Japan began hostilities against Russia on 8th by torpedoing several warships at Port Arthur1
A nice day + with no fall + little wind.
Expected a comparatively light day as I had only Boleside2 in the County: but I got a wire during breakfast from Crook Cottage very urgent.3 There was also a message to Middlestead.4 There was snow on the ground but hardly any frost. I drove as far as Thirladean + cycled from there. The roads were fairly good + on the snow in the shade, hard. Found Mrs Johnston5 very ill + with something like cardiac dysplasia… Got back at 4.40 changed horses (I had Macaulay6 up Ettrick) + drove to Boldside [sic] making some town calls. Went Was called in to see a new patient at Ettrickbridgend Walt. Stoddart, a retired postman from Tranent.7 The girls8 were all down at Te Whare9 at a progressive whist party.10
1 On 8th February 1904 Japan, viewing the Russian Pacific Fleet as a threat to the movement of Japanese troops to mainland Asia, staged a surprise attack on Russian warships at the strategically important Port Arthur, Manchuria (now Lüshunkou District, formerly Lüshun City or Port, China). The Battle of Port Arthur marked the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, prompted by conflicting ambitions in Korea and China. [Britannica]
2 Boleside, Galashiels, the location of the Abbotsford Ferry.
3 Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (about 1853-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.
4 Middlestead is just south west of Selkirk.
5 Mary Johnstone née Hewitson (1234-1904), wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage.
6 Macaulay was one of Dr Muir’s horses, see also diary entries for 9th, 12th, 29th January and 2nd February.
7 Walter Stoddart (about 1836-1906), retired postman, lived at Ettrickbridgend with his wife Helen Stoddart née Cleghorn.
8 Dr Muir’s four daughters (the girls) were Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir, Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir.
9 It is not clear whose home this was at this time. Te Whare was not recorded as that in the Valuation Rolls until George Roberts was recorded there in 1915. It was certainly named Te Whare before this date as Andrina Barbara Henderson Roberts, daughter of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts nee Muir, was born there in 1902. It may be recalled that Dr Muir noted that he had “Called at Wellwood to see Baby”. Furthermore John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1951) was born at Wellwood in November 1904.
10 Progressive whist became a major social pastime during the 1920s and 30s. It involved a number of tables between which partnerships moved after each hand.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 