Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Robert Burns.—Memoranda Concerning Him By His Widow.
published , was characterised by Mr . Burns as most un true : — " Mrs . Burns has walked with a child in her arms on the banks of theNith , and seen him sow , after breakfast , two bags of corn for the folk to harrow throughout the day . The poet had two women ; one of them was his own sister . ' He kept twelve cows , and made butter aud
cheese . He had three horses , two for plough or cart , and one that he rode or harrowed with occasionally . There was no waste ; on the contrary , everything went on the principle that is observed in any other well-regulated farmhouse . " We remember having heard Mrs . Burns speak on this subject ; also Fannie Amourthe poet's relativewho was
, , with him at Ellisland . Both were very indignant . Yet we must bear in mind that Burns was some months at Ellisland before his wife joined him . The latter also made frequent journeys to Ayrshire to visit her friends-In 1791 we find the poet writing to Thomas Sloan that Mrs . B . and family had been in Ayrshire for many weeks . At such times , with Burns ' s social habits and excise
excursions , we may suppose that there was not very careful management at home . Mrs . B . thinks that he was induced to give up the farm of Ellisland partly from despondency—Gilbert ( the poet ' s brother ) easily lost heart—and partly from his engagements as an exciseman . We may add that Fanny Amour used to speak of
Burns ' s occasional depression of spirits . He was easily cast down , said she , and thought himself in danger of dying whenever he took any illness . Mrs . Burns spoke to Mr . McDiarmid of the poet ' s habit of reading whenever he could snatch time . "The family breakfasted at nine . If he lay long in bed awake he was always reading . At all meal times he had
a book beside him on the table . He did not work in the forenoon , and was seldom engaged professionally in the evening . Dined at two o ' clock when he dined at home . Was fond of plain things , and hated tarts , pies , and pudding . When at home in the evening he employed his time in writing and reading , with the children playing about him . Their prattle never disturbed him in the lfiflKfc .
"Burns thought himself dying before he went to the Brow , a sea bathing place on the Solway . He seemed afraid , however , of dwelling on she subject , considering Mrs . B ' s . situation . On one occasion he said distinctly : ' Don't be afraid ; I'll be more respected a hundred years after I am dead than I am at present . ' He was not above a week ( a fortnight ) at the Brow when he returned . Mrs . B . was so struck with the change in his appearance that she became almost speechless . From this period he was
closely confined to bis bed , and was scarcely 'himself for balfan-hour together . By this it meant that his mind wandered , and that his nervous system was completely unhinged . He was aware of this infirmity himself , and told his wife that she was to teach him and remind him that he was going wrong . The day before he died , be called very quick , and with a hale voice , ' Gilbert , Gilbert ! ' Three days before he died he got out of bed ,
and his wife found him sitting in the corner of the room with the bed-clothes about him . Mrs . Burns got assistance , and he suffered himself to be gently led back to bed . But for tbe fit his strength would have been unequal to such an exertion . " Burns read tbe big Bible frequently , aud said once to his wife , " If the rest of them knew I was so religious ILey would laugh at me— -meaning Syme and Maxwell . " Soon after her husband's deathBurns had a very remarkable
, dream . Her bedroom had been removed to the family parlour when she imagined that her husband drew the curtain and said : ' Are you asleep ? I have been permitted to return and take oue look at you and that child ; but I have not time to stay . ' The dream was so vivid that Airs . B . started up , and even to this moment the scene seems to her a reality . " These are small details , but they relate to a name of
neverdying interest . AA'ho would not rejoice to know as much of the daily life and history of Shakspeare . And Burns , as has truly been said , is our Scottish Shakspeare—a lesser diamond , but still a genuine one , of true adamantine lustre ,
Address Of Sir Knight George Gardner At The Dedication Of The Masonic Temple, Chicago.
ADDRESS OF SIR KNIGHT GEORGE GARDNER AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MASONIC TEMPLE , CHICAGO .
Most AVorshipful Grand Masters , Wardens , and Brethren : — When rational , intelligent and responsible beiugs , such as now throng this beautiful hall , unite in a solemn add impressive ceremonial , invoking the Divine favour , and consecrating tospecial uses an edifice reared solely for that end , it would be strange indeed if the mind of every witness of that ceremonial should not be moved to inquire its origin and its significance . In all ages of the world we find that men have been
accustomed to set apart chosen places to uses more or less hallowed or peculiar , that , in their turn , the lofty hill , the lowly vale , the leafy grove , and the lonely desert have furnished to man a retreat , where the world could be in a measure forgotten , or shut out , and a sanctuary where his thoughts could be lifted above tbe things of earth , and soar in lofty contemplation of the soul ' s highest and most ennobling conceptions , reaching onward and upward , till Deity might seem almost within the
grasp , and the secrets of eternity almost unveiled . As men progressed iu experience and in intelligence , these gave place to structures specially reared , and carefully adapted to the same uses , and , according to tbe taste and culture of the builders , more or less furnished and adorned with what might be best calculated to subserve the particular character of the ceremonies to be therein conducted , or to incite tbe thoughts of the beholder to the consideration and contemplation of those
views and ideas which were deemed of the highest importance to his present good and future happiness . All the resources of art , all the conceptions and creations of the most lofty genius , were exhausted in the erection and embellishment of these structures ; the millions who throng them for tribute , or sacrifice , were equally delighted with their beauty and magnificence , and awed by their grandeur and solemnity ' andthus attractedand influencedit is no wonder that to the
, , , devotee , the temple in which he worshipped became at last , not , only the shrine of his devotion , but tbe abode of the divinity to whom that devotion was rendered . It was , however , specially reserved to the chosen people , working under the direction of our first Grand Master , himself
inspired and instructed by the Supreme Architect of the Universe , to rear that wonderful and magnificent structure , so sublimely beautiful to tbe eye aud dear to the heart of every well informed Mason , to which a mighty aud favoured nation thronged with earnest zeal and unfeigned devotion , the oraclesof which never spake falsely , the priests of which taught only righteousness and truth , and in the sacred recesses of which , even Deity himself condescended to manifest continuall y his
subiime and ineffable presence . AA'hat may have been the ceremonies with that wonderful and mysterious people , the Druids , consecrated their groves to worship aud sacrifice , how the magnificent temples erected to Jupiter and Diana , and the host of heathen gods and goddesses , may have been dedicated to the worship of those divinities , it were fruitless to inquire , but , knowing the inherent disposition of the human mind , and juding by what wo know has been
g done in all ages , we may be sure that pomp and circumstance were not wauted on these occasions , aim that all was done that art could invent , or zeal suggest , to make the scene a olemn ancl an impressive one , and to honour both the edifice , and the divinity to whom it had been erected . But when Solomon , in all tbe gorgeousness of the regal magnificence- which surrounded him , in the presence of an assembled nation banging upon his utterances with that reverential
attention which the wisdom of the speaker and solemnity of the occasion must have inspired , solemnly invoked the 1 ' r . m-nal and Omnipotent God in tliat prayer which has no parallel iu human utterance ; aud when that wonderful Temple , in all its beauty and glory resounded with the sublime petition , "bear thou , O Lord , in Heaven thy dwelling place , " and in response thereto tbe ineffable presence was manifested and thenceforth continued there to dwell , then was revealed to man tbe only true mode of
dedication and consecration of any earthly edifice to hallowed uses aud purposes . To-night , in this beautiful and appropriately finished room , in humble imitiatiou of our first Grand Master , and possessed , as we trust with some small share of the spirit which inspired bis action and his utterances , have been pronounced the august and impressive words by which , "in the name of the great Jehovah , " we " do solemnly dedicate this hall to Freemasonry . " Here ' we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Robert Burns.—Memoranda Concerning Him By His Widow.
published , was characterised by Mr . Burns as most un true : — " Mrs . Burns has walked with a child in her arms on the banks of theNith , and seen him sow , after breakfast , two bags of corn for the folk to harrow throughout the day . The poet had two women ; one of them was his own sister . ' He kept twelve cows , and made butter aud
cheese . He had three horses , two for plough or cart , and one that he rode or harrowed with occasionally . There was no waste ; on the contrary , everything went on the principle that is observed in any other well-regulated farmhouse . " We remember having heard Mrs . Burns speak on this subject ; also Fannie Amourthe poet's relativewho was
, , with him at Ellisland . Both were very indignant . Yet we must bear in mind that Burns was some months at Ellisland before his wife joined him . The latter also made frequent journeys to Ayrshire to visit her friends-In 1791 we find the poet writing to Thomas Sloan that Mrs . B . and family had been in Ayrshire for many weeks . At such times , with Burns ' s social habits and excise
excursions , we may suppose that there was not very careful management at home . Mrs . B . thinks that he was induced to give up the farm of Ellisland partly from despondency—Gilbert ( the poet ' s brother ) easily lost heart—and partly from his engagements as an exciseman . We may add that Fanny Amour used to speak of
Burns ' s occasional depression of spirits . He was easily cast down , said she , and thought himself in danger of dying whenever he took any illness . Mrs . Burns spoke to Mr . McDiarmid of the poet ' s habit of reading whenever he could snatch time . "The family breakfasted at nine . If he lay long in bed awake he was always reading . At all meal times he had
a book beside him on the table . He did not work in the forenoon , and was seldom engaged professionally in the evening . Dined at two o ' clock when he dined at home . Was fond of plain things , and hated tarts , pies , and pudding . When at home in the evening he employed his time in writing and reading , with the children playing about him . Their prattle never disturbed him in the lfiflKfc .
"Burns thought himself dying before he went to the Brow , a sea bathing place on the Solway . He seemed afraid , however , of dwelling on she subject , considering Mrs . B ' s . situation . On one occasion he said distinctly : ' Don't be afraid ; I'll be more respected a hundred years after I am dead than I am at present . ' He was not above a week ( a fortnight ) at the Brow when he returned . Mrs . B . was so struck with the change in his appearance that she became almost speechless . From this period he was
closely confined to bis bed , and was scarcely 'himself for balfan-hour together . By this it meant that his mind wandered , and that his nervous system was completely unhinged . He was aware of this infirmity himself , and told his wife that she was to teach him and remind him that he was going wrong . The day before he died , be called very quick , and with a hale voice , ' Gilbert , Gilbert ! ' Three days before he died he got out of bed ,
and his wife found him sitting in the corner of the room with the bed-clothes about him . Mrs . Burns got assistance , and he suffered himself to be gently led back to bed . But for tbe fit his strength would have been unequal to such an exertion . " Burns read tbe big Bible frequently , aud said once to his wife , " If the rest of them knew I was so religious ILey would laugh at me— -meaning Syme and Maxwell . " Soon after her husband's deathBurns had a very remarkable
, dream . Her bedroom had been removed to the family parlour when she imagined that her husband drew the curtain and said : ' Are you asleep ? I have been permitted to return and take oue look at you and that child ; but I have not time to stay . ' The dream was so vivid that Airs . B . started up , and even to this moment the scene seems to her a reality . " These are small details , but they relate to a name of
neverdying interest . AA'ho would not rejoice to know as much of the daily life and history of Shakspeare . And Burns , as has truly been said , is our Scottish Shakspeare—a lesser diamond , but still a genuine one , of true adamantine lustre ,
Address Of Sir Knight George Gardner At The Dedication Of The Masonic Temple, Chicago.
ADDRESS OF SIR KNIGHT GEORGE GARDNER AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MASONIC TEMPLE , CHICAGO .
Most AVorshipful Grand Masters , Wardens , and Brethren : — When rational , intelligent and responsible beiugs , such as now throng this beautiful hall , unite in a solemn add impressive ceremonial , invoking the Divine favour , and consecrating tospecial uses an edifice reared solely for that end , it would be strange indeed if the mind of every witness of that ceremonial should not be moved to inquire its origin and its significance . In all ages of the world we find that men have been
accustomed to set apart chosen places to uses more or less hallowed or peculiar , that , in their turn , the lofty hill , the lowly vale , the leafy grove , and the lonely desert have furnished to man a retreat , where the world could be in a measure forgotten , or shut out , and a sanctuary where his thoughts could be lifted above tbe things of earth , and soar in lofty contemplation of the soul ' s highest and most ennobling conceptions , reaching onward and upward , till Deity might seem almost within the
grasp , and the secrets of eternity almost unveiled . As men progressed iu experience and in intelligence , these gave place to structures specially reared , and carefully adapted to the same uses , and , according to tbe taste and culture of the builders , more or less furnished and adorned with what might be best calculated to subserve the particular character of the ceremonies to be therein conducted , or to incite tbe thoughts of the beholder to the consideration and contemplation of those
views and ideas which were deemed of the highest importance to his present good and future happiness . All the resources of art , all the conceptions and creations of the most lofty genius , were exhausted in the erection and embellishment of these structures ; the millions who throng them for tribute , or sacrifice , were equally delighted with their beauty and magnificence , and awed by their grandeur and solemnity ' andthus attractedand influencedit is no wonder that to the
, , , devotee , the temple in which he worshipped became at last , not , only the shrine of his devotion , but tbe abode of the divinity to whom that devotion was rendered . It was , however , specially reserved to the chosen people , working under the direction of our first Grand Master , himself
inspired and instructed by the Supreme Architect of the Universe , to rear that wonderful and magnificent structure , so sublimely beautiful to tbe eye aud dear to the heart of every well informed Mason , to which a mighty aud favoured nation thronged with earnest zeal and unfeigned devotion , the oraclesof which never spake falsely , the priests of which taught only righteousness and truth , and in the sacred recesses of which , even Deity himself condescended to manifest continuall y his
subiime and ineffable presence . AA'hat may have been the ceremonies with that wonderful and mysterious people , the Druids , consecrated their groves to worship aud sacrifice , how the magnificent temples erected to Jupiter and Diana , and the host of heathen gods and goddesses , may have been dedicated to the worship of those divinities , it were fruitless to inquire , but , knowing the inherent disposition of the human mind , and juding by what wo know has been
g done in all ages , we may be sure that pomp and circumstance were not wauted on these occasions , aim that all was done that art could invent , or zeal suggest , to make the scene a olemn ancl an impressive one , and to honour both the edifice , and the divinity to whom it had been erected . But when Solomon , in all tbe gorgeousness of the regal magnificence- which surrounded him , in the presence of an assembled nation banging upon his utterances with that reverential
attention which the wisdom of the speaker and solemnity of the occasion must have inspired , solemnly invoked the 1 ' r . m-nal and Omnipotent God in tliat prayer which has no parallel iu human utterance ; aud when that wonderful Temple , in all its beauty and glory resounded with the sublime petition , "bear thou , O Lord , in Heaven thy dwelling place , " and in response thereto tbe ineffable presence was manifested and thenceforth continued there to dwell , then was revealed to man tbe only true mode of
dedication and consecration of any earthly edifice to hallowed uses aud purposes . To-night , in this beautiful and appropriately finished room , in humble imitiatiou of our first Grand Master , and possessed , as we trust with some small share of the spirit which inspired bis action and his utterances , have been pronounced the august and impressive words by which , "in the name of the great Jehovah , " we " do solemnly dedicate this hall to Freemasonry . " Here ' we