song, were Messrs. Syme, Robinson, Boyd, and | close of the evening's entertainment a "wee Bailey. The arrangements of the stewards were excellent, and these gentlemen were most unremitting in their efforts to provide for the com⚫forts of the company. The entrance of our two city members was greeted by loud and enthusiastic applause by the entire audience. Shortly after six o'clock the chair was taken by James Spaight, Esq., M.P. To the right of the Chairman sat his colleague, Francis William Russell, Esq., M.P. Among the other gentlemen at the head table, were Rev. David Wilson, A. Murray, T. G. Nairn, Alderman T. M'Donnell, W. D. Joynt, L. Quinlivan, and W. Fitzgerald; Dr. Gore, S. Bourchier, and W. Boyd, Esqrs. Mr. Hogg performed the duties of croupier, and the other tables were presided over by Messrs. J. Fife, and G. W. Pragnell. Grace before, and thanksgiving after the banquet, were said by the Rev. D. Wilson. The Chairman proposed "The Immortal Memory of Burns," in a speech of great eloquence. At about eight o'clock, as the toasts were about to commence, the boxes were thrown open to the admission of ladies, and they were soon filled by a galaxy of beauty, such as Limerick alone could produce, and their presence added considerably to heighten the charms of as gay and festive a scene as any other centenary commemoration in the world could show. NEWRY.-A large party dined here on Tuesday, under the chairmanship of James M'George, Esq.; Dr. Conner, and Joseph Longham, Esq., acted as croupiers. The toast of the evening was given from the chair. drappie" of something more "racy of the soil." In the vicinity of the chair and vice-chair, Connor's excellent string band were in attendance, and, just as the viands were being cleared away, struck up "Auld Langsyne." Dinner having been discussed, The Worshipful Chancellor Swindelle said grace. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly given and responded to, the CHAIRMAN said:-It appears to me that "Now's the day, and now's the hour," to celebrate the centenary of the immortal Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Thousands of the countrymen and admirers of the genius of that distinguished bard are assembled this evening, like us, to commemorate his birth, to admire his genius, and to do homage to one of the brightest stars that shine around the sun of Shakspeare. (Loud cheers.) Burns was a poet of nature had a keen perception of its beauties, and what he wrote was the pure offspring of native genius. He tells us that the poetic TRALEE. The admirers of the great genius of his country found him as the propeasant Bard of Scotland having, as our readers phetic bard Elijah did Elisha at the plough, are already aware, determined to celebrate, by and threw her inspiring mantle over him, and social banquets, the centenary of the birth of bade him sing the loves, the joys, the rural the immortal Burns, not alone throughout Scot-scenes and rural pleasures of his native soil in land, England, and Ireland, but in every part of the earth in which the language in which he sang is understood-and where is the land where its beauty and its music are not known and felt?-the Scottish residents of Tralee, joined by several of their fellow-citizens, met on Tuesday evening at dinner in Benner's Great Room. At half-past six o'clock, between forty and fifty gentlemen sat down to an abundant and exceedingly well-served dinner, every man his his native tongue. (Cheers.) He was between "The golden hours on angel wings "pint-stoup" of excellent Sherry, and at the Burns well deserves our homage, for, although no statesman, warrior, architect, or engineer, ders of applause, " The Land o' Cakes." There has he not benefited our race by expressions could be, he said, no more suggestive toast than of noble sentiment and of glorious thought? "The Land o' Cakes." It indicated that, if Has he not reconciled poverty to its hard lot, Scotland was not a land flowing with milk and lightened the burden of care with his and honey"-though the untiring industry of music? Has he not, in strains unrivalled in Scotia's sons might be said to have made it simplicity, and yet in fervid solemnity, por- such—it was a land in which no man would be trayed "The Cottar's Saturday Night"-so permitted to beg his bread, or die of starvathat by this immortal song he has for ever tion. It was emphatically, in this sense, a land sanctified the poor man's cot, and that by a of cakes. The history of chivalry contained picture which genius, inspired by piety, could no brighter page than that which recorded the alone have conceived? Has he not poured the martial story of old Scotland. (Cheers.) Her patriotism of a Wallace and a Bruce, in lan- chivalrous loyalty, like that witnessed in our guage which has immortalized alike the poet own land, to a dynasty now happily passed and the warriors? Burns loved the humblest away, has afforded a glorious theme for the condition of humanity, and nobly and boldly historian, the novelist, and the poet. To have stood up for the independence of the class to been the birthplace of Burns is among not the which he belongedleast of her glories. (Cheers.) The nursery of arms and arts and sciences, each of her sons may exclaim, in the words of the immortal bard of Mantua, "The rank is but the guinea stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that." "Quæ regio in terris nostri non plena laboris." Sentiments such as these stamp Burns as a poet of the highest order; and while we drink in solemn silence to the memory of Burns, let us think of the honour he has conferred on the (Cheers.) After some further observations, the country that gave him birth, and of his world-rev. gentlemen concluded by giving "The Land "The Memory of Robert Burns."o' Cakes." (Great cheering.) wide fame. Drunk in solemn silence. Mr. Joseph J. O'Riordan-Mr. Chairman and Vice, I have now to propose the next toast: I ask you to drink in solemn silence, "The Memory of Tom Moore." Air-"O blame not the Bard." The Worshipful Chancellor SWINDELLE then proposed, in a speech which drew down thun Air-Scots wha hae." The festivities were continued till after twelve, having been enlivened by several incidental toasts, speeches, and songs. The Chairman, before vacating the chair, gave the health of their worthy host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Benner), whose excellent entertainment and arrangements had contributed so much to the comfort of the evening. COLONIES. ABERFOYLE, CANADA WEST.-The anniversary was celebrated by a supper, attended by a party of about thirty persons,-Mr. John Cockburn, chairman; Mr. K. M'Kenzie, vice; and Mr. John Black, croupier. AYR, C. W.-The dinner was highly successful. Upwards of 150 persons were present. Mr. William Kay occupied the chair, supported on the right by Dr. Caw, and on the left by Joseph Kilgour, senior, Esq. The vice-chair was filled by Mr. Alison. BATHURST, N. B.-The centennial birthday of the peasant poet was celebrated in Bathurst with all the honours. Thirty gentlemen, including many of the prominent inhabitants of the place, sat down to supper. Wm. Napier, Esq., presided, and John Ferguson, Theophilus Des Brisay, and Matthew Carruthers, Esqs., officiated as vice-presidents. BELLEVILLE, C. W.-The anniversary was celebrated with becoming honour by the Scotchmen of Belleville and vicinity. Others, admirers of the genius of Burns, who claim not the land of the "heather and the braes," as the home of their nativity, joined heartily in the festivities of the day. The special feature of the day was a sleigh-ride, consisting of over sixty sleighs and cutters. In the procession was a rustic-looking habitation, mounted on runners, intended as a representation of Burns' cot. George Neilson, Esq., President, took the chair, and opened the evening's entertainment by a brief reference to the poets and heroes of Scotland, among whom stood pre-eminent him to whose memory they had assembled to do honour. The oration of the evening was made by Mr. Burdon, Principal of the Grammar School. The meeting was also addressed by the Rev. Mr. Clunie and others. The speeches were interspersed with a number of Scottish songs, and the proceedings terminated with a ball, which was kept up till morning. BOMBAY, E. I.—The demonstration in Bombay, in honour of Burns, was all that could be desired. Nowrozjee Ardaseer Davur, Esq., kindly lent his splendid mansion at Tardeo for the occasion; and a more magnificent ballroom than it contained could not have been procured. The grounds were brilliantly lighted up, while the interior was one mass of splendour. The company began to assemble at about half-past eight; and at nine, dancing commenced with great spirit, which was vigorously sustained until twelve o'clock, at which hour all adjourned to supper. Upwards of two hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen sat down to a table laden with every delicacy of the season; and so laid out with fruit, flowers, and lustres, that the scene seemed one of enchantment rather than of reality. The champagne and other wines were iced to a second; and the music of cork-drawing told how well they were appreciated. After ample justice had been done to the viands, the toasts next claimed attention. It was constructed chiefly of evergreen Right Worshipful Brother Crawford, (Manand twisted hay, and presented a very attrac-ager of the Bombay Steam Navigation Comtive appearance. The festival at the Dafoe pany), Master of Lodge "Perseverance," and House, in the evening, was a grand affair. Right Worshipful Brother Cartwright, (Leckie The large dining hall was crowded to excess, & Co.), Provincial Grand Master of Western and a considerable number were unable to India, gave the usual loyal Masonic toasts obtain admittance. There could not have and responses: after which Right Worshipful been less than 400 present, among which were Brother George Craig, Editor of the Telegraph the beauty and élite of the town. and Courier newspaper, rose and gave the toast of the evening. He said:-The toast which I have been asked to propose is one, to which both the lateness of the hour and the festivity of the evening will prevent me doing justice. We must not forget that, however alluring the deity of song may be, we have assembled to-night to do honour to the poetess of motion. But my toast is happily one which requires neither an encroachment upon pleasure, the pomp of language, nor the splendour of eloquence; and its best response is silence! The memory I would recall-the shade I would invoke, is that of Robert Burns-the poet, the mason, and the man! Yesterday was the centenary of his birth, and the sympathies of the civilized world vibrated at the mere mention of his name. By an accident we have been obliged to celebrate his nativity to-night instead of yesternight; but the enthusiastic and happy faces I see around me are a sufficient guarantee that our worship at the shrine of Burns, although late, will nevertheless be accepted. CHATHAM, C. W.-About 200 sat down to dinner, Dr. Robertson acting as President, and A. M'Kellar, Esq., M.P.P., as Vice-President. The principal speakers were Mr. George Jamieson, Principal of the Grammar School of Kent, Mr. M'Sween, assistant in that institution, Walter M'Crea, Mayor of Chatham, Dr. Cross, George Duck, Esq., Mr. W. M'Kenzie Ross, and Mr. J. W. Rose, of the Advertiser. A ball, in which some 100 couples joined, was I need not here dilate upon his high attain-kept up with great spirit until morning. ments, his rare genius, and his matchless wit; they are known wherever a taste for the beautiful is cultivated. I shall, therefore, sum up his virtues and his failings in the immortal words of the Poet of all time,— "He was a man, take him for all in all, We shall not look upon his like again." The toast, "The Memory of Burns," was drank amidst solemn silence; and it seemed to be regretted that the lateness of the hour prevented the speaker from enlarging upon such a fruitful theme. Right Worshipful Brother R. B. Barton, Barrister-at-Law, Brother John Macfarlane, Solicitor, and James Berkley, Esq., Resident Engineer of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, proposed and responded to, in neat and appropriate speeches, "The Ladies," "The Ladies," "Our Guests," and the other toasts usual upon such occasions. Right Worshipful Brother Cartwright gave the final toast of the evening-"To all Poor and Distressed Masons wherever they may be; and may they speedily find relief." CHATHAM, MIRAMICHI, N. B. — The Burns Centenary Festival, under the auspices of the Highland Society, took place at Bowser's Hotel, and for years to come will the happy hours of festive mirth then spent be remembered by those who assembled there that night. CLINTON, C. W.-The occasion was celebrated in Clinton by a procession and ball. The procession, which was by torch-light, was headed by three stalwart pipers in Highland costume. DOWNIE, C. W.-Mr. James Simpson, of Downie, invited a number of his friends and neighbours to his house, on the 25th, to do honour to the memory of the poet. DUNDAS, C. W.-A dinner took place on the occasion at Riley's Hotel, at which were present about 70 Scotchmen, accompanied by This toast, as is customary amongst Masons, English, Irish, Canadian, and American friends. was also drank in silence; after which the The meeting was one of the most pleasant that supper-party broke up and repaired to the ball-ever came off in the town of Dundas, and the room, where dancing was recommenced, and kept up with great spirit until after gunfire. "Sir Roger de Coverly" terminated the amusements of the evening; and it has been universally admitted that a more pleasing or more successful demonstration than the Burns Centenary Masonic Ball was never witnessed in Bombay. proceedings gave unmixed satisfaction to all who were present. DUNVILLE, C. W.-This testimonial came off in Boswell Hall, where a very large party sat down to dinner at eight o'clock, spread by Mr. Mitchell. The company numbered about 100. The address of the President, A. M'Donald Lockhart, Esq., was very appro- the land of his birth to have it in his power to priate. ELORA, C. W.-The admirers of Burns met in Bain's Commercial Hotel, to celebrate the centennial birthday of the ploughman bard. About fifty gentlemen sat down to supperDr. Finlayson in the chair, and Mr. Philips vice-chairman. FERGUS, C. W.-The Fergus Division of Sons of Temperance held a soiree, which was attended with a degree of success unprecedented on any similar occasion in the village. FREDERICTON, N. B.- About sixty gentlemen honoured the memory of Robert Burns, on the evening of the 25th, by dining together at Mr. Whelpley's Hotel. Dr. Robb occupied the chair; and the dinner and its associations passed off as well as possible. GALT, C. W.—With a promptitude which only intense admiration of the man and his works could stimulate, the inhabitants of Galt, and all parts of Dumfries, assembled to the number of a thousand or twelve hundred, ladies as well as gentlemen, in the Town Hall, to do honour to the memory of Robert Burns. These sentiments consisted of recitations from the Poet's works; some of his sweetest, most patriotic, and manly songs; addresses from gentlemen of well-known ability; music from the Galt band; singing by the Galt Philharmonic Society; and exquisite music from the piano, at which Mr. Veit presided. GEELONG. The festival celebrative of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Burns was observed in the Mechanics' Institute Hall by 120 admirers of Scotia's bard. Mr. Alexander Fife occupied the chair. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr. H. S. Wills, M.L.A. Mr. John Bell, M.L.A., and Mr. John Calvert officiated as croupiers. On the immediate right and left of the Chairman were the Rev. Andrew Lowe, Mr. Wm. Strachan, Mr. A. C. Macdonald, and Mr. William Fraser. After the usual preliminary toasts, The CHAIRMAN called upon all guests to fill their glasses, preparatory to the toast of the evening. He felt it a great honour for a Scotchman some sixteen thousand miles away from say a hundred years after the birth of their illustrious poet that he had had it in his power to preside over a meeting like that. The occasion was no doubt equally gratifying to others who were not Scotchmen, but admirers of Burns. They might live another century, and not see another man like Burns. He did not approach this toast with levity. In Burns they found a man of the people, a man to whom the people of Scotland and England had done justice after they had lost him. On the day of his death there was many a stalwart eye shed tears. He would leave it with the gentleman who was intrusted with the response to the toast to deal more at large with the subject. He would call upon the guests to drink to the memory of Burns in solemn silence. The toast was drunk accordingly. The Rev. ANDREW LOVE responded to the toast in a speech at the same time pleasant and pathetic. He said he had come from a sick room which he ought not except on such an occasion to have quitted. It would be ungracious and ungrateful in him to say that he had undertaken this task unwillingly; although when he was a boy he could better have quoted the poetry of Burns than his present memory and strength would enable him to do. No doubt they were all aware that some years ago a person of his profession would have felt it an insult to be asked to be present on such an occasion; but that time had passed. He felt it a high honour to be placed in the position he then occupied. As a boy he had often by "Bonnie Doon" read by stealth the poems of Burns, and many a boy had had the book under his pillow in preference to his "Shorter Catechism." (Laughter and cheers.) Burns was the one prohibited book to all who would boast of orthodoxy and virtue. To find a copy of Burns beside the "big ha' Bible" of any family was sufficient in the estimation of canting zealots to stamp that family with all the sweeping condemnation of a Holy Willie," or an unbeliever. This was among the "unco gude" of Scotland in that day, and this arose chiefly from the irregularities of the man and the freeness and keenness of his satirical attacks on every species of bigotry and superstition which were prevalent in Scotland in the days of Burns, and to some extent in his own younger days also. The supposed looseness of his morals and his irregular habits must ever be regretted, yet if Burns had been of a more sober and staid disposition, less convivial, less impulsive and impassioned under the influence of social companionship, the world never would have witnessed some of his most bewitching |