A variable day. Calm : occasional showers (mostly drizzle) with intervals of sunshine. I had only a few drops cycling to Bowhill + Yair which I enjoyed greatly. Message to Mrs Mackay, Heathpark in the afternoon when I also called for Mrs Russell + found her less well. Helen [Muir] went to the Picture House with Mrs Mackintosh + Rita.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Wind still N.E. but almost nil. Fair in morning but rained after 2. Walked down to Mauldsheugh to let Dav. [David Graham, co-partner] see a polypus which Mrs Hill, Ashybank, had dropped. Went to morning + evening service + supped at Wellwood. Helen [Muir] with me. Wrote Stewart + Miss Taylor, thanking the latter for a Scottish Field she lent me with an account of Spottiswoode. Began “1914” by Lord French1 lent me by Mrs Mackintosh. Dav. was at Dryhope seeing Andrew Cowan of Dryden.
1 A review of this book is a classic, pulling apart French’s statements and stating ” … It is the spirit of the whole work which really gives us pain. The author has descended to misstatements and misrepresentations of the clumsiest and most ludicrous kind in order to injure the reputation of a subordinate, who is forbidden to defend himself; and, coming from one in his high position, this brings shame and dishonor not only upon the Field-Marshal himself but upon the Army. A worse example to young officers than is to be found in this book we cannot imagine. We entreat them to avoid it, or, if they do read it, to study it for warning against what is wrong rather than for instruction in what is right.” J W Fortescue “Lord French’s ‘1914,’” Vol. 232, Quarterly Review, London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1919), pp. 352-363.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Much nicer day. Wind still N.E. but very gentle + only one or two very slight showers. Plenty sunshine. Saw one or two town cases + walked to Prieston via Longmoss + Nether Whitlaw returning by the road.1 A little snow on Cheviot. Helen [Muir] had tea at Elmpark where Rita is staying. Heard from Rennie that he did get the Panatellas2 I sent him on Sept. 22nd.
1 Returning from Prieston grid reference NGR NT528,285 Dr Muir has come via Langmoss, as shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIII published 1863, at approximate grid reference NGR NT498,290, at the west end of what is now the Lindean Reservoir (but not shown on 1:50,000 Landranger) and Nether Whitlaw, north of the A699 Bowden road, at NT513,296
2 The Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Dr Muir’s brother in law, widower of Catherine Stewart Muir; on 22 September Dr Muir recorded “Wrote Rennie + sent him some Panatellas” [i.e. cigars]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Weather still very disagreeable. N.E. wind – slight – + a lot of rain. Motored to Bowhill + Lewinshope. Baptie went down to Ormiston + Renwick1 in the afternoon for the gooseberry rasps+ apple + cherries to plant in garden.
From Magic Cave a Pork Pie : cream cheese 2 dozen ?. potted shrimps : pears : Rock.
1 Ormiston & Renwick, founded as a seed merchants in Melrose in 1804 and more recently a garden centre in the town’s High Street
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Not a single message here today + I don’t know that D. [David Graham, co-partner] had any except one in the afternoon to Charles Parker, Broadmeadows. I saw 8 town cases walking in forenoon. Went to the “greetin Supper1” which Jack stood in the County Hotel. It was particularly well done + we had a very pleasant evening. David was there, also Aikman the assessor. Jack made a very good speech. It was a cold wet day from N.E.
1 Thank you to a reader for noticing that this piece of the transcript had been left incomplete
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Wind NE. Heavy blasts of rain all day but calm at night. A few flakes of snow. Hill tops white in morning but show disappeared. Called for Mrs Brown, Elmpark who leaves tomorrow for Velore1. She has improved with the Pot. + Iod. Nit. powder. Motored to Bowhill, Mrs Ordish2 improving. Saw Simpson. The family are coming next week. Lord Henry3 rung me up about [illegible]. Was in house all afternoon. Sent Burberrys to Turnbull’s to be cleaned.
1 Assume Mrs Henrietta Brown née Watson (1862-1944), daughter of Sir John Watson, baronet, and Agnes Watson née Simpson and wife of William Brown, banker; she died at Vellore, Maddiston, Stirlingshire
2 Hannah Ordish (about 1845-1920), housekeeper at Bowhill
3 Assume Colonel Lord Henry Francis Montagu Douglas Scott (1868-1945)
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Still very cold. Neither David [Graham] nor I had any County work at all. Saw 8 town patients. Paid Burgh assessments + also sent final call of £200 for shares in Prov. Cinemat. Theatres Ltd.1 Finished letter to Pat. + sent him £5 for Xmas2. Wrote Robert Russell about his mother. Wind N. Bella [Paulin, housekeeper] in bed today with Menorrhagia + asthma. Tried her with Eupnine3 (Iodide / Caffeine).
1 Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd, according to one source “1909 Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd. is formed, with Ralph Jupp announced as Managing Director.” and “1920 Provincial Cinematograph Theatres owns some seventy cinemas” [source: https://memoriesofrxmp.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/History-of-the-Cinema-Industry.pdf accessed 2019.10.25]; they were later associated with Gaumont. There are archives of Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd. at Parliamentary Archives ref. BBK, additional information NRA 19284 Aitken and at British Film Institute, Special Collections
2 Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902
3 “Has been used with success in rheumatism and gout. Eupnine. Dose. – 1 to 4 drachms before meals. A French specialty containing caffeine and iodine. For asthma, emphysema, and arterio sclerosis.”, see Harrison, W and Westcott, W Wynn, 1908, ‘The Extra Pharmacopoeia of Martindale and Westcott’, 13th Edition, London, H K Lewis, page 210
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Colder than ever but still dry. There were a few drops of rain. Saw a small town list walking in forenoon + then motored to Bowhill + Thirlestane. Ailie1 left in the evening. I sent her down in the motor. She seems to have enjoyed her visit. Got details of plan for war memorial from Sir Robert Lorimer2.
1 Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne (about 1891-1955)
2 Selkirk War Memorial, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, unveiled in 1922, was designed by architect Sir Robert Stodart Lorimer, KBE (1864-1929), Scottish architect and designer Lorimer – theere was a process in which Dr Muir appears to have been somewhat involved – see 29 July and 27 August 1919 diary entries
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Wind into the north + very cold it dry. Dav. [Dr David Graham, co-partner] attended Mrs Alexander Harper, Kirkwynd during the night. She called me more than a fortnight ago + my bag has been lying there ever since. I rose to breakfast this morning + after the church service I walked to O.B. [Old Broadmeadows] Road + Henhouse returning by Haining Rigg taking Ailie1 with me. Helen2 went to church. I am afraid I have infected her with my cold. Wrote Patrick [Muir, his son]. David + Mr Welsh, Jack + Nancy came to supper + we had a brace of pheasants Sam Steel3 gave me.
1 Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne (about 1891-1955)
2 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter
3 Samuel Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, J.P. and Lord-Lieutenant of Selkirk
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Kept my bed again all forenoon + went to the smoke room in afternoon. Had a good night again with syrup of Codeina. Feeling better. Pollok + Mr Ross called. My letter of apology was read at the board [?] meeting + caused some amusement. I had said that I had been assaulted by Turk or Armenian named Micrococcus catarrhalis1 who had seized me by the throat etc + some of the folks thought it was a German attack!
1 A helpful reader has advised that this should read Micrococcus catarrhalis now called Moxarella catarrhalis
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 