* their want of discipline, in spending much fire upon one single officer, which distributed among the body might thin the ranks of their enemy.

'When after he fell, and found by their behaviour they 'were resolved to dispatch him outright, he bid his ser'vant, who was by, get out of the danger, for he might 'lose his life, but could be of no manner of succour or ser'vice to him; and only desired him, that when he returned home, he would let his father and his family know that ' he had not misbehaved.

'Hereupon the Highlander burst out into tears, and 6 asking him how he thought he could leave him in that 'condition, and what they would think of him at home, 'set himself down on his hands and knees over his master, and received several wounds, to shield him from further hurt; till one of the clan, who acted as a serjeant, with ⚫ a small party dislodged the enemy, after having taken an ' oath upon his dirk that he would do it.

This man has often waited at table, when his master ⚫ and I dined together, but otherwise is treated more like a friend than a servant.' * p. 104. & seq.

'The gentlemen who are near relations of the chief 'hold pretty large farms, if the estate will allow it, perhaps

twenty or thirty pounds a year, and they again, generally, 'parcel them out to under tenants in small portions. Hence it comes, that by such a division of an old farm (part of an upper tenant's holding) suppose, among eight per'sons, each of them pays an eighth part of every thing.' p. 149. & seq.

**

******

of

You will, it is likely, think it strange, that many the Highland tenants are to maintain a family upon a 'farm of twelve merks, Scots, per annum, which is thirteen

1

< shillings and fourpence sterling, with, perhaps, a cow or

6

❝ two, or a very few sheep or goats; but often the rent is less, and the cattle are wanting.

'What follows is a specimen taken out of a Highland rent-roll, and I do assure you it is genuine, and not the least by many.'

'Donald Mac Oil vic illi Challum.....£3 10

.£3 10 4 Scots. =£0

The poverty of the tenants has rendered it customary for the chief, or laird, to free some of them every year from all arrears of rent; this is supposed, upon an average, to be about one year in five of the whole estate." ** p. 154. & seq.

**

*******

When a son is born to the chief of a family, there generally arises a contention among the vassals, which of them shall have the fostering of the child, when it is taken from the nurse; and by this means, such differences 6 are sometimes fomented as are hardly ever after thoroughly reconciled.

The happy man, who succeeds in his suit, is ever after called the foster-father; and his children, the fosterbrothers and sisters of the young laird.

This they reckon not only endears them to their chief, and greatly strengthens their interest with him, but gives them a great deal of consideration among their fellowvassals; and the foster-brother having the same education as the young chief, may, besides that, in time he

come his hanchman, or perhaps be promoted to that office under the old patriarch himself, if a vacancy should happen; or otherwise, by their interest, obtain orders and a benefice.

This officer is a sort of secretary, and is to be ready upon all occasions, to venture his life, in defence of his master; and at drinking-bouts he stands behind his seat, ' at his haunch, from whence his title is derived, and 'watches the conversation, to see if any one offends his patron.

An English officer being in company with a certain chieftain, and several other Highland gentlemen, near "Killichumen, had an argument with the great man; and 'both being well warmed with usky, at last the dispute grew very hot. A youth who was hanchman, not un

derstanding one word of English, imagined his chief was insulted, and thereupon drew his pistol from his 'side, and snapped it at the officer's head; but the pistol 'missed fire, otherwise it is more than probable he might have suffered death from the hand of that little vermin."

*

all

'When a chief goes a journey in the hills, or makes a formal visit to an equal, he is said to be attended by C or most part of the officers following, viz.

"The Hanchman,.

'Bard,.

Bladier,

'Gilli-more,

Gilli-casflue,.

"Gilli-comstraine,

..before described.

his poet.

-spokesman.

carries his broad sword.

carries him, when on foot,

over the fords.

(leads his horse in rough and dangerous ways.

• Gilli-trushanarnish, . . . . . the baggageman.

The Piper,.

who being a gentleman, I

should have named him sooner.

• And lastly,

The Pipers Gilli,.

.who carries the bag pipe.

'There are likewise, some gentlemen, near of kin, who bear him company; and besides a number of the com

mon sort, who have no particular employment, but follow him only to partake of the cheer..

'I must own that all these attendants, and the profound respect they pay, must be flattering enough; though the equipage has none of the best appearance.

But this state may appear to sooth the pride of the 'chief to a vast degree, if the declaration of one of them