Christian Dewar - Diary

Christian Dewar - Diary

This Diary covers two periods 8/11/1898 to 3/12/1898 and 15/8/1900 to 7/9/1900). Christian was 17 when she started this section of the diary

Bielgrange 1898. 
Tues Nov 8th 
Lovely day just like spring weather. Aunt and I walked to Hedderwick, got the drive from there on to Dunbar. Aunt Alison, got Mrs Cunningham (Jane, mother of Aunt Alison) to go with her to Ormison to see her sister about their property. I remained with children.

Wed Nov 9th 
Bought a pair of corsets at 5/6. The day was damp and misty. I took baby out in the forenoon to the sands. Aline did not go to school in the afternoon, so she, baby and I went to the sands. Aunt and Mrs Cunningham returned for the night. Aunt and I got home about 8 o'clock. Mrs Strachan had called when we were out.

Thurs Nov 10th 
Very thick and misty. Mr Elliot (the grieve or foreman of Bielgrange farm) called at night.

Fri Nov 11th 
Still very damp and misty. Mr Dods came in in the afternoon, and I went along to the Lint Mill with letters and Uncle David's photographs (David Hardie, husband of Alison, died Bielgrange 19th September, 1898 at Bielgrange) for Willie Nisbet to take one.

Sat Nov 12th 
Clear and mild. I went to Beesknowe Farm with a letter for the post and missed him. I met Mr J. Dods and returned with him. I took the letter to the Lint Mill. Mr J. Dods had his tea with us, and left about half past eight. Got home letter in the morning with silk ties enclosed. Julia and Lucy go to Aunt Jane's at New Year.

Sun Nov 13th 
Lot of rain through the night, but lovely morning. Walked to the church. The sermon was in John 15-7. Mr Elliot and Mr Henderson called in in the afternoon. We went to chapel at night.

Mon Nov 14th 
Lovely sky in the morning, but came on rain afterwards and cleared at night again. We started at one o'clock and called at Mrs Robertson's of Beanstones Mains but found her out. Went on to Mrs Lees of Markle and passed Markle Mains on the way, had a cup of tea there, then we went on to Prestonkirk and laid a cross of Chrysanthymums on Uncle David's grave. Then we started for the Misses Tweedie's of Tynefield. We sent the conveyance back and had tea with them. Miss T. is lame, Miss Jessie is blind, Miss Maggie is very deaf, and speaks enough for them all. We walked on to Hedderwick, and waited till Mr J. Dods came in from the post. He went part of the way home with us. Arrived home close on ten o'clock.

Tues Nov 15th 
Fair and mild, sorted some shirts for Mr J. Dods in the forenoon, were just preparing to call on Mrs Margoribanks (wife of the Rev at local church) and Mrs Brown, when Mr and Mrs Dods came in. Mr Dods went to see if he could shoot any hares, but did not get any. Mrs Dods had her work with her. They left immediately after tea. We have finished reading "The House of the Hidden Treasure" by Maxwell Gray, and were delighted with it.

Wed Nov 16th 
Lovely day but very dirty roads. In the morning we counted the ducks and the chickens. There are 9 white ducks, and 13 Canadian ducks and 9 drakes. There are about 1 dozen cocks, 6 turkeys, and about 100 hens, and only getting on an average 2 eggs a day. A little after 10 o'clock we started for Hedderwick, having been asked the day before. We took our work with us and spent a very enjoyable day. Mr Dods was in Edinburgh and came back about 5 o'clock, we left not long after. Of course we had our lantern with us.

Thurs Nov 17th 
A fine day and very little wind. Cut a nightdress in the forenoon, wrote my home letter in the afternoon while Aunt was writing some. Then took them along to the Lint Mill and brought back Vic. Mr Dods called in just as it was getting dark, just stayed for a short time and went away again. He was on his cycle.

Fri Nov 18th 
Fine day but no sunshine. Got my practising done in the forenoon, so was able to get to my patchwork in the afternoon. Aunt got the crochet top of a piafore nearly finished. Mrs Cunningham's porter was up today with order and bought some lovely fish. Am looking foreward to getting my home letter tomorrow. Aunt has given me a nice pair of house slippers.

Sat Nov 19th 
Lovely day, a beautiful moonlit night. Got my home letter as expected. About 1 o'clock I left for Pitcox with a bunch of Chrysanthemums. When I got there Mrs Elliot had left not long before for Dunbar, so I left the flowers and returned back by the way I had come through the deer park. I just went from there on to the Lint Mill for Vic who had only left before I started for Pitcox. When I got home I found that the Misses Yeish were in and were going to stay tea. Martha was away all today at her sister-in-law's because she was not very well. The misses Yeish had taken the train up from Dunbar to East Linton and walked the rest of the way here, but when going back again they had to walk the whole way. They left about half past six. Aunt's cloak came today from Allan's, her red one which she has been getting dyed and made anew.

Sun Nov 20th 
Fine day but not so bright as the day before. Went to church in the morning round by the Lint Mill. Met Charlotte and walked up with her, we also met at the church Mr and Mrs Stewart of Meiklerigg, Miss Purves and Mr and Mrs Elliot. The text was in Mathew 7-2 "And with what measure you mete, it shall be measured unto you". At night we went to the chapel and again met Mr and Mrs Elliot. It was coming on a slight rain when we came out of the chapel.

Mon Nov 21st 
Lovely day, started at 2 o'clock for Stenton. We called on Mrs Brown first. She has one little boy of 5 but his spine is very weak, but they think it may get better. We left one of Uncle David's photographs there. Next we went to the Manse and called on Mrs Margoribanks who had just been out. When we left there, we went on to Mrs Elliot's and had tea there. We left about 8 o'clock, and Mrs Elliot came part of the way with us. Vic went away in our absense.

Tues Nov 22nd 
Mrs Stachan and Miss Stewart of Meiklerigg called, they had tea with us and did not leave 'till 7 o'clock. Mrs Strachan is Mr Cockburn of Stenton's daughter. I take exercise with dumbells weighing 8 pounds each every morning.

Wed Nov 23rd 
Very stormy day with snow and sleet. In the afternoon I took a letter along to the Lodge and went with some eggs to two of the people to make up the amount they had wanted. In the evening Mr Dods came in for a short time, he had been to see the grieve. Aunt got a letter from Mother saying that I would be able to go to London in September. I got some of my patchwork done.

Thurs Nov 24th 
Still a very wet day, but not so bad as the day before. Got my lessons done in the morning. Uncle John and Mr D. Black were here today, and Mr Dods and Mr Elliot came to meet them. Mr Black looks as if he had stepped out of a picture. Uncle John thought I had grown since he last saw me. They left here about half past 3 o'clock. Mr Dods had taken a gun to see if he could get a hare for Uncle John but he did not get one. The gamekeepers were shooting on the farm today. Mrs Dods asked us down on Saturday.

Fri Nov 25th 
Snowing in the morning, then it came on rain in the afternoon. Aunt wrote some letters and I wrote one home, then took the letters to Mrs Miles to give to the postman and took around some eggs to the people. In the evening Mr Dods called in. Soon after he left I wrote to Miss Renton.

Sat Nov 26th 
Very wet, drove to Hedderwick about 11 o'clock. Mr Dods was at a sale and Mr J. Dods was away shooting. We spent a very enjoyable day, after tea Mr J. Dods came in very wet. About 7 o'clock Mr Dods came in also soaking. When Angus came at 8 to take us home, he first went to the post for the Dod's letters. We were not home 'till about half past 9 o'clock.

Sun Nov 27th 
We to church and the sermon was on the parable of the good samaritan Luke 10-25-37. Lovely day.

Mon Nov 28th 
Went to Ruchlew Mains in the forenoon to see if I could get any eggs but did not get any. Mr Dods was in in the forenoon, the snow came on very heavy about 11 and cleared about 1 o'clock. Mr Margoribanks called for a short time about an hour. Mr J. Dods came in and stayed the evening. He taught me how to play Bezique, and did not leave 'till close on 10 o'clock.

Tues Nov 29th 
Lovely day, hard frost. Started to walk to Dunbar about half past 11 o'clock and we took about two hours to walk, went to Mrs R. Cunninghams and I stayed there while Aunt went to Mrs Lunam's she did not come back 'till about 7 o'clock. We stayed there the night. Aunt and Mrs Cunningham left for Edinburgh in the morning.

Wed Nov 30th 
Damp morning came on a little rain afterwards. Aunt and Mrs Cunningham went to Edinburgh in the morning, they did not come back until about half past six. Angus came for us about 7 o'clock. Vic was with us at Dunbar. On the way home we met Mr J. Dods going to the post.

Thurs Dec 1st 
Fine day. Mr Dods was here in the forenoon. I was to have gone to Pitcox in the afternoon but did not get. I went to the Lint Mill with some letters and brought Vic back with me, who had left in the forenoon.

Fri Dec 2nd 
Nice morning but just poured in the afternoon. I went to see Mrs Wight for a little time in the afternoon, her house is always beautifully clean.

Sat Dec 3rd 
Lovely day but the roads are very dirty. Mr Dods and Mr Elliot both came in for a short time in the forenoon. I went to Pitcox in the afternoon and brought back some books with me. Mrs Dods was here when I got back. Mrs Dods was to leave here about 6 and meet Mr Dods at the grieve's house of Beesknowe. I went there with her. Mr Dods had not come yet so we went to see the dairy and Jessie was there. When Mr Dods came he gave me a note for our grieve.

Following on from her diary entries :-

"To Miss Discontent"
This old world is dying for more sweet , devoted Christian girls, just such as you may be if you take this remedy :-

 Mix well, shake together, and take once every thirty minutes during waking hours. Do not think, my friend, I am speaking figuratively, that I am not speaking with all seriousness. Your malady is more common than consumption, more fatal than typhoid fever, and there is no other cure. 

This medicine made up of unselfishness, hopefulness, good cheer, gentleness and sunshine is compounded in no earthly pharmacy. The soul at peace with God is at peace with itself. The soul at war with God is at war with all mankind. Bible in hand, alone with God, on your knees, seek this remedy, and you will find it.-

A kindly word and tender tone,
Only to God is there virtue unknown, 
They can lift from the dust the abject head, 
They can turn a foe to a friend instead, 
The heart close barred with passion and pride, 
Will fling at their knock its portals wide, 
And the hate that blights and the scorn that sears, 
Will melt in the fountain of childlike tears, 
What ice-bound griefs have been broken, 
What rivers of love been stirred, 
By a word in kindness spoken, 
By only a gentle word.

A Stern Teacher
God keeps a school for his children here on earth, and one of his best teachers is named DISAPPOINTMENT. He is a rough teacher, severe in tone and harsh in his handling sometimes, but his tuition is worth all it costs. Many of our best lessons through life have been taught us by that same old schoolmaster - DISAPPOINTMENT.

The Triumphs of Love

Diary 1900 - Christian had just turned 19 years of age 
I am staying at Broughty Ferry and have been here since the 9th of May. I am going to try and write my diary every night after I put David to bed. (Christian was apparently looking after children in an orphanage about 2-3 miles east of Dundee, on the Forth of Tay).

Wed Aug 15th 
Misty in the morning but cleared away by 12 o'clock. Lizzie Gordon and Nora Darling, a cousin of hers, the two girls, David and I, all went with the train about 11 for Monikie. We had a picnic. Mrs Croll (who ran the orphanage) packed a lot of things for us and Lizzie prepared the eatables. Before we left the station we got some books to read. First thing on getting there was to get some milk for our dinner. We then found a nice place down by the first pond where we took our sandwiches. When finished, Lizzie, David and I took the cups to wash them at the pump but first told the woman we wanted boiling at half past four. While washing the cups the driver of a very drunken party who were in a field nearby came to water his horse, while doing , he asked if we had ever drunk the water as it was very cool and nice and then he had a drink, after he left we tried it but did not at all like it. When we went to our spot again Lizzie watched the things while we went to catch minoes at which we were soon stopped by a keeper who was very kind. We then went and ate a lot of wild rasps and brought back a lot of wild grasses and flowers which however were all thrown away ere we reached home, after we had tea we returned the kettle and paid the woman, we had a game of hide and seek then the girls gathered heather while Lizzie and I sat and talked after which we set off for home having enjoyed ourselves very much.

Thurs Aug 16th 
Misty again this morning but also cleared up. Nora Darling has been with the girls all day, they were first at the sands in the forenoon and then playing croquet in the afternoon. She also had tea here. Mr and Mrs Melville of the Rarns with their two little children and stayed tea. I hope I will see Lizzie Gordon again.

Fri Aug 17th 
Dull in the morning but cleared up for the afternoon and then came on to rain in the evening. This was the day that I did the rooms out thoroughly so was pretty busy all forenoon. David and I went down to the beach in the afternoon and saw the volunteers leaving as this was the last day of camping out. (These men would have been heading to South Africa to fight the Boers under Lord Roberts and General Kitchener). Mother sent me my blouse this evening- think it will be very nice. Jessie, David and I had some fun tonight which they both liked, I think I am getting on better with David now. Had a game of croquet this evening but had to stop when rain came on.

Sat Aug 18th 
Kept fair but rather dull in the morning. A Mr Maine, a missionary China was here to dinner today. He happened to be home or he might have been murdered along with the rest. (A group of Chinese secret societies combined to form the "Righteous Harmony Fists" or "Boxers" as Westerners knew them. The Boxers started a campaign to rid China of "foreign devils"in 1900 and many Europeans were killed, including Mr. Maine's friends evidently). Stewart and Frank Gordon came home tonight. They have been away for a cruise. The two girls, David and Nora Darling were away for a drive with their Uncle John this evening. It was big bath night tonight, a thing which David very much enjoys. I must go and wash Ella's gloves for Sunday. I have only been out for a message tonight and the Ferry was very much crowded.

Sun Aug 19th 
A nice morning but came on to rain in the afternoon and rained all evening.Were all at church in the morning except Mrs Croll. The sermon was taken from Luke 20-20. The minister we had was only a substitute as Mr Wilson is away for his holidays. We had this minister last Sunday and will have him another yet. Have not got on so well with David today. He requires an awful amount of patience. One would have to ask him 10 minutes before you want him to do anything. It is now three weeks since I wrote Mrs Cunningham and have never had an answer yet, not like her at all.

Mon Aug 20th 
Raining all forenoon but cleared up in the afternoon. We went out after tea and got some messages then walked along the sands by the sea. Mrs Croll and I got the drawing room ornaments washed this afternoon, the room has never been put straight since the spring cleaning as she has had no need for it with her being ill. I got a letter from Mother this morning although I was not expecting it as I had a note along with the parcel last week. Lucy and Julia are away to Aunt Jane's today with their cycles for their holidays. Mother said Mr McLeod is leaving in the middle of September.

Tues Aug 21st 
Pouring in the morning, but faired up for a little in the afternoon. Mrs Lunaston the washerwoman should have come this morning but she never turned up so when the fish woman came Mrs Croll asked her if she could come so she came this afternoon and Nellie has been out helping her. I have not been out at all today.

Wed Aug 22nd 
Very wet all today, nothing but pouring all day. David is sitting up in his bed while I am writing this and Jessie is looking over my shoulder seeing what I am writing. I am able to clean rabbits now as I did some this morning. This was Ella's birthday and we all knew about it long before the time. Jessie, David and I were having some fun tonight which pleased them both very much. We had a fire on in the dining-room today as it was so cold.

Thurs Aug 23rd 
A little misty in the morning but turned out lovely. Have not been out today as I had to see to the clothes and it is Nellie's night out. The girls and Nora Darling were up at the nursery this afternoon and brought home some rasps so we made them into jam. We have made a lot of jam all together this summer. I hope Julia and Lucy are enjoying their holidays and that it will not be long ere I get home for a little.

Fri Aug 24th 
Nice morning but came on rain in the afternoon. I was very busy this forenoon and did not get out in the afternoon as the rain came on. Mr L. Melville came in as we were at tea. After tea I played with David and tried to amuse him and he seemed quite happy until it was time for bed then he became as cross as he could possibly be. What a pity his temper is not checked for he would be such a nice little boy, but as it is just now it is all self. Nora Darling was in before tea and had a game of cards. She leaves tomorrow and is quite sorry to go home.

Sat Aug 25th 
Nice day all .. but a little rain in the evening. This afternoon Mrs Croll and the two girls and David all drove to Burns, Jim and Stewart following on their bikes. Jim and Stewart had remained for tea. I used to read and knit at the same time but Mrs Croll was telling me I would be able to knit ever so much quicker if I did not read and she never does it. So I have made up my mind not to read and knit during the day, only at night when I am by myself. Although I will miss it very much at first, I am going to make it my motto "Duty before pleasure". When I was cutting up vegetables for broth tomorrow I said to Mrs Croll "I will surely be able to chop vegetables now", "yes", she said "let me tell you there will be one or two things you have learnt since you came here". I must surely be always improving as Aunt Alison told me the same thing and so did Mrs Cunningham and now Mrs Croll. Mother will not know her clever daughter when she puts in her appearance. Nora Darling went home today, she came in this morning to say goodbye.

Sun Aug 26th 
Has been fair all today but rather cold. Were all at church in the morning except Mrs Croll. The sermon was from Mathew 11-18 and 19. It was the substitute minister again, he does not always speak very distinctly. We were out at the bach this afternoon but I felt rather cold and was glad to come home. I wrote to Mother tonight and was intending to write to Mrs Cunningham but could not get peace for Jim's teasing.

Mon Aug 27th 
It has kept fair all day but very cold for this time of year. I was very busy all this forenoon. There is always a good deal to do on Monday morning. I washed five blouses this morning and got them all ironed tonight. The two girls have been away to Byseck with their aunt today. Mr Grimmond the factory owner in Dundee was..(buried)..today. First of all came 600 of the male workers walking in front, then the hearse with an oak coffin covered with wreaths and then ever so many carriages. I thought they were never going to end. David and I was up at the nursery this afternoon so we went in to the cemetary and saw the grave. I never saw so many wreaths of flowers before. I got my head washed tonight and am very glad it is done. I got my letter from this morning with one enclosed from Julia. I was awfully glad to get it, when it comes on Monday morning like that it gives one something to think about all day. They seem to be enjoying Edinburgh very much and Aunt Jane is ever so kind. I got some new pens this morning and I think there is an improvement in the writing. I use the Relief Pens.

Tues Aug 28th 
Fair but dull all day. Nellie washed the flannels today and Mrs Croll and I did some of the good ones. I had a game of Croquet this afternoon, after tea we all went down to the Ferry, we met Lizzie Gordon on the way. When I came in I got some knitting done as David went up to O.P. for a cabbage. I have never been able to ask Mrs Croll yet when I will be able to get home but must try and get a chance tomorrow.

Wed Aug 29th 
Lovely day, just a nice heat. David and I were down at the sands in the forenoon, we had his pail down with us and brought it up full of fine stones and small pieces of shell for the hens. They were out for a drive in the afternoon and then after tea again the four of us first went down to the ferry for a few messages and then on to the park. After we came in we had a game of crocket then I played at being David's horse for a little. There was a man with a monkey outside our gate tonight, he seemed to have a lot of pennies in his pocket for you heard them jingle as he dropped one in.

Thurs Aug 30th 
Lovely day, Ella, Jessie and David all went to Dundee this forenoon. In the afternoon they were out for a drive with their mother. After tea David and I went down to the ferry then went to the O.P. for potatoes. After he came back we had a game of crocket then I came and got the supper as it is Nellie's night out. Their Aunt Jane is coming here for the night then she goes on to Carnoustie tomorrow morning. This is the first day of the Dundee Flower Show which lasts for three days.

Fri Aug 31st 
Has been raining all day except for a short time when it faired up in the evening. This was my busy morning and we also turned out the spare bedroom today and I did the dusting of it in the afternoon. We were not out at all today. Their Uncle Lawrence here to tea tonight. I do hope it is a fine day tomorrow as we are going to the flower show. Their Aunt Jane left before eight this morning.

Sat Sept 1st 
Lovely day but only a little rain in the afternoon. We were all delighted when we saw it was such a nice day. We got the train at 1-40 and then went straight to Mr Croll's shop, it was going to be shut so as we had a message for Smail's shop, Mr Croll came with us. After that we took the car out to the show. It is the electric cars they are using in Dundee now. This is the first time I have been in Dundee and I think it a rather rough sort of place-of course it is the mills that make it so. After we got to the green, Mr Croll told us we should go through the flower tents first. After we had been through some of them we came out again and had a look at the side shows, then we thought it was time we were going to see the Cycle Parade. First we found Mr Croll and Jim then we got to a nice place where we saw it very well. The most disagreeable thing about it all was that there was a man close beside me who was smoking a pipe and he blew all the smoke right in my face which was enough to choke me and I was not able to move anyway as I was jammed in on all sides so much so that my side was aching which was against the fence. After the cycles came the tug-of-war which seemed to excite the men round about very much. After we came away we found Jim who had been looking for us, then the whole of us went again around the shows before we came out. The car we got was awfully crowded. We got the 6-10 train back and all took a good tea as we were very hungry. Mrs Croll told me this morning I will be able to get home next Saturday so I am quite delighted at the thought. I have enjoyed my day very much.

Sun Sept 2nd 
Mostly fair but a few showers. All went to church as usual, but Jim coughed a good deal as he has a nasty cold with his outing yesterday. The sermon was from John 14-21. We had Mr Wilson back again, but he speaks awfully low, sometimes you can hardly catch what he says. They were all out at the bach this afternoon but I, as I thought it was too cold. I wrote my home letter this evening and Jim sought out my trains for me. I then went to make some toffee but it was not a success, but there is no fears of it not being eaten. After we had bible reading this evening we sung a few hymns while Mr Croll played on his flute.

Mon Sept 3rd 
Cold but fine and nice. Mrs Croll went to Dundee this morning and was none the worse of it she came back by the next train she has a season ticket. Old Mr and Mrs Melville were in this afternoon. We had tea before 3 o'clock this afternoon so as to let them go out for a drive. Stewart came in and had tea with Jim, afterwards the two girls Stewart and I all had a game of crocket. When Mrs Croll came in David and I went down the ferry for some messages and to get his hair cut. We had a nice walk along to the west ferry.

Tues Sept 4th 
A nice day but not very warm. This was washing day and the washerwoman came in good time. This was the first day of their schools after the holidays. Jim went to the high school today but he has not liked his first day of it very much. I am going to put new braid on my blue skirt tonight. We gave the dining room a good clean out today. I was not out today as Nellie was busy.

Wed Sept 5th 
Just came on rain in the early morning and has continued wet ever since. I went down to the ferry this morning for some messages and in the afternoon I did the ironing of the collars, then again at night I ironed three blouses and washed out four so I have five to iron tomorrow. I hope to get some ironed in the forenoon. I got a letter from Mrs Cunningham this morning, she has been without a servant since the middle of July and has only a young girl for the children but seems to be doing well. Mrs Cunningham's ankle has been troubling her again.

Thurs Sept 6th 
A nice day, looked as though it would rain but never came on. I got a note from mother this morning, saying Hardie and Annie would meet me at the station on Saturday. I ironed the blouses this afternoon, then when David came home he and I went out for a turn along the Esplanade. He was quite pleased because he and I played at having our legs tied together and trying to walk with three legs. How I am looking forward to going home on Saturday.

Fri Sept 7th 
Raining all day. This was the day for doing out the rooms thoroughly. All the children were going out to tea to the Smail's and did not come home until 8-30. It was big bath night tonight as I will not be here tomorrow likely. I got a good deal of knitting done today. Mr L. Melville was in tonight. He generally turns up on Friday night.

(This is the end of Christian's diary entries except for a religious poem dated 17th July, 1906).