Mother Kilwinning.

the most remote , the votive offerings have poured in to aid our undertaking , and the edifice Avhich Ave have now begun shall stand a proud and lasting testimony of the world's admiration . Not on the banks of Doon alone , or hermit Ayr , or the

romantic Lugar , echo repeats the songs of Burns ; but amidst the wild forests of Columbia , and scorching plains of Hindostan , on the banks of the Mississi ppi , the St . Lawrence , and the Ganges , his heart-touching melody floats upon the breeze .

" This monument rises like the p iled cairn over our warriors of old—each man casts a stone ; and in honour of him , the son of a cottar and himself a ploughman , our Prince , with the true feelings of true greatness and more illustrious by this act

of generosity , pays here his tribute at the shrine of genius . May the Avork prosper ! and Avhen happily completed , then may it tell to future generations that the age Avhich could produce a Burns was rich also in those AVIIO could appreciate his talents , and Avho , while they felt and OAvn'd the power of his muse , have honoured his name . "

Bro . the Ilev . Hamilton Paul , minister of Glenholm and Kilbucho , au enthusiastic admirer of the bard , a native of Ayrshire , and himself distinguished for poetical talent , then delivered a prayer ; and at the close of it the assembly gave three

cheers . The brethren then retired from the ground , and marched in order through the principal streets of the town towards the King ' s Arms , into which the Actino Provincial Grand Master and the Mother Lodge were ushered .

In the evening Mother Kilwinning Avas visited by a number of the lodges Avho had taken part in the particular business of the day . Bro . BosAvell presided , and b y the exercise in an extraordinary degree of the convivial qualities AA'hich he Avas

known to possess , contributed materially to the entertainment of the nig'ht . Many speeches Avere delivered by various other brethren , some of Avhom had the good fortune to enjoy the acquaintance and friendshi p of the bard , all of Avhich had reference

more or less to his character and genius , and the special work of the day—many toasts Avere g iven expressive of the same sentiments , and various songs Avere sung , the greater part the production of the poet , aud in one or instances the composition of the singers . Of the latter Ave shall offer a

selection—Vain thought ! but had Burns ever Avitness'd a meeting Of souls so congenial , and Avarm'd Avith such fire , The wild iioAV of fancy in ecstasy greeting , Ah ! Avhat might have been the bold notes of bis lyre

As rays by reflection are doubled and doubled , His bosom bad swell'd to your cheering reply ; Soft sympathy soothing the heart that Avas troubled—A smilo for bis mirth—for bis sorrow a sigh . Admir'd but unaided , bow dark was bis story ; His struggles Ave know , and bis efforts wc prize ; From murky neglect , as tbe flame burst to gloiy ,

He rose , self-embalm'd , and detraction defies . A ploughman be was—would that smiles and false favour Had never decoy'd him from borne and his team ; And taught all bis hopes and his Avishes to waver , And , snatching reality , left bim—a dream . To rank and to titledue deference owing

, , "We boAV , as befitting society ' s plan ; But , judgment awaken'd , and sympathy glowing , We pass all distinctions , and rest upon—man . And , from tbe poor bind , Avho , bis day ' s task completed , With industry's pride to his bqvel returns , To him , ivbo in royalty's splendour is seated ,

If soul independent be found— 'twas in Burns . His birthright , bis muse ! like tbe lark in tbe morning , How blithely be caroll'd in praise of the fair ; With nature enraptur'd , and artifice scorning , How sweet were his notes ou tbe banks of tbe Ayr , And near to that spot where bis kindred dust slumbers .

And mark'd by tbe bard on the tablets of fame , And near the thateb'd shed where be first lisp'd in numbers , We'll raise a proud tribute to honour bis name .

This song having been sung most effectively by its author , the talented occupant of the chair , was ,, after a brief interval , succeeded by the recitation , by the Acting Chaplain of the Mother Lodge ( Bro . the Rev . H . Paul ) , of the folloAving ode composed by himself for the occasion : —

Thy sorrows , Ayr , are like tbe dews of night , In pearly drops , o'er ^ Nature ' s cheek descending , To bid her vernal beauty beam more bright , Tbe tear and smile in loA'ely union blending ; For like tbe hymn of gratitude ascending , With incense ever pleasing to the skies , Thine and thy darling Poet's fame extending , Thou hearest tbe voice of gratulation rise .

And lo ! on this auspicious holiday , Tbe Sons of Light , in bright array , With many a mystic streamer flying , To minstrely with measured steps ad vauce , Aud seem , at times , to weave the festive dance , At times , to shake the spear or conch tbe lance . To feet unballoAved all access denying ,

The Avbile they place , by plummet , rule , aud square . The corner-stone , predestined to bear , The precious monumental pile , Of Ayr , the glory and the boast of Kyle .

Though frail the fabric which you raise , Tbe Poet ' a memory to prolong , Compared with that Avhich speaks bis praise ; Tbe energ ) divine of song ; Yet still our g . 'atitude is due , Thrice loved , tbrice honoured , friends to you , Who bid the ; eauteous structure rise ;

Aud as our fond regrets were one , When Ooila wept her faA-ourite son , So in your joys we sympathise , When the whole Avorld of taste and feeling turna Its gaze , with rapture ever new , on Burns .