are ever in favour of recognising the rights of all, and of inculcating special sympathy with the poor and the distressedI say, let it do this, and the pulpit shall once more take the lead. (Applause.) And, Mr Chairman, considering the present unsettled, transition state of our country, there never was a time, in my opinion, when it was more desirable and necessary that both the press and the pulpit should exercise a healthful influence upon the public mind than now. (Applause.) Both these engines are mighty to form and guide public opinion, and hence the tremendous responsibility if this power is not judiciously wielded. It is too well known that some press organs do not exercise a very beneficial influence upon the public, but the time at my disposal does not permit me to say what I might upon this subject. I cannot sit down, however, without expressing my regret at the attitude taken up by ministers of different denominations in this country-an attitude, I think, far from Christian, if not altogether inconsistent with their vocation as professed servants of the Prince of Peace. It is lamentable to see gentlemen, whether lay or cleric, stooping to the position of wild agitators in the present disturbed state of the country-(Applause)--when the great difficulty the nation experiences is to suppress agitation, which is already bordering on rebellion, and to keep it within proper limits. I fully admit the value and necessity of agitation for reform, constitutionally conducted, but I think it is a most cruel thing on the part of ministers, connected with powerful Christian Churches, to urge and encourage these people to an agitation which, in the absence of proper guidance, is sure to resolve itself into lawlessness and disorder. And this cruelty is enhanced by the fact that, when these people, worked into a demoralising condition, carry their agitation beyond legitimate bounds, they are abandoned by those who incited them to that extreme, and left to battle with, and get out of their difficulties the best way they can. (Applause.) All they do is to turn round and abuse in a most ungracious manner the Home Secretary and the Lord-Advocate for adopting the only course open to them for maintaining law and order, and for adopting it in a way the least calculated to do injury to life and property. (Applause.) Judging from Lochiel's most liberal and practical speech this evening-(Applause)-a speech which confirms me more than ever in the opinion which I always had, that liberal views, and progressive legislation even, are not confined to either of the great parties in the State-(Cheers)—from that speech we hope that such reform as will place the people in a more comfortable position is at hand. (Applause.) And this is much required, especially in the Western Isles; and I do not believe the people will be so difficult to satisfy as some would lead us to think. They are very nice people, shrewd, intelligent, and of strictly sober habits; and I must add to their honour, that during my intercourse with them, in their most excited state, I did not hear an oath or an unbecoming expression from the lips of any of them. (Applause.) I feel the deepest interest in, and sympathy for, these people, and my only fear is that they shall alienate themselves from the sympathy of all right-minded men. This must be the result if they take up an untenable position, and continue to accept the guidance of outside agitators of the wildest revolutionary and socialistic type, whose object is to destroy all existing institutions, both civil and sacred, and constitute themselves leaders and rulers--men who have no real sympathy with the people, and would not lift their little finger to help or relieve them. (Applause.) Councillor Stuart proposed the Press, which was responded to by Mr A. Ross, of the Northern Chronicle. Mr E. H. Macmillan, in proposing the health of the Chairman, said—I call upon you to fill a bumper to the toast which has been entrusted to me, and which 1 know will be received with all the enthusiasm of which a Highland gathering is capable. It is to the health of the illustrious Chief who occupies the chair tonight (Applause)- the inheritor of an historic name. Lochiel, as we all know, worthily follows the traditions of his house. (Applause.) In the scroll of fame few names are more frequently and more honourably inscribed than that of Cameron, and although Lochiel has not been called on to lead his clansmen amid the tur. moil of battle, he has the satisfaction of knowing that peace has its victories as well as war-(Applause)--and that he enjoys the reputation of being a kind and considerate landlord to a tenantry, not by occupancy merely, but by the bonds of Chiefship (Hear, hear, and applause)—and that to an extent of which few Highland estates can boast. (Applause.) During the sittings of the Royal Commission, we were called upon to admire not merely the calm judicial temper with which Lochiel discharged the onerous duties which devolved upon him, but also the recommendations made by him in the Commissioners' Report, recommendations which evidenced at once a heart full of sympathy for those in distress, and a head full of clear and practical wisdom to devise a remedy. (Applause.) If anything was wanting to enhance our admiration of Lochiel's attitude in this most difficult crisis, it has been supplied by the speech to which we have been privileged to listen this evening. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I ask you to drink with Highland honours long life and happiness to Lochiel. (Cheers, and Highland honours.) Lochiel, on rising to respond, was received with loud and continued applause. He said he must ask them not to measure his appreciation of the honour done him by the length of his reply, as he had already for a considerable length trespassed—(“No, no")-upon their patience. Besides, the evening was getting late, and as one or two toasts were to follow, he must be brief. He had to thank them all most sincerely for the manner in which they had received the toast so kindly proposed by Mr Macmillan, and also for many acts of kindness which he had received from the Gaelic Society-far more, he felt, than he deserved. He wished to express his deep regret that he was unable to talk "the language," but at a former meeting of the Gaelic Society he explained that the fault was not his, as a person's own education was not always in his own hands. He also had to thank them for the indulgence they had shown him on the occasion of the annual meeting in July of last year, when he was unable to preside. He was, as they were aware, suffering from an attack of gout. (Laughter.) He need not say that, when he read that the vicechief also made the same excuse for his absence, and that the third gentleman who was also asked excused himself on the same plea, he was considerably amused. (Laughter and applause.) For his own part, he attributed his gout to the House of Commons. (Laughter.) He would venture to call the attention of his friend Novar to that fact. (Laughter.) To go about the country canvassing certainly required a vigorous frame, but it was nothing compared with the hardships of Parliament. (Applause.) Before sitting down, he must ask them to drink to the health of the Secretary, Mr William Mackenzie. (Cheers.) He had a deal of work to do connected with the Society, and he knew of no one who took a greater interest in everything connected with Gaelic literature than did Mr Mackenzie, and he asked the company to drink to his very good health. (Applause.) Mr Mackenzie briefly replied, stating that no reward would give him greater satisfaction than the magnificent gathering they had that evening. (Applause.) Mr G. J. Campbell, solicitor, proposed the health of the Croupiers, and the toast was responded to by both Kintail and Novar, M.P. This brought the proceedings to a happy termination, the meeting having lasted six hours and a half. During the evening several gentlemen present enlivened the proceedings by songs, recitations, &c. Pipe-Major Mackenzie, of the 3rd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, also added much to the evening's enjoyment by selections on the bagpipe at intervals. CONFERENCE OF LANDLORDS AT INVERNESS. In course of the speeches at the dinner, numerous references were made to the conference of landlords to be held in Inverness on the following day (14th January). This conference had no connection with the Society, but in order to make the references alluded to intelligible to readers who may peruse this volume in after years, it is desirable to record here a brief statement of facts in regard to it. In November 1884, a debate on the crofter question took place in the House of Commons; and, in course of it, the Home Secretary (Sir William Harcourt), as representing the Government, appealed to Highland proprietors to endeavour to settle amicably with their crofters. Following on this appeal a preliminary conference was held at Stafford House, and thereafter the following circular was issued : "Achnacarry, 31st December 1884. "In view of the disturbed condition of some parts of the Highlands, and of the speech made recently in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary, as representing the Government, it has been suggested that it would be very desirable for the owners of land in those districts which were visited by the Royal Commission, lately appointed to enquire into the condition of the crofters and cottars, or in any place in the Highlands where small tenants are numerous, to meet together with the object of taking into consideration the invitation made to them by the Home Secretary to endeavour to accede to the reasonable wishes of their tenantry, so far as it lies in their power to do so. "As landowners, as well as representatives in Parliament of Highland Counties, we take the liberty of inviting you to attend a meeting at the Caledonian Hotel, Inverness, at two o'clock, on Wednesday, the 14th of January, at which it is hoped his Grace the Duke of Sutherland will kindly preside. "The meeting will, of course, be private, and no reporters will be present. "An authorised report of any resolutions that may be come to can, if thought desirable, be subsequently sent to the newspapers. "We are, "Your obedient servants, "DONALD CAMERON of Lochiel. For several days prior to the 14th January, preliminary meetings were held at Beaufort Castle, the residence of Lord Lovat. Among those who responded to the invitation, and met in the Caledonian Hotel on the 14th January, were:-The Marquis of Stafford, representing the Duke of Sutherland; Lord Lovat, Beaufort Castle; Sir Kenneth S. Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart.; Sir George Macpherson-Grant of Ballindalloch, Bart., M.P.; Sir Tollemache Sinclair, Bart.; Sir Robert Sinclair of Murkle, Caithness : Mr Cameron of Lochiel, M.P.; Mr Munro-Ferguson of Novar and Raith, M.P.; Mr Baillie of Dochfour; The Mackintosh of Mackintosh; Mr Lachlan Macdonald of Skaebost; Mr Kenneth Matheson, Ardross Castle, representing Sir Alexander Matheson of Lochalsh, Bart.; Mr Alex. Macdonald, Portree, factor for Lord Macdonald, &c.; Major Fraser of Kilmuir, Skye; Mr Forbes of Culloden; Mr E. H. Wood of Raasay; Mr Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie; Mr Davidson of Tulloch; Captain Fraser of Balnain; Mr Macleod of Cadboll; Mr Davidson of Cantray; Mr Darroch of Torridon; Mr Peterkin of Grange; Mr Henderson of Stemster, Caithness; Mr Biscoe of Kingillie; Mr D. M. Ross of Cromarty, as Commissioner for Lord Macdonald of the Isles; Major Mackenzie of Flowerburn; Mr Mackenzie of Allangrange; Mr Douglas Fletcher, representing Mr Fletcher of Rosehaugh; Mr Stewart of Ensay, late of Duntulm; Captain Munro of Foulis; Mr Reginald Macleod, Dunvegan Castle, representing Macleod of Macleod; Mr Mackenzie, yr. of Kintail, representing Mr Mackenzie of Kintail and Glenmuick; Mr W. Mackay, Stornoway, representing Lady Matheson of the Lews; Mr Gunn, Strathpeffer, representing the Duchess of Sutherland; Mr Smith, representing the Countess of Seafield; Mr Brown, representing the Earl of Moray; Captain Warrand, Ryefield, for the Ferrintosh estate; Mr Burgess, for Glenmoriston; Major Grant, for the Countess of Seafield's GlenUrquhart estates; Mr James Anderson, Inverness, for Redcastle; Mr Malcolm, Invergarry, representing Mrs Ellice of Invergarry; Mr Grant for Dochfour and Glenelg ; Mr Peacock-Edwards, agent for Lady Gordon Cathcart; Mr Maclennan, factor for Lady Gordon Cathcart; Mr Peter, factor for Lord Lovat; Mr Smith, |