Haste away to Scotland dear,
And leave your native home;
The Land of Cakes affords good cheer
And you've a mind to roam.--
Here splendid sights, and gala nights
Are all prepar'd for Thee;
While Lords and Knights,--['mid gay delights!)
And Ladies bend the knee.
Haste away to Scotia's Land,
With kilt and Highland plaid;
And join the sportive, reeling band,
With ilka bonny lad.--
For night and day,--we'll trip away,
With cheerful dance, and glee;
Come o'er the spray,--without delay,
Each joy's prepared for Thee.
~~378~~~
The morning arose with a smiling and inviting aspect; and as it had been
previously rumoured that his Majesty would embark from Greenwich
Hospital at half-past eight o'clock, on his intended voyage to Scotland,
our party had arranged every thing for their departure at an early hour,
and before seven o'clock had seated themselves in a commodious and
elegant barge moored off Westminster Bridge, intending, if possible, to
see the City Companies, headed by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen,
start, as had been proposed, from the Tower. They were shortly
afterwards gliding on the surface of the watery element towards the
scene of action: by this time the numerous parties in pursuit of the
same object were on the alert; and from almost every part of the shore
as they passed along, gaily dressed company was embarking, while merry
peals of bells seemed to announce approaching delight. The steeples on
shore, and the vessels in the river, exhibited flags and streamers,
which gave an additional splendour to the scene. All was anxiety and
expectation; numerous barges and pleasure-boats, laden with elegant
company, were speeding the same way, and every moment increasing, so
that the whole view displayed a combination of beauty, fashion, and
loyalty not often surpassed.
~~379~~~ On arriving off the Tower, it was soon ascertained that
the Lord Mayor and City Companies had got the start of them, and
consequently they proceeded on their journey, not doubting but they
should overtake them before reaching Greenwich; and in this expectation
they were not disappointed; for soon after passing Rotherhithe Church,
they came up with the City State Barge, which was towed by a steam
boat, accompanied by several other state barges, the whole filled with
company. The brightness of the morning, and the superb appearance of
these gaily manned, and it might be added gaily womaned gallies, (for
a numerous party of fashionably attired ladies added their embellishing
presence to the spectacle) formed altogether a picture of more than
ordinary interest and magnificence.
“This Royal Visit to Scotland,” said Sparkle, “has for some time past
been a prevailing topic of discussion from one end of the Land of Cakes
to the other, and the preparations for his Majesty's reception are of
the most splendid description--triumphal arches are to be erected, new
roads to be made, banquets to be given, general illuminations to take
place, body guards of royal archers to be appointed, and the dull light
of oil lamps to be totally obscured by the full blaze of Royal Gas. Then
there are to be meetings of the civil and municipal authorities from
every town and county, presenting loyal and dutiful addresses; and it is
expected that there will be so much booing among the “Carle's when the
King's come,” that the oilmen are said to be not a whit disconcerted at
the introduction of gas lights, the unctuous article being at present
in great demand, for the purpose of suppling the stiff joints of the
would-be courtiers, who have resolved to give a characteristic specimen
of their humble loyalty, and to oulboo all the hooings of the famed Sir
Pertinax.”
“However,” observed Dashall, “it is not very likely they will be able to
equal the grace with which it is acknowledged the King can bow; and he
is to be accompanied by the accomplished Sir Billy, of City notoriety;
so that admirable examples are certain of being presented to the
Scottish gentry: reports state ~~380~~~ that the worthy Baronet, who
is considered to be of great weight wherever he goes, is determined
to afford his Majesty, in this visit to Edinburgh, the benefit of that
preponderating loyalty which he last year threw into the scale of the
Dublin Corporation; and that he has recently purchased from a Highland
tailor in the Hay market, a complete suit of tartan, philebeg, &c. with
which he means to invest himself, as the appropriate costume, to meet
his royal master on his arrival at Edinburgh.”
“In that case,” said Sparkle, “there is one circumstance greatly to be
regretted, considering the gratification which our northern neighbours
might have derived, from ascertaining the precise number of cwts. of the
most weighty of London citizens. I remember reading a day or two back
that the weigh-house of the City of Edinburgh was disposed of by public
roup, and that a number of workmen were immediately employed to take it
down, as the whole must be cleared away by the 6th of August, under a
penalty of 50L.: what a pity, that in the annals of the weigh-house, the
Scotch could not have registered the actual weight of the greatest of
London Aldermen.”
Tom and Bob laughed heartily at their friend Sparkle's anticipations
respecting the worthy Baronet; while Bob dryly remarked, “he should
think Sir Willie would prove himself a honnie lad among the lasses O;
and nae doubt he would cut a braw figure in his Highland suit.”
“But,” continued Dashall, “we are indulging in visions of fancy, without
paying that attention to the scene around us which it deserves, and I
perceive we are approaching Greenwich Hospital. There is the royal yacht
ready prepared for the occasion; the shores are already crowded with
company, and the boats and barges are contending for eligible situations
to view the embarkation. There is the floating chapel; and a little
further on to the right is the Marine Society's School-ship, for the
education of young lads for his Majesty's service. The Hospital now
presents a grand and interesting appearance. What say you, suppose we
land at the Three Crowns, and make inquiry as to the likely time of his
Majesty's departure.”
“With all my heart,” replied Sparkle, “and we can then refresh, for I am
not exactly used to water excursions, and particularly so early in the
morning, consequently it has a good effect on the appetite.”
~~381~~~ By this time the City Barges had taken positions in the front
of the Hospital, and our party passed them to gain the proposed place
of inquiry: here, however, all was conjecture; the people of Greenwich
Hospital appeared to know as little of the time appointed as those of
the metropolis; and finding they had little chance of accommodation in
consequence of the great influx of company, they again embarked,
and shortly after attacked the produce of their locker, and with an
excellent tongue and a glass of Madeira, regaled themselves sufficiently
to wait the arrival. Time, however, hung heavily on their hands, though
they had a view of thousands much worse situated than themselves,
and could only contemplate the scene with astonishment, that serious
mischiefs did not accrue, from the immense congregated multitude by
which they were surrounded.
Anxiety and anticipation were almost exhausted, and had nearly given
place to despondency, when about three o'clock the extraordinary bustle
on shore announced the certainty of the expected event being about to
take place; and in about half an hour after, they were gratified by
seeing his Majesty descend the steps of the Hospital, attended by the
noblemen, &c. under a royal salute, and rowed to the vessel prepared to
receive him. The royal standard was immediately hoisted, and away sailed
the King, amidst the heartfelt congratulations and good wishes of his
affectionate and loyal people, the firing of cannon, the ringing of
bells, and every other demonstration of a lively interest in his safety
and welfare: leaving many to conjecture the feelings with which the
heart must be impressed of a person so honoured and attended, we shall
select a few descriptive lines from the pen of a literary gentleman,
in his opinion the most likely to be expressive of the sentiments
entertained on the occasion.
ROYAL RECOLLECTIONS.
As slow the yacht her northern track
Against the wind was cleaving;
Her noble Master oft look'd back,
To that dear spot 'twas leaving:
So loth to part from her he loves,
From those fair charms that bind him;
He turns his eye where'er he roves,
To her he's left behind him.
When, round the bowl, of other dears
He talks, with joyous seeming,
His smiles resemble vapourish tears,
So faint, so sad their beaming;
While memory brings him back again,
Each early tie that twin'd him,
How sweet's the cup that circles then,
To her he's left behind him.
Ah! should our noble master meet
Some Highland lass enchanting,
With looks all buxom, wild, and sweet,
Yet love would still be wanting;
He'd think how great had been his bliss
If heav'n had but assign'd him,
To live and die so pure as this,
With her he's left behind him.
As travelers oft look back at eve,
When eastward darkly going,
To gaze upon that light they leave,
Still faint behind them glowing.
So, ere he's been a month away,
At home we sure shall find him,
For he can never longer stay,
From her he's left behind him.
The gay assemblage before them, and the ceremony of the embarkation, the
sound of music, and the shouts of the populace, and animated appearance
of the river, which by this time seemed all in motion, amply repaid our
friends for the time they had waited; and after watching the departure
of the Royal Squadron, they returned to town; and as they passed the
London Docks, it occurred to the mind of the Hon. Tom Dashall, that his
Cousin had not yet paid a visit to these highly interesting productions
of human genius; and it was agreed that a day should be devoted to their
inspection before his departure from the Metropolis.