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Statue of Queen Victoria
73 A photograph showing the statue of Queen Victoria at the junction of Union Street and St. Nicholas Street. The building in the background is the Clydesdale Bank that stands next to M&S today. This fine Italian renaissance style building was originally constructed for the Town and County Bank and opened for business in May 1863.
The statue of Queen Victoria was made from marble and was sculpted by Banff born Alexander Brodie (c.1829 - 1867). The origin of this statue is closely related to another Aberdeen monument, the 1863 memorial statue of Prince Albert by Baron Marochetti, now standing, or rather sitting, in the area in front of the Central Library.
Marochetti's statue was augurated by Queen Victoria herself on 13th October 1863 and this was said to the first time the Queen had appeared at a public demonstration following the death of Albert in 1861. The Marochetti statue was the subject of great local controversy and there were various plans for an alternative, superior, memorial to the late Prince Consort. It was at a related meeting that a chap called Alexander Donald, from the Royal Tradesman of Aberdeen, moved "That a colossal statue in marble, of Her Majesty, be erected at the corner of St. Nicholas Street."
The endeavour was taken on by a variety of prominent citizens and funding was raised by public subscription. Brodie, the selected sculptor, worked on an 11-ton block of Sicilian marble for two years to complete the statue. The finished piece is 8 foot 6 inches in height and, at the request of Queen herself, depicts Victoria in Scottish regal attire. The statue stands on a substantial plinth of pink Peterhead granite.
The statue was unveiled and inaugurated on 20th September 1866 by Albert-Edward Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VII and the subject of another of Aberdeen's notable statues. During his speech at the ceremony, the Prince said "Gentlemen, it has afforded me the greatest satisfaction to attend here today, by the wish of Her Majesty, and at your invitation, for the purpose of inaugurating a statue of the Queen, my dear mother. Her Majesty has desired me to express to you how much she appreciates the motives which have led the people of Aberdeenshire to give this lasting evidence of their attachment and loyalty to her person, of which she has so many proofs, and whose sympathy in her great sorrow has touched her so deeply."
During his visit, the Prince of Wales also received the Freedom of the City and attended the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which was then going on in the Music Hall. An extensive account of the unveiling, the Royal visit and the town's celebrations is given in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1866.
After some time at this location, the statue's marble began to show weathering due to the frost and so it was moved to the vestibule of the Town House in 1888, where it remains to this day. It stands at the foot of the building's splendid main stairway. The plaster model of Brodie's statue has also been on display in the Music Hall for many years.
A new bronze statue of an older Victoria, by sculptor Charles Bell Birch, was erected at the St. Nicholas Street location on 9th November 1893 and "the Queen" became a regular meeting place for generations of Aberdonians. To make way for the extension of Marks & Spencer, the 1893 statue moved to its current site at Queen's Cross on 22nd January 1964. Victoria now stands looking east towards Balmoral. The Pleasure Park, Aberdeen Beach
397 A postcard showing John Henry Iles' Pleasure Park in the 1930s. The park's esplanade site, south of Wellington Street (roughly where Amadeus nightclub/the Range and part of the Queen's Links carpark would later stand), was leased to Iles by the Council in 1929. Illes was an amusement entrepreneur originally from Manchester.
The park's biggest attraction, in all senses, was the Scenic Railway roller coaster shown here. Iles was involved in several amusement parks around Britain and during a visit to New York he obtained the European rights to the design of the latest roller coasters. He subsequently erected his Scenic Railway in Aberdeen in 1929.
The roller coaster rose to 100 feet in the air at its highest point and was popular with holiday makers and locals throughout the 1930s. The local press recorded 21,000 children, between 3 and 14 years of age, carried on the ride during a special children's day that was held on Saturday 20th August 1932.
Part of the message written on the back of this postcard by a young visitor to Aberdeen reads "This picture shows you the scenic railway which I have been on and liked very much".
The Scenic Railway was sadly badly damaged by fire on the night of 5th December 1940 and was consequently demolished. Other attractions of Iles' park included rides such as The Caterpillar, The Whip, Water Dodgems, and the Brooklyn Racers (petrol driven cars).
In the background of this image be seen the tower of St. Clements Church and a row of tenements, likely those on Wellington Street. 1929 This illustration shows Queen Victoria receiving the keys of the City of Aberdeen in October 1857 as she travelled to the railway station after a summer spent at Balmoral. The Queen and the Prince Consort had travelled by coach the 60 miles from Balmoral to visit the Earl of Aberdeen at Haddo House on Wednesday 14th October. Their route was decorated with flags and arches at various points. A dinner, with a number of guests, including Lord Provost Webster of Aberdeen, was held at Haddo that evening and huge bonfires on surrounding hills lit the scene. On Thursday 15th October, the Queen and Prince Consort left Haddo, accompanied by the Earl and his son. More decorative arches had been erected on the roads south to Aberdeen. The Lord Provost, magistrates and councillors met the Queen at this Royal Arch near the city boundary at Love Lane (now Nelson Street) on King Street. The arch had been designed by the City Architect, William Smith. It was 15 feet wide, 26 feet high, with two smaller side arches. It was surmounted by the Royal Arms, flags and banners, with the words, "God save the Queen" and "Victoria", on either side in gilt letters. The side arches had the City motto, "Bon Accord", with floral crowns above, with flowers, evergreens and heather decorations. Many of the Guard of Honour wore the Crimean medal. The Lord Provost presented the silver keys on a velvet cushion to the Queen, who touched them, returned them to the Provost and said, "It affords me great gratification to be once more in my City of Aberdeen". The dignitaries returned to their coaches and the procession traveled on to Guild Street railway station, where, after a luncheon, the Royal Party now joined by the Royal children, who had come direct from Balmoral, boarded the train for Windsor. Sir Alexander Lyon
2035 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926) in Lord Lieutenant's uniform. Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Alexander Lyon
2056 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926). Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Inauguration Ceremony
2213 The inauguration ceremony, during the royal visit, 1906, to open the new extension of Marischal College. This Fred Hardie image shows the University's then Principal, Rev John Marshall Lang, reading the inaugural address.
The inauguration took place at 1pm in the Marischal College quadrangle and was attended by various dignitaries and a large crowd.
To the left of Lang, who is holding his address by the granite pillar, is Sir Frederick Treves, rector of the University, Donald Alexander Smith (Lord Strathcona), the University's chancellor, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
See Record of the Celebration of the Quatercentenary of the University of Aberdeen, from 25th to 28th September, 1906 (1907) edited by P. J. Anderson, the University's librarian, for an account of the event and wider celebrations. Treasure 33: The Pedigree of the Cruickshanks of Stracathro
2321 Among the Local Studies collection of family trees is a chart from 1847 entitled Pedigree of the Cruickshanks of Stracathro. The title initially referred to the Cruickshanks of Langley Park but this has been scored out and replaced with Stracathro. A pedigree is a form of genealogical table. Collections of pedigrees were first made in the 15th century and, according to The Oxford Companion, were "a matter of aristocratic pride and of practical necessity for legal purposes". The term pedigree comes from the French 'pied de grue', meaning crane's foot, due to the resemblance of the genealogical lines to the thin legs and feet of the bird.
The pedigree of the Cruickshanks was compiled by E. G. G. Cruickshank, who features in the 10th generation detailed on the table.
The pedigree begins with the earliest ancestor at the top of the document with lines dropping down to succeeding generations. Each generation is given a Roman numeral and individuals within each generation are assigned Arabic numbers. The pedigree begins with "John Cruickshank first in Strathspey m. Mary Cumming of Elgin" and extends down to an incomplete 12th generation. The individuals in the 11th generation were mostly born in the 1870s.
The information listed on a family tree is dependent on the sources available and the purpose for which it was created. The information given on the Cruickshank's pedigree varies but typically includes an individual's date of birth, marriage details and date of death. Additional information is also supplied as is the case with the 7th generation of Cruickshanks - Margaret Helen is described as the daughter of Rev. Gerard of Aberdeen, author of a book whose title is unreadable, and sister to a Colonel Gerald. Details of army service are supplied for some individuals and many of the Cruickshanks were involved in the administration of India or served in the army there.
The tiny handwriting, use of abbreviations and sparse punctuation makes the document challenging to read so familiarity with the subject matter and names of places is useful. A later interpreter of the document has made a number of annotations in pencil. For example, one of the later additions points to an individual and reads "Is this W. Robertson of Auchinroath? Yes!"
In addition to a listing of descendants the pedigree is annotated with a number of original notes and a description of a coat of arms. The latin motto of Cavendo tutus translates as 'Safe through caution'. One note, quoting "an old paper", describes from where the family came prior to being in Strathspey. A note on the other side of the chart states that "distinguished Officer and Author the late Colonel Stewart of Garth" links the family to the Royal Family of Stewart and suggests the name of Cruickshank derives from "some deformity in the first cadet of the house."
Attached to the document is a letter dated 23 October 1927 from a Jim Bulloch to City Librarian G. M. Fraser. Bulloch explains that he got the pedigree from a Mr. Mackintosh of Elgin, thinks it is quite rare and that the library might like it for its collection. It has stayed in the Local Studies collection to this day.
The Gazetteer for Scotland website states that in 1775 Patrick Cruickshank, listed at No. 11 of the 7th generation, bought the estate of Stracathro in Angus. The property was subsequently inherited by his brother Alexander Cruickshank (1764 - 1846). Alexander hired the Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson to build Stracathro House between 1824 and 1827. The Palladian Scottish country house still exists today.
University College London's Legacies of British Slave-ownership website indicates that Patrick and Alexander, and two other Cruickshank brothers, owned plantations on the Caribbean island of St Vincent that used slave labour. See Alexander Cruickshank's entry in the database here: 'Alexander Cruikshank of Stracathro', Legacies of British Slave-ownership database, http://wwwdepts-live.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/8590 [accessed 9th June 2020]. In 1833 when Britain abolished the ownership of slaves the government granted £20 million in compensation to former slave-owners. Alexander Cruickshank made three claims for compensation, two of which were successful.
In 1874, Stracathro House and estate were sold to Sir James Bannerman, Lord Provost of Glasgow, and father of Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. The country house was later used as a World War II hospital and owned by Tay Health Board before being sold to private owners in 2003. Fidler's Well
2737 A photograph showing a horse drinking from Fidler's Well in Guild Street. The image is taken from the Evening Express of 13th September 1929. It was accompanied by an article detailing the visit to Aberdeen of the grandson of the well's benefactor, Alexander Fidler. The grandson, who lived in Chicago, had visited the public library and learnt much about his ancestor and the well from G. M. Fraser and then visited the Evening Express office.
The article contains information on Dr William Guild, to whom the well is dedicated, Alexander Fidler and his brother John, who ran a well known pie-shop on Shiprow.
The wording on the well's granite basin reads "Dedicated to Dr William Guild. Died 1657. Lammas, A. F."
The inscription on the cast iron fountain is as follows:
"Fountainhall, 1st August 1857.
Water springs for man and beast,
At your service I am here;
Although six thousand years of age,
I am caller, clean, and clear.
Erected for the inhabitants of The World
by
Alexander Fidler."
In this image the well is shown at its 2nd location, outside the Goods Station and opposite what was the Balmoral Temperance Hotel & Restaurant. ROBERT GORDON'S REMUNERATIVE RELATIONS WITH DANZIG
2874 In 17th century Poland, business was at its peak. At the time the country had the same population as Russia. The port town of Danzig - now known as Gdansk - was a worldwide trading centre to which many people migrated in order to make their riches.
It may be a shock to you, but in 1570 the number of Scottish immigrants in Poland was estimated to be 30,000. This is an immense number of immigrants when compared to the relatively small population of Scotland in the 16th century. One of these migrants was Robert Gordon (1668-1731), later to be the founder of Gordon's Hospital; which is now known as Robert Gordon's College and the Robert Gordon University.
Robert Gordon was a merchant trader during his time in Poland and he was successful from early on in his career. With a fortune of £10,000 amassed in Poland he invested in the rebuilding of Marischal College, lent money to estate owners and funded Robert Gordon's School for Boys.
In his Founder's Day oration of 1935, former Gordonian, Sir Alexander Roger, described presenting to the Polish government a photograph of the letter Robert Gordon wrote in 1700 from Warsaw to the people of Aberdeen, describing his plans to set-up up his hospital, and the reaction from the recipients:
"My Polish audience were more than ordinarily interested to learn what the writer of that letter, with a fortune strenuously acquired from Poland two hundred years ago, had been enabled to found a college in Scotland which today offered inestimable benefit balanced and liberal education to a thousands boys." Aberdeen Press and Journal, 27th April 1935
The image to the left is a reproduction of a painted portrait of Robert Gordon taken from The History of Robert Gordon's Hospital Aberdeen 1729 - 1881 (1896) by Robert Anderson. Street entertainer
3346 We believe this photograph shows a man historically known as Fool Friday entertaining a group of children and adults outside a house in Aberdeen. Fool Friday was a street vendor who sold ice cream in summer and hot chestnuts in winter. He may have also played a barrel piano as shown here.
Fool Friday was an often seen, distinctive character on the streets of Aberdeen. References to him in recorded oral history and newspapers suggest he sold his goods around the town centre, including at the Castlegate. He appears to have been around in the earlier years of the 20th century, between the two world wars. Little seems to be known, or recorded, about the life of this intriguing figure.
He is mentioned in an article of reminiscences by Arthur Bruce from the Leopard magazine of December 1986/January 1987. Bruce writes "I am reminded of another worthy who lived round the corner in Harriet Street, an Ice Cream Mannie, with a home and family. Of Italian origins he was known as 'Fool Friday' - nothing to do with being stupid, I may add, simply the local dialect for foul or dirty. Legend had it that the nickname was well deserved, but as a child I was never aware of his less than hygienic approach to the business of selling ice cream from a 'cairtie'. I have never solved the mystery of the 'Friday' part, although I should be delighted to hear from anyone who knows the answer."
It is possible that this photograph shows not Fool Friday, but someone else entirely. A letter in the Evening Express of 30th October 1979, looking back to this earlier time, describes a man known as Can-Tam who played a barrel organ in the streets. The letter writer suggests that Can-Tam's organ was smashed by a tram and subsequently replaced by the council.
A suggestion received through social media and subsequent further research indicates that this image may show Guiseppe, or Joseph, Bordone (1872-1957). He was an eating house keeper and an ice-cream and chestnuts vendor. A brief mention in the Evening Express newspaper of 15th March 1994, page 8, suggests that Bordone may have been known as Fool Friday, but this is uncertain.
This photograph was printed as a postcard and these were perhaps sold to the families visited by the entertainer. This postcard was lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Bill Cheyne so that we could create and preserve a digital copy for public use. Treasure 12: How to Stamp Out Typhoid booklet
182 This booklet is a reminder of a troubled period in city's past. In 1964 Aberdeen suffered one of the largest outbreaks of Typhoid in recent British history. Over 500 people were admitted to city hospitals for treatment of the infectious disease. The majority of patients were quarantined for at least four weeks before being discharged. The outbreak was traced back to a contaminated tin of corned beef which was imported from Argentina, then chopped up and sold in the William Low grocer on Union Street.
Thankfully the outbreak was successfully contained and there were no fatalities. The all clear was given on 17th June 1964, 28 days after the first notification. Public health announcements played a significant part in the city's approach to tackling the outbreak. Dr Ian A. G. MacQueen, Aberdeen's Medical Officer of Health, became a well-known figure with regular appearances in print and on television and radio on the importance of good hygiene.
The How to Stamp out Typhoid booklet was the initiative of Aberdeen businessman R. A. Williamson. He was director of a wholesale firm that supplied small grocers in the north east and received many enquiries from his clients on how best to combat the outbreak. Williamson asked Macqueen who was unable to provide guidelines so, in collaboration with the health and welfare department, they created this 11 page health information booklet. It had a print run of 45,000 copies, was supported by Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and illustrated by the Evening Express. The illustrations feature the paper's character Wee Alickie, a die-hard supporter of Aberdeen Football Club.
In the introduction MacQueen wrote:
"The Stopping of the typhoid outbreak is principally a matter of good personal hygiene by everyone, and particularly of good personal hygiene by all food handlers.
"In an effort to assist every section of the community in our area a short question and answer brochure has been hurriedly compiled, together with a Hygiene Check List, which should prove most useful to all establishments.
"Members of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, food wholesalers, bacteriologists, health education officers and journalists have collaborated to rush this through. This brochure is therefore backed by their combined knowledge and experience. Please read it, study it and try to follow the advice that it gives."
The outbreak adversely affected Aberdeen's reputation in the UK and around the world. This in turn had an economic impact for the city, particularly on tourism. After the all clear was given the Queen came to the city to demonstrate that Aberdeen was a safe place to visit and that life had returned to normal.
Treasure 71: Crathie Churches and Royal Bazaar at Balmoral, September 1894
273 Every year Her Majesty the Queen and members of the royal family visit Balmoral Castle and during their stay they may attend services in Crathie Church. This treasure from our Local Studies collection highlights the close connection which has existed for well over a century between the Royal Family and the local church and people in Crathie.
Bazaar books were created to help raise church funds and this particular book is unusual as it was written and published after - rather than before - the bazaar took place. In this sense it might be regarded as a more accurate historical document. It was written by William W Philip, Assistant Forester at Balmoral, and the accounts given are based on his personal observations of the bazaar.
The royal family were closely involved in the organisation and running of the bazaar and it was opened by HRH Princess Louise on the first day and on the second day by her husband, the Marquis of Lorne.
The event was a lavish affair and took place close to Balmoral Castle in the aptly named Statue Park where statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert still stand.
Find out more about the vast array of items on sale and the entertainment on offer at the Bazaar in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries.
Treasure 77: The Castle Spectre, 1876 - 1888
288 One of our treasures this month is a rare periodical known as The Castle Spectre. It is unusual as it was printed and published by a Victorian family from their home at 'The Castle', 6 Mackie Place, and later from 'The Galleries' on Skene Street West, and offers an insight into the lives of a middle-class family in Victorian Aberdeen. The copy on display was gifted to the library by the editor, Alexander D Forbes in 1888, and includes a handwritten letter to the City Librarian at the time.
It not only contains amateur poetry, literature, and social and religious commentary, but also sheds a light on a forgotten and mysterious dwelling place in the heart of the city. The area in question is the land behind Skene Street, encompassing Mackie Place, and the grounds of three old houses long since demolished by the Denburn - Cherry Vale, 'The Galleries', and the White House, also known as 'The Castle'.
As long as 'The Castle' at 6 Mackie Place existed (it was built towards the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century, according to various reports) it was described as being haunted. No accounts mention a specific ghost, but the eccentricities of the occupant and his young family helped to fuel the reputation for the Castle's hauntings. The first issue of The Castle Spectre (October 21, 1876) states:
"We are the dwellers in that house in the neighbourhood of Skene Street known to the "oldest inhabitants" as the Haunted House, to younger inhabitants as the Castle, and to the Post Office as No.6 Mackie Place. In former days we were "desp'rate wicked". We dressed ourselves in white sheets, and popped out upon passers by, frightening them into fits. We used to scoop out the largest turnips?and having cut out slices to represent eyes, nose, and mouth, light candles in them, and stick them on poles in hedges?We used to lie behind low walls and growl like bears, or caterwaul like cats, whenever any weakly-looking person was passing?In short, we were the terror of the neighbourhood."
View the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries to find out more about the spooky publication and mysterious Mackie Place. Treasure 123: George Washington Wilson in the Highlands and Islands
346 In July 1860, Wilson, accompanied by his friend George Walker, set off on a photographic tour of the west coast of Scotland. They travelled to Inverness, then through the Caledonian Canal. Walker expressed his delight at these new experiences "as we proceeded the scenery got always grander, the mountains loftier and more magnificent". The lack of suitable transport and accommodation had ensured that this wild and mountainous terrain was still largely unexplored by the mid-1800s and had not yet been exploited as a tourist destination. When Wilson began to visit these more remote areas they were still well off the main tourist track but his photographs which captured the grandeur of the landscape brought them to more general attention and increased their popularity for visitors. Although Wilson's views of the spectacular Highland scenery are impressive, his skilful portraits of the people and their way of life provide a valuable record of these remote areas in the late 1800s.
See more of these fascinating photographs in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. Treasure 124: Queen Mother authograph
347 One of our final 125 treasures is a valued item from the Library Archive; the Visitor's Book containing the signature of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, dated October 20, 1982. The Library staff newsletter of December 1982 states that: "The highlight of our Autumn was undoubtedly the visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to the Central Library on Wednesday 20 October." The purpose of the visit was to unveil a commemorative plaque in the new Lending Library to mark the completion of the extension and refurbishment of the building over a 4 year period. During her 45 minute tour, Her Majesty visited all the public departments and chatted to members of staff who were issued with a souvenir ticket for the event. Before leaving, Her Majesty signed the Visitors Book and was presented with a copy of "The old Deeside Road" by G.M. Fraser. Peter Grant was the City Librarian at this time and he oversaw the 4 year modernisation project and improved the public image of the library service. He held the position of City Librarian from 1973 until his retirement on 28 April 1989. Staff remember Peter as a quiet man who always found time to walk around the Library and speak to staff. He loved books and earned a personal reputation as an enthusiastic and well-informed book man. Following retirement he was a familiar figure in the Central Library. He died in April 2009.
Learn more about this royal visit in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. The Queen & Liberty!
498 This broadside from 1837 is an excerpt of a letter from Lord Durham to electors in North Durham. It was printed at The Aberdeen Herald by G. Cornwall. The broadside declares that the electors must become involved in the Liberal parties, regardless of class, for the sake of the British Empire. On the subject of Victoria becoming Queen, it rallies the electorate to support the incumbent Liberal government to support the Queen.
The reprint of a message from the radical reformist English earl to his electorate indicates the political disposition of the printers. Great care and craftsmanship had gone into printing the lines at the top of the broadside. These facts indicate that the electorate was considered to be in need of propaganda in order to convince them to continue supporting the Liberal government. At the time in Aberdeen, Alex Bannerman was the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen. He sat in the commons as a radical and would have been sympathetic to Durham's views. Mr. Ross of Rossie
499 This broadside, dating to around 1832, regards Horatio Ross. Ross was the Member of Parliament for the historic British parliamentary constituency called Montrose Burghs.
The broadside regards debate over the reform bill, which promised to provide greater voting rights for men across the country. The broadside defends him from what it asserts are false charges of political misconduct. The broadside reprints correspondence as it feels that this will clear Ross's name. It states that the charges began with a Joseph Hume, who has since regretted his words, but that these assertions have been revived. The broadside asserts that the slanderers want to deceive the Constituency of Aberdeen.
Ross declares that he is not attached to any particular party. He says that he supports Lord John Russel's reform bill but does not want something less than ideal passed. Ross indicates that he is not unhappy with a Tory Government.
In another letter, Joseph Hume expresses his dismay at the perceived support that Ross had of the Duke of Wellington, which he saw as contrary to the cause of the Liberal Government. Hume tells Ross that he has written to the Provost of Arbroath saying that Ross had given Wellington his support. Ross rebukes Hume for this, saying that he never actively supported Wellington, and had evidence of it in a letter already sent to the Provost of Montrose. Eventually, Hume admits his mistake for claiming that Ross supported Wellington in several letters.
This broadside was printed by J. Davidson & Co. of Aberdeen. City election. At a Meeting of the Committee for the Election of Horatio Ross Esq. Of Rossie
504 This broadside, authored by Henry Lumsden, provides information about the campaign for Horatio Ross (1801-1886) to unseat Whig MP Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864) for the seat of Aberdeen in the 1837 General Election.
The broadside notes that Ross, of Rossie, had recently travelled to continental Europe on urgent family business but was now returning. The broadside announces that he would soon address the Aberdeen electorate.
A letter read out from Ross to the electorate explains his absence and appeals to the 'Protestant Constitution'. Lumsden, chair of the campaign committee, goes on to say that they note the appeal and growing support of the 'Constitution in Church and State'.
Ross was previously a Member of Parliament for the historic constituency of Montrose Burghs between 1832 and 1834. A previous broadside in the collection, available here, indicates that Ross did not like the Tories, but was also less radical than others would like. His voting record, detailed in this broadside, indicates that he voted in favour of the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1832.
The corresponding Scottish Reform Act of 1832 resulted in the creation of the Aberdeen House of Commons seat and the thirteen-fold increase in the Scottish electorate. Ross eventually withdrew from the 1837 election, leaving the incumbent MP Alexander Bannerman unopposed. Aberdeen Harbour plans by John Smeaton
523 This plate of two coloured plans was included in the book The reports by Smeaton, Rennie, and Telford, upon the Harbour of Aberdeen. Printed and circulated by order of the Harbour Trustees (Aberdeen: G. Cornwall, Herald Office, 1834).
This volume contains two reports by Smeaton, dated 19th February 1770 and 22nd March 1799, respectively, plus a letter by him concerning the Harbour from the same date as the 2nd report.
The two plans are titled Plan of the Harbour of Aberdeen as it was in 1769 and Plan of the Harbour with its Alterations, as proposed 1787 by J. Smeaton.
Different versions of these plans can be found reproduced in the earlier book Reports of the late John Smeaton, F.R.S. made on various occasions, in the course of his employment as a civil engineer, volume III, (London, 1812). These other versions are also available to view on this website.
Smeaton, along with John Rennie and Thomas Telford, was a key engineer in the development of the modern harbour of Aberdeen. Smeaton's most crucial improvement was the construction of the North Pier, completed in around 1780.
A copy of The reports by Smeaton, Rennie, and Telford, upon the Harbour of Aberdeen. Printed and circulated by order of the Harbour Trustees (1834) is held by Aberdeen City Libraries in our Local Studies reserve stock. |