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CONTENTS
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
Memoirs of the Jacobites
R. B. Cunninghame Graham, Fighter for Justice
Our Australian Cousins
Memoirs of Robert Dollar
The Life of Hugh Miller
Robert Burns Lives!
James Legge, Missionary and Scholar (New book)
Everyday Life in Prehistoric Times
Beth's New Fangled Family Tree
Wild Scottish Clans (Complete New book)
Songs from John Henderson
Eighteenth Century Highland Landlords and the Poverty Problem
Clan Leslie
Electric Scotland News
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Our friend Stan Bruce, the Bard of Banff is spending four weekends in Edinburgh and is taking loads of pictures. He's already posted up some 70 odd pictures in our Gallery in the Electric Scotland Community for which see more below.
The point of mentioning this in the news item is that he said if anyone had any requests for specific pictures he'd do his best to try and take them. And so if you email me with any places you'd like picture taken I'll pass on your requests. I'm thinking here that some of you may have roots in Edinburgh and thus if you knew of an address where your ancestors lived we might be able to get a picture taken.
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As I mentioned last week I was thinking of building a Canadian history site. I have now made the decision to do that. It will take some time for the domain to go live as I need to start building the content to get it started.
I also have the difficult job of trying to decide a menu structure fot the site. The major difference between the two sites is that Canada is an immigrant nation and so you can't really tell Canadan's story without telling the story of the immigrants from all parts of the world. Also as most Provinces are larger than the whole of Great Britain it seems sensible to organise things by Province but then we also have the situation of the First Nations which also deserves it's own section.
One problem I've always had with Scotland is the lack of modern information as Scots are simply not willing to help. I suspect this will also be the case for Canada as on the whole it seems that people are not prepared to help other web sites in their research preferring to focus on their own web sites. This probably means I'll again be constrained to antiquarian material which I actually have a lot of.
What I need is some of the history of ethnic groups and so if anyone reading this can help with providing information or point me in the direction of someone else that can help I'd appreciate it.
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
---------------------------
As mentioned above Stan Bruce is building a great collection of pictures of Edinburgh and at last count had over 70 added to our Gallery. He's organised them in various galleries. For example he has pictures from the Royal Mile, others of Greyfriars Bobby, etc. You can view these at http://www.electricscotland.org/albumall.php?
And Beth Gay is also starting to post some of her pictures in the community and she has a lot of these.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org 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. In it he refers to an interview with a Welsh economist which you can find at
I have had an email in from Christina McKelvie apologising for not sending in a diary entry but she's just been extremely busy. She is now off for a few weeks holiday but when she returns she says she'll take up where she left of.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
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 4 volumes. We intend to post up 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Exploits of Sir James Douglas
The Sixth Earl of Douglas
The Battle of Culloden
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
--------------------------------
Added some more poems...
Strathardle Gathering
James Fleming
Crazy Football
which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger.htm
Memoirs of the Jacobites
------------------------
Of 1715 and 1745 by Mrs Thomson (1845) in 3 volumes. We intend to add a chapter a week until complete.
I've now added "Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat"
The account starts...
THE memoirs of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, have been written in various forms, and with a great diversity of opinions. Some have composed accounts of this singular, depraved, and unfortunate man, with the evident determination to give to every action the darkest possible tinge; others have waived all discussion on his demerits by insisting largely upon the fame and antiquity of his family. He has himself bequeathed to posterity an apology for his life, and from his word we are bound to take so much, but only so much, as may accord with the statements of others in mitigation of the heinous facts which blast his memory with eternal opprobrium.
As far as the researches into the remote antiquity of Scotland may be relied upon, it appears that the name of Fraser was amongst the first of those which Scotland derived from Normandy, and the origin of this name has been referred to the remote age of Charles the Simple. A nobleman of Bourbon—such is the fable,—-presented that monarch with a dish of strawberries. The loyal subject, who bore the name of Julius De Berry, was knighted on the spot, and the surname of Fraize was given him in lieu of that which he had borne. Hence the ancient armorial bearing of the Frasers, a field azure, seme with strawberries: and hence the w idely-spreading connection of the Frasers with the noble family of Frezeau, or Frezel. in France, a race connected with many of the royal families in Europe. For a considerable period after the elevation of .Julius de Berry, the name was written Frezeau, or Frisil.
The period at which the Frasers* left Normandy for Scotland has been assigned to the. days of Malcolm Canmore, where John, the eldest of three brothers of the house, founded the fortunes of the Frasers of Oliver Castle in Tweedale, by marrying Eupheme Sloan, heiress of Tweedale: whilst another brother settled beyond the Forth, and became possessed of the lands of Inverkeithing. Eventually those members of this Norman race who had at first settled in Tweedale, branched off to Aberdeenshire, and to Inverness-shire; and it was in this latter county, at Beaufort, a property which had been long held by his family, that the famous Lord Lovat was born.
You can read the rest of this long story at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter11.htm
You can read the other chapters as we get them up at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/jacobites
R. B. Cunninghame Graham, Fighter for Justice
---------------------------------------------
An Appreciation of his Social and Religious Outlook by Ian M. Fraser (2002).
Added another chapter to this account...
Social Conviction Part 3
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/graham/
Our Australian Cousins
----------------------
By James Inglis (1880)
We've added the following chapters this week...
Chapter VIII.
Return to Brisbane—A ride by rail to Ipswich—Scenery on the line—Venality of legislators—The Bathurst burr—Grass seeds—The sida retusa—Ipswich—The Grange Stud Farm —The horse trade with India—An Indo-Australian trading company—Excellence of Australian stock.
Chapter IX.
Natural wealth of Australia—Neglect of agriculture—Proposals to establish experimental farms—Apathy, indolence, and ignorance prevalent—My own experiments with Indian seeds—Indian products for Australia—Resume of the salient points of indigo culture—Probable result of its introduction into Australia—Mustard and rape seeds—How grown— Linseed — Sesamum — Castor plant —Hemp—Safflower— Millets—General remarks.
Chapter X.
The marsupial plague—Young of the marsupiata born—What is a marsupial?—Able account by a "Bush Naturalist".
Chapter XI.
A kangaroo battue—Mr. Bracker of Warroo—The Darling Downs—Warwick and Stanthorpe—Varieties of marsupials —Pikedale Station—The scene of operations—The line— The beaters—Old wombat—The beat—Fierce excitement— Incidents of the sport—A Spartan meal—Camping out—A monster bag—Waste of skins—How these might be utilized —A letter from the Globe on the subject—Pikedale Wash Pool—Tin mining—The present and future of Queensland.
Chapter XII.
Sydney—Her magnificent harbour—Its unrivalled beauties— The city—General charge of dirtiness—Not so bad as it is generally painted—Comparison of Sydney with other towns —Sydney for her age a wonderful city—Eapid extension— General aspect of the city—The suburbs—Suburban villas— Sydney freestone—Small allotments and undue subdivision of land—Absence of cottage gardens—Want of sanitation— The term "Cornstalk"—Sydney streets—Public buildings —Causes of her chronic indebtedness—Unfitness of her aldermen—Testimony of one of their number—Summary.
Chapter XIII.
Sydney shop-fronts—Verandahs—Hitching horses to the side- posts—Wonderful docility of the horses—How they are trained—Cabs and cabmen—The hotels—Drinking habits— The licensing system—Need of reform—Hotels and boarding-houses—The parks—Municipal incompetence—Loun*gers on the pavements—Shop-runners—The streets on Saturday night—The Sydney Larrikin—Selfishness of the wealthier classes—Honour to whom honour is due.
Chapter XIV.
Workmen's combinations—Fear of strikes retards industry— Condition of the Australian workmen—Swagsmen and Loafers—Friendly Benefit Societies—Rules, working, and objects—The Club doctor—Abuses in the system—Acci*dent Assurance—Comparison—Life Assurance—The Mutual Provident Society—The Mutual Life Association—Insur*ance agents—Insurance returns—Australian prosperity— Building Societies—Workmen's wages—Labour—Summary.
Here is a bit from Chapter XI...
If my readers have attentively perused the foregoing lucid description, by a Bush Naturalist, he will now have a pretty good idea of the natural history of the kangaroo, and I may resume the thread of my personal experiences. Mr. Harry Bracker of Warroo, my genial host, seeing an account of one of our Indian battues after deer, had determined to give the battue system a trial. Let me try to picture to you a kangaroo battue as I saw and participated in it. He organized a mob of beaters, black and white, and these, mounted on active horses that climb like cats, and are as sure-footed as the ibex, scour the creeks, gullies, ridges, and slopes, and driving on the multitudes of kangaroos in a semi-circle before them, the animals are forced on to a line of shooters posted behind trees at intervals of from 80 to 100 yards. Every advantage is taken of the formation of the ground, the direction of the wind, &c. The battue, when I joined the party, had been going on for about six weeks. There had been on an average from twelve to fourteen guns at work daily, and the astounding total of 16,000 odd of these destructive and useless animals had been bagged; indeed, had the very young ones and badly wounded been counted the total would certainly have exceeded 20,000. The battue was a grand success, the excitement intense; the sport of its kind most excellent.
Hearing that all sportsmen were made heartily welcome, and having been asked to visit the district by several influential run-holders, I made a start from Brisbane on Monday, and taking rail for Warwick, the principal town in the Darling Downs district, I arrived there on the same day. The Downs proper are broad, undulating, grass-covered steppes; the soil rich, black, and admirably suited for agricultural purposes. This land to a certain extent has been taken up by free selectors, and is no doubt destined to become a vast grain-producing district.
The train up to Toowoomba passed over some very steep gradients and winding curves. The great dividing range lies spread out before us as we sweep along; range behind range, tier above tier of densely wooded hills; every peak a mass of verdure, all of a uniform sombre tint. The stillness is unbroken by cry of bird or beast. There is no glinting of stream or flashing of waterfall. Deep gullies, dried-up creeks, and bold crags and precipices there are in plenty; but, except in some gloomy stagnant pool, far in the depths of the pathless bush, there is no water. I can realize now what an awful thing it must be to be "lost in the bush." There had been a severe drought here for months, and anything more arid, withered, and utterly desolate could scarcely be conceived than the rocky slopes and the ridges about.
You can read more of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter11.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/auscousins/
Memoirs of Robert Dollar
------------------------
By the Robert Dollar Company in 2 volumes (1917)
We have now completed Volume I as now onto Volume 2 by adding the fist 7 chapters.
In Chapter 1 we learn...
WHILE making a trip on board the steamship Wenatchcc from Seattle to Shanghai during month of April, 1921, I resumed the writing of my memoirs which I had discontinued with the close of the year 1916. I commenced the year 1917 by presenting to the San Francisco T'heological Seminary, of San Anselmo; California, a check for $50,000 to endow the Chair of New Testament Interpretation, of which Dr. E. Wisher was the professor. The endowment has been named "The Robert Dollar Chair."
In looking over my diary, I find the following entry on the first of January: "I commence the year in humble and perfect trust in God's guidance in all that is before me during all of this year."
Getting together a number of San Franciscans that were interested in the trade of China, we formed what was called "The China Commercial Club," at the first meeting of which there were forty prominent merchants present. The object of the club was to increase and further develop the trade between China and the United States, particularly the Pacific Coast. It turned out to be successful in after years, and increased not only the trade, but the friendship between the two countries, as many distinguished men were entertained.
For many years I have been a director of the Seaboard National Bank and lately of the Anglo & London Paris National Bank, both of San Francisco; but as it is illegal to serve on the directorates of two national banks, by mutual arrangement with the presidents, I resigned from the Seaboard and my son Stanley was elected to succeed me.
In January 1917 I addressed a meeting of bankers at Oakland on the subject, "Foreign Trade a Necessity to United States Prosperity."
A great deal of my time was taken up attending meetings, I at that time being president of many companies, Shipowners' Association, Y. M. C. A., Theological Seminary, Merchants' Exchange, Douglas Fir Club, and others.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...2chapter01.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/rdollar/
The Life of Hugh Miller
-----------------------
A Sketch for Working Men (1862)
Have now completed this book with...
Chapter VIII.
Dawn of Hugh Miller's Literary Fame— Writes his Autobiography—Casual Interview with his Future Wife—Appointed Accountant in a Commercial Bank—His Marriage—Continues his Literary Labours—Enters the Arena of Church Controversy—Letter to Lord Brougham—Appointed Editor of the Witness—His Independence and Success.
Chapter IX.
Motives for Entering the Arena of Strife— Donald Roy of Nigg—A Remarkable Secession.
Chapter X.
Spirit of the Witness—Geological Papers— His Lecturer—Effect of severe mental Labour —Moody Apprehensions—Last Contribution to the Witness—Frightful Symptoms—The Closing Scene.
You might also like to read his book, "My Schools and Schoolmasters" under the link I provide on the book index page.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/miller/
Robert Burns Lives!
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By Frank Shaw
The History of The Burns Club of London: 1868 to 1968 Part I By Clark McGinn
This is Part 1 of a two part story and we assume Part 2 will be with us next week. Here is how Frank sets the scene for this Part...
When Susan and I were in London several years ago, we were honored to be guests at a luncheon hosted by The Burns Club of London at the city’s prestigious Caledonian Club. No one has ever experienced more warmth and hospitality from Burns Club members anywhere. Then Club President Walter Watson had set the wheels in motion for the event, and it was there I met a most interesting man by the name of Clark McGinn. We have stayed in touch ever since, and Clark’s outstanding, comprehensive, and well-documented articles on Burns have appeared in the pages of Robert Burns Lives! many times.
At that same luncheon I was also privileged to meet Jim Henderson who now serves as Honorary Secretary of the Club. Thanks to emails and trips to London, the three of us, along with our wives, have built a lasting friendship. Jim recently sent me a history of the first one hundred years of the Burns Club of London and mentioned that Clark might be updating it for the club’s 150th anniversary. Naturally I contacted Clark and asked him for an article regarding his efforts, and you will enjoy below the result of that request.
Jim and Clark have both served as President of The Burns Club of London which was founded in 1868. Thanks to these two men, I am a proud Associate Member, and I extend my gratitude to Jim for sharing its historical information and to Clark for contributing an extremely interesting article on the club. A lot of histories such as this are usually “dead on arrival” but this is indeed an exception, and I’m certain you will enjoy both articles. Today’s Part I is actually an introduction to next week’s Part II, the history of the club printed in 1968. Now you will meet one of the finest Burnsians of all time – Colin Rae Brown.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives124.htm
Previous articles can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
James Legge, Missionary and Scholar
-----------------------------------
By his daughter, Helen Edith Legge (1905)
We're now making a start of this book of a fascinating individual. Here is what the Preface has to say...
DR LEGGE'S thirty-three years of missionary service in Malacca and Hong Kong ended in 1870. Other work as Professor of Chinese in the University of Oxford, was taken up by him in 1877, and continued until his death in 1897. An account of some salient episodes in his life was prepared by one of his daughters, at first as a labour of love for private circulation alone. There seemed, however, so much in this of interest historically in relation to the beginnings of mission work in China, so much that brought out the fine qualities of the Chinese character, and so much that showed the many-sided activities of the zealous missionary and strenuous pioneer in a new colony, that it was determined to issue the account to a wider circle.
Seeing that his missionary work ended over thirty years ago, a more detailed account than is here given would have had interest only to a few who could remember him personally; and a fuller account of his work in Chinese scholarship, desirable though this might be in many respects, would have appealed to but a small number of students. And, moreover, to have dealt adequately with the literary side of Dr Legge's career would have taxed heavily the time and energy of a scholar versed in the language and thought of China. The Rev. Richard Lovett, who had shown much interest and sympathy in the preparation of the biography, died immediately after the manuscript went to press. To him, and even more to Mr D. J. Legg of The Religious Tract Society, thanks are due for invaluable assistance in enlarging the scope of the original account, assistance rendered at the cost of considerable labour and thought.
We have the first few chapters up now which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/legge/index.htm
Everyday Life in Prehistoric Times
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I found this interesting wee book which I thought I'd add to the site. I actually found a version which went on to examine early life up to the iron age so decided to select that one to add to the site. That book was missing the Introduction and the first two pages of the book so I found the other edition just on Prehistoric times and ocr'd that in to the page.
Essentially I find this history rather interesting but of course it is before any written records and so can only be written from what has been found in archealogicasl remains. That said I thought you might find this book of interest and it has lots of illustrations. You can read it at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...rehistoric.htm
Beth's New Fangled Family Tree
------------------------------
Edited by Beth Gay
The August edition is now available with Beth's usual collection of interesting articles and can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
And as I mentioned above she is starting to post some of the many pictures she has taken in our Community.
Wild Scottish Clans
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Found this wee book and thought it made a great wee read and so have made it available for you in one complete book. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/wild.htm
Songs from John Henderson
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John has sent us in another three of his songs which can be read at the foot of his page at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Eighteenth Century Highland Landlords and the Poverty Problem
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Found this 2 part article which gives an excellent picture of Scotland in times of population growth and scarcity of food. I've extracted these into a pdf file and have added it to another article by the same author at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist..._highlands.htm
Clan Leslie International
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We got in a copy of their July 2011 newletter which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
And to finish...
Humor of the Southern States of USA .... but only in the south
Alabama
A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.
"Where's Henry?" the others asked.
"Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.
"You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired.
"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"
Georgia
The owner of a golf course in Georgia was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.
He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."
Louisiana
A senior citizen in Louisiana was overheard saying ... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana."
When asked why, he replied, "I'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world."
North Carolina
A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.
A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.
The man replied, "I have a flat tire."
The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"
The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."
Tennessee
A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"
The driver replied, "Bout whut?"
Texas
The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch.
The Sheriff asked, "Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don't you see that sign right over your head."
"Yep", he replied. "That's why I'm dumpin' it here, cause it says:
'Fine For Dumping Garbage'."
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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Electric Scotland News
Electric Scotland Community
The Flag in the Wind
Historical Tales of the Wars of Scotland
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
Memoirs of the Jacobites
R. B. Cunninghame Graham, Fighter for Justice
Our Australian Cousins
Memoirs of Robert Dollar
The Life of Hugh Miller
Robert Burns Lives!
James Legge, Missionary and Scholar (New book)
Everyday Life in Prehistoric Times
Beth's New Fangled Family Tree
Wild Scottish Clans (Complete New book)
Songs from John Henderson
Eighteenth Century Highland Landlords and the Poverty Problem
Clan Leslie
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
Our friend Stan Bruce, the Bard of Banff is spending four weekends in Edinburgh and is taking loads of pictures. He's already posted up some 70 odd pictures in our Gallery in the Electric Scotland Community for which see more below.
The point of mentioning this in the news item is that he said if anyone had any requests for specific pictures he'd do his best to try and take them. And so if you email me with any places you'd like picture taken I'll pass on your requests. I'm thinking here that some of you may have roots in Edinburgh and thus if you knew of an address where your ancestors lived we might be able to get a picture taken.
-----
As I mentioned last week I was thinking of building a Canadian history site. I have now made the decision to do that. It will take some time for the domain to go live as I need to start building the content to get it started.
I also have the difficult job of trying to decide a menu structure fot the site. The major difference between the two sites is that Canada is an immigrant nation and so you can't really tell Canadan's story without telling the story of the immigrants from all parts of the world. Also as most Provinces are larger than the whole of Great Britain it seems sensible to organise things by Province but then we also have the situation of the First Nations which also deserves it's own section.
One problem I've always had with Scotland is the lack of modern information as Scots are simply not willing to help. I suspect this will also be the case for Canada as on the whole it seems that people are not prepared to help other web sites in their research preferring to focus on their own web sites. This probably means I'll again be constrained to antiquarian material which I actually have a lot of.
What I need is some of the history of ethnic groups and so if anyone reading this can help with providing information or point me in the direction of someone else that can help I'd appreciate it.
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
---------------------------
As mentioned above Stan Bruce is building a great collection of pictures of Edinburgh and at last count had over 70 added to our Gallery. He's organised them in various galleries. For example he has pictures from the Royal Mile, others of Greyfriars Bobby, etc. You can view these at http://www.electricscotland.org/albumall.php?
And Beth Gay is also starting to post some of her pictures in the community and she has a lot of these.
Our community can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.org 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. In it he refers to an interview with a Welsh economist which you can find at
I have had an email in from Christina McKelvie apologising for not sending in a diary entry but she's just been extremely busy. She is now off for a few weeks holiday but when she returns she says she'll take up where she left of.
You can get to the Flag at http://www.scotsindependent.org
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 4 volumes. We intend to post up 2 or 3 stories each week until complete.
This week we've added...
Exploits of Sir James Douglas
The Sixth Earl of Douglas
The Battle of Culloden
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
--------------------------------
Added some more poems...
Strathardle Gathering
James Fleming
Crazy Football
which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger.htm
Memoirs of the Jacobites
------------------------
Of 1715 and 1745 by Mrs Thomson (1845) in 3 volumes. We intend to add a chapter a week until complete.
I've now added "Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat"
The account starts...
THE memoirs of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, have been written in various forms, and with a great diversity of opinions. Some have composed accounts of this singular, depraved, and unfortunate man, with the evident determination to give to every action the darkest possible tinge; others have waived all discussion on his demerits by insisting largely upon the fame and antiquity of his family. He has himself bequeathed to posterity an apology for his life, and from his word we are bound to take so much, but only so much, as may accord with the statements of others in mitigation of the heinous facts which blast his memory with eternal opprobrium.
As far as the researches into the remote antiquity of Scotland may be relied upon, it appears that the name of Fraser was amongst the first of those which Scotland derived from Normandy, and the origin of this name has been referred to the remote age of Charles the Simple. A nobleman of Bourbon—such is the fable,—-presented that monarch with a dish of strawberries. The loyal subject, who bore the name of Julius De Berry, was knighted on the spot, and the surname of Fraize was given him in lieu of that which he had borne. Hence the ancient armorial bearing of the Frasers, a field azure, seme with strawberries: and hence the w idely-spreading connection of the Frasers with the noble family of Frezeau, or Frezel. in France, a race connected with many of the royal families in Europe. For a considerable period after the elevation of .Julius de Berry, the name was written Frezeau, or Frisil.
The period at which the Frasers* left Normandy for Scotland has been assigned to the. days of Malcolm Canmore, where John, the eldest of three brothers of the house, founded the fortunes of the Frasers of Oliver Castle in Tweedale, by marrying Eupheme Sloan, heiress of Tweedale: whilst another brother settled beyond the Forth, and became possessed of the lands of Inverkeithing. Eventually those members of this Norman race who had at first settled in Tweedale, branched off to Aberdeenshire, and to Inverness-shire; and it was in this latter county, at Beaufort, a property which had been long held by his family, that the famous Lord Lovat was born.
You can read the rest of this long story at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter11.htm
You can read the other chapters as we get them up at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/jacobites
R. B. Cunninghame Graham, Fighter for Justice
---------------------------------------------
An Appreciation of his Social and Religious Outlook by Ian M. Fraser (2002).
Added another chapter to this account...
Social Conviction Part 3
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/graham/
Our Australian Cousins
----------------------
By James Inglis (1880)
We've added the following chapters this week...
Chapter VIII.
Return to Brisbane—A ride by rail to Ipswich—Scenery on the line—Venality of legislators—The Bathurst burr—Grass seeds—The sida retusa—Ipswich—The Grange Stud Farm —The horse trade with India—An Indo-Australian trading company—Excellence of Australian stock.
Chapter IX.
Natural wealth of Australia—Neglect of agriculture—Proposals to establish experimental farms—Apathy, indolence, and ignorance prevalent—My own experiments with Indian seeds—Indian products for Australia—Resume of the salient points of indigo culture—Probable result of its introduction into Australia—Mustard and rape seeds—How grown— Linseed — Sesamum — Castor plant —Hemp—Safflower— Millets—General remarks.
Chapter X.
The marsupial plague—Young of the marsupiata born—What is a marsupial?—Able account by a "Bush Naturalist".
Chapter XI.
A kangaroo battue—Mr. Bracker of Warroo—The Darling Downs—Warwick and Stanthorpe—Varieties of marsupials —Pikedale Station—The scene of operations—The line— The beaters—Old wombat—The beat—Fierce excitement— Incidents of the sport—A Spartan meal—Camping out—A monster bag—Waste of skins—How these might be utilized —A letter from the Globe on the subject—Pikedale Wash Pool—Tin mining—The present and future of Queensland.
Chapter XII.
Sydney—Her magnificent harbour—Its unrivalled beauties— The city—General charge of dirtiness—Not so bad as it is generally painted—Comparison of Sydney with other towns —Sydney for her age a wonderful city—Eapid extension— General aspect of the city—The suburbs—Suburban villas— Sydney freestone—Small allotments and undue subdivision of land—Absence of cottage gardens—Want of sanitation— The term "Cornstalk"—Sydney streets—Public buildings —Causes of her chronic indebtedness—Unfitness of her aldermen—Testimony of one of their number—Summary.
Chapter XIII.
Sydney shop-fronts—Verandahs—Hitching horses to the side- posts—Wonderful docility of the horses—How they are trained—Cabs and cabmen—The hotels—Drinking habits— The licensing system—Need of reform—Hotels and boarding-houses—The parks—Municipal incompetence—Loun*gers on the pavements—Shop-runners—The streets on Saturday night—The Sydney Larrikin—Selfishness of the wealthier classes—Honour to whom honour is due.
Chapter XIV.
Workmen's combinations—Fear of strikes retards industry— Condition of the Australian workmen—Swagsmen and Loafers—Friendly Benefit Societies—Rules, working, and objects—The Club doctor—Abuses in the system—Acci*dent Assurance—Comparison—Life Assurance—The Mutual Provident Society—The Mutual Life Association—Insur*ance agents—Insurance returns—Australian prosperity— Building Societies—Workmen's wages—Labour—Summary.
Here is a bit from Chapter XI...
If my readers have attentively perused the foregoing lucid description, by a Bush Naturalist, he will now have a pretty good idea of the natural history of the kangaroo, and I may resume the thread of my personal experiences. Mr. Harry Bracker of Warroo, my genial host, seeing an account of one of our Indian battues after deer, had determined to give the battue system a trial. Let me try to picture to you a kangaroo battue as I saw and participated in it. He organized a mob of beaters, black and white, and these, mounted on active horses that climb like cats, and are as sure-footed as the ibex, scour the creeks, gullies, ridges, and slopes, and driving on the multitudes of kangaroos in a semi-circle before them, the animals are forced on to a line of shooters posted behind trees at intervals of from 80 to 100 yards. Every advantage is taken of the formation of the ground, the direction of the wind, &c. The battue, when I joined the party, had been going on for about six weeks. There had been on an average from twelve to fourteen guns at work daily, and the astounding total of 16,000 odd of these destructive and useless animals had been bagged; indeed, had the very young ones and badly wounded been counted the total would certainly have exceeded 20,000. The battue was a grand success, the excitement intense; the sport of its kind most excellent.
Hearing that all sportsmen were made heartily welcome, and having been asked to visit the district by several influential run-holders, I made a start from Brisbane on Monday, and taking rail for Warwick, the principal town in the Darling Downs district, I arrived there on the same day. The Downs proper are broad, undulating, grass-covered steppes; the soil rich, black, and admirably suited for agricultural purposes. This land to a certain extent has been taken up by free selectors, and is no doubt destined to become a vast grain-producing district.
The train up to Toowoomba passed over some very steep gradients and winding curves. The great dividing range lies spread out before us as we sweep along; range behind range, tier above tier of densely wooded hills; every peak a mass of verdure, all of a uniform sombre tint. The stillness is unbroken by cry of bird or beast. There is no glinting of stream or flashing of waterfall. Deep gullies, dried-up creeks, and bold crags and precipices there are in plenty; but, except in some gloomy stagnant pool, far in the depths of the pathless bush, there is no water. I can realize now what an awful thing it must be to be "lost in the bush." There had been a severe drought here for months, and anything more arid, withered, and utterly desolate could scarcely be conceived than the rocky slopes and the ridges about.
You can read more of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter11.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/auscousins/
Memoirs of Robert Dollar
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By the Robert Dollar Company in 2 volumes (1917)
We have now completed Volume I as now onto Volume 2 by adding the fist 7 chapters.
In Chapter 1 we learn...
WHILE making a trip on board the steamship Wenatchcc from Seattle to Shanghai during month of April, 1921, I resumed the writing of my memoirs which I had discontinued with the close of the year 1916. I commenced the year 1917 by presenting to the San Francisco T'heological Seminary, of San Anselmo; California, a check for $50,000 to endow the Chair of New Testament Interpretation, of which Dr. E. Wisher was the professor. The endowment has been named "The Robert Dollar Chair."
In looking over my diary, I find the following entry on the first of January: "I commence the year in humble and perfect trust in God's guidance in all that is before me during all of this year."
Getting together a number of San Franciscans that were interested in the trade of China, we formed what was called "The China Commercial Club," at the first meeting of which there were forty prominent merchants present. The object of the club was to increase and further develop the trade between China and the United States, particularly the Pacific Coast. It turned out to be successful in after years, and increased not only the trade, but the friendship between the two countries, as many distinguished men were entertained.
For many years I have been a director of the Seaboard National Bank and lately of the Anglo & London Paris National Bank, both of San Francisco; but as it is illegal to serve on the directorates of two national banks, by mutual arrangement with the presidents, I resigned from the Seaboard and my son Stanley was elected to succeed me.
In January 1917 I addressed a meeting of bankers at Oakland on the subject, "Foreign Trade a Necessity to United States Prosperity."
A great deal of my time was taken up attending meetings, I at that time being president of many companies, Shipowners' Association, Y. M. C. A., Theological Seminary, Merchants' Exchange, Douglas Fir Club, and others.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...2chapter01.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/rdollar/
The Life of Hugh Miller
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A Sketch for Working Men (1862)
Have now completed this book with...
Chapter VIII.
Dawn of Hugh Miller's Literary Fame— Writes his Autobiography—Casual Interview with his Future Wife—Appointed Accountant in a Commercial Bank—His Marriage—Continues his Literary Labours—Enters the Arena of Church Controversy—Letter to Lord Brougham—Appointed Editor of the Witness—His Independence and Success.
Chapter IX.
Motives for Entering the Arena of Strife— Donald Roy of Nigg—A Remarkable Secession.
Chapter X.
Spirit of the Witness—Geological Papers— His Lecturer—Effect of severe mental Labour —Moody Apprehensions—Last Contribution to the Witness—Frightful Symptoms—The Closing Scene.
You might also like to read his book, "My Schools and Schoolmasters" under the link I provide on the book index page.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/miller/
Robert Burns Lives!
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By Frank Shaw
The History of The Burns Club of London: 1868 to 1968 Part I By Clark McGinn
This is Part 1 of a two part story and we assume Part 2 will be with us next week. Here is how Frank sets the scene for this Part...
When Susan and I were in London several years ago, we were honored to be guests at a luncheon hosted by The Burns Club of London at the city’s prestigious Caledonian Club. No one has ever experienced more warmth and hospitality from Burns Club members anywhere. Then Club President Walter Watson had set the wheels in motion for the event, and it was there I met a most interesting man by the name of Clark McGinn. We have stayed in touch ever since, and Clark’s outstanding, comprehensive, and well-documented articles on Burns have appeared in the pages of Robert Burns Lives! many times.
At that same luncheon I was also privileged to meet Jim Henderson who now serves as Honorary Secretary of the Club. Thanks to emails and trips to London, the three of us, along with our wives, have built a lasting friendship. Jim recently sent me a history of the first one hundred years of the Burns Club of London and mentioned that Clark might be updating it for the club’s 150th anniversary. Naturally I contacted Clark and asked him for an article regarding his efforts, and you will enjoy below the result of that request.
Jim and Clark have both served as President of The Burns Club of London which was founded in 1868. Thanks to these two men, I am a proud Associate Member, and I extend my gratitude to Jim for sharing its historical information and to Clark for contributing an extremely interesting article on the club. A lot of histories such as this are usually “dead on arrival” but this is indeed an exception, and I’m certain you will enjoy both articles. Today’s Part I is actually an introduction to next week’s Part II, the history of the club printed in 1968. Now you will meet one of the finest Burnsians of all time – Colin Rae Brown.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives124.htm
Previous articles can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
James Legge, Missionary and Scholar
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By his daughter, Helen Edith Legge (1905)
We're now making a start of this book of a fascinating individual. Here is what the Preface has to say...
DR LEGGE'S thirty-three years of missionary service in Malacca and Hong Kong ended in 1870. Other work as Professor of Chinese in the University of Oxford, was taken up by him in 1877, and continued until his death in 1897. An account of some salient episodes in his life was prepared by one of his daughters, at first as a labour of love for private circulation alone. There seemed, however, so much in this of interest historically in relation to the beginnings of mission work in China, so much that brought out the fine qualities of the Chinese character, and so much that showed the many-sided activities of the zealous missionary and strenuous pioneer in a new colony, that it was determined to issue the account to a wider circle.
Seeing that his missionary work ended over thirty years ago, a more detailed account than is here given would have had interest only to a few who could remember him personally; and a fuller account of his work in Chinese scholarship, desirable though this might be in many respects, would have appealed to but a small number of students. And, moreover, to have dealt adequately with the literary side of Dr Legge's career would have taxed heavily the time and energy of a scholar versed in the language and thought of China. The Rev. Richard Lovett, who had shown much interest and sympathy in the preparation of the biography, died immediately after the manuscript went to press. To him, and even more to Mr D. J. Legg of The Religious Tract Society, thanks are due for invaluable assistance in enlarging the scope of the original account, assistance rendered at the cost of considerable labour and thought.
We have the first few chapters up now which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/legge/index.htm
Everyday Life in Prehistoric Times
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I found this interesting wee book which I thought I'd add to the site. I actually found a version which went on to examine early life up to the iron age so decided to select that one to add to the site. That book was missing the Introduction and the first two pages of the book so I found the other edition just on Prehistoric times and ocr'd that in to the page.
Essentially I find this history rather interesting but of course it is before any written records and so can only be written from what has been found in archealogicasl remains. That said I thought you might find this book of interest and it has lots of illustrations. You can read it at http://www.electricscotland.com/book...rehistoric.htm
Beth's New Fangled Family Tree
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Edited by Beth Gay
The August edition is now available with Beth's usual collection of interesting articles and can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
And as I mentioned above she is starting to post some of the many pictures she has taken in our Community.
Wild Scottish Clans
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Found this wee book and thought it made a great wee read and so have made it available for you in one complete book. You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/wild.htm
Songs from John Henderson
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John has sent us in another three of his songs which can be read at the foot of his page at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Eighteenth Century Highland Landlords and the Poverty Problem
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Found this 2 part article which gives an excellent picture of Scotland in times of population growth and scarcity of food. I've extracted these into a pdf file and have added it to another article by the same author at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist..._highlands.htm
Clan Leslie International
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We got in a copy of their July 2011 newletter which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
And to finish...
Humor of the Southern States of USA .... but only in the south
Alabama
A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.
"Where's Henry?" the others asked.
"Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.
"You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired.
"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"
Georgia
The owner of a golf course in Georgia was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.
He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"
The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."
Louisiana
A senior citizen in Louisiana was overheard saying ... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana."
When asked why, he replied, "I'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world."
North Carolina
A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.
A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.
The man replied, "I have a flat tire."
The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"
The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."
Tennessee
A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"
The driver replied, "Bout whut?"
Texas
The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch.
The Sheriff asked, "Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don't you see that sign right over your head."
"Yep", he replied. "That's why I'm dumpin' it here, cause it says:
'Fine For Dumping Garbage'."
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com