gb0551ms-33-118

Transcription

[Page] 118
[continued from page 117]

Beyond collecting coins I do not remember
that Jim showed any particular interest in
archaeology. He never dug in the Orchard
in front of the Abbey as I did at Priorwood, nor
collect and study early tobacco pipe bowls as I
did when a boy at Fettes, but the germ was in
him and after passing his W.S. [Writer to the Signet] exam and
before being received into the family business at
Melrose, he was sent to travel with our Uncle
Robert Anderson, a very knowledgeable tourist;
for several months in Italy. On that occasion
Jim made the best of his opportunities, visited
most of the principal towns, viewed the
interesting objects in the galleries & museums
and all in a thoroughly intelligent manner
This tour, I believe, laid the foundations of Jim’s
scholarly reading, and interest in art.
The finding of a broch at Torwoodlee and his
description of it in 1896
forms his first entry, into the field of Archaeological
studies. His paper and consideration on
compative method of the relics found shows
that already he was well equipped to take up
the greater study of the fort at Newstead in
1906 which will keep his reputation as an
excavator and author in high repute for

many a year. Our parents had yearly taken
their holiday travelling on the continent and
Jim after his great experience in Italy had
always the urge to go abroad. He possessed a
great desire to visit Scandinavia and I think
it must have been in 1889 or 1890 that he paid
his first visit to Sweden with Andy and me

[Margin]
July 1888 according to a letter [initialled] AOC] ---

joined on, as our father always seemed to think
that such a family grouping was desirable. As
the youngest member of it my recollection is
that it was not the happiest of combinations.
Jim in his research for knowledge, and inter:
:views with Museum directors etc. naturally
did not appreciate being furnished with a
somewhat unintelligent tail! On this occasion
Jim & the party paid their first visit to Wisby in the Island
of Gotland and there made the acquaintance
of Capt. [Captain] Lindstrom, a retired militia officer, who awaited the arrival of
the steamer from Stockholm in order that he
might attach himself to any chance English or
American tourist and act as guide, in return
for which services he received, at least, a free meal or two.
Jim in this visit found a wealth of relics
in the watchmakers or silversmiths shops
and through the instrumentality of the Major
formed the basis of the remarkable collections
[continued on page 119]