LEITH DURING THE KINg's LANDING. 123 



reader — the more so, as the " royal visit to Scotland" is now matter of history ; 

 and, however trivial in some of its details, was regarded at the time as one of 

 the most important events in the late reign. 



EDINBURGH DURING THE KING'S VISIT. 



" The news has flown from mouth to mouth, 

 The North for ance has bang'd the South ; 

 The de'il a Scotsman's die o' drowth — 



Carle, now the King's come!"* 



A few minutes before twelve o'clock, on the fifteenth of August, 1822, 

 a gun from the royal yacht announced that the king had entered his barge. 

 The signal was followed by long and continued acclamations from the thou- 

 sands assembled on the " pier," the houses, and every accessible point in the 

 vicinity. The cannon from the ships and the battery repeated their salutations, 

 and every pause was filled up by the combined voices of the multitude. The 

 royal barge was preceded by that of the admiral, and followed by others from all 

 his Majesty's ships on the station. An immense number of private boats, gaily 

 trimmed, brought up the rear ; the whole forming an aquatic procession such as 

 had never appeared in the harbour of Leith. As soon as the king's barge came 

 within hail of the pier, the royal standard was hoisted on the hghthouse, 

 and a simultaneous shout from the multitude proclaimed his welcome. As it 

 swept past the pier-head, several young gentlemen of Leith, timing their music 

 to the occasion, struck up a popular air on the great Scottish bagpipe, and the 

 pibroch, minghng with the rapturous acclamations of those around, gave a strictly 

 national tone to the ceremony, which was acknowledged by the king in a 

 manner that gave fresh spirit to the performers. As the barge advanced in a 

 line with the Custom-house, the band belonging to the Canongate struck up 

 the " national anthem," while the magistrates, deacons, and trades, advanced and 

 lowered their standards. When his Majesty approached the landing-place, 

 three distinct well-timed cheers were given by the tars who manned the shipping 

 in the harbour. On shore, every house seemed covered with spectators ; 

 hats and handkerchiefs were waved in such profusion from the scafibldings, 

 windows, and roofs, as completely to shade the multitude beneath, accom- 

 panied by shouts as hearty and prolonged as ever greeted the ears of a monarch. 

 His Majesty appeared deeply afiected by these manifestations of loyalty, and 



• From one of the numerous loyal effusions published at the time. The present was written by Sir 

 Walter Scott, in the language and to one of the most popular airs of Scotland. 



