslligently ano enthu-
sissticslly in accord with the lecturers
spirit.
The stage was appropriately decorated
with American flags and Scottish
mblems, and preceding the lecture was
an organ recital, which included favorits
Scot3h airs.
A number OF the ty clergy acted 90
escort to the speaker Of the evening, and
occupied seats upon the platform. The
lecturer was most gracefully presented to
his hearers by nev. Floyd w.
Tompkins. Immediately after this
introduction Alfred Dawson stepped
forward and In behalf of his
Scotch friends and Clan Cameron pre-
sented TO Rev. Mr.. Watson q beautiful
fiorol tribute in which the heather and
American beauty rose were blended.
Nothing could have been more genuine
than DIR. Wstson's pleasure in this gift,
nor could anything have been more grace
full than the words in which he scknowI-
edged the tribute.
Rev. Mr.. Watson announced his su bjsct
as Readings from the Annals OF Drum
tochty, with notes." and IL by an effort
the audience had, up to that time been
OF the man before them 90 Dr.
Watson, from the moment that he uttered
the first woro Of his discourse he was Ian
once and forever In the minds
and hearts of his listeners. Providence
Plantations opened into the Glen; the
Scottish tongue becam me the language OF the
hearts IL not the lips OF those who lis
tened to IL; the rugged simplicity OF
folk was for the time being
at least a part Of the life OF every one
who breathed its pure atmosphere,
the medium OF Ian Maclaren's
Not q person present could
hello feeling that the "bonnie brisr bush"
grew beside his own doorway and that
''ths blossoms ont" were shedding q
fragrance into his own life and that of
his neigh Dor. -
The simple shepherd and his wife,
In their hearts the desire that
here snail one day arise In their fa mily
hat EN- bodiment of the deepest Scottish |
hope-a scholar; their pride when the |
utilment OF their hope % attained and
''Geordie' ranks as q double first:
James Souter, true to bis tryst, with the
he had lovod for IS years with
the breadth Of heaven betwixt them";
William Msclure. general practit ioner, |
he incarnation Of healing and comfort, |
loved-these and a host OF |
other Drumtochty people became flesh |
and blood a. portrayed last evening by |
Ian MsclSren's skill.
The droll Wit OF the gifted Scotchmap, is |
squalled only by his exquisite delicacy Of |
,athos and SMILES and tears are at his /
bidding as he chooses to picture the |
quaint comedies or the tragedies enacted |
In the Glen.
The many whose good fortune u was
% hear Ian Maclaren yesterday are
unanimous in their feeling that that
privilege ranks as one Of the choicest of |
, lifetime, and hereafter Providence and |
DrumtocDty are in their minds adjscent
% each other with Ian Maclsren IS the |
'evealer OF the latter and by virtue OF |
hat office, the benefactor OF the former.