Norwich bulletin., 1910-01-26

| About S.3O o'clock, headed by c. Me Kay in Scotch costume and playing the | bagpipes, the large gathering marched into the dining room, followed by Mayor Lippitt, Hon. c. P. Mcclellan o1 1 New York and the others. AS the large party was seated grace was said by | Reid Mcintyre, after which the fol- | lowing choice menu was served: Cream of Tomatoes.
 Celery.
 Baked Chicken Halibut au Gratin. Roast Turkey with Oyster Dressing. Mashed Potatoes. Mashed Turnips Cranberry Sauce.
 Haggis.
 Nea politan Ice Cream. Assorted Cakes
 Toasted Water Waters. Roquefort.
 Coffee Cigars. During the banquet Tubbs' orchestra furnished excellent music, the pro- gramme consisting of Scotch airs and songs, to the delight of the entire gathering. At each place was a small silk Scotch flag, while the menu cards bore the Scotch enblems.
 As toastmaster, John McDougall was at the proper station and there proved his thorough ability at presiding over such a large gathering. He proposed a toast to Robert Burns, and the re- sponse to 1t was made by Hon. c. P. McLelland of Dobbs Ferry, N. r., and for several terms state senator from Westchester county.
 Senator McLe1land's address showed nm to have been a close student of the works of Robert Burns and his famfl- iarity with his verse and songs was manifest throughout his review of the poets life and works. He reviewed the early life of the famous poet, the man of whom all Scotchman are proud, and said his father was a representative scotch farmer, a type which has changed but little, and he knew but lit- lie or success in business venture
 The son was the same and on his arriving at school age gave no prom lse Of being an over-bright pupil or a worldwide poet. He became an en- thusiaStic student however and at fourteen was studying French and Latin, and at 15 wrote his first book of songs. In obedience to his irrepres- sible nature he gave the legacy which has reverted to Scotland's credit and extended her fame. He was a genius and was natures poet, and through nature he made manifest his ability as poet There has been much dis cuSSiOn of what a higher education would have done for him and it is thought he would have showed up poorly. It would have robbed him of his native dialect and his view of nature and things. He could not help being a poet and his passions ragged like so many demons He has been much criticised and many of them are not to his credit, but those who have criticised show that they have not studied his work. The true charac- ter of man is bound to assert itself in what he says and does. He re- ferred to two EngliShmen coming to this country to observe and criticise conditions and the wide difference in their reports A man generally finds what he is looking for, said the speak CT, and so it is with the critics of Burns. Burns was not a saint and T n ~.f 1-< was not a blameless one, and he gave himself to social excesses. but when his genius asserted itelf he was the object of attention from every direc- tion and he was admired He was ambitious for Scotland
 Burns was liberal or a democrat and lived far in advance of his gener- ation- His spirit of Independence oft reproved for expressing sympathy for the American cause. He was an honest man and writer in his success eS and failures. His work was simple and true and shines with no luster but his own. He was poor and often boastful that it was honest poverty. He possessed A tender nature, and here the speaker referred to many of the poems of Burns and gave quota tions to show his nature and the quick application of his gift, speaking in particular of The Mouse and the Daisy.
 Many of the readers of Burns works locate the gems and fail to seek fur ther for more, and therefore fail to find many beautiful verses and songs. Carlyle says It will be small praise to rank him first of all song writers. Burns teacher of church music said that he Jagged behind all others in that particular line, but he became one of the greatest song writers of the world. He wrote as he spoke, in sim pie dialect.
 Thara is q vvida diffarapca aS +o 11,ba f is his masterpiece. Among his best the speaker considered The Bridge of Ayr, Tam O'Shanter and The Cotter's Saturday Night. Burns looked on Tam O'Shanter as the standard of his po- etic effort The most popular, how ever. is probably The Cotter's Sat urday Night. A review of these works was given by Senator Mcclellan in the closing of his address, showing the different sides of Burns nature, and at the close he was given rounds of applause.
 James Hollin sang Rantin', Rovin' Robin in fine voice, the accompaniment being played by Prof. James White. He was loudly applauded.
 The Land We Live In.
 Archibald E. Mitchell proposed the toast The Land We Live In, and the response was made by Mayor Costello he arose to speak. The mayor said he appreciated the outburst, and feels that it is the sentiment which pre- vaiIs in every Scotch heart. The sub feet to every right thinking man is one prolific of thought and on which most any citizen ought to feel compe- tent to speak. He referred to the discovery Of this country and added that during it all the Scotchmen were waiting for the door of opportunity to open. Then they began to come and have been coming ever since. He ex- pressed his pleasure that they did and expressed the hope that they will con tinue. He recalled some of the old Scotch residents Houstons, Gilmours, Lindsays, and MacDougalls, but they have become too numerous to know all the names and he expressed pleasure at knowing that there is so large a representation of so thrifty people here. He declared that he realized that the future of the city is safe as he looked over the gathering. You have gone in where the door of opportunity