That the world, even the theological world, moves with tolerable rapidity when once set in motion, is evinced by the fact that on Mrs.Siddons' second engagement in Edinburgh, in the summer of 1785, vast crowds gathered about the doors of the theatre, not at night alone, but in the day, to secure places.

It became necessary to admit them first at three in the afternoon and then at noon, and eventually 'the General Assembly of the Church then in session was compelled to arrange its meetings with reference to the appearance of the great actress.' How one would have enjoyed hearing that Scotsman say, after one of her most splendid flights of tragic passion, 'That's no bad!' We have read of her dismay at this ludicrous parsimony of praise, but her self-respect must have been restored when the Edinburgh ladies fainted by dozens during her impersonation of Isabella in The Fatal Marriage.
Since Scottish hospitality is well-nigh inexhaustible, it is not strange that from the moment Edinburgh streets began to be crowded with ministers, our drawing-room table began to bear shoals of engraved invitations of every conceivable sort, all equally unfamiliar to our American eyes.
'The Purse-Bearer is commanded by the Lord High Commissioner and the Marchioness of Heatherdale to invite Miss Hamilton to a Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood House, on the 27th of May.

WEATHER PERMITTING.' 'The General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland admits Miss Hamilton to any gallery on any day.' 'The Marchioness of Heatherdale is At Home on the 26th of May from a quarter-past nine in the evening.

Palace of Holyrood House.' 'The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland is At Home in the Library of the New College on Saturday, the 22nd of May, from eight to ten in the evening.' 'The Moderator asks the pleasure of Miss Hamilton's presence at a Breakfast to be given on the morning of the 25th May at Dunedin Hotel.' We determined to go to all these functions impartially, tracking thus the Presbyterian lion to his very lair, and observing his home as well as his company manners.

In everything that related to the distinctively religious side of the proceedings we sought advice from Mrs.M'Collop, while we went to Lady Baird for definite information on secular matters.
We also found an unexpected ally in the person of our own ex-Moderator's niece, Miss Jean Dalziel (Deeyell).