21 4 B I0 GRAPH I CA L SI< ET C HE S.
popular there. An attempt was at one time very injudiciously made to stop the
players by the tacksman, but ineffectually. About Edinburgh, Musselburgh,
Perth, St. Andrews, and other districts, where no restraints exist, golf maintains a
decided superiority, and seems at the present time to be followed with new spirit.
Indeed the game was never more popular. In addition to the old Clubs in the
districts already mentioned, another was some time ago established at North
Berwick, the meetings of which are numerously attended. St. Andrews, however,
has been denominated the Doncaster of golfing. A great many of the
nobility and gentry of the neighbouring counties are members of the Club, which
bears the name of the tutelar Saint, and the autumn meeting may be said to
continue for a week, during which the crack players from all quarters of the
country have an opportunity of pitting their strength and skill against each
other. On these occasions the Links, crowded with players and spectators, present
a gay and animated scene. Two medals are played for-the one belonging to
the Club, and the other a gift of King William the Fourth-which latter was
competed for at the meeting in 1537 for the first time, and attracted a very
great assemblage of the best golfers. At the ordinaries in the evening, the
parties “ fight their battles o’er again,” and new matches are entered into. The
day on which the King’s medal was played for terminated with a ball, given by
the Club, which was numerously and fashionably attended. In London a society
of golfers still exists, principally composed, we believe, of Scotsmen, called the
“ Blackheath Golf Club,” which was established prior to the year 1745.’
I
ALEXAXDEMR ‘KELLARt,h e “ Cock 0’ the Green”-whom the Print represents
as abofit to strike the ball-was probably one of the most enthusiastic golfplayers
that ever handled a clnb. When the weather would at all permit, he
generally spent the whole day on Bruntsfield Links ; and he was frequently to
be found engaged at the “ short holes ” by lamp light. Even in winter, if the
snow was sufficiently frozen, he might be seen enjoying his favourite exercise
alone, or with any one he could persuade to join him in the pastime. M‘Kellar
thus became well known in the neighbourhood of the green ; and his almost
insane devotion to golf was a matter of much amusement to his acquaintances.
So thoroughly did he enter into the spirit of the game, that every other
consideration seemed obliterated for the time. By the la’ Harry,” or “By
gracious, this won’t go for nothing!” he would exclaim involuntarily, as he
endeavoured to ply his club with scientific skill ; and when victory chanced to
crown his exertions, he used to give way to his joy for a second or two by dancing
round the golf hole. M‘Kellar, however, was not a member of any of the
Clubs ; and, notwithstanding his incessant practice, he was by no means considered
a dexterous player. This is accounted for by the circumstance of his
having been far advanced in years before he had an opportunity of gaining a
1 For the best and most recent account of this game, see “ Golf : A Royal and Ancient Game,”
with Illustrations. Edinburgh : R. & R. Clark. 1875.