Brither Scots Greet Each Other on St Andrew’s, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 30 November 1911, page 2.

Brither Scots Greet Each Other on St Andrew’s

 

This is St Andrew’s Day and in honor of the occasion Scotsmen all over the world are proudly wearing a wee sprig of heather fresh from the misty hills of their native land.  Montreal Scots and their descendants never fail to observe the day and the heather is today everywhere in evidence on the streets, many people of other nationalities joining with the Scots to do honor to “the land of mountains, glens and heroes.”

Just how St Andrew came to be chosen as the Patron Saint of Scotland is lost to the mists of antiquity, but from time immemorial her royal banner was the silver X shaped cross of St Andrew upon a blue ground.  Today it is the Union Jack, the white cross on blue ground, the broad white lines drawn from corner to corner.

St Andrew of the twelve disciples is reputed to have been crucified on an X shaped cross, at Petras on November 30 AD 70 after a life spent in preaching the gospel and in relieving the distressed.  To the true Scotsman, therefore, the St Andrew’s Cross is at once emblematic of love for their native land and of fidelity to the strong religious faith which has ever characterized their race.  On this day all social and political distinctions are put aside, and Scottish men and women everywhere join hands in patriotic love for Auld Scotland and in the relief of those of their race who may be in need.

The day was quietly observed.  Besides the wearing of the heather and the unusual warmth of greetings, there was little to distinguish the day from other days.

A “Haggis” luncheon was given by the supper committee of St Andrew’s Society to the office bearers and chairmen of the committees at the Windsor Hotel today, and the “Haggis” was well sampled. About forty sat down.

Fraser Viger and Co sent up a box of heather direct from the moors of Scotland, to the St Andrew’s Home this morning.

A special meeting and informal tea of the Ladies Committee of the St Andrew’s Society was held in St Andrew’s Home this afternoon to view the new colors which they are presenting to the 5^th Royal Highlanders, the presentation of which it is hoped will be made in the spring by HRH the Governor General.

 

Debutantes to Curtsy to “Friend,” St Andrew’s Ball, Montreal, 1957

Montreal Gazette, 29 November 1957, page 11

 

Debutantes to Curtsy to ‘Friend’

If curtsies are nervous tomorrow at the St Andrew’s Ball tonight, Montreal debutantes will have an understanding friend in Lady Maclean.

Wife of Sir Fitzroy Maclean, who is guest of honour at the ball, she considers the debutante’s bow “the biggest moment of a girl’s life.”

She is delighted that her own daughter, just about to make her bow in the Queen before the practice of presentation to royalty is abandoned a season hence.

“We’ll just be able to squeeze her in,” said the attractive  and friendly Scottish aristocrat.  “It’s such a pity that this practice won’t continue.  I hope that you will carry on with it here.”

She herself was presented to King George VI just before the last war and her chief memory of the event was “we had to wear three feathers and a train.” She cannot recall the significance of the three feathers but remembers “they were ostrich plumes and very pretty.”

This is Lady Maclean’s first visit to Canada but she hopes it won’t be her last.

“We’ve made so many friends so quickly, we’ve simply got to come back.”

Keen to See

Her interest in Canada began long before this visit, and are things she is eager to see are the Rocky Mountains and the Calgary Stampede.

“There is a mountain in the Rockies named after my father.  I’ve seen pictures of it and it is lovely, but I would like to see it.”  She isn’t sure of the mountain’s name for her father, the later Lord Lovat, was also known by his family name, Simon Fraser.

The interest in the Calgary Stampede springs from her brother’s visit there.  The present Lord Lovat has been a  [portion illegible]

Lady Maclean and Sir Fitzroy have only a few days of Canada but hope to have time to meet some of the Maclean clan which have settled in Canada.

“We’re interested in meeting a branch of the clan here. My husband is president of the Maclean Association of Scotland and we’re wondering if there is enough interest here to open a branch.”

Yesterday, Sir Fitzroy and Lady Maclean met Montreal’s new Mayor Sarto Fournier.  Lady Maclean looked forward to the meeting and the opportunity of using her French

French is a second language for both Lady Maclean and her husband. “We were both educated half in French,” she said.  She has brought up her children three sons and a daughter to speak fluent French.

Brought up in aristocratic surroundings, Lady Maclean is not disturbed by the fact that life has changed in Britain to the extent that young ladies often work for their living.

“I think that change is a good thin,” she said.  “It makes women more able to cope with life.”

The charming extremely youthful Lady Maclean has only one eccentricity and that is smoking cigars.  “I never smoke cigarettes,” she said, “but if someone offers me a cigar, I can really enjoy it.”

 

Halloween Concert by Caledonian Society, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 31 October 1911, page 2

 

Hallowe’en Concert by Caledonian Society

 

Mayor Guerin Speaks Highly of Society’s Work

 

With the Windsor Hall crowned to capacity, and the proceedings opened by the wild skirl of the bagpipes playing by marching pipers, led by Pipe-Major Johnston, the 52^nd annual Hallowe’en Concert under the auspices of the Caledonian Society last night, was a pronounced success.

Mayor Guerin gave a little introductory speech in which he spoke very highly of the Caledonian Society.  He liked it, he said, because it was an intensely patriotic society, fostering good citizenship and proving a powerful magnet to draw thrifty young men to Canada.

Besides the Mayor, President WC McAllister had supporting him on the platform, Lt-Col Gardener of the St Andrew’s Society; Mr James Mitchell, President of the St George’s society; Major Rodden president of the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society; and Mr Davies president of the St David’s Society.

The programme was a long and highly interesting one and [illegible] thus of the [illegible] was Miss Mina Taylor, Mr Frederick Carter, Miss Barbara Foster, and Mr [illegible] sword master [illegible] Pipe Major Wm Johnston, [illegible] Miss [illegible].

 

Poems in Honour of St Patrick’s Day, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 17 March 1911, page 8

 

Poems in Honour of St Patrick’s Day

 

 

THE EXILE OF ERIN

 

There came to the beach a poor exile of Erin

The day on his thin robe was heavy and chill,

For his country he sigh’d when at twilight repairing

To wander alone by the wind-beaten hill;

But the day-star attracted his eyes sad devotion,

For it rose o’er his own native Isle of the ocean,

Where soon, in the fire of his youthful emotion,

He sang the bold anthem of Erin go bragh

 

Oh, said is my fate! Said the heart-broken stranger,

The wild deer and wolf to a covert may flee;

But I have no refuge from famine and danger,

A home and a country remain not to me:

Ah! Never again in the green shady bowers

Where my forefathers liv’d shall I spend the sweet hours,

Or cover my harp with the wild-woven flowers,

And strike the sweet numbers of Erin go bragh.

 

Oh! Erin, my country, tho’ sad and forsaken,

In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten shore,

But, alas! In a far foreign land I awaken

And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more

Ah! Cruel fate! Wil though never replace me

In a mansion of peace where perils can chase me?

Ah! Never again shall my brothers embrace me!

They died to defend me or live to deplore!

 

Oh! Where is my cabin door, fast by the wild wood?

Sisters and sirs, did you weep for its fall?

Oh! Where is the mother that look’d on my childhood?

And where is the bosom friend, dearer than all?

Ah! My sad heart long abandon’d by pleasure,

Why didst though doat on a fast-fading treasure?

Tears like the rain-drop play fall without measure,

But recapture and beauty they cannot recall!

 

But yet, all its sad recollections, suppressing,

One dying wish my lone bosom shall draw,

Oh! Erin! An exile bequeaths his blessing!

Dear land of my forefathers, Erin go bragh!

Oh! Buried and cold, when heart stills its motion

Green be thy fields, sweetest isle of the ocean,

And thy harp-striking bards sing aloud with devotion

Oh! Erin, mavoureen! Erin go bragh!

 

                        Thos Campbell

 

LOYALTY

 

Whatever fate has stored for me,

I hold no greater pride on earth,

Than I bear an Irish name

And know I am of Irish birth!

 

                                    Annie Alley

                                    (Charlottetown, PEI)

 

BACK TO IRELAND

 

Oh, tell me, will I ever win to Ireland again,

Ashore from the far North-West?

Have we given al the rainbows, and green woods an’ rain

For the sun an; the snows of the West?

Them that goes to Ireland must travel night an’ day,

An’ them that goes to Ireland must sail across the say,

For the len’th of here to Ireland is half for the world away-

An’ you’ll lave your heart behind you in the West

Set your face for Ireland,

Kiss your friends in Ireland,

But lave your heart behind you in the West.

 

On a dim an’ shiny mornin’ the ship she comes to land,

Early on, early in the mornin’,

The silver wathers o’ the Foyle go slidin’ to the strand,\

Whisperin’ ye’re welcome in the mornin’

There’s darkness on the holy hills I know are close aroun’

But the stars are shinin’ up the sky, the stars are shinin’ down

They make a golden cross abouve, they make a golden crown,

An’ meself could tell ye why- in the mornin’

Sure an’ this is Ireland,

Thank God for Ireland

I’m coming back to Ireland the mornin’

                                    Moira O’Neill

 

Manners in Public, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 1 December 1911, page 8

 

Manners in Public

 

“How these people shove and push,” said one woman to another, coming out of a meeting the other day.  “One would suppose it was a matter of life and death getting out as quickly as possible.”  “No not that,” was the reply, “simply the ordinary Canadian dearth of good manners.”  This little conversation, which is reported exactly as it took place, led one to think it is characteristic of Canadians to have bad manners. There is a little cheap in more sense than one London paper, called “John Bull” which takes a delight in saying all the evil things it can about Canada and Canadians.  One of the utterances of its companion paper, “Mrs John Bull” recently was, that Canadian women were sullen, selfish and mannerless.  Is this accusation deserved? It ascribed the last mentioned characteristic to conceit and envy.  Whatever the causes may be there is little doubt that our manners are not so good on this side of the ocean as they are on the other.  It might even be said that our manners are not as good as across the line. A Canadian mother living in the States, who constantly travels to and fro with a large little family said she noticed the difference as soon as the line was crossed. The people were not so friendly, not so ready to do kind actions.  But my conclusions, arrived at from constant thought and long study of the public, is that our poor manners arise not from a bad heart, but from lack of early training, combined with a certain shyness and diffidence. There is also a noticeable lack of thought, which is of course, the result of a lack of right training in youth.  There are not nearly as many “thank yous” and “pleases” as there should be.  Every kind deed should be met with a smile and a hearty word of thanks. Persons open doors for others, give up their seat for others pass, and all without a word of thanks. One of the Boy Scout rules is that a good deed must be done each day.  An excellent rule for one and all is that every good deed should receive its meed of thanks. It is scarcely possible to be too hearty, too grateful, for favours received. Thoughtfulness for others and an appreciation of kindnesses, such are the foundation s of good manners.  AC

Scots Dance Again- St Andrew’s Ball, Montreal, 1957

Montreal Gazette, 30 November 1957, page 33

Pageantry Fetes Patron Saint

Scots Dance Again

Marked by ancient Scottish customs and rites the celebration of Scotland’s patron saint was held last night in the Windsor Hotel when almost 1600 guests were present.  The annual St Andrew’s Ball, the largest event of the social season, has become an established Montreal tradition which keeps alive a sense of continuity with the past.  And among the guests were those bearing the old Scottish names associated with the history of the Society.

The flash of tartan, the skirl of bagpipes, the billowing white frocks of the debutantes and the glitter of medals blended with a scene that joined the past with the present.

The setting was particularly appropriate to the guests of honor, Brig. Sir Fitzroy Maclean, Bart, QC, MP and Lady Maclean, of DouartCastle, Isle of Mull.

Sir Fitzroy, soldier, author and diplomat, had an outstanding war record. In World War II he served with the Cameron Highlanders, joined the Special Air Service Regiment in the Middle East, which operated behind enemy lines in Libya, and in 1943 with the rank  of brigadier was secretly dropped by parachute into Yugoslavia to organise Yugoslav resistance to the German forces. He received the CBE (Military Division) for gallant and distinguished services and was decorated by the Soviet and Yugoslav governments.  He is the author two best sellers- Eastern Approaches and recently, Disputed Barricade.

Plant Badge Featured

Prior to the Ball, Mr WC Leggat, DSO, QC, president of St Andrew’s Society, and Mrs Leggat entertained the guests of honor and the honored guests, the Hon E Davis Fulton, PC, QC, MP, Minister of Justice, and Mrs Fulton, in the York Room of the Hotel. Holly, the plant badge of the guest of honour, was arranged on the table, flanked by silver candelabra.  At one end of the room was a large mural, painted by Willa Ogilvie Creighton, depicting scenes from Sir Fitzroy’s colorful career.

Following the dinner the guards of honor were escorted to the Royal Suite and members of the ball committee were presented.

Skirl of Pipes

At ten o’clock, the official party was piped into the ballroom by the pipe band of the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada piping a Highland March composed by Piper John MacKenzie in 1953 for the president of the Clan Maclean Association- Brig Sir Fitzroy Maclean, and took their places upon the dais. Lady Maclean, wearing a century-old heirloom gown of tartan velvet, was then presented with a bouquet of red roses, tied with the Maclean Tartan by one of the two pages, Master Robert Wallace Leggat and Master Pembroke Laurie MacDermot.

Last night for the first time in the history of the Society three generations were represented on the dais.  Brig WC Leggat, his father Lieut-Col William Leggat, OBE MC a past president of the Society and his son Master Robert Wallace Leggat.

In the parade to the ballroom were Capt William Redpath, and a Black Watch Officer, Mr Robert Hutchinson and the Marquess of Lorne, Brig WC Leggat, Lady Maclean, Brig Sir Fitzroy Maclean, Mrs Leggat, Lieut-Col Stuart Cobbett, Mrs Cobbett, His Worship the Mayor, Mrs Fulton, Mrs William Leggat, Col William Leggat, the Hon E Davis Fulton, Mrs Fournier, Col OH Barrett, Mrs Keith Hutchinson, OBE, Commodore and Mrs Paul Earl, Col and Mrs Donald F Purves, Air Vice Marshall and Mrs LE Wray, Mr and Mrs Ray E Powell, Lieut-Col and Mrs IRM McDougall, Mr and Mrs Herman Cole, Dr and Mrs W Haydon Bryant, Mr Owen C Roberts and Miss Constance Holly, Lieut-Col and Mrs G Stuart Ramsay, Mr and Mrs W Edgar Doyle, Mr and Mrs Emile Boucher, Mr and Mrs John Withers, Mr and Mrs B Boyd Miller, Dr Ian Hutchinson, Major L Sabourin, and Mr Alan Hutchinson.

The skirl of the pipes heralded the arrival of the debutantes who were accompanied for presentation to the guests of honor by G V Win[illegible] Jr HC MacDougall, Mrs John Taylor, and Mrs Peter Dawson.

Debutantes Presented

Those presented were: Miss Elizabeth Bertram, in a frock of white silk embossed taffeta with a bodice having an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a skirt fashioned with back fullness and a flounced hemline, and wearing a Macfarlane tartan sash.

Miss Elizabeth Ballantyne, wearing a frock of white radizmir, fashioned on princess lines, with a bow at the front of the fitted bodice, and a similar bow on the front of the skirt.

Miss Melodie Caron, wearing a frock of white corde, fashioned with a fitted bodice, finished in a deep cuff, and a full skirt falling from a reverse drape at the front and a matching stole.

Miss Flora Church, in a frock of mousseline de soie, with a bodice having a pleated off-the-shoulder neckline, and a bouffant skirt with a bustle bow at the back ending in a slight train.

Miss Sonja Courcey, wearing a Christian Dior model of satin and tulle, with a strapless bodice, embroidered in seed pearls and a very full shirred tulle skirt.

Miss Monique Dagenais, in a frock of white brocade, fashioned with a fitted bodice, and a skirt having back fullness ending in a slight train and wearing gold accessories.

Miss Marielle Demers, in a frock of snow white satin and point d’esprit  tulle trimmed with small bows.

Miss Juliana de Kuyper, in a frock of Chantilly lace fashioned with a fitted bodice, having shoe-string straps, and very full skirt with a silk cummerbund forming a bustle bow at the back.

Miss Gael Eakin, in a frock of white lace over tulle, with a fitted bodice, and a very full tiered skirt.

Miss Vale Eachlin of New York, in a frock having a bodice of lace over satin with a satin sash and a skirt fashioned of layers of white and over gathered net ruffles.

Miss Barbara Fellowes in a frock of white taffeta, with a fitted bodice and a full skirt having a straight front [illegible]  with a bustle effect at the back, and wearing matching mousseline.

Miss [illegible] bodice and a very full ruffled skirt and wearing matching accessories.

Miss Anne Glover, wearing a frock of net over taffeta, fashioned with a fitted bodice, having cap sleeves and a bouffant skirt appliquéd with lace, and wearing a Wallace Tartan sash.

Miss Audrey Hamilton, wearing a frock of poult de soie, fashioned with a fitted bodice, and a bouffant skirt, with a sash of the Hamilton tartan.

Miss Martina Kleos, wearing a frock of white nylon tulle over taffeta, with a satin bodice embroidered in seed pearls having a bow at the back and silver accessories.

Miss Marguerite l’Anglais, in a frock of white satin, with a draped off-the-shoulder neckline and a bouffant skirt, and wearing silver accessories, and a sash of the Macdonald tartan.

Miss Madeline Leclerc, in a Christian Dior model of white satin brocade and tulle, with a fitted bodice and a skirt, having a pleated train falling from the waistline, and wearing matching accessories.

Miss Marian MacDougall, in a frock of ivory tulle, with a side swept bodice outlined in covered buttons, and a very full skirt, and wearing silver accessories.

Miss Mary Mason, gowned in white lace, fashioned with a fitted bodice, having an off-the-shoulder neckline [illegible] dropped sleevelets, and a full skirt bordered by a ruching of net, and wearing silver accessories.

[Illegible] a bouffant skirt.

Miss Lydia Melling, wearing a frock of silk faille, with a draped strapless bodice and a full skirt, and a sash of the McIntyre tartan.

Miss Liane Marshall, wearing a bouffant frock of white Chantilly lace, with a fitted bodice, draped with white taffeta at the waistline, forming a double bow at the back, with a sash of the MacLeod tartan.

Miss Joy MacDougald, in a frock of satin and tulle, with a fitted bodice, embroidered with opalescent sequins and Chantilly lace, and a very full draped skirt appliquéd in flower design, with a large butterfly bow at the back, and wearing a MacDougall tartan sash.

Miss Barbara Rooney, in a frock of poult de soie, with a skirt caught with a self-fringed skirt, caught with a self-fringed sash.

Miss Sonia Taylor, wearing a frock of [illegible] taffeta, with a fitted bodice, having a halter [illegible] and a bouffant skirt with a butterfly bow at the back.

Miss Sarah Vichers in a frock of snow white tulle over poult de soie, with a fitted bodice, and a bouffant skirt trimmed with silver tipped swan feathers.

Miss Sarah Webster wearing a frock of white brocade, fashioned on princess lines with a fitted bodice, and a full skirt having a bustle bow at the back and wearing a Campbell tartan.

Miss Lynn Weir, in a frock of [illegible] satin with a [illegible] bodice embroidered

Continued on page 35

Debutantes Presented at St Andrew’s Ball

From Page 33

 

With Chantilly lace, and a skirt having back fullness.

Following the presentation and the Debutante Waltz, Brig Leggat opened the ball by dancing with Lady Maclean.  The traditional eightsome reel followed.

Eddie Alexander and his orchestra played for dancing and Bill Mudie and his orchestra played during supper.

Purple Heather

The ballroom presented a brilliant picture of blue and white- the colors of the St Andrew’s Society.  Behind the dais where the presentations took place hung St Andrew’s flag, flanked on either side by arrangements of white painted broom, pine branches, purple heather and mauve and white chrysanthemums.  Similar arrangements decorated the stage where the orchestra played and the balcony.  Balls of mirror glass were suspended from the chandeliers and cut-outs of blue and white thistles covered the wall brackets.

The personal flag of Sir Fitzroy hung over the fireplace of Peacock Alley- banked with mantle, pine and holly. Panels of red, green and gold, with large cut-outs of thistles scattered with diamond dust, covered the walls of the concourse.  Figures of Highland lassies were on stands at either side of the stairs.

Claymore and Drambuie

At midnight the guests of honor and the official party were piped into the Black Watch mess.  Prior to supper being served, Sir Fitzroy officiated in the ballroom at the ceremony of the Cutting of the Haggis, which was piped in borne with claymore and drambuie, its time honored affinities.

Tartans of the various clans adorned the walls of the Roce and Green rooms and a tall figure of a Scottish soldier on a stand formed the centerpiece on the individual tables. The Black Watch Pipe Band played in the various supper rooms and the pipers were toasted by a member of the Society. Supper was served in the Long Gallery to the guests of honor and members of the official party.

The second set of reels, the Gay Gordons, were danced at half-past two o’clock, and dancing continued until six o’clock when the orchestra played God Save the Queen.

Reels Orchestra

An unusual feature of the evening was a performance by the Montreal Reels Orchestra under the direction of Mr Alec Dagleish and Mr John Macleod of Macleod, with the following members: Lady Alison Stewart-Patterson, piano, Miss Jennifer Macdonald, vocals, Mr Peter F Brown, drums, Mr John Macleod of Macleod, Mr Stewart Sommervile and Mr Alex Dagleish, [illegible]

They [illegible] play for some of the country dances and reels at St Andrew’s Ball at the Windsor Hotel on Friday evening [illegible] roy Maclean and Lady Maclean will be the guests of honor.

Among these Attending

Among those attending were Mrs Sarto Fournier, wearing a gown of peach chiffon, with a fitted bodice, and having a draped skirt, with white accessories.

Mrs William Leggat, wearing a gown of brown lace, with a fitted bodice and a bouffant skirt.

Mrs Ray Powell, gowned in green chiffon trimmed with a cummerbund and sash of green satin embroidered with crystal beads.

Mrs Paul Earl, in a sheath gown of black silk having a cowl neckline of pleated white chiffon.

Mrs LE Wray, wearing a sheath gown of blue chiffon fashioned on Grecian lines, with silver accessories.

Mrs Herman Cole, gowned in green and gold satin, and apple green taffeta and tulle, with gold accessories.

Mrs WH Bryant, in a bouffant gown of delustred blue satin, fashioned with  a fitted bodice, having an off-the-shoulder neckline.

Mrs Stuart Ramsey, gowned in draped blue chiffon.

Mrs W Edgar Doyle, wearing a gown of aquamarine poult de soie, with a draped bodice having an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a sheath skirt.

Mrs John Withers, in a gown of aqua paper taffeta, fashioned on princess lines, having a sash of deep aqua, and wearing old accessories.

Mrs J Emile Boucher, wearing a sheath gown of midnight blue silk, the skirt falling int a train, and pearl ornaments.

Mrs Davie Fulton, wearing a draped sheath gown of royal blue Chantilly lace embroidered on poult de soie.

Mrs Ian McDougall, gowned in embroidered green satin, with a fitted bodice having a portrait neckline and a bell shaped skirt.

Mrs JC Stewart in a gown of ice blue satin with a fitted bodice, having a square neckline and a skirt with accordion pleated panels.

Mrs RL Hunter, wearing a Ceil Chapman model of ice blue satin embroidered with blue and silver beads, with silver accessories.

Mrs William Redpath, gowned in sky blue silk chiffon, with a fitted bodice having a square neckline and a bouffant skirt and wearing matching accessories.

Mrs Arthur Melling in a gown of green satin, fashioned with a fitted strapless bodice, and a bell shaped skirt having a bow forming back fullness.

Mrs John Taylor wearing a gown of silver and aqua brocade, with a draped bodice, and having a sheath skirt.

Mrs PN MacDermot, gowned in black and green delustred satin with a fitted bodice, having a halter neckline and a very full skirt.

Miss Judy McDougall, in a Hardy Amies model of white lace, fashioned on sheath lines, and bordered with turquoise velvet ribbing forming a large bow in front, and wearing a McDougall tartan sash.

Mrs Jack McGillis, wearing a gown of shaded blue tulle, with a fitted bodice and a full tiered skirt.

Mrs Rex Stellmeyer, gowned in a gold lame, fashioned on sheath lines and having back fullness.

Mrs CJG Molson in a bouffant gown of black velvet and tulle over satin, and wearing a sash of the Davidson tartan.

Mrs JC Thompson wearing a gown of white chiffon fashioned on Grecian lines, having a draped back.

Mrs Stuart Cobbett gowned in red matte jersey, fashioned on Grecian lines, with a draped back ending in a slight train and wearing white accessories.

Mrs Victor Whitehead, in a gown of pastel satin, and wearing silver accessories.

Mrs Keith Hutchinson, wearing a Norman Hartnell model of black taffeta embroidered with sequins with a sash of the Macdonald tartan.

Mrs WC Leggat, gowned in sapphire blue satin, fashioned on sheath lines, having back fullness caught with a large bow, and wearing a Wallace tartan.

Mrs Colby Kerman, in a gown of chartreuse and mushroom designed satin, with a draped bodice, and a bell-shaped skirt having back fullness, and wearing a matching stole.

Mrs S Boyd Millen, wearing a gown of white brocade, appliquéd with leaves of the same material at the neckline, forming drop sleeves, with gold accessories.

Mrs HC MacDougall gowned in dark green satin with a draped bodice and a full skirt.

Mrs George McMurtrie, in a gown of shot purple taffeta, with a fitted bodice, and a tiered skirt, and wearing a MacKenzie tartan sash.

 

Caledonian Games, Montreal, 1911

In honour of the Montreal Highland Games which will be occuring in just over a week, here is a look at the games as they were in 1911.

 

Montreal Daily Star, 24 July 1911, page 4

 

ANNUAL CALEDONIAN GAMES WERE EXCEEDINGLY WELL ATTENDED AND HUGELY ENJOYED ON SATURDAY

 

The Annual games of the Montreal Caledonia Society were all that could be desired, from point of competition as well as from point of attendance and as an entertainment, they were a huge success, for the attractions were as many as those of a monster Three Ring Circus; with the midway of Dominion Park as a side show, and people were kept entertained from early afternoon to almost midnight.  Scottish dances and Bagpipe competitions taking up a great part of the day’s programme.

Twenty-seven comprised the Athletic list, and they were all well contested.  Mr Aleck Bowles, himself at one time an athlete of no mean caliber, a devotee of Lacrosse and a boating man of prominence, acting as starter.

As the result of the competition, the championship cups were awarded as follows:-

Lt.-Col Stevenson Cup- Wm Johnston

McAlister Cup- Tie, John Matheson and James Burns

McMartin Perpetual Cup, MAAA; Montreal Star Cup, MAAA; Birks Cup, Emma Henderson; Sharpe Cup, 2^nd Battalion Royal Highlanders; Rutherford Cup, No team, Caledonia Rooms; Ross and Grieg Cup, MAAA; Lt Col Lockerby, Senior Caledonia Rooms; Lt-Col Lockerby Jr, Walter L Dickson.

 

FIELD EVENTS

1 Bagpipe competition, march- John Matheson 1^st; James Burns 2^nd; Wm Johnson, 3^rd.

2. Bagpipe competition, strathspey and reel- James Burns 1^st; John Matheson 2^nd; Wm Johnston 3^rd; John Matheson and James Burns tied for the McAllister Cup, signifying the championship of these two events.

3. Bagpipe competition for members who have never won a prize in the society’s games- C Aitken 1^st; A Brown 2^nd.

4. Putting 21 pound shot (open)- Desmarteau, NAAA, 29 ft 2 in, 1^st; HG Jackson, 2^nd; L Morel, 3^rd.

5. Putting 56 lb weight (open)- Z DEsmarteau, 1^st; JT McHugh 2^nd; HG Jackson, 3^rd.

6. Putting 10 pound sht (sons of members)- WS Dickson, 29 ft 9 in 1^st; J McK Smith 14 ft 1 in, 2^nd

7. Throwing 16 lb hammer (Open)[ Desmarteau, NAAA, 114 ft 4 in 1^st; HG Jackson, 2^nd

8. Running Broad Jump (open)- W Happenny, MAAA 20ft 2 in 1^st; W Parkes MAAA, 20 ft, 2^nd; JA Platt MAAA 19ft 4 in 3^rd.

Running Broad Jump (sons of members)- W Dickson 16 ft 1^st; Lorne Anderson 12 ft 2^nd; J McK Smith 3^rd.

10. High jump (open) – TW Evans, YMCA 5ft 5 in 1^st; Chas Stanley YMCA 5 ft 3 in 2^nd; W Happeny MAAA 5ft 1 in 3^rd.

11. High Jump (sons of members) W Dickson 4ft 6 in 1^st; Lorne Anderson 3 ft 4 in 2^nd.

Tug of War- Won by B Company, Royal Highlanders.

 

TRACK EVENTS

100 yards (sons of members under 10 years) A Henderson 1^st; Alex Matheson 2^nd; James Dickson 3^rd.

100 yards (sons of members under 13 years) J McK Smith 1^st; Kenneth Matheson 2^nd; Hartland Bowles 3^rd.

100 yards (sons of members under 16 years) J McK Smith 1^st; Lorne Anderson 2^nd; Kenneth Matheson 3^rd.

100 yards (open) JA Platt MAAA 1^st; GR McGregor MAAA 2^nd

1 Mile (open) H Cowles MAAA 1^st; EW King MAAA 2^nd

220 yards (sons of members under 16 years) W Dickson 1^st; J McK Smith 2^nd; Fred Dancey 3^rd.

220 yards (open) McGregor MAAA 1s; Platt MAAA 2^nd; Fr Dicken 3^rd

2 miles relay race (open)won by MAAA team with Coates, Mansfield Haig and King.

440 yards (open) Wm Parker YMCA 1^st; Mansfield MAAA 2^nd

220 yards for Highland Cadets in drill order uniform, Sturgess 1^st; Murdock 2^nd; Ware 3^rd.

880 yards (open) Heber MAAA 1sr; King MAAA 2^nd; Pelletier, National 3^rd.

220 yards (open for boys under 16 years) W Dickson MAAA 1^st; E Hillridge, unattached 2^nd; A Matheson, Caledonian 3^rd.

3 mile junior harrier race for boys under 18 years- C Clarke YMCA 1^st; G McLoughlin St Pats AAA 2^nd; JF O’Shaughnessy St Pats AAA 3^rd; J Ogilvie 4^th; TV Riley 5^th’ W Bowden 6^th

At the evening events in the park Master Fraser, Miss Ethel Henderson and Miss Ethel Strader were given first, second and third prizes respetively for best dressed boy or girl in Highland costume.  In the dancing competitions Fred Riddell took first prize; Wm Johnston second; and David Dunn third.

Miss Emma Henderson won the Highland fling competition with Miss Strader second.

The Ghillie Callum was won by Wm Johnston, David Dunn was second, and JR Smith third.  In the junior Ghillie Callum, Miss Emma Henderson was second and Miss Ethel Strader third.

Other results were:-

Shean Trews- Wm Johnston first; Fred Riddell second; Wm Pol third.

Sailors Hornpipe- Wm Johnston, first; Fred Riddell second; JR Smith third.

No 12 Quoiting- first round:

G Anderson 21       Wm Boyd 18

A Lindsay  21         M Leafer 17

J Todd 21              D Fergusn 12

W Hughes 21         P Denver 12

Second Round:

W Hughes 21         A Lindsay 14

GW Anderson 21    J Todd 17

Third Round:

GW Anderson 21    W Hodges 12

Fourth Round:

J Todd 21              Alex Lindsay 12

Result- First Prize GW Anderson; second prize Wm Hughes; Third prize John Todd.

 

 

Century’s End St Andrew’s Ball, Montreal, 1900

Montreal Daily Star, 1 December 1900, page 20

Century’s End St Andrew’s Ball

 

THE COMMITTEES

 

The members of the various committees to whom the success of the ball is due were:

          Reception—Messrs Hugh Patton (chairman); RB Angus, Lord Strathcona, Hon GA Drummond, John Cassils, Principal Peterson, Hugh A Allan, Dr Roderick, MP, William Angus, Robert Reid, Thomas Davidson, John Allan, Rev Dr J Edgar Hill, Rev Dr J Clarke Murray, Rev Dr Robert Campbell, GM Kinghorn, James Ross, Dr D McEachern, Thomas Fyche, James K Wilson, RG Reid, AN Greenshields, QC, H Montagu Allan, Hon AW Ogilvie, Dr Craik, Dr Girdwood, James Slessor, James Gillespie, DA McCaskill, RD McGibbon, QC, Donald MacMaster, Mr Justice Davidson, EB Greenshields, Robert Mackay, Mr Justice Archibald, Charles Cassils, Hugh Graham, Lieut-Col Stevenson, Rev Dr Barclay, James Tasker, David Robertson, James A Ogilvy, Wm M Ramsay, Hector Mackenzie.

          Subscription- Lieut-Cl Starke (Chairman), Messrs WB Smith, WW Watson, John Corbett, John Beattie, J Malcolm McIntyre, WM Ramsay, CJ Fleet, QC, Capt AT Crighton, John McDonald, Peers Davidson, Allan Mackenzie, Peter Laing, DA McPherson, Major D Seath, Lieut-Col Gardner, Lieut-Col Ibbotson, Walter Wilson, William Rutherford jr, Major W Blaiklock, Capt GS Cantlie, Dr Charles McEachern, D Forbe Angus, DL Lockerby, Farquarson Robertson, Major John Ogilvie, Dr James, Dr J Chambers, Dr William Murray, WHO Dodds, JG Ross, Dr RA Wesley, FS McLennan, QC, Gordon W McDougall, Dr RW Elder, Dr Ridley Mackenzie, Dr JG Stirling, AC Hutchinson, Captain Ibbotson, James T McCall, Duncan Mackenzie, WF Angus, JF Mackie, Dr Kenneth Cameron, Dr McPhail, JM Campbell, David Campbell, James A Ogilvy, Alex Stewart, Charles McLean, WG Ross, JA Burnett, Dr RA Shirres, TD Bell.

          Floor Committee: Dr Charles McEachern (chairman) RC Nelles, Duncan McIntyre, Alexander McArthur, James Morrison, EA Whitehead jr, Herbert Ewan, Charles C McIntyre,, LG Glass, W Jamieson, JMC Muir, Campbell Stewart, JH Dunlop, John S Cassils, AFC Ross, Major W Blacklock, CR Christie, AF Matchee, J Allan jr, Hantley Drummond, HR Macdougall, HB Cassils, Peter Redpath, RF Macdougall, Thomas Peek, Harold Eadie, Claude Hickson, JG Ross, JH Redpath.

          Music- Captain G [illegible] (Chairman); Messrs Angus Hooper, AF Hodgsn, Lieut-Col Startke, CR Christie, Dr C McEachern.

          Supper- Messrs WC McIntyre (chairman) Lieut-Col Whitehead, Andrew A Allan, AF Riddell, Colm Campbell, Edgar McDougall, Peter McKenzie, Hugh Graham, RP McLea, DW Campbell, James Cochrane King.

          Congratulatory Addresses: Rev Dr James Barclay, Rev Dr J Edgar Hill, Rev Dr J Clarke Murray, Principal Peterson.

          General Committee- the members of all the committees with Mr AF Riddell chairman, and Mr Hugh Mackay, Secretary.

 

THE SET OF HONOUR

 

The arrangements were perfect and could hardly fail to ensure success.  The guests began to arrive about nine o’clock, and as this year the reception was arranged to be held in the ball room itself and not in the drawing rooms, as on former occasions, there was none of the unpleasant crowding in the corridor that so often is a feature of a large dance.  [illegible] past nine o’clock adjournment was [illegible] ball room, where Dr Stewart [ripped off] dall were in waiting [ripped off] west end of the room [ripped off] picturesque dress headed [ripped off] through the long [ripped off] stairs and the length [ripped off] the while playing [ripped off] of the bagpipes died [ripped off] struck up and a [ripped off] in full swing and the [ripped off] ing mane of gorgeous [ripped off] colour that swayed [ripped off] music.  Those who [ripped off]

Honour were: Mrs Riddell and Dr Stewart, Mrs Clarke Murray and Mr Smith; Miss Cassils and Mr Mitchell; Mrs McDiarmid and Mr Byrd; Mrs Montagu Allan and Dr McEachern; Mrs Byrd and Mr Doran; Mrs Smith and Mr Riddell; Mrs Hugh Paton and Mr Montagu Allan; Miss Angus and Col Starke; Mrs Doran and Mr McDiarmid; Mrs Mackay and Lt-Col Whitehead; Miss McIntyre and Mr Hugh Mackay.

 

THE MUSIC

 

The music was really excellent and the floor as smooth and glassy as the most ardent dancer could wish.  The programmes were gay little affairs, most artistically gotten up.  The front of the cover on a white ground, bore a St Andrew’s Cross in red, surmounted by the crest of the society and decorated with a bunch of thistles and leaves, with “St Andrew’s Ball 1900” in large type at the bottom.  The back of the programme bore a list of the pipe music enclosed in a brilliant knot of tartan ribbon and surmounted by a crest, the two covers being tied together with dangly bits of tartan silk.  The programme called for the following dances, many of which were encored:

 

1.  Waltz………………………………………….The Heather

2.  Lancers……………………………………….Remembrance ofScotland

3.  Two-step…………………………………….The Banner

4.  Waltz………………………………………….Princess Bonnie

5.  Strathspey and Reel……………………Marquis of Huntley

                                           Mrs McLeod of Rasay

6.  Two-step……………………………………..Don Roderick

7.  Military…………………………………………Wet Cheer my Hearty

8.  Waltz…………………………………………….Dolores

9.  Two-step……………………………………….Friendship

10. Waltz…………………………………………….Flower of the Clan

11. Two-step……………………………………….The Charlatan

 

Supper

Grand March,Scotlandfor Ever

 

EXTRAS-

 

1.  Waltz

2.  Two-Step

3.  Waltz

12.  Waltz……………………………………………..The Mandarin

13.  Lancers……………………………………………The Geisha

14.  Two-Step………………………………………. On the Street and Whistling Rufus

15. Waltz……………………………………………….Impassioned Dreams

16. Strathspey and Reel………………………..Lady Baird’s Speed the Plough

17. Two-step…………………………………………..The Blue and the Gray

18. Waltz…………………………………………………Espana

19.HighlandSchottische……………………….Welcome, Prince Charlie

20. Two-step………………………………………….. O Night Off

21. Waltz…………………………………………………Annie Laurie

22. Two-Step………………………………………….The Man behind the Guns and Soldiers of the Queen

 

Auld Lang Syne

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

 

The music was furnished by the Victoria Rifles Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr Quivron.

 

King’s Birthday, Montreal, 1901

Montreal Gazette, 9 November 1901, page 9

 

Montreal To Observe the King’s Birthday

Business will be suspended and there will be various social functions

 

“God Save the King!” This day, throughout the largest, most powerful, wealthiest and civilized Empire ever seen, will be observed as a public holiday, and it is the first official observance of the King’s natal day as such.  Heretofore inMontrealthe occasion was usually celebrated with a ball and in the olden days when the regular militia were stationed here, that hall was a gala affair, – something is think of and talk about for days after.  The Queen’s death and an act of Parliament has now made of it a day when throughout allCanadathe banking and commercial houses  will be closed, and the work in the Government and civic offices will be suspended for the day.  The post offices will be open for the regular holiday hours only.  Of course there will be festivity in the way of dinners, suppers, concerts and private entertainments.  Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal will give a dinner tonight at theWindsorto the officers of various city corps, and it will, undoubtedly be a royal spread.  There will be about 150 guests at the dinner proper, who will be joined by the ladies afterward.

The commanding officer of the Prince of Wales Fusiliers will also entertain a number of officers at a dinner party in the Drill Hall.

Gunpwoder will of course, be burned.  A detachment of the second Regiment of the Canadian Artillery, under command of the Capt Renouf, will fire a royal salute inWestmoutnParkat 2 o’clock, and the regimental band under the leadership Mr. Hardy will also be present.  The 3ed Montreal Field Battery will fire a royal salute  at noon on the Champ de Mars.  The men will parade at the armoury at 1 o’clock.  Heretofore the royal birthday salutes were fired on St Helen’sIsland.  Owing however to the inconvenience of getting the men to and from the island, this new departure has been taken and many are pleased with the change.  The Victoria Rifles will celebrate the occasion by holding a progressive euchre party at the armoury.  The Westmount Sons of England will fire a royal salute at noon inWestmountPark.  A band will be on hand, also a number of the older Sons of England from the city, and it is said that it will be largely attended.  If the day is fine, by many Montrealers availing themselves of the opportunity to get out into the country. McGillUniversitywill observe the holiday by holding no lectures, and there will be no clinics at any of the hospitals.

Edward VII from Encyclopedia Britannica

Anglo-Saxon Snobbishness, Montreal, 1911

 

Montreal Daily Star, 5 January 1911, page 8

 

 

 

ANGLO-SAXON SNOBBISHNESS

 

 

 

A delightful French author, who writes under the name of Foemina has recently sent forth a book on the soul of the English people.  She says many charming things about the Anglo-Saxon race and also points out the same defects in the national character.  One of the most pronounced of these defects is the innate snobbishness that pervades all classes.  As she put it: On voit les plus grands d’entre eux, par la pensee et la caractere, temoigner une deference excessive au rang, meme recemment conquis meme occupe par de mediocres individus.  This excessive deference before persons of high rank is perhaps the defect in English character that strikes Canadians more than anything else.  It is noticeable in those English persons who have made their home inCanadabut who still cling to old sentiments, old cringings.  During the late elections inEnglandit was particularly to the fore and struck many thinking Canadians as a curious example of the survival of ancient modes of thought.  Just as the house dog to-day goes round and round to make a bed on a cushion, showing his descent from dogs eons back who thus made their beds in the forest, so does an Englishman reverence the House of Lords, a feeling which has survived from ancient feudal days in Britain.  To most Canadians the House of Lords is merely an upper house consisting of men who happen to be there by accident of birth.  To many Englishmen, and Englishmen who have been inCanadafor many years, the House of Lords is something almost divine.

 

This innate snobbishness survives to a certain extent even in our democratic country, more especially where society looms large in the horizon.  It is only necessary to go any function where vice-royalty, or in fact any titled persons are present to notice the almost servile attitude of our Canadian men and women.  Titled Canadians are not thus treated for their fellow citizens recognize the fact that Mr Brown is still Mr Brown although he happens to be called Lord So-and-so.  As a matter of fact Canadian titles are more worthy of respect because they are the outward and visible signs “something accomplished, something done,” while inherited titles are a mere accident of birth.  As far as regards Vice-Royalty, it represents our King and should therefore be treated with all due respect.  But due respect does not mean a cringing attitude and timidity that approaches very closely to the awe with which the Deity is regarded.  The same applies to the titled persons who swim into our orb from time to time.  They may be the most idle, profligate, worthless or mediocre persons, but give them a title and every knee is bent, every face wreathed in smiles.   I weigh the man, not his title,” says an old author and it is a good rule to apply in our social relations.  It is also a good rule to remember that we are self-respecting Canadians and worthy to stand before kings.