But that, too, has been changed, and later writers have done him ample justice. Carlyle led the van in a magnifi cent article in the 'Edinburgh Review' in 1828, and a galaxy of talent followed in the good work. William Wallace says " that upon the merits of no man have tho poets been more heartily united than on Burns," and it is true. His tuneful brethren have all loved him, and loved him well. After his decease it became the custom of his countrymen to meet and celebrate the anniversary of his birth, but the first mighty demonstration of national affec tion was on the 6th August, 1844, at the " Burns Festival," when a huge multi tude—some 80,000 people—assembled on the banks of the Doou to do honor to the memory of our national poet.—(Applause.) The sons of Burns and his youngest sister were present, and Lord Eglinton, an Ayr shire man, at that time Lord-Lieutenanjj of Ireland, presided, and was supported by illutrious men of every grade. It v as an occasion worthy of Scotland and of the genius of Burns. No gathering of a like kind had ever before been witnessed in Britain, nor Buch an ovation paid to any other author. Fifteen years later on January 25, 1859—came the centenary of the birth of the bard, and it was a day of great rejoicing wherever our language was spoken. Thousands of meetings were held, and attended by hundreds of thousands of proud and happy people filled with one

desire—to honor the poet. James Ballan tyne, chronicling that occasion, says: " The utmost enthusiasm pervaded all ranks and classes. Villages and hamlets unnoticed in statistical reports, unrecorded in gazetteers, had their dinners, suppers, and balls. 