Edinburgh, Dec. 10.
'A. proposal to present Field-Marshal Haig with the estate of Bemersyde was mentioned in last week's Scottish' Letter. It is now formally announced that an agreement has been entered into with Lieut. Col. Haig, the present owner, that it will be purchased from him, and that a subscription list will be opened to meet the price, which is fixed at £53,700. Contributions will be accepted by every bank in the country, and the smallest amounts will be welcomeed, as it is desired to make the presentation thoroughly representative.
Bemersyde is the theme of one of the most famous prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer, Tyde, ryde what may betide, faig-shall be Haig of Bemersyde.
Bemersyde was founded by the Haig family at least seven centuries ago, and the prophecy still holds good. It stands at the point where the Tweed sweeps round the promontory of old Melrose, the site of the early Christian monastery. The oldest part of the mansion-house consists of a peel or Border tower dating from the early 16th century.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.