The speaker then referred briefly to the Aberdeenshire Frasers, and to some of the principal Cadet families of the Clan. He gave an explanation of the coat of arms, related a number of interesting Clan incidents, including forays, Clan feuds, and anecdotes of a local character. At some length he described the Home of the Clan, pointing out its extent on a map of Inverness-shire, colored to show the gradual increase and decrease of territory, which kept pace with the varying fortunes of the Clan; expatiating on the great variety and beauty of its scenery, tributes to which he quoted from Christopher North, David Macrae, Robert Carruthers and Evan MacColl.
MR. ROBERT LOVAT FRASER,
1st Vice-Chairman.
Mr. Robert Lovat Fraser, Vice-chairman, replied to the toast. He said: My duty, through the kindness of the committee, is certainly not so arduous in replying to the toast of the evening, as that which has been imposed upon the Chairman in proposing it. The length of his address, the facts regarding the origin and the outlines of the history of the Clan which he gave, make it unnecessary for me to dwell at length on this interesting topic. Indeed, I found on listening to the Chairman, that I had a great deal to learn about our Clan, and I am sure that I express not only my own thanks, but yours to him, in placing before us, so clearly and minutely, the leading facts regarding our ancestry and kindred. All my life long I have been an ardent admirer of some of the more prominent Frasers who have figured in our Clan history. My own connection with the Clan in the Highlands is somewhat remote, the last of my forefathers who resided there having had to leave his home and friends, on account of the part which he took with his Clan in the uprising of '45. But although we have been cut off from that close connection which is thought necessary to keep alive a sentimental interest in such things, I can assure you that no clansman born within the shadow of Castle Downie can boast with greater truth of possessing more enthusiasm and interest than I in all that pertains to the Clan Fraser. The Clan has a history which we as clansmen should so study as to become perfectly familiar with it. Its record has been written in the events of the times as well as on the page of history, and no more inspiring or patriotic duty lies to our hand than the study of that record. I firmly believe that the influence of the clan feeling was a good influence, and that the idea of kinship and responsibility to each other for good behavior, as to kinsmen, had much to do in bringing about the high moral tone which distinguishes the Highland clans. It did much also to prepare the minds of those people for the enlightenment and love which Christianity brought with it, and which are so strikingly exemplified in the Highland character. I would say therefore to the young men, 'employ part of your evenings in the reading of the Clan history,' and to the older people, 'devote a little of the time of your remaining years to a like purpose.' I do not think it necessary, after what we have just heard, to enter into historic details; neither is it necessary to defend the honor of the Clan where there are no assailants. The Clan has taken its place honorably among its contemporaries and neighbors. It invariably performed its duty in a manner highly creditable to the public spirit of its members and to their high standard of justice. There were it is true at times in the Clan, as in every other body of people, men whose names have been perpetuated because of evil rather than good. These, however, have been singularly few in the Clan Fraser, and even where statements are found to their discredit, the malice of interested foes not infrequently lends a heightened color to charges which might to some extent have been founded on fact. This I believe to be true in the case of Simon Lord Lovat, who had the misfortune to be the subject of biographical sketches by his enemies, but of whom a juster view now prevails. Happily the prominent clansmen, whose characteristics needed no defence, but called forth admiration and emulation, were many. To name them would be but to recite a long and distinguished list. Their characteristics were such as to challenge public commendation. With them as examples no clansman need feel ashamed of the name. But what I should like to impress most of all upon our Clan throughout the country is the necessity for a sentiment of loyalty to the Clan name and its traditions. Seeing that we have such a history let us prize it. Let every clansman feel proud of it, and let him see to it that his conduct and ambition are in every way in keeping with the record of the past, and in this way prove himself not only a good citizen, a good neighbor and a good friend, but a good clansman, and hand down the character of the Clan unsullied to posterity. This would be a most laudable ambition and one which I feel sure every Fraser worthy of the name will strive earnestly to attain.
Two gentlemen, Frasers all but in name, had been invited as guests. They were Mr. B. Homer Dixon, Consul General for the Netherlands, and Mr. Hugh Miller, J. P., both of Toronto. Their health was proposed by the chairman, who paid a high compliment to Mr. Homer Dixon, who, he said, had taken the warmest interest in matters relating to the Clan, and who was a living encyclopedia of information regarding its history and affairs. Mr. Dixon's connection was derived from his maternal side, and not a few Clan relics were in his possession. His absence from the gathering was on account of indifferent health, and it was regretted very much by those present. In coupling Mr. Miller's name with the toast, the Chairman referred to that gentleman's long connection with the business interests of the city of Toronto. Mr. Hugh Miller was a relative of his namesake, the famous geologist, and his name was as well known in Ontario business and national circles, as was that of his distinguished namesake in the field of literature and science. Mr. Miller rightly claimed to be of Fraser stock—he certainly had the Fraser spirit. He sat with them as an honored guest, but none the less an honored clansman.
Mr. Miller, in reply, expressed the great satisfaction with which he had received an invitation to be present at what he might truly describe as a gathering of his own clansmen. It was well known that in Scotland, as in other countries, men were often named after the occupations which they followed, and it was not a mere tradition but a fact within the knowledge of his immediate forebears that they were of pure Fraser stock. They had worn the Fraser tartan, and had always taken a deep interest in whatever pertained to the affairs of the Clan. When the Chairman, in giving the toast of the Clan, had referred to the places associated with the name, he was brought back in memory over a long period of time. At his age, the sweep of memory to boyhood's days was a long one, and he could well recall the events in the Highlands of Scotland over sixty years ago. He had a loving and familiar recollection of scenes, than which there were none more beautiful under the sun, and of people who had animated these fair surroundings. The Fraser estates were among the finest in Britain, affording examples of beauty calculated to leave a very vivid impression on the youthful mind, and during his long life his early impressions had ever remained fresh and green. He remembered the time when the succession to the chiefship and estates was in hot dispute, and he knew how deeply the clansmen were moved by that contest. Down to that day the feeling of the clans was as strong as of old, and doubtless if occasion arose, it would prove to be strong still. At that time there were various claimants for the honors and possessions of the ancient house of Lovat, and as a boy he saw a good deal of those who were prominently concerned in the case. The Frasers were very anxious that the true heir by blood should succeed, and much was privately as well as openly done on behalf of the various contestants, according as the clansmen believed in the various claims put forward. As to the main object of their re-union that evening, he could do nothing but express his sincere hope that a strong association of the Frasers would be formed. There was no reason whatever why such an organization should not flourish in Canada, where those bearing the name could be numbered by thousands. He had the good fortune to know not a few Frasers in Canada, and he could honestly say that none of them, so far as he knew, ever did anything that in any way tarnished the good name of the Clan. He had great hopes of the success of the movement from the enthusiasm of the gathering, and from the fact that those who had taken the matter in hand were men of energy and capacity. He could now only thank them for having honored the toast in such a hospitable manner, and wish them all success in the projected organization.