By the bards wha’ve hallowed each fair stream With a charm that ne’er will dee —

Let a’ the nicht beam glad and bright Wi’ fellowship and glee!

The tartan plaid is ‘cross our breasts; The clansman’s plumes are here;

And the stirring tones o’ the mountain pipes Are ringing in each ear;

Then Scotsmen ane and Scotsmen a’, Wi’ spirits proud and free,

Fill up! fill up! and pledge the cup To St. Andrew’s memory!

And on many a coming night may we Thus meet in hearts and hand,

To keep alive, and make to thrive Blest thochts 0’ Native Land.

Then Scotsmen, brithers, fill the cup, And pledge it cordially. To our Queen, our Island, and our Saint’s Undying memory. E.S.E.”

The prohibitionists had their first victory with the Highland Society in 1849; still, some early effects of their fight against the bottle seemed to pervade the 1845 St. Andrew’s Day festivities. The wines and spirits were, reportedly, of excellent quality. They were drunk, undoubtedly, with great relish. The men chorused,

We are na fou — we’re na that fou, But just a drappie in our ee,

The cock may craw, the day may daw And aye we’ll taste the barley bree.“

Yet, the early warning signs were present. For the first time, the news report of the dinner specifically noted that the men were “one and all perfectly sober when returning to their homes.””

No further mention was made of alcoholic restraint until the rather surprising (for prohibition was still in its infancy in Canada in the 18405) notice in the newspapers that a dry soiree would be held in com- memoration of St. Andrew’s Day, 1849:

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