Elisa Bonaparte

‘All that is known with certainty of Napoleon’s family, may be told in a few words…I. Joseph, the eldest,  who though placed by his brother in an obnoxious situation, as intrusive King of Spain, held the reputation of a good king, and moderate man…The females were, I Maria Anne, afterwards Grand Duchess of Tuscany, by the name of Elisa….’

Sir Walter Scott provided a sketchy view of Napoleon’s family in his “Life of Napoleon Buonaparte”.  Napoleon’s sister Elisa was born this day, January 13^th, in 1777.  Others have filled in more of Elisa and others of the Bonaparte family’s lives, and one source of information is the Napoleon Historical Society.  According to this group, Elisa and her husband, M. Felice Bacciochi,  were crowned at Lucca in 1805.  Elisa’s lowly husband became Elisa’s chamberlain.  Her reign is remembered as supportive of the arts.

Saint Mungo's Day

'The dusky mountains of the western Highlands often sent forth wilder tribes to frequent the marts of St. Mungo's favourite city. Hordes of wild shaggy, dwarfish cattle and ponies, conducted by Highlanders, as wild, as shaggy, and sometimes as dwarfish, as the animals they had in charge, often traversed the streets of Glasgow. Strangers gazed with surprise on the antique and fantastic dress, and listened to the unknown and dissonant sounds of their language, while the mountaineers, armed, even while engaged in this peaceful occupation, with musket and pistol, sword, dagger, and target, stared with astonishment on the articles of luxury of which they knew not the use, and with an avidity which seemed somewhat alarming on the articles which they knew and valued. It is always with unwillingness that the Highlander quits his deserts, and at this early period it was like tearing a pine from its rock, to plant him elsewhere. Yet even then the mountain glens were over-peopled, although thinned occasionally by famine or by the sword, and many of their inhabitants strayed down to Glasgow--there formed settlements--there sought and found employment, although different, indeed, from that of their native hills. This supply of a hardy and useful population was of consequence to the prosperity of the place, furnished the means of carrying on the few manufactures which the town already boasted, and laid the foundation of its future prosperity....'

Saint Mungo's life began mysteriously.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (newadvent.org), his mother was named Thenaw, and was a daughter of British prince Lothus. His father is unknown.  Kertigern, as the Saint is also known, began an austere mission life at age 25 in Cathures, on the Clyde, which became Glasgow. 

Saint Mungo and Saint Mungo's Church appear in Walter Scott's "Rob Roy", from which the text above comes.  Saint Mungo died on January 13, 603, and January 13 is his Feast Day.

George Fox

George Fox, who died on January 13, 1691, founded the Religious Society of Friends; the Quakers.  Fox began his career as a weaver, but began preaching around 1647, when he was approximately 23.  Fox traveled widely in his ministry, reaching the Borderlands about 1657.  There he influenced one Walter Scott of Raeburn, 2nd Great Grandfather of Sir Walter Scott of Waverly fame.

Both Walter (Raeburn) and his brother Gideon ventured into Quakerism; around 1660, according to a letter of Sir Walter Scott's published in "Friends Intelligencer: a religious and family journal, Volume 23".  This publication contains a response Scott wrote to a letter from a member of the Society of Friends who'd inquired whether Scott had come across any records relating to the Friends among his family papers.  Scott wrote back:

"I received your letter yesterday, and lose no time in replying.  I have particular family reasons for desiring to oblige the society of Friends, as two of my ancestors, one by my mother's and the other by my father's side were members of that respectable body..."

The ancestor on his mother's side was John Swinton of Swinton, who had worked with Oliver Cromwell in administering Scotland.  The two Scott brothers mentioned above were pulled back to Presbyterianism by their older brother William Scott, who took legal action with the Privy Council of Scotland against the heretic Walter Scott, having him imprisoned - first in Edinburgh, later in Jedburgh.