, 1872-11-17

John BroWns Queen Victor1a's Sef~
want.
From the Worth Br7tish Halt.
John Brown, holding the envied position Of
pe1haps about as genuine q specimen Of unao-
phisticated humanity as this faulty world con-
tains. Twenty -four years ago, he was taken
from his fathers house into the Palace, raW,
country lad, to I'll humble situation in the
Royal household, his credentials-an honest pa
rentsge and 9. pair Of willing bands: AS his an-
born almost within the shadow of Bal
mort, and probably he owes hls sound
Iii father, 3 small farmer With nnmeT-
ouB family, gave him what education he
could afford; but john set out early In life to
seek his fortune. Not far from home he got
employment, and gave such satisfaction that,
gave him q handsome present in addition to his
wages, and parted with him with extreme reluct~
ance Shortly after this, circumstances called him
home. But be had ouly returned day or two
when he was offered situation nt BaamoFat
Castle, and from that per1od up to now he has
been in the Queens service.
Fourteen years he served at Ba1moral in d
humble capacity, and the late Prince Consort,
with whom the young glllie had occasion to
come frequently into contact. discovered g.
sterling nature hidden under modest reserve,
and, with abundant opportunity for testing
his principles, the Princes favorable opinion
strengthened as time rolled on, although tanSl-
ble evidence Of Roynl favor was withheld for g.
time. There can be no doubt the Prince Con-
sorts appreciation Of his services induced Her
Majesty to promote John Brown to the post he
now occupies. He is 3 man of individuality.
You have but to look at him to see that. In
height be is what might be termed the me-
dium size, but his powerful, weu-knit franc is
splendidty developed, and shows to great ad-
vantage in the costume he wears 0u}l Highland
dreBs). There il much character in the broad,
massive brow, the keen shrewd eyes, the firm,
res6lute, kindly mouth. You instinctively feel
in looking at him that had he been educated up
to his abilities, he would have been man Of
mark
The meagre advantages afforded in his youth
for mental culture have, however, been richly
supplemented by Mother Nature. His address
is not polished but there is singular attractive
ness in his open, frank, manly manners. His
homely speech suits him best, he will tell you
1aughingly, and therein he ehowshis good sense.
Passing over minor details, there can be no
question Of his fitness for the situation he holds.
For instance, at Balmoral be is valuable as g re-
liable guide and trusty guardian. His intimate
knowledge Of the country, in all it's aspects, and
the people, is of great importance. and his quick
perception and presence of mind render him 9
safe pioneer. On more than one occasion he has
brought bis Hoyal mistress out Of peril. shall
nied by two of her daughters, WAS returning to
,Balmora1 after a visit to G1aesalt, when sud-
denly the horses started aside from new road
they we're unaccustomed to. It was an awkward
spot for an accident, but John Brown, realizing
the danger at glance, vociferated Pull up" SO
vigorously to the coachman that serious conse.
qlences were averted. As it was the carriage
WIS overturned, and the Royal party were thrown
out. At q little distance the coachman lay in
sensible. The outrider was on before, aud only
john Brown remained to do duty for all.
Under the trying circumstances many men
would have lost their head, but, with amazing
coolness, be whipped out his clasp-knife, and
quietly cut the traces to free the struggling
to place OF safety. It is alleged that only for
moment was he perplexed when his lamp
went out, and an emphatic exclamation escaped
his lips, which the Royal ears that heard it con-
etrued into an ejaculatory prayer. The outrider
seeing no lamps, he rode back to ascertain what
WAS wrong but the danger WAS past. It is we'll
known that this ready tact has s1noothed the
Queens way into the humble Highland home
s5S sba hfs se peopa srs Mh ea ass 9
to the obligation they are under to John Brown
for the footing they are on with her Maiesty.
As one remarked, none could have been found
so we'll adapted to bring the Queen and her low
Is one Of ourselves, and his familiar face beside
her Majesty puts heart into u.s."
Without q native pioneer it can easily be I'M
neined how difficult it would have been for the
Queen to make her way amongst people whose
language and manners and customs we're strange
to her. And, upon the other hand, how little
sympathy there could have been between the
exalted lady and the simple cottara. An
attendant Of ready tact is John Brown,
and had. he not been 80 + will be bound
to say The Queen in spite Of all her gracious con
1escension, would have been a terror in the
homes where she is a most welcome visitor. Her
Majesty sometimes makes her calls upon 'tun-
Fortunate days-when q s. cleaning'S is going
on. and there is q thorough turn-up in the house,
hold. On such occasions an ordinary herald
would be nonp1ussed, probably. but not he.
Coolly seeking out the gudewife, he informs her
officially that the Queen is at the door, and in
the same breath rates her soundly for not being
better prepared to receive - Her MsjeRty-" He
does not leave her in the lurch, however, but
vigorously sets to work to whisk palls and brooms
out OF sight, and make things straight before the
Rnva1 visitnr anr,aar9 On the scena.