FUNERAL OF THE LATE DUKE OF ATHOLE, Grand Master of the Freemasons under the Constitution of Scotland.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2103, 16 April 1864, Page 3

FUNERAL OF THE LATE DUKE OF ATHOLE, Grand Master of the Freemasons under the Constitution of Scotland.

[The following graphic account is from the Glasgow Daily Herald, of January 25th, a copy of which was received, "via Marseilles, .by the last mail. The latest London papers recorded the death of the Duke, but his funeral did not take place at Blair Athole till the 23 rd instant. The account will be especially interesting to our Masonic readers, the Duke having filled the important post of Grand Master of all Lodges; at home and abroad, under the Scotch Constitution, — Ed. JSnipireJ] On Saturday afternoon the mortal remains of the late Duke of Athole were committed to their last resting placo in the old church of Blair. The funeral called forth a demonstration of feeling deeply impressive in itself, and unmistakably significant as to the regard entertained for the departed nobleman, not only by his friends and dependents, but by his countrymen at large. For a man who never displayed superior intellectual endowments, nor ever took a conspicuous part in political affairs, the late Duke had for many years before his death occupied a position of considerable prominence among the Scottish nobility. The warm interest he took in Freemasonry secured for him the good will of the mystic craft all over the country, and caused his name to be associated with not a i'ow important national events. His devotion to agricultural pursuits, and his connection witn the great society which aims at the improvement of Scottish husbandry and stock breeding, gave him perhaps a still higher* claim to public gratitude and esteem. But his highest praise— his most indisputable title to the regard of his own generation and of posterity — arose from the manner in which he discharged his duties as a landlord and a Highland chief. Intensely national in his sympathies, and possessing the simple tastes of a wild uncultured son of nature, he fouud the greatest happiness ofhis life among the rugged lulls and romantic glens which form his ancestral estates. Tho gay scenes of the metropolis and the attractions of continental travel had no charm for him like that which ho found in rough Highland sports, and in tho companionship of the stalwart mountaineers, who acknowledged him as their leader. As a natural consequence, he succeeded in winning tho hearts of his retamers to such an extent as few great landlords can boast of. His manner might be rough and his temper fiery, but those who came much in contact with him experienced at his hands that substantial kindness which as far outweighs soft words and fair professions as gold is superior to tinsel. No one who has travelled in Perthshire withm the last few months can have failed to see abundant evidences of the affection eutcrtained towards the Duke by his tenantry and servants. Ever since it became known that his Grace had been attacked by a fatal malady, there has been but one general expression of deep concern at the prospect of his premature death In talking to any of his people on the subject, one heard much of the kind consideration that had alway marked the Duke's conduct as a landlord, of the great improvements which he and his admirable Duchess had effected in the condition of the estates, and of the bright prospect there was of still more remarkable improvement if even ten years more of life had been granted him. If anything could have deepened the general feeling of respectful commiseration, it was the manly conduct of the unfortunate nobleman himself under his sore affliction. Knowing as he did that Ins days were numbered, and that within a fow months or weeks he must bid adieu to life while yet in the prime of his manhood, he nevertheless preserved a noble equanimity, and calmly prepared to mset his mournful fate. His appearances in public since the real nature of his case became known, have excited the deepest sympathy, and his bearing on all these occasions, and more especially on the day when he was honoured by a visit of his Sovereign, has been the subject of general admiration. Since he dragged himself to the railway station to bid a last adieu to her Majesty, the noble Duke, we understand, has only been t\\ oor throe times out of doors. On one of these occasions he went, accompanied by his relative Miss M'Grcgor, as far as Xingussie, for the purpose of inspecting the line of railway to Inverness, in which he has throughout taken an enlightened interest. Since that excursion was accomplished, he one day, when reduced to a state of great weakness, expressed a wish that he couid have killed another stag before he died. It was, alas ! no longer possible for him to gratify that ruling passion which seemed to have retained its hold in spite of severe suffering, and under the very shadow of advancing death. His attendants, however, drove him out into the park where he obtained once more a sight of tho deer which had been so often the object of his eager pursuit. Whenatlast the fatal hour arrived, the intelligence of the Duke's death, though by no means unexpected, was received throughout his native country with an expression of sincere regret. Nov was this feeling confined to his countrymen, for we may mention that since the sad event occurred the Duchess and and son have received a telegram from the Emperor and Empress of the French condoling with them on their sad bereavement. Among the Duke's on n people his loss has been keenly felt, aucl those who have xisited Ike Athole estates during the past week must have often heard it remarked, with a mournful shake of the head, and in a tone of unfeigned sorrow, that a serious calamity had befallen the district over which his Grace's personal influence extended.

Under those circumstances it was felt that the funeral of the lamented Duke should be made the occasion for a general expression of respect to his memory. Accordingly, arraugoments were made for the attendance not only of his tenantry undmore immediate dependents, but also of representatives from the great fraternity of Freemasons, and from other societies witli which ho had been intimately associated. In the interval that elapsed between the Duke's death and his interment, the body was laid out in one of the apartments of Blair Castle, where those of his friends and retainers who desired it were admitted to take a last look of the well-known features. The funeral having been fixed for Saturday, tho remains were on Friday evening removed to the castle hall, and were there deposited a few yards to the right of the main entrance, within walls surrounded with ancient Highland armour, and countless trophies of those field sports which tho deceased nobleman loved so well. The body was placed within three coffins. The first iB a shell of mahogany, stuffed inside with white satin, and covered externally with the finest black cloth. This is covered with a leaden casing, and the latter again is enclosed in a magnificent chest of polished oak, forming the outer coffin. The wood of which tho lastmentioned coffin is formed was obtained from a magnificent tree, long known on the Duke's estates as the " Marquis Oak," but which a few years ago was blown clown by a tremendous hurricane. The outer coffin is mounted with silver, and thickly studded with gilt nails, and over the breast of the corpse is placed a silver shield, bearing an engraved ducal coronet, together with the following inscription :—: — " George Augustus Frederick John Murray, Sixth Duke of Athole, K.T., &c, iiorn 20bh September, 1814, Died 16th January, 1864."

In the selcolion of a place of interment, it is understood that effect has been given to the wishes of the deceased. "Within the ducal -park at Blair-Athole, andabout a gunshot to the northeast of the castle, there stand on a little eminence the ruins of an ancient church. This edifice, which is evidently of great antiquity, was occupied, till a comparatively recent period, as the parish church of Blair. At a short distance to the northward stands a cluster of cottages known as " Old Blair," in contradistinction to the new village recently erected by Garrysido; and the track of the Inverness Horn, which at one time passed olose to the

church, can still be distinctly traced through the park. The church is surrounded by a graveyard, which, to judge by its irregular'appearance, must have received the bones of manygenerations. This place of sepulture now form's a portion of the park, its boundary wall, if it ever possessed one, having been entirely removed. The church itself is in a state of complete dilapidation, and no one looking at its weatherbeaten remains, would suppose that only forly-one years have elapsed since Divine soryice was conducted within its walls. The roof is entirely gone, and the floor covered with turf, while the walls within, as well as without, are thickly mantled with ivy, and surmounted here and there with graceful young birches, which have fixed their roots in the masonry. Let the reader further imagine tho ruins surrounded by a clump of stately trees, and remember that the little knoll commands on every side a magnificent prospect of rugged hills, and he will be able to picture to himself one of the most romantic churchyards to be met with in the Highlands. The interior of the building presents on one side a deep arched recess of the dimensions of a small apartment, which is said to have been the family pew of the ducal family. At the opposite side of the narrow structure stood the pulpit, so that the worthy ministers of Blair must have occupied a most advantageous position for making theiv discourses tell on their principal parishioners. Beneath the recess just referred to is a vault of the same size, to which access is afforded by a short flight of rude steps opening from the floor of the church. It is this vault which the late Duke is understood to have fixed on as his last resting place ; and certainly no selection could have been more in keeping with the rough simplicity of his character. So far as we have been able to learn, no other members of the ducal family have ever beenfinterredin this vault, and it is well known that the family' burying place is at Dunkeld. If, however, we were to believe a tradition universally accepted in the neighbourhood, the ; vault in question received the remains of the celebrated Claverhouse, who it will be remembered, was mortally wounded at Killicrankie, a few miles below Blair-Athole. This much is certain, that the men employed last week to prepare the vault for its new occupant, discovered among the rubbish which it was found necessary to remove, a large collection of human remains. JN T o less than thirty ekulls were dug up, twenty of which are supposed to have belonged to males and ten to females. One of these skulls, on examination, was found to be no less than half an inch thick, and another showed traces of having been split with a spear or other weapon. In addition to the skulls there were found a considerable numb r of human bones, including some thigh bones of unusual size. The whole of the remains were carefully collected and re.buried in a corner of the vault. Tho floor v as then paved with large flags, and the whitewashing of the interior completed the preparation of the vault for the new interment. The arrangements for the mournful ceremonial of Saturday were throughout of a simple but impressive character. From an early hour the retainers of the late Duke, living within walking distance, might be seen making their way in small groups to the place of rendezvous. Most of these men belonged to the corps of " Athole Highlanders," m the maintenance of winch tho deceased nobleman took so much pleasure; and, accordingly, on their arrival at tho castle they speedily' doffed their simple rustic attire, and appeared in fie Athole tartan, v\ ith all the usual appendages of the ancient Highland gaib. About noon a heavy special tram, which htid been run from Perth, brought up the tenantry from the estates to the southward, together with the masonic deputations from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other places. Up to this time tho morning had been fine, though the hills were covered with snow, and the roads were in an exceedingly sloppy and uncomfortable condition. Just as the train arrived, a blinding snow storm swept down Glengarry, and for a tune threatened to occasion serious inconvenience. .After a while, however, the sun again shone out on the dazzling panorama of the snow-clad mountains, and, during the afternoon, the weather continued favourable. Shortly after twelve o'clock the various masonic and other bodies which were destined to take part in the funeral procession were marshalled by Mr. Coghill, and ranged in a long line facing the principal front of the castle. The line, beginning from the right, presented the following deputations :—: — Grand Lodge of Scotland, other lodges and masonic deputations, Caledonian Curling Club, other curling clubs, Athole Lodge of Free Gardeners, Birham A r olunteers. The Athole Highlanders, a magnificent body of men, were drawn up also in line at right angles to the castle front ; so that the two hues formed two bides of a square. The tenantry, numbering about 500, were placed so ag to hue a portion of the road which the cortege w a3 to follow, the arrangement being, that, after the procession passed them, they should fall in at the rear. The road just referred to, after leaving the castle esplanade, passes through a sort of cutting, and it will readily be supposed thatthe sloping banks at this pomtwere eagerly taken advantage of by numerous spectators, who were anxious to obtain a view of tho funeral. Among the groups stationed here we observed the female servants employed about the castle, who had come out in deep mourning to pay the last maik of lespect W their lamented master. On the elevated ground adjoining this part of the road were placed five guns, which were intended to be used in fii'ing the last salute. When the disposition aoove described had been completed, the Bey. Dr. lrvino, minister of the parish, appeared on the steps in front of the castle, accompanied by the Marquis of Tulhbardine, and the other relatives and friends of the deceased, and offered up prayer. About the Hamo time, the Rev. Mr. Campbell, of Moulin, engaged in prayer %\ith the tenantry stationed, aa above mentioned, along the road. The English burial service was afterwards commenced in the castle hall by the Eev. Court Grenvillo, of Alnwick, brother-in-law of the deceased nobleman. At a certain point in the service, the coffin was lifted and carried forth by a party of the Athole Highlanders. Tho lines formed in front of tho castle then faced about, and the procession moved off in the following order :—: — .Firing paity of 20 men of the Athole Highlander, with arras leversed, under Sergeant- .Major M'Betli. Four pi pet's. The Athole Highlaucleis, two deep, without aims. The coffin,

covered with a rich pall, and having the sword, dhk, and bonnet of the late Duke deposited on the lid. The coffin was borne by six Athole Iliglanders, and followed by the M.uquis of Tullibardine, chief mourner, and the following pall-beaiers :— Loid James Murray, Captain John Mm ray Drummond, of Megginch, Viscount Stiath.illen, and Sir Malcolm Macgiegoi, Bo,rt. The Rev. Dr. Ttvine, Dr. Irvine, M.D., and Captain M'Duff. The officei s of the Athole Highlanders, two and two, namely : — Lieutenant James Small, of Dunanean, Lieutenant D. B. Williams, of Lawers ; Lieutenant James M'Duft; Lieutenant Honorable Druramond, Lieutenant G. H. Diummond, of Blair Drummond; Lieutenant Struan Eobertson ; Lieutenant Alex. Stewart, Lieutenant Jack Murray, Lieutenant Honorable James A. Diummond, Captaiu Oswald, of Dunnekien; Captain Keir, ofKindiogan. Relations, not A thole Highlanders, viz, — Lieute-nant-Colonel Adam Diummond, the Earl of Mansfield, Viscount Stormont, Admiral Honorable Henry Muiray, Sir James Moncrieffe, Bart., Mr. T. 6. Munay, Mr. R. C. Canignu, Mr. J. Robeitson. Friends Invited. Servants, two and two. Deputations — viz. , Giand Lodge. Glasgow Lodges. Peith Lodges. Dunkeld Lodges. Caledonian Cm ling Club. Weem and other Cnrling Clubs. Athole Lodge of Free Gardeners. Detaohraent of Birnam Volunteers, uuder Lieut. Duff. Tlw Tenwitry, two und. two.

The friends of the deceased nobleman invited those present, and most of whom, 'we understand, took pail in tho procession, were— Sir John .Richardson ; Sir \V. Stewart, Bart.; Sir Adam Hay, Bart.; Sir St. Vincent Whitehpad, Bart.; Sir Robert Menzies, Bart.; Sir John McDonald, X.08.; Mr. Butter, Fascally ; Mr. Fletcher Menziee, Colonel Leith Hay, C.8.; Mr. J. Hall Maxwell, O.B.; General Richardson Robertson, C.8.; Mr. Menzies, Uuldares ; Mr. Stirling, of Keir, M.P.; Mr. Menzies, Chesthills ; Mr. Smyth, of Methven ; Mr. Melmoy, of Lude, the Lord Provosb of Perth ; Mr. Wentworth, of Dkll ; Sheriff E. S. Gordon ; Mr. fttei.art, of Ballechin; Sheriff Barclay; "Mr. Steuait, Balnakeil ; Mr. Ay ton, of Auehonfiuly; Mr. Stenart, of Strathgarry ; Mr. Constable of Balmyle ; Mr. 2fi 16 of A^yMghb : Mr. Constable, of Calley; Mr. McGregor, of Tract; Mr. Atkinson, of Por&ncthau; Mr. Howard, of Bathayuck ; Colonel Dewar ; - Major Butter • Major Salmoud ; Mr. Milchelson, of Old Fascally • Messrs. Condie, of Perth; Bailie Conachie, of Dunkeld; Mr. EUiot, of Leighwood ; Mr. John Dickson, of Snughton ; and the clergy of the parishes connected with the Athole estates. Of tlie masonic fraternity about 150 in all attended. As a deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, there were present Lord Kinnaird, Viscount Slrathallan, Sir It. Menzies, Bart. ; Hon. James Drummond, Sir A. G-. Maitland, Sir A. Holkatt, Sir A. G. Gumming, Admiral the "Hon. J. Drummond, Captain Drummond, of Megginch ; Mr. Oswald of Dunnikeir, Colonel Leith Hay, Mr. Hope Vere, younger; the Hon. ¥. Drummond, Captain Jack Murray, Mr. White Melville, My. W. A. Lowrie, Mr. A. J. Stewart. Several of these gentlemen, it will be seen, also attended as relatives or friends of the late Duke. The Grand Lodges of Sweden, France, and Canada were represented, as were also the Kings of Denmark and Hanover. There were about thirty masons from Glasgow, headed by D.P.G.M. Donald Campbell — the lodges represented being St. John's, Thistle and Eose, St. Mark's, Star, St. George's, Commercial, Sinclair and Neptune. The Glasgow Celtic Society sent six; representatives, headed by Mr. James W. McGregor. The Perth Masonic Lodges represented were the "Royal Arch, Scoone, and St. Andrew's ; and from Duukeld there ere members of St John's and the Operatives. As the procession left the castle front the battery posted on the hill commenced a salute which was continued at brief intervals during the whole progress of the funeral. There -were in all, forty-nine guns fired, a number corresponding to the age of the deceased Duke. The procession, as it wended along a circuitous carnage drive towards the ancient church, with tho pipers playing a slow march, formed an exceedingly impressive spectacle. Among the stalwart forms who wore the athole tartan not a few seemed to labour under deep emotion, and many of the spectators, as the coffin was borne past them, paid the tribute of a tear to the memory of the departed. While the cortege was advancing slowly round the hill the Duchess of Atliole. accompanied by Miss M'Gregor and the Eev. Count Gronville, proceeded by a more direct route to the place of interment, where they arrived several minutes befere the procession came up. The Duchess and Miss M'Gregor took their places in the old pew, which had been suitably draped with black cloth for the occasion, while Mr. Granville went to meet the coffin and resumed the burial service at the point where it had boon broken off. The coffin, having been brought into the old church, was laid over the entrance of the vaixlt, the w holtavailable space within the walls being filled by the firing party of Highlander?, aud the relatives aud friends of the deceased. -The remaining portion of the service was then read, and at its close the coffin was lowered into tho vault, where it was deposited at one of the inner corners, on four small cubes of stone. Three volleys, fired over the grave by the faithful Highlanders, brought the mournful ceremonial to' a close. Throughout the proceedings in tho chapel, many of the spectators seemed to be deeply affected. Several of the Highlanders were quite unable to restrain thenemotions, and one old gentleman in particular, a captain in the corps, fairly broke down, and sobbed aloud. At tho conclusion of the ceremony the procession returned towards the castle, while of the spectators who wished to visit the vault were invited to do so before the slabs were lowered over its entrance. The relatives and friends of the Ducal family afterwards partook of luncheon at the castle, the tennutry being provided with substantial refreshmentsin the riding school. Alarge party of tho gentlemen, forming the Grand Lodge depu tation dined at the Blair Athol Hotel. At fonto'clock most of the visitors from a distance left by special train. We may add that the arrangements connected with the funeral wore carried out by Messrs. A. Robertson aud Sons, of George-street. Perth.

A Romantic Story, — The following stnlui.g statement, which we (Edinburgh Witnest) have funn <i most intelligent correspondent is full of interest : — "More than half a centuiy ago the affaiis of a woi thy draper m the town of Coleraine, in the county of Lomlondeny, got embanassed. He sent his son, who assisted him in the business, to Manchester and Leeds to arrange with hi 3 creditors. The young man was. ha-3hly leceived ; and, after having failed to effect a settlement, at rived at Liverpool on his way home. Hi-> liouoiuable spirit was lacerated by tb« treatment be had met with, and, dreading stall moio the disgrace and reproach he expected to encounter on his return to his native town, he, m a fit of despciation, enlisted as a, private soldier Tuo young diapei's legiment was ordered out to India, where his good conduct soon brought him into notice, and the excellent education which he had received paved the way for his piomofcion. He lose step by step until he 1 cached the rauk of colonel. He served hi* country with honour, and in coui'-e of time gave two sons to the militaiy service, having fust given them to the Loid, and imbued theii 3 truthful minds with (Jhustiaii piinciplo. Their valour .and military accomplishments shed lustre on that e.n nest piety by which they weie charactered. The two young soldieis to whom we lefer wete Sir John Lawrence, now tliP Governor General of India and the late Sir llem-y Lawrence, known as the siviom of Lncknow. Both of them have done honour and good service to their country, and neither of them we' c ashamed of the Cross of the Loid Jesus It is giatifying to find that neither piety nor humble birth will prevent talent and worth reaching the highest offices and honours in the gift of the BiitNb. Crown. The grand uncle of the Governor-General of India still lives as a respectable small faimer in the north of the comity of Antuin, about two miles from the the fashionable watering place of Portrush and five miles fioni tho Giant's Causeway "

IJ.FUJENCE OP THD STOiTACH. — Now, although we repudiate materialism and pantheism iv eveiy form, it is unquestionable that in oui pi esent stage of existence our spiritual pait is dependent on our mateiinl organism ; and if this goes wiong, oui intellect, our moral sense, our volition, may all suffer, and we thus trace the influence of the stomach on our moral and leligioiis wellaie. Like all the rest of the body, the brain and neives are in constant process of decay and reconstruction; thur m.vteiial particles become worn out, and must be constantly renovated ; this is done l>y the building materials sent into the blood from the digestive organs. If we take a proper quantity of wholesome food, and our stomach is in such good condition as to convert the nutritive paits of it into the elements of blood, all goes well through the whole system ; but if unwholesome mattei tepomed into the blood-current, the biain and neives buffer as well ns other organs. Again, if the blood ciiculftting in th» biain is unhealthy in character, it does not impart to this organ that stimulus which ia necessary for the due peifoimance of its duties. If the blood is destitute of those principles necessary for the reproduction of the worn-out brain and nerve pai tides, or if what the vessel deposits in the br.iin, if the materials with which the biain is repaired, are bad, the structure will be incapable of supplying its share in the processes of feeling and of thought. If tbisreconstiuctiongoei on wrong for some time, convulsions, epilepsy, apoplexy, paialysis, and other brain diseases are established. Thus I think the relations and dependence of our mental poweis, our moral faculties and affection*, and the opeiation of our will, may be traced from original mismanagement of the stomach, ami this ignotance of how to manage the stomach is equally pernicious to the infant and to the adult , brain.— The Stomadi Medically and Morally Considered, By L. J. Becde, M.R.C.S., «tc. i