156 THE BANK ACCOUNTANT. 



loose, but they were wonderfully few indeed. The 

 major walked in front, supported by tAvo placard bearers. 

 He was neatly dressed in what he had been pleased to 

 term " the garb of his Queen," with, of course, the sub- 

 stitution of inexpressibles for the petticoat, and really, 

 for a gentleman of his standing, looked exceedingly well. 

 The suit he wore was certainly a very pretty suit ; all 

 agree, however, that he might have chosen a more appro- 

 priate cap, and that the addition of a few bells would 

 have been a mighty improvement. About ten o'clock 

 there was a bonfire lighted, at which some of the town 

 children attended, and the major harangued. He was 

 witty on the clergyman and Kirk Session, and more than 

 a little severe on the treasonable disloyalty of attend- 

 ing church. There was much benevolence, however, 

 shown in his concern for the town ; and much good 

 nature in his so kindly informing the decent fisher- 

 women, whom curiosity had brought within earshot, 

 that the rejoicings were in honour of " a lovely young 

 queen, just like themselves." 



' The people of the procession have been represented 

 as Liberals, those opposed to them as Conservatives or 

 Tories. Nothing more untrue. The parish had agreed 

 to postpone their coronation rejoicings till Wednesday 

 last ; and on that day, in a procession by far the most 

 numerous and respectable ever witnessed in Cromarty, 

 and headed by our magistrates and ministers, I had the 

 pleasure of walking side by side with one of the most 

 intelligent and liberal Whigs of the place. At the 

 demonstration of the evening I had the satisfaction of 

 drinking to her Majesty's ministers, a toast given from 

 the chair. And I, too, am a Whig. I was a Whig 

 when Major was a zealous Tory, and should we both 



