From all over Scotland come reports that Christmas Day observancy is growing mightily, and we may expect a quieter recognition of New Year's Day. Moro and more the people are following' the example of England. And who shall say that it is not well?
Men who are not more than middle aged remember when in Scotland Christmas Day received little more attention than an ordinary bank holiday. To observe the great Christian festival in any way whatsoever was counted almost sinful. At least it laid one open to the suspicion of being tained with English affectations, if not something worse; and the more rigid of the clerics condemned the practice as savouring of Popery. In these days, however, one may speak freely on the subject without fear of being charged with heresy or lack of patriotism. One ma; even express a preference for Christmas observance over the New Year celebrations.
Like some other national customs that are popularly supposed to have some specially Scottish significance, the celebration of New Ye: is far older than our civ: It has its roots in ancient Paganism and was closely associated with sun worship, with bacchanalian revels, and "Wit mair 0' horrible and awfu', 'Which even to name wad be unlawful'.""
And we do not require to go very far back in the life of Scotland to recall many memories of the festival which we would fain forget.
A Great Journatist any A long, varied and honourable career closed in Edinburgh by the death of Mr. George Smith, t-t-p., cre, for many years Foreign Mission Svcretary of the Free Church, afterwards the United Free Church. Born in Leith in 1844, educated at Edinburgh Royal High School and University, at the age of 21 he became Principal of Doveton College. Calcutta, and held office for about five years, when he relinquished it owing to growing demands upon his energies through interest in journalism.
In 1857 he became editor of the "Calcutta Review," and occupied the chair for seven years. He also edited the "Friend of India," a weekly newspaper. at Serampore, Bengal; while the "Annals of Indian Administration," in 19 volumes, was produced under his supervision. For 15 years after the suppression of the Mutiny he was correspondent in India for the "Times."
On his return home, for a short time he edited a Radical newspaper in Edinburgh. and then entered upon the great work of his ife, the Secretaryship to the For-
Dr. Smith had five sons and five daughters; the sons include Principal Sir George Adam Smith, Aberdeen University; Sir James Dunlop Smith, x-es-1, Political A-D.C. and the Secretary of State for India; Captain Townsend Smith, Cachar; and Lieut—Col. Charles Smith, Political Resident at Chilas, Kashmir.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.