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To see what we've added to the Electric Scotland site view our What's New page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm
To see what we've added to the Electric Canadian site view our What's New page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
Well we are in Homecoming Scotland 2014 year and there are some good web pages where you can find out what events are on .http://www.visitscotland.com/en-ca/s...d-2014/events/
I notice there are now direct flights from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The French airline Europe Airpost has announced scheduled flights from Halifax to Glasgow. The flights will operate weekly between July and August 2014 with a Boeing 737-70. Prices will start at 860 $CAD with all taxes and baggage fees included.
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My name is Suzanne Goolsby, and I am working with the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers in Denver, CO, USA.
The Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) are an auxiliary group of the St. Andrew’s Society of Colorado, and, as such, share the same 501 (c) 3 status and Tax ID #--84-6043415. RMHD was organized over twenty-five years ago to support Scottish Highland Dance in Colorado. Currently, over 100 dancers from all over the Denver metro area participate in workshops, competitions, and many performances each year. RMHD works with children starting from the age of 4 to instill cultural heritage, the discipline of dancing, and a love of the arts and live performance.
Presently, our organization is gearing up for our Annual Highland Tea and Silent Auction on May 10, 2014 at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Lakewood. This year our event features two (2) seatings—11:30am and 2:30pm--for a four-course Scottish Tea, Scottish highland dance and music entertainment, and a Silent Auction. The Tea is our main fundraiser that allows the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers to sponsor many of the local Scottish dance competitions and workshops that the dancers attend. We also assist our dancers with scholarships to defray the cost of travel to national and international competitions and workshops.
I am writing to ask if your Scottish authors would be interested in donating a book or two for our Silent Auction. Many Scottish families will attend this event together, and many of our RMHD Dancers (who will be dancing at the Tea) look forward to our Annual Event and our selection of children's items. We would like very much to feature one or more of your authors of Children's Literature, and would welcome books of Scottish Interest or Scottish Reference as well. In the past, we have been privileged to feature Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" Series with successful results, and we look forward to featuring Scottish authors as much as we are able. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of this request,
Suzanne Goolsby
10739 Kimball St
Parker, CO 80134
720-842-4700
zgoolsby@comcast.net
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And hey... today I reached my 63rd birthday... just two more years until I get my pension! <grin>
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It's been a wee while since I last checked my site statistics and was amazed to see a very significant shift in my top countries. The USA has always been my No.1 visiting country but today I see the UK has moved into first place with 35.1% of site visits. Way back the UK only represented just 4% of my visits.
Of my UK visitors England accounts for 51.36% and Scotland accounts for 45.28%.
Electric Canadian
Across the Canadian Prairies
A Two Months Holiday in the Dominion by J. G. Colmer (1894)
Here is the chapter "To the West"...
The boundary of Manitoba is about 210 miles from Winnipeg; and, except for the first 40 miles, where the district is but sparsely inhabited, owing to the land being largely in the hands of speculators, the agricultural industry of the country is seen at its best from the line of railway route. In the autumn the journey affords a sight that must be seen to be realised, as it is impossible to adequately describe the fields of golden grain that are to be seen stretching away on either side, as far as the eye can reach. The country is apparently as level as a billiard table—an expression that has been used before in descriptions of the prairie—but still there is a gradual and imperceptible ascent as we go west. Between Winnipeg and Portage-la-Prairie (56 miles), for instance, there is a rise of about 100 feet, and Brandon (133 miles) is 453 feet higher than Winnipeg; and when we get to the limits of the Province, the plain is about 700 feet higher than it is at the capital.
Portage-la-Prairie (population 4,200) is the first place of importance after leaving Winnipeg. It is the centre of what is known as the Portage Plains, an extensive and famous wheat-field. There are several large elevators in the vicinity of the station, also flour mills and other manufactories, and it is the junction of the Manitoba and North-Western Railway, already laid to Yorkton, in the direction of Prince Albert— which it is destined some day to reach. The completion of the line, the company owning which is just now in rather low water, will open up a beautiful stretch of country in what is known as the Fertile Belt. From Portage-la-Prairie to Brandon, stations occur at every few miles. They are generally surrounded by stores of various kinds, which form the source of supplies for the district, and these apparently prosperous little villages are also the local grain markets, the huge elevators at most of them being landmarks for miles round.
Brandon, next to Winnipeg, is the most important town in Manitoba. It has a large and fertile district tributary to it, its streets .and stores present a busy appearance, and it is not only the leading grs n market in the Province, but an important railway junction. About a couple of miles from the town is the Government experimental farm, under the able management of Mr. Bedford. It consists of about 1,000 acres, and is cut up into small plots, on which various experiments are annually made in the growth of the many varieties of grain, fruits, trees, &c., likely to be of economic value to the farmers of the Province. There is no doubt that all the cereals which can be produced intemperate climates will grow in Manitoba, but it is very important to get the hardiest and earliest-ripening varieties, with a view to avoid the frosts which sometimes occur at inopportune seasons. The experiments in fruit-growing are especially interesting, and in the case of the smaller fruits have been most successful, but, so far, it has not been found possible to raise apples and pears. As, however, these fruits are raised in Russia, in latitudes even higher than Manitoba, the question of finding and acclimatising suitable varieties will probably only be a question of time. Special efforts are being made to grow trees, which are not common on the prairies, owing to the prairie fires that, before settlement took place, periodically swept the country. Considerable success is attending the efforts of the director of the farm in this direction, and too much importance cannot be attached to the matter, as trees are both useful for shelter and shade purposes, apart from their ornamental advantages. Thoroughbred live stock and poultry are also kept for breeding purposes, and as object-lessons for the farmers in the surrounding districts. There is constant communication between the director of the farm and the agriculturists of the Province. Samples of seeds are distributed annually to farmers who wish to have them, and are prepared to carry out the experiments on the lines laid down, and the privilege is largely availed of. Then, again, parties of farmers frequently visit the Government farm, and take that opportunity of exchanging views with the experts who are in charge of it. Altogether, the system of the experimental farms has been a great success, and the efforts of the Dominion Government to improve the condition of the farmers is deserving of every encouragement.
The country from Brandon to Regina, the capital of the North-West Territories, a distance of about 225 miles, is of very much the same description as that already mentioned— flat, with here and there a little wood, chiefly poplar and scrub oak ; occasionally, also, a few miles of undulating park-like land is crossed. Villages are found as before in the neighbourhood of the various stations, and farmhouses are never out of sight. Wheat growing is the staple industry, but the farmers are engaging now more largely in mixed farming every year, and greater numbers of cattle are to be seen about the farms than was the case a few years ago. Indian Head is the site of another of the Government Experimental Farms, to which the remarks made about that at Brandon apply equally. In the neighbourhood are the the largo farms of Lord Brassoy, and the Bell Farm, which ts being worked by Major Boll himself, to his own satisfaction and profit, it is said. The farmers in the district are said to be doing very well, although they naturally feel the low prices that prevail. It is no uncommon sight in this district to see tho Indians working on the farms side by side with their pale-face brethren, and, if report be true, they work well and earn their wages, many of them becoming quite expert in the handling of farm machinery. A little further on Qu’Appelle is reached—also the centre of a fine farming country. From that place the old Northern trail used formerly to start, but it has now been largely superseded by the railway from Regina to Prince Albert. At Qu’Appelle the prairie loses some of its flatness, becomes more undulating, and clumps of fair-sized trees are to be seen here and there, giving rise to the park-like appearance which has been often described.
You can read this book as we get it up at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...ries/index.htm
By Trench and Trail in Song and Story
By Angus MacKay (Oscar Dhu) (1918). Adding one of his poems each day until complete.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/music/mackay/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Fraser Hudghton in which he has an article on Full Circle in which he is discussing the First World War.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
Enigma Machine
We are still adding a puzzle each week and the latest in No. 49 which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma049.htm
Each week Hugh posts up a new Enigma puzzle in ourElectric Scotland Community. Members then have a go at solving the puzzle and Hugh will give an odd tip to help you solve it. So do join in and have some fun. You can find these in the "Old Timers" group and in the "Thistle & Whistle" forum.
http://www.electricscotland.org/forumdisplay.php/17-Thistle-amp-Whistle
Alexander Murdoch (1841-1891)
A Scottish Engineer, Poet, Author, Journalist
We added a second book of his, "The Laird's Lykewake", which got excellent press reviews. We've added this to the foot of his page athttp://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/murdoch/ which includes the Press Reviews.
Jonathon Woodgate
Got in a mini bio of which names include McIntyre, Armstrong and O'Brien.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...e_jonathon.htm
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine
I have found a number of issues of this magazine and am starting to work through them to see what articles I might bring you from them. Here is what Wiki has to say about the publication...
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine was a monthly periodical founded in 1832. It was an important venue for liberal political views, as well as contemporary cultural and literary developments, in early-to-mid-nineteenth century Britain.
The magazine was founded by William Tait (1792–1864), the son of a builder and an inheritor of a large fortune. Tait was an "independent radical" in politics; he strongly favored the Whig party. 1832 was a time of great political ferment, with the first Reform Bill the dominant subject of discourse. Tait's periodical was intended as a "Radical riposte" to "the politically revanchist but culturally avant-garde Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine." Tait's welcomed many new and unknown writers like Robert Nicoll, as well as established voices like James Henry Leigh Hunt, and figures of future fame like Harriet Martineau and John Stuart Mill.
From 1833 on, Tait's Magazine was a regular venue for the essays of Thomas De Quincey. Perhaps most notably, De Quincey published a series of biographical essays on the Lake Poets (later collected as Recollections of the Lake Poets) in the pages of Tait's between 1834 and 1840. Tait published a range of other selections by De Quincey, including, somewhat surprisingly, "A Tory's Account of Toryism, Whiggism and Radicalism" (December 1835, January 1836). That article, however, was supplied with many sarcastic footnotes disagreeing with its points — "objecting foot-notes from the pen, presumably, of Tait himself."
In 1834 Tait's Magazine was combined with Johnstone's Edinburgh Magazine, a liberal periodical started two years earlier by husband and wife John Johnstone and Christian Isobel Johnstone. She was an early feminist who wrote extensively for Tait's in the following years, becoming the magazine's "chief contributor and director" under William Tait himself. Christian Johnstone was "the first woman to serve as paid editor of a major Victorian periodical," to which she brought "fresh life and popularity." In the same year Alexander Bailey Richmond took the magazine's London agents to court, for reviewing a work calling Richmond a government spy: the defence was successful.
Christian Johnstone died in 1857; Tait's Magazine ceased publication in 1861.
and here are four articles I've found this week...
Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith
By Madame de Lessen.
Last month we named this a delightful book. A more careful perusal deepens this agreeable impression. In moral tendency, it is a work to be classed with the Memoirs and Letters of Cowper and Heber, of Collingwood, Sir Thomas Munro, and Dr Edward Clarke, or of such old English worthies as More and Penn. It is consequently, in our estimation, among the books which, from their moral beauty alone, are to be regarded as the most precious treasures of literature.
I ocr'd in the article from the magazine but also found this publication in pdf format and have made this available at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/smith.htm
Characteristics of the Genius of Scott
By Harriet Martineau.
This is a two article publication about Sir Walter Scott which I am sure folk that like this author will enjoy. You can get to this at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/genius.htm
I also found an article about his funeral from an eye witness at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...alter_scot.htm
Scottish Voters
A sketch from real life.
It starts...
We returned a few days ago, from our annual excursion to our cottage in the Grampians, whither we always resort during the grouse-shooting campaign; and were it not that our magazine is devoted to canvassing the destinies of men, rather than of moorfowl, we should willingly follow the bent of our autumnal inclinations, and proceed to expatiate largely on our Mantons and Purdies; on . our magazines of powder and shot; on the very superior noses, the high breeding, and the finished education of our stanch establishment of setters; to the leading dog of which, in the exuberance of our political feelings, and of our gratitude for the blessings our Premier has recently conferred upon us, we have given the proud name of Earl Grey. We should give a detailed account of all our varied warfare, both by land and by water; on mountain, on moor, on river, on lake, and on tarn; of all our successes, and of all our disappointments; particularly noticing the days when our own unerring eyes, and undeviating double-barrels, were the means of loading the backs of our gillies with full game-bags, which happily chastened their alpine strides to an equality with our more sober paces ; and again pointing out, with great care, those extraneous, and altogether uncontrollable causes, which, in defiance of our unvarying accuracy of aim, did, on certain days, most unaccountably conspire to baffle us, and, much to our dissatisfaction, left the broad shoulders of our Highlanders altogether unincumbered. All this we should have told, together with all the other incidental, accidental, transcendental, and minor matters, naturally requiring to be recorded in a well-written sporting tour. But at the present time, men's minds are too much occupied with the fate of their country, and as a most important feature of it, more immediately intent •on watching the probable result of the future elections, for any such trifles as these to find room in them. We shall therefore leave all such things to sleep till some second Colonel Thornton shall arise, on some future halcyon occasion, to celebrate our exploits; and we shall now hasten to give an extract from our journal, which, we hope, may be found not entirely unconnected with the all-engrossing subject of the purity of representation and of election.
You can read this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/voters.htm
Currency Union on Scottish Independence
Mark Carney: "A durable currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty"
The Bank of England governor has said an independent Scotland would need to give up some power to make a currency union with the rest of the UK work.
Mark Carney said such a move, proposed by the Scottish government, "requires some ceding of national sovereignty".
He also said the risks of not having a strong agreement had been demonstrated by problems in the Eurozone.
Mr Carney's comments, in Edinburgh, came ahead of the Scottish independence referendum, on 18 September.
Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign to keep the Union, argued the governor's remarks were "devastating" for the Scottish government's currency plans.
In the event of a "Yes" vote, the Scottish government said keeping the pound and retaining the services of the Bank of England, under a formal currency union agreement, was the best option for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The UK government had said such an agreement would be "unlikely", and the deal would result in Scotland effectively having to hand over control of interest rates and borrowing levels to a foreign country.
In his speech, Mr Carney stressed arrangements for a currency union in the event of independence would be a matter for the Scottish and UK parliaments.
He added: "If such deliberations ever were to happen, they would need to consider carefully what the economics of currency unions suggest are the necessary foundations for a durable union, particularly given the clear risks if these foundations are not in place.
"Those risks have been demonstrated clearly in the euro area over recent years, with sovereign debt crises, financial fragmentation and large divergences in economic performance."
Mr Carney, who was speaking at an event hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, went on: "The euro area is now beginning to rectify its institutional shortcomings, but further, very significant steps must be taken to expand the sharing of risks and pooling of fiscal resources.
"In short, a durable, successful currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty.
"It is likely that similar institutional arrangements would be necessary to support a monetary union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK."
Mr Carney also highlighted that some 70% of Scotland's exports go to the rUK.
Earlier, Mr Carney, who has agreed to provide "technical" analysis of the issues ahead of the referendum, met privately with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed Mr Carney's speech, including what he said was a confirmation that that Bank of England would implement whatever monetary arrangements were put in place, if independence happened.
Mr Swinney said the points made by Mr Carney had been investigated in detail by the Scottish government's Fiscal Commission.
He said: "The benefits of a currency union are clear for both sides in terms of issues like promoting investment, eliminating transaction costs, reducing borrowing costs and facilitating the movement of labour and capital, and we welcome the governor's recognition of these benefits.
"An independent Scotland will control 100% of our own revenues, compared to the 7% of our tax base we are currently responsible for under devolution.
"A shared currency will mean an independent Scotland having control of tax policy, employment policy, social security policy, oil and gas revenues, immigration policy and a range of other levers to suit our own circumstances, helping to grow our economy, create jobs and secure a more prosperous and fairer society."
But Mr Darling, the former UK chancellor, said: "There is one clear message from today's thoughtful speech by Mark Carney the Governor of the Bank of England - that the failings of the Eurozone show that to have a successful monetary union you require fiscal and political union.
"This is a detailed speech but make no mistake, the governor's judgement on currency unions is devastating for Alex Salmond's currency plans.
"Why? Because the whole point of independence is to break the fiscal and political union that makes monetary union possible."
Mr Darling added: "The governor has spelled out in stark terms the problems of a currency union - above all it needs people living in the rest of the UK to agree to something they have never been asked about."
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said his breakfast meeting with Mr Carney had gone "extremely well"
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said that it was of no "great surprise" that on technical issues the governor of the Bank of England would want to set out his views.
He explained: "The issue around currency is an important part of the debate that is currently going on in Scotland. It hardly seems a great surprise at all, on the technical issues, that the governor of the Bank of England might want to set out his views.
"I'm sure the people of Scotland will want to be as well-informed as possible."
See the speech by Mark Carney at
Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force, 1859-1908
By Maj.-Gen. J. M. Grierson (1909)
I got an email in telling me of this book...
This is a rare work which includes a general account of the origin and history of the military units raised in the dates cited, primarily to serve throughout the empire, from just after the Crimean War into Africa and the Boer War. It includes Light Horse, Mounted Rifles, Artillery, Engineers, and Territorial Regiments such as the Roxburgh and Selkirk, the Berwickshire Volunteers, the Dumfries Volunteer Battalion, the Perthshire, Fifeshire, and Renfrewshire, as well as Rifle Corps, and the Medical Units. The uniqueness of the work, however, is in the color plates which illustrate the uniforms, with as near absolute accuracy as possible. There are some 47 beautiful full-color plates, showing both kilted and non-kilted units.
I've found the book and it can be downloaded at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../volunteer.htm
Got two articles in from Elaine Ries in pdf format...
History of Scottish Tartans & Clan Tartans
By Elaine Ries, Clan Wallace.
Scottish Clan and Family Identification
By Elaine Ries
You can read both of these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/books/ries/
The Songstresses of Scotland
Added the biography of Mrs Cockburn
I have to say that I am enjoying these biographies and hope you are as well. This one can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/music/songstresses/
Clan Leslie Society International
Got in their January 2014 newsletter which you can at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
Their gathering this year is at the Grandfather Mountain Games and they provide full information on the event in this newsletter.
Wee Davie
A wee three chapter book by Rev Norman MacLeod. A link to this book is at the foot of this page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/macleod/
John Ferguson McLennan
A significant Scot.
McLENNAN, JOHN FERGUSON (1827–1881), sociologist, born at Inverness on 14 Oct. 1827, was son of John McLennan, insurance agent, of Inverness, and Jessie Ross, his wife. Educated at Inverness and at King's College, Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A. in 1849, he subsequently entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where in 1853 he obtained a wrangler's place in the mathematical tripos. Leaving Cambridge University without a degree, he spent two years in London writing for the 'Leader,' then edited by George Henry Lewes [q. v], and other periodicals. On returning to Edinburgh he was called to the bar in January 1857. He became secretary to the Scottish Law Amendment Society, and took an active part in the agitation which led to the Court of Session Act of 1868, and in 1871 he accepted the post of parliamentary draughtsman for Scotland. The onerous duties of the latter office he discharged for some years ably and conscientiously.
You can read the rest of this account at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ennan_john.htm
The History of the 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Added this book in pdf format which is an account of them in the first world war. I have added the link to this book at the foot of our page about them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...treg/camerons/
Dr James Copland
The author of "A Dictionary of Practical Medicine".
He was born in November 1791 in Orkney, the eldest of nine children. He went to school at Lerwick, and in November 1807 entered the University of Edinburgh. His studies were at first in theology, but he graduated M.D. in 1815. He went to London, but finding no work that suited him, after eighteen months, he took a post in the Gold Coast as medical officer to the settlements of the African Company.
Copland landed at Goree, and in Senegal, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, studying the tropical diseases. On his leaving Sierra Leone, three-quarters of the ship's crew went down with fever; and a gale carried away the masts. Copland then landed and made his way along the coast, sometimes on foot, sometimes in small trading vessels or in canoes, till he reached Cape Coast Castle, where he lived for some months.
In 1818 Copland returned to England, but shortly started on travels through France and Germany. In 1820 he became a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London, and settled in Walworth. In 1822 he took a house in Jermyn Street. In 1825 he lectured on medicine at a medical school then in Little Dean Street, and somewhat later at the Middlesex Hospital.
Copland was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1833, and of the College of Physicians in 1837. He attained a good practice. Among his patients was Dyce Sombre (the first person of Asian descent to be elected to the British Parliament).
Copland was president of the Pathological Society, but without the respect of some of the practical morbid anatomists who attended its meetings. He was Croonian lecturer 1844, 1845, 1846; Lumleian lecturer 1854, 1855, and Harveian orator 1857. He gave up practice about a year before his death, which took place at Kilburn 12 July 1870.
You can read more about him and get his 9 volume publication at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_copland.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Robert Burns 255th Anniversary by Robert Burns Kiev Junior Club
A few weeks ago an article was posted on Robert Burns Lives! about three Ukrainians and their outstanding work on Robert Burns. This week I want to tell you a bit more about one of them, Hanna Dyka, and a Burns event she and her students put on in honor of Burns’ 255th birthday celebration. Today a treat awaits you as we look at some youngsters from the school in Kiev which, interestingly, is a twin city of Edinburgh in gymnasia 56 (high school). These students do not come from one class but come from many grades and are naturally of different ages. Hanna, quite a Burns enthusiast, is a relatively new friend of mine, and she recently wrote in an email that “in 2012 our Junior Robert Burns Club was enrolled into membership of the Robert Burns World Federation (N 2097).” Hanna goes on to say that “the youngest children are in the 3rd grade and the rest are from the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grades.” I think that is quite an accomplishment for this group of youngsters to be a registered member of the Burns Federation. There are many Burns Clubs in America that are not members even though it’s so easy to become a member and so worthwhile not only to the clubs but to the federation itself. To paraphrase, let the little children lead them!
All of these children are beautiful, well dressed, appear charming, and are a credit to both their school and their teacher Hanna. This is the sort of article that is different, heart warming, and gives the children some worldwide recognition. We all ask for Burns Clubs to seek out a younger membership as we have done in my own club in Atlanta. Hanna is not only seeking young children, she is actually leading and instructing them as well. We should all write Hanna at naticlife@ukr.net to thank her for the great work she is doing with the youngsters.
The children sang songs and watched some video. At this point I cannot help but tell you of my experience this past weekend. I delivered the Immortal Memory to the Savannah St. Andrew’s Society, the longest continuing St. Andrews Society in America. It was my second time to speak to that membership and one thing that stood out to me more than anything was not the haggis which I loved since Gil fixes some of the best I have ever eaten. Nor was it the beautiful and tasty meal that was served or the open bar which I stayed away from since I was speaking. What stood out to me was the singing. Twice during the program, Murray Marshall led the group in singing songs of Burns. It was an exciting part of the program and actually thrilled me. Few members looked at the song sheets provided at each plate. Note the songs in the article below these youngsters sang. I bet they rivaled the membership of the Savannah St. Andrew’s Society! (FRS: 1.30.14)
You can read the contribution by the club at
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives192.htm
We've continued to add chapters to...
Scottish Historical Review at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume16.htm
History of Montrose at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rose/index.htm
The Life and Times of General Sir James Browne at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/browne/
And Finally...
Days of Plunder
A GRANNY was telling her family: "It's changed days these days. I remember you could go to the shops with less than a pound and still be able to come back with a dozen eggs, a chicken, sausages and a tin of custard."
"That's inflation for you," her son piped up.
"Inflation nothing," replied granny.
"It's all these security cameras they have in the shops these days."
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Testing
A tale from North Carolina about a toy called Tickle me Elmo which is very popular in the US; you tickle its armpits and it makes a giggling sound.
Extra help was hired for the festive season to help with final testing and packaging. A manager, however, noticed one woman worker's production line was backed up with Elmos stacked to the roof.
He watched the woman to diagnose the problem and saw her take two marbles, put them in a small felt pouch and hand sew it between Elmos's legs.
"What are you doing?" the manager asked. "Well, sir," she replied,
"I was hired for final testing and packaging and I was told that prior to placing the Elmos in the boxes each was to have two test tickles."
And that's it for this week and I hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com/whatsnew.htm
To see what we've added to the Electric Canadian site view our What's New page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/whatsnew.htm
For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
Well we are in Homecoming Scotland 2014 year and there are some good web pages where you can find out what events are on .http://www.visitscotland.com/en-ca/s...d-2014/events/
I notice there are now direct flights from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The French airline Europe Airpost has announced scheduled flights from Halifax to Glasgow. The flights will operate weekly between July and August 2014 with a Boeing 737-70. Prices will start at 860 $CAD with all taxes and baggage fees included.
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My name is Suzanne Goolsby, and I am working with the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers in Denver, CO, USA.
The Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) are an auxiliary group of the St. Andrew’s Society of Colorado, and, as such, share the same 501 (c) 3 status and Tax ID #--84-6043415. RMHD was organized over twenty-five years ago to support Scottish Highland Dance in Colorado. Currently, over 100 dancers from all over the Denver metro area participate in workshops, competitions, and many performances each year. RMHD works with children starting from the age of 4 to instill cultural heritage, the discipline of dancing, and a love of the arts and live performance.
Presently, our organization is gearing up for our Annual Highland Tea and Silent Auction on May 10, 2014 at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Lakewood. This year our event features two (2) seatings—11:30am and 2:30pm--for a four-course Scottish Tea, Scottish highland dance and music entertainment, and a Silent Auction. The Tea is our main fundraiser that allows the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers to sponsor many of the local Scottish dance competitions and workshops that the dancers attend. We also assist our dancers with scholarships to defray the cost of travel to national and international competitions and workshops.
I am writing to ask if your Scottish authors would be interested in donating a book or two for our Silent Auction. Many Scottish families will attend this event together, and many of our RMHD Dancers (who will be dancing at the Tea) look forward to our Annual Event and our selection of children's items. We would like very much to feature one or more of your authors of Children's Literature, and would welcome books of Scottish Interest or Scottish Reference as well. In the past, we have been privileged to feature Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" Series with successful results, and we look forward to featuring Scottish authors as much as we are able. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of this request,
Suzanne Goolsby
10739 Kimball St
Parker, CO 80134
720-842-4700
zgoolsby@comcast.net
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And hey... today I reached my 63rd birthday... just two more years until I get my pension! <grin>
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It's been a wee while since I last checked my site statistics and was amazed to see a very significant shift in my top countries. The USA has always been my No.1 visiting country but today I see the UK has moved into first place with 35.1% of site visits. Way back the UK only represented just 4% of my visits.
Of my UK visitors England accounts for 51.36% and Scotland accounts for 45.28%.
Electric Canadian
Across the Canadian Prairies
A Two Months Holiday in the Dominion by J. G. Colmer (1894)
Here is the chapter "To the West"...
The boundary of Manitoba is about 210 miles from Winnipeg; and, except for the first 40 miles, where the district is but sparsely inhabited, owing to the land being largely in the hands of speculators, the agricultural industry of the country is seen at its best from the line of railway route. In the autumn the journey affords a sight that must be seen to be realised, as it is impossible to adequately describe the fields of golden grain that are to be seen stretching away on either side, as far as the eye can reach. The country is apparently as level as a billiard table—an expression that has been used before in descriptions of the prairie—but still there is a gradual and imperceptible ascent as we go west. Between Winnipeg and Portage-la-Prairie (56 miles), for instance, there is a rise of about 100 feet, and Brandon (133 miles) is 453 feet higher than Winnipeg; and when we get to the limits of the Province, the plain is about 700 feet higher than it is at the capital.
Portage-la-Prairie (population 4,200) is the first place of importance after leaving Winnipeg. It is the centre of what is known as the Portage Plains, an extensive and famous wheat-field. There are several large elevators in the vicinity of the station, also flour mills and other manufactories, and it is the junction of the Manitoba and North-Western Railway, already laid to Yorkton, in the direction of Prince Albert— which it is destined some day to reach. The completion of the line, the company owning which is just now in rather low water, will open up a beautiful stretch of country in what is known as the Fertile Belt. From Portage-la-Prairie to Brandon, stations occur at every few miles. They are generally surrounded by stores of various kinds, which form the source of supplies for the district, and these apparently prosperous little villages are also the local grain markets, the huge elevators at most of them being landmarks for miles round.
Brandon, next to Winnipeg, is the most important town in Manitoba. It has a large and fertile district tributary to it, its streets .and stores present a busy appearance, and it is not only the leading grs n market in the Province, but an important railway junction. About a couple of miles from the town is the Government experimental farm, under the able management of Mr. Bedford. It consists of about 1,000 acres, and is cut up into small plots, on which various experiments are annually made in the growth of the many varieties of grain, fruits, trees, &c., likely to be of economic value to the farmers of the Province. There is no doubt that all the cereals which can be produced intemperate climates will grow in Manitoba, but it is very important to get the hardiest and earliest-ripening varieties, with a view to avoid the frosts which sometimes occur at inopportune seasons. The experiments in fruit-growing are especially interesting, and in the case of the smaller fruits have been most successful, but, so far, it has not been found possible to raise apples and pears. As, however, these fruits are raised in Russia, in latitudes even higher than Manitoba, the question of finding and acclimatising suitable varieties will probably only be a question of time. Special efforts are being made to grow trees, which are not common on the prairies, owing to the prairie fires that, before settlement took place, periodically swept the country. Considerable success is attending the efforts of the director of the farm in this direction, and too much importance cannot be attached to the matter, as trees are both useful for shelter and shade purposes, apart from their ornamental advantages. Thoroughbred live stock and poultry are also kept for breeding purposes, and as object-lessons for the farmers in the surrounding districts. There is constant communication between the director of the farm and the agriculturists of the Province. Samples of seeds are distributed annually to farmers who wish to have them, and are prepared to carry out the experiments on the lines laid down, and the privilege is largely availed of. Then, again, parties of farmers frequently visit the Government farm, and take that opportunity of exchanging views with the experts who are in charge of it. Altogether, the system of the experimental farms has been a great success, and the efforts of the Dominion Government to improve the condition of the farmers is deserving of every encouragement.
The country from Brandon to Regina, the capital of the North-West Territories, a distance of about 225 miles, is of very much the same description as that already mentioned— flat, with here and there a little wood, chiefly poplar and scrub oak ; occasionally, also, a few miles of undulating park-like land is crossed. Villages are found as before in the neighbourhood of the various stations, and farmhouses are never out of sight. Wheat growing is the staple industry, but the farmers are engaging now more largely in mixed farming every year, and greater numbers of cattle are to be seen about the farms than was the case a few years ago. Indian Head is the site of another of the Government Experimental Farms, to which the remarks made about that at Brandon apply equally. In the neighbourhood are the the largo farms of Lord Brassoy, and the Bell Farm, which ts being worked by Major Boll himself, to his own satisfaction and profit, it is said. The farmers in the district are said to be doing very well, although they naturally feel the low prices that prevail. It is no uncommon sight in this district to see tho Indians working on the farms side by side with their pale-face brethren, and, if report be true, they work well and earn their wages, many of them becoming quite expert in the handling of farm machinery. A little further on Qu’Appelle is reached—also the centre of a fine farming country. From that place the old Northern trail used formerly to start, but it has now been largely superseded by the railway from Regina to Prince Albert. At Qu’Appelle the prairie loses some of its flatness, becomes more undulating, and clumps of fair-sized trees are to be seen here and there, giving rise to the park-like appearance which has been often described.
You can read this book as we get it up at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life...ries/index.htm
By Trench and Trail in Song and Story
By Angus MacKay (Oscar Dhu) (1918). Adding one of his poems each day until complete.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/music/mackay/index.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks issue was compiled by Fraser Hudghton in which he has an article on Full Circle in which he is discussing the First World War.
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
Enigma Machine
We are still adding a puzzle each week and the latest in No. 49 which you can get to at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/life.../enigma049.htm
Each week Hugh posts up a new Enigma puzzle in ourElectric Scotland Community. Members then have a go at solving the puzzle and Hugh will give an odd tip to help you solve it. So do join in and have some fun. You can find these in the "Old Timers" group and in the "Thistle & Whistle" forum.
http://www.electricscotland.org/forumdisplay.php/17-Thistle-amp-Whistle
Alexander Murdoch (1841-1891)
A Scottish Engineer, Poet, Author, Journalist
We added a second book of his, "The Laird's Lykewake", which got excellent press reviews. We've added this to the foot of his page athttp://www.electricscotland.com/poetry/murdoch/ which includes the Press Reviews.
Jonathon Woodgate
Got in a mini bio of which names include McIntyre, Armstrong and O'Brien.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...e_jonathon.htm
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine
I have found a number of issues of this magazine and am starting to work through them to see what articles I might bring you from them. Here is what Wiki has to say about the publication...
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine was a monthly periodical founded in 1832. It was an important venue for liberal political views, as well as contemporary cultural and literary developments, in early-to-mid-nineteenth century Britain.
The magazine was founded by William Tait (1792–1864), the son of a builder and an inheritor of a large fortune. Tait was an "independent radical" in politics; he strongly favored the Whig party. 1832 was a time of great political ferment, with the first Reform Bill the dominant subject of discourse. Tait's periodical was intended as a "Radical riposte" to "the politically revanchist but culturally avant-garde Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine." Tait's welcomed many new and unknown writers like Robert Nicoll, as well as established voices like James Henry Leigh Hunt, and figures of future fame like Harriet Martineau and John Stuart Mill.
From 1833 on, Tait's Magazine was a regular venue for the essays of Thomas De Quincey. Perhaps most notably, De Quincey published a series of biographical essays on the Lake Poets (later collected as Recollections of the Lake Poets) in the pages of Tait's between 1834 and 1840. Tait published a range of other selections by De Quincey, including, somewhat surprisingly, "A Tory's Account of Toryism, Whiggism and Radicalism" (December 1835, January 1836). That article, however, was supplied with many sarcastic footnotes disagreeing with its points — "objecting foot-notes from the pen, presumably, of Tait himself."
In 1834 Tait's Magazine was combined with Johnstone's Edinburgh Magazine, a liberal periodical started two years earlier by husband and wife John Johnstone and Christian Isobel Johnstone. She was an early feminist who wrote extensively for Tait's in the following years, becoming the magazine's "chief contributor and director" under William Tait himself. Christian Johnstone was "the first woman to serve as paid editor of a major Victorian periodical," to which she brought "fresh life and popularity." In the same year Alexander Bailey Richmond took the magazine's London agents to court, for reviewing a work calling Richmond a government spy: the defence was successful.
Christian Johnstone died in 1857; Tait's Magazine ceased publication in 1861.
and here are four articles I've found this week...
Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith
By Madame de Lessen.
Last month we named this a delightful book. A more careful perusal deepens this agreeable impression. In moral tendency, it is a work to be classed with the Memoirs and Letters of Cowper and Heber, of Collingwood, Sir Thomas Munro, and Dr Edward Clarke, or of such old English worthies as More and Penn. It is consequently, in our estimation, among the books which, from their moral beauty alone, are to be regarded as the most precious treasures of literature.
I ocr'd in the article from the magazine but also found this publication in pdf format and have made this available at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/smith.htm
Characteristics of the Genius of Scott
By Harriet Martineau.
This is a two article publication about Sir Walter Scott which I am sure folk that like this author will enjoy. You can get to this at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/genius.htm
I also found an article about his funeral from an eye witness at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...alter_scot.htm
Scottish Voters
A sketch from real life.
It starts...
We returned a few days ago, from our annual excursion to our cottage in the Grampians, whither we always resort during the grouse-shooting campaign; and were it not that our magazine is devoted to canvassing the destinies of men, rather than of moorfowl, we should willingly follow the bent of our autumnal inclinations, and proceed to expatiate largely on our Mantons and Purdies; on . our magazines of powder and shot; on the very superior noses, the high breeding, and the finished education of our stanch establishment of setters; to the leading dog of which, in the exuberance of our political feelings, and of our gratitude for the blessings our Premier has recently conferred upon us, we have given the proud name of Earl Grey. We should give a detailed account of all our varied warfare, both by land and by water; on mountain, on moor, on river, on lake, and on tarn; of all our successes, and of all our disappointments; particularly noticing the days when our own unerring eyes, and undeviating double-barrels, were the means of loading the backs of our gillies with full game-bags, which happily chastened their alpine strides to an equality with our more sober paces ; and again pointing out, with great care, those extraneous, and altogether uncontrollable causes, which, in defiance of our unvarying accuracy of aim, did, on certain days, most unaccountably conspire to baffle us, and, much to our dissatisfaction, left the broad shoulders of our Highlanders altogether unincumbered. All this we should have told, together with all the other incidental, accidental, transcendental, and minor matters, naturally requiring to be recorded in a well-written sporting tour. But at the present time, men's minds are too much occupied with the fate of their country, and as a most important feature of it, more immediately intent •on watching the probable result of the future elections, for any such trifles as these to find room in them. We shall therefore leave all such things to sleep till some second Colonel Thornton shall arise, on some future halcyon occasion, to celebrate our exploits; and we shall now hasten to give an extract from our journal, which, we hope, may be found not entirely unconnected with the all-engrossing subject of the purity of representation and of election.
You can read this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...les/voters.htm
Currency Union on Scottish Independence
Mark Carney: "A durable currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty"
The Bank of England governor has said an independent Scotland would need to give up some power to make a currency union with the rest of the UK work.
Mark Carney said such a move, proposed by the Scottish government, "requires some ceding of national sovereignty".
He also said the risks of not having a strong agreement had been demonstrated by problems in the Eurozone.
Mr Carney's comments, in Edinburgh, came ahead of the Scottish independence referendum, on 18 September.
Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign to keep the Union, argued the governor's remarks were "devastating" for the Scottish government's currency plans.
In the event of a "Yes" vote, the Scottish government said keeping the pound and retaining the services of the Bank of England, under a formal currency union agreement, was the best option for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The UK government had said such an agreement would be "unlikely", and the deal would result in Scotland effectively having to hand over control of interest rates and borrowing levels to a foreign country.
In his speech, Mr Carney stressed arrangements for a currency union in the event of independence would be a matter for the Scottish and UK parliaments.
He added: "If such deliberations ever were to happen, they would need to consider carefully what the economics of currency unions suggest are the necessary foundations for a durable union, particularly given the clear risks if these foundations are not in place.
"Those risks have been demonstrated clearly in the euro area over recent years, with sovereign debt crises, financial fragmentation and large divergences in economic performance."
Mr Carney, who was speaking at an event hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, went on: "The euro area is now beginning to rectify its institutional shortcomings, but further, very significant steps must be taken to expand the sharing of risks and pooling of fiscal resources.
"In short, a durable, successful currency union requires some ceding of national sovereignty.
"It is likely that similar institutional arrangements would be necessary to support a monetary union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK."
Mr Carney also highlighted that some 70% of Scotland's exports go to the rUK.
Earlier, Mr Carney, who has agreed to provide "technical" analysis of the issues ahead of the referendum, met privately with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed Mr Carney's speech, including what he said was a confirmation that that Bank of England would implement whatever monetary arrangements were put in place, if independence happened.
Mr Swinney said the points made by Mr Carney had been investigated in detail by the Scottish government's Fiscal Commission.
He said: "The benefits of a currency union are clear for both sides in terms of issues like promoting investment, eliminating transaction costs, reducing borrowing costs and facilitating the movement of labour and capital, and we welcome the governor's recognition of these benefits.
"An independent Scotland will control 100% of our own revenues, compared to the 7% of our tax base we are currently responsible for under devolution.
"A shared currency will mean an independent Scotland having control of tax policy, employment policy, social security policy, oil and gas revenues, immigration policy and a range of other levers to suit our own circumstances, helping to grow our economy, create jobs and secure a more prosperous and fairer society."
But Mr Darling, the former UK chancellor, said: "There is one clear message from today's thoughtful speech by Mark Carney the Governor of the Bank of England - that the failings of the Eurozone show that to have a successful monetary union you require fiscal and political union.
"This is a detailed speech but make no mistake, the governor's judgement on currency unions is devastating for Alex Salmond's currency plans.
"Why? Because the whole point of independence is to break the fiscal and political union that makes monetary union possible."
Mr Darling added: "The governor has spelled out in stark terms the problems of a currency union - above all it needs people living in the rest of the UK to agree to something they have never been asked about."
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said his breakfast meeting with Mr Carney had gone "extremely well"
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said that it was of no "great surprise" that on technical issues the governor of the Bank of England would want to set out his views.
He explained: "The issue around currency is an important part of the debate that is currently going on in Scotland. It hardly seems a great surprise at all, on the technical issues, that the governor of the Bank of England might want to set out his views.
"I'm sure the people of Scotland will want to be as well-informed as possible."
See the speech by Mark Carney at
Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force, 1859-1908
By Maj.-Gen. J. M. Grierson (1909)
I got an email in telling me of this book...
This is a rare work which includes a general account of the origin and history of the military units raised in the dates cited, primarily to serve throughout the empire, from just after the Crimean War into Africa and the Boer War. It includes Light Horse, Mounted Rifles, Artillery, Engineers, and Territorial Regiments such as the Roxburgh and Selkirk, the Berwickshire Volunteers, the Dumfries Volunteer Battalion, the Perthshire, Fifeshire, and Renfrewshire, as well as Rifle Corps, and the Medical Units. The uniqueness of the work, however, is in the color plates which illustrate the uniforms, with as near absolute accuracy as possible. There are some 47 beautiful full-color plates, showing both kilted and non-kilted units.
I've found the book and it can be downloaded at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../volunteer.htm
Got two articles in from Elaine Ries in pdf format...
History of Scottish Tartans & Clan Tartans
By Elaine Ries, Clan Wallace.
Scottish Clan and Family Identification
By Elaine Ries
You can read both of these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/books/ries/
The Songstresses of Scotland
Added the biography of Mrs Cockburn
I have to say that I am enjoying these biographies and hope you are as well. This one can be read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/music/songstresses/
Clan Leslie Society International
Got in their January 2014 newsletter which you can at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...ters/leslieint
Their gathering this year is at the Grandfather Mountain Games and they provide full information on the event in this newsletter.
Wee Davie
A wee three chapter book by Rev Norman MacLeod. A link to this book is at the foot of this page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/macleod/
John Ferguson McLennan
A significant Scot.
McLENNAN, JOHN FERGUSON (1827–1881), sociologist, born at Inverness on 14 Oct. 1827, was son of John McLennan, insurance agent, of Inverness, and Jessie Ross, his wife. Educated at Inverness and at King's College, Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A. in 1849, he subsequently entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where in 1853 he obtained a wrangler's place in the mathematical tripos. Leaving Cambridge University without a degree, he spent two years in London writing for the 'Leader,' then edited by George Henry Lewes [q. v], and other periodicals. On returning to Edinburgh he was called to the bar in January 1857. He became secretary to the Scottish Law Amendment Society, and took an active part in the agitation which led to the Court of Session Act of 1868, and in 1871 he accepted the post of parliamentary draughtsman for Scotland. The onerous duties of the latter office he discharged for some years ably and conscientiously.
You can read the rest of this account at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ennan_john.htm
The History of the 7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Added this book in pdf format which is an account of them in the first world war. I have added the link to this book at the foot of our page about them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...treg/camerons/
Dr James Copland
The author of "A Dictionary of Practical Medicine".
He was born in November 1791 in Orkney, the eldest of nine children. He went to school at Lerwick, and in November 1807 entered the University of Edinburgh. His studies were at first in theology, but he graduated M.D. in 1815. He went to London, but finding no work that suited him, after eighteen months, he took a post in the Gold Coast as medical officer to the settlements of the African Company.
Copland landed at Goree, and in Senegal, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, studying the tropical diseases. On his leaving Sierra Leone, three-quarters of the ship's crew went down with fever; and a gale carried away the masts. Copland then landed and made his way along the coast, sometimes on foot, sometimes in small trading vessels or in canoes, till he reached Cape Coast Castle, where he lived for some months.
In 1818 Copland returned to England, but shortly started on travels through France and Germany. In 1820 he became a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London, and settled in Walworth. In 1822 he took a house in Jermyn Street. In 1825 he lectured on medicine at a medical school then in Little Dean Street, and somewhat later at the Middlesex Hospital.
Copland was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1833, and of the College of Physicians in 1837. He attained a good practice. Among his patients was Dyce Sombre (the first person of Asian descent to be elected to the British Parliament).
Copland was president of the Pathological Society, but without the respect of some of the practical morbid anatomists who attended its meetings. He was Croonian lecturer 1844, 1845, 1846; Lumleian lecturer 1854, 1855, and Harveian orator 1857. He gave up practice about a year before his death, which took place at Kilburn 12 July 1870.
You can read more about him and get his 9 volume publication at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...es_copland.htm
Robert Burns Lives!
Robert Burns 255th Anniversary by Robert Burns Kiev Junior Club
A few weeks ago an article was posted on Robert Burns Lives! about three Ukrainians and their outstanding work on Robert Burns. This week I want to tell you a bit more about one of them, Hanna Dyka, and a Burns event she and her students put on in honor of Burns’ 255th birthday celebration. Today a treat awaits you as we look at some youngsters from the school in Kiev which, interestingly, is a twin city of Edinburgh in gymnasia 56 (high school). These students do not come from one class but come from many grades and are naturally of different ages. Hanna, quite a Burns enthusiast, is a relatively new friend of mine, and she recently wrote in an email that “in 2012 our Junior Robert Burns Club was enrolled into membership of the Robert Burns World Federation (N 2097).” Hanna goes on to say that “the youngest children are in the 3rd grade and the rest are from the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grades.” I think that is quite an accomplishment for this group of youngsters to be a registered member of the Burns Federation. There are many Burns Clubs in America that are not members even though it’s so easy to become a member and so worthwhile not only to the clubs but to the federation itself. To paraphrase, let the little children lead them!
All of these children are beautiful, well dressed, appear charming, and are a credit to both their school and their teacher Hanna. This is the sort of article that is different, heart warming, and gives the children some worldwide recognition. We all ask for Burns Clubs to seek out a younger membership as we have done in my own club in Atlanta. Hanna is not only seeking young children, she is actually leading and instructing them as well. We should all write Hanna at naticlife@ukr.net to thank her for the great work she is doing with the youngsters.
The children sang songs and watched some video. At this point I cannot help but tell you of my experience this past weekend. I delivered the Immortal Memory to the Savannah St. Andrew’s Society, the longest continuing St. Andrews Society in America. It was my second time to speak to that membership and one thing that stood out to me more than anything was not the haggis which I loved since Gil fixes some of the best I have ever eaten. Nor was it the beautiful and tasty meal that was served or the open bar which I stayed away from since I was speaking. What stood out to me was the singing. Twice during the program, Murray Marshall led the group in singing songs of Burns. It was an exciting part of the program and actually thrilled me. Few members looked at the song sheets provided at each plate. Note the songs in the article below these youngsters sang. I bet they rivaled the membership of the Savannah St. Andrew’s Society! (FRS: 1.30.14)
You can read the contribution by the club at
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives192.htm
We've continued to add chapters to...
Scottish Historical Review at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume16.htm
History of Montrose at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rose/index.htm
The Life and Times of General Sir James Browne at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/browne/
And Finally...
Days of Plunder
A GRANNY was telling her family: "It's changed days these days. I remember you could go to the shops with less than a pound and still be able to come back with a dozen eggs, a chicken, sausages and a tin of custard."
"That's inflation for you," her son piped up.
"Inflation nothing," replied granny.
"It's all these security cameras they have in the shops these days."
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Testing
A tale from North Carolina about a toy called Tickle me Elmo which is very popular in the US; you tickle its armpits and it makes a giggling sound.
Extra help was hired for the festive season to help with final testing and packaging. A manager, however, noticed one woman worker's production line was backed up with Elmos stacked to the roof.
He watched the woman to diagnose the problem and saw her take two marbles, put them in a small felt pouch and hand sew it between Elmos's legs.
"What are you doing?" the manager asked. "Well, sir," she replied,
"I was hired for final testing and packaging and I was told that prior to placing the Elmos in the boxes each was to have two test tickles."
And that's it for this week and I hope you all have a good weekend.
Alastair
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