This marked the close of the last gap in the fulfillment of the Highland Society’s string of early objectives. By now, the association had overcome all its initial hurdles; it had begun its campaign for Island- wide representation and was taking active steps toward the realization of its objectives. From here, it could look forward to future growth as an integral part of the lives of Scots on Prince Edward Island.

The only other. major event for the society in 1841 was the changeover in chiefs. The former chief and Island lieutenant-governor, Charles FitzRoy, was replaced in September by a new chief (and a new lieutenant-governor), Sir Henry Vere Huntley." The tradition of inviting the current representative of the Crown to the position of highest honour within the society had been instituted with the establishment of the Highland Society in Prince Edward Island; it would continue pretty well up until the time of the colony’s entry into Confederation. This tradition was a gesture of respect and support for the incoming administrator.

To reinforce its stand as a society both energetic and genteel, the club held its first ball. The Examiner reported that the ball-supper affair took place at the Central Academy on 12 April 1841. Dancing was engaged in from 9 pm. until midnight, followed by supper, toasts, a speech by Chief Huntley — and more dancing. The guests left sometime in the wee hours of the morning “highly gratified with the entertainment and genuine Highland hospitality extended towards them by these sons of old Scotia, the members of the Highland Society of Prince Edward

Island.”30 By June of 1842, the members were again making public promises.

Three resolutions were passed at the general meeting of 5 June and published in the Royal Gazette two days later. In these resolutions, the Highland Society members stated that education would now be their main focus of attention (the need for a collection of information for emigrants had, by this time, died out). They ordered that all mem- berships be updated to enable them to finance the purchase of adequate textbooks for schools attended by Scottish children. They reconfirmed the purposes for which they began their society:

1. Resolved — That the first objective of this Society shall be the promotion of Education among all the children of Scotsmen and their descendants in this Island, without distinction or preference and that for this purpose the Society will exert its influence for the introduction of useful school books, ex-

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