NOTES
NOTE 1.--THE BRADSHAIGH LEGEND
There is a family legend to this purpose, belonging to the knightlyfamily of Bradshaigh, the proprietors of Haighhall, in Lancashire,where, I have been told, the event is recorded on a painted glasswindow. The German ballad of the 'Noble Moringer' turns upon a similartopic. But undoubtedly many such incidents may have taken place, where,the distance being great, and the intercourse infrequent, false reportsconcerning the fate of the absent Crusaders must have been commonlycirculated, and sometimes perhaps rather hastily credited at home.
NOTE 2.--TITUS LIVIUS
The attachment to this classic was, it is said, actually displayed, inthe manner mentioned in the text, by an unfortunate Jacobite in thatunhappy period. He escaped from the jail in which he was confined fora hasty trial and certain condemnation, and was retaken as he hoveredaround the place in which he had been imprisoned, for which he couldgive no better reason than the hope of recovering his favourite TitusLivius. I am sorry to add, that the simplicity of such a characterwas found to form no apology for his guilt as a rebel, and that he wascondemned and executed.
NOTE 3.--NICHOLAS AMHURST
Nicholas Amhurst, a noted political writer, who conducted for many yearsa paper called the Craftsman, under the assumed name of Caleb d'Anvers.He was devoted to the Tory interest, and seconded with much ability theattacks of Pulteney on Sir Robert Walpole. He died in 1742, neglected byhis great patrons, and in the most miserable circumstances.
Amhurst survived the downfall of Walpole's power, and had reason toexpect a reward for his labours. If we excuse Bolingbroke, who had onlysaved the shipwreck of his fortunes, we shall be at a loss to justifyPulteney, who could with ease have given this man a considerable income.The utmost of his generosity to Amhurst, that I ever heard of, was ahogshead of claret! He died, it is supposed, of a broken heart; and wasburied at the charge of his honest printer, Richard Franklin.'--LORDCHESTERFIELD'S CHARACTERS REVIEWED, p. 42.
NOTE 4.--COLONEL GARDINER
I have now given in the text the full name of this gallant and excellentman, and proceed to copy the account of his remarkable conversion, asrelated by Dr. Doddridge.
'This memorable event,' says the pious writer, 'happened towards themiddle of July, 1719. The major had spent the evening (and, if Imistake not, it was the Sabbath) in some gay company, and had an unhappyassignation with a married woman, whom he was to attend exactly attwelve. The company broke up about eleven; and not judging it convenientto anticipate the time appointed, he went into his chamber to kill thetedious hour, perhaps with some amusing book, or some other way. But itvery accidentally happened that he took up a religious book, whichhis good mother or aunt had, without his knowledge, slipped intohis portmanteau. It was called, if I remember the title exactly, THECHRISTIAN SOLDIER, or HEAVEN TAKEN BY STORM; and it was written byMr. Thomas Watson. Guessing by the title of it that he would find somephrases of his own profession spiritualized in a manner which he thoughtmight afford him some diversion, he resolved to dip into it; but he tookno serious notice of anything it had in it; and yet, while this book wasin his hand an impression was made upon his mind (perhaps God onlyknows how) which drew after it a train of the most important and happyconsequences. He thought he saw an unusual blaze of light fall upon thebook which he was reading, which he at first imagined might happen bysome accident in the candle: but lifting up his eyes, he apprehended, tohis extreme amazement, that there was before him, as it were suspendedin the air, a visible representation of the Lord Jesus Christ upon thecross, surrounded on all sides with a glory; and was impressed, as ifa voice, or something equivalent to a voice, had come to him, to thiseffect (for he was not confident as to the words)--"Oh, sinner! did Isuffer this for thee? and are these thy returns?" Struck with so amazinga phenomenon as this, there remained hardly any life in him, so that hesunk down in the arm-chair in which he sat, and continued, he knew nothow long, insensible.'
'With regard to this vision,' says the ingenious Dr. Hibbert, 'theappearance of our Saviour on the cross, and the awful words repeated,can be considered in no other light than as so many recollected imagesof the mind, which, probably, had their origin in the language of someurgent appeal to repentance, that the colonel might have casually reador heard delivered. From what cause, however, such ideas were renderedas vivid as actual impressions, we have no information to be dependedupon. This vision was certainly attended with one of the most importantof consequences connected with the Christian dispensation--theconversion of a sinner; and hence no single narrative has, perhaps, donemore to confirm the superstitious opinion that apparitions of thisawful kind cannot arise without a divine fiat.' Dr. Hibbert adds, in anote--'A short time before the vision, Colonel Gardiner had received asevere fall from his horse. Did the brain receive some slight degreeof injury from the accident, so as to predispose him to this spiritualillusion?'--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 leastthat of being invited to share whatever liquor the guest called for, wasexpected by certain old landlords in Scotland, even in the youth of theauthor. In requital, mine host was always furnished with the news of thecountry, and was probably a little of a humorist to boot. The devolutionof the whole actual business and drudgery of the inn upon the poorgudewife, was very common among the Scottish Bonifaces. There was inancient times, in the city of Edinburgh, a gentleman of good family,who condescended, in order to gain a livelihood, to become the nominalkeeper of a coffee house, one of the first places of the kind whichhad been opened in the Scottish metropolis. As usual, it was entirelymanaged by the careful and industrious Mrs. B--; while her husbandamused himself with field sports, without troubling his head about thematter. Once upon a time the premises having taken fire, the husband wasmet, walking up the High Street loaded with his guns and fishing-rods,and replied calmly to some one who inquired after his wife, 'that thepoor woman was trying to save a parcel of crockery, and some trumperybooks'; the last being those which served her to conduct the business ofthe house.
There were many elderly gentlemen in the author's younger days, whostill held it part of the amusement of a journey 'to parley with minehost,' who often resembled, in his quaint humour, mine Host of theGarter in the MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR; or Blague of the George in theMERRY DEVIL OF EDMONTON. Sometimes the landlady took her share ofentertaining the company. In either case, the omitting to pay them dueattention gave displeasure, and perhaps brought down a smart jest, as onthe following occasion:--
A jolly dame, who, not 'Sixty Years since,' kept the principalcaravansary at Greenlaw in Berwickshire, had the honour to receiveunder her roof a very worthy clergyman, with three sons of the sameprofession, each having a cure of souls: be it said in passing, none ofthe reverend party were reckoned powerful in the pulpit. After dinnerwas 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. 'Heresit I,' he said, 'a placed minister of the Kirk of Scotland, and heresit my three sons, each a placed minister of the same kirk.--confess,Luckie Buchan, you never had such a party in your house before.' Thequestion was not premised by any invitation to sit down and take a glassof wine or the like, so Mrs. B. answered dryly, 'Indeed, Sir, I cannotjust say that ever I had such a party in my house before, except once inthe 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 keepingfools has been disused in England. Swift writes an epitaph on the Earlof Suffolk's fool,--
'Whose name was Dickie Pearce.'
In Scotland the custom subsisted till late in the last century. AtGlamis Castle, is preserved the dress of one of the jesters, veryhandsome, and ornamented with many bells. It is not above thirty yearssince such a character stood
by the sideboard of a nobleman of the firstrank in Scotland, and occasionally mixed in the conversation, till hecarried the joke rather too far, in making proposals to one of the youngladies of the family, and publishing the banns betwixt her and himselfin the public church.
NOTE 7.--PERSECUTION OF EPISCOPAL CLERGYMEN
After the Revolution of 1688, and on some occasions when the spirit ofthe Presbyterians had been unusually animated against their opponents,the Episcopal clergymen, who were chiefly non-jurors, were exposed tobe mobbed, as we should now say, or rabbled, as the phrase then went,to expiate their political heresies. But notwithstanding that thePresbyterians had the persecution in Charles II and his brother's timeto exasperate them, there was little mischief done beyond the kind ofpetty violence mentioned in the text.
NOTE 8.--STIRRUP-CUP
I may here mention, that the fashion of compotation described in thetext, was still occasionally practised in Scotland in the author'syouth. A company, after having taken leave of their host, often went tofinish the evening at the clachan or village, in 'womb of tavern.' Theirentertainer always accompanied them to take the stirrup-cup, which oftenoccasioned a long and late revel.
The POCULUM POTATORIUM of the valiant Baron, his Blessed Bear, has aprototype at the fine old Castle of Glamis, so rich in memorials ofancient times; it is a massive beaker of silver, double gilt, mouldedinto the shape of a lion, and holding about an English pint of wine. Theform alludes to the family name of Strathmore, which is Lyon, and, whenexhibited, the cup must necessarily be emptied to the Earl's health.The author ought perhaps to be ashamed of recording that he has had thehonour of swallowing the contents of the Lion; and the recollection ofthe feat served to suggest the story of the Bear of Bradwardine. In thefamily of Scott of Thirlestane (not Thirlestane in the Forest, but theplace of the same name in Roxburghshire) was long preserved a cup of thesame kind, in the form of a jack-boot. Each guest was obliged to emptythis at his departure. If the guest's name was Scott, the necessity wasdoubly 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 notcharged in the reckoning. On this point a learned Bailie of the town ofForfar pronounced a very sound judgement.
A., an ale-wife in Forfar, had brewed her 'peck of malt,' and set theliquor out of doors to cool; the cow of B., a neighbour of A. chancedto come by, and seeing the good beverage, was allured to taste it, andfinally to drink it up. When A. came to take in her liquor, she foundthe tub empty, and from the cow's staggering and staring, so as tobetray her intemperance, she easily divined the mode in which her'brewst' had disappeared. To take vengeance on Crummie's ribs with astick, was her first effort. The roaring of the cow brought B., hermaster, who remonstrated with his angry neighbour, and received in replya demand for the value of the ale which Crummie had drunk up. B. refusedpayment, 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. Theplaintiff answered she had not seen the deed committed, but she supposedthe cow drank the ale standing on her feet; adding, that had she beennear, she would have made her use them to some purpose. The Bailie,on this admission, solemnly adjudged the cow's drink to be DEOCHAN DORUIS--a stirrup-cup, for which no charge could be made withoutviolating the ancient hospitality of Scotland.
NOTE 9.--CANTING HERALDRY
Although canting heraldry is generally reprobated, it seems neverthelessto have been adopted in the arms and mottoes of many honourablefamilies. Thus the motto of the Vernons, VER NON SEMPER VIRET, is aperfect pun, and so is that of the Onslows, FESTINA LENTE. The PERIISSEMNI PER-IISSEM of the Anstruthers is liable to a similar objection. Oneof that ancient race, finding that an antagonist, with whom he hadfixed a friendly meeting, was determined to take the opportunity ofassassinating him, prevented the hazard by dashing out his brains witha battle-axe. Two sturdy arms brandishing such a weapon, form the usualcrest of the family, with the above motto--PERIISSEM NI PER-IISSEM--Ihad 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 whocarried on the plundering system to any great extent, was a scholar anda well-bred gentleman. He engraved on his broadswords the well-knownlines--
Hae tibi erunt artes--pacisque imponere morem,
Parcere subiectis, et debellare superbos.
Indeed, the levying of blackmail was, before 1745, practised by severalchiefs of very high rank, who, in doing so, contended that they werelending the laws the assistance of their arms and swords, and affordinga protection which could not be obtained from the magistracy inthe disturbed state of the country. The author has seen a memoir ofMac-Pherson of Cluny, chief of that ancient clan, from which it appearsthat he levied protection-money to a very large amount, which waswillingly paid even by some of his most powerful neighbours. A gentlemanof this clan hearing a clergyman hold forth to his congregation on thecrime of theft, interrupted the preacher to assure him, he might leavethe enforcement of such doctrines to Cluny Mac-Pherson, whose broadswordwould put a stop to theft sooner than all the sermons of all theministers of the synod.
NOTE 11.--ROB ROY
An adventure, very similar to what is here stated, actually befellthe late Mr. Abercromby of Tullibody, grandfather of the present LordAbercromby, and father of the celebrated Sir Ralph. When thisgentlemen, who lived to a very advanced period of life, first settled inStirlingshire, his cattle were repeatedly driven off by the celebratedRob Roy, or some of his gang; and at length he was obliged, afterobtaining a proper safe-conduct, to make the Cateran such a visit asthat of Waverley to Bean Lean in the text. Rob received him with muchcourtesy, and made many apologies for the accident, which must havehappened, he said, through some mistake. Mr. Abercromby was regaled withcollops from two of his own cattle, which were hung up by the heels inthe cavern, and was dismissed in perfect safety, after having agreed topay in future a small sum of blackmail, in consideration of which RobRoy not only undertook to forbear his herds in future, but to replaceany that should be stolen from him by other freebooters. Mr. Abercrombysaid, Rob Roy affected to consider him as a friend to the Jacobiteinterest, and a sincere enemy to the Union. Neither of thesecircumstances were true; but the laird thought it quite unnecessaryto undeceive his Highland host at the risk of bringing on a politicaldispute in such a situation. This anecdote I received many years since(about 1792) from the mouth of the venerable gentleman who was concernedin it.
NOTE 12.--KIND GALLOWS OF CRIEFF
This celebrated gibbet was, in the memory of the last generation, stillstanding at the western end of the town of Crieff, in Perthshire. Whyit was called the kind gallows, we are unable to inform the reader withcertainty; but it is alleged that the Highlanders used to touch theirbonnets as they passed a place which had been fatal to many of theircountrymen, with the ejaculation--'God bless her nain sell, and the Teiltamn you!' It may therefore have been called kind, as being a sortof native or kindred place of doom to those who suffered there, as infulfilment of a natural destiny.
NOTE 13.--CATERANS
The story of the bridegroom carried off by Caterans on his bridal-dayis taken from one which was told to the author by the late Laird ofMac-Nab, many years since. To carry off persons from the Lowlands, andto 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 ofItaly. Upon the occasion alluded to, a party of Caterans carried offthe bridegroom, and secreted him in some cave near the mountain ofSchehallion. The young man caught the small-pox before his ransom couldbe agreed on; and whether it was the fine cool air of the place, or thewant of medical attendance, Mac-Nab did not pretend to be positive; butso it was, that the prisoner recovered, his ransom was paid, and he wasrestored to his friends and bride, but always considered the Highlandrobbers as having saved his li
fe 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 totaldestruction of the clan influence, after 1745, that purchasers could befound who offered a fair price for the estates forfeited in 1715,which were then brought to sale by the creditors of the York-BuildingsCompany, who had purchased the whole, or greater part, from Governmentat a very small price. Even so late as the period first mentioned,the prejudices of the public in favour of the heirs of the forfeitedfamilies threw various impediments in the way of intending purchasers ofsuch property.
NOTE 15.--HIGHLAND POLICY
This sort of political game ascribed to Mac-Ivor was in reality playedby several Highland chiefs, the celebrated Lord Lovat in particular, whoused that kind of finesse to the uttermost. The Laird of Mac-- was alsocaptain of an independent company, but valued the sweets of present paytoo well to incur the risk of losing them in the Jacobite cause. Hismartial consort raised his clan, and headed it in 1745. But the chiefhimself would have nothing to do with king-making, declaring himself forthat monarch, and no other, who gave the Laird of Mac-- 'half a guineathe day, and half a guinea the morn.'
NOTE 16.--HIGHLAND DISCIPLINE
In explanation of the military exercise observed at the Castle ofGlennaquoich, the author begs to remark, that the Highlanders were notonly well practised in the use of the broadsword, firelock, and most ofthe manly sports and trials of strength common throughout Scotland, butalso used a peculiar sort of drill, suited to their own dress and modeof warfare. There were, for instance, different modes of disposingthe plaid,--one when on a peaceful journey, another when danger wasapprehended; one way of enveloping themselves in it when expectingundisturbed repose, and another which enabled them to start up withsword 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, andthat which was flung around his shoulders, were all of the same piece oftartan. In a desperate onset, all was thrown away, and the clan chargedbare beneath the doublet, save for an artificial arrangement of theshirt, which, like that of the Irish, was always ample, and for thesporran-mollach, or goat's-skin purse.
The manner of handling the pistol and dirk was also part of the Highlandmanual exercise, which the author has seen gone through by men who hadlearned it in their youth.
NOTE 17.--HIGHLAND ABHORRENCE OF PORK
Pork, or swine's flesh, in any shape, was, till of late years, muchabominated by the Scotch, nor is it yet a favourite food amongst them.King Jamie carried this prejudice to England, and is known to haveabhorred pork almost as much as he did tobacco. Ben Jonson has recordedthis peculiarity, where the gipsy in a masque, examining the king'shand, says,--
--'you should, by this line, Love a horse, and a hound, but no part of aswine.'--THE GYPSIES METAMORPHOSED.
James's own proposed banquet for the devil was a loin of pork and a pollof 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 Chiefsonly retained a custom which had been formerly universally observedthroughout Scotland. 'I myself,' says the traveller Fynes Morrison,in the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the scene being the Lowlands ofScotland, '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, thetable being more than half furnished with great platters of porridgeeach having a little piece of sodden meat. And when the table wasserved, the servants did sit down with us; but the upper mess, insteadof porridge, had a pullet, with some prunes in the broth.'--TRAVELS, p.155.
Till within this last century, the farmers, even of a respectablecondition, dined with their work-people. The difference betwixt those ofhigh degree was ascertained by the place of the party above or belowthe 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 theappetites of his clansmen, allowed each sturdy Fraser, who had theslightest pretension to be a Duinhe-wassel, the full honour of thesitting, but, at the same time, took care that his young kinsmen did notacquire at his table any taste for outlandish luxuries. His Lordship wasalways ready with some honourable apology, why foreign wines and Frenchbrandy--delicacies which he conceived might sap the hardy habits of hiscousins--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), thereoccurs, 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 formedwhich are still current in the Highlands. Among other characters, Conanis distinguished as in some respects a kind of Thersites, but brave anddaring even to rashness. He had made a vow that he would never take ablow without returning it; and having, like other heroes of antiquity,descended to the infernal regions, he received a cuff from theArch-fiend; who presided there, which he instantly returned, using theexpression in the text. Sometimes the proverb is worded thus:--'Clawfor claw, and the devil take the shortest nails, as Conan said to thedevil.'
NOTE 20.--WATERFALL
The description of the waterfall mentioned in this chapter is taken fromthat 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 isupon a small scale, but otherwise one of the most exquisite cascadesit is possible to behold. The appearance of Flora with the harp, asdescribed, has been justly censured as too theatrical and affected forthe ladylike simplicity of her character. But something may be allowedto her French education, in which point and striking effect always makea considerable object.
NOTE 21.--MAC-FARLANE'S LANTERN
The clan of Mac-Farlane, occupying the fastnesses of the western sideof Loch Lomond, were great depredators on the Low Country; and as theirexcursions were made usually by night, the moon was proverbially calledtheir lantern. Their celebrated pibroch of HOGGIL NAM BO, which is thename of their gathering tune, intimates similar practices,--the sensebeing--
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 havebeen long and painfully broken. It holds a commanding station on thebanks of the river Teith, and has been one of the largest castles inScotland. Murdock, Duke of Albany, the founder of this stately pile,was beheaded on the Castle-hill of Stirling, from which he might see thetowers of Doune, the monument of his fallen greatness.
In 1745-6, as stated in the text, a garrison on the part of theChevalier was put into the castle, then less ruinous than at present. Itwas commanded by Mr. Stewart of Balloch, as governor for Prince Charleshe was a man of property near Callander. This castle became at that timethe actual scene of a romantic escape made by John Home, the author ofDouglas, and some other prisoners, who, having been taken at the battleof Falkirk, were confined there by the insurgents. The poet, who had inhis own mind a large stock of that romantic and enthusiastic spirit ofadventure, which he has described as animating the youthful hero of hisdrama, devised and undertook the perilous enterprise of escaping fromhis prison. He inspired his companions with his sentiments and whenevery attempt at open force was deemed hopeless, they resolved to twisttheir bed-clothes into ropes, and thus to descend. Four persons, withHome himself, reached the ground in safety. But the rope broke with thefifth, who was a tall lusty man. The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a braveyoung Englishman, a particular friend of Home's. Determined to take therisk, even in such unfavo
urable circumstances, Barrow committed himselfto the broken rope, slid down on it as far as it could assist him, andthen let himself drop. His friends beneath succeeded in breaking hisfall. Nevertheless, he dislocated his ankle, and had several of his ribsbroken. His companions, however, were able to bear him off in safety.
The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with greatactivity. An old gentleman told the author he remembered seeing thecommander 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 inWales. But although the great families of the Wynnes, the Wyndhams, andothers, had come under an actual obligation to join Prince Charles ifhe should land, they had done so under the express stipulation, that heshould be assisted by an auxiliary army of French, without which theyforesaw 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 onlysupported by a body of wild mountaineers, speaking an uncouth dialect,and wearing a singular dress. The race up to Derby struck them with moredread than admiration. But it was difficult to say what the effect mighthave been, had either the battle of Preston or Falkirk been fought andwon during the advance into England.
NOTE 24.--THE CHEVALIER'S IRISH OFFICERS
Divisions early showed themselves in the Chevalier's little army, notonly amongst the independent chieftains, who were far too proud to brooksubjection to each other, but betwixt the Scotch and Charles's governorO'Sullivan, an Irishman by birth, who, with some of his countrymenbred in the Irish Brigade in the service of the King of France, had aninfluence with the Adventurer much resented by the Highlanders, whowere sensible that their own clans made the chief, or rather the onlystrength of his enterprise. There was a feud, also, between Lord GeorgeMurray, and James Murray of Broughton, the Prince's secretary, whosedisunion greatly embarrassed the affairs of the Adventurer. In general,a thousand different pretensions divided their little army, and finallycontributed 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 thatprecedes it, will remind the reader of the war of La Vendee, in whichthe royalists, consisting chiefly of insurgent peasantry, attached aprodigious and even superstitious interest to the possession of a pieceof brass ordnance, which they called Marie Jeanne.
The Highlanders of an early period were afraid of cannon, with the noiseand effect of which they were totally unacquainted. It was by meansof three or four small pieces of artillery that the Earl of Huntly andErrol, in James VI's time, gained a great victory at Glenlivat, over anumerous Highland army, commanded by the Earl of Argyle. At the battleof the Bridge of Dee, General Middleton obtained by his artillery asimilar success, the Highlanders not being able to stand the dischargeof MUSKET'S-MOTHER, which was the name they bestowed on great guns. Inan 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 theirforefathers, and showed throughout the whole war how little they dreadedartillery, although the common people still attached some consequence tothe 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 Highlandersmoved from Tranent to Seaton, was Robert Anderson, Junior, of Whitburgh,a gentleman of property in East Lothian. He had been interrogated by theLord George Murray concerning the possibility of crossing the uncouthand marshy piece of ground which divided the armies, and which hedescribed as impracticable. When dismissed, he recollected that therewas a circuitous path leading eastward through the marsh into theplain, by which the Highlanders might turn the flank of Sir John Cope'sposition, without being exposed to the enemy's fire. Having mentionedhis opinion to Mr. Hepburn of Keith, who instantly saw its importance,he was encouraged by that gentleman to awake Lord George Murray, andcommunicate the idea to him. Lord George received the information withgrateful thanks, and instantly awakened Prince Charles, who was sleepingin the field with a bunch of peas under his head. The Adventurerreceived with alacrity the news that there was a possibility of bringingan excellently provided army to a decisive battle with his own irregularforces. His joy on the occasion was not very consistent with the chargeof cowardice brought against him by Chevalier Johnstone, a discontentedfollower, whose Memoirs possess at least as much of a romantic as ahistorical character. Even by the account of the Chevalier himself, thePrince was at the head of the second line of the Highland army duringthe battle, of which he says, 'It was gained with such rapidity, that inthe second line, where I was still by the side of the Prince, we saw noother enemy than those who were lying on the ground killed and wounded,THOUGH WE WERE NOT MORE THAN FIFTY PACES BEHIND OUR FIRST LINE, RUNNINGALWAYS AS FAST AS WE COULD TO OVERTAKE THEM.'
This passage in the Chevalier's Memoirs places the Prince within fiftypaces of the best of the battle, a position which would never have beenthe choice of one unwilling to take a share of its dangers. Indeed,unless the chiefs had complied with the young Adventurer's proposalto lead the van in person, it does not appear that he could have beendeeper in the action.
NOTE 27.--DEATH OF COLONEL GARDINER
The death of this good Christian and gallant man is thus given byhis affectionate biographer Dr. Doddridge, from the evidence ofeye-witnesses:--
'He continued all night under arms, wrapped up in his cloak, andgenerally sheltered under a rick of barley, which happened to be in thefield. About three in the morning he called-his domestic servants tohim, of which there were four in waiting. He dismissed three of themwith most affectionate Christian advice, and such solemn chargesrelating to the performance of their duty and the care of their souls,as seemed plainly to intimate that he apprehended it was at least veryprobable he was taking his last farewell of them. There is great reasonto believe that he spent the little remainder of the time, which couldnot be much above an hour, in those devout exercises of soul which hadbeen so long habitual to him and to which so many circumstances did thenconcur to call him. The army was alarmed, by break of day, by the noiseof the rebels' approach, and the attack was made before sunrise, yetwhen it was light enough to discern what passed. As soon as the enemycame within gunshot they made a furious fire; and it is said that thedragoons which constituted the left wing immediately fled. The Colonel,at the beginning of the onset, which in the whole lasted but a fewminutes, received a wound by a bullet in his left breast, which made himgive a sudden spring in his saddle upon which his servant, who led thehorse, would have persuaded him to retreat, but he said it was only awound in the flesh, and fought on, though he presently after received ashot in his right thigh. In the meantime, it was discerned that someof the enemy fell by him, and particularly one man, who had made him atreacherous visit but a few days before, with great profession of zealfor the present establishment.
'Events of this kind pass in less time than the description of them canbe written, or than it can be read. The Colonel was for a fewmoments supported by his men, and particularly by that worthy personLieutenant-Colonel Whitney, who was shot through the arm here, and afew months after fell nobly at the battle of Falkirk, and by LieutenantWest, 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 ingeneral was seized wit
h a panic; and though their Colonel and some othergallant officers did what they could to rally them once or twice, theyat last took a precipitate flight. And just in the moment when ColonelGardiner seemed to be making a pause to deliberate what duty requiredhim to do in such circumstances, an accident happened, which must, Ithink, in the judgement of every worthy and generous man, be allowed asufficient apology for exposing his life to so great hazard, when hisregiment had left him. He saw a party of the foot, who were then bravelyfighting near him, and whom he was ordered to support, had no officer tohead them; upon which he said eagerly, in the hearing of the person fromwhom I had this account, "These brave fellows will be cut to piecesfor want of a commander," or words to that effect; which while he wasspeaking, he rode up to them and cried out, "Fire on, my lads, and fearnothing." But just as the words were out of his mouth, a Highlanderadvanced towards him with a scythe fastened to a long pole, with whichhe gave him so dreadful a wound on his right arm, that his sword droppedout of his hand; and at the same time several others coming about himwhile he was thus dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, he wasdragged 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 whythey should not, though the unhappy creature died denying it), wasone Mac-Naught, who was executed about a year after, gave him a strokeeither with a broadsword or a Lochaber-axe (for my informant couldnot exactly distinguish) on the hinder part of his head, which was themortal blow. All that his faithful attendant saw further at this timewas, that, as his hat was falling off, he took it in his left hand, andwaved it as a signal to him to retreat, and added what were the lastwords he ever heard him speak, "Take care of yourself," upon which theservant retired.'--SOME REMARKABLE PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF COLONEL JAMESGARDINER, BY P. DODDRIDGE, D.D., London, 1747, p. 187.
I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account given inthe text of the resistance offered by some of the English infantry.Surprised by a force of a peculiar and unusual description, theiropposition could not be long or formidable, especially as theywere deserted by the cavalry, and those who undertook to manage theartillery. But although the affair was soon decided, I have alwaysunderstood that many of the infantry showed an inclination to do theirduty.
NOTE 28.-THE LAIRD OF BALMAWHAPPLE
It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutalyoung Laird is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, who resembledBalmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell at Preston inthe manner described. A Perthshire gentleman of high honour andrespectability, one of the handful of cavalry who followed the fortunesof Charles Edward, pursued the fugitive dragoons almost alone tillnear St. Clement's Wells, where the efforts of some of the officers hadprevailed on a few of them to make a momentary stand. Perceiving at thismoment 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 andgreen, distinguishing it from the rest of the field. A female of thefamily 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 ofthe silver clasps of the unfortunate gentleman's waistcoat.
NOTE 29.--ANDREA DE FERRARA
The name of Andrea de Ferrara is inscribed on all the Scottishbroadswords which are accounted of peculiar excellence. Who this artistwas, what were his fortunes, and when he flourished, have hithertodefied the research of antiquaries; only it is in general believed thatAndrea de Ferrara was a Spanish or Italian artificer, brought over byJames IV or V to instruct the Scots in the manufacture of sword blades.Most barbarous nations excel in the fabrication of arms; and the Scotshad attained great proficiency in forging swords, so early as the fieldof Pinkie; at which period the historian Patten describes them as 'allnotably broad and thin, universally made to slice, and of such exceedinggood temper, that as I never saw any so good, so I think it hard todevise better.' ACCOUNT OF SOMERSET'S EXPEDITION.
It may be observed, that the best and most genuine Andrea Ferraras havea crown marked on the blades.
NOTE 30.--MISS NAIRNE
The incident here said to have happened to Flora, Mac-Ivor, actuallybefell Miss Nairne, a lady with whom the author had the pleasure ofbeing acquainted. As the Highland army rushed into Edinburgh, MissNairne, like other ladies who approved of their cause, stood waving herhandkerchief from a balcony, when a ball from a Highlander's musket,which was discharged by accident, grazed her forehead. 'Thank God' saidshe, the instant she recovered, 'that the accident happened to me, whoseprinciples are known. Had it befallen a Whig, they would have said itwas done on purpose.'
NOTE 31.--PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD
The Author of Waverley has been charged with painting the youngAdventurer in colours more amiable than his character deserved. Buthaving known many individuals who were near his person, he has beendescribed according to the light in which those eye-witnesses saw histemper and qualifications. Something must be allowed, no doubt, tothe natural exaggerations of those who remembered him as the bold andadventurous Prince, in whose cause they had braved death and ruin; butis their evidence to give place entirely to that of a single malcontent?
I have already noticed the imputations thrown by the Chevalier Johnstoneon the Prince's courage. But some part at least of that gentleman's taleis purely romantic. It would not, for instance, be supposed, that atthe time he is favouring us with the highly-wrought account of his amourwith the adorable Peggie, the Chevalier Johnstone was a married man,whose grandchild is now alive, or that the whole circumstantial storyconcerning the outrageous vengeance taken by Gordon of Abbachie on aPresbyterian clergyman, is entirely apocryphal. At the same time it maybe admitted, that the Prince, like others of his family, did not esteemthe services done him by his adherents so highly as he ought. Educatedin high ideas of his hereditary right, he has been supposed to have heldevery exertion and sacrifice made in his cause as too much the duty ofthe person making it, to merit extravagant gratitude on his part.Dr. King's evidence (which his leaving the Jacobite interest renderssomewhat doubtful) goes to strengthen this opinion.
The ingenious editor of Johnstone's MEMOIRS has quoted a story saidto be told by Helvetius, stating that Prince Charles Edward, far fromvoluntarily embarking on his daring expedition, was literally bound handand foot, and to which he seems disposed to yield credit. Now, it beinga fact as well known as any in his history, and, so far as I know,entirely undisputed, that the Prince's personal entreaties and urgencypositively forced Boisdale and Lochiel into insurrection, when theywere earnestly desirous that he would put off his attempt until he couldobtain a sufficient force from France, it will be very difficult toreconcile his alleged reluctance to undertake the expedition, with hisdesperately insisting on carrying the rising into effect, against theadvice and entreaty of his most powerful and most sage partisans. Surelya man who had been carried bound on board the vessel which brought himto so desperate an enterprise, would have taken the opportunity affordedby the reluctance of his partisans, to return to France in safety.
It is averred in Johnstone's Memoirs, that Charles Edward left the fieldof Culloden without doing the utmost to dispute the victory; and,to give the evidence on both sides, there is in existence the moretrustworthy testimony of Lord Elcho, who states, that he himselfearnestly exhorted the Prince to charge at the head of the left wing,which was entire, and retrieve the day, or die with honour. And onhis counsel being declined, Lord Elcho took leave of him with a bitterexecration, swearing he would never look on his face again, and kept hisword.
On the other hand, it seems to have been the opinion of almost all theother officers, that the day was irretrievably lost, one wing of theHighlanders being entirely routed, the rest of the army out-numbered,out-flanked, and in a condition totally hopeless. In this situation ofthings, the Irish officers who surrounded Charles's person interferedto force him off the field. A cornet who was close to the Prince, lefta strong
attestation, that he had seen Sir Thomas Sheridan seize thebridle of his horse, and turn him round. There is some discrepancy ofevidence; but the opinion of Lord Elcho, a man of fiery temper, anddesperate at the ruin which he beheld impending, cannot fairly be takenin prejudice of a character for courage which is intimated by the natureof the enterprise itself, by the Prince's eagerness to fight on alloccasions, by his determination to advance from Derby to London, and bythe presence of mind which he manifested during the romantic perils ofhis escape. The author is far from claiming for this unfortunate personthe 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 facingdanger 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 hearddisputed by any who approached his person, nor does he conceive thatthese qualities are overcharged in the present attempt to sketch hisportrait. The following extracts, corroborative of the general opinionrespecting the Prince's amiable disposition, are taken from a manuscriptaccount 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 hefaithfully followed, seems to have been a fair and candid man, and wellacquainted with the intrigues among the Adventurer's council:--
'Everybody was mightily taken with the Prince's figure and personalbehaviour. There was but one voice about them. Those whom interest orprejudice made a runaway to his cause, could not help acknowledging thatthey wished him well in all other respects, and could hardly blame himfor his present undertaking. Sundry things had concurred to raise hischaracter to the highest pitch, besides the greatness of the enterprise,and the conduct that had hitherto appeared in the execution of it. Therewere several instances of good nature and humanity that had made a greatimpression on people's minds, I shall confine myself to two or three.Immediately after the battle, as the Prince was riding along the groundthat Cope's army had occupied a few minutes before, one of the officerscame 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 tomake some representation to Secretary Murray about the tents that citywas ordered to furnish against a certain day. Murray happened to be outof the way, which the Prince hearing of, called to have the gentlemanbrought to him, saying, he would rather dispatch the business, whateverit was, himself, than have the gentleman wait, which he did, by grantingeverything that was asked. So much affability in a young prince, flushedwith victory, drew encomiums even from his enemies. But what gave thepeople the highest idea of him, was the negative he gave to a thing thatvery nearly concerned his interest, and upon which the success ofhis enterprise perhaps depended. It was proposed to send one of theprisoners to London, to demand of that court a cartel for the exchangeof prisoners taken, and to be taken, during this war, and to intimatethat a refusal would be looked upon as a resolution on their part togive no quarter. It was visible a cartel would be of great advantage tothe Prince's affairs; his friends would be more ready to declare for himif they had nothing to fear but the chance of war in the field; andif the court of London refused to settle a cartel, the Prince wasauthorized to treat his prisoners in the same manner the Elector ofHanover was determined to treat such of the Prince's friends as mightfall into his hands: it was urged that a few examples would compel thecourt of London to comply. It was to be presumed that the officers ofthe English army would make a point of it. They had never engaged in theservice 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 commissionsif these terms were not observed, and that owing to the obstinacy oftheir own Prince. Though this scheme was plausible, and represented asvery important, the Prince could never be brought into it: it was belowhim, he said, to make empty threats, and he would never put such asthose into execution; he would never in cold blood take away lives whichhe had saved in heat of action, at the peril of his own. These were notthe only proofs of good nature the Prince gave about this time. Everyday produced something new of this kind. These things softened therigour of a military government, which was only imputed to the necessityof his affairs, and which he endeavoured to make as gentle and easy aspossible.'
It has been said, that the Prince sometimes exacted more state andceremonial than seemed to suit his condition; but, on the other handsome strictness of etiquette was altogether indispensable where he mustotherwise have been exposed to general intrusion. He could also endure,with a good grace, the retorts which his affectation of ceremonysometimes exposed him to. It is said, for example, that Grant ofGlenmoriston having made a hasty march to join Charles, at the headof his clan, rushed into the Prince's presence at Holyrood withunceremonious haste, without having attended to the duties of thetoilet. The Prince received him kindly, but not without a hint thata previous interview with the barber might not have been whollyunnecessary. 'It is not beardless boys,' answered the displeased Chief,'who are to do your Royal Highness's turn.' The Chevalier took therebuke in good part.
On the whole, if Prince Charles had concluded his life soon after hismiraculous escape, his character in history must have stood very high.As it was, his station is amongst those, a certain brilliant portion ofwhose life forms a remarkable contrast to all which precedes, and allwhich follows it.
NOTE 32.--THE SKIRMISH AT CLIFTON
The following account of the skirmish at Clifton is extracted fromthe manuscript Memoirs of Evan Macpherson of Cluny, chief of the clanMacpherson who had the merit of supporting the principal brunt of thatspirited affair. The Memoirs appear to have been composed about 1755,only ten years after the action had taken place. They were written inFrance, where that gallant Chief resided in exile, which accounts forsome Gallicisms which occur in the narrative.
'In the Prince's return from Derby back towards Scotland, my Lord GeorgeMurray, Lieutenant-General, cheerfully charg'd himself with the commandof the rear; a post, which, altho' honourable, was attended with greatdanger, many difficulties, and no small fatigue; for the Prince beingapprehensive that his retreat to Scotland might be cut off by MarischallWade, who lay to the northward of him with an armie much superior towhat H. R. H. had, while the Duke of Comberland with his whole cavalriefollowed hard in the rear, was obliged to hasten his marches. It wasnot, therefore, possible for the artilirie to march so fast as thePrince's armie, in the depth of winter, extremely bad weather, andthe worst roads in England; so Lord George Murray was obliged often tocontinue his marches long after it was dark almost every night, while atthe same time, he had frequent allarms and disturbances from the Duke ofComberland's advanc'd parties. Towards the evening of the twentie-eightDecember 1745, the Prince entered the town of Penrith, in the Provinceof Comberland. But as Lord George Murray could not bring up theartilirie so fast as he wou'd have wish'd, he was obliged to passthe night six miles short of that town, together with the regiment ofMac-Donel of Glengarrie, which that day happened to have the arrearguard. The Prince, in order to refresh his armie, and to give my LordGeorge and the artilirie time to come up, resolved to sejour the 29th atPenrith; 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 stoodfrom his haveing entered England. It did not at that time amount to5000 foot in all, with about 400 cavalrie, composed of the noblesse whoserv'd as volunteers, part of whom form'd a first troop of guards forthe Prince, under the command of My Lord Elchoe, now Comte de Weems,who, being proscribed, is presently in France. Another part formed asecond troup of guards under the command of My Lord Balmirino, who wasbeheaded at the Tower of London. A third part serv'd under My Lord leComte de Kilmarnock, who was likewise beheaded at the Tower. A fourthpart serv'd
under My Lord Pitsligow, who is also proscribed; whichcavalrie, 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 inpatroling dureing the night on the different roads which led towards thetowns where the army happened to quarter.
'While this small army was out in a body on the 29th December, upona rising ground to the northward of Penrith, passing review, Mons. deCluny with his tribe, was ordered to the Bridge of Clifton, about amile to southward of Penrith, after having pass'd in review before Mons.Patullo, who was charged with the inspection of the troops, and waslikewise Quarter Master General of the army, and is now in France. Theyremained under arms at the Bridge, waiting the arrival of My Lord GeorgeMurray with the artilirie, whom Mons. de Cluny had orders to cover inpassing the bridge. They arrived about sunsett closely pursued by theDuke of Comberland with the whole body of his cavalrie, reckoned upwardsof 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 thebridge, while the Duke and the others remained on horseback in order toattack the arrear. My Lord George Murray advanced, and although hefound Mons. de Cluny and his tribe in good spirits under arms, yetthe circumstance appear'd extremely delicate. The numbers were vastlyunequall, and the attack seem'd very dangerous; so my Lord Georgedeclin'd giving orders to such time as he ask'd Mons. de Cluny'soppinion. "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, andimmediately went on himself along with Mons. de Cluny, and fought swordin hand on foot, at the head of the single tribe of Macphersons. Theyin a moment made their way through a strong hedge of thorns, under thecover whereof the cavalrie had taken their station, in the struggle ofpassing which hedge My Lord George Murray, being dressed EN MONTAGNARD,as all the army were, lost his bonnet and wig; so continued to fightbare-headed during the action, They at first made a brisk discharge oftheir firearms on the enemy, then attacked them with their sabres, andmade a great slaughter a considerable time, which obliged Comberlandand his cavalrie to fly with precipitation and in great confusion; inso much, that if the Prince had been provided in a sufficient number ofcavalrie to have taken advantage of the disorder, it is beyond questionthat the Duke of Comberland and the bulk of his cavalrie had been takenprisoners. By this time it was so dark that it was not possible to viewor number the slain, who filled all the ditches which happened to be onthe ground where they stood. But it was computed that, besides those whowent 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 stillpreserves; and his tribe lykeways brought off many arms;--the Colonelwas afterwards taken up, and, his wounds being dress'd, with greatdifficultie recovered. Mons. de Cluny lost only in the action twelvemen, of whom some haveing been only wounded, fell afterwards into thehands of the enemy, and were sent as slaves to America, whence severalof them returned, and one of them is now in France, a serjeant in theRegiment of Royal Scots. How soon the accounts of the enemie's approachhad reached the Prince, H. R. H. had immediately ordered Mi-Lord leComte de Nairne, Brigadier, who, being proscribed, is now in France,with the three batalions of the Duke of Athol, the batalion of the Dukeof Perth, and some other troups under his command, in order to supportCluny, and to bring off the artilirie. But the action was intirely overbefore the Comte de Nairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to theplace. They therefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marchedup in good order. Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare tocome within a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the courseof 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 sworeby Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiar solemnityattached to an oath which they intended should be binding on them. Veryfrequently it consisted in laying their hand, as they swore, on theirown drawn dirk; which dagger, becoming a party to the transaction, wasinvoked to punish any breach of faith. But, by whatever ritual the oathwas sanctioned, the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what theespecial oath was, which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matterof great convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking his asseverationwhen made in any other form than that which he accounted as peculiarlysolemn; and therefore readily granted any engagement which bound himno longer than he inclined. Whereas, if the oath which he accountedinviolable was once publicly known, no party with whom he might haveoccasion to contract, would have rested satisfied with any other. LouisXI of France practised the same sophistry, for he also had a peculiarspecies of oath, the only one which he was ever known to respect, andwhich, therefore, he was very unwilling to pledge. The only engagementwhich that wily tyrant accounted binding upon him, was an oath by theHoly Cross of Saint Lo d'Angers, which contained a Portion of the TrueCross. If he prevaricated after taking this oath, Louis believed heshould die within the year. The Constable Saint Paul, being invited to apersonal conference with Louis, refused to meet the king unless he wouldagree to ensure him safe conduct under sanction of this oath. But, saysComines, the king replied, he would never again pledge that engagementto mortal man, though he was willing to take any other oath which couldbe devised. The treaty broke off, therefore, after much chafferingconcerning the nature of the vow which Louis was to take. Such is thedifference 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 arebound, 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 ascrimmage.
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 expressionappreciative of good wine.
C'EST L'HOMME KI SE BAST ET KI CONSEILLE, it is the man who fights andgives 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 thebaggage.
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 thousandcurses.
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 senatefeasts 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 wepossess, 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, inbehaviour mild.
FILLE DE CHAMBRE, lady's maid.
FLEMIT, frightened.
FLEYT, scold.
FORIS-FAMILIATED, excluded from the family, out of the jurisdiction ofthe 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 ofpeace; 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 hasmost to say.
IN SERVITIO EXUENDI, SEU DETRAHENDI. CALIGAS REGIS POST BATALLIAM, forthe 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 ofoffence.
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 givescounsel.
LEVY EN MASSE, full muster.
LIBER PATER, Father Liber; an old Italian deity, afterwards identifiedwith 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, mo
le.
MON COEUR, &c. 'My heart so light, quo' she, My lad, is not foryou; '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 uponthe 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 assumethe 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 arrayWhere 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 fromsiege; here used erroneously for the reward of the soldier who firstentered 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 thishappy fountain cool, Here where, upon the banks, you see Only the flocksof silly sheep, With rustic maids for company, Who bare of foot theirwardship keep.'
OYER AND TERMINER, to hear and determine (legal, from Normanterminology).
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 futureand 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 todeal.
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 orstudy.
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.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends