Tweet
Electric Scotland News
The Book of Knowledge
ABOUT ten years ago the Ohildren's Encyclopaedia, The Book of Knowledge, was brought out in Great Britain and met with an enthusiastic reception. The editors soon realized that they had found a new idea in works for children and since that time edition after edition has been printed. The great house of Larousse publishes a special edition for France, and there are also Spanish, Italian and Portuguese editions, the latter made especially for Brazil.
Some years ago an edition for Canada was printed under the supervision of Dr. Peterson, late Principal of McGill University. While additions and changes have been made from time to time, the wonderful development of Canada has made necessary a somewhat extended revision, and the addition of much new material relation to the Dominion.
The Introduction to the new edition was written by Dr. H. J. Cody, late Minister of Education for Ontario, who has approved the plan and the new material. The publishers and editors have had most courteous and hearty co-operation from Government Departments and leading authorities connected with the various interests represented. Information or pictures or both have been supplied by the following, and, in many cases, the articles approved by them: — Provincial Departments of Agriculture, the Dominion Department of the Interior, the Minister of Railways and Canals, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Deputy Post Master and the head of the Toronto Post Office. Social Service Departments and Boards of Health, Dominion and Provincial Secretaries of the Boy Scouts, Dominion Secretary of the Girl Guides, a Director of the Canadian National Exhibition, the Secretary of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, the Canadian War Records, and others.
Some of the articles have been prepared with especial assistance and approval. One upon Canadian Railways was furnished by the Canadian National Railways. The story of the development of the North West was approved by the Canadian Pacific Railway, who in addition have helped much with information and pictures. The Hudson’s Bay Company in the same way gave assistance and approval upon an account of their history. The article about the Royal Naval College received the seal of approval from the Navy League and that about the Royal Military College was read and approved by Sir A. C. Macdonell, Commandant, who had lent his aid in its preparation, as well. Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper has expressed approval of that part of the story of the Prime Ministers connected with his father’s career. Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell has approved the story of his own life and work. An account of Canada’s literature has been written with the co-operation and approval of the President of the Canadian Authors Association, and an article on Canadian art has been criticised and approved by Edward R. Grieg of the Toronto Art Gallery.
Altogether there are about five hundred pages of purely Canadian subject matter and more than five hundred Canadian pictures.
The general plan of the whole work is to present, not in separate volumes, but in different sections in each of the twenty volumes, a variety of material dealing with all phases of world life science, natural history, invention, the histories of nations, literature, art, lives of famous men and women, heroic deeds, etc. For recreation there are stories and games and handicraft. The form is attractive, the language clear and interesting, and there are many excellent pictures with full descriptive legends.
You can find copies of this on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/search?query=%22...f+Knowledge%22
-------
Haven't heard from Beth Gay for some weeks now so a bit concerned about her and her husband Tom. Last time I talked to her she did say she would likely be out of touch for a few weeks as she and Tom were going to a new hospital for treatment and she was to stay with him which meant she wouldn't be home for a while.
I hope they are both ok and if anyone has heard from them you might let me know.
------
I was doing a search today and stumbled upon a chapter about Canada from the book, "A Fisherman’s Reflections on a beautiful but troubled world" by David B. Thomson. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to you. You can get to it at:
https://www.electricscotland.com/tho...eflections.htm
These memoirs and observations are dedicated to the millions of small farmers and fishers, the food producers of the world, it has been the writer’s privilege to serve, in five continents and on their seas and inland waters.
Reflections contains a fascinating kaleidoscope of first hand impressions of peoples and lands around the globe. They are the thoughtful account of a Scot who left school before he was fifteen years old, and spent the next 7 years on trawlers and seiners in the North Sea and East Atlantic. A few years later he became a lecturer in the College of Fisheries, Newfoundland, and an Assistant Professor in the University of Rhode Island, USA. But his heart was set on doing something for the millions of poor fishing communities in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. So, he took up assignments with the United Nations Agencies and bilateral organizations, which saw him serve in over 60 countries, in both marine and inland fisheries. Thomson was deeply touched by peoples he lived and worked amongst, and sought to grapple with the economic, social and environmental issues they faced. This led him to question some conventional approaches, and to study how imperfect aid efforts could be improved. He was particularly influenced by thinkers like E. F. Schumacher of Small is Beautiful, and by the range of ideas and initiatives he encountered among development workers, educators, politicians, students, and artisans in each country visited.
Few will agree with all of the conclusions and ideas promoted in the book, but most readers will find them stimulating and thought-provoking. The writer hopes that the observations will also be entertaining and even wryly amusing in places. While deploring current militarist responses to differences between nations, yet acknowledging the threats to freedom and democracy of terrorist activity and attempts by some governments to control the press and judiciary, David offers a measure of hope and encouragement based on personal experience and events witnessed in troubled lands and in troubled times.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time. Here is what caught my eye this week...
Satellite images show Canadian wildfire smoke over UK
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has been picked up in satellite images of the UK, the Met Office has said.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66058108
Happy 300th birthday to Adam Smith - his work is more relevant than ever
This month marks the 300th birthday of one of Scotland’s most renowned sons and founding fathers, Adam Smith. Today, he evokes widespread respect from economic theorists and moral philosophers alike, and with good reason.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/happy-300th-birthday...ant-than-ever/
Having a baby can rock a marriage - and life post-children can be a challenge
The arrival of a child can be joyous but it can also cause conflict in even the most rock-solid relationships.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article...-having-a-baby
Policy 713: LGBT school policy change causes political turmoil in Canada
A controversial policy change that bars teachers from using a student's preferred pronouns without parental permission will soon go into effect in New Brunswick despite pushback. It has caused political turmoil in the Canadian province.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514
Brexit has already saved us billions
Leaving the EU has given us back democratic control over our laws, money and borders. Yet too often we focus only on the failure to do more. In fact, quite a lot has been achieved
Read more at:
https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...d-us-billions/
North Lanarkshire Council axes 130 teachers in scandalous Friday afternoon email
North Lanarkshire Council told staff last Friday afternoon they would not have a job next year.
Read more at:
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/new...eachers-email/
In pictures: Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels
The weather was mostly kind to the annual Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels this year.
View these at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66086008
France in flames
The shooting of a teenager has enflamed existing tensions in France's notorious banlieues, leaving shops burned and battered across the country [see Stat of the Day] and a huge insurance bill to boot. Yet the key difference between now and previous violent outbreaks, is that the French far-left are cheering the rioters on.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/disintegration-drugs...o-a-tinder-box
Orkney votes to explore alternative governance
Orkney councillors have voted to investigate alternative methods of governance amid deep frustrations over funding and opportunities. It was supported by 15 votes to six.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66090102
How Enoch Powell helped make the NHS
Enoch Powell is one of the giants of the health service, too. The mark he made on it is arguably as tangible as Bevan’s.
Read more at:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/...-make-the-nhs/
In pictures: Kings Charles III celebrations
A national thanksgiving service to mark the Coronation of King Charles III has been held at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. During the ceremony the new monarch was presented with Scotland's crown jewels.
View these at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66108829
How have Humza Yousaf's first 100 days as first minister gone?
It is now 100 days since Humza Yousaf was formally elected by the Scottish Parliament as the country's sixth first minister.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-65956015
Canada stops advertising with Facebook and Instagram in news row
Canada's federal government has said it will pull all its advertising from Facebook and Instagram. It follows parent company Meta's move to restrict news content for Canadians after parliament passed a law that will force tech firms to pay media for news. Canadian officials said on Wednesday that they stand by the law and will not be intimidated by Meta.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66104997
Is the Scottish National Investment Bank operating unlawfully?
THE LAW establishing the SNIB requires an advisory board to be established to provide advice on the Bank’s objects, conduct and performance. More than two years after the bank’s launch, the board still does not exist.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2023/07/is...ng-unlawfully/
Students need strict schools
Keir Starmer today set out Labour's plans for education and he had plenty to say about the recruitment and retention crisis facing our schools. But pandering to unions with bonus payments will only get him so far a brave leader would acknowledge that one of the biggest problems is poor pupil behaviour.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/starmer-should-ackno...r-for-students
Electric Canadian
A Manual of Fret Cutting and Wood Carvings
By Major-Gen. Sir Thomas Seaton K.C.B. with Diagrams (1874)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...00seatiala.pdf
The Spoilers of the Valley
A Novel by Robert Watson (1921)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00watsuoft.pdf
Canadian Bookman
The 1919 edition (pdf). Where this issue talks of the importance of books to Canadians and at the same time acknowledges the coming of TV and Other audio devices.
An interesting read which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...ookman1919.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of July 2023
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
Where Nola talks about Canada Day and you can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-july-2023
Alone built a stone house in the forest
Hello, as usual, after my house is ready, I collect the entire construction process in one rather short video.
You can watch this at:
https://archive.org/details/youtube-uz3Lyq2pZdE
Building Dry Stone Retaining Walls
This video shows how to build small drystone retaining walls from beginning to end; laying out the shape, digging the foundation, determining the wall angle, building the face, packing the back, and leveling the top. The techniques are suitable for all rock types, whether glacially rounded, angular, or flat-bedded
You can watch this at:
https://archive.org/details/Building...RetainingWalls
Canadian Nights
Being sketches and reminiscences of life and sport in the Rockies, the Prairies, and the Canadian woods by the Earl of Dunraven (1914) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...diannights.pdf
Electric Scotland
Many Celebrities and a few others
A Bundle of Reminiscences by William H. Rideing (1912) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...iesa00ride.pdf
How Scotch Whisky is Fueling Decades of Good Works
By Niall MacKenzie (University of Glasgow), Martin Gannon (University of Edinburgh) and Jillian Gordon (University of Glasgow) (2021)
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/food/Ho...ing-Decade.pdf
Teacher Preparation in Scotland, 1872 - 1920
By Moira Hulme (pdf)
You can read this report at:
https://electricscotland.com/educati...1920_Hulme.pdf
James Melville
Found the 2nd volume of his diary and have added a link to it from our page about him.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...lle_james1.htm
Dr. Peter Marshall
Scottish-American preacher and was appointed as Chaplain of the United States Senate but died early.
You can listen to a couple of his sermons and learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r-marshall.htm
The Analysis of the Hunting Field
Being a series of the Principal characters that compose one, The whole forming a slight souvenir of the season 1845-6. A new edition (1904)
Added this book to our Fox Hunting page which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/hound
Margaret
Queen's of Scotland
Some small biographies which make interesting reading and you can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/other/Margaret.htm
Mar
A number of biographies of Earls of Mar
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/other/Mar.htm
Man or Main, James
Philologist
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../man_james.htm
Adam Smith
Updated his page with 2 new videos and two new articles.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...smith_adam.htm
Famous War Correspondents
By F. Lauriston Bullard (1914) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00bullrich.pdf
Story
The cross-slab from Hilton of Cadboll in Ross and Cromarty is one of the best-known and most beautiful early medieval sculptures in Britain. It is displayed in the National Museums of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, and the medieval chapel site from which it came is cared for by Historic Scotland (NGR NH 8731 7687). The original Pictish carving is preserved on one side, including ornate Pictish symbols, a hunting scene that includes a female rider and a panel of spiral ornament, the whole enclosed within a border of animal-inhabited vine-scroll. The other face, on which it was assumed there would have been a Christian cross, was chipped off and replaced by a memorial inscription bearing the date 1676. Excavations close to the chapel in 1998 yielded carved fragments from the missing cross-face, and further excavation in 2001 revealed not only more carved fragments but also the lower portion of the slab still in a setting in the ground. This lower portion is exceptionally well preserved and carved on both sides. There is a gap between the lower portion and the upper portion, but parts of this missing midportion have been recognised among the fragments. This important discovery led to a multi-disciplinary project involving art history, archaeology, scientific analysis, ethnography and cultural history.
The archaeological excavations revealed that the cross-slab had been broken twice early in its life, the first time when the tenon broke and the second time when the upper portion fell, leaving the lower portion (the new tenon) in the ground. Its original location was probably close to where it was re-erected in the mid-12th century, and it is likely that there was a Pictish church here, accompanied by burials and in some way linked to the Pictish monastery at Portmahomack. The medieval context for the second setting of the crossslab, possibly slightly pre-dating the construction of a medieval chapel and children’s graveyard, has showed the continued importance of the site to medieval society and the desire to express veneration and respect for this Christian monument. Despite the small area of the graveyard that has been examined, it can be seen that its use changed after the Reformation to include the adult population. The surrounding deposits are not rich with artefacts but are consistent with a site that was in the vicinity of medieval and post-medieval settlement.
The excavations yielded 11,252 fragments of stone, of which 7497 belong to the cross-slab, and of these 3370 fragments bear traces of carving. The digital database of all the carved fragments may be consulted online from the Arts and Humanities Data Service, University of York (http://ahds.ac.uk/). Detailed studies concern the cross-slab itself (geology, toolmarks, the way in which it became fragmented, the epigraphy of the inscription), scientific dating, environmental evidence and other artefacts discovered during the excavations, including part of a medieval relief cross and a stone with a simple incised cross. A potential source for the Middle Old Red Sandstone of the cross-slab is the foreshore at nearby Jessie Port.
The Hilton of Cadboll slab is now seen to have been profoundly Christian, drawing on venerable Early Christian imagery to convey its message of Salvation. The uniquely architectural, embossed stepped base preserved on the front of the lower portion, confirms Pictish sculptors’ knowledge of the representation of the jewelled cross erected at Golgotha in the fifth century. Elements of this imagery are found elsewhere in Ross-shire, on the Shandwick cross, on a cross-slab at Rosemarkie and on the Edderton cross-slab. The reconstruction of the mid-portion showed that a crosshead of a distinctly Pictish design was set at the centre of the spiral panel on the reverse of the slab. This glorified cross can be compared to the vision of the cross set against the sun experienced by Constantine the Great before the battle at the Milvian Bridge around ad 312 and associated with Conversion and the Triumph of Christianity. The cross and the Eucharistic vine-scroll which borders the reverse of the slab allow a reappraisal of the famous image of a female rider. It is argued that this dominant Christian context and the frontal pose of the mounted figure suggest that, like the male riders on Pictish slabs, the figure is not a specific contemporary aristocrat but rather an idealisation of female authority and Christian integrity. The figures on the front face of the mid-portion are seen as concerned with Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. The heavy fleshy creatures that flank the cross-base can be related to the animal art of the other tall slabs of Easter Ross, the St Andrews Sarcophagus and to a number of Insular works of art of the second half of the eighth century, in particular the Anglo-Saxon Gandersheim Casket. This Casket was made in Mercia in the late eighth century and provides the most secure approximate date for the Hilton cross-slab. The condition of the carving on the hitherto unknown bottom edge of the Hilton vinescroll shows that the same animal style was used both for the inhabitants of the scrolls and for animals on the upper portion, a uniformity of style that was the creation of the Hilton sculptor. The art of the Hilton cross-slab underscores the relationship between the sculpture north and south of the Grampians evident in the other tall slabs of Easter Ross.
A biographical approach to the history of the Hilton cross-slab has enabled the changing meanings and values of the monument to be traced though time and has contributed to a wider understanding of attitudes towards early medieval sculpture. For the early medieval and medieval periods the sources are often remote from the cross-slab and its Tarbat environment, but for more recent phases in its biography, historical sources pertaining directly to the monument or its immediate context have been enlightening. The discovery of George Mackenzie’s letter of 1675 about a storm on 21 December 1674 that toppled a large obelisk has been important to the interpretation of 17th-century events surrounding the cross-slab. Later documents have enabled a much fuller picture to be drawn of the monument and the various people who have engaged with it, including a rich body of documentary sources relating to events in 1921 when the upper portion was sent to the British Museum in London and later that year returned to Scotland. Ethnographic research, involving interviews and participant observation, has also proved to be important in revealing the depth and range of meanings and values attached to the monument in contemporary society. Together, the historical and ethnographic evidence shows that the specific religious meanings surrounding the cross-slab prior to the Reformation declined from the Enlightenment onwards. In their place, the monument became involved in a complex body of symbolism relating to national, community and class identities.
At local initiative, a replica of the cross-slab has been erected close to the chapel site at Hilton of Cadboll, a project that commenced before the discovery of the lower portion, and the original lower portion is now in the Seaboard Memorial Hall in neighbouring Balintore.
You can read this publication at
http://books.socantscot.org/digital-...catalog/book/6
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
The Book of Knowledge
ABOUT ten years ago the Ohildren's Encyclopaedia, The Book of Knowledge, was brought out in Great Britain and met with an enthusiastic reception. The editors soon realized that they had found a new idea in works for children and since that time edition after edition has been printed. The great house of Larousse publishes a special edition for France, and there are also Spanish, Italian and Portuguese editions, the latter made especially for Brazil.
Some years ago an edition for Canada was printed under the supervision of Dr. Peterson, late Principal of McGill University. While additions and changes have been made from time to time, the wonderful development of Canada has made necessary a somewhat extended revision, and the addition of much new material relation to the Dominion.
The Introduction to the new edition was written by Dr. H. J. Cody, late Minister of Education for Ontario, who has approved the plan and the new material. The publishers and editors have had most courteous and hearty co-operation from Government Departments and leading authorities connected with the various interests represented. Information or pictures or both have been supplied by the following, and, in many cases, the articles approved by them: — Provincial Departments of Agriculture, the Dominion Department of the Interior, the Minister of Railways and Canals, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Deputy Post Master and the head of the Toronto Post Office. Social Service Departments and Boards of Health, Dominion and Provincial Secretaries of the Boy Scouts, Dominion Secretary of the Girl Guides, a Director of the Canadian National Exhibition, the Secretary of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, the Canadian War Records, and others.
Some of the articles have been prepared with especial assistance and approval. One upon Canadian Railways was furnished by the Canadian National Railways. The story of the development of the North West was approved by the Canadian Pacific Railway, who in addition have helped much with information and pictures. The Hudson’s Bay Company in the same way gave assistance and approval upon an account of their history. The article about the Royal Naval College received the seal of approval from the Navy League and that about the Royal Military College was read and approved by Sir A. C. Macdonell, Commandant, who had lent his aid in its preparation, as well. Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper has expressed approval of that part of the story of the Prime Ministers connected with his father’s career. Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell has approved the story of his own life and work. An account of Canada’s literature has been written with the co-operation and approval of the President of the Canadian Authors Association, and an article on Canadian art has been criticised and approved by Edward R. Grieg of the Toronto Art Gallery.
Altogether there are about five hundred pages of purely Canadian subject matter and more than five hundred Canadian pictures.
The general plan of the whole work is to present, not in separate volumes, but in different sections in each of the twenty volumes, a variety of material dealing with all phases of world life science, natural history, invention, the histories of nations, literature, art, lives of famous men and women, heroic deeds, etc. For recreation there are stories and games and handicraft. The form is attractive, the language clear and interesting, and there are many excellent pictures with full descriptive legends.
You can find copies of this on the Internet Archive at:
https://archive.org/search?query=%22...f+Knowledge%22
-------
Haven't heard from Beth Gay for some weeks now so a bit concerned about her and her husband Tom. Last time I talked to her she did say she would likely be out of touch for a few weeks as she and Tom were going to a new hospital for treatment and she was to stay with him which meant she wouldn't be home for a while.
I hope they are both ok and if anyone has heard from them you might let me know.
------
I was doing a search today and stumbled upon a chapter about Canada from the book, "A Fisherman’s Reflections on a beautiful but troubled world" by David B. Thomson. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to you. You can get to it at:
https://www.electricscotland.com/tho...eflections.htm
These memoirs and observations are dedicated to the millions of small farmers and fishers, the food producers of the world, it has been the writer’s privilege to serve, in five continents and on their seas and inland waters.
Reflections contains a fascinating kaleidoscope of first hand impressions of peoples and lands around the globe. They are the thoughtful account of a Scot who left school before he was fifteen years old, and spent the next 7 years on trawlers and seiners in the North Sea and East Atlantic. A few years later he became a lecturer in the College of Fisheries, Newfoundland, and an Assistant Professor in the University of Rhode Island, USA. But his heart was set on doing something for the millions of poor fishing communities in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. So, he took up assignments with the United Nations Agencies and bilateral organizations, which saw him serve in over 60 countries, in both marine and inland fisheries. Thomson was deeply touched by peoples he lived and worked amongst, and sought to grapple with the economic, social and environmental issues they faced. This led him to question some conventional approaches, and to study how imperfect aid efforts could be improved. He was particularly influenced by thinkers like E. F. Schumacher of Small is Beautiful, and by the range of ideas and initiatives he encountered among development workers, educators, politicians, students, and artisans in each country visited.
Few will agree with all of the conclusions and ideas promoted in the book, but most readers will find them stimulating and thought-provoking. The writer hopes that the observations will also be entertaining and even wryly amusing in places. While deploring current militarist responses to differences between nations, yet acknowledging the threats to freedom and democracy of terrorist activity and attempts by some governments to control the press and judiciary, David offers a measure of hope and encouragement based on personal experience and events witnessed in troubled lands and in troubled times.
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time. Here is what caught my eye this week...
Satellite images show Canadian wildfire smoke over UK
Smoke from wildfires in Canada has been picked up in satellite images of the UK, the Met Office has said.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66058108
Happy 300th birthday to Adam Smith - his work is more relevant than ever
This month marks the 300th birthday of one of Scotland’s most renowned sons and founding fathers, Adam Smith. Today, he evokes widespread respect from economic theorists and moral philosophers alike, and with good reason.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/happy-300th-birthday...ant-than-ever/
Having a baby can rock a marriage - and life post-children can be a challenge
The arrival of a child can be joyous but it can also cause conflict in even the most rock-solid relationships.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article...-having-a-baby
Policy 713: LGBT school policy change causes political turmoil in Canada
A controversial policy change that bars teachers from using a student's preferred pronouns without parental permission will soon go into effect in New Brunswick despite pushback. It has caused political turmoil in the Canadian province.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66061514
Brexit has already saved us billions
Leaving the EU has given us back democratic control over our laws, money and borders. Yet too often we focus only on the failure to do more. In fact, quite a lot has been achieved
Read more at:
https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.u...d-us-billions/
North Lanarkshire Council axes 130 teachers in scandalous Friday afternoon email
North Lanarkshire Council told staff last Friday afternoon they would not have a job next year.
Read more at:
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/new...eachers-email/
In pictures: Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels
The weather was mostly kind to the annual Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels this year.
View these at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66086008
France in flames
The shooting of a teenager has enflamed existing tensions in France's notorious banlieues, leaving shops burned and battered across the country [see Stat of the Day] and a huge insurance bill to boot. Yet the key difference between now and previous violent outbreaks, is that the French far-left are cheering the rioters on.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/disintegration-drugs...o-a-tinder-box
Orkney votes to explore alternative governance
Orkney councillors have voted to investigate alternative methods of governance amid deep frustrations over funding and opportunities. It was supported by 15 votes to six.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...tland-66090102
How Enoch Powell helped make the NHS
Enoch Powell is one of the giants of the health service, too. The mark he made on it is arguably as tangible as Bevan’s.
Read more at:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/...-make-the-nhs/
In pictures: Kings Charles III celebrations
A national thanksgiving service to mark the Coronation of King Charles III has been held at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. During the ceremony the new monarch was presented with Scotland's crown jewels.
View these at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66108829
How have Humza Yousaf's first 100 days as first minister gone?
It is now 100 days since Humza Yousaf was formally elected by the Scottish Parliament as the country's sixth first minister.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-65956015
Canada stops advertising with Facebook and Instagram in news row
Canada's federal government has said it will pull all its advertising from Facebook and Instagram. It follows parent company Meta's move to restrict news content for Canadians after parliament passed a law that will force tech firms to pay media for news. Canadian officials said on Wednesday that they stand by the law and will not be intimidated by Meta.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66104997
Is the Scottish National Investment Bank operating unlawfully?
THE LAW establishing the SNIB requires an advisory board to be established to provide advice on the Bank’s objects, conduct and performance. More than two years after the bank’s launch, the board still does not exist.
Read more at:
https://thinkscotland.org/2023/07/is...ng-unlawfully/
Students need strict schools
Keir Starmer today set out Labour's plans for education and he had plenty to say about the recruitment and retention crisis facing our schools. But pandering to unions with bonus payments will only get him so far a brave leader would acknowledge that one of the biggest problems is poor pupil behaviour.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/starmer-should-ackno...r-for-students
Electric Canadian
A Manual of Fret Cutting and Wood Carvings
By Major-Gen. Sir Thomas Seaton K.C.B. with Diagrams (1874)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion...00seatiala.pdf
The Spoilers of the Valley
A Novel by Robert Watson (1921)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...00watsuoft.pdf
Canadian Bookman
The 1919 edition (pdf). Where this issue talks of the importance of books to Canadians and at the same time acknowledges the coming of TV and Other audio devices.
An interesting read which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/maga...ookman1919.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 2nd day of July 2023
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
Where Nola talks about Canada Day and you can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...y-of-july-2023
Alone built a stone house in the forest
Hello, as usual, after my house is ready, I collect the entire construction process in one rather short video.
You can watch this at:
https://archive.org/details/youtube-uz3Lyq2pZdE
Building Dry Stone Retaining Walls
This video shows how to build small drystone retaining walls from beginning to end; laying out the shape, digging the foundation, determining the wall angle, building the face, packing the back, and leveling the top. The techniques are suitable for all rock types, whether glacially rounded, angular, or flat-bedded
You can watch this at:
https://archive.org/details/Building...RetainingWalls
Canadian Nights
Being sketches and reminiscences of life and sport in the Rockies, the Prairies, and the Canadian woods by the Earl of Dunraven (1914) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...diannights.pdf
Electric Scotland
Many Celebrities and a few others
A Bundle of Reminiscences by William H. Rideing (1912) (pdf)
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/lifesty...iesa00ride.pdf
How Scotch Whisky is Fueling Decades of Good Works
By Niall MacKenzie (University of Glasgow), Martin Gannon (University of Edinburgh) and Jillian Gordon (University of Glasgow) (2021)
You can read this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/food/Ho...ing-Decade.pdf
Teacher Preparation in Scotland, 1872 - 1920
By Moira Hulme (pdf)
You can read this report at:
https://electricscotland.com/educati...1920_Hulme.pdf
James Melville
Found the 2nd volume of his diary and have added a link to it from our page about him.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...lle_james1.htm
Dr. Peter Marshall
Scottish-American preacher and was appointed as Chaplain of the United States Senate but died early.
You can listen to a couple of his sermons and learn more about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...r-marshall.htm
The Analysis of the Hunting Field
Being a series of the Principal characters that compose one, The whole forming a slight souvenir of the season 1845-6. A new edition (1904)
Added this book to our Fox Hunting page which you can get to at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/hound
Margaret
Queen's of Scotland
Some small biographies which make interesting reading and you can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/other/Margaret.htm
Mar
A number of biographies of Earls of Mar
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/other/Mar.htm
Man or Main, James
Philologist
You can read about him at:
https://electricscotland.com/history.../man_james.htm
Adam Smith
Updated his page with 2 new videos and two new articles.
You can get to this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...smith_adam.htm
Famous War Correspondents
By F. Lauriston Bullard (1914) (pdf)
You can read about them at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...00bullrich.pdf
Story
A Fragmented Masterpiece
Recovering the Biography of the Hilton of Cadboll Pictish Cross-Slab by Heather F James, Isabel Henderson, Sally M Foster and Siān Jones
The cross-slab from Hilton of Cadboll in Ross and Cromarty is one of the best-known and most beautiful early medieval sculptures in Britain. It is displayed in the National Museums of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, and the medieval chapel site from which it came is cared for by Historic Scotland (NGR NH 8731 7687). The original Pictish carving is preserved on one side, including ornate Pictish symbols, a hunting scene that includes a female rider and a panel of spiral ornament, the whole enclosed within a border of animal-inhabited vine-scroll. The other face, on which it was assumed there would have been a Christian cross, was chipped off and replaced by a memorial inscription bearing the date 1676. Excavations close to the chapel in 1998 yielded carved fragments from the missing cross-face, and further excavation in 2001 revealed not only more carved fragments but also the lower portion of the slab still in a setting in the ground. This lower portion is exceptionally well preserved and carved on both sides. There is a gap between the lower portion and the upper portion, but parts of this missing midportion have been recognised among the fragments. This important discovery led to a multi-disciplinary project involving art history, archaeology, scientific analysis, ethnography and cultural history.
The archaeological excavations revealed that the cross-slab had been broken twice early in its life, the first time when the tenon broke and the second time when the upper portion fell, leaving the lower portion (the new tenon) in the ground. Its original location was probably close to where it was re-erected in the mid-12th century, and it is likely that there was a Pictish church here, accompanied by burials and in some way linked to the Pictish monastery at Portmahomack. The medieval context for the second setting of the crossslab, possibly slightly pre-dating the construction of a medieval chapel and children’s graveyard, has showed the continued importance of the site to medieval society and the desire to express veneration and respect for this Christian monument. Despite the small area of the graveyard that has been examined, it can be seen that its use changed after the Reformation to include the adult population. The surrounding deposits are not rich with artefacts but are consistent with a site that was in the vicinity of medieval and post-medieval settlement.
The excavations yielded 11,252 fragments of stone, of which 7497 belong to the cross-slab, and of these 3370 fragments bear traces of carving. The digital database of all the carved fragments may be consulted online from the Arts and Humanities Data Service, University of York (http://ahds.ac.uk/). Detailed studies concern the cross-slab itself (geology, toolmarks, the way in which it became fragmented, the epigraphy of the inscription), scientific dating, environmental evidence and other artefacts discovered during the excavations, including part of a medieval relief cross and a stone with a simple incised cross. A potential source for the Middle Old Red Sandstone of the cross-slab is the foreshore at nearby Jessie Port.
The Hilton of Cadboll slab is now seen to have been profoundly Christian, drawing on venerable Early Christian imagery to convey its message of Salvation. The uniquely architectural, embossed stepped base preserved on the front of the lower portion, confirms Pictish sculptors’ knowledge of the representation of the jewelled cross erected at Golgotha in the fifth century. Elements of this imagery are found elsewhere in Ross-shire, on the Shandwick cross, on a cross-slab at Rosemarkie and on the Edderton cross-slab. The reconstruction of the mid-portion showed that a crosshead of a distinctly Pictish design was set at the centre of the spiral panel on the reverse of the slab. This glorified cross can be compared to the vision of the cross set against the sun experienced by Constantine the Great before the battle at the Milvian Bridge around ad 312 and associated with Conversion and the Triumph of Christianity. The cross and the Eucharistic vine-scroll which borders the reverse of the slab allow a reappraisal of the famous image of a female rider. It is argued that this dominant Christian context and the frontal pose of the mounted figure suggest that, like the male riders on Pictish slabs, the figure is not a specific contemporary aristocrat but rather an idealisation of female authority and Christian integrity. The figures on the front face of the mid-portion are seen as concerned with Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. The heavy fleshy creatures that flank the cross-base can be related to the animal art of the other tall slabs of Easter Ross, the St Andrews Sarcophagus and to a number of Insular works of art of the second half of the eighth century, in particular the Anglo-Saxon Gandersheim Casket. This Casket was made in Mercia in the late eighth century and provides the most secure approximate date for the Hilton cross-slab. The condition of the carving on the hitherto unknown bottom edge of the Hilton vinescroll shows that the same animal style was used both for the inhabitants of the scrolls and for animals on the upper portion, a uniformity of style that was the creation of the Hilton sculptor. The art of the Hilton cross-slab underscores the relationship between the sculpture north and south of the Grampians evident in the other tall slabs of Easter Ross.
A biographical approach to the history of the Hilton cross-slab has enabled the changing meanings and values of the monument to be traced though time and has contributed to a wider understanding of attitudes towards early medieval sculpture. For the early medieval and medieval periods the sources are often remote from the cross-slab and its Tarbat environment, but for more recent phases in its biography, historical sources pertaining directly to the monument or its immediate context have been enlightening. The discovery of George Mackenzie’s letter of 1675 about a storm on 21 December 1674 that toppled a large obelisk has been important to the interpretation of 17th-century events surrounding the cross-slab. Later documents have enabled a much fuller picture to be drawn of the monument and the various people who have engaged with it, including a rich body of documentary sources relating to events in 1921 when the upper portion was sent to the British Museum in London and later that year returned to Scotland. Ethnographic research, involving interviews and participant observation, has also proved to be important in revealing the depth and range of meanings and values attached to the monument in contemporary society. Together, the historical and ethnographic evidence shows that the specific religious meanings surrounding the cross-slab prior to the Reformation declined from the Enlightenment onwards. In their place, the monument became involved in a complex body of symbolism relating to national, community and class identities.
At local initiative, a replica of the cross-slab has been erected close to the chapel site at Hilton of Cadboll, a project that commenced before the discovery of the lower portion, and the original lower portion is now in the Seaboard Memorial Hall in neighbouring Balintore.
You can read this publication at
http://books.socantscot.org/digital-...catalog/book/6
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
Comment