of 1863, the Highland Society held its first public gathering of Scottish music on the grounds of the “old Barrack Square.”“ This event was soon expanded to include various forms of Scottish athletics, dancing, and for some years, original Gaelic verse. But, as is evidenced in the following recount‘7 of the first gathering by well-known “Island Min- strel” John LePage, the bagpipes formed the main attraction on the Barrack Square that day. The banter between the two men — Sandy and John -— serves to indicate clearly the fierce loyalty of Scots to all things Scottish and their bristly, defensive reactions to any criticisms of national culture or traditions from outsiders:

The Gathering of the Clans On the Old Barrack Square, September, 1863.

SANDY “Oh! . . .saw ye the crowds in their wonder surrounding The “Major and Staff ,” on the auld Barrack Square? And heard ye the bagpipes’ wild melody sounding, When Donald and a’ the braw pipers were there? They blew like the brave, when a citadel storming, Each Scottish heart dancing wi’ national glee; Ye should hae been there man! the weather was charming And fine bonny lassies were pleasant to see.”

JOHN “Don’t talk about bagpipes! — the lassies endearing I like well enough —— but that barbarous drone! I’d rather be miles to the windward of hearing, When that relic of obsolete ages is blown. Away with your heathenish pibrochs, I loathe ‘em; They might do in the Highlands of Scotland to play, But here, in a civilized country, to blow them — They’d frighten a horse from his rations of hay.”

SANDY “Hoot, man! ye’ll be jesting, or only half witted, Talking thus 0’ the bagpipes, tak’ heed what you say; The sons 0’ auld Scotia are no to be twitted, ‘Nemo me impune laccessit,’ —- to day. Blow! blow! Donald, blow! for in spite 0’ their banter,

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