154: 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE CROMARTY FAST-DAY FRIENDSHIP WITH REV. MR 



STEWART. 



WHILE science was more and more absorbing the 

 attention of Miller, a backward glance being now 

 and then cast upon literature, he did not cease to take 

 the same lively interest in the affairs of Cromarty 

 which we witnessed in connection with the ' Cromarty 

 Chapel Case.' In the summer of 1838 rejoicings 

 took place throughout the country, on account of the 

 recent accession of Queen Victoria to the throne. The 

 day appointed for celebrating the coronation coincided 

 with that on which the Cromarty Kirk Session had 

 decided to hold the fast which, in Presbyterian Scot- 

 land, usually precedes the celebration of the Lord's 

 Supper. The Church authorities declined to alter their 

 day, and another was appointed for the loyal demonstra- 

 tion. An outcry was instantly raised throughout the 

 North of Scotland on the subject, and the people of Cro- 

 marty were proclaimed a parcel of old-fashioned bigots, 

 the slaves of their ministers. A minute clique in Cromarty 

 took the view of the vociferous remonstrants, and, under 

 the animating leadership of a gallant major, a small pro- 

 prietor of the neighbourhood, got up a loyal display 



