amount of space and it would also necessitate comparisons between the abilities of lately deceased and still living men, which the present writer is not at all inclined to make. The task of general biographer would no doubt be pleasant, and there are materials enough in existence to justify anyone in believing that the result would be well worthy of the effort, but this is hardly the place for it. It is enough for us, at present, to know that we still have men fully capable of keeping pipe music up to the high standard set by its old time exponents and that, if we have few who, like Saul of old, are head and shoulders above the crowd, the stature of the crowd itself is of a high average. Perhaps that very fact will make the task of the biographer all the more difficult. [Illustration] [Illustration: BAND OF THE SUTHERLAND RIFLES—THE LARGEST VOLUNTEER PIPE BAND IN THE WORLD ] CHAPTER XX. HOW PIPING IS PRESERVED. “O, wake once more! how rude soe’er the hand That ventures o’er thy magic maze to stray, O, wake once more! though scarce my skill command, Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay; Though harsh and faint and soon to die away, And all unworthy of the nobler strain; Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway, The wizard note has not been touched in vain. Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again!” —_Scott._ The waking—Professor Blackie—Highland Society of Scotland—Highland Society of London—The system of competitions—The first competition— The venue changed—The gold medal—Present day competitions—Some suggestions—R.L.S.—Pipe bands—Examples from high life—Quality of music—The Pipes abroad—Sir Walter Scott.