Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 6, 1898

142
THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
The Society has fortunately not been called
upon very often for assistance, but it serves a
good purpose in binding Scotsmen closer
together in a foreign land for their common
good.
St. Andrew's Day is annually celebrated by a
Ball given by the members to their friends and
the leading residents of all nationalities. This
year it took the form of a " Fancy Dress Ball,"
and proved a great success. The .S'wm Free
Press gives a long and appreciative descrii>tion
of the gathering, with startling bold head-lines,
thus;— 'St. Andrew's Ball in Bangkok— a
brilliant success— kilted clansmen and tartan-
clad lassies!" Mr. Mackay is described as
being " dressed as a Colonel of the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders, Mrs. Mackay repre-
sents 'Caledonia,' and wears the well-known
Mackay tartan and skirt." Our portraits
represent them in the dresses worn on this
eventful occasion.
Mr. Mackay has been President of the Society
since 1894. The membership numbers about
forty, even in such a remote part of the globe.
We" need hardly add that he is also an enthusi-
astic member of the Clan Mackay Society, and
takes a keen interest in its various charitable
and educational undertakings.
Ere the pen ef the writer recorded the fray,
Or history's twilight gave place unto day.
It loomed through the hazy traditions of old
Adorning the brows of the leal and the bold.
When chieftain or monarch the standard upreared,
In battle's grim forefront it always appeared—
In the wars of Prince Charles, Dundee and
Montrose, ,
'Mongst the badges that clustered around the
" While Rose."
On fateful Glenlivet's historic dark day.
Stout, brave, were its wearers, unmatched in tlie
fray, , ,,.
Though foes were triumphant and allies were gone,
Maintaining the hopeless grim struggle alone.
Those clansmen who followed, those chieftains who
Have still 'mongst their offspring a voice, although
dead,
And Gillean's brave children, today, as of old.
The fame of their race, and their island uphold.
■' The stubborn stand made by the MacLeans at
the battle of Glenlivet, when the other clans
who followed Arijyle were beaten and driven
off the field, is a remarkable instance of the
valour of the doughty sons of Gillean.
„..«„„, Anava Maokinto.sh.
THE CBOWBERRY.
Clan MacLean's Badge.
C\.^'^N ASs,
\jm fancy I tune, like some minstrel of yore,
^ My harp upon MuU's rocky storm-beaten
shore, ,1.1.
And mingle my song on the badge of the brave,
With the cry of the gull and the sound of the wave.
Where the stream ever singing its lullaby flows,
In the depths of the corry the crowberry grows,
The eyes that behold it, the feet that come near
Are few, save the hunters in quest of the deer.
Yet round it is clustered in story and song
The deeds of the daring, the feats of the strong,
The flap of the sail, and the stroke of the oar,
The gleam of the axe, and the flash of claymore.
THE MAY OF LIFE.
From the German of Otto Roqubtte.
COniHE roses have come to their blooming time ;
^kj O earth! thou art fair in the summer's prime !
My heart looks out o'er the world to-day.
While the blue sky thrills to the lark's glad lay,
And I sing with the bird : " 'Tis the May of the year,
The golden time of the flowers is here,
And to-day the roses are blooming ! "
Free is the heart, and the song as free.
And the youth, oh ! who more free than he
When before him the whole brave world doth lie i
And a kiss is free though the lips be shy—
Oh ! the merry song and the kisses dear
Proclaim that the golden hour is here,
And gaily the rose is blooming !
Deep hid in the selfsame heart, I know.
Lie the springs of laughter, the fount of woe,
But how wild soever the tempests rave
Down the stormy sky, the spirit brave
Shall dauntlessly sing, through the gloomiest hours:
" 'Tis still the golden time of the flowers.
And to-day the roses are blooming."
R. F. Forbes.
"The Minor Septs of Clan Chattan."— This
handsome volume is now nearly through the press,
and we hope to be able to send out the subscribers
copies in June. The edition is limited to 300 copies,
most of which are already subscribed for.