The Sun.
London, England, 1828-01-08 00:00:00

HIGHLAND CLUB DINNER.

The members of the Highland Club of Scotland, to the
number of about eighty, sat down to a sumptuous dinner in
the British Hotel, on Friday evening ; Lord Glenorchy in
the Chair; Reginald Macdonald, Esq. of Statra, and M.
A. Fletcher, Esq. advocate, croupiers.
After the cloth was removed, the King, Duke of Clarence
_ _

. ..„
and the Navy, Duke of Wellington and the Army, were
given from the Chair, and drunk with the customary marks
of loyalty and enthusiasm, the band of the 92d Regiment
playing appropriate airs.
The memory of the Duke of York was drank in silence.
The health of the Lord Provost and Corporation of
Edinburgh—" Flowers of Edinburgh."

The CirataikrAw then rose to introduce the leading toast
of the evening, in doing which he stated the objects for
which the Club had been instituted. The first of these
was the encouragement and revival of the national games
and sports of the country. This, though some might
think it unimportant, did not appear so to his Lordship ;
hut the attention of the Club had also been directed to an-
other object of more importance, namely, the education of
poor children—an object which he was sure was worthy of
encouragement and certain of success.—(Applause.) His
Lordship then congratulated them on the present state of
the Society, which had increased in numbers since last year,
and he had no doubt would continue to increase. The re-
vival of the national games was of much importance in a
society like this, where many were in danger of becoming
relaxed by luxuriousrefinements, and others from being oc-
cupied in sedentary pursuit. It was, therefore, a desira-
ble object to counteract the effects likely to arise from such
a state of society. The people of this country now ap-
peared rather disinclined to games of this sort ; but in
Switzerland, where the inhabitants were remarkable for
orderly conduct and intelligence, they were extremely com-
mon. Indeed, there was not a town, hardly a village, in
which there was not a club- for rifle shooting, and where
one day in the week was not set apart for healthful amuse-
ments. Ina national point of view it was also of int-

portance; for what was it that made even the Ameri-
can recruits formidable to their enemies, but their un-
erring skill in the use of this destructive weapon. He
considered that it should be an object with the Society
to prevent encroachment on public pieces of ground in the
neighbourhood of towns, which Magistrates were so much
inclined to do in their inordinate desire to accumulate
wealth. Among our southern neighbours, twenty years
ago, there was scarcely a village in England which had not
its common for the amusements of youth. These were
now nearly all done away; and what bad been the conse-
quence ? The time which was then spent in healthful ex-
ercises was now spent in the alehouse or in poaching.--
(Hear, hear.)—His Lordship, after some further remarks
on the subject, then thee) ved, that part of their funds bad
also been applied to the sacred cause of charity ; and they
had now npwards of 30 children who were receiving edu-
cation at the expence of the Society.—(Applause.)—lf
deemed expedient to extend their sphere of usefulness to
the encouragement of Gaelic literature, much good might
be done in this way ; for nothing was so much wanted in
the Highlands as translations of some of our best English
works into the language of the country; and if they could
accomplish this object, their memories would be handed
down to posterity as the best benefactors of the Highlands.
His Lordship concluded by giving—" Prosperity to the
Highland Club of Scotland,"—which was drank with
Highland honours. Tune—" O'er the muir," &c.
Mr. MacnoNAnn of Staffa, after alluding to the disap-
pointment they had experienced in the forenoon, from the
unpropitious state of the weather, gave the healths of Major
Macdonald and Mr, Duncan Stevenson, who were to have
led the parties intending to compete for the prizes.
Major MAcnoNAr.n returned thanks.

The CHAIRMAN then said, he had now the pleasing
duty to perform of moving that a venerable father of the
Church (Principal Baird), and a Reverend Doctor (Dr.
Macleod, of Campside), should be received into the So-
ciety a.l honorary members.—(Great applause.) In the
presence of the venerable Principal, he would not dilate
upon the services which he had rendered to that part of
the country with which the Society was peculiarly con-
nected, but he-would venture to say, that any honours which
the Highland Club could bestow upon him were not too
great for his merits.—(Cheers.) He proposed the healths
of the Reverend Gentlemen, which were drunk with great
applause.

Principal BAIRD begged to express the sincere gratitude
he felt at being admitted an honorary member of this most
respectable society. He bad paid particular attention to
what bad been described by their Noble Chairman, as the
objects of this Institution, and he had great pleasure in
saying that he approved of them all. He particularly ap-
proved of the scheme of extending the means of education
to the children of helpless Highlanders resident in the me-
trorolis, and of preserving those interesting memorials of
the ancient Celtic race of this land, than whom earth's
surface did not contain a nobler or more estimable people.
(Great applause.) In allusion to what had fallen from
the Noble Chairman regarding the translation of English
works into the Gaelic language, the Reverend Principal
said a similar idea had occurred to him ; and he had in his
pocket the prespectus of a periodical journal to be pub-
lished monthly in the Gaelic tongue, and, to which many
respectable and talented clergymen were ready to become
contributors. The Reverend Principal then read the
prospectus, which was listened to with great attention.—
He expressed a hope that every individual who had beard
the proposed scheme, would give it their public and private
support, :and if they did so, lie was certain that support
would be effeetiy,e., •
Mr. JOIIN BOWIE, W. S. then made some interesting
etatements regarding the progress made by the Education
Committee, and read the report of the Committee, from
which it appeared that their funds would now enable them
to increase the number of children on their list to 50.

While Mr. BOWIE was speaking, the sliding doors which
inclose the western division of the Hopetoun Rooms were
thrown back, and displayed the very interesting spectacle of
the children educated by the Society, drawn up in order,
and attended by many of their parents.—The children, who
were all neatly dressed in their holiday suits, were then
marched round the ts.bles, preceded by the officer of the
Club, and the piper playing a pibroch ; after which they
were conducted to another room, where Mr. Cockburn
liberally supplied them with a refreshment.- The whole
scene had a most exhilirating effect, and spoke powerfully
to the feelings of the company, as was amply evinced by a
collection in aid of the education fund, which immediately
followed, and which the treasurer shortly afterwards an-
nounced, would enable the Committece to take forty more
children upon their list. This announcement was re-
ceived with enthusiastic cheers, which were redoubled when
Mr. Bowie stated that he found in the box the name of
Major Macdonald put down for the liberal donation of
five pounds. At a later period of the evening it was
stated that the merit of this part of the Society's scheme
was attributable chiefly to Mr. Bowie and to Major Mac-
donald, the latter of whom, rather than the object should
be defeated, had pledged himself to defray the whole ex-
pence for one year.
After the amount of the collection had been intimated,
Principal Baird said it gave him pleasure to learn that the
Society could now educate ninety poor children; and re-
quested that his name might he put down for ten more to
make up the hundred.—(Loud cheers.)
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, the name of the
Duchess of Argyle was enrolled as an honorary member of
the Society ; and the same compliment was, on the motion
of Mr. COLIN APNAIi, paid to the Countess of Breadal-
bane. This was followed by the healths of the Countess of
Glasgow, and the other lady patronesses of the Society.
Mr. M. A. FLETCHER, after an eloquent eulogium on
the public character and virtues of the Noble Chairman,
which lie said were those peculiarly characteristic of a good
Highlander, namely, patient endurance, and a firm and un-
conquerable determination to perform his duty in every si-
tuation, proposed the health of Lord Gleriorchy, which
was drank with enthusiastic Highland honours.
The Noble CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and proposed
the health of their Chaplain, Dr. M'Leod, who had come
from a great distance on purpose to attend the Meeting.—
( Applause.)
Dr. M'Llion rose to return thanks. He was well aware,
he said, that he was indebted for the honour of being
elected their Chaplain, and an honorary member of their
Club, more to the private friendship of certain individuals
than to any claim which he could possess to so distin-
guished an honour.—(Cries of" No, no!")—But one thing
he would assert, and he did so with confidence, that there
lived not an individual, not even excepting his venerable
friend (Dr. Baird) who led the march of moral and intel.
lectual improvement in the Highlands and Islands, to whom
he would yield in an ardent, devoted, and enthusiastic re-
gard for the land of the mountain and flood.:—(Loud cheer-
ing.)—And in an anxiety for the prosperity of any institu-
tion which was calculated to promote the honour and wel-
fare of the land of his fathers.—(Applause.)—Born in
Morven—that land where Fingal fought 'and Ossian sung
—it might be readily conceived that all the; earliest, and
consequently the dearest associations of his heart, hallowed
in his esteem the objects for which this NatiOnal Associa-
tion had been instituted. Could it be soppiest that a
Morven man could for a moment be indifferent to the pre-
servation and encouragement of the games and exercises of
his own beloved land?—to the preservation of that lan-
guage which he first lisped—in which he still even thought
—end which possessed to him charms which that language

in Which he now addressed his Lordship, though this arose
probably from his ignorance, did not ; because it did not
afford to him language sufficiently strong to exp:sess his
feeling'. Could a Merven man be indifferent to that poetry
which had immortalised the place of his birth, and rendered
it awfully interesting as the consecrated abode of the spirits
of other times? And, added the Rev. Doctor (amidst con-
tinued bursts of applause), can a Ch urchman—can a Mi-
nister of the Gospel be indifferent to the prosperity of an
Institution which has for its object the education of the
poor and fatherless children of Highlanders who have
been torn from their native glens and mountains—who
have found an early grave in the dense popula-
tion of your crowded cities, in employments and of-
fices ill suited to their early habits and occupations
True it was, he (the Reverend Gentleman) had left the
land of his early days ; but the sympathies of many now
present would bear him out while he stated, that his affec-
tions still clung to the land of his birth—that his dreams
were in the hills of Morven—that absence, instead of
weakening such attachments, strengthened them more and
more, and rendered the objects of this association infinitely
more interesting than if lie had yet been a resident of Mor-
ven.—(Applause.)—That man, said he, has little title
to philosophy, who would sneer at the preservation of cus-
toms and exercises which helped in a great measure tb fonr.
the Highland character of former days.—(Cheers.)—Na-
tional games, poetry, and music, bad a share in all the festi-
vities of the most celebrated nations of which history spoke
—the greatest heroes, the wisest legislators, and the best
men of antiquity institutes? and supported them, and thought
it glorious to share in their honours. After considering
at some length the influence of these games on the charac-
ter of a people, the Rev. Doctor proceeded. He rejoiced in
being made a member of this Club. Indeed lie would not
be ashamed to he a member of an association which had for
its object to preserve even the superstitious of his country.
That superstition, dark as it was and wild, had a happy
tendency in forming the character of the Highlander—it
had a happy influence in cherishing a virtuous and patient
spirit—in softening the manners, and framing that kind-
ness of disposition, and comparative purity of character, for
which, in spite of a Pinkerton or a SAPCulloch, their de-
scendants were to this day distinguished.—(Cheering.)—
The land of our forefathers had been a land of heroes—

from those hills and mountains, multitudes of gallant men
had sprung, whose names adorned the brightest pages of
history; and should that day again arrive when Britain
should again let loose the furies of war—should her ban-
ners be again unfurled—not one disaffected individual
would rally round them from that land. The sons of
Morven would again be the first to rush forward to the
field of strife, and to conquer or die fin• their country.—
(Cheers.)—The Rev. Doctor concluded by giving in
Gaelic—" The land of our forefathers."—(Loud applause.)
Mr. H. Bauer:, Advocate, begged to dedicate a bumper
to the ProTerity of the Highlands of 'Scotland, where a
friend never met a traitor, nor an enemy a coward.—
( A pplause.

Mr. A. M`NEIL. Advocate, said the worthy Secretary
had assigned to him a toast, which he wished he could in-
troduce to their notice, as the Reporters would say, iu a
neat and appropriate manner—he meant the Island of Inch-
keith. He knew not whether it was intended that he should
give the health of that thriving rock, or the memory of its
departed worth—or an account of its Celtic ancestry—or
of its present peculiarly Highland aspect.—(Laughter.)—
He wished he could introduce the island bodily—as a visit-
ing or an honorary member—to speak for himself, herself,
or itself; for he was at a loss to know the gender of their
acquaintance.—(Loud laughing.) He had indeed heard
of a Celtic strain in which Old Father Ocean was made to
sue Staffa—(not the Lord of the Isle, who he was happy
to see in his place)—but the island itself, as a maiden "no-
thing loth ;" and that from this hopeful suit there sprung a
goodly number of islets—(Laughter)—Egg and Rum he
supposed. On this authority he presumed it must be held
that island belong to the softer sex. But be that as it
might; the old lady was an extremely hospitable personage—
and this Society could never forget the kind reception
which it met with from her in the month of August last.
He was sure she would be equally glad to receive a similar
visit ; and he dared say that her best endeavours would be
used with the Forth and her fickle friends, or foes, he knew
not whieh, the clouds, to render it as agreeable as the last—
" The Island of Inchkeith."—(Laughter and applause.)
Tune, " The Boatie Rows."

Captain CAMPBELL proposed the health of Major-Gen.
Stewart of Garth, and afterwards th.at of the Doke of
Argyll, which were both crank with Highland honours.
The CHAIRMAN gave the health of the gallant officer on
his ]eft hand, Colonel Teesdale—(Great applause.) The
gallant Colonel returned thanks, and observed, that this
was the fifth time he had been en duty in Scotland ; he
hoped it would not be the last. He never came to it but
with pleasure, and never left it but with regret.—(Loud
cheering.)
Dr. APLEon said, he much regretted the absence of that
man (Professor Wilson) who, of all others, was the fittest
to do justice to the toast he was about to propose. One of
the greatest objects of the Highland Club of Scotland was,
to preserve the language and poetry of the Highlands. It
was not to be denied that the English language was rapidly
gaining ground ; nor was he now disposed to question the
sagacity of those wise men who were anxious that the in-
habitants of the empire should speak the same tongue. A
century had now nearly passed since the Gaelic was con-
demned to death by a solemn Act of Parliament, and sen-
tenced to be shrowded in its own ancient garb, which was
denounced along with it. The great philosopher, Johnson,
declared, fifty years ago, that it was then in a decay, and
that its death was at no great distance. Much as that
learned Doctor had said about the second sight, it
was evident that he possessed it not; for if by decay
he meant consumption, it had, at all events not been
a galloping one.—(Laughter and much cheering).—
The Gaelic language still lived, and if it had symptoms of
dissolution, it threatened to have a very lingering death.
It had resuscitated wonderfully by its change.of climate. lii
America there were thousands and tens of thousands of
Highlanders who speak this language, and it only ; and it
would live when they had, all of them, and their children,
passed away.—(Applause). While the Gaelic existed, it
was most desirous to preserve such monuments of its power
and genius as could not fail to be interesting to future gene-
rations. The language was worthy of. this. It was a
language hold and animated—adorned with tropes and
figures, and a rhetoric+, even in ordinary conversation,
which he would have ventured to tell John Wilson, (if he
haul been there to propose the toast as was expected), even
he would be shy of using, except in his highest and noblest
flights.—Loud cheering.) The light of song was rapidly
passing away from the Highlands. Poverty had in a great
degree destroyed the muse. But he rejoiced to say, that
the change arose from another cause. The progress of
useful and religious knowledge bad done much to destroy
the taste for oral tradition. The circumstances of the
Highlanders were greatly changed. They, indeed, might
exclaim—" Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis."
Formerly a Highlander sat at his ease at the foot of a grey
rock or a green tree—tending to flocks which frolicked
around him: on the then unmeasured mountain. Few
were his wants—fewer his cares. He hummed his song—
tuned his pipe with joy—while his soul in silence
blessed his chieftain. Those days were passed away ; but
still there was much traditionary poetry in the Highlands
worthy of being preserved—poems which bespoke high
powers of soul—venerable monuments of former days—for
bards of distinguished name had existed there since the clays
of Ossian.--(Cheers.)—His form had remained—yes, and
it grew, as he said, as the green oak of Morven, which
lifts its head to the storm. But the modern poets were
like mists lingering on the hill, which fly away with the
blast of the morning. Many of them were like stars which
had set—much of their fame was left; but it was like the
last rays of the sun when it hides its head in the west.
Among these he would name the bard, Duncan llPlntyre,
emphatically called in Gaelic, " Fair Duncan of the Song,"
and his countryman, Evan M‘Laehlan, of Aberdeen, the
translator of Homer into Ossianic Gaelic.

The toast was—" The memory of Ossian, and also that
of the modern Celtic Poets."—(Applause.)
Colon;:i TEESDALE gave the health of Colonel William-
son :Ind the 92d Regiment; for which the Gallant Colonel
returned thanks.

The health of Colonel Rogers of the Artillery was then
given from the chair. Colonel R. returned thanks.
Mr. MAcnoNALn of Stafla gave the health of his rela-
tive Marshal Macdonald, who, he said, was as decidedly a
Highlander and a Scotsman as it was possible for man to
be. He felt particularly proud of our ancient metropolis,
which he designated the queen of cities—(App/ause).—ln
a letter which he had received from him within these few
days, the Marshal requested to be furnished with a plan,
'including the projected improvements, of Edinburgh, « the
capital of our country," as he expressed it. This toast was
drank with Highland honours.
Mr. SrEwAtur of Shierk,:rlass proposed the health of Sir
A. CAmpbell.—(Applause.)
Colonel TEESDALE then gave, Sir James Stewart and
the Scots Greys.—(Cheers.)
The healths of the Duke of Athol, Dr. Stewart of Bon-
skeid, Major Macdonald, Staffs as President of the Ban-
nockburn society, Miles A. Fletcher, &c., were afterwards
drank with applause.
• Mr. J. A. ROBERTSON, W. S., proposed to dedicate a
bumper to a gentleman who was an honour to his country,
and who now held a high place in its Administration. He
was sure the Association would join him in drinking the
health of the excellent reresentative of a principal portion

'of the Highlands of Scotland. He alluded to the Right
Hon. Charles Grant.—(Applause.)—He was so well
known in this country, and so much esteemed, that it was
unnecessary for him to say more. He proposed, with all
the honours, to drink the health of the Right Hon. Gentle-
man, and prosperity to the County of Inverness.—(Drank
with great applause.)
The conviviality of the Meeting was kept up to an earl•
hour on Saturday morning, the Chairman be,ng among the
last to depart ; we have seldom, indeed, seen a happier as-
semblage in the Hopetoun Rooms. The dinner and wine
provided by Mr. Cockburn, were as usual of the finest de-
scription ; and his whole arrangements gave, the highest
satisfaction, particularly his spoNtaneous attention to the
children patronised by the Club.