Twenty-Five Years of St. Andrews, September 1865 to September 1890 (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII INCIDENTS: CAIRO On November 18, I was witness of the occurrence of one of those incidents which are much in the narrations of story-tellers, but little in actual life. The Presbytery of St. Andrews met in the parish kirk of Kingsbarns, to ordain a minister and induct him to the living. The service was very decorously gone through. But the absurd fashion still prevailed that, no matter how many ministers were present, one should conduct the entire service from the first word to the last. Service over, the minister having been ordained by 'the laying-on of the hands of the Presbytery, ' a handsome dinner was given to the Presbytery and other outstanding guests by the Patron, the Earl of Glasgow. The entertainment was in the parish-school: the party numbered some fifty: and champagne flowed. Mr. James Hope of Edinburgh, son of the old Lord President Hope, and brother of John Hope, named by Sir Walter, who became Lord JusticeClerk, was in the chair. The evening was advanced when a venerable squire of ancient name and lineage arose to propose a toast. Seldom have I heard one more successful. He began modestly. It is always well to begin modestly. 'I feel, ' said the good man, ' that for a plain country squire like myself to address a dignified body like the Presbytery of St. Andrews, including in its number various learned Professors, is indeed to cast pearls before swine.' He had to pause long ere he got farther. Thunderous applause broke forth. The swine cheered as if they would never leave off. We all knew perfectly what the laird meant. He meant that we were the pearls and he was the swine: but he did not say so. I was sitting next him, as he spoke the words: I heard them with these ears. Some indeed have suggested that the squire's simplicity w...