AT SCOTLAND’S SHRINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 3

AT SCOTLAND’S SHRINE

TRIBUTE TO RABBIE BURNS REV. JOHN BARR’S LECTURE Multi-coloured streamers across the platform, the booming of “Auld Lang Syne” on the city organ; the chorus of 1,500 voices, then three resounding cheers. It was the Auckland Scots paying tribute to the Rev. James Barr, M.A., M.P., who had delivered one more paean to the memory of Scotland’s pcet, Robert Burns. THE St. Andrew’s Society, under whose auspices Mr. Barr delivered his lecture on “Scotland’s National Bard” last evening, had engaged the Concert Hall, but bookings yesterday were so heavy that it was found necessary to change over to the big hall which was comfortably filled when the lecturer stepped on to the platform. It was a striking testimony to Scots loyalty to the Scottish bard. Mr. Barr began by giving a general outline of g the poet’s life making passing reference to his amours and frailties. Then he came to the time when Burns decided to “tak’ leave o’ Bonnie Mary,” and made preparations for departure to the West Indies. But to go abroad money was necessary, and one way of raising it was to publish his poems. This was done, and after the publication of the Kilmarnock edition Edinburgh paid £SOO for another edition in order to make the poet stay at home. “Five hundred pounds” repeated Mr. Barr, “and England gave Milton £lO for ‘Paradise Lost.’ “We do things well in Edinburgh,” he said. Continuing, Mr. Barr said that the poet died on July 21, 1796, and 10,000 mourners followed him to his grave. PURE STREAM OF SONG “The songs of Burns are remarkable for their purity,” said Mr. Barr, “and they so purified the stream of Scottish song that a child can stoop down and drink at the crystal stream. “I’m often surprised that people, particularly in Scotland, are content to listen to the silly comic trash which is now called song when there is such an inexhaustible fund of pure wit and rich humour in Burns.” The lecturer then went to consider the poet’s *more important traits. He was independent, and believed in a man holding a fairly good opinion of himself. It was, as he said, the common justic that a man owed to himself. Burns knew his own •worth too well to cringe before the rich or the great, and was unmoved by the loud applause that was his when he came to Edinburgh first. He feared no man, and was haughty and unyielding in his independence. Pessimism was another of his traits, and this found its sublimest expression in the poem “Man Was Made to Mourn." Burns was an honest man with comtempt for those who were otherwise. Honest poverty he knew. “And,” added the lecturer, “the meanest wretches walking the streets today are those who are trading on dishonest poverty.” A MOVING SUBJECT Mr. Barr was about to recite one of his poet’s lighter efforts, the jolly verses “To a Louse.” “This is a respectable audience, and perhaps I should not mention it,” but as there was no chorus of dissaproval he carried on. There was a loud run of laughter when he had finished. It had caught the fancy of the audience. “I always claim that wherever I go this subject is understood,” said Mr. Barr. (Laughter). “Not only understood, but felt (more laughter). “It’s a most moving subject” (roars of laughter). The speaker concluded by explaining the great beliefs that Burns had in the brotherhood of man. Mr. Barr quoted poems throughout the lecture, and he recited with feeling, understanding, and appropriate action. One Scot, carrying a heavy cargo of “heather dew” assisted him at times in the recital, but his thick heavy voice blended ill with that of the lecturer so he was hustled from the hall. However, he got in again towards the end of the evening, and seemed quite prepared to let by-genes be by-gones when he called foggily and persistently for cheers for “Brother Barr.” During the evening Miss Gladys Hosking sang two of the Burns songs. There was an enthusiastic scene at the close of the lecture, when the audience joined hands to sing “Auld Lang Syne.”