Duncan Robertson, aged 35 years, with wife aged 32 years, and a family
of three children. Very poor; the oldest boy is deformed and weak
in mind and body, requiring almost the constant care of one of his
parents. Robertson was warned out like the rest of the tenants, and
decree of removal was obtained against him. At the levelling time the
factor came up with his men before Robertson’s door, and ordered the
inmates out. Robertson pleaded for mercy on account of his sick and
imbecile boy, but the factor appeared at first inexorable; at last he
sent in one of the officers to see the boy, who, on his return, said
that the boy was really and truly an object of pity. The factor said
he could not help it, that he must pull down. Some pieces of furniture
were then thrown out, and the picks were fixed in the walls, when
Robertson’s wife ran out and implored delay, asking the factor, for
heaven’s sake, to come in and see her sick child. He replied, “I am
sure I am no doctor.” “I know that,” she said, “but God might have
given you Christian feelings and bowels of compassion notwithstanding.”
“Bring him out here,” said the factor; and the poor mother ran to the
bed and brought out her sick boy in her arms. When the factor saw him,
he admitted that he was an object of pity, but warned Robertson that
he must quit Knoydart as soon as possible, so that his house would be
pulled down about his ears. The levellers peep in once a week to see if
the boy is getting better, so that the house may be razed.
We could give additional particulars of the cruelties which had to be
endured by the poor wretches who remained--cruelties which would never
be tolerated in any other civilized country than Britain, and which in
Britain would secure instant and severe punishment if inflicted on a
dog or a pig, but the record would only inflict further pain, and we
have said enough.
Retribution has overtaken the evictors, and is it a wonder that the
chiefs of Glengarry are now as little known, and own as little of their
ancient domains in the Highlands as their devoted clansmen? There
is now scarcely one of the name of Macdonald in the wide district
once inhabited by thousands. It is a huge wilderness in which barely
anything is met but wild animals and sheep, and the few keepers and
shepherds necessary to take care of them.