occasion, there was an excellent and genuine one from Ayrshire, a gentleman from that county being one of the party. After tea it was moved by the Chairman that every gentleman should sing a song of Burns' composition. and that it be accompanied with the violin. Here the Chairman made a few happy allusions to Burns, and struck up “A man's a man for a' that." and on the other, turning with disgust from that foul hypocrite, end-serving, and Deitymocking "Holy Willie." It is true Burns had his failings, but who wants them? His enemies take delight in presenting his "cracks an' flaws" to the world through a magnified medium, but his virtues they carefully keep in the back-ground. Who amongst those of his revilers would dare attack him were he still in Scotland to defend himself. A few dashes from his pen would force them, if not to sue for mercy, to hide their diminished heads, and shelter in the shade of obscurity. The good qualities of Burns more than counterbalanced his failings, and the majority of his poems may be perused with impunity by the most rigid "holy Willie" in the world; and those unfortunates who cannot appreciate true-born poetic genius are objects of commiseration. Gentle are this night employed like ourselves, whether descended from the Saxon, the Celtic, or the Scandinavian, to commemorate departed genius, it should satisfy us that we too have taken a step in the right direction; and now let us sing "Scots wha hac wi' Wallace bled." The Croupier, before singing his song, made a few remarks by way of introduction, in the course of which he said-When I see such a large amount of the intelligence of the parish assembled within these walls, of which I am the humble tenant, I feel proud of the honour which your presence confers; but the feeling of pride becomes transformed into that of gratitude when I know that you have assembled here to celebrate the centenary birthday of none other than the immortal Burns-men, when we know that the noblest of the land a man whose memory will be ever dear to those who are qualified to admire and appreciate towering intellect and unparalleled genius a man who, although the continual subject of pecuniary difficulties of no ordinary nature, still breathed the noble spirit of independence -and who, had he taken hypocrisy as his handmaid, and bent the knee to the powers that then were, might not only have been placed beyond the reach of pecuniary embarrassments, but ranked amongst the noblest of the land. But Burns, as we all know, despised hypocrisy, and his noble spirit could not stoop to the degrading position of bespattering rank with fulsome praise. He always judged and spoke of his fellowmen impartially, and poured forth his poetic effusions in such touching language, that his readers are drawn unconsciously into the very centre of his scenes, looking on the one hand with reverential awe and holy feelings on the "lyart haffits" of the cottar as he closes "the big ha' bible, ance his father's pride," and bends his knee at the family altar; The following gentlemen then sung each a song, introducing it with brief but appropriate remarks:-Messrs. A. A. Ferguson; W. Pole, yr. of Greenbank; P. M. Sandison, merchant ; Bruce A. Sutherland, merchant; J. M. Moar, late from Australia; Neil Macleod, a hero of Alma, Balaclava, and Sebastopol; J. Spence, proprietor of Mursetter; and T. Sutherland, from Unst. After partaking of a substantial supper, a vote of thanks was proposed to the Chairman, and also to the Croupier, who had been the original proposer of the meeting, "the wee short hour ayont the twal" reminded them that they had begun a new day, and after singing "Auld Langsyne" with great glee, the meeting separated. ENGLAND. LONDON. CRYSTAL PALACE. This long-expected event came off on Tuesday in due course, and was attended by one of those enormous crowds only to be met with at the Crystal Palace, because no other building is large enough to hold them. medleys, composed of well-known Scottish tunes. In another part of the building (the lecture-room) the admirable poem of "Tam o' Shanter" was recited at appointed intervals to overflowing but attentive audiences, the principal "situations" being illustrated by dissolvings views photographed from the subjects by Mr. John Faed, R.S.A. This was decidedly one of the most popular incidents of the day, so much so, indeed, that scarcely more than a third of those who were desirous of attending the recitals could at any period obtain admission. Lastly, the military bands, after playing in the great Handel orchestra, repaired to the galleries above the proscenium erected for the Italian opera concerts; and from that elevated point their strident harmony was heard reverberating through the edifice in a well varied series of performances, terminating with "God save the Queen." Soon after the doors were thrown open, visitors began to arrive in considerable numbers; and long before the hour appointed for commencement, the trains, both from Pimlico and London-bridge, were pouring in their hundreds without cessation. Nevertheless the Palace was by no means inconveniently crowded when the first part of the entertainment took place; though the shouts of satisfaction which hailed the uncovering of the Bust, and the "Court of Relics," were something to remember. The Bust (modelled and executed by W. Calder Marshall, R.A.), was elevated on a pedestal in Thus much accomplished, the refreshment the centre of the "Court of Relics," and in department was eagerly invaded, and the offifront of the Handel Festival orchestra. The cial representatives of Messrs. Sawyer and interval between the ceremony of unveiling Strange were at their wits' end to satisfy the and the time for the concert to begin-during innumerable demands of pressing and hungry apwhich the crowd, continually reinforced by plicants, anxious not to lose one note of the forthfresh arrivals, rendered passage to and fro no coming concert. Among the comestibles most easy matter—was busily employed in examin- congenial to the occasion were "Cock-a-Leekie,” ing the various objects of interest which had "Haggis," Dumfries Meringues," and "Ayrbeen industriously brought together for the oc- shire puddings," to promote the comfortable casion. Among these were the Nasmith, Tay- digestion of which a drop of whiskey" was lor, David Allan, and Stewart Watson por-evidently looked upon as indispensable by many traits; the desk at which "Tam o' Shanter" was of the Scottish visitors, who, aware that such a written; a variety of manuscripts, including commodity was not to be obtained at the Crysamong the rest, that of the famous war-song, tal Palace, had come provided with convenient "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled;" a lock of flasks of their own, which passed from mouth the poet's hair; a lock of his wife's hair to mouth in right good fellowship. ("Bonny Jean"); a silver snuffbox, made out of a Charles I. ten-shilling piece, &c. The most unremitting attention, however, seemed to be attracted by the autographs; and the glass cases in which they were deposited were at all times difficult to approach. Meanwhile the band of the Caledonian Asylum, the band of the Scots Fusilier Guards, and the pipers of the same regiment, alternately played spirited 66 At 2 P.M. the concert began; and this feature in the day's amusements must, in strict justice, be condemned as utterly unworthy the Crystal Palace and the occasion. The overture to Guy Mannering, performed by the band of the establishment, under the direction of Mr. Manns, being a pot pourri of familiar Scottish airs, was quite in keeping; nor, considering that the festival was in commemoration of Burns, could anything have been more appropriate than a selection of the songs of Burns, set to the national melodies of his country. But, except in the instances of Miss Dolby and Miss Ransford, the singing was as bad as could well be imagined; and the miserable expedient of a pianoforte accompaniment in so vast an arena, and one so hopelessly unaccommodating to the transmission of sound, produced an effect verging upon the ridiculous. A sounding-board, hung from the roof directly over the heads of the singers, was so constructed, and of such diminutive proportions, as to be absolutely good for nothing. The following ballads were included in the first part of the concert:"There was a lad was born in Kyle" (Mr. MacDivatt); "Lord Gregory" (Miss Dolby, sung with exquisite feeling); "A Highland lad my love was born" (Miss Ransford); "The Banks of the Devon" (Miss Lizzie Stuart); "Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon" (Miss Ransford); "I love my Jean" (Madame Poma); "Highland Mary" (Mr. MacDivatt); "O were I able to rehearse" (Miss Dolby); and "O my luve is like a red red rose" (glee by the four singers). The important event of the day was now at hand-the opening of the sealed envelope containing the name of the author of the Prize Poem-the Fifty-guinea Ode to Burns, "not less than 100 nor more than 200 lines in length," the copyright of which becomes the property of the Sydenham donor. Breathless "To Nature's feast Who knew her noblest guest, Kingly he came. Her chambers of the east For him, the poet-souled, Of a love-warble, from the linnet's throat. was the attention with which the short preli- of a lady-" Isa Craig"- -a communication "ODE ON THE CENTENARY OF BURNS. "We hail this morn A century's noblest birth: A Poet peasant-born, Who more of Fame's immortal dower Than all her kings! "But when begins The array for battle, and the trumpet blows, And with its mortal foes gathering hosts of sorrows and of sins Each human soul must close. And made him mark for all the shafts of fate "Though he may yield Forsaken on the field- His crown of half its jewels spoiled He is a king for all. Had he but stood aloof! Had he arrayed himself in armour proof So yearn the good-so those the world calls wise "It might not be! That heart of harmony Had been too rudely rent; Its silver chords, which any hand could wound, By no hand could be tuned, Save by the Maker of the instrument, Its very strings who knew, was compelled to come forward and protest. "It is," said the zealous and able functionary, "the wish of the directors, as well as of yourselves, to have the lady here; but you must be aware that we cannot bring her here. I hope, therefore, you will allow the concert to proceed." The logic of this appeal proved irresistible, and the second part of the concert began. The subjoined pieces were introduced "Auld Langsyne" (solos by Mr. Ransford); "The Deil's awa wi' the Exciseman" (Miss Lizzy Stuart); "For a' that and a' that" (Mr. And from profaning touch his heavenly gift withdrew. MacDivatt); "John Anderson my jo"" (Miss "Regretful love His country fain would prove By grateful honours lavished on his graveWould fain redeem her blame That he so little at her hands can claim, Who unrewarded gave To her his life-bought gift of song and fame. "The land he trod Hath now become a place of pilgrimage, That could his song engage. The hoary hawthorn, wreathed Above the bank on which his limbs he flung The streams he wandered near; The maidens whom he loved; the songs he sungAll, all are dear! "The arch blue eyes Arch but for love's disguise Of Scotland's daughters soften at his strain; And sister-lands have learned to love the tongue "For doth not Song To the whole world belong! Is it not given wherever tears can fall, Wherever hearts can melt, or blushes glow, Or mirth and sadness mingle as they flow, A heritage to all ?"` Many passages were interrupted by applause, and among others the sixth strophe, alluding to the poet's intimate familiarity with all the phenomena of nature; the eighth, which insinuates the folly of regretting that he possessed the weaknesses of a man; the tenth, which implies that only the Almighty could have made him other than he was; the eleventh, alluding most eloquently to the veneration that now attaches to every scene and object with which the poet was familiar during his lifetime; and the twelfth, setting forth how his songs have been endeared to distant lands, through emigrants whose toil they have helped to lighten. The termination was followed by deafening shouts of applause, and repeated calls for the author, which last were so obstinately persisted in, that Mr. Bowley, general manager, Dolby); "Duncan Grey" "Somebody" (Miss Ransford); "Green grow the rashes, O" (Mr. MacDivatt); "Whistle and I'll come to you, my lad" (Madame Poma); "O Willie brewed a peck o' maut" (glee); "Scots wha hae" (Mr. MacDivatt); and the National Anthem, to which the following occasional stanza, written by Mr. T. Oliphant, Hon. Sec. to the Madrigal Society, and Poet Laureate to the Crystal Palace, was appended: In all the above pieces-except "John Anderson my jo'," which Miss Dolby sang without accompaniment and to perfection-the thousands of visitors were expected to join. Their zeal, however, was by no means overpowering, the only instance in which discretion wholly gave way to enthusiasm occurring in the National Anthem. THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF LONDON.-On an occasion so interesting to Scotsmen as the centenary of the birth of their most distinguished poet it would have been singular, indeed, had a body so thoroughly national in its character as the Caledonian Society of London remained silent amid the festivities by which that event has been celebrated. When the first note of preparation for commemorating the birth of Robert Burns was sounded in the north, it was taken up by the Caledonian Society of the metropolis with characteristic warmth and energy, and preparations were made to do all due honour to the memory of the poet. The largest room of the London Tavern was fixed upon as the place of meeting, and there, accordingly, a very numerous and respectable company of ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner,-a considerable number of persons anxious to be present having been disappointed from want of accommodation. The room was very tastefully decorated for the occa sion with flags and insignia of various kinds. | Behind the chair was a framed likeness of Burns by Nasmyth, and several very interesting relics of the poet were exhibited by Mr. W. Chambers of Edinburgh, who appeared as one of a deputation from the body of gentlemen by whom the centenary festival has been got up in Edinburgh. The chair was occupied by Mr. R. Marshall, the president of the Caledonian Society, and among the gentlemen present were-Mr. Charles Knight, Mr. William Chambers, Professor Masson, Dr. W. B. Hodgson, Mr. D. Roberts, R. A., Mr. Calder Marshall, R.A., Mr. Hepworth Dixon, Major Adair, Captain Adair, Lieutenant Malcomson, Major Leith, Mr. A. Maclure, Mr. R. Hepburn, Mr. F. Carew, Dr. M'Laren, Rev. W. H. Gray, &c. Grace was said by the Rev. Mr. Gray. The dinner, which was served up in the usual style of the London Tavern, embraced some favourite Scottish dishes, among which, worthy of special notice, appeared a huge haggis, sent from the neighbourhood of Kirk Alloway, "warm reekin', rich." During dinner the company were solaced with the sounds of the bagpipe, and when it is mentioned that not fewer than five pipers, blowing might and main, marched at one time round the tables, some idea of the harmony that prevailed will be conveyed to the readers. The CHAIRMAN gave in succession, prefaced with appropriate observations, "The Queen," "Prince Albert and the Royal Family," "The Army and Navy," for which Major Adair returned thanks; "the Caledonian Society," the characters and social qualities of which he briefly described to the meeting. Mr. HEPBURN, late president, proposed "the memory of Burns." In the course of his observations he said,-You are all aware that we are met here to-night to do honour to the memory of one who has long since passed away,-who now lies slumbering silently in the "Auld Kirkyard," in that grave which has been so often watered by the tears of a repentant people. (Hear, hear.) We are met to do honour to the memory of one of whom a distinguished writer of the present day (Thomas Carlyle) says, "he was the greatest soul that lived in all that 18th century;" we are met to do honour to one of the most gifted sons of Scotland, her own immortal bard, Robert Burns. (Cheers.) To-night "ayont the Tweed," in the modern Athens, in the Western Capital, and in nearly every town and village from "Maiden Kirk to John o' Groat's," vast numbers are at this moment assembled, commemorating the centenary of his birth. The sentiment I am about to express has already been enthusiastically responded to by all ranks and classes, it now resounds through out the length and breadth of Scotland, it finds a genial and an almost universal echo on this side of the border, and it is re-echoed from across the eastern and western waters. Methinks it now falls on the ears like the murmuring of winter winds, the rustling of autumnal leaves, the rushing of mighty waters, and the sound of distant thunder; and strange would it have been had Scotchmen not have assembled to-night in this great metropolis to swell the lofty strain (cheers); strange, indeed, would it have been had this society, which has ever been foremost in the cause of nationality, not have assembled to-night in such large numbers to do honour to the natal day of Scotia's poet; stranger, indeed, would it have been had this assembly not been graced by the presence of those who have better feelings, warmer affections, and kindlier hearts than ours, to testify thus their sympathy with the cause that brings us together. Is it not pleasing to find around this festive table men who are highly distinguished in the literature and arts of our country-men of kindred spirit, who have come nobly forward to assist us in twining fresh laurels around the brow of our great national poet? Is it not pleasing, sir, to see Englishmen here to-night, offering that homage at the shrine of Burns which we have ever offered at the shrine of Shakspeare? (Cheers.) Is it not pleasing, sir, to find Irishmen here, paying that honour to the bard of Coila which we have ever paid to the bard of Erin? (Cheers.) We are all met here to-night to join heart and hand with the thousands upon thousands of our fellow-countrymen and others throughout the world, who are now proclaiming with a loud voice, which rends the air as it is wafted from shore to shore, their respect for the memory of Robert Burns. It has been my privilege to visit lately that corner of the land for ever hallowed by its association with the name of Burns. I have sauntered with delight along the "Banks o' Doon." I have stood in rapture on that spot where "Ayr gurgling kissed its pebbled shore." I have climbed the "Braes o' Ballochmyle;" and I have wandered through the woods that "skirt the castle of Montgomery." I have looked with emotion on that humble cottage wherein he first drew breath. I have gazed in sorrow on that lowly chamber whence that breath for ever fled. I have followed him in his chequered career from infancy to manhood-from his cradle to his grave-and time will never efface the impressions made upon me while in the midst of those scenes. Were it possible that I could carry you there now in imagination, would we not conjure up the manly form of the Heaven-inspired poettruth and honesty engraven on his heart, independence and nobility stamped upon his brow; |