FROM NORTH OF TWEED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19147, 15 April 1924, Page 12

FROM NORTH OF TWEED

A LETTER. TO OVERSEAS SCOTS. (Written for the Otago Daily Times.) 3t Robert B. Angus. EDINBURGH, February 28. Dr Walter Seton, of Aborcorn, "ho lectures on Scottish History at University College, London, has made the discovery, or rather given the reminder, that the heir to the throne is entitled to be known as “Prince of Scotland.” Thereupon the patriots of the parish pump type have worked themselves into a state of considerable excitement, as if it were another Scottish grievance that the young gentleman should be commonly known as Prince of Wales. It turns out that Dr Seton, in making his announcement, had nothing more revolutionary in mind than that when the Prince is on this side of the Tweed, or when his health is pledged there, his designation should be “The Prince of Scotland.” The title was naturally born by the heirs of our sovereigns when we had kings all to oudselves, but it has dropped out of use since the days of Charles the Second, except that Prince Charlie was described in a Hanovenan proclamation of the time the pretended Prince of Scotland.” The common sense, as well as the common practice, of the situation is stated by Mr C. 0. Mackie, of Aberdeen, when he suggests that in Scotland the heir apparent should be described simply as “the Prince. This practice is justified by the fact that where the heir to a Scottish peerage is known as ‘‘the Master of So-and-so” he is referred to on his own estates merely as “the Master.” The Prince of Wales has, of course, no lack of Scottish titles, chief among them that of Duke of Rothesay, and fortunately his popularity depends on something more important than designation. ' SCOTTISH MINISTER’S SUCCESS. I gather from the newspapers that Mr John Wheatley, member for Bhettfeston and Minister of Health, has been discovered at Westminster to be a formidable debater and a forceful personality. His speech in defence of his policy towards the Poplar Guardians Is everywhere hailed as a masterpiece, and even those who differ from him most sharply in views are driven to admit that he made the most of his case. The discovery causes no surprise in the West of Scotland, where Air

Wheatley has been for years an outstanding figure in municipal politics. Until he was 21 years of age, he was a miner, and after trying his hand at various other occupations, he is now a prosperous roasterprinter, and owns a small local newspaper which he finds useful both financially and politically. By descent an Irishman, Mr Wheatley is also a Roman Catholic, and the clergy of his own church have discovered that he is a man who must De obeyed. According to his friends, Mr Wheatley is as ambitious as ho is able, and is likely to play as important a part in national as he has done in local affairs. A certain lack of urbanity and quickness of temper arc his only handicap. A LONDON SCOTTISH BISHOP.

Speaking of the Roman Church reminds me that Monsignor Brown, who has just been made auxiliary bishop of Southwark, a diocese m which he has worked for over 30 years, is a Scot. His family owns a small estate in the Carso, of Cowrie, near Dundee, of which town one of his ancestors was Provost. The new bishop was not originally intended for the church, but made up his mind to enter it when he was a school Iroy at Glenalmond. Thougn lie has never ministered in his native country, he has been for many years the trusted advisor of the Vatican on Scottish affairs, and some years ago he negotiated with the Government the agreement which was reached in regard to the taking over of the denominational schools. One or two of the Scottish bishops were disposed to protest, hut through Monsignor Brown they received orders from Rome that the arrangement was to be accepted. And accepted it was. He is a little man of great force of character, and, I gather, highly popular in his diocese. HIGHLAND DISTRESS.

It would lie a pity if the misunderstanding which arose through a mix-up of telegrams were to prejudice support from Scotsmen in the United States and elsewhere for the fund in aid of d’.stress m the Highlands and Islands. The original message came from the Sulgrave Institute asking whether any help was needed. The Earl "of Balfour replied that it was, and would be gratefully received. To suggest that this involves any loss of national dignity is ridiculous. Any Scot, and particularly any Highlander abroad, would esteem it u privilege to assist. The funds formed by the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow now amount to about £13,000, but more is needed. One contribution of £IOO was received in an interesting way. The Rev. Dr Archibald Fleming, of St." Columba’s, London, delivered a New Year’s Eve message by wireless. Amom» the two millions of his hearers was a Scottish lady living in Norway, who thus learned for* the first time that help was needed. She thereupon sent a cheque to Dr Tleming for the amount

named. Meanwhile, the Government is being urged to do more and the Scottish Secretary is sympathetic. HIGHLAND AND LOWLAND REGIMENTS. The Association of Lowland Scots owes its existence to a desire to correct the tendency to glorify the Highland regiments at the expense of those representing the rest of the country, and its annual report shows that there, is ample scope for its activities. During the year the War Office attempted to deprive the Lowland regiments of their pipers, but the movement has been frustrated, except for a rather niggardly proviso that the men must be found from within the regiment itself. A more important matter is that several of the Lowland regiments have had their territorial recruiting grounds closed aga’nst them, and have been required to find their men elsewhere. This was specially marked in the case of the Cameramans, who have been taking men mostly from London and—strange place for a regiment of such a name and traditions—from Ireland. The result is that .n a recent census it was found that out of 250 men at the depot only 10 were of Scottish birth. This process of denationalisation is so short-s’ghted that only the War Office would think of permitting it. LORD ELGIN’S HEIR. There was much rejoicing in Fife last week when it was announced that a son

and lieir had been l>orn to the Ear! and Countess of Elgin. He will be known as Lord Bruce. Lady Elgin is also a Filer, being the daughter of Lord Cochrane, of Crawford Pr’ory, better known as “Tommy Cochrane’’ for many years a member of Parliament for Ayrshire. The Eights have a long record of military, diplomatic ana local service, and their seat, Broomhali, is a treasure-house of historical relics, including the bed in which Charles the First was born, and the sword and helmet claimed (somewhat doubtfully) to have belonged to 'Robert the Bruce. The present Earl is Grand Master Mason of Scotland, and busies himself with the local affairs of the country in which his family has owned estates for nearly 600 years. BLYTHSWOOD ESTATE. For many years it has been obvious that the estate of Blythswood, owned by the peer of that name, could not indefinitely resist the advancing tide of industrial and harbour development on Clydeside. Situated just outside the burgh of .Renfrew, and facing the river, the grounds of the mansion house are of great value for commercial purposes, and the Corporation of Glasgow has definitely decided to open negotiations with a view to obtaining them for a huge electric generating station. The, area is about 200 acres, and the price mentioned is £IOOO an acre. The house is large and comfortable, but tho development of the district, which has enriched its owners, has made it less desirable as a residence. Blythswood has been for many years the recognised stoppingplace of royal and other distinguished visitors to Glasgow, and various owne.rs of the place have always responded gladly to the suggestions of the municipal authorities. And well they might, for the de- I velopment of Glasgow has enriched tjwt

branch of the Campbells to an extent that other brandies of the clan with larger but more remotely situated territories might envy. LAWN TENNIS JUBILEE. This is the jubilee year of the invention of lawn lennis, and in that connection the names associated with the start of the. game in Scotland are being recalled. It is pleasant to find that the bearers of some of them are still hale and hearty. The winners of the Scottish, doubles championships for the first three years were Mr Maconochie (afterwards a sheriff) and Mr Graham Murray, now known as Lord Dunedin, one of the acutest of our appeal judges. Mr Leslie Balfour-Melville, alterwards famous on the golf links, was another prominent figure. Mr E. M. Watson and Bailie Robin Welsh were leaders in the formation of the Scottish Lawn Tennis Association, and both of them are sound players still. The game until a few years ago was looked upon as one for suburban snobs, but its popularity has developed as widely with us as it has elsewhere. Its great hold must be a source of satisfaction to the surviving pioneers. SCOTLAND BEATS IRELAND. The yisit of the Irish Rugby team to Inverleith last Saturday was regarded with some foreboding, especially as the Scottish three-quarter line which had proved so formidable against Wales was no longer available, owing to the absence of Macpherson and Wallace through injuries. Anticipation was justified to the extent tha ttho Scottish backs were only indifferent, but their shortcomings were counterbalanced by the strength of the forwards, who more than held their own against even the strong forward line of Irishmen. To say that the game was vigorous is to use a mild word, and the number of casualties, fortunately none of them serious, was above the average. .Scotland scrambled to victory by 13 points to 8, but with Twickenham on the 15th of March in mind, the performance did not justify optimism. However, by that time the three-quarter line from Oxford may be again available. I should mention that one of the Irish team, Lieutenant C- F. Hallaran,' R.N., took advantage of his visit to Edinburgh to marry a Scottish bride, Miss Annita Lindsay. The ceremony took place in St. Bernard’s Parish Church on Monday, and was attended by members of the two teams, as well as by a naval guard of honour from Port Edgar (on the other side of the Forth), where the bridegroom is stationed.