Dull day + colder. S.E. [wind] no rain but roads very wet from yesterday’s. Cycled to Bridgelands, Sunderland Hall stables + Kilncroft. Went to morning service. Was not out after until evening service when Mr Ross gave an address on Religious Patriotism illustrated by an account of Judas Maccabeus¹. The choir sang some choruses + solos from the oratorio. Helen + I went to the Gallery to hear better. Julia + Nancy at supper². Wrote Sir George Beatson³.

¹ Judas Maccabaeus, HWV63, is an oratorio in three acts composed in 1746 by George Frideric Handel based on a libretto written by Thomas Morell

² Possibly Dr Julia Pringle [see diary entry for 23 March 1919]; Nancy is Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter

³ Sir George Thomas Beatson (1848-1933), was a pioneer in the field of oncology and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the treatment of cancer. The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute are named for him. Image of Sir George Beatson courtesy of the Beatson Centre, Glasgow

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

Dull morning S.E: a very slight shower between 8 + 9 + then fair till 3.30 after which there was heavy rain + a very black thundery sky. The sun never came out. Motored to Mauldsheugh + helped Dav. [Dr David Graham, co-partner] to aspirate ascitic fluid in Mrs Steel, one of the resident patients, for which he gave me a Guinea. Then I went to Dunsdale + Sunderland Hall stables. Called at Wellwood + saw Julia. At 1.15 cycled to Old Lewenshope + walked up to the Hope² + vaccinated James Tait’s baby³. Nancy, Helen, Stewart + Florence cycled up + Dora, Julia + [illegible]⁴ came up in the motor to have a pic-nic but the rain coming on we had to adjourn to the cottage where Eliza Stewart gave us her kitchen. It was very wet as I cycled home.

¹ A guinea was a British coin, long obsolete by 1919 but worth £1 1 shilling – or £1.05 in decimal currency, though its purchasing power at that time was a great deal more than it would be today; it is hard to interpret Dr Muir’s deadpan comment at what may have been a rather patronising gesture by the younger medic

² Lewenshope or Lewinshope Hope is very isolated south of the Minchmoor, approximate grid reference NGR NT369,317 and visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Peebles-shire Sheet XVIII.SE, published 1900

³ Betsy Morrison Bullock Tait was born 31 December 1918 at Lewenshope Hope, daughter of James Tait, shepherd, and Marion Black Tait MS Bullock, the parents were married 2 March 1917 at Craigneuk, Dalziel; by way of corroboration James Tait, shepherd, was recorded at Lewenshope Hope on the 1918/19 Valuation Roll

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s daughters; assume Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), Nancy’s son; Florence Roberts, daughter of Charles Roberts, brother of Sir John Roberts; she was born in 1909 in Mauldsheugh and lived there until they moved to Thornfield in Selkirk; Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s youngest daughter; possibly Dr Julia Pringle [see diary entry for 23 March 1919] and unknown respectively

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

Fair weather still. Great heat, haze obliterating all views. Saw Dav. Murray before breakfast + then motored to Sunderland Hall stables + Gala where I met Ed. Bramwell at the 9.40 + tool him to Yair¹. He thinks it is organic mischief in Dubs’s case². Dav. [Graham, co-partner] came over in Lumgair’s car which he has bought + took Bramwell [back] to Gala. In the afternoon I took a walk with Keltie though the Greenhead woods starting at the rifle butts³. Took “The Lay” + read + smoked⁴. Along with the rest of the Session I went to Byethorn + was [illegible].

¹ Professor Edwin Bramwell (1873-1952), F.R.S.E., P.R.C.P.E., L.L.D., Scottish neurologist and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1933-1935

² Frank Albert Dubs (1860-1920), engineer and locomotive builder, later of ‘private means’, with nine servants [source: 1911 census] had been suffering ill health for a considerable time

³ Greenhead is ENE of Selkirk, approximate grid reference for the adjacent woods is NGR NT489292; the rifle range is south and west of there and visible on the Ordnance Survey 6″ Selkirkshire sheet XII.NW of 1900

⁴ Perhaps ‘The Lay of the Last Minstrel’, 1805, by Walter Scott

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

Fine weather continues. Dense fog in the morning which the sun soon dispersed. Not a message today. Started to cycle but in freewheeling down the Gala Road something went wrong with the new gearing + I had to wheel the bike to Stark & Murray + take the motor to Bridgelands, Sunderland Hall, Harehead + Harewoodglen. Finished posting April [accounts]. Paid a visit to the [illegible] Cave + got a suit of pyjamas : a free waistcoat : several white shirts : some ties + silk handkerchiefs + a book of Scotch songs with music: also a pair of boots + slippers for Baptie. Botcher + I inspected the Tower Knowe near his back garden + Macaulay’s garden as site for the War Memorial + attended meeting of sub committee. After it Botcher, Duncan, Dunlop + I went to Thorneyhall [+ ] his garden. David sold the yard to Johnstone, County Hotel, + bought D. Lumgair’s.

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

Another perfect day but with a haze all round the horizon. Saw Murray before breakfast. Gave Ethel Stoddart Chlor[oform] while D. [Dr David Graham] opened an abscess in labium¹. Then I cycled to Hutlerburn, Ettrickbridgend, Ettrick Shaws, Gilmanscleuch, Shankend² + Thirlestane Lodge. Coming back I stopped at Kirkhope + Singlie March Burn + took my tea. Called at Fauldshope + stopped at Bowhill to phone. Went on to Yair where I got message to Sunderland Hall stables. Got back at 7 having done 43.1 [miles]. Went to a meeting of V. A. D. [?] about a social meeting a [picnic ?]. Saw a woodcock in Bowhill evidently carrying something. Swifts appeared.

¹ An expert follower advised the editor that this “was probably an infected Bartholin’s cyst in her labium – part of the female genitalia. A not uncommon problem, even today and in spite of antibiotics.”

² Shankend (not to be confused with the location and viaduct in Cavers Parish) is between Hopehouse and Thirlestane House, Ettrick Parish, approximate grid reference NGR NT292,162 and visible on the Ordnance Survey Six Inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVIII.NW, surveyed 1897, published 1900

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

This has been the finest day of the season. Bright sunshine all day. Clear atmosphere + a soft S.W. wind. Foliage rapidly broadening + birds singing. How I wished for a long cycle run. I was delighted to find that Stark & Murray¹ had fitted a new 5 speed hub to my bike + I ran up to Hill Street on it. The absence of the grating + grinding that have been so annoying on the old one was a treat. I worked at the ledger all afternoon. Mrs Tod of Midgehope Cottage stayed last night here with her baby² to [illegible word] umbilical hernia [two illegible words].

¹ Stark & Murray, cycle makers, Tower Street, Selkirk

² The Todds of Midgehope Cottage had twins, Isabella and Euphemia (see 12 May 1919 diary), but it is not clear which baby is being referred to

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

A dull day but fair till the evening when there was a slight drizzle. D. [Dr David Graham] rung up about 1 a.m. for the car to go to a confinement at Thirlestane Lodge – Gilman the chauffeur’s wife¹. He got back about 8 or 9. I cycled to Tweed Mill + saw D. at Mauldsheugh + then to Buckwood (out) and Yarrowford (where I found John Reid dying, he passed away at 2²) and Harehead. Called for Miss Watson but she wasn’t in. Heard a cuckoo. Was kept coming + going all afternoon + evening. Pollock, Jack +³ all called + saw Pringle Pattison’s letter re site for War Memorial⁴. Mrs Tod [Todd], Midgehope came with her baby for a day or two about its umbilical Hernia⁵. Got a letter from Mrs Gallop confirming all that Robinson said about Pike⁶.

¹ Muriel Edith Gillman, born 12 May 1919 at East Lodge, Thirlestane, Ettrick, daughter of Joseph Samuel Francis Gillman, chauffeur, and Rita Alice Gillman née Broadbent; the parents had married, 1911, at Guernsey

² John Reid, gardener and hotel-keeper, died 12 May 1919, at Yarrowford, aged 77, the son of John Reid, forester, and Elizabeth Reid née Dowie, he was married to Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Grieve

³ John Pollok (1858-1938), Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, Selkirk; John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, and ?

⁴ Andrew Seth later known as Andrew Seth Pringle-Pattison (1856-1931), Scottish philosopher; see entry for 11 May 1919

⁵ Isabella Henderson Todd and Euphemia Baptie Todd, twin daughters of James Henderson Todd, farm worker, and Euphemia Todd née Dickson, born 3 February 1919 at Midgehope Cottage, Ettrick

⁶ See entries for 5th and 6th May 1919

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

Swallows at my dining room window.

There was some heavy rain last night + the roads were very wet. It was remarkably warm + altogether delightful up till about 5 when he wind, which had been at first S, went round to S.W. blew very hard for a little + finished with rain + a much cooler air. Saw D. Murray¹ before breakfast + cycled to Sunderland Hall stables. Went to morning service + then walked to Elmrow + Dunsdale. Boylan called + had lunch². He estimates that Dav [Dr David Graham, co-partner] should have a bonus of about £149. Saw Murray with Dav. at 5. Supped at Wellwood³. Jack Harrison + his wife there. Dora [Muir] morbidly quiet + reserved. Pringle Pattison called about the site for [the] war memorial + declined to give it on his ground⁴.

¹ David Scott Murray (d.1919), newspaper correspondent

² John Dun Boylan (1850-1924) civil engineer, friend of Dr Muir, resided Shawmount, Selkirk

³ Home of John Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, Dr Muir’s daughter, and their children

⁴ Assume Andrew Seth later known as Andrew Seth Pringle-Pattison (1856-1931), Scottish philosopher

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

A much warmer day though the weather cock still points NE. In the afternoon it was almost sultry. My thermo[meter] stood at 56^o + after opening the windows a short time it rose to 58^o. Very little doing except that Dav. [Dr David Graham] was at Kirkhope + Lilliesleaf. I paid feu duty &c + cycled to Gibson + Lumgair, Riverside + Buccleuch Road, Curror Street, Linglie Cottages, Sunderland Hall stables + Bridgelands. Walked up the path opposite Lindean Mill + smoked. Saw a swallow at Sunderland[?]. Paid Linton for the extra part of the wall £14 10 0. My share of the rest is £13 10 0 as that with £2 10 0 from the Bowling Club it will cost me £25 10 0. Jenny Smith + Nurse Williamson at tea: Boylan called.

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

A dry day with slight ENE wind. No sunshine except for a little in the evening. Helen went to Edinburgh with Mrs Mackintosh. Dora went to the dentist + to Lauriston for tea. Motored to Fauldshope and the few town cases necessary as Dav [Graham] wanted to square up our expenses. He came up in the afternoon + we arranged the Income Tax return. Got repayment of my outlay at the beginning of the copartnery viz. £118 odd. Helen came back at 7.30.

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