ページの画像
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

Of noontide hag, or goblin grim.-P. 237.

The 'noontide hag," called in Gaelic Glas-lich, a tall, emaciated, gigantic female figure, is supposed in particular to haunt the district of Knoidart. A goblin dressed in antique armour, and having ono hand covered with blood, called, from that circumstance, Lham-dearg, or Red-hand, is a tenant of the forests of Glenmore and Rothiemurchus.

The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream.-P. 237.

Most great families in the Highlands were supposed to have a tutelar, or rather a domestic spirit, attached to them, who took an interest in their prosperity, and intimated, by its wailings, any approaching disaster. The Ben-Shie implies the female fairy, whose lamentations were often supposed to precede the death of a chieftain of particular families. When she is visible, it is in the form of an old woman, with a blue mantle and streaming hair.

Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast.-P. 238.

A presage of the kind alluded to in the text is still believed to announce death to the ancient Highland family of MacLean of Lochbuy.

Whose parents in Inch-Cailliach wave.-P. 238. Inch-Cailliach, the Isle of Nuns, or of Old Women, is a most beautiful island at the lower extremity of Loch-Lomond.

Speed, Malise, speed! the dun deer's hide.-P. 240.

The ancient buskin was made of the undressed deer's hide, with the hair outward; a circumstance which procured the Highlanders the well-known epithet of Red-shanks.

The dismal Coronach resound.-P. 241.

The Coronach of the Highlanders, like the Ululatus of the Romans, and the Ulaloo of the Irish, was a wild expression of lamentation poured forth by the mourners over the body of a departed friend. When the words of it were articulate, they expressed the praises of the deceased, and the loss the clan would sustain by his death.

Balquidder, speeds the midnight blaze.-P. 246. The heath on the Scottish moorlands is often set fire to, that the sheep may have the advantage of the young herbage.

No oath but, By his Chieftain's hand.-P. 246.

The deep and implicit respect paid by the Highland clansmen to their chief, rendered this both a common and a solemn oath.

Has Coir-nan-Uriskin been sung.-P. 247.

This is a very steep and most romantic hollow in the mountain of Ben-Venue, overhanging the south-eastern extremity of LochKatrine. The name literally implies the Corri, or Den, of the Wild or Shaggy Men. Tradition has ascribed to the Urisk, who gives name to the cavern, a figure between a goat and a man; in short, however much the classical reader may be startled, precisely that of the Grecian Satyr.

Through the wild pass of Beal'-nam-Bo.-P. 248. Bealach-nam-Bo, or the pass of cattle, is a most magnificent glade, overhung with aged birch trees, a little higher up the mountain than the Coir-nan-Uriskin.

A single page to bear his sword.-P. 248.

A Highland chief, being as absolute in his patriarchal authority as any prince, had a corresponding number of officers attached to his person. Besides his body-guards, called Luicht-tach, he had the Henchman; the Bard; the Bladier, or spokesman; the Gillie-more,

or sword-bearer; the Gillie-casflue, who carried the chief, if on foot, over the fords; the Gillie-comstraine, who leads the chief's horse; the Gillie-trushanarinsh, the baggage-man; the Piper; the piper's Gillie, or attendant, who carries the bagpipe.

The Taghairm called, by which, afar.-P 251.

The Highlanders had various superstitious modes of inquiring into futurity. One of the most noted was the Taghairm, mentioned in the text. A person was wrapped up in the skin of a newly-slain bullock, and deposited in some strange, wild, and unusual situation, where the scenery around him suggested nothing but objects of horror. In this situation he revolved in his mind the question proposed, and whatever was impressed upon him by his exalted imagination, passed for the inspiration of the disembodied spirits, who haunt these desolate recesses.

Tradition calls the Hero's Targe.-P. 252.

There is a rock so named in the forest of Glenfinlas, by which a tumultuary cataract takes its course. This wild place is said in former times to have afforded refuge to an outlaw, who was supplied with provisions by a woman, who lowered them down from the brink of the precipice above. His water he procured for himself by letting down a flagon tied to a string, into the black pool beneath the fall.

Which spills the foremost foeman's life.-P. 253.

Though this be in the text described as a response of the Taghairm, or Oracle of the Hide, it was of itself an augury frequently attended to. The fate of the battle was often anticipated in the imagination of the combatants, by observing which party first shed blood.

Beloved of our Elfin Queen.-P. 256.

Fairies, if not positively malevolent, are capricious, and easily offended. They are, like other proprietors of forests, peculiarly jealous of their rights of vert and venison.

The fairie's fatal green.-P. 257.

As the Daoine Shi, or Men of Peace, wore green habits, they were supposed to take offence when any mortals ventured to assume their favourite colour. Indeed, from some reason, which has been, perhaps, originally a general superstition, green is held in Scotland to be unlucky to particular tribes and counties. The Caithness men, who hold this belief, allege, as a reason, that their bands wore that colour when they were cut off at the battle of Flodden. Green is also disliked by those of the name of Ogilvy; but more especially is it held fatal to the whole clan of Grahame.

For thou wert christened man.-P. 257.

The Elves were supposed greatly to envy the privileges acquired by Christian initiation, and they gave to those mortals who had fallen into their power a certain precedence, founded upon this advantageous distinction.

But all is glistening show.-P. 258.

No fact respecting Fairy-land seems to be better ascertained than the fantastic and illusory nature of their apparent pleasure and splendour.

And, 'twixt life and death, was snatched away.-P. 258.

The subjects of Fairy-land were recruited from the regions of humanity by a sort of crimping system, which extended to adults as well as to infants. Many of those who were in this world supposed to have discharged the debt of nature, had only become denizens of the "Londe of Faery."

The Gael, of plain and river heir.-P. 270.

The Gael, or Highlanders, never forgot that the Lowlands had, at some remote period, been the property of their Celtic forefathers; which furnished an ample vindication of all the ravages that they could make on the unfortunate districts which lay within their reach.

On Bochastle the mouldering lines.-P. 273.

The torrent which discharges itself from Loch-Vennachar, the lowest and eastmost of the three lakes which form the scenery adjoining to the Trosachs, sweeps through a flat and extensive moor, called Bochastle. Upon a small eminence, called the Dun of Bochastle, and indeed on the plain itself, are some intrenchments which have been thought Roman.

That on the field his targe he threw.-P. 274.

A round target of light wood, covered with strong leather, and studded with brass or iron, was a necessary part of a Highlander's equipment. In charging regular troops, they received the thrust of the bayonet in this buckler, twisted it aside, and used the broadsword against the encumbered soldier.

The burghers hold their sports to-day.-P. 278.

Every burgh of Scotland, of the least note, but more especially the considerable towns, had their solemn play, or festival, when feats of archery were exhibited, and prizes distributed to those who excelled in wrestling, hurling the bar, and the other gymnastic exercises of the period. The usual prize to the best shooter was a silver At Dumfries, a silver gun was substituted, and the contention transferred to fire-arms.

arrow.

Bold Robin Hood and all his band.-P. 279.

The exhibition of this renowned outlaw and his band was a favourite frolic at such festivals as we are describing. This sport, in which kings did not disdain to be actors, was prohibited in Scot land upon the Reformation, by a statute of the 6th parliament of Queen Mary, c. 61, A.D. 1555. It would seem, however, from the complaints of the General Assembly of the Kirk, that these profane festivities were continued down to 1592.

To Douglas gave a golden ring.-P. 280.

The usual prize of a wrestling was a ram and a ring, but the animal would have embarrassed my story,

These drew not for their fields the sword.-P. 286.

The Scottish armies consisted chiefly of the nobility and barons, with their vassals, who held lands under them, for military service by themselves and their tenants. The patriarchal influence exer cised by the heads of clans in the Highlands and Borders was of a different nature, and sometimes at variance with feudal principles. It flowed from the patria potestas, exercised by the chieftain as representing the original father of the whole name, and was often obeyed in contradiction to the feudal superior. James V. seems first to have introduced, in addition to the militia furnished from these sources, the service of a small number of mercenaries, who formed a body-guard, called the Foot-Band.

Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp.-P. 288.

The jongleurs, or jugglers, used to call in the aid of various assistants, to render these performances as captivating as possible. The glee-maiden was a necessary attendant. Her duty was tumbling and dancing.

Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims.-P. 301.

William of Worcester, who wrote about the middle of the fifteenth century, calls Stirling Castle, Snowdoun. Sir David Lindsay bestows the same epithet upon it.

THE VISION OF DON RODERICK.

And Cattraeth's glens with voice of triumph rung.-P. 306. This locality may startle those readers who do not recollect that much of the ancient poetry preserved in Wales refers less to the history of the principality to which that name is now limited than to events which happened in the north-west of England and south-west of Scotland, where the Britons for a long time made a stand against the Saxons. The battle of Cattraeth, lamented by the celebrated Aneurin, is supposed by the learned Dr. Leyden to have been fought on the skirts of Ettricke Forest. It is known to the English reader by the paraphrase of Gray, beginning—

"Had I but the torrent's might,

With headlong rage and wild affright," &c.

But it is not generally known that the champions mourned in this beautiful dirge were the British inhabitants of Edinburgh, who were cut off by the Saxons of Deira, or Northumberland, about the latter part of the sixth century. Llywarch, the celebrated bard and monarch, was Prince of Argood, in Cumberland; and his youthful exploits were performed upon the Border. As for Merlin Wylit, or the savage, his name of Caledonian, and his retreat into the Caledo nian Wood, appropriate him to Scotland.

Or round the marge of Minchmore's haunted spring.-P. 306.

A belief in the existence and nocturnal revels of the fairies still lingers among the vulgar in Selkirkshire. A copious fountain upon the ridge of Minchmore, called the Cheese Well, is supposed to be sacred to these fanciful spirits; and it was customary to propitiate them by throwing in something upon passing it. A pin was the usual oblation, and the ceremony is still sometimes practised, though rather in jest than earnest.

For fair Florinda's plundered charms to pay.-P. 308.

Almost all the Spanish historians, as well as the voice of tradition, ascribe the invasion of the Moors to the forcible violation committed by Roderick upon Florinda, called by the Moors, Caba, or Cava. She was the daughter of Count Julian, one of the Gothic monarch's principal lieutenants, who, when the crime was perpetrated, was engaged in the defence of Ceuta against the Moors. In his indignation at the ingratitude of his sovereign, and the dishonour of his daughter, Count Julian forgot the duties of a Christian and a patriot; and, forming an alliance with Musa, then the caliph's lieutenant in Africa, he countenanced the invasion of Spain by a body of Saracens and Africans, commanded by the celebrated Tarik, the issue of which was the defeat and death of Roderick, and the occupation of almost the whole Peninsula by the Moors. The Spaniards, in detestation of Florinda's memory, are said, by Cervantes, never to bestow that name upon any human female, reserving it for their dogs.

The Tecbir war-cry, and the Lelie's yell.-P. 311. The Tecbir (derived from the words Alla acbar, "God is most mighty") was the original war-cry of the Saracens. The Lelie, well known to the Christians during the crusades, is the shout of Alla illa Alla, the Mohammedan confession of faith.

[ocr errors]

By heaven, the Moors prevail! the Christians yield!”—P. 311. Count Julian, the father of the injured Florinda, with the connivance and assistance of Oppas, Archbishop of Toledo, invited, in 713, the Saracens into Spain. A considerable army arrived under the command of Tarik, or Tarif, who bequeathed the well-known name of Gibraltar (Gibel al Tarik, or the Mountain of Tarik) to the place of his landing. He was joined by Count Julian; ravaged Andalusia.

and took Seville. In 714 they returned with a still greater force, and Roderick marched into Andalusia, at the head of a great army, te give them battle.

When for the light Bolero ready stand.-P. 314.

The Bolero is a very light and active dance, much practised by the Spaniards, in which castanets are always used. Mozo and Muchacha are equivalent to our phrase of lad and lass.

While trumpets rang, and heralds cried, "Castile!"-P. 316.

The heralds at the coronation of a Spanish monarch proclaim his name three times, and repeat three times the word Castilla, Castilla, Castilla!

Behind their wasteful march, a reeking wilderness.-P. 320.

I have ventured to apply to the movements of the French army that sublime passage in the prophecies of Joel, which seems appli cable to them in more respects than that I have adopted in the text. See Joel ii. 2-10.

Gave his poor crust to feed some wretch forlorn.-P. 321.

Even the unexampled gallantry of the British army in the cam paign of 1810-11 will do them less honour in history than their humanity, attentive to soften to the utmost of their power the horrors of war. Soup-kitchens were esta lished by subscription among the officers, wherever the troops were quartered for any length of time. The commissaries contributed the heads, feet, &c., of the cattle slaughtered for the soldiery; rice, vegetables, and bread, where it could be had, were purchased by the officers. Fifty or sixty starving peasants were daily fed at one of these regimental establishments, and carried home the relics to their famished households. The emaciated wretches, who could not crawl from weakness, were speedily employed in pruning their vines. While pursuing Massena, the soldiers evinced the same spirit of humanity; and, in many instances, when reduced themselves to short allowance, from having outmarched their supplies, they shared their pittance with the starving inhabitants who had ventured back to view the ruins of their habitations, burned by the retreating enemy, and to bury the Lodies of their relations whom they had butchered.

Vain-glorious fugitive! yet turn again !-P. 322.

The French conducted this memorable retreat with much of the fanfaronnade proper to their country. On the 30th March, 1811, their rear-guard was overtaken near Pega by the British cavalry. Being well posted, and conceiving themselves safe from infantry (who were, indeed, many miles in the rear), and from artillery, they indulged themselves in parading their bands of music, and actually performed God save the King." Their minstrelsy was, however, deranged by the undesired accompaniment of the British horseartillery, on whose part in the concert they had not calculated. The surprise was sudden, and the rout complete.

Vainly thy squadrons hide Assuava's plain.-P. 322.

In the severe action of Fuentes d'Honoro, upon 5th May, 1811, the grand mass of the French cavalry attacked the right of the British position, covered by two guns of the horse-artillery and two squadrons of cavalry. After suffering considerably from the fire of the guns, which annoyed them in every attempt to formation, the enemy turned their wrath entirely towards them, distributed brandy among their troopers, and advanced to carry the field-pieces with the desperation of drunken fury. They were in no ways checked by the heavy loss which they sustained in this daring attempt, but closed, and fairly mingled with the British cavalry, to whom they bore the proportion of ten to one. Captain Ramsay, who commanded the two guns, dismissed them at the gallop, and, putting himself at the head of the mounted artillerymen, ordered them to fall upon the

« 前へ次へ »