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112 Oaelic Society of Inuerness.
follow. (Hear, hear.) He was heir to priiicely i>ossessious, and
with the experience thus j^ained, it said much for his future as a
landlord. (Applause.) He might also say that Kintail did not
do like many of their lairds, after collecting their rents in the
North, go and live in the great Metropolis. No, he preferred to
live in the Highlands and among the Highland people, where he
was both loved and respected (Applause.) He asked them to till
up their glasses and drink to the health of our Chairman and Chief,
Kintail, with all the honours. (Applause and Highland honours.)
The Chairman acknowledged the compliment, and thanked
the company for their kind expressions of esteem.
Bailie Charles Mackay proposed the health of "The Crouj)iers,"
which was responded to by ]\lr G. J. Campbell, solicitor.
The health of "The host," Mr Macfarlane, having been heartily
pledged, the company separated. During the evening songs were
given by Dr Sinclair Macdonald, Mr Mowatt, Mr Macpherson,
Mr G. J. Campbell, Mr Fraser, Illinois; Mr William Mackay, Mr
Whyte, and others. During dinner and between the toasts Pipe-
Serjeant Paul INIackillop delighted the company with marches and
strathspeys, played in excellent style on the pipes. His spirited
strains roused the feelings of the company, and an excellent reel,
in which most of those present took part, was engaged in towards
the close of the proceedings.
As already stated one of those who entertained the company
assembled at dinner, Avas Mr William Fraser, of Elgin, Illinois,
U.S.A. Mr Fiaser had been forty years in America, and the following
poem of his own composition, vividly describes his tiist impressions
of the country, and the home-sickness that made him
sigh there for Highland heather, glens, streams, and the social life
to which he was accustomed. Better acquaintance with the land
of his adoption, however, softened his regrets, but never killed the
Highlander in his nature. The poem which Mr Fraser recited
was as follows :
First Fart.
'Nuair bha na h-uaislean air cinntinn cruaidh oirnn,
Anns an Taobh Tuath 's an robh sinn an Alb',
Dh' eirich fuaim oirnn gu dhol thar chuaintibh,
'S do dh-America ghluais sinn le fonn air falbh ;
Is ann sua Staitean air tir do chaidh sinn,
'N ceann iomadli la dhuinn l)hi muigh air fairg',
'S cha mhor toil-inntinn a gheibh 'san tir so,
Oir 's iomadli ni a tha ga deanamh searbh.