Whenever the time comes for me to do anything, I try to behave as well
as I can, which, as Dr. Young says, is all that an angel could do
under the same circumstances.
_April_ 26. Last night came off the _soiree_. The hall was
handsomely decorated with flags in front. We went with the lord
provost in his carriage. We went up as before into a dressing-room,
where I was presented to many gentlemen and ladies. When we go in, the
cheering, clapping, and stamping at first strikes one with a strange
sensation; but then everybody looks so heartily pleased and delighted,
and there is such an all-pervading atmosphere of geniality and
sympathy, as makes me in a few moments feel quite at home. After all,
I consider that these cheers and applauses are Scotland's voice to
America, a recognition of the brotherhood of the countries.
The national penny offering, consisting of a thousand golden
sovereigns on a magnificent silver salver, stood conspicuously in view
of the audience. It has been an unsolicited offering, given in the
smallest sums, often from the extreme poverty of the giver. The
committee who collected it in Edinburgh and Glasgow bore witness to
the willingness with which the very poorest contributed the offering
of their sympathy. In one cottage they found a blind woman, and said,
"Here, at least, is one who will feel no interest, as she cannot have
read the book.
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