The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-16

King Georges action in presenting
new colors to the Royal Scots Regi-
meat during his recent stay at Edin-
Lurgh has resulted In some inquiries
being addressed to me by readers. az TO
the reason why this particular corps of
the British army should be known by
the nickname of "Pontius Pilates
Guards" Strictly speaking. this regi-
ment was formed OF Scottish bands
of volunteers by King Gustavus Adolf
phus the Great, of Sweden, in 1911. and
ii constituted the nucleus of the ceie-
/ brated Green Brigade" which won
such European renown on the battle
fields of the Thirty Years War.
After the death Of King Gustavus
Adolphus at Lutzen, the Green Brig
adc took service under the French
cienc Scottish Archers and Scotch
GUARDS OF the Kings OF France, and
as the Regiment dc Douglas.
Charles ii. of England brought over
most of them ut the Restoration, and
enrolled them as the first or royal
regiment of foot of the modern Brit
ish army.
1t is matter Of tradition. however,.
in the regiment that its history goes
back much further: back. indeed. TO the
days of Pontius PLATE. who In his
salem. had under his orders Gale
DOMAIN legion of the Roman army,
which he placed on duty at Golgotha
on the day of the CruciNion In this
connection II may be we'll TO mention
that according TO ancient Scottish be-
lief. Pontius PLATE was born at Glen
iyoa. not far from the spot where the
ancient yew OF Fortingall has flourish
ed, according to experts in arbori-
already an ancient tree at the time OF
the birth of Christ. 1t is recorded cir
substantially that shortly before the
nlrth OF Christ Roman embassy was
sent 10 Scotland by Emperor Angus
Jus one of the ENJOYS being the father
or Pontius PLATE. He was accom-
panied by his wife. and they were hos
pitaniy received by Metellaus, or Metal
!ahus' a CaledoniGn King, and were, en-
tertained by him in his primitive abode.
near FortinSall. where Mrs. PLATE.
mere, save birth TO young Pontius. 1t
has been proved historically that
Caesar Augustus did send an embassy
10 scotland about the beginning of
the Christian era, and that Metallaus
or Metelianus was the name OF Il Scot
tish ruler who was reigning in the sec
ond year OF the Christian era The re-
mains OF Roman camp are still visible
near Foriingall. 1t Is on historic re-
cord that the mission OF the Roman
embassy was successful. and that il
established with King Metellanus IAN
anitie with the Romans which con-
t!nued betwiNt them and his kingdom
tor long time afterwards"
do not know whether my Scotch
readers Will thank me for recalling
TINS ancient tradition, which ascrihes
TO the Land o. Cakes the doubtful hon
or OF having been the birthplace OF one
OF the least attractive characters of
the Bible; but it is Interesting all the
same. va
AS for the yew tree which cast i,s
SHADOW over the earliest infancy OF
Pontius Plate. II is asserted to be the
Oldest tree in Europe. 1t was described
by the Hon. Darius Bennington in "The
transactions OF the Royal Society of
1863. in these terms: II measured tho
circumference of this yew tree and
therefore cannot be mistaken when 7
INFORM you that IL amounted to 6ftv
Two teet' in the Statistical Account
OF scotland" published in 1871. the
dimensions are also given as ffty-two
teet. In 1879 the late Sir Robert
Christison. one of the most learned
arboriculturists in Europe. made a
thorough examination of the Fortinpau
yew, and calculated that it must have
been considerably over 5000 wears old
Though now reduced to n mere shen
II sun carries profusc foliage, and NAV
justly be regarded as one OF the mar.
NeI5 of the vegetable world
copyright, 1911, by the Brentwood
Company