Barrowsgate

Tag: Miscellaneous

  • A veteran of the crook and plaid

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    This is a portrait of Hugh Rose Smythe, Barrowsgate’s uncle. “Aul Hughie” lived from 1858 until 1952 and, at the time of writing (1936), he was “only” 78. Seven years before the article was written, Aul Hughie received an award from the Marquis of Aberdeen and Tremair for sixty years’ service as a shepherd on…

  • Vanity

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    Barrowsgate reflects on the modern practice of women wearing makeup. He suggests that it has its origins in prehistoric times when it was used for camouflage, to avoid the unwanted attention of men. Published under the “ANZAC” byline in the Buchan Observer

  • Dangerous Reflections

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    Barrowsgate cautions his readers not to write too much down, lest “the Devil looks over your shoulder”.

  • Sweetheart o’ mine

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    Barrowsgate is calling his sweetheart home – who turns out to be his four-year old niece Nancy. This was published in the Gazette of the London Scottish Regiment. There is a slightly different handwritten version entitled “Jane, Sweetheart o’ Mine”. It is not known who Jane is.

  • The Maister

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    Barrowsgate remembers his old schoolteacher with affection. Published in the London Scottish Regimental Gazette.

  • Esculapius

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    Barrowsgate extolls the virtues and (some of the vices) of the medical profession.

  • Barberin’

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    Barrowsgate reads that some Aberdeen barbers are asking for legislation that would put them on the same footing as, for example, surgeons. Barrowsgate agrees that perhaps the fees should correspond to the suffering caused, and recalls a friend of his very nearly being scalped by one barber.

  • The Loch Ness Monster

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    Barrowsgate applauds the inventiveness of the Inverness publicity department in coming up with the idea of the Loch Ness Monster, to prolong the tourist season. He isn’t so sure about the local publican who offers a special 50% alcohol, “DT’s guaranteed” whisky blend that will allow you to see two monsters and other reptiles in…

  • A Proposal

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    On the face of it, this is a marriage proposal to Carrie, Barrowsgate’s sister-in-law. Presumably not to be taken seriously as Barrowsgate was happily married as far as we know. Carrie never married. Unpublished in this form, the verse appeared in a Bittie entitled “Love – A fyou Defineetions” in 1933.

  • Love, a fyou Defineetions

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    A speech at the Geneva Conference of 1933 made Barrowsgate reflect on the true meaning of love and the different ways of expressing it. By way of example, Jockie Tamson writes his true love a poem by way of marriage proposal. Jockie’s love letter is almost identical to Barrowsgate’s verse “A Proposal”.