PIPING COMPETITIONS. 489 



wars and invasions of Scotland, though they might be 

 sometimes defeated, they were never subdued. They were 

 no less distinguished by an incorruptible integrity. Was it 

 not notorious that when Prince Charles Edward, compelled 

 by the reverse of fortune, sought an asylum amongst them 

 — not one, not even the meanest vassal, could be found to 

 accept the reward of thirty thousand pounds offered for 

 him, dead or alive, although his retreat was well known to 

 many ? Treachery and avarice are abhorrent to the brave. 

 The Highlanders were faithful to their trust. On occasions 

 such as the present the Lowlanders rejoiced to see them 

 here, and the incidents of this day would leave a favourable 

 impression behind them.' Cluny was repeatedly greeted 

 in the course of his address by the audience. 



At the competition held on the 17th of July 1841, it is 

 stated that, when the curtain drew up, the martial tones of 

 the bagpipes were heard, and the whole competitors, to the 

 number of sixty, of as fine looking men as were ever seen, 

 marched on the stage, dressed in their national costume, 

 with three pipers at their head. After performing a few 

 evolutions, they ranged themselves round the stage, and the 

 exhibition commenced, consisting of the various piobrachs 

 played by the different competitors, interspersed with reel 

 and strathspey dancing, and the characteristic sword dance. 

 At the conclusion of the performances, the prizes were de- 

 livered to the successful competitors by Clanranald, who 

 accompanied each by a few appropriate remarks. 



The last competition of pipers held under the Society's 

 auspices, for prizes given by the Highland Society of 

 London, was held in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday the 

 lOth of July 1844. The theatre, some time before twelve 

 o'clock, when the competition commenced, was completely 

 crowded ; and so great was the anxiety to obtain places, 

 that all the boxes were secured some days before, and 

 numerous parties were disappointed in finding entrance. 

 The different competitors performed successively a piobrach 

 on the great Highland bagpipe, the performance being 

 interspersed by dances, consisting of reels, strathspeys, and 

 the ancient sword dance. Mr Davidson of Tulloch, the 



