The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-06-19
Continued on Twelfth Page
JOHN O. GRoAT's HOUSE.

Although it shares with the Lands End the distinction of indicating one oi the territorial eXtremites of Great Brit. ain it's curious and instructive legend is very little known. "Brither Scots" are proud to regard Krkmaiden in Wig townshire, and John O Greats in Cath ness, as forming the terminal landmarks of their own country; while the South ron not unnaturally prefers to speak of the longer line. Only an expert might venture upon a remark as to the state of the ''reclrd" established by cyclists ir their attempts to cover the whole ground. From the Lands End to John Q Groat's is far cry indeed; and with roads not exactly constructed for pace making, and hills which sternly discoun- tenance it, more than one enthusiast has had to fall back upon the indomitable qualities of the plodder, and content himself with the opportunity afforded for counting the cost of his undertaking. Failing to snatch a record, it is a little surprising that no modern performer should at least have brought home With them the legend. For although not q vestige remains of this remarkable house that Jack built" the story is very much alive when just probed enough to make it "sit up" And it is probable that, If John O Groat had built his house near one of the Mugby functions of civilization, instead of on q wild and remote point of storm eaten coast, the tradition would have had a. much wider popular interest.
 Once upon a time-or, to narrow the confines of that intermediate period, in the reign of James IV.--there dwelt in the south of Scotland three brothers O Groat, named respectively, John, Nal colm and Gavin It is thought that they were originally of Dutch extraction, their proper surname being "Groot;" a matter, however, of little consequence, seeing that the moral is strictly the same. Of the lives of these brothers we have absolutely no account, until they make an almost pantonimtc descent upon Calthness, bringing with them a letter from the king, recommending them to the goodwill and protection of his loving subjects In that part of his dominions. They presently acquired 8 considerable tract of land known as Dungisbay, on the shore of Pentand Firth, in the occupation and cultivation of which they appear to have prospered exceedingly. Little more is known of their doings; and it is not until the lapse of many years that their descendants appear upon the historic page.
 The family had not only thrived but itl not nf a drama discloses eight different represen- tatives of as many branchee; the elder being the John who was to erect the fa- nous house bearing his name It was their custom to hold an annual meeting to celebrate the arrival of their ances- tors in that country, as also for the pur- pose of cementing their own interests within it. On one of these occasions, at which the wine of the country" had also assisted, a question arose as to the right of precedency; a right which involved the high privilege of taking the door and sitting at the head of the table" There was hot conten- ton, and quarrel ensued which might have led to fatal results but for the prudence and sagacity of John. This
 
 a ferry between Canisbay and Orkney, and had probably a larger experience of men and manners than had fallen to any of his relatives. He practically re- hearsed to them the fable of "The Old Man and the Faggot of Sticks; remind ing them that if they quarreled among they would be easily over borne and dispossessed by their neigh bors Ultimately, and on the express that John would devise a practical 'nlodus viverdp' by the time of the next meeting, the dissidents agreed to cry a truce, and so went their seve- ral ways.
 Now, it will be obvious to all who are acquainted with the fervor of the old Scottish clanship, and the jealousy with which the nice questions of precedence were regarded, that John O Greats pro- position gave the worthy man "all his work to do." But he did it triumphant y; and this is how that canny blend of Dutch phlegm and Scotch shrewdness :et about it. His first care was to build l council chamber. John was his own architect, but had no fool for his client. The problem was to admit and seat, tight personages of equal pretensions- each, probably, rather more so" than ,therwise-on a perfect footing of equal