Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-26
BOBBY BURNS ANNIVERSARY
SCOTS GATHER To HONOR THE
MEMORY OF THE LOVED POET.
Rev.. DIR. George Talks of Burns and
Tells of u Visit Paid to the Place
of His Birth-A Very sue
ccssful Affair.

Il think the patron saint of Scotland
should be changed from st. Andrew to St.
Robert, in honor of 'Bobbie' Burns" said
Rev. DIR. George at the Academy of Mu-
sic last evening. as he faced the crowd
that had gathered to celebrate with the
Highland brigade the 139th anniversary of
the birth of the great poet. The applause
that followed showed how general was the
response to the sentiment and how deep
was the love they bore their own poet.
The programme arranged for the even
ing was such as TO keep the room filled
with echoes of the airs of Bonnie Scotland
from the opening strains of the orchestra
TO the close of the ball that followed. 1t
was a gala occasion for the Scots and they
came from ell over the city and from all
of the suburban points. The members of
the Highland brigade in the bright coiors
of the Gordon Highlanders. the pride of
every Scot on earth. were in charge of the
gathering. Fl. w. Fitchie is chief; Alex
andter Findlay is second cheft: d. Cook,
third cheft. and George Mckenzie is fourth
cheft. There are about thirty members.
| The programme consisted of music and
readings, the principal thing being the ad-
dress and reading given by DR.. George. who
is one of the great admirers of the peasant
poet and only a few years ago paid a visit
10 the scene of his birth. Talking of
Burns and his writings. DR.. George said:
7 well remember the centennial of the
birth of the poet celebrated in 1883. and last
summer when visiting my old home In
England. found in one of my boyish scrap
books there the prize poem written on that
occasion by Miss Craig. Burns is the
typical Scotchman. He wrote the poems of
the poor. Wordsworth and Cowper wrote
of the poor. but Burns. who was one. in
terpreted their life, told in his simple
charming style the scenes and incidents
and the lives of the poor 1 love Burns for
his great humanity. his many loyable
He even found time to say a good word
for the devil and wish him restoration to
paradise finally. He ever responded TO hui
man waaknpSGic with hfl Dranf Svmnlfhv
He owed much to his parents for the
Night, was but the scenes OF his own boy
hood home. Burns gave to the world the
| perfect Scotch dialect. the hardest one to
| write and the most popular one of the age.
His poems would never have retained their
sweetness in any other language. they fit
the people of whom he wrote and the dia-
lect with which he wrote, He said before
after death. and he has been. Carlyle said
there was nc danger in the statement that
Burns was the most gifted soul of the
century in which he lived"
DIR. George then told of his visit to the
cottage in which Burns was born. the
church and the bridge that inquire in Tam
it was but fiction. he looked for the spots
described just as keenly as if the whole
affair had been Il reality. so plainly and
impressively had it been written; fIe read
the poem of Miss Craig. and closed with
Tam O'Shanter." which he gave in 4
manner that ! n won nrG much applsuse' The re-
Selections-"Airs Bonnie Scotland" or
chestra.
Song-"There Was a Lad Was Born In
Kyle" Professor George Olmi.
Song-.Bonnie Bessie. the Maid O. Dun
dee" Mrs. ]. II. Jewell.
Recitation-"Scotch Domestic Mutual I'M
provements." Mr.. James Taylor.
Song-"Comin' Through the Rye Mrs
J. ii. Jewell.
Song-'Annie Laurie" Professor George
Olmi.
Fantasia-"H Trovatore" Verdi. Miss
Bertha Shuttle.
Dance-"Sword Dance" MIR. James Tay-
lor.
S%axophone solo-"Robin Adair," Professor
William Lee.
Dance-"Highland Fling" Mr.. James
Taylor
"Auld Lang Syne."
A dance followed the programme.