The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1908. THE BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2097, 25 January 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1908. THE BURNS ANNIVERSARY.

If from the misty distance of the great divide, opportunity should bo given for former denizens of this planet to get a glimpse of it under modern conditions one could imagine the spirit of the poet who is affectionately known as “Bobby" Burns being filled with a glow of satisgaction as lie beheld such gatherings as took place fast night in, AYTiinray’s' Hall. As was pointed out by one of the speakers, it is, indeed, a marvellous tribute to the worth of the Scottish poet that at this period of time from the .date of his , death Scotchmen should still be found in all parts of the earth commemorating his memory. It was also noted with equal justification that these gatherings, though, primarily Scottish, are not entirely so, for Britishers the world over claim a share in the poet whose broad human sympathy know no ties of race or creed. It was a pleasant little gathering which was arranged; last night, and the speeches were of a high order, and tuned to an appropriate key. As the Hon. Air. Carroll happily put it, Burns “Scorified” poetry and helped to put in concrete form the national characteristics of the Scottish people. AVhat wonder then that the stirring recitations and songs selected from the poet’s works woke a .responsive chord in the hearts of the Scotchmen! there assembled', and they cheered to the echo the gems from the .master’s works. Tile ’-inten so humanity of Burns, Ids broad sympathy, direct simplicity of diction, .and 1 withal his pawky humor, were well illustrated in the selections chosen, and if la-st night’s gathering can bo accepted l as a criterion,, there is ample justification for Air. Birrcll’s appeal for the formation of a Burns Society for Gisborne.