The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1898-03-05
U LANG SYNE.~
The Original Manuscript Of the Poem u
Owned by IN Albany LAdJ.

The Original Manuscript Of Poem Il
Owned BY IN Albany Lads.
Mr. .Cuyler Reynolds contribntes to
The Century III article on The Manu-
scriptof Aud Lang Syne, " the article
being accompanied by a facsimile Of the
autograph. Mr.. Reynolds says:
The la.e Chancellor John V. L. Pruyn
Of Albany was the successful purchaser
of "Azld Lang Syne' and the to
make the autograph one of Americas
treasures. The facts regarding its re-
moval to this country are Of peculiar in
terest, and they bring the history Of the
autograph, now more than a century
old, up to date.
Mr.. Prnyn was lover Of curios, and
particularly of the kind connected with
an interesting past, and bis collecting
showed a refinement not evident in the
taste of the usual collector. In 1859 the
centennial of the birthday Of Robert
Burns was made the occasion for o cele-
bration in different cities Of the United
States, and the literary people Of Albany
decided to observe the day by memorial
exercises in a large hall OF the evening
of the day. Previous to the event Mr..
Pruyn planned that it would be a fea-
.ture If he could secure this autograph
copy Of the poets "Auld Lang Syne."
Henry Stevens was a famous purchaser
for collections in those days, supplying
Mr.. James Lenox, Mr.. John Carter
Brown, the British museum and others
~-s%k, av,,n ~ tho yo0ct rQIrlahIa nln
works, and thereby hangs a tale TO be
told later. He owned the verses in ques-
ton. He was q friend of Mr.. Pruyn.
and a correspondence regarding the mat
ter ia hand began.
The result was that MI. Stevens sold
the verses to Mr.. Pruyn, and the manu-
script was intrpsted to Captain Moody,
who guaranteed that it should reach
Chancellor Prnyn ia time for the cele-
bration. His steamship reached New
York late on the day of the celebration.
leaving but a few hours to get it to Al
bany, or the mission would prove fruit
less. The only way was for the captain
to select one of his trusty men. With
this special messenger it was sent from
the steamer and conveyed with all dis
patch directly to the ball in Albany.
Mr.. Pruyn was all expectant when.
during the exercises, be was called from
the hall. Though he was gone only a
moment, all interest in what was going
OIL upon the stage was lost for the time
being. Another swing Of the door. and
Mr.. Pruyn entered, waving aloft the
manuscript aud exclaimine, 1T is
spere!' With exultant delight and amid
cries f "'Auld Lang Syne' is with nst!'
Chaacesiof Pruvr advanced to the stage
and read sha poem through Hardly
could the people be prevented from
breaking IL upon lin. and when it was
proposed to sing it through enthusiasm
knew no bounds. Never did a chorus 10
Willingly lend aid, and the familiar air
swelled forth in mighty volume.
The cherished page was bound within
Russia leather toStfs. and with it was
placed q letter to Or. Richmond from
Burns, dated Feb. :, 1853. proving the
identity Of the writing il the poem and
also the letter written to Chancellor
Pruyn by Henry Stevens when sending
the poem to him.