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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Robert Burns Lives!
British Artisan Expedition to America
Christina's Column
Tasmina's Column
Scottish Stories for Young Readers
The Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon
A History of the Parish of Neilston
Andrew Lang, writer and journalist
Lossiemouth
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Clan Gordon
Thomas Dykes
18th Century Book of Herbal Remedies
and finally
Electric Scotland News
I did a couple of videos this week...
The first is about whether an Independent Scotland should be a member of the EU and you can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/show...mber-of-the-EU
I guess I'm now so certain that we should not be in the EU that I am trying to get people to at least look at the arguments.
I also posted up a pdf of a report by the Burges group on their case for the UK to come out of the EU which you can read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/inde...21EFTAorEU.pdf
The second video was to provide an update on what's been going on at Electric Scotland recently and this can be viewed at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/show...as-at-May-2013
Of course all my videos get posted to YouTube and I just found out that you can apparently subscribe to my YouTube channel if you want to get an alert any time I add a new video.
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Grandfather Mountain Scottish Clan Caucus July 11, 2013
There is a great deal of excitement building up to our Scottish Clan Caucus to be held just prior to the opening of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year. COSCA is thrilled to be able to host this important gathering of clans and Scottish organizations to start a dialogue and produce ideas and consensus that helps put Scottish America on the best footing going forward into the 21st century.
You can find more information and register for the event at:
http://www.cosca.net/grandfather-mou...-july-11-2013/
Electric Canadian
Librarian and Archivist of Canada Resigns
On May 15, 2013 Daniel Caron, Chief Librarian and Archivist of Canada, resigned from his post. Caron’s leadership at LAC has been immensely unpopular. He oversaw the introduction of a “modernization” process which led to the cessation of purchased acquisitions, a severe decline in on-site service, a 20% cut to staff, a punitive code of conduct for employees, and the elimination of both the National Archival Development Program and the Inter-Library Loans program at LAC.
On May 22nd LAC employees were informed that Hervé Déry – Assistant Deputy Minister and Corporate Secretary in Policy and Collaboration – will be filling in as Interim Deputy Head of LAC. It is imperative that Monsieur Dery’s role is only interim and that the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada does not come from the ranks of current LAC management. LAC needs someone who is willing to reverse the damage that has been done at LAC over the past few years, as well as someone who will advocate for both LAC and libraries and archives across the country.
LAC has the opportunity to take up a new direction with a strong commitment to comprehensive collections and access for all Canadians both on-site and on-line. However, the dismemberment of LAC must also be understood as part of a more systemic problem, that is the federal government’s disregard for scientific evidence, data and a comprehensive historical record that is also occurring, for example, through the decimation of archeological research at Parks Canada, and the elimination of key Statistics Canada surveys.
A coalition of professional associations representing librarians, archivists, and historians has written an open letter outlining the qualities they expect in the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada. Click here to read the letter.
Here also is a thoughtful op-ed about the next leader of LAC.
CAUT`s statement on what it calls for in the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada can be found here.
LAC “not meant for public access”
In a telling exchange on Twitter, Minister James Moore responded to questions about deteriorating funding and access at LAC by stating “Is why (sic) we’re creating the History Museum: access. The LAC main building is not designed or meant for public access. History is.”
The subtext here couldn’t be clearer: While the government is actively thwarting access to resources that makes independent historical research possible, it is simultaneously eager to represent a version of Canada’s past that supports its own ideological vision in the present.
CAUT’s Executive Director wrote to Minister Moore requesting clarification about his statement.
A violation of the charter: LAC’s Code of Conduct
In March 2013, the LAC’s code of conduct restricting the activities of librarians and archivists was publicized.
The NDP has since requested that the Information Commissioner investigate the LAC Code of Conduct in the context of her investigation into the muzzling of government scientists and experts.
The Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians has issued a statement condemning LAC’s new Code of Conduct and analyzing the ways in which the code contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Specialist Archivists become generalists
Although there has been no official announcement from LAC, it appears that all specialist archival portfolios at LAC have been eliminated. Specialist portfolios have been replaced by function-based portfolios such as arrangement, description, appraisal etc. Specialist archivists are vital to the accessibility of LAC collections to Canadians.
Research will be greatly impoverished without the specialist archivists to help guide researchers through the collections. In fact, some researchers have actually been told that certain funds are not available to them because the archivist expert with knowledge of the particular collections-area is no longer in the position.
This is not simply an issue of access to specialized material for individual researchers; this will affect all Canadians. Without access to the full range of our historical documentary materials, our ability to understand our history is seriously compromised.
Canadian History on the Auction Block
With the revelation that “a huge cache of Canadian history” will be going to auction in the UK in June, LAC’s stalled acquisitions program is under public scrutiny. The key question is whether Library and Archives Canada will purchase these vital historical records or allow them to be acquired by a private collector.
Read more.
LAC: Lender of no resort
In the wake of LAC’s elimination of the popular and effective Inter-library loans program at LAC, researchers are at a loss. While LAC officials have indicated that LAC will ultimately be developing a “Lender of Last Resort” policy, this policy will not be in place until September 2013. In the meantime, researchers are being told they are simply out of luck.
Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel
The Royal Society of Canada is establishing an Expert Panel on “The Status and Future of Canada’s Libraries and Archives”
For more information contact: Rosa Barker (613-726-5166) barker@caut.ca
Canada and its Provinces
Now added The Prairie Provinces Volume 20 - Section X
You can get to this collection towards the foot of our Canadian History page at
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was compiled by Margaret Hamilton.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started on Volume 6 and added this week June 1909. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume06.htm
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
Tullochgorum
Ewie Wi' The Crookit Horn
I'll Gar Our Guidman Trow
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Now added Volume 11.
You can read this at the foot of the page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Have added additional articles from this magazine...
Reminiscences of an Old Commercial
The Ploughman
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pers/caledonia
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Poems Like Hand Grenades: Baxter, Burns and Bawdry by Liam McIlvanney
Liam McIlvanney is a writer I have wanted an article from for the pages of Robert Burns Lives! for quite some time now. My dream has come true, and today I present the following piece by Professor McIlvanney. I have had it in my possession for several months but was asked to hold off on printing since it had first been promised to the Journal of New Zealand Literature. Our time has come, and it is an honor to welcome Liam to our pages and hopefully look forward to another editorial in the future.
After I purchased the book Burns the Radical written in 2002 by Professor McIlvanney, it became an oft-referenced publication for me when the subject of Burns and his radical nature was on the table. It is a book that I recommend any student of Burns should have and, yes, it is still available on the market and is most worthy of your money and time.
In response to an invitation for him to speak to our Burns Club of Atlanta when he next visits the States, he brought up another Burns connection: “I'll always be grateful to the Burns Club of Atlanta for helping me to stay on in Columbia to do some research in the Thomas Cooper Library following the Burns conference at USC in 1996. (Indeed, I'm pretty sure I credit the Burns Club of Atlanta in my acknowledgments to Burns the Radical.).” And in checking, he did indeed, beginning with the second sentence of the Acknowledgements page of his book.
He goes on to say, “I've attached a copy of my most recent piece on Burns. Let me know if this fits the bill. It's on the Burnsian echoes and allusions in a poem by the twentieth-century NZ poet, James K. Baxter. It touches on the bawdy side of things (both with Baxter and Burns) and does contain a fairly robust bawdy poem at the end, so you may be looking for something a little less heady! Anyway, if you do think this would suit your website, could I ask you to hold off putting it online until the forthcoming issue of the Journal of New Zealand Literature is published?”
Liam is also a novelist with several books to his credit.
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives175.htm
Other articles in the series can be read at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
British Artisan Expedition to America
Equipped and sent out by and at the expense of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Newspapers.
We're now onto Part II of this publication...
Pages 24 to 70 about farming in North America.
You can read this chapter and the rest of the book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...expedition.htm
Christina's Column
Got in her column for 29th May 2013 which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130529.htm
Her other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lvie/index.htm
Tasmina's column
Got in her column for 27th May 2013 in which she's talking about Members of the European Parliament voting to extend protection for victims of Violence throughout the EU.
You can read this weeks issue at http://www.electricscotland.com/life...ina/130527.htm
The rest of her columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/tasmina
Scottish Stories for Young Readers
Having discovered from our stats that we have a lot of young readers coming to the site to read our many children's stories I decided to publish some old children's stories which are also very readable for adults as well.
Now made a start on the book Scottish Stories from the Treasure Chest in which the second story is about The Maiden Martyrs which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...en_martyrs.htm
You can get to the other stories in this section at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/stories/
The Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; Knight Commander of the Order of Dannebrog; President of the Mechanical Engineers by James Napier, M.A., F.R.S.E.
Here is how the chapter on Ironclads starts...
Although nearly seventy years of age, Mr Napier was still very active. This is amply proved by the fact that he then struck out into a new line whereby he increased his fame, making the building of battleships a special feature of his business.
The Emperor Napoleon III. had given orders for the construction of an ironclad frigate called the Gloire. This new departure, coupled with an unusual activity in the French dockyards, caused disquiet in the mind of the British Government.
To meet the emergency the Admiralty determined to lay down large sea-going vessels, cased with armour plates; and in the early part of 1859 they addressed to Messrs Napier a confidential letter, requesting a design and suggestions for a shot-proof frigate of 36 guns, cased with 4½-inch armour plates from the upper deck to five feet below the load waterline, to steam 13½ knots, and to be capable of carrying weights amounting to 1200 tons, in addition to coals for at least seven days full steaming.
Mr Napier personally went very carefully into the details of the design, and in the end of February submitted three models and plans for the proposed ship. Two months later he received the following letter :—
Admiralty, 30th April 1859.
Sir,—I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to thank you for your ready and cheerful compliance with their wishes, and for the very creditable design furnished by you for an iron-cased frigate; and am now to request you will state the price per ton and the shortest time you will require for building a vessel of this description, the drawings and specification for which will be ready for inspection at the office of the Surveyor of the Navy on Monday next. The tenders are to be sent under seal to the Surveyor of the Navy, marked “Tender for Iron Vessel,” so as to be received by noon on Saturday the 7th May.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. Corry.
R. Napier, Esq.
It will be observed that less than a week was given within which to inspect the drawings and specification and send in a tender; but yet Mr Napier on 6th May offered to build and engine the ship within a year for the sum of £283,000 sterling. In his letter of offer, reference was made to the novelty of the work, and the difficulty of forming a fair estimate of the cost and time necessary. There was also a proposal to build the vessel in less than the time named, if required, leaving the remuneration for “forced labour” to be determined by the Admiralty.
Mr Napier was not successful in obtaining the contract for the first frigate, the Warrior, which was given to the Thames Company, but a few months afterwards, on the 23rd September, he received intimation that the Commissioners had decided on building a second vessel, and asking an offer for the hull. A tender was submitted on the 3rd October, offering to build the ship at £37, 5s. per ton; and three days later this offer was accepted. At first it was intended to call the ship the Invincible, and on 14th January 1860 my Lords sent notification to this effect. Next day, however, they issued new instructions, altering the name to the Black Prince.
The building of an ironclad was a task fraught with much difficulty, as the work was entirely novel. To construct the vessel, more ground at Govan had to be acquired, and a promise obtained from the Clyde Trustees that they would deepen the river to the depth necessary for the launch and safe seaward passage of the frigate.
The Black Prince measured nearly 420 feet over all, and her displacement was 9800 tons. She was thus much longer and heavier than any work which had hitherto been undertaken in Govan Yard.
The difficulties that arose during construction were great. Material capable of standing the new tests, which were rigorously applied, could only be got after long delay and at enormously increased cost.
The trouble experienced with the massive stern frame, with the armour plates, with plans, &c., so retarded the work, that instead of being finished in twelve months as anticipated, the vessel was over two years in the Clyde under construction.
All obstacles, however, were finally overcome, and the Black Prince, christened by Miss Napier of Saughfield, entered the water on 27th February 1861. Her launch was considered such a great event in Glasgow that it was made the occasion of a public holiday; and even Professor Lush-ington adjourned his Greek class with the remark that “this was a sight the Athenians would have loved to see.” The vessel was taken to Greenock about a fortnight later to be finished, and she remained there till nearly the end of the year.
As might have been expected in view of the circumstances of the case, the contracts for the Warrior and Black Prince proved most unremunerative to the builders; but while the Admiralty willingly compensated the English contractor, they declined to reimburse the Scottish one. This injustice, however, was not allowed to pass; and eventually, after long delay, Napier got his claims recognised and his loss in great measure made good.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pier/index.htm
A History of the Parish of Neilston
By David Pride (1910)
I'm now up to chapter 10 of this book and here is a bit from the chapter on the Town of Neilston...
Although the town of Neilston dates back to a very early period, it has not been a place of rapid growth, and an early writer, referring to it, speaks of it with questionable veracity, as a “finished town.” Whatever grounds there may have been for the opprobrious epithet when it was first used, it has no relation to its present condition, for within the last generation there have been considerable extensions made, though not of a phenomenal nature, in several kinds of buildings, villas, semi-detached villas, and cottages, besides a large number of workmen’s dwellings of a superior class, cottages, and two-storey houses. The latter were necessary to meet the requirements of the large extension that has been made at Crofthead Thread Works.
The town occupies a pleasant situation overlooking the valley of the Levern, on a stretch of comparatively level land, which extends from the top of Kirkhill in the east, to the foot of Cross-stane-brae, on Kingston Road in the south-west, and Brig-o’-Lea in the west. From the contour of the surrounding country, the town can neither be approached nor departed from without either ascending or descending a hilly incline, and this applies whether from the north, west, south, or east. The principal street passes through the town from west to east, and is a continuation of the highway leading from Ayrshire by Uplawmoor, and thence through Barrhead to Glasgow. The High Street enters from the south-west, and is a continuation through the town as far as the Cross, of the Kilmarnock Road by Kingston. At the Parish Church these streets intersect each other, thus forming the Cross of Neilston. Broadlie Road, beginning at the Cross, gives off a “right of way” through the lands of Broadlie to Crofthead, and passes thence by Broadlie Mill to join the highway from Ayrshire, which passes through the parish by Levern valley to Cross Arthurlie, Barrhead. At Barrhead, the highway divides, one section passing by Cross-stobs to Paisley, and the other by Hurlet and Pollokshaws to Glasgow. Main Street, Neilston, continues eastward, from High Broadlie to Kirkhill, thence the road continues and joins the Levern vallev highway at the east end of Barrhead.
The rest if this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter07.htm
I might add I found a wee video of the town which I've added to the index page.
You can get to the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ston/index.htm
Andrew Lang, writer and journalist.
We are starting a profile on him and some of his works.
Have added more stories from his book on "A Batch of Golfing Papers"
You can get to this page and the stories at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/lang/
Lossiemouth
Got a communication that the local golf club is considering doing a feature on themselves for us to put up on the site so looking forward to receiving this.
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Edited by Beth Gay
Beth has sent in Section 2 of the June issue which you can get to at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/
Clan Gordon
As happens from time to time while looking for something else I stumble upon some new books and in this case books about the Gordon Clan. One is about the Gordons of Cluny and the other Gordons as Colomnists in the West Indies. Have made both these books available as pdf files on our Clan Gordon page.
You can to these books at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...og/gordon.html
Thomas Dykes
(1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
Thomas Dykes, who was born and raised in Ayrshire, trained as a Law Clerk in Glasgow before becoming a journalist in both Argyllshire, and London. There in England, in addition to his daily reporting, he wrote and published in 1886 an interesting and imaginatively illustrated book called, 'All Round Sport With Fish, Fur, And Feather' - Adventures on the Turf and the Road, in the Hunting and Cricket Fields, Yachting Courses, Links, and Curling Ponds. The contexts chosen are mainly Scottish, but other parts of the United Kingdom also feature.
We are adding chapters from this book for you to read and these can be found at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
18th Century Book of Herbal Remedies
This is a pdf of a hand written book of herbal remedies. I have ocr'd an introduction to it but I must say I found the text in the book almost impossible to read but I offer it for those that wish to research the topic.
You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...l_remidies.htm
And finally...
Biassed?
Learning that Scotland had not qualified for the World Cup Football Finals, and England had, one Scottish fan declared:
“Well, at least we’ll have 31 teams to support at the World Cup. They’ll only have the one.”
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Later!
A mother told me she found her little one watching television, and shouted at him: "I thought I told you to clean up your room after doing your homework. What are you doing watching television?"
He merely replied: "It's okay, mum. I haven't done my homework yet."
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And that's it for now and hope you all have a great Weekend
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Robert Burns Lives!
British Artisan Expedition to America
Christina's Column
Tasmina's Column
Scottish Stories for Young Readers
The Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon
A History of the Parish of Neilston
Andrew Lang, writer and journalist
Lossiemouth
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Clan Gordon
Thomas Dykes
18th Century Book of Herbal Remedies
and finally
Electric Scotland News
I did a couple of videos this week...
The first is about whether an Independent Scotland should be a member of the EU and you can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/show...mber-of-the-EU
I guess I'm now so certain that we should not be in the EU that I am trying to get people to at least look at the arguments.
I also posted up a pdf of a report by the Burges group on their case for the UK to come out of the EU which you can read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/inde...21EFTAorEU.pdf
The second video was to provide an update on what's been going on at Electric Scotland recently and this can be viewed at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/show...as-at-May-2013
Of course all my videos get posted to YouTube and I just found out that you can apparently subscribe to my YouTube channel if you want to get an alert any time I add a new video.
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Grandfather Mountain Scottish Clan Caucus July 11, 2013
There is a great deal of excitement building up to our Scottish Clan Caucus to be held just prior to the opening of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this year. COSCA is thrilled to be able to host this important gathering of clans and Scottish organizations to start a dialogue and produce ideas and consensus that helps put Scottish America on the best footing going forward into the 21st century.
You can find more information and register for the event at:
http://www.cosca.net/grandfather-mou...-july-11-2013/
Electric Canadian
Librarian and Archivist of Canada Resigns
On May 15, 2013 Daniel Caron, Chief Librarian and Archivist of Canada, resigned from his post. Caron’s leadership at LAC has been immensely unpopular. He oversaw the introduction of a “modernization” process which led to the cessation of purchased acquisitions, a severe decline in on-site service, a 20% cut to staff, a punitive code of conduct for employees, and the elimination of both the National Archival Development Program and the Inter-Library Loans program at LAC.
On May 22nd LAC employees were informed that Hervé Déry – Assistant Deputy Minister and Corporate Secretary in Policy and Collaboration – will be filling in as Interim Deputy Head of LAC. It is imperative that Monsieur Dery’s role is only interim and that the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada does not come from the ranks of current LAC management. LAC needs someone who is willing to reverse the damage that has been done at LAC over the past few years, as well as someone who will advocate for both LAC and libraries and archives across the country.
LAC has the opportunity to take up a new direction with a strong commitment to comprehensive collections and access for all Canadians both on-site and on-line. However, the dismemberment of LAC must also be understood as part of a more systemic problem, that is the federal government’s disregard for scientific evidence, data and a comprehensive historical record that is also occurring, for example, through the decimation of archeological research at Parks Canada, and the elimination of key Statistics Canada surveys.
A coalition of professional associations representing librarians, archivists, and historians has written an open letter outlining the qualities they expect in the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada. Click here to read the letter.
Here also is a thoughtful op-ed about the next leader of LAC.
CAUT`s statement on what it calls for in the next Librarian and Archivist of Canada can be found here.
LAC “not meant for public access”
In a telling exchange on Twitter, Minister James Moore responded to questions about deteriorating funding and access at LAC by stating “Is why (sic) we’re creating the History Museum: access. The LAC main building is not designed or meant for public access. History is.”
The subtext here couldn’t be clearer: While the government is actively thwarting access to resources that makes independent historical research possible, it is simultaneously eager to represent a version of Canada’s past that supports its own ideological vision in the present.
CAUT’s Executive Director wrote to Minister Moore requesting clarification about his statement.
A violation of the charter: LAC’s Code of Conduct
In March 2013, the LAC’s code of conduct restricting the activities of librarians and archivists was publicized.
The NDP has since requested that the Information Commissioner investigate the LAC Code of Conduct in the context of her investigation into the muzzling of government scientists and experts.
The Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians has issued a statement condemning LAC’s new Code of Conduct and analyzing the ways in which the code contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Specialist Archivists become generalists
Although there has been no official announcement from LAC, it appears that all specialist archival portfolios at LAC have been eliminated. Specialist portfolios have been replaced by function-based portfolios such as arrangement, description, appraisal etc. Specialist archivists are vital to the accessibility of LAC collections to Canadians.
Research will be greatly impoverished without the specialist archivists to help guide researchers through the collections. In fact, some researchers have actually been told that certain funds are not available to them because the archivist expert with knowledge of the particular collections-area is no longer in the position.
This is not simply an issue of access to specialized material for individual researchers; this will affect all Canadians. Without access to the full range of our historical documentary materials, our ability to understand our history is seriously compromised.
Canadian History on the Auction Block
With the revelation that “a huge cache of Canadian history” will be going to auction in the UK in June, LAC’s stalled acquisitions program is under public scrutiny. The key question is whether Library and Archives Canada will purchase these vital historical records or allow them to be acquired by a private collector.
Read more.
LAC: Lender of no resort
In the wake of LAC’s elimination of the popular and effective Inter-library loans program at LAC, researchers are at a loss. While LAC officials have indicated that LAC will ultimately be developing a “Lender of Last Resort” policy, this policy will not be in place until September 2013. In the meantime, researchers are being told they are simply out of luck.
Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel
The Royal Society of Canada is establishing an Expert Panel on “The Status and Future of Canada’s Libraries and Archives”
For more information contact: Rosa Barker (613-726-5166) barker@caut.ca
Canada and its Provinces
Now added The Prairie Provinces Volume 20 - Section X
You can get to this collection towards the foot of our Canadian History page at
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was compiled by Margaret Hamilton.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started on Volume 6 and added this week June 1909. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume06.htm
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
Tullochgorum
Ewie Wi' The Crookit Horn
I'll Gar Our Guidman Trow
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Now added Volume 11.
You can read this at the foot of the page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Have added additional articles from this magazine...
Reminiscences of an Old Commercial
The Ploughman
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pers/caledonia
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Poems Like Hand Grenades: Baxter, Burns and Bawdry by Liam McIlvanney
Liam McIlvanney is a writer I have wanted an article from for the pages of Robert Burns Lives! for quite some time now. My dream has come true, and today I present the following piece by Professor McIlvanney. I have had it in my possession for several months but was asked to hold off on printing since it had first been promised to the Journal of New Zealand Literature. Our time has come, and it is an honor to welcome Liam to our pages and hopefully look forward to another editorial in the future.
After I purchased the book Burns the Radical written in 2002 by Professor McIlvanney, it became an oft-referenced publication for me when the subject of Burns and his radical nature was on the table. It is a book that I recommend any student of Burns should have and, yes, it is still available on the market and is most worthy of your money and time.
In response to an invitation for him to speak to our Burns Club of Atlanta when he next visits the States, he brought up another Burns connection: “I'll always be grateful to the Burns Club of Atlanta for helping me to stay on in Columbia to do some research in the Thomas Cooper Library following the Burns conference at USC in 1996. (Indeed, I'm pretty sure I credit the Burns Club of Atlanta in my acknowledgments to Burns the Radical.).” And in checking, he did indeed, beginning with the second sentence of the Acknowledgements page of his book.
He goes on to say, “I've attached a copy of my most recent piece on Burns. Let me know if this fits the bill. It's on the Burnsian echoes and allusions in a poem by the twentieth-century NZ poet, James K. Baxter. It touches on the bawdy side of things (both with Baxter and Burns) and does contain a fairly robust bawdy poem at the end, so you may be looking for something a little less heady! Anyway, if you do think this would suit your website, could I ask you to hold off putting it online until the forthcoming issue of the Journal of New Zealand Literature is published?”
Liam is also a novelist with several books to his credit.
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives175.htm
Other articles in the series can be read at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
British Artisan Expedition to America
Equipped and sent out by and at the expense of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Newspapers.
We're now onto Part II of this publication...
Pages 24 to 70 about farming in North America.
You can read this chapter and the rest of the book at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...expedition.htm
Christina's Column
Got in her column for 29th May 2013 which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130529.htm
Her other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lvie/index.htm
Tasmina's column
Got in her column for 27th May 2013 in which she's talking about Members of the European Parliament voting to extend protection for victims of Violence throughout the EU.
You can read this weeks issue at http://www.electricscotland.com/life...ina/130527.htm
The rest of her columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/tasmina
Scottish Stories for Young Readers
Having discovered from our stats that we have a lot of young readers coming to the site to read our many children's stories I decided to publish some old children's stories which are also very readable for adults as well.
Now made a start on the book Scottish Stories from the Treasure Chest in which the second story is about The Maiden Martyrs which can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poet...en_martyrs.htm
You can get to the other stories in this section at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/stories/
The Life of Robert Napier of West Shandon
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; Knight Commander of the Order of Dannebrog; President of the Mechanical Engineers by James Napier, M.A., F.R.S.E.
Here is how the chapter on Ironclads starts...
Although nearly seventy years of age, Mr Napier was still very active. This is amply proved by the fact that he then struck out into a new line whereby he increased his fame, making the building of battleships a special feature of his business.
The Emperor Napoleon III. had given orders for the construction of an ironclad frigate called the Gloire. This new departure, coupled with an unusual activity in the French dockyards, caused disquiet in the mind of the British Government.
To meet the emergency the Admiralty determined to lay down large sea-going vessels, cased with armour plates; and in the early part of 1859 they addressed to Messrs Napier a confidential letter, requesting a design and suggestions for a shot-proof frigate of 36 guns, cased with 4½-inch armour plates from the upper deck to five feet below the load waterline, to steam 13½ knots, and to be capable of carrying weights amounting to 1200 tons, in addition to coals for at least seven days full steaming.
Mr Napier personally went very carefully into the details of the design, and in the end of February submitted three models and plans for the proposed ship. Two months later he received the following letter :—
Admiralty, 30th April 1859.
Sir,—I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to thank you for your ready and cheerful compliance with their wishes, and for the very creditable design furnished by you for an iron-cased frigate; and am now to request you will state the price per ton and the shortest time you will require for building a vessel of this description, the drawings and specification for which will be ready for inspection at the office of the Surveyor of the Navy on Monday next. The tenders are to be sent under seal to the Surveyor of the Navy, marked “Tender for Iron Vessel,” so as to be received by noon on Saturday the 7th May.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. Corry.
R. Napier, Esq.
It will be observed that less than a week was given within which to inspect the drawings and specification and send in a tender; but yet Mr Napier on 6th May offered to build and engine the ship within a year for the sum of £283,000 sterling. In his letter of offer, reference was made to the novelty of the work, and the difficulty of forming a fair estimate of the cost and time necessary. There was also a proposal to build the vessel in less than the time named, if required, leaving the remuneration for “forced labour” to be determined by the Admiralty.
Mr Napier was not successful in obtaining the contract for the first frigate, the Warrior, which was given to the Thames Company, but a few months afterwards, on the 23rd September, he received intimation that the Commissioners had decided on building a second vessel, and asking an offer for the hull. A tender was submitted on the 3rd October, offering to build the ship at £37, 5s. per ton; and three days later this offer was accepted. At first it was intended to call the ship the Invincible, and on 14th January 1860 my Lords sent notification to this effect. Next day, however, they issued new instructions, altering the name to the Black Prince.
The building of an ironclad was a task fraught with much difficulty, as the work was entirely novel. To construct the vessel, more ground at Govan had to be acquired, and a promise obtained from the Clyde Trustees that they would deepen the river to the depth necessary for the launch and safe seaward passage of the frigate.
The Black Prince measured nearly 420 feet over all, and her displacement was 9800 tons. She was thus much longer and heavier than any work which had hitherto been undertaken in Govan Yard.
The difficulties that arose during construction were great. Material capable of standing the new tests, which were rigorously applied, could only be got after long delay and at enormously increased cost.
The trouble experienced with the massive stern frame, with the armour plates, with plans, &c., so retarded the work, that instead of being finished in twelve months as anticipated, the vessel was over two years in the Clyde under construction.
All obstacles, however, were finally overcome, and the Black Prince, christened by Miss Napier of Saughfield, entered the water on 27th February 1861. Her launch was considered such a great event in Glasgow that it was made the occasion of a public holiday; and even Professor Lush-ington adjourned his Greek class with the remark that “this was a sight the Athenians would have loved to see.” The vessel was taken to Greenock about a fortnight later to be finished, and she remained there till nearly the end of the year.
As might have been expected in view of the circumstances of the case, the contracts for the Warrior and Black Prince proved most unremunerative to the builders; but while the Admiralty willingly compensated the English contractor, they declined to reimburse the Scottish one. This injustice, however, was not allowed to pass; and eventually, after long delay, Napier got his claims recognised and his loss in great measure made good.
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
The other chapters can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pier/index.htm
A History of the Parish of Neilston
By David Pride (1910)
I'm now up to chapter 10 of this book and here is a bit from the chapter on the Town of Neilston...
Although the town of Neilston dates back to a very early period, it has not been a place of rapid growth, and an early writer, referring to it, speaks of it with questionable veracity, as a “finished town.” Whatever grounds there may have been for the opprobrious epithet when it was first used, it has no relation to its present condition, for within the last generation there have been considerable extensions made, though not of a phenomenal nature, in several kinds of buildings, villas, semi-detached villas, and cottages, besides a large number of workmen’s dwellings of a superior class, cottages, and two-storey houses. The latter were necessary to meet the requirements of the large extension that has been made at Crofthead Thread Works.
The town occupies a pleasant situation overlooking the valley of the Levern, on a stretch of comparatively level land, which extends from the top of Kirkhill in the east, to the foot of Cross-stane-brae, on Kingston Road in the south-west, and Brig-o’-Lea in the west. From the contour of the surrounding country, the town can neither be approached nor departed from without either ascending or descending a hilly incline, and this applies whether from the north, west, south, or east. The principal street passes through the town from west to east, and is a continuation of the highway leading from Ayrshire by Uplawmoor, and thence through Barrhead to Glasgow. The High Street enters from the south-west, and is a continuation through the town as far as the Cross, of the Kilmarnock Road by Kingston. At the Parish Church these streets intersect each other, thus forming the Cross of Neilston. Broadlie Road, beginning at the Cross, gives off a “right of way” through the lands of Broadlie to Crofthead, and passes thence by Broadlie Mill to join the highway from Ayrshire, which passes through the parish by Levern valley to Cross Arthurlie, Barrhead. At Barrhead, the highway divides, one section passing by Cross-stobs to Paisley, and the other by Hurlet and Pollokshaws to Glasgow. Main Street, Neilston, continues eastward, from High Broadlie to Kirkhill, thence the road continues and joins the Levern vallev highway at the east end of Barrhead.
The rest if this chapter can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter07.htm
I might add I found a wee video of the town which I've added to the index page.
You can get to the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ston/index.htm
Andrew Lang, writer and journalist.
We are starting a profile on him and some of his works.
Have added more stories from his book on "A Batch of Golfing Papers"
You can get to this page and the stories at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/lang/
Lossiemouth
Got a communication that the local golf club is considering doing a feature on themselves for us to put up on the site so looking forward to receiving this.
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Edited by Beth Gay
Beth has sent in Section 2 of the June issue which you can get to at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/
Clan Gordon
As happens from time to time while looking for something else I stumble upon some new books and in this case books about the Gordon Clan. One is about the Gordons of Cluny and the other Gordons as Colomnists in the West Indies. Have made both these books available as pdf files on our Clan Gordon page.
You can to these books at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...og/gordon.html
Thomas Dykes
(1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
Thomas Dykes, who was born and raised in Ayrshire, trained as a Law Clerk in Glasgow before becoming a journalist in both Argyllshire, and London. There in England, in addition to his daily reporting, he wrote and published in 1886 an interesting and imaginatively illustrated book called, 'All Round Sport With Fish, Fur, And Feather' - Adventures on the Turf and the Road, in the Hunting and Cricket Fields, Yachting Courses, Links, and Curling Ponds. The contexts chosen are mainly Scottish, but other parts of the United Kingdom also feature.
We are adding chapters from this book for you to read and these can be found at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
18th Century Book of Herbal Remedies
This is a pdf of a hand written book of herbal remedies. I have ocr'd an introduction to it but I must say I found the text in the book almost impossible to read but I offer it for those that wish to research the topic.
You can find this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...l_remidies.htm
And finally...
Biassed?
Learning that Scotland had not qualified for the World Cup Football Finals, and England had, one Scottish fan declared:
“Well, at least we’ll have 31 teams to support at the World Cup. They’ll only have the one.”
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Later!
A mother told me she found her little one watching television, and shouted at him: "I thought I told you to clean up your room after doing your homework. What are you doing watching television?"
He merely replied: "It's okay, mum. I haven't done my homework yet."
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And that's it for now and hope you all have a great Weekend
Alastair
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