86 NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BELL ROCK. 



formance. As we were about to sit down to tea we were 

 somewhat startled to hear the regular beat of a drum and 

 the unmistakeable music of the bagpipes. A hasty survey 

 from the kitchen window sent us flying to the balcony, there 

 to witness the novel sight of a ship, manned by boys a 

 training brig evidently, bound for Dundee. Bearing down 

 upon us from the eastward, she approached close to the Tower, 

 the tide being about full. Flag courtesies being exchanged, 

 crowds of juvenile faces were seen lining the rail, while mid- 

 ships pipers discoursed some lively music, including the " Cock 

 o' the North." The wind being light, the vessel made but 

 little way, and as she slowly crossed the reef the youngsters 

 lustily cheered us, which we returned as best we could. 

 Breaking into song, the whole ship's company favoured us 

 with " Poor Cock Robin," the youthful voices having a most 

 pleasing effect in the stillness of a really beautiful summer's 

 evening. Applauding our loudest, cheers were again ex- 

 changed as she slowly drifted beyond our hearing, the whole 

 scene strongly reminiscent of "H.M.S. Pinafore." 



