1 The Lord Provost had the agreeable surprise to hear his health proposed, at the civic banquet given to George IV. in the Parliament-House, as "Sir William Arbuthnot, Bart." 2 The Blue Blanket is the standard of the incorporated trades of Edinburgh, and is kept by their convener, at whose appearance therewith," observes Maitland, " 'tis said, that not only the artificers of Edinburgh are obliged to repair to it, but all the artificers or craftsmen within Scotland are bound to follow it, and fight under the convener of Edinburgh as aforesaid." According to an old tradition, this standard was used in the Holy Wars by a body of crusading citizens of Edinburgh, and was the first that was planted on the walls of Jerusalem, when that city was stormed by the Christian army under the famous Godfrey. But the real history of it seems to be this:-James III., a prince who had virtues which the rude age in which he lived could not appreciate, having been detained for nine months in the Castle of Edinburgh by his factious nobles, was relieved by the citizens of Edinburgh, who assaulted the castle and took it by surprise; on which occasion James presented the citizens with this banner, "with a power to display the same in defence of their king, country, and their own rights." -Note to this stanza in the “Account of the King's Visit," &c., 8vo. 1822. 3 Sir Thomas Bradford, then commander of the forces in Scotland. 4 Edinburgh Castle. Lord Melville was colonel of the Mid-Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry: Sir John Hope of Pinkie, Bart., Major; and Robert Cockburn, Esq., and Lord Elcho, were captains in the same corps, to which Sir Walter Scott had formerly belonged. The Scots Grays, headed by their gallant colonel, General Sir James Stewart of Coltness, Bart., were on duty at Edinburgh during the King's visit. Bonaparte's exclamation at Waterloo is well known: "Ces beaux chevaux gris, comme ils travaillent!" 7 Marquis of Huntly, who since became the last Duke of Gordon, was colonel of the 42d Regiment, and died in 1836. 8 Colonel Ronaldson Macdonell of Glengarry-who died in January, 1828. The Earl of Errol is hereditary Lord High-Constable of Scotland. 10 In more correct Gaelic orthography, Banamhorar-Chat, or the Great Lady (literally Female Lord of the Chatte); the Celtic title of the Countess of Sutherland. "Evin unto this day, the countrey of Sutherland is yet called Cattey, the inhabitants Catteigh, and the Earl of Sutherland Morweir Cattey, in old Scottish or Irish; which language the inhabitants of this country doe still use."-GORDON'S Genealogical History of the Earls of Sutherland, p. 18. It was determined by his Majesty, that the right of carrying the sceptre lay with this noble family; and Lord Francis Leveson Gower (now Egerton), second son of the Countess (afterwards Duchess) of Sutherland, was permitted to act as deputy for his mother in that honorable office. After obtaining his Majesty's permission to depart for Dunrobin Castle, his place was supplied by the Honorable John M. Stuart, second son of the Earl of Moray.-ED. |