Pages of the Past

 Last month a treasured peek into Scotland’s’ past arrived in our mail in the form of   a couple of newspapers! Very old newspapers. One of them, proudly displayed the name of the publication, ‘The Glasgow Herald’, dated Wednesday, August 29^th 1900. In spite of this publication being 110 years old, while its pages were yellowed they had remained fairly easy to read.

Victorian Britain

Reading through the pages gave a wonderful insight into Victorian Britain. This was during the time when the Boer War raged in British territories. Jobs were being offered at 24 Pounds per year, and the bank rate was .3%, (well, not too much change there!).

 The headlines of that particular day were about an execution due to take place.  The unfortunate person being executed was a certain Charles Oliver Blewitt, a gentleman who had been convicted of murdering his wife the previous year.  Although he had pleaded innocence throughout the trial, the execution was proven popular with the public as when     it was over and the black flag was raised to the crowds they broke out into excited cheering. In an article explaining the day’s events, it was said, “The condemned man walked grimly to the scaffold and submitted quietly to the process”.

The weather in Edinburgh on that particular turn of the century Wednesday was “squally and rainy (again - not much change there either).

A Section of History

The sports section gave news of the “Scottish Cup First Round Proper”, saying that Rangers v Morton played at Ibrox Park before 6,000 spectators. Results Rangers 4 - Morton 2. On the same day, Celtic played Bo’ness  at Celtic Park. Scoring there was Celtic 4 Bo'ness 1.The visiting team had their only score due to Bo’ness player McArthur scoring the goal. Queen Victoria’s court circular stated, “Her Majesty went out this morning accompanied by Her Royal Highness, Princess Henry of Battenburg”. This was followed by news that the Queen expected to leave Balmoral at 6 o clock that evening - presumably for Buckingham Palace.

The   “Health Edinburgh” section stated “The death rate is 20 per 1000”. Deaths for the previous week were broken down as follows. 23 under the age of 1 year, 39 above 60. Of these 5 were above 80 and one was over 90.

Diseases And Births

Diseases mentioned were Typhoid, Dipthereia, Scarlatina and Measles. Of the 147 births the previous week, 19 were illegitimate. The classified section offered an ‘excellent furnished flat for rent’, which seemed like a good price at the rate of   8 pounds per week. Those wishing to purchase a business, were given the opportunity to purchase a ‘nice little news agent/ tobacconist business. Price?  45 pounds!

 Electricity

 London’s Hotel Windsor proudly advertised in a ‘Special Notice’,   which told their customers how ‘they were now electrically lighted throughout the hotel day and night’. I read this newspaper from cover to cover, all the time gasping at such old news - right in front of my eyes.

This was news about people and happenings of long ago, when lifetimes were so very different to those we live today. They were harder times, no doubt, yet they were also simpler times.

Makes me idly wonder what future generations would think should they come across a very old newspaper - from - or around the year 2000? It would be interesting to hear the comments.

St Andrews Day Isn’t Far Away

Looking at the calendar, I see our Scotland’s’ National Saints day is not too far away - St Andrews Day, November 30^th. I realise that many events will be taking place throughout the world to honour Scotland on this day, and so if you are part of one of these organisations and would like to see your event mentioned in the Scottish Banner, why not send it us so that we can mention it in our next issue (October).We look forward to hearing what you St Andrews Club has planned for this year.

Meanwhile have a wonderful September.