"DRUMTOCHTY SKETCHES."
Lecture by Dr Qibb.
There was a good attendance at the Town Hall, last evening, at an entertainment, under the auspices of Knox Church, when the chief attraction was a lecture, entitled " Drumtochty Sketches," by Rev. Dr Gibb,, of Wellington. Acceptable musical items were also rendered by several local performers. The chair was taken by Rev. A. T. Thompson, minister of the Church, who briefly introduced Dr Gibb, and bespoke for him a good hearing.
The programme commenced with a bagpipe selection by Messrs MacKay and Johns. Mr S. J. Johnston sang "Bonnie Mary of Argyle." A pianoforte solo was executed by Miss Morison; and Mrs Rawson rendered " Douglas Gordon."
Dr Gibb's sketches were from the work of lan Maclaren. In opening, the lecturer said that, as a writer of short stories, Dr Watson has a place in the front rank. He would give a higher place, however, to J. M. Barrie —or to Rudyard Kipling, though the latter writer, unfortunately, was not a Scotchman. Lan Maclaren showed the pathos and the sublime in the life of the humble and lowly. Although not a poet in the accepted sense of the term, he was in the direct line of descent from Robert Burns, and he often sounded the true poetic spirit. The speaker mentioned that he had yet to be convinced that the value of realism was greater than that of idealism. He referred to the distinctive characteristics of Scotland and its people, and believed it would be long ere they would disappear. Dr Gibb, himself an Aberdonian, made frequent reference to the granite city. He alluded to the outstanding features of Scotchmen in their loyalty, faith and fear of God. Coming to the essential part of his address, he said the men of Drumtochty glen do not suggest extreme piety, but occasionally the hidden fire breaks out, and, when it is there, it sweeps all before it. The extracts read by the doctor were of considerable interest, and were interpreted as becomes a true born Scolt. Allusion was made to the great attachment of the Scottish people to the church, and the speaker declared that he was proud of his church, that had so peerless a history. Lan Maclaren was vt ell within the mark in making the church bulk so largely in the history of the Drumtochty folk. The lecturer hinted that it might be that the Scotch church people had made too much of the sermon, and too little of the rest of the service; but ho lauded the wholehearted interest always evinced in the preacher's discourse. He touched on the accusations sometimes wrongly heaped on Scotchmen in general. If they were hardheaded, they were often alleged to be hardhearted ; if business-like, insinuations of stinginess were made. But he reminded his hearers that there were all sorts and conditions of Scotchmen. An anecdote he related caused considerable merriment: A Scotchman was jubilant at securing a position in London at which he earned 15s a week ; he wrote to his friends in Scotlandj informing them that he was managing to save 10s a week, and if it Avere not for his confounded stomach he could put by 2s 6d a week more. Many more anecdotes were told which fully bore out the fact that the Scotisnotso devoid of humour as some would have us believe.
During an interval in the doctor's discourse, Mr Hunn sang " The McGresors , Gathering," and " Ye Banks and Braes" was rendered by Miss McGregor.
On resuming, Dr Gibb said that the Scottish humour is rare and deep, and isn't easily got at; but all the same it is " the real Mackay." Though stern and wild, like the rugged exterior of his native country, the Scotchman had a tender heart. In conclusion, he said that the Scottish nature, at its best, was one of which every Scotchman should be proud.
The chairman thanked the office-bearers and contributors to the programme, and the audience for their good attendance, and, finally, Dr Gibb for his entertaining discourse.
Dr Gibb, in replying, expressed appreciation of his visit to Mastarton, and pleasure at having had the opportunity to preach at the losal Church on Sunday. He also testified his gratification at the interest which the audience had manifested in his lecture.
"The March of the Cameron Men " was sung by Mr A. Nicol. The pipes were again played as the audience was leaving the Hall. Accompaniments were played by Miss Cameron and Mrs Hunn.
"DRUMTOCHTY SKETCHES."
Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8635, 18 December 1906, Page 5
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