160 CUBIOUS CUSTOM. 



or two objectionable expressions let fall by the roue 

 retired " military " Eorie, not a coarse word nor a rude 

 remark was heard to mar the decorum of the evening. 



Toddy having been discussed, no one taking beyond 

 a second glass, and those only small ones, we returned 

 to the ballroom, while others in turn were regaling 

 themselves. For that purpose the musician now 

 absented himself, one or two of the men acting as his 

 substitutes, by " chanting" reels for the others to dance 

 to, preserving the measure and cadence of the bagpipe 

 in a wonderful manner. 



For some time I looked on, entertained by the 

 demure modesty of the maidens, the agility and anima- 

 tion of the men, and the curious musical exhibition. 

 How men could keep up an imitation of the incessant 

 drone of the pipe without any perceptible pause, was 

 a marvel; yet they did so, though the perspiration 

 seemed to ooze through every pore from the exertion, 

 and their countenances became almost livid. Presently, 

 growing tired of an amusement into which I could not 

 myself fully enter, and hearing that it was not likely to 

 cease till daylight, I quietly took my departure for the 

 Laird's. Subsequently however, I learnt that by so 

 doing, I had missed the most interesting ceremony of 

 the occasion, a ceremony which, like the Gaelic 

 language itself, from its very nature, appears to bespeak 

 an Eastern origin. 



At a late hour the bride retires to her chamber (on 

 the present occasion a peat-built shed at the 'end of the 

 cottage), attended by her maidens ; and a sufficient 

 time having been allowed her to disrobe, the bride- 

 groom then follows accompanied by his men, who as 

 they assist him in removing his attire, toss into the 

 air each consecutive article of dress, as he casts it off; 



