Transactions. 233 



company enjoyed the entertainment to a late hour. In the course 

 of the evening Mr Gilbert Burns, the brother of the poet, and Mr 

 Mayne, of the Star Office, London, a native of Dumfries, and 

 author of the " Siller Gun," were created honorary members. Mr 

 GilfiUan, a new member, and a rising artist, intimated that he 

 would paint and present the Club with portraits of Burns and his 

 widow, an intimation which was received with much pleasure. On 

 11th January, 1822, the Club met and appointed Mr John 

 M'Diarmid president, and created as honorary members Eobert 

 Burns, "Wm. Burns, and James Glencairn Burns, sons of the bard ; 

 Sir AYalter Scott, Thomas Campbell, James Montgomery, Allan 

 Cunningham, William Tennant, Professor of Oriental Languages, 

 and author of " Anster Fair," and George Thomson, Edinburgh. 

 Sir Walter Scott replied to the secretary : — 



23d January, 1822. 



I am honoured by tlie iiitimatiou that the Dumfries Burns Club 

 have distinguished me by admitting me an liouorary member, to which 

 I am not otherwise entitled, excepting my sincere and heartfelt admira- 

 tion of the great national poet, whose memory it is the purpose of the 

 institution to celebrate. 



I beg you will make my respectful thanks acceptable to the 

 membei-s. 



Walter Scott. 



The original of this letter is framed and hung up in Dr 

 Grierson's Museum, Thornhill, and it is believed to contain the 

 first notice of Burns as the " Great National Poet." At the 

 dinner on the 25th, James Hogg was present, and at the particular 

 request of James Glencairn Burns " a strong bottle was filled with 

 punch from the bowl to be sent out to him to India," the carriage 

 of which to London cost 7s 8d. James Hogg appears to have sung 

 several fine songs. Keith Douglas, M.P., and Thomas Moore were 

 admitted honorary members, and Mr Gilfillan presented the 

 portraits of the bard and his widow decorated with wreaths of 

 laurel taken from the shrubbery at the poet's tomb. Letters were 

 also read from James Glencairn Burns and Mr Mayne. 



In 1S23 it was agreed to ask General Dirom of Mount Annan 

 to preside at the anniversary dinner. The General consented to 

 preside, and he was elected president for the year, while Sir John 

 Malcolm, Sir Pultney Malcolm, and others were enrolled honorary 

 members. 



