HE first suggestion of this Record of a very charming trip came from SIR DONALD CURRIE, the genial and courteous Host of our palatial ‘House Boat.’ Others pressed the task upon me; but no great pressure was required for so congenial a work. Indeed, I need hardly say that the preparation of the story of our Cruise has given me infinite pleasure.
My efforts have been ably seconded by the artistic skill of my fellow-guests, Dr. LENNOX BROWNE of London, and Miss CECILIA G. BLACKWOOD, whose facile pencils have contributed to the work many clever and beautiful illustrations. I am indebted to Mr. T. MACLAREN for the architectural drawings of the Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace at Kirkwall; while a few of the pictures are taken from photographs by Miss MUNN, another of our gifted passengers. The whole have been reproduced with great skill by the various engravers, with the assistance, and under the supervision, of Mr. JOHN GULICH, who has also contributed a few original drawings.
It is perhaps fitting that I should offer an apology to the good folks on board the ‘Dunottar Castle,’ who may not have been prepared for this realisation of the words of the poet:—
‘A chiel’s amang ye takin’ notes,
And, faith, he’ll prent it.’
W. SCOTT DALGLEISH.
EDINBURGH, October 1890.
