The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-08-22
EDITORIAL NOTES OF TRAVEL.

OF DrleI sOJOufn N Ufeas OEItdIu, tnOuSH
exceedingly pleasant in themselves, were not
suitable for writing. And now upon re-
turn home other matters are pressing; and
besides that, there is reluctance, from the
consciousness that there was not much of In
cident or observation that can be of interest
to my friends. If, however, any of them
care to follow me through the brief travels
of twenty days in Scotland and England,
such notes as l have to make upon what
came under my view are at their service.
And in the outset let this be understood: l
prefer, at present, to lay aside the editorial
plurality, and use the simpler, more oOnVe-
nient singular number. At the same time,
let this also be mentioned, once for all that
DR.. Hoge and were together from the close
of the Council July 1Osh) until the day We
parted in London august 2d)-he to travel
on the Continent, and to return home. To
his acquaintance with men and things in
Great Britain, by reason Of former visits, l
am indebted for much of the satisfaction and
enjoyment of our jOurneyings together.
THE DAY AT MERTOUN HOUSE.
A brief notice Of this interesting occasion,
extracted from another paper, was inserted
some weeks ago in this journal. Without
giving now a detailed account, some things
additional may be appropriate. Lord Pol.
warth, the proprietor of Mertoun House, is
ruling elder in the Established Church of
Scotland, and was a member of the Edin-
burgh Council. There were others, namely:
Lord Balfour, of Burleigh, the Earl of Kin
tore, and Lord Henry Moncrief. And re.
mark or two here may be proper concerning
al Of them. For one thing, they were among
the most plainly dressed and most unassuming
men to be found in the Council Another
remark is, that they seemed, as they are
known to be, men of unaffected piety. When
appointed to preside over some of the ses.
'ious, it was all done in beautiful simplicity;
all of them, or nearly all, gave cut the psalms
to be sung, read the Scriptures, made ap,
prOpriate addresses, and led in prayer. And
Just here it may not be amiss to say, that
their prayers were characterized by degree
of simplicity and directness from which a
useful lesson might be taken by many minis
tiers. There is a fault, especially among
our Scotch brethren, in this matter, which
heard remarked upon freely, bat in a friend
ly spirit: whatever might be the occasion,
when called upon, they almost uniformly
prayed through a whole body of divinity.
They may depend upon it that the correction
of this is worthy Of their attention. BreVity
and direoGness would not at eli Interfere with
their greater aceeptableness and usefulness.
Now, as TO the day at Lord Polwarth's.-
Those VINO intended to accept his invitation
were requested to write their names in a
book for that purpose, and sll such were fur.
nished by bis Lordship with tickets on the
railroad, and on Wednesday morning, July
11th, they proceeded in direction south of
Edinburgh, first to Melrose, and then to
Dryburgh, where the beautiful ruins of the
two Abbeys bearing those names were visited.
The descriptions of these, so often and so
deliberately given by travellers and writers,
may we'll excuse me for passing them by
From the latter, the large company proceed
ed, some on foot and some in carriages pro-
Vided by Lord P0Iwarth, about three miles
to Mertoun Hall, the beautiful mansion of
this nobleman. The landscape scenery by
which it is approached gives some magnif-
cent views along the Tweed, on the banks of
which are the stately mansion and che beau
tiful grounds where We were to be enter
tanned. Let the reader remember that Alb
bOtsfOrd is only three or four miles distant,
and that almost every hill and vale and
stream round about has been made vocal and
immortal by the pen of the great Sir Walter.
After an introduction to the members of
his family, and suitable refreshments fur
nished his guests, Lord POlwarth invited
them to the western pOrticO, or to seats pro-
vided Immediately in front upon the green
sward. Here had been gathered his tenants
and other good folks from the vicinity, to the
number Of FIVE or six hundred. Lord Pol
Warth himself introduced the services by
reading a few verses from the 81 chapter of
the Epistle to the Ephesians-" For this
cause bow my knees, &c, &c, which he
followed by few appropriate remarks, con-
Guiding with cordial expression of welcome
to his guests. He then gave out psalm,
and if We remember rightly, raised the tune
also. This was followed by appropriate ad-
dresses and prayers from various brethren
present. An interval was then given for
those present, especially the tenants and
others from the vicinity, to partake Of re-
freshments beautifully provided on the
grounds a little up the river. Walking
around among them and eonversing freely,
soon found now heartily Lord Polwarth'
Christian character was held by his Deepen
dants, and how much his interest in their
welfare, temporal and spiritual, was appre-
eiated.
In the afternoon religious services were
resumed, and the day closed in a manner
that must have made all feel how good it was
to be there. In response to some remarks
complimentary of himself, Lord Polgarth