The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-12
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Why Is the nine Of diamonds called
THE curse of Scotland? +. II.
There are several explanations.
"1n the distracted state OF the coun-
try during the reign Of Mary. a man
named George Campbell attempted to
steal the crown out of Edinburgh Castle.
He did not succeed In getting away with
the crown itself, but did manage to alb
stract nine valuable diamonds. and to
get OF with them out Of the country.
To replace these a heavy tax was laid
upon the people. which. being found
burdensome and oppressive. was by them
termed the Curse of Scotland: and until
quite recently, in certain districts OF
Scotland. the card itself was called
George CampbelTs Another explana-
ton relates TO the massacre Of Glencoe.
which Is we'll remembered. The order
for this cruel deed was signed by the
eldest son Of the Earl Of Stair. who was
at that time Secretary Of State for
Scotland. The coat Of arms OF this
family bears nine diamonds O%ozenges)
on Its shield and the indignant people.
not daring TO sticmatize the Lord Of
Stair as the Curse of Scotland. applied
the term to his shield. still another
solution, and equally good. relates to the
battle If ~CuIloden. the result Of which
extinguishcd tho hopes Of the Stuarts.
and was at the time regarded as a la
tional curse. The Duke Of Cumberland
who was known to he very fond OF cards.
and who always carried a pack In his
pocket. when he had made his victory
his pocket. and wrote thereon a despatch
announcing his victory. and that card
proved 70 he the nine Of diamonds. An
other authority says there are two most
plausible suggestions to account for the
phrase: % TIL nine of diamonds in
the game OF Pope Joan IL called the
Pope. the Antichrist OF the Scotch Re-
formers. go In the game Of Com
mette." introduced by Queen Mary. II is
the winning card and the game was
the curse Of Scotland because 1t vas
the ruin of SO many families" t"Fact.
Fancy and Fable by Henry Frederic
Reddali. Chicago, A. C.. McClurs and
Company, 1881.
Where shall send money for Serbian
war sufferers? II. H.. Il.
To Murray n. Coggeshall, treasurer Of
the Serbian Relief Committee OF Amer
lea, at 20 Fifth avenue New York.
have been interested In the versions
OF The Two Brothers, given in THE SUN
OF which the last february l3) dates
back to 1879. An earlier version by r.
Adams Merriman. at one time connected
with THE = and later member OF Con.
rress. may be interesting. In 1866 Mer-
r.man was studying law in Judge Fol.
gers ofNce at Geneva. On Sunday af.
,ernoous he often came up 10 his old
college to entertain the boys in room 4,
Trinity Hall. with old SONGS and new
stories.
Mcrriman's Wit was never stale.
can see him now. waving that stiYcned
arm which was crippled at the siege OF
Petersburg and beating time while he
!ntoned each verse and his younger
friends Joined with him In repeating the
last two lines:
fhef" was q man ne had two sons
And these two sons were brothers.
Tobias was the name OF one,
B!sncus OF the other.
Now these two sons had an old gray horse
And that old horse was blinded,
Tobias always rode before.
Biancus on behind II.
Now these two sons had an old gray Goa,
They bought on Easter Monday,
Tobias wore II all the week,
B!ancus on a Sunday.
Now these two sons went TO SUNDAY .rhoo,
Whenever they saw At.
Tobias In tho gallery sat.
Biancus In the pit.
Now as the years 81 mirth ro,'ei BY
And these two brothers died.
Tobias on HIS back was laid,
Blancus on his side.
VIII you please print a copy Of the
LATHAM - 80