for his uprightness and integrity, and especially for a strict
determination to keep his word, whatever it might cost him so to do. As
an instance of this, I may mention, that having on one occasion had
a serious illness, in which he was given up by the doctor, he made
a will, in which he left many small legacies to poor people. John
recovered, but he thought it his duty to keep his word, and he paid
the legacies. To me, and to my brother, who lived in one of his
houses while we were at the school of Nairn, he acted the part of a
kind friend and guardian. He was perhaps too kind and indulgent to
us, indeed. No one dared to him to impute a fault to us, even when
we were guilty. I remember that he had a large garden, well stocked
with fruit trees, and gooseberry bushes. Often has the good old man
sent me into it, to steal fruit for myself and brother, whilst he
watched at the door, lest his wife might surprise and detect me. Many
is the time that I have listened to him, with boyish wonder, as, with
lightning in his eye, he fought over again his battles of Culloden,
Bunker's Hill, and Ticonderoga.
As John had no children, his intended heir was a nephew. His greatest
desire in life was to marry him to a grand-daughter of his old
departed benefactress, the Pensassenach. He offered to settle his
whole fortune, which was not small, on the young lady, if she would
only marry his nephew; and John's wife did all in her power to back
up the proposal. But although the nephew was a good, well-doing lad,
he was not the man to take the young woman's fancy; and so the match
never took place.
CRUELTY OF THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND AFTER THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN.
Clifford.--Is it possible that the Duke of Cumberland could have
authorized such atrocities, as the hanging up innocent servants in
the way you describe, Mr. Macpherson?
Dominie.--I am afraid that what I have asserted is but too true, sir.
Author.--I am sorry to say, that I am in possession of a document
which but too satisfactorily proves, that he did give most cruel
orders. It is an orderly book of the thirty-seventh regiment, which
was called Cholmondeley's Regiment; and in that I find, in the
general orders, dated "The Camp at Enwerness, Aprill 17th, 1746,"
the following entry:--"A captain and fifty foot to march directly,
and vizt all the cothidges in the naberhod of the field of batall,
and to search for rebbels, the officers and men will take notiss,
that the pubilick orders of the rabells yesterday was to give us no
quarters." This, I think, was a pretty broad hint to the men and the
officer commanding them, what it was that the Duke expected of them.
Grant.--Very distinct, indeed.
Author.--Not to be mistaken, I think.
Clifford.--Is there anything existing to establish that any such
order was given by the Prince, previous to the battle, as that to
which the Duke here alludes?
Author.--Not a vestige of any thing that I am aware of. But if
such orders had been given by the Prince, that circumstance would
have afforded no apology for him to have issued the order I have
now repeated to you, after the battle was over, and the enemy so
effectually cut to pieces in the field. Nothing, I think, could more
mark a sanguinary temper than his thus letting loose a body of men,
to visit all the neighbouring cottages, and to put to death, in cold
blood, all whom his ignorant and bloodthirsty myrmidons might choose
to consider as rebels. The slaughter in this way, of the innocent as
well as of the guilty, was said to have been immense.
Clifford.--The picture is horrible!
Grant.--It is horrible to think of it, even at this great distance
of time, seated comfortably, as I am at this moment, in this great
oaken arm-chair.
Serjeant.--And a comfortable arm-chair that is, sir; and many a good
day and queer night has it seen. If I am not mistaken, that was old
Alister Shaw of Inchrory's very chair.
Author.--Ay--who was Alister Shaw, Archy?
Serjeant.--Faith, sir, he was a queer tough little fellow,
Inchrory--for by that name he was always best known in the country--as
proud as a bantam cock on his own midden-head. The body cared not
for the King. I have two or three curious little anecdotes about him,
which I can tell you and the gentlemen, if you have no objections.
Clifford.--Objections, Mr Serjeant! I, the secretary, desire that
you shall tell them, without another moment's delay.
Serjeant.--Aweel, aweel, sir! I'll do that at your bidding. I'm not
accustomed to disobey the adjutant.
ALISTER SHAW OF INCHRORY.
It happened one day, gentlemen, that the Earl of Fife was travelling
up this glen, on his way over to his house of Mar Lodge, in Braemar,
and having stopped at Caochan-Seirceag over by yonder, he sent one
of his people across the meadow here, to tell Inchrory that he meant
to honour him with a visit. The gentleman knocked at the door, was
admitted by the goodwife, and ushered into Inchrory's presence. He
found him seated in his arm-chair, in the position which he always
occupied, that is, on the most comfortable side of the fire.
"Good day to you, Inchrory," said the gentleman, bowing.
"The same to you sir," said Inchrory, bowing his head very grandly
and ceremoniously, but without stirring.
"My Lord the Earl of Fife, who is halting at Caochan-Seirceag, on his
road to Braemar, has sent me over to tell you, that he means to step
aside from his way to visit you," said the gentleman.
"Well, sir," said Inchrory, proudly, "what of that? Tell him he
is welcome."
The gentleman, astonished with his reception, bowed and retired,
as an ambassador might have done from a royal presence.
"Well, sir," said Lord Fife to him, after he had rejoined him,
"is Inchrory at home?"
"He is at home, my Lord," replied the gentleman; "but he is the
surliest churl I ever came across."
"As how?" demanded the Earl.
"Why, my Lord, the little wretch never rose from his chair," replied
the gentleman; and then he repeated the conversation he had had with
Inchrory. "If your Lordship would take my council, you would e'en
continue your journey, and leave the bear to suck his own paws in
his own den."
"Why do you not flit [3] that insolent fellow," said Lord Fife to
James MacGrigor of Pitiveach, his factor, who happened to be with him;
"you are tacksman of this farm, and so you have it in your power to
turn him out."
"Why, my Lord," replied MacGrigor, "he and his forebears [4] have been
there for generations; and, though he certainly is a great original,
he is no bad fellow for all that."
"So, so," replied the Earl, laughing, "the fellow is an original,
is he? Then I must see him. It is something to discover so great a
potentate, holding his undisputed reign in wilds like these, so many
miles from any other human dwelling. I must visit him directly."
The fact was, that the Earl had but recently become possessed of
these Highland estates, and Inchrory looked upon him as a new man--a
Lowlander--whom it was his duty, as it was very much his inclination,
to despise; whilst the Earl, for his part, knowing that such was a
feeling which naturally enough pervaded the minds of the Highlanders,
even on his own newly acquired lands, was determined to do it away,
by using all manner of courtesy to every one with whom he might come
into contact. Above all things, he felt that the opportunity which he
now had of overcoming the prejudice of such a man as Inchrory, was by
no means to be lost. To Inchrory, therefore, he went without a moment's
delay, was admitted into the house, and ushered into the presence.
"Good day to you, Inchrory," said the Earl, bowing.
"Good day to you, Lord Fife," replied Inchrory, bowing with the
same formality as formerly, but still keeping his seat. "Sit down,
my Lord--sit down. Here is a chair beside me; for I always keep the
benmost [5] seat in my own house."
"Very right, Inchrory," said the Earl, smiling, and seating himself
accordingly beside his host; "and a very comfortable seat it seems
to be."
"Very comfortable," said Inchrory, setting himself more firmly into it;
"and I hope that one is easy for your Lordship."
"Very easy indeed," said Lord Fife; "a long ride, such as I have had,
would make a hard stone feel easy, and much more this chair beneath
your hospitable roof of Inchrory, and before your good fire, in this
bitter cold day."
"Well, well, my Lord," replied Inchrory, for the first time shaking
the Earl heartily by the hand, and very much pleased with the
familiar manner in which his visitor had so unexpectedly comported
himself,--"Well, all I can say is, that you are heartily welcome
to it.--Here, gudewife! Bring out the bottle. Lord Fife must taste
Inchrory's bottle; and bestir yourself, do you hear, and see what
you can give his Lordship to eat."
The whisky bottle was brought, and Inchrory drank the Earl's health,
who, without any ceremony, hobernobbed with him in turn. Mutton, ham,
cheese, broiled kipper salmon, bannocks and butter, were produced,
and put down promiscuously. The Earl ate like a hill farmer, and
partook moderately of the whisky, which Inchrory swallowed in large
and repeated bumpers to his Lordship's good health. He talked loud and
joyously, and the Earl familiarly humoured him to his full bent. They
were the greatest friends in the world. The Earl particularly delighted
Inchrory by praising, caressing, and feeding a great rough deer-hound,
which, roused from his lair in front of the fire by the entrance of the
eatables, put his long snout and cold nose into his Lordship's hand,
and craved his attention. But this dog had very nearly ruined all;
for the Earl was so much taken with the animal, that having left the
house after a very warm parting with Inchrory, he sent back his factor
to him, to offer to purchase the animal at any price.
"What!" cried Inchrory, drawing himself up in his chair, and looking
thunderbolts,--"What! does Lord Fife take me for a dog-dealer? I would
not sell my dog to any Lord in the land. I would not sell my dog to
the King on the throne. Tell his Lordship, I would as soon sell him
my wife!"
"What a stupid fellow I am, Inchrory!" said the factor. "Did I say that
it was the Earl that sent me? If I did, I was quite wrong. No! no! his
Lordship did no such thing. He only admired the dog so much, that
he could speak of nothing else as he crossed the meadow to join his
people. It was my mistake altogether. Hearing him admire your dog so
much, I thought it would be a kind act from me to you, my old friend,
just to ride back quietly, and give you a hint of it. 'I thought I
had the best dogs in all Scotland,' said the Earl, 'but that dog of
Inchrory's beats them all clean. He is worth them all put together. He
is a prince among dogs, as his master is a prince among men. Where
could you find a master worthy of such a dog but Inchrory himself--the
best fellow I have met with in all this country.'"
"Did the Earl of Fife say that?" cried Inchrory. "Here, bring me a
leash. Now," added he after having fastened it about the hound's neck,
"take hold of that, and lead the dog with you to the Earl, and tell
him that Inchrory begs he will accept of him as a present."
The Earl was delighted with the dog, as well as with the able conduct
of his ambassador who brought him; and he was no sooner fairly
established in his own house at Mar Lodge, than he sent an especial
messenger over the hill to Inchrory, with a letter from himself,
thanking him for his noble present, and requesting him to come and
pay him a visit. Inchrory most graciously accepted the invitation;
and the Earl took care to be prepared to give him a proper reception.
Inchrory, dressed in his best Highland costume, accoutred with sword,
dirk, and pistols complete, mounted his long tailed garron, and
rode over to Mar Lodge. When he arrived at the door, two grooms of
the Earl's were ready, one to hold his horse's head, and the other
his stirrup whilst he dismounted, and he was ushered into the house
by the house-steward, and through an alley of footmen, all richly
attired in the Earl's livery, till he was shewn into the room where
his Lordship was seated. Inchrory had never seen anything the least
like this before. But he was too proud to manifest the smallest
surprise--and holding up his head, he strode in with a dignified air,
and took all this pomp as if it had belonged to him of course. The
Earl was seated, amidst all his magnificence, in a great arm-chair
next the fire, with an empty one placed at his left hand.
"Good day to you, Inchrory," said the Earl to him as he entered,
and at the same time nodding his head familiarly as he spoke, but
without rising from his seat.
"Good day to you, my Lord," said Inchrory, strutting forward like a
turkey cock.
"Come away, and sit down beside me here, Inchrory," said the Earl,
"for I always keep the benmost seat in my own house."
"Right!--right, my Lord!" said Inchrory, seating himself beside
the Earl, and taking his hand and shaking it heartily, without any
sort of ceremony; "you are quite right, my Lord; that is exactly my
rule. Every man should have the benmost seat in his own house."
"You see that Luath hath not forgotten you," said the Earl, as the
great dog was manifesting his joy at seeing his old master.
"By my faith you have him in good quarters here!" said Inchrory,
observing that a quadruple fold of carpet had been spread for the
animal close in front of the fire.
"The best I can give him, Inchrory," said the Earl; "as, next to
his late master, he deserves the best at my hands. Here, bring the
bottle! Inchrory must taste the Earl of Fife's bottle! And, do you
hear, bring something for Inchrory to stay his hunger with after his
long ride!"
Immediately, as if by magic, several footmen entered with a table
covered with the richest viands and wines, which was placed close to
Inchrory's chair and that of the Earl. By especial order a bottle of
whisky appeared among the other liquors.
"Here's to ye, Inchrory!" said the Earl, after filling himself a
glass of whisky, and drinking to his guest with a hearty shake of
his hand. And,--
"Here's to you, my Lord," cried Inchrory, following his example in
a bumper of the same liquor.
Inchrory had no reason to complain of his entertainment during the
time he was at Mar Lodge. The Earl gave orders that every thing
should be done to please him; and the little man was highly pleased,
and as proud as a peacock. Amongst other things, hunting parties
were made in all directions through the neighbouring forests; and
although these were by no means expressly got up for him, yet he was
always brought so prominently forward on all such occasions, that,
in his pride, he believed, like the fly on the pillar, that the very
world was moving for him, and for him alone.
It happened that a Tenchil, or a driving of the woods for game of all
kinds, was one day held at Alnac. Inchrory was posted in a pass with
Farquharson of Allargue and Grant of Burnside in Cromdale, who was
one of Lord Fife's factors. This last mentioned gentleman, having
only arrived at Mar Lodge that morning, knew nothing of Inchrory
personally, though Inchrory knew something of him. So that, whilst
Farquharson, who was by this time well acquainted with Inchrory
and all his peculiarities, was treating him with all that respect,
which was at all times paid him by a universal agreement among Lord
Fife's friends then assembled as his guests, the little man was left
quite unnoticed by Burnside, and treated by him as nobody. Inchrory
was severely nettled at this apparently marked neglect on the part
of Burnside towards him. As usual on such occasions, the people who
had surrounded a large portion of the forest, gradually contracted
their circle, and their shouts increasing, and the dogs beginning to
range through the coverts, and to give tongue, game of all kinds came
popping singly out through the different passes where the hunters were
stationed. A short-legged, long-bodied, rough, cabbage-worm-looking
terrier, of the true Highland breed, came yelping along towards the
point where Burnside, Allargue, and Inchrory were posted near to
each other. All was anxiety and eager anticipation. A hart of the
first head was the least thing that was looked for. When,--lo, and
behold, out came an enormous wild-cat, the very tigger of our Highland
woods. Burnside had a capital chance of him, but fired at him, and
missed him. Inchrory immediately levelled his piece, and shot him dead.
"There's at you, clowns of Cromdale!" cried Inchrory, leering most
triumphantly and provokingly over his shoulder at Burnside.
"What do you mean by that, you rascal?" cried Burnside, firing up at
this insult, and at the same time striding towards Inchrory with every
possible demonstration of active hostility. "What do you mean by that,
you little shrimp?"
"Sir," said Inchrory, standing his ground boldly and proudly, "what
do you mean? I know nothing of you; and, it appears by your insolent
manners, that you know nothing of me."
"Stop, stop, gentlemen!" cried Allargue, running in between them;
"the fault is mine for having neglected to introduce you to each
other. Burnside, this is Inchrory, the particular friend of the Earl
of Fife;--and, Inchrory, this is Burnside, also a particular friend
of your friend, the Earl. This, I hope, is enough to put a stop to
any thing unpleasant between you."
"Oh!" said Burnside, who had caught the intelligent wink of the eye
which Allargue had secretly conveyed to him, whilst going through this
pompous introduction, and who had heard enough of Inchrory to enable
him to guess at the case and the character of the animal he had to
deal with, as well as to pick up his cue as to the proper way in which
he should treat him. "Oh, that is altogether another affair! Had I
only known the person in whose company I had the good fortune to be,
I should not have presumed to have fired a shot before him. But if I
have said any thing amiss, I am sure Inchrory will have the magnanimity
to forgive me, seeing that I have been already sufficiently punished
by the exhibition of bad gunning which I have unwittingly ventured
to make in presence of him, who is by all acknowledged to be the best
marksman in Scotland."
"Sir," said Inchrory, rising full a couple of inches higher in his
brogues, and coming forward to Burnside with extended palm, and with
a manner full of dignified condescension. "You are a gentleman of the
first water! I beg you will forget and forgive any expression which
in my ignorance I may have let fall, that may by chance have given
you offence."
"Sir, I am proud to shake hands with you," said Burnside, advancing
to give him a cordial squeeze.
"Sir," said Inchrory with a proud air, but at the same time shaking
him heartily by the hand, "any friend of my friend the Earl of Fife,
is my friend. Henceforth, sir, I am your sworn friend."
I daresay, gentlemen, I have given you enough of Inchrory to make you
sufficiently well acquainted with his character. But I have yet one
more anecdote of him, which I think brings it out more than all the
others. His wife, Ealsach, was one morning occupied in tending the
cattle at the shieling of Altanarroch. Lonely as you already know this
place of Inchrory to be, its loneliness was nothing when compared to
that of the shieling of Altanarroch, where even the cattle themselves
could only exist for a month or two during the finest part of the
year. Now, it happened that Ealsach, being in the family way, became
extremely anxious and unhappy as her time of confinement approached,
and her anxiety went on increasing daily, till at last she began
to think it very expedient to go home to Inchrory. The distance was
considerable, and the way rough enough in all conscience. But, having
the spirit of a Highland woman within her, she set out boldly on foot,
and arrived at Inchrory at an early hour in the morning. Her husband
met her at the door of the house, where she looked for a kind welcome
from him, and modestly signified the cause of her coming.
"Ha!" exclaimed he proudly, and with anger in his eye. "How is this
that you come on foot? How dared you to come home till I sent a horse
for you, that you might travel as Inchrory's wife ought to do?"
"No one saw how I came," replied his wife meekly. "I met nothing but
the moor-cocks and the pease-weeps on the hill."
"No matter," said Inchrory, "even the moor-cocks and the pease-weeps
should not have it to say, that they saw the wife of Inchrory tramping
home a-foot through the heather. Get thee back this moment every foot
of the way to Altanarroch, that I may send for thee as Inchrory's
wife ought to be sent for."
The poor woman knew that argument with him was useless. Without
entering the house, therefore, she was compelled to turn her weary
steps back to Altanarroch; and she was no sooner there, than a servant
appeared, leading by the bridle a horse, having a saddle on its back
covered with a green cloth, on which she was compelled to mount
forthwith, in order to ride home over the barren and desert moors
and mosses, in such style, as might satisfy the moor-cocks and the
pease-weeps, that she was the wife of Inchrory.
DRUM-HEAD COURT-MARTIAL AND SENTENCE ON INCHRORY.
Dominie.--What a vain windy-wallets of a body the creature must have
been! My humble opinion is, that he would have been much benefited
by a gentle tasting of my tawse.
Clifford.--Or the drummer's cat-o-nine-tails, Mr. Macpherson. But come,
gentlemen, who tells the next tale? I have nothing now on my book but
Old Stachcan, and Turfearabrad, both, as I understand, adjourned to
time and place more fitting. Come, I must beat up for a volunteer.
Author.--The circumstance of Mr. Macpherson having incidentally
mentioned Ticonderoga, towards the end of his account of the adventures
of Serjeant John Smith, has brought to my mind a legend of the family
of Campbell of Inverawe, which I had from a friend of mine, the story
of which is intimately connected with that most disastrous affair. If
you like I shall be happy to give it to you.
Clifford.--Andiamo dunque, Signore mio!--let's have it without
more delay.
THE LEGEND OF THE VISION OF CAMPBELL OF INVERAWE.
Perhaps you are all acquainted with the history of the Black Watch,
which, as Mr. Macpherson has already told you, was afterwards
formed into that gallant corps now immortalized by its actions as the
Forty-Second Highlanders? General Stewart of Garth, in his interesting
account of the Highland Regiments, tells us that it was originally
composed of independent companies, which were raised about 1725 or
1730. These were stationed in small bodies in different parts of the
country, in order to preserve the peace of the Highlands. It was,
in some sort, a great National Guard, and it was considered so great
an honour to belong to it, that most of the privates were the sons of
gentlemen or tenants. Most of them generally rode on horseback, and
had gillies to carry their arms at all times, except when they were
on parade or on duty. They were called Freiceadan Dubh, or the Black
Watch, from the dark colour of their well-known regimental tartan,
in opposition to the Seider-Deargg, or Red Soldiers, who were so
named from the colour of their coats. You may probably remember the
circumstance of their having been most unfairly marched to London,
under the pretence that they were to be reviewed by the King,--of
their having been ordered abroad,--of their refusal to go,--of their
having been moved, as if by one impulse pervading every indignant bosom
among them, to make that most extraordinary and interesting march of
retreat which they effected to Northampton,--of their having been
ultimately brought under subjection,--and, finally, of their brave
conduct in Flanders, from which country they returned in October 1745.
After their return to Great Britain, the Black Watch were ordered
into Kent, instead of being sent into Scotland with the other
troops under General Hawley, to act against those who had risen
for Prince Charles. This arrangement probably arose entirely from
great consideration and delicacy on the part of the government,
who, fully aware of the high honour of the individuals of the corps,
never entertained the smallest doubt of their loyalty, but who felt
the cruelty of exposing men to the dreadful alternative of fighting
against their friends and relatives, many of whom were necessarily to
be found in the ranks of the insurgents. There were, however, three
additional companies raised in the Highlands, a little time before
the return of the regiment from abroad. These were kept in Scotland,
and however distressing to their feelings the duty was which they were
called upon to perform, on the side for which they were enlisted,
they did that duty most honourably. One of these was recruited and
commanded by Duncan Campbell, laird of Inverawe.