Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
funds ofthe Lodge ; ancl , besides this system of charity , it will not have escaped the recollection of some of our readers that the Greenock Infirmary has more than once received very handsome donations from her funds . THE BURNS FESTIVAL , * August 6 . —This great fete was celebrated this clay ; the joint presidency of the festive board was entrusted by the active and influential committee to the Earl of Elintoun and Professor
g Wilson , in a field of some twenty acres in extent , beautifully situate on the banks of the Don , and distant but a few yards from the monument erected to Burns ' s memory in 1820 , in the sloping vale immediately below the cottage of his birth ; it had tbe additional charm of being in the very centre of the scene of Tarn o' Shunter , and within view of Alloway ' s " auld haunted kirk , " where the revels of the unearthly legion were held . The pavilion , calculated to hold over 2000 persons , was lined with cloth
of various colours . The town and neighbourhood of Ayr literally swarmed on the occasion ; the residence , celebrated by Burns as that of " honest men and bonnie lasses . " It was a living panorama—puir auld Scotland never exhibited a more animated sight . By eleven o ' clock all was ready for the grand movement , a regimental banc ! led the van , then followed a large party of " Freemasons , " in their several orders ; the " Ancient Foresters" were headed by a remarkably fine young fellow , in a suit of Lincoln green ; various trades succeeded ;
then a company of archers ; but the most interesting scene was the concluding procession of shepherds ; a huge bunch of thistles brought up the rear . The procession halted before the cottage of Burns , ancl as it reached the kirk of Alloway , ancl neared the platform where tbe visitors were assembled , in the front of whom were conspicuously placed tbe three sons of Burns , the procession as it passed them uncovered to a man , hat and bonnet were doffed iu of the deceased poetand in respect
memory , to his living sons . The band played several airs adapted to Burns ' s songs , which created a stirring sensation . On reaching the pavilion the procession separated , and the business of the festival commenced . The Chairman , the Earl of Eglintoun , was supported by Mr . Robert Burns , eldest son of the poet ; Major Burns and Colonel Burns ; Mrs . Begg , sister of the poet ; Sir John M'Neill , Bart . ; the Lord Justice
General ; the Countess of Eglintoun , ancl other ladies and gentlemen . Professor AVilson , as croupier , was supported by Mr . A . Alison , Col . Muir , Mr . A . Hastie , M . P ., Mr . J Oswald , M . P ., Sir J Campbell , & c . The Noble CHAIRMAN ' opening address , although pithy ancl condensed , was yet sufficiently conclusive and comprehensive , delivered in a calm and impressive manner , and with a chivalrous zeal , which showed how the mind ancl heart were interested in the issue—there was an expression that told a home truth , it was this , that the occasion exhibited the feelings of " repentant" Scotland . !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
funds ofthe Lodge ; ancl , besides this system of charity , it will not have escaped the recollection of some of our readers that the Greenock Infirmary has more than once received very handsome donations from her funds . THE BURNS FESTIVAL , * August 6 . —This great fete was celebrated this clay ; the joint presidency of the festive board was entrusted by the active and influential committee to the Earl of Elintoun and Professor
g Wilson , in a field of some twenty acres in extent , beautifully situate on the banks of the Don , and distant but a few yards from the monument erected to Burns ' s memory in 1820 , in the sloping vale immediately below the cottage of his birth ; it had tbe additional charm of being in the very centre of the scene of Tarn o' Shunter , and within view of Alloway ' s " auld haunted kirk , " where the revels of the unearthly legion were held . The pavilion , calculated to hold over 2000 persons , was lined with cloth
of various colours . The town and neighbourhood of Ayr literally swarmed on the occasion ; the residence , celebrated by Burns as that of " honest men and bonnie lasses . " It was a living panorama—puir auld Scotland never exhibited a more animated sight . By eleven o ' clock all was ready for the grand movement , a regimental banc ! led the van , then followed a large party of " Freemasons , " in their several orders ; the " Ancient Foresters" were headed by a remarkably fine young fellow , in a suit of Lincoln green ; various trades succeeded ;
then a company of archers ; but the most interesting scene was the concluding procession of shepherds ; a huge bunch of thistles brought up the rear . The procession halted before the cottage of Burns , ancl as it reached the kirk of Alloway , ancl neared the platform where tbe visitors were assembled , in the front of whom were conspicuously placed tbe three sons of Burns , the procession as it passed them uncovered to a man , hat and bonnet were doffed iu of the deceased poetand in respect
memory , to his living sons . The band played several airs adapted to Burns ' s songs , which created a stirring sensation . On reaching the pavilion the procession separated , and the business of the festival commenced . The Chairman , the Earl of Eglintoun , was supported by Mr . Robert Burns , eldest son of the poet ; Major Burns and Colonel Burns ; Mrs . Begg , sister of the poet ; Sir John M'Neill , Bart . ; the Lord Justice
General ; the Countess of Eglintoun , ancl other ladies and gentlemen . Professor AVilson , as croupier , was supported by Mr . A . Alison , Col . Muir , Mr . A . Hastie , M . P ., Mr . J Oswald , M . P ., Sir J Campbell , & c . The Noble CHAIRMAN ' opening address , although pithy ancl condensed , was yet sufficiently conclusive and comprehensive , delivered in a calm and impressive manner , and with a chivalrous zeal , which showed how the mind ancl heart were interested in the issue—there was an expression that told a home truth , it was this , that the occasion exhibited the feelings of " repentant" Scotland . !