James Menzies

James Menzies, Wine Merchant, 68, Bath Street.—

    In all parts of Glasgow, and in many notable quarters of the “West Country” the name of Mr. James Menzies, of Bath Street, is known both socially and commercially, and his important business at the above address stands well to the front among the most prominent institutions of Glasgow’s wine and spirit trade. As a wine merchant, Mr. James Menzies has been established for upwards of twenty-two years, and has during that period built up a business of the first class, in the marked success of which his personal popularity and the thorough excellence of his supplies have been co-equal factors.

    Mr. Menzies has identified himself with a number of very notable specialites, among them being the celebrated ales of Messrs. James and Thomas Usher, of the Park Brewery, Edinburgh ; and he has played a distinctly prominent part in winning for these ales a continuous extension of their widespread popularity. He is also the Glasgow agent for Macdonald’s noted “Long John” whisky — the “Dew of Ben Nevis” — possessing a national and standard renown. Both the ales of Messrs. Usher and the “Long John” whisky are being supplied by this house to the Glasgow International Exhibition.

    The premises occupied in Bath Street comprise spacious and handsomely appointed offices and sample-room. A very large agency trade is controlled and a numerous travelling staff is employed in various Scottish districts. For its local trade the house holds a valuable list of Glasgow agencies in those for Messrs. Findlater & Co., of Mountjoy Brewery, Dublin ; Messrs. Ernest Irroy et Cie., the celebrated Rheims firm of champagne growers ; and Messrs. A. C. Meukow et Cie., no less noted as shippers of fine cognac brandy, both of whose productions are supplied at the Glasgow International Exhibition. Of all these goods large quantities are sold in Glasgow ; and the entire business takes rank among the largest, most thoroughly representative, and most influentially connected in the city.

    Mr. James Menzies holds the rank of Major in the 10th Lanark (Glasgow Highlanders), a notable regiment, which he was largely instrumental in calling into existence, and which has owed much of its advancement towards its present excellent condition to his untiring zeal and devotion to the volunteer cause in general, and to this corps in particular. Wherever volunteers “most do congregate”, there Major Menzies is a welcome and an honoured guest and comrade. Major Menzies is naturally exceedingly popular with his own creditable regiment. He is a typical Highlander, a thorough clansman, and a staunch and ready supporter of every Celtic institution — be it a custom, a charity, or the language and literature of the Gael. Major Menzies is an unfailing attendant at all great and notable gatherings brought together by any important impulse in the national Celtic spirit, and his zeal in Highland affairs has led to the association of his name with many very prominent landmarks, so to speak, in the recent history of the Highlands and their people.

    He was especially instrumental in originating and carrying to a completely successful issue the idea of a memorial cairn in perpetuation of the fame of the renowned “ Black Watch ” (42nd Royal Highlanders). This Cairn has been erected on the spot where the first muster of the famous “ Freicedan Dubh” took place in 1740, the spot being close to the Tay Bridge and historic Aberfeldy. The Marquis of Breadalbane performed the unveiling ceremony of this handsome memorial, commemorating the Highland heroes who fell in battle “from the creation of the regiment to the close of the Indian Mutiny, 1859” ; and Major Menzies, in responding to the toast of his health, made a thoroughly characteristic speech, in which he fully manifested the spirit which had prompted him to so vigorously identify himself with the memorial committee and movement.

    At the annual camp at Wimbledon there is probably no better known volunteer officer than Major Menzies. He is noted as an excellent shot, and has contributed to the upholding of the Scottish honour with the rifle, not only at home, but also abroad. And high up in the ranks of Freemasonry, Major Menzies combines in himself all the qualities that win for a man the respect of the brotherhood and the esteem of his fellow-men.

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