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Transcription

Page 74
[continued from page 73]

25th January 1920
We have had so far a horrible winter the weather
being so unsettled. Since early in November when
we had a very cold snap we have had no severe
frost nor any snow to speak of but it has been
very wet & inclement. Though Sandy did
not get home for Christmas, he put in an
appearance before the New Year, and stayed
at home for a fortnight. He left for Litchfield,
& three days after set out with an advance
party of the regiment of Cologne, en route
for Oppeln in Silesia, where they will stay
till after the plebescite has been taken.
Mary has returned to school very happily.
I think Downe House under Miss Willis
must be the most pleasantest of schools. This
has been a very gay holiday for the child.
She had invitations to no less than 28 parties,
and accepted the majority of them. We had
a dance of our own in the Kintore Rooms,
Queen St. on 8th. Jany from 3.30 - 6.30
for children over 10, and a few recently
emerged youths & maidens. We all worked
hard seeing that all enjoyed themselves,
and we have had the satisfaction of knowing
that the entertainment was a complete
success. On 12th. Jany I

gave my report on last year's Traprain excava:
:tion to the Antiquaries. It was quite an event,
and in place of the usual 20 or 30 I had
an audience of about 150. As long ago I
learned that it is best to lecture without reading,
I discarded my paper except for a few
pages of peroration at the close, & kept
my audience, I believe, interested for an hour
and a quarter. I had lots of slides & the
silver was exhibited in cases on the table.
On the following night I lectured to the Literary
Society at Melrose. Next month I lecture at
Glasgow & Haddington, and in April to the
Society for promotion of Roman Studies in
London. On 1st Dec. I handed over
the case of the Museum of Antiquities to
J. Graham Callander, but to help him
I call there almost every morning on my
way to Chambers St. The Duke of Buccleuch
has lent me various things for the Royal
Scottish Museum from Dalkeith House.
These should attract the public. Last year
our attendance increased over 60,000 &
we have already an increase this year of 3,000.
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