of population. But, seeing that capital performs more effectively the purposes of humanity in the development of force for reproduction, as well as for overcoming time and distance, and in that way administering more largely to our varied wants and pleasures, it is most obvious that its wages are justified on the same ground as those of the labourer, and that the cause of interest is derived from the cause of wages.

12. We see, then, that labour and capital are correlative and homologous. But, if there be a ratio between wages and profits, they must also be correlative and homologous in every particular. The four component parts of profit have been stated. The question, then, becomes, are the wages of labour made up of the same component parts?

It requires no further demonstration than the mere statement of fact, as already illustrated in the previous chapter, that the capitalist who conducts his own business deserves wages according to his culture and skill. That rule holds good with regard to the labourer. It has been demonstrated in the last chapter that part of the wages of skilled and professional labour represents capital deposited in the human brain, which is the highest and most valuable form of capital devoted to the service of humanity. But it will be asked how does interest enter into the wages of, say the common field labourer? My answer to this is that, unless he receives a modicum to represent the value of intellect in its simplest form in the use of the pick and spade or plough, he is underpaid, and placed on a level with the brute creation, or in the condition of a slave, who requires the superintendence of the lash. The interest in the labourer's wages is freedom's premium! With regard to the component of risks, to the honour of the British Parliament be it said, the Employers' Liability Act throws compensation for accidents upon employers, which acts in an inverse ratio; but if wages were enhanced, and that the employed formed an insurance fund for themselves, it would then be in a direct ratio. But how does depreciation enter into wages? My answer to this must be the same as that given concerning interest, or the wages of capital. Unless the wages

of labour are high enough to repair the human capital in rearing children, providing something for old age, and, finally, for funeral expenses, the wages are too low.

13. I have now demonstrated, not only the cause of interest, wherein consists its justification, but also that distributive justice proceeds in accordance with the law of geometrical proportion, the perfection of which consists in a mean between two extremes, as I shall subsequently show. It must be observed in the meantime, however, that a dual system of agriculture does not conform to the laws of free industries, nor to geometrical proportion. Interest, although analagous to rent, is not homologous with it, because interest is the wages of capital, which is the creation of labour. Rent, on the other hand, is in respect of land; which is not the creation of labour (except in respect of its ameliorations, which must always be considered as capital), and is, therefore, not homologous with interest.

It is of prime importance that the industrial classes should be thoroughly convinced that the regular rate of interest is not, like rent, a tax on labour, except the interest on the National Debt, which of course is not capital, and the interest of which ought, in justice, to fall exclusively on land, as the Debt was incurred, if not for the defence of the land, it was in order to secure high rents by such questionable means as taxing the American Plantations, and preserving the balance of power on the Continent! Those wars were waged in the interests of landlords alone, who benefited very largely in enhanced rents, whilst the trade and commerce of the country is saddled with the interest on the Debt. It must also be borne in mind that the absorption and destruction of a vast amount of capital had brought upon the country a state of distress of which the present generation has had no experience, and hardly a conception.

(To be concluded in our next.)

INVERNESS SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY AND FIELD CLUB.-The Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club opened its winter session on the evening of the 13th November with the annual meeting. The president, Mr Jas. Fraser, C.E., occupied the chair. The office-bearers for the ensuing year were then elected :-President, Mr E. H. Macmillan; vice-presidents, Sheriff Blair and Wm. Mackay, F.S.A. Scot., solicitor; secretary, Mr T. D. Wallace, F.S.A. Scot. ; treasurer, Mr Jas. Ross; librarian, Mr James Barron, F.S.A. Scot. ; curator, Mr George Reid; members of council, Messrs C. R. Manners, C. E.; Geo. Robertson, Alex. Mackenzie, F.S.A. Scot., Celtic Magazine; Alex. Ross, F.S.A. Scot.; and Dr Aitken, F.S.A. Scot. The syllabus for the ensuing session contains the following subjects :-"Travelled boulders of Lochaber," by Mr Colin Livingston, Fort-William; "Old iron works at Lochmaree," by Mr John H. Dixon, supplemented by Mr John E. Marr; "Plants of Palestine," by Mr Alex. Ross; "Electrical Measurements, and the theory of the Dynamo, by Mr M'G. Ross, Alness; &c.

A TRADITION OF LOCHABER.

ON the banks of the River Spean, and nearly opposite Keppoch, stands the farm house of "Inch "—" Tigh na h-Innse." At the time of which I write, the tacksman of this place was Ronald Macdonald, a cadet of the house of Keppoch. He was a brave young fellow, of a most soldierlike appearance, and of a high and noble spirit. He fell in love with the daughter of the chief of the MacMartin Camerons of Letterfinlay, "Eili na Leitreach❞— as she was called-and the maiden responded to his affection with her whole heart. MacMartin, however, made an excuse of her extreme youth to delay their betrothal, but Ronald feared that the father was hoping to get a richer suitor for his beautiful daughter.

One day Ronald was out deerstalking, and towards night, when preparing to return home, he heard a woman's shriek on the mountain side. The men who were with him got frightened, thinking it was the cry of the "Bean-Shith," but Ronald knew the voice of his beloved. Follow me," he cried hastily to his men, and before many minutes were over he overtook a gentleman of the clan Mackintosh, accompanied by some of his followers, carrying off Eili, who shortly before had utterly refused his offer of marriage. Ronald fought like a hero, and at last delivered his beloved from the rough hands that held her in bondage; she clung to him in gladness and joy; together they returned to her father's house, and as soon as Eili was in safety, he fell fainting on the floor. His brow had been cut in the most dreadful manner, and the blood streaming from the wound had been blinding him all the way down the hill, although he had said nothing to the maiden about it. He lay ill for a long time after, in Letterfinlay House, and when he returned home to Inch he took his bride with him. She could not bear to be again separated from him, and her father admitted that he had nobly earned her.

The young pair were as happy as such lovers could be, and before they were married a year a daughter was born to them. Shortly after the birth of their child, Ronald found he had to go

E

to the South on business, and though he felt sorry to be even so short a time parted from his wife, he cheered her with hopes of a speedy return. A young relative of his own, named Coll, was standing, holding the infant in his arms, as Ronald left the house. If I do not return, whether will you marry my wife or my daughter? asked Ronald laughingly. "Both perhaps," replied the lad. The time appointed for his return came, but no Ronald, and for many a weary night Eili sat up waiting to hear his wellknown foot approaching the house, but all in vain. Months passed and years rolled on, but he came not, and then they ceased to expect him. Coll remained at Inch, faithful always to the lady and her young daughter, protecting them in every possible way.

Mackintosh began to make proposals again to Eili; she felt sorely afraid of him, and as a protection against him, as well as to reward Coll, she made up her mind rather to marry her faithful friend who had managed everything so well for her during the years of her desolation. Her daughter was now upwards of fifteen years of age, and needed a guardian who could act with the authority of a father. The marriage was duly arranged, and all their mutual friends thought it a very wise step for both to take. On the wedding day a wearied traveller came to the district, and on calling for a glass of water at a house by the roadside, he was told of the cause for the appearance of festivity about the house of Inch, when he said the following words, which have been handed down :—

"Chunnaic mi smùid do thigh na h-Innse,

'S bha mi cinnteach gu'r smùid bhainns'i,
'S tha mi 'n duil a Righ na Soillse,

Gur ann leams' tha biadh na bainnse."

He went on to the house and asked for food, which was placed before him in abundance. He inquired if the marriage ceremony was over, and he was told that it was. Then he said-" Will you ask the bride to do me the grace of giving me a glass of whisky out of her own hand, and I will give her my blessing. The bride came, still looking youthful and lovely. She filled the glass, and gave it to the stranger, who rose, and stood looking at her in silence, as if preparing to say words that refused to come. He took of his bonnet, and running his fingers through his hair, exposed his brow. The lady looked, and saw the mark of the

gash that had been made on her husband's brow on the night on which he had saved her from Mackintosh. She looked into his eyes, and crying aloud, "My darling, my darling," she fell on his bosom. It soon became known to the guests that the marriage ceremony of the morning was null and void, and no one was better pleased at the return of the long lost one than the generous-hearted Coll. "Come here my friend," said Ronald, "you cannot have my wife. I have, however, heard to-day of your faithfulness, and you shall have my daughter." The priest was called forthwith, and Coll was married to young Mariot, who had secretly loved him, and sorrowed over his marriage to her mother. "By my garment," cried Ronald, "you kept your word. You said if I did not return you would marry both my wife and daughter, but it was too bad to marry them both on the same day."

Ronald never told what kept him away those fifteen years. It was known that a tale of wrong and suffering could be related about his absence, and that Mackintosh was to blame for it. If Ronald would tell all, he said, the fiery cross would be out at once to gather the Macdonalds to avenge his wrongs; and having got home again he wished to live a life of peace. The happy pair had several children after that, and their grandchildren and their own played together round the same hearth in peace and happiness. MARY MACKELLAR.

THE

"CLACHNAHAGAIG" STONE.

SIR, I have read with much interest the papers by that distinguished antiquarian, Mr Fraser-Mackintosh, on the “ Lower Fishings of the Ness;" but with respect to one remark which occurs in the first paper (in your October No.) I should like, with your permission, to say a few words.

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After reciting the terms of the Golden Charter of James VI. giving the right of fishing to the Town of Inverness, "betwixt the Stone called Clachnahagaig and the sea," Mr Fraser-Mackintosh proceeds to state that "the exact site of Clachnahagaig has been questioned, but unnecessarily," and he explains that the stone was usually and exactly termed Clachnahalig." I submit, sir, that no evidence whatever is produced to show that the " Clachnahagaig of King James' charter, and the "Clachnahalaig" of certain plans, titles, &c., are one and the same. Any person, or persons, founding rights on the charter are bound to show the "Clachnahagaig" march stone of King James' time; and that might easily be done had the latter stone and its actual position have been guarded with equal care as its confrére, the "Clachnacudain," has been.