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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Right Reverend John Strachan (New Book)
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Scottish Naturalist
Thomas Dykes
Enigma Machine
Songs from John Henderson
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Leaves from the Journal
Ardenmohr
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
Lord Charles Neaves
Panton, Leslie and Company
Clan Leslie
Dundee
Scotland the Land
Scottish Enterprise Annual Review 2012
Tomar, Portugal
Christina McKelvie's Column
Robert Burns Lives!
and finally
Electric Scotland News
This week saw the remembrance of the 911 event and as usual I remind folk that we did a dedication for that event at the time which I said would remain on the site for ever. You can view that dedication at: http://www.electricscotland.com/usa/terror_america.htm
-----
Here is a communication from the FamilyTreeDNA which I believe is worth your attention...
Hello...
It's rare that I send 'blast emails', but if there was ever a time in my life that called for a broad based blast, now is that time. I want to share with you an important campaign www.freemygenes.org that I have started, to raise awareness to an alarming situation.
About 10 weeks ago the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided that “isolated human genes cannot be patented.”
That same day our DNA testing company launched a breast cancer test that was far more affordable than previous offered tests. Our precedent-setting reduction in price meant that millions of Americans who previously could not get the test--because their insurance company wouldn't pay, or because they lacked insurance--now had access to a high quality test for breast cancer risk.
Myriad Genetics sued us and others for offering this test and although we are not looking for a fight, we are now forced to defend ourselves and feel morally obligated to bring the world a more affordable test. As a child of the 60s, I can tell you that if there ever was a fight worth fighting, this is it.
I urge you to visit our site: www.freemygenes.org and familiarize yourself with the situation as it has unfolded and I urge you to share this information with others. Our actions are based on two key points: genetic testing should be affordable and available to everyone; and test providers should share data to enable better tests for consumers.
To help us promote the effort we ask that you LIKE our page and update your FB profile picture to reflect our cause. Details are on the website.
I am humbled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to help us with this case so far, including the ACLU, AARP, and the Breast Cancer Action. Now it's your turn. Please do so as soon as you have the opportunity to get online. Thank you very much for your support.
Best Regards,
Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"
-----
Games organisers replace caber “too easy” to toss was one of the headline stories this week in the Scotsman newspaper...
THE organisers of one of Scotland’s most popular Highland games have been forced to replace their caber because it was proving too easy for burly competitors to toss successfully.
Traditionally only the top heavyweight athletes at Highland games have the strength and technique to manage to toss a caber.
But the chiefs at the Pitlochry Highland games have had to bring in a new and heavier wooden pole for this weekend’s event in Perthshire after almost every single competitor in last year’s competition managed to flip their 17 foot, 92 lb wooden pole.
The strongmen taking part in Saturday’s games in the village will now have to toss a much heavier 18ft long pole, taken from a spruce tree felled in a Perthshire wood.
The games’ heavy events coordinator, Raymond McIntosh, said the new caber is currently under lock and key at a secret location and would be unveiled at the games at the weekend.
He explained that he had set out to find a replacement caber after competitors at last year’s contest complained the old pole presented no challenge.
Said Mr McIntosh: “The local guys from Highland Perthshire found it too easy because their standard has improved dramatically in the last ten years. Pretty much all of them tossed it last year and you don’t want that.”
He continued: “The caber we’re currently using is 17 feet and 92lbs. The new one is about a foot longer and a bit thicker, but I haven’t weighed it yet. It’s probably about 100lbs. It’s a spruce which came from woods next to Cluny Gardens near Logierait. The land owner wanted rid of it.”
The new caber will be used as the heavy athletes compete for the first prize of £70 in the caber tossing event the village’s Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Mr McIntosh said that winning the competition was not all about brawn and muscle. He said: “People often think the caber toss is about distance but it’s nothing to do with how far you can throw it.
“It’s actually about accuracy and technique. When it lands you want the lighter end at 12 o’clock.”
Jim Brown, the President of Highland Games Association, said there were no hard and fast rules about the length, weight or type of wood used for caber tossing.
He told The Scotsman: “There is no minimum length or weight and it is entirely up to the local games committee to choose their own caber. It generally depends on who turns up on the day.
“If the top class heavyweights turn up then you need a substantial caber. But then, if it’s just the local lads, then you don’t need such a big caber. Most big games have three or four to choose from.”
Mr Brown continued: “Cabers also dry out over the years if they are not looked after and lose their weight. A lot of games organisers put their cabers into a burn before the games to soak up the water and make them heavier.
“And a lot of cabers now are redundant telephone poles because they are treated and won’t dry out. A good larch pole is what you require because it’s a hard timber and will remain a caber for a lot more years than spruce which is a softer timber.”
He added: “Weight is important but the length is the essential thing to sort out real caber tossers. It’s not how far you throw it - it’s where it ends up in relation to the throw.
“Really strong men who are not caber tossers prefer shorter, heavy cabers because it’s only them who can lift them. But the real caber tossers have tremendous style and speed and get a tremendous lift on the caber. It’s really is an art which is not always amongst the strong men.”
The Pitlochry games, one of the oldest in Scotland, have been held on the second Saturday in September every year since 1852, with the exception of the period to the two World Wars. The games, which cost around £40,000 to stage, attract around 1,500 participants and as many as 5,000 spectators to Pitlochry each year.
-----
Spotted an interesting article about "A third Scotland is emerging" in the Scottish Review which you might want to read here.
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Right Reverend John Strachan, First Bishop of Toronto by A. N. Bethune, his successor in the See (1870)
Here is a wee flavour of what he was like in his early days in Canada...
At Kingston Strachan had been little more than a family tutor; now he had his own school and freedom to develop his own techniques and methods. Not surprisingly he borrowed heavily from his Scottish background, but he also adapted his curriculum to the needs of Upper Canadian society. When he could not find a textbook to suit local needs, he prepared one himself, A concise introduction to practical arithmetic; for the use of schools (Montreal, 1809). Although not neglecting the classics, he stressed the teaching of natural science and managed, through friends in the legislature, to secure an appropriation of £400 for the purchase of scientific apparatus. In short, the academic curriculum of the Cornwall Grammar School was up to date, varied, and of a high standard. Moreover, Strachan, who used corporal punishment less than was usual, devised intricate systems of rewards and competitions to a considerable extent operated by the boys themselves, which were calculated to interest them in their studies and make them extend themselves fully. Strachan also never saw the acquisition of knowledge as an end in itself. The boys were at school to learn to become British patriots and Christian gentlemen. Love of country, respect for the constitution, and the importance of performing civic duties were systematically inculcated. Prayers were said each day, Church of England students (who were in the majority) were taught the church catechism, and on Saturday morning Strachan delivered a religious and moral lecture on which the boys were quizzed during the following week. It was his confident hope that boys who had received this kind of training would do much to raise the tone of Upper Canadian society.
This is a new book we're starting and you can get to it at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/Reli...chan/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Margaret Hamilton. Her main article is about "Independence in Action" based on a trip to Ireland.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are on Volume 11 and have now added the January 1914 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume11.htm
In Part 1 we get an interesting article about Scotland's influence on other countries. One quote says...
We come to the eighteenth century, the century in the national history when she made her largest contribution to the forwarding of human culture. These mocking words of Voltaire themselves attest the variety and importance of the ideas that then went forth from her. 'It is an admirable result of the progress of the human spirit,' Voltaire wrote, 'that to-day rules of taste in all the arts, from the epic poem to gardening, come to us from Scotland.'
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 another three songs...
The Highland Laddie
Lochaber No More
Ettrick Banks
Remember that as well as giving you the words to the song you also get the sheet music and there are also wee notes to most of these songs. For example here is the comment made on the song "Lochaber No More"...
This song is by Ramsay. The air is based upon a simple ballad air of one strain, called Lord Ronald my Son. There is another air called King James's March to Ireland, which has evidently been founded on the same ballad air. The pathos of Lochaber no More, when the song is well sung, usually has a powerful effect on Scotchmen, especially if they be at a distance from Scotland. There is a story constantly told and believed, to the effect that it was necessary for the officers of a Highland regiment in the West Indies to order the playing of this air by the band to be discontinued, on account of its fatal effect in creating home-sickness among the men.
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Scottish Naturalist
I added Volume 7 - 1883/1884
You can get to these volumes at: http://www.electricscotland.com/nature/naturalist.htm
Thomas Dykes
(1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
Added a couple more articles to his "All Round Sport" book.
Plover Shooting
How we Opened Loch Ard
There are generally good wee stories and to illustrate here is how "How we Opened Loch Ard" starts...
I HAVE a horror of the "inauguration" business, and never read of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales busy at work laying foundation-stones of churches, hospitals, and all that, without inwardly expressing my sympathy. Still there are some forms of it which are enjoyable. The opening day with hounds is always pleasant, though the sport is never the best of the season. Launching a ship is not disagreeable work (the printer can make a typographical error here if he likes), for launching and lunching are very much the same sort of thing, combining as they do all the good things of a Scotch funeral, barring the corpse; but the best sport I ever had yet was at the "opening of a loch". In Scotland I need not say that there is an opening day there for everything—the bowling-green is "opened," ^he foot-ball ground is "opened," everything indeed that will open is "opened" for the sake of having some festivities. Every "canny" individual in Scotland is fond of a dram, but generally manages to preface it with the excuse of "Just to drink your health, sir," or "Just another one to drink the health of your coot wife, sir." Indeed, sometimes they will drink to their own healths, and it was, I think, the late Earl of Stair and Dalrymple who turned his double title to good advantage when alive. "Here's to you. Stair," he would say, following it up immediately afterwards with another glass and the remark, "Your health, Dalrymple,"
But to my story; some people will say that the proper word for opening a loch would be "decanted," but that is not what we did, as we took in very little water indeed. The letter of an old keeper explains what is meant.
"Loch Lomond, April.
"Deer Sir, — Noin u are font of throwin a flee, I rite to let u know that I am in good health, hoppin this will find u the sam. Thank God for all his mersis, we oppen Loch Ard on Wednesday next, when there will be some goot fishin. I wull meet you at Balloch at eleven on Tuesday.
Yours trooly,
"RORY McTaggart."
You can read the rest of this story and the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
Enigma Machine
This is where we are publishing this set of puzzles created by Doug Ross which can now be found in Doctor's Surgeries, Old Folks Homes, etc.
Added Enigma Machine 31 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma031.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
Songs from John Henderson
John has sent us in another song "An Unco Tryst" which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel511.htm
His other songs can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Selected from the moral, philosophical, and miscellaneous works of that esteemed author, to which are added, a new biographical and critical account of the doctor and his writings, and notes, historical, classical, and explanatory.
Added Pages 351 to 401.
The book is available at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...moore_john.htm
Leaves from the Journal
From our life in the Highlands from 1848 to 1861 (1868)
We're adding new chapters to this book daily and this week I came across a set of 4 videos about Balmoral from the BBC so added them to our index page of this book at the foot of the page.
You can read the other entries and see the videos at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leaves/
Ardenmohr
Among the Hills, A Record of Scenery and Sports in the Highlands of Scotland by Samuel Abbott (1876)
Added more chapters this week.
Here is how the chapter about "The Lake of the Fairies, Loch-na-Seachin" starts...
Some days were now passed much as before; and, with the exception of two large salmon caught in trolling the loch, nothing happened worth particular mention.
The 11th of August must needs be a day of anticipation and preparation; and, on coming down in the morning, I found the others busy unpacking boxes, containing a small waterproof tent, cartridges, vermin stamps, &c.; and after breakfast, guns, &c., were carefully inspected, ammunition laid out, and a visit made to the kennels.
All arrangements were left to Major Duncan and Archie, and consequently settled with the promptness to be expected between the decisive soldier and taciturn keeper. Still, one way or other, time was taken up until luncheon; after which, Ward and I arranged for a long walk. The Major remained at home, as he had an O.H.M.S. to answer, and he asked Fred if he would go with us, or stay and fish the bum; and Fred stayed in preference to what he considered purposeless exercise.
"Won’t you come, Fred? ” said Ward.
“Flattered by your kindness,” replied Fred. "Nature has favoured you with long legs, and me with a wise head: let each improve his gifts.”
Hope and I set off by nearly the same line as our first walk; but, on getting high up hill, we turned north for a mile or so, and then scrambled up to the sky-line, enjoyed the grand sea view, continued northwards down towards the lower hills, and came suddenly upon the small loch which Archie said held such fine trout.
Once close to the water we regretted having no fishing-tackle, as there was a fine curl on the loch, which was deep to the edge in some parts.
This fair lake is as great a contrast as possible from the dismal pools in the snipe hollow; and, with its margin of sedge, white sand, and mossy stones, is as charming a little alpine aquarium as one could fancy; and while sitting on a tuft of heather, looking at the tiny wavelets curling on its blue surface, Ward went on sketching, and, as he said, thinking it only natural if a fair water-nymph should rise to the surface, and in liquid Gaelic invite him to a bath.
By the side of this gem in the wilderness we rested some time, and Ward sketched the fair outlines; but he said that his art failed in giving the metallic hues of green and purple.
“I remember, Hope, of Mr. M speaking to me about that very same matter of vivid colour.”
“Ah! what did he say? He is real authority.”
“Well, it came about in this way. I was with him while he painted the rugged walls and quaint window of an old castle for one of his figure-pieces, and made remark on the bright colours he was deliberately touching in, to picture what appeared, to a common observer like myself, to be simply a grey old wall; but he distinctly showed me in the wall itself all these varieties of tint and shade.”
“Just the man to note them; and what did he say about vivid colour?”
“That it was an error to decry bright colour in painting from its mere brightness, as vulgar and gaudy effects came from false taste and incongruous handling; that the real difficulty was to colour up to nature. I well remember be illustrated this by picking a bit of moss from the wall, and, laying it on his palette, he said, 'Now you see on the palette the finest colours that art can produce, yet are they paled beside this bit of yellow moss.’”
“How just! Even I, a novice, feel it. See these rushes: I have got the greens and shades pretty well, but would need a mixture of sunshine and blue sky on my brush to paint the golden green of that sedgy fringe.”
“Try turquoise and gold dust.”
“I fear this must do. Where next?”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...mohr/index.htm
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
A new book we're starting which we're adding to the foot of our History of Stirlingshire page.
This week I added the two chapters on Stirling Castle.
You can get to this book which we'll be adding to over the next few weeks at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire
Lord Charles Neaves
Added two more of his poems...
Stuart Mill On Mind and Matter
The In-Osculation of Science and Art
You can view these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_charles.htm
Panton, Leslie and Company
Panton, Leslie and Company, established in 1783 and headquartered in Pensacola from 1785-1830, was the Sears and Roebuck of its day, dealing in a variety of goods and servicing over a large geographical area. The company had trading posts scattered as far north as Memphis (then known as Chickasaw Bluffs) and as far west as New Orleans, including posts at Mobile and at several locations in Florida, the Bahamas, and in the Caribbean.
You can read this article about them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ton_leslie.htm
Clan Leslie
Dundee
I found two old videos of Dundee which I've added to our Dundee page. One is Auld Dundee II and the other is The Great British Story: Dundee - With Ricky Ross.
You can view these on our Dundee page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/dundee
Scotland the Land
Scotland the Land is a fascinating series bringing us stunning aerial views of some of Scotland's most famous rivers and the treasured landscapes they run through.
Included in this set are...
The Spey
The Forth
The Tay
The Dee
The Great Glen
The Tweed
They are all about 25 minutes in playing time and can be viewed at: http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/land.htm
Scottish Enterprise Annual Review 2012
Found a video report providing the annual review for 2012. You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/busi...review2012.htm
Tomar, Portugal
The new International HQ of the Knights Templar Order (OSMTH-I)
Seeing as Tomar is now our permanent home of the International Order I asked Peter if he could give us a write up of the place so that when any Knights and Dames visit they could take advantage of a tour of the area. Here is the article he provided which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tomar.htm
Christina McKelvie's Column
Got in her column for September 7th which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130907.htm
Here other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lvie/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
At our monthly meeting of the Burns Club of Atlanta this week, a guest of member Bill Tucker was introduced. He was none other than John Imlay, a prominent Atlanta businessman who “is considered a leading authority and pioneer in the software industry”. Before going any farther though, let me tell you a bit about this Scotsman as shared by Mr. Imlay’s assistant, Barbara Brooks, and thank her for this insight.
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives180.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
And finally...
What A Hoot
A Glasgow couple who decided to hire a cottage in the country for the weekend proved what city slickers they were when they were walking back to the abode in the dark.
"What's that noise?" said hubby. "I thought I heard an owl."
"You probably did," replied his wife. "I just stood on the dog's paw."
-----
Honesty
Poet and writer Liz Lochhead, who was made a Fellow by the Educational Institute of Scotland at the weekend, explained that she had in fact been an art teacher for eight years earlier in her career.
"In fact," she told the EIS at the ceremony, "just by quitting the job I managed to improve the professional quality of teachers."
-----
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Right Reverend John Strachan (New Book)
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Scottish Naturalist
Thomas Dykes
Enigma Machine
Songs from John Henderson
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Leaves from the Journal
Ardenmohr
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
Lord Charles Neaves
Panton, Leslie and Company
Clan Leslie
Dundee
Scotland the Land
Scottish Enterprise Annual Review 2012
Tomar, Portugal
Christina McKelvie's Column
Robert Burns Lives!
and finally
Electric Scotland News
This week saw the remembrance of the 911 event and as usual I remind folk that we did a dedication for that event at the time which I said would remain on the site for ever. You can view that dedication at: http://www.electricscotland.com/usa/terror_america.htm
-----
Here is a communication from the FamilyTreeDNA which I believe is worth your attention...
Hello...
It's rare that I send 'blast emails', but if there was ever a time in my life that called for a broad based blast, now is that time. I want to share with you an important campaign www.freemygenes.org that I have started, to raise awareness to an alarming situation.
About 10 weeks ago the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided that “isolated human genes cannot be patented.”
That same day our DNA testing company launched a breast cancer test that was far more affordable than previous offered tests. Our precedent-setting reduction in price meant that millions of Americans who previously could not get the test--because their insurance company wouldn't pay, or because they lacked insurance--now had access to a high quality test for breast cancer risk.
Myriad Genetics sued us and others for offering this test and although we are not looking for a fight, we are now forced to defend ourselves and feel morally obligated to bring the world a more affordable test. As a child of the 60s, I can tell you that if there ever was a fight worth fighting, this is it.
I urge you to visit our site: www.freemygenes.org and familiarize yourself with the situation as it has unfolded and I urge you to share this information with others. Our actions are based on two key points: genetic testing should be affordable and available to everyone; and test providers should share data to enable better tests for consumers.
To help us promote the effort we ask that you LIKE our page and update your FB profile picture to reflect our cause. Details are on the website.
I am humbled by the volunteers who have stepped forward to help us with this case so far, including the ACLU, AARP, and the Breast Cancer Action. Now it's your turn. Please do so as soon as you have the opportunity to get online. Thank you very much for your support.
Best Regards,
Bennett Greenspan
President
Family Tree DNA
www.familytreedna.com
"History Unearthed Daily"
-----
Games organisers replace caber “too easy” to toss was one of the headline stories this week in the Scotsman newspaper...
THE organisers of one of Scotland’s most popular Highland games have been forced to replace their caber because it was proving too easy for burly competitors to toss successfully.
Traditionally only the top heavyweight athletes at Highland games have the strength and technique to manage to toss a caber.
But the chiefs at the Pitlochry Highland games have had to bring in a new and heavier wooden pole for this weekend’s event in Perthshire after almost every single competitor in last year’s competition managed to flip their 17 foot, 92 lb wooden pole.
The strongmen taking part in Saturday’s games in the village will now have to toss a much heavier 18ft long pole, taken from a spruce tree felled in a Perthshire wood.
The games’ heavy events coordinator, Raymond McIntosh, said the new caber is currently under lock and key at a secret location and would be unveiled at the games at the weekend.
He explained that he had set out to find a replacement caber after competitors at last year’s contest complained the old pole presented no challenge.
Said Mr McIntosh: “The local guys from Highland Perthshire found it too easy because their standard has improved dramatically in the last ten years. Pretty much all of them tossed it last year and you don’t want that.”
He continued: “The caber we’re currently using is 17 feet and 92lbs. The new one is about a foot longer and a bit thicker, but I haven’t weighed it yet. It’s probably about 100lbs. It’s a spruce which came from woods next to Cluny Gardens near Logierait. The land owner wanted rid of it.”
The new caber will be used as the heavy athletes compete for the first prize of £70 in the caber tossing event the village’s Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Mr McIntosh said that winning the competition was not all about brawn and muscle. He said: “People often think the caber toss is about distance but it’s nothing to do with how far you can throw it.
“It’s actually about accuracy and technique. When it lands you want the lighter end at 12 o’clock.”
Jim Brown, the President of Highland Games Association, said there were no hard and fast rules about the length, weight or type of wood used for caber tossing.
He told The Scotsman: “There is no minimum length or weight and it is entirely up to the local games committee to choose their own caber. It generally depends on who turns up on the day.
“If the top class heavyweights turn up then you need a substantial caber. But then, if it’s just the local lads, then you don’t need such a big caber. Most big games have three or four to choose from.”
Mr Brown continued: “Cabers also dry out over the years if they are not looked after and lose their weight. A lot of games organisers put their cabers into a burn before the games to soak up the water and make them heavier.
“And a lot of cabers now are redundant telephone poles because they are treated and won’t dry out. A good larch pole is what you require because it’s a hard timber and will remain a caber for a lot more years than spruce which is a softer timber.”
He added: “Weight is important but the length is the essential thing to sort out real caber tossers. It’s not how far you throw it - it’s where it ends up in relation to the throw.
“Really strong men who are not caber tossers prefer shorter, heavy cabers because it’s only them who can lift them. But the real caber tossers have tremendous style and speed and get a tremendous lift on the caber. It’s really is an art which is not always amongst the strong men.”
The Pitlochry games, one of the oldest in Scotland, have been held on the second Saturday in September every year since 1852, with the exception of the period to the two World Wars. The games, which cost around £40,000 to stage, attract around 1,500 participants and as many as 5,000 spectators to Pitlochry each year.
-----
Spotted an interesting article about "A third Scotland is emerging" in the Scottish Review which you might want to read here.
Electric Canadian
Memoir of the Right Reverend John Strachan, First Bishop of Toronto by A. N. Bethune, his successor in the See (1870)
Here is a wee flavour of what he was like in his early days in Canada...
At Kingston Strachan had been little more than a family tutor; now he had his own school and freedom to develop his own techniques and methods. Not surprisingly he borrowed heavily from his Scottish background, but he also adapted his curriculum to the needs of Upper Canadian society. When he could not find a textbook to suit local needs, he prepared one himself, A concise introduction to practical arithmetic; for the use of schools (Montreal, 1809). Although not neglecting the classics, he stressed the teaching of natural science and managed, through friends in the legislature, to secure an appropriation of £400 for the purchase of scientific apparatus. In short, the academic curriculum of the Cornwall Grammar School was up to date, varied, and of a high standard. Moreover, Strachan, who used corporal punishment less than was usual, devised intricate systems of rewards and competitions to a considerable extent operated by the boys themselves, which were calculated to interest them in their studies and make them extend themselves fully. Strachan also never saw the acquisition of knowledge as an end in itself. The boys were at school to learn to become British patriots and Christian gentlemen. Love of country, respect for the constitution, and the importance of performing civic duties were systematically inculcated. Prayers were said each day, Church of England students (who were in the majority) were taught the church catechism, and on Saturday morning Strachan delivered a religious and moral lecture on which the boys were quizzed during the following week. It was his confident hope that boys who had received this kind of training would do much to raise the tone of Upper Canadian society.
This is a new book we're starting and you can get to it at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/Reli...chan/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Margaret Hamilton. Her main article is about "Independence in Action" based on a trip to Ireland.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We are on Volume 11 and have now added the January 1914 issue. You can get to this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume11.htm
In Part 1 we get an interesting article about Scotland's influence on other countries. One quote says...
We come to the eighteenth century, the century in the national history when she made her largest contribution to the forwarding of human culture. These mocking words of Voltaire themselves attest the variety and importance of the ideas that then went forth from her. 'It is an admirable result of the progress of the human spirit,' Voltaire wrote, 'that to-day rules of taste in all the arts, from the epic poem to gardening, come to us from Scotland.'
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 another three songs...
The Highland Laddie
Lochaber No More
Ettrick Banks
Remember that as well as giving you the words to the song you also get the sheet music and there are also wee notes to most of these songs. For example here is the comment made on the song "Lochaber No More"...
This song is by Ramsay. The air is based upon a simple ballad air of one strain, called Lord Ronald my Son. There is another air called King James's March to Ireland, which has evidently been founded on the same ballad air. The pathos of Lochaber no More, when the song is well sung, usually has a powerful effect on Scotchmen, especially if they be at a distance from Scotland. There is a story constantly told and believed, to the effect that it was necessary for the officers of a Highland regiment in the West Indies to order the playing of this air by the band to be discontinued, on account of its fatal effect in creating home-sickness among the men.
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Scottish Naturalist
I added Volume 7 - 1883/1884
You can get to these volumes at: http://www.electricscotland.com/nature/naturalist.htm
Thomas Dykes
(1850, Dundonald, Ayrshire - 1916, London, England) Journalist and Author
Added a couple more articles to his "All Round Sport" book.
Plover Shooting
How we Opened Loch Ard
There are generally good wee stories and to illustrate here is how "How we Opened Loch Ard" starts...
I HAVE a horror of the "inauguration" business, and never read of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales busy at work laying foundation-stones of churches, hospitals, and all that, without inwardly expressing my sympathy. Still there are some forms of it which are enjoyable. The opening day with hounds is always pleasant, though the sport is never the best of the season. Launching a ship is not disagreeable work (the printer can make a typographical error here if he likes), for launching and lunching are very much the same sort of thing, combining as they do all the good things of a Scotch funeral, barring the corpse; but the best sport I ever had yet was at the "opening of a loch". In Scotland I need not say that there is an opening day there for everything—the bowling-green is "opened," ^he foot-ball ground is "opened," everything indeed that will open is "opened" for the sake of having some festivities. Every "canny" individual in Scotland is fond of a dram, but generally manages to preface it with the excuse of "Just to drink your health, sir," or "Just another one to drink the health of your coot wife, sir." Indeed, sometimes they will drink to their own healths, and it was, I think, the late Earl of Stair and Dalrymple who turned his double title to good advantage when alive. "Here's to you. Stair," he would say, following it up immediately afterwards with another glass and the remark, "Your health, Dalrymple,"
But to my story; some people will say that the proper word for opening a loch would be "decanted," but that is not what we did, as we took in very little water indeed. The letter of an old keeper explains what is meant.
"Loch Lomond, April.
"Deer Sir, — Noin u are font of throwin a flee, I rite to let u know that I am in good health, hoppin this will find u the sam. Thank God for all his mersis, we oppen Loch Ard on Wednesday next, when there will be some goot fishin. I wull meet you at Balloch at eleven on Tuesday.
Yours trooly,
"RORY McTaggart."
You can read the rest of this story and the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...kes_thomas.htm
Enigma Machine
This is where we are publishing this set of puzzles created by Doug Ross which can now be found in Doctor's Surgeries, Old Folks Homes, etc.
Added Enigma Machine 31 puzzle which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma031.htm
The other puzzles we've already published can be found at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...igma/index.htm
Songs from John Henderson
John has sent us in another song "An Unco Tryst" which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerel511.htm
His other songs can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/doggerels.htm
Beauties of Dr. John Moore
Selected from the moral, philosophical, and miscellaneous works of that esteemed author, to which are added, a new biographical and critical account of the doctor and his writings, and notes, historical, classical, and explanatory.
Added Pages 351 to 401.
The book is available at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...moore_john.htm
Leaves from the Journal
From our life in the Highlands from 1848 to 1861 (1868)
We're adding new chapters to this book daily and this week I came across a set of 4 videos about Balmoral from the BBC so added them to our index page of this book at the foot of the page.
You can read the other entries and see the videos at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leaves/
Ardenmohr
Among the Hills, A Record of Scenery and Sports in the Highlands of Scotland by Samuel Abbott (1876)
Added more chapters this week.
Here is how the chapter about "The Lake of the Fairies, Loch-na-Seachin" starts...
Some days were now passed much as before; and, with the exception of two large salmon caught in trolling the loch, nothing happened worth particular mention.
The 11th of August must needs be a day of anticipation and preparation; and, on coming down in the morning, I found the others busy unpacking boxes, containing a small waterproof tent, cartridges, vermin stamps, &c.; and after breakfast, guns, &c., were carefully inspected, ammunition laid out, and a visit made to the kennels.
All arrangements were left to Major Duncan and Archie, and consequently settled with the promptness to be expected between the decisive soldier and taciturn keeper. Still, one way or other, time was taken up until luncheon; after which, Ward and I arranged for a long walk. The Major remained at home, as he had an O.H.M.S. to answer, and he asked Fred if he would go with us, or stay and fish the bum; and Fred stayed in preference to what he considered purposeless exercise.
"Won’t you come, Fred? ” said Ward.
“Flattered by your kindness,” replied Fred. "Nature has favoured you with long legs, and me with a wise head: let each improve his gifts.”
Hope and I set off by nearly the same line as our first walk; but, on getting high up hill, we turned north for a mile or so, and then scrambled up to the sky-line, enjoyed the grand sea view, continued northwards down towards the lower hills, and came suddenly upon the small loch which Archie said held such fine trout.
Once close to the water we regretted having no fishing-tackle, as there was a fine curl on the loch, which was deep to the edge in some parts.
This fair lake is as great a contrast as possible from the dismal pools in the snipe hollow; and, with its margin of sedge, white sand, and mossy stones, is as charming a little alpine aquarium as one could fancy; and while sitting on a tuft of heather, looking at the tiny wavelets curling on its blue surface, Ward went on sketching, and, as he said, thinking it only natural if a fair water-nymph should rise to the surface, and in liquid Gaelic invite him to a bath.
By the side of this gem in the wilderness we rested some time, and Ward sketched the fair outlines; but he said that his art failed in giving the metallic hues of green and purple.
“I remember, Hope, of Mr. M speaking to me about that very same matter of vivid colour.”
“Ah! what did he say? He is real authority.”
“Well, it came about in this way. I was with him while he painted the rugged walls and quaint window of an old castle for one of his figure-pieces, and made remark on the bright colours he was deliberately touching in, to picture what appeared, to a common observer like myself, to be simply a grey old wall; but he distinctly showed me in the wall itself all these varieties of tint and shade.”
“Just the man to note them; and what did he say about vivid colour?”
“That it was an error to decry bright colour in painting from its mere brightness, as vulgar and gaudy effects came from false taste and incongruous handling; that the real difficulty was to colour up to nature. I well remember be illustrated this by picking a bit of moss from the wall, and, laying it on his palette, he said, 'Now you see on the palette the finest colours that art can produce, yet are they paled beside this bit of yellow moss.’”
“How just! Even I, a novice, feel it. See these rushes: I have got the greens and shades pretty well, but would need a mixture of sunshine and blue sky on my brush to paint the golden green of that sedgy fringe.”
“Try turquoise and gold dust.”
“I fear this must do. Where next?”
You can read the rest of this chapter at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter13.htm
You can read the other chapters at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...mohr/index.htm
Merchant's Guide to Stirling & District
A new book we're starting which we're adding to the foot of our History of Stirlingshire page.
This week I added the two chapters on Stirling Castle.
You can get to this book which we'll be adding to over the next few weeks at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/stirlingshire
Lord Charles Neaves
Added two more of his poems...
Stuart Mill On Mind and Matter
The In-Osculation of Science and Art
You can view these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_charles.htm
Panton, Leslie and Company
Panton, Leslie and Company, established in 1783 and headquartered in Pensacola from 1785-1830, was the Sears and Roebuck of its day, dealing in a variety of goods and servicing over a large geographical area. The company had trading posts scattered as far north as Memphis (then known as Chickasaw Bluffs) and as far west as New Orleans, including posts at Mobile and at several locations in Florida, the Bahamas, and in the Caribbean.
You can read this article about them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ton_leslie.htm
Clan Leslie
Got in a copy of their newsletter for Oct, Nov, Dec 2013 which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...letters/leslie
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...letters/leslie
Dundee
I found two old videos of Dundee which I've added to our Dundee page. One is Auld Dundee II and the other is The Great British Story: Dundee - With Ricky Ross.
You can view these on our Dundee page at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/dundee
Scotland the Land
Scotland the Land is a fascinating series bringing us stunning aerial views of some of Scotland's most famous rivers and the treasured landscapes they run through.
Included in this set are...
The Spey
The Forth
The Tay
The Dee
The Great Glen
The Tweed
They are all about 25 minutes in playing time and can be viewed at: http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/land.htm
Scottish Enterprise Annual Review 2012
Found a video report providing the annual review for 2012. You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/busi...review2012.htm
Tomar, Portugal
The new International HQ of the Knights Templar Order (OSMTH-I)
Seeing as Tomar is now our permanent home of the International Order I asked Peter if he could give us a write up of the place so that when any Knights and Dames visit they could take advantage of a tour of the area. Here is the article he provided which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/tomar.htm
Christina McKelvie's Column
Got in her column for September 7th which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vie/130907.htm
Here other columns can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...lvie/index.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
At our monthly meeting of the Burns Club of Atlanta this week, a guest of member Bill Tucker was introduced. He was none other than John Imlay, a prominent Atlanta businessman who “is considered a leading authority and pioneer in the software industry”. Before going any farther though, let me tell you a bit about this Scotsman as shared by Mr. Imlay’s assistant, Barbara Brooks, and thank her for this insight.
You can read this article at: http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives180.htm
Other articles in this series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
And finally...
What A Hoot
A Glasgow couple who decided to hire a cottage in the country for the weekend proved what city slickers they were when they were walking back to the abode in the dark.
"What's that noise?" said hubby. "I thought I heard an owl."
"You probably did," replied his wife. "I just stood on the dog's paw."
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Honesty
Poet and writer Liz Lochhead, who was made a Fellow by the Educational Institute of Scotland at the weekend, explained that she had in fact been an art teacher for eight years earlier in her career.
"In fact," she told the EIS at the ceremony, "just by quitting the job I managed to improve the professional quality of teachers."
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And that's it for now and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
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