THE HOME LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 8

THE HOME LAND

(From Our Special Correspondent.) SCOTLAND, July 14. The Countess of Oxford and Asquith says that even in the most select society conversation is frequently opened by a reference to the weather. This week the changes have been so frequent and so violent that the topic cannot be passed over entirely. In London and some centres in England thunder has crashed overhead, and lightning and torrential rains have done much mischief, including the loss of four lives at least. In some parts of Scotland the rainfall was the heaviest experienced for many years. Flooding was reported from many districts, and much damage was done to growing crops. This following a short spell of very warm weather. Rain fell in torrents in many parts, and was accompanied by loud rumblings of thunder and bright flashes of lightning. The Clyde, at Clyde Bridge, between Hamilton and Motherwell, rose 10 to 12 feet above the ordinary level, and at several places the stream overflowed its banks. The low-lying Langh lands were engulfed, and huge stretches of the country were under-water. A terrible deluge was also experienced in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire. The Ncthcn above Lermahagon overflowed its banks, and a large portion of the main street was turned into raging torrent, any of the shops being flooded, the water reaching a depth of from four to five feet. Scots living in New Zealand who hail from these localities will realise what till this means, not only in repair work by .the local authorities, but to the farmers in the localities affected. Lanarkshire is famous for its strawberries, and whole fields of them have been under water, particularly in the Ncmphar district. Cloudbursts caused much damage in the Deeside district of Aberdeenshire. Rain and large hailstones fell with considerable severity. Now again the weather is close and sultry.

In no part of the British dominions does the King and his consort receive a more loyal and sincere reception than in the ancient kingdom of Scotland. Our only regret is that King George V mid Queen Mary do not come more frequently to the historic palace of Holyrood. It was a truly Scottish welcome which awaited them when they arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday evening. July 9. They were accompanied by their daughter Princess Mary (Viscountess Lascelles) and her husband (Viscount Lascelles), and the visit is one of 10 days’ duration. The capital was specially “ dressed ” for the occasion. Princes street always has a beauty of its own, but the decorations were magnificent, and, indeed, were all those along the routes by which the royal visitors traversed the city. Awaiting their Majesties at Princes Street Station of the L.M.S. Railway was a large company of city dignitaries, military id naval officers, the Sheriff (G. L. Crolc, K.C.) of the Lothians, and other official personages. Sir John Gilmour, Bart., M.P., Secretary of State for Scotland, is the Minister in attendance on his Majesty, and awaited the arrival of the royal train. He presented to the King Lord I Provost Stevenson and Mrs William I Stevenson (his daughter), who is acting as Lady Provost. Her Majesty, on alighting, also shook hands with the Lord Provost and the Lady Provost. The Lord

Provost then, on behalf of ..he magistrates and Town Council, offered for his Majesty's gracious acceptance the keys of his' Majesty's good town of Edinburgh. The King took the keys in his hand, ind

held them while he replied: “ I return

these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and magistrates of my good city of Edinburgh.” The weather was truly delightful. All along the route to Holyrood the reception accorded their Majesties . was magnificent, the dense crowds >n Princes street and elsewhere keeping up a continuous chorus of hearty cheers. On Sunday morning the King and Queen, accompanied by their daughter and son-in-law and the ‘ladies and gentlemen-in-waiting, attended divine service in the Kirk of St. Giles’s in the High street of Edinburgh. Vast throngs of people all along the route from Holyrood to the church raised enthusiastic cheers as their Majesties passed along. The cathedral was crowded to excess. The ministers taking part in the service were the Rev. Dr Stcrton, the Rev. Professor Main, the Rev. Dr Weatherhead (Moderator General Assembly of the United n ree Church-), and the Very Rev. Cnarlcs Warr, of St. Giles’s, the latter preaching the sermon. On leaving the cathedral the direct route to Holyrood was followed, the party, in open carriages, passing down the iiistoric Royal Mile through the narrow roadway of the Canongatc. On their left was John Knox’s house and the Old Torbooth. The little narrow windows of the high buildings on either side of the street were, crowded by people of tne humbler class, who cheered lustily as the King and Queen passed, and their Majesties smiled and waved up to them as their carriage descended the hill. If evidence were needed of the loyalty of

those called “ the poor ” here it was in all its fullness, as the crowds of collarlcss men, and -women wearing shawls, shouted themselves hoarse in their greetings of the reigning monarch and his queen. In the afternoon the King and Queen and Pricess Mary and Viscount Lascelles paid a visit to the historic mansion home of Lennoxlone, a mile south of Haddington, where they were heartily received by

Major W. A. Baird and his wife, Lady Hcesey Baird.

The visit was memorable and successful, and at every point their Majesties received the most cordial and spontaneous welcome from all classes.

An event of first-rate importance from the religions point of view took place in Edinburgh on Wednesday, July 0. A service of an international character, preceded by a picturesque procession of clergymen in gowns and many-coloured academic hoods, was held in St. Giles’s Cathedral to commemorate the jubilee of the holding of the first general council of the Alliance of Reformed Presbyterian Churches. The first meeting of the council was held in St. Giles’s Cathedral in July, 1877. About 200 ministers assembled in the New College of the United Free Church at the Mound, and marched from there to the cathedral, where they were met by Lord Provost Stevenson and the magistrates and councillors in thenscarlet civic robes, attended by the High

Constables and.the city mace and swordbearers, who preceded them into the cathedral. The congregation was a large one. The international aspect of the Presbyterian Alliance was emphasised by different countries from which the ministers officiating at the service came. A Frenchman, the Rev. Dr Charles Merle d’ Aubigne, Paris, opened the service. He is president of the alliance, and submitted an historical statement setting forth the meaning of the ceremony in which they were engaged. They commemorated the holding of the first PanPresbyterian Council in that city, and especially its assembling in the cathedral 50 years ago. Scotland, of all countries, gave the best object lesson of the winning of a nation for Presbyterianism, and her capital and central church had been the scene of some of the most striking events in the history of the national religion. Three only, so far as they knew, survived at that hour. During the 50 years the alliance has grown into a brotherhood of about 100 churches represented in nearly every continent and island, and speaking a multitude of ; tongues. There are over 40,000 congregations and 8,000,000 of communicants, implying a world Presbyterian total of not far from 40,000,000 people. The lessons at the service in St. Giles’s were read by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of England, the Right Rev. David Fyffe, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Right Rev. Dr J. Thompson, while prayer was offered by the Very Rev. Dr R. J. Drummond, Edinburgh, vice-president of the alliance and exModerator of the United Free Church, and the Very Rev. C. L. Warr, minister of St. Giles's. The Rev. Harris P. Kirk, D.D., Baltimore, United States of America, delivered an eloquent sermon on the future of the Reformed Church. A civic reception was given at the close of the service, Lord Provost Stevenson receiving the members of the alliance in the Council Chambers. He paid a handsome tribute to the work of the alliance. Among those who made speeches in reply were the President and the Rev. Alexander Dewar, Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland.

Otic of the finest pieces of philanthropic work of modern times is the camping holiday for necessitous children provided through the agency of the Glasgow Education Authority. The funds are voluntarily subscribed, and the management of the camp is done by volunteers. Several thousands of little folks who otherwise would have to spend their whole school vacation in the city streets are privileged to have a health-giving holiday at the coast or in the country. There are camps at present at the Kyles of Bute, Loch Fyne, and the Kintyre Peninsula, all of them splendidly managed by voluntary workers, who are regarded by the young folks as “their personal friends. Abundance of food, in-

cluding porridge, soup, tea, salads, fruit, and unlimited supplies of fresh milk are provided. .It is a pleasing sight on Sunday to witness the young folks going to church and worshipping along with the local congregation. The holiday is not only of benefit to the health of the children, but it gives them a new outlook on life. A nine-year-old boy, writing home to his parents, says: “I am keeping fine, and we are getting food that would do for a king. Plenty of food, plenty of games, plenty of fresh air, and plenty of milk. What more does a boy want ? ”

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev. Dr Norman Mac Lean, of St. Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh, has carried out a visitation of the Presbytery of Uist. The district within the bounds of the Presbytery is composed of numerous islands, connected by fords, and the problem of transport was solved by fishing drifters, motor cars, horses, and ferry boats. Most of the services were conducted in Gaelic, which still maintains its vitality in these islands. The Moderator is an eloquent speaker in that language. This is the first time a moderator has visited these beautiful but isolated islands. That the ecclesiastical situation has undergone a great change in the Highlands is proved by the fact that the first service held by the Moderator of the Established Church took place in Tarbert United Free Church when the Rev. Duncan MacLeod, the minister, presided. The Tarbert United Free Church congregation is the largest in the Western Isles. Dr Mac Lean’s statement about union was heartily received by the audience.

A Hungarian student. Ladislaus Horanszky de Hora, of Budapest, is one of a

party of students who were sent to this country to pursue their studies at the Universities of Oxford, London, and Cambridge, in England, and at Aberdeen, the only Scottish university selected by the Hungarian authorities for this purpose. Arriving in Aberdeen in September, 1925, L. Horanszky de Hora, who was a Legum Doctor of Budapest University, has achieved the distinction of taking his degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Ph.D. in law) in two instead of the usual three years’ study, despite the fact that when he came to Scotland he had just a slight use of English conversationally, although he could read the language fluently. His thesis for his degree was entitled “ Researches in the History of the Rights of the Subject in England.” In it he has made quotations from over 120 writers in Hungarian, German, French, Russian, and Italian, of all of which languages he has a sound knowledge. This remarkable performance is not only of credit to the student, but also to the University of Aberdeen.

A strange and somewhat alqrming occurrence was witnessed at Wick Harbour the other day. while the herring fishin" fleet was arriving and leaving shortly before high tide. The water became agitated and appeared to rush in and out of the harbour basins. A coal steamer on entering the port scraped the quay wall and dented her bow plates. Getting into the outer basin she was caught in a strong tidal current and whirled round like a cork. The wonder is that more damage was not done. The remarkable phenomenon is attributed to an electrical storm at sea.

A strange discovery was made by two crofters who were cutting peats on Dava Moor, situated between Fames and Grantown. They found the skeleton of a man which is believed to be that of a Highlander who met his death during the troublous times of the Jacobite Rebellion. The belief is that the man met a violent death and was buried in haste. The skeleton was found 2ft down in the moss, the arms pinioned to the body and the legs covered by a material resembling saddle cloths. About the shoulders there lav a tartan plaid. There was also found a thick, corded green cloth Balmoral bonnet of civilian pattern, and in such a state of preservation that it could still be worn. A cudgel about 4ft in length also lay beside the remains. The deceased, who had dark hair and a heavy moustache, was a man of powerful build, about sft Bin in height. It is believed that the man was the victim of some clan feud during the eighteenth century. The condition of the remains and the articles of clothing found afford further proof of the preservative qualities of peat moss. It is not probable that any further light can be shed upon the nature of the tragedy at such a remote period in Highland history.

A gifted public servant has been removed by the death of Dr Lewis Davie Cruickshank, a member of the staff of the Scottish Board of Health, who passed away at 9 Cobden crescent, Edinburgh, of pneumonia, following upon an attack of influenza. A graduate of Aberdeen University, he carried off. in 1902, the John Murray Medal and Scholarship as the most distinguished student of his year. All sorts of inquiries were conducted by him with conspicuous success. The latest inquiry in which he was engaged. and is not yet completed, was an investigation to ascertain the nutritive value of milk for children. In this piece of work he was acting along with Dr Orr, D. 5.0., director of the Rowett Institute, Aberdeen. He is survived by Airs Cruickshank and three sons.

Major-general the Earl of Erroll, K.T., C. 8., LL.D., died at his London residence on Friday, July 8, aged 75. years. His lordship was very popular and highly esteemed on his Scottish estates. The earl was the twenty-third hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland, created in 1315, this title making him the first subject in Scotland after the blood royal. The estate o Slains Castle was soid in 191 G to Sir John R. Ellerman, Bart., and this ended the family’s territorial connection of C>oo years with Aberdeenshire. The eldest son. Lord Kilmarnock, succeeds to the Earldom. He married a daughter of the late Sir Allan Mackenzie, and is a distinguished member of the diplomatic service, being High Commissioner in the Rhineland since 1921.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York has promised to be present and take part in the jubilee celebrations of St. Leonard’s School for Girls, St. Andrew’s, on Saturday, October 1 next.

An incident which was noted with much pleasure at the graduation ceremony at Aberdeen University occurred when Sacrist Spiller, of Marischal College, invested his son Cecil with the M.A. hood, the degree having been gained with first-class honours in French and German.

A notable addition to the Scottish Zoological Park, Edinburgh, the Carnegie Aquarium, has been formally opened by the Earl of Elgin, chairman of the Carnegie Trustees. The aquarium is designed to show to the best advantage an extensive and varied collection of fish from home and foreign waters. The park is one of the most picturesque in Europe, and the aquarium will be an additional attraction.

About 1000 Scotsmen resident in America associated with the Caledonian clubs in the United States arc to leave

New York towards the end of the present month for the purpose of attending the unveiling of the Scots-American Memorial which has been erected in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. When they reach this side of the Atlantic they will be met by representatives of the various Scottish clan associations. * * * At the graduation ceremony at Alterdeen this week three members of a wellknown family in the city received degrees. They are two sons and a daughter of the late Mr Topping, his Majesty’s inspector of schools. Dr H. G. Topping, Birmingham, received the M.D. degree for a thesis on obstetrics; Miss Robina Gordon Topping graduated M.A., and Air W. R. Gordon Topping graduated M. 8., Ch.B. * * * Mr John MacLeod, a native of Bonar Bridge, Sutherlandshire, late inspector of schools, has died at his residence, Fairfield, Nairn, at the advanced age of 87 years. He was a graduate of Glasgow University, and on the recommendation of Lord Kelvin acted for a time as professor of mathematics in King’s College, Nova Scotia. After. returning to this country he acted for over 30 years as a school inspector, his district for most of that time embracing Moray and Nairn, the western seaboard of Ross and Skve. He retired in 1904.

There are not many' vessels of the old schooner rig now trading from British ports. One of the last of these, which has been carrying coals to Orkney, has come to grief near one of the northern isles. She was the Alary Grace, of Stromness, which, after discharging a cargo of coal at Kirkwall, was proceeding south in ballast. Overtaken by a severe storm when off the Caithness coast she ran back for shelter at Longhope, but struck an unknown roek off the small island of Swona and became a total wreck. The crew of four men managed to reach the shore in their small boat, where they were hospitably treated. There are onlv two families resident on Swona.

The British railway companies have been making history. A London to Edinburgh service with only one stop has been successfully inaugurated by the London rad North-eastern Company. A world’s record has been established with a non-stop run of 2GB miles between London and Newcastle-on-Tyne. A similar service has been inaugurated by the L.AI.S. Railway Company. There is & single stop between London and Glasgow at Carnforth, 238 miles from London. When will wonders cease on the railways?

The Earl of Rosebery is to present his collection of Scottish books at Barnbougie Castle, Dalmeny, to the Scottish National Library. This is reputed to be of the finest private collections of such books in existence. In his younger days his lordship was a regular patron of the principal bookshops in Edinburgh. I have met him many a time examining carefully the collections in the old bookshops of the capital.