old Meg, weighing seven or eight tons, from her temporary carriage to that which has been her basis for many years, was singularly beautiful as a combined exhibition of skill and strength.  My daughter had what might have proved a frightful accident.  Some rockets were let off, one of which lighted upon her head, and set her bonnet on fire.  She neither screamed nor ran, but quietly permitted Charles K. Sharpe to extinguish the fire, which he did with great coolness and dexterity.  All who saw her, especially the friendly Celts, gave her merit for her steadiness, and said she came of good blood.  I was very glad and proud of her presence of mind.  My own courage was not put to the test, for being at some distance, escorting the beautiful and lively Countess of Hopetoun, I did not hear of the accident till it was over.  We lunched with the regiment (73d) now in the Castle.  The little entertainment gave me an opportunity of observing what I have often before remarked—­the improvement in the character of the young and subaltern officers in the army, which in the course of a long and bloody war had been, in point of rank and manners, something deteriorated.  The number of persons applying for commissions (3000 being now on the lists) gives an opportunity of selection, and officers should certainly be gentlemen, with a complete opening to all who can rise by merit.  The style in which duty, and the knowledge of their profession, is enforced, prevents faineants from long remaining in the profession.

In the evening I presided at the Celtic Club, who received me with their usual partiality.  I like this society, and willingly give myself to be excited by the sight of handsome young men with plaids and claymores, and all the alertness and spirit of Highlanders in their native garb.  There was the usual degree of excitation—­excellent dancing, capital songs, a general inclination to please and to be pleased.  A severe cold, caught on the battlements of the Castle, prevented me from playing first fiddle so well as usual, but what I could do was received with the usual partiality of the Celts.  I got home, fatigued and vino gravatus, about eleven o’clock.  We had many guests, some of whom, English officers, seemed both amused and surprised at our wild ways, especially at the dancing without ladies, and the mode of drinking favourite toasts, by springing up with one foot on the bench and one on the table, and the peculiar shriek of applause so unlike English cheering.

March 10.—­This may be a short day in the diary, though a busy one to me.  I arranged books and papers in the morning, and went to Court after breakfast, where, as Sir Robert Dundas and I had the whole business to discharge, I remained till two or three.  Then visited Cadell, and transacted some pecuniary matters.