New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-17
pontlus Pilates Bodysuard.

King Georges action in presenting new
colors 20 the Royal Scots Regiment during
RS recent stay at Edinburgh has resulted
n some inquiries being addressed to me by
leaders as TO the reason why this particu-
lar corps Of the British army should be
Known by the nickname of 'Pontlus
Plates Guards" Strictly speaking, this
regiment was formed of Scottish bands Of
volunteers by King Gustavus Adolphus the
Great Of Sweden in 1911 and it constituted
The nucleus of the celebrated Green
Brigade" which won such European re-
rown on the battlehelds OF the Thirty
Years War
After The death Of King Gustsvus
AdolDhus. at Lutzen. the Green Brigade
took service under the French crown, be-
coming merged into the ancient Scottish
Archers. and Scotch Guards, of the Kings
o. France, and as the Regiment de Doug
las
Charles II Of England brought over most
q them at the Restoration and enrolled
'hein as the lst or Royal Regiment Of foot
O the modern British army.
1t is q matter of tradition. however. in
he regiment that its history goes back
-HAA t-lel Dd'Ls lllu'tIf ~ TIC ia , VI
. Fontius Plate, who in his capacity as
roman Governor Of Jerusalem had under
us orders a Caledonian legion Of the Ro-
nan amy, which ne placed on duty at Col
sNha on the day Of the cruci1xion. In
u's connection 10 may be well 10 mention
.nat according 10 ancient Scottish belief.
[ohnus Plate was born at Glenlyon, not
~ irom the spot where the ancient yew
torungall has fourished, according TO
'Aptrts ma arboriculture, for nearly three
Y -'ussnd years being already an ancient
oss al the time OF the birth of Christ II
recorded circumstantialy that, shortly
eO'e the birth OF Christ, a Roman en-
sy was sent TO Scotland by Emperor
sastus, one Of the ENJOYS being the
ler OF PontUs Plate. He was accom-
e1 by his wife, and they were very
,Vu'sDly received by Metelaus. or Metel
,.% Caledonian king. and were enter
u'sa by MIN in bis primitive abode, near
,o'uhgal. where Mrs. PLATE, mere, gave
w le young Pontius. II has been proved
,O'ca.ly the Cesar Augustus did send
Embassy 10 Scotland about the begin
o. The Christian era. and that Metel-
sE or Metallanus was the name OF a
'Hi'i WHO was IelHnlnR IN the
,"a year 81 the Christian era. The re-
- OF a Roman camp are stin visible
n- foFtingall. il is on historic record
a, ue mission u the Roman embassy
M, successful. and that II established
D. Nng Netellanus IAN amitie with the
n, Which continued betwixt them and
soom for a long time afterward."
o.. - not know whether my Scotch read
,,.s'.iD Aank lie for recalling this ancient
c''oh which ascrbes TO the Land O.
a. ne doubtful honor Of having been
GU. olt hpiace OF che Of the least attractive
he Of the Bible: but II is interest
al the same
-. ior the yew tree which cast its
i p, over the earliest infancy Of
L o, Fhate, 1t is asserted 20 be the old
\ H.. IA Europe. 1t was described by the
/ sa DARIUS Bennington in 1.-THE Trans
/ ih.., OF the Royal Society I'm 1862 in
l ca. uefms: Il measured the circumfer-
h 'hls yew tree. and therefore cannot
| tn,,.- 'dken when / inform you that II
eo TO hfty-two feet. in the "Ststis-