"MY HEART WARMS TO THE TARTAN."

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 848, 3 January 1879, Page 2

"MY HEART WARMS TO THE TARTAN."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE KVBNIKO MAIL. Sib, —One very pleasing feature in the late sports on the second day -watt"'the presence of so many kitted sons 'of' the "mountain and the flood," dressed in that " garb of Old Gaul " which bringi to the memory of Scotia's children so many varied and dear recollections, each kilted fold of tartan and waving plaid having an historic story attached to it. In this picturesque costume Our forefathers have fought and conquered on many a bloody field, and won fame and honor in every portion of the globe whers the British arms have penetrated; and it is a significant fact that on no occasion since the introduction of powder and lead as a means of destruction .in war has. ever been found after battle a bullet in the knapsack of a British' Highlander." "Well may the heart of each true son of Caledonia leap and his eye glance fire as hj« hears the wild skirl of the bagpipes on th» New Zealand hills, for as the pibroch echoes through the air memory takes the living form of the dead past, Tendering his steps more light and firm, and more gladsome his soul. The burning sands of Egypt, the red plains of Spain arul"Portugal, the heights of Alma, Luoknow, and the deep pine forests of America, have echoed to its wild music. The gallant piper is first in the march, in.the charge, and in the forlorn hope ; thg soul of the regiment, the honored bard and prophet, and the last to leave the field. The piper's gathering of the claiiß, hja slogM of victory, and the wild, sad lament following the red plain of carnage, whert son or brother, father or companion in arms, lies stricken, are his own care, and become the subjeot of an oft improvised coronach. An expression of a Scotchman's feelings on the subject of his country is best portrayed in SirtWaltei Scott's grandly descriptive lines : O Caledonia!! stern and wild, Meet nurse for a poetic child; Land of brown heath and shaggy-wood, Land of the mountain and. the flood, Land of my sires ! what mortal Can e'er untie the That knits - e (o thy^uggeAstrand. I am, «&c x> I Caledonia.