Wind into N.W. Bright sharp forenoon: cloudier after 2 + a little rain. Roads much drier. Saw a Mr Lamb¹ at Viewfield²: a connection of the Blaikies of Comiston³. He has an enormous Hernia. Walked to Kilncroft +c Forest Mill, Gib. + Lum.⁴ +c cycled to word deleted Whitmuirhall Toll⁵. Stark & Murray⁶ have overhauled my bike + put a new back tyre on. Went to Gala + saw ‘The Pirates of Penzance’⁷. Mrs Mack⁸ kindly stood Helen⁹ + me + motored us there. It was most enjoyable. David¹⁰ was there too.

¹ Mr Lamb is unidentified

² Viewfield Nursing Home, the Muir & Graham medical partnership’s maternity hospital

³ It has not been possible to identify Blaikie of Comiston

⁴ Gibson & Lumgair Ltd., woollen textile manufacturer, of St Mary’s Mill, Selkirk

⁵ John Black, gamekeeper, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at the Old Tollhouse, Whitmuirhall [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

⁶ Stark & Murray, cycle agents, were at Chapel Street, Selkirk

⁷ The Pirates of Penzance performance is being researched and will be updated here in due course

⁸ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

¹⁰ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Fair today + clearer than it has been for a long time, cold. Gave Bella Currie¹, Tait’s Hill, Chlor[oform] to [?]. Walked round town. In afternoon motored to Briarbank² + Whitmuirhall Toll³. Got my hair cut.

¹ Bella Currie is not yet identified with confidence but Isabella Cunningham Currie (1885-), daughter of Archibald Currie, hosiery manufacturer, and Agnes Currie née Cunningham, lived with her family at Hillside Terrace, Selkirk (just around the corner from Tait’s Hill), in the 1911 Census; it may be possible to confirm this identification when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Thomas and John Hill were Proprietors and Occupiers of a house, Byres and land at Briarbank, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/334, Selkirk County, page 334 of 611]

³ John Black, gamekeeper, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at the Old Tollhouse, Whitmuirhall [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

There is a note above the entry for 27 February 1922 which reads “28^th Princess Mary’s Birthday” ¹

Cold + unsettled with flashes of sleet + rain + some glints of sunshine S.W. [wind] The schools had a holiday for the Royal Wedding but there was no public notice taken of it. I was not out of the town. Was at Viewfield for 2 hours for 2 operations for appendicitis viz. little Frank Scott (Jessie Colledge’s boy²) + a woman Young from Linthill³. Vaccinated [?] Esther Harper⁴ who is a very dear wee kid. I feel as if I would like to keep her. Erskine Harper⁵ arrived unexpectedly this morning + his mother⁶ asked me to go down in the evening + see him professionally.

¹ Dr Muir is referring to the marriage, on 28th February 1922 at Westminster Abbey, of Princess Mary, only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, and later the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, to Henry, Viscount Lascelles, later the 6th Earl of Harewood

² Francis Napier ‘Frank’ Scott (1914-1976), born Selkirk, died at Coupar Angus, Perth & Kinross, aged 61; he was the son of Jessie Kemp Scott née Colledge (?1889-?1960) and Francis Napier Scott, married 1910, Selkirk [death, 1960, 685/6 495, Newington]

³ Young of Linthill has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

⁴ Esther Ramsay Harper, born 1921, daughter of Esther Harper née Ramsay of Kirkwynd, Selkirk; both had been brought in by Dr Muir in a state of crisis, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 17 February 1922

⁵ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953), barrister, son of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson married 20 April 1886 at Hamilton, Lanarks, and died 10 December 1953, aged 66, at the Cottage Hospital, Dunoon, usual residence Heath Bank, Blairmore, Dunoon & Kilmun, the informant was his sister Agnes Durnford née Harper q.v. of Caerbadon House, Cleveland Walk, Bath (now known as Brandon House); he was divorced from Gladys Gilroy whom he had married 1914 at Liverpool.

⁶ Agnes Harper née Watson, see footnote 5

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

28^th Princess Mary’s Wedding¹

A most extraordinary day. It began with a sunny sky. [Word deleted] + moderate wind. Got duller after midday: began to rain: very dark between 4 + 5 with a peal of thunder: torrential rain + then snow. I walked round the town + to Dunsdale and after lunch motored to Buxton, Beechwood + Linglie Cottages. Made out a list of our Roxburghshire panel with mileages² + sent them to Barrie³ [word deleted].

¹ See Dr Muir’s diary entry for 28 February 1922

² It looks as if mileages are being collected either for audit or as some sort of ready reckoner for travel claims

³ Barrie is not yet identified

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

It rained all night + up till about 11 after which it was fine, sunny + mild with a moderate S.W. wind. It got dull + clouded again at 5. I saw 15 cases including Sarah Rodger¹, Bridge Street, Palfrey², Broomfield (back from having his prostate removed by Pussy Stewart³), Hospital +c. Went to evening service.

¹ Sarah Rodger, Bridge Street is unidentified

² Assume Charles Alexander Palfrey (1852-1923), dye-works manager, of Broomfield, Station Haugh, Selkirk (tenant of a house and garden there in 1920 and 1921 Valuation Rolls [Palfrey, Charles A, 1920 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/73, Selkirk Burgh, page 73 of 644 and 1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/201, Selkirk Burgh, page 201 of 644]

³ William James ‘Pussy’ Stuart (1873-1959), C.B.E., M.B., F.R.C.S.Ed., medical practitioner, consultant surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and sometime president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Born 17 December 1873, at 7 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh (but not registered until 6 March 1874), the son of the Reverend Doctor John Stuart, Minister of St Andrew’s Parish, Edinburgh, and Jessie Stuart née Duncan, married 14 May 1867 at Edinburgh. Sources: the British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 5122, 1959, pp. 652–652. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25386853. Accessed 31 Oct. 2022.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Tremendous S.W. gale which rapidly dried the roads but it was raining at night. The father¹ of Wilfred Lees (of the Fairnilea motor accident²) who came here yesterday with his wife had a bad attack of biliary colic³ but was better today. He is staying in Viewfield Lodge. I motored to Cramalt, eating at Deuchar Mill. On St Mary’s Loch the spray was being swept along in columns. We had to [use] a lot of 2nd speed⁴, but we came back in an hour. I had a letter from Patrick⁵. Dav.⁶ brought Mr Cornwall⁷ to call who is Treasurer in Ed. for the Anglo Indian Homes⁸.

¹ Wilfred Lees senior, wife of Alice Lees née Wilding and father of Wilfred Lees

² Lees Wilfred, junior (1900-1942), plumber, born Preston, Lancashire who was on a motorbike holiday when he collided with a car at Fairnilea

³ A very helpful and expert reader assisted with the reading of this entry, writing that Mr Lees was suffering from an attack of biliary colic and that “He probably had gallstones and the colic was the result of them. Very painful.”

⁴ This appears to refer to the use of low gears in the car whilst climbing to St Mary’s Loch

⁵ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁶ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁷ James Cornwall (about 1850-1922), Indian Civil Service, retired, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 10 March 1922

⁸ This institution has not yet been identified but the fact that it is Dr Graham who is accompanying him may point to a connection with Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong, India, the children’s mission established by his parents Dr John Anderson Graham and Katherine Graham née McConachie

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Strong S.W. wind almost a gale with a little rain at first but fair after: not cold. Just the wind to get rid of the snow. David¹ came up with the new Morris Cowley which arrived last night. It is a neat car but not a patch on the Hillman. The cushions are only [illegible word] : no side cushions. Dickey seat only for one. I motored to Darnick to see Mrs Rutherford² with McMillan³. Saw town cases after. Much less doing. To [?] the books + the last of my debts⁴. Drew £51 from M. & G.⁵, the first of 1921-22, nearly finished! Maggie Piercy⁶ died at Viewfield. I have given one of the night nurses Jean’s⁷ room to sleep in during the day.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

² Mrs Rutherford has not been identified

³ Assume John James McMillan (1879-1953), medical practitioner, of Melrose

⁴ The two sections about Dr Muir’s finances are not at all clear

⁵ The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership

⁶ Margaret Piercy, grocer, unmarried, of 9 Dunsdalehaugh, Selkirk, died 24 February 1922, at Viewfield Nursing Home, aet 66; she was the daughter of Isaac Piercy, woollen spinner, and Margaret Piercy née Murray [1922, 778/ 29, Selkirk]

⁷ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, stayed in Edinburgh

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

An approach to a spring day. Quite fresh + no snow visible except the remains of wreaths on hills. Coryza much better possibly from the use of menthol snuff yesterday. Tapped Mr Geo. Scott’s¹ Hydrothorax² but found it an Empyema³ and only got 3-4 oz. The needle of the hypodermic broke in the skin. Sent away an affidavit as creditor of A J Milne, Aberdeen⁴, who have swindled M. & G.⁵ of £7. Contacted Chalmers⁶ about it + about making my will. Helen⁷ was at a “Brownie” entertainment at Heatherlie Church Hall + Miss Wallace⁸ was here looking after Baby Harper⁹, a dear wee thing.

¹ George Scott is unidentified

² Hydrothorax is the collection of serous fluid within the pleural cavities, commonly a consequence of cardiac failure, but also linked to renal failure and cirrhosis of the liver

³ Empyema is also called pyothorax or purulent pleuritis, a condition in which pus gathers in the area between the lungs and the inner surface of the chest wall

⁴ A J Milne is unidentified but is referred to in Dr Muir’s diary entry for 8 February 1922 in connection with the Liquidator

⁵ The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership

⁶ James George Chalmers (about 1860-1943), solicitor and bank agent; at Selkirk at least 1903-1942, at Hillside Terrace and later at The Floors, Russell Place, he was Town Clerk Depute around 1903

⁷ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁸ Miss Wallace is not yet identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

⁹ This may refer to Esther Ramsay Harper, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 19 February 1922

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Snow lying again but soon melted. Hills very white. No fall + a good deal of sunshine. Breakfasted before 8 + motored to Lilliesleaf to do a parish case which David¹ should have got yesterday. Birrell² sent a message + I ‘Phoned it to the P.O. where Dav. was to call but they forgot to give it. Did the town walking both forenoon + afternoon. Flue [sic] much diminished. Wrote Rennie³ that I am going down on 7th prox.⁴ I had a most severe + uncomfortable Coryza + soaked 4 or 5 handkerchiefs. I still have the cough + expectoration in the morning which usually follow my colds.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

² Andrew Birrell (about 1857-1950), schoolteacher, at Lilliesleaf, 1891 Census and in VRs 1891-1940; born Monimail, Fife, he married 1882, Catherine ‘Kate’ Smith and had children Christina Maggie Birrell (1884-1971) and Andrew Smith Birrell (1886-1917), both born Lesmahagow, Lanarks. Birrell was described as ‘headmaster’, 1921 VR [sources: 1921 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/556, Roxburgh County, Page 556 of 993; Christina’s death, 1971, 451/ 21, Newport On Tay]

³ It was the birthday of the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and widower of Catherine Stewart Muir, thus Dr Muir’s brother in law; living at Prestwick, Ayrshire

⁴ Proximo, “in or during the next or coming month”, from Latin proximus next

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]

Letter from Dora¹ with the [illegible] statement that she contemplates joining Jean!!!² Bitterly cold with rain + sleet + snow at night. Had the smallest list since the beginning of January. Went to Miss Dunn’s funeral³ + had one of the cords. Willie Orr⁴ + Smith the upholsterer’s sister⁵ were also buried today. Walked round the town + out to Buxton⁶. Boylan⁷ called called + spoilt my afternoon which I intended devoting to a list of insured persons who have not chosen a doctor, sent by Stalker⁸. Recited at a concert in Church Hall at which Rob. Currie⁹ played the cello + a very good sketch was given by 4 girls, called the Imaginary Aunt¹⁰.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, had a tea shop at 47 Newington Road, Edinburgh [Miss Jane Muir, cook, 1920 Valuation Roll, VR010000379-/38, Edinburgh Burgh, page 38 of 257]

³ Hyndmer Rutherford ‘Miss’ Dunn (about 1843-1922); for more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 17 February 1922

⁴ William ‘Willie’ Orr (about 1850-1922), died date, place, aet 72, xxx [1922, 778/ 23, Selkirk]

⁵ It has not yet been possible to identify Smith the upholsterer or his sister

⁶ Buxton may refer to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, just east of Ashburn and Buxton Cottage at the north end of the Selkirk Hills

⁷ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, sometime of Shawmount and Shawpark, Selkirk, acquaintance whose verbosity had led Dr Muir on previous occasions to describe him as a windbag and an egotist

⁸ Donald Gordon Stalker (1867-1948), banker and law agent, Clerk to the National Health Insurance Committee, based at the British Linen Bank Buildings, Galashiels

⁹ The best guess here is Robert Currie (about 1875-1934), hosiery manufacturer and the fifth generation with this name; son of Robert Currie (about 1857-1923), hosiery manufacturer, and Mary Murray, he lived at Byethorn, Selkirk [where the Selkirk High School is today]

¹⁰ If the sketch is not of the girls’ own creation then the best ‘fit’ is probably the imaginary aunt referred to in a review of ‘Ephemeris or Leaves from ye Journall of Marian Drayton’, anon., published by Robert and George Seeleye, London, [1853] (The Athenæum, 1853, London, page 1549)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]