322 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Arthur?s Seat
simultaneously halted, and the royal salute given, 1 the hour of need, of the freedom and integrity of
caught up by the crowds on the hill, and rolled
back fo the plain, again .and again to burst forth
with redoubled energy, until it merges into one
the silent grandeur of the scene, broken only by
the National Anthem, sent a thrill of heart-stirring
awe through the assembled multitude. But on a
sudden the death-like silence is broken, and the
pent-up enthusiasm of the Volunteers breaks forth
like the bursting of some vast reservoir. A cheer,
such as only Britons have in them to give, goes
forth with the full power of 22,000 loyal throatsa
cheer such as old Holyrood never heard before,
Castle, August 26th, ?the spectacle yesterday
presented to her Majesty was an admirable
sequel to the great review held recently at
the empire.??
On the sameground, in August 1881, and before
a vast multitude, Her Majesty reviewed a force of
40,000 Scottish Volunteers. So many men under
arms had not been massed together in Scotland
since James IV. marched to Flodden. ? Although
unhappily marred by continuous rain,? says the
Duke of Cambridge?s order, dated Edinburgh
est accident occurred, and
the slopes of the great hills were bared of their
multitudes as if by magic. The great review
was over, and in due time came the following order
from the Adjutant-General Sir J. Yorke Scarlett :-
?Horse Guards, August Ioth, 1860.
? The Adjutant-General has received the Queen?s
commands to convey her thanks .to the several
corps of Artillery and Rifle Volunteers assembled
at Edinburgh on the 7th instant, and to assure
them of the satisfaction and gratification with
which Her Majesty beheld the magnificent spectacle
presented to her.
I? Her Majesty could not see without admiration
the soldier-like bearing of the different corps as
they passed before her ; and she finds in the high
state of efficiency to which they have attained in
an incredibly short space of time another proof
that she may at all times surely rely on the loyalty
and patriotism of her people for the defence, in
donald; and perhaps
none were more applauded in the march past than
the London Scottish, led by Lord Elcho. The bands
of the Black Watch and 5th Fusileers were placed
beside the saluting post, whereon was hoisted the
royal standard, as borne in Scotland, the lion
rampant being first and fourth in the quarterings.
Undeterred by the incessant deluge of rain, the
Queen remained till the last, and so did the rest of
the royal party; but even ere the second division
had defiled before her the vast slopes of Arthur?s
Seat had been greatly denuded of spectators, ? and
the great mass of umbrellas slipped down and
gathered about the Holyrood gates, egress through
which was still denied,? owing to certain instructions
adapted evidently to a fair-weather gathering.
It was greatly to the credit of theseScottish troops,
and a proof of their excellent discipline, that to the ,
very close of that trying and harassing day, their
behaviour was quiet, orderly, and admirable to the
last, and not a single accident occurred.
