The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-02-06
Tribute to Robert Burns.

Washington, January Ex-senator
George F. Hoar of Massachusetts, de-
livered a scholarly and exceptionally
interesting lecture this evening at All
Souls church on Robert Burns. Sena-
tor Hoar spoke in the highest terms
not only of Burns himself, but of all
the Scottish people. He compared the
Scots constantly with the people of
New England. He spoke of their rug
ged characters and traits in common.
Senator Hoar characterized Robert
Burns as the best.known character in
history or literature. No educated
man, woman or child, where the En-
glish language is spoken, he declared,
was unfamiliar with the poems of
Burns. His fame circles the earth like
parallel of latitude, his words are
known by heart by countless thousands.
Mr.. Hoar spoke of the peculiar fitness
of certain languages to convey certain
meanings. No filter vehicle for the
path8s, the emotions, the tender senti-
ment' and sympathy, the wit and
humor of Burns could possibly be found
than the lowland Scotch.
The speaker declared that David
might have written his psalms, Solo
mon his proverbs and Aesop his fables
in lowland Scotch and they could only
have been the better for it. He spoke
of the value of rhythm and said Burns
was q master of it. Burns had re-
markable gift of humor.
Mr.. Hoar told of an Englishman who
once declared it would take surgical
instrument to get a joke into the head
of Scotchman, when a FrenChman
nearby replied: eyes, an English
joke"
Mr.. Hoar said that with all due re.
spect to the English humorists of all
ages, and with all due respect to a race
from which he Immediately descended
he must say that if there is one man
above another to whom humor does
not appeal it is the ordinary English
man.
'Do not be so sure, my sanctimoni.
Gus friend" continued the senator
"that Burns life was not gay life in
any sense. God gave him his choicest
gifts. He gave him humor and ten
der, plying heart. In him there
dwelt in close relationship the fount'
ain of laughter and the fountain Of
tears.
"God gave him the love of flowers
of birds, of home, of father, of mother
of woman and child, and country
Would any one dare to say that the
poems which have brought so much
cheer TO humanity through all these
ages brought none to the author?
say Burns was no figure of sorrow OIL
despair, but one of glory and joy. God
gave him thousands of golden hours
each one an age in itself. What toll
and hardships would we go through
today to think the thoughts of Burnsi
He was noble lover and noble hater
the hatred being born Of love.
"He loved Scotland, he loved hel
flowers, be loved the hills, he loved
justice, liberty and humanity. He
hated the things that were enemies OF
these. He hated arrogance and cruel
ty, self-righteousness, pride of rank
bigotry, tyranny. That these things
do not exist as much today as they did
in the time of Burns is due as much as
any other influence to his writings"
Senator Hoar spoke of the great work
Burns had done for Scotland. He said
he would be disloyal, however, to 6
favorite author if he did not give
Walter Scott a share in the achieve
ments. The names of Burns and Scott
are eternally linked, he declared
These two immortal spirits made o.
their country another Greece, of theil
capital another Athens. They dwell
in mighty companionship now ant
forever.