Sandwich Islands
Doug
The King of the Sandwich Islands
in Edinburgh
Honolulu, November 5 1881
On Saturday, after breakfast King Kalajaua walked in
the grounds of Dreghorn
Castle and in commemoration of his visit, planted two maple trees, naming
them after Jenny Cowan Scott Macfie and Robert Andrew Scott Macfie, of Dreghorn,
and niece and nephew of Mr Cowan, M P
About a quarter to 12, His Majesty took his departure from Dreghorn Castle,
a piper playing through the reception hall to the carriage.As His Majesty
drove off, the assembled servants gave a hearty farewell " Aloha "
which His Majesty courteously acknowledged. The roal party, consisting of
the King, Colonel the Hon Hastings Judd Chamberlain ; Colonel G W Macfarlane,
A.D.C.; Mr Robert Follett Synge:
Mr and Mrs Macfie, of Dreghorn ; Lady M'Clure, and Dr. Bishop drove
in two carriages by way of Hunter's Tryst avenue and Comiston, to Fairmile
Head toll, at which they turned towards Edinburgh. They drove bt the Borestone
at Morningside, and proceeded along bt the Grange Cemetery, passed into the
Queen's Park at Messer. Nelson's works. Driving to Samson's Ribs, the party
returned to the higher drive, went round Authur Seat by Dunsappie and
passing Holyrood ( where the guard turned out and presented arms as the King's
party passed), proceeded by Regent Road to the Freemanson's Hal via St Andrew
Square. For almost the first time since during His Majesty's brief stay
here, the sun shone brilliantly, and the city looked at its best. The atmosphere
being clear, the party had the pleasure of witnessing the magnificent view
which the Queen's Drive commands in all directions: and here we believe, the
King expressed regret that he had not been able to allow himself more time
in Scotland.
King Kalakaua was expected at noon in the Royal Botanie Gardens, and preparations
were made for his planting a Thuja Gigantou ( gigaantic arbor vitae of Claifornia).
Professor Dickson, regius keeper; Prof Balfour ex reguis keeper; Mr J Sadler,
curator; and Mr Issac Anderson Henry, of Hay Lodge, awaited the arrival
of his Majesty and a number of people loitered about the gradens in
the hope that they might see the illustrious stranger. Between 12 and 1
o'clock ,however, a telegram was received from Mr R A Macfie of Dreghorn,
stating that King Kalakaua was so much fatigued that he would have to forego
the pleasure of visiting the Gardens.
Doug