HALLOWE’EN AT BALMORAL.

Patea Mail, 18 March 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

HALLOWE’EN AT BALMORAL.

Nowhere throughout Scotland was the old Scottish festival of Hallowe’en more heartily celebrated than at Balmoral Castle on Monday night. Preparations for its due observance had been going on for days beforehand, and the arrangements were carried out with true Highland fervour in the presence of the Queen, Princess Beatrice, and the members of the Eoyal household, the whole of whom remained till the close of the sports. The proceedings began shortly after sunset, when a procession of torchbearers, numbering upwards of 200, paraded on the lawn in front of the Castle and marched towards a huge bonfire, the materials for which had been carefully built up and formed a pile of imposing appearance. When all was ready the combustibles were lighted by the hand of Princess Beatrice, and the flames speedily rose and shot higher than the towers of the Castle. At a given signal a band of figures wearing masks and dressed in the most grotesque costumes imaginable issued from the mews of the Castle, and were followed by a car containing the effigy of a witch. The chariot was drawn by a huge demon clad in garments of flaming colour, and when the witch had been passed several times round the fire a court was formed and a mock trial was held. Several witnesses gave evidence as to the guilt of the culprit, and the presiding judge pronounced sentence of death by burning. The effigy was then dragged from the car and tossed into the flames amidst the shrieks and howls of the spectators, from 300 to 400 in number. A witch hunt followed, and was the cause of much merriment. Refreshments were served in abundance to all and sundry, and the healths of the Queen and Princess Beatrice were pledged and drunk with Highland honours. The National Anthem was then sung by 300 voices, and the performance had a fine effect. The weather was fine, and the bonfire blazed till past midnight. Next day the ground was covered to a depth of several inches with snow, but in spite of the severity of the weather her Majesty and Princess Beatrice left in the afternoon to spend a few days at the Gllassalt Shiel.

A Dutchman repeated the adage, “ Birds mit one fedder goes mit demselves. On 'being asked what he thought fireflies were made for, a little boy answered, “ I think God made them for candles to light, the little frogs to bed.”

A reporter who attended a banquet concluded his description with the candid statement that ,f it is not distinctly remembered by anybody present who made the last speech.” Father (who is always trying to teach his son how to act while at the table) : “ Well John, you see that when I have finished eating, I always leave the table.” John; “ Yes, sir, and that is about all you do leave.”