The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-03 00:00:00

member the British soldiit.
" When wild w 's deadly blast ie o'er,
And gentle. ace returning,
Wi' mony a sleet babe fatherless,
And mouy swidow mourning,"—
thou is the time to recollet our army—to remember the
soldier on his ret urn—to iedicate with heart, and thought,
and voice, the bumper whnh I now propose, and to show
that we remember that has the protector of us in the day
and hour of danger. (ChOs.)
The
viscotouanstt loudMyd
Lordanrireroyao•eBdt, cheering.
and gentlemen—ln behalf of that service to which y lords,have
tho honour to belong, mid in the name of the members
whom I now see around ne, I beg to return you my sin-
cere thanks for the complieeut which has been paid to the
service, for the manner in vhich that toast was introduced
to your notice, and for the complimentary and gratifying
manner with which it has been received. I shall not at-
tempt, in reply, to respondat length to the eloquent ad-
dress with which the toast vas introduced. Suffise it foe
me to say that in the perforns nee of its duties the British '
army has had many calls upon its service, and has ever fully
met them. ' Dispersed in every quarter of the globe, called
upon as the British soldier into experience the vicissittrles
of every climate, and to undergo in the performance of the
colonial service a long expatriation, there is no privation,
no hardship, and no circumstances in which he is placed
in which ho will not he ready and cheerful to perform his
duty, as I know from experience. (Cheats ) I have seen him
when iu the moment of pest depression and sickness, as
well as in the score exciting momenta of action, equally
ready -in the one case showing the greatest moral courage,
while in the other he has display cal the valour and the
cpoeurrhaagpes
iNnV hi
the
momenti iaf
b of distinguished
sickness
nes
shis
c ohuirmag
ein
anala c t indis-
cipline have been the most tried and marked ; and I have
seen him in times the most dangerous observing the most
strict discipline; and I have seen him when no
,one knew
how soon the unseen enemy- might strike him down,'at-
tending his comrades in the most exemplary manner.
Nothing ever more pourtrayed to my mind the discipline
of the British soldier, end I was never more convinced of
this than ou the occasion of the disastrous affair at Kucatchi :
in 1846. No man was more satisfied of the courage or the
discipline of the British soldier on that occasion than that
distinguished officer, the late Sir Charles Napier. I had
the honour of serving under him at that moment; and
impetuous and gallant as he was' in action, I can testify
that he was equally distinguished is times of misfortune'
and disease in showing attention 'and kindness to the sol-
dier, and in looking after the welfare and comfort of his
men. (Cheers.) IVe are met this evening in peculiar cir-
cumstances; and it is gratifying to us to be the guests,
and to know how deeply the community at large feel and
glory in the success of the British arms, and to see how
significantly they have shown the sympathy entertained
by them for the sufferings that that army endured under
scenes of the greeters% privation and hardship. I trust that
on all occasions when the British army are called upon to
render service in behalf of their country, whether in times
of peace or war, they will be prepared to render them, and
that in times of peace as well as of war the British soldier
will be ever distinguished for that discipline and order
which characterises the performance of his duties in war.
We cannot forget that the foundation of the present dis-
cipline of the British army was, I believe, laid by that
great man whose memory will be ever inunortatin the eyes
of the British army and British public, and that it was
established on the shores of the 11, anomie. The discipline
which he then established has been improved, and brousitt
to that system of excellence that now pervadeievery roes
tuent in the service. Perhaps what was wanting in the
late war was, that our regiments should be brought more
together, and that officers should have bad more experi-
ence in moving largo bodies ; lent individually nothing
could exceed the discipline which characterised all the
regiments Of the service ; and it was a proud thing to kw-my
that in that war that was a thing acknowlelgo I by our
allies. (ApPlause.) I will not enter into ankthing'con-
nected with the admirable discipline shown in the per-
formance of his duties by the British soldier, both in the
face of the foe, and in the midst of victories which distin-
guished his operations in the Crimea. Suffice it for me
to add, that, after what we have met with thiS evening, it
will bo an additional incentive to our soldiers to perform
their duties upon all occasions ; and I trust they will re-
-11.st 4.401 they aorit Uoun4 to upli4l4 their ttnifc!rrn twit
honourable bearing, and will b !ilway3 prepared to uphold
the constitution and liberties of their country. (Cheers.)
Silence was again requested by the toastmaster for the
choir.
The LORD PROVOST, in an eloquent speech, proposed the
toast of the evening, "Our gallant guests."
The toast was cordially responded to,
Lieut.-Col. lii'Manoss, of tho sth Dragoon Guards, said
—Ladies and gentlemen, the reception accorded to us, the
way in which we have been feted, might make us almost
imagine that we had been the saviours of our country, 'I
trust sincerely that.the' Highland regiments, in whatever
put of the United Kingdom they may be quartered, may
meet with as cordial a reception as we have received from
their countrymen in Edinburgh. (Cheers.) I am con-
fident, ladies and gentlemen, that such will bo the case, for,
throughout the length and breadth of theßritishisle, there
has been but one feeling of favour towards the British
soldier, be ho Scottish, Irish, or Els,lish. From her Majesty
to the humblest of her subjects, all classes have vied with
each other to show the deepest sympathy with the suffer-
ings of the army, and joy at 'their successes. And we,
in our turn, will be ready, all of us, whether represented
by the rose, the shamrock, or the thistle, to fight as long as
health and strength last, for such a Qaeen and such a coun-
try. (Cheers.) Well may Scotland bo proud of the men
she sent forth to the war, for it must be admitted by all
that, at the commencement of the war, during its continu-
ance, and at its close, the Highland Division, under their
glorious chieftain; Sir Colin Campbell—(cheers)—exhibited
as fine a mold of military excellence as ever the British
army could produce. Gentlemen, during that desperate
struggle which has just terminated, of course there must
have been many acts of consummate bravery performed.
When we bear and read of such men as Williams of Kars,

and Wyndham of the Rattan, disclaiming the glories of
heroism, it is a lesson to us to be careful how we apply
that character, and not to apply it on light grounds. But
there is one connected with the war, and associated with
the sth Dragoon Guards, which I cannot help introducing
to your notice at the present moment. I allude to that of
Sir James Searlett. (Cheers.) It is well known to all of
you here how nobly he led the heavy cavalry brigade at
Balaklava. That distinguished ()Meer commanded the
regiment for many years, indeed, up to the breaking out of
the war. Ho gloried in the regiment as the regiment
gloried in him, and I hope I may be pardoned for borrow-
ir g•lustro for my corps from so bright an ornament of the
profession. Far be it from me to wish for war, but if
another occasion should arise I trust the 51.11 Dragoon
Guards will always be found where the enemies of England
are to be enevuntered, and that I, or whoever may be at the
head of the regiment, will follow the brilliant example of
Sir James Searlett, and. that you will repeat a similar re-
ward to that which you have so bountifully accorded us
this evening. (Cheers.)
I song to the popular tune et the " Red, White, and
Blue," entitled " The Hero's Welcome," written by Mr.
Alexander M.`Laggan, was then sung by Air. Josephs, of
the Qtteen's Theatre, and the choir. Wo subjoin one of
she three verses of the song :
" Let us welcotne the brave ! let us cherish
Their fame, and the triumph we feel !
While tyrants and tyranny perish
In the dash of their conquering steel !
Let us Wit them how faithful we found them,
How they kept the proud promise they gave !
When honour and glory have crowned them,
'Let Scotland hero welcome the brave !
Let Scotland hero welcome the brave !
Let Scotland here welcome the brave !
When honour and glory have crowned them,
Let Scotlaud hero welcome the bravo I

Colonel KELLY, of the 34th Regiment, expressed the
sincere thanks of that regiment. lie said, " I can only
say that I know every man of the regiment was ready to
do his part to bear the sufferings of the camp, and do Lis
duty when called upon." (Cheers.)
Captain HALL, R.N., also returned thades,
I feel highly honoured in being invited to this banquet,
and to be connected with those who came frees the Crimea,
that the navy had riot the -
As au old sailor I am sorry
portunity, like our gallant soldiers, to thrash the Russians.
I can particularly speak of the ardour which was felt by
the sailors iu the Baltic ; they were burning to get at them,
but they would not come out. When our
sailors had. the
opportunity, as at &knees, Boreemna, and Swea-
berg, they did their duty aLtl upheld the honour
of their country. (Cheers.) The gallant gentleman then
alluded to the Sailors Domes, and stated that it gave hint
much gratification to think that they were extending over
all parts of the country. Ho also briefly refrerod to the
Chinese war, and to the services which he was able, in
the Nemesis, to render to the Military operations at that
time by landing troops. The resnit of that war was, that
five ports were opened; not alone to England, hut to the
world, and that the Chinese were made, what he wished
th.: Russians had been else made to do—to pay the ex-
penses of the war. (Laughter and cheers.) If the fleet
were ever called on at any future time to meet the enemy,
of this ho was certain that the sailors would be ready to
do their duty. (Cheers.)
The Earl of ELGIN then rose. My Lord and Gentle-
men, we have been toasting our gallant guests, and join-
ing with cordial enthusiasm in that list of toasts, which
is'uever omitted when the loyal subjects of her Maiesty,
whether in or out of uriiform, meet together for festive
parposes. I think I am justified ie thinking that the
toast which I have now the honour to propose, will from
henceforth bold a prominent place in the Let of our es-
tablished toasts. (Applause.) Gentlemen, you know well
that there have been times in ttke history of, our country
I when there could ha're been no room for such 4 toast---

that there were times when the British soldier and the
t.
British :sailor had to standalone amid a world in arms.
And right nobly, even under such circumstances, and
against such odds- .right nobly have they fulfilled, and
always justified, the confidence reposed in them by their
sovereign and their country. (Applause.) These days
are past and gone—past and gone, we trust, never to re-
th h
fought field of Inkerman, a covenant of friendship, which,
gallant
(t
on armies
the
hei t
sFranceof Alma,
the
esealed
add
with .
urn
please God, will always endure. (Renewed cheers.) Never
shall we cease to remember with admiration the valour
with which our faithfulallies, the Turks, encountered their
foes on the banks of the Danube, or in the well approved
fortresses of Silistria and Kars-(cheers)—and the chivalry,
whic'e we cannot forget, with which the high-epirited
monarch and people of Sardinia came forward to our sup-
port, at a time when the fortunes of war seemed- but only
seemed—trembling in the balance. I shan't say a word
more on this subject; I shall only add an earnest hope
that I do trust peace, based on manifold interests, com•
mercial, mercantile, and progressive, will rivet yet more
securely the bands of amity which have been forged in
common dangers, and in actual service in the battle-field.
At any rate the Mar has taught this one lesson—it has
taught ue that there is no more pestilent fallacy, no more
,arrant humbug than that which calls us natural enemies.
Lot the peace also teach us the lesson that God and nature
tells us, that nations should live toge,ther in amity, and
employ their energies iu promoting the good of humanity,
and securing those blessings which a bounteous Providence
has spread around them. (Cheers ) The eoble earl con-
cluded by proposing a bumper to our gallant allies.
The toast was drunk with groat enthusiasm.
M. BRUANT briefly responded in French, on the part of
his country.
Major NOURI, in name of the Tarkish nation, and of
his sovereign the Sultan returned thanks: He expressed
the gratitude which he felt towards those who had assisted
in asserting the independence of, his native country, and
hoped that the peace would beef permanent duration.
The DEAN of FACULTY proposed " The memory of those
who fell during the late war." (The toast was drunk in
solemn silence.)
Sir JOHN M'NEILL, who was received with loud ap-
plause, in proposing " Miss Florence Nightingale," spoke
as follows :—What has been said of the conduct in action of
all arms of the service is not mot e than they dearve. The
British soldier has long been the most formidable in battle
of all the soldiers of Europe. On a fair field, with equal
forces, he has not hitherto encountered any enemy whom
he could not beat. (Cheers.) But, if we would justly esti-
mate our special obligations to the men who fought for the
freedom of Europe in the Crimea, we must look not only
to what they have achieved, but also to what they have
endured—not only to their conduct in action with the
enemy, but also to their bearing under tire pressure of pri-
vations and sufferings such as, perhaps, no otherlictorious
army has undergone, and which are far more trying to
the fortitude of brave urea than the dangers of actual
combat. (Applause.) In the chill rains of December and
the bitter cold of January, when his strength was sink-
ing from privation and _fatigue and the enervating dis-
eases that follow in their train, under which his comrades
were falling like leaves in autumn, he preserved unimpaired
the honourable pride of a British soldier in the midst of
all his sufferengs. As long as enfeebled Hints would carry
him he staggered down through miry ravines to trenches
ankle-deep in mud, or struggled up to his picquet on some
expotod height. (Applause.) He was determined to do
his duty whatever might betide. He knew that the honour
of her Majesty's arms and the glory of his native country
wore entrusted to his keeping—he never lost heart—he
never yielded au inch of ground, and not a murmur ever
escaped his lips.' (Cheers.) This, to my mind, is proof of
a loftier heroism than even that which was displayed in
the devoted gallantry of Alma, Balaklava, or Inkermann.
(Renewal cheering). What those evils were which, in a
climate now found to be as healthy as that of England, de-
stroyed in six months, by. disease alone, half the infantry
engaged in the siege of Sebastopol—independent of all who
were killed in action or died of their wounds—l need not
and will not recount. All men are liable to err—most
of all those whose minds aro so constituted that they can-
not recognise errors even after they have Been their re-
sults.—(Hear and cheers) i—and to say that errors were
not committed in the Crimea would be to assert what in
the nature of things cannot be true.' (Cheers.) Ever
one who is called on to deal with these matters is bound,
I think, to remember that the lessons taught by experience
to nations as well as to individuals, consist chiefly in point-
ingeut errors, not always foreseen, but often revealed by
their results, which are to be avoided in future ; and that to
deny or conceal their occurrence prevents the adoption of
precautions against their repetition, and thus deprives the
nation of the advantages to be derived from experience
purchased, in this instance, at a lamentable price.
(Applause.) If I could have accused myself of pursuing
that course, I should feel that I had betrayed a public
trust, and done a wrong to my country. (Loud applause.)
Had the Government intended the inquiry in the Crimea
to be a shoat they would have selected fit instruments for
that purpose—(applause)-but for any other than an honest
purpose they sent out the wrong men. (Great cheering.)
Reports more honest, and in all essential particulars more
faithful, or founded upon a greeter amount of trastwortliy
and concurrent testimony thaßthe two reports which, on
behalf of my colleague and myself, I put into the hands of
be., eseee.a....„-e teeee for *ar, and which he thought
proper to lay before Parliament and the public, were never,
I believe, presented to any minister, and nothing that has
since occurred has in any degree shaken my confidence, or,
I believe, the confidence of the country, in the diligence,
fairness, and fidelity with which the inquiry entrusted to
my guidance was conducted, the evidence recorded, and the
result stated. (Cheers.) Of all the duties which a nation
owes to its soldiers, none is more obviously demanded by
justice, humanity, sound policy, and even by economy,
than the duty of providing for them when struck down
by wounds, or by sickness contracted in the performance
of their duty, all the care, kindness, and comfort, as
we 11 as the skilful treatment which their situation then
requires, end which may contribute to restore them to
health and efficiency. (Cheers.) But for some time dur-
ing the late war, whatever were the soldier's sufferings in
amp, they Were little mitigated by his removal to hos-
pital.,however slful and assiduous the medical officers
might have been.. The truth is, that the system upon
which our military hoe, were conducted, especially in
the field, appears to be enttiquated and defective. Every
one knows the public serv;:•es of Florence Nightingale, but
those only who have had the honour of meeting her can
feminineknow the refinement and truly .
delicacy of her
mind and manners, or the unconsciensness of having done
anything great or remarkable, that pervades her whole
deportment and conversation. Far front elwelling upon
the past, or taking any pride in the applause which has
followed her unsought, the whole erergies of her -powerful I
highly cultivated, and essentially practical intellecie are
already directed towards further and more permaneot
plans of usefulness. Truly pious, aus4. thoroughly Broths-
tiant in her sentiments, her attachment to the Church of
England is fres from any tincture of sectarian bitterness.
(Cheers.) She has not so read her Bible as to believe that
it inculcates ill-will towards any class of God's creatures.
Ready to extend her assistance to the sick and wounded
of all persuasions without distinction, she has freely availed
herself of the assistance of alr. Holding fast her own
principles with the firm composure of a strong mind and a
settled conviction, also avoids alike the extremes of High
Murch and how Church, and hears without resent-
ment the extravagant and contradictory absurdities that
aro circulated in regaill to her opinions. She appears
to be too intent ripen doing the good which it may be per.
mitred her to do in the walk she has chosen, to care for
either the evil or the good that is epokera of her—otherwise
than as it may affect her usefulness. It is not frern us,
and it is not here that she seeks praises r reward. But I
should be acting little in accordance with leer practice if,
in speaking of the services rendered to our rick and
wounded, I omitted to direct pout attention to tiee obli- '
gations which she and all of use ottas to the ladica essno
shared her pious labours--and I may be permitted with-
out disparagement to others, to remind you that some
of the meat prominent were our own country-
women. 31153 haw Stewart had charge of the nurses in
the general hospital at Balaklava ; Mrs. Mackenzie, and
after her Miss Ereisiue, In the naval hospital at Therapia.
The first 'a member of leading. family aniongt our un-
titled aristocracy ; the second, diseehter of one of the fore-
most men of our generation—tied late Dr. Chalmers.
(Loud cheers.) The third, daughter or." the accomplished
historian of the Mahometan conquest of Indja, and grand-
daughter of the lato Sir James Mackintosii. And there
were other Scottish ladies in less prominent
Our country, therefore, was worthily represented La the
hospitals of the East. (Cheers.) Let us hope that eee.
moral and material improvements -the higher standard of
feeling and of comfort which the wise benevolence and
patriotism of Miss Nightingale, and the ladies who aided
her efforts, have introduced into our military hospitals
will not bo permitted to pass away with the occashrit
which gave rise to thorn. And, now, let me propose to
You the toast which has been entrusted to me, " Florence
Nightingale."
The following song, by Mr. James Ballantine, entitled,
"The Shadow, on the Pillow," founded on an incident
related by Sir John M'Neill, was then sung :
Borne helpless from the field of fight,
Hewn deep with wounds and sears,
I prayed—" Heaven come and help the right,
And end the cruel wars."
I swooned, I dreamt an angel band
Bore me o'er ocean billow ;
I woke, and lo ! an angel hand
Was smoothing down my pillow.
Was eusoothingdown my pillow:
'Twlxt death and life,.through day and night,
lily wounds unconscious kept me,
Of all) except these oyes so bright
That kindly watched and wept me.
Aril oVef Mei id you fair land,
Had waved the Weenies willow,
Had it but been the angel heed
That eottied the eoltileee pillow.
That ileintited the soffiee
O eerth but once heard such at tains •
' So heavenly, and so human,
As that of Florence Nightingale,
The angel type in woman.
What marvel that a soldier tell r
A poor but grateful fellow,
He kissed her shadow us it fell
-At midnight. on his pillow.
At midnight on his pillow !
Mr. Coware, M,P , proposed the health of the Loid
Provost,
The LORD
- ROVOST briefly replied,
• The Rev, Dr. GUTVRIE, proposed the next toast-a" The
Chaplains and Surgeons employed hi the late war."
'The toast was suitably acknowledged.
"Auld Lang Syne " was then sung by the company
standing, and the signal to retire having been sounded 1)3,
the buglers, the vast ;all 'was gradually cleared of its nu-
merous occupants.
The proceedings terminated a few minutes before ten

THE LATE PIRACY AND MURDERS ON BOARD THE
GLOBE —The barque Globe, Captain John Scotland, is
reported ag having arrived in the river, and it is exptcted
that the master will be enabled to attend to-morrow as
the prinrzipal witness against the prisoners. A marine
artilleryman ba. also arrived, belonging to her Majesty's
ship Recrrit, who captured one of the prieenere, and rho
will identify hint.

On Wednesday night the session of the Falkirk School
of Arts was opened by an address from the Lord A d vo•
care. Wilson's Assembly Romig, where the lectures io
connexion with the School of Arts are usually delivered,
seas found much too small for the occesian, so that his
ordship deli vered his address it: the Independent chapel.
Upwards of 1,000 persons weee present.
The choir was taken at a quarter-past eight o'clock by
Provost Adam, who introduced the Lord Advocate in
an appropriate speech.
The LORD ADVOCATE cattle forward amid loud ap-
plause. lie said :----Ladies and gentlemen .1 have to
thank you very heartily for your kind reception this
night, as also ler the very pleasant trraie in which my
worthy friend the Provost has been kind enough to in-
troduce me to your notice. I accepted your invitation
with the greateet possible pleasure. I should have felt it
a gratificath n and an honour to be asked to address a
school of arts in any circumstances ; but looking at
this institutirn as one of the very foremost in the
race of knowledge And progress which has been goingon
with such speed for the past 20 years, and considering
that it dates as far back as 29 years ago, I assure you it
is with the greatest possible pleasure I have obeyed your
stimzuons 00 t hie occasion. Twenty-nine years ago is a
long time. Many things have been accomplished since
then ; great progress has been made ; great ends have
been gained; great abuses have been removed, and the
prospect of great advancement has been opened up, I
believe by no influence mere powerful than by such in-
stitutions as the present. Twenty-nine years ago there
was no such influence as this existing in the country; 29
years ago people were not agreed as to whether lest ittei
tions of this kind were really useful or unattended with
danger. lam happy to think that, after the lapse of 29
years, there exists no doubt at all on such a subject iu
any quarter whatever. I know of no influence, indeed,
which is productive of more beneficial effects. Whatever
furnishes a change from the ordinary routine of daily la-
bour must not only be wholesome, but absolutely neces-
sary, inasmuch as it is the great civiliser and sweetener
of ordinary life. It does not signify much what are the
topics which are treated of, so as they are useful, or at all
events, harmless. Change of view, or of scene, or of
thought, is the true secret of usefulness in such institu•
tions. That which is work to one may be play to another;
that which invelves labour to one may he pastime to his
neighbour. The philosopher may seek amusement is
poetry, while the poet takes refuge in phileophy. A man
cannot remain long concentrated in one occupation. The
spring of his mind will cease unless it is at times allowed
its natural repose. Accordingly, I have no sympathy
with people who indulge in minute criticism as to what
are the particular subjects which occupy such evenings
as this. It signifies but little to my mind what these sub-
jects, so iis they are harmless—
" Many a shaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer never meant."
Many a hint, or suggestion, or train of thought arises in
what is spoken in such meetings as this, so that they may
not unfrequently lead to the greatest possible result-.
if men are set to think on subjects of moment and worth,
I believe that the seed thus sown often leads to the richest
harvest. I have made these remarks in introduction
merely to assure you that I am proud to open the 29th
anniversary of the Falkirk School of Arts. I have stayed
three months in the neighbourhood of Falkirk with very
great pleasure and interest indeed. I know no part of the
country so replete with interesting associations. Almost
every rood of ground in the vicinity brings up some his-
torical recollection, or gives rise to some patriotic though..
Wherever you look, and whatever period of time in the
history of our country you contemplate, it is impossible
not to be impressed with the interest with which the scenes
all around you are clothed. The wall of Severus—the
wall which the Romans raised as a rampart against the
inhabitants of this country—the wall which was raised as
a mark and limit by which Caledonian valour was to be
held in check, runs within a mile of the place I speak in.
Behind the house in which I live is the height whence the
great Oe.etti.h hero surveyed the disastrous issue of the
battle of Falkirk. Stirling, on the west, saw James 111.
go forth to the battle against one of his rebellious sons
from which he was not destined to return ; and Linlith-
gow, on the east, saw that rebellious son march forth to
Flodden, leaving his Queen Margaret in that ancient
palace to weep tLe weary day, but never to see her
Royal husband return from that disastrous field. You
have the magic spell which lies in the name "Bannock-
burn" close at hand. On the Campsie Bills your fore-
fathers fought for the faith to which they were attach, d,
and that region is rich in reminiscences of the most
interesting peyeed of Scottish history. Close by your
door was shed the last gleam of victory which visited
the ill-fated Pretender. These make the ground
classic and historical. lam glad to think that from
the battle of Falkirk neither you nor your forefathers
have ever heard the clang of civil war. These lanes,
which were then, or not long before, forests and
morasses, have been transformed, by the industry and
intelligence of your farmers into fertile soil, showing
what man can produce. Close by you have an exten-
sive iron-producing district ; but if the material is net
altegether forged for peaceful pursuits, the existence of
ruur extensive itonworks at leant bespeaks peace and
prosperity for the country. Such are the changes which
occurred in thet period of time ; and, looking around,
and thinking of all these grand and ennobling associa
tions which encircle the spot, I naturally fell into a trait
of reflection upon the spirit of nationality. Arid upon
that subject I propose to make a few observations.
(Cheers ) The subject which I propose not so much to
illustrate as to keep in view is that spirit by which a
nation pr serves a sense of self-respect, and is very far
removed from mere provincialism. This is the principle
which I mean to represent in what will be a brief
retrospect of the history of our country. There ,ire
men who hold that the spirit of nationality must be
provincialism—that it is a foolish and merely romantic
idea. I think those who argue so argue very etre-
neously. The truth is that the spirit of nationality,
see epirii; of national ardour and honour, the sense
of pride in the past history of a country, felt by
it; peop.lo, lies at the very root and foundation of
national groteese. A conquered country hardly
ever grows greet. The conquest of England by the
Normans was not o conquest in the pepper sense of the
word, because the native Saxons engrafteo' upon the in-
vaders their own laws, t:.teir own language:• and their
own constitution. If we lock elsewhere, we s:" many
illustrations of the fact that a conquered country is .not a
country from which great prosperity can be expected. I
to not go back to Greece ; I need not refer to Poland )'
but look to British India. There you have a country—
governed no doubt by laws as just as, I he.
eevieu, nt
in
r )t"h
the
c
irenmstances, can possibly he applied to
sro, an empire- —of vast extent and resources ; but,
in vain for such a thing as the true
alas we there look .
We see extensive plains, vast
spring of national vigour.
:ed towns—everything, in
rivers, and densely papula
shirt, which should make a
p.--oeperous community ;
co ale bee still
to be aroused. I
cross the (Jean.
lint the rpirit of the p p
fear, wren if we look at our neighbours s;
eel, and ask what it is that has been the
.bane of that
beautiful and fertile country, Ireland, the resel37 must
be, that there exist there two separate races, the go-
verning and the governed. It was this that made go
much contention and heartburning for so many years—
the pride, on tbeWne hand, of those who thought them-
selves tlie'dbminanf reety ; and, on the other band, the
mortified self-pride of those who thought themselves con-
quered and kept down. I hope a better day is in store
for Ireland. 1 believe the prospect of better things is on
the horizon. The coutentiotie of the two races bast,
cased, and they ate beginning to turn their eyes to better
thinge. I make these ehsets*onc becanse a friend of
mine wade the rerrat'k to--lay tilst that
weld 1. did not couquer Scotland. Jle said that England
nee then a more civilised country, and be added that if
we had be:11 conquered we should have received the eivi
liHetien i',,;::l;and at least two centuries beforerwe did so.
I teok the liberty s;! my worthy
differing entirely from
filend. 1 beleee nothine. Ll 9 t ended more our
pr
pc I.f,
than the feeling that we are rts, I s
mu he a ironed people, with barn..
unco_rlirieradnfi ; K
1h
with
a We can thint
in that respect to pride ourselves upon ,
thatd
the toot of the invader, if it could fel4.";Le
on onr shorLs, has never been able to remain th
foreign Yoke.
free people who never submitted to ale
which
Wallace
Roman remains near us show that we have everelbeen a
therefore think that the long e
sir
ginication is one to
and
Bruce
caged
a°irst Eng"s'hh the greatest poesable
which we euebt te look hack with
gretitu de. 00e3neen must feel in eon.
warmth vl glow which everyfobrerathers,
we should never
If Seotehmen dielc not feel that generoue
tern elatiDß
have been dietinguiAed as the deeds of his
honourable,
honer..,
and
There treat present a
enterprietegea.ce which we are.
ropg9.
al to erect a monument to the g champion

...,,, E V% SP.APE R
f our national liberties, I believe no monument canl -
~t A. ct'...
raised half so enduring as that which he has InetblBo "-s; A.
' alt
ee. e ''''' ,
mery of every Scotelonan. If I might maket4ii;--4.e . te.,7 p,-
ess
tion for the benefit of the Wallace cotnruitt ''''• ::,ii --.):f- '
.4141,..01"
say, if you ere to put a monument on the A kirs4i-g, ,e n --4:•7
I should not like to see it of sculptured stone— slietila ;-e: '
not like to see any great effort of modern architeeture 1 S
—but . ie to see raised on that posi-
tion, as , symbol of what he was and what
ho did, some huge and unhewn block of granite, as large
as the ingenuity of our engineers now-a-days could raise,
there to stand in all its ruggedness and strength, braving
the tempest of heaven like the man whom it is intended
to symbolise—stern, strong, defiant. (Loud cheers.)
I now proceed, however, to make a few remarks on tho
national character, position, and history of Scotland. I
will not inflict any elaborate or detailed account upon
you ; and I hope you do not look forward to anything so
portentous, or to more than a selection from and rapid
sketch of the more salient points in our history,—with
' a reasonable pride of its annals, hut with the wish to
be open to a recognition of the faults tied failings to
which a nation is liable, so that we may go forward
with heart and strength, determined to hold by those
qualities and associations which made our ancestors
great and laid the foundation of our prosperity-.
History, as it is generally written, le the his:ory of
wars, fends, and contendinge of princes. People
write history about chieftains and generals and kings ;
but there is one part of it which most historians
almost entirely forget. These warriors and monarchs
are no doubt part of a nation, but they are by no means
the greatest part of it. I should like to see written for
Scotland what does not exist at preeent, a full account
of how our forefethcrs lived, what they did, how they
spent the day, how their domestic life went on, what
were their ordinary habits, how they travelled, what were
their means of conveyance—in short, to find out the pro .
cess, to develope the progress, of the thought and acti-
vity and feeling by which we have been gradually mould( d
into the community that we are now. What in Scotland
is still to me an interesting question is, now that its his-
t )ry presents this remarkable and singular phenomenon,
that you, rarely, up to the Reformation, find the smaller t
trace of the Commons. All history up to that time consist I
of the struggles of priests and kings and nobles ; and at
the moment of the Reformation you find a public opi-
nion instantly starting into vitality and force. You find
the commoners of Scotland strong, intelligent, deter.
mined, resolved, and from that time till now they have
held a foremost place among the communities of Europe.
What were they doing before, in the long interval dur-
ing which we have no account of them' How did this
great change come about! There are two elements in the
history of Scotland to which the historians of Scotland
have not paid as much attention as they deserved. The
first is the French alliance. We gained a great deal from
it during the reign of the Stuarts, and we gained, among
other things, much advancement in literature, in the fine
art', in sculpture, and in architecture, which I rather
think we have not improved on since. In learning, for
instance, if we take the period immediately preceding
the Reformation, I doubt if we have been able since to
show scholars like those who then flourished. I find
in a book which is not very generally read, and which
is written in Latin, but which I will read in English, a
curious and interesting account of Scotlatd, as it
was in 15S0, that is before the union of the Crones
during the reign of James I. The writer says that Scot-
land is very like France, except in regard to the ferti-
lity of the soil. The prominent characteristic of the
people is described as being that they set great store by
their ancestors ; and much, of course, is said of thole)
Seotehmen who travelled over Europe, without a penny
in their purse, but boasting of the long line of ancestors
from which they were descended. It was natural enough ,
in a country more fertile in men than in food, that teeny
men of the most renown should be exceedingly poor.
But, he says, this people, who go over the earth seeking
riches and exciting laughter by trumpeting forth the
praises of their poor gentry, are still noted for their fide•
lity and industry. He goes on to describe our country-
men in much more pleasant terns than when delineating
the mirth of the audiences to whom they deecibed their
ancestry. After describing what cannot be passed over,
the feature of furious feuds and private revenge for in-
sults, be concludes his observation upon Scotland by says
ing that, to whatever study they incline their minds,
they do so with signal success. Nowhere is there to be
found a greater endurance iu the camp or courago in
the field ; nowhere are the Muses more delicately treated ;
and nowhere is ingenuity and industry adapted
wi h greater readiness to the requirements of
society than among Scotchmen. Even in civil matters
they arc greatly in advance. They can adapt their indus-
try to every possible vicissitude of life. Such was the cha-
racter of Scotchinen at that period. The writer from
whom I quote was of Scotch family, however, though he
was of French parentage and birth. There is another
source from which information may be obtained as to this
period. The writer of a French dictionary, with which no
doubt you are acquainted, mentions the name of one of
Scotland's brightest ornaments, a man too little known
and respected, George Buchanan. In "Bayle's Dictionary'
he is mentioned as one of the greatest men of his time, as
having arrived at a pitch of classical learning which no
man had ever arrived at before. To him I think this
country owes a debt which, as I have stated, has been
but scantily honoured. He lived just before the Reforma-
tion ; he was the tutor of James VI., and, if his Royal
pupil had attended more to the lessons which be gave, in
all probability the fate of this country and of that family
would have been more happy. George Buchanan was a
native of Lennox ; ho was one of yourselves. He was a
Stirlingshire man, or, at least, was born on its bordere.
His father, a poor farmer, died in very indigent circum-
stances when he was young. George Buchanan was one
of several eons, and his mother did the best she could to
educate them. When 14 years of age he was sent over to
France by an uncle, and there he studied for two years.
He then went to Portugal, and shortly after he returned
to his native land ; but by that time he bad made himself
the most accomplished scholar in Europe. He was the
only man in that day, or since, who was able to write
Latin as if he had been a Roman. His talents in other
respects were wonderful. Butitwasnot because Buchanan
and was thus able to
t
thuardnwl:isuadtetrefnutliornestooulricteesraitnurmeoannedy ;tudy, on the continent,hat he became what he was. Two things contributed to
the result. There was, first, the string desire in him for
learning, and in the second place, the communication be-
tween this country and France, without which lie wuuld
not have obtained such eminence. I have mentioned
the case of George Buchanan because it throws a light
on the social state of Scotland at that tune. I think we
have no such scholars now as he was, or his contempt .
raries. In the succeeding age Andrew Melville was a
man of the same class ; and there were others whom I
could mention who were celebrated throughout Europe.
It seems to have contributed largely to the improve-
ment of the Scottish mind, this communication with the
continent, which, whatever effect it had upon politics—
and it had not a good effect—raised Scottish scholars to
a position which they do not new occupy. In the cen•
tury following that of George Buchanan they were much
lower than they were before. [Here the Lord•Advocat
referred to the affecting close of Buchanan's career
,:ird. to the excessive poverty
in which, although th
re,:neipal of a College, he died.] But (be continued)
poor as Scotland was, she was not too Ivor to pre-
duce eu,e,n of the greatest mental power. Ladies and
historians
haps of less' nterest; to you, which, I
think,
We read a
gentlemen, there is another eircuinstanee, but per•
have never ,sufficiently expladinefdett.
de,
great deal in hias".ory of wars a
of the people, there WS a still atrqlute_
questionably feuds prevailed amonagrter
into
feuds probably did 130 t
burghs, which grew upbut while un-
the great majority
which these
I mean the Royal
Penetrate—
into influence and power.
silently
onvention. Lawyers have
They had, as you knco r, .
ottish mercantile law grew up.
often wondered how the .
Ii they examine the
so silently that it was never
annaSi ,: of that Convention, they will
find that it grew up thera, :
2,
esentativee abroad ; it bad
d.. then an actual Parlianaen-
itbaSolland, a nd it possessed very great
a representative in
La, dice. The time for that,
in the tnatter of mercu .
... .
power h The 1 I
iris] eges given to Royal
ntaortyiceedx.isteTnhcee;Convedutitsonriem
it was time that such
bee gh s ',ace Pac';,--e,
for there in great truth in the
sbouhl be ti's
,e and pithy ~e, ode by a man who
ertreWk c":
ished fur the. bioadnees than the
eeleeete dietiegu .
however, has notvreaweyi; ;
and
a .
V 73 -
delicacy oi;: h. observation?, tiit ‘t he could tell a
i burgh
~.1)y its smell. (Lew esehter end che_ere.)
Royal
If, iu tray
eione over this country, ye. ,t 1 find an untidy,
infallibly find that it is a royal burgh. (Laughter.) I
decayed, scattered town, of no great: extent, you will
ean no offence, because, whatever may be their decay
1.11, ov there cau he no doubt that, in those burl tea in the
4„y5 of yore serene nurtured those sturdy, independent,
lioueet men who, when the tiete came, tool - partien ' ll°
t
political affairs of Scotland. His lordshie:,
hat period,
shoeing', from the" literature of both t
pro-
cseded to review' the state of Literature abouttr
'produced
during the reign of S-f,lizabeth, that
stelocirourtoeiaNnyiek:.t.
no diffe
He said,
tenet= in the dialects af England andm
g. ing, not
curd in
I nationality, but a narocw spirit,
We cannot speak broad
favour of the Scottieh
dile:ek.larger country of the two,
ien
ouc English friends will think Iwhen
I speakcc "ra a
t
Scotch now. Engles's lin t
'
But I say thet int the
reignatl
th
e: as not much distinction of die-
ear e'Peet.
ehen the present pronuneistion
, lectE, It does not APP
d ntou f st
Etluielaebuet shin