Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-05-27
TALKED OF ROBERT BURNS.
Mr.. Dewey's Fine Lecture For the
Polymnia Club.

q sons meetings Tuesday with lee
ture on The Songs Of Robert Burns
by Mr.. Thomas Emmett Dewey i
Trinity Lutheran church. The clu
had invited its friends and, although
admission was by card only, tn
church was filled, SO eager were tn,
guests to hear the promised treat
! The audience was not only large bu
it included the most cultured peopl,
of the city and none was disappointed
in the anticipations Of a literary and
musical treat.
Mrs. H. ]. Hodge, president Of the
club, gracefully introduced the speak.
er and Mr.. Dewey's opening remarks
were words of appreciation for the
large attendance and the evident in
terest in the occasion.
Mr.. Dewey's address was scholar.
" and interesting one, enriched by
exhaustive biography of the great
Scotch poet and careful discussion
Of his writings. He attributed Burns
genius to the innate sensitiyeness to
beauty that lay in the poets soul and
the influences that surrounded him.
Love and passion dominated his life
and out of the fire came the songs
that have delighted world. Mr..
Dewey also discussed at length real
ism and idealism in poetry, showing
how the one develops into the other
and cited illustrations from Burns to
exhibit the difference between the two
contrasting elements. The tender
ness and sweetness Of the poets songs
were brought out strongly by the
speaker and all who heard the very
helpful address came away with a
better and wider appreciation of the
life, work and poetry of one of the
worlds greatest poets than they had
ever before had. Mr.. Dewey's deep
study, his careful lines Of criticism
and his eminent fitness for literary
discussion both by habits of thought
and preparation, make his words Of
value to every lover of literature.
ne has earned richly the high position
he holds among the literary lights of |
the west and none of his addresses
has been more valuable or more fully |
appreciated than the one last evening. |
tie is prophet by no means without
honor in his own city and Abilene is
proud of his advancement.
Not the least enjoyable portion of
the program was the musical illustra-
ton OF many of Burns sweetest
poems. Mrs. j. H. Niesley, Miss
Ursula Ellison, Miss Agnes Ketcher.
sid and Mr.. Milton H. Speer sang at
in the lecture these selec.
tons There were solos by each
member, duet and several trios.
Among the twelve songs were the
gems Of Scotch poetry, including
John Anderson, my jo," "My hearts
n the highlands, "Scots wha ha' wi
Wallace bled," and others. The songs
lad been committed and the singers
rave them with tenderness and
'weetness that reached the hearts of
'll' Particularly delightful were
hose in which there was no accom-
'animent, the clear expressive voices
bringing out the full import of the {
)oet's words.
Rev. j. Calvin Bolger, of the Re-
ormed church, who is recognized as {
ne of the states leading pianists, ,
vas the accompanist of the evening.
lie gave as the opening portion of the
'rogram three classical piano selec- |
ions which exhibited his rare talent
$ a musician. TO touch and tech
ical performance that show devoted
tudent of his art he adds sympathy
nd charm that win admiration even
t those unframed in music. The
Ugh praise which his work has re-
eived in other cities is all deserved. =
"Auld Lang Syne" in which the S
udience joined heartily closed the a
rogram. p
Altogether the evening was one to
eight the lover Of literature and =
lusic. 1t not only gave charming Il
lew of one of the worlds great poets =
ut so interpreted his works as to
lake them take on a new and higher ~
leaning to those present The n
Olympia club is to be congratulated =,
pom the success of the evening, as are n
lose taking part in the entertainment =,