27 JULY 1844, Page 13

The great Burns Festival, at Ayr on the 6th of

August, is talked of far and wide—in Scotland it is the theme of incessant talk ; and far and wide will the pilgrims move towards the spot. The noble in rank as well as genius resort to the Exciseman's shrine. By " moral" Scotland, is free, "objectionable," " licentious " Burns, who must not be read " in families," to be canonized I This is startling. Weak when he aspires to be classical or didactic, the Man of Ayr is great in giving voice to his loves—for so many fair ones, for old John Anderson, for mankind, for the still living scenes of his emotions: he wakes such feelings still ; and for that—starch morality notwithstanding—all Scotland summons the world to do him homage.