n to enter the
domain of politics. In their private capacities each and all of the
family have been distinguished for their ready and liberal support of
measures calculated to improve the moral, social, and religious
condition of their fellow-townsmen, and an appeal for support to a
deserving object has never been made to them in vain. Mr. George Burns
has always been ready to afford personal service and pecuniary
assistance to schemes of a benevolent or philanthropic character. The
name of Mr. John Burns is a "tower of strength" where there is a good
cause to be promoted. He rendered valuable service in assisting to
establish the Cumberland training ship--an institution which, in its
proved results, has done more than all the rest of our industrial
institutions put together to reform our street Arabs, and to inspire
them with higher aims and better motives in life. During the three years
that have elapsed since the Cumberland was brought to the Gareloch, Mr.
Burns has acted as its president, and in the midst of his own
multitudinous and incessant business duties he has not failed to bestow
upon its affairs great attention. As an honorary president of the
Foundry Boys' Religious Society, which embraces within its pale upwards
of 14,000 boys and girls in the humblest ranks of life, he has likewise
assisted very materially to promote the welfare of the city. For their
own servants the Messrs. Burns have displayed an exemplary solicitude.
They have provided a chapel in Glasgow for the sailors employed in their
coasting trade; and they defray the expenses connected with the support
of a chaplain, who visits the men on board ship, sailing with each
vessel in turn, and preaching in the chapel on Sundays. Through the
chaplain, who visits the wives and families of the sailors when they are
away on duty, the Messrs. Burns are made aware of the circumstances and
condition of the sailors in their employment, and they spare no trouble
to maintain an efficient and sober body of men in a happy and
comfortable position.

MR. JAMES BAIRD OF CAMBUSDOON.

"I cannot," wrote Bacon, "call riches better than the baggage of
virtue." Practically the dictum of the philosopher has been endorsed by
Mr. James Baird of Cambusdoon, who, along with his brothers who have
predeceased him, has set a noble example in regard to both the
acquisition and the distribution of wealth. Few men have been so
fortunate in laying up treasure on earth; few