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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada in Flanders
Canadian Index of Wellbeing
Release of the BTB and RCC Reports to Leaders 2012
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
The House of Green Shutters
Songs from John Henderson
Sir David Brewster
Old Scottish Customs
Slum Life in Edinburgh
Clan Wallace
Old Highland Roads
Popular Domestic Medicine in the Highlands fifty years ago
Notes on the Parish of Alness
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland by Martin
The Sheiling: Its Traditions and Songs
Clan Chattan Genealogies
The MacIntyres of Glennoe
The Frasers of Guisachan, styled Mac-Huistean
Celts and Teutons
Badenoch: Its History, Clans and Place Names
Henry Francis Lyte
The Church and Education in the Highlands
Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness
and finally
Electric Scotland News
Well the last newsletter of the year and it almost didn't get done as a house just 2 doors down from me went on fire and so very quickly lost gas and electricity. It took 6 hours to get the utilities back. It took around 4 hours to put out the fire. Actually I couldn't believe it as they poured water from various hoses into the house and it just kept burning.
------
Had an enjoyable time with my friends in Toronto but was glad I made the decision to return on Boxing day as the last half hour of the journey back I hit quite heavy snow and so we were all driving very slowly as a result.
-----
We got our Electric Scotland Community back to normal with the only item missing in the menu is the Arcade. I've talked to Steve and he said he'd try and get this fixed tonight. You can get to it direct at http://www.electricscotland.org/arcade.php
Electric Canadian
Canada in Flanders
By Sir Max Aitken MP (1916)
We're now up to Chapter 5 of this book and here is how this chapter starts...
In a battle of the extent and diversity of Ypres, there naturally arose innumerable acts of individual heroism, to which reference could not be made in the course of the narrative of the engagement without disturbing its military balance as a whole.
I therefore propose to deal with a few of these incidents now, as they form a record of unsurpassed valour and tenacity of which every Canadian must be proud.
Quite apart, however, from incidents which occur in the actual fighting, there is a time immediately before a battle, and a time immediately after it, which provide a wealth of human interest too poignant to be overlooked. Our vision, narrowed a little by direct concentration on the progress of the engagement, and our ears dulled a little by the din of the conflict, we are prone to overlook the fact that this war is waged amid scenes only a short time ago devoted to the various avocations of peace, and that on the Western Front, especially, the armies of the Allies are oftentimes inextricably mixed with the civilian element and the civilian population.
A wave of battle is like a wave of the sea. While it advances, one is only conscious of its rush and roar, only concerned to measure how far it may advance. As it ebbs, the known landmarks show again, and we have leisure to gather observations of comrades who were borne backwards or forwards on the flood.
The wave that fell on us round Ypres has baptised the Dominion into nationhood—the mere written word, “Canada,” glows now with a new meaning before all the civilised world. Canada has proved herself, and not unworthily; but those who survive of the men who have won us our world-right to pride, are too busy to trouble their heads about history. That may come in days of peace. The main outlines of the battle have been dealt with already. We know what troops took part in it and how they bore themselves, but the thousand vivid and intimate episodes, seen between two blasts of gunfire, or recounted by men met by chance in some temporary shelter, can never all be told. Yet they are too characteristic in their unconsciousness to be left without an attempt at a record; so I give a little handful from a great harvest.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc.../chapter05.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ders/index.htm
Canadian Index of Wellbeing
How are Canadians really doing? Is our overall quality of life getting better or worse? Are we getting closer or moving farther away from realizing the kind of Canada we want to live in?
You can learn all this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/wellbeing.htm
Release of the BTB and RCC Reports to Leaders 2012
Reports produced by the US Embassy in Canada on The Beyond the Border Action Plan.
It actually takes the Americans to tell us how we're doing as this information is not easily available in Canada and so well worth a read. You can get to the two reports at http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ports_2012.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Jim Lynch and lots to read in this final issue of the year.
You can read this weeks issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are working on adding volume 1 of this and have added 3 more pdf files for you to read.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Scottish poet, literary biographer, and romantic story-teller.
We've now added...
Chapter 13 Year 1905
Chapter 14 Conclusion
and the Index
And this now completes this book.
You can read these at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rp_william.htm
House of Green Shutters
Journalist, Teacher, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Critic
We've now added more chapters to the "House of Green Shutters" and now up to chapter XXVI.
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_george_d.htm
Songs from John Henderson
The Auld Year - The New Year
Lyrics composed by John Henderson on the 27th of December, 2012,
to the main melody of 'The Barony Waltz'.
This Auld Year an' maist afore it
We've jined in Hogmanay,
Sae we're pairtyin' an' doonin' drams
Sangin' the oors away;
The midnicht chimes are soondin' noo
Sae we maun git on oor way,
An' ging feerst-fit freens an' kin
In thur hames on this New Year's Day.
"Guid New Year an' mony o'-them
We weesh tae aabody;
Tak guid tent yersels bit ithers tee
Wycely an' hertily;
Canty days an' plenty o'-them
We howp fur ain an' aa;
Bit thase nae guid, fan they faa
We prig seen wull ging fest awa."
You can read more of John's songs mostly in the Doric language at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Sir David Brewster
We continue to add chapters and this week have added...
Chapter X - Notes of Life from 1830 to 1836
Chapter XI - Notes of Life from 1836 to 1844
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n/brewster.htm
Old Scottish Customs
By E. J. Guthrie (1885)
I'm now up to Chapter XII with this book. Here is one of these longer snippets for you to read here...
LAMMASTIDE CUSTOMS AT MID-LOTHIAN.
IN the first volume of the Archaeologia Scotica,published by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1792, there is a very good description of the manner in which the Lammas festival used to be celebrated in Mid-Lothian about the middle of the eighteenth century. From this paper it appears that all the herds within a certain district towards the beginning of summer associated themselves into hands, sometimes to the number of a hundred or more.
Each of these communities agreed to build a tower in some conspicuous place near the centre of their district. This tower was usually built of sods, though sometimes of stones. It was for the most part square, about 4 feet in diameter at the bottom, and tapering to a point at the top, which was seldom above 7 feet or eight feet from the ground. In building it a hole was left in the centre for admitting a flags Lai;', on which were displayed their colours on the great day of the festival. This tower was generally commenced about a month before Lammas, being seldom entirely completed till close upon that time. From the moment the foundation of the tower was laid it became an object of care and attention to-the whole community, for it was reckoned a disgrace to suffer it to be defaced. As the honour that was acquired by the demolition of a tower, if effected by those belonging to another, was in proportion to the disgrace of suffering it to be demolished, each party endeavoured to circumvent the other as much -as possible. To give the alarm of the approach of an attacking party, every person was armed with a tooting-horn. As the great day of Lammas approached, each community chose one from among themselves for their captain.
They marched forth early in the morning on Lammas Day dressed in their best apparel, each armed with a stout cudgel, and, repairing to their tower, there displayed their colours in triumph. If news was brought that a hostile party approached, the horns sounded to arms. Seldom did they admit the approach of the enemy, but usually went forth to meet them. When the two parties met they mutually desired each other to lower their colours in sign of subjection, and if there appeared to be a great disproportion in the strength of the parties, the weakest usually submitted to this ceremony without much difficulty. But if they were nearly equal in strength none of them would yield, and the meeting ended in blows, and sometimes in bloodshed. When they had remained at their tower till about mid-day, if no opponent appeared, or if they themselves had no intention of making an attack, they then took •down their colours and marched with horns sounding towards the most considerable village in their district, when the lasses and all the people came out to meet them and partake of their diversions. Boundaries were immediately appointed, and a proclamation made that all who intended to compete in the race should appear. A bonnet ornamented with ribbons was displayed upon a pole as the prize of the victor. The prize of the second race was a pair of garters, and the third a knife. When two parties met and one yielded to the other, they marched together for some time in two separate bodies, the subjected body behind the other; and then they parted good friends, each party performing their races at their own appointed place.
You can read the various chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...toms/index.htm
Slum Life in Edinburgh
Or Scenes in its Darkest Places by T. B. M. (1891)
Now up to Chapter VII.
Here is how the account of "Life in Common Lodging-Houses" starts...
We come now to a lower circle in this. Inferno— the third. We have had glimpses of life as it is to be seen in the one-roomed dwelling of the poor man ; we have also looked at the conditions of existence a grade further down, where the system of “furnished lodgings” is in vogue; our next descent is to the sphere of the common lodging-house. The people who live in common lodging-houses may be said to be in the very lowest strata of our population, embracing as they do inferior artisans and labourers, criminals of all kinds, tramps and beggars; all those pitiable beings, in fact, who because of misfortune or bad character, have never been able to gain an independent position in life, but drift about, like straws in the gutter, a misery to themselves and a constant annoyance and burden to the community.
Lodging-houses, of course, differ in degrees of respectability. One house may be noted for its cleanliness, orderliness, and general good management. Another may have a bad reputation as a refuge for thieves, and women of questionable character, and, accordingly, have the eye of the police continually upon it. A third may be the favourite “howff” of the tramp tribe; while resident mendicants make a fourth their customary “doss-house.”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter05.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/slum/index.htm
Clan Wallace
We got in a copy of the Fall-Winter 2012 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...etters/wallace
Old Highland Roads
From the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
In the paper I propose reading to you on this occasion it is my intention to try to trace out the progress of road-making as an index to the state of the Highlands, and to show, as far as I can, the bearing they have had on the progress and civilisation of the country, more particularly on this Northern region. The making of roads must have been the first efficient step to the development of the country, for until these and other convenient modes of transport are developed, no country can progress either in wealth or comfort. No doubt it was owing to the want of these that the Highlands of Scotland.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...land_roads.htm
Popular Domestic Medicine in the Highlands fifty years ago
From the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
In Martin’s “Western Islands,” published in 1703, there will be found a great variety of most interesting information as to the popular medical remedies and surgical appliances which, nearly two centuries ago, he found in common use among the Celts of the Isles. Martin’s book is, indeed, a rich mine, wherein might easily be quarried much precious ore, in the folk-lore, not only of popular medicine, but of a thousand other delightful topics. I am not going to review the work, nor to draw upon its multiform contents for the materials of a lecture. Till very recently it was-one of the rarest and most precious of rare Highland books; but it has now been reprinted, and brought within the reach of ordinary readers. Every Highlander, and every student of the Highland problem, whether on its social, political, or economical sides, should possess and carefully study the volume. In its pages I can promise him a feast of fat things, and of wine well refined— not merely a substantial repast, but a feast of knowledge, so served and flavoured as to tickle the palate of the most fastidious literary epicure, whatever his tastes or predilections.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...c_medicine.htm
Notes on the Parish of Alness
A paper from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society
Two years ago I had the honour of reading before this Society a paper on the topography of the Parish of Rosskeen, in which some friends in the Parish of Alness were so much interested that they wished me to prepare a similar paper on their Parish, which I have done, and now take the liberty of reading. I hope those friends and others will find a few things in it which will interest them.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/alness.htm
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland by Martin
This is an old book published in 1716 and contains exceptional information.
This is a truly excellent book with some superb information but is a wee challenge to read as the letter s is written as the letter f so makes it a wee bit challenging to read.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/martin.htm
The Sheiling: Its Traditions and Songs
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
The rearing of their cows, and caring for their welfare, was It matter of great importance to the Highlanders of the past. Milk, in its different forms, was the food on which they chiefly depended for their existence. Tea had not yet unstrung the nerves of our great-grandmothers, nor given dyspepsia. to our healthy and longlived forefathers. Their only beverages to refresh or strengthen besides the "canaraich" of beef and venison- were from the cow; and their store of butter and cheese largely represented their winter provision. It was therefore of great consequence to them to have their cattle so fed that their yield of milk would not only be increased but enriched. Deer forests or large sheep farms did not then shut them out from the glens of their native hills. The people formed the wealth of the chief, and the stronger and more numerous they were, the greater was his importance as one of the decisive forces of his native land.
I compiled this article into a pdf file due to all the Gaelic language used in it and you can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es/sheling.htm
Clan Chattan Genealogies
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society in pdf format at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...c/chattan2.pdf
The MacIntyres of Glennoe
This came from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society and is a pdf of the article which can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc.../macintyre.pdf
The Frasers of Guisachan, styled Mac-Huistean
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society and can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/fraser3.html
Celts and Teutons
An interesting article showing the progress of the two races which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ts_teutons.htm
Badenoch: Its History, Clans and Place Names
Includes quite a good account of Clan Chattan which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/badenoch.htm
Henry Francis Lyte
We got in 3 interesting pdf files providing more information on the author of "Abide with Me" and also a couple of mp3 files of the song in mp3 format and you can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lyte_henry.htm
The Church and Education in the Highlands
By The Rev. Donald Masson.
In dealing with this subject, it would be unfair to dwell exclusively on the splendid educational work of the Protestant Presbyterian Church—that work, so wisely begun by John Knox, which, for good or evil, was finally closed by the Education Act of 1872. We must remember that from very early times, long before the Reformation, there were favoured spots of our native land where the lamp of knowledge was trimmed and tended with pious care by learned and faithful men, whose teaching and great personal influence shed abroad into the darkness some rays of culture and the light of softened manners. We ought also to remember that education is not always and necessarily a matter of letters, and writings, and books.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/educ...urchandedu.htm
Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness
I have now got up the first 26 volumes as I promised in last weeks newsletter. Tons of great reading and you can get to these at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/gaelic
And finally...
Kindly Grannie
An elderly lady from Glasgow visiting her grandson in America during the Glasgow Fair was asked on arrival at New York immigration:
"Ma'am, do you have any meats, fruits or any other foodstuffs with you?".
"Aw, son" she replied sympathetically. "Ah huvny even a sweetie (candy) ah can gie ye."
-----
Nine till Five
The boss of a Glasgow office was asked to explain by health and safety officials why he had not held a fire alarm practice in living memory.
"Don't have to," he blithely replied. "They practise every night at five o'clock sharp, and are really excellent at it."
And that's it for now and hope you all have a Happy New Year and if you want to learn all about the traditional song Auld Lang Sang so you can sing it seeing in the New Year and to show of your knowledge of the song then visit:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/langsyne.htm
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada in Flanders
Canadian Index of Wellbeing
Release of the BTB and RCC Reports to Leaders 2012
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
The House of Green Shutters
Songs from John Henderson
Sir David Brewster
Old Scottish Customs
Slum Life in Edinburgh
Clan Wallace
Old Highland Roads
Popular Domestic Medicine in the Highlands fifty years ago
Notes on the Parish of Alness
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland by Martin
The Sheiling: Its Traditions and Songs
Clan Chattan Genealogies
The MacIntyres of Glennoe
The Frasers of Guisachan, styled Mac-Huistean
Celts and Teutons
Badenoch: Its History, Clans and Place Names
Henry Francis Lyte
The Church and Education in the Highlands
Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness
and finally
Electric Scotland News
Well the last newsletter of the year and it almost didn't get done as a house just 2 doors down from me went on fire and so very quickly lost gas and electricity. It took 6 hours to get the utilities back. It took around 4 hours to put out the fire. Actually I couldn't believe it as they poured water from various hoses into the house and it just kept burning.
------
Had an enjoyable time with my friends in Toronto but was glad I made the decision to return on Boxing day as the last half hour of the journey back I hit quite heavy snow and so we were all driving very slowly as a result.
-----
We got our Electric Scotland Community back to normal with the only item missing in the menu is the Arcade. I've talked to Steve and he said he'd try and get this fixed tonight. You can get to it direct at http://www.electricscotland.org/arcade.php
Electric Canadian
Canada in Flanders
By Sir Max Aitken MP (1916)
We're now up to Chapter 5 of this book and here is how this chapter starts...
In a battle of the extent and diversity of Ypres, there naturally arose innumerable acts of individual heroism, to which reference could not be made in the course of the narrative of the engagement without disturbing its military balance as a whole.
I therefore propose to deal with a few of these incidents now, as they form a record of unsurpassed valour and tenacity of which every Canadian must be proud.
Quite apart, however, from incidents which occur in the actual fighting, there is a time immediately before a battle, and a time immediately after it, which provide a wealth of human interest too poignant to be overlooked. Our vision, narrowed a little by direct concentration on the progress of the engagement, and our ears dulled a little by the din of the conflict, we are prone to overlook the fact that this war is waged amid scenes only a short time ago devoted to the various avocations of peace, and that on the Western Front, especially, the armies of the Allies are oftentimes inextricably mixed with the civilian element and the civilian population.
A wave of battle is like a wave of the sea. While it advances, one is only conscious of its rush and roar, only concerned to measure how far it may advance. As it ebbs, the known landmarks show again, and we have leisure to gather observations of comrades who were borne backwards or forwards on the flood.
The wave that fell on us round Ypres has baptised the Dominion into nationhood—the mere written word, “Canada,” glows now with a new meaning before all the civilised world. Canada has proved herself, and not unworthily; but those who survive of the men who have won us our world-right to pride, are too busy to trouble their heads about history. That may come in days of peace. The main outlines of the battle have been dealt with already. We know what troops took part in it and how they bore themselves, but the thousand vivid and intimate episodes, seen between two blasts of gunfire, or recounted by men met by chance in some temporary shelter, can never all be told. Yet they are too characteristic in their unconsciousness to be left without an attempt at a record; so I give a little handful from a great harvest.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc.../chapter05.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ders/index.htm
Canadian Index of Wellbeing
How are Canadians really doing? Is our overall quality of life getting better or worse? Are we getting closer or moving farther away from realizing the kind of Canada we want to live in?
You can learn all this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/wellbeing.htm
Release of the BTB and RCC Reports to Leaders 2012
Reports produced by the US Embassy in Canada on The Beyond the Border Action Plan.
It actually takes the Americans to tell us how we're doing as this information is not easily available in Canada and so well worth a read. You can get to the two reports at http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ports_2012.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Jim Lynch and lots to read in this final issue of the year.
You can read this weeks issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are working on adding volume 1 of this and have added 3 more pdf files for you to read.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
A Significant Scot - William Sharp
Scottish poet, literary biographer, and romantic story-teller.
We've now added...
Chapter 13 Year 1905
Chapter 14 Conclusion
and the Index
And this now completes this book.
You can read these at the foot of the page at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rp_william.htm
House of Green Shutters
Journalist, Teacher, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Critic
We've now added more chapters to the "House of Green Shutters" and now up to chapter XXVI.
You can read these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_george_d.htm
Songs from John Henderson
The Auld Year - The New Year
Lyrics composed by John Henderson on the 27th of December, 2012,
to the main melody of 'The Barony Waltz'.
This Auld Year an' maist afore it
We've jined in Hogmanay,
Sae we're pairtyin' an' doonin' drams
Sangin' the oors away;
The midnicht chimes are soondin' noo
Sae we maun git on oor way,
An' ging feerst-fit freens an' kin
In thur hames on this New Year's Day.
"Guid New Year an' mony o'-them
We weesh tae aabody;
Tak guid tent yersels bit ithers tee
Wycely an' hertily;
Canty days an' plenty o'-them
We howp fur ain an' aa;
Bit thase nae guid, fan they faa
We prig seen wull ging fest awa."
You can read more of John's songs mostly in the Doric language at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Sir David Brewster
We continue to add chapters and this week have added...
Chapter X - Notes of Life from 1830 to 1836
Chapter XI - Notes of Life from 1836 to 1844
You can read these chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n/brewster.htm
Old Scottish Customs
By E. J. Guthrie (1885)
I'm now up to Chapter XII with this book. Here is one of these longer snippets for you to read here...
LAMMASTIDE CUSTOMS AT MID-LOTHIAN.
IN the first volume of the Archaeologia Scotica,published by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1792, there is a very good description of the manner in which the Lammas festival used to be celebrated in Mid-Lothian about the middle of the eighteenth century. From this paper it appears that all the herds within a certain district towards the beginning of summer associated themselves into hands, sometimes to the number of a hundred or more.
Each of these communities agreed to build a tower in some conspicuous place near the centre of their district. This tower was usually built of sods, though sometimes of stones. It was for the most part square, about 4 feet in diameter at the bottom, and tapering to a point at the top, which was seldom above 7 feet or eight feet from the ground. In building it a hole was left in the centre for admitting a flags Lai;', on which were displayed their colours on the great day of the festival. This tower was generally commenced about a month before Lammas, being seldom entirely completed till close upon that time. From the moment the foundation of the tower was laid it became an object of care and attention to-the whole community, for it was reckoned a disgrace to suffer it to be defaced. As the honour that was acquired by the demolition of a tower, if effected by those belonging to another, was in proportion to the disgrace of suffering it to be demolished, each party endeavoured to circumvent the other as much -as possible. To give the alarm of the approach of an attacking party, every person was armed with a tooting-horn. As the great day of Lammas approached, each community chose one from among themselves for their captain.
They marched forth early in the morning on Lammas Day dressed in their best apparel, each armed with a stout cudgel, and, repairing to their tower, there displayed their colours in triumph. If news was brought that a hostile party approached, the horns sounded to arms. Seldom did they admit the approach of the enemy, but usually went forth to meet them. When the two parties met they mutually desired each other to lower their colours in sign of subjection, and if there appeared to be a great disproportion in the strength of the parties, the weakest usually submitted to this ceremony without much difficulty. But if they were nearly equal in strength none of them would yield, and the meeting ended in blows, and sometimes in bloodshed. When they had remained at their tower till about mid-day, if no opponent appeared, or if they themselves had no intention of making an attack, they then took •down their colours and marched with horns sounding towards the most considerable village in their district, when the lasses and all the people came out to meet them and partake of their diversions. Boundaries were immediately appointed, and a proclamation made that all who intended to compete in the race should appear. A bonnet ornamented with ribbons was displayed upon a pole as the prize of the victor. The prize of the second race was a pair of garters, and the third a knife. When two parties met and one yielded to the other, they marched together for some time in two separate bodies, the subjected body behind the other; and then they parted good friends, each party performing their races at their own appointed place.
You can read the various chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...toms/index.htm
Slum Life in Edinburgh
Or Scenes in its Darkest Places by T. B. M. (1891)
Now up to Chapter VII.
Here is how the account of "Life in Common Lodging-Houses" starts...
We come now to a lower circle in this. Inferno— the third. We have had glimpses of life as it is to be seen in the one-roomed dwelling of the poor man ; we have also looked at the conditions of existence a grade further down, where the system of “furnished lodgings” is in vogue; our next descent is to the sphere of the common lodging-house. The people who live in common lodging-houses may be said to be in the very lowest strata of our population, embracing as they do inferior artisans and labourers, criminals of all kinds, tramps and beggars; all those pitiable beings, in fact, who because of misfortune or bad character, have never been able to gain an independent position in life, but drift about, like straws in the gutter, a misery to themselves and a constant annoyance and burden to the community.
Lodging-houses, of course, differ in degrees of respectability. One house may be noted for its cleanliness, orderliness, and general good management. Another may have a bad reputation as a refuge for thieves, and women of questionable character, and, accordingly, have the eye of the police continually upon it. A third may be the favourite “howff” of the tramp tribe; while resident mendicants make a fourth their customary “doss-house.”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter05.htm
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/slum/index.htm
Clan Wallace
We got in a copy of the Fall-Winter 2012 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...etters/wallace
Old Highland Roads
From the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
In the paper I propose reading to you on this occasion it is my intention to try to trace out the progress of road-making as an index to the state of the Highlands, and to show, as far as I can, the bearing they have had on the progress and civilisation of the country, more particularly on this Northern region. The making of roads must have been the first efficient step to the development of the country, for until these and other convenient modes of transport are developed, no country can progress either in wealth or comfort. No doubt it was owing to the want of these that the Highlands of Scotland.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...land_roads.htm
Popular Domestic Medicine in the Highlands fifty years ago
From the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
In Martin’s “Western Islands,” published in 1703, there will be found a great variety of most interesting information as to the popular medical remedies and surgical appliances which, nearly two centuries ago, he found in common use among the Celts of the Isles. Martin’s book is, indeed, a rich mine, wherein might easily be quarried much precious ore, in the folk-lore, not only of popular medicine, but of a thousand other delightful topics. I am not going to review the work, nor to draw upon its multiform contents for the materials of a lecture. Till very recently it was-one of the rarest and most precious of rare Highland books; but it has now been reprinted, and brought within the reach of ordinary readers. Every Highlander, and every student of the Highland problem, whether on its social, political, or economical sides, should possess and carefully study the volume. In its pages I can promise him a feast of fat things, and of wine well refined— not merely a substantial repast, but a feast of knowledge, so served and flavoured as to tickle the palate of the most fastidious literary epicure, whatever his tastes or predilections.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...c_medicine.htm
Notes on the Parish of Alness
A paper from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society
Two years ago I had the honour of reading before this Society a paper on the topography of the Parish of Rosskeen, in which some friends in the Parish of Alness were so much interested that they wished me to prepare a similar paper on their Parish, which I have done, and now take the liberty of reading. I hope those friends and others will find a few things in it which will interest them.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/alness.htm
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland by Martin
This is an old book published in 1716 and contains exceptional information.
This is a truly excellent book with some superb information but is a wee challenge to read as the letter s is written as the letter f so makes it a wee bit challenging to read.
You can get to this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/martin.htm
The Sheiling: Its Traditions and Songs
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society.
The rearing of their cows, and caring for their welfare, was It matter of great importance to the Highlanders of the past. Milk, in its different forms, was the food on which they chiefly depended for their existence. Tea had not yet unstrung the nerves of our great-grandmothers, nor given dyspepsia. to our healthy and longlived forefathers. Their only beverages to refresh or strengthen besides the "canaraich" of beef and venison- were from the cow; and their store of butter and cheese largely represented their winter provision. It was therefore of great consequence to them to have their cattle so fed that their yield of milk would not only be increased but enriched. Deer forests or large sheep farms did not then shut them out from the glens of their native hills. The people formed the wealth of the chief, and the stronger and more numerous they were, the greater was his importance as one of the decisive forces of his native land.
I compiled this article into a pdf file due to all the Gaelic language used in it and you can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es/sheling.htm
Clan Chattan Genealogies
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society in pdf format at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...c/chattan2.pdf
The MacIntyres of Glennoe
This came from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society and is a pdf of the article which can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc.../macintyre.pdf
The Frasers of Guisachan, styled Mac-Huistean
An article from the Transactions of the Gaelic Society and can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/fraser3.html
Celts and Teutons
An interesting article showing the progress of the two races which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ts_teutons.htm
Badenoch: Its History, Clans and Place Names
Includes quite a good account of Clan Chattan which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/badenoch.htm
Henry Francis Lyte
We got in 3 interesting pdf files providing more information on the author of "Abide with Me" and also a couple of mp3 files of the song in mp3 format and you can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lyte_henry.htm
The Church and Education in the Highlands
By The Rev. Donald Masson.
In dealing with this subject, it would be unfair to dwell exclusively on the splendid educational work of the Protestant Presbyterian Church—that work, so wisely begun by John Knox, which, for good or evil, was finally closed by the Education Act of 1872. We must remember that from very early times, long before the Reformation, there were favoured spots of our native land where the lamp of knowledge was trimmed and tended with pious care by learned and faithful men, whose teaching and great personal influence shed abroad into the darkness some rays of culture and the light of softened manners. We ought also to remember that education is not always and necessarily a matter of letters, and writings, and books.
You can read this article at http://www.electricscotland.com/educ...urchandedu.htm
Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness
I have now got up the first 26 volumes as I promised in last weeks newsletter. Tons of great reading and you can get to these at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/gaelic
And finally...
Kindly Grannie
An elderly lady from Glasgow visiting her grandson in America during the Glasgow Fair was asked on arrival at New York immigration:
"Ma'am, do you have any meats, fruits or any other foodstuffs with you?".
"Aw, son" she replied sympathetically. "Ah huvny even a sweetie (candy) ah can gie ye."
-----
Nine till Five
The boss of a Glasgow office was asked to explain by health and safety officials why he had not held a fire alarm practice in living memory.
"Don't have to," he blithely replied. "They practise every night at five o'clock sharp, and are really excellent at it."
And that's it for now and hope you all have a Happy New Year and if you want to learn all about the traditional song Auld Lang Sang so you can sing it seeing in the New Year and to show of your knowledge of the song then visit:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/langsyne.htm
Alastair