Museum & Tasglann nan Eilean

Mr Gibson describes the progress of the new sanatorium. He has also been making toast, and assessing Ruskin’s social theories. There has been a letter from Canada, whilst Barrie the cat seems a little better. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

Sunday evening again.  It is nine o’clock, but we have only finished tea.  I was insisting on making toast, and Mamma says my coat-of-arms should be a frying-pan sable supported on each side by a toasting fork.  Not bad!  Barrie is rather better; he is able to walk but needs a little special attention.  He had a little bit of boiled cod.

Let me see where I left off.  I brought you up to Thursday evening.  On Friday Mr. Peddie turned up.  We think he is greatly improved.  In the meantime he has left Mrs. Peddie in Bedford, as houses cannot be got here.  None of our other teachers clear yet; but the old boys are getting off gradually.

On Friday afternoon we went for a walk as far as the Market Hill to see the new sanatorium.  It is being put up in the new method – the roof first on a wooden frame, then the wall built up double of thin concrete slabs set on edge.

The patrol fleet is gradually being cleared off.  It is expected that by the end of March, if the weather keeps favourable for minesweeping in the meantime, the last of the boats and the admiral will go.   There is a very large fishing fleet here, though sometimes the boats prefer Mallaig to Stor^y as offering higher prices.  The catch during the week has been light.   There was a pretty big turnout of the fisher lads in the Hut last night, with a good sprinkling of the older men.  There were not quite as many as on the previous Saturday, so that it was slightly less of a rush for Mamma and her three assistants.  My half-hour talks on Navigation still go on, but I never seem to have the same hearers two weeks running with the way the fleet moves about.  I am dealing with lights and buoys mainly.  A good many of the lads have had a fair amount of instruction in the subject at school, but not on these bits.

So you are already having a glimpse of your Chemi. degree exam!  How fast the term runs on!  We hope you’ll get on well with your Chemi. grind, and get it forward in time, so as not to have a rush at the end.  You didn’t remember to send us the Handbook so that we could see the dates of things and the syllabuses of the Societies.  You forgot to tell me of your visit to the den of “Alma Mater” and of what you found there.  We had another letter from George – from Alberta this time, where he had arrived safely and found his father and mother on the farm.  He said in it that he was going to write you.  Mamma wants to know what steps you are taking to get clothes.  Remember your unsupplied plight at your last holiday and be provident in time.

We have been re-reading some of Ruskin whose centenary was last week.  His views of social economy are very modern.  They must have seemed very mad to the people of the Sixties for whom he wrote.

Our best love.

Papa

[Italics written in left margin]

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L30

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collection Assistant

Mr Gibson worries that Jean is spending too much time at the theatre; he has also been remembering former pupils who died in the War. Mrs Gibson has had a varied literary diet, whilst both she and Barrie the cat are still poorly. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

We got your letter this morning along with one from Elsie Funnell and one from Malcolm Macaulay, so we had quite a lot of Aberdeen news.  You are getting to be quite a habitué of the professional circle, we notice.  We were not clear whether it was the divines at Prof. Fulton’s or the supper that had impressed you most.  We hope the visit to Prof. Gilroy’s will also be a success.  We are interested to hear about the girls’ club.  These clubs seem efforts in the right direction, to deal with what is a difficult problem.  We are impressed, Mamma and I, with the seriousness of the crew-boy problem as we have touched the skirts of it at the Hut.  Does that, by the way, not strike you as the defect of your C.U. in Aberdeen – that a good deal of effort and time and thought is being put on entertaining yourselves, and not much on others?  Perhaps that is not a sound criticism, as my knowledge of the Union’s activities is not very detailed.  You’ll know.

71 for the essay – quite good; but what of our old friends, S., L., and Co.?  I am sure Prof. Jack’s lectures on Spenser will be good.  I think he’ll be able to appreciate him.  Are you getting any English reading done now?  We were sorry to hear about Miss Muriel not being so well.  She does take a good deal out of a frail body, poor girl.  The psychology reading will be with a view to her Doctorate thesis, I expect.

We were glad to hear that Maud is enjoying her work, and that you were going to have some time with her.  Any word of your seeing Mr. Taylor?  You remember he was inviting you before Christmas.

By-the-way, is there not a bit too much theatre in your recent time-table?  Of course we want you to be the judge of your distribution of time, but theatre-going is a relaxation and loses something of its value if too frequent.

One of your old III.C classmates was in to-night for a while, Donald Angus Maciver.  He has been home on leave from Salonika, the first since about New Year, 1915.  He was interested to hear about where the girl members of the class were and what they were doing.  We were speaking also of the two who were killed – Murdo Macleod and Murdo Mackenzie.  The class had no thought of these possibilities in the old Art Room days.

Norman Macleod (“Minerva”) was in last night.  He is going south to take up his teaching again.  He will travel by Aberdeen to see John.

This has been the Fast Day.  I intended to close only for the Thursday, but as six of the teachers are off ill, I had to take the Friday also, in the hope of having some of them back again by Monday.  Mamma & I had a walk round the target hill, & saw the new huts that are being put up for the workmen – wooden, with oiled silk windows.  We met Mr. & Mrs. Small & walked home with them; their two boys have mumps.

Mamma is re-reading “The Little Minister.”  Her previous book was Gissing’s “The New Grub Street.”  I have been re-reading “Coriolanus” and “Hamlet” and marvelling anew at the greatness of the latter.  Have you yet fallen under the fascination of Shakespeare? 

I mustn’t forget about poor old Barrie.  He is not well yet.  Something seems to have gone wrong with one of his forelegs.  We are afraid it is something paralytic.  The poor old fellow has no appetite.  The patience of the dumb beasts is a pathetic thing.  Mamma’s cold I am sorry to say seems to be slow of clearing away; she is still coughing a good deal.

With our best love.

Papa

[Italics written in left margin]

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L29

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collection Assistant

Mrs Gibson tells of an acquaintance having a lucky escape from the Iolaire disaster. She realises that she’s underestimated the cost of domestic wages, whilst Barry the cat is feeling his age. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Dear Sheann,

Sunday evening. Papa has gone down at Mr. Murray’s request to speak to the men in the hut and so to help him with their little Sunday evening service.  Mr. Menzies was to have been asked for tonight but as they have a little daughter at the Manse since Friday night Papa thought he should not be asked.  Last night we were at the hut as usual and had a very busy night.  Miss Macoll was off with a cold so there were Miss Nicolson, Miss Bald and I and we just managed and no more.  We took almost £4.

This morning we made an effort and got up so that Papa might get your letter but there was none.  We managed to church however the first morning for some considerable time.

We have seen none of the Clarks today.  Ellis was not in at tea.  Mr. Clark is south just now for an Edinburgh meeting but returns on Tuesday.  Their school is still shut for measles.  Mrs Clark thinks Bessie has had the influenza and fears she is working too dreadfully hard so was glad for her father to have the opportunity of seeing her.  He wrote Papa recently asking if Billy couldn’t be sent in for his L.C. [Leaving Certificate?] this year.  Papa discussed it with the various teachers who all agreed it was out of the question.

I was speaking to “Minerva” one day recently.  He is returning to his school this week. Of 9 teachers from Kilmarnock Academy in service all are now free.  So far not one of the Nicolson ones is available.  Seems a bit hard!  They think of offering Colin’s place to John Macrae but we hear that he doesn’t intend to continue in Sy.  Probably he could make a better thing of it in England and so leave Lilly near her friends.   Mr. Peddie is coming back on the 16^th and writes the Board for more salary as he is now married and has £140 only.  They replied that they couldn’t consider his salary apart from the others and that they were being considered.  £140 is not worth so much as £70 pre-war and think of that in which to set up a home.  However no question of setting up a home will arise as no houses can be found.  The Sheriff has now removed his family from Sy. and stored his furniture.  Mrs. Gerrie is in the Morisons’ old house and the Sheriff lodges with Mrs. Aeneas. 

I haven’t seen Maud’s mother since that day in Mrs. Cameron’s.

The Hon. Hulme Lever I hear has written a little book of holiday verse illustrated with thumb-nail sketches and among the pieces is one to Bella Maggie the provost’s daughter telling of all her good works and showing her in one of the little pictures handing a cup of tea to a soldier.  Evidently young Lever is not of the “Captains of Industry” type.  Papa says that nature protects herself by reverting to the normal.

Poor Barry is in very frail health these days, and looks shaken and old.  We of course do every thing we can think of for his comfort and nourishing but the life force is low.  Poor lil small!

Papa has been trying to get Angus Smith off.  He has been trained as a camp kitchen cook.  Think of that after all he has gone through.  Although he is a student instead of demobilising him when he wrote they were sending him from France to Italy!  His father wrote that Mac Smith had leave at the New Year and had he meant to spend it at home he would have been on board The “Iolaire.”  Fortunately he went to Peterhead to his Aunt instead.

We don’t seem to know much about you just now.  What we do know leaves us thinking of you in a muddle of operas, essays, theatre, C.U. meetings and poor Galt being hustled before Aberdeen Literary in the most unseemly way.  Perhaps it might be well at this point of the session “to shire your head” and take fresh bearings.  What!!!

I heard some time ago that the ex munition girls get 25/- a week for 13 weeks and think of me offering Maggie 30/- a month.  I blush for my folly.  Perhaps when the 3 m[on]ths are over she may come after all if I let her know.  Should I?

Papa will soon be back now to post this.  Love from us both to Sheann.

Your loving Ma

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L28

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collection Assistant

Mr Gibson reminisces about Jean’s girlhood, whilst Barrie the cat has been out of sorts. Local servicemen are returning from the Balkans, whilst the enquiry into the Iolaire disaster is imminent. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

We have been having very cold frosty weather here for a few days – quite an improvement on the previous mild damp days.  Mamma is busy to-night ironing, and she has had a cold for some days, so I am writing so that she may not need to do it when so tired.  Mine of course don’t make up to you for Mamma’s, but you’ll put up with it in the circumstances.

Barrie has not been very well for a day or so and we were somewhat concerned about him; but he is more like himself and had a piece of sausage meat to-day – “just a li’l small”, which he seemed to enjoy.

I started this letter last night but had to stop to attend a Library Committee meeting.  We have missed your letter this week, but perhaps there will be one to-morrow morning.  Things keep very quiet here, with little to interest or amuse.  Mamma and Mrs. Clark went out to the Manse on Tuesday afternoon to see Mrs. Menzies.  She keeps well.  When they came back I went with them as convoy and we saw Mrs. C. as far as the hollow at the crossroads.  Mr. C. was to go south that night to an Edinburgh meeting, so he’ll be seeing Bessie.  She is working very hard.  We hope she’ll get through her exams. successfully.  If hard work merits success I think she is entitled to some.

Mamma has been mending my underwear all afternoon and evening and has been finding the time long.  It certainly is not a cheering form of work.

I had a letter this morning from Miss Henry and she was asking for you.  She was reminding us of a school concert when you were a very small girl and had delighted her by putting one of your little comrade’s feet right when you were all being drawn up on the platform.  You were an earnest little soul.  Mamma says it was on that occasion that you proudly showed some of the teachers a piece of lace you had on your petticoat that, you were delighted to tell them, had come off your Mamma’s wedding dress.

Some of the old boys were in this afternoon, among them Aleck Macleod (“Blind Harry”).  Unfortunately he had been demobilised too late to take up the present Term’s work as John Macdonald did.  They say that over a score of the old boys are on their way home from Salonika, so there will probably be some of them up with you at Easter to begin Medicine.  I do not think that you took up quite what I meant about the Old Nicolsonians in Aberdeen.  I was not contemplating an Assocⁿ of them to have regular meetings; I was thinking only of one gathering during the Term of a social character.  But unless there was a general wish for it it w^d not do to push it in any way.  The value of these things lies in their spontaneity.

The jury enquiry into the loss of the “Iolaire”, which has been ordered, opens on Monday.  The Crown is sending down a special law agent, and the Sheriff Principal is to preside.

Dr. Murray went away last night.  He expects to be in London for the King’s Speech.  He was taking Aleen with him to Aberdeen; she hasn’t been very well.  There is a great deal of sickness in Stornoway just now.

Our best love.

Papa

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collection Assistant

Mr and Mrs Gibson have been learning poetry, and Mrs Gibson has been hectic with catering duties. Mr Gibson describes the astounding scale and profits of hauls made by the local fishing fleets. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

Mr. Miller has just been in to say good bye.  He is better than he was when he came but not nearly well yet.  He does not sleep well.  Mamma and I have been reading “The New Age.”  We have also been repeating to each other, until we can say it, your poem “Heraclitus.”  I have now got it located – written by Wm. Cory who died in 1892.  It is printed in the Oxford Book of Verse, and it must have been there I originally made its acquaintance, though I did not remember where.

On Friday evening Mr. C. J. Maciver was in and waited till late talking over things – school, business, Stor^y affairs, public life here, etc.  The school children are very sorry he is going; he has always been very popular, as he was in your own days.  He will be a loss to us.

Dr. Robertson is paying his usual visit to Stor^y for his meetings.  He has been in at school once or twice.  The fishing is in full swing now.  There was the usual huge crowd of fisher lads at the Hut on Saturday evening.  The takings amounted to £3.14.  The biggest Sat^y before had been £3.4 and it formed a record.  Mamma and her three assistants were kept busily at it supplying food and drink for them.  Some boats have been making great hauls, as much as £1000 has been realised for a single night’s shot.  The men also fish for white fish during the time the nets are down, and the proceeds of these are divided entirely among them.  One small boy to whom I was talking had £3 for his week’s share, over and above his wages; another had £5.  So you see they can very well treat each other to tea and “buskits.”

Ellis was in this evening and had tea with us.  The children are better now.  Mr. Pryde’s three are getting on also.  Miss Pope has had a very bad cold and had to give in at last and be absent on Friday.  Miss Murdina Mackenzie has been off all week with neuralgia.  There are many colds among the younger children; nearly 50 per cent of the Infants are off.

I think this makes up the budget of usual news.  We didn’t get your letter to-day, as I did not rise early enough to go to the post for it.  We’ll be getting it at breakfast to-morrow, if the new post girl is quick enough.  She is not so smart as the last one was.  To-morrow our school exam. week begins.  Barrie is out at present, so cannot send his compliments as doubtless he would if he were here.

Our best love.

Papa

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L26

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collections Assistant

Mr Gibson offers some serious careers advice to Jean. He has also been enjoying some photographs of the Middle East, whilst Barrie the cat is in a good mood.  The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

We have been talking over what you said in your last letter about the future arrangement of your studies.  Yes, we think the end of this session is the furthest point to which you can leave the question undecided.  The arrangement of the work so far leaves the field quite clear for your decision.  You will have a good, wide, well-balanced degree, and one suitable as an introduction to whatever form of specialised study you may prefer.   This has been general preparation, and so in the best sense has been your work with your societies and your occasional opportunities for music and the other amenities.  But the aim of the further specialised work is different and more definite: it is really a vocational equipment.  Much depends on the kind of work you want to do afterwards.  If you still think of taking up teaching (and the financial aspect of the calling will certainly be considerably improved soon) you would want to decide whether you w^d. prefer to teach science or English.  Either can be made for your pupils a good training as to their attitude towards life and things.

The qualification for recognition is in the one case the B.Sc. Degree (preferably with Distinction); in the other an Honours M.A. (preferably with a First Class).  It w^d. be to one or other of these, according as your choice goes, that your next two sessions’ work would be directed.  For either of the two courses I do not doubt with the intensive work required that you would develop a liking for the subject itself, & I think you have the necessary aptitude, with throwing yourself heartily into it, to carry off the aim.  Of course it will mean, with either choice, a certain curtailment of other interests, though these do not need to be abandoned, only kept strictly subsidiary.  The year’s training in teaching methods w^d. come afterwards as a 6^th year, and c^d. be taken either in Edinburgh, or if you wanted to see something of English College life, at Oxford or Cambridge.  That w^d. be for later settlement.

Teaching is as valuable a form of social service as one can give, but if you feel you w^d. rather take some other line, your two years c^d. be devoted to preparation for that.   The choice we feel is one you sh^d. make yourself.  You know all the data, and as you know we don’t like the “Clark method”.  No one is in the position to advise you with advantage.  And as far as we are concerned we would like you to take the choice that will best satisfy your own judgement.  Our pleasure in the matter will be to feel you are taking the line you like best.

Now, after these two serious business pages, let me see what news there is.  Frank Maciver and Angus Maclean were in this evening for a couple of hours.  They are now both discharged and mean to enter in Arts and training for teaching at Glasgow about Easter.   Frank is a good deal better now but his eyes are not right yet.  Various other of the old boys have been in during the week.  I hear Angus Macphail is home but have not seen him yet.  So that is the whole of your old Sixth accounted for.

Catherine Matheson was in seeing me in the afternoon.  She has been at home for some three weeks owing to her aunt having been very ill, but is going back now to the T.C.  We were glad you saw Marion.  What about the idea of an Old Nicolsonian gathering of the Aberdeen contingent?  Have you talked it over with any of the old boys – Malcolm Macaulay, John Macdonald, Willie B., Roddie?  I should think they would be pretty keen.  Mr. Taylor, too, is an O.N. who mustn’t be forgotten.  Miss Grange Stewart could be consulted, once you are getting it a bit into shape.  I’m sure she w^d. like having it talked over with her, if your Committee sh^d. think of doing that.

How did your printing office first experience come off?  Did the glamour of the comps’ room come upon you?  To come into the immediate presence of the great Fourth Estate is an epoch!

On Monday night Mr. & Mrs. C.J. Maciver, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Peter Miller, and Hector Macdonald were in to tea.  We spent the evening in talk.  Mr. Miller had some very nice photos from Egypt and Palestine.  We are going to lose Mr. Colin John I am sorry to say.  He is giving up the teaching profession, and making arrangements for starting in some other line of life.  He’ll be leaving us about the middle of March.  There is no word yet of any of our teachers being back to school.

We were glad to hear about your Choral Union.  Your menu sounds attractive.  I am quite familiar with your Heraclitus poem.  Some of the lines I know well, and yet I can’t locate it.  I agree with you that it is very fine.

By-the-way, I sent you certain things, including some money, the receipt of which you forgot to acknowledge.  Not to acknowledge receipt of money is against the rules, Sister Ann!

Barrie is sitting on Mamma’s lap, purring profusely.  But I’m afraid I’ve been writing at too great length and have passed the 10.30.  So I’ll have to go to the steamer. 

With our best love,

Papa

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L25

Transcribed by Vivienne Parish, Museum Visitor Assistant

Mrs Gibson tells of Lord Leverhulme’s transport ambitions for Lewis, including both rail and motor vehicles. She also mentions a seminal recital of Hebridean music. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Dear and beloved li’l Sheann

Here I write at last and time for me!  Papa has already told you of the many and varied duties which have hitherto prevented me so we will leave it at that. When we got your letter yesterday telling us of the delectable week of opera and tea–party you were going to have he looked at me and I looked at him and we both laughed.  We both hope you and Lina had a good time. — 4^th in Moral Phil. was quite a little bit of all right.  It is only fair to give Suddy & Co a look in but I wouldn’t make a practice of it.

Papa is busy tonight copying out his correspondence with Major Bain with a view of having it in next week’s H. N. [Highland News] & Gazette.

Mary & John Clark have measles and the school at Laxdale is shut for another month greatly to M^r. Clark’s annoyance. M^r. Pryde’s children also have it and he is excluded mean time.

I hurried up this afternoon and went down town and bought a pair of little shoes for Katie Morison’s baby and then went to call on her but did not get an answer to my knock.  Next I went in to see Annie Macleod to take her a programme Aunt Dean had sent of M^rs. Kennedy-Fraser’s Recital of Songs of the Hebrides.  Annie is in bed and looking shadowy and frail but bright and brave as ever.

The navvies have come to begin the railway.  The first section is to be to Garrabost to the brick-field there.  They are to bring up clay to Sy. where the bricks for the new houses are to be made.  I begin to feel hustle in the air.  Alas! for “the ile of pece and rest”.

Papa is very busy these days applying for demob. for the boys and corresponding with the dept. about their L.C.s [Leaving Certificates?].  He had a long letter from your principal bearing on these matters and saying he’ll be glad to have all the boys Papa can send as they are of the right stuff.   He says that seeing the boys come back is bringing back to him and his wife their own losses and making them fresh again.  He says he told many audiences in America about the Lewis and its contribution of men and every where had it received with enthusiasm.

Lord Leverhulme has told each farmer how many cows he must keep, and how a motor waggon will scoot out for the milk and bring it to the central depot in Sy.  If M^r. A.s bees will only oblige the milk and honey should flow all right, but at a price!  Barrie is well; at present asleep on his paper in the kitchen.

Much love to Sheann from her Pa & Ma.

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L24

Transcribed by Vivienne Parish, Museum Visitor Assistant

Mr Gibson has been prudently investing his savings, as well as having problems with his referee whistle. Mrs Gibson is exhausted from her catering efforts. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

Sunday evening (4.30 afternoon, to be exact) and Mamma and I are in the kitchen by the fire, Barrie being on the c.b.  Yesterday I despatched to you in parcel Sidgwick, Georgian Verse, and pt. wires; also in registered letter £10 to add to your savings bank acct.

On Friday evening I was in at the Hall for a few minutes seeing Miss Maclean and the boys.  They played a 10-minute football game with a ball so small that it c^d. sometimes hardly be seen, while I refereed with a whistle which at critical moments refused to blow.  On Saturday forenoon Mr. Ewen and I got the rest of the potatoes that we c^d. spare despatched to the old ladies selected for their reception.  In the afternoon I made a visit to the library, and to the Hut to see Mr. Murray.   He was busy with three naval men fitting up a new full-sized billiard table.  We had a talk over the crew-boy problem.

After an early tea Mamma went off to the Hut.  I put what money we c^d. spare (£10 each) into War Bonds as this was the special effort week to mark the close of the issue of War Bonds.

At eight I went to the Hut and found about 60 crew-boys and young fishermen, and Mamma with Miss Nicolson, Miss MacColl, and Miss Bald, fairly worked off their feet trying to get them all supplied with tea.  Mr. Murray, the Saddler, had just come in, and felt rather overwhelmed by the numbers.  I waited on; later Dr. Murray came in; and at 9 o’clock I gave a 20 minute talk on Navigation, which I am to continue next Saturday.  There was not even sitting room for everybody.  About 10.30 we got them cleared away and after a cup of tea saw the ladies home.  Drawings for the evening – no cigarettes – £3” 4” 0½ !  Mamma was so tired after it that she did not get to sleep till two o’clock.  This is her Sunday, also, which is the other evening on which the lads are in full force.  I have promised to go down during church time, and Mr. Murray is coming after.  What to do with them on a Sunday evening when they have no games is a bit of a difficulty.

You’ll let us know of your visit to the fisher-girls movement.  We also note your Sunday School class, which sh^d. be quite pleasant work.

— After tea.  Ellis has been in, and has gone down with Mamma to the Hut.  Barrie and I keep house.  He is doing up his toilette in his usual thorough manner.  I’ll post this as I go down at seven o’clock.

Best love from both,

Papa.

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L23

Transcribed by Vivienne Parish, Museum Visitor Assistant

Mr and Mrs Gibson have had fun entertaining teachers, and have heard of the imminent arrival of Lord Leverhulme. Mrs Gibson has also been indulging in retail therapy whilst Barrie the cat is concentrating on getting his rest. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

A nice long letter from you this morning, with much news!  We were pleased to hear of the successful gathering of the Residence girls at the Dawsons’.  Five of you – just the same number as Mamma had here last night of the teachers.  The new teachers were on her mind so she baked and made a fish pie (no meat obtainable!) and had ‘em.  There were Miss Reid, Miss Maggie Stewart, Miss Maclean, and her two Saturday night helpers, Miss Nicolson and Miss MacColl.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were asked but she was ill and they c^d. not come.  They came at seven and we talked some, and looked at Bibby’s pictures, and had supper, and talked and laughed some more, and they “coomed away” about 10.30.

Mamma and I went round on Mon. evening and paid our call on Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.  She seemed quiet and rather “dowie”, but Mr. W. was brisk and cheery.  On Tuesday evening I had quite a rush.  We were getting out our reports, and I got finished just in time to go to a meeting of the Library Committee some three minutes late.

Lord Leverhulme is understood to be on the Minch to-night, and as there is a pretty stiff gale from the north, I rather think the “Sheila” is “catching it”.

So your English essay was in good time – and you think it feeble!  That’s a pity, but no doubt you’ll make up for it by a doughty one on “Utilitarianism”.  I note that I am to send Poetry Book, Sidgwick, and platinum wires – also money – but am too late to post these to-night.

I had a letter from John Macdonald.  He has got started – English Class & T. C. work and a summer class – Geology or other.  This will complete his M. A.  He wanted Chemi. but Prof. Soddy thought it was no good trying it so late in the session.  John said he saw you among the bottles in the Chemical Lab.  Don’t forget among the many other activities to get some of them started on to the idea of a Nicolsonian meeting.  Among the boys now up are John Macdonald, John Martin, Malcolm Macaulay, Roddy Macleod, and Willie B.; and quite a lot of girls.

Mamma is not writing to-night; she is fatigued.  She is reading up Pettigrew & Stephen’s & Copland & Lye’s catalogues instead, to see what she will buy.  So far as I see, she is during the process saving much money.

Barrie accepted your love demurely.  He is at present sleeping on the rug below my legs in a very tight circle.

Our best love. Papa

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L22

Transcribed by Vivienne Parish, Museum Visitor Assistant

Mr Gibson recounts the sad aftermath of the Iolaire disaster. He also has cheerier, romantic news relating to a forthcoming wedding and to an invitation to a dance. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

Sunday evening and Mamma and I have just got in from church.  Dr. Drummond, the Moderator of the U. F. Church is making a special visit to Lewis on account of the “Iolaire” disaster and preached at a joint gathering of the three churches in ours.  The church was quite full.  Ellis was with us and we walked out a bit of the road with her after service.

It has been a very busy week in school, getting the belated exam. results returned and the strings caught up generally. I can’t remember that there were any happenings in the earlier part of the week to recount. 

Several of the boys have been in.  On Friday evening, Zadok, Callum Z^k., and Kenny Kiltie were in to tea.  Later in the evening Mamma and I went down as far as the Manse where I left Mamma while I went on to Holm Farm to arrange with Mr. Smith about carting up my potatoes.  I am to be down at the Manse to-morrow morning at 8 o’clock to meet the lorry!  Saturday forenoon, two hours of chores down the town.  In the evening when Mamma was at the Hut Aleck Thomson came in and he and I had a ceilidh and I forgot the passage of time.  It was nearing eleven when he and I arrived down at the Hut to find them clearing up; they had had a great swarm of hungry crew boys.  Then we saw Miss Nicolson and Miss MacColl home and brought Aleck back to the house for supper.  I think it must have been near one o’clock when Aleck started for home.  He and Jane go south to-night; the wedding is to be on Tuesday.

We did not go to church in forenoon.  For dinner we had duck which Chrissie Garynahine had brought in during the week, all ready dressed & stuffed.  We were sorry you were not here for a share.

Mamma thought your telegram was too superlative to be meant, but I never thought of anyone indulging in irony at the rate of ¾^d a word.  I chanced to meet Mrs. Graham the next day and assured her that we had had a telegram from you and that you had had a good crossing.

Did you get the essay in in good time?  What about the Bentham and Mill one?

I expect to send on some money this week for you to put in your bank book.

With our best love, Papa.

P.S. Mamma asks me to add that Bessie’s hostel is to have a dance on Friday night and Ellis added with giggles that Bessie had asked Willie Payne.  What w^d. the mother say?

You left the book of Georgian Verse; I’ll send it. Shall I send Sidgwick’s “History of Ethics” also?

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L21

Transcribed by Vivienne Parish, Museum Visitor Assistant