17 SEPTEMBER 1842, Page 4

SCOTLAND.

The narrative of the Queen's progress in Scotland broke off with the arrival at Dunkeld, on the way to Taymouth. The cortege entered Dunkeld at one o'clock on Wednesday. The cottage of the Dowager Dutchess of Athol not offering sufficient accommodation to receive such a party, a large marquee was erected in the lawn on the north side of the Cathedral, and in it was spread a collation. On the lawn were drawn out the Highlanders of' the Athol clan, led by Lord Glenlyon ; the Highlanders having, says a reporter, "bonnets and spears, and bended bows, and equipped with every thing necessary for a Highlandman" ! The Queen and Prince Albert walked across the lawn, and Prince Albert went with Viscount Stormont to view the interior of the old Cathedral. On his return the party partook of a luncheon in the pavilion; at the endof which, says our authority, the Queen tasted of "the famous brewst known in Scottish history and song as the Athol brose,' a composition of whisky, honey, and other piquant and pleasant matters." After the luncheon, the Queen commanded "national" dances to be performed by the Highlanders : three were exhibited, a sword-dance by a single Highlander, and two reels of four. The travellers went on their way at three o'clock ; twenty-four Highland gentlemen armed with Lochaber axes escorting the Queen to the gate of the Athol de- mesne.

The same demonstrations of loyalty were observed on the road beyond Dunkeld as before it ; and at Ballanaguard and Aberfeldy the enthusiasm of the people overflowed in whitewash, for we are told that "all the houses along which her Majesty passed were whitewashed."

Taymouth—A Highland Castle and Highland Hospitality.

Taymouth was never so crowded as on Wednesday ; carriages and pe- destrians of all sorts having entered it even from places so distant as Greenock, Inverary, Dumbarton, Oban, Inverness-shire, Forfarshire, Banff, Aberdeenshire, and Perth. Soon after noon, the Breadalbane High- landers took their station in front of the Castle, about two hundred in number : they were joined by Sir Neil Menzies, at the head of sixty men, and thirty more from the property of Mr. Menzies of Chesthill; the Ninety-second Regiment of Higlanders and a number of the Sixth Dra- goon Guards were also on the ground, and all the approaches to the castle were crowded by a multitude of spectators. The Marquis received his guests in the front of the castle; where the Queen alighted at a quarter to six ; and immediately afterwards appeared with Prince Albert on the bal- cony, to acknowledge the vociferous welcome of the crowd. At eight o'clock there was a grand dinner in the Baron's Hall. The castle was illuminated; the chief device being an inscription which was erected on the lawn—" Welcome Victoria and Albert." Many of the trees were hung with lamps, a fort on the hill opposite the castle was covered with variegated lamps, and bonfires blazed on every promontory. It is said that 70,000 lamps were used in the illumination. At ten o'clock there was a display of fireworks, magnificent in itself, and deriving extraordi- nary beauties from the site. Platforms were constructed in front of the castle, on which Highland dances were performed by persons in the appropriate dress ; Mr. Menzies and Mr. Fox Maule being among the dancers.

The mansion where the Queen passed her first night in the High- lands is thus described by a correspondent of the Edinburgh Witness- " This truly princely mansion, as most of our readers are aware, stands on the east end of Loch Tay, at a distance of about two miles from the village of Kenmore. It is situated in an undulating vale or plain, of considerable ex- tent, along the side of which, and immediately behind the castle, runs the river Tay ; and so entirely is it shut up in solitary grandeur from the world around, that, unless towards the west, where Loch Tay is spread out along the base of Ben Lamers, the prospect is confined to the pine-covered hills among which it is imbedded. The grounds are laid out with excellent taste, and contain some of the finest lime and oak trees in the kingdom; amidst which, with truly ba- ronial magnificence, arises the castle itself. It is a massive pile of gray stone, consisting of a square building of the castellated form, surmounted by the tower of the grand staircase, with an extensive wing on the right, which has just been finished by the present Marquis, and a lower range of buildings running towards the left. The effect of the whole, especially as seen from the rising grounds in front, is fine in the extreme. From the elevated ground in ques- tion, one cannot fail to be struck alike with the vast surrounding expanse. of many-coloured foliage, and with the mass of building, elegant yet substantial, which stands prominently forward in the plain below. The principal apart- ments are the baron's hall, at present used as the state dining-room, the suite of drawing-rooms, the library, and the grand hall. The ceiling of the latter is truly splendid. It contains the genealogy of the Campbells, tracing their descent from the Royal Families of England and Scotland ; the whole being divided into compartments, on each of which there is a superbly-executed painting of the arms and device of some one of the progenitors of the noble Marquis. Her Majesty, we understand, shortly after her arrival, inspected the whole of these with great minuteness and evident satisfaction. With the pro- fusion of oak carving, especially on the ceiling and walls of the library, as well as on those of Prince Albert's private apartments, she appeared to be greatly delighted. The interior of Taymouth Castle presents a variety of ornament and a mass of elegance utterly unapproached by any thing of the same kind in Scotland, and only equalled, equalled at all, in one or two mansions in the whole British empire.' The following were the principal guests assembled at Taymouth Castle— The Queen and Prince Albert, the Dutrbess of Norfolk, the Duke and Dutchess of Bucclench, the Duke and Dutchess of Roxburgh, the Dutchess of Sutherland and Lady Elizabeth Gower, the Marquis and Marchioness of Aber- corn, the Marquis of Lorn, the Earl and Countess of Kinnoull and Lady Louisa Hay, the Earl of Morton, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl of Lauderdale, Lord and Lady Belhaven, Lord and Lady Kinnaird, the Honourable Mr. and Mrs. Fox Maule, the Honourable Miss Paget, Sir Robert Peel, Sir Anthony Maitland, Sir James Clark, General Wemyss, Mr. G. Anson, and Colonel Bouverie, Sir George Murray, Sir Neil and Lady Menzies, Sir John Pringle, Mr. George Baillie, Mr. James Baillie, Major Atherley.

Thursday was comparatively quiet. The Queen and Prince Albert breakfasted alone, at eight o'clock. After breakfast, the Queen walked in the gardens of the castle with the Dutchess of Norfolk ; a single foot- man following at a distance, in case of rain. They visited the dairy, equally to the surprise and delight of the woman who had the charge of it here the Queen had some milk and a bit of bread. In the mean time, Prince Albert went out to shoot in the preserves attached to the castle, accomi soled by the Marquis of Breadalbane, the gamekeepers, and about 150 Highlanders. Others of the guests also resorted to the hills for amusement. Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Fox Maule went to Aber- feldy moors for grouse-shooting.

The Morning Post has a very enterprising reporter, whose position among the many visiters that hung about the estate does not appear, but be seems to be endowed with all the adroit assurance which is so useful to "gentlemen connected with the press" ; and he became a near witness, almost a partaker, of the Prince's sport. By this gentle- man we are told, that the Prince wore a velvet shooting-coat, with shepherd-plaid trousers, and a white hat. The rain fell fast until past nine o'clock ; but. the Prince ascended with the Marquis of Breadalbane to the summit of Tullohoule, to enjoy the Highland sport of deer-stalk- ing in true style— "The Prince and the Marquis left the castle on horseback ; and were joined by Sir Alexander Campbell, Bart., of Barcaldine, having under his charge the gamekeepers and foresters, upwards of thirty athletic and fine-looking men, all dressed in full Highland costume, made of shepherd tartan, each having a powder-horn slung over his shoulder. W. Bowie Campbell, Esq., joined at the same time with upwards of one hundred Highlanders in full costume of the Breadalbane tartan ; and all marched in military form two deep to the base of Tullohoule ; where Prince Albert and the Marquis of Breadalbane dismounted from their horses, and his Royal Highness having received a double-barrelled fowling-piece from his own gamekeeper, commenced the ascent of the steep hill where the sport was to commence. Sir Alexander Campbell and W. Bowie Campbell, who were distinguished from their respective companies of men by having each an eagle's feather in his bonnet, splendid velvet coats richly mounted, and the whole of the insignia of their station and near relationship to their chief, having pointed out the modes in which the sports of the day were to be carried on, the men diverged to the right and left of the Prince, and soon extended over a circle of several miles ; when they gradually advanced towards the centre, forming a less and less circle, clapping their hands and shouting at the height of their voices, startling the rocs and other game, and ultimately concentrating numbers into a circle of about five hundred yards in diameter. The frightened roes bounded past with great swiftness; and all broke through the circle without being near enough to be fired at, with the exception of three fine fat animals, killed by the Prince. "Previous to the concentration of the second formed circle into a small com- pass, we were able to reach the northern extremity of the forest; and the weather by that time having become fine, the scene was one of the most roman- tic description that could be imagined, as the men simultaneously emerged from among the trees in a half-moon form, extending from a mile and a half to two miles in length, and gradually approximating to each other around the Prince and the Marquis. While this circle was gradually lessening, several fine black- cocks were startled; and one of them having flown past Prince Albert, his Royal Highness brought him down at a distance of about two hundred feet. The noble Marquis lifted up the bird, and he proved to be a very fine one. Being the first shot by Prince Albert, the Marquis paid a well-merited com- pliment to the excellency of the aim of his Royal Highness; which the Prince acknowledged in his usual accomplished and graceful manner, lifting his hat from Ms head, evidently delighted with his success.'

A few more pleasant personal traits of the Royal sportsman and his attendants are not ill brought out-

" It is particularly worthy of remark, that the Prince, although affording proofs of the superiority of his capabilities as a sportsman, was uncommonly careful, and lost many a fine roe because he would not fire when he heard the voices and clapping of hands of the Highlandmen on their near approach, and could not distinguish their exact position when concealed among the trees. "There was one peculiar trait in the conduct of the gallant Highlanders, as they closed their circle to within from two to three hundred yards of the Prince, and as they passed near to him on other occasions, which must have made his Royal Highness more at ease than he otherwise would have been from his na- tural retiring disposition; not one of them stared at the Prince, but acted in the most becoming manner, and with as much self-possession as if they had seen his Royal Highness a thousand times. There was no etiquette, no ceremony." After six hours' uniotermitting sport, in the course of which the Prince traversed some twenty miles, the party descended towards Tay- month— "The Prince several times remarked to the Marquis, That is really beau- tiful,'—pointing to the chaste and elegant structure of Breadalbane Castle down in a rich and lovely valley, at least two thousand feet below where he was standing; the figures of a number of human beings moving about upon the verdant lawn appearing not larger than the domestic fowls of a farm-yard. Almost close to the castle, the waters of the Tay occasionally appeared in view through the rich groups of venerable trees which ornament as banks with their vivid and harmonious foliage. In the background appeared the high hill of Drummond, clothed with alpine pines to its summit. To the left, the beautiful and placid bosom of Loch Tay reposed in undisturbed stillness, and appeared like a magnificent mirror, rellectiog from its surface the Ben Lawers chain of mountains, with wreaths of pure white mist playing gracefully around them. Ilia in the mass of trees skirting the banks ot Loch Tay, lay the sweet little village of Kenmore with here and there only to be seen a small corner of some of the houses, to denote that there were in that delightful spot residences for the sons of men.

"As the Prince descended further, he showed proofs of his dexterity in crossing the rocky and pebbly beds of the mountain-rills, as the water jumped from one precipice to another; and went through bogs and mosses with an agility that gave good proofs of the soundness and health of his constitution." It was ascertained that the Prince had shot sixteen deer, one caper-

cailzie, (wounded and taken alive,) one black-cock, three gray-hens, three brace of muirfowl, two brace of partridges, and thirteen hares. The produce of his prowess was laid out on the castle-lawn for the Queen to see it ; which she did before going out with Prince Albert in an open baroache, after his return. Two other carriages followed the barouche : the drive was through the village of Kenmore and along the shores of Loch Tay. On the centre of the bridge that divides the river from the loch whence it flows, the carriages stopped for several minutes, while the Queen surveyed the magnificent scene.

In the evening, Mr. Wilson, who had been brought from his pro- fessional engagements in England in order that the Queen might en- joy the charms of Scottish melody in perfection, sang several of his choicest songs ; and her Majesty added to the number by a special se- lection of two of the fine Jacobite airs which Wilson produced last season at his entertainments in London.

Although the weather was unpropitious on Friday, Prince Albert again went to the preserves, at nine o'clock, and spent four hours in shooting. The Queen walked out in the park ; but was driven back by a smart rain.

In the afternoon, the Queen, who had been much amused with the Highland dances on Wednesday evening, desired to see more ; and eight reels and a sword-dance were danced on the platforms before the castle. Mr. Fox Maule constituted himself a sort of master of the ceremonies, and was busily engaged in arranging the dances and placing the swords in the sword-dance. Sir Robert Peel, it is remarked, looked on the sport very gravely. After the dance, the Queen drove out with Prince Albert.

In the evening, the grounds were illuminated, as on Wednesday ; and there was a grand ball, to which a hundred persons were invited. The Queen wore a dress of white satin, and a scarf of the Royal Stuart tartan ; Prince Albert the insignia of the Garter. Chairs were placed for the Royal couple in the great hall ; and before the ball began, several presentations took place. By special desire of the Queen, a host of gentlemen, all called " Campbell," officers of the Highland corps, were presented. The ball opened with a quadrille, in which the Queen danced with the Duke of Buceleueh, the Palace with the Dutchess. The young Queen and her consort retired at midnight. Dancing was then adjourned to the dining-room ; the great ball being near to the royal apartment. A magnificent supper was laid in the Baron's Hall. The ball broke up at three o'clock.

At eleven o'clock on Saturday, the chief guests left Taymouth Castle. Before their departure, the Queen and Prince Albert each planted an oak and a Scotch fir on the eastern side of the edifice ; the skill with which the Queen handled a handsome mahogany spade, made for the occasion, eliciting due admiration.

The Journey to Drummond Castle—Highland Escorts.

Artillery was placed on the heights so as to display the echoes of the

hills at the moment of departure. The Queen and Prince Albert, with the Dutchess of Buceleuch and the Dutchess of Norfolk, embarked in a barge on Loch Tay ; and others of the flotilla of seven boats, rowed by Highlanders and steered by Admiralty bargemen, contained Sir Robert Peel and several guests, the band of the Ninety-second Highlanders, and a body of bagpipers. The Queen's barge was steered by Macdougall of Lorn' a Captain in the Navy ; who, it is said "wore the brooch which his ancestor tore from the breast of Robert Bruce." At noon the flotilla kept the Southern shore, the better to exhibit to the tourist the beauties of the Northern ; and the Queen was " wrapt in wonder" at the beautiful and fantastic hills. The day was lovely, with a blue sky and bright sunshine. At half-past two, the fleet reached Achlady, a distance of fifteen miles ; where, in a shooting-lodge belonging to the' Marquis of Breadalbane, a luncheon was laid out. Here the Queen took leave of her host, and the party entered their carriages. Each, as it passed on, was cheered by the assembled spectators : it is rem.aked to have been "not a little amusing to see Lord Kinnaird and Mr. Fox Maule cheer Sir Robert Peel and the Earl of Liverpool; which they did most heartily."

The loyal tribes over whose territories the Queen passed kept up relays of escorts for her-

" It had been arranged that her Majesty, in this day's journey, which ex- tended fully fifty miles, should lunch both at Auchmore, a seat of the Marquis of Breadalbane's at the upper extremity of Loch Tay, and at Duneira, the seat of Sir David Dundas, a considerable way down Stratherne : but, though the barge in which her Majesty came up the loch (a neat model of a gig, built by Mr. Nicol of Greenock, and preferred to another sent down for her Majesty's use by the Admiralty) made rapid progress through the water' yet as nearly three hours were spent in coming up, word was sent forward to Sir David that it would be too late for her Majesty to keep her engagement, and that she must hurry on to Drummond Castle. Sir David, however, met her Majesty at the boundary of his estate, accompanied by his tenantry, all well mounted, and escorted the Queen to Lednoch Bridge. Here they were met by Major Murray of Ardoch and Abereairney, as the representative of Mrs. Williamson of Sewers. On reaching the confines of this property, they neared the classic Ochtertyre, where grows the aik '; and, as n:ay be readily believed, Sir Wil- liam Murray was there with a mounted host ; and the guard of the Murray. was only relieved by the appearance of Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, who was prepared to escort the Queen to his own Castle of Drummond. So soon as the cortege was met by a new laird or proprietor, he who had previously held the place of honour fell back with his mounted retainers ; and by the time it reached Coterie, and finally Crieff, the cavalcade had increased to one alike numerous and imposing."

At Crieff, the escort was joined by a reinforcement of pedestrians ; for a large body of the inhabitants ran by the side of the Queen's car- riage.

Drummond Castle—Farewell to the Highlands.

The whole of the avenue, a mile long, from the Stirling road to Drummond Castle, was guarded by the Drummond tenantry, on horse- back and afoot. The entrance was kept by a body of the Forty- second Regiment of Highlanders ; and in the court were a hundred picked men of the clan Drummond, commanded by the Honourable Alberic Drummond Willoughby, the Master of Willoughby, Lord Wil- loughby D'Eresby's eldest son. The Edinburgh Observer names some other notable persons among the group-

" Connie, the landlord of the respectable inn at Comrie, was there, and

claimed his right to be standard-bearer to Lady Willoughby, in virtue that his grandfather had rescued the standard of the Duke of Perth ' at the battle of Culloden ; upon which occasion the chief of the Drummonds said—. For this, your bread shall be baken, Comrie.' And the venerable representative of this heroic Comrie wore, on Saturday last, the identical blade with which hie sire had slain the Sammie' who would have tarnished the Drummond banner. He was attended on each side by one of his sons, who carried long two-handed swords, one of which was stated to have done execution at Bannockburn. These facts we give on the authority of Lord Carrington, son-in-law of Lord Willoughby. Near this interesting trio stood the two pipers—and real pipers in the Highlands are men of no small note ; the first of whom was adorned in golden wings or epaulets, and wore a brooch which his grandfather had worn at the field of Culloden, and the second was gay in streamers at his pipes, and silver wings. On the rock alone stood old Alr. King—a living remembrancer of the goodness of the Drummond or Willoughby. race. He was attired in tartan, and looked like one who had shaken hands with generations which had long since passed away. But the silvery-haired old man told us he was only eighty-nine, and had been the fourth mason, father and son, ane after anither, who bad done all the building-work for the Drummonds,'—a fact which tells us that the 'live and let live principle did not begin to be acted on yesterday, at least in the family of Drummond.' The place itself is remarkable- -" At best, Drummond Castle can be called little else than a keep.' Part of

the old building, which has survived the explosion of the '45, stands, and forms an arch entrance to a half-moon court, by which the newer and now occupied part of the castle is approached. It forms two sides of a quadrangle, facing north and west, and has evidently been patched up at various times. Taken by itself, the building is indifferent, if not contemptible ; but it has many attributes for which the most magnificent noble homes in England and Scot- land may be searched in vain. Rising abruptly on a rock which towers in the midst of a splendid policy, redolent of all the external beauties of gentle hill and shelving dale, dotted by old clumps and lines which lengthen out long vistas, and alive with the kine and oxen which browse and fatten, and the red deer which, in hundreds, frisk on its pastures, Castle Drummond is, in every sense of the word, the most prominent and majestic object in a panorama, all parts of which are lovely. Overlooked by the Grampians, and overlooking the rural richness of Stratherne and Strathallan, all men would say that Castle Drummond, when inhabited by a Queen, was beauty's self. The policy ex- tends to two miles every way; and, to those skilled in land-metering, the number of acres will be easily ascertained. But they contain, in addition to wood, glade, and fell, and timber of aged growth, attractions which one may ride over broad Scotland and look in vain for their parallel. On the north, there is a beautiful artificial lake; with the foliage depending to the water's edge, and rendered animating and gaudy by the troops of swans that are con- stantly swimming on its waters. On the south side, and immediately fronting the principal face of the castle, lie the matchless flower-gardens of Drummond; which, though situated in the North, are as well known by repute to every florist, and every man of cultivated taste in London, as is the Lion of Northumber- land at Charing OW to every veritable Cockney. We have no meaner authority than the Datelaess of Sutherland for saying that these gardens are unequalled in Europe, according to their scale. They have been called Dutch ; but the fact is, that the old common garden of Drummond has been trans- formed by Lord Willoughby into the floral gem which it now is Looking from the castle esplanade, there is a lower terrace, the under parts of which are fringed with the dark green branches of the yew-tree. Lower still, a eloping embankment of beautiful shrubbery shelves away ; and, without much imagination, it might remind one of the 'hanging gardens of Babylon.' Lower still, there is the nearly level expanse of the Drummond gardens, laid out in every conceivable form of beauty, containing every floral treasure which is known to our clime, interspersed with beautiful pieces of statuary, and the walks shorn by the scithe and levelled by the roller, till they have attained the beau ideal of a velvet sward. They contain a series of beautiful groups, mixed like a fairy dance, but all squared with mathematical exactness : and among things worthy of note in this deeply interesting parterre is a dial, which figures as a centre-piece, and has been planted there by one of the unfortunate nobles of Perth.

"The gateway, which so imposingly overlooks this lovely spot, is approached by the archway under the ruined part of the castle ; and at the opposite end was situated the modest porch by which Royalty entered the Castle of Drum- mond."

Lord and Lady Willoughby D'Eresby, with all the principal members of the Drummond family, received their illustrious guests at the en- trance of the building. "The accommodations of the castle being limited, a temporary pavilion was erected for the dining-hall, and fitted up in a style of almost Eastern magnificence. The tables and walls groaned under a weight of plate which had been gathered in successive ages by the families of Drummond, and by the families of Willoughby, as re- presentatives of the Dukes of Ancaster, Lord Chamberlains of Eng- land. Many of them are coronation-gifts." At eleven, the guests, somewhat fatigued with their long journey, retired for the night. Small as the castle is, it accommodated all the Royal suite except the Equerries. The other guests found sleeping-places elsewhere ; and Lord Willoughby D'Eresby and his son had a temporary apartment fitted up in the ruined old castle.

In the evening, Crieff was brilliantly illuminated: there was a grand display of fireworks at the castle ; and the heights were surmounted by bonfires.

Soon after seven o'clock on Sunday morning, the Queen and Prince Albert walked out in the castle-grounds, without any attendants. After breakfast, the Queen attended Divine service in the castle-chapel ; the Reverend James Daniel Giles, the host's chaplain, officiating. It rained incessantly till past midnight ; and therefore the Queen did not take her usual afternoon drive.

At an early hour on Monday morning, Prince Albert repaired to Glenartney, accompanied by the Honourable Mr. Willoughby and Mr. Campbell of Monzie ; and had good sport ; the grounds being well stocked with game, and especially with red deer : he set out at six and did not return till three. In the mean time, the Queen reviewed the Drummond Highlanders they were delighted when she made several inquiries about their appointments, and still more when she shook bands with many young Highlanders. On Prince Albert's return, the Royal couple drove through Crieff, visiting Ferntower, the residence of Lady Baird, Abereairney, and Monzie House. In the evening, there was a ball at the castle.

• The Return to Dalkeith.

The travellers left Drummond Castle soon after nine o'clock on Tuesday, for Stirling and Dalkeith ; seventy-two horses, it is said, being ordered to Drummond Castle for the Royal cortege. The road by Crieff, Dunblane, and the Bridge of Allan, was enlivened by the usual exhibition of loyal festivity.

The Provost and Corporation of Stirling received the Queen at the barrier, with an address and the keys of the city ; and the freedom of the city was presented to Prince Albert in an oaken box made from a beam of the old castle. At the fortress, the Sovereign was received by the Commandant, Sir Archibald Christie ; and, alighting at the gate, proceeded to inspect every part, not omitting the pulpit of John Knox. A dejeuner was prepared in the house of the Commandant. In the evening, some time after the Queen's departure, the auspicious day was celebrated by rejoicings, among which was an entertainment for the poor. On leaving Stirling Castle, the Queen proceeded through a succes- sion of triumphal arches and crowds of eager gazers to Falkirk. Lord Zetland awaited the passing of his Royal mistress, at Callender Park, at the head of his tenantry, and paid his respects. Linlith- gow was decked with flags and evergreens, and soaorous with bells and shouts ; but her Majesty did not wait to admire the ruins of the old Palace. The Duke of Baccleuch, with his tenants, met the Royal party at Bouthram Bridge; and, accompanied by a host of horsemen, and through a throng of spectators, the whole passed by Atholl Place, Lothian Road, and Lauriston, through the outskirts of Edinburgh, about half-past four o'clock, and so to Dalkeith, amidst the roar of cannon from the castle.

Wednesday was a day of repose ; the Queen going no further than the castle-grounds, for a morning walk.

The Trident, a fine large boat belonging to the General Steam Navi- gation Company, was splendidly fitted up on speculation, in the hope that it might be engaged to convey the Queen and Prince on their re- turn. It has been engaged for that purpose. The Trident is 200 feet long, and of 1,200 tons burden. It usually makes the passage from Granton Pier to London in thirty-eight hours—half the time occupied by the Royal squadron. Its length and size and excellent sailing qualities make it probable that the Queen will be saved the malady which affected her in the sailing-vessel; and at all events the endurance will be abridged. The time of the embarkation at Granton Pier was fixed for nine o'clock on Thursday morning ; and it was expected that the Queen would arrive today, possibly as early as twelve o'clock, at Woolwich.

The Edinburgh Observer reports that the Queen has intimated an in- ten don to make an annual visit to Scotland, "not merely for personal gratification, but for the health of her children." The next announce- ment touches delieate ground-

" Craigmillar Castle [where the murder of Darnley was planned—and Borth- wick Castle, a few miles further South, witnessed the unblessed loves of Mary and Bothwell] is to be rebuilt for her accommodation, if it cannot be repaired, and fitted up as a royal residence; in which her Majesty and family will pass some months every season. Mr. Little Gilmour of Inch, whose property the castle is, will be constituted keeper of this royal palace. Craigmillar may be said to be the centre of the residence of a large portion of the Scottish aristo- cracy.: the Dukes of Buccleuch, Argyle, and Hamilton, Lords Abercorn, Dal- housie, Melville, Stair, Wemyss, Rosehery, Torphichen, Blantyre, Ahercorn, Buchan, Caithness, Elibank, Hopetoun Haddington, Lauderdale, Lothian, Morton, and Sinclair, have seats in the Lothians; and if Fife is added, the names of Lords Ro;sslyn, Elgin, Leven and Melville, Glasgow, Moray, and Bothers, fall to be included among our resident nobility; and a great number of baronets and gentlemen of large property live constantly in this vicinity." [A puff for the said vicinity I]

The influx of visiters at Aberfeldy and Kenmore, daring the Queen's visit to Taymouth Castle, brought quite a harvest to the villagers ; and they proved themselves able to make hay while the sun shines-

" The simple Highlanders [I] having heard of the sums charged at Edin- burgh for accommodation, were quite at a loss what to ask for bed and board for the night. In Aberfeldy, at mid-day, the price asked at the inn was 1/. per head, but with the offer that if two or three were taken together they might be had at 15s. At the hamlet of Kenmore, where accommodation really could not be obtained for one-half the people, the innkeeper resolutely stood out till the last for two guineasper head. Such charges, as may be supposed, sent the people on the look-out in all directions for accommodation ; and accordingly, the cottage and farm-houses were quite overcrowded in every quarter. Two and three persons were packed into every bed; and shake-downs—so far as blankets, straw, and chaff-sacks or coverings could be obtained—were spread over almost every corner under roof even to the little garrets. From 5s. to 10s. per head were thankfully paid for such accommodation: many could not get a corner; and we saw a large party of both sexes joyfully leave their carriage, in which they were prepared to bivouac for the night, when one of their fair com- panions communicated the gratifying intelligence of having secured a small apartment in one of the cottages to sit up in. The soldiers accommodated all they could in their tents, and deserve great credit for the ready manner in which they did so. The last resort of many seemed to be a potation of moun- tain-dew; and accordingly, during the after-part of the night the disappoint- ment of beds was forgot, and as boisterous joviality kept up over the bottle as though the disappointed had been all kings and queens together. In the morn- ing, the sojourners at Kenmore found themselves in a dilemma for want of food about as bad as the want of beds. Though 3s. had been charged for tea on the previous evening, every scrap of bread in the place had been eaten up, and none could be had for love or money till the baker would come up from Aberfeldy. Though there was no bread of any kind, there was, however, no scarcity of oat- meal and good milk ; so, as a substitute for better fare, the large pots were put in requisition, and potful after potful of brose and porridge was manufactured for those anxious to be off at Is. the mess."

At Taymouth, Prince Albert received an invitation to a public dinner to be given by the Town-Council of Edinburgh, according to their solemn deliberation in the beginning of last week. The Prince replied, through his secretary, that he regretted the being unable to accept the invitation, on account of the shortness of the Queen's stay at Dalkeith before her departure for London.

The Lord Provost and civic authorities of Edinburgh attended at Dalkeith Palace on Wednesday, and presented the freedom of the city to Prince Albert, the Duke of Buccleuch, Sir Robert Peel, and the Earl of Aberdeen.

While the Queen was at Taymouth, a deputation from Paisley, headed by the Provost, repaired thither to present a shawl to the Queen, as a mark of profound respect for the kindness she had manifested in so li- berally patronizing the manufactures of Paisley, and to the degree of perfection to which the manufacture of shawls had been carried. The Queen signified, through the Marchioness of Breadalbane, her accept- ance of the shawl.