CONTENTS. Embarkation of her Majesty at Woolwich, and Voyage to Scotland, ... ... Page. 1 Her Majesty's arrival at the Barrier, and Presentation of the Keys, Presentation of Curling-Stones to Prince Albert by the Earl of Mansfield, President of the Grand Caledonian Curling Club, Her Majesty's Departure from Dunkeld, and route to Taymouth, Preparations for the reception of the Queen at Taymouth, Her Majesty's approach and arrival, Illumination, Bonfires, and other rejoicings, Prince Albert's sport on Kenmore Hills, Grand Ball at Taymouth, Planting of Four Trees by her Majesty and Prince Albert, Voyage to Auchmore, and route to Drummond Castle, ROYAL VISIT TO SCOTLAND. In the beginning of August of this year (1842) an announcement was made in the public journals, to the effect that it was the intention of her most gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria (whom may God long preserve!), accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, to honour "puir auld Scotland" with her gladsome presence, visiting Edinburgh in the first instance, and afterwards making a tour through a portion of the Highlands. It is hardly necessary to state that this intelligence diffused universal joy throughout this portion of the empire, and that the national heart of Scotland beat quickly and warmly to welcome our gentle and heroic Queen-whose brows are doubly crowned, as the Monarch of this fair and powerful land, and as a blessed and happy mother, enjoying universal popularity and esteem among her subjects, and rich in the felicities that grow up, and twine around, the domestic hearth. The news of the contemplated visit having, however, when first made known, no greater degree of authority than belongs to an ordinary newspaper report, a good deal of anxious apprehension was entertained lest the statement should prove to be unfounded, and the mere coinage of idle rumour. But all doubt on the subject was very speedily dissipated by authentic information, communi B cating the time fixed for her Majesty's departure from Windsor to Scotland, the different places that would be visited in course of the Royal Tour, and the names of those members of the Scottish nobility who were to enjoy the honour of entertaining the Sovereign and her Consort as their guests. The excitement that reigned throughout this northern portion of her Majesty's dominions after the Royal intentions became thus positively known, was intense to a degree; and the enthusiasm was equally shared by all classes of the population, without distinction of sect or party-all being animated by a spirit of ardent and devoted loyalty towards our fair young Queen. Nothing save the Royal Visit was talked of, or thought about. It is, indeed, no exaggeration to say, that it formed the absorbing topic of conversation throughout all ranks of the community-in the streets and at the fireside, to the utter exclusion of all other matters. Men forgot, in a great measure, the differences of position as well as of sentiment that ordinarily separate them. The spirit of animosity and contention that usually mingles so much of gall and bitterness in the world's intercourse stood rebuked, and appeared to be exorcised for a time by the auspicious event that was shortly to take place; and even the loud and angry warfare of political partizanship was hushed, or but very faintly heard. The clouds were rolled back from the horizon, and showed the sky serene and undisturbed. In anticipation of the Royal visit, the note of preparation was to be heard on every side, and especially throughout the line by which the Queen was expected to pass in her progress in Scotland. Public bodies assembled, and adopted arrangements for the reception and welcome of the Royal Pair. All was activity and generous emulation; and it soon became apparent that the Sovereign would be honoured in Scotland in a style that would neither disgrace the character of the people, nor reflect discredit on the local authorities. The an |