330 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



to perform a distance of ground extending over one hundred and twenty- 

 nine miles, including a ferry to be crossed, in twelve hours and thirty- 

 five minutes, should be gratefully appreciated by his countrymen and 

 friends, and that they should feel a desire to offer them some lasting 

 memorial of the same. The following account, then, extracted from the 

 Aberdeen Journal, will best show in what way this pleasing task was per- 

 formed, the only alloy to which was, the absence through illness of some 

 of the Captain's most esteemed friends :— 



DINNER AT FORFAR. 



On Wednesday, July 1st, 1835, a number of gentlemen connected with the 

 counties of Forfar, Perth, Kincardine, and Aberdeen, met here to present to 

 Captain Barclay of Ury, and Mr. Watson at Keillor, a piece of plate, as a tes- 

 timonial of esteem and mark of approbation for their exertions in the establish- 

 ment and continuance of the Defiance Coach, running between Edinburgh and 

 Aberdeen, through Strathmore. The chair was taken by Lord Arbuthnot, in the 

 absence of the Earl of Kintore, (who was prevented from attending by ill 

 health), and his lordship discharged the duties with his usual tact and good 

 taste. Captain Raitt of Anniston was croupier ; and among the party were the 

 Honourable Captain Arbuthnot, Major Swinburn of Marcus, Major Wemyss, 

 Captain Cheape of Wellfield, Captain Scott, R. N., Mr. Wright of Lawton, 

 Mr. Ainsworth, Mr. Nairn, Messrs. Proctor, Dalgairns, &c. Lord Panmure, 

 a steady friend to the Coach, was prevented from attending by indisposition ; 

 and letters were received from him, and from several gentlemen in the district, 

 highly approving of the object of the meeting, and regretting their inability to 

 be present. 



After the usual loyal toasts had been given, the Chairman gave the toast of 

 the day ; and in drinking prosperity to the coach, remarked upon the great 

 utility of the conveyance to the district through which it passed, and 



