Such is the account sanctioned by the illustrious author of Waverley; but, in justice to the Stewarts of Ardshiel, we shall here beg leave to present our readers with the authentic version of these anecdotes, for which we are indebted to Dr. Leonard Stewart, a gentleman nearly related to the family, and intimately acquainted with every remarkable incident in its history. From this document it will be seen, that, in the principal adventure recorded, the real hero was not Stewart of Invernahyle, but Charles Stewart of Ardshiel; but as the latter died in exile at Sens, in 1757, long before the time of Paul Jones, the last-mentioned anecdote may be fairly placed to the credit of Invernahyle. The first document respecting the two claimants, and which appears to set the question at rest, is a letter, dated January 8, 1830-written by the late Mr. Stewart of Glenbuckie, who married a grand-daughter of Ardshiel—and called forth by the perusal of a new edition of Waverley, in which the mistake regarding the rencontre with Rob Roy remained unrectified. The letter is addressed to the editor of the Glasgow Courier.

"In common," says the writer, "with the great proportion of the reading public, I am a fervent admirer of the writings of Sir Walter Scott, and especially of those historical romances, as they are called, in which he has so successfully blended facts with fiction; and, by detailing the traditionary stores of times gone by, has shed at once light and lustre on the history and character of our native land. I cannot but regret, however, that, of some of the anecdotes which he has introduced-and especially in some of those connected with the Highlands, of which I regard myself as in some degree competent to judge,—his narratives in several instances are far from being correct. One instance among others of this kind lately struck me in reperusing the spirited tale of Waverley, which I think is worthy of being pointed out both to the author and his readers; and of which, therefore, I hope the following notice may not be uninteresting, considering the excitement lately produced in the public mind by the new and improved edition of that novel. At page eighty-three of Vol. VII. mention is made of a duel said to have been fought between Stewart of Invernahyle and the celebrated Rob Roy Macgregor. But the fact is, that none of the family of Invernahyle were ever so engaged; and the true account of the meeting, which took place at the clachan of Balquhidder, is as follows:-Charles Stewart of Ardshiel, who commanded the Stewarts and M'Colls of Appin in 1745, was, previously to that period, desperately in love with one of the three daughters of Haldane of Landrick. There being at that time no made road in the Highlands, the shortest and most direct way from Appin to Landrick Castle was by Landgearn, and the clachan of Balquhidder. Ardshiel paid several visits to Miss Haldane,

STEWART OF ARDSHIEL.

91.

but was not successful. In his last and almost despairing visit, he fell in on his way with Rob Roy, who happened to be at his brother's, at the clachan of Balquhidder. During the course of their conversation a quarrel took place; and each being provided with an Andrea Ferrara, they immediately encountered in a kail-yard. Ardshiel was the conqueror; and Rob Roy, on his way up the glen, was not only heard in the greatest fury exclaiming that' Ardshiel was the first that ever drew blood of him,' but it is said, moreover, that he threw his broadsword into Lochvail, nearly opposite to Stronvarr House, where there is reason to believe it still remains. But Ardshiel not only conquered

Rob Roy he also won the fair lady; for, on the report of the rencontre reaching Landrick Castle, Miss Haldane was so flattered with it, that she favoured his addresses. This account of the matter is well known to several of the inhabitants in the parish of Balquhidder; and there is no doubt of its being the correct one."

"As

This encounter is also mentioned by General Stewart of Garth.* the laird of Invernahyle was brother to Stewart of Ardshiel, it is probable," says our correspondent, "that, in the many conversations which Sir Walter Scott held with his friend, (the late Stewart of Invernahyle, nephew of the aforesaid,) adventures were related of the chief which were afterwards set down to the name of the narrator. Ardshiel was throughout the forty-five' employed in the most confidential transactions, and the most perilous enterprises. He was one of the first who rallied round the 'Tandem triumphans' standard, and was from the beginning in the council of Charles Edward. He was present at the surprise of Edinburgh, the rush upon the artillery, as already noticed, at Preston Pans, and was employed to cover the retreat from Penrith. He joined other leading chieftains in advising the abandonment of the Lowlands, after the battle of Falkirk; and even after the disastrous field of Culloden, pledged himself to re-assemble with the remaining Gaëlic bands. Soon after this last declaration, however, he was, like his prince, obliged to screen himself from his pursuers, and remained for some months sequestered among the peasantry of the Appin district, until his escape to France. It is probable, that upon this simple web Sir Walter Scott, as above stated, has so beautifully embroidered the tale of the concealment of Baron Bradwardine. Stewart of Ardshiel, who died at Sens, received for many years a voluntary rent from his former tenants, who could never be reconciled to the compulsory system adopted of farming the revenue of the forfeited estates."

Between the two lakes just noticed, the Creran and Etive, the antiquarian will * Sketches of the Highlanders of Scotland. Notes to Vol. II. Append. p. xx.

be gratified by an inspection of a vitrified fort, and various remains of an artificial description, which are supposed to be the ruins of Beregonium, the ancient capital of the Picts. At the margin of the sea, an isolated rocky eminence shoots up, having two flattened summits, each girt with a vitrified wall, strongly defined, and in some parts exposed to a height of eight feet. This rock is called, in the language of the country, Dun-Mac-Sniachan-" the hill of Sniachan's son." It is barely accessible, except at one end, where it is defended by a second wall; and at another spot, about the middle of one side, where a broad gap affords a steep approach. The stupendous cliffs in the back ground, overhanging the road and the sea, are called "the hill of the king's town ;" and from the foot of these, a straight raised way, about ten feet broad, said to have been at one time paved, and called "the Market Street," proceeds along the top, within a few yards. of the steep green bank which lines the beach leading to the first-mentioned "Dun-Mac-Sniachan." Some years ago, a stone coffin, an urn, and a sandal, were found in the ground behind. A hollow log of wood, turned up at an early period, was readily supposed by many to be a remnant of the water pipes of the royal city. The distinction is farther claimed for this place as being the Selma of Ossian; and as Selma signifies a beautiful view, the identity may be readily admitted.* It is by no means certain that a city corresponding with the native tradition ever existed in this situation; but it is evident that a hill fortress, for the protection of the inhabitants, and a beacon-station for alarming them in case of invasion or surprise, existed at an early period in the locality here described.

Ardchattan Priory, which still diffuses an air of sanctity over these island scenes, was the pious endowment of John Macdougal, founder of the house of Lorn, and dates from the early part of the thirteenth century-an age peculiarly favourable to all monastic establishments. In this priory, Robert Bruce held a parliament, or council, on which occasion the questions were discussed in Gaëlic. After an eventful existence of several centuries, this venerable structure was finally destroyed by Colkitto, during the wars of Montrose.

The fertile island of Lismore, which rises in gentle undulating hills from the bosom of Lochlinnhe, is chiefly remarkable as the ancient possession of the bishops of Argyll and the Isles; and a few years since contained a Roman Catholic seminary, or college, under the superintendence of the late bishop Macdonald, who, in the strict observance of his sacerdotal functions, and in his civil intercourse with society, exemplified all the gentle virtues of the man and the christian. He died at an advanced age, after having been blind for • On this subject, see "Statistics," Anderson, and tourists generally.