Star.
London, England, 1824-05-01 00:00:00

DUMFRIES, APRIL 27.

Friday being St. George's Day, and that .appointed
for the celebration of the KING'S Birth-day, Was- bailed
at Dumfries as an opportunity of displaying that loyal
and affectionate regard for his MAJESTY'S person and
Government which the town of Dumfries has always
felt and exhibited. The morning was ushered in by the
ringing of bells and other demonstrations of affectionate
loyalty; and the bells continued to ring at intervals
through the day.
On this happy occasion, the septennial custom of
shooting for a SILVER Gus, first given by JASIS
to the Seven Trades of Dumfries, took place.
In the morning, at four o'clock, the first drums beat
to arms; and at six, each Trade paraded before their,
Deacon's dwelling, receiving, while the muster-roll was
calling, a dram, as their Morning; after which, they
were matched to their general renZiezvous on the Sands.
Deputations were then sent from each Trade to their
Hall for the Seven Tra?.es'-fllg and the trophy of the
day—the SILVER Gus, which was ta.tefolly suspended
from the end of a long pole by a silver chain, ir. the
centre of a wreath of laurel, and surmounted with an
elegant gold crown.
Exactly at eight o'clock, the procession, two and.
two, with drums beating and colours flying, began to
move off for the King-holm, about a mile from the
town,led on by Convener M,KricNELL, the different a!a-
cons and Trades following in the older of precedence.
As a mark of well-merited respect, the venerable
Father of the whole Trades, Deacon JOUNSTON, now
97 years of age, who has shot for the SILVER Gus in
three different reigns, and is still able to work at his trade
of a blacksmith, was placed at the head of the whole
body, and walked to the King-holm, not only without
any assistance, but with as much apparent activity, as
firm a step, and as erect as the youngest person present.

On no lOrmer occaion was the ninster so numerous.
and the sight altogether was very interesting. After
arriving at the King-holm, two targets were fixed against
the embankment, and a keen contest with ba;r•cmtridge
was kept up till seven o'clock id the evening, whea it
Wai aIIIMUOCed that Mr. ALEXANDER SELK I RIC, flesher,
was the hero of the day, and had won the SILVER GUN.
Among the Journeymen, the prize of a new hat wa,
won by Mr. WILLIAM HALLIDAY, waver. A great
number of tents and booths were ci ecte.l on the g:ou:IL!.
for the sale of refreshments. The WCa'i,ce was uncom-
monly fine, and the field was crowded throughout the
day. Dumfries, in fact, was almost entirely L!,,,seited.
Everything was conducted with the utmost harirony
and good order, aid the procession returned to town
about eight o'clock. While proceeding up the lii;_th
street, a fire-balloon a..endeil in the rno.,t steady ants
b;:nutiful manner to a considerable height, and held
its majestic course eastward, sailing with supreme dumi-
nion.—Soon alter their at rival in town, the Committe.•
of the Seven Trades gave a grand entertainment in their
Hall, in honour of his MAJESTY'S birth, to which
the Magistrates, Commissioners of Police, and a nom-
linr of Gentlemen of the town and ncighbotirh,,od were
invited, and to several of whom the Freedom of the In-
corporation was presented.