The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04


was a great feL" in the national history Of
Scotland. From the time the Earl Of Mar
raised the standard of rebellion in I7I6, slmest
within gunshot OF whers Vicioris nos han her
Highland home, down to the fatal battle of
Culloden, the Highland clans were mustered in
strongAforce when the signal was pa sed
through the g'cns- Nowadays we have gath
erirg once year ia the country Of Mari" but
The signal to rally Is the olive branch, and the
ciansmen muster 10 show off their HiQhla d
dress, and disport themselves in harmless High
land games.
The gathering Of 1851 was a grand affair.
At early dawn crowds of pedestrians were "a be-
seen vending their way to Castleton. mont of
them wearing the Highland dress. ~ 8
o'clock. all sorts of conveyances, from The
rieketty cart to the splendid barouchs, wore
arriving in the villrge, and groups Of people
were congregatsd at different points, some
dancing to the music Of the bagppe, and some
trying their hands ut the caber o. the stone.
About noon thc Duff Highlanders pasxed
through the village, spIendidly dressed in their
elan tartans, and Handsomely accoutred for the
sports Of the day. They were followed by the
Duke of Leeds retainers, fine body Of men,
headed by the duke ms their chief. in splendid
costume. Then came the men Of AthoII, the
Queens body guard in Scotland. led on BY
the Duke Of AtholI, and marching with music
and banners. The clan Farquharson mustered
strongly, and in their elegant tartans were
greatly admired They were headed by their
chief, Mr.. Farqnhnrson, Of inverclaud
The place chosen for the games was spa
cious lawn in the park, in the front OF the old
castle of Marr--once the hunting lodge Of NAL.
colin Canmore. Here tho clans formed into three
sides Of square, each elan having It's STANDARD
bearer in rositon, and its piper ready for the
dance. The rear Of the clans WINS hanked by
the carriages of the aristocrscy, who are now in
the district and multitudes Of the people who
had gathered to witness the games.
AT one o'clock, the terrace Of the castle pre-
sented brilliant displF Of beauty and fashion,
among whom were the following
From Bamornl-Co'. Phipps, the Hon Alex
ander Gordon, the Hon. Miss Byng, DR.. Baker,
and DR.. Robertson.
From Ambergeldie-Cap Copper, Lady Au
gusta Bruce, and Lady Frances Bruce
From Invercauld-Mr and Mrs. Farauharson
and family, their cons elegantly dressed in the
Highland gnrb; Lord and Lady Charls Clinton,
the Hon Miss Murray, Miss Grant, of Conge-
ton. and Miss Dalrymple. Of Logei Elphinstone.
From Mari Lodge-The Duke and Duchess
of Leeds, the Duchess Of AthoIl, the Misses
Lane Fox the Hon Mr.. Osborne Capt and Mrs.
Sutton, the Rev. Mr.. Hudson, Col Hudson, and
Col. Foster
From Corriemulzie-Lady Agnes Duff and
the Misses Duff and Master Duff, Sir James and
Indy Catherine Carnegie, Sir Maxwell and adv
Wallace, Mr. Brooke, Mr.. w. Taylor, Mr.. John
Blake, &c.
The Queen and Prince Albert sent donation
OF ELS towards the prizes for the games, but
the court being in mourning, did not honor the
gathering with visit The Messrs. Duff, NJ.
p, and Ricardo, M. p, who are at Corriemulzie,
and other members of the Duff family, were alb
sent out of respect for the memory of General
Duff, who had always taken lively interest in
the mastering of the clans.
The games began about o'clock, and for two
hours the Highlanders distinguished themselves
by strength of arm and agility of limb. A stone
of lab. weight was bowled as many yards with
ease; hammer of l6b weight was thrown 60
feet II inches a pole or tree Is feet high by 6
inches in diameter, called the caber," was poised
with little effort, and tossed right end over end
reels, strathspeys, the sword and other dances,
were danced as none but the Highlanders here
can dance them, and footrace of l400 yards
was contested by dozen of gllies, the winner
going over the ground in 81 minutes. Formerly
the foot-race was upon steep hill, but the
Queen having, with her usual consideration, sug-
gested that this was rather a dangerous game,
the stewards abandoned it for race In the park,
which was most exciting scene.
The games being nearly over, a large party had
luncheon in the castle, which was tastefully
decked with evergreens, monograms of the
Queen and Prince Albert being interviewer with
festoons Of heather, BELL the thistle and the rose
Here also ball was held ut night, where the
peer and the peasant mingled in Joyous harmony;
and thus concluded the gathering Of the clans in
the country of Mari" for the year 1851.