Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-19

- money to pay for the war.
One suggested measure is the seizure
or recapture of the vast estates which
have been granted by the Crown in the
past in return for such trihes as a flag
rose or even bucket of snow.
There are difficulties in the way of the
proposed measure, for the estates are re-
garded as owned outright and the courts
would probably interpret them as so held
But Parliament can change all that
One of the most prominent magnates
holding land by nominal rent was the
Duke of Atholl, chief of the Atholl Muir
rays who has just died He owned 900
acres in Perthshire an east central county
OF Scotland given over chiefly to sheep
pastures and game preserves.
The Dukes of Atholl hold part of their
estates from the Crown for a rent of one
white rose to be paid. not annually as in
most similar cases, but on every and any
occasion that the sovereign visits their
castle called Blair Athol Its older walls
date back TO the Thirteenth Century
The Dukes of Atholl were also until
1865 Kings of the Isle of Man. a rich and
fertile island lying between England and
ireland, which had come down TO them
from distant ancestors They sold the
kngship 10 the British Crown for a vast
sum, bat remained for many years COVER
nors OF the island
The Duke retained many mementoes OF
the royal status Of his ancestors among them
the right Of maintaining his own private
army. This had belonged to his ancestors
from time immemoral
1t was not entirely in accordance with
the modern organization of states, but Queen
Victoria confirmed it and renewed it when
she came TO Blair Athol for her white rose
in 1s45
The Dukes private army was to consist
Of not more than 1000 men, with pipers and
artillery. Every retainer of the Duke in
the Murray Clan is eligible for membership.
provided he is six feet tall and otherwise
physically fit
The Duke retained also the ancient right
to be hanged on a scaffold thirty feet higher
than a common mans scaffold in case he
should be condemned to that form Of death
In spite Of his many medieval privileges
and duties the late Duke succeeded in being
a useful modern citizen He was educated
as an army officer and served in several
campaigns In the Boer War he raised and
commanded a brigade called the Scottish
Horse The backbone of this force came from
his private army at Blair Atholl He also
served in the World War and went through
the tragic Gallipol campaign.
The Duke hold several important public
offices. Among these was that of Lord
Chamberlain, in which capacity he had tc
apporton the amount of seating space al
lowed the duchesscs and other pceresses al
the wedding Of King George VI.
Several august duchcsses Indignantly pro-
tested that the amount of seating allowed
them was not wide enough. but the Lord
Chamberlain with heroic spirit maintained his
decision
The Duke was a moderate Conservative
in politics HIS wife. the Duchess. was more
advanced She was a strong enemy Of the
Eazls and friend Of the democracics In
1888 she broke with her party in protest
against Neville Chamberains appeasement
policy and losther seat in Parliament
Appoascment Conservatives called her
Red Kitty'-her name is Katharine because
Of her support Of the Spanish republicans and
vigorous denunciation OF dictators She is
held In higher esteem now.
The Duke left no son and his title passed
% his brother, Lord James Stewart MURRAY
62-ycsr-o'F bachelor who lives in a mod
est cottage n Scotland he announces that
he Will not assume the title. The authori-
ties state that II must pass 10 him legally
bat he cannot be compelled TO use H. There
q July 10. 1912