IN

LETTER III.

"He shall have every day

A several greeting."

Anth. & Cleop.

my last letter, Sir, while I attempted to describe the striking features of the memorable reception of his Majesty King George the Fourth, on the day of his landing in Scotland, those which indicated enthusiasm for our Sovereign, as well as pride in our country,-I endeavoured to avoid encumbering the description with any details which do not lead to an important and profitable moral conclusion. There is much inestimable material of the same application in the subsequent events of this auspicious visit;— there is patriotism, and loyalty, good taste, right feeling, and sound principle, without which these scenes, gorgeous, picturesque and romantic, externally, as

they were, had been empty shadows and childish pageants.

It was gratifying to all ranks to witness brilliant levees and drawing rooms in Scotland. These displays infer solid wealth in a wise people who do nothing beyond their means. To be statistically convinced of the strides to improvement which this northern part of the island has made in comparatively a few years, to witness what energy of character will atchieve over the most formidable physical obstructions, we must visit the actual face of the country, and see its scientific and productive and yet economical agriculture, its enterprising commerce, and gigantic manufactures-with the Institutions, Associations, and all the moral stimuli which move the great machine of our prosperity, and render Scotland, not absolutely, indeed, but relatively to its population, soil and climate, one of the best endowed countries in Europe. If we could imagine the ignorant, bigotted,

and indolent Spaniard inhabiting the soil of Scotland, it would yet be what it once was, one of the poorest. When our King came amongst us, it was likely that his court should afford a very fair test of the advance of the country in wealth, taste, and elegance. Nearly five hundred carriages were in the line, on the day of the levee, and a still greater number on that of the drawing-room.* The assemblage on both occasions was brilliant, far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine; and in every way such as did honour to the flattering visit of our King.

The association of contrast was soon called into action. It irresistibly led to the comparison of the gay crowd which filled the arcades and stairs, the galleries, corridors, and chambers of Holyrood, with the wonted silent gloom which we have

* It is calculated that nearly a thousand carriages were on the ground at the review, a few days afterwards.

long considered the very spirit of the scene, the religio loci, so well suited to the frame of mind in which we have always visited that solemn relick of royalty.* Mary's apartments as she lived in them, Rizzio's blood yet staining the floor, Darnly's armour, were all remembered pale Ruthven horrifying, and stern Knox rebuking the beautiful but unthinking Queen, were again before our eyes. The throneless Bourbons, rather increasing than relieving the melancholy memories of the place, for a moment glanced through the fancy. It was now the residence of a great Monarch surrounded by a splendid court, in the midst of a loyal and a happy people bearing the proofs of that wealth and ease which enterprise creates and good government protects, and evincing to the world that Scotland, perhaps too long forgot," is up to the

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* I once heard an intelligent stranger, when told that there was little to be seen in Holyrood, answer, that there was nevertheless much to be felt.

mark of modern times in the worthy entertainment of a great King. It was a new epoch for Holyrood; and new associations will now add themselves to the old, in the fancy of its future visitors.

Two great events of deeply contrasted but yet closely related character occurring, after an interval, in the same place, always afford an interesting subject of contemplation. On the precise spot where Louis Sixteenth was martyred, stood the conquerors of France, twentyfive years afterwards, to see their armies pass in review ;-and on his first landing at St Helena, Napoleon lodged for some time in the same house, and slept in the same bed, which had accommodated Sir Arthur Wellesley, returning from India to commence that magnificent rivalship which was destined to end so gloriously. So when the carriages in waiting filled the park behind the palace, many thought of the ill-fated Chevalier, mounting on horseback, on the same spot, to shew