Transcription
A Full and Particular Account of that Funny and Laughable WEDDING that took place in Cross- causeway, Edimburgh, on Tuesday Evening, the 15th March 1815, between a young Dashing High- land Lad, and a well known Old Lady of that place. THE following' ludicrous circumstance excited an extraordinary sensation in the crosscauseway and neighbourhood, on Tues- day evening, the 15th March instant. It appears that a young, blooming good looking lad, of the name of M'L------, a watchman of' very captivating exterior, had, for a considerable period previous, paid his addresses to a well known old Lady, a purifier of tripe, re- siding in that place, (better known by another appelation, H---------- Mary, who at length yielded to his ardent and pressing suit, and Tuesday was mutually fixed on for the celebration of their nuptials. The fair enamorate, in order, as it would seem, to engratiate her- self the more deeply into the good graces and favour of her future Lord, impressed Twenty-five Sovereigns into his hands, in order, she said, to make him appear very genteel on the occasion, and par- ticularly to provide him with a new watch, a necessary appendage, of course, to a gentleman. She also undertook to furnish a most splendid marriage banquet, which was accordingly ordered, and to which a gaeat number of the friends, relations and acquaintances of both parties were formally invited. Accordingly, at the appointed hour, the company assembled, in their gayest apparel, among whom were a great many Knights of the baton, in fine trim. The modest blooming bride appeared among the astonished natives, dressed in eastern splendom and magnificence, the very silk gown worn by her on this happy occa- sion, like the Laird of Dumbiedykes' mother's gowns, would stand its lane on the floor, it was so rich, and the other parts of her costly dress corresponded with the gown. She continued to grace the happy assemblage with her presence, for a considerable time after the hour appointed, smiling sweetly to some, and courtseying mo- destly to othsrs, in great good humour, of course, anxiously expect- ing the arrival of her happy lover, to crown her wishes at the hymen- eal altar. The clergyman having arrived about this time, to which the now most anxious and impatient bride was introduced, but there was still no word of Mr M'L-----. The minister sat down beside the bride, who encouraged her to hope, that her beloved partner would soon make his appearance, and ease all her anxious doubts and fears, which now became evident to the whole company. With some pleasant chat. and the assistance of an occasional cordial glass now and then, the reverend gentleman managed to prolong the pleasing hopes of the arrival of the long expected bridegroom for several hours after the time previously appointed ; but it was now become pretty evident that Mr M'L------did not intend to make his appea- rance at all, for he fairly absconded. It appeared that Mr M'L------had adopted the notion, thac he would exhibit his finery to much more advantage upon the Highland hills, than on the streets of auld Reekie. The chagrin of the disappointed bride was now awful in the ex- treme but she could not still help but encourage the pleasing hope, that the bewitched enchanting man would not deceive her yet. It turned out otherwise, however ; and the old lady fell into an awful hysterical fit, from which a glass of gaod brandy was scarcely able so recover her. At last, finding herself really abendoned, and that the could not better herself, she allowed herself to be put into good spirits again, by repeated applications of strong water. At her sug- gestion, the party par-ook of their elegant and sumptuous supper, consisting of every delicacy of the season, and the good old Lady comforted herself for the loss of her false admirer, by repeated and potent doses of Uisgebetha, mollified with hot wateo and sugar, after supper, the catgut scraper struck up a merry lilt, and they con- tinued to trip it on the light fantastic toe till five o'clock in the marning, when the bride went home, and she had to go to bed again alone, which she reluctantly did, but still hoping that Mr M'------would yet relict, and speedly return to the fond and longing embrace of his dearly beloqed M??.
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Probable date published:
1815 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.74(273)
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