Douglas Island news., 1919-04-04
SCOTCH WARRIORS
 INVADE GERMANY



 pcricopical tubes which hang down the players back
 The sound thus emitted is even more difficult to describe IT my good German reader can imagine a subdued shrick suporimposcd upon a sustained moan. accompanying bad tenor who Is singing through his nose. he will get some idea of the terrible sound. Bagpipe bands have usually a large number of drummers Co regulate the noise, but even with these. the bagpipcrs. owing Co heir lusty lungs. are able to make them selves heard.
 Another instrument which the truly Scottish admire, but which ! have not yet seen. is the pibroch, which in many respects resembles the bagpipes, notably in the vol umc of sound produced and in the wild emotions it arouses.
 The pibroch may be described as superbagpipc. It is decorated with tartanic ribbons, and is played by the head pipemaster have often been asked. after my soiourus in Edinburgh. Glasgow and other Scot tish places. why Che Scotch wear petticoats instead of trousers, and indeed SO many questions have been put Co me regarding the national dress of Scotsmeu, that ! feel it will not be amiss to initiate our in- quiring people into certain Scottish mysteries
 Even as l stood in the streets at Malmcdy l heard many questions asked by the populaco, such as What do they wear undcrucath?" and What is that curious thing that hangs before their pctticoats?" and "Why do they not wear knee pads?"
 But. ah, my good German friends, what would you say if you saw a Highlander in his gala dress as ! have seen him. with a wild black feather bag on his head which Is called a bonnet with his scarlet coat. with white-cdged solients flap ping over his hips, with his spats and his ribbons hanging out of his stockings. and his green shawl sus- pended from his shoulder blades? Then. indeed, would you be over awed and mystircd! Then, indeed, you would run to your houses and shut yourselves up before these fierce and barbaric warriors. who carry their shaving brushes in their hats and baskct-hilted swords.
 The origin Of the kilt Is obscure. but it probably owes its origin to the hatred of England and English customs. 10 may also be due Co the fact that Scotland was most cou- stanuy at war. and battles were SO frequent iu Che oldcn days, thnt Scotsmcn had no chance of taking their clothes off. SO compromise was effected whereby they were al- ways half-drcsscd and never dress ed. The kilt is made in various pat terms in order to distinguish one reg imnt from another.
 The curious thing which hangs in front of the petticoat is called a "sporran" 10 is in reality a little skin bag. in which the Scotchman keeps his money The Scottish arc a very thrifty and careful people. and like to have their money where they can see it. Moreover, it is difficult to pick a "sporran," as thieves pick pockets without ottarct- ing Che attention and exciting Che an0ovance of the warrior.
 Scottish soldiers are recruited at Highland gatherings. such as have already described, and are then sent to Edinburgh castle, where the oath Is administered under the Scottish flag, and a national dish. called "haggis." is eaten to the solemn piping of bagL
 ] will not attempt in the space of this article to do more than touch upon Scottish customs, many of which bear curious resemblance to those which are celebrated in Ger man folk songs. Many sore hearts in Germany will be sorer to know that the Scottish are not a truly Christian nation like ourselves, They do not celebrate Christmas as do other Christians, but reserve their festivities for a feast called Hog manay." which usually falls on New Years day. "Hogmanay" is one Of the heathcn dieties whom the scotchlauders stil worship, and re- sembles Thor and Wcden in his con- viyial charaCCr.
 On the whole the Scotch are an admirable people. although steoped in foolish superstitions. an still awaiting that uplirt which only tho German spirit could have given tC the dark and benighted people of the world. That. alas is now denied them. and I can only hope that ouI friends on the Rhine who will b' brought into contact with them fol the next few years, will, by example and precept. contribute to the odu cation of this picturesque race. L,r-,., ..-l.nrn | ,..rIln rnn anl