-
Articles/Ads
Article THE KILMARNOCK BURNS MONUMENT. Page 1 of 2 Article THE KILMARNOCK BURNS MONUMENT. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Kilmarnock Burns Monument.
THE KILMARNOCK BURNS MONUMENT .
LAVING OF THE MEMORIAL STONE . FOR some weeks past the usually quiet town of Kilmarnock has been in a fever of excitement over the laying of tho memorial stone of the monument to Robert Burns—an event which took place
on Saturday lasfc in the presence of assembled thousands . Considering the poet ' s connection with Kilmarnock , it has often been wondered why it lagged so far behind in the desire to do hononr to one whom , it was known , many of tho residents of Kilmarnock loved and
admired . It -was there that the first edition ofbis works wasprinted , and ifc is there where the only full collection of all tho editions of his works is to be found , and that , too , in the houso of Mr . James M'Kie . With all these advantages , it was not till the movemonfc for a statne to Burns in Glasgow had been carried to completion that ifc occurred to the minds of some of the Kilmarnock gentlemen to remove tho
blot whioh had too long lain on the fair fame of their town . At tho Anniversary of Burns , held on the 26 th of January Inst year , it was agreed to havo a statue of tho poet erected in some suitable place in the town ; and in order to havo the matter gone into in a practical manner , an influential committeo was appointed to carry out the proposal—Mr . Tnrnbull , tho president nf the Burns Club , being
appointed convener , and Messrs . Jame 3 M'Kio and James Rose joint secretaries . Thus begun , the movement was not allowed to lag , for within a month £ 614 had been subscribed , and in April models were asked . As tbe amount then placed afc the disposal of the committee ( £ 1282 ) exceeded all their expectations , it was decided to have an ornamental building erected which should contain a marble statue of
the poet . The Kay trustees , who had recently acquired a large portion of ground from the Duke of Portland for a public park , generously offered to allow the proposed momument to be erected within the grounds . Plans were then asked for , and at a meeting on tho 14 th of December last Mr . W . G . Stevenson , of Edinburgh , was chosen as the sculptor for the statue , and the design of Mr . Robert Ingram ,
architect , was selected for the monument . The total cost was estimated at £ 2300 , and the amount at tho disposal of the committee is £ 2260 , and they are hopeful that the few hundred pounds which will yet bo required to complete the memorial will speedily bo forthcoming . The site chosen is the best in the neighbourhood , being on tho highest point in the park , and commanding an extensive view of the land of
Burns . Arran is seen on the one side , and Loudon hill on the other , while to the north-west are the ruins of Dean Castle , and on tho opposite side is the Wallace monument . The style of the monnment itself is baronial , of French Gothic design . Ifc will consist of two storeys and a tower—the entire height something like 75 feet . The basement is likely to be utilised as a dwelling-bouse and offices . Two
flights of stairs will lead up to a platform and balcony , where , facing the onlookers , is an alcove of fifteen foet high . In this the statue , which will bo eight feet from foot to head , will be placed , and , tho sides being open , a walk of three feet wide goes round . Immediately behind , or in the interior of the monument , is a large room which will be used as a museum of relics connected with the poet . A flight of
stairs leads from this to a balustrade , which will form a promenadethe stair continuing to the top of the tower . As to the statuo itself , it is being cut by Mr . Stevenson from a block of Sicilian marble , weighing about nine tons . The design shows tho figure to be in a thoughtful position . The poet is represented as standing firmly on the right leg , the left thrown easily in advance . Tho right hand
holds a pencil , the left a book , which rests on the trunk of a tree . The face is looking to tho right , giving the spectator from tho front of the figure the view of the face best known by the Naysmith portrait , from which ifc is taken . The tight-fitting coat and knee-breeches give full opportunity for the display of tho design . On Saturday , flags and banners floated from all conceivable places ,
and several arches of drapery were hung across tho streets . Business was almost entirely suspended , and for three or four hours tho shops were closed . The railway company gave extra facilities for visitors ; bub ifc was found that the modest calculations of the railway officials were far beneath the requirements , and under these circumstances their resources were not a little taxed to convey all the intending
excursionists to Kilmarnock . Fortunately , tho weather was favourable , and from an early hour in the forenoon , the principal streets were crowded with a dense mass of people . All available points from which a view of the procession could be obtained , were eagerly seized an hour or two before the time . At half-past two o ' clock Provost Sturrock and the magistrates and town council , along with Mr . J .
Fortescue Harrison , M . P ., Mr . Graham Somervell of Sorn , convener of the county ; Mr . Henry Leek of Hollybush , Mr . P . Comyn Macgregor , and others assembled in the Town Hall . Tho Provincial Grand Lodge met in the school-room , Dundonald-road , under the presidency of Mr . R . W . Cochran-Patrick R . W . P . D . G . M ., who was supported by W . Ralston Patrick Substitute P . G . M ., William
Kennedy R . W . M . of St . John's , Maybolo , as P . G . S . W ., James Neilson R . W . M . of St . John's , Kilwinning , as P . G . J . W ., Robert WylieasP . G . Secretary , and Rev . Mr . Inglis , Kilmanrs , as P . G . Chaplain . In the meantime the various trades intending to tnke a part in the procession were gathering in the public recreation grounds , Dnndonaldroad , where they were marshalled in order by Captain Anderson , of
the Ayrshire Volunteers . The Masonic brethren , of whom about 2 , 000 were present , were being drawn up by their own Grand Marshal , Mr . W . Bryce . Order was gradually evoked out of confusion , and when it was announced , abont half-past three , that the Prov . Grand Lodge was ready , a start was at once made . Tho route was by St . Marnock-street , King-street , Duke-street , London-road , and
Holehouse-road , to the public Park . When tho head of the procession reached the Town Hall the gentlemen who had met there , at once took their places , and the body then moved on . One of the most interesting features of the procession was a body of carters , upwards of a hnndred of whom were mounted on strong , well-built , and gaily-decorated horses . Each man wore a Kilmar .
The Kilmarnock Burns Monument.
nock bonnet , decked with blue ribbons , aud he had also a blue rosette on the breast of his coat . The appearance of the cavalcade as ifc passed along the streets was very imposing , and tho hearty cheers which greeted the men showed how much their efforts had been appreciated . Another noted group was tho Foresters . Each Lodgo was preceded by threo mounted men dressed in the picturesque
garb of the Craft , having the bow slung ovor the shoaldor , with tho quiver by the side . Tho joinors also caused a little sensation by tho representation of actual work . A lorry bad been fitted up with a double bench , aud there two men in white aprons carefully planed away at a piece of wood , and seemed to bo so intent on their work as to be altogether ignorant of tho panorama of which they formed
a part , or of the thousands of eager eyes under whoso gaze they were passing . There was one class , however , which , though small , could not escapo notice . All tho trades had flags aud banners , on which were appropriate mottoes , whilo a few displayed working models of their handicraft . Almost hid in the general mass was a small band of chimney sweeps , whose presence would havo passed
unnoticed had it not been for the banner which they carried , on which was inscribed in largo letters , " By dirt we live . " The appearance of the men and tho lads did not boar out the motto , as for once , at least , thoy had cleaned all the dirt away from themselves , and come out like the others to hononr the Ayrshire bard . It is impossible to notice iu dotail all the component parts of the
procession , but it may not be out ; of place to refer to the presenco among the Freemasons of tho Lodge 133—St . David ' s of Tarbolton . This is the native Lodge of the poet , which from some cause lay dormant for 42 years , and was only resuscitated by the Ma ' uchline people in Jannary of last year , in order that it might take a part in the Burns demonstration in Glasgow . Alongside of this Lod ; te was
135—the St . Jame 3 Kilwinning , of Tarbolton—which the poet joined on bis leaving the St . Oavid , and in which ha occupied the highest post . It is estimated that about 4 , 000 people took part in tho procession , and when all wore gathered together there could soarcely be fewer than 10 , 000 persons in tho Park . Indeed , ifc was remarked that such a day had not been seen in Kilmarnock since
1832 , when the Reform agitation stirred the foelings of the people . An idea of the number in the procession may be gathered from the fact that it took 40 minutes to pass a given point ; and before all were placed in position it was about half-past five o ' clock in tho afternoon . As soon as the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge had taken
their places on the building , Mr . Turnbull called on the Depute Provincial Grand Master to lay the memorial stone of the monument . Nearly fifty-eight years ago Sir Alexander Boswell , the P . G . W . of the day , laid the memorial stone of the monument to the poet on tbe banks of the Doon , and ifc was in no spirit of rivalry , but from a well-founded desire that , on a
site overlooking so many scenes familiar to the poet s daily presence , in a town where he mot and enjoyed the fellowship of many warm friends , oncl where his poems were first given to the world , it was right and proper that his memory and his genius should be fittingly recognised and perpetuated . Mr . Turnbnll concluded by presenting Mr . Cochran-Patrick with a handsome silver trowel for the purposo of
laying the stone . After the tune Old Hundredth had been played by the band of the Artillery Volunteers , tho P . G . Chaplain offered up prayer , and then the Provincial Grand Secretary placed a bottle in the cavity of the stone , after which the stone was laid with all due Masonic honours . Tho articles contained in the bottle included a short sketch of tho
monument , alphabetical list of subscribers , copy of Bnrns ' s poems , copies of various newspapers , tho current coins of tho realm , tho standard measnre of ono foot and the standard weight of 1 lb . A brass plate was placed above the cavity , and on it was the following inscription : — " By tho favour of Almighty God , on tho fourteenth day of September , Anuo Domini Eighteen Hundred and Sevonty-Eighfc , and
the era of Masonry oS 78 , and in the Forty-second year of the reign of our beloved Sovereign , Victoria Fir 3 t , tho memorial stono of this monument , erected by public subscription in honour of the genius of Robert Burns , Scotland's national poet , was laid by R . Wm . Cochran-Patrick , Esq ., of Woodside , Beith , Right Worshipful Depute Provincial Grand Master for Ayrshire ( attended by numerous Masonic Lodges ) , according to the ancient usages of Masonry . "
The Depute Provincial Grand Master then said—Nearly threo generations of men have lived and died since the mortal remains of Robert Burns were laid in their last resting place on the banks of winding Nith . But though ' ¦ fate has snapped the brittle thread " of his eventful life , and removed his bodily presenco from us , aud death has silenced for over the tuneful voice which delighted a listening world , the event of to-day shows that his genius is still as much honoured and admired in his native land as it was when in life ' s full
vigour , in the plenitude of his genius , " in glory and in joy "he followed his plough upon the mountain side . " Time , the great destroyer of merely mortal works , " has laid his palsied hand in vain " on our minstrel's strain , and the holly of the Scottish muse is as bright now as when Coila first garlautled tho poetic brow of her inspired bard in the " anld clay biggin ' . " He whoso memory tho people of
Kilmarnock have worthily commemorated in this magnificent monnment was essentially the national bard of Scotland and of the Scots . Of all the illustrious names which form the muster-roll of the poets of our land not one is more familiarly known in its homesteads , none so dearly treasured in the hearts of its people as that of the Ayrshire ploughman . Nor can we wonder at it . His muse , " homely in attiro " though she is , has conferred a deathless fame on the everyday
incidents and characters of humble , honest Scottish life . All that goes to make up the nationality of a people —their old associations , their common lives , thoir familiar ways , their mode 3 of thought , their peculiarities of expression—aro all immortalised iu the simple Scottish lays of Burns . To nse his own often quoted words— " The poetic muse of his country fonnd him at the plough and bid him sing tho loves and joys , the rural scenes and rural pleasures of his native country in his native tongue . " But ho sang these homely themes a 8
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Kilmarnock Burns Monument.
THE KILMARNOCK BURNS MONUMENT .
LAVING OF THE MEMORIAL STONE . FOR some weeks past the usually quiet town of Kilmarnock has been in a fever of excitement over the laying of tho memorial stone of the monument to Robert Burns—an event which took place
on Saturday lasfc in the presence of assembled thousands . Considering the poet ' s connection with Kilmarnock , it has often been wondered why it lagged so far behind in the desire to do hononr to one whom , it was known , many of tho residents of Kilmarnock loved and
admired . It -was there that the first edition ofbis works wasprinted , and ifc is there where the only full collection of all tho editions of his works is to be found , and that , too , in the houso of Mr . James M'Kie . With all these advantages , it was not till the movemonfc for a statne to Burns in Glasgow had been carried to completion that ifc occurred to the minds of some of the Kilmarnock gentlemen to remove tho
blot whioh had too long lain on the fair fame of their town . At tho Anniversary of Burns , held on the 26 th of January Inst year , it was agreed to havo a statue of tho poet erected in some suitable place in the town ; and in order to havo the matter gone into in a practical manner , an influential committeo was appointed to carry out the proposal—Mr . Tnrnbull , tho president nf the Burns Club , being
appointed convener , and Messrs . Jame 3 M'Kio and James Rose joint secretaries . Thus begun , the movement was not allowed to lag , for within a month £ 614 had been subscribed , and in April models were asked . As tbe amount then placed afc the disposal of the committee ( £ 1282 ) exceeded all their expectations , it was decided to have an ornamental building erected which should contain a marble statue of
the poet . The Kay trustees , who had recently acquired a large portion of ground from the Duke of Portland for a public park , generously offered to allow the proposed momument to be erected within the grounds . Plans were then asked for , and at a meeting on tho 14 th of December last Mr . W . G . Stevenson , of Edinburgh , was chosen as the sculptor for the statue , and the design of Mr . Robert Ingram ,
architect , was selected for the monument . The total cost was estimated at £ 2300 , and the amount at tho disposal of the committee is £ 2260 , and they are hopeful that the few hundred pounds which will yet bo required to complete the memorial will speedily bo forthcoming . The site chosen is the best in the neighbourhood , being on tho highest point in the park , and commanding an extensive view of the land of
Burns . Arran is seen on the one side , and Loudon hill on the other , while to the north-west are the ruins of Dean Castle , and on tho opposite side is the Wallace monument . The style of the monnment itself is baronial , of French Gothic design . Ifc will consist of two storeys and a tower—the entire height something like 75 feet . The basement is likely to be utilised as a dwelling-bouse and offices . Two
flights of stairs will lead up to a platform and balcony , where , facing the onlookers , is an alcove of fifteen foet high . In this the statue , which will bo eight feet from foot to head , will be placed , and , tho sides being open , a walk of three feet wide goes round . Immediately behind , or in the interior of the monument , is a large room which will be used as a museum of relics connected with the poet . A flight of
stairs leads from this to a balustrade , which will form a promenadethe stair continuing to the top of the tower . As to the statuo itself , it is being cut by Mr . Stevenson from a block of Sicilian marble , weighing about nine tons . The design shows tho figure to be in a thoughtful position . The poet is represented as standing firmly on the right leg , the left thrown easily in advance . Tho right hand
holds a pencil , the left a book , which rests on the trunk of a tree . The face is looking to tho right , giving the spectator from tho front of the figure the view of the face best known by the Naysmith portrait , from which ifc is taken . The tight-fitting coat and knee-breeches give full opportunity for the display of tho design . On Saturday , flags and banners floated from all conceivable places ,
and several arches of drapery were hung across tho streets . Business was almost entirely suspended , and for three or four hours tho shops were closed . The railway company gave extra facilities for visitors ; bub ifc was found that the modest calculations of the railway officials were far beneath the requirements , and under these circumstances their resources were not a little taxed to convey all the intending
excursionists to Kilmarnock . Fortunately , tho weather was favourable , and from an early hour in the forenoon , the principal streets were crowded with a dense mass of people . All available points from which a view of the procession could be obtained , were eagerly seized an hour or two before the time . At half-past two o ' clock Provost Sturrock and the magistrates and town council , along with Mr . J .
Fortescue Harrison , M . P ., Mr . Graham Somervell of Sorn , convener of the county ; Mr . Henry Leek of Hollybush , Mr . P . Comyn Macgregor , and others assembled in the Town Hall . Tho Provincial Grand Lodge met in the school-room , Dundonald-road , under the presidency of Mr . R . W . Cochran-Patrick R . W . P . D . G . M ., who was supported by W . Ralston Patrick Substitute P . G . M ., William
Kennedy R . W . M . of St . John's , Maybolo , as P . G . S . W ., James Neilson R . W . M . of St . John's , Kilwinning , as P . G . J . W ., Robert WylieasP . G . Secretary , and Rev . Mr . Inglis , Kilmanrs , as P . G . Chaplain . In the meantime the various trades intending to tnke a part in the procession were gathering in the public recreation grounds , Dnndonaldroad , where they were marshalled in order by Captain Anderson , of
the Ayrshire Volunteers . The Masonic brethren , of whom about 2 , 000 were present , were being drawn up by their own Grand Marshal , Mr . W . Bryce . Order was gradually evoked out of confusion , and when it was announced , abont half-past three , that the Prov . Grand Lodge was ready , a start was at once made . Tho route was by St . Marnock-street , King-street , Duke-street , London-road , and
Holehouse-road , to the public Park . When tho head of the procession reached the Town Hall the gentlemen who had met there , at once took their places , and the body then moved on . One of the most interesting features of the procession was a body of carters , upwards of a hnndred of whom were mounted on strong , well-built , and gaily-decorated horses . Each man wore a Kilmar .
The Kilmarnock Burns Monument.
nock bonnet , decked with blue ribbons , aud he had also a blue rosette on the breast of his coat . The appearance of the cavalcade as ifc passed along the streets was very imposing , and tho hearty cheers which greeted the men showed how much their efforts had been appreciated . Another noted group was tho Foresters . Each Lodgo was preceded by threo mounted men dressed in the picturesque
garb of the Craft , having the bow slung ovor the shoaldor , with tho quiver by the side . Tho joinors also caused a little sensation by tho representation of actual work . A lorry bad been fitted up with a double bench , aud there two men in white aprons carefully planed away at a piece of wood , and seemed to bo so intent on their work as to be altogether ignorant of tho panorama of which they formed
a part , or of the thousands of eager eyes under whoso gaze they were passing . There was one class , however , which , though small , could not escapo notice . All tho trades had flags aud banners , on which were appropriate mottoes , whilo a few displayed working models of their handicraft . Almost hid in the general mass was a small band of chimney sweeps , whose presence would havo passed
unnoticed had it not been for the banner which they carried , on which was inscribed in largo letters , " By dirt we live . " The appearance of the men and tho lads did not boar out the motto , as for once , at least , thoy had cleaned all the dirt away from themselves , and come out like the others to hononr the Ayrshire bard . It is impossible to notice iu dotail all the component parts of the
procession , but it may not be out ; of place to refer to the presenco among the Freemasons of tho Lodge 133—St . David ' s of Tarbolton . This is the native Lodge of the poet , which from some cause lay dormant for 42 years , and was only resuscitated by the Ma ' uchline people in Jannary of last year , in order that it might take a part in the Burns demonstration in Glasgow . Alongside of this Lod ; te was
135—the St . Jame 3 Kilwinning , of Tarbolton—which the poet joined on bis leaving the St . Oavid , and in which ha occupied the highest post . It is estimated that about 4 , 000 people took part in tho procession , and when all wore gathered together there could soarcely be fewer than 10 , 000 persons in tho Park . Indeed , ifc was remarked that such a day had not been seen in Kilmarnock since
1832 , when the Reform agitation stirred the foelings of the people . An idea of the number in the procession may be gathered from the fact that it took 40 minutes to pass a given point ; and before all were placed in position it was about half-past five o ' clock in tho afternoon . As soon as the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge had taken
their places on the building , Mr . Turnbull called on the Depute Provincial Grand Master to lay the memorial stone of the monument . Nearly fifty-eight years ago Sir Alexander Boswell , the P . G . W . of the day , laid the memorial stone of the monument to the poet on tbe banks of the Doon , and ifc was in no spirit of rivalry , but from a well-founded desire that , on a
site overlooking so many scenes familiar to the poet s daily presence , in a town where he mot and enjoyed the fellowship of many warm friends , oncl where his poems were first given to the world , it was right and proper that his memory and his genius should be fittingly recognised and perpetuated . Mr . Turnbnll concluded by presenting Mr . Cochran-Patrick with a handsome silver trowel for the purposo of
laying the stone . After the tune Old Hundredth had been played by the band of the Artillery Volunteers , tho P . G . Chaplain offered up prayer , and then the Provincial Grand Secretary placed a bottle in the cavity of the stone , after which the stone was laid with all due Masonic honours . Tho articles contained in the bottle included a short sketch of tho
monument , alphabetical list of subscribers , copy of Bnrns ' s poems , copies of various newspapers , tho current coins of tho realm , tho standard measnre of ono foot and the standard weight of 1 lb . A brass plate was placed above the cavity , and on it was the following inscription : — " By tho favour of Almighty God , on tho fourteenth day of September , Anuo Domini Eighteen Hundred and Sevonty-Eighfc , and
the era of Masonry oS 78 , and in the Forty-second year of the reign of our beloved Sovereign , Victoria Fir 3 t , tho memorial stono of this monument , erected by public subscription in honour of the genius of Robert Burns , Scotland's national poet , was laid by R . Wm . Cochran-Patrick , Esq ., of Woodside , Beith , Right Worshipful Depute Provincial Grand Master for Ayrshire ( attended by numerous Masonic Lodges ) , according to the ancient usages of Masonry . "
The Depute Provincial Grand Master then said—Nearly threo generations of men have lived and died since the mortal remains of Robert Burns were laid in their last resting place on the banks of winding Nith . But though ' ¦ fate has snapped the brittle thread " of his eventful life , and removed his bodily presenco from us , aud death has silenced for over the tuneful voice which delighted a listening world , the event of to-day shows that his genius is still as much honoured and admired in his native land as it was when in life ' s full
vigour , in the plenitude of his genius , " in glory and in joy "he followed his plough upon the mountain side . " Time , the great destroyer of merely mortal works , " has laid his palsied hand in vain " on our minstrel's strain , and the holly of the Scottish muse is as bright now as when Coila first garlautled tho poetic brow of her inspired bard in the " anld clay biggin ' . " He whoso memory tho people of
Kilmarnock have worthily commemorated in this magnificent monnment was essentially the national bard of Scotland and of the Scots . Of all the illustrious names which form the muster-roll of the poets of our land not one is more familiarly known in its homesteads , none so dearly treasured in the hearts of its people as that of the Ayrshire ploughman . Nor can we wonder at it . His muse , " homely in attiro " though she is , has conferred a deathless fame on the everyday
incidents and characters of humble , honest Scottish life . All that goes to make up the nationality of a people —their old associations , their common lives , thoir familiar ways , their mode 3 of thought , their peculiarities of expression—aro all immortalised iu the simple Scottish lays of Burns . To nse his own often quoted words— " The poetic muse of his country fonnd him at the plough and bid him sing tho loves and joys , the rural scenes and rural pleasures of his native country in his native tongue . " But ho sang these homely themes a 8