AN AMERICAN LADY IN SOUTHEND, 1878
Eliza Hardie Brent
July 23rd. Had breakfast at nine. Mrs Greenlees taught me a stitch in crochet. Wrote my autograph in the young ladies' album. Spent a pleasant moming. At eleven we went to Drumore House to make a call. The family Mitchells, dear friends of Mr Young & Maggie. This place is very much like Lossit Park. Mrs Mitchell and her daughter Helen are so very agreeable. Lunch of wine, cake, lemonade (of which latter I partook). Mrs M took us out to see her garden. She cut for Maggie a basket of the finest flowers I ever saw. After walking over the grounds she took me into some of the most elegant of her rooms to see the paintings etc. The drawing-room is the loveliest you could imagine. I never saw so many pieces of fancy work ... with every chair worked by hand. Stools in the finest of bead-work, screens, etc. Most beautiful and the most exquisite ornaments, cut-glass chandaliers [sic] etc. Miss Greenlees came for me at 2 PM. Mr Young ... left me to attend a funeral. I did not accompany him as no ladies ever attend a funeral here. We had promised to dine at Burn Bank, so Mr Y was to meet me there. We had another pleasant time, but left soon after dining and returned to the Manse. Today I saw Maj McKay dressed in the Highland kilt. I admire it for boys ....not for men. Found a letter from Farmville awaiting me, also a 'Courier Journal'. No letter from home. I was so disappointed. Maggie was delighted with the flowers. Mrs Wilson spent last night with her. She was not able to take so long a drive with us. Southend is a summer resort and is full of visitors, which makes it very gay at this season.
July 24th. Rainy today. At four went for tea to Mr Cordiner's, a farmer near here. After tea I walked to the 'byers' to see the milking. They keep 40 cows. Spent a pleasant evening. Am invited to see the process of cheese-making on Saturday morning ... It is eleven. The young ladies of Keil called to ask me to bathe with them tomorrow. They will bring the suit.
July 25th. Mrs Fleming & two nieces called in the morning (eleven is the fashionable hour for calling here) at 12. I went to the sea-side & bathed with Mlle Kormier. Came home in time for dinner, at 2. Mr Wilson brought the 'gig' for us and we had a pleasant drive to their pretty home where we were invited to tea We were taken all over the place, and at 6 went to the 'byres' to see the milking. Such beautiful clean places, with stone floors which are scrubbed twice a day. The cows are all chained to the slats while being milked; two stand together. Adjoining the byre is a large room with an immense furnace with great iron kettles for boiling the winter food for the cattle. Near this are the rooms for making and storing cheese, also for keeping the milk, with great vats in which it is strained after milking. All are most spotlessly clean. I learned several stitches in crochet from the girls. Brought home a large bunch of scarlet fuschias & daisies. Maggie went with us, but the drive has tired her very much.
July 26th. Mr Young & I were invited for tea at Mr McNaughton's of Colinlongart. On the way we visited the Keil Rocks. Stepped my feet in the prints of those cut to commemorate the spot which tradition says was that on which St Columba first stood when addressing the people when he came to establish his religion here in 564. I went into the old ruined church and cemetery. Many of the old stones bear dates of the year 1600. On some old stones were the skull & cross-bones, a fish, a hand, a crown & unicorn, no doubt all with some signification. We were met by Mr Mc with his gig, coming for us, and had a very pleasant drive through the pretty glen that led to the place. We enjoyed the evening exceedingly. Brought home some gooseberries, currants and raspberries for Maggie, also a beautiful print of butter. Received my photos
July 27th. I went this morning to see Mrs Cordiner make cheese. Watched the process two or three hours, had lunch of curds, cream, jelly and bread. Mr & Mrs Robt Craig of Glasgow took tea with us. I called today on Mrs Brown and also to see a poor dying woman in the village, and took some blackcurrant jam to a sick child. No letters this evening.
July 28th. The evening of another lovely Sabbath day has come. Mr Young preached twice, the first sermon on the words, 'Pray without ceasing', the text of the other, Rom XIV. 12. In the evening he went into Campbeltown to hear the anniversary sermon in the Free Church preached by Rev Smith of Aberdeen. Maggie and I spent a pleasant evening together and walked in the ave[nue] after tea Mr Y returned at 10 PM. There is something so sacred & holy about those Scotch Sabbaths, such well-filled churches and attentive people. The members never think of remaining away - if well - although many have five & six miles to come, one or two eight. Such a contrast to our empty pews. One more Sabbath here; the next I will spend upon the ocean, homeward-bound. I wonder if my friends will be glad to welcome me back.
July 29th. Maggie and I made some blackcurrant jam this morning, then sewed together upstairs till dinner. Misses McCrea, Langland and Cordiner took tea and taught me some stitches in crochet. After they left Maggie & I went to call at Machribeg, Hunter's (the prettiest farm place in Southend). We were shown all over the place and everything was perfect. Such a kitchen I never saw. In the cheese-room I counted about 200 cheeses of 60 pounds each, all made this year already. Their flowers were most beautiful
July 30th. A letter today from Edinburgh. Mrs Fleming called in the afternoon. At 5.30 Mr Young, Maggie & I went down to the Brunerican shore with our lunch basket and took tea by the sea Instead of tea we had milk. It was so pleasant I took off my shoes & waded into the water and collected sea-weed. Got some very pretty specimens, also pebbles. After we returned, the Keil governess called & brought us a basket of flowers which Maggie & I arranged. Such roses! I wish I could bring some home.
31st July. I made a sponge cake this morning, by this recipe - 5 eggs, their weight in sugar, beat half an hour, add flour to make proper consistency and flavor. After dinner, dressed for visitors. I put on my light silk with a blue tie. Mr & Mrs Greenlees of Burnbank, with their three daughters, came out and we spent such a pleasant evening. Mrs G brought me a little jewelry box with a view of Campbeltown on the lid. She is such a lovely woman. They were very anxious to take me to the city [sic] with them to attend a concert, but I could not leave on account of visitors tomorrow. After they left the two Miss Wilsons of Blast Hill came & spent the rest of the evening. No letters from Home yet this week. My friends, I am afraid, are forgetting me. Arranged my sea-weed.
Aug 1st. Mr & Mrs Ralston and Mr and Mrs Thompson took tea with us. After tea we walked to the shore. The day has been delightful. Mr Y brought Maggie & I [sic] lace. Maggie's was exquisite lace. The Post brought me to [sic] letters ... My letters spoke of the great heat at home. I am fortunate to have escaped so much of it. I sleep every night under a down quilt and two...blankets. The days are warmer, but, to me, delightful - about like our Autunm weather.
Aug 2nd. Our Tea Party came off today. Maggie was not well, so I assisted Mrs Fleming & daughters to make tea and wait upon the tables. Seventeen were present all neat and happy. Mr Young read a few verses of Scripture, then prayed. Then we gave them their tea, which consisted of bread and butter, jelly, preserves and cakes of different kinds. It was refreshing to see how those poor women enjoyed it. They have so little to make them happy. After they had finished, Mr Young returned thanks and made them a short address which pleased them very much. Mrs Ralston & the wife of an officer in India and her sister, Miss Mitchell, were with Mrs F. They are nieces of Mr Fleming. Mrs R is a beautiful woman. Miss Minnie & Edith Fleming are very sweet modest girls. Tho their father is so wealthy, they are as unassuming as possible, and waited upon the poor women with as much respect as tho they were equals. All the women who were not able to attend were remembered by a basket of provisions. One poor woman in the village is dying. It is so sad, so little to make her happy here, and ending her life in her poor thatched cottage. Mr Young or Maggie visit her every day, and do all they can to minister to her comfort. I have been twice. Poor Flora. Tonight the wind blows like winter.
Aug 3rd. Today has been cool & windy. Maggie and I spent a quiet pleasant day together without company. After tea Mr Young and I walked. Maggie came to meet us, and she and I called to see Mrs Taylor, wife of the hotel keeper - a good kind woman. They have a very nice house, well furnished & comfortable, and have a number of guests during the Summer months. The Post brought me ... my R.R. ticket from 'Anchor Line Co' to take me from Glasgow to Greenock where we are to embark on 'Bolivia' for America. Only two more whole days at Southend. I did not think the parting would be half so hard. The longer I stay, the better I love this sweet, peaceful Manse. It is such a happy home. Maggie & Mr Young so vcry kind and do everything to make me enjoy myself This summer has been a very bright spot in my life.
Aug 4th. My last Sabbath in Southend is almost ended. The next I will spend upon the Atlantic. Mr Young preached in the morning from the 3 verse III Chap 11 Corinthians. In the eve, 8 ver, XV John. Miss Kroumier came to church with me in the evening and sat in the Manse pew. Maggie was feeling tired after a visit to poor Flora and did not go. This is also Miss Kroumier's last week at Keil. She goes to Paris on Thursday, after which she will go to Germany for a year in order to study the language. She is such a dear, enthusiastic little creature. We all feel sad this evening at the thought of the near separation. Maggie & I had a long, long talk this afternoon. I feel nearer to her than ever before. I seem to understand her better. She is such a good wife, a true Christian and a model housekeeper. We had tea served in the parlor before preaching, milk and cake afterwards. I wrote to Cousin Will, a few lines in answer to a letter received from him the evening before. Also to Aunt Jess and Miss Allan of Glasgow. Bade a number of my Southend acquaintances goodbye. Three weeks from today I hope to be home.
Aug 5th. My last night in this sweet home of my sister for a long time. It has been a sad day to us both, so soon again to part. How quickly the time has passed. It almost takes away the pleasure of meeting, to feel the sadness of the separation. I have everything packed, my trunks marked, and tomorrow I will have nothing to do before I start at 11 PM. I called to say 'Goodbye' at Mr Cordiner's. Maggie C walked home with me. Mary taught me a pattern or two in crochet. Mrs Brown called ... I was so glad to hear from her. Mr Young made pastoral visits today. The poor woman in the village is worse. When will I write again in this room, I wonder?
Aug 6. I awoke this morning to the full realization of the fact that I was rcally to leave Maggie. I never before found it so hard to part with her and when the carriage drove up to the door for to take me away I felt as if my heart would break. And poor Maggie could not come downstairs at all; the last glimpse I had of her was from the Manse window, looking after us until we were out of sight. When will I see her again I wonder! She is not well and I feel so anxious. I know we will miss each other sorely. We stopped on the way to bid Mrs Ferguson goodbye. She treated us to milk & Scotch Shortcake. We also spent an hour very delightfully at Burnbank. Had lemonade claret and cake. Miss Kate gave me a bunch of straw flowers, Janet a beautiful bouquet. We went on board the 'GaeI' at two [and] reached Wemyss Bay at 6 PM.
No 44 Autumn 1998
Page 2: Janet and Marie Morrison's 1999 Trip to Scotland - Part Three
Page 3: A Series of e-mails from Heather McFarlane
Page 4: An American Lady in Southend, 1878 - Part Two
Page 5: The Heather McFarlane Page
Page 6: The War-Time Record of the Campbeltown Fishermen
Page 7: The Press Gang
Page 8: By Hill and Shore - Part Two