A POSTSCRIPT, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PREFACE
Our journey is now finished, gentle reader; and if your patience has
accompanied me through these sheets, the contract is, on your part,
strictly fulfilled. Yet, like the driver who has received his full hire,
I still linger near you, and make, with becoming diffidence, a trifling
additional claim upon your bounty and good nature. You are as free,
however, to shut the volume of the one petitioner, as to close your door
in the face of the other.
This should have been a prefatory chapter, but for two reasons:--First,
that most novel readers, as my own conscience reminds me, are apt to
be guilty of the sin of omission respecting that same matter of
prefaces;--secondly, that it is a general custom with that class of
students, to begin with the last chapter of a work; so that, after
all, these remarks, being introduced last in order, have still the best
chance to be read in their proper place.
There is no European nation, which, within the course of half a century,
or little more, has undergone so complete a change as this kingdom of
Scotland. The effects of the insurrection of 1745,--the destruction
of the patriarchal power of the Highland chiefs,--the abolition of the
heritable jurisdictions of the Lowland nobility and barons,--the total
eradication of the Jacobite party, which, averse to intermingle with the
English, or adopt their customs, long continued to pride themselves
upon maintaining ancient Scottish manners and customs,--commenced this
innovation. The gradual influx of wealth, and extension of commerce,
have since united to render the present people of Scotland a class of
beings as different from their grandfathers as the existing English
are from those of Queen Elizabeth's time, The political and economical
effects of these changes have been traced by Lord Selkirk with great
precision and accuracy. But the change, though steadily and rapidly
progressive, has, nevertheless, been gradual; and, like those who drift
down the stream of a deep and smooth river, we are not aware of the
progress we have made until we fix our eye on the now distant point
from which we have been drifted.--Such of the present generation as
can recollect the last twenty or twenty-five years of the
eighteenth century, will be fully sensible of the truth of this
statement;--especially if their acquaintance and connexions lay among
those, who, in my younger time, were facetiously called 'folks of
the old leaven,' who still cherished a lingering, though hopeless,
attachment, to the house of Stuart. This race has now almost entirely
vanished from the land, and with it, doubtless, much absurd political
prejudice--but also, many living examples of singular and disinterested
attachment to the principles of loyalty which they received from their
fathers, and of old Scottish faith, hospitality, worth, and honour.
It was my accidental lot, though not born a Highlander (which may be an
apology for much bad Gaelic), to reside, during my childhood and youth,
among persons of the above description;--and now, for the purpose of
preserving some idea of the ancient manners of which I have witnessed
the almost total extinction, I have embodied in imaginary scenes, and
ascribed to fictitious characters, a part of the incidents which I then
received from those who were actors in them. Indeed, the most romantic
parts of this narrative are precisely those which have a foundation in
fact. The exchange of mutual protection between a Highland gentleman
and an officer of rank in the king's service, together with the spirited
manner in which the latter asserted his right to return the favour he
had received, is literally true. The accident by a musket-shot, and
the heroic reply imputed to Flora, relate to a lady of rank not long
deceased. And scarce a gentleman who was 'in hiding' after the battle of
Culloden but could tell a tale of strange concealments, and of wild and
hair's-breadth 'scapes, as extraordinary as any which I have ascribed
to my heroes. Of this, the escape of Charles Edward himself, as the most
prominent, is the most striking example. The accounts of the battle
of Preston and skirmish at Clifton are taken from the narrative of
intelligent eye-witnesses, and corrected from the History of the
Rebellion by the late venerable author of DOUGLAS. The Lowland Scottish
gentlemen, and the subordinate characters, are not given as individual
portraits, but are drawn from the general habits of the period (of which
I have witnessed some remnants in my younger days), and partly gathered
from tradition.
It has been my object to describe these persons, not by a caricatured
and exaggerated use of the national dialect, but by their habits,
manners, and feelings; so as in some distant degree to emulate the
admirable Irish portraits drawn by Miss Edgeworth, so different from
the 'Teagues' and 'dear joys,' who so long, with the most perfect family
resemblance to each other, occupied the drama and the novel.
I feel no confidence, however, in the manner in which I have executed
my purpose. Indeed, so little was I satisfied with my production, that
I laid it aside in an unfinished state, and only found it again by mere
accident among other waste papers in an old cabinet, the drawers of
which I was rummaging, in order to accommodate a friend with some
fishing tackle, after it had been mislaid for several years. Two
works upon similar subjects, by female authors, whose genius is highly
creditable to their country, have appeared in the interval; I mean Mrs.
Hamilton's GLENBURNIE, and the late account of Highland Superstitions.
But the first is confined to the rural habits of Scotland, of which
it has given a picture with striking and impressive fidelity; and the
traditional records of the respectable and ingenious Mrs. Grant of
Laggan, are of a nature distinct from the fictitious narrative which I
have here attempted.
I would willingly persuade myself, that the preceding work will not be
found altogether uninteresting. To elder persons it will recall scenes
and characters familiar to their youth; and to the rising generation the
tale may present some idea of the manners of their forefathers.
Yet I heartily wish that the task of tracing the evanescent manners of
his own country had employed the pen of the only man in Scotland who
could have done it justice,--of him so eminently distinguished
in elegant literature,--and whose sketches of Colonel Caustic and
Umphraville are perfectly blended with the finer traits of national
character. I should in that case have had more pleasure as a reader
than I shall ever feel in the pride of a successful author, should these
sheets confer upon me that envied distinction. And as I have inverted
the usual arrangement, placing these remarks at the end of the work
to which they refer, I will venture on a second violation of form, by
closing the whole with a Dedication:--
THESE VOLUMES BEING RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO OUR SCOTTISH ADDISON,
HENRY MACKENZIE,
BY AN UNKNOWN ADMIRER OF HIS GENIUS.
*****
NOTES
NOTE 1.--THE BRADSHAIGH LEGEND
There is a family legend to this purpose, belonging to the knightly
family of Bradshaigh, the proprietors of Haighhall, in Lancashire,
where, I have been told, the event is recorded on a painted glass
window. The German ballad of the 'Noble Moringer' turns upon a similar
topic. But undoubtedly many such incidents may have taken place, where,
the distance being great, and the intercourse infrequent, false reports
concerning the fate of the absent Crusaders must have been commonly
circulated, and sometimes perhaps rather hastily credited at home.
NOTE 2.--TITUS LIVIUS
The attachment to this classic was, it is said, actually displayed, in
the manner mentioned in the text, by an unfortunate Jacobite in that
unhappy period. He escaped from the jail in which he was confined for
a hasty trial and certain condemnation, and was retaken as he hovered
around the place in which he had been imprisoned, for which he could
give no better reason than the hope of recovering his favourite Titus
Livius. I am sorry to add, that the simplicity of such a character
was found to form no apology for his guilt as a rebel, and that he was
condemned and executed.
NOTE 3.--NICHOLAS AMHURST
Nicholas Amhurst, a noted political writer, who conducted for many years
a paper called the Craftsman, under the assumed name of Caleb d'Anvers.
He was devoted to the Tory interest, and seconded with much ability the
attacks of Pulteney on Sir Robert Walpole. He died in 1742, neglected by
his great patrons, and in the most miserable circumstances.
Amhurst survived the downfall of Walpole's power, and had reason to
expect a reward for his labours. If we excuse Bolingbroke, who had only
saved the shipwreck of his fortunes, we shall be at a loss to justify
Pulteney, who could with ease have given this man a considerable income.
The utmost of his generosity to Amhurst, that I ever heard of, was a
hogshead of claret! He died, it is supposed, of a broken heart; and was
buried at the charge of his honest printer, Richard Franklin.'--LORD
CHESTERFIELD'S CHARACTERS REVIEWED, p. 42.
NOTE 4.--COLONEL GARDINER
I have now given in the text the full name of this gallant and excellent
man, and proceed to copy the account of his remarkable conversion, as
related by Dr. Doddridge.
'This memorable event,' says the pious writer, 'happened towards the
middle of July, 1719. The major had spent the evening (and, if I
mistake not, it was the Sabbath) in some gay company, and had an unhappy
assignation with a married woman, whom he was to attend exactly at
twelve. The company broke up about eleven; and not judging it convenient
to anticipate the time appointed, he went into his chamber to kill the
tedious hour, perhaps with some amusing book, or some other way. But it
very accidentally happened that he took up a religious book, which
his good mother or aunt had, without his knowledge, slipped into
his portmanteau. It was called, if I remember the title exactly, THE
CHRISTIAN SOLDIER, or HEAVEN TAKEN BY STORM; and it was written by
Mr. Thomas Watson. Guessing by the title of it that he would find some
phrases of his own profession spiritualized in a manner which he thought
might afford him some diversion, he resolved to dip into it; but he took
no serious notice of anything it had in it; and yet, while this book was
in his hand an impression was made upon his mind (perhaps God only
knows how) which drew after it a train of the most important and happy
consequences. He thought he saw an unusual blaze of light fall upon the
book which he was reading, which he at first imagined might happen by
some accident in the candle: but lifting up his eyes, he apprehended, to
his extreme amazement, that there was before him, as it were suspended
in the air, a visible representation of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the
cross, surrounded on all sides with a glory; and was impressed, as if
a voice, or something equivalent to a voice, had come to him, to this
effect (for he was not confident as to the words)--"Oh, sinner! did I
suffer this for thee? and are these thy returns?" Struck with so amazing
a phenomenon as this, there remained hardly any life in him, so that he
sunk down in the arm-chair in which he sat, and continued, he knew not
how long, insensible.'
'With regard to this vision,' says the ingenious Dr. Hibbert, 'the
appearance of our Saviour on the cross, and the awful words repeated,
can be considered in no other light than as so many recollected images
of the mind, which, probably, had their origin in the language of some
urgent appeal to repentance, that the colonel might have casually read
or heard delivered. From what cause, however, such ideas were rendered
as vivid as actual impressions, we have no information to be depended
upon. This vision was certainly attended with one of the most important
of consequences connected with the Christian dispensation--the
conversion of a sinner; and hence no single narrative has, perhaps, done
more to confirm the superstitious opinion that apparitions of this
awful kind cannot arise without a divine fiat.' Dr. Hibbert adds, in a
note--'A short time before the vision, Colonel Gardiner had received a
severe fall from his horse. Did the brain receive some slight degree
of injury from the accident, so as to predispose him to this spiritual
illusion?'--HIBBERT'S PHILOSOPHY OF APPARITIONS, Edinburgh, 1824, p.
190.
NOTE 5.--SCOTTISH INNS
The courtesy of an invitation to partake a traveller's meal, or at least
that of being invited to share whatever liquor the guest called for, was
expected by certain old landlords in Scotland, even in the youth of the
author. In requital, mine host was always furnished with the news of the
country, and was probably a little of a humorist to boot. The devolution
of the whole actual business and drudgery of the inn upon the poor
gudewife, was very common among the Scottish Bonifaces. There was in
ancient times, in the city of Edinburgh, a gentleman of good family,
who condescended, in order to gain a livelihood, to become the nominal
keeper of a coffee house, one of the first places of the kind which
had been opened in the Scottish metropolis. As usual, it was entirely
managed by the careful and industrious Mrs. B--; while her husband
amused himself with field sports, without troubling his head about the
matter. Once upon a time the premises having taken fire, the husband was
met, walking up the High Street loaded with his guns and fishing-rods,
and replied calmly to some one who inquired after his wife, 'that the
poor woman was trying to save a parcel of crockery, and some trumpery
books'; the last being those which served her to conduct the business of
the house.
There were many elderly gentlemen in the author's younger days, who
still held it part of the amusement of a journey 'to parley with mine
host,' who often resembled, in his quaint humour, mine Host of the
Garter in the MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR; or Blague of the George in the
MERRY DEVIL OF EDMONTON. Sometimes the landlady took her share of
entertaining the company. In either case, the omitting to pay them due
attention gave displeasure, and perhaps brought down a smart jest, as on
the following occasion:--
A jolly dame, who, not 'Sixty Years since,' kept the principal
caravansary at Greenlaw in Berwickshire, had the honour to receive
under her roof a very worthy clergyman, with three sons of the same
profession, each having a cure of souls: be it said in passing, none of
the reverend party were reckoned powerful in the pulpit. After dinner
was over, the worthy senior, in the pride of his heart, asked Mrs.
Buchan whether she ever had had such a party in her house before. 'Here
sit I,' he said, 'a placed minister of the Kirk of Scotland, and here
sit my three sons, each a placed minister of the same kirk.--confess,
Luckie Buchan, you never had such a party in your house before.' The
question was not premised by any invitation to sit down and take a glass
of wine or the like, so Mrs. B. answered dryly, 'Indeed, Sir, I cannot
just say that ever I had such a party in my house before, except once in
the forty-five, when I had a Highland piper here, with his three sons,
all Highland pipers; AND DEIL A SPRING THEY COULD PLAY AMANG THEM.'
NOTE 6.--THE CUSTOM OF KEEPING FOOLS
I am ignorant how long the ancient and established custom of keeping
fools has been disused in England. Swift writes an epitaph on the Earl
of Suffolk's fool,--
'Whose name was Dickie Pearce.'
In Scotland the custom subsisted till late in the last century. At
Glamis Castle, is preserved the dress of one of the jesters, very
handsome, and ornamented with many bells. It is not above thirty years
since such a character stood by the sideboard of a nobleman of the first
rank in Scotland, and occasionally mixed in the conversation, till he
carried the joke rather too far, in making proposals to one of the young
ladies of the family, and publishing the banns betwixt her and himself
in the public church.
NOTE 7.--PERSECUTION OF EPISCOPAL CLERGYMEN
After the Revolution of 1688, and on some occasions when the spirit of
the Presbyterians had been unusually animated against their opponents,
the Episcopal clergymen, who were chiefly non-jurors, were exposed to
be mobbed, as we should now say, or rabbled, as the phrase then went,
to expiate their political heresies. But notwithstanding that the
Presbyterians had the persecution in Charles II and his brother's time
to exasperate them, there was little mischief done beyond the kind of
petty violence mentioned in the text.
NOTE 8.--STIRRUP-CUP
I may here mention, that the fashion of compotation described in the
text, was still occasionally practised in Scotland in the author's
youth. A company, after having taken leave of their host, often went to
finish the evening at the clachan or village, in 'womb of tavern.' Their
entertainer always accompanied them to take the stirrup-cup, which often
occasioned a long and late revel.
The POCULUM POTATORIUM of the valiant Baron, his Blessed Bear, has a
prototype at the fine old Castle of Glamis, so rich in memorials of
ancient times; it is a massive beaker of silver, double gilt, moulded
into the shape of a lion, and holding about an English pint of wine. The
form alludes to the family name of Strathmore, which is Lyon, and, when
exhibited, the cup must necessarily be emptied to the Earl's health.
The author ought perhaps to be ashamed of recording that he has had the
honour of swallowing the contents of the Lion; and the recollection of
the feat served to suggest the story of the Bear of Bradwardine. In the
family of Scott of Thirlestane (not Thirlestane in the Forest, but the
place of the same name in Roxburghshire) was long preserved a cup of the
same kind, in the form of a jack-boot. Each guest was obliged to empty
this at his departure. If the guest's name was Scott, the necessity was
doubly imperative.
When the landlord of an inn presented his guests with DEOCH AN DORUIS,
that is, the drink at the door, or the stirrup-cup, the draught was not
charged in the reckoning. On this point a learned Bailie of the town of
Forfar pronounced a very sound judgement.
A., an ale-wife in Forfar, had brewed her 'peck of malt,' and set the
liquor out of doors to cool; the cow of B., a neighbour of A. chanced
to come by, and seeing the good beverage, was allured to taste it, and
finally to drink it up. When A. came to take in her liquor, she found
the tub empty, and from the cow's staggering and staring, so as to
betray her intemperance, she easily divined the mode in which her
'brewst' had disappeared. To take vengeance on Crummie's ribs with a
stick, was her first effort. The roaring of the cow brought B., her
master, who remonstrated with his angry neighbour, and received in reply
a demand for the value of the ale which Crummie had drunk up. B. refused
payment, and was conveyed before C., the Bailie, or sitting Magistrate.
He heard the case patiently; and then demanded of the plaintiff A.,
whether the cow had sat down to her potation, or taken it standing. The
plaintiff answered she had not seen the deed committed, but she supposed
the cow drank the ale standing on her feet; adding, that had she been
near, she would have made her use them to some purpose. The Bailie,
on this admission, solemnly adjudged the cow's drink to be DEOCH
AN DORUIS--a stirrup-cup, for which no charge could be made without
violating the ancient hospitality of Scotland.
NOTE 9.--CANTING HERALDRY
Although canting heraldry is generally reprobated, it seems nevertheless
to have been adopted in the arms and mottoes of many honourable
families. Thus the motto of the Vernons, VER NON SEMPER VIRET, is a
perfect pun, and so is that of the Onslows, FESTINA LENTE. The PERIISSEM
NI PER-IISSEM of the Anstruthers is liable to a similar objection. One
of that ancient race, finding that an antagonist, with whom he had
fixed a friendly meeting, was determined to take the opportunity of
assassinating him, prevented the hazard by dashing out his brains with
a battle-axe. Two sturdy arms brandishing such a weapon, form the usual
crest of the family, with the above motto--PERIISSEM NI PER-IISSEM--I
had died, unless I had gone through with it.
NOTE 10.--THE LEVYING OF BLACKMAIL
Mac-Donald of Barrisdale, one of the very last Highland gentlemen who
carried on the plundering system to any great extent, was a scholar and
a well-bred gentleman. He engraved on his broadswords the well-known
lines--
Hae tibi erunt artes--pacisque imponere morem,
Parcere subiectis, et debellare superbos.
Indeed, the levying of blackmail was, before 1745, practised by several
chiefs of very high rank, who, in doing so, contended that they were
lending the laws the assistance of their arms and swords, and affording
a protection which could not be obtained from the magistracy in
the disturbed state of the country. The author has seen a memoir of
Mac-Pherson of Cluny, chief of that ancient clan, from which it appears
that he levied protection-money to a very large amount, which was
willingly paid even by some of his most powerful neighbours. A gentleman
of this clan hearing a clergyman hold forth to his congregation on the
crime of theft, interrupted the preacher to assure him, he might leave
the enforcement of such doctrines to Cluny Mac-Pherson, whose broadsword
would put a stop to theft sooner than all the sermons of all the
ministers of the synod.
NOTE 11.--ROB ROY
An adventure, very similar to what is here stated, actually befell
the late Mr. Abercromby of Tullibody, grandfather of the present Lord
Abercromby, and father of the celebrated Sir Ralph. When this
gentlemen, who lived to a very advanced period of life, first settled in
Stirlingshire, his cattle were repeatedly driven off by the celebrated
Rob Roy, or some of his gang; and at length he was obliged, after
obtaining a proper safe-conduct, to make the Cateran such a visit as
that of Waverley to Bean Lean in the text. Rob received him with much
courtesy, and made many apologies for the accident, which must have
happened, he said, through some mistake. Mr. Abercromby was regaled with
collops from two of his own cattle, which were hung up by the heels in
the cavern, and was dismissed in perfect safety, after having agreed to
pay in future a small sum of blackmail, in consideration of which Rob
Roy not only undertook to forbear his herds in future, but to replace
any that should be stolen from him by other freebooters. Mr. Abercromby
said, Rob Roy affected to consider him as a friend to the Jacobite
interest, and a sincere enemy to the Union. Neither of these
circumstances were true; but the laird thought it quite unnecessary
to undeceive his Highland host at the risk of bringing on a political
dispute in such a situation. This anecdote I received many years since
(about 1792) from the mouth of the venerable gentleman who was concerned
in it.
NOTE 12.--KIND GALLOWS OF CRIEFF
This celebrated gibbet was, in the memory of the last generation, still
standing at the western end of the town of Crieff, in Perthshire. Why
it was called the kind gallows, we are unable to inform the reader with
certainty; but it is alleged that the Highlanders used to touch their
bonnets as they passed a place which had been fatal to many of their
countrymen, with the ejaculation--'God bless her nain sell, and the Teil
tamn you!' It may therefore have been called kind, as being a sort
of native or kindred place of doom to those who suffered there, as in
fulfilment of a natural destiny.
NOTE 13.--CATERANS
The story of the bridegroom carried off by Caterans on his bridal-day
is taken from one which was told to the author by the late Laird of
Mac-Nab, many years since. To carry off persons from the Lowlands, and
to put them to ransom, was a common practice with the wild Highlanders,
as it is said to be at the present day with the banditti in the south of
Italy. Upon the occasion alluded to, a party of Caterans carried off
the bridegroom, and secreted him in some cave near the mountain of
Schehallion. The young man caught the small-pox before his ransom could
be agreed on; and whether it was the fine cool air of the place, or the
want of medical attendance, Mac-Nab did not pretend to be positive; but
so it was, that the prisoner recovered, his ransom was paid, and he was
restored to his friends and bride, but always considered the Highland
robbers as having saved his life by their treatment of his malady.
NOTE 14.--RE-PURCHASE OF FORFEITED ESTATES
This happened on many occasions. Indeed, it was not till after the total
destruction of the clan influence, after 1745, that purchasers could be
found who offered a fair price for the estates forfeited in 1715,
which were then brought to sale by the creditors of the York-Buildings
Company, who had purchased the whole, or greater part, from Government
at a very small price. Even so late as the period first mentioned,
the prejudices of the public in favour of the heirs of the forfeited
families threw various impediments in the way of intending purchasers of
such property.
NOTE 15.--HIGHLAND POLICY
This sort of political game ascribed to Mac-Ivor was in reality played
by several Highland chiefs, the celebrated Lord Lovat in particular, who
used that kind of finesse to the uttermost. The Laird of Mac-- was also
captain of an independent company, but valued the sweets of present pay
too well to incur the risk of losing them in the Jacobite cause. His
martial consort raised his clan, and headed it in 1745. But the chief
himself would have nothing to do with king-making, declaring himself for
that monarch, and no other, who gave the Laird of Mac-- 'half a guinea
the day, and half a guinea the morn.'
NOTE 16.--HIGHLAND DISCIPLINE
In explanation of the military exercise observed at the Castle of
Glennaquoich, the author begs to remark, that the Highlanders were not
only well practised in the use of the broadsword, firelock, and most of
the manly sports and trials of strength common throughout Scotland, but
also used a peculiar sort of drill, suited to their own dress and mode
of warfare. There were, for instance, different modes of disposing
the plaid,--one when on a peaceful journey, another when danger was
apprehended; one way of enveloping themselves in it when expecting
undisturbed repose, and another which enabled them to start up with
sword and pistol in hand on the slightest alarm.
Previous to 1720, or thereabouts, the belted plaid was universally worn,
in which the portion which surrounded the middle of the wearer, and
that which was flung around his shoulders, were all of the same piece of
tartan. In a desperate onset, all was thrown away, and the clan charged
bare beneath the doublet, save for an artificial arrangement of the
shirt, which, like that of the Irish, was always ample, and for the
sporran-mollach, or goat's-skin purse.
The manner of handling the pistol and dirk was also part of the Highland
manual exercise, which the author has seen gone through by men who had
learned it in their youth.
NOTE 17.--HIGHLAND ABHORRENCE OF PORK
Pork, or swine's flesh, in any shape, was, till of late years, much
abominated by the Scotch, nor is it yet a favourite food amongst them.
King Jamie carried this prejudice to England, and is known to have
abhorred pork almost as much as he did tobacco. Ben Jonson has recorded
this peculiarity, where the gipsy in a masque, examining the king's
hand, says,--
--'you should, by this line, Love a horse, and a hound, but no part of a
swine.'--THE GYPSIES METAMORPHOSED.
James's own proposed banquet for the devil was a loin of pork and a poll
of ling, with a pipe of tobacco for digestion.
NOTE 18.--A HIGHLAND CHIEF'S DINNER-TABLE
In the number of persons of all ranks who assembled at the same table,
though by no means to discuss the same fare, the Highland Chiefs
only retained a custom which had been formerly universally observed
throughout Scotland. 'I myself,' says the traveller Fynes Morrison,
in the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the scene being the Lowlands of
Scotland, 'was at a knight's house, who had many servants to attend him,
that brought in his meat with their heads covered with blue caps, the
table being more than half furnished with great platters of porridge
each having a little piece of sodden meat. And when the table was
served, the servants did sit down with us; but the upper mess, instead
of porridge, had a pullet, with some prunes in the broth.'--TRAVELS, p.
155.
Till within this last century, the farmers, even of a respectable
condition, dined with their work-people. The difference betwixt those of
high degree was ascertained by the place of the party above or below
the salt, or, sometimes, by a line drawn with chalk on the dining-table.
Lord Lovat, who knew well how to feed the vanity and restrain the
appetites of his clansmen, allowed each sturdy Fraser, who had the
slightest pretension to be a Duinhe-wassel, the full honour of the
sitting, but, at the same time, took care that his young kinsmen did not
acquire at his table any taste for outlandish luxuries. His Lordship was
always ready with some honourable apology, why foreign wines and French
brandy--delicacies which he conceived might sap the hardy habits of his
cousins--should not circulate past an assigned point on the table.
NOTE 19.--CONAN THE JESTER
In the Irish ballads relating to Fion (the Fingal of Mac-Pherson), there
occurs, as in the primitive poetry of most nations, a cycle of heroes,
each of whom has some distinguishing attribute: upon these qualities,
and the adventures of those possessing them, many proverbs are formed
which are still current in the Highlands. Among other characters, Conan
is distinguished as in some respects a kind of Thersites, but brave and
daring even to rashness. He had made a vow that he would never take a
blow without returning it; and having, like other heroes of antiquity,
descended to the infernal regions, he received a cuff from the
Arch-fiend; who presided there, which he instantly returned, using the
expression in the text. Sometimes the proverb is worded thus:--'Claw
for claw, and the devil take the shortest nails, as Conan said to the
devil.'
NOTE 20.--WATERFALL
The description of the waterfall mentioned in this chapter is taken from
that of Ledeard, at the farm so called on the northern side of Lochard,
and near the head of the Lake, four or five miles from Aberfoyle. It is
upon a small scale, but otherwise one of the most exquisite cascades
it is possible to behold. The appearance of Flora with the harp, as
described, has been justly censured as too theatrical and affected for
the ladylike simplicity of her character. But something may be allowed
to her French education, in which point and striking effect always make
a considerable object.
NOTE 21.--MAC-FARLANE'S LANTERN
The clan of Mac-Farlane, occupying the fastnesses of the western side
of Loch Lomond, were great depredators on the Low Country; and as their
excursions were made usually by night, the moon was proverbially called
their lantern. Their celebrated pibroch of HOGGIL NAM BO, which is the
name of their gathering tune, intimates similar practices,--the sense
being--
We are bound to drive the bullocks,
All by hollows, hirsts, and hillocks,
Through the sleet and through the rain;
When the moon is beaming low
On frozen lake and hills of snow,
Bold and heartily we go;
And all for little gain.
NOTE 22.--CASTLE OF DOUNE
This noble ruin is dear to my recollection, from associations which have
been long and painfully broken. It holds a commanding station on the
banks of the river Teith, and has been one of the largest castles in
Scotland. Murdock, Duke of Albany, the founder of this stately pile,
was beheaded on the Castle-hill of Stirling, from which he might see the
towers of Doune, the monument of his fallen greatness.
In 1745-6, as stated in the text, a garrison on the part of the
Chevalier was put into the castle, then less ruinous than at present. It
was commanded by Mr. Stewart of Balloch, as governor for Prince Charles
he was a man of property near Callander. This castle became at that time
the actual scene of a romantic escape made by John Home, the author of
Douglas, and some other prisoners, who, having been taken at the battle
of Falkirk, were confined there by the insurgents. The poet, who had in
his own mind a large stock of that romantic and enthusiastic spirit of
adventure, which he has described as animating the youthful hero of his
drama, devised and undertook the perilous enterprise of escaping from
his prison. He inspired his companions with his sentiments and when
every attempt at open force was deemed hopeless, they resolved to twist
their bed-clothes into ropes, and thus to descend. Four persons, with
Home himself, reached the ground in safety. But the rope broke with the
fifth, who was a tall lusty man. The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a brave
young Englishman, a particular friend of Home's. Determined to take the
risk, even in such unfavourable circumstances, Barrow committed himself
to the broken rope, slid down on it as far as it could assist him, and
then let himself drop. His friends beneath succeeded in breaking his
fall. Nevertheless, he dislocated his ankle, and had several of his ribs
broken. His companions, however, were able to bear him off in safety.
The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with great
activity. An old gentleman told the author he remembered seeing the
commander Stewart,
Bloody with spurring, fiery red with haste,
riding furiously through the country in quest of the fugitives.
NOTE 23.--JACOBITE SENTIMENTS
The Jacobite sentiments were general among the western counties, and in
Wales. But although the great families of the Wynnes, the Wyndhams, and
others, had come under an actual obligation to join Prince Charles if
he should land, they had done so under the express stipulation, that he
should be assisted by an auxiliary army of French, without which they
foresaw the enterprise would be desperate. Wishing well to his cause,
therefore, and watching an opportunity to join him, they did not,
nevertheless, think themselves bound in honour to do so, as he was only
supported by a body of wild mountaineers, speaking an uncouth dialect,
and wearing a singular dress. The race up to Derby struck them with more
dread than admiration. But it was difficult to say what the effect might
have been, had either the battle of Preston or Falkirk been fought and
won during the advance into England.
NOTE 24.--THE CHEVALIER'S IRISH OFFICERS
Divisions early showed themselves in the Chevalier's little army, not
only amongst the independent chieftains, who were far too proud to brook
subjection to each other, but betwixt the Scotch and Charles's governor
O'Sullivan, an Irishman by birth, who, with some of his countrymen
bred in the Irish Brigade in the service of the King of France, had an
influence with the Adventurer much resented by the Highlanders, who
were sensible that their own clans made the chief, or rather the only
strength of his enterprise. There was a feud, also, between Lord George
Murray, and James Murray of Broughton, the Prince's secretary, whose
disunion greatly embarrassed the affairs of the Adventurer. In general,
a thousand different pretensions divided their little army, and finally
contributed in no small degree to its overthrow.
NOTE 25.--FIELD-PIECE IN THE HIGHLAND ARMY
This circumstance, which is historical, as well as the description that
precedes it, will remind the reader of the war of La Vendee, in which
the royalists, consisting chiefly of insurgent peasantry, attached a
prodigious and even superstitious interest to the possession of a piece
of brass ordnance, which they called Marie Jeanne.
The Highlanders of an early period were afraid of cannon, with the noise
and effect of which they were totally unacquainted. It was by means
of three or four small pieces of artillery that the Earl of Huntly and
Errol, in James VI's time, gained a great victory at Glenlivat, over a
numerous Highland army, commanded by the Earl of Argyle. At the battle
of the Bridge of Dee, General Middleton obtained by his artillery a
similar success, the Highlanders not being able to stand the discharge
of MUSKET'S-MOTHER, which was the name they bestowed on great guns. In
an old ballad on the battle of the Bridge of Dee, these verses occur:--
The Highlandmen are pretty men
For handling sword and shield,
But yet they are but simple men
To stand a stricken field.
The Highlandmen are pretty men
For target and claymore,
But yet they are but naked men
To face the cannon's roar.
For the cannons roar on a summer night
Like thunder in the air;
Was never man in Highland garb
Would face the cannon fair.
But the Highlanders of 1745 had got far beyond the simplicity of their
forefathers, and showed throughout the whole war how little they dreaded
artillery, although the common people still attached some consequence to
the possession of the field-piece which led to this disquisition.
NOTE 26.--ANDERSON OF WHITBURGH
The faithful friend who pointed out the pass by which the Highlanders
moved from Tranent to Seaton, was Robert Anderson, Junior, of Whitburgh,
a gentleman of property in East Lothian. He had been interrogated by the
Lord George Murray concerning the possibility of crossing the uncouth
and marshy piece of ground which divided the armies, and which he
described as impracticable. When dismissed, he recollected that there
was a circuitous path leading eastward through the marsh into the
plain, by which the Highlanders might turn the flank of Sir John Cope's
position, without being exposed to the enemy's fire. Having mentioned
his opinion to Mr. Hepburn of Keith, who instantly saw its importance,
he was encouraged by that gentleman to awake Lord George Murray, and
communicate the idea to him. Lord George received the information with
grateful thanks, and instantly awakened Prince Charles, who was sleeping
in the field with a bunch of peas under his head. The Adventurer
received with alacrity the news that there was a possibility of bringing
an excellently provided army to a decisive battle with his own irregular
forces. His joy on the occasion was not very consistent with the charge
of cowardice brought against him by Chevalier Johnstone, a discontented
follower, whose Memoirs possess at least as much of a romantic as a
historical character. Even by the account of the Chevalier himself, the
Prince was at the head of the second line of the Highland army during
the battle, of which he says, 'It was gained with such rapidity, that in
the second line, where I was still by the side of the Prince, we saw no
other enemy than those who were lying on the ground killed and wounded,
THOUGH WE WERE NOT MORE THAN FIFTY PACES BEHIND OUR FIRST LINE, RUNNING
ALWAYS AS FAST AS WE COULD TO OVERTAKE THEM.'
This passage in the Chevalier's Memoirs places the Prince within fifty
paces of the best of the battle, a position which would never have been
the choice of one unwilling to take a share of its dangers. Indeed,
unless the chiefs had complied with the young Adventurer's proposal
to lead the van in person, it does not appear that he could have been
deeper in the action.
NOTE 27.--DEATH OF COLONEL GARDINER
The death of this good Christian and gallant man is thus given by
his affectionate biographer Dr. Doddridge, from the evidence of
eye-witnesses:--
'He continued all night under arms, wrapped up in his cloak, and
generally sheltered under a rick of barley, which happened to be in the
field. About three in the morning he called-his domestic servants to
him, of which there were four in waiting. He dismissed three of them
with most affectionate Christian advice, and such solemn charges
relating to the performance of their duty and the care of their souls,
as seemed plainly to intimate that he apprehended it was at least very
probable he was taking his last farewell of them. There is great reason
to believe that he spent the little remainder of the time, which could
not be much above an hour, in those devout exercises of soul which had
been so long habitual to him and to which so many circumstances did then
concur to call him. The army was alarmed, by break of day, by the noise
of the rebels' approach, and the attack was made before sunrise, yet
when it was light enough to discern what passed. As soon as the enemy
came within gunshot they made a furious fire; and it is said that the
dragoons which constituted the left wing immediately fled. The Colonel,
at the beginning of the onset, which in the whole lasted but a few
minutes, received a wound by a bullet in his left breast, which made him
give a sudden spring in his saddle upon which his servant, who led the
horse, would have persuaded him to retreat, but he said it was only a
wound in the flesh, and fought on, though he presently after received a
shot in his right thigh. In the meantime, it was discerned that some
of the enemy fell by him, and particularly one man, who had made him a
treacherous visit but a few days before, with great profession of zeal
for the present establishment.
'Events of this kind pass in less time than the description of them can
be written, or than it can be read. The Colonel was for a few
moments supported by his men, and particularly by that worthy person
Lieutenant-Colonel Whitney, who was shot through the arm here, and a
few months after fell nobly at the battle of Falkirk, and by Lieutenant
West, a man of distinguished bravery, as also by about fifteen dragoons,
who stood by him to the last. But after a faint fire, the regiment in
general was seized with a panic; and though their Colonel and some other
gallant officers did what they could to rally them once or twice, they
at last took a precipitate flight. And just in the moment when Colonel
Gardiner seemed to be making a pause to deliberate what duty required
him to do in such circumstances, an accident happened, which must, I
think, in the judgement of every worthy and generous man, be allowed a
sufficient apology for exposing his life to so great hazard, when his
regiment had left him. He saw a party of the foot, who were then bravely
fighting near him, and whom he was ordered to support, had no officer to
head them; upon which he said eagerly, in the hearing of the person from
whom I had this account, "These brave fellows will be cut to pieces
for want of a commander," or words to that effect; which while he was
speaking, he rode up to them and cried out, "Fire on, my lads, and fear
nothing." But just as the words were out of his mouth, a Highlander
advanced towards him with a scythe fastened to a long pole, with which
he gave him so dreadful a wound on his right arm, that his sword dropped
out of his hand; and at the same time several others coming about him
while he was thus dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, he was
dragged off from his horse. The moment he fell, another Highlander, who,
if the king's evidence at Carlisle may be credited (as I know not why
they should not, though the unhappy creature died denying it), was
one Mac-Naught, who was executed about a year after, gave him a stroke
either with a broadsword or a Lochaber-axe (for my informant could
not exactly distinguish) on the hinder part of his head, which was the
mortal blow. All that his faithful attendant saw further at this time
was, that, as his hat was falling off, he took it in his left hand, and
waved it as a signal to him to retreat, and added what were the last
words he ever heard him speak, "Take care of yourself," upon which the
servant retired.'--SOME REMARKABLE PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF COLONEL JAMES
GARDINER, BY P. DODDRIDGE, D.D., London, 1747, p. 187.
I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account given in
the text of the resistance offered by some of the English infantry.
Surprised by a force of a peculiar and unusual description, their
opposition could not be long or formidable, especially as they
were deserted by the cavalry, and those who undertook to manage the
artillery. But although the affair was soon decided, I have always
understood that many of the infantry showed an inclination to do their
duty.
NOTE 28.-THE LAIRD OF BALMAWHAPPLE
It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutal
young Laird is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, who resembled
Balmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell at Preston in
the manner described. A Perthshire gentleman of high honour and
respectability, one of the handful of cavalry who followed the fortunes
of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitive dragoons almost alone till
near St. Clement's Wells, where the efforts of some of the officers had
prevailed on a few of them to make a momentary stand. Perceiving at this
moment that they were pursued by only one man and a couple of servants,
they turned upon him and cut him down with their swords. I remember,
when a child, sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and
green, distinguishing it from the rest of the field. A female of the
family then residing at St. Clement's Wells used to tell me the tragedy,
of which she had been an eye-witness, and showed me in evidence one of
the silver clasps of the unfortunate gentleman's waistcoat.
NOTE 29.--ANDREA DE FERRARA
The name of Andrea de Ferrara is inscribed on all the Scottish
broadswords which are accounted of peculiar excellence. Who this artist
was, what were his fortunes, and when he flourished, have hitherto
defied the research of antiquaries; only it is in general believed that
Andrea de Ferrara was a Spanish or Italian artificer, brought over by
James IV or V to instruct the Scots in the manufacture of sword blades.
Most barbarous nations excel in the fabrication of arms; and the Scots
had attained great proficiency in forging swords, so early as the field
of Pinkie; at which period the historian Patten describes them as 'all
notably broad and thin, universally made to slice, and of such exceeding
good temper, that as I never saw any so good, so I think it hard to
devise better.' ACCOUNT OF SOMERSET'S EXPEDITION.
It may be observed, that the best and most genuine Andrea Ferraras have
a crown marked on the blades.
NOTE 30.--MISS NAIRNE
The incident here said to have happened to Flora, Mac-Ivor, actually
befell Miss Nairne, a lady with whom the author had the pleasure of
being acquainted. As the Highland army rushed into Edinburgh, Miss
Nairne, like other ladies who approved of their cause, stood waving her
handkerchief from a balcony, when a ball from a Highlander's musket,
which was discharged by accident, grazed her forehead. 'Thank God' said
she, the instant she recovered, 'that the accident happened to me, whose
principles are known. Had it befallen a Whig, they would have said it
was done on purpose.'
NOTE 31.--PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD
The Author of Waverley has been charged with painting the young
Adventurer in colours more amiable than his character deserved. But
having known many individuals who were near his person, he has been
described according to the light in which those eye-witnesses saw his
temper and qualifications. Something must be allowed, no doubt, to
the natural exaggerations of those who remembered him as the bold and
adventurous Prince, in whose cause they had braved death and ruin; but
is their evidence to give place entirely to that of a single malcontent?
I have already noticed the imputations thrown by the Chevalier Johnstone
on the Prince's courage. But some part at least of that gentleman's tale
is purely romantic. It would not, for instance, be supposed, that at
the time he is favouring us with the highly-wrought account of his amour
with the adorable Peggie, the Chevalier Johnstone was a married man,
whose grandchild is now alive, or that the whole circumstantial story
concerning the outrageous vengeance taken by Gordon of Abbachie on a
Presbyterian clergyman, is entirely apocryphal. At the same time it may
be admitted, that the Prince, like others of his family, did not esteem
the services done him by his adherents so highly as he ought. Educated
in high ideas of his hereditary right, he has been supposed to have held
every exertion and sacrifice made in his cause as too much the duty of
the person making it, to merit extravagant gratitude on his part.
Dr. King's evidence (which his leaving the Jacobite interest renders
somewhat doubtful) goes to strengthen this opinion.
The ingenious editor of Johnstone's MEMOIRS has quoted a story said
to be told by Helvetius, stating that Prince Charles Edward, far from
voluntarily embarking on his daring expedition, was literally bound hand
and foot, and to which he seems disposed to yield credit. Now, it being
a fact as well known as any in his history, and, so far as I know,
entirely undisputed, that the Prince's personal entreaties and urgency
positively forced Boisdale and Lochiel into insurrection, when they
were earnestly desirous that he would put off his attempt until he could
obtain a sufficient force from France, it will be very difficult to
reconcile his alleged reluctance to undertake the expedition, with his
desperately insisting on carrying the rising into effect, against the
advice and entreaty of his most powerful and most sage partisans. Surely
a man who had been carried bound on board the vessel which brought him
to so desperate an enterprise, would have taken the opportunity afforded
by the reluctance of his partisans, to return to France in safety.
It is averred in Johnstone's Memoirs, that Charles Edward left the field
of Culloden without doing the utmost to dispute the victory; and,
to give the evidence on both sides, there is in existence the more
trustworthy testimony of Lord Elcho, who states, that he himself
earnestly exhorted the Prince to charge at the head of the left wing,
which was entire, and retrieve the day, or die with honour. And on
his counsel being declined, Lord Elcho took leave of him with a bitter
execration, swearing he would never look on his face again, and kept his
word.
On the other hand, it seems to have been the opinion of almost all the
other officers, that the day was irretrievably lost, one wing of the
Highlanders being entirely routed, the rest of the army out-numbered,
out-flanked, and in a condition totally hopeless. In this situation of
things, the Irish officers who surrounded Charles's person interfered
to force him off the field. A cornet who was close to the Prince, left
a strong attestation, that he had seen Sir Thomas Sheridan seize the
bridle of his horse, and turn him round. There is some discrepancy of
evidence; but the opinion of Lord Elcho, a man of fiery temper, and
desperate at the ruin which he beheld impending, cannot fairly be taken
in prejudice of a character for courage which is intimated by the nature
of the enterprise itself, by the Prince's eagerness to fight on all
occasions, by his determination to advance from Derby to London, and by
the presence of mind which he manifested during the romantic perils of
his escape. The author is far from claiming for this unfortunate person
the praise due to splendid talents; but he continues to be of opinion,
that at the period of his enterprise, he had a mind capable of facing
danger and aspiring to fame.
That Charles Edward had the advantages of a graceful presence, courtesy,
and an address and manner becoming his station, the author never heard
disputed by any who approached his person, nor does he conceive that
these qualities are overcharged in the present attempt to sketch his
portrait. The following extracts, corroborative of the general opinion
respecting the Prince's amiable disposition, are taken from a manuscript
account of his romantic expedition, by James Maxwell of Kirkconnel,
of which I possess a copy, by the friendship of J. Menzies, Esq.,
of Pitfoddells. The author, though partial to the Prince, whom he
faithfully followed, seems to have been a fair and candid man, and well
acquainted with the intrigues among the Adventurer's council:--
'Everybody was mightily taken with the Prince's figure and personal
behaviour. There was but one voice about them. Those whom interest or
prejudice made a runaway to his cause, could not help acknowledging that
they wished him well in all other respects, and could hardly blame him
for his present undertaking. Sundry things had concurred to raise his
character to the highest pitch, besides the greatness of the enterprise,
and the conduct that had hitherto appeared in the execution of it. There
were several instances of good nature and humanity that had made a great
impression on people's minds, I shall confine myself to two or three.
Immediately after the battle, as the Prince was riding along the ground
that Cope's army had occupied a few minutes before, one of the officers
came up to congratulate him, and said, pointing to the killed, "Sir,
there are your enemies at your feet." The Prince, far from exulting,
expressed a great deal of compassion for his father's deluded subjects,
whom he declared he was heartily sorry to see in that posture. Next day,
while the Prince was at Pinkie-house, a citizen of Edinburgh came to
make some representation to Secretary Murray about the tents that city
was ordered to furnish against a certain day. Murray happened to be out
of the way, which the Prince hearing of, called to have the gentleman
brought to him, saying, he would rather dispatch the business, whatever
it was, himself, than have the gentleman wait, which he did, by granting
everything that was asked. So much affability in a young prince, flushed
with victory, drew encomiums even from his enemies. But what gave the
people the highest idea of him, was the negative he gave to a thing that
very nearly concerned his interest, and upon which the success of
his enterprise perhaps depended. It was proposed to send one of the
prisoners to London, to demand of that court a cartel for the exchange
of prisoners taken, and to be taken, during this war, and to intimate
that a refusal would be looked upon as a resolution on their part to
give no quarter. It was visible a cartel would be of great advantage to
the Prince's affairs; his friends would be more ready to declare for him
if they had nothing to fear but the chance of war in the field; and
if the court of London refused to settle a cartel, the Prince was
authorized to treat his prisoners in the same manner the Elector of
Hanover was determined to treat such of the Prince's friends as might
fall into his hands: it was urged that a few examples would compel the
court of London to comply. It was to be presumed that the officers of
the English army would make a point of it. They had never engaged in the
service but upon such terms as are in use among all civilized nations,
and it could be no stain upon their honour to lay down their commissions
if these terms were not observed, and that owing to the obstinacy of
their own Prince. Though this scheme was plausible, and represented as
very important, the Prince could never be brought into it: it was below
him, he said, to make empty threats, and he would never put such as
those into execution; he would never in cold blood take away lives which
he had saved in heat of action, at the peril of his own. These were not
the only proofs of good nature the Prince gave about this time. Every
day produced something new of this kind. These things softened the
rigour of a military government, which was only imputed to the necessity
of his affairs, and which he endeavoured to make as gentle and easy as
possible.'
It has been said, that the Prince sometimes exacted more state and
ceremonial than seemed to suit his condition; but, on the other hand
some strictness of etiquette was altogether indispensable where he must
otherwise have been exposed to general intrusion. He could also endure,
with a good grace, the retorts which his affectation of ceremony
sometimes exposed him to. It is said, for example, that Grant of
Glenmoriston having made a hasty march to join Charles, at the head
of his clan, rushed into the Prince's presence at Holyrood with
unceremonious haste, without having attended to the duties of the
toilet. The Prince received him kindly, but not without a hint that
a previous interview with the barber might not have been wholly
unnecessary. 'It is not beardless boys,' answered the displeased Chief,
'who are to do your Royal Highness's turn.' The Chevalier took the
rebuke in good part.
On the whole, if Prince Charles had concluded his life soon after his
miraculous escape, his character in history must have stood very high.
As it was, his station is amongst those, a certain brilliant portion of
whose life forms a remarkable contrast to all which precedes, and all
which follows it.
NOTE 32.--THE SKIRMISH AT CLIFTON
The following account of the skirmish at Clifton is extracted from
the manuscript Memoirs of Evan Macpherson of Cluny, chief of the clan
Macpherson who had the merit of supporting the principal brunt of that
spirited affair. The Memoirs appear to have been composed about 1755,
only ten years after the action had taken place. They were written in
France, where that gallant Chief resided in exile, which accounts for
some Gallicisms which occur in the narrative.
'In the Prince's return from Derby back towards Scotland, my Lord George
Murray, Lieutenant-General, cheerfully charg'd himself with the command
of the rear; a post, which, altho' honourable, was attended with great
danger, many difficulties, and no small fatigue; for the Prince being
apprehensive that his retreat to Scotland might be cut off by Marischall
Wade, who lay to the northward of him with an armie much superior to
what H. R. H. had, while the Duke of Comberland with his whole cavalrie
followed hard in the rear, was obliged to hasten his marches. It was
not, therefore, possible for the artilirie to march so fast as the
Prince's armie, in the depth of winter, extremely bad weather, and
the worst roads in England; so Lord George Murray was obliged often to
continue his marches long after it was dark almost every night, while at
the same time, he had frequent allarms and disturbances from the Duke of
Comberland's advanc'd parties. Towards the evening of the twentie-eight
December 1745, the Prince entered the town of Penrith, in the Province
of Comberland. But as Lord George Murray could not bring up the
artilirie so fast as he wou'd have wish'd, he was obliged to pass
the night six miles short of that town, together with the regiment of
Mac-Donel of Glengarrie, which that day happened to have the arrear
guard. The Prince, in order to refresh his armie, and to give my Lord
George and the artilirie time to come up, resolved to sejour the 29th at
Penrith; so ordered his little army to appear in the morning under arms,
in order to be reviewed, and to know in what manner the numbers stood
from his haveing entered England. It did not at that time amount to
5000 foot in all, with about 400 cavalrie, composed of the noblesse who
serv'd as volunteers, part of whom form'd a first troop of guards for
the Prince, under the command of My Lord Elchoe, now Comte de Weems,
who, being proscribed, is presently in France. Another part formed a
second troup of guards under the command of My Lord Balmirino, who was
beheaded at the Tower of London. A third part serv'd under My Lord le
Comte de Kilmarnock, who was likewise beheaded at the Tower. A fourth
part serv'd under My Lord Pitsligow, who is also proscribed; which
cavalrie, tho' very few in numbers, being all Noblesse, were very brave,
and of infinite advantage to the foot, not only in the day of battle,
but in serving as advanced guards on the several marches, and in
patroling dureing the night on the different roads which led towards the
towns where the army happened to quarter.
'While this small army was out in a body on the 29th December, upon
a rising ground to the northward of Penrith, passing review, Mons. de
Cluny with his tribe, was ordered to the Bridge of Clifton, about a
mile to southward of Penrith, after having pass'd in review before Mons.
Patullo, who was charged with the inspection of the troops, and was
likewise Quarter Master General of the army, and is now in France. They
remained under arms at the Bridge, waiting the arrival of My Lord George
Murray with the artilirie, whom Mons. de Cluny had orders to cover in
passing the bridge. They arrived about sunsett closely pursued by the
Duke of Comberland with the whole body of his cavalrie, reckoned upwards
of 3000 strong, about a thousand of whom, as near as might be computed,
dismounted, in order to cut off the passage of the artilirie towards the
bridge, while the Duke and the others remained on horseback in order to
attack the arrear. My Lord George Murray advanced, and although he
found Mons. de Cluny and his tribe in good spirits under arms, yet
the circumstance appear'd extremely delicate. The numbers were vastly
unequall, and the attack seem'd very dangerous; so my Lord George
declin'd giving orders to such time as he ask'd Mons. de Cluny's
oppinion. "I will attack them with all my heart," says Mons. de Cluny,
"if you order me." "I do order it then," answered my Lord George, and
immediately went on himself along with Mons. de Cluny, and fought sword
in hand on foot, at the head of the single tribe of Macphersons. They
in a moment made their way through a strong hedge of thorns, under the
cover whereof the cavalrie had taken their station, in the struggle of
passing which hedge My Lord George Murray, being dressed EN MONTAGNARD,
as all the army were, lost his bonnet and wig; so continued to fight
bare-headed during the action, They at first made a brisk discharge of
their firearms on the enemy, then attacked them with their sabres, and
made a great slaughter a considerable time, which obliged Comberland
and his cavalrie to fly with precipitation and in great confusion; in
so much, that if the Prince had been provided in a sufficient number of
cavalrie to have taken advantage of the disorder, it is beyond question
that the Duke of Comberland and the bulk of his cavalrie had been taken
prisoners. By this time it was so dark that it was not possible to view
or number the slain, who filled all the ditches which happened to be on
the ground where they stood. But it was computed that, besides those who
went off wounded upwards of a hundred at least were left on the spot,
among whom was Colonel Honeywood, who commanded the dismounted cavalrie,
whose sabre, of considerable value, Mons. de Cluny brought off and still
preserves; and his tribe lykeways brought off many arms;--the Colonel
was afterwards taken up, and, his wounds being dress'd, with great
difficultie recovered. Mons. de Cluny lost only in the action twelve
men, of whom some haveing been only wounded, fell afterwards into the
hands of the enemy, and were sent as slaves to America, whence several
of them returned, and one of them is now in France, a serjeant in the
Regiment of Royal Scots. How soon the accounts of the enemie's approach
had reached the Prince, H. R. H. had immediately ordered Mi-Lord le
Comte de Nairne, Brigadier, who, being proscribed, is now in France,
with the three batalions of the Duke of Athol, the batalion of the Duke
of Perth, and some other troups under his command, in order to support
Cluny, and to bring off the artilirie. But the action was intirely over
before the Comte de Nairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to the
place. They therefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marched
up in good order. Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare to
come within a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the course
of all that retreat, which was conducted with great prudence and safety,
when in some manner surrounded by enemies.'
NOTE 33.--THE OATH UPON THE DIRK
As the heathen deities contracted an indelible obligation if they swore
by Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiar solemnity
attached to an oath which they intended should be binding on them. Very
frequently it consisted in laying their hand, as they swore, on their
own drawn dirk; which dagger, becoming a party to the transaction, was
invoked to punish any breach of faith. But, by whatever ritual the oath
was sanctioned, the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what the
especial oath was, which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matter
of great convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking his asseveration
when made in any other form than that which he accounted as peculiarly
solemn; and therefore readily granted any engagement which bound him
no longer than he inclined. Whereas, if the oath which he accounted
inviolable was once publicly known, no party with whom he might have
occasion to contract, would have rested satisfied with any other. Louis
XI of France practised the same sophistry, for he also had a peculiar
species of oath, the only one which he was ever known to respect, and
which, therefore, he was very unwilling to pledge. The only engagement
which that wily tyrant accounted binding upon him, was an oath by the
Holy Cross of Saint Lo d'Angers, which contained a Portion of the True
Cross. If he prevaricated after taking this oath, Louis believed he
should die within the year. The Constable Saint Paul, being invited to a
personal conference with Louis, refused to meet the king unless he would
agree to ensure him safe conduct under sanction of this oath. But, says
Comines, the king replied, he would never again pledge that engagement
to mortal man, though he was willing to take any other oath which could
be devised. The treaty broke off, therefore, after much chaffering
concerning the nature of the vow which Louis was to take. Such is the
difference between the dictates of superstition and those of conscience.
*****
GLOSSARY
ABIIT, EVASIT, ERUPIT, EFFUGIT, more correctly the quotation is, 'abiit,
excessit, evasit, erupit': varying terms to express the haste, secrecy,
and energy of the flight.
ABOON or ABUNE, above.
ACCOLADE, embrace.
ADSCRIPTI GLEBAE, slaves, transferred with the land to which they are
bound, from one possessor to another.
AHINT, behind.
AITS, oats.
ALERTE A LA MURAILLE, 'Quick to the wall!'
ALEXANDER AB ALEXANDRO, Alexander the son of Alexander.
ALMA = 'alma mater terra', the land, the bounteous mother.
ALTER EGO, his other self.
AMBRY, AWMRY, chest.
ANENT, concerning.
ANILIA, old women's tales.
APOTHEOSIS, deification.
ARIETTE, air.
ASSOILZIED, acquitted, or absolved.
ASSYTHMENT, satisfaction.
BAFF, slap.
BAGGANETS, bayonets.
BARLEY, parley; CRY BARLEY IN A BRUILZIE, call a truce during a
scrimmage.
BARON-BAILIE, steward of the estate.
BAWBEE, halfpenny.
BAXTER, baker.
BEAUFET, buffet, sideboard.
BEFLUMMED, befooled.
BEGUNK, trick.
BEN, within (by, in).
BENEMPT, named.
BENT, open country.
BHAIRD, bard.
BIBLIOPOLIST, seller of books.
BIELDY, sheltered.
BIRLIEMAN, a parish official.
BLIND, hidden, out of the way.
BLOOD-WIT, blood-money, compensation for homicide.
BODACH, spectre.
BODLE, farthing.
BOGLE, bogey.
BON VIVANT, a lover of good fare.
BOUNE, make ready.
BRANDER, broil.
BRAW, fine.
BROGUES, shoes.
BROO', broth.
BRUCKLE, brittle, frail.
BRUIK, possess.
BRUILZIE, broil, scrimmage.
BURGONET, helmet.
BUSK, get ready.
CAILLIACH, crone, old woman.
CAISSE MILITAIRE, military chest.
CALLANT, lad.
CANNY, shrewd; UNCANNY or NO CANNY, eerie.
CANTER, beggar; from the whining or 'canting' tone.
CANTRIPS, tricks.
CATH-DATH, tartan.
C'EST DES DEUX OREILLES, properly, 'c'est d'une oreille,' an expression
appreciative of good wine.
C'EST L'HOMME KI SE BAST ET KI CONSEILLE, it is the man who fights and
gives counsel.
CEAN-KINNE, head of the clan.
CEDANT ARMA TOGAE, let weapons give place to the citizen's robe.
CELA NE TIRE A RIEN, that counts for nothing.
CELA VA SANS DIRE, that goes without saying.
CESS-MONEY, land-tax.
CHANGE-HOUSE, public house.
CHEVAUX-DE-POSTE, post-horses.
CHIEL, person.
CLACHAN, village.
CLAMHEWIT, slash, clout.
CLAW FAVOUR, curry favour.
CLOUR, bump.
COGHLING, blowing.
COM., short for COMITATUS = county.
CONCLAMARE VASA, to give the signal for baggage, i.e. for packing the
baggage.
CONGES, bowing and scraping.
CORONACH, lament.
CORRI, hill-side.
COUP, upset.
COUPE-JARRET, cut-throat (literally, leg-chopper).
COUR PLENIERE, full court, state-reception.
COUTEAU DE CHASSE, hunting-knife.
COW YER CRACKS, stop your chatter.
CRAIG, neck.
CREAGH, foray, raid.
CUITTLE, fickle.
CURRAGH, boat,
CURRANT, running.
CUT-LUGGED, crop-eared.
DANS SON TORT, in the wrong.
DE FACTO, in actual fact.
DE JURE, by legal right.
DEAVING, deafening.
DELIVER, active.
DEMELEE, extrication from a hobble.
DEOCH AN DORUIS, stirrup-cup.
DERN, dark.
DIAOUL, devil.
DIAOUL!--CEADE MILLIA MOLLIGHEART, O the devil! a hundred thousand
curses.
DINMONTS, year-old wethers.
DISPONE, assign.
DIVERTISEMENTS, diversions.
DOER, factor, agent.
DOITED, witless.
DOON, down.
DORLACH, valise, portmanteau.
DOVERING, half-asleep.
DOW, dove.
DOWFF, dull.
DUE DONZELLETTE GARRULE, two garrulous damsels.
DUINHE-WASSEL, gentleman.
EARN, eagle.
ELD, age.
ELISOS OCULOS, ET SICCUM SANGUINE GUTTUR, eyes squeezed out of his head,
and throat drained of blood.
EN ATTENDANT, meanwhile.
EN MOUSQUETAIRE, from a soldier's point of view.
EPULAE AD SENATUM, PRANDIUM VERO AD POPULUM ATTINET, for the senate
feasts are befitting, but for the people a simple meal.
EPULAE LAUTIORES, splendid feasts.
EQUIPONDERATE, equivalent.
ET SINGULA PRAEDANTUR ANNI, the passing years rob us of every thing we
possess, one by one.
ETTER-CAP, A venomous person.
EVITE, evade.
EWEST, nearest.
EXEEMED, exempt.
FAIRE LA CUREE, to give the shin, &c., of a killed stag to the hounds.
FAIRE LA MEILLEURE CHERE, to make good cheer.
FEAL, loyal.
FECK, part.
FENDY, handy.
FEROCIORES IN ASPECTU, MITIORES IN ACTU, fierce in appearance, in
behaviour mild.
FILLE DE CHAMBRE, lady's maid.
FLEMIT, frightened.
FLEYT, scold.
FORIS-FAMILIATED, excluded from the family, out of the jurisdiction of
the head of the family.
FUNGARQUE INANI MUNERE, I shall render a fruitless service.
GABERLUNZIE, beggar.
GAD, bar.
GANE, gone.
GAR, make.
GARCONS APOTHICAIRES, chemists' assistants.
GARDEZ L'EAU, beware of the water.
GARTANED, gartered.
GAUDET EQUIS ET CANIBUS, he finds his pleasure in horses and dogs.
GAUN, going.
GEAR, goods.
GIMMERS, ewes of two years.
GIN, if.
GLED, hawk.
GLEG, quick.
GLISK, glimpse.
GRANING, groaning.
GRAT, cried; GREET, cry, weep.
GREY-BEARD, jug.
GRICE, young pig.
GRIFFIN, a four-legged dragon.
GRIPPLE, greedy.
GUSTO, taste.
HAEC TIBI ERUNT ARTES, &c. 'These be your acts; to impose the rule of
peace; To spare the humbled, crush the arrogant foe.'
HAG, copse.
HAGGIS, a dish composed of the pluck, &c., of a sheep, with oatmeal,
suet, onions, &c., boiled inside the animal's maw.
HAILL, whole.
HALLAN, inner wall.
HANTLE, a lot.
HECK, cattle rack.
HER NAIN SELL, me, myself.
HERSHIP, plunder.
HET, hot.
HIPPOGRIFF, a cross between a horse and a dragon.
HOG, lamb.
HOMAGIUM, the act of homage.
HORNING, outlawry.
HORSE-COUPER, horse-dealer.
HOWE, hollow.
HUMANA PERPESSI SUMUS, we have borne all that man can inflict on us.
HURDLES, buttocks.
ILK, each; OF THAT ILK, having the same title as the surname.
IMPIGER, IRACUNDUS, INEXORABILIS, ACER, untiring, swift to wrath,
unyielding, keen.
IN CARCERE, in prison.
IN ERGASTULO, in a dungeon (a private prison, as opposed to INCARCERE).
IN INTEGNUM, in full.
IN LOCO PARENTIS, in the place of a parent.
IN REBUS BELLICIS MAXIME DOMINATUR FORTUNA, in matters of war, Luck has
most to say.
IN SERVITIO EXUENDI, SEU DETRAHENDI. CALIGAS REGIS POST BATALLIAM, for
the service of undoing or pulling off the king's boots after a battle.
INTROMITTED, interfered with.
JOGUE, jogee, ascetic or conjurer.
KEMPLE, a load of hay (forty 'bottles').
KIPPAGE, rage.
KITTLE, tricky, difficult.
KYLOES, highland cattle.
LA BELLE PASSION, the gentle passion.
LA HOULETTE ET LE CHALLUMEAU, the shepherd's crook and pipe.
LAIRD, (equivalent to) squire.
LAISSEZ FAIRE A DON ANTOINE, Leave that to Don Antonio.
LANG-LEGGIT, long-legged.
LAPIS OFFENSIONIS ET PETRA SCANDALI, a stone of stumbling and a rock of
offence.
LAWING, reckoning.
LE BEAU IDEAL, the perfect conception.
LEGES CONVIVIALES, the rules of the table.
LES COUSTUSMES DE NORMANDIE, C'EST L'HOMME KI SE BAST ET KI CONSEILLE,
[according to] the Norman custom, it is the man who fights and gives
counsel.
LEVY EN MASSE, full muster.
LIBER PATER, Father Liber; an old Italian deity, afterwards identified
with Bacchus.
LIGHTLY, make light of.
LIMMER, hussy, good-for-nothing.
LOON, fellow.
LOUPING-ON STANE, mounting-stone.
LOUR, to frown.
LUCKIE, widow.
LUG, ear.
LUNZIE, wallet.
MA BELLE DEMOISELLE, my fair damsel.
MADAME SON EPOUSE, Madam his wife.
MAILS, rent, dues.
MAIS CELA VIENDRA AVEC LE TEMPS, but that will come with time.
MAIST, most.
MAJOR DOMO, butler, mayor of the house, steward.
MANEGE, the art of training and managing horses.
MART, fatted beasts, slaughtered at Martinmas for winter provision.
MASK, infuse.
MAUGRE, in spite of.
MAUN, must.
MAUVAISE HONTE, false shame.
MAVORTIA PECTORA, warlike breasts.
MEAL-ARK, meal-tub.
MISGUGGLE, mishandle.
MOLDWARP, mole.
MON COEUR, &c. 'My heart so light, quo' she, My lad, is not for
you; 'Tis for a soldier bold, With beard of martial hue. Down, down,
derrydown. 'A feather in his hat, A red heel on his shoe; Who plays upon
the flute, And on the fiddle too. Down, down, derrydown.'
MORNING, morning drink.
MORTIS CAUSA, the cause of death.
MOUSTED, powdered.
MUTEMUS CLYPEOS, &c. 'Change we our shields, and for ourselves assume
the trappings of the Greeks.'
NEB, nose.
NEBULONES NEQUISSIMI, worthless scamps.
NEC NATURALITER IDIOTA, not a born idiot.
NOLT, cattle.
NUNC INSANUS AMOR, &c. 'Love's frenzy keeps me still in war's array
Where bolts fly thick, and foemen compass me.'
NUNCUPATIVE, legally valid nomination of an heir.
OBSIDIONAL CROWN, the reward of a commander who delivered a town from
siege; here used erroneously for the reward of the soldier who first
entered a besieged city.
ORRA, odd; ORRA MAN, the man who does the odd jobs.
OUTRECUIDANCE, presumption.
O VOUS QUI BUVEZ, &c. 'O you, who drink from flagons full, From out this
happy fountain cool, Here where, upon the banks, you see Only the flocks
of silly sheep, With rustic maids for company, Who bare of foot their
wardship keep.'
OYER AND TERMINER, to hear and determine (legal, from Norman
terminology).
PAITRICK, partridge.
PALINODE, recantation.
PANGED, crammed.
PAUNIE, peacock.
PEACHED, informed against, betrayed.
PECULIUM, property.
PENETRALIA, interior.
PER CONJURATIONEM, on oath.
PHILABEG, kilt.
PHRENESIAC, frenzied.
PINNERS, cap with lappets.
PIS-ALLER, an inferior article which will do to go on with.
PLACK, halfpenny.
PLEADER, barrister.
PLOY, employment, or fuss.
POCULUM POTATORIUM, drinking-cup.
POWTERING, rummaging.
PRANDIUM, a meal.
PRETTY, athletic.
PRIMAE NOTAE, of the first quality.
PRINCEPS, chieftain.
PROCUL A PATRIAE FINIBUS, far from the borders of your own land.
PROCUL DUBIO, without doubt.
PRONER, praise up.
PROPONE, propose.
PROSAPIA, ancestry.
PUER (JUVENIS) BONAE SPEI ET MAGNAE INDOLIS, a youth of promising future
and of high character.
QUANTUM SUFFICIT, as much as is needed, enough.
QUASI BEARWARDEN, in the capacity of Bearwarden.
QU'IL CONNOIT BIEN SES GENS, that he knows well with whom he has to
deal.
QUEAN, girl.
QUODLIBETS, subtleties.
RAMPANT, erect on the hind legs.
RECEPTO AMICO, when a friend is present.
RECTUS IN CURIA, cleared before the law,
REDD, put in order.
REIFS, robberies.
REISES, brushwood.
RESILING, drawing back.
RINTHEROUT, rapscallion.
RISU SOLVUNTUR TABULAE, the prosecution is laughed out of court.
ROKELAY, short cloak.
ROYNISH, scurvy.
RUNT, an old cow.
RUSE DE GUERRE, military stratagem.
SACRAMENTUM MILITARE, soldiers' oath of allegiance.
SAGESSE, discretion.
SALIENT, in the act of leaping.
SANCTUM SANCTORUM, lit. 'holy of holies'; a specially private retreat or
study.
SANS TACHE, without stain.
SARKS, shirts.
SCARTED, scratched,
SCHELLUM, scamp.
SCOUPING, scampering.
SENNACHIES, Highland genealogists.
SERVABIT ODOREM TESTA DIU, the pot will keep the smell for a long time.
SHEMUS BEG, little James.
SHIBBOLETH, a pass-word (Judges xii, 6).
SHILPIT, thin.
SICCAN, such.
SIDIER ROY, red-coated soldiers.
SILLER, silver.
SKENE, small dirk or dagger.
SMOKY, suspicious.
SONSIE, sensible.
SOPITE, allay.
SORNER, a person who lives on his neighbours.
SOWENS, porridge or gruel.
SPEIRINGS, askings, = information.
SPENCE, best room.
SPES ALTERA, another hope.
SPLEUCHAN, pocket.
SPRACK, spruce.
SPRECHERY, cattle-lifting.
SPUILZIE, spoil (cf. BRUILZIE = broil).
STEADINGS, farms.
STIEVE, stiff.
STIRK, a year-old heifer or bullock.
STOOR, austere.
STOT, bull.
STOUP, mug, flagon.
STOUTHREIF, robbery with violence.
STRAE, straw.
STRATH, a valley.
STRATHSPEY, a Scottish dance.
STREEK, lie down.
SUI JURIS, of his own right.
SUUM CUIQUE, to each his due.
SYBOES, onions or radishes.
TACKSMAN, tenant.
TAIGLIT, slow, tired.
TAILLIE, covenant, bond.
TAISHATR, a person who has second-sight.
TANDEM TRIUMPHANS, triumphant in the end.
TANQUAM PRIVATUS, in my private capacity.
TAPPIT-HEN, a pewter-pot, holding nearly a gallon.
TENTAMINA, experiments.
TESTAMENTUM MILITARE, will made on the field of battle.
THIR, those.
THRAW, twist.
THREEPIT, declared.
TIGHEARNA, chief.
TIL, to; INTIL, into; UNTIL, unto.
TINCHEL, circle of beaters for driving game.
TOCHER, dowry; TOCHERLESS, dowerless.
TOTO COELO, as widely as may be.
TOUN, collection of houses,
TRACASSERIE, annoyance.
TREWS, tartan trousers.
TRINDLING, trundling.
TROISIEME ETAGE, third floor.
TROT-COZY, riding-hood.
TUILZIE, scrimmage.
UMWHILE, sometime, late.
UN PETIT PENDEMENT BIEN JOLI, a very pretty little hanging.
UNCO, very.
UNSONSY, senseless, or uncanny.
UNTIL, unto.
USQUEBAUGH, whiskey.
VILIPENDED, slandered.
VINUM LOCUTUM EST, it was the wine that spoke.
VINUM PRIMAE NOTAE, wine of the first quality.
VITA ADHUC DURANTE, as long as life lasts.
VIVERS, victuals.
VIX EA NOSTRA VOCO, I scarcely call these things my own.
WADSET, pledge.
WANCHANCY, unchancy unlucky. ill-omened.
WAPPEN, brief.
WARE, spend, bestow.
WA'S, walls.
WEEL-FAR'D, well-favoured.
WEISING, aiming.
WHEEN, WHIN, few.
WHILK, which.
WHINGEING, whining.
WYVERN, two-legged dragon.