which is of the highest value, not only to the student, but to every one interested in any way in the song literature of Scotland. Dr. Ross was married at Perth in 1872 to Miss Mary Dryerre, an accomplished and highly intelligent young lady, and sister of the well-known Perthshire poet and correspondent, Henry Dryerre of Blairgowrie. In the fall of 1873, and under the impression that the United States afforded better opportunities for advancement in a literary career, he took up his residence in New York city. Here he at once identified himself with the press, and ere long became a recognised. authority on matters relating to Great Britain, and especially to Scotland. He also took an active part in Scottish society matters, and for many years past he has been unanimously elected secretary of the North American Caledonian Association, the Grand Lodge, so to speak, of the Caledonian clubs of the United States and Canada. In 1886 he published his first American work, A Life of Saint Andrew, and very appropriately dedicated it to John S. Kennedy, Esq., then President of the St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York. This was a peculiar work, and soon commanded attention from prominent Scotsmen in all parts of America. It treats of St. Andrew from his early years, describes his missionary work in detail as far as is known, tells about his closing years, how he became the patron Saint for Scotland, &c. But the most interesting chapter in the book to the writer is the one entitled "Saint Andrew among the Poets." This chapter contains some really excellent poetry on the subject of Saint Andrew, and great credit is due to Dr. Ross for having brought so much of it together and in so convenient a form. The chapter ends very appropriately with a poem that first appeared in the Christian at Work, entitled "Twa Scots." No author's name is attached to the poem, and as it has been quoted far and wide it will no doubt interest many people to know that Dr. Ross himself is the author of it. The three last verses are particularly fine, while the composition taken altogether proves that the author possesses a poetic faculty, a gift which he ought to cultivate much more than he evidently does at present. TWA SCOTS. Twa youthfu' Scots cam' ower the sea In rustic toil or trade's commotion. They loved their hame, its hills and dales, But lack o' gear gaed little hope That bidin', they'd be independent. By wild Lake Erie's rugged shore They settled, and wi' sturdy toil And twa miles south there lay a toun And soon in it they had some trade, Their lassies syne frae Scotland cam', And settled doun in comfort wi' them, As years roll'd on their interests lay And blythesome ilka day wore roun'. Ane owned a railroad, ane a mine, And as their hands grew fu', their bairns Ane built a kirk, and fee'd it fair ; Ane built the puir, the sick, the lame A snug and bien like restin' place, And to the puir at hame, some wealth Sae passed their lives content and pure, And helpin' ithers up the brae They ance had clamb sae sair and blindly. And when at last their time did come, Foregathered roun' where they were buried. And o'er their graves is ae braid stane 'Neath where their names are intertwined: "God rest them! Now their work is o'er ; "For this was aye their hamely creed Ilk Scotsman is a Scotsman's brither ;- Some auld stave learned on hills o' heather. "They did whate'er they thought was right, And shared alike earth's glee and sorrow; They won the peace which comes-to-morrow." Dr. Ross's next contribution to Scottish-American literature was Scotland and the Scots, the work from which we made our opening extract. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on this work, as it is one of high literary merit; and such men as Professor John Stuart Blackie, Rev. Dr. Charles Rogers, and Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor have referred to it in very flattering terms. Dr. Ross is at present engaged on the manuscripts of some other works, the most important one being A History of Scottish Literature. This work has cost him several years of close study and research, and two years ago he accumulated considerable special information for it while on a visit to Scotland. It is not a mere history of Scottish poetry, but a complete history of Scottish literature, embracing all branches from the earliest period down to the present day. It is well advanced towards completion, and when published, from what the writer has seen of it, the student and others interested in the subject will, like him, be gratified at the evidence it presents to Scotland's literary wealth in all departments. It is almost unnecessary to say that Dr. Ross is a great admirer of the national poet, Robert Burns, and that he has written some very fine articles in connection with the poet and his times. A few of these articles have been reprinted in such works as Highland Mary, Burnsiana, &c. He is also an enthusiastic Freemason, having been originally initiated into the Thistle and Rose Lodge, Glasgow. On his arrival in New York he joined Scotia Lodge, and has held many of its offices, in particular that of master for two years and treasurer for several years. In his recent visit to Scotland he was elected an honorary member of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, No. 2, Edinburgh—the Lodge, by the way, of which Robert Burns was crowned poet laureate, and of this honour he is justly proud. Apart from the books which Dr. Ross has published, he is the author of a number of interesting lectures which have been delivered in the best possible style by Mr. Charles H. Govan, the well-known elocutionist, before large audiences in New York, Brooklyn, Boston, and other large cities. These lectures are on various subjects, such as "Burns in the Highlands," "A Night with Sir Walter Scott," "The Great Scottish-American Author, Washington Irving," "Old Edinburgh," "A Run Through Scotland," &c. They are well written and form a very delightful and instructive evening's entertainment. We might say considerably more in connection with Dr. Ross and his literary abilities, but we presume we have said sufficient for the time being. We would simply add, by way of conclusion, that he is a warmhearted, whole-souled man, and a patriotic American citizen. Such men as he are a credit to the country, and help in their own way to sustain the respect in which the United States is held abroad. CLUB NOTES. [COMMUNICATED.] BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB ANNIVERSARY The Annual Business Meeting of the Club was held in the SideRoom, Mechanics' Hall, on the evening of Monday, 20th January, 1902— James Young, Esq., President, in the chair. 'The Secretary (Mr. Cochran) reported the proceedings of the Club for the past year as recorded in the minute book, intimating that 17 new members had been added to the roll. "The Club took part in the Glasgow and District Burns Clubs' Bowling Tournament in June last. Four rinks entered for the M'Lennan Cup, but none of them were successful in securing the trophy. This bowling match was instituted a few years ago among the Burns Clubs of Glasgow, and it is hoped that all the members of the Club who are enthusiastic bowlers will intimate to the Secretary their willingness to compete for this cup, so that the Club may this year put forward as strong a representation as possible. "A very successful Excursion was held in the summer. The company went by train to Stirling, and drove from there to Alva Glen, and back to Stirling via Tillicoultry. A 'Tattie an' Herrin' Supper of the members and friends was held on 30th October last, when a most enjoyable evening was spent. "The Treasurer (Mr. Murray) reported on the finance of the Club. The report was adopted. "Thereafter Daniel Duncan, Esq., was elected President for the ensuing year; D. L. Stevenson, Esq., Vice-President; and the Directors and Office-bearers were appointed. "The Children's Competitions were held in December last, when Rector Menzies acted as judge in the Gold Medal Competition, Councillor George Taggart in the Singing and Choir Competitions, and Mr. John Forsyth in the Recitation Competitions. The Committee are glad to report that a number of new schools took part in the various Competitions this year, which shows a more lively interest in the work of the Club. The following is a list of the prize-winners :-Gold medal, Robert Carmichael (St. James's Public School); Singing - Seniors (silver medal — girls), Esther Ritchie (St. James's Public School); (silver medal-boys), James Caldwell (Hozier Street Public School); Recitation - Seniors (silver medal), Maggie M'Lean (Martyrs' Public School); Juniors (first prize), Maggie Haddow (Parkhead Public School). The successful Choir in the |