'em! and so, my old boy, you shall share all I have in the world; and for to-morrow-why aye-to-morrowno matter, Providence will never see that man wreck'd upon a lee shore that takes in tow an old shipmate in distress; so come along, Johnson-remember There's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft.' Come along, my old worthy, a crust of bread and cheese, and a glass of grog to the King, will bowse all taut and get us in good sailing trim." And away they started for the town. - For several weeks after this, poor T- got lower and lower, and his half-pay was spent. Reduced to the greatest straits, in hourly expectation of being ejected from his lodgings for rent, his heart was fill'd with bitterness. A few days ago, hav. ing failed in an effort to procure a supply, he returned home half distracted. His wife sat, in calm dejection, with an infant cradled in her arms that vainly sought for nourishment, but not a tear, not a sigh, not a look escaped to wound the susceptible mind of her husband; the arrow rankled within, but the little innocents around were crying for food. Oh what a scene was this for a parent! "Almighty Ruler! (exclaimed T--) what have I done to merit thy wrathwhy pour out the phials of thy indignation on my helpless offspring!" But a look from his partner calmed the intemperance of the moment, and folding his hands upon his breast, he bowed his head with pious resignation"Father, forgive!-not my will, but thine be done!" Sir, you're wanted, (said the landlady of the house, tapping at the door,) there's the post-man with a letter for you.'-"I have no money, my love, to pay for it, (said T to his wife;) what's to be done?"The postage is paid, (said the listening landlady;) I supposes they knew you was down in the mouth.' His heart was wrung too bitterly to heed this sore hit, and hastening to the door, Be you Mister Squire T, of the Royal Navy? (titter'd the man)-be you the gemman ?'-"I suppose that letter is designed for me, (taking it ;) yes, 'tis right." He returned to his room. "Who is it from?' inquired his wife. "I know not, (said he,) 'tis very carefully seal'd at both ends; but the writing and direction lead me to imagine 'tis from some poor fellow that needs assistance like myself. Oh that the time should ever arrive that I'm debarr'd the satisfaction of succouring a friend in distress! (He pass'd his hand across his face)—Well, we'll open it and see." He unfolded the sheet, when the first thing that was presented to his sight was a Five Pound Note. Only those who have felt the pinching fangs of poverty, and witness'd the wants of those so dear to their hearts, without a shot in the locker, grasping at the last gleam of expiring hope-only those can tell what the sensations are when unexpected, unlook'd-for succour comes. He fell upon his knees-his wife clung round his neck-the children gather'd round, while he pour'd forth his heart in gratitude to Heaven. The letter ran thus: "DR SUR URE ONNER-This kums hopping to find u well,nd to let u sea the gud tun u did ould Johnson wull niver skip from is hart-fust i kud getbownd to Ingee--don't hundestan letter righting-God bless u "OULD JOHNSON." Need I tell you what follow'd? Oh no, you can picture it yourself. Worthy soul! may he never want a friend in this world, and have his name enter'd on the Book of Life in another and a better. Poor T-! we were shipmates together in the flag-ship under Lord H- and that comical dog, Billy C, was in the same mess. Billy was upwards of fifty; and though he had had several commissions, threw them all up, preferring rather to be honoured as the oldest midshipman in the service, than be pointed at as the youngest lieutenant. He was a great favourite with the Admiral, to whom he was distantly related. Just after we had refitted at Plymouth, orders came down for the fleet to sail. Up went Blue Petre, and all hands prepared to pay their tailors' bills with the fag-end of the fore-top-sail sheet ; for they knew by going to sea in his debt, he'd never cease praying for a fair wind to bring 'em home again. Well, d'ye see, Billy was ashore, and no one could discover where he was Passing through the outer room and "We're in for it now, 'tis a folly, boys, To be down-hearted, yo-ho!"— But observing the lieutenant enter, his never ther; but the goose will be burned." confined by a room-a-tism." Those whom to place confidence again. Make haste down to the barge, and wait till I come ;" and away he went. "What's the matter, what's the matter, Mr. E? (said Billy, almost convulsed with laughter on seeing the young Officer throw himself into the chair in an agony)-What's the matter? Why, the Admiral knows that Spit-head's a naval station, and you are always fond of imitating the philosophers of grease." "I'll have satisfaction, Mr. C; this is your doing.' "So you shall, so you shall, (spreading a large sheet of brown paper, and packing the goose up in it.) You put the goose upon me, you know -I clapp'd it upon you-and now we'll go and saddle it upon the Admiral;" and off they set for the boat. His Lordship soon joined them, and the boat shoved off. "What, what is this smell, Coxswain ?" inquired the Admiral. "Tis Mr. E's goose, my Lord," said Billy. "How is this that you dare to presume upon my indulgence?" "Indeed, my Lord, 1I-the goose-I-I-" replied the stammering Lieutenant. "The goose —I—I! (reiterated his Lordship,) what do you mean, Sir?" But Billy, seeing he had run his cable out to the clinch, and that the old gentleman began to get serious, made a thousand apologies, and explained the whole business, taking the blame to himself, and respectfully entreating pardon where he had so often obtained it before. But 'twas not till the general action fought soon after that the Admiral was any way reconciled. "How these balls hiss," said E― to Billy, both stationed on the quarter-deck. "Aye, aye, (retorted Billy)-Aye, aye, it puts one in mind of the goose." "So, (exclaim'd his Lordship, who had overheard it, and turned short round)-so you can't forget the goose, Mr. C ! Well, well, baste the French as well as you did the goose, and I shall be satisfied." A few minutes afterward, and the enemy dropt alongside. The boarders came rushing from their quarters, when Billy snatch'd up a cutlass, and springing from the nettings on to the Frenchman's deck, roared out, waving his sword, "Here's my spit; ev'ry mon his bird, and I'll tak gibbie ;" and cutting down all before him, though severely wounded, fought his way to the taffrail. E was close at his side, and together they dowsed the colours, amid the cheers of all who witness'd the exploit. The cheers were returned by the boarding party, for the finest ship in the enemy's squadron was now their own; and many an old goose* at Greenwich lives to tell the tale. AN OLD SAILOR. *Goose, a nickname given to the pensioners. STANZAS TO MY INFANT BOY. Sweet smiling cherub! if for thee If thy life's web were wrought by me; And tinsel'd honours should be thine! Nor yet be thine his feverish life, That meek Religion's holy light May guide thee through life's desart way; That manly sense and purest truth, A breast, Contentment's chosen shrine, That Love's chaste flame,-that Friendship's glow, Indulgent Heaven would hear my prayer; Be woven by a mother's care. TH (Lond. Lit. Gaz.) Traditions OF THE Western Wighlands. No. I. distinguished. They are communicated by a gentleman intimately acquainted with the language and the manners of the Highlanders in the present times among them-and who, with the advantages of learning and a very extensive acquaintance with general history, has had rare opportunities of collecting materials to throw light on the history of the Highlanders. He is not the advocate of any favourite theory, but aspires simply to communicate some of that information which he has obtained. HERE are among the Highlanders of Scotland traces of their character and their history in ancient times, which excite a much higher interest, and are of much more intrinsic who was indeed born and bred value, than those more obvious peculiarities of dress and of language which have hitherto attracted general attention. These traces are to be found in the traditions of the country. But be yond some meagre and distorted fragments, transmitted at intervals, very few of these have been communicated to the public by persons who possessed sufficient information on the subject; and the difficulties of the language have made this rich store of information almost inaccessible to those who could estimate its value. The series of papers, of which this is the commencement, will be devoted to an accurate record of some of those traditions, preserved in the Western Districts of the Highlands in the Western Isles. A plain and unaffected translation is all that is intended. The events which they relate are, for the most part, wild and extraordinary in themselves, and no attempt is made to increase or excite interest by an affectation of romance. Perfect accuracy and fidelity are the qualities most essential to their value, and are therefore the qualities by which the writer is most anxious that these papers should be During the remote period to which some of these traditions refer-when in the most southern and most civilized districts of Great Britain, degrading superstitions prevailed, and acts of atrocious violence were constantly committed-it will be found that the Highlanders were deeply tinctured with the prevailing errors of the times. But it will also be found, that among them the character and manners of the people give a cast of stern and wild peculiarity to every narrative of their transactions. A strict adherence to chronological order is not thought very material; and as the date of every occurrence will be stated as accurately as possible, the subjects of each separate paper will be chosen without any effort to arrange them according to the order of time. KOLKITTO. The name of Kolkitto often occurs in the history of the great rebellion in the reign of Charles the First. By some he is denominated Macdonald of Kolkitto, by others Kolkitto, and by many he is confounded with his son. His name was Coll, or Colle, Macdonell. He was a native of Ireland: his father was Archibald Macdonel, who was an illegitimate son of the Earl of Antrim. With the aid of his partisans, Coll took violent possession of the Island of Colonsay, one of the HeATHENEUM VOL. 1. new series. 21 brides; having driven away the Macfees, who had held it for many centuries. Coll was denominated Kittoch, or, more correctly, Ciotach, from his being left-handed. Coll had distinguished himself in the unhappy disturbances in Ireland; and when Lord Antrim sent troops to Scotland as auxiliaries in the royal cause, he served as an officer under his own son, Allister, or Alexander, who had the chief command of the corps. The father and son were well qualified for this service, 1 both of them being well known in the Highlands, and connected by blood or marriage with some of the best families in that country. Coll was noted for his strength and prowess, though tainted with the cruelty too familiar to his countrymen at that time. He fought in all the battles in which the Irish auxiliaries were engaged under Montrose; he was also concerned in their plundering expeditions in Argyleshire, where private revenge was unfortunately added to the horrors of war. Many of the lyric compositions of those days extol his bravery and his bloody vengeance of his antagonists, the Campbells, though it seems he was on very friendly terms with some of that name. Coll had possession of the Castle of Duntroon; and having placed a garrison in it, he went to another quarter; but in his absence it was taken by stratagem. He was ignorant of this misfortune, and on his return he steered his boat direct for the Castle. His own piper was then a prisoner there; and knowing his master's boat, to warn him of his danger, he played a tune which he composed for the purpose; and so accurately did the sound correspond with the meaning, that Coll understood the intention, and avoided the Castle. After the defeat of Montrose at Phillipshaugh, and the retreat of his son Alexander to Ireland, Coll was left in command of the Castle of Dunaovaig,the ancient seat of the Macdonalds of Ilay. The garrison consisted of 150 men; but the pipes which conveyed the water being cut by the enemy, on the assurance of Sir David Leslie who commanded the parliamentary forces, Coll was induced to go out of the Castle, to hold parley with his old friend Campbell of Dunstaffnage. Leslie basely broke his word, and made Coll prisoner. The Marquis of Argyle was present on this occasion, and was blamed for this. After the restoration, when Argyle was brought to trial, he was accused of the heinous crime of having ordered this garrison to be put on a rock, surrounded by the sea, to perish without food or water. He denied all knowledge of any such thing; and the proof on this point does not appear satisfactory, nor could we find any tradition in that country of such an atrocious action. Coll was committed to the custody of the Captain of Dunstaffnage, in whose Castle he was confined, and the tower where he lay is still named after him. That gentleman being no doubt sensible of the dishonourable treatment his prisoner had received, gave him every possibly indulgence. He permitted Coll to walk about the place, but he had cause to repent his lenity. The Marquis of Argyle charged him with misconduct; and dreading the well known severity of his chief, Dunstaffnage denied it. Argyle swore that if Coll should be found at large the Captain would be severely punished, and a messenger was despatched to ascertain the fact. Dunstaffnage being at Inverary at the time, ordered his foster-brother to set off with all speed and out-run the other, which he did; and on coming in sight of the Castle he cried out, Coll in irons! Coll in irons! Coll was occupied in superintending the shearing of corn at the time, and was the first who heard the cries. Conjecturing what the cause might be, he instantly retired to his dungeon, and with his own hands put on the irons. He was soon after this brought to trial hefore the Sheriff of Argyle, in the Castle where he was confined. Maclean, of Ardgour, who originally had been on the royal side, was one of the jury; and wishing to display his zeal for the republican cause, which with many others he then espoused, asked Coll if he had been present at the battle of Inverlochy ; the prisoner boldly replied, "By my baptism! I was so, Carle, and did more service than thyself." He was condemned to die, and was executed, by hanging from the mast of his own boat, laid across the cleft of a rock. He suffered death without dismay, requesting that his body might be laid so near that of his friend the Captain of Dunstaffnage, that they might exchange snuff boxes in their graves; and this request was complied with. In a song which was composed on this occasion, it is mentioned that he was hung in a |