New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-07
ST. CHESS CHOSEN
Edin5urgh's Old Cathedral for the
Order of the Thistle.
fcopyrish:. 1909. by tn. Brentwood cornr,,,

fCop-riEht 1909 by the Brentwood C,--n,,
Thanks TO King Edwards initiative III. scot+,sL
Order Of the Thistle IS. after ALL to have a cbe-.I
Of its own once more II may be remembered ~
the late Earl Of Leven and Melville LEFT =. bis
6eath sum Of s3oaoJo. to be devoted TO the r.s
tora-ion the ancient Chapel OF Folyrood ubs-,
in the oden times the knights OF the Thistle were
won't 10 perform their devotions II Was found
however. that the restoration Of Holyrood Chanel
was npracticabie, since II could not be accom-
plshed without the complete disappearance of an
the ancient portion OF the architecture Of the ruin
-birh dates from the thirteenth century p,b,ic
feeling indeed, throughout Scotland was against
the idea OF the restoration. II was argued thu ?
the Economically picturesque ruin in its present
condition constitutes great historical monument
harTonizing with the sentiments Of the scene in
which Il stands. and that any attempt TO tanner
with II in the way Of restoration would partake Of
the nature Of vandalism Consequently the bequest
z-ss declined, and reverted to the estate of the
earl being divided among his heirs
Il was felt however, that the Order Of the Thistle
should have chapel of its own. In the same way
that the knights Of the Garter have their stalls in
s. Georges Windsor Castle: the Knights Of the
Bath in Westminster Abbey. the knights of the
order Of s. Michael and St George in ST PauVs
Cathedral and the knights of St Patrick in St
Patrick Cathedral az Dublin and accordingly King
Edward placed himself in communication with the
authorities Of ST. CHESS Cathedral at Edinburgh
asking them whether they would be willing TO con-
vert portion OF that ancient fame into a chapel
az the order OF the Thistle. The Kirk Session at
expressed Its readiness TO Co-opeFate with
monarch in the matter, and learning this. young
Lord Ieven has placed at the disposal Of the King
his share Of his fathers unused bequest-that is
10 say. about SS0.cal-which will be devoted tow
ard fitting Up q portion Of the cathedral
chapel for the knights of the ancient Scottish Order
q the Thistle
=. CHESS Cathedral is familiar TO all Americans
who have visited Edinburgh and sacred to the
patron saint OF the Scottish capital. and dates
part hack 10 the year 1850. when mention OF it
contains the tombs Of the Regent Murray, the
famous Marquis of Montrose. of Napier of Mer-
cfiston and Of many other Scottish worthless. 1t
vas within its walls that King James VI delivered
his farewell address 10 the people Of hts northern
Kingdom proceeding TO England 10 assume
Queen E1izabeth's throne as James l, and in 1851
il Was the scene Of the memorable protest Of that
choleric old lady. Jennie Geddes. who was so en-
RACED al the attempt TO inaugurate the obnoxious
liturgy Of Archbishop Baud that, when the dean
announced thar he was about 10 read the collect
for the day. she exclaimed: "Colic: The del collie
ire varle O V, Wud ye say mass at my lug
and lifting the three-legged stool on which she naa
teen sitting, and which, in accordance with the
custom of the times had brought With her from
he home. she hurled II flying at the dean heao-
fortunately the dean ducked or the consequences
rniEht have been serious: and the stool figures TO-
dav in the Antiquarian Museum ct Edinburgh
The Order Of the Thistle, which IS thus TO have
lis chanel in St CHESS, with stalls for It's knights
from he open canopy Of which their banner viii lie
suspended their and dtgnires being inscrloed
on 2 brass plate let into the back Of the seat Is
asserted by Scottish tradition 10 have anteoa'eu
-he foundation OF the order OF the Garter pF So
ra1 hundred wears II is said 10 nave originated IN
She vision of bright cross in the heavens seen os
Acrsiss. King Of the Scots, and by Hungus' hing
of the Picts while they were engaged IN pray 'e
night before their battle with Athelstane' hl'e %
---s - -be eighth century. What IS historic.
fo7-ever. i that in $40 James Y Of Scotland re-
rived he order and assigned 10 its knights s'a9
- the now ruined Chapel Royal Of Holyrooo' d
Fz5infg,rEh kim James II. the last OF me 9'ua,
kings. queen Anne and. in later years "eOe
modified its statutes
Its membership IS restricted 10 great Scottsh no
hes and lust before King Ed1ard leit TOT Ia,
continent he f2eld q chapter Of the oroer Al hu
irgham Palace when the establishment % 9 as
-e---' -. Knights IN St .Gless Cathedral was
determined upon.