The great annual Caledonian Ball is soon to come off with its
accustomed splendour; the Scottish National pastimes and fêtes are
to be celebrated under the most influential auspices; and the [late]
Scotch Lord Mayor continues to keep up the national character for
hospitality with unwonted liberality and _éclat_. A Scotch nobleman
has won the Derby, an achievement surpassing, in the estimation of
the Cockneys, all the exploits of Lord Gough. Another Scotch nobleman
has added the splendid territory of the Five Rivers to the British
empire in India; and a third is wisely, and ably, and approvingly,
suppressing rebellion in Canada. Two Scotch noblemen made the best
speeches, _pro_ and _con_, on the Navigation-laws. The temporary
absence from illness of one Scotch member (Hume) from the Commons is
generally lamented. Scotch music is heard and applauded in the streets
despite of the _dilettanti_ and tramontane attractions of Alboni and
Lablache; and Scotch steamers are universally allowed to be the finest
models of marine architecture in the river. From the stone bridges
over the Thames--nearly all built [of Scotch stones] by Scotchmen--you
are perpetually reminded of the genius of James Watt. Scotch banking
is getting more into vogue, and is trenching on the originally Scotch
organised Bank of England. Scotch cakes, Scotch shortbread, Scotch
gingerbread, Edinburgh buns, and Selkirk bannocks, Scotch whisky,
ale, salmon, herrings, haddocks, and oats, maintain their accustomed
supremacy. Scotch plaids and tartans are in the windows of every
clothier, draper, and tailor's shop; and you scarcely meet a smart
female in the streets without some part at least of her person being
decorated in tartan array. In the printshop windows you see the
departure of the 'Highland Drove'--the Illicit Still on the mountain
side--the Stag at Bay--the Lassie herding Sheep, in juxtaposition
with her Majesty the Queen and her Court at the Coronation.--_London
Correspondent of Inverness Courier._
[Might we be permitted to add, in the most delicate way possible, that
little is now read but Scotch periodicals! The only thing which seems
to keep patriotically at home is Scotch sectarianism.]
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Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, High Street, Edinburgh. Also sold by
D. CHAMBERS, 20 Argyle Street, Glasgow; W. S. ORR, 147 Strand,
London; and J. M'GLASHAN, 21 D'Olier Street, Dublin.--Printed
by W. & R. CHAMBERS, Edinburgh.