The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-20 00:00:00

MP_ GLADSTONE IN THE HIGHLANDS.

3n. Saturday night a grand torchlight demonstra-
tion by Highland clansmen took place at Mar Lodge,
in honour of the Premier and the other distinguished
visitors who have been entertained by Lord Fife
during the past week. The affair was as far as pos-
sible kept secret in order that it might be of the
nature of a surprise to Mr. Gladstone, and notwith-
standing that only a day's notice was given for prepa-
rations the Duff islanders mustered in strong force,
and a most weird and entertaining spectacle
was witnessed. The clansmen, headed by several
pipers, assembled in the rear of Mar Lodge
shortly after nine o'clock in the evening, and
were marshalled by their captain, Mr. Leslie.
Each man appeared in Highland costume, but without
arms. A bonfire of Mar Forest fir was kindled, and
the men were supplied with torches of the same com-
bustible material, but it was not until half-past ten
o'clock that the order to light up was given. Then
each Highlander plunged the end of his torch in the
bonfire, and forming into two rows and bearing the
lighted torehes aloft they wheeled round into the
quadrangle in froat of the house, the pipers playing a
lively tune. As soon as the Highlanders caught sight
of the Prime Minister standing bareheaded under the
porch in front of the main doorway they raised a
lusty cheer, which Mr. Gladstone acknowledged by
bowing. Besides the Premier and Mrs. Gladstone
and Miss Helen Gladstone there were assembled to-
gether Lord Fife, the Earl and Countess of Dalhousie,
Lady Lonsdale, Lord Ribblesdale, the Bishop of
Durham, Mr. R. W. Duff, M.P., and Mrs. Duff,
Colonel Napier, Captain Farquharson, Mr. Horace
Farquhar, the Rev. Mr. Morton, Dr. Quain, and several
other ladies and gentlemen. A large number of spec-
tators were present from Braemar. A dozen of the
best men among the Highlanders were selected to
dance the first "reel," which was performed with
blazing torches waved aloft amid much hearty
hurrahing. Mr. Gladstone applauded vigorously,
and was evidently much amused. The first event
over, lighted torches were cast into the centre, and
another wild fantastic dance was performed around
the blazing pile thus made. After some time the
Earl of Fife appeared in the centre of the men, and
said he was going to ask them to give three cheers
for the Prime Minister, whom he was sure they were
all glad to see present on such an occasion. This
was the signal for a great outburst of cheering, which
was caught up by the spectators and repeated again
and again. In the midst of this demonstration Mr.
Gladstone came forward and bowed his acknowledge-
ments. As the cheering did not subside Lord Fife
asked him if he would speak a word, and
The Premier then said: My friends, I wish I
could express to you at all adequately or worthily of
the occasion the obligation which not only I myself
feel to you, but all who are gathered within this
hospitable mansion. We are immensely fortunate, I
think, in being assembled together under Lord Fife's
roof. It is not a very common thing to find such a
host. (Cheers.) The mansion itself is full of
every description of interest; and as to the scenery,
I think it is hardly to be equalled in the length and
breadth of Scotland. (Cheers.) This entertainment
which you have given us to-night, unexpected as
it was by me—for I believe it was in the nature
of a surprise—has added to what is already an
occasion of singular delight, and I therefore wish
to express to you my strong sense of the obliga-
tion which I feel for the kindness which has brought
you here together, and for the extraordinary
amount of talent that has been shown in the
dancing as well as the piping that we have heard and
that we have witnessed. I doubt very much whether
there is any country in the world where the people
are more grave than they are in Scotland—(laughter)
—and I believe also there is no country in the world
where they are so fond of dancing or where they dance
so well. (Cheers.) The fashion, or I should rather
say the love of it, is universal, and it must be a
privilege to any one who is not a Scotchman, as well
as to any one who is, and I pride myself very much
upon being entitled to claim to be a Scotchman—
(loud cheers)—l say that to any one—whether he be
Scotch or not Scotch, it must be a matter of the
greatest and liveliest pleasure to see your gathering
to-night. I rejoice, moreover, my good friends, to
think that we have a sign here that the old spirit of
the Highlander is not dead amongst you—(cheers)
and that the attachment which binds man to man
and class to class is as lively as it ever was. My
opinion is that, whatever changes take place,
political and social, with the lapse of time, as
long as men are to be found in the station of Lord
Fife who do their duty as he does, there will never be
wanting among these wild regions and these beautiful
valleys a corresponding feeling of affectionate attach-
ment, which shall make the whole community united
. together as one man in the performance of duty to
one another, and in the exercise of those affections
which ennoble and beautify human life. (Cheers.)
I think you once more, and I only wish that I may
be fortunate enough—it is, perhaps, too bold a wish
at my time of life--to come among you again, if Lord
Fife permits me, and to meet you once more upon an
oc•casion of this kind. (Great cheering.)
The dancing was resumed, and, there being an
abundant supply of torches, it was carried on with
great spirit and effect till nearly midnight. Mr.
Gladstone was the last of the guests to go indoors,
and before he returned three more cheers were given
for him on the call of one of the clansmen, as also for
the Earl of Fife.
Early in the afternoon of Saturday Mr. Gladstone,
alon f; with Mrs. and Miss Gladstone, and accompanied
by the Earl of Fife and the visitors now at Mar
Locke, went on a picnic to Altanower, in the wilds of
Gleneye. They drove in waggonettes, and returned
to Mar Lodge in the evening.
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were admitted. The Rev. Mr. Morton conducted the
service. Madame Albani was present from Old Mar
Lodge, and sane', "Angels, ever bright and fair,"
besides joinin2 with the conr,regation in the selected
•hymns.
On Monday Mr. Gladstone, with Mrs. Glad-
stone and Miss Helen Gladstone left Mar-
lodge, Braemar, for Haddo_
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rrineess or Wales ana toe young rrincesses, aria at
Birkhall lunched with the Duke and Duchess of
Edinburgh. At various places along the route Mr.
Gladstone was greeted with the most cordial welcome,
and was loudly cheered at Ballater, whence he pro-
ceeded by train to Aberdeen. On arriving at Aber-
deen an address was presented to the Premier, who,
in responding, said he was not so vain as to suppose
that anything personal to himself had been the cause
of the enthusiasm with which he had been greeted
throughout his journey from Flintshire. It was
because he was looked upon as the symbol of a great
cause, and till that cause was disposed of his strength
and his time were at their service. On the confines
of the Haddo Estate the Prime Minister mu met by
300 of the tenantry, who escorted him to the
mansion.

On Tuesaay atterngon Mr. Gladstone, accompanied
by Mrs. and Miss Gladstone, was driven by the Earl
of Aberdeen to Methlick, where the Premier formally
opened an institution for the education and mainten-
ance of orphans. The village of Methlick was gaily
decorated in honour of Mr. Gladstone's visit, and a
large number of people lustily cheered during the few
minutes' stay which was made.