THE LATE LORD INVERCLYDE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The Burns family have long been associated with all social and philanthropic movements in the West if Scotland. The late Lord Inverclyde's grandfather, Sir George Burns, born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, lived to be 97, and was closely identified with all the great reforms carried out by the late Lord Shaftesbury. Sir George Burns's whole character was one of strength and gentleness. The expression en his face was full of happiness. He was succeeded by his son, Sir John Burns, who became the first Baron Inverclyde, and lie was also a man of great character and power, one who did so much not only in the shipping world, but for the help of his fellow-citizens. Both father and son were men who did all they could for others, and did it all through the love of Christ. The two sons of Lord Inverclyde who succeeded one another in the Peerage so quickly were both men of personality and capability. The traditions of the family were kept up in doing service for others, and the kindly relationship between employer and employed was very marked in these days of discontent. This feeling was displayed at the immense attendance at the funeral of the fourth Lord Inverclyde last week. Those who were present, you felt, had come to mourn for a real friend. All these four men bad an intense love for the little church, built by Sir George Burns in memory of his wife, and they all lavished loving care on this church. All were buried there, within sound of the sea which each member of the Burns family loves so well, and which is such a great factor in their lives; and as the sea flows by, and the great hills stand around, and the setting sun makes a pathway of glory we think how they have crossed the bourne of earthly beauty to the land whither they have been called to a Higher Service. " What we call Death' is not a descent but an ascent, not a halt but a progress—a progress to higher spheres
and loftier duties."—I am, Sir, &c., M. H. C.
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