126 "I have just been with Lady Midlemmill and her daughters, and I never saw a neater, happier, little family. They tell me the three girls make about £12 a year by work, washing and dressing cambrics, which they say fully keeps them in clothes, and better clothes nobody has. They trade none, and are resolved not to do it, which I much approved of." This last touch is characteristic. Trading, or keeping a shop was beneath the dignity of gentlewomen-taking in washing would seem to modern ideas a lower depth still, but it was not really so. The higher branches of the laundress's art to which the Misses Elliot appear to have confined themselves-the washing and dressing of dainty lace, and fine cambric, was essentially lady's work; and in the olden days the mistress of a household would hardly entrust her lovely "pearlines", to any hand less skilled than her own, nor did high-born dames consider such domestic duties beneath their dignity. Sir Gilbert Elliot died in 1718 at the age of sixty-seven. He was succeeded by his son Gilbert, who followed his father's profession, and was called to the bar in 1715. Shortly after his father's death he married Helen Stewart, a daughter of Sir Robert Stewart of Allan Bank. He entered Parliament in 1722 as member for Roxburghshire, but gave up his seat on being raised to the Bench four years afterwards. Like his father, Sir Gilbert assumed the judicial title of Lord Minto. His court duties kept him a great part of the year in Edinburgh, and his town house-a spacious mansion in the Horsewynd, was the resort of all the wit and fashion of the city. Lady Elliot, or Lady Minto, as she was called, was one of the leaders of society in Edinburgh, and for a time held the position, a very dignified one in those days, of Directress of the Assemblies; whose privilege it was to sit on a high chair, or throne, at the upper end of the ball room. Lord Minto was a great book collector, and he laid the foundation of the present extensive library at Minto. He was possessed of much literary taste and amused himself by writing Italian verses, but he did not care to bring these productions before the public. The only thing he published was a pamphlet on the improvement of the city of Edinburgh, a subject in which he took a keen interest; and judging from his description, the city was greatly in need of improvement. Through his exertions the leading citizens were induced to bestir themselves, and in course of time Lord Minto's proposed scheme, which was a very comprehensive one, was fully carried out, and effected a complete transformation of the Scottish capital. Lord Minto's position as a Judge prevented him: from taking any active part in politics, but he was a staunch Whig like his father, and was strongly opposed to the Jacobite party. During the rebellion of '45 when Prince Charles Edward was on his march towards England, an armed party of his followers suddenly appeared at Minto. The violent hostility of the rebels towards him gave Lord Minto good reason to fear a personal encounter with them, so hurriedly made his escape from the house, while his daughter Jean hospitably entertained the unwelcome strangers till her father found safe hiding-place among the rocks. The rebels probably got all they wanted, for the factor's books show that they had levied a considerable amount in money and provisions for the use of the army. ton. he Lord Minto, though a very affectionate father, His son Andrew, was a strict disciplinarian. afterwards Governor of New York, complained one day at dinner that he disliked boiled mutThe awful severity of his father's countenance made the young epicure shake in his shoes-as turning to the servant who stood behind him, the Judge said "Let Mr Andrew have boiled mutton for breakfast, boiled mutton for dinner, and boiled mutton for supper, till he has learned to like it." Lord Minto was fond of a country life, and When took a great interest in agriculture. the courts rose and the business of the circuit was over he was delighted to return to his home in Teviotdale. He spent his happiest hours there, employing himself with laying out the grounds near the house, and in planting and improving his estate. After being on the bench for nearly forty years he was promoted to be Lord Justice Clerk. He died in 1776 at the age of seventy-three. His daughter Jean, who so gallantly covered her father's retreat from Prince Charlie's followers, was the authoress of "The Flowers o' the Forest," that lovely song beginning"I've heard the lilting, at the ewe milking, Lasses a' lilting before dawn of day, But now there is moaning, in ilka green loaning, The Flowers o' the Forest are a' wede away.' The third Sir Gilbert Elliot, son of the Lord Justice Clerk, was bred to what might now be a called the family profession, and became an advocate, but his ambition led him to prefer the struggles and triumphs of political life, to the more profitable but less exciting procedure of the law courts. He entered Parliament as member for Selkirkshire, and afterwards represented Roxburghshire. To follow Sir Gilbert Elliot's political career would be to give the history of every great measure before rarliament during the twenty years of his public life, for he took a prominent part in every important debate. He was a man of high talent, and a most able politician, whose eloquence and skill in debate made him a most valuable advocate, and a very formidable opponent. He held the appointment of Lord of the Admiralty for four years, and then took office as Lord of the Treasury. Sir Gilbert Elliot married Agnes Murray Kynnynmund, heiress to the Melgund property in Forfarshire, and to the Kynnynmund property in Fife, and these are now included in the Minto estates. In 1776 he had the pleasure of seeing his eldest son returned to Parliament as member lor Morpeth. In the autumn of the same year, his failing health making it necessary that he should spend the winter in a warmer climate, he set out for Nice, accompanied by Lady Elliot and other members of his family. Travelling by easy stages he reached Marseilles in about six weeks, but he was too weak to pursue his journey further, and died there on the third of January, 1777, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years. His eldest son and successor, who was now the fourth Baronet of Minto, was also named Gilbert. He, with his brother Hugh, had been educated in Paris, and he afterwards made lengthened tours on the continent, visiting most of the capitals of Europe. These were not the days of the ubiquitous tourist, or the holiday cheap-tripper, be it remembered; and Sir Gilbert's letters were full of the most entertaining descriptions of his travels, of the adventures which befell him and the distinguished or amusing people he met. He was a clever young fellow and was possessed of a considerable share of wit, and was a favourite in the brilliant society of Paris where he resided for some time, moving in the most distinguished circles, and meeting with all the wit and fashion of the gay capital. Though educated for the bar, he, like his father, made politics his profession, and as we have seen, was elected member for Morpeth, but was soon afterwards chosen to represent Roxburghshire. He was married a few days before his father's death to Miss Amyand-the daughter of Sir George Amyand, a descendant of an old Huguenot family. In 1793 he was sent to Toulon as Commissioner to assist the distressed French Royalists, many of whom had been through the horrors of the revolution, including many widows and children of those who had perished in the massacres, or by the guillotine. From Toulon he went to Corsica in response to the application of the inhabitants for British protection, and there he acted with great tact and firmness, giving every satisfaction both to his own Government, and the people over whom he had been placed. After his return from Corsica in 1797, it was announced to Sir Gilbert that the King intended to confer a Peerage upon him. He was accordingly created a Baron of the United Kingdom. In a letter to Lady Minto he says that the King had assured him that it was with the greatest pleasure he had conferred this honour upon him, that he had well earned it, and would be of the greatest use in the House of Lords. He adds in the same letter:-" Gilbert (his son) is the only person to whom I have found it necessary to make an apology for our new honours. said to me some time ago that he hoped I would not have a Peerage or any of that nonsense. However, he will get reconciled to it, no doubt. I propose to have the Moor's head for a crest as a memorial of Corsica." He In 1806, Lord Minto was appointed to the office of Governor-General cf India. The great Mahratta War was over before he reached Calcutta, but he had still many difficulties to encounter. He endeavoured to maintain a pacific policy, but at the same time he was not afraid to resort to vigorous and uncompromising measures when it became necessary. During his administration be added the Mauritius and Java to the list of British dependencies. Borneo, that nest of pirates, was also subdued. He remained in India for seven years, and on his return was rewarded for his services by being created Earl of Minto, and had also the gratification of receiving the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. Minto, the beautiful and dearly-loved home of the Elliots, had been greatly improved, and the house enlarged and almost entirely rebuilt during Lord Minto's absence in India, but he was destined never to see it again. He caught cold soon after his arrival in London, and died at Stevenage, on his way to Scotland, at the age of sixty-three years. The fourth Baronet and first Earl of Minto NE of the largest and most modern hotels in the south of Scotland is the Eskdale Temperance Hotel, Langholm, and the enterprising proprietor, Mr Wm. Douglas, has organised and carried out some splendid coaching tours which have done much to make tourists familiar with the beauties of the Southern Highlands of Scotland. On a recent occasion nearly one hundred menbers and friends of the Edinburgh Borderers' Union visited Langholm, and in six brakes, provided by Mr Douglas, visited the splendid scenery of the district, including the far-famed Hermitage Castle. This lonely tower is an. excellent specimen of the Border Keeps which were once so numerous all over the Borderland. Mr William Forbes, M.A., schoolmaster of Hermitage, has recently written a most useful guide to Hermitage Castle, and it has been published by the well-known firm of W. & J. Kennedy, Hawick. The book is well illus trated-one of the illustrations we have the pleasure of reproducing and contains several by the Publishers. ballads bearing on the history of the Castle and district of Hermitage. Letter from a Borderer. London, E.C., 12th June, 1899. Sir,-As a constant reader of the "Border Magazine" I have been specially interested in the articles on the "False Alarm." It would gratify the last survivor of his family to have it recorded in the Magazine, that it was her father, Robert Thorburn, Sunderland Farm, near Selkirk, Ensign of the Forest Yeomanry Cavalry, who received from the hands of Miss Pringle of Torwoodlee the Standard worked by her, as recorded in the article in the last number. I may add that two of the brothers are named in another article in the same number as having been pupils of Mr Scott, schoolmaster, of Lilliesleaf. BORDERER. William Bell, Schoolmaster, Yarrow. HERE lately passed away one of the most. eminent teachers in the South of Scotland-Mr William Bell, Yarrow. He was a native of the parish of Hutton and Corrie, in the county of Dumfries, and came to Yarrow in the year 1860. For the past thirtyFor the past thirtyyouth of this famous rine years he taught the parish with unqualified success. During that time he was rarely or ever without a pupil at college, and many of these young men now fill distinguished positions in the various professions. He was an excellent scholar, and a born teacher. He threw himself into his work with great enthusiasm, and year after year he earned the highest grants. He was deeply interested in all that pertained to the religious and social welfare of the community, and was universally esteemed. Mr Bell's loss will be keenly felt by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. R. B. In Memoriam.. Sweet Yarrow stream, oh gently flow Weep, Yarrow, weep, thy learned son For many were the triumphs won That had their birth in Yarrow. Born to be great as heroes are, He drew a noble furrow That, though the pilot's cross'd the bar, The glamour of those other years, Still haunt the hills he loved so well, A halo none can borrow. And now we add the name of Bell Ye violets blossom o'er his grave, THE ETTRICK BARD, Border Rhymes. * NDER this unpretentious title the wellknown Border writer, "Free Lance," has issued a volume of poems numbering over three hundred and occupying nearly four hundred pages. The book is well got up and is a credit alike to author and publisher. Of an original turn of mind, "Free Lance" touches upon a most wonderful variety of subjects, ranging from "Our Alphabet" to "Evolution," and from "Mrs Grundy" to "Thomas Carlyle." The "Sage of Chelsea" seems to have made a deep and abiding impression upon the heart and soul of our author, for the book contains several poetic paraphrases of some powerful passages from Carlyle's works. Keenly sympathetic and of a highly philosophic turn, "Free Lance" goes right into the heart of things, and feels an intense sympathy for liberty and truth wherever they are found. The sorrows of humanity find a ready echo in the poet's heart, and the poems before us reveal to the reader a wonderful insight into the longings of the human heart. Even through the darkest shadows this Border poet sees the clear rays of the Star of Hope, and the brighter life beyond the dark valley is placed before the reader in no uncertain light. The volume contains several poetic vignettes of prominent men, but we have only space to quote a few lines on Professor Lawson : "He was a teacher sent from Heaven to show How much of Heavenly worth could dwell In human form. He was a king and reigned By right of love divine in every heart That came within the circle of his calm The author is in touch with nature, and the volume contains many refreshing verses such VILLAGE TALES: Part XII.—A BIT OF REALISM, I. By Rev. A. AITKEN, 131 133 First Paper, 136 137 Our loved and genial Editor has now been relieved from the worry and anxiety of the commercial department, the Magazine having been taken over by a limited company. The capital subscribed will no more than meet the initial expenditure incurred, but if every reader or interested Borderer were to take two shares (Twenty Shillings), the Company would then have capital enough to carry out improvements, so that the Magazine might become a paying concern. The Company have secured for publishers the eminent firm of Messrs Menzies & Co., Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow, by far the best known and largest distributers to the trade of magazine and other literature in Scotland. There is an additional interest in this issue, from the fact that it was printed in Galashiels, a Border firm having been successful in obtaining the printing contract. The first number of the Magazine having been out of print for some time, the Company have in contemplation the reprinting of it. Readers wanting copies will please order early through their booksellers. The Company earnestly hope that all interested in the Magazine will send a copy to friends both at home and abroad, and in every way try to increase the circulation. On behalf of the Directors, WM. ROBERTSON, Chairman. |