Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, by the celebrated "Grecian" Williams, as he is fondly called. It has been said that, in William Burnes's time, the highway from Ayr ran along the west side of the Cottage, instead of the east, as it does at present. If such be the case, the road must have been on a lower level, as will be seen in this picture. Several rude steps ascend to the front door, which do not occur in the picture of Sam Bough or any other with which we are acquainted. The artist in this case has evidently been looking due south, for the background seems a faint horizon of sea, with Ailsa Craig seen faintly in the distance. This change in the road may be explained on some future occasion. ALEXANDER S. MACKAY. THE BURNS EXHIBITION. ΤΗ HERE occur, every now and again, in the procession of the years, anniversaries of great events which ought to be commemorated in a great way. The ensuing year marks the Centenary of the death. of Robert Burns. Just one hundred years ago, his big, manly, kindly heart found rest from all the troubles that beset this mortal state, and the world entered into full possession of the legacy his genius had bequeathed for the edification and encouragement of succeeding generations. In 1859 we celebrated the Centenary of the Poet's birth: even more fitting is it that we should remember with proper tribute the Centenary of his death. Surely no honour is too great for the memory of the brave-souled Poet who spoke with his own unaffected Scottish tongue to the heart of the universal world! It is right that every true Scot should hold him in affectionate regard— and in the year of the Centenary of his death, do his best to cast fresh laurels on his tomb. In 1896, there will be held in Glasgow an Exhibition commemorative of Burns that is confidently expected to demonstrate the firm hold he has upon the love of his fellowcountrymen and world-wide admirers. Some five years ago, the idea of such an Exhibition was simmering in the minds of many Burns enthusiasts. When it found expression it was supported by the whole weight of the Burns Federation, under whose fostering care the scheme has taken definite shape, and now promises to be a demonstration in every way worthy of the object it has in view. A most influential committee has been organised: the rooms of the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts have been secured : the Exhibition will be open from about the middle of July until the end of October; and committees are actively at work carrying out the various purposes the Exhibition is intended to serve. Subjoined will be found the names of the noblemen and gentlemen who have kindly consented to act as patrons and office-bearers-a list that is day by day receiving valuable additions. We venture to say that no Exhibition was ever started in this country under more distinguished and promising patronage. The immediate purposes of the Exhibition are, to exhibit portraits of Burns himself; portraits of the men and women with whom he associated and whom he has mentioned in his works; pictures of the scenes he wrote about, and of the places in which his life was spent ; MSS. of his prose and poetical compositions; and relics of the Poet and his friends. The Exhibition will thus be no mean illustration of the Scotland of the Poet's time, for he was in close communion with all phases of the national life of his day. He followed the plough, and was one of the people, yet he mingled with the cultured society of a capital that has been well styled "the Modern Athens." In portraiture, the committee wish to bring together as many as they can possibly collect of the portraits of the members of the Royal Caledonian Hunt, and of the subscribers to the "first edition." They will also endeavour to procure "counterfeit presentments" of such interesting personages as, Jeanie Glover, Janet Little, Isobel Pagan, Mrs. Dunlop, The Duchess of Gordon, Miss Burnett, "Peggy" Chalmers, The Dowager-Countess of Glencairn, "Clarinda," Miss Alexander, Charlotte Hamilton, Miss Williams, Mrs. Rose of Kilravock, Miss Davies, Mrs. M'Murdo, Lady Winifred Maxwell Constable, Mrs. Graham of Fintry, Lady E. Cunningham, Miss Benson, Miss Kennedy, Miss Craik, Lady Glencairn, Mrs. Riddel, Miss. Louisa Fontonelle, Jessie Lewars; William Burness, John Lapraik, David Sillar, William Simpson, Gavin Turnbull, George Campbell, James Fisher, Thomas Walker, Alexander Tait, Gavin Dalziel, John Burt, John Kennedy, James Thomson, John Goldie, Joseph Train, Sir Alexander Boswell, Archibald Crawfurd, Robert Hetrick, John Wright, Hugh Brown, Hugh Ainslie, Rev. Hamilton Paul, James Stirrat, Rev. William Peebles, D.D., Lord Monboddo, John Wilson, James Humphry, John Murdoch, James Burness, Robert Riddel, John Richmond, Robert Muir, M. Aitken, James Smith, David Brice, John Ballantyne, Gavin Hamilton, Rev. M. Lawrie, Dr. Blacklock, Dr. Mackenzie, William Chalmers, Earl of Eglinton, Dr. Moore, Earl of Glencairn, Earl of Buchan, William Dunbar, William Creech, Robert Ainslie, Rev. John Skinner, James Dalrymple, Sir John Whitefoord, William Cruickshank, William Dunbar, Professor Dugald Stewart, George Lockhart, Peter Hill, Robert Graham, Mr. Beugo, Mr. Morison, James Johnson, John Tennant, Bishop Geddes, Provost Maxwell, Sir John Sinclair, Charles Sharpe, William Dunbar, William Nicol, A. F. Tytler, Rev. G. Baird, Colonel Fullarton, Francis Grose, &c. Manuscripts and editions of the Poet's works will form perhaps the most important part of the exhibits. One great result of the Exhibition will be the collection of the manuscripts-from which a pure and accurate text will be for ever determined-a result in itself sufficient to justify the efforts put forth, and which will render the Glasgow Exhibition an epoch-making event in the history of Burns literature. One other object the Committee has in view is to secure from living artists pictures of scenes identified with Burns and his poems. This, it is anticipated, will be another interesting department of the Exhibition. With a view to the success of the Exhibition, and the securing of a general interest in its operations, the Committee resolved to establish a guarantee fund, in order that, with a clear conscience, they might undertake the care of the valuable properties necessary for its success. To all holders of manuscripts, pictures, books, and relics, the Committee have issued an earnest appeal for loans. The success of the Exhibition depends entirely on the response to this appeal. We would therefore urge upon all who have it in their power to strengthen the hands of the Executive in this direction in every possible way. The Exhibition is one not for Scotsmen only, but for the world; but it rests with Scotsmen to take the initiative, and show, by a repetition of the enthusiasm of 1859, that the Bard's own prophecy of his fame at the close of this century was no vain or idle boast. E LIST OF COMMITTEES, &C. Honorary President. The Right Hon. The Earl of Rosebery, K.G., K.T. His Grace The Duke of Fife, K.T. His Grace The Duke of Argyll, K.G., K.T. His Grace The Duke of Montrose, K.T. The Most Hon. The Marquis of Huntly. The Right Hon. The Earl of Eglinton. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P. The Very Rev. Archbishop Eyre. R. W. Cochran-Patrick, Esq., LL.D. Sir Theodore Martin, K. C.B. Honorary Vice-Presidents. Professor A. C. Bradley, Glasgow University. J. R. Findlay, Esq., Aberlour, Banffshire. Bret Harte, Esq., 109 Lancaster Gate, London. W. E. Henley, Esq., 9 The Terrace, Barnes, London, S. W. The Very Rev. G. A. Kitchin, Dean of Durham. Chas. Russell, Esq., Editor, Glasgow Herald. Professor Saintsbury, Edinburgh University. J. Murray Smith, Esq., Editor, Glasgow Evening News. The Very Rev. Professor Robert H. Story, D.D., Glasgow University. President. Sir James Bell, Baronet, Lord Provost of Glasgow. Vice-Presidents. Sir James Bain, 3 Park Terrace. J. G. A. Baird, Esq., M.P., of Wellwood, Muirkirk. F. Faithfull Begg, Esq., M.P., Bartholomew House, London, E.C. R. T. Hamilton Bruce, Esq., Grange, Dornoch. Robert Burns-Begg, Esq., Kinross. The Hon. Thomas Cochrane, M.P., The Pavilion, Ardrossan. The Hon. The Lord Provost of Dundee. The Right Hon. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Dr. R. Farquharson, M.P., Porchester Gardens, London. Bailie Robert Graham, 19 Regent Park Square. Sir John Leng, M.P., Dundee. Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Baronet of Pollok, M.P. R. Munro Ferguson, Esq., M.P., Raith, Kirkcaldy. James M'Lennan, Esq., Beaumont, Ardrossan. A. D. Provand, Esq., M.P., 2 Whitehall Court, London. |