APPENDIX. 173 



The CHAIRMAN. He had now the pleasure of pro- 

 posing the health of an honourable Baronet present, 

 whose patriotic character was well known through the 

 country at large. He was always found at the head of 

 every great undertaking for the good of the country. 

 There was one great national association, with which 

 his name was intimately connected, the Highland and 

 Agricultural Society of Scotland, of which he was a 

 most zealous office-bearer. He begged to propose " Sir 

 John Forbes, and the Highland Society of Scotland." 

 (Great applause.) (Air Saw ye Johnny comin'.) 



Sir J. S. FORBES said, he was sure if Mr Barclay 

 laboured under a feeling of embarrassment in addressing 

 them, they would give him (Sir J. F.) credit for feeling 

 doubly embarrassed on this occasion. He was much in- 

 debted to his friend, the Chairman, for the kind manner 

 in which he had proposed his health, and to the com- 

 pany, for the way in which they had received it. The 

 terms in which he had been spoken of, were, he was con- 

 scious, much more laudatory than his merits at all war- 

 ranted. But, fortunately, his friend had furnished him 

 with the outlet and loophole, by which to escape from 

 his embarrassment, by connecting his name with the 

 Highland Society of Scotland, of which he was treasurer. 

 He certainly had used his utmost exertions to forward 

 the great object for which that Society was instituted 

 the support of agriculture. He had endeavoured zeal- 

 ously and conscientiously to do his duty. They were 



