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CONTENTS
--------
Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Geikie's Etchings
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
Traditions of Perth
Glasgow and it's Clubs
Dr. John McLoughlin - Father of Oregon
Musings among the Heather (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Robert Burns Lives!
John Elder - Engineer and Ship Builder (Complete New Book)
A History of William Paterson and the Darien Company (Complete New Book)
Clan Leslie Society International
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
This has been a week where I've focussed more on personal things rather than business so not much to report this week.
I did hear that there are moves afoot to have another clan gathering in Scotland but seeing as the last one made a loss they are taking time to review how they might organise the next one. I think at the end of the day they simply need to spend money to advertise it properly and forget the free advertising on the web that they look for as that clearly hasn't worked.
-----
I know there are several authors who get this newsletter so I thought I'd copy an interesting story found on Linkedin...
Welcome to disruption. 26-year old Amanda Hocking is the best-selling "indie" writer on the Kindle store, meaning she doesn't have a publishing deal, Novelr says.
And she shouldn't. She gets to keep 70% of her book sales -- and she sells around 100,000 copies per month. By comparison, it's usually thought that it takes a few tens of thousands of copies sold in the first week to be a New York Times bestselling writer.
The comparison isn't entirely fair, because Hocking sells her books for $3, and some $.99. But that's the point: by lowering the prices, she can make more on volume, especially impulse buys. Meanwhile e-books cost nothing to print, you don't have to worry about print volumes, shelf space, inventory, etc. And did we mention the writer keeps 70%?
Previously one of the best selling Kindle writers was J.A. Konrath, but it was assumed he was popular because he previously had a publishing deal and so already had notoriety. That's not the case with Hocking, who published stories on her blog before turning to Kindle. In fact, out of the top 25 best-selling indie Kindle writers, only 6 were previously affiliated with a publishing house.
Back of the envelope math suggests that selling 100,000 copies a month at $1 to $3 a pop and keeping 70%, Hocking can make millions per year, straight to her pocket.
Welcome to the new era, the one that scares traditional publishers to death and will make the world better for writers and readers alike. Congratulations to Amazon for making it possible. And congratulations to Ms. Hocking on her success.
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
---------------------------
I mentioned the report about the clan gathering in 2009 and did a post on it at http://www.electricscotland.org/show...g-in-Edinburgh
Also in case you haven't been watching I do post up items in the Scottish Government forum under Lifestyle which brings you some news on what Scotland is doing today. You can read these posts at http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...ish-Government
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php but of course if you are reading this you're already in it :-)
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue is now available Compiled by Ian Goldie. He is talking again about Opinion Polls but much else of interest to read.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Christina McKelvie MSP's weekly diary diary didn't make it last week but this weeks issue is available at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie
Geikie's Etchings
-----------------
This week we've added more etchings along with some quite detailed accounts...
An Auld Couple
If I Had A Bawbee I Would Buy Berries
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
----------------------------------------
And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839). This is a new publication we're starting on which is in 3 volumes. We intend to post up 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Surprise Of Edinburgh Castle - 1312
Assassination Of The Earl Of Douglas - 1452
You can read these accounts at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
------------------------------------------
By Cuthbert Bede (1861)
This week we're on Volume 2 with...
Chapter XXIV - Highland Cottages
Wretchedness of the Cottages. — Their Exterior. — Their Middens and Kail-yards. — The Interior of a Highland Hut, with Figiires The Lassies and their Mither. — Bonnie. — Cottages a Century ago. — Dr. Johnson, Garnett, and Pennant's Testimony. — An unwashed Bridegroom. — A Mahometan Paradise. — Dr. Parkins's Theory of wholesome unwholesomeness. — Bother' d. — The Geography of Dirt. — Calvinism and Cleanliness. — Christopher North's poetic gilding. - Lord Palmerston's sound Advice. — Landlords to the Kescue.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencreggan/
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
-------------------------
A Series of Anecdotal Biographies chiefly of Scotchmen, Mostly by James Paterson and Edited by James Maidment (1885)
This week we have added...
Francis Ronaldson, Esq., of the Edinburgh Royal Volunteers
The Rev. Robert Walker, of the High Church
David Downie, Tried for High Treason in 1794
Thomas Elder, Esq., of Forneth, Lord Provost of Edinburgh
The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Duncan, Admiral of the Fleet
These entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/index.htm
Traditions of Perth
-------------------
Containing Sketches of the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants during the last century by George Penny (1836)
We've now added Pages 160 to 186 and included in these pages are accounts of the churches.
You can get to these pages at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/perth/
Glasgow and it's Clubs
----------------------
Or Glimpses of Conditions, Manners, Characters and Oddities of the City By John Strang LL.D. (1857)
This week we've added...
Glasgow Mediciners and Chirurgeons—Medical Club
Glasgow Theatricals—What-You-Please Club
Glasgow from 1785 to 1815—Coul Club
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/clubsndx.htm
Dr. John McLoughlin
-------------------
Father of Oregon by Frederick V. Holman (1907)
We have added the following chapters this week...
Thurston's Letter to Congress
Protests against Thurston's Actions
The Conspiracy Effective
Career and Death of Thurston
The Methodist Episcopal Church
Dr. McLaughlin's Memorial to Congress
The End of Dr. McLoughlin's Life
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...egon/index.htm
Musings among the Heather
-------------------------
Being poems chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by David Thomson (1881).
David Thomson (1806-1870), Reservoir Keeper at Hillend, Shotts, who became a poet late in life.
It's a nice book of Scots' musings in verse about a great variety of subjects in the times and countryside where he lived.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/musings.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
The March edition is now available. Since 1990, in one form and name or another, this publication has been the hometown newspaper of the Scottish community. In print form, it was mailed to almost 100,000 readers primarily in the USA, but also in Scotland, Canada and all over the world. Today, it has evolved into an Internet only publication under the same editor that has worked with it since the beginning. A little different name, a new format - but the same interesting publication.
You can read this edition at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
This issue is about the Burns Chronicle and the Atlanta Burns Club. As Frank says...
On the cover of the current issue of The Burns Chronicle (Winter 2010) are several pictures which have been taken over the years of the Burns Cottage of Atlanta. With permission from Bill Dawson, editor of the Chronicle, I am attaching a photo of that cover and two articles contained therein for our readers. The cottage is a special place to say the least. Just last night Susan and I attended our monthly meeting of the Burns Club at the cottage and heard Thorne Winter, M.D. and former president of the Burns Club of Atlanta, speak on “Robert Burns, His Illness and Cause of Death; Medicine in Scotland in the 18th Century”. This Harvard Medical School graduate gave an inspiring message and brought the audience up to date on some of the theories regarding the death of Burns. Maybe one day Thorne will allow his speech to be published on Robert Burns Lives!.
I am most appreciative to Bill Dawson and the Robert Burns World Federation for all they have done to promote the story of Burns and the impact he has made on the world over the past 251 years. A personal thanks to Bill for the excellent job he has done since becoming editor of the Chronicle. It, too, is a special publication under his leadership. (FRS: 3-3-2011)
This article is a bit different in that the article is actually 3 pages of the Burns Chronicle which have been added as images. I think the text is just large enough to read but if you have problems each scan is clickable to a larger image.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives110.htm
All of the Robert Burns articles can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
John Elder - Engineer and Ship Builder
--------------------------------------
I found this short book which starts...
The earliest accounts of the family of Elder show it to have flourished in the county of Kinross, in the east of Scotland, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The leading "branch of the family seems to have been that which possessed the estate of Arlarie, near the town of Milnathort. There are on record the names of two John Elders of Balbughtie, cadets of the family of Arlarie, one of whom lived in the sixteenth, and the other in the seventeenth century, both forefathers of the subject of this Memoir.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...elder_john.htm
A History of William Paterson and the Darien Company
----------------------------------------------------
By James Samuel Barber formerly Accountant of the Bank of Scotland (1907)
The printed documents and books concerning the Darien Company and the relations to it of its projector William Paterson, while numerous, are widely scattered, and in the following pages an endeavour has been made for the first time to focus their chief information in narrative form.
The story of the flotation of the ill-starred Darien Company, its multiplied disasters, and its tragic collapse, along with that of the chequered career of its projector, forms an interesting episode in Scottish history which should not be allowed to sink into oblivion.
Among the numerous authorities consulted and drawn upon, the following may be particularly named:—
1. 'A Defence of the Scots Abdicating Darien; Including an Answer to the Defence of the Scots Settlement there.' Printed in the year 1700. The writer of this tract is understood to have been one Walter Herries, a surgeon on board the first expedition to Darien.
2. 'The History of Darien.' By the Rev. Francis Borland, "sometime Minister of the Gospel at Glassford, and one of the Ministers who went along with the last Colony to Darien. Written mostly in the year 1700, while the Author was in the American regions." 2nd edition. Glasgow, 1779.
3. 'History of the Union.' By Daniel De Foe. London, 1786.
4. ' The Darien Papers.' Edited by Dr Hill Burton for the Bannatyne Club. Edinburgh, 1849.
5. 'The Writings of William Paterson.' By Saxe Bannister, M.A. 2nd edition. 3 vols. London, 1859.
6. ' The Early History of the Scots Darien Company.' By Hiram Bingham, Curator of South American History and Literature at the Library of Harvard University. Three papers in 'The Scottish Historical Review,' January, April, and July 1906.
Edinburgh, April 1907.
I thought I'd make this book available for you to read as it is a major historical event that affected Scotland in quite a major way. While I have roughly ocr'd it in the complete book is also available as a pdf file which you can download from...
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rien/index.htm
Clan Leslie Society International
---------------------------------
Got in a copy of their February 2011 newsletter which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ers/leslieint/
And to finish...
One for the Golfers..... [Thanks to Tom Patrick]
Here is an actual sign posted at a golf club in Scotland .
1. BACK STRAIGHT, KNEES BENT, FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART.
2. FORM A LOOSE GRIP.
3. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!
4. AVOID A QUICK BACK SWING.
5. STAY OUT OF THE WATER.
6. TRY NOT TO HIT ANYONE.
7. IF YOU ARE TAKING TOO LONG, LET OTHERS GO AHEAD OF YOU.
8. DON'T STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OTHERS.
9. QUIET PLEASE...WHILE OTHERS ARE PREPARING.
10. DON'T TAKE EXTRA STROKES.
WELL DONE...
NOW, FLUSH THE URINAL
WASH YOUR HANDS
AND GO OUTSIDE
AND TEE OFF.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
--------
Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Geikie's Etchings
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
Traditions of Perth
Glasgow and it's Clubs
Dr. John McLoughlin - Father of Oregon
Musings among the Heather (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Robert Burns Lives!
John Elder - Engineer and Ship Builder (Complete New Book)
A History of William Paterson and the Darien Company (Complete New Book)
Clan Leslie Society International
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
This has been a week where I've focussed more on personal things rather than business so not much to report this week.
I did hear that there are moves afoot to have another clan gathering in Scotland but seeing as the last one made a loss they are taking time to review how they might organise the next one. I think at the end of the day they simply need to spend money to advertise it properly and forget the free advertising on the web that they look for as that clearly hasn't worked.
-----
I know there are several authors who get this newsletter so I thought I'd copy an interesting story found on Linkedin...
Welcome to disruption. 26-year old Amanda Hocking is the best-selling "indie" writer on the Kindle store, meaning she doesn't have a publishing deal, Novelr says.
And she shouldn't. She gets to keep 70% of her book sales -- and she sells around 100,000 copies per month. By comparison, it's usually thought that it takes a few tens of thousands of copies sold in the first week to be a New York Times bestselling writer.
The comparison isn't entirely fair, because Hocking sells her books for $3, and some $.99. But that's the point: by lowering the prices, she can make more on volume, especially impulse buys. Meanwhile e-books cost nothing to print, you don't have to worry about print volumes, shelf space, inventory, etc. And did we mention the writer keeps 70%?
Previously one of the best selling Kindle writers was J.A. Konrath, but it was assumed he was popular because he previously had a publishing deal and so already had notoriety. That's not the case with Hocking, who published stories on her blog before turning to Kindle. In fact, out of the top 25 best-selling indie Kindle writers, only 6 were previously affiliated with a publishing house.
Back of the envelope math suggests that selling 100,000 copies a month at $1 to $3 a pop and keeping 70%, Hocking can make millions per year, straight to her pocket.
Welcome to the new era, the one that scares traditional publishers to death and will make the world better for writers and readers alike. Congratulations to Amazon for making it possible. And congratulations to Ms. Hocking on her success.
ABOUT THE STORIES
-----------------
Some of the stories in here are just parts of a larger story so do check out the site for the full versions. You can always find the link in our "What's New" section in our site menu and at http://www.electricscotland.com/rss/whatsnew.php
Electric Scotland Community
---------------------------
I mentioned the report about the clan gathering in 2009 and did a post on it at http://www.electricscotland.org/show...g-in-Edinburgh
Also in case you haven't been watching I do post up items in the Scottish Government forum under Lifestyle which brings you some news on what Scotland is doing today. You can read these posts at http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...ish-Government
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org/forum.php but of course if you are reading this you're already in it :-)
THE FLAG IN THE WIND
--------------------
This weeks issue is now available Compiled by Ian Goldie. He is talking again about Opinion Polls but much else of interest to read.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Christina McKelvie MSP's weekly diary diary didn't make it last week but this weeks issue is available at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mckelvie
Geikie's Etchings
-----------------
This week we've added more etchings along with some quite detailed accounts...
An Auld Couple
If I Had A Bawbee I Would Buy Berries
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ikie/index.htm
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
----------------------------------------
And of the Border Raids, Forays and Conflicts by John Parker Lawson (1839). This is a new publication we're starting on which is in 3 volumes. We intend to post up 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Surprise Of Edinburgh Castle - 1312
Assassination Of The Earl Of Douglas - 1452
You can read these accounts at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Glencreggan: or A Highland Home in Cantire
------------------------------------------
By Cuthbert Bede (1861)
This week we're on Volume 2 with...
Chapter XXIV - Highland Cottages
Wretchedness of the Cottages. — Their Exterior. — Their Middens and Kail-yards. — The Interior of a Highland Hut, with Figiires The Lassies and their Mither. — Bonnie. — Cottages a Century ago. — Dr. Johnson, Garnett, and Pennant's Testimony. — An unwashed Bridegroom. — A Mahometan Paradise. — Dr. Parkins's Theory of wholesome unwholesomeness. — Bother' d. — The Geography of Dirt. — Calvinism and Cleanliness. — Christopher North's poetic gilding. - Lord Palmerston's sound Advice. — Landlords to the Kescue.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencreggan/
Kay's Edinburgh Portraits
-------------------------
A Series of Anecdotal Biographies chiefly of Scotchmen, Mostly by James Paterson and Edited by James Maidment (1885)
This week we have added...
Francis Ronaldson, Esq., of the Edinburgh Royal Volunteers
The Rev. Robert Walker, of the High Church
David Downie, Tried for High Treason in 1794
Thomas Elder, Esq., of Forneth, Lord Provost of Edinburgh
The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Duncan, Admiral of the Fleet
These entries can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kays/index.htm
Traditions of Perth
-------------------
Containing Sketches of the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants during the last century by George Penny (1836)
We've now added Pages 160 to 186 and included in these pages are accounts of the churches.
You can get to these pages at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/perth/
Glasgow and it's Clubs
----------------------
Or Glimpses of Conditions, Manners, Characters and Oddities of the City By John Strang LL.D. (1857)
This week we've added...
Glasgow Mediciners and Chirurgeons—Medical Club
Glasgow Theatricals—What-You-Please Club
Glasgow from 1785 to 1815—Coul Club
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/clubsndx.htm
Dr. John McLoughlin
-------------------
Father of Oregon by Frederick V. Holman (1907)
We have added the following chapters this week...
Thurston's Letter to Congress
Protests against Thurston's Actions
The Conspiracy Effective
Career and Death of Thurston
The Methodist Episcopal Church
Dr. McLaughlin's Memorial to Congress
The End of Dr. McLoughlin's Life
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...egon/index.htm
Musings among the Heather
-------------------------
Being poems chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by David Thomson (1881).
David Thomson (1806-1870), Reservoir Keeper at Hillend, Shotts, who became a poet late in life.
It's a nice book of Scots' musings in verse about a great variety of subjects in the times and countryside where he lived.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/musings.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
The March edition is now available. Since 1990, in one form and name or another, this publication has been the hometown newspaper of the Scottish community. In print form, it was mailed to almost 100,000 readers primarily in the USA, but also in Scotland, Canada and all over the world. Today, it has evolved into an Internet only publication under the same editor that has worked with it since the beginning. A little different name, a new format - but the same interesting publication.
You can read this edition at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Robert Burns Lives!
-------------------
By Frank Shaw
This issue is about the Burns Chronicle and the Atlanta Burns Club. As Frank says...
On the cover of the current issue of The Burns Chronicle (Winter 2010) are several pictures which have been taken over the years of the Burns Cottage of Atlanta. With permission from Bill Dawson, editor of the Chronicle, I am attaching a photo of that cover and two articles contained therein for our readers. The cottage is a special place to say the least. Just last night Susan and I attended our monthly meeting of the Burns Club at the cottage and heard Thorne Winter, M.D. and former president of the Burns Club of Atlanta, speak on “Robert Burns, His Illness and Cause of Death; Medicine in Scotland in the 18th Century”. This Harvard Medical School graduate gave an inspiring message and brought the audience up to date on some of the theories regarding the death of Burns. Maybe one day Thorne will allow his speech to be published on Robert Burns Lives!.
I am most appreciative to Bill Dawson and the Robert Burns World Federation for all they have done to promote the story of Burns and the impact he has made on the world over the past 251 years. A personal thanks to Bill for the excellent job he has done since becoming editor of the Chronicle. It, too, is a special publication under his leadership. (FRS: 3-3-2011)
This article is a bit different in that the article is actually 3 pages of the Burns Chronicle which have been added as images. I think the text is just large enough to read but if you have problems each scan is clickable to a larger image.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives110.htm
All of the Robert Burns articles can be found at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
John Elder - Engineer and Ship Builder
--------------------------------------
I found this short book which starts...
The earliest accounts of the family of Elder show it to have flourished in the county of Kinross, in the east of Scotland, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The leading "branch of the family seems to have been that which possessed the estate of Arlarie, near the town of Milnathort. There are on record the names of two John Elders of Balbughtie, cadets of the family of Arlarie, one of whom lived in the sixteenth, and the other in the seventeenth century, both forefathers of the subject of this Memoir.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...elder_john.htm
A History of William Paterson and the Darien Company
----------------------------------------------------
By James Samuel Barber formerly Accountant of the Bank of Scotland (1907)
The printed documents and books concerning the Darien Company and the relations to it of its projector William Paterson, while numerous, are widely scattered, and in the following pages an endeavour has been made for the first time to focus their chief information in narrative form.
The story of the flotation of the ill-starred Darien Company, its multiplied disasters, and its tragic collapse, along with that of the chequered career of its projector, forms an interesting episode in Scottish history which should not be allowed to sink into oblivion.
Among the numerous authorities consulted and drawn upon, the following may be particularly named:—
1. 'A Defence of the Scots Abdicating Darien; Including an Answer to the Defence of the Scots Settlement there.' Printed in the year 1700. The writer of this tract is understood to have been one Walter Herries, a surgeon on board the first expedition to Darien.
2. 'The History of Darien.' By the Rev. Francis Borland, "sometime Minister of the Gospel at Glassford, and one of the Ministers who went along with the last Colony to Darien. Written mostly in the year 1700, while the Author was in the American regions." 2nd edition. Glasgow, 1779.
3. 'History of the Union.' By Daniel De Foe. London, 1786.
4. ' The Darien Papers.' Edited by Dr Hill Burton for the Bannatyne Club. Edinburgh, 1849.
5. 'The Writings of William Paterson.' By Saxe Bannister, M.A. 2nd edition. 3 vols. London, 1859.
6. ' The Early History of the Scots Darien Company.' By Hiram Bingham, Curator of South American History and Literature at the Library of Harvard University. Three papers in 'The Scottish Historical Review,' January, April, and July 1906.
Edinburgh, April 1907.
I thought I'd make this book available for you to read as it is a major historical event that affected Scotland in quite a major way. While I have roughly ocr'd it in the complete book is also available as a pdf file which you can download from...
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rien/index.htm
Clan Leslie Society International
---------------------------------
Got in a copy of their February 2011 newsletter which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ers/leslieint/
And to finish...
One for the Golfers..... [Thanks to Tom Patrick]
Here is an actual sign posted at a golf club in Scotland .
1. BACK STRAIGHT, KNEES BENT, FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART.
2. FORM A LOOSE GRIP.
3. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!
4. AVOID A QUICK BACK SWING.
5. STAY OUT OF THE WATER.
6. TRY NOT TO HIT ANYONE.
7. IF YOU ARE TAKING TOO LONG, LET OTHERS GO AHEAD OF YOU.
8. DON'T STAND DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OTHERS.
9. QUIET PLEASE...WHILE OTHERS ARE PREPARING.
10. DON'T TAKE EXTRA STROKES.
WELL DONE...
NOW, FLUSH THE URINAL
WASH YOUR HANDS
AND GO OUTSIDE
AND TEE OFF.
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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