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Annual Dinner.
selves to advocating the interests of any particular class—of that wo
liavc far too nuioli in these days—but 1 should like to see thwrn
endeavouring to help forward such a settlement of this vexed
question, as will give permanent peace to the Highlands, on a
basis of Justice to all, bringing in its train a future of happiness and
prosperity, which, I am afraid, has been very much the reverse
during the past few years. (Applause.) You may have noticed
that the Government propose to introduce a bill, under the guidance
of the Duke of Richmond and (lordon, dealing with the
crofter (juestion in the Highlands. What its terms may be, we
do not know, but we do know that the bill is in able hands, and I
am certain will be framed in such a manner as to effect a permanent
settlement, and bring that state of peace and contentment to
the Highlands which is so much to be desired. If you and your
friends, on the other hand, will do your best to induce the people
to accept of it, whatever be the result, I have no fear that the
example set by Ireland will be imitated here, but the cry of the
peojde for legislation on the land question must be listened to,
and their prayer granted, so far as it is consistent with justice
and right. (Ajjplause.) I will not detain you longer, as I do
not think we meet here to make long speeches, so I will simply
ask you to join with me in drinking a long and useful life and
continued prosperity to " The Gaelic Society of Inverness." (Loud
and continued applause.)
]Mr James Barron, Ness Bank, proposed the health of " The
members of Parliament for Highland Counties and Burghs." The
members for the Northern Constituencies, he said, were for the
most part new to public life; and he was sure every one would wish,
as they were entering on their duties, that they unght ha\e a satisfactory
career. (Hear, hear.) Looking over some Parliamentary
gossip lately, he saw it stated that any one aspiring to political
life must possess physical stamina. (Hear, hear.) He fancied
that the true type for a modern member of Parliament, was a
statesman for whose memory he had a special regard^he meant
the cool, bright, cheery, and vivacious Lord Palmerston, who, a
fortnight before his death, at the age of eighty, exercised his
strength and ability by climbing twice over a high fence opposite
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his front door. (Laughter and applause.) That was th(^ sort of
legislator they required in these days of late houis, physical strain,
and mental anxiety. They also hoped that besides the healthy body,
their northern members would possess the healthy mind. They were
the representatives of great and populous constituencies, elected
by a decisive voice, raised to a position in which their names