tommdaviespbgb.moonfruit.comtommdaviespbgb.moonfruit.com/download/i/mark_dl/u/401142…  · Web viewthree stages, one above and behind the other, form concentric lines on the platform.

1864y

Brodie's works this year

Albert monument, Perth, with Redhall stone donated by James Gowans (N&Q)

Albert Monument; Marble reduced size copy at McManus Gallery Dundee

Officers and Men of the 93rd. Sutherland Highlanders, Monument to; St Giles Cathedral Edinburgh

Admiral Hope, Monument to, for Lord Kinnaird, Rossie Priory Chapel, Perthshire

Robert Burns, marble, Lady Stair’s House (?) (Woodward)

Provost Lindsay of Leith, Leith Town Hall (CM Sept. 7th 1864) (RSA Map)

La Vignarola, “a soft-eyed daughter of the sunny south” (RSA Map)

Juanita, an Andalusian Coquette (RSA Map)

Posthumous Bust in Marble (RSA Map)

Winter; RSA "in pristine condition" (Stirling Observer - Thursday 24 March 1864)

OPENING OF THE BARCLAY CHURCH

This was the year of Pilkington's greatest triumph so far, the opening of the Barclay Church. "The spire, 250 ft. high, was completed on 3rd. August 1864 and the church was opened 29th. Dec. 1864. The first service was held on Sunday, 1st January 1865". (BELL). The link with the Cowan family is close. "Old JJ Cowan worshipped at the Barclay Church". (letter to author from Charles Ballantyne,)

The Building News took a particular interest in the new church. "The site presented peculiar difficulties, but they have been so well overcome that the only portions uncovered are a few square yards. The body of the church is oval in shape with an angular projection at one side.

Opposite this projection the platforms are placed, and the pews which are arranged in three stages, one above and behind the other, form concentric lines on the platform.

From the large dimensions of the interior (82 ft. by 90 ft.), and its peculiar shape, four massive stone pillars had to be introduced to support the roof, which is cruciform.

By an arrangement of sliding screens, the passage and the schoolroom may be opened to the church, and thus afford accommodation for nearly 1,000 additional hearers.

The whole of the divisions of the Church may be entered by one door, but each has a separate exit, making nine in all. By a series of passages and side doors, any member of the congregation can reach his seat without walking above half a dozen steps after he enters the church; a capital arrangement.

The interior is lined throughout with wood, which is painted light green. The roof, which is 70 ft. high, is open, and the beams, converging in the centre, are supported on an iron rod.

The spire is 265 ft. high, the same as Chichester Cathedral; only Salisbury and Norwich are higher.

The carving is by Mr Pearce. Mouldings have been sparely introduced so that the money might be devoted to carving in and about the windows." (The Building News Sept. 30th. 1864)

Who was this William Pearce? The only William Pearce I can find who was a sculptor was a Cornishman from Truro. He is recorded in 1844 as the father of a daughter "At Truro.....Mr William Pearce, jun., statuary Fairmantle Street" (Cornwall Royal Gazette, Nov 22nd 1844) In the year he was carving for Pilkington he was recorded as living at Lemon Street Truro, where his eldest daughter, Caroline died aged 44 years. (Cornwall Gazette, January 15th 1864)

However, a notice of the Royal Bath and West Show for 1861 indicates that there were two "statuary" William Pearces, father and son. More importantly, it turns out that the Pearce's were well known to and patronised by Prince Albert.

"Mr. Pearce, Statuary, Lemon Street, Truro exhibits a large collection of beautiful objects in Serpentine, Porphyry and other Cornish rocks; - a Chimney-piece in serpentine carved with acanthus-leaf bracket; black and red jasper Pedestals, similar to those purchased of Mr Pearce for Osborne House - there to support statuettes of the Royal Children; three porcelain bases, of serpentine; an antique Greek vase with a well sculptured head of Mercury, and resting on a truncated column - of red and black serpentine; a Candelabrum of five lights, seven feet high - an Egyptian base, with fluted column and Greek capital - all of serpentine. Besides these large specimens, Mr Pearce has a stand of miscellaneous articles including Vases, and two large dolphin Tazze, of like design and material with those supplied by Mr. Pearce for His Royal Highness, Prince Albert. There are also on this stand, two slabs of Withiel Porphyry and a Time-piece stand of red and black Cornish jasper, beautifully wrought and polished; together with specimens of Fluor spar from East Wheal Crofty, and Cornish Malachite from the neighbourhood of Menheniot.

Mr William Pearce, junr, of Truro, exhibited two tables, one of red serpentine, and the other of light coloured steatite, with geometrical Mosaic work tastefully designed and skilfully executed by the exhibitor. One of these tables is similar in material and design to a table purchased of Mr Pearce by the Prince Consort for Buckingham Palace" (Royal Cornwall Gazette, June 7th, 1861)

So was it the father or the son who was invited to Scotland and carved for Pilkington and Beattie? It is likely it was the son if only because the father was 70, born in 1794 by the census as recorded at site;

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stonemen/PAU-PEL.htm

However, to complicate matters, it was William Senior's eldest son Benjamin who carried on the firm after his father's death in late 1875, and at another address. (The Royal Cornwall Gazette, Jany, 22nd 1876) His father's business stock was moreover sold in February 1876. (Royal Cornwall Gazette, Feb. 26th 1876) Benjamin had previously gone bankrupt as a statuary in 1865 (Royal Cornwall Gazette, Nov. 2nd 1865)

Was the patronage of the Royal Family of importance here? Could the Brodies' connection with The Queen's household have led to Pilkington's choice of sculptor, and indeed Beattie's choice for the Cowan Warehouse? The choice for both buildings is rather bizarre, given the large number of Scottish sculptors then available; not least Brodie's own stable of apprentices? It must be remembered also that Brodie carved the portraits of the Cowans on the Beattie warehouse, which make the Pearce choice just that bit more strange.

William Pearce went on to be the contractor for carving on Fettes College, whose foundation stone was laid this year. The carpenter and joiner work was by William Beattie and Son. Pearce is listed as "Edinburgh", although there is no listing for him in the street directories. (Caledonian Mercury, June 27th 1864)

Pearce was also the carver for the McCheyne Memorial Church in Dundee, whose foundation stone was laid in 1869. (Dundee Courier, 5th May 1869)

Local opinions were somewhat more fulsome in their praise of The Barclay, but not unequivocal. The Edinburgh Evening Courant, after noting that "It has the highest spire in Scotland", went on to note its role in the townscape. "It has had the good fortune, with many of our best and most prominent buildings to fall into the vista line of leading streets. From Lothian Road it falls into terminating the southward view and from The Meadows it has a very imposing appearance in connection with the body of the church.

The building is certainly very original in character, and as a novelty naturally creates differences of opinion. Everyone however must admit the great ingenuity and skill of the architect in the singularly effective combinations which the structure presents.

A novel feature of the building is the carved tableaux presented on the north and western sides. Reviving an old fashion, the blocks have been carved in their places, and by a very skilful and rapid hand, instead of being executed before putting up.

The shell ceiling over the platform is richly painted and gilded, being the point on which the eye is naturally laid to rest.

The pews are seated for 1,020 persons.

The building is very comfortably seated and is well ventilated and heated; its acoustic properties are well spoken of.” (The Edinburgh Evening Courant, Dec. 30th 1864)

One of Pilkington’s first recorded apprentices Andrew Thomas Taylor, joined the firm for three years from 1864. He was later to be knighted, and have an extensive practice in Canada. (Dictionary of Scottish Architects – DSA Architect Biography Report http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M000795)

Taylor joined Pilkington at the age of 14. He was born in Edinburgh on 13 October 1850, the son of publisher James Taylor and Agnes Drummond, and was articled from 1864 to 1869. Thereafter he was in the architectural department of the Duke of Roxburgh's estate office for a year, likely to have been introduced by the Pilkington’s through their Kelso contacts, followed by a further year as assistant to William Smith in Aberdeen. (Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (May 3, 2006, 1014 am).htm) Taylor moved to London in the 1870s and may have been instrumental in Pilkington’s later move there in the 1880s.

The cooperation between James Gowans and Pilkington in the building of the Barclay would have been considerable. The church's main building stones were Binnie and Redhall, both quarries being at that time worked by Gowans' family firm. In the year of the Barclay's opening, Gowans was also working closely with Brodie on the Prince Consort's memorial on the North Inch in Perth. The 9 foot statue was mounted on a pedestal hewn from a single block of Redhall. It may be that this contract was not entirely a satisfactory one for Gowans, for Brodie mentioned in a letter in September of that year regarding payment to Gowans; "Gowans had what he considers a satisfactory interview with Mr Brown (difficult to read) and I would fain hope that he may get a settlement. There must be some mistake as to the sending of the accounts, as I know that a great amount was not only sent in (illegible) admitted". (Kinnaird/Brodie)

Meanwhile in Kelso the estimates for the church were approved. The plans and schedules for the new church were sent to Mr. J B Kerr at the Commercial Bank, Kelso in April 1864.

Robert Laing of Edinburgh was the Mason and Builder.Henderson and Wilson of Leith were the carpentersGeorge Waddell the plumber, Robert Purves the slater, and James Johnston, plasterer were all from Kelso.Field and Allen were the glaziers also of Edinburgh.

The Estimates were as follows;Mason, - building£1940 - spire£980

Carpenter£775Slater£118Plasterer£34Plumber£109Roof Ornaments£56Glazier£86Cabinet Maker£50Painter£100Carving£200£4,441The actual costs, as seems to have been typical of Pilkington's buildings were far in excess of the estimates, at £6,138.3.9

Work must have started in June 1864, but later in the year, "Mr. Thomas Pilkington, father of the architect was appointed Clerk of Works of the new church in October 1864." (STEWERT)

F T Pilkington moved his chambers to 2 Hill Street. the famous and eccentric painter, Sam Bough moved with him too and was there until Sam’s death in 1878. Sam was a rowdy and rough Carlisle man, very convivial, passionate about his friends, and a man who did not put up with people he didn’t like. His studio was in the upper storeys of the quite small end of terrace house. We can assume that Pilkington and he must have liked each other, and perhaps that Pilkington found the older man’s rough ways to his liking.

Yet again, however, Pilkington is invisible. He is not mentioned in the two biographies of Sam Bough, (Gilpin, Hitchon) despite their both including the address, and describing Sam’s way of being in his studio, dogs and all.

The building was occupied also by James and John Young, SSC (Solicitors to the Supreme Court). JaWas this Young perhaps the best man at Pilkington's second wedding, and not "Paraffin" Young??

Meanwhile at 24 George Street, in addition to M'Whea, Campbell, Douglas, Macallum and Stevenson, Wm Inglis, mechanical engineer and Daniel Cottier, glass painter took up residence.

The DSA identifies a house in “Clairmount” in this year. (Dictionary of Scottish Architects – DSA Architect Biography Report http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M000795))

The villa was greeted with much enthusiasm by at least one commentator; The villa was greeted with much enthusiasm by at least one commentator; "It is with a view to encourage the "revival" of good architecture which has set in - the growing desire for something that is really genuine, artistic and pleasing - that we have though fit from time to time to notice in the columns of this journal any new erection .....which in our judgement could lay claim to notice on the score of specialty as to construction or design. Fulfilling this self-imposed task we to lay before our readers this morning a description of one of our suburban villas which has recently been erected in the neighbourhood of "The Grange", The architect, Mr F Pilkington of 2 Hill Street, in the plans which he has used for the erection of "Craig Mount House" now completed has introduced into the suburbs of Edinburgh a style of architecture perfectly unique, and one which will reflect credit upon himself and the city to which he belongs. The house, which has been purchased by J Sime Esq and is to be used for scholastic purposes, occupies a site, including the grounds of 5 acres on land situated between Grange Loan and Dick Place.......The main walls of the building are constructed of pink stone obtained upon the spot, and the dressings of gray stone from Burn Hall. The two stones harmonise well together as far as colour is concerned, and have a pleasing effect. The house is an adaptation of the Venetian order of architecture; and besides being chaste and elegant, will provide a handsome addition to the neighbourhood. Architecturally speaking it is one of the best houses in Edinburgh. Its principal front is to the south, and the building is divided into three stories. The first and second are grouped together so as to produce a vertical effect in contrast to the horizontal effect of the upper story. The separation between the two lower and upper stories is made by a projecting stone balcony which has carved corbels and pillars. The upper windows are formed with columns and arches, the upper portion of them being filled in with geometrical piercings. The arch-stones are covered with an elaborate surface-carving of chased work. The remainder of the front is in keeping......A very noticeable feature is the chimneys which are constructed on a new plan with a view to the prevention of smoke nuisance. From where the chimney appears above the roof it is pierced with holes to allow the wind to get through, instead of blowing over the top and forcing the smoke down, as under the old system. These piercings are formed in Mr Sime's house by small trefoil arches supported by columns and capitals. The interior of the building is made up of spacious rooms suitable for a public institution or a private family. Altogether the villa is a model in its way and deserving of the attention of the public. We shall be glad to see a series of such houses adorn our suburbs.. Their introduction would do away with that scattered and inconsistent mixture of dwellings which are at present so unsightly and unworthy of "the architectural pretensions and importance of the Modern Athens" We are informed that Mr Pilkington is superintending the erection of another house of the same description on a piece of ground adjoining that of Mr Sime's. All we can say is may there be more of them" (Caledonian Mercury, Sept. 19th 1864)

Gowans returned to public life this year with a talk to The Edinburgh Operative Masons Architectural Union entitled "The Leading Lines of Design" which could be seen to be an affirmation of his friend Pilkington's style.

"True shape or proportion rested upon fixed and unalterable rules...........the climate; geographical position; geological formation; religious beliefs of a people above all - had to do not only with plan, but also exterior.

The Gothic circle and triangle, come from All-one-God - Three in One.

Our churches should be constructed upon pure lines, but with the best material". (Source; ? Feb. 27th 1864)

1864 Sir David Brewster was President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. That year there was controversy over whether he had invented the lenticular device for lighthouses; support for his claims came from John Herschel, Lord de Mauley, Brougham, Palmerston and Lyon Playfair (GORDON)

This was also the year in which Brewster's great friend Henry Fox Talbot bought a house in Edinburgh for their "lengthy winter stays", no 13 Great Stuart Street, close to Randolph Cliff and to Queen Street. They continued to visit Edinburgh as a family until 1866. (ARNOLD, 1977)

SIMPSON

Simpson is described this year as the President of the Granton Literary Association and an expert on the Sculptured Stones of Scotland. (Edinburgh Evening Courant, Dec 8th 1864)

Meanwhile Brodie and Gowans were engaged together on the prestigious Albert monument at Perth. This project had not been without controversy as seems to have been the case with almost all of the Albert monuments in Scotland. In December of 1862 for example there was lively correspondence in the Perth newspapers to the effect that the subscription, which was anyway rather small, should be rather used to widen Tay Street than be wasted on a monument. (The Perthshire Courier, December 16th 1862) However, by 1864 a statue had been decided and ".....some time since commissioned from Mr Brodie....the model is now nearly ready; and this is the first statue of the Prince by a Scottish artist. The statue itself will be colossal - 8 foot - the Prince is represented dressed in the robes of the Order of the Thistle. His right hand is leaning on a square pedestal and displaying a drawing or elevation of the Great Exhibition Building.

The Queen was to open it - the statue was to stand on a massive block of freestone from Redhall. 90 foot high, on the North Inch. (The Builder Jan 2nd 1864) It is clearly through Brodie's connection that Redhall stone, and Gowans, were involved, although Gowans work on the nearby Highland railway, and his previous experience with the Wellington Monument may have suggested him to the patrons.

Lord Arthur Kinnaird was a prime mover in this project, and possibly in the selection of Brodie as the sculptor. He had been MP for Perth since 1852 and was an immensely popular figure in the town. "He was devoted to the interests of Perth, which he promoted in every way possible to a parliamentary representative; throughout his whole connection his name was a household word. (The Perthshire Courier, May 3rd 1887)

At the RSA this year Brodie exhibited his model of the statue to be erected at Perth of The Prince Consort.

It was because of the Albert project that Prince Alfred visited Brodie's studio, and that of Steele (Sussex Advertiser - Tuesday 12 July 1864). He expressed himself "highly pleased" with the statue (Freeman's Journal, July 14th 1864)

He also showed a model of the Monument to be placed in St. Giles to the Officers and Men of the 93rd. Sutherland Highlanders (Gunnis) The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders monument is in the South Aisle on the west wall. It commemorates their role in the suppression of the “Indian Mutiny” and portrays kilted soldiers flanking a pylon. (Source; Edinburgh B/S)

Brodie was creating a monument for Admiral Hope, a member of Kinnaird's family this year. There was some debate in correspondence with Kinnaird, who had commissioned the statue as to whether the figure of Hope should be full length, Brodie's preference, or not. The use of photographic records by Brodie is well established in this letter; "Admiral Hope has to be in town again about the middle of January and before that time I will make a sketch of both the kneeling figure and one as proposed by Your Lordship but only with the whole figure terminating in clouds and shall bring photographs of both with me to Rossie Priory and let you know what he says of them and then we can decide as to which shall be done. I think there will be no difficulty in making the work perfectly large enough at the sum mentioned by Your Lordship. (Kinnaird/Brodie - Brodie's emphasis)

Kemp did not die until 1881, and was promoted from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral in 1864. He had married Lord Kinnaird's sister in 1838. "The early years of his career were spent with the African squadron in the suppression of the slave trade. He served in the Baltic in 1854-5, was Commander in Chief in East Indies and China in 1859-62, in the West Indies and North America in 1864, and aged 59, when the statue was commissioned. "He gave much attention to social questions, and in particular he showed a deep interest in the extension of British workmen's "public houses" He was one of the leading patrons of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Edinburgh. All classes held him in much respect". (Manchester Evening News, 11th June 1881)

Brodie was still resident at 9 Coates Place when he wrote to Kinnaird about the Hope monument, and employed a coat of arms showing a crown superimposed on a St Andrew's Cross, bearing the motto "Non Crux, Non Corona" which presumably implied "No cross, no crown" - an interesting comment perhaps on the presbyterian work ethic, but perhaps relating to a more obscure "cross" which Brodie felt he had to bear.

Other letters transcribed in the NPG Collection, and from the Perth and Kinross County Archives, give further insights into Brodie's style.

Ben Rhydding, Otley Sept 17th. (to Lord Kinnaird about settlement of accounts) " came here a few days ago and enjoy it very much. This is a most comfortable house, fair air, beautiful scenery and the most agreeable company, and then I manage to make it pay by doing the Doctor in marble"

On the 26th September, also from Ben Rhydding, he wrote to Lord Kinnaird; "Mr Anderson of Anderson and Christie, Perth, is a careful person and a sculptor himself. I should think he would be the best to be had at Perth. His brother (whom I have had a Rossie Priory) is also very very good and should you wish rather to have him and would kindly write to my wife 1 Torphichen Street, he will go immediately, I should have no hesitation in trusing his brother.

Lady Kinnaird's sketch has been received at Edinburgh and I shall pay attention to it when I get home. I shall also begin to the marble of Admiral Hope's monument and as I will have to get a piece of marble for it would you kindly say what size it will be......."

Brodie moved to a new house, "St Helen's", Cambridge Street, in this year. It is not clear why he should have called it "St Helen's"; one's mind is drawn to the coincidence that the "Lancashire branch" of the Pilkington family were developing their famous glass factory in St Helen's at that time. Pilkington himself used glass extensively in his architecture. Unfortunately the house was demolished in the 1920s to make way for The Usher Hall. It is possible that the house was designed by Brodie himself, but equally likely that the architect was Gowans, perhaps making extensive use of Pilkington glass. The Building News mentioned it in such a way as to suggest Gowans’ influence, if not design; "In Cambridge Street, a studio and dwelling house have been erected by William Brodie RSA - constructed on geometrical lines, there not being a rounded angle or moulding in any of its external parts." (Source; The Building News).

This is an extremely interesting comment. Brodie had recently, as we have seen, produced the half-relief panel of Gowans holding his architectural plans for his "Rockville", had worked on the image of the Prince Consort's holding plans for the Crystal Palace, and now had created his own house using a style which sounds very much like that used by Gowans.

Brodie produced a bust of Leith's Provost Lindsay in this year. The Provost was much admired for his "amendment of the laws for promoting the public health in burghs and populous places in Scotland which resulted in his preparing and obtaining sancton of Parliament to the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act. The Chair of the Testimonial Committe, Councillor Girle of Edinburgh asked Leith to accept the bust for its Town Hall. (Caledonian Mercury Sept 7th 1864)

Brodie exhibited from St Helen's from 1865 to his death. (Source RSA 1816-1916)

In 1864 Pilkington also exhibited a painting of a mansion designed for Charles J Henderson Esq. at Glassinghall,, Perthshire. (RSA) The house was described in the exhibition as "now erecting". Henderson's fortune was established from paper hangings, no doubt using the paper produced by the Cowans, his near neighbours in Edinburgh. Unfortunately the mansion has been demolished, although the pretty gatehouses remain.

The Dundee Correspondent commenting on the RSA Exhibition mentions Pilkington very negatively. "Immediately opposite the entrance an enormous drawing of a street front by Mr F T Pilkington gives the visitor a fright that almost turns him back in horror. The building appears to be the combinaton of the Saracenic, Gothic and Italian style of architecture and without doubt would have given Pugin the nightmare." This unlikely to have been Glassinghall. However, it could have been The Eastern Club, Dundee.

It is possible that he refers to Glasinghall in the following severely critical, not to say jaundiced comment. "Here and there are drawings of detached villas in the pinnacle and pepperbox style, with enormous bow windows straggling out from the walls in all directions, and looking as intensely and vulgarly modern as the factories or warehouses from which, doubtless, ot a few of their owners have made their money" He also refers to "....sprawling, over cornered, infinite gabled, masses of stone which look more like modern charity schools than merchants' villas" (Dundee, Perth and Cupar Advertiser, 16th Feb 1864)

They are remarkably different from each other. North Lodge is an essay in quirky gothic cottage design. The chimneys stacks are elongated with elaborate carved "capitals". The chimney gable facing the road has a gothic window let into it. The porch is wide, deep and supported on slim pillars resting on heavy plinths. A window sits in an angled corner, and a bay window juts beyond the porch. The roof is almost as complicated as The Barclay Church. The original ironwork has survived.

(Google Street View)

South Lodge is more conventional looking cottage design, with a steep simple L shaped roof, but it has the same tall chimney stacks, this time rising from the crest of the roof. The porch is built into the angle of the L shaped house, and is up steps. The ironwork has disappeared. The supporting pillars are a simpler design.

(Google Street View)

The Stirling Observer reports a "Heating" of the "mansion-house" in 1866; a splendid party for "the workmen etc" for "upwards of 100". "Mr Henderson has......built on the estate a splendid and very ornate mansion-house, after a design by Mr Pilkington of Edinburgh. "AFTER EVERY JUSTICE HAD BEEN DONE.........AND TABLES CLEARED...............mR AND mRS hENDERSON ENTERED THE ROOM AND WERE RECIVED WITH Loud and deafening cheers. ..............he congratulted the respective workmen on the very admirable way in which they had completed their work..." Mr Anderson, joiner, of Blackford (replied) (The Stirling Observer and Midland Counties Advertiser, Nov. 15th, 1866)

It is of note that Henderson was a member, with Charles Cowan of Loganlea and Valleyfield, and William Law, then Dean of Guild in Edinburgh, and later to become Lord Provost, of the Committe which founded the Money Order Company. (The Dundee Courier and Argus, July 25th 1868)

1864 provides one of those rare occasions when the Pilkington's were recorded as appearing in public, and perhaps not coincidentally at the same ball as the Hendersons, the United Service Club. This was a very large affair indeed, where the Forces mingled with lay people, but not those of of the "first rank" perhaps. The Brodies were also present, as were the Peddies and the Rhinds. Two of Henderson's daughters and two of Brodie's daughters were also present. (Caledonian Mercury, Wednesday March 9th, 1864).

Henderson moved later to Coltbridge Hall, Murrayfield, where he commissioned Coltbridge Terrace from Pilkington.. He was a JP for the County of Perth, and married for the second time to Agnes Anne Scott. (The Northern Warder and Bi-Weekly Courier and Argus, June 12th 1877)

Henderson's Mill at Coltbridge seems to have been a major pollutor of the Water of Leith, and he was subjected to requests to clear his mill dam over several decades. He was also a landowner in the Fountainbridge area of the city.

Henderson was a Director of The Caledonian Assurance Company with HQ in George Street. He later moved to Liverpool and founded the Liverpool Caledonian Association.

Pilkington’s Larbert Hospital was now nearing completion; In 1864 the Committee were able to report; "The second block of buildings is now ready for opening. That the building is admirably suited for the purpose for which it has been erected is attested by the Commissioners in Lunacy, and also by Dr M'Inlay of Paisley, who with large experience in such matters has stated that he had never seen any building better arranged and laid out for its intended purpose. The cost of erection has been small for the amount of accommodation provided. The rooms all wear a light and cheerful aspect.

The cost of buildingsThe North Wing has cost £1969The centre block has cost £2150Architects fees and summaries as last year £200Furniture etc £2531Tot £6850(Committee of the Society for the Education of Imbecile Youth in Scotland; Reports, 1862/1871)

1864 donations included Charles Cowan of Logan HouseJohn Cowan, Beeslack, Milton BridgeGeorge Cowan Esq. dittoPilkington gave £21.

When the plan of the present buildings was first agreed on, it was thought desirable as much as possible to preserve a feeling of family life throughout the whole arrangements. It was therefore resolved that while the Institution should be under a united superintendence it should be composed of five distinct buildings - the whole being treated as one in culinary and other economic arrangements.

.......many practical difficulties are to be encountered in carrying out such a plan. Foremost in these is the difficulty in adequately sustaining the temperature of the detached buildings.

The plan was changed at this point to end up in the T shape it now has. (Committee of the Society for the Education of Imbecile Youth in Scotland; Reports, 1862/1871)

The Scotsman reports again on The Wellington Reformatory and the key role played in that institution by both John and Charles Cowan. “The annual harvest home in connection with the Wellington .Reformatory Farm School, situated near Penicuik , was held in the School yesterday. The harvest home is one of two annual treats given to the boys in the institution, and serves the double purpose of entertaining the boys - forming the crown and reward of their season's labour - and of showing to the friends and supporters of the institution the working and result of their commendable charity, The other feast, at Christmas , partakes more of the nature of a private treat to the inmates. The harvest home is further interesting as being the occasion of gathering together, the boys who have been sent from the Reformatory since its Institution, a little more than four years ago, many of whom are in Edinburgh, and gladly embrace the opportunity o£ visiting their old governor, Mr Craster , and . his assistant teachers, whom they have learned to regard more in the light of friends, and of mixing for a day with their old neighbours in the school, which naturally possesses for them many interesting associations. Thursday being the Fast-day in Edinburgh, several of these lads took advantage of the opportunity of revisiting the school and remained over-night in the house, to be present at the meeting yesterday. Several of the parents of the inmates were also present but the very unfavourable nature of the weather, which throughout the day and for some days previous, was cold and wet, and the dirty state of the roads, had the effect of making smaller than usual the number of visitors of both classes. The same causes affected also to some extent the attendance of the directors and friends of the institution, of whom, however, there were still a good many present, Among them we observed Thomas Cleghorn, Esq. Sheriff of Argyleshire, and party; Mr John Cowan of Beeslack and party; Mr Charles Cowan of Valleyfield; Captain Thomas, RN. and Mrs Thomas, Mr Paterson, banker, Penicuik, and party; Mr J. Wilson, Crosshouse; Mr W.Wilson Penicuik; Mr Murray of Spnngfield: Mr and Misses Gillespie, from Beeslack; Mr Tait, Penicuik; Mrs Menzies Penicuik; Mr Menzies, Penicuik; Mr Symington, Penicuik . At two o'clock, the school and farm were opened for the inspection of visitors. The schoolroom, which was prepared for the meeting, was decorated with flags, evergreens, and mottoes of Scripture texts, wrought in blue paper on a white ground all prepared by the boys. A series of beautiful arches, decked with foliage, through which the hard red-cheeked winter apples grown on the farm peeped forth pleasantly, surmounted by giant spikes of hollyhocks, graced the upper end of the room, and formed a pleasing screen behind the chairman's table and the seats prepared for visitors. The day-room was set apart as a show-room, in which were exhibited specimens of the industry of the school, consisting of writing-tables , croquet sticks and balls, and other articles of carpentry work, boots and shoes, articles of clothing, agricultural products, &c. The dayroom, as well as all the workshops, dormitories and even such retired places as the kitchen were, like the schoolroom decorated with evergreens in a style very creditable to the taste of the lads, whose sole work it was. Among the most interesting features in the showroom were a New Zealander’s dress, being nothing more than a kind of shirt with slashed fringes, composed of some vegetable stuff, and three small, nuggets of gold, sent as presents to Mr Craster from lads formerly inmates of the reformatory, who were sent out as emigrants to New Zealand, and are now thriving and prosperous settlers in that colony. After the visitors had been shown over the home, an inspection of the farm being rendered impossible by the boisterous weather, the active proceedings of the day commenced in the schoolroom with a concert given by the boys. The concert consisted of vocal and Instrumental music; a well-trained flute band, and a singing class embracing all the boys in the School, being institutions of the establishment. The melodies were joined in by all the boys present, about eighty in number, and consisted principally of the so-called "nigger" music, popularised by the Christy Minstrels. A pleasing variety was given to the entertainment by a few humorous recitations delivered by the elder scholars. The boys were dressed in their Sunday clothes, and presented a clean, healthy , and altogether respectable appearance. At the close of the performance . Sheriff Cleghorn, in the name of the company present thanked Mr Craster and the boys under his leadership for the entertainment they had given which, he assured them had been very pleasing and interesting to himself and, he believed, to all the visitors.After the concert the boys were treated to tea and cake in the dining-hall , while the visitors were similarly entertained in the governor's house. At half-past five o'clock, a general meeting took place in the schoolroom, which was presided over by Sheriff Cleghorn. The proceedings having been opened with prayer and praise, The CHAIRMAN intimated that he had received letters of apology for absence from Sir George Clerk of Penicuik and E.S.Gordon Esq ., Sheriff of Perthshire, who had been expected to attend and address the meeting. After explaining that the harvest home had not been held last year in consequence of an outbreak of scarlet fever in the house at the close of the harvest season he proceeded, in. the name of the directors, to compliment the boys on the very satisfactory specimens of the products of their various departments which had been exhibited, and congratulated them that the crops, which, though not so large as in more favourable seasons, were yet fair and, particularly in the turnip field, were exceedingly good, had been got in and safely stored while the good weather suited. The directors and supporters of the establishment were very much gratified at the successful manner in which the institution was being wrought, and he formally expressed their thanks to Mr Craster and his assistant -teachers for the very efficient manner in which they discharged their delicate but important duties. He mentioned that Mr Turner, the Government inspector, had visited the School a few weeks ago very unexpectedly, in order that he might see exactly its everyday working , without any preparation being made to receive him and after a thorough examination of everything both in the house and the workshops, he had expressed himself very thoroughly satisfied with all the arrangements of the house, and with the progress which had been made in all the departments. (Applause.) Mr Craster, governor of the house then made a short statement of what had been done in the home during the year, premising that he did not pretend to give the actual figures of the results, as the year not being ended and his annual report having to be furnished in a few months to the general meeting, he had thought it unnecessary at present to go over his books to prepare a detailed statement He was able however to report that a good deal of actual work had been done in the workshops, and the character of the work turned out was improving and giving satisfaction to the customers of the institution. An immense amount of out-door work had been done, not only in the way of cultivating the land but in draining and bringing into a state of cultivation the mosslands attached to the farm, a work of considerable difficulty, as most of the drains required to be made seven, eight, or nine feet deep, and two or three feet broad. He proceeded to make some remarks on the important influence of real tough hard work in reformatory discipline . There was an old proverb, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," which he believed to be true, and therefore he sought to prevent that by giving the boys a certain amount of relaxation; but he had found, on the other hand, that all play and no work made Jock a big rogue, and, therefore he desired that all under his charge should have their hands well filled. Mr Craster gave very gratifying accounts of the success of some of the boys who had been sent out of the school, and also stated that the feeling in the district around the school which was at one time very strong against it, was now quite the other way, and the farmers in the neighbourhood availed themselves very willingly of the services of the boys who could be spared from the house in their busy seasons. He described the conduct of the boys as generally very good, and stated that there had been fewer attempts to run away this year than in any former years. Several boys whose term of sentence was not yet expired were yet so thoroughly reformed and well-behaved that he would be able to send them out to do for themselves very shortly. Mr CHARLES COWAN then addressed the meeting. In the name of the visitors he thanked the director and Mr Craster for the great treat which had been afforded to them by the proceedings. He remembered when the school was to be founded there was great difficulty in finding a suitable situation for it but he thought no site -could have been got better or more appropriate than the Wellington moor. The moor had been described in the "Noctes Ambrosianae" in Blackwood, probably by the pen of Christopher North himself, as one of the bleakest and most barren places on the face of the earth. It was said that no vegetable worth eating would grow there, and that the few animals which managed to exist were so poor and lean that to speak of fat in connection with them was absurd, and they had next to no flesh. They were only bought for their skins, and the bones were given into the bargain, (Laughter.) But forty years ago a most wonderful change was effected on this barren moor, when the property came into the hands of Mr Carstairs, who was the right man in the right place, and who by energetic perseverance and hard work, had succeeded in bringing the place into a fit state for cultivation, and produced most beautiful crops so much so that his farming repeatedly received the praise of the Highland Society. The success of his experiment induced other proprietors of moorland to make similar attempts, with a result most important to the cause of agriculture, and beneficial to the country. (Hear, hear.) It appeared to him that the change which Mr Carstairs had effected upon this one time barren Wellington moor- upon which the Reformatory was now placed- was typical of the change which Mr Craster was seeking to effect and had effected upon some seemingly most unpromising subjects, and therefore he said the site of the Reformatory was very appropriate. The work in which he was engaged was a most important one, and he hoped that both the boys and the general public would properly appreciate its importance. Those who read the newspapers knew that in our distant colonies there had been for some years past a growing, and as it now appeared a very decided determination on the part of the settlers to receive no more of the adult criminal class. They were setting their faces against the thing in so decided a manner as was likely to cause still greater importance to be attached in this country to the reformatory system, and they must all rejoice that they had not only the probable but the certain means here presented to them of reducing the number of the criminals and producing in their stead an honest, industrious, and persevering class, whom our colonists would be most willing to receive - nay, were most desirous to have. They had evidence of that already in the case of the young men who had gone out of the institution, and were doing so well in Canada Australia, and New Zealand, and from whom he had had the pleasure of reading most interesting and gratifying letters. Mr Cowan then proceeded to advert in detail to the work and products of the School, and said it must be the earnest wish of all present—as it was his—that the excellent institution which had been already so greatly blessed of God might continue to prosper……. The Scotsman - Saturday, 29th October 1864, page 3