either of us elsewhere, and he will find Walter Scott just where he was, without any feeling of animosity, but with the same recollection of former kindness.

I own my intention regarded the present question much less than to try if it were possible to raise Scotland a little to the scale of consideration from which she has greatly sunk. I think that John Hume mentions that Hepburn of Keith, a private gentleman of pleasant manners and high accomplishments, was regretted by the Whigs as having induced him to sacrifice himself to a vain idea of the independence of Scotland. With less to sacrifice and much fewer to regret me, I have made the sacrifice probably as vainly. But I am strongly impressed with the necessity of the case, and I know that not a man will speak out, but one who like myself is at, above, and below consequences. Scotland is fast passing under other management and into other hands than Lord Melville's father would have permitted. In points of abstract discussion, quickness of reform, etc., the Whigs are assuming an absolute and undisputed authority. Now here was a question in which the people might be taken absolutely out of their demagogues, and instead of that our members strengthen the hands of these men with ministerial authority to cram the opinions of these speculative economists down the throats of an unwilling people, as they have crammed a dozen of useless experiments already. I could say more of this and to the same purpose, but I need not make both Whigs and mistaken Tories alike my enemies. And yet if I could do good by doing so, I would not care much for any personal consequences.

Concerning the first part of Lord Melville's letter you are I am sure aware that individually I rather discouraged the application of the Clerks of Session for an augmentation and signed the memorial in deference to the opinion of my brethren who entertaining such a sense of their pretensions, I did not think I had any title to withdraw myself from their body.

I certainly consider that we were and are harshly treated in the care of our

brother Ferriar. As to the argument that good men will be got to fill our offices at less than our emoluments I will engage that if every public office were exposed to auction on the Dutch principal (sic) every man should underbid instead of overbidding each other, and preferring the lowest bidder, they would be all reduced to a very moderate standard. Old Fleming offered to be a King for £500 a year. How far this would lead to the improvement of the country is de quo quaeritur, the improvement would be a radical one. I have written a great deal more than I intended, and still I could write more fully in the controversy, but I am conscious that I am a rash cudgel player, and incapable of expressing regret. When I have no feeling except of sorrow, I think it is better to stop as I am. When I say I regret Lord Melville's alienation I hope his Lordship will understand it is that of the friend and early companion, not of the minister. In the latter capacity I have always found Lord Melville more kind and attentive to my personal concerns than I had any title to expect, and I think his Lordship will do me the justice to say I have seldom troubled him with personal requests. If I have been frequently an intrusive solicitor for others it has been for persons recommended-either by talents, by distress, or by merits towards Government. I wish you may be able to send this, but by candle-light I cannot write so distinctly as usual. I request you will transmit to Lord Melville-I have read it once over and keep no copy. But I should think it fair with his Lordship's permission that it should be shown to these friends, to whom he wishes you to show his own letter. If I am wrong I have a title that men should know that I have erred from honorable and patriotic motives. The event will show whether I have erred or not. If I have there is not much harm done: and if I have not I am sure I do not know whether I ought to be glad or sorry for it. Adieu, dear Sir Robert. I am always affectionately Yours

WALTER SCOTT. "Castle Street 9 March 1826.

CLAN NEWS.

Clan Fraser, San Francisco,

Had a most delightful annual picnic and games on September 9th in Schuetzen Park. The games were of a high order and much enjoyed by a large assemblage. A fine program was gotten up with a cut of all the officers of the clan. The clan is in a healthy condition and has become a power for good at the Golden Gate. Clan MacDonald, of Oakland, and the Caledonian Club and the Thistle were prominently represented at the picnic. It was one of the most interesting and largest gatherings the Clan Fraser ever held. A fine cut of Mr. Hugh Fraser, the founder of the clan, in his Highland costume attracted much attention.

Clan Graham, New York.

The prize drawing which the clan are running for the benefit of Piper Gregor Moir has been postponed till the night of their entertainment, October 16th.

Clan Cameron, Providence, R. I.,

the auspices of Clans Fraser and Cameron and their Providence and Pawtucket allies, the Daughters of Argyle and Daughters of the Heather and Fraser Royal Highlanders, on September 12th, for the double purpose of boosting young MacLeod and helping themselves, was a complete success socially and otherwise. The end most in view, that of knitting in closer communion the different sections of our kinsmen in the State, has been amply attained. We have cast our bread on the water and have confidence it will return buttered on both sides. The amusement committee of the clan have well under way the arrangements for the celebration of the order's silver jubilee, having secured the hall and several first-class artists. His Excellency, the Governor of Rhode Island, accompanied by his staff, has signified his willingness to spend the night with us on that event, and he will be escorted to the hall by the most picturesquely dressed and best drilled body of men in New England, viz., the Fraser Royal Highlanders, so,

ber 11th. It was decided to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the clan on the 25th inst. by holding a family gathering. I. B. Craig was reported as improving from the effects of an elevator accident. Joseph Harvey was taken suddenly ill while at work and had to be conveyed home on the 11th inst. Clan Cameron 7, Clan Fraser 11 and the Fraser Royal Highlanders had a pleasant excursion to Newport on the afternoon and evening of the 12th inst., assisted by

the Ladies' Auxiliaries of the clans.

Clan Fraser, Pawtucket.

The combination matinee and moonlight excursion to Newport, held under

in the race on this eventual time. Let us make the welkin ring from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Golden Gate. GEO. M. STRACHAN.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

"Politics and Religion": A Study in Scottish History from the Reformation to the Revolution. By William Law Mathieson. Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, 1903. 2 vols.

"Huchown of the Awle Ryale," the Alliterative Poet: A Historical Criticism

of Fourteenth Century Poems Ascribed to Sir Hew of Eglintown. By George Neilson. Glasgow: James MacLehose & Sons, 1902.

(These works will be reviewed at length in our next issue.)

BOOK REVIEWS.

"Prayer for Public Worship, Private Devotion, Personal Ministry." By Abbie C. Morrow. Published by M. È. Munson, 77 Bible House, New York. Price, $1.

When Mrs. Morrow was asked by the publisher to write a book of this nature she at first refused, but at last was led to feel that if others felt the need of such help it was right for her to meet their need. But it is not her intention or desire that it should take the place of individual prayer, but merely serve as a guide, and, as she says in her introduction, "lead many precious ones close to their Lord, and eventually teach them how to pray without any outward help." The chapters of the book give a good idea of its plan. They are: I. Public Worship. II. Bible Benedictions. III. Weekly Meetings. IV. The SundaySchool. V. Gatherings of Women. VI. Gatherings of Young People. VII. Special Prayers. VIII. Family Prayers. IX. Special Days. X. Young People's PrayX. Young People's Prayers. XI. Children's Prayers. XII. Private Devotions. XIII. Brief Closet Prayers. XIV. Quiet Hour of the Pentecostal Prayer Union. XV. Praises. XVI. Personal Prayers. XVII. "Others."

This is a most excellent and helpful devotional book, and we earnestly recommend it to all who desire "a closer walk with God."

OCTOBER MAGAZINES. Collier's Weekly of September 26th is a most interesting number, full of fine illustrations. A. Conan Doyle writes "The Return of Sherlock Holmes." "China and Her Opportunities to-Dav," by Sir Shentung Liang Ching, Chinese Minister to the United States, in a notable article. "A Family Feast in Japan,"

by Rev. Francis E. Clark, will be read with much interest.

The October Success is an unusually large and interesting number, profusely illustrated. "Operating the United States Senate," by Walter Wellman, is an interesting article. "Adelina Patti's Achievement," by William Armstrong, is perhaps the leading feature of this issue. There are a number of good short stories, as "Seeing Through Another's Eyes," by Howard Fielding; "The Story of a Rejected Manuscript," by Richard Le Gallienne, and "Chasing the White Mail," by Cy Warman. "Turning Back to the Dominion," by Rufus Rockwell Wilson, should be read by every one. The development of Can

ada is wonderful-"From March to August, 1902, more than 30,000 American farmers, most of them heads of families, settled in the valley lands of Manitoba." Many Canadians who settled in the United States have returned to reap the rewards of those who believe in their country's future.

Scribner's Magazine for October contains many remarkably good articles and is beautifully illustrated. "The Wastes of a Great City," by John McGaw Woodbury, Commissioner of Street Cleaning in New York City, is highly instructive. Walter A. Wyckoff, author of "The Workers," writes on "Some Phases of Trade Unionism." "Mr. John Quincy Adams's Narrative of a Journey from St. Petersburg to Paris in February, 1815," gives a wonderful account of a perilous undertaking. "State Universities," by W. S. Harwood, gives valuable information about some institutions of which the general public knows comparatively nothing.

was

The October Review of Reviews has many interesting and timely articles. "The Socialistic Legislation of New Zealand," by Dr. Lucien C. Warner, embraces compulsory arbitration, first adopted in New Zealand in 1894, and since then the law has been several times amended. "Old-Age Pension" passed in 1898 and has been twice amended since. A person to draw a pension must be 65 years of age and must have resided in New Zealand for the previous twenty-five years; must not have been imprisoned for the last twelve months. His yearly income must not exceed £52 or his net capital £270. The full amount of the pension is £18 per year, payable monthly. Public ownership in New Zealand appears to be giving good satisfaction. "Why Macedonia. Rebels" and "The Work of the New York Health Department" are very instructive.

"Examples of Printed Folklore Concerning the Orkney and Shetland Islands." Collected and edited by Geo. F. Black. London: David Nutt, 1903.

There has just been published under the above title by the Folklore Society of London a work on the folklore of Orkney and Shetland. The volume forms one of the series of Country Folklore, and the material for it has been collected and edited by George F. Black. The contents are very varied and interesting, and include practically all that has been. published on the folklore of these islands. The subject matter has been grouped under four heads: (1) Superstitious beliefs and practices, including witchcraft, magic plant and animal superstitions, etc.; (2) traditional customs, divided into festival, ceremonial and local customs and games; (3) traditional narratives, including tales, ballads, songs and

tralia, but on account of his false teaching and pretended faith healing was obliged to leave the country and come to San Francisco. After an unsuccessful attempt to establish his doctrine in that city he came to Chicago, where he has labored for several years, has built a large church, gained thousands of followers, and accumulated an immense. amount of property. For several months he has been preparing a crusade for New York and training many of his followers to help him. He plans to visit this city October 16th and begin his work of evangelizing the metropolis, "the Sodom of the East."

Before it is possible to arrive at anything like a definite conclusion in connection with this most interesting subject, we have first to consider, and, if possible, solve some problems connected with the origin of the primitive races who inhabited ancient Albyn, and who, some of our more enthusiastic Highland friends would have us believe, wore a dress practically identical with the present breacan an fhéilidh. That they are not altogether wrong in this assumption I am quite willing to allow, but to assert, as I have known some perfervid Celts thoughtlessly do, that our remote Pictish or Celtic ancestors wore tartain plaids, kilts, bonnets, sporrans, dirks, and even sgian dubh, argues an ignorance of the subject, which is only to be excused by their intense sentiment and patriotism.

Unfortunately in these days there is no allowance made for sentiment. Every-. thing has to bear the test of an almost intolerable scrutiny before it can be accepted as a fact, and from this cause many of our most cherished traditions and fondest beliefs have been ruthlessly destroyed. Happily, the antiquity of the Highland dress stands upon too firm a foundation to be thus argued away, and, as I will endeavor to prove, it was in a modified form worn by the Celtic races some time at least before the Christian

era.

It is now pretty generally conceded by the most celebrated students of ancient history that the various Celtic tribes who overspread a very large portion of northwestern Europe from three to four

centuries before Christ were of Aryan descent, speaking dialects of the same language, worshipping the same deities, practicing the same methods of warfare, and, we may also assume, wearing the same dress. The territory inhabited by this important branch of the Aryan race. extended from the Adriatic to the Western Ocean, including the British Islands. On the north it was bounded by the Rhine, and it stretched away to the south as far as the central portions of Spain, and to the Apennines in Italy. Some authorities are of opinion that the Caledonian Picts were not of Aryan descent, and were, in fact, either aboriginal or a distinct race, a theory which I think must be founded on the well-known fallacy-viz., that the Picts had a language distinct from the other branches of the Celtic races which became extinct during the reign of Kenneth MacAlpin. Personally, I am of opinion that the whole of the inhabitants of the British Islands at this early period were purely Celtic, although it is quite possible the dialects of North and South Britain were different. In Europe the two principal Celtic tribes were the Gauls of France and the Iberians of Spain, the latter being subjugated by Rome about B. C. 134, while the former remained independent until about B. C. 50, when Julius Cæsar succeeded in adding their country to his already vast empire. From this period we are able to obtain some authentic accounts of the manners and customs of these hitherto comparatively unknown races of mankind; and we may, I think,