The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-25
A BOBBY BURNS NIGHT
LOCAL CELEBRATION OF THE SCOT
TIsH POETS ANNIVERSARY.
Address by Rev. Mr.. Macintosh, Fol-
lowed by Scottish Songs and the
Highland Fling.

In scores Of cities the 13Ith university or
the birth Of Robert Burns. the Scotch poet
who became a worlds poet. was celebrated
last evening by his countrymen and Indian
apolis Is included in the number Of cities
which remembered the day. The CALIFORNIAN
Quoting Club presented its sixteenth annual
Scottish concert at the Y. NJ c. A.. and the
crowd which gathered filled the hall COM
fortably. The entertainment was given by
the Scottish Choral Union. of Chicago, after
a short address by Rev.. George
L. Macintosh. of the Fourth
Presbyterian Church of this city.
President John d. Gauld presided at
the meeting, calling attention. in his opening
remarks to the occasion and then intro
ducing Mr.. Macintosh. The latter was an
noyed some during his address by noise
made by boys in the gymnasium below. or
perhaps it would be better TO say that
the audience was annoyed. Nevertheless
Mr.. Macintosh delivered short and inter-
esting address concerning the great poet,
in which his faults were mentioned with
his virtues.
In opening his remarks, Mr.. Macintosh
glanced at the programme he held and
made the observation that the Highland
fling was number. This reminded him
dance at all times and while. he was not
practicing that, he was reciting the history
and the virtues of the Campbells. Mr.. Mack
intosh said this old friend put the Camp
bells ahead of all families of Scotland and
at times he went SO far as to say that
the Campbells lived before Scotland and the
british Hes were known. On one occasion
tnis Kind old man went still further by de-
claring very positively that Adam and Eve
(amnhQllS former
bright morning said to Mrs. Eve Cempbell:
How are you anyhow, woman" Il am
Mr.. Adam Campbell MIR. Macintosh recited
the story with the true Scotch dialect and
1t was greeted with laughter.
., MI IT, MacRlntosh, IN speaking OF Burns, sald
be remembered for his work represents
a sentiment which will live. In him was
which make the Scotch. He possessed the
high spirit which was romantic and an
honesty OF purpose Burns was imhped
with q religious spirit and feeling which
"Cotters Saturday might" and he was
frivolous enough to write the Holy Fair"
has been another man more touched by the
beautiful sentiments of life than Burns.
He was storm center of emotions-he
must sing as the fish must swim-there
was nothing else for him to do.
Mr.. Macintosh said Burns did not suffer
from the coldness and Indifference of his
by his contemporaries than other poets He
would have been more miserable had he
lived In a palace and worn fine clothes.
His heart was the kind made to be broken
and it was worth more after it was broken.
Burns glorified the common-the everyday.
He broke away from the petty rules-turned
away from the false and shoddy rules of
the old school. He turned to living things
Of actual life. He played a part in the
regeneration of British poetry; he was the
nrst poet OF the modern school.
ScOtChmpn-' MarkinfOSh
in closing. who live in the heart of this
generous Western continent, where there Is
probably more bread than poetry, celebrate
Tonight the northumberland irty-seventh
anniversary OF Robert Burns"
Mr.. Macintosh was applauded freely. and
then the entertainment of the Chicago Scot
fish Union was commenced by the song,
There Was Lad" Miss Maud Gordon,
dressed in true Highland dress and accom-
fling. which she did SO well that she was
compelled Ito repeat Mr.: Irwin Swan
Brown. of this city, played number of
Scottish airs on the violonceilo, and the
music was followed by another hearty out
burst of applause, which brought Mr. Brown
to the front again. Mr.. Fred G.. Duthie sang
Highland Mary" in manner that de-
| lighted all, especially the older Scotchmen.
Miss Bessie McAlpine, OF Chicago, who is
professional, in so much as she. gives
presentations of Scotch and Irish charac-
ters. presented Caller Herrin." which is a
song representing an old woman selling
herring. Miss McAlpine was dressed for
| lnt OCCdSlOll, anu she neiQ uedu lSn IN ner
hands when she sang. She, too, was en-
cored, and on return she gave a Scotch bal
| lad. Miss Mary Brown sang 1.-THE Spinning
Wheel" Although her voice was hardly
equal to the song. her pleasing manner won
everybody, and in response to an encore
she gave "The Blue Bells of Scotland in a
highly satisfactory manner. Miss Mary
Brown and Mr.. r. l.. Owens sang comic
duet which was entitled "Pelig and Betsy"
and Miss Brown was very clever in the
part OF Betsy. The first part OF the pro-
gramme ended with a song by the Choral
Union, entitled "Ye Banks and Braes.''
The Union began the second part by the
song, The Deils AVA" Miss McAlpine
then gave I'm Owre Young to Marry Yet, .
which was one of the best things Of the
| the Arts the Win Can Blaw." Miss Martha
Brown sang Bonnie Sweet Bessie" and
won the hearts of all Scotchmen by the
manner I'm which she rendered the song.
Messrs. Duthie, Watson and Rogers gave
willie Brewed Peck o. Maui" which is
a drinking song. Miss Maud Gordon danced
| the sailors hornpipe to the music of the
| bagpipe, and when the instrument began to
| play the audience began to applaud Miss
Gordon was brought forward twice, but she
| declined to dance again. Four members of
| the Choral Union presented comic quartet
| entitled Family Row." which might have
| served to diversity the entertainment The
| programme was ended by the song ALTON
| Water" and then everybody sang "Auld
| Lang Syne." The entertainment was APP
| preciated by all. and everybody seemed sat
| isffed with the manner in which Robert
Burns had been remembered, and "auld''
| Scottish memories revived.