At bazaars he was always happy in his remarks, and whether the object were the building of a new church, or a manse, or getting up funds for a drill hall, he commended it with earnestness and wit, and at the same time did not stint his own contribution to the cause. On one of these occasions he was appropriately introduced to the company by Dr. Gray of Liberton 'as a sincere Christian, a true-hearted gentleman, a brave soldier, and a modest man.'
In the work of the Boys' Brigade and Volunteer gatherings he was delighted to give his support, and was frequently asked to take a part in their meetings both at New Craighall and Portobello.
It was so characteristic of the outspoken candour of his nature, that his inspections were not matters of formal display, or the mere occasion of fulsome praise. Drill to him was business; and he was quick to detect faults, and if needful correct them. Once at an open-air inspection of the Portobello Company of the Boys' Brigade, after a thorough examination of the lads, he addressed them upon the various points of drill, and emphasised certain weaknesses noticed by him; for, as he expressed it, 'he did not come there to tell them they were the best creatures on earth, for he did not believe they were. Taking all things into consideration, he thought they did very well, but they might do better.' The spectators were somewhat amused at the critical attitude of the General, but it was none the less appreciated, for on this subject an ounce of criticism from him was worth a ton of praise from any other person.
Liberton School Board
The same qualities of thoroughness and close application characterised General Wauchope's conduct in the School Board and Parish Council of Liberton, of both of which he was for some time a member. He was specially interested in the education of the young, and spent much time making himself acquainted with the intricacies of the code and details of school management, and on a recent occasion it is recalled how at the annual visit of the Government Inspector, he followed close upon the Inspector's heels during his visit, in order that he might fully comprehend the whole system of public school education, and make himself familiar with its requirements.
On one occasion, in the absence of the chairman, Major Gordon Gilmour, he was called upon to preside at a meeting of the School Board, but having ridden over from Niddrie House to Liberton Church—in the vestry of which the meeting was held—in riding costume, with top boots, spurs, riding-breeches, etc., he was reluctant to pose as chairman. Yielding to pressure, he, however, at length consented, jocularly appealing to the reporters not to take off his coat, or mention his costume in their report!
In the routine of parochial work the General took his full share, and never shirked discussions on even the smallest details of poor relief.
While he did not care to bulk largely in the public eye, and was specially desirous that his private benefactions should be known as little as possible, yet it was well understood that he was an unobtrusive but most liberal benefactor to the district. Dr. Andrew Balfour of Portobello gives the following instance. 'I remember well,' he says, 'that ere he went out to Egypt as captain in the Black Watch, during the Arabi Pasha rebellion, he said to me, "Now, Balfour, I will trust to you to let me know of anything going on at Niddrie in which I can lend a helping hand." It so happened at that time we started reading and recreation rooms for the miners, so I wrote to him, as he desired, with the result that he at once sent me a kind letter and an order for £25 to help the scheme.'
His private benefactions were as a rule administered with praiseworthy discrimination, as the following incident will show. Two little boys had been caught pilfering coal and were lodged in jail. On the circumstance being reported to the General, he visited the little fellows in prison, and learning the circumstances of their family, and that their mother was a poor, struggling, hard-working widow, he at once sent her half a ton of coals, and the boys were liberated.