The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-14
JOHN o'eRoAT's HOUSE.
A Curious Legend That is Comparatively
But Little Known.

of the territorial eXtremities of Great
Britain, its curious and instructive le-
gend is very little known. "Brither
Scots" are proud to regard Kirkmaiden
in Wigtownshire. and John o Groat's
in Caithness. as forming the terminal
landmarks of their own country; while
the Southron not unnaturally prefers
TO speak OF the longer line. Only an
expert might venture upon a remark
as to the state of the record" estab-
lished by cyclists in their attempts to
cover the whole ground. From the
Lands End to John O. Greats is a far
cry indeed; and with the roads not ex-
actly constructed for pacemaking and
hills which sternly discountenance it.
more than one enthusiast has had to
fall back upon the indomitable quail
ties OF the plodder, and content him
self with the opportunity afforded for
counting the cost OF his undertaking.
Failing to snatch a record, IL is a little
surprising that no modern performer
should at least have brought home with
them the legend. For although not a
vestlge 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 a storm
beaten coast. the tradition would have
mad n much wider popular interest.
Once upon a time-or, to narrow the
confines Of that intermediate PERIOD, in
the reign Of James IV--there 1welt H.
the south OF Scotland, three brothers @
GrOat, named respectively. John. Nal
colin, and Gavin. IL is thought that they
were originally Of Dutch extraction,
their proper surname being "Groot;"
matter. however. OF little cOnse-
Quence. seeing that the moral is strict
ly the same. OF the lives of these
brothers we have absolutely no account
until they make an almost pa 1tomimic
descent upon Caithness, bringing with
them a letter from the king, recon-
mending them to the goodwill AMI
protection of his loving subjects in
that part Of his domnions. They pres
emily acquired a considerable tract of
land known as Dungisbay, on the shore
Of Pentland Firth, in the occupation
and civilization of which they appear
to have prospered exceedingly. Little
more is known of their doings; and ii
is not until the lapse of many years
that their descendants appear upon the
historic page.
The family had not only thrived but
multiplied and the next act of the
drama discloses eight different repre-
sentativcs OF as many branches; tie
elder being the John who was to erect
the famous house bearing his name. II
was their custom to hold an annual
meeting 20 celebrate the arrival of their
ancestors in that country, as also Tor
the purpose of cementing their own IN
terests within Il. On one Of these oc-
cssions, at which the wine OF the
country had perhaps also assisted, a
question arose as to the right OF pre-
cedency; a right which involved me
high privilege of taking the door and
sitting at the head of the table There
was a hot contention. and a quarrel
ensued which might have led to ratal
results but for the prudence and ga
ghcity of John This astute person Is
said to have conducted a ferry De
tween Canisbay and Orkney, and had
probably a larger experience Oh men
and manners than had fallen 10 any OF
his relatives. He practically rehearsed
10 them the fable of 1.-THE old man ana
the faggot of sticks; reminding them
that. II they quarreled among theih-
selves. they would be easily overcome
md dispossessed by their neiehDcis.
ultimately. and on the express uiiof--
standing that John would urNise
practical 'modus vivendf' by the 'line
Of the next meeting, the olss'iSnts
qgreed TO cry a truce, and so went 'hell
several ways. ,,.. 40
Now n will be obvious to all who are
Nnn
Scottish clanship. and the Jealousy
,,ith which the nice questions OF pre-
cedence were regarded, that Johh
~ Groat's proposition gave the worthy
man call his work to do" But ne dlu
II triumphantly. and this is how that
cannv blend OF Dutch phlegm ana
scotch shrewdness set about IL his
first care was to build council chaIl-
her John was his own architect put
nod No fool for his client. The prob
lem was to admit and seat eight per
sonages of equal pretensions - each
probably. rather more so" than
otherwise on a perfect footing OF
equality. After much bordering, John
hit upon the happy idea OF the octag0n
as his ground plan, and speedily me
walls began TO rise. In each OF the
eight sides was constructed separate
door. over which appeared its compile
mentary window. The next considera-
ton was the council table, which, how
ever. naturally evolved itself from the
plan OF the house. 1t was sturdy oc-
tagonal board Of oak. and this being
finished and fitted in its place. the IL
lustrious designer was prepared 10
welcome his relations when the auspi-
cious day came around. As each made
his appearance he was ushered through
his own special door and requested to
take the corresponding seat at the
head OF the table" Finally John con-
tented himself with the last vacant
seat. and the conclave was complete.
So happy a fancy. so ably realized, was
not TO be resisted. II appealed to the
practical side Of the national charac-
ter: and. in the result, good humor
and common sense prevailed, and COM
plete harmony was restored among the
several branches Of the family.-Lon-
1o, GIoha