Correspondence
Sm,—Our Scottish capital is at present enjoying one of those periods of special brilliance with which it is favoured from time to time. Since the visit of Prince George last week not a few interests have been conspiring to distract attention from the Election. As Lord High Commissioner, the Duke of York, who was accompanied by the Duchess, on Tuesday opened the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Their Royal Highnesses, who came to Edinburgh after having been enthusiastically welcomed to Inverness, could scarcely have chosen a season for their visit when our " grey Metropolis " looks fairer than in the " merrie month." Never is the view from Princes Street more fairy-like than in these May days when the sun glints through the delicate lace-work of the early summer robes of the trees, making radiant the plots of tulips and dwarf dahlias, red, yellow, and pink, with which the smooth turf of the gardens is starred. Blue mists fill the intervening valley, creeping about the Castle rock, softening its harsher outlines, while, aloft on its rocky eminence, the fortress scans the Forth.
A special interest attends the gathering-in of the ministers this May for the meeting of the General Assemblies. For here, once again, in the city of Jenny Geddes and of the Covenant, ecclesiastical history is being written. The present occasion is the last upon which the two great Churches meet in separate assemblies. After twenty-one years of discussion and negotia- tion the obstacles separating the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church have been broken down, and diffi- culties in the way of union have been overcome, for the assemblies will adjourn to meet for the final consummation of union in October. Henceforward there will be one great Church in Scotland, with increased powers of efficiency. Once again old Holyrood, under its new designation of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, has relaxed from that solitude and austerity that enwrap its walls throughout the year, and, basking in the sunshine of Royal favour, remembers the glories of the days that were. Once again levees, garden parties, dinners become the order of the day. Their. Royal Highnesses are fulfilling a crowded programme of visits to hospitals, schools, and other institutions, while the Duchess honoured the women students of the University with a visit to their recently enlarged union. The shop windows of Princes Street, which always make a special appeal at assembly-time to the eyes of the ladies of the manse, are, in consequence of the Royal visit, more enticing than ever. Up the Mound there winds a continuous stream of black-
coated figures armed with blue-books, some making the Assembly Hall, whose twin towers dominate the Old Town, their objective, others passing on to join• their " fathers and brethren" on Castlehill. Many of them, accompanied by their ladies, are taking the opportunity of climbing still farther up that hill to revisit the National War Memorial, where, in the peace and dignified beauty of the Hall of Remembrance, they let memory have her way for a brief spell, paying tribute to the heroic past.
As regards relaxation from the more serious business in
hand, our visitors are finding it amply provided for them. The Masque Theatre company is offering an attractive pro- gramme of plays of international interest at the Lyceum Theatre ; these are attracting enthusiastic audiences. To the King's Theatre a cast headed by two of the Irish players, with Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, are also drawing large " houses." The need for a repertory theatre of our own is being more and more acutely felt in Edinburgh. The Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition remains open in the dignified rooms of the National Gallery. The Musical Festival, which is in progress in several of the city halls, is proving very popular, marking, as it does, the consummation of the winter's work in many musical circles. The " Talkies," though not yet installed in the picture houses, are promised us in the near future.
Should any of our visitors be tempted to take to the air
they will not find opportunity lacking. In order to enable the people of our city to take an interest in flying, the Scottish Flying Club, which has its headquarters at Renfrew, each week sends over two machines, and their pilots are in considerable demand by people who are rapidly developing the air sense. The difficulties of landing in Scotland have been largely over- come since the arrival of the Moth machine. The club does not possess a large membership in Edinburgh, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a suitable aerodrome, although Turnhouse has been given as a landing-place for their -temporary use every Thursday. A friend who has flown both in the south and the north assures me that the pleasure of flying in Scotland is greatly increased by the magnificent views available, as it is possible at altitude above Edinburgh to see right across Scotland to the Clyde.
In Scotland, thus far, the feeling of a " dull Election "
prevails. The struggle between Liberal and Labour candidates in many constituencies is being watched with interest, and it is surmised that Liberalism may come more to the front, for it appears to possess funds and is making a bold fight. In the west, where Socialism is more firmly rooted, there are fewer Liberal candidates, and these have a remote chance of success. So far there has been less of the rowdy element at election meetings, in the East, at any rate. In the capital itself there are three-cornered fights in each of the five divisions of the old area of Edinburgh, while in Leith the retiring Liberal is opposed only by a Socialist.
Everywhere in Scotland, and in Edinburgh in particular,
the Unionists are entering the campaign full of confidence and vigour. The Lloyd George pledge seems to be carrying very little weight here. One of the strongest of the Unionist candidates, Mr. Normand, the new Solicitor-General, makes a strong point of the necessity for stability in Government at the present crisis, which can only be forthcoming from a Unionist Government.
The " Come to Scotland " movement, introduced by the' railways is, undoubtedly, proving popular, and a large influx of visitors is confidently expected this summer.—I am, Sir, tie., YOUR CORRESPONDENT IN EDINBURCIII.
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