The sun., 1894-12-17
The Picts OF Indiana.

The study OF Pictish antiquities has n
main seat in the town of Brookville, Ind.
| The year 1892, so rich in commemorations,
had the additional glory of witnessing the
completion of the Brookville Water Works.
As our esteemed contemporary, the Frank
lin Democrat, says, "a feeling grew up that
the two events the completion of the
water works and the four hundredth ami
versary of the discovery of America
should be celebrated in one jubilee" Mr..
HERMAN TRICHLER, one of the founders of
the Order OF CINCTNNATUs, believed that n
new society would be the best means OF
joining the great events. II was finally de
cided that the field of Pictish history was
not fully occupied, and Brookville being
well supplied with persons Of Pictish de-
scent, a Pictish society was formed. 1t was
called and still prospers as Clan Ben
Cramps, No. /, Scotus Gaul Picti and
while 1t is equalled by few societies in point
of constitution and bylaws, it is excelled
by none in the majestical sorority and poetry
Of its names of officers. 1t has n Lord of
Firth and Flood Thane Of the Donjon
Keep, an Earl Of Lochs and Heather, a
Merlin Churl Of the Heather, a Lord of
Mounts and Valleys, a Seer of the Sacred
Fires, Monarch of the Mystic Mists, a
Knight of the Castle Gate, Watchman of
the Outer Wall, Bearer of the Hazel Rod,
a Bede of Buchan. a Douglass Of the Guard,
and COLUMBIA Of Iona.
We do not find that tattooing or painting
the body is practised among the members Of
the S. G. p, nor are we sure whether they
wear the Highland costume or go back in
their garb to a point nearer the Pictish
fashion described in BLACKMORE's couplet
"A painted vest Prince voLnoER had on.
Which from naked pct his grandslre won"
The Brookville Picts march in single file,
have good old Caledonian appetites, and are
full of poetry, science, and history. Mr. G.
HENRI BoGART, one Of the most eminent of
Indiana poets, is a clansman of the Clan Ben
Cramps Perhaps he conceived the poeti-
cal idea Of the clan colors:
white. as the snow OF the Grampian summits In.
dicatng purity Of purpose; Green, as the frs and
pines clothing their slopes indicating that friendship
keeps ever alive: and Purple, the regal hue emblem.
attic OF the imperial majesty Of unity. represent
clan. they formed the historic tartan OF MAcALPr
Fraternity, amusement, and improvement
are the objects of the Brookvile Picts, and
those objects seem to be attained. Amy
male citizen Of eighteen, of good character,
who believes that Brookville is the greatest
town on earth" is eligible to membership
" The citizens Of the earth generally shall
be invited" to the public amusements given
by the clan on the Fourth OF July.
The only criticism that we should think
of making of this original and solid society,
relates to a minor detail. The constitution
provides that "the Keeper of the Tower
shall perform the usual duties OF janitor
and shall be paid blank for each meeting"
He shall be paid blank dollars or cents
may be good Pictish, but it's not good Eng
lish. Besides, the Keeper of the Tower ought
not to have to sweep. An ancient Pict with
feather duster in his hand is not to be
imagined. Would anybody think OF asking
Merlin Churl of the Heather to wash
the dishes!