I had a terrible night coughing which made my temples ache. Kept my bed all forenoon + went to the smoke room in afternoon. David looked in. He went to Bowhill + Thirlestane. Helen + Ailie motored with Nancy¹ to Tushielaw + had tea with Norman Grieve + a Mrs Rinnell. I wrote the former about an eagle he had seen + about Traquair.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter; Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne (about 1891-1955) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

On my way in the train from Glasgow last night I began to feel some laryngeal + pharyngeal irritation which today rapidly developed into a rattling good old fashioned coryza + laryngitis. By the evening I could scarcely speak above a whisper + had to cancel my engagement to recite at our [?] Congregational soirée in [The] Victoria Hall. I saw a few town cases in forenoon + went early to bed. The wind went round to N.E. + it rained all afternoon.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Left by the 8.13 for Glasgow to attend a conference of county delegates re future status of Scottish Red Cross. Got to Glasgow at 11.15. Called at Duncan Campbell + ordered [a] Scribbling Diary. Saw a P.O. clerk + verified John G Smith[‘s] address. Located the Hall 218 St Vincent Street where the meeting was to be held + then walked part of the way + trained the rest to 5 Rankin Gardens where I saw them all but Nancy + had my lunch. [Illegible] (Mrs Laurence Neil) is staying in Glasgow for her confinement. Took car back to meeting at 2.30 + caught the 4.55 arriving in Edinburgh at 6. I had asked Jean + Dora to meet me but neither of them turned up. I dined at the N.B. [North British] Hotel , went to the Picture House + came out with the last train.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Most charming day: quite warm bright + sunny. Country lovely. P.C. [postcard] from Ralph Patrick to say Helen had got the turn. Dav. [Graham, co-partner] in Gala at a Board + then in Edinburgh for a Medical Board re pension. I saw a few town cases cycling + then motored to Bowhill, Ettrickbridgend + Thirlestane. Lady N. [Napier] decidedly better. Lunched there. Got back to Wellwood at 3.30 where I examined Mrs Colville, Cannon Street + her children for a free passage to New Zealand¹. Mrs Mackintosh brought me some oysters etc from Edinburgh.

¹ Presumably Mrs Colville is emigrating under the 1919 Overseas Settlement Scheme which offered free passage to ex-service men and women and their dependents. Alexander Colville appears in the printed ‘Selkirk Book of Remembrance’, 1927 [SBA/156/11/1], presumably Private Alexander or Alex Colville (1880-1917), soldier, the son of David Colville, engine driver, and Jane Isabella Colville née Jamieson, who had married 7 January 1867, Sprouston, Roxburghshire. Alex Colville, under gardener at Faldonside, married, 5 October 1906, at Bridge Street, Selkirk, Mary Douglas, daughter of Moses Douglas and Mary Johanna Sanderson, and brother of Thomas Douglas (1879-1915), another casualty of the Great War. Alex and Mary had children David Jamieson Colville (1907-), May Sanderson (1910-) and Alexander (1911-). Alex Colville, Service Number 351702, died 23 April 1917 with the 9th Battalion Royal Scots at which time his family were living in the Bridge Street / Cannon Street area of Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Was called up at 6.15 a.m. for Lady Napier: fine morning. Wonderful effect of sunrise on Howebottom [NGR NT415,270] where the autumn tints are fine. It looked as if it were on fire. Lady N. very bad with asthma + had fainted. Had breakfast there + came back by Bowhill + Blackandro. David [Graham] did the town [calls].Had to go back to Thirlestane at night: found her rather better. Took her a bottle of champagne from Mrs Mackintosh. Was at a meeting of Red X [Cross] Com^ttee + was appointed delegate to meeting in Glasgow on 22^nd. Saw Mrs Brown, Elmpark after.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A picture of Market Place, Selkirk by Clapperton, of stunning quality and detail, the town very much as Dr Muir would have known it. The Pant Well structure does not appear to be Peddie’s and Washington Browne’s of 1898 (“possibly incorporating earlier fabric. Sandstone ashlar. Square-plan, each elevation with base course, panelled pilasters, architrave, frieze and mutuled cornice with coped parapet above with obelisk finials to each corner; crocket- capitalled shaft to centre above, supporting carved lion clasping shield.” Historic Environment Scotland/Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba) so the Editor assumes pre-1898 [but always appreciate feedback or correction]

Ⓒ Robert D Clapperton Photographic Trust and Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service

Fine day. Saw a few town cases walking + then motored to Bowhill to see Mrs Ordish¹ + [text deleted] and Fauldshope (Mrs James Wilson). Norman Green called to consult me. He + a friend were at Wellwood for tea. Went to evening service.

¹ Hannah Ordish (about 1845-1920), housekeeper at Bowhill, see also diary entry for 20 January 1919

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Not as warm as yesterday but still mild. Was called out before breakfast to see Mrs Blair, Forest Road. Called at Lang + Steedman + saw Dundas about the purchase of Viewfield. Saw half a dozen town cases. Carnegie has sold £1,550 of my War Bonds¹. Letter from Rodger Patrick telling of his sister Helen’s serious illness – septic pneumonia².

¹ David Carnegie Alexander aka ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor

² Helen Muriel Patrick (1880-1919), died 18 November 1919 at Hamilton, Lanarks; she was the daughter of David Patrick, solicitor, and Christina Robertson Patrick nee Rodger and granddaughter of Peter Rodger (1804-1888), of Selkirk, solicitor and local government official

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

There was a most extraordinary + sudden rise of temperature today. On going into the open air it was like stepping into a hot house. The wind was W. Not feeling the change I had put on my winter flannels + felt them far too much. David [Graham] + I signed our first balance sheet + shook hands over a most successful first year. At present there is very little work, a lot of people are paying accounts. I walked up to Heathpark, down to Heatherlie + Ettrick Mill + looked in at Wellwood. Dav. [David] attended Mrs Lang, Buccleuch Road + was up at Fauldshope. No snow visible on Foulshiels.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Weather the same only wind less strong. Was called up at 5 a.m. to see a child Geddes at Beechbank. Saw it + Mrs Moffat, Backfeus + left at 12.15 on a cycle run to Earlston, Lauder, Spottiswoode, Westruther, Houndslow, Bassendean, Corsbie, Legerwood, Huntlywood + back to Earlston. Got back at 5.45 having ridden 48 miles in 4³/₄ hours including ³/₄ for tea + stoppages. Had hot bath, W + S + enjoyed my dinner. David [Graham, co-partner] attended Mrs Alf Yellowlees who had a d¹. Alex^r Ingles² called with our balance sheet for the year audited. Alie Boyd³ came to lunch with H. [Helen Muir]. Had tea at Wellwood.

¹ Elise Irene Yellowlees, born 5.50 p.m. on 16 October 1919 at Whinfield, Selkirk, daughter of Alfred George Yellowlees, timber merchant, and Helen Violet Yellowlees nee Dunn, they had married on 5 June 1907

³ Assume Alexander Charles Scott Ingles (1866-1934), savings bank actuary and cashier of Maryville, Heath Park, Selkirk

³ Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne (about 1891-1955)

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