The Sun.
London, England, 1827-01-10 00:00:00

HIGHLAND. GAMES.

- Yesterday (being Old Christmas day) the annual winter com-
petition of athletic exercises, tinder the direction of the Highland
Club of Scotland, was held in Warrender's Park, at the head of
the Links, in presence of a committee of judges, and a vast as-
semblage of spectators. On account of the turnultuary behaviour
of the crowd last year, tickets were this season provided by the
club, and given out by the secretary. Besides the committee of
judges, we observed on the ground the Lord Provost, Lord Gle-
norchy, Lord Robert Kerr, and a great number of other dis-
tinguished individuals, several gentlemen connected with the High-
lands, and many of the most respectable citizens of Edinburgh.
The same curiosity that carried a Roman matron to look on the
gladiator dying in the midst of the arena, who, while deafening
shouts rose around him, heard them not, but thought of his
" Dacian wife and his young barbarians all at play ;" the same
feeling that delighted a high born dame of the middle ages to see
a gallant knight enter the lists, to break a spear, or, perchance,.,
shed his blood for his " ladye love," still animates our country-
women, who, not interior in loveliness, and far more accomplished,
are now contented, however, with less bloody fields. Still where-
ever a feat of activity is to be performed, or a deed of manly dar-
ing attempted, there our ladies, as of old, love to be, to " rain in-
fluence and judge the prize." Yesterday, accordingly, a number
of elegant females were on the ground, who, seemed to take a deep
interest in the business of the day. The games commenced about
eleven o'clock, with throwing the putting stone, which, by the
way, was a bullet of 22 pounds weight. The competitors in this
exercise were six Highlander*, who each threw the bullet thrice.
The farthest throw was 25 feet, which was done by Alexander
M‘Donald, from Perthshire, who had a silver medal, with a suit-
able inscription, adjudged to him as a prize. Another medal was
also adjudged to M'Donald, as the most successful in throwing
the sledge hammer. The old and spirited game of shinty
followed, which was played by forty Highlanders, twenty a-side,
at the head of one party of whom was . Captain Whereon,
and of the other, we believe Mr. M'lntyre. This game afforded
great amusement, and was very keenly contested—victory some-
times inclining to the one side and sometimes to the other. She
at last, however, declared herself in favour of the APPhersons,,
who had 10 !sovereigns awarded to them as the successful compe-
titors. A foot race, which closed the exhibition, succeeded, and
from seven competitors, Duncan Lamont bore away the prize.
Upon the whole, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the
ground, the different exercises passed off with great eclat,- and the
company separated apparently highly gratified. The field was
enlivened by the hand of the 7th Hussars, and two Highland pi-
pers, who played some of our finest national airs during the con-
tinuance of the games.

About fifty members of the club, and ethers, afterwards dined
at the British Hotel, Lord G lei:lordly in the chair, supported by
the Lord Provost, Sir Patrick Walker, Colonel Farquharson, &c.
A number of appropriate toasts, many of them connected with the
business of the day, were given by the noble chairman, and other
gentlemen present. The fine band of the 25th regiment was
stationed in the orchestra, and the evening was spent in a mostconvivial and happy manlier, the vivacity of the company suffer-
ing no abatement when our reporter left at a late hou r. Scotsman.