The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-25

Scottish brtgand, there need have been
but little harmony Of habit and feeling
Bruce was an English subject, IL II trus
and as such bound 20 regard Wallace as
rebel ard 20 serve King Edward faith
fully In all things. but this can scarcely
Re held 20 his credit, for al this very
time he Was involved In treachero1s dis
loyalty 90 hts treaty with tire bishop Of
81. Andrews. So % saistty 20 kfrz or
comrade, CT both. Robert de Rrss can
scarcely be acquitted. BE this as IL may.
Edward was soon rpdely awakened from
MS dream that now that his greatest
enemy Sir William Wallace was crush
ed. under the BSerality and cI-men-
cy which he was trying % inaugurate. the
Scottish question would be laid AT rest.
For early In i3s came the terrible news
from the north that the Earl Of Carrfek
had slain at the altar OF the Gray F,rtars
Church IL Durnfraes John Cornyn known
as the Red Cornyn." and nearest heir IN
the line which Edwards award had DE-
clarec 20 be the royal one Of Scotland
The earl had been encouraged by IN.
bsSnop OF 81. Andrews 90 revive his claim
10 the crown. as the grandson OF a former
competitor; after '1e murder he hastensd
70 Glasgow, where he received absolutson
for his deed. and coronation robes from
Bishop Wishart, and was strasghtway
crowned IN the Abbey Of Scone as Robert
J. Of Scotland.
Edward promptly confscated De grus'
castle or Iochmaben. as well a. ali II
AIS lands ia Annandale and all OF his
vast estates and English possessions were
bestowed upon loyal noblsmeu. Thus the
King of Scotland began his reign land
less advenfurer." Even his title. Earl Of
ssTfick. was taken from him and given to
Henry de Percy. Bruce. as We shall now
call him. was accommodated. . price
put upon his head and q vigorous war
fare began against him The book goes
fully into Bruce's precarious existence at
this time and this struggle 10 kseE, htz
throne, and shows how little progress hs
made during the Iifs of Edward L. and
also that the effect Of this kings death
was neither tardy nor doubtful on the
fortunes Of Robert Bruce and his band OF
devoted followers. Edward IL was Of
very cinerent material from his prede-
css*or. and gradually the Scotch won
back all their old vantage ground. until
In the spring OF 1914 there were bat three
Important fortresses left In the hands of
the English
Then came the supreme struggle in the
battle Of Bannockburn June "a. l5l4. that
terrible conflict where the English host
outnGHbsred tes Scottish forces three TO
one. but the superior sensraiship and
magnetic presence of the king OF Scotland
and his brave leaders swept all before
them with terrible loss 20 the English
ranks. IL has been estimated that al least
%. 0o men went down before the fierce on
slaught. and this was fully half their
army. The loss OF the Scots wa. insignin-
cant compared 10 that OF their enemy
THIS great victory made Robert the
Hruce's fame secure for all time, and
placed him firmly on the throne OF Scot
land. But II was never q peaceful secur-
ity. for those we're turbulent times. and
there were tnvaSions fnto England and
frnl4n1. followed hE frxru -
counfer-invasions across the border. In
the main success was ever with the Scot
tish standard. although the Irish expedi-
sion was disastrous. and Robert the Bruce
well earned his position as the national
hero OF Scotland. and in Lord Maxwelrs
words. whatever may have been his
guilt or shortcomlng a man, as a king
Bruce never gave his subjects Cause TO
blush for him. From tho moment the
Countess of Fife placed the golden diaaern
on hts brow ~ Scone. he followed a single
purpose with unwavering courage and
extraordinary sagacity."
OF the personnel of Robert the Bruce,
neither portrait nor statue exists to pre-
serve his hneamants-sso all We know OF
his looks IS cor tanned IN brief passa gs
IN the "TIiforia Marjoris Brftanniae:~
Ills figure was graceful and athletic
with broad shoulders: his features were
handsome. he had the yellow hair OF the
Northern race. with blue and sparkling
eyes. His Intellect was quick and he had
the gift OF faent speech IN the vernacuiar
delightful 20 listen to-" He also seems 20
have had great personal charm OF manner
and address and a remarksbis power OF
sympathy with men OF every degree
which devoEeiiy attached all who came
under the spell Of hfa wonderful person
ahty. IN that day a mans physique ives
a most potent factor IN his success In life.
and the union OF a powerful hodv with
E-.sa -.
20 distinction provided he escaped violent
death on ths field or sea fnoid. .
Brains were useful. no doubt but they
commanded htfie respect unless their
cwner could enforce hts opinion by per-
sonal proves
During the long warfare he wagea as
Robert l.. from 1875 70 l2y7. the charge OF
cruelty was never affixed 20 his name. on
the contrary. there are countless examples
Of his generosity and humanity. "As a
civil ruler he had scant time to develop a
policy. but enough remains to show that
had he been longer spared TO hss country.
he would have displayed the same energy
in the affairs OF peace which had been
conspicuous IN warfare" A remarkable
feature OF King Roberts government Is
the fact that IL gives the FIRST authentic
example Of free trade" No duties were
permitted 20 be levied on imported goods.
excert. Of course. that tnx that was levied
By each bursh on all produces. whether
foreign or native. that came within It's
boundaries. This national policy inaugur-
atsd BY Robert. continued Tn force until
tho reign % James VI.
Robert the Bruce did not I'VE out thu
allotted time % man. his constitution was
broken ~ fhe excitements and h2raships
Of his turbulent Hfc. and st the age Of two
score and fourteen years ne was q physi-
cal wreck: he died June :. LIS. aged So
years and II months. During he HE he
had made a solemn vow. that II God
granted him power 70 achieve and make
an end a. al hts wars and bring peace 80
hfS Kingdom. that ne would 40 forth and
war with TIE euernses % Chrlst- the sdver-
xarias OF our holy CHRISTIAN faith" Its
illness and untamegy death prevented the
rulaliuaens or this Vow. so. as all the
world knows ne exRct~d q pledge from hfs
close friend. Ssr James Douglas. thst hts
hnnrt should he taken from tss ho1v. oru-
balsned. placed "a silver casket and con-
viewed 20 the holy sepaIchre where the
Lord had Tain. and Re presented thevs tn
lieu % the crusade which Re bad hoped 20
make History has slso told as how faith
st,sfv the Lord Douglas attempted &c carry
ovs tae last wishes % King Robert
Tne body itself was taken 20 pnrnferhaa.
whore that % hts queen bad gona some
I've years before AZ TIE book says. X
,afzht have been exported thar ~Ase SCOT
tf~h nafYssn which, owes SIS very existence
- ira strpux Vii ard ready arm ef Eat-
- the Bruce would have guarded RS
sor4h With siesaieSs vigilance. - long -
marie and mortar would eltnw together.
.,.4 rhas An al fh9 coming v5Tntraes Of