SCOTLAND.
(From Our Own- Correspondent.) EDINBURGH, July 28. MEDICAL MEN IN COUNCIL. The medical element is always strongly in evidence in Edinburgh, but at the present time it is overpowering. Last week the Medico-Psychological Association of Great Britain and Ireland held its fifty-seventh annual session in this city, Dr A. R. Urquhart, Physician Superintendent of James Murray's Royal Asylum, Perth, being elected president for the year.' His inaugural address and many of the papers which followed it were full of interesting and important matter. Most discussion was excited by one by Dr G. R. Wilson, of the private asylum at Mavisbank, near Edinburgh, on "The Mismanagement of Drunkenness." Dr Wilson contended that the ordinary treatment of drunkards was too mild, and led to great evils, both to themselves and others. He advocated much more drastic measures, even to the length of Hogging. Of course such doctrine awakened some dissent, but it was approved by some of the most eminent physicians present— e.g., Dr T. S. Clouston and Dr Oarlyle Johnston. The former said that a very large number of the men who had become disgraceful inebriates had passed through a stage when he had no hesitation in saying, if they could have applied such treatment as Dr Wilson recommeiulcd, some of them would have been sane. This week the British Medical Association is holding its sixty-sixth annual meeting here under the presidency of Professor Sir T. Grainger Stewart, of Edinburgh University. The proceedings were opened by a sermon preached in St. Giles's Cathedral by the Rev. Dr Alexander Whyte, Moderator of the Free Church Assembly, who took as his subject Sir Thomas Browne's "Religio Medici." There was a brilliant gathering in the evening, in the new M'Ewan Hall of the university, when the president delivered his inaugural address ; and it was followed by a conversazione given by the Lord Provost in the Museum of Science and Art, which was attended by a fashionable assemblage of about 4000 ladies and gentlemen. A pathological museum, containing a large number of objects of special interest to physicians and surgeons, is open in the Drill Hall, Forrest road. The visitors are also being shown round the hospitals with which Edinburgh abounds, and many important papers are being read at the daily meetings. At the university graduation ceremonial the day after to-morrow, a number of foreign medical men of eminence are to receive the honorary degree of LL.D. Happily the weather is of the finest description. It is 23 years since the British Medical Association last met in this city, and since then its membership has greatly increased. At the present time it considerably exceeds 17,000. ECHOES OF THE WAR. A deputation of distinguished military officers, representing different branches of the service, has visited the Clyde by order of the Secretary of State for War, and has carefully examined the various sites proposed for the more efficient fortifying of the Firth of Clyde. Their report is not yet made public, but at a meeting of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce one of its members, Mr Crawford, said that in conversation with two of the officers referred to they had expressed to him their opinion that Campbeltown was the proper naval base for the Clyde. Their reason was that defences there would protect not only the Firth of Clyde proper, but also Loch Fyne, which, in the event of war, an enemy would ascend in order to attack the water supply of Glasgow. It is difficult to believe that any enemy would enter a place where its fleet could be so easily trapped as in Loch Fyne ; and most people think that while a naval station at Campbeltown would be of unquestionable value, it would still be necessary to place a strong fort on the Little Oumbrae, and another on the southern extremity of Bute, just opposite. Thus protected, the upper part of the Firth could never be invaded, save b}' a fleet of such size as is never likely to find its way there for a hostile purpose. As an evidence of the Anglo-American rapprochement, it is to be noted that at the Caldhame Works, Brechin, all the employees have been presented, with an enamelled badge representing the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes, with a lion and eagle underneath, and bearing the following inscription : — "One tongue, one purpose, invincible in war, triumphant in peace." The good folks of Kirkwall have had the unwonted experience of a four days' visit from the Channel fleet, consisting of 14 vessels, commanded by two admirals, and with H.R.H. the Duke of York among the captains of the ships, his flag flying from the new cruiser Crescent. The local butchers and bakers had hard work to supply the demands of the fleet for fresh victuals. Before the ships left, some 4000 of the tars were landed in barges, and marched through the town to the music of eight bands, Prince Louis of Batenberg marching at the head of the brigades. On leaving Kirkwall the fleet proceeded to Stornoway. One of the objects sought in the cruise is to promote recruiting for the navy in these islands of the north. They have formerly furnished' many fine sailors to the Royal Navy, but of late years the islanders have been less willing to enlist, even when a special cruiser was sent on a recruiting expedition. Our huge and ever-growing fleet needs more and more men, and a sight of its splendid ships often induces young men with a love for the sea to join it. For a similar purpose a detachment of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders lias been marching through Argyllshire. Their mettle has been tested by the heat, yet on one march of 16^ miles on a very sultry day not a man fell out. Unfortunately, however, one private had his right leg badly fractured by a refractory baggage horse. The inhabitants have been much interested in the march, and flocked to the soldiers' evening camp-fire concerts. Lord Malcolm of Poltalloch sent to the men, as a present, 300 rabbits and several haunches of venison. Everywhere in Scotland preparations for war are manifestinjz themselves. It is evi-
dent the authorities wish to be ready to meet any emergencies. MUNICIPAL BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS. Glasgow and Edinburgh are both rejoicing over the success with which some of their big financial and mechanical undertakings are being carried on. Four years ago the Corporation of Glasgow took over the tramways, which have each year since been yielding better results. During the year ended on 31st May the net profit made by the tramways was no less than £100,538. Besides contributing to a sinking fund by which the purchase price will be cleared off in 33 years, and writing off a large amount for depreciation, £35,434 was carried forward to the general reserve fund. On an average every man, woman, and child had 148 rides during the year. The most noteworthy feature of the working has been the great and ever-increas-ing popularity of the halfpenny fares. In Edinburgh similar fares are to be introduced when the cabling of the tramways is completed, which will probably be in about nine or ten months from the present time, and it is expected they will prove remunerative here also. In fact there are not wanting indications that the halfpenny is the coiE of the future. The penny will be the rich man's luxury, but the despised bawbee will represent the power of the democracy. In Edinburgh the subject of congratulation is the successful working of the electric lighting of the city. The income from private lighting and power amounted during the year ended oil 15th May to £30,024, and that from public lighting to £7993, making a grand total of £38,017. After covering all tbe charges for expenditure there is a net profit of £7649 on the year's operations. Of this sum £4000 is put to reserve, and the balance goes towards the reduction of the rates. Besides this latter sum the rates benefit to the extent of £13bO by the burgh assessments on the undertaking. The working of Edinburgh's electrical system is acknowledged as occupying a foremost place in regard to such undertakings ; and electrical engineers come from all parts of the Kingdom to study it. Manchester is the only city which has made a larger profit in this way, and it is, of course, a much bigger place than Edinburgh, having more than double the population of the Scottish capital. The success of Edinburgh has stirred up other Scottish towns to follow in its steps, and extensive schemes, involving the outlay of very large sums of money, are in contemplation or in course of execution at Dundee, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, and many other places. It is clear thattho day — or ought I to say the night? — of electric lighting has begun. As electricity is also being increasingly used for manufacturing purposes, cooking, etc., it is clear that steam and gas will find it a formidable rival in the future. GLUT IN SHIPBUILDING. The demand for new vessels is so great at the present time that on the Clyde, as in the North-east of England, builders will not book orders for delivery in less than 13 months or two years from now. The Admiralty appears to be rather uneasy about the state of things, and leading shipbuilders on its list have been privately advised by it that they should not enter into further contracts for merchant vessels until an opportunity has been had to consider the immediate requirements of the nuvy. It is believed that two at least of the new firstclass cruisers, whose construction has been resolved upon, will be built on the Clyde. R. L. STEVENSON MEMORIAL. After a good deal of deliberation, it has been resolved that the Edinburgh memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson shall take the form of a mural monument, with a medallion portrait in high relief. It is to be placed in the Moray Aisle of St. Giles's Cathedral, and it is intended to reserve the said aisle for similar memorials of literary Scotsmen, as a kind of Poets' Corner. If funds allow, it is also intended to place a granite seat on the Calton Hill, the view from which Stevenson has described in his book on Edinburgh. The indications point in the direction of his memory being held in increasing honour as time roils on and brings its meed of due recognition even to a prophet in his own country. DEMOLITION OF A HUGE CHIMNEY. The tall chimney stalk of the gasworks is a well known if not very elegant feature of Edinburgh. It is now to be removed, another and considerably shorter stalk having been built to supersede it. From its position in a valley, and close to the precipitous end of the Calton Hill, crowned by lofty buildings, the height of the chimney is greater than i 3 generally supposed, as it measures 329 ft from the surface of the ground. Tjrue, this height is much exceeded by the Town»end and St. Rollox chimneys in Glasgow, which measure 454 ft and respectively. Still the Edinburgh stalk is far up the list of these ugly, if useful structures. Its stone pedestal is 56ft high and 30ft square ; while the circular brick shaft tapers from 26^ft in diameter at the bottom to 15ft in diameter at the top. The weight of the entire structure is estimated at 4000 tons. The chimney is being taken down by ,a Nottingham contractor, and it is intended to utilise the waste material in the concrete employed in the large new gasworks to be erected at Granton by the corporation of Edinburgh. POISONING OF A PARISH MINISTER. The Rev. James Thomson, minister of the parish church of Arbroath, has met with his death through a lamentable misadventure. He was spending his holiday at Comrie, and cycled from thence with his wife to Drummbnd Castle. ' On arriving there he was extremely thirsty, and seeing a barrel standing near the road, apparently containing water, he put his mouth to the outlet and di'ank from it. Unhappily the barrel contained a solution of arsenic, used for killing weeds, and Mr Thomson was at once seized with violent pains and vomiting. He was taken in a cab to Crieff, where a doctor did all that was possible for him, hut he died after suffering some hou.\s of ageny Mr Thomson was only 40 years of age, and was esteemed as an able and scholarly minister. His mistake seems the more inexplicable as it is alleged that the word "Poison" was legibly painted on each end of the fatal barrel. THE CHAIR OV PUBLIC HEALTH. | Dr Charles Hunter Stewart has been ap-
pointed to fill this chair in Edinburgh University lately established by the munificence of two donors. Dr Stewart had a distinguished career as a student in the university, and since 1894 he has acted as assistant to the Professor of Medical Jurispudence. He> has also studied in the laboratories of Municft and Amsterdam and at the Pasteur Institute, Paris. He is 43 years of age. A benefactor has provided funds for the erection of a laboratory and class room, and when these are completed it is believed that the chair will be productive of excellent and useful work. OBITUARY RECORD. Dr W. A. Hunter, who was one of the M.P.'s for Aberdeen from 1886 to 1896, died at Cults, Deeside, on July 21, aged 54. He was born and educated in Aberdeen, but most of his busy career was spent at the bar in London. He was professor of Roman Law in Oxford College, London, from 1867 to 1879, when he was appointed to the chair of Jurisprudence in the same college. Ha resigned the latter post in 1892, owing to the pressure of his practice. He was also the author of two works on Roman lawHe received the degree of LL.D. from Aberdeen University in 1882. In Parliament he was best known by his extraordinary passion for statistics. He was never married. ; Dr Shearer, who was for many years known throughout the North of Scotland aa the able head master of Huntly Grammar. School, died suddenly while spending a holiday at Hill of Sluie. Since retiring from Huntly he had resided at Elgin. Mr James Simpson, for many years Sheriff substitute at Fort William" died at his Ross-shire estate of Culrain on July 9, aged 77. He was for a prolonged period agent of the Conservative party at Inverness. Mr John Pratt Anderson, proprietor of the estate of Glenlarkie, Perthshire, has been killed at the early age of 28 by a fall from his horse while riding at Trinity, Edinburgh. Sensation has been caused in Montrose by the death of Dr Greatbatch, a well-known! physician in that town, from an over-dose of morphia. He had been suffering from sleeplessness. GENERAL NEWS. Mr Randolph Gordon Erskine Wemyss, of Wemyss, a well-known landed proprietor in. Fife, has just been divorced by his wife, Lady Lilian Mary Wemyss, sister of the Marquis of Winchester. The suit was undefended. Lady Wemyss was born in 1859, and was married to Mr Wemyss in 1884. The personal estates of the following deceased persons have been recorded during the month : — Mr Adam Teacher, publican, Glasgow, £479,932 ; Adam W. Black, of the publishing firm of A. and C. Black, £147,461 ; Sir W. Fraser, E.C.8., formerly, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, £104,728 ; the Dowager Countess of Elgin and Kincardine, £94,574; Sir J. R. G. Maitland, of Bannockbum, £35,046 ; Mr James R. Black, of Horndean, Berwick, £32,194 ; and Baron Playfair, of St. Andrews, £10,318. The annual show of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was held in the first week of July at Kelso, and proved a fair success. Among its results was the formation of an association of factors of estates, of whom there are stated to be fully 500 in Scotland. The Royal Scottish Agricultural Society has just memoralisod the Board of Agriculture to provide a State forest within easyaccess from Edinburgh, in which practical training in forestry could be given, and experiment and research carried on. The society estimates that a capital exDenditure of £40,000, with an annual grant "of £500, would suffice to provide the required area. A Jubilee commemoration window, provided by the tenantry on the royal estates of Balmoral, Abergeldie, and Birkhill, has been unveiled at Crathie Church, where the Queen worships when at Balmoral. The same donors also erected a fountain at Abergeldie. An attempt to resuscitate the Broadford Linen Works, Aberdeen, has failed, and the closing of the works is therefore imminent. They employed 1733 hands, and till lately £941 was paid weekly in wages. Following upon the services commemorating the battles of Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge, one has been held at Rullion Green. It is to be feared these occasions axe regarded more as pleasant outings than as religious services or demonstrations of loyalty to the truth. Her Majesty the Queen has informed the widow of the driver of her train, whose tragic death I recorded in my last, of her intention to erect a tombstone over his grave. At a fire in John Duncan's cattle mart, King street, Aberdeen, 56 cattle were bxirned to death in the byres, 17 were slaughtered as soon as they were got out, and a number more were so much burned that they were also put out of their misery later on. An engine driver's jubilee is a much rarer event than a ministerial one. William Gow, having completed 50 years' service as a. driver on the Selkirk and Galashiels line, has been presented with a timepiece and a. cheque for £80. Mr C. H. S. Plummer, convener of the County of Selkirk, presided on the occasion. The centenary of James Hyslop, the author of " The Cameronian's Dream " and other Covenanting poems, was celebrated at Sanquhar on July 22. A sketch of the poet's career was given in a speech by the Rev. P. Mearns, of Coldstream. Unless ftmds are previously received, it has been resolved that both the high and low level observatories on Ben Nevis shall be closed in October. The announcement has been received with much regret. The observatories have been-'carried on for 15 years at a total cost of £18,150, and hourly; observations have been taken day and nighfi during that period, often at tbe cost of much hardship. In the House of Commons two days ago the Chancellor of the Exchequer refused to increase the amount of Government money devoted to this object — P.S. — It is announced to-day that Mr J. M. Bernard, of Kippercross, has given £500 to enable the observatories to be kept on for another year.
— There are coal mines in Cuba, but non*of them have been developed, and almost aU the coal used in the island is shipped ther© from America*
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 40
Word Count
3,149SCOTLAND. Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 40
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