Alma record., 1913-10-23
ian INTERESTING LETTER FROM EDINBURGH
E. Thompson Former Alma College Student and Editor Of AmanIa
Writes Of Trip Through Europe

l.. "A. thompson, we'll KNOWN III
Alma, and now living at 95 Comiston
Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, writes
Addison Wilson of his trip across
the sea. Mr.. Thompson was married
August sixth at Big Rapids and in
his letter says:
after our wedding on August 9th,
we left Big Rapids and arrived in
! Montreal the following evening,
where we were met by relatives and
spent a very pleasant day sight
seeing. Among the things of interest
in Montreal we saw St. James cath
edral a copy of St. Peters of Rome,
but of one-third the dimensions No
tire Dame cathedral, said to be the
oldest and most famous church in
America; McGill University, and on
the campus saw the first game of
cricket ! ever witnessed; also viewed
the city from the top of the mountain.
When we awoke Saturday morn
ing, August 9th, we found ourselves
sailing down the St. Lawrence river
in the s. S. Scandinavian. That day
we anchored off the harbor at Que
bee to let on passengers. In passing
that city had Wolfe's pass pointed
out to us. The next day being Sun
day, | was called upon to preach
sermon to the passengers. Had
good congregation, but of course, it
would be rather hard to avoid it; the
poor victims would either have to
stay in their rooms on that fine day
or jump overheard, SO | guess decided
to do the listening stunt.
The next day was very cold, as
we passed through the iceberg region
between Newfoundland and Labra-
dor; saw over seventy of them at one
time; passed very near to several.
The barren coast of Labrador and its
little fishing fleets made us think of
Dr. Grenfell and his splendid work
among those poor fishermen. Belle
Isle was very picturesque, but not
much like the Belle Isle that we have
in the Detroit river. Didn't see any
more then only lots of water and a
good deal of my bed until we got
sight of the Emerald Isle on Satur-
day morning, August 10th, and the
same evening we landed in Glasgow.
The very first thing we did after find
ing our hotel was to go around and
look at the shop (store) windows,
translating and figuring what articles
would be worth in u S. money.
We went to Glasgow cathedral for
worship Sunday morning. One thing
here, we always find the churches
well filed the Brittainers, but espec-
tally the Scotch, are great church.
goers. Monday was also spent in
Glasgow viewing places of interest,
such as the art gallery and museum,
university, cathedral metropolis and
St. Georges square. The Glasgow
cathedral is one Of the finest speci-
mems of Scottish cathedrals so | will
give you a brief description of it
which will do for all. The building is
solid stone, as most all the buildings
here are; it dates from the twelfth
century. 1t is Early English style,
go feet long, 20 feet wide, 90 feet
high; the tower is 22O feet in height
The nave has timber ceiling. The
crypt seems to be the chief glory of
the church. Glasgow cathedral is
frequently referred to in SCOTS Rob
Roy" OF course, the Scottish cathe-
drals do not compare with the great
English cathedrals, which shall
mention later.
From Glasgow we began our two
weeks trip through northern Scot
land stopping at the following places:
Perth, an ancient city, claiming to be
OF Roman origin, and long the capital
of Scottish kings, which is pictur-
esquely situated on the Tay. In St,
Johns church here Edward III Of
England is said to have stabbed his
brother, Duke of Cornwall St. Fill
lans, pretty summer resort, and the
scene of some of Scott's Lady of
the Lake" Aberdeen, which is known
as the Granite City," its houses and
streets are built chiefly of granite
| Union street, three-fourths mile long,
built entirely of granite, except the
tramway rails, and it is said to be one
of the handsomest streets in Europe.
We saw it as the sun shone upon it
after a rain; it looked almost like
diamonds. On the whole Aberdeen
is a very clean and we'll built city.
Fishing and granite works are its
leading industries. We visited the
fish market in the morning just as the
fish were spread out and the auction
eers beginning to sell. Fish of many
different kinds in those vast sheds as
far as the eye could see. This is one
of the three largest markets in the
world. Also visited, the largest gran
ite quarry. Marischal College, built
entirely of granite, is an exception
ally beautiful building. Contrasted
with new Aberdeen is old Aberdeen,
with its narrow dingy streets and old
stone huts. Conspicuous among
these is the old ST. Machar cathedral,
the only granite cathedral in Christ
endom.
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