AMONG THE CLANS.

A flying visit to our friends, the members of the O. S. C. in the Eastern States during February, revealed the fact that while it was winter without it was all warm and kindly within. Chief John McMillan and his brother officers gave us a royal welcome at Providence, R. I. The clan is in a most flourishing condition, and the kindly words spoken for the CALEDONIAN were very encouraging. At Lynn, Mass., the words of the old song, "Come over the stream, Charlie, and dine wi' MacLean," greeted us, and the royal welcome accorded to us by Chief MacKinnon was something to be remembered. The MacLeans are very fortunate in having a man of such marked ability as Mr. MacKinnon at their head. We also spent a delightful evening with the MacNeils, at Malden, Mass., whose organization is in thorough working order. Clan Macdougall, of Somerville, seemed a model clan, embracing, as it does, the best Scottish element in Somerville. Their officers, present and past, are remarkably efficient men and gifted as leaders. Chief James Taylor, introduced us to the McPhersons, of Lawrence, a fine body of men whom we were glad to meet. Returning to Boston, we had the pleasure of attending a meeting of Clan Farquharson, presided over by Chief G. McCormack, a popular clansman and a great favorite among the Scots. The Farquharsons are a splendid body of men and look as if they could furnish a dozen tug-of-war teams. We came back to the metropolis more refreshed than if we had been on a visit to Scotland.

Grand Clan of Massachusetts.

The Grand Clan of Massachusetts met in annual convention on the 22d of February

in America Hall, Boston. There was a good attendance, but, this being an "off year," there was little or no business of genenal interest transacted. The report of the grand chief was well received and showed the prospects for the coming year to be very bright. Grand Tanist Murray was elected chief and Secretary Abercrombie tanist. Other officers elected were as follows: Secretary. Thomas Dixon; treasurer, Clansman Hamilton; chaplain, Clansman Young. It was voted to hold next year's convention in Boston.

Clan MacGregor, Quincy, Mass.

This good old clan was never in as good a condition as at present. Alexander Clark, who presided over our doings so well and wisely during the past year, has been reelected by a strong majority. Under his chieftainship the clansmen can have a general good time every time they meet, whether in mootroom or ante-room, but nothing is tolerated in either place that would reflect discreditably on the Scottish name. So may it ever be, for the real good time is the good time that is controled by sobriety and dignity.

The tanist is A. G. Macdonnell, a tried and true clansman of long standing, who has always shown an active and intelligent interest in the order. Alexander Cowe, the press correspondent of the clan, has been appointed secretary of the amusement committee. Practically all the other offices are filled by the incumbents of last year.

manner

We

Burns night was observed in a that outdid all previous observances. had a concert, a dance and an oration in Music Hall. The orator was Rev. A. D. McKinnon, Ph.D., of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Boston, and his oration can be

described by no other word than "masterly." Already the clansmen are saying they must hear him again. ROB ROY.

Clan Macduff, New York.

Clan Macduff is getting on so well in its new quarters, 140 West 125th street, that many of the members are already speaking of again moving to more commodious rooms. The open meetings on the fourth Saturday of each month have been particularly successful, a notable feature being the performances of the Macduff choir, whose rendering of popular Scottish songs have been much enjoyed. Their appearance at the Burns celebration was the feature of the evening.

Clan MacDonald, Brooklyn.

Clan MacDonald celebrated on Saturday, February 20th, the anniversaries of Lincoln and Washington. There was a large attendance, and William Ritchie spoke in glowing terms of our national heroes.

Clan MacKinnon, Woburn, Mass.

The evening of February 12th was a redletter day among the MacKinnons, of Woburn. Chief Stackpole and Past Chief Stewart had prepared an excellent entertainment, to which the best local talent contributed. Grand Deputy James Robertson was present and spoke on behalf of the order. Clansmen Smith and Gordon were elected delegates to the Grand Clan Convention. Refreshments were served and a very interesting and enjoyable evening spent.

Clan MacKenzie, New York.

Great activity marks the beginning of the year with the MacKenzies, of New York. The meetings are well attended and enthusiastic. The social gatherings are very successful. With Royal Deputy Simpson as chief the proceedings are conducted with dignity and despatch. The installation of officers, the Burns celebration, the Ladies' Auxiliary Association anniversary have all been unusually interesting. Past Chief Mowat, of the MacKenzies, and Mrs. Robertson, president of the Ladies' Auxiliary, were each the recipient of valuable presents in token of appreciation of their services.

At a meeting of Clan MacKenzie, No. 29, on Tuesday evening, February 22d, two members were duly initiated. The Amusement Committee are arranging for a grand conversazione in April; also a stirring social evening at an early date in conjunction with the Ladies' Circle. After the routine business was concluded the clansmen enjoyed songs, recitations and story from "our own" galaxy of talent in persons of Clansmen Anderson, Wilkie, Slater and Past Chief Boyle and Past Secretary Cook. JAMES S. ANGUS, Mercer.

Daughters of Argyle, Providence, R. I. The Ladies' Auxiliary, of Clan Cameron, had a fine gathering on February 12, at which Dr. Macdougall, of New York, editor of the CALEDONIAN, made an address, extolling the good work in which the ladies were engaged and assuring them of the appreciation of the members of the Order of Scottish Clans of the kindly aid which was being rendered by the lady auxiliary associations in the work of the order. An admirable feature of the Daughters' work in Providence is the meeting of the Ladies' Sewing Circle, which assembles in the parlors of Mrs. Darlington, 20 Franklin street, on Tuesdays.

Lady Macduff Circle, New York. The Lady Macduffs, of Harlem, were so pleased with the Burns Anniversary celebration of Clan Macduff, held January 25th, that they resolved to have a dinner of their own. The anniversary of the birth of George Washington was selected and a delightful evening was enjoyed by all who had the good fortune to be present. Thirty-seven ladies were present and Mrs. Law, the president, was the principal speaker. Mrs. Garden recited several pieces. Appropriate songs were sung, and piano selections by Miss Johnston were a feature of the evening.

Scribner's Magazine for March, Contains many interesting articles and fine illustrations. The opening article is "The Search for the Western Sea," by Agnes C. Laut, and describes the unsuccessful attempt of M. de la Vérendrye to reach the fabled ocean, supposed to lie between the valley of the "Great Fork River" and the Empire of China. Captain Mahan, in his history of the "War of 1812," describes the contest between the "Constitution" and the "Guerrière." The series of drawings in tint, illustrating "Music and Life," by Howard Chandler Cristy, is exceptionally fine, and each picture will bear much thought and study. "Mrs. George Bancroft's Letters" are vivacious and interesting, and the illustrations, which include portraits of Thomas Carlyle and Jane Welsh Carlyle, Lady Byron, Sir Robert Peel and Lady Peel, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Ashburton, are very valuable. Robert Grant continues his great serial, "The Undercurrent," and Elizabeth H. Gilman contributes some delightful "Home Sketches," beautifully illustrated, by Jessie Willcox Smith. "The Unprepared," a story of an engaged couple, and "Private Morphy's Romance," a fireman's story by H. J. O'Higgins, will be found very entertaining. "Richard Strauss," by James Huneker, is a carefully written article on the great composer by a music critic. The poems are "Brother," by President Finley, of the College of the City of New York, and "I Know Not How to Find the Spring," by Florence E. Coates.

McClure's Magazine

Is full of interest and has many remarkably fine illustrations. The most timely and interesting article is by Thomas Nelson Page, on "The Negro: The Southerner's Problem." In this opening paper Mr. Page discusses "slavery and the old relation between the Southern whites and blacks." During the last forty years the negro population has increased from four and a half millions to nine millions, and as they own less than 4 per cent. of the property and furnish from 85 to 93 per cent. of the criminals, the problem is a serious one. "Af

ter nearly forty years in which money, brains, philanthropy and unceasing effort have been poured out lavishly, the most that we have gotten out of it is the experience that forty years have given, and a sad experience it is.” "The abolition of slavery came about gradually, and was due rather to economic than to moral reasons. When in 1790 slavery was abolished in the Northern States, there were less than 42,000 slaves in all the Northern States, whereas there were 700,000 in the Southern States." Mr. Page believes that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" "did more than any one thing to precipitate the war. It aroused and crystalized feeling against the South." Myra Kelly gives in this number another of her stories illustrating the race problem in New York's great polyglot East Side, and "When a Man's Widowed" furnishes a very accurate picture of life in that overcrowded section of our city. "The Alien of the Wild," by Charles G. D. Roberts, is a wonderful sketch of animal life, beautifully illustrated. Miss Tarbell, in the "History of the Standard Oil Company" describes "the troubles of a trust." Of the fiction we would mention "The Riddle of Countess Runa," by Anthony Hope, and "A Candid Violet," by Jeanette Cooper.

Review of Reviews.

The March Review of Reviews is intensely interesting with a number of timely and fascinating articles. The illustrations of Russian and Japanese war officers, as well as the graphic descriptions of the progress of the hostilities, are very fine. The cartoons on current topics are most amusing and are evidently done by a master hand.

The Critic.

The March Critic opens with the Lounger. The sketches and half-tone cuts are of a high order. The Mission of the Republican Party, by Theodore Roosevelt; the Discovery of Radium, by Arthur Hornblow; Modern Japanese Literature, by Yone Nouguchi; Literature Vid -the Woman's Club-by Helen M. Winslow, are articles of great value; Mr. Barrie's Stage Heroines, by Elisabeth Luther Cary, will be read with interest.

In the month of March occurs the feast of St. David, when all true Welshmen read his Collect in churches and homes, wear leeks in his memory, and otherwise commemorate the virtues and influence of their great national saint.

His figure against the dark background of the Middle Ages, with their poverty, ignorance and paganism, is outlined with exceeding beauty and power. He was endowed with marvelous intellectual and spiritual gifts, combined with such benignity and gentleness of manner, that the most learned prelates were captivated by his eloquence and logic; and churls looked up to him with the adoration due to a superhuman being. The superstition of the age lent its aid to the reverence with which he was regarded, and made him, throughout his long life, a popular idol, and, after death, a favorite saint.

He was born in Menevia, on the western coast of Britannia Secunda, now Wales, early in the sixth century, and was of princely lineage, being descended from a King of Northumberland and Vortigern, a renowned Saxon King by his mother; he was also nephew of Arthur, who established the famous Order of Knights of the Round Table.

Some Welsh chroniclers affirm that he was descended from David, King of Israel, and was the eighteenth in lineal descent from the Blessed Virgin.

Numerous legends are connected with his birth, which relate that it was divinely foretold; that an angel constantly attended him, protecting him from harm, so that neither the elements, poison nor

noxious thing had power to do him injury. He was known to the people by his national appellation of Dewi, or Dewii, a corruption of David.

He was early placed under the tuition. of Paulinus, a learned ecclesiastic, who accompanied the Kentish Queen Bertha to Britain from France, and remained. with him ten years. Then he entered upon a msisionary tour of the island, which he prosecuted with such zeal that he gained an immense number of adherents among the pagan tribes then inhabiting Britain, and founded twelve monasteries, which became centers of religious education and influence.

The chief of these was at Menevia, his birthplace, where he entered upon a life of great austerity and piety. He was drawn from his seclusion at Menevia to confute the Pelagian heresy in the Synod at Bréfi, which he accomplished so overwhelmingly that universal admiration was aroused, and he was unanimously elevated to the summit of ecclesiastical preferment.

The Metropolitan See was then established at Cäer-Léon, in Monmouthshire, the royal city of King Arthur, which was then replete with all the sumptuousness. and magnificence of living introduced by the Romans a century before; and the newly elected archbishop was seated upon the archiepiscopal throne with the utmost ceremony, and invested with almost regal dignity and power.

Interesting remains of that period are still extant in the environs of the decayed city; marble baths, mosaics, columns of porticoes, coins and weapons,

marking the reign of the Cæsars, mingled with the rude implements of the boorish peasantry, in use by the countrymen round about.

But, from an innate love of retirement, probably, as well as from attachment to the scenes of his nativity, the archbishop removed the See to Menevia, where he conducted the functions of the bishopric with great splendor of ritual, and surpassing dignity and power.

Marvelous accounts, rivalling the supernatural, are related of his stupendous labors and good deeds; he became the idol of his countrymen, and was chosen primate, or patron saint of Wales, and died in 601 A. D. He was canonized as St. David by Pope Calixtus in 1120. The following Collect was appointed to be read upon the anniversary of his death: "O God, who by Thy angel did foretell Thy blessed Confessor, St. David, grant unto us, we beseech Thee, that celebrating his memory, we may by his intercession attain the joys everlasting."

His remains repose in the cathedral he founded at Menevia, named in his honor "Ty Dewi," or "House of David,"* "the most sacred spot in the kingdom to all true Welshmen."

In person and manner St. David was fair and engaging, of noble stature, and possessed of many accomplishments. The historian Giraldus concisely says of him: "He was a doctrine to all-a guide to the religious, a life to the poor, a support to orphans, a rule to monks and a model to teachers."

Nineteen churches in different parts of the kingdom have been dedicated to him, and numerous biographies written, the most faithful portraiture of his rare character being that by Ricemarchus,

*Now popularly known as "Old St. David's."

Bishop of St. David's in time of its greatest splendor (1090).

His feast is held on the 1st of Marchby some on the 15th of that month-when leeks are worn in his memory.* The origin of this singular custom has been attributed to a "victory won by the Welsh over the Saxons on that date, when they wore leeks in their hats, to distinguish themselves."

Shakespeare makes reference to this custom in similar vein, but it is ascribed, and more truly, by the poet Drayton to the holy austerity of the saint as follows: "That reverent British saint in zealous ages past,

To contemplation lived, and did most truly fast,

As he did onlie drink what crystal Hodney yields,

And fed upon the leeks he gathered in the fields,

In memorie of whom, in the revolving yeare,

The Welshmen on his day that sacred herb doe weare.”

His shrine was carried for one day before troops into battle, to insure victory, when it was returned to the Cathedral in Menevia, which was greatly enriched by the princely offerings of William the Conqueror, Henry II, Queen Eleanor, and other royal pilgrims who bowed before it, the meritorious efficacy of such pilgrimages being considered so great that the Pope raised St. David's to a rank second only to the pontifical city, and declared that two pilgrimages thereto were equal to one to Rome.

This privilege is thus referred to: "Menevian pete bis; Roman adire si vis, Aequa merces tibi, reddetur hic est ibi; Roma, semei quantum dat bis Menevia tantum."

*Queen Alexandra, formerly Princess of Wales, always wears leeks on "St. David's Day."