New-York tribune., 1921-08-15
Caled0nians
Here Eulogize
W alter Scott
Celebration Of 15Oth Ami
versary of Birth of the
Famous Novelist Takes
Place in Central Park
Books Still Widely Read
DIR. Finlay Says Four Lead
in Popularity, According
TO l. i rary Statistics

Four Of the novels of Sir Walter
Scott, who was born 15O years ago to-
day, arc more widely read in America
than most of the "best Sellers" Dr..
John Fl. Finlay, formerly State Com
missioner of Education, declared at a
Scott anniversary celebration held in
Central Park yesterday by the New
York Caledonian Club.
SCOTS border tales and historical
romances, DR.. Fjnlay said, have an
especial appeal for Americans, as is
shown by the statistics of the public
libraries. The four novels which
library reports indicate are most wide
ly read in this country, he said, are
lvanhoe, Kenilworth, Rob Roy and The
Heart of Midlothian.
Tributes to Scott, who was born in
Edinburgh on August is, It'll, we're
sent by prominent Scotchman and So
cletles from many parts of the world.
Sir Harry Lauder cabled, "Congratula-
tlons to New York Calcdonians for the
privilege of celebrating the 15Osh an
niversary OF tho birth of the Wizard
OF the North." Wreaths of flowers
from Sir Harry, the Burns Club. of
Dumfries; the Boston Caledonian Club
and many other organizatio were
placed on SCOTS statue in the Mall.
The statue of Robert Burns nearbv
also was decorated with flowers.
Other organizations which sent tri
butes were the St. Andrews Society.
OF New York, the Order of Scottish
Clans of the United States and Can
ada, the Clan Macdonald, of Brooklyn:
the Order of Scottish Clans of West
ern pennsylvania and the Daughters of
Scotia of the United States.
Despite drizzling rain, which James
K: Donaldson, chief of the Caledonian
Club, said gave a proper suggestion of
Scotch mist, several thousand per
sons attended the celebration. Music
was furnished by the Lovat Pipe and
Drum Band, under Major Angus M.
Fraser, which led procession from
the clubs headquarters, at 846 Sew
enth Avenue. Miss Edith Hallett
Frank sang Burns songs.
IF for nothing else we have to
thank Scotland for producing a genius
who gave us Scotch literature" said
DR.. Finlay. "The fact that Scott's
work is now eagerly read by millions
and that four of his novels not to
mention his other works and poetry,
are more in demand from our public
Libraries than ever before justifies the
confidence that he will continue to be
popular so long as the English Ian
guage is spoken.
But were Scott among us now he
would not long remain on that pedes-
tai. We would see him with a shovel
planting trees, for he was T. lover of
trees and would rather wander in a
forest than stand in conspicuous
place to be gazed upon by multitudcs.
If he spoke to us out here in the park
he probably would devote himself to
arguing in favor of the appropriation of
the $15O,O00 which Park Commi issioner
Francis D. Gallatin has asked for with
which to plant more trees. So long
as we read Scott we will continue to
love nature"
Other speakers were William Tay-
lor, chairman of the anniversary COM
mittee, and Colonel Walter Scott, vice.
president of Butler Brothers, who with
Lieutenant Percy Guthrie, of Boston.
organized the Mclean Kilties regiment
during the war.