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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
Through the Long Day
Tent Life in Tigerland
Sketches Illustrating the Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada
The Aberdeen Doctors
Cartoons on how China will own America some day
The Life of Thomas Telford (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree (September 2011 edition)
Recounting Blessings
John's Scottish Singalong
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
We would really like to stop this list and if you remember when you joined up all you did was to click on a link, add your name and email address and then we sent you an email asking you to confirm your subscription by clicking on a link in the email and that was you on the list.
Well it's almost as simple as that through the Electric Scotland Community. You go to http://www.electricscotland.org and click on the link to Register. You get a very short form to complete and when completed we send you an email once again to ask you to confirm you want to join by clicking on a link in the email. Having done that you are a member of the community. The only other step you need to take is to go to the Electric Scotland Newsletter forum and when you click on that to open it up you'll see on the menu bar "Forum Tools" by clicking on that a drop down menu appears and one of the options is to "subscribe" and by clicking on that you are now on the new list. This means any time I add a new newsletter you'll get an email telling you of the new post with a link to click to go directly to that current issue.
The only twist is that when you sign up for a membership of the community is that we ask for your date of birth. The only reason for that is we try to be child friendly so if we identify you are 13 years of age or younger we would ask for your parents email address so we can contact them to ask their permission to allow their child to access the forums. There is also an option to hide your age and date of birth so it won't display. Mind you having entered that information you would get an email from us wishing you a Happy Birthday! :-)
I might add that now you are on that new list it really doesn't matter if you forget your username or password as the newsletter can be viewed by guests as well but you do need to be a member so we know you're email address to send the announcement to.
And so perhaps you would consider doing this as we're using really old software for the list and we've just been told that support for it is no longer available.
-----
I confess to working more on the www.SavannahJohnston.com web site this week. I guess that is because I can see so many ways it could develop and I'm actually quite jealous of the opportunities before her to turn this into a fantastic community project. The idea is to develop a Community Directory and What's On guide. There are also so many spin offs from this that the potential is awesome. In many ways this is what I tried to do with first the Gairloch & Loch Maree project and then again with the Lossiemouth project. The big difference here is that Savannah lives in the area and already knows many of the people and businesses in it.
She took a fall at the early part of the week and tore a ligament so has been confined to working from home so things have stalled a bit. It may well be worth your time to watch how this project develop as it could be used as a template to create other local community projects around the world.
-----
I'm still working on my new www.electriccanadian.com site. The idea is to get up as quickly as possible a good base of information so that there is plenty of good information to read. Once the base is there I'll be able to add new information on a regular basis much as I do on Electric Scotland. This week I completed...
Travel Links
I have added a series of links to my various travel journals which I documented when coming to Canada for 6 months around 2005. I spent time in Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia and you will find these in the History section of the site. Took lots of pictures so you can see what the areas look like.
Backwoods of Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...oods/index.htm
Being Letters From The Wife Of An Emigrant Officer, Illustrative Of The Domestic Economy Of British America by Catharine Parr Traill. This is a rather unique account being written from a woman's point of view.
The Pioneers http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...oods/index.htm
by Angus A MacKenzie. This is an excellent one page description of the work of the pioneers.
An Abridged History of Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
By William Henry Withrow. I feel most people simply don't have the time to read large histories of a country so this abridged history gives the highlights of the main events.
History of New Brunswick http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...tory/index.htm
Added the two volume history of this Province.
The Seaforth Highlanders in Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ighlanders.htm
By W. Neil Fraser.
The Great Canadian Tunebook http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/tunebook.htm
I commented to Doug Ross that I had attended a night out amongst Scots and that as we were singing Scots songs one of the folk in the bar asked us if we didn't know any Canadian songs. We found the only Canadian song anyone knew was the National Anthem, O Canada. And so a little time later Doug sent me a few emails on the subject which I gathered together here.
Canadians do it Better! http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/better.htm
This was taken from MacLean's Magazine in 2009 as there celebration of Canada Day. Each of the graphics in here are clickable to a larger and more readable image.
I might add that to my horror when I went in last night I found none of the menu links worked. I did a small change to the header but forgot that as a result I needed to re-create the links but forgot. Now fixed!
-----
We started a new book about Thomas Telford the great civil engineer for which see more below.
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
---------------------------
Mind when you read this newsletter try clicking on "New Posts" in the menu and see what folk are talking about.
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. I note he is starting to address some of the questions folk are raising about Independence. I'm not sure he is dealing with these in an appropriate manner but none the less of interest.
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.
Added this week...
Lord of the Isles
Massacre of Glencoe
Execution of Lady Warriston
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
--------------------------------
Added some more poems...
Strathardle Ploughing Match
Blair Fiddle and Accordion Club
John Cairney at "Edelweiss"
Glenisla Gathering
Alyth Show
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 "William Boyd, Earl of Kilmarnock"
The account starts...
The unfortunate nobleman who is the subject of this Memoir, could boast of as long line of ancestors as most families in Europe. Among his forefathers were men eminent fur loyalty, and distinguished for bravery, and of honour as untainted as their blood; but when William, fourth Earl of Kilmarnock, succeeded to his title, there was little except this high ancestry to elate him with pride, or to raise him above dependence upon circumstances.
The Earl of Kilmarnock derived his title from a royal borough of the same name, in the shire of Cunningham in Ayrshire; and, in former times when the chieftainship was in repute in that part of Scotland, that branch of the family of Boyd, or Boyde, from whom the Earl was descended, claimed to be chiefs.
The greatness of the Boyd family commenced with Simon, the brother of Walter, first High Steward of Scotland, and founder of the Monastery of Paisley, in 1160. Robert, the son of Simon, is designated in the foundation church of that monastery, as nephew of Walter, High Steward ; and is distinguished on account of his fair complexion, by the word Boyt, or Boyd, from the Celtic Boidh, signifying fair, or yellow. "He was," says Nisbet, "doubtless, predecessor to the Lords Boyd, and Earls of Kilmarnock.
The family of Boyd continued to flourish until, in the fifteenth century, it was ennobled by James the Third, who owed to one of its members, Sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow esteemed to be a mirror of chivalry, an inculcation into the military exercises, which were deemed, in those days, essential to the education of royalty. But the sunshine of kingly favour was not enjoyed by the Boyds without some alloy. Robert Boyd of Kilmarnock, who was raised to the peerage, under the title of Lord Boyd, and whose eldest son was created Earl of Arran, experienced various vicissitudes. He died in England, in exile; and his brother, Sir Alexander, perished in 146i9, on a scaffold, erected on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh. The fortunes of the family were, however, restored in the person of Thomas, Earl of Arran, who married the eldest sister of King James the Third. The beautiful island of Arran was given as the dower of this lady: and her husband, who is said in the Paston Letters to have been a "light, clever, and well-spoken, fair archer; devoutest, most perfect, and truest to his lady, of Knights," enjoyed a short gleam of royal favour. His vicissitudes, however, befel him whilst on an embassy in Denmark, his enemies undermined him at home : he was driven to wander in foreign countries, and died at Antwerp, where a magnificent monument was erected to his memory, "by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. His title was attainted, hut his property was restored to his son ; and in 1655, the title of Earl of Kilmarnock was added to that of Lord Boyd, which alone seems to have been retained by the family during the intervening generations.
You can read the rest of this long story at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter15.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...
The Creator
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/graham/
Through the Long Day
--------------------
Or Memorials of a Literary Life during half a century by Charles MacKay LL.D. (1887)
This week have added...
Chapter III.—The Eglinton Tournament — Ascent of Goatfell, in Arran
and
Part III of The Scottish Language and its Literary History
You can get to all this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mackay/
Tent Life in Tigerland
----------------------
In which is incorporated "Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier" being twelve years reminiscences of a pioneer planter in an Indian Frontier District by James Inglis (1892)
We are now up to Chapter XIII of this book.
Here is a list of the chapters for this week...
Chapter VII. - Never trust a tiger
Exaggerated yarns—Man-eating tigers—An easy prey—"On the watsh"—A common tragedy—"Mourning in soma lowly hut" - The Pertaubgunj tiger—Shifting camp—An obstinate elephant— River-side scenery—Revolver practice—Sa7amet—Rapacity of servants—A halt—Enquiry—We fi>r;n line—The beat—Elephants uneasy—The min-eater breaks cover—A tame termination—False security—"Look out, boys; it's alive!"—A dying effort and a costly bite—An instance of cool heroism—In the jaws of a tiger—A plucky rescue—Moral: "Never trust e tiger".
Chapter VIII. - Old Times.
The old well—The Fakeer—A pious old hermit—Jvgees—Pagan cruelties—Peter the braggart—Soured by bad luck—Scotch Hindostanee—Puter pot valiant—His "teeger" story-—An ignominious collapse—The real truth of the matter—The "Blue Devils"—Practical joking—The rough pioneer days—Police tortures—"Old Hu'.man Sahib''—A novel punishment—The old regime changed—Modern progress.
Chapter IX. - A Chapter on "pig-stickin".
Getting under weigh—Tally-ho!—Game afoot—A cunning old tusker—one man down—At our wits end —A ghat ahead—The bow is a "jinker"—A comical interlude--"Now's the chance" —First spear!—A desperate fight for life—Death of the boar— Eulogy on the sport—The Queenslander on Indian sports— "Hints to Hog Hunters" from The Oriental Snorting Magazine.
Chapter X. - An Exciting Night Watch
Belated at Fusseah—The old Chowkeydar—Starching for supper— The dilapidated bungalow—The Gomastah's news—Tigers close by—Proposal to sit up for a shot—Shooting from pits—Night scenes in the jungle—A silent watch—A misty figure through the gloom—A sudden roar—The challenge accepted—The plot thickens—The young tiger and the old boar—A death-struggle— Savage beasts in mortal conflict—Defiant to the last—Trophies of the night.
Chapter XI. - Police Rascality
The native village police then and now—The power of the Daroga —Exactions from the peasantry—My attitude to the police— The village jury system—My neighbour down the river—A bungalow of the olden time—The ch.abv.tra—Changed methods now of dealing with natives-—Taking villages in lease—Measuring the new lands—Native disaffection—Police plottings—The Dhaus—A welcome visitor—Out with the doctor-—Put up a tiger—A resultless beat—A day's general shooting—Events down the river—Cholera—Death in the lonely hut—Spies at work-—A devilish plot—Concocting false evidence—A late call—Making a night of it—In the morning—Accused of murder—The arrest — Reserves his defence—The trial—Excitement in court-—Appearances all against the planter—Turning the tables—The case breaks down—Discomfiture of the Police.
Chapter XII. - An Eventful Day.
The famine of 1874—Nature of relief works—Fatalism—Humane tendencies of British rule — Epidemics — Sharp contrasts— Crowded incidents of planter life—A fierce hail-storm—A runaway elephant—Through the forest—Hue and cry after a thief— A desperate fugitive—Setting an ambush—Female furies—An exciting diversion—A desperate scuffle—Capture—Tactics of the female gipsies—Horrible cruelty—A hapless little one—Outwitted!—The robber escapes—Feasting amid famine—A Brahmin bhoj—Appearance of the village—The guests—The cookery— The feast — Strange plates—A motley melange—Prodigious appetite—Once more on the road—Reach Soopole—Hospitable reception.
Chapter XIII. - Famine and Fighting
Early spring in India—"The Black District"—Desperate straits— One ghastly group—Relief works—Conservatism of Latives—The easy-going style of work—A zealous young reformer—Glowing visions—Wheelbarrow reform—Irritating — Explaining— Theory- —Actual practice—-Back to the old style—The coolies— Sad scenes—Poor suffering humanity—The terrible hunger— Bick to Hoolas—The seed industry—Native dodgery—Tricks and tests of the seed traie—Mode of contract—Fluctuations of the market—A slippery neighbour—News of a meditated looting expedition—The Oolail—Preparing for a fight—Call out the levies—Disposition of our forces—News of the raiders—Confronting the robbers—Their insolent audacity—A knick-dcwa blow — "Wigs on the green"—A regular ruction—"Loot" and "lay on"—The tide of battle—Victory!
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tentlife/
Sketches Illustrating the Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada
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By J. A. MacDonell (1983)
We added Chapters 8 through 14 this week.
In Chapter 8 we learn...
Services of Sir John Johnson.-2oo.ooo Acres Abandoned by Him in the United States—Lord Dorchester Recommends Him as First Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada-Policy of Home Government Opposed to the appointment of Residents to the Government—Despatch of the Colonial Secretary.— First Reference to Glengarry Settlement. — Colonel John Macdonell (Aberchalder) and His Brother Hugh Macdonell Elected Members in First Parliament of Upper Canada—He. is Elected its Speaker—List of Members—Some Facts Relating to them—Acts Passed at First Session.
Sir John Johnson, who had been so intimately associated with those who became the first settlers of Glengarry, did not altogether sever his connection with them. Portion of the land which was allotted to him in consideration of his signal services to the Crown was situated in the County of Glengarry in the immediate vicinity of what is wknown as "Stone House Point." He had, I am told, selected a site for his residence, of which the foundation had been been laid, where the house now occupied by Colonel Alexander Fraser is built on the River St. Lawrence, on what is now known as Fraser's Point.
Judge Pringle states that what are locally known as "The Indian Lands," a narrow strip between the western townships of Glengarry and the eastern ones of Stormont, are said to have been intended for Sir John Johnson, and to have been held for the Indians on Sir John's declining to accept of them. This, of course, would have been a very extensive grant - many thousands of acres—yet it must be remembered that, as stated by Mr. Stone "he voluntarily gave up domains m what is now the United States larger and fairer than had ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, William Penn only excepted," and that of ail the eminent men among the Loyalists none were at all comparable to him, either as regards the extent of the sacrifices made or the importance of the services rendered through out the War from its commencement to its close. Two hundred thousand acres of valuable land was what he surrendered.
He also owned a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Williamstown, so named by him after his father, Sir William, and where he built the first mills. As showing the interest which Sir John Johnson took in the County of Glengarry, it may be mentioned that on the 25th of June, 1814, he presented to Neil McLean, then Sheriff of the Eastern District, and his successors in office, twelve acres of land in Williamstown for the purpose of a fair ground for the people of the Counties, being the site of the present Glengarry Agricultural Society grounds. He never, however, permanently resided in Glengarry, the nature of his occupation not permitting of it. He had been appointed at the close of the War Superintendent General and Inspector-General of the Six Nation Indians, his commission as such being dated March 14th, 1782. He was Colonel-in-Chief of the Six Battalions of Militia of the Eastern Townships, and a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada, to which he was summoned 24th January, 1797. He had been knighted by the King in his father's lifetime, at St. James on the 22nd November, 1765, when but twenty-three years of age. The Rev. Mr. Campbell mentions in his "History of St. Gabriel Church, Montreal," that the Patent of Baronetcy, conferred upon his father, contains a most singular clause, which gives the title of "Knight" to the eldest son in this family on his attaining his majority. Sir John was always, in official documents, designated, after his father's death, as "Knight and Baronet," thus showing that the Knighthood did not merge in the Baronetcy. He owned the Seigniory of Argenteuil, and was for many years a. conspicuous figure in Canada. He was born on November 5th, 1742, and died at his residence, St. Mary's, in the County of Rouville, on January 4th, 1830, in the eighty-ninth year of his age, and was buried in the family vault at his seat on the south side of the St. Lawrence, near Montreal. He is described in Jones' "History of New York" as bold, resolute, spirited, brave and active, and his career undoubtedly proved it.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...y/chapter8.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glengarry/
The Aberdeen Doctors
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A noteable group of Scottish Theologians of the first Episcopal period, 1610 to 1638, and the bearing of their teaching on some questions of the present time by D. MacMillan (1909).
We have now completed this book with some 11 very informative appendix entries.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tors/index.htm
Cartoons on how China will own America some day
-----------------------------------------------
Got sent in some cartoons which surfaced in China abd while I guess our American friends won't be overally happy I guess they reflect the current situation in the world. Our thanks to Ron Dow for sending these in.
You can see these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter09.htm
The Life of Thomas Telford
--------------------------
Civil engineer with an introductory history of roads and travelling in Great Britain by Samuel Smiles
A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
The present is a revised and in some respects enlarged edition of the 'Life of Telford,' originally published in the 'Lives of the Engineers,' to which is prefixed an account of the early roads and modes of travelling in Britain.
From this volume, read in connection with the Lives of George and Robert Stephenson, in which the origin and extension of Railways is described, an idea may be formed of the extraordinary progress which has been made in opening up the internal communications of this country during the last century.
Among the principal works executed by Telford in the course of his life, were the great highways constructed by him in North Wales and the Scotch Highlands, through districts formerly almost inaccessible, but which are now as easily traversed as any English county.
By means of these roads, and the facilities afforded by railways, the many are now enabled to visit with ease and comfort magnificent mountain scenery, which before was only the costly privilege of the few; at the same time that their construction has exercised a most beneficial influence on the population of the districts themselves.
The Highland roads, which were constructed with the active assistance of the Government, and were maintained partly at the public expense until within the last few years, had the effect of stimulating industry, improving agriculture, and converting a turbulent because unemployed population into one of the most loyal and well-conditioned in the empire;-- the policy thus adopted with reference to the Highlands, and the beneficial results which have flowed from it, affording the strongest encouragement to Government in dealing in like manner with the internal communications of Ireland.
While the construction of the Highland roads was in progress, the late Robert Southey, poet laureate, visited the Highlands in company with his friend the engineer, and left on record an interesting account of his visit, in a, manuscript now in the possession of Robert Rawlinson, C.E., to whom we are indebted for the extracts which are made from it in the present volume.
London, October, 1867.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ord_thomas.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
-----------------------------
The September 2011 edition is now available at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Recounting Blessings
--------------------
John has added chapters 79-82 of his biography which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/blessings.htm
John's Scottish Singalong
-------------------------
John sent in "The Girl From Glasgow Town" which you listen to at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...ng/page120.htm
And finally...
JigSaw
A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."
"What is it supposed to be when it's finished", her neighbor asks?
The lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."
So the neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle.
She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.
He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says, "First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster." He then takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to just relax. Let's enjoy a nice cup of tea together". Then with a deep sigh he said, "Now, let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box.”
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
Through the Long Day
Tent Life in Tigerland
Sketches Illustrating the Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada
The Aberdeen Doctors
Cartoons on how China will own America some day
The Life of Thomas Telford (New Book)
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree (September 2011 edition)
Recounting Blessings
John's Scottish Singalong
Electric Scotland News
----------------------
We would really like to stop this list and if you remember when you joined up all you did was to click on a link, add your name and email address and then we sent you an email asking you to confirm your subscription by clicking on a link in the email and that was you on the list.
Well it's almost as simple as that through the Electric Scotland Community. You go to http://www.electricscotland.org and click on the link to Register. You get a very short form to complete and when completed we send you an email once again to ask you to confirm you want to join by clicking on a link in the email. Having done that you are a member of the community. The only other step you need to take is to go to the Electric Scotland Newsletter forum and when you click on that to open it up you'll see on the menu bar "Forum Tools" by clicking on that a drop down menu appears and one of the options is to "subscribe" and by clicking on that you are now on the new list. This means any time I add a new newsletter you'll get an email telling you of the new post with a link to click to go directly to that current issue.
The only twist is that when you sign up for a membership of the community is that we ask for your date of birth. The only reason for that is we try to be child friendly so if we identify you are 13 years of age or younger we would ask for your parents email address so we can contact them to ask their permission to allow their child to access the forums. There is also an option to hide your age and date of birth so it won't display. Mind you having entered that information you would get an email from us wishing you a Happy Birthday! :-)
I might add that now you are on that new list it really doesn't matter if you forget your username or password as the newsletter can be viewed by guests as well but you do need to be a member so we know you're email address to send the announcement to.
And so perhaps you would consider doing this as we're using really old software for the list and we've just been told that support for it is no longer available.
-----
I confess to working more on the www.SavannahJohnston.com web site this week. I guess that is because I can see so many ways it could develop and I'm actually quite jealous of the opportunities before her to turn this into a fantastic community project. The idea is to develop a Community Directory and What's On guide. There are also so many spin offs from this that the potential is awesome. In many ways this is what I tried to do with first the Gairloch & Loch Maree project and then again with the Lossiemouth project. The big difference here is that Savannah lives in the area and already knows many of the people and businesses in it.
She took a fall at the early part of the week and tore a ligament so has been confined to working from home so things have stalled a bit. It may well be worth your time to watch how this project develop as it could be used as a template to create other local community projects around the world.
-----
I'm still working on my new www.electriccanadian.com site. The idea is to get up as quickly as possible a good base of information so that there is plenty of good information to read. Once the base is there I'll be able to add new information on a regular basis much as I do on Electric Scotland. This week I completed...
Travel Links
I have added a series of links to my various travel journals which I documented when coming to Canada for 6 months around 2005. I spent time in Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia and you will find these in the History section of the site. Took lots of pictures so you can see what the areas look like.
Backwoods of Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...oods/index.htm
Being Letters From The Wife Of An Emigrant Officer, Illustrative Of The Domestic Economy Of British America by Catharine Parr Traill. This is a rather unique account being written from a woman's point of view.
The Pioneers http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...oods/index.htm
by Angus A MacKenzie. This is an excellent one page description of the work of the pioneers.
An Abridged History of Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
By William Henry Withrow. I feel most people simply don't have the time to read large histories of a country so this abridged history gives the highlights of the main events.
History of New Brunswick http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...tory/index.htm
Added the two volume history of this Province.
The Seaforth Highlanders in Canada http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ighlanders.htm
By W. Neil Fraser.
The Great Canadian Tunebook http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/tunebook.htm
I commented to Doug Ross that I had attended a night out amongst Scots and that as we were singing Scots songs one of the folk in the bar asked us if we didn't know any Canadian songs. We found the only Canadian song anyone knew was the National Anthem, O Canada. And so a little time later Doug sent me a few emails on the subject which I gathered together here.
Canadians do it Better! http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/better.htm
This was taken from MacLean's Magazine in 2009 as there celebration of Canada Day. Each of the graphics in here are clickable to a larger and more readable image.
I might add that to my horror when I went in last night I found none of the menu links worked. I did a small change to the header but forgot that as a result I needed to re-create the links but forgot. Now fixed!
-----
We started a new book about Thomas Telford the great civil engineer for which see more below.
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
---------------------------
Mind when you read this newsletter try clicking on "New Posts" in the menu and see what folk are talking about.
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. I note he is starting to address some of the questions folk are raising about Independence. I'm not sure he is dealing with these in an appropriate manner but none the less of interest.
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.
Added this week...
Lord of the Isles
Massacre of Glencoe
Execution of Lady Warriston
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/wars/
Poems of George Alexander Rodger
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Added some more poems...
Strathardle Ploughing Match
Blair Fiddle and Accordion Club
John Cairney at "Edelweiss"
Glenisla Gathering
Alyth Show
which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/rodger.htm
Memoirs of the Jacobites
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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 "William Boyd, Earl of Kilmarnock"
The account starts...
The unfortunate nobleman who is the subject of this Memoir, could boast of as long line of ancestors as most families in Europe. Among his forefathers were men eminent fur loyalty, and distinguished for bravery, and of honour as untainted as their blood; but when William, fourth Earl of Kilmarnock, succeeded to his title, there was little except this high ancestry to elate him with pride, or to raise him above dependence upon circumstances.
The Earl of Kilmarnock derived his title from a royal borough of the same name, in the shire of Cunningham in Ayrshire; and, in former times when the chieftainship was in repute in that part of Scotland, that branch of the family of Boyd, or Boyde, from whom the Earl was descended, claimed to be chiefs.
The greatness of the Boyd family commenced with Simon, the brother of Walter, first High Steward of Scotland, and founder of the Monastery of Paisley, in 1160. Robert, the son of Simon, is designated in the foundation church of that monastery, as nephew of Walter, High Steward ; and is distinguished on account of his fair complexion, by the word Boyt, or Boyd, from the Celtic Boidh, signifying fair, or yellow. "He was," says Nisbet, "doubtless, predecessor to the Lords Boyd, and Earls of Kilmarnock.
The family of Boyd continued to flourish until, in the fifteenth century, it was ennobled by James the Third, who owed to one of its members, Sir Alexander Boyd of Duncow esteemed to be a mirror of chivalry, an inculcation into the military exercises, which were deemed, in those days, essential to the education of royalty. But the sunshine of kingly favour was not enjoyed by the Boyds without some alloy. Robert Boyd of Kilmarnock, who was raised to the peerage, under the title of Lord Boyd, and whose eldest son was created Earl of Arran, experienced various vicissitudes. He died in England, in exile; and his brother, Sir Alexander, perished in 146i9, on a scaffold, erected on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh. The fortunes of the family were, however, restored in the person of Thomas, Earl of Arran, who married the eldest sister of King James the Third. The beautiful island of Arran was given as the dower of this lady: and her husband, who is said in the Paston Letters to have been a "light, clever, and well-spoken, fair archer; devoutest, most perfect, and truest to his lady, of Knights," enjoyed a short gleam of royal favour. His vicissitudes, however, befel him whilst on an embassy in Denmark, his enemies undermined him at home : he was driven to wander in foreign countries, and died at Antwerp, where a magnificent monument was erected to his memory, "by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. His title was attainted, hut his property was restored to his son ; and in 1655, the title of Earl of Kilmarnock was added to that of Lord Boyd, which alone seems to have been retained by the family during the intervening generations.
You can read the rest of this long story at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter15.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
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An Appreciation of his Social and Religious Outlook by Ian M. Fraser (2002).
Added another chapter to this account...
The Creator
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/graham/
Through the Long Day
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Or Memorials of a Literary Life during half a century by Charles MacKay LL.D. (1887)
This week have added...
Chapter III.—The Eglinton Tournament — Ascent of Goatfell, in Arran
and
Part III of The Scottish Language and its Literary History
You can get to all this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/mackay/
Tent Life in Tigerland
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In which is incorporated "Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier" being twelve years reminiscences of a pioneer planter in an Indian Frontier District by James Inglis (1892)
We are now up to Chapter XIII of this book.
Here is a list of the chapters for this week...
Chapter VII. - Never trust a tiger
Exaggerated yarns—Man-eating tigers—An easy prey—"On the watsh"—A common tragedy—"Mourning in soma lowly hut" - The Pertaubgunj tiger—Shifting camp—An obstinate elephant— River-side scenery—Revolver practice—Sa7amet—Rapacity of servants—A halt—Enquiry—We fi>r;n line—The beat—Elephants uneasy—The min-eater breaks cover—A tame termination—False security—"Look out, boys; it's alive!"—A dying effort and a costly bite—An instance of cool heroism—In the jaws of a tiger—A plucky rescue—Moral: "Never trust e tiger".
Chapter VIII. - Old Times.
The old well—The Fakeer—A pious old hermit—Jvgees—Pagan cruelties—Peter the braggart—Soured by bad luck—Scotch Hindostanee—Puter pot valiant—His "teeger" story-—An ignominious collapse—The real truth of the matter—The "Blue Devils"—Practical joking—The rough pioneer days—Police tortures—"Old Hu'.man Sahib''—A novel punishment—The old regime changed—Modern progress.
Chapter IX. - A Chapter on "pig-stickin".
Getting under weigh—Tally-ho!—Game afoot—A cunning old tusker—one man down—At our wits end —A ghat ahead—The bow is a "jinker"—A comical interlude--"Now's the chance" —First spear!—A desperate fight for life—Death of the boar— Eulogy on the sport—The Queenslander on Indian sports— "Hints to Hog Hunters" from The Oriental Snorting Magazine.
Chapter X. - An Exciting Night Watch
Belated at Fusseah—The old Chowkeydar—Starching for supper— The dilapidated bungalow—The Gomastah's news—Tigers close by—Proposal to sit up for a shot—Shooting from pits—Night scenes in the jungle—A silent watch—A misty figure through the gloom—A sudden roar—The challenge accepted—The plot thickens—The young tiger and the old boar—A death-struggle— Savage beasts in mortal conflict—Defiant to the last—Trophies of the night.
Chapter XI. - Police Rascality
The native village police then and now—The power of the Daroga —Exactions from the peasantry—My attitude to the police— The village jury system—My neighbour down the river—A bungalow of the olden time—The ch.abv.tra—Changed methods now of dealing with natives-—Taking villages in lease—Measuring the new lands—Native disaffection—Police plottings—The Dhaus—A welcome visitor—Out with the doctor-—Put up a tiger—A resultless beat—A day's general shooting—Events down the river—Cholera—Death in the lonely hut—Spies at work-—A devilish plot—Concocting false evidence—A late call—Making a night of it—In the morning—Accused of murder—The arrest — Reserves his defence—The trial—Excitement in court-—Appearances all against the planter—Turning the tables—The case breaks down—Discomfiture of the Police.
Chapter XII. - An Eventful Day.
The famine of 1874—Nature of relief works—Fatalism—Humane tendencies of British rule — Epidemics — Sharp contrasts— Crowded incidents of planter life—A fierce hail-storm—A runaway elephant—Through the forest—Hue and cry after a thief— A desperate fugitive—Setting an ambush—Female furies—An exciting diversion—A desperate scuffle—Capture—Tactics of the female gipsies—Horrible cruelty—A hapless little one—Outwitted!—The robber escapes—Feasting amid famine—A Brahmin bhoj—Appearance of the village—The guests—The cookery— The feast — Strange plates—A motley melange—Prodigious appetite—Once more on the road—Reach Soopole—Hospitable reception.
Chapter XIII. - Famine and Fighting
Early spring in India—"The Black District"—Desperate straits— One ghastly group—Relief works—Conservatism of Latives—The easy-going style of work—A zealous young reformer—Glowing visions—Wheelbarrow reform—Irritating — Explaining— Theory- —Actual practice—-Back to the old style—The coolies— Sad scenes—Poor suffering humanity—The terrible hunger— Bick to Hoolas—The seed industry—Native dodgery—Tricks and tests of the seed traie—Mode of contract—Fluctuations of the market—A slippery neighbour—News of a meditated looting expedition—The Oolail—Preparing for a fight—Call out the levies—Disposition of our forces—News of the raiders—Confronting the robbers—Their insolent audacity—A knick-dcwa blow — "Wigs on the green"—A regular ruction—"Loot" and "lay on"—The tide of battle—Victory!
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tentlife/
Sketches Illustrating the Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada
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By J. A. MacDonell (1983)
We added Chapters 8 through 14 this week.
In Chapter 8 we learn...
Services of Sir John Johnson.-2oo.ooo Acres Abandoned by Him in the United States—Lord Dorchester Recommends Him as First Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada-Policy of Home Government Opposed to the appointment of Residents to the Government—Despatch of the Colonial Secretary.— First Reference to Glengarry Settlement. — Colonel John Macdonell (Aberchalder) and His Brother Hugh Macdonell Elected Members in First Parliament of Upper Canada—He. is Elected its Speaker—List of Members—Some Facts Relating to them—Acts Passed at First Session.
Sir John Johnson, who had been so intimately associated with those who became the first settlers of Glengarry, did not altogether sever his connection with them. Portion of the land which was allotted to him in consideration of his signal services to the Crown was situated in the County of Glengarry in the immediate vicinity of what is wknown as "Stone House Point." He had, I am told, selected a site for his residence, of which the foundation had been been laid, where the house now occupied by Colonel Alexander Fraser is built on the River St. Lawrence, on what is now known as Fraser's Point.
Judge Pringle states that what are locally known as "The Indian Lands," a narrow strip between the western townships of Glengarry and the eastern ones of Stormont, are said to have been intended for Sir John Johnson, and to have been held for the Indians on Sir John's declining to accept of them. This, of course, would have been a very extensive grant - many thousands of acres—yet it must be remembered that, as stated by Mr. Stone "he voluntarily gave up domains m what is now the United States larger and fairer than had ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, William Penn only excepted," and that of ail the eminent men among the Loyalists none were at all comparable to him, either as regards the extent of the sacrifices made or the importance of the services rendered through out the War from its commencement to its close. Two hundred thousand acres of valuable land was what he surrendered.
He also owned a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Williamstown, so named by him after his father, Sir William, and where he built the first mills. As showing the interest which Sir John Johnson took in the County of Glengarry, it may be mentioned that on the 25th of June, 1814, he presented to Neil McLean, then Sheriff of the Eastern District, and his successors in office, twelve acres of land in Williamstown for the purpose of a fair ground for the people of the Counties, being the site of the present Glengarry Agricultural Society grounds. He never, however, permanently resided in Glengarry, the nature of his occupation not permitting of it. He had been appointed at the close of the War Superintendent General and Inspector-General of the Six Nation Indians, his commission as such being dated March 14th, 1782. He was Colonel-in-Chief of the Six Battalions of Militia of the Eastern Townships, and a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada, to which he was summoned 24th January, 1797. He had been knighted by the King in his father's lifetime, at St. James on the 22nd November, 1765, when but twenty-three years of age. The Rev. Mr. Campbell mentions in his "History of St. Gabriel Church, Montreal," that the Patent of Baronetcy, conferred upon his father, contains a most singular clause, which gives the title of "Knight" to the eldest son in this family on his attaining his majority. Sir John was always, in official documents, designated, after his father's death, as "Knight and Baronet," thus showing that the Knighthood did not merge in the Baronetcy. He owned the Seigniory of Argenteuil, and was for many years a. conspicuous figure in Canada. He was born on November 5th, 1742, and died at his residence, St. Mary's, in the County of Rouville, on January 4th, 1830, in the eighty-ninth year of his age, and was buried in the family vault at his seat on the south side of the St. Lawrence, near Montreal. He is described in Jones' "History of New York" as bold, resolute, spirited, brave and active, and his career undoubtedly proved it.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...y/chapter8.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/glengarry/
The Aberdeen Doctors
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A noteable group of Scottish Theologians of the first Episcopal period, 1610 to 1638, and the bearing of their teaching on some questions of the present time by D. MacMillan (1909).
We have now completed this book with some 11 very informative appendix entries.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tors/index.htm
Cartoons on how China will own America some day
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Got sent in some cartoons which surfaced in China abd while I guess our American friends won't be overally happy I guess they reflect the current situation in the world. Our thanks to Ron Dow for sending these in.
You can see these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter09.htm
The Life of Thomas Telford
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Civil engineer with an introductory history of roads and travelling in Great Britain by Samuel Smiles
A new book we're starting and here is the Preface...
The present is a revised and in some respects enlarged edition of the 'Life of Telford,' originally published in the 'Lives of the Engineers,' to which is prefixed an account of the early roads and modes of travelling in Britain.
From this volume, read in connection with the Lives of George and Robert Stephenson, in which the origin and extension of Railways is described, an idea may be formed of the extraordinary progress which has been made in opening up the internal communications of this country during the last century.
Among the principal works executed by Telford in the course of his life, were the great highways constructed by him in North Wales and the Scotch Highlands, through districts formerly almost inaccessible, but which are now as easily traversed as any English county.
By means of these roads, and the facilities afforded by railways, the many are now enabled to visit with ease and comfort magnificent mountain scenery, which before was only the costly privilege of the few; at the same time that their construction has exercised a most beneficial influence on the population of the districts themselves.
The Highland roads, which were constructed with the active assistance of the Government, and were maintained partly at the public expense until within the last few years, had the effect of stimulating industry, improving agriculture, and converting a turbulent because unemployed population into one of the most loyal and well-conditioned in the empire;-- the policy thus adopted with reference to the Highlands, and the beneficial results which have flowed from it, affording the strongest encouragement to Government in dealing in like manner with the internal communications of Ireland.
While the construction of the Highland roads was in progress, the late Robert Southey, poet laureate, visited the Highlands in company with his friend the engineer, and left on record an interesting account of his visit, in a, manuscript now in the possession of Robert Rawlinson, C.E., to whom we are indebted for the extracts which are made from it in the present volume.
London, October, 1867.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ord_thomas.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
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The September 2011 edition is now available at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Recounting Blessings
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John has added chapters 79-82 of his biography which you can read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/blessings.htm
John's Scottish Singalong
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John sent in "The Girl From Glasgow Town" which you listen to at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...ng/page120.htm
And finally...
JigSaw
A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."
"What is it supposed to be when it's finished", her neighbor asks?
The lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."
So the neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle.
She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.
He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says, "First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster." He then takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to just relax. Let's enjoy a nice cup of tea together". Then with a deep sigh he said, "Now, let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box.”
And that's it for now and hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com
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