THE BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

Evening Star, Issue 3102, 28 January 1873, Page 3

THE BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

Saturday, the 25th instant, was the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, and the annual commemoration of it was celebrated by the Caledonian Society, at Wain’s 11 otel, last evening. About fifty members and their friends partook of an excellent supper, at which the traditional haggis formed a prominent dish. The president, Mr . Keith Ramsay, was in the eh ur, and he was supported on the right by Professor Bla k. Mr Thomas Callender, ex-president, and Mr David Baxter, were croupiers The usual loyal toasts having been dr ink, Mr Callender proposed “The Legislative Assembly and House of Representatives, coupled with the mme of Mr E. M'Glashan,” to which Mr M'Glashan responded, and said he was pleased to think the General Assembly had begun public works, which had been followed by prosperity in all parts of the country. The boy Brown who on Saturday took the principal prize presented by (he Society for the best recitation of one of Burns’ compositions, according to arrangement, repeated it. It was received with great and deserved applause. Professor Macgregor had been requested to propose the toast of the ev< ning, but that gentleman being absent from town, Mr Kirkcaldy, on very short notice, accepted the task. After noticing the date of Burns’s birth and the indigent circumstances of his parents, he explained the claims that he had upon the memory of Scotchmen. Me pointed out that he was of independent spirit, and that his writings tended to foster it among his countrymen, but that the chief charm of his poetry was its identification with our c< mmon humanity'. fter a few critical remarks on the various poems of burns, in which he expressed the opinion that he held the place in Scotland that David did in Judea, ho gave, in prpof that Burns was deeply religious, several passages from the “ Cottar’s Saturday Night.” .■ fter speaking of Burns’s songs, and their influence upon the national character, he mentioned that the Scottish soldiery generally carried in their knapsacks the Bible and Burns’s poeip-. Burns was dear to emigrants, and the sentiments he expressed were influencing them, and leading tflem to high thoughts and ceaseless energy. He sp ke of the means of diffusion of thought in the press and telegraph, and showed that Burns’s thoughts were by those means diffused through all nations. He concluded by proposing “The Memory of the Immortal Kobert Burns.” Mr Callender, in reply, said it was seldom that any one had an opportunity of producing a relic of Kobert Burns, but he had had placed in his' bauds a vinaigrette, bearing the inscription, “ Presented to Robert Burns, by Mr William Tyblcr, father of the late historian, on the 2nd May, 178 : , for ‘ Auld lang syne.’ ” [The relic was fitted up as a snuff box, and banded round the room. The relic is in the possession of Mr Halliday, late of the Rainbow Hotel, having been given to him by bis father ] Mr Bark, of Craigielee, recited one of Burns’s poem with true Scottish oratory. Mr Stables proposed “The Poets end the Poet Laureate,” in a few appropriate remarks, in which he pointed out the influence of poetry on the national sentiment in all countries and in all time, coupled with the Provincial poet, “Craigielee.” Mr Barb returned thanks in a very few words, and concluded by singing one of his own song*, “The Lass of Maoii Hill.”

Mr Thomas Callender proposed the “ Land 0’ Cakes.” He advocated the advantage of “ nationally,” and showed it was necessary to unity of purpose, and the achievement of high national results. He instanced the struggles for religious and civil liberty by the Scotch. He showed, also, that 'Gotland was worthy of reverence for its beauty, and because if. was the grave of martyrs apd of opr forefathers. It was also worthy of remembrance as the homo of friends ami relatives still living.

r Jihe toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Professor Black proposed “ The Land wc Live in.” He did not think all that ivas desirable Was associated with the land in which we were. It wanted the associations of a thousand years—no William the Norman, nor Bruce, nor Wallace—the names of men mixed up with our history. Another feature was the absence of a national poetry ; but he was glad to find that there \yas ft beginning. Why, instead of Vo banks and braes 0’ Bonnie Doon,” should there not he “Ye banks and braes o’ Roaring Meg old ruins also were wanted as mementos of the past. Another want was railways, but they were being supplied ; one advantage, however, was the tine climate, and the intense sunlight, which was not accompanied by the enervatiogheatof the North. The finer cenery, also, was a great advantage. He considered it magnificent, and, when rapid communication was established with Luropo, it would be a sine qua non with travellers that they had visited New /*ealftnd. ' Its mineral resoures were inexhaustible: the coalfields, goldfields, and fisheries were practically limitless, and a great future was before it. Ho coupl'd with the toast the name of Mr John Cargill, whose family had been instrumental in forming the settlement of Otago.

iVir John Cargill acknowledged the toast, and compared the pagl of Dunedin with the present to show the progress that had been made in twenty-live years. The vessel of fifteen tons that anchored in the Bay loaded with sugar, compared with the great number of ships of large tonnage now visiting the port—the rapid advance in agriculture as shown in the cultivation of the Taieri —the rapid advance of the pastoral interest as showy in tho export of wool—the development of the mining interest, as shown in the discoveries of gold and coal—looking at the last of which a great future might be anticipated. Gold had brought many persons who otherwise would not have been here, and no country presented better prosprets for miners j but population was wanted. He coneidwed the Tfovinoial Governhuyt had

done its duty in the construction of roads and means of internal communication, and deserved all praise, Mr George Duncan proposed “The Municipal Council and City of Dunedin.” lie contrasted the present condition of the City with the past, and attributed its advancement to the action of the City Council. Mr John Barnes acknowledged the toast. Mr Edward M'Glasiian proposed “'she local industiies of Otago.” He would not coniine himself to Otago. There was one present who, with himself, remembered when there were but two blacksmiths in Dunedin He himself was one of the first who utilised skins formerly thrown into the harbor. Since that time a vast variety of industries had been established. Otago was only in the dawn of industry, the sun would shortly shine, and woollen and other factories would be established —amongst them paper, and in all probability cotton from the Fijis. Professor Black regretted the absence of old as eolations, but we had something better, we had new industries brewing and iron masters. Mr James Marshall acknowledged the toast. Mr Mercer proposed “ The Caledonian Society of l tago,” The Chairman returned thanks on behalf of the S citty, and gave a sketch of the efforts made by it to promote literature, and in the cause of benevolence. '1 he Society was now’ nearly free from debt;, and he hoped that in future it would be better able to carry out the objects contemplated by its establishment than in times past. Mr D. Baxter proposed “The Ladies,” to which Mr Marshall replied. Mr Angus M ‘Gregor proposed “The Press.” He pointed out the great influence the Press exerted in all countries where it was free, and that in old countries it was gradually superseding the lecture-room and th 3 pulpit m its expositions of science, theology, and political and social economy. He did not comment upon the status of the Colonial Press, but remarked that its mission was to forward education and liberty, and he trusted as time went on, it would to the fullest extent fulfil the duties of the institution.

The toast was acknowledged by Mr Bell (of the Star). Mr Callender proposed “ The Strangers present,” coupled with the name of Mr Duncan, of Christchurch. Mr Duncan, in responding to the toast, remarked that ■ ven in Christchurch the merchants doing the largest business were Scotchmen, and that the first three Mayors were also Scoichmen. He concluded, therefore, that even in a Province founded mainly by Englishmen, Scottish enterprise proved itself successful in competition.

The proceedings of the evening were diversified by songs from various amateurs, which were of more than ordinary merit; and a very enjoyable evening was passed.