Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-20
BURNS AND CUTTER.
Lives of Two Authors Discussed at
Library Meeting.

At the meeting of the District of Column
hta Library Association Wednesday even
ing In the hall at the Columbian Univer-
sity talk on Robert Burns. his poems and
his library. was given, was the paper
read on the life of the late Charles Ammi
cutter The speaker of the evening Mr.
w. r. Smith, superintendent of the Ma
tional Botanical Gardens was introduced
Ivy the president of the association Mr. H.
Clark
Mr.. Smith has what is conceded to be
one OF the best collections of Burns works
IL includes nearly all the old and rare edi-
tons. lie is at present endeavoring t.
form a library in duplicate of that which
belonged TO the Scotch author to install ir
the latter's old home in Scotland.
In speaking of Burns. Mr. Smith said:
There have been thirty sketches written
Of his life by as many biographers. but in
my opinion the best one is that by Alexan-
der Smith"
Mr.. Smith quoted from number of
Burns works and exhibited several of his
rdrer volumes.
The oldest known American edition.
said Mr. Smith. in speaking of the rarity of
the books. was published in New York in
lISs. and from that time there have been
100 editions published A copy of the sec
ond edition sold recently in Edinburgh cor
t23. 1t has always been my wish that
when Burns determined to go to the West
Indies he had drifted to America instead
az was sIo illuSil ddiliiISu as IN ms
home"
Upon the conclusion of Mr. Smiths tall,
Mr.. David Hutchinson. superintendent of
the reading room at the Library of Con
gTess. was introduced. Mr.. Hutchinson
spoke of the Burns collection at the library
w men the library was first started over
100 years ago said Mr.. Hutchinson. there
was only one volume of Burns there but
now, after following the proposal of the
late John Russell Young in 1897 there are
over 200 volumes of his poems The library
collection includes all the rare ones. except
the nrst hllmarnock edition, a copy of
which sold lately for 5000. so that 1t is
phhkey that copy could be procured for
the library
With the ending Of Mr. Hutcheson's re-
marks the second subject of the evening
was taken up.
The name of Charles Ammi Cutter is ono
which Will long be remembered IL was
stated. by librarians the world over, but
especially in the American countries. for
his untiring efforts TO perfect the library
system.
The first paper read on Mr.. Cutters life
recited some memories by Mr.. ThoryaIo
Solberg, register of copyrights at the Con-
grcssionai Library. 1t being impossible for
Mr.. Soiberg to be present 10 read his paper
it was placed in the hands of Mr.. Shaw
the associations secretary.
In the paper Mr.. Solberg says, in part:
Mr.. Cutter was one of the most modest of
men. Self-advertsing and eXploitat ton
were to him imp ossible. Even a great part
ct his literary work was anonymous, and
lew people. | think, We're aware of its
quantity. He contributed with considera-
BILE regularity to The Nation from about
III" beginning of that paper-notes, reviews
ana sometimes longer articles 1t Is re-
markable under the circumstances that he
was So widely known. On my various visits
To libraries both in England and on the
continent MIR. Cutter was the one Amer
lean librarian most frequently asked after
and always with great respect and warm
regard" r..1
Mr.. Solberg also told of several trips he