New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-08-23

Thus in the case of the Scotch Royal Company
of Archers no one who does not possess landed
estates or domiciles in the northern Kingdom
mr. vbo is not the son of one having held the
Office of lord lieutenant or deputy lieutenant
of q county in Scotland. is qualified for member
ship in the guard. among the present orncers Oh
which are the Duke of Buccleuch, who is It's
captain general and commander. and the Duke
Of Abercorn. Lord Rosebery. the nonogenarian
Lord Wemyss the Marquis of Breadalbane. the
earls of Aberdeen and of Elgin. Lord Balfour,
Lord Harrington and Lord Mimic.
ORGANIZED BY JAMES I.
The CORPS is said to have been first instituted
bv King James I Of Scotland. on his return
from captivity in. England, with the object of
Improving the science of archery. and in the
history of the battle of F1odden Field 1t Is re-
lated that the body Of King James " was
found covered and surrounded by the bodies OF
his archer guard The regiment now con-
stituted was reorganized in 1903 by Queen
Anne on the occasion of her visit to Edin-
burgh and she invested the members of the
corps with the prerogative OF keeping guard
over the sovereign when in Scotland-a some
what risky proceeding, seeing that the Royal
Company of Archers at the time was composed
almost exclusively Of Jacobites- Indeed. 1t is
on record that in 1874 two Of the archers were
court martialled and cashiered by their officers
on frivolous pretext the real reason being
that they were the only men of the guard
who were not in sy mpathy with the Pretende-
BY the time OF the visit of George ~ TO Ed
inburgh, in 1922 the Jacobite movement had.
however passed out of existence, and he could
therefore intrlIst himself the protection Of
the Royal Company Of Archers while in Scot
land without any fear for his safety 1t is re-
lated that Sir Walter Scott designed special
uniform for the use of the corps during the
Kings progress north of the Tweed, and that
st was Of SURPRISING ugliness." But in 1881
the uniform was fortunately changed, and now
consists, where the rank and file are concerned.
of green tunic with black braid facings with
a narrow stripe Of crimson velvet in the CEN
tire: shoulder wings and gauntleted cuffs, SINH
larry trimmed; dark green trousers, with black
and crimson stripe; Scotch cap, with thistle
ornament and eagles feather; black leather
waist belt with gold clasp, TO which short
sword of the Roman order is suspended; the
equipment being completed by a bow six feet
in length.
DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH COMMANDER.
In the case of the officers the tunic is replaced
for court wear by a green cloth tail coat richly
embroidered with gold thistles and arrows, with
green velvet facings. gold epaulets and aguilets.
crimson silk sash. gold laced dark green
trousers and cooked hat with green plume.
This uniform is often seen at state func-
tions in London and at Windsor being much af-
fected by Lord Rosebery and those other peers
10 hold commissions in the bodyguard,
whereas the tunic and the bow and arrows are
seldom If ever seen south of the Tweed When
ever the sovereign visits the capital Of the
northern kingdom the commanding officer pre-
sents reddendo, consisting of three arrows.
made Of snakewood, barbed with silver and
feathered with the plumes Of the argus pleas
ant in token of the fealty OF the regiment. and
the Duke Of Buccleuch is, by virtue of his office
Of captain general Of the corps. Gold Stick to
the monarch when in Scotland, his two officers
next in rank being the Silver Sticks of Scot
land.
In this way the commanding officers Of the
bodyguGrd Of archers enjoy in the northern king
dom the same privileges and status as do the
colonies in chief and the lieutenant colonels Of
the Horse Guards and Life Guards in England
Every month throughout the spring, summer
and autumn archery drills, practices and shoot
ing contests take place in the regimental
meadows outside OF Edinburgt-, of the queer
est matches being that for the so-called goose
medal The old mode OF competing for this was
by building q live goose into turf butt in such
a manner as to leave only the head OF the bird
exposed 10 view the archer who hit the head
and killed the goose being entitled to have her.
OF course. this barbarous practice is now dis
continued Il Is the head Of the stuffed goose
which takes the place of the live bird, while
gold medal constitutes the prize Of the victor.
The headquarters Of the regiment is at the
arcbers' Hall, in Edinburgh, built $50 years
ago and adorned with a number Of fine paint
ings including some splendid Raeburns and
with superb silver trophies and plate In
this hall the regimental dinners take place
several times a year. the first toast given being
,lo.-as elsewhere. The King" but The Mark"
the toast being drunk sitting down.