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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Rev James MacGregor D.D.
The Cree Nation
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
Sketches of Virginia
Songs of John Henderson
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Kilsyth, A Parish History
The Little White Bird by James Barrie
Strathmore Past and Present
Stephan Marshall Chalmers
Electric Scotland News
Well busy week in the US this week what with Sandy and the Presidential elections. For those affected by Sandy and now the Nor' Easter I hope you have survived.
As to the Presidential elections I can only assume that whatever party you voted for you are at least happy to see no more political adverts on your TV.
-----
I can't remember if I told you but we fixed the date issue with our Postcard program. Apparently it was a known issue although we didn't know about it but they had a patch and when applied it fixed the problem.
-----
I attended the Investiture of the Knights Templar in Windsor, Ontario last weekend. It was a very impressive service where the Grand Master and Grand Commander of the International Order came up from the US. The Grand Prior of Canada was retiring and was elevated to the position of Vicar General of the International Order. At the same time the new Grand Prior of Canada was invested and my friend Nola Crewe became the Grand Commander of Canada. This last should mean that in three years time she should become the Grand Prior of Canada making her the first woman in the order to hold this position.
I was asked to become the Newsletter editor for the Grand Priory of Canada and so have now accepted the position. I will say I had just resigned my position as newsletter editor of the St James Priory having done that for the past 3 years so guess in many ways I've just swapped roles so not much more work other than being more reliant on getting news from the individual Priories in Canada.
So this meant all Saturday and a chunk of Sunday was taken up with Knights Templar business. Nola has been charged with improving communications so is in overall charge and I've also been charged with looking at how to improve the web site of the Grand Priory of Canada.
I will say that membership is growing steadily and I know that Toronto aims at bringing in 50 new members in the next year. As you may know the Order is open to all Christians and is a social and charitable organisation so while doing good works we also get to socialise with our fellow Knights and Dames which are a very diverse group with millionaires and even the local plumber in the ranks. Many of course are also in the Armed Forces. As well as the Priory in Windsor they also have ones in Toronto and Ottawa and also a Commandery in Edmonton. They hope to start Commanderies in Nova Scotia and BC in the coming year.
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Rev James MacGregor D.D.
Missionary of the General Associate Synod of Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia with Notices of the Colonization of the Lower Provinces of British America, and of the Social and Religious condition of the Early Settlers by his Grandson The Rev. George Patterson (1859).
We have continued to add a chapter per day from this book and now up to chapter XVII. In Chapter XIII we learn...
As the life and labours of Doctor MacGregor are closely connected with the social progress of Pictou, we may here notice an important change, which took place about this time, viz., the introduction of law. Hitherto the settlers might be considered as one family. Squire Patterson had managed almost all their secular affairs. Indeed until the arrival of Doctor MacGregor he performed the ceremony of marriage, after notice had been duly posted up in several parts of the county. With him was associated, as possessing a kindred influence, John Patterson, commonly known as Deacon Patterson, and after his death as the old Deacon, from his son being also an elder of the church. For many years after his arrival here, there was neither law nor lawyers. In those happy times men took the scriptural mode of settling disputes. They were not afraid to leave the adjustment of ‘things that pertain to this life,’ to their conscientious neighbours. These two old Patriarchs, the squire and the deacon, famed as they were for integrity and sound sense, became the general peacemakers. None dared or wished to gainsay their decisions. Generally when two men in any place are upon an equality, the disposition to be first, so universally distributed among men, creates feuds between them, and the public good is left in the back ground, and the public peace disturbed. The two good men of 'whom we are speaking formed an honourable exception from that common occurrence. They lived together not merely on good terms, but a pattern of warm and inflexible friendship.”
But, during the few years that had elapsed since Doctor MacGregor’s arrival, the population had considerably increased. A number of pious Highland families were attracted hither from other parts of the Province by his preaching, and a considerable emigration of Highlanders, both Protestant and Catholic, took place about the years 1791 and 1792. This rapid increase of population now caused those halcyon days to cease, and in 1792, an order was issued by Government for holding an inferior court in this town. This was followed by the erection of a jail in the year 1791. It stood where the house of James D. B. Fraser, Esq., now stands, and was built by the late John Patterson. We have his account for it in our possession, from which it appears that the amount levied fur its erection, was paid principally in produce; wheat and maple sugar being the chief articles of exchange. Another change also may be noticed. Previously each settler had acted in a great measure as artizan for his own family, but such an increase led to mechanics devoting their time to their several employments, and thus introduced more of that division of labour, characteristic of a more advanced state of society.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...egor/index.htm
The Cree Nation
As promised last week I've been working on finding material for the Cree Nation and have found...
Cree Language and Culture
A Selective Bibliography of Supplementary Learning Resources has been prepared to assist teachers in selecting appropriate learning resources for students receiving Cree as a second language instruction. The bibliography includes print and non-print learning resources selected for use in the Cree Language and Culture Program, ECS-Grade 9 and in Cree instruction at the senior high school level. Included are resource materials written in Cree, using either syllabics or Roman orthography, and resources written in English. The resources cover subject areas which promote language learning and/or develop cultural sensitivity as well as professional references. Non-print materials include films, videos, prints and audiotapes.
Plains Cree Texts
The texts here presented were obtained during the summer of 1925 for the National Museum of Canada (Department of Mines), Ottawa, Canada. Thirty-six of the texts obtained on this trip have appeared as Bulletin Number 60 of the National Museum, under the title, Sacred Stories of the Sweet Grass Cree (Ottawa, 1930). The collection now before the reader consists of forty-six texts obtained by dictation during a five weeks' stay on Sweet Grass Reserve (Battleford Agency, Saskatchewan); the texts published in the above-mentioned Bulletin were obtained at the same time and from the same informants.
Copy of Treaty and Supplemental Treaties Made 20th and 21st September 1875
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Saulteaux Cree Tribes of Indians
Copies of the Treaties (1 and 2) made 8th and 21st August 1871
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Chippewa and Cree Indians
Copy of Treaty No. 6 Made 9th September, 1876
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Plain and Wood Cree Indians
On the Indian Trail
Stories of Missionary Work among Cree and Saulteaux Indians by Rev. Egerton Ryerson Young. (Text file)
The Isaac Cowie collection of Plains Cree material culture from Central Alberta
Notes on the eastern Cree and northern Saulteaux
By Alanson Skinner
By canoe and dog-train among the Cree and Salteaux Indians
by Rev. Egerton Ryerson Young.
The history of the Chippewa Cree of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
And you can find all this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...cree/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Gary Knox. No Synopsis this week but Gary has added three interesting articles.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
This week we have a new editor for this publication.
This issue includes...
No. 43—Jan 1897
Portraits of the Marquis of Argyll, his son the 9th Earl, and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dukes (continued)
Argyll Portraits—Letter
The 10th Earl of Argyll—Letter
The Castle Campbell Portrait of the Marquis of Argyll
John Barbour, John Trumpour, and a Legend of the Saints
John Graham of Kilbride
Who was the last Scottish Saint?
A Political ’Litany’—1686
The Pre-Reformation Chapel at the West Church, Stirling
Old Scots Bank Notes (continued)
Kirk or Mercat
The Menteith-Graham Coat-Armour
Some Peeblesshire Lists
Inventory of the Early Writs of the Burgh of Linlithgow (continued)
The Commissariot Register of Shetland (continued)
TRANSACTIONS OF SOCIETIES.
The Edinburgh Bibliographical Society
QUERIES.
Old Table Linen
Christian Maule
Mr. Charles Smith of Boulogne
REPLIES.
St. John’s East Parish Church, Perth
M'Kain of Elgin
This issue can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Sketches of Virginia
Historical and Biographical by The Rev. William Henry Foote D.D. (1856)
We're now up to Chapter XXVIII of this book. Most of the chapters added this week follow the life and work of Dr Rice and is pretty well a biography about him.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...inia/index.htm
Songs of John Henderson
John sent in three new songs this week, "Siller Sue Saxpence", "Oor Nicht Tryst By The Sea" and "The Slaa Burn"
You can read these at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Scottish poet, literary biographer, and romantic story-teller.
We've now started on adding volume two of his memoir and this week we've added Chapter 2 - The Mountain Lovers.
You can read about him at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rp_william.htm
Kilsyth, A Parish History
We're now up to Chapter XIII. In chapter XII we learn something about Farming in the area and this is how it starts...
Notwithstanding the enormous development of the national commerce and manufactures, the agricultural interest is still the most important in the country. With this interest the parish of Kilsyth has more than merely a local connection. It was for the largest portion of his life the residence of James Frew of Balmalloch, and it was the birth-place of Robert Graham and Robert Rennie.
Of the first, not more than a very few words need be said. He gave himself to the rearing of Ayrshire stock, and is a good example of how, by persistent energy, the ordinary Scottish farmer may come to make for himself an honourable name. In his special department at the Highland and Agricultural Show at Perth in 1861, and at the great English Show at Battersea, the same year, his animals carried all before them. The late Duke of Athole frequently visited him at Kilsyth, and recruited his stock by the purchase of the finest animals of the Balmalloch strain. He was born in Campsie parish in 1795, and died at Balmalloch in 1874.
But if James Frew is one of the lesser, Robert Graham is certainly one of the larger lights of Scottish agriculture. We simply owe to his memory a debt which we cannot pay. He introduced the potato to Scottish agriculture, and the Scottish farmer now produces annually over 800,000 tons of that important food supply. The value of the potato as an article of diet, relished alike by prince and peasant, its easy culture, its adaptation to a wide diversity of soil and climate, and its large and profitable productiveness, well entitle it to the high esteem in which it is now universally held. To the historian, those fields around Neilston, where it was first grown in Scotland, are more suggestive and interesting than those heights close by the “Slaughter Howe,” where the Covenanting army was so desperately worsted.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter12.htm
You can view the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kilsyth
The Little White Bird by James Barrie
We've decided to serialize this book as part of the reason is that his famous Peter Pan first appeared in it which led to the play.
We've now added the next 5 chapters...
Chapter VI - A Shock
Chapter VII - The Last of Tomothy
Chapter VIII - The Inconsiderate Waiter
Chapter IX - A Confirmed Spinster
Chapter X - Sporting Reflections
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rrie_james.htm
Strathmore Past and Present
By The Rev. J. G. M'Pherson (1885)
We've now added quite a few places to this book including...
The Abbey of Cupar
Blairgowrie
Rattray
Bendochy
Cupar-Angus
Lethendy and Kinloch
Meigle
Alyth
Ruthven
Newtyle
Kettins
Here is how the account of Alyth starts...
Few places have such a variety of attraction, combined with peculiar conveniences for business men in large centres of population, who wish to give a few months’ summer holiday to themselves and families, without interfering with the regular course of their daily avocations, as the unassuming town of Alyth, on the eastern border of Perthshire. For many years tourists have passed through it and visitors have summered in it. Beautifully situated on the northern slope of the great plain of Strathmore, it is protected from the harsh northern winds; the air is clear and invigorating; the mists and haars of the lower land and east coast are beyond its reach. We have just been informed by the medical practitioner of the town, Dr. Kidd (a gentleman rarely to be equalled for such an accurate grasp of medical diagnosis and practical experience in a town of this size), that there is now no epidemic in it, and that on the whole it is one of the healthiest towns in Scotland. The prices in the two hotels are exceptionally moderate, the rents of the excellent villas are by no means exorbitant; and being within an hour’s run by rail from Dundee, many business men, with large families and limited incomes, in these dull times will find it of great advantage to try this place for the summer months.
A few minutes’ walk in any direction takes the visitor to pleasant country nooks, for walking, fishing, botanising, or breathing highly-ozoned air. Just bordering on the parish, about four miles from the town, is the famous Reekie Linn, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole country, especially when the Isla is in flood ; for there is a clear fall (of good breadth) of 60 feet, followed immediately by another of 20 feet; and the constantly rising vapour from the spray makes its presence seen in the mists above for the distance of a mile or two up the Glen. Near also are the Slugs of Auchrannie (where through a chasm of3yards in breadth an average flow of 11,000 cubic feet of water is forced with tremendous power); within a few miles too are the Bonnie House o’ Airlie, and the Lintrathen Loch. In the exuberance of rich vegetation, and charm of wood and mountain, the town may, without exaggeration, be allowed the epithet which Goldsmith gave to his favourite Auburn— “Sweet Alyth, loveliest village of the-plain.”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter08.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...more/index.htm
Stephan Marshall Chalmers
We've added this person to our Significant Scots page. He was a novelist and reporter and we've attached to his page a couple of novels for you to read. You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rs_stephen.htm
And finally...
Pressing On
A call-centre worker in Glasgow tells us he had to phone potential customers and ask them a few short questions. If they didn't want to, he would ask if perhaps their partner had time to answer.
One woman he spoke to told him:
"Ahm sorry, son, I cannae help you, ahm in the middle o' the ironing."
"Perhaps your husband could help instead then," suggested the call centre chap.
"Naw, son," she replied. "There's no way he'd even touch the iron."
----
Oh Dear!
Did you hear about the woman telling her doctor that she couldn't sleep at nights because of all the dogs in the neighbourhood that kept on barking?
He gives her some sleeping pills to try and tells her to come back in a week.
When she returns to the surgery she is looking even more exhausted.
"Did the pills not work?" he asked.
"Ay," she replied, "but have you any idea the effort involved in getting all the dogs to take them?"
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Rev James MacGregor D.D.
The Cree Nation
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
Sketches of Virginia
Songs of John Henderson
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Kilsyth, A Parish History
The Little White Bird by James Barrie
Strathmore Past and Present
Stephan Marshall Chalmers
Electric Scotland News
Well busy week in the US this week what with Sandy and the Presidential elections. For those affected by Sandy and now the Nor' Easter I hope you have survived.
As to the Presidential elections I can only assume that whatever party you voted for you are at least happy to see no more political adverts on your TV.
-----
I can't remember if I told you but we fixed the date issue with our Postcard program. Apparently it was a known issue although we didn't know about it but they had a patch and when applied it fixed the problem.
-----
I attended the Investiture of the Knights Templar in Windsor, Ontario last weekend. It was a very impressive service where the Grand Master and Grand Commander of the International Order came up from the US. The Grand Prior of Canada was retiring and was elevated to the position of Vicar General of the International Order. At the same time the new Grand Prior of Canada was invested and my friend Nola Crewe became the Grand Commander of Canada. This last should mean that in three years time she should become the Grand Prior of Canada making her the first woman in the order to hold this position.
I was asked to become the Newsletter editor for the Grand Priory of Canada and so have now accepted the position. I will say I had just resigned my position as newsletter editor of the St James Priory having done that for the past 3 years so guess in many ways I've just swapped roles so not much more work other than being more reliant on getting news from the individual Priories in Canada.
So this meant all Saturday and a chunk of Sunday was taken up with Knights Templar business. Nola has been charged with improving communications so is in overall charge and I've also been charged with looking at how to improve the web site of the Grand Priory of Canada.
I will say that membership is growing steadily and I know that Toronto aims at bringing in 50 new members in the next year. As you may know the Order is open to all Christians and is a social and charitable organisation so while doing good works we also get to socialise with our fellow Knights and Dames which are a very diverse group with millionaires and even the local plumber in the ranks. Many of course are also in the Armed Forces. As well as the Priory in Windsor they also have ones in Toronto and Ottawa and also a Commandery in Edmonton. They hope to start Commanderies in Nova Scotia and BC in the coming year.
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Rev James MacGregor D.D.
Missionary of the General Associate Synod of Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia with Notices of the Colonization of the Lower Provinces of British America, and of the Social and Religious condition of the Early Settlers by his Grandson The Rev. George Patterson (1859).
We have continued to add a chapter per day from this book and now up to chapter XVII. In Chapter XIII we learn...
As the life and labours of Doctor MacGregor are closely connected with the social progress of Pictou, we may here notice an important change, which took place about this time, viz., the introduction of law. Hitherto the settlers might be considered as one family. Squire Patterson had managed almost all their secular affairs. Indeed until the arrival of Doctor MacGregor he performed the ceremony of marriage, after notice had been duly posted up in several parts of the county. With him was associated, as possessing a kindred influence, John Patterson, commonly known as Deacon Patterson, and after his death as the old Deacon, from his son being also an elder of the church. For many years after his arrival here, there was neither law nor lawyers. In those happy times men took the scriptural mode of settling disputes. They were not afraid to leave the adjustment of ‘things that pertain to this life,’ to their conscientious neighbours. These two old Patriarchs, the squire and the deacon, famed as they were for integrity and sound sense, became the general peacemakers. None dared or wished to gainsay their decisions. Generally when two men in any place are upon an equality, the disposition to be first, so universally distributed among men, creates feuds between them, and the public good is left in the back ground, and the public peace disturbed. The two good men of 'whom we are speaking formed an honourable exception from that common occurrence. They lived together not merely on good terms, but a pattern of warm and inflexible friendship.”
But, during the few years that had elapsed since Doctor MacGregor’s arrival, the population had considerably increased. A number of pious Highland families were attracted hither from other parts of the Province by his preaching, and a considerable emigration of Highlanders, both Protestant and Catholic, took place about the years 1791 and 1792. This rapid increase of population now caused those halcyon days to cease, and in 1792, an order was issued by Government for holding an inferior court in this town. This was followed by the erection of a jail in the year 1791. It stood where the house of James D. B. Fraser, Esq., now stands, and was built by the late John Patterson. We have his account for it in our possession, from which it appears that the amount levied fur its erection, was paid principally in produce; wheat and maple sugar being the chief articles of exchange. Another change also may be noticed. Previously each settler had acted in a great measure as artizan for his own family, but such an increase led to mechanics devoting their time to their several employments, and thus introduced more of that division of labour, characteristic of a more advanced state of society.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...egor/index.htm
The Cree Nation
As promised last week I've been working on finding material for the Cree Nation and have found...
Cree Language and Culture
A Selective Bibliography of Supplementary Learning Resources has been prepared to assist teachers in selecting appropriate learning resources for students receiving Cree as a second language instruction. The bibliography includes print and non-print learning resources selected for use in the Cree Language and Culture Program, ECS-Grade 9 and in Cree instruction at the senior high school level. Included are resource materials written in Cree, using either syllabics or Roman orthography, and resources written in English. The resources cover subject areas which promote language learning and/or develop cultural sensitivity as well as professional references. Non-print materials include films, videos, prints and audiotapes.
Plains Cree Texts
The texts here presented were obtained during the summer of 1925 for the National Museum of Canada (Department of Mines), Ottawa, Canada. Thirty-six of the texts obtained on this trip have appeared as Bulletin Number 60 of the National Museum, under the title, Sacred Stories of the Sweet Grass Cree (Ottawa, 1930). The collection now before the reader consists of forty-six texts obtained by dictation during a five weeks' stay on Sweet Grass Reserve (Battleford Agency, Saskatchewan); the texts published in the above-mentioned Bulletin were obtained at the same time and from the same informants.
Copy of Treaty and Supplemental Treaties Made 20th and 21st September 1875
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Saulteaux Cree Tribes of Indians
Copies of the Treaties (1 and 2) made 8th and 21st August 1871
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Chippewa and Cree Indians
Copy of Treaty No. 6 Made 9th September, 1876
Between Her Majesty the Queen and the Plain and Wood Cree Indians
On the Indian Trail
Stories of Missionary Work among Cree and Saulteaux Indians by Rev. Egerton Ryerson Young. (Text file)
The Isaac Cowie collection of Plains Cree material culture from Central Alberta
Notes on the eastern Cree and northern Saulteaux
By Alanson Skinner
By canoe and dog-train among the Cree and Salteaux Indians
by Rev. Egerton Ryerson Young.
The history of the Chippewa Cree of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
And you can find all this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...cree/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Gary Knox. No Synopsis this week but Gary has added three interesting articles.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
Northern Notes and Queries
This week we have a new editor for this publication.
This issue includes...
No. 43—Jan 1897
Portraits of the Marquis of Argyll, his son the 9th Earl, and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dukes (continued)
Argyll Portraits—Letter
The 10th Earl of Argyll—Letter
The Castle Campbell Portrait of the Marquis of Argyll
John Barbour, John Trumpour, and a Legend of the Saints
John Graham of Kilbride
Who was the last Scottish Saint?
A Political ’Litany’—1686
The Pre-Reformation Chapel at the West Church, Stirling
Old Scots Bank Notes (continued)
Kirk or Mercat
The Menteith-Graham Coat-Armour
Some Peeblesshire Lists
Inventory of the Early Writs of the Burgh of Linlithgow (continued)
The Commissariot Register of Shetland (continued)
TRANSACTIONS OF SOCIETIES.
The Edinburgh Bibliographical Society
QUERIES.
Old Table Linen
Christian Maule
Mr. Charles Smith of Boulogne
REPLIES.
St. John’s East Parish Church, Perth
M'Kain of Elgin
This issue can be viewed at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...hern/index.htm
Sketches of Virginia
Historical and Biographical by The Rev. William Henry Foote D.D. (1856)
We're now up to Chapter XXVIII of this book. Most of the chapters added this week follow the life and work of Dr Rice and is pretty well a biography about him.
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...inia/index.htm
Songs of John Henderson
John sent in three new songs this week, "Siller Sue Saxpence", "Oor Nicht Tryst By The Sea" and "The Slaa Burn"
You can read these at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Scottish poet, literary biographer, and romantic story-teller.
We've now started on adding volume two of his memoir and this week we've added Chapter 2 - The Mountain Lovers.
You can read about him at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rp_william.htm
Kilsyth, A Parish History
We're now up to Chapter XIII. In chapter XII we learn something about Farming in the area and this is how it starts...
Notwithstanding the enormous development of the national commerce and manufactures, the agricultural interest is still the most important in the country. With this interest the parish of Kilsyth has more than merely a local connection. It was for the largest portion of his life the residence of James Frew of Balmalloch, and it was the birth-place of Robert Graham and Robert Rennie.
Of the first, not more than a very few words need be said. He gave himself to the rearing of Ayrshire stock, and is a good example of how, by persistent energy, the ordinary Scottish farmer may come to make for himself an honourable name. In his special department at the Highland and Agricultural Show at Perth in 1861, and at the great English Show at Battersea, the same year, his animals carried all before them. The late Duke of Athole frequently visited him at Kilsyth, and recruited his stock by the purchase of the finest animals of the Balmalloch strain. He was born in Campsie parish in 1795, and died at Balmalloch in 1874.
But if James Frew is one of the lesser, Robert Graham is certainly one of the larger lights of Scottish agriculture. We simply owe to his memory a debt which we cannot pay. He introduced the potato to Scottish agriculture, and the Scottish farmer now produces annually over 800,000 tons of that important food supply. The value of the potato as an article of diet, relished alike by prince and peasant, its easy culture, its adaptation to a wide diversity of soil and climate, and its large and profitable productiveness, well entitle it to the high esteem in which it is now universally held. To the historian, those fields around Neilston, where it was first grown in Scotland, are more suggestive and interesting than those heights close by the “Slaughter Howe,” where the Covenanting army was so desperately worsted.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter12.htm
You can view the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/kilsyth
The Little White Bird by James Barrie
We've decided to serialize this book as part of the reason is that his famous Peter Pan first appeared in it which led to the play.
We've now added the next 5 chapters...
Chapter VI - A Shock
Chapter VII - The Last of Tomothy
Chapter VIII - The Inconsiderate Waiter
Chapter IX - A Confirmed Spinster
Chapter X - Sporting Reflections
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rrie_james.htm
Strathmore Past and Present
By The Rev. J. G. M'Pherson (1885)
We've now added quite a few places to this book including...
The Abbey of Cupar
Blairgowrie
Rattray
Bendochy
Cupar-Angus
Lethendy and Kinloch
Meigle
Alyth
Ruthven
Newtyle
Kettins
Here is how the account of Alyth starts...
Few places have such a variety of attraction, combined with peculiar conveniences for business men in large centres of population, who wish to give a few months’ summer holiday to themselves and families, without interfering with the regular course of their daily avocations, as the unassuming town of Alyth, on the eastern border of Perthshire. For many years tourists have passed through it and visitors have summered in it. Beautifully situated on the northern slope of the great plain of Strathmore, it is protected from the harsh northern winds; the air is clear and invigorating; the mists and haars of the lower land and east coast are beyond its reach. We have just been informed by the medical practitioner of the town, Dr. Kidd (a gentleman rarely to be equalled for such an accurate grasp of medical diagnosis and practical experience in a town of this size), that there is now no epidemic in it, and that on the whole it is one of the healthiest towns in Scotland. The prices in the two hotels are exceptionally moderate, the rents of the excellent villas are by no means exorbitant; and being within an hour’s run by rail from Dundee, many business men, with large families and limited incomes, in these dull times will find it of great advantage to try this place for the summer months.
A few minutes’ walk in any direction takes the visitor to pleasant country nooks, for walking, fishing, botanising, or breathing highly-ozoned air. Just bordering on the parish, about four miles from the town, is the famous Reekie Linn, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole country, especially when the Isla is in flood ; for there is a clear fall (of good breadth) of 60 feet, followed immediately by another of 20 feet; and the constantly rising vapour from the spray makes its presence seen in the mists above for the distance of a mile or two up the Glen. Near also are the Slugs of Auchrannie (where through a chasm of3yards in breadth an average flow of 11,000 cubic feet of water is forced with tremendous power); within a few miles too are the Bonnie House o’ Airlie, and the Lintrathen Loch. In the exuberance of rich vegetation, and charm of wood and mountain, the town may, without exaggeration, be allowed the epithet which Goldsmith gave to his favourite Auburn— “Sweet Alyth, loveliest village of the-plain.”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter08.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...more/index.htm
Stephan Marshall Chalmers
We've added this person to our Significant Scots page. He was a novelist and reporter and we've attached to his page a couple of novels for you to read. You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rs_stephen.htm
And finally...
Pressing On
A call-centre worker in Glasgow tells us he had to phone potential customers and ask them a few short questions. If they didn't want to, he would ask if perhaps their partner had time to answer.
One woman he spoke to told him:
"Ahm sorry, son, I cannae help you, ahm in the middle o' the ironing."
"Perhaps your husband could help instead then," suggested the call centre chap.
"Naw, son," she replied. "There's no way he'd even touch the iron."
----
Oh Dear!
Did you hear about the woman telling her doctor that she couldn't sleep at nights because of all the dogs in the neighbourhood that kept on barking?
He gives her some sleeping pills to try and tells her to come back in a week.
When she returns to the surgery she is looking even more exhausted.
"Did the pills not work?" he asked.
"Ay," she replied, "but have you any idea the effort involved in getting all the dogs to take them?"
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair