Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-06
SCOTTISH srRArmsrEYs.
william mar.hal,. the ranous Com
poser.
fAbcrdeen pres.l

miles below Aberlour, Is joined by the fid-
dicb, VIII not fail to be struck Win Tue
diversified aspect OF the Iandscape-tre
concentration In one spot Of aIlthe features
that constitute the charm OF natural scenery
Hills blank and bare 10 the summit; other
bills shaggy with clothing forests, from
which peeps forth here aud there some state
~ residence, once the stout fortallce OF rude
and warlike cbleftains; narrow gorges,
10 whose rocky depths the riyulct
wrinkles; wider glens, with grassy slopes,
iufted with birch and hazel, winding with
the curves OF the river, ana most striking
Of all. the broad straih OF the Spey, spread
ing Ike lake OF yerdure from base to base
Of the retiring hills, all these being COM
pretended IN one sweep OF the eye. lie
viii admire the graceful arch OF interlaclng
iron with which Teiord spanaed
dark and swiring pool OF the
Spey. over which on one side rises
perpendicular crag, 80 that TO those
approaching from the other the path
seems TO run right against the cliff and
fuitber progress TO be impossible, unless
some magic sesame should open the solid
rock. Further down the river. aud pist
the Massive iron-girded bridge By which
the Highland railway crosses the spey, he
viii observe on the left bank a handsome
FARMHOUSE sheltered with trees. This l.
Dandaleith, and IL he has n scotchmau for
guide, be will not fail to be told that there
Tor the last ten years Of his life dwell VIII
liam Marshall, the composer OF some OF
our best Scottish music. and, In bis own
>tyIf, IN admirable performer on the violin.
TncIe lie died in 1889, bequeathiug 10 his
country those strains which are familiar
md Gear TO every Scottish heart, and pro-.
mise to live Us long as Scottish national life
shall maintain its individuality and laav-
Ing " hat may be OF less interest to us, but
what is more honorable 10 him, a stainless
rlutatiOn-a memory like o pure and
WHOLE some breath waited t. us from the
at.
Five miles above CraigelIachie, near the
tanks Of the Fiddicb, Is DuiltOwn. close
by which is the church Of Mortlach. Of
ancient rcnOwn. embowered among the
trees that fringe the Dullan. In the nd
Joining nan>e there is portrait OF Mar
shall, in the safc-keeping OF those by whom
he il held III most hOnOred remembrance.
IN this picture-a large osl-paintlng ex-
rcilted 10 the order OF the Duke OF Cor
don, Marshal's employer and patron-he IL
reprcscnled as man somewhat above mid.
de age. with frank, open, kindly face.
expressive q serenity and intelligence. He
i seated, violin IN band, wearing the usual
garb Of a gentleman OF the period-hlgh
vest and collar, with the neckerchief folded
as in the portraits OF Burns, while the pO'-
lure and the dress show TO the best adj
vantage pair OF very shapely lower limbs.
A few miles further up the Fiddch Is the
farm Of Kelthmore, Of which Marshall was
tenant for many years, while at the same
time performing the functions OF factor or
land-steward for the Duke OF Gordon.
There are old people in the neighbOrh0Od
still who have a clear recollection OF how
his life here was peaceful and secluded, un-
marked by such incidents or eccentricties
as tradition loves 20 dwell upon, TO
magnify, and 10 distort. Although at
Kelthmore he was growing an old
mar, his devotion TO his instrument
seems never 10 have tagged. lie
would play by himself for hours,
and when wearied With sitting he would
walk round and round the room, still play
ing. Occasionally musical friend would
drop in. Then books were produced and
arranged on the table, at which, opposite
each other. down sat the pair, and then,
,ays our informant. cit was iist gran TO
hear the SCUM come bOomin' 10 the kitcbie. y
II was while he resided at hethmore that
Marshall collected and arranged his music
for publication. An Old servant oil bis r.
members his absence In Edinburgh Tor
some time experimenting the publication.
and bis return With great box containing
many Of the volumes.
II has been said that Marshal's career
presents nothing startling or eyentiul. Too
often musical talent such as his has been the
4 t.r frra .stf OF
life. His celebrated contemporary, Neil
Cow, much inferior as n composer, how
ever be NAV have stood in comparison with
Marshall as player, has recorded his par
TALLY for whisky in the names OF some
of hi. strains, and stories OF bin that
have foatcd down 10 us owe their point
and raciness to his cornwall propcnsities,
but no such reproach Though not in his
own time a reproach at alp cliDgs 10 Mar
sbalfs memory. From humble position
he rose. by dint OF sterling worth and abili-
", to comfort and independence-to what,
indeed. in his day, might be called ailluence.
But some few traditions related TO HIM still
liugeT at Glenfddich, lovingly enlarged, or
CmbeIlished, no doubt. in the process Of
repetition. and these shall be given rs they
" ere heard from the lips OF a bright-eyed
old man who was once in his service.
He had learnt the watchmakn'. We see,
an that made him handy, an he was
materially O. a mechanical turn. III oDy-
thing gaed wrang wi his flddles, biz or
little, for be played bath, he needed
naebody's help to NEED them. He made a
wondcrfu' clock, a wi his am hands an
aWsteronomical clock, ] think, they cad
il. vi dial, that showed, no the hour
an the meenit only, but days an weeks
an months, an siZZOns-a' but lenp
wear, an he cOuldnI get Owre
that. Ance when it gaed Wrlng 1t was glen
10 matchmaker in DuifiOwn 70 repair;
hut mind We, the matchmaker bad Just TO
work to Marshall's orders. Free WI his
servants? He was thar, ] assure ye. |
mnd ae NIGHT when anithcr lad and me
were rlayin' the dam6rOd In the kitchle,
an we had drawn the squares on the
sclatc, an DOR pieces were cut room
and square DOT o. slice o tur-
nip. Weel. Marshall cam ben, and
l1okit on the game "A wee; and then says h,
"ThiS l. The move would maxi -; aud
when be put his finger doom an touched
the soft, sappy bit neep he lifted IL wi' Il
KIM q scunner and said, "Ye must hle
something better than this, lads; " an away
he GAGS, makes q grand wooden damb-od,
wi black an white squares, an cuts DOT
tie men irae sheet o leather an brings il
10 us the vera next nicht; an wi mOBy
queer gucSses an puzzles be used 10 pose us.
a. TAX ane irae nineteen an leave twenty"
an sic like. You would like 70 hear hoo
Toe Duke first took notice o him. There's
different ways OF; but, rs hae it, he was
ta'en when quite laddie, aIang wi ithers,
10 drive the game and beat the bushes for 4
great shootn' party at Gordon Castle.
" hen the days sport was Owre, and the
game cOlicckit al ae place in the wood, the
Duke noticed fox that had been shot. and
sair shot, for it was O. covered wi bluid.
"Iere, my boy" said he TO Marshall.
"carry this TO the CASTLE" "Na," sud
Marshall, ~ Wilma dae that" "Why
mott" said the Duke surprised. "ltn
spoil my Jacket" said Marshall. "Your
Jacket" said the Duke, takin' guid
look at the laddie, ~ should think
it is past spelling dOr it was well
worn and tattered). But il you are 50
careful Of an old jacket you must be a very
careful lad indeed. Carry the fox to The
castle. my boy, and il your jacket gets
spoiled I'll see that sou get better" The
Duke took him into his service there and
then, an hoo he rose everybody knows.
"Ye'ye seen the picter o. Marshall, but
maybe We dinna ken it was the outcome o
a wager O. the Dukes. This i hoo il wa':
The Duke, when he was Twin in England.
CHANGED 20 be IN q company where some
line foreign fiddlers were pllyin'. Every
holV was almirin' fho fine Tnitsfc and prIls-