Page:Autobiography of William Love, P.C..pdf/46

46 not help thinking that our great Paisley Poet, Davie Webster, was not far wrong when, in his poetic account of the wreck at Arenthrew, he sang,

When will Paisley erect a Monument to Davie’s memory? Royal Arenthrew! famous in song and story—classic spot! where the Royal Literary & Philosophical Potatoe & Herring Incorporation holds its annual re-unions—why do you forget Davie, who sang of your Bannocks and Salmon? But to resume

We arrived all safe at Blackwall pier, London, early on the morning of the fourth day of our voyage. The captain’s lady having seen and admired my courage during the storm, ordered me two days provisions, and some of the sailors confessed that my example spurred them on to greater exertions in working the vessel, or we might all have gone to the bottom—another proof of the value of true courage and a good example.

Having landed I made for Hyde Park, the great point of attraction, which I reached about 10 o’clock in the forenoon, and entered the Exhibition. The sight which was presented, was certainly very grand and imposing, and the buzz and hum of voices, and of people of every nation continually passing up and down, had a strange effect. The first view seemed the realization of Aladdin’s