[Scottish singers of the nineteenth century.] Printed Circular regarding proposed ‘Monument to the Scottish vocalists Templeton, Wilson, & Kennedy’, by David Pryde, James Crichton and John Walker, officers of the Edinburgh Burns’ Club.

The plaque referred is ‘attached to the rock face fronting Regent Road immediately to the east of the steps leading from the end of Waterloo Place to Calton Hill’, and was unveiled in 1894. The entry with Canmore ID 302221 gives some detail, but has no mention of the present appeal. 1p, 4to. On recto of first leaf of bifolium of laid paper. Discoloured and worn, but with text intact and clear. The authors are named as: ‘DAVID PRYDE, M.A., LL.D., / President of the Edinburgh Burns’ Club. / JAMES CRICHTON, Hon. Secy. / JOHN WALKER, Acting. Secy., / 2 EDEN TERRACE, EDINBURGH.’ Twenty lines in three paragraphs of small print, beginning: ‘SHORTLY after the death of Mr David Kennedy, a suggestion was made that a Monument should be erected to him and the two other great Scottish Vocalists, Templeton and Wilson. It was also thought that the EDINBURGH BURNS’ CLUB was the body that could most appropriately undertake the carrying out of this project. A Meeting of the Club was, therefore, called and all the Members present agreed that an appeal should be made to the public for the above-mentioned purpose.’ The notice asserts that ‘Templeton, Wilson, and Kennedy deserve to be ranked among the great public benefactors. During their professional tours, they interpreted the Scottish feeling and humour of Burns and other poets, set to the matchless Scottish melodies. And in doing this the not only stirred the heart and delighted the fancy of the people, but kindled an enthusiastic love for our native land. This was especially the case when they visited America and the Colonies. They carried with them, as it were, the atmosphere of old Scotland, which not only revived former associations and memories, but greatly strengthened that bond of sympathy which, more than any other tie, binds together the English-speaking communities all over the globe.’ The notice ends with the announcement of the proposal ‘to erect in the Scottish capital, to these great Scottish singers, a Monument which will keep them in remembrance, and which at the same time will encourage others of like gifts to follow their example; and all lovers of Scotland in all parts of the world are invited to subscribe to this patriotic object.’ Loosely inserted is a 54-line newspaper cutting, from a London cuttings agency, of an article by ‘WM. HENDERSON, London.’, headed ‘ON SCOTTISH VOCALISTS - WILSON, TEMPLETON, KENNEDY.’ The source and full date are absent. No other copy traced.