devoted the intruders to Mahound and Termagaunt, and outwardly gave
orders to receive them with all decorum and civility; commanded
the sewers to bring hot venison steaks and cold baked meats into
the knightly hall with all despatch, and the butler to broach his
casks, and do his duty; for if the Fair City of Perth sometimes
filled his cellar, her citizens were always equally ready to assist
at emptying his flagons.

The good burghers were reverently marshalled into the hall, where the
knight, who was in a riding habit, and booted up to the middle of
his thighs, received them with a mixture of courtesy and patronising
condescension; wishing them all the while at the bottom of the Tay,
on account of the interruption their arrival gave to his proposed
amusement of the morning. He met them in the midst of the hall,
with bare head and bonnet in hand, and some such salutation as the
following:

"Ha, my Master Eldest Bailie, and you, worthy Simon Glover, fathers
of the Fair City, and you, my learned pottingar, and you, stout
smith, and my slashing bonnet maker too, who cracks more skulls
than he covers, how come I to have the pleasure of seeing so many
friends so early? I was thinking to see my hawks fly, and your
company will make the sport more pleasant--(Aside, I trust in
Our Lady they may break their necks!)--that is, always, unless
the city have any commands to lay on me. Butler Gilbert, despatch,
thou knave. But I hope you have no more grave errand than to try
if the malvoisie holds its flavour?"

The city delegates answered to their provost's civilities by
inclinations and congees, more or less characteristic, of which the