JOHN 0' GROAT'S HOUSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2359, 11 May 1899, Page 56

JOHN 0' GROAT'S HOUSE.

Although it shares Avith Land's End the distinction of indicating one of the territorial extremities of Great Britain, its curious and instru tive legend is very little known. "Britlur '"-Vots" are proud to regard Kirkmaidea. }.. Wigtownshire, and John o' Groat's, in Caithness, as forming the terminal landmarks of their own country ; Avhile the Southron not unnaturally prefers to speak of the longer line. Only an expert might venture upon a remark as to the state of the "record" established by cyclists in their attempts to cover the Avhole ground. From Land's End to John o' Groat's is a far cry indeed; and Avith roads not exactly constructed foi pacemakine, and hilla which. &teruly dLs.r.nim-

tenance it, more than one enthusiast has had to fall • back upon the ' indomitable qualities of the plodder, and content himself with the opportunity afforded for counting the cost of his undertaking. Fail-~ ing to snatch a record, it is a little surprising that no modern performer should at least have brought home with him the legend. For although not a vestige, remains of this remarkable "house that Jack built," the story is very much alive when just probed enough to make it "sit up." And it is probable that, if John o' Groat had built his house near one of the Mugby Junctions of civilisation, instead of on a wild and remote point of a storm-beaten coast, the tradition would have had a much wider popular interest.

Once upon a time — or, to narrow the confines of that indeterminate period, in the reign of James IV— there dwelt in the south of Scotland three brothers o' Groat, named respectively John, Malcolm, and Gavin. It is thought that they were originally of Dutch extraction, their proper surname being " Gfoot " ; a matter, however, of little consequence, seeing that the moral is strictly the 'same. Of the lives of these brothers we have absolutely no account, until they make an almost pantomimic descent upon Caithness, bringing with them a letter from the King, recommending them to the good-will and protection of his loving subjects in that part of his dominions. They presently acquired a considerable tract of land known as Dungisby, on tJie shore of the Pentland Firth, in the occupation '"and cultivation of which they appear to have prospered exceedingly. Little more is knoAvn of their doings ; and it is not uni il the lapse of many years that their descendants appear upon the historic page The family had not only thrived, but multiplied; and the next act of the drama discloses eight different representati /es of as many branches; the elder being the John who was to erect the famous house bearing his name. It was their custom to hold an annual meeting to celebrate the arrival of their ancestors in that country, as also for the purpose of cementing their own interests within it. On one of these occasions, at which the " wine of the coxmtry " had perhaps also assisted, a question arose as to the right .of precedency ; a right which involved a high privilege of " taking the door and sitting at the head of the table." There was a hot contention, and a quarel ensued which might have led to fatal results but for the prudence and sagacity of John. This astute person is said to have conducted a ferry between Canisbay and Orkney, and had probably a larger experience of men and manners than had fallen to any of his relatives. He practically rehearsed to them the fable of "The Old \1 an and the Faggot of Sticks " ; reminding them that, if they quarrelled among themselves, they would be easily overborne and dispossessed hy their neighbours. "Ultimately, and on the express understanding that John would devise a practical "modus vivendi" by the time of the next meeting, the dissentients agreed ,to cry a truce, and so went their several ways.

Now, it will be obvious to all who are acquainted with the fervour of the old Scottish clanship, and the jealousy with which the nice questions of precedence were regarded, that John o' Groat's proposition gave the worthy man " all his work to do." But he did it triumphantly; and this is how that canny blend of Dutch phlegm and Scotch shrewdness set about it. His first care was to build a council chamber. John was his own architect, but had no fool for his client. The problem was to admit, and seat, eight personages of equal pretensions — each, probably, rather " more so" than otherwise — on a perfect footing of equality. After much pondering, John hit upon the happy idea of the octagon as his ground plan, and speedily the walls began to rise. In each of the eight sides was constructed a separate door, over which appeared its complementary window. The next consideration was the council table ; which, however, naturally evolved itself from the plan at the house. It was a sturdy octagonal board of oak ; and this being finished and fitted in its place, the illustrious designer was prepared to welcome his relations when the auspicious day came round. As each made his appearance he was ushered through his own special door and requested to take the corresponding seat at the " head of the table." Finally, John contented himself with the last vacant seat, and the conclave was complete. So happy a fancy, so ably realised, was not to be resisted. lt'appealed to the practical side of the national character ; and, in the result, good humour and commonsense prevailed, and complete harmony was restored among the several branches of the family. — Globe.