SCOTLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 64

SCOTLAND.

A ROYAL REVIEW.

(Frou Oca Own Coerespondent.) EDINBURGH, July 27.

Much satisfaction has been caused by the announcement that his Majesty the King will hokl a grand review of Scottish Volunteers in Holyrood 1 Park, Edinburgh, on September 18. The last event of the kind took place on August 25, 1881, when Queen Victoria reviewed some 4-0,000 Volunteers on the same ground. The day will ever be remembered for the phenomenal rainfall by which it was characterised, and which quite spoiled the proceedings. It is hoped that on the coming occasion the weather may be favourable, and in that case there is sure to be a great turn-out, both of Volunteers and of spectators.

A DRY SEASON.

For about a year the rainfall in Edinburgh and the South-east of Scotland generally has been greatly below the average, with the result that this city is now threatened with a water famine. The greatest economy in the use of water is on joined upon the citizens, and the authorities are talking of stopping tho supply I/O the public baths, etc. Though vv-o have had several thunderstorms, one of which lafeted for about five hours, the rainfall has been remarkably small for such occasions, and has also been curiously restricted in its range. The exodus from Edinburgh which always "sets in at this time will lessen the calls upon the reservoirs, but we are warned that, until the opening of the new Talla waterworks three months hence, the danger of water running short will not *b© nast. The crops are said to promise exceedingly well, but cereals will be short in the straw owing to the drought.

PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS.

The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, has just been celebrating its fourth centenary, its charter dating from July 1, 1505, or 77 years before the foundation of the University of Edinburgh. The college has a splendid record, and at no time in its history was it more vigorous and useful than it la at the present moment. Distinguished surgeons from many lands, including Japan, v.ere present, and upon a number of them the honorary fellowship of the college was conferred. Great pleasure wss also felt at tho presence of tho French Ambassador (M. Cambon), who took a hearcy interest in the proceedings, and upon whom the freedom of the city and the degree of LL.D. from the university were conferred. The proceedings also included a special service in St. Giles's CathedraJ and a reception in the Royal Scottish Museum.

The Knox quater-centenary celebrations we^re added to on July 15 by the holding of a Sunday school demonstration in Hoiyrood Park, Edinburgh. About 20,000 children assembled. Tli3y were of all denominations, from Episcopalians to "Wee Frees," and represented the Sunday sohools of Edinburgh, Leith, and Portobollo. There were three soparate platforms, at each of which speeches were made. One of the speakers said they should never forget thai, John Knox was "a little frail man." He added that the greatest men tho world had ever seen and who had done its best work had been little men.

The fourth centenary of the foundation of the University of Aberdeen and the sixth centenary of the battle of Banncekburn both occur next year, and steps are being already taken to commemorate both events in a fitting manner.

MARRIAGE OF THE MARQUIS OF BUTE.

A very special interest was taken in Scotland in the marriage of the Marquis of Bute, on July 6, to Miss Augusta Bellingham, of Castle Bellingham. Co. Louth. Apart from, the interest attaching to his immense wealth and romantic history, th-3 Marquis's father was greatly esteemed in Scotland for his personal character, arebjeologieal learning, and munificence to useful IDU'blic objects. His son his given promise of following- worthily the good example set him, and much is expected of him. His marriage to a bride who appears to be in every way worthy of him has given great pleasure in Scotland, and especially in Bute, Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire, where his Lordship has valuable estates. The choice of the Old Place of Mochrum, his seat in Wigtownshire, for the opening part of his honeymoo*h, gave intense pleasure in that somewhat neglected county. A few days later the young couple entered what may be called their horne — the magnificent mansion oif Mount Stuart, near Rotihesay. At the Marquis's special desire, the homebringing of his bride was without any uublic ceremony, but it was impossible wholly to restrain the demonstrations of delight on the part of the tenantry on the estate. Some time ago the Marquis bought a house in Charlotte square. Edinburgh, and it was stated that h<? meant to reside a good deal in_ this city. It is hoped that his marriage will not cause any change in his intentions in this respect. By degrees the Marchioness is to be taken to see her husband's various country seats, and great preparations are being made at these, and especially at Cumnoek. to give her a right royal reception. Hers is a splendid opportunity of benefiting multitudes by her character even more than by her husband's great Eeaitit and if &b e . rises to it she will be

little less than a queen in the South-west of Scotland.

REDUCTION OF TEA DUTY.

In commercial circles in Scotland, as elsewhere, special preparations wore made to take advantage of the reduction, on July ;, of the duty on tea from 8d to 6d per lb. Dealers kept their stocks as low as possible up to the last, though during the wee* considerable sums were lodged with tl.e Customs authorities as security for tea to be withdrawn from bond as soon as the hour of midnight struck, showing that Juno 30 was past. Great numbers of labourers, lorries, etc., as well as the necessary Customs officials, were in readiness; and not a moment was lost, for the fact that the day was a Saturday increased the urgency of the case. By noon in Glasgow alone 1,000,0001b of tea had been taken oi;b of bond, and during the week £20,000 was paid in tea duty. These figures constitute a record for the port. At Dundee the quantity of tea cleared was about 150,0001b. At Leith a special steamer laden with tea arrived from London a day or two before, and tho tea was deposited in a shed on the Victoria jetty, which was temporarily declared to be a bonded store. Some thousands of pounds were paid as duty. '1*! s same activity was shown at Aberdeen anil other ports. The day was to have born, observed as a holiday in honour of tl.e King's birthday buh in the soeeial circum-stane-as the Customs officials had to take their holiday upon another day. Of course, the figures at London and Liverpool v/ere much larger than* 'those for Scottish port®. In a London financial newspaper I read the statement that Lipton (Limited) paid! £25,000 in tea duty, and saved £8000 by waiting- till the duty had been reduced. These figures will give some idea of +l"o pecuniary importance of the reduction of the duty to the "consuming public.

SIR HECTOR MACDONALD'S GRAVE.

Through the exertions of a committee in Edinburgh, a suitable monument has now been erected at the grave of Majorgeneral Sir Hector Macdonald, in the Dean. Cemetery, in this city. It consists of a freestone obelisk, 20ft high, on a richly-deco-rated base, in front of which is a pedestal, terminating with an lonic caj) bearing a. bronze bust of the decssecl. 'In addition to the usual details, the inscription gives a list of ] 3 of the chief engagements in which General Macdonald took part. In the drawing up of this, list Lord Roberts gave valued help. The sculptor was Mr Birnie Rhind, R.S.A., and though he never saw the deceased general, be has succeeded in producing a striking likeness of him in the bust. It is intimated that a large part of the cost of the monument has been met by contributions from the colonies. The grave has all along been visited by a great many people, but since the announcement of the erection of the monument their number has swelled to many thousands. RE-OPENING "OF IONA CATHEDRAL.

To the thoughtful reader of Scottish history there is no more interesting snot than the little island of lona, with its striking memorials of a time when it was the- centre of light for Scotland. After a delay which is anything but creditable to the- nation, steps are now being taken to restore the ruined cathedral, so as to prevent it from perishing entirely, and render it once more available for ," public worship ; and when that has been done, some of the ancient monuments now exposed to wind and! weather will be placed within it for shelter. The movement for the restoration began in 1599, when the late Duke of Argyll, who was the owner of the island and all its contents, executed a deed conveying the cathedral to the Church of Scotland, in trust for the nation. Funds were then sought for, and a total sum of £64-00 was collected, which has been expended in putting the choir and transepts into a useable condition. A further sum of £10,000 is required to roof and otherwise restore the nave and other parts of the i building, and it is announced th.it subscriptions for this object will ha gratefully received from Scotsmen in all parts of the world. If the response is liberal and prompt, it is believed the restoration could be completed in another 12 months. The ceremony of re-opening 1 the portion of the edifice which has bs-en, restored took place on Sunday, July 15, when a special steamer took a company of friends of ths movement to lona from Oban. Including the inhabitants of the island and seme visitors at present staying there, the congregation numbered about 200 persons. The 100 th Psalm was given, out by the Rev. Dr M'Millan, incumbent of the parish, and the second lesion was read by the Rev. Dr MacLeod, of London. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr J. C Russell, of Campbelltown, convener, ol the Highland Committee of the Church of Scotland, and an ex-moderator of the General Assembly. His text was Acts i, 8. In the course of his remarks. Dr Russell said that the first buildings at lona had been of the simplest character, but even if they had boon solidly built, the sea-roving Danes and Norsemen would have destroyed them. The abbey, commonly called the cathedral, in which they were assembled, probably belonged partly to the thirteenth and" partly to the fourteenth centuries. (St. Columba' died in 597.) For 300 years it had been, silent, and in a state of increasing decay. Dr Russell added that the ceremony of the re-dedication of the building was postponed until the work of restoration had been completed. Meanwhile, services will bo given each Lord's Day during the summer.

FALLING-OFF IN SCOTTISH STUDENTS.

Principal Lang, in an address delivered afc the summer graduation ceremonial at Aberdeen University la-st week, drew attention to the fact that during- the last SO years there- had been a decline in the number of Scottish male students relatively to the population, and this decline wa3 specially marked in the case of students belonging to the large cities. Dr Lang hinted that this was due to a. falling-off in ideality on the part of Scottish vouu« men, who were gohig in for money-making iiif business rather than for the learned professions. There is much truth in this;; yet, it is alleged that there is also another potent causa— namely, the competition of the young universities started in England in leconl years. These are not encrusted with antiquated systems, and their professors arc more energetic and their appliances more modorn than those of institutions which are prone to rely upon their past hisioiy rather than upon their present alertness and vigour. Universities, liks other things, must be up to date in these days. I observe the namo of Dr Mac(jrregor, Inspector-general of Hospitals and Asylums, Mew Zealand, among those of gcuUgnieja who received the degree of

IiL.B. in absence on the occasion tinder notice. LIONESS LOOSE AT BLAIRGOWRIE.

The pretty little town of Blairgowrie came in for an unwonted excitement two days ago. The annual fair was being- held, and among its attractions was Chippenfield's menagerie, which was exhibited in Well Meadow. The place was crowded, •when, in -some unexplained way, a lioness managed to get out of its cage. A panic ensued, the people shrieking and knocking each other "over in their eagerness to escape. The attendants got -rifles and tried to shoot the animal, but failed, and only ■wounded &ne of their own number in the ankle. The lioness rushed out, passed other shows, and got into the town, effecting an instantaneous clearance of the crowded streets. It made for a confectioner's shop, to wihioh ' several jpersons had fled for , refuge, but they just managed to shut the , door in its face. The pursuing attendants seized their ohanoe and fired several shots ! at the beast, one of which killed it. An- i other shot went clean throi\<rh the door and-; lodged in the leg ' of a woman who was , inside. Blairgowrie is not likely to forget soon - its 'experience of lion-hunting. SIR "GEOBGE WHITE IN EDINBURGH. •

Edinburgh dearly loves soldiers, so there •was a big "turnout of the lieges on July 6, when, Field Marshal Sir George White came to the city to unveil'-a-tablet-which has been placed on the Oastle Esplanade in memory of the Gordon Highlanders who died during the Boei* war. The. tablet is of bronze, and was subscribed for only by members of the famous .regiment, of all grades, who •had served in the late war. It bears 200 names in all,' 21 being those df officers. In a brief, :manly speech Sir George White eulogised the devotion to duty manifested toy those to whose memory they were gathered to do honour, and said that the determination to do their duty to tihe full is what constitutes the -.eoul of a nation. That was -the sacred fee %vbich must ever -'be burning pn our v hearths if >we were to maintain "the position which we had justly arrogated . to ourselves ' among the nations of the world. The education in patriotism was not treated in - our „ country with the consideration which ifc . deserved. Yet of all the branches - of national education it was the one fox' which the nation could look forward for the highest return, which would-* be realised in the jnoraie -Of its manliood. . "On the, conclusion of the ceremony , an adjournment- was made . to the City Chambers, where Sir George was presented with the freedom of .the city, the proceedings being characterised by great hearti- , ness. -- i CANADA AND SCOTLAND. \ - Another -interesting event of the month .was-' a two- days' visit" to Einburgh by the .members of the. Canadian Manufacturers' Association", * accompanied by a number of ladies, the party numbering in all -about 160. They wer-e^ entertained to luncheon by the directors of. the •" Edinburgh and, Leith Chambers of Commerce. Mr W. B. Blaikie. ' chairman of. the former chamber, welcomed . the -visitors in an , interesting speech, in the course of, which Jae mentijaiied that tliere ■was more Gaelic talked in Canada than * there was I . in the Scottish Highlands; while the only newspaper in the King's dominions which was printed wholly in Gaelic was published ,at Sydney, —Cape Breton. It seerae'cUa ver^ extraordinary thing to him when in Canada to find so many people , named Mabdonald, TTraser,' and Maonab who could not / talk anything but French. They were ' the descendants of Highland soldiers who' -were ."disbanded after the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Mr Blaikie proceeded to mention ,a 'still older piece of history .illustrating 1 "the early connection of . Scotland with" Canada. In 1621 King James gave a/ grant of certain lands to Sir Wm. Alexander, "of Menstrie, .and to lielp nim in the founding of his colony of TSew Soot- ■ land his Majesty instituted the Order of j Baronets of Nova Scotia. This took place t in 1625, the scene of the ceremony being j the courtyard of Edinburgh Castle. For ; ■tfbis .purpose the place was declared by Royal decree to be an integral part of the new "colony. He (Mr BJaikie) did not 'believe • that this decree" liad ever been • : annulled, and' his belief was that the castle ,' courtyard and esplanade might be n<eid to i belong- to the Dominion of Canada. Sugges- j tions'as to what mig-ht -happen if the Can- j adiajK-present were to insist on claiming the places named furnished the company "mbh-some amusement. BURNING OF PEEBLES HYDBO- -. -. . PATHIC.

Tthe magnifioen/t 'Hydropathic at Peebles, whSofe -cost £100,000, and is said to have been the finest building of its kind in Scotland, was"' destroyed by fire on the evening of July 7. The fire broke out high up in the kitchen chimney w<hilo the visitors were at dinner, and the fire-extinguishing appliN aneesj3roved to- be unable to tope with the flames. Some-of the pictures a.nd furniture were ' got out saf elyj "but the visitors, who numbered about 100, lost nearly all their belongings. When full the establishment cculd accommodate 200 visitors easily. -It was originally started by a company, the foundation stone' being laid by the iate Dr William Chambers in 1878. After changing hands two or three times, and undergoing: enlargement, it again became th© property of a- joint stock company only a few weeks ago. The loss being covered by insurance, it has been deoide.d to re-erect the building, though at first the directors thought of recommending that the company should be wound up.

OBITUARY RECORD.

The Rev. Dr Norman L. Walker, a prominent minister of the Free- Church before the union, died at Kirkcaldy on Ist July; ag-ed 79. As a student he witnessed the historical procession in Edinburgh at the Disruption, but did not join in if, though lie joined the Free Church the next day. From 1852 to 1890 he laboured with much success at Dysart, Fifeshire, and was also prominent as a litterateur. His "Life of Dr Robert Buchanan " made Ins reputation as an author, and for many years he edited ■with great success the "Free Church Monthly " and the " Family Treasury," also a, monthly magazine. He also found time to travel a great deal in Europe, America, and Palestine. H© is survived by his widow. a son, and a married daughter. Much regret has been expressed at ihe ctoath of Mr W. M'Combie Smith, of Blacl:water, Glenshee. Perthshire, where he liacl been schoolmaster for -over 30 years. He was particularly noted as an athlete, in which capacity he gained over 1000 prizes. He also exerted great influence as a judge at Highland gatherings. He was a gifted writer, and used his pen freely in connection with the land and social questions. Ei3 wife was a. sister of Donald Difinie,

the famous athlete, and they leave a grownup family.

Colonel Sir John Farquhar=ou, X.C.8., of Tarland, a well-known Aberdeonshire gentleman, died in Edinburgh on July 3. For a good many years he was connected with the Ordnance Survey, and from 1894 to 1899 ho was the Director-general of that department.

Sir William Muir, who was Principal of Edinburgh University from 1895 to" 1902, died in Edinburgh on July 11; aged 85. He was a native of Glasgow, and from 1837 to 1876 ha-d a distinguished career in India, where he filled, among other posts, those of Lieutenant-governor of the North-west Provinces and Chancellor of the Indian Exchequer. He was an able Arabic soholar, and an expert in regard to the Mohammedan religion. Personally, he was greatly esteemed and beloved by all classes, and he did much to raise the tone of the University.

The R-ev. Dr R. Gordon Balfour, senior minister of the U.F. New North Ghurch, Edinburgh, died on July 17; aged 79. He was ordained at Millport in 1853, and translated to Rothesay in 1858, and thence to Edinburgh in 1876. Some j'ears ago he received the help of a colleague. Last year he was .elected. Moderator of the U.F. General Assembly, and so was in office when the famous judgment of the House of Lords was delivered. Dr Balfour for a number of years took a special and valued interest in the . colonial connections of his Churoh. He was a man of judicial mind, and remarkably clear in all his thinking* and speech. For many years he acted as clerk of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, where his business qualities were of great service.

The deaths of the following persons are also -announced : — Majoi'-general Sir Henry Trotter, of Mortonhall. near Edinburgh, and for many years in the Grenadier Guards, aged 61;* Mr Thomas Lloyd, of Minard, Loch Tyne: Rev. Arthur Shand, Congregational minister at Rhynie, Aberdeenshire; Mr James Oliver, of the firm of Andrew^ Oliver and Son, live stock salesmen, Hawiek,' and a well-known figure at all Scottish stock markets, aged 88; Bishop Dousrlas, of Aberdeen, aged 78: Rev. P. C. Lyall, parish minister of Symington, Ayrshire, aged 52 ; Mr Wm. Johnston, formerly secretary of the Scottish Temperance League for nearly 40 years.

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr Mackay, chief constable of Rothesay, has, recovered £300 from the Corporation of Glasgow as damages, for* injuries received through the sudden starting of an electric - tramway car which he had just boarded.

Some boys were gathering flowers in a field at Johnstone, near Paisley, when a donkey suddenly rushed at them. All escaped but one, who was severely bitten all over the body and head, and was with difficulty rescued alive.

The Old Grange, near Bo' ness, a baronial mansion dating from 1564, and a well-known Jandnfark for sailors, is to be pulled down and replaced by villas. It had not been inhabited since 1898, when it was found that coal workings beneath it had rendered it unsafe as a place of abode.

"Mr and Mrs Birkmyre, of Broadstone, have initiated a gift of £10,000 to provide Port Glasgow with an up-to-date cottage hospital containing 22 beds.

■ Mr Alex. Little john, of Invercharron, offered to the -shinty clubs of the Scottish Universities a prize of 20 guineas for the best .essay on the ancient Celtic game of shinty. The prize has been awarded to Mr Nell A. Johnston, a fourth year's student of Glasgow University. An ironworker Jaas been sent to prison for 40' days for throwing a girl into the canal at Coatbridge. Four young men sprang in and rescued her. The membership of the Stewart Society is stated to amount to 600.

Owing to prolonged dulness in the jute trade, the shareholders of the company owning the Erichtside Works, Blairgowrie. have decided to wind up tEe concern. A handsome new parish "church for Auchterarder. erected on the South Glebe, fronting the High street, has just been opened. It seats 920 persons. Lauchlan Macrlonald, a- farmer from Kingussie, created a sensation by discharging two shots from a revolver through his left breast in Princes street. Edinburgh, about 11 am. on July 11. From the contents of a paper written by him, and ■picked up on the pavement beside him. it would appear that he was of unsound mind.

Kirkcaldv Eas a deficit of £1500 on the working of its tramways during the past twelvemonth, and one of £400 on its electric lighting operations. The Rev. A Macaulav CakTwell. who for the last seven years 'has been minister of Gilmore'Place U.F. Church. Edinburgh, is leaving for New Zealand. A few_ days ago hie congregation presented him with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns, Mrs Caldwell with a gold chain, and his daughters with gold brooches. ' It is stated that Lhe famous vine at Kinnell House. Perthshire, the seat of the Marquis of Breadalbane, .has about 550 bunches of splendid grapes upon it at the present time. Tie vine is 73 years old. and is believed fco be the largest vine under glass in the world, stretchinor out 135 yards. It was o-fiieially stated in Parliament last w-eek that the Admiralty scheme for the Rosy Hi naval base involves a total estimated expenditure of two millions and a-half sterling, of which £200,000 has been spent thus far. The Rev. Roderick^ Finlayson. of the Free Church -at Davist, near Inverness, committed suicide by hanging himself in Sis stable. He was 43 years of age. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt on July 23 all along the southern base oi the Ocliil Hills and in Stirling. The following personal estates of deceased individuals have becsn recorded since I last wrote: — Mr Jqlui Gilmour, Helensburgb, formerly in the tobacco trade in Virginia (U.S.A.), £266,467; Mr William Beveridg-e. solicitor and anrent of the National Bank of Soot-land at Dunfermline. £125 729 ; MiArchibald Colvillc, of the firm of A. and A. Galbraith, cotton sninners. Glasgow. £51631; Sir John Neilson Cuthbertson. Glasgow, £45,620.

There is a railway over the Egyptian Desert which runs for 45 miles in a^trairht I line, but this is beaten by one in Ausj tralia. The railway from Nyngan to '. Bourke, in New South Wales, runs o^ or a plain quite level for 126 miles in a mathematically straight line. There is hardly an embankment, not one ciuve, and only three very, slight elevation^