DISTINGUISHED SCOTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18308, 16 February 1925, Page 11

DISTINGUISHED SCOTS.

TO THE EDITOR OP. "THE PBBSS." Sir,-—Arising out of my letter on the above subject,, wherein I speak of certain Scottish olaims regarding Ulster, your correspondent "Greymoutb," refers to Chapter XII. of Macaulay's History. The historian's task begins in. with the accession of James 11., and ho refers in the briefest terms.-to anterior events. The . estates of- the O'Neils were confiscated in 1609, arid speaking of the Londonderry area he says that "the Government resolved to restore the ruined town; the Tjord Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council were invited to assist in the work, and the King (James I.) made over to them the ground .covered by the -remains of the old Derry and about 6000 acres in the neighbourhood." He says nothing of the actual taking.over of the areas of Derry and Coleraine by the city itself; of the setting -aside:of large estates for church purposes;, of £20,000' spent in reclamation of -an area to which the .name Londonderry was officially given; of the election'of a Council of *26 for administration and control; or of the formation of the "Irish Society" by special charter, sub-, sequently revoked, and later confirmed; Oi the part played by the 12 leading livery companies of the city,"he says nothing, or, of their subsequent finnation in their property by-Charles 11., although there is casual reference to the ancient gun, now a valued relic of the siege, that was the gift of the Fishmongers' Company. The historian pays a high tribute to the "Englishry, aristocrat and yeoman alike. "Whatever was best and most true-hearted took the road to Londonderry." The chapter contains the well-known oescription of the siege—the longest and most memorable in the British Isles. The undaunted leader of the citizensGeorge Walker, the, son of a Yorkshireman—possessed a virtue then and even now appreciated by tho English, that of personal modesty. Bishop Tillotson, writing after Walker's visit to the King, said. "His virtue is equal to his bravery-" ' "•■ Another . correspondent, Johnny Walker," comes promptly to the assistance of his fellow Scot. Sir Robert in his lecture follows the arithmetical method almost throughout. He:quotes the population of Scotland at the Union and earnestly begs his hearers.to.note the proportion of "great men" it has produced." He «hands in the results of his own private census, and appears to have'evolved a very high figure of merit. His facts are chiels "that winna ding." When less precise he makes his way by sheer weight. Quantity he insists on. Certain philosophers of the Scottish school of the early 19th century, for instance, "and a host of others," are "our greatest thinkers," and so on. Thought may be progressive perhaps; and your space is lunited - ' '■" ' ■ • „ Now comes "J.W." and says it is all a joke. Sir Robert joking—and on 6ucli a subject, too? He allowed the reporters to, leave with long pages of notes, and never a whispered hint of the key to it all! Worse still, he betrayed / the confidence of his hearers! It cannot be! The lecturer in his time has played many parts. As schoolmaster, perhaps, and as the writer of many magazine articles, we may remember him; in the Parliamentary arena, on the hustings, and on St. Andrew's night, behind Jihe haggis and tbe whisky, we know nim well". Bold Sir Robert, the archer, has loosed many a tall shaft at a venture. But Sir Robert, the privileged jester— Sir Robert in cap and bells—well, no! And the dire force of example! Judges' jokes in England are a national infliction, from which there is no escape; Scotland is happily free. But here in New Zealand," with a majority of Scottish judges on the Bench, joking wi' deeficultv?—-at gloomv outlook, indeed! No, "J.'W."'! This Scottish joke of yours is beyond a joke. A\va wi' it! Life has its' compensations—sudden at times: and within the compass of a few lines n brilliant—a dazzling—suggestion presents' itself. A Sottish "Punch" no less—the literary curiosity of the century! A happv * prosrject. surely! Financial, of course. . For Scottish humour may be a doubtful quantity, but Scottish finance is clear and sound. Think of it—the first year's contributions from Brown and Murphy! Kawarau versus Sandy's '•Punch." and Scottish blood must win in a walk. Truly, a spark of national greatness asserts itself in "J.W." and the generosity that could proclaim a suggestion like this bespeaks the openhanded Scot.—Yours, etc., ■

TALMA \TBTCTI February 14th, 1925.