The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-01


$ birth OF Scotland's patron saint. 1t
was genuine gathering OF clans, and
the Scottish American citizens of ST.
Paui were present in large numbers
A well-chosen musical programme had
been prepared for the occasion and
It's rendition was genuine treat to
the audience, especially as the num-
bers In general were of national
character, and in several instances
rendered In the Scotch dialect. Fol-
lowing the musical entertainment,
there was a social hop, after which
the guests partook of supper, served
by the ladies of the society
The first feature of the evening was
the public installation of officers re-
Gently elected for the ensuing year
Ihe oDagations Of Office were to have
been conferred by Retiring President
Hoatson, but illness compelled his alb
sence, and the consequent brief cere-
MONIES were conducted by John Grant
who installed the following officers:
President-J. H. Ritchie
First Vice President-W. F. Myron
second Vice Presfdent-Thomas Cameron.
corresponding Secretary-James Drummond
Financial Secretary-James Beddie.
Treasurer-A. Cattanach.
Attorney. l.. Macdonald.
Physfcian-Dr. William Dinweodie
Trustees-Wiiiiam Kennedy, Lawrence Hope
John Clarkson.
The speaker of the evening was Rev.
A. b. Meldrum, pastor of the Central
Presbyterian church, who waived for
malities and entertained his auditors
with stories and incidents Of the Scot
ttsh character. In the course of his
remarks, DR.. Medium took Ian Mac
laren quite severely to task for his
recent assertion in this city that the
Scottish humor was heavy, dull and
lacking in fun. In the opinion Of the
speaker, the Scotchmans wit was of
the most S1Ihfld 10 oI-
caust1c characteristics of the American
article and in it's sallies adhering te-
nacious1y to truth. Illustrating his as
sertion, DR.. Meldrum told the story of
Scotchman who was found dead. and
OF whom an alleged witty American
nad said. probably demised as the re-
suit or joke endeavoring to penetrate
his brain. An old Highlander, over
nearing the remark, is said to have re-
torted that, If such was the case, the
post mortem would establish the fact
that it was an American joke which
caused the fatality. Another story was
of an American who concluded a TRAD
upon the characteristic ability of the
Scotch to appreciate joke by rehears-
ing to one of that nationality a tale to
the effect that there were trees In
America which required three men TO
see the top branches. The Scotchman
did not smile and the American at once
eoon Aiiii W TASK IOr Delng unable to
appreciate the fun in the immediate
joke.
That is no joke" said the Scot
There is no fun in it; it is nothing
but "a dom lee"
Scottish songs and poetry were also
cited by Rev. Dr. Meldrum as eyi
dences of the characteristic humor OF
the people and in contradiction to the
statement of Ian Maclaren. but tha
speaker admitted that ga mean Scotch
man was the meanest man on earth. -
VI the musical numbers, each was a.
performance Of merit and entertaining
TO such a degree as to call forth de-
served encores, but probably, the most
unique number was an Instrumental
tr1o by Messrs- Horn, Myron and In
gram. respectively playing the flute
violin and plano. They rendered a.
scotch reel in so lively manner as 10
sur the audience to cheers and Io11d
applause. In fact, the music was so
inspiring that j. II. Rito9aie, the newly
installed president, left his chair. and
being Joined by John Grant. J. G. NV,
ron and w. F. Myron, danced as pretty
reel as one could see, much to the
amusement Of the audience.
The singers of the Aeolian auartatte
an organization of women, who car
r1ed their respective parts with a
pleasing harmony rarely excelled nv
male quartette, was one of the fea-
lures OF the programme The enter
talEment concluded at the bauouef
BOARD, where tales of the native land
were told amid the most cordial good :
fellowship.