St. Andrew's Day of the same year was commemorated also by a dinner at the Caledonian; but through some unaccounted-for apathy only sixteen convivialists mustered there. M r . Claud Farie officiated in the Chair, and Mr. John Porter as Vice. It was matter for regret there were not more present, for the repast is described as " most sumptuous and composed of every delicacy the season afforded." T w o of the sixteen pitched into the good fare to such an extent that they got up a "shindy" in the room; but on emerging therefrom they conducted themselves so outrageously as to be pounced upon by the police, pulled off to the lock-up, and had to undergo a compulsory interview with the Police Magistrate some hours later in the morning. T h e numerical slight to the Saint was in some measure atoned for in 1843, when his prandial worshippers were more than doubled, eight-and-thirty of them assembling at the Royal Hotel in Collins Street, upon which occasion Messrs. Archibald Cunninghame and J. H . Ross acted as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.
T h e Festival of 1844 was kept up on St. Andrew's Eve, as the " d a y " fell on Saturday, and as Sabbatarians, the Scotchmen were not disposed to permit their merriment to trench upon the "small hours" of a Sunday. This was one of the best of the early public dinners, and was conducted regardless of trouble or expense. T h e place was the Mechanics' Institute, and the caterer, a Mr. James Murray, w h o kept the Prince of Wales Hotel, in Little Flinders Street, in such a style as to make it the Menzies' of the age. T h e room was decorated with flowers andflags,an efficient band played under the conductorship of a Mr. Richards, and Mr. William Clarke, an ancient Master of Music, excelled himself at the piano and was assisted by two or three amateur vocalists. Mr. A. Cunninghame (the Society's President) was Chairman, supported on his right by the Mayor (Henry Condell), and having Major William Firebrace as his left-hand man. T h e Vice-Chairman was Mr. J. H . Ross, sandwiched between Parson T h o m s o n and Father Geoghegan, Episcopalian and R o m a n Catholic clergymen. T h e Presbyterian minister (Rev. James Forbes) was also in attendance. T h e speaking was as good as the singing, which is saying m u c h for it; and the great hit of the evening was the thrilling melody of " M y Heather Hills," by Mr. J. S. Johnston, with a Clarke accompaniment.
But decidedly the greatest hit in the way of a Scottish dinner ever given in the colony was on the 2nd December, 1845, at tne Prince of Wales. This entertainment' possessed a quasi political significance, as the St. Andrew's Society's President (A. Cunninghame) had been recently appointed a delegate to proceed to England and represent certain pressing grievances at head-quarters. T o the in memoriam of the National Saint was added a valedictory tribute to the President, w h o was to depart on his mission in a few days ; and the exclusiveness generally characterizing Scottish celebrations was so far relaxed as to admit of a large admixture of persons hailing from other portions of the British Empire. T h e President was Chairman, and amongst the comp'any were the Revs. A. T h o m s o n and P. B. Geoghegan, Dr. Palmer (the Mayor), Messrs. W . F. Stawell, Henry Moor, and George Coppin. There was an elaborate list of toasts, the principal being " T h e Land o' Cakes," given by the Chairman, in one of the best convivial orations ever delivered in Port Phillip. Stawell, Palmer, Moor, and AVestgarth were also extremely telling in their remarks. A n d the following declaration by Father Geoghegan, in responding for the Clergy, is worthy of preservation :—" Unanimity amongst the Clergy produced beneficial effects in the community—and here, no matter h o w they m a y differ on doctrinal points, such a harmony did happily exist." Mr. William Clarke and some amateurs contributed m u c h to the enjoyment, and Coppin threw in one of his comic songs, for which he was rapturously applauded.
T h e 30th November, 1847, witnessed a gathering of about seventy at the Prince of Wales, presided over by Mr. J. H . Ross, with the Mayor (Andrew Russell) as Croupier. Amongst the speakers were the Rev. Peter Gunn, Messrs. W . F. Stawell, G. S. Brodie, J. S. Johnston, and W . Kerr. T h e musical arrangements were looked after by M r . Megson, the leader of the then theatrical orchestra, and a Mr. Ellard, a Sydney professional, was amongst the singers. Johnston's " Heather Hills " was again aired with immense success.
In 1848, the St. Andrewites seem to have been asleep, but the next year (1849) they woke up so far as to have an anniversary dinner at the Prince of Wales. Messrs. J. H . Ross, and A. Russell played first and second fiddles as Chair and Vice. T h e special feature of the occasion was the
