GOLDEN WEDDING OF CLUNY MACPHERSON, C.B.

IT will be remembered that on the 20th of December 1882, a great gathering took place at Cluny Castle, on which occasion Cluny and his lady were presented with addresses from almost every representative Society in the County of Inverness, in celebration of their Golden Wedding. A strong desire has since been expressed that a record of the interesting proceedings should appear in a more enduring form than newspaper reports. We have the result before us in a beautifully printed brochure of 96 pages, containing all the addresses presented to the grand old Chief and his lady, and life-like portraits of both. It also contains a list of the subscribers to the magnificent Centrepiece, formally presented on the 20th of December 1883, with a genealogical account of the family from Macgillicattan Mor to the present day. The whole has been prepared and edited by Mr Alexander Macpherson, banker, Kingussie, Honorary Secretary to the Testimonial Committee, and it does no small credit to his good taste, from a literary as well as from an artistic. point of view. The readers of the Celtic Magazine do not at this time of day require that we should refer at any length to Cluny's unblemished life and record as a Highland Chief. A sketch of himself and his career appeared in these pages a few years ago, which has since been re-printed and circulated by the Testimonial Committee among the subscribers; and it is quoted in the "Golden Wedding," by Mr Macpherson.

The presentation to Cluny and his lady consists of a massive silver Candelabrum, or Centre-piece, manufactured by Mr James Aitchison, Edinburgh, weighing about seven hundred ounces. A sturdy oak tree, springing from the heather and bracken, forms the stem, from which radiate nine branches, fitted for crystals or candles, and in the centre a richly cut dish for fruit or flowers. In front of the tree is placed a group representing one of the most interesting and characteristic incidents in the history of the famous Chief of 1745, for whose capture the Government of the day offered a reward of a thousand guineas and a company in one of the regiments of the line, to any one who would bring him in dead or alive. thus described in a letter by his son, Colonel Duncan Macpher

The incident is

son of Cluny, to Colonel Stewart of Garth, author of the Sketches of the Highlanders, dated "Cluny House, 9th June 1817:"

On another occasion, when my father was at Cluny, in a small house inhabited by the family after the Castle was burnt, the house was suddenly surrounded by a party of soldiers (redcoats, as they were then called,) commanded by Ensign Munro, whose information was so correct, and managed matters so secretly that there was no possibility of my father making his escape; but, on the emergency, his presence of mind did not forsake him, and he stood firm and collected in himself, and although he saw himself on the brink of destruction, and ready to fall into the hands of his persecutors, by which he must suffer an ignominious death, he deliberately stepped into the kitchen, where a servant man was sitting, and exchanged clothes with him, all of which was the work of a moment; and when the officer commanding the party rode up to the door, he, without any hesitation, ran out and held the stirrup while dismounting, walked the horse about while the officer was in the house, and when he came out again, held the stirrup to him to mount, on which the officer asked him if he knew where Cluny was; he answered that he did not, and if he did, he would not tell him; the officer replied, “I believe you would not; you are a good fellow, here is a shilling for you.”

Unfortunately no authentic portrait of Cluny of the 'Fortyfive exists, and the artist, Mr Clark Stanton, A.R.S.A., has, most appropriately, adopted the features of the present sturdy Chief. The conception is a happy one, but we cannot help feeling a slight regret that the incident illustrated should have necessitated such a prominent position for Ensign Munro, while Cluny himself, in whose honour the design is got up, should hold such a comparatively subordinate place; but we presume this could not be avoided, without sacrificing the historical value of the illustration. Suspended on the trunk of the oak, and serving to break the line, are a target and other warlike accoutrements. The base has been designed as far as possible in keeping with the Celtic sentiments of the occasion, and bears on one side the combined arms of Cluny Macpherson and Davidson, with the supporters, crest, and motto; and on the other a shield, bearing the following inscription (in Gaelic and English):

No other Chief in the Highlands better deserved this honour; and we heartily wish our good friend and his lady many years of health and happiness to enjoy it, with the good wishes and, indeed, affection of the Highland people.

The following Circular is in course of being issued by A. & W. MACKENZIE, Publishers, "Celtic Magazine" Office, 25 Academy Street, Inverness:—

PROPOSED HIGHLAND NEWSPAPER,

TO BE CALLED

"THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER."

We have for some time been strongly urged, from influential quarters at home and abroad, to take the necessary steps for starting an Independent Weekly Newspaper in Inverness, for the special purpose of advocating the claims and promoting the interests of the Highland people.

It has been suggested that the present time is specially opportune for a movement in this direction; and that our Mr Alexander Mackenzie's special knowledge of his countrymen, their history, and wants in the present crisis, points to him as the most suitable to conduct such a paper; the marked success of the Celtic Magazine, under his guidance, when all similar attempts by others failed, being an earnest of his ability to prove equally successful in conducting a Highland newspaper.

To embark in the direction proposed is a serious undertaking, both as regards its financial responsibilities and the labour and energy necessary to make the paper influential and prosperous. Very liberal support has been already offered, and nothing is wanting to induce us and Mr Mackenzie to move in the matter, but a certainty that the paper shall be widely and energetically supported by Highlanders, and by their numerous friends at home and abroad.

To test the feeling existing among those specially interested, and to put the matter beyond question, the present Circular is issued, as the most practical means, to enable all who are willing to support a Highland Newspaper to do so in a substantialform, by subscribing, and agreeing to pay a year's subscription in advance; the money not to be paid until it is finally decided to issue the paper.

Should the result prove satisfactory, steps will at once be taken to start a paper of eight pages, at one penny. If, on the other hand, such interest is not shown, in the manner indicated, as will secure a certain subscribed circulation to begin with, of at least five thousand copies, it will not be deemed prudent to proceed any further in the matter at present. Whether or not the Highlanders shall have a represent

ative paper is thus left in their own hands; and they should, in a matter of this kind, remember that "Heaven helps those who help themselves."

All who feel interested regarding the position and prospects of the Highland people; and who care for the Language, Literature, Traditions, and the Material interests of a noble but ill-used race, will, it is hoped, aid us in securing the necessary support for carrying out the object aimed at.

It is believed that the manner in which the Celtic Magazine has been conducted to such a successful issue, will be accepted as a sufficient guarantee that the same prudence, firmness, and energy which secured that success will be applied with even greater results, to the conduct of such a Newspaper as is now proposed.

The leading friends of the Highland people are fully satisfied -however favourable the Report of the Royal Commission may be that the real work of those who demand and will insist upon a change in the present Land Laws will only begin in earnest when the nature of the Report becomes known. This points strongly to the necessity of Highlanders having a special organ of their own to advance their claims.

A Gaelic department will form a feature of the paper; and special attention will always be given to Local News from every Strath, Glen, and Hamlet, where Highlanders are to be found.

A. & W. MACKENZIE.

SIR EWEN CAMERON-Continued.

LOCHIEL'S settlement with Mackintosh was for him, in the existing circumstances, a most favourable one; for not only did the yearly rents of the lands far exceed the interest of the money paid to Mackintosh, but there were oak and fir woods on both sides. of Loch-Arkaig, and on other parts of the lands in question, worth more than four times the sum paid for the whole. Lochiel, however, overlooked to make provision in the agreement for the arrears of rent due since the mortgage on the estate was redeemed in 1639, and this cost him afterwards, in 1688, no end of trouble and annoyance. He is said to have entertained the leading

men of the two clans-his own and the Mackintoshes-in his house for several days after the agreement was completed, when, to all appearance, they parted fully satisfied with the arrange

ment come to.

The Marquis of Athole offered Lochiel the money to pay the sum awarded to Mackintosh. Argyll offered it on somewhat easier conditions, but still conditions which, in future, would secure to him and to the House of Campbell the superi

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ority of the lands. There was to be no interest payable for the money itself, but Lochiel consented to hold the lands. from Argyll as superior, to pay him a feu-duty of one hundred pounds Scots per annum, and to grant him the service of one hundred men-in-arms whenever he should require them. These conditions later on landed Lochiel in a very difficult position, in connection with a dispute which arose between Argyll and the Macleans of Duart, to whom Sir Ewen was closely connected by marriage and consanguinity. Lochiel took the part of the Macleans in this quarrel, having, after visiting Argyll at Inveraray, and leaving him without notice, hastened back to Lochaber, where, being joined by the Macdonalds of Glengarry, Keppoch, Glencoe, and others, he marched into Mull, and prevented the intended invasion by Argyll for that year.

To have men in arms without authority was an offence of a very serious character, and to punish Sir Ewen, Argyll applied to the Privy Council, who, on the 29th of July 1669, issued a proclamation, wherein, among others, Lochiel, Maclean, and several chiefs, including Argyll himself, are ordered to find annual caution to keep the peace. He had, however, previously secured the necessary legal authority for punishing the Macleans, and, consequently, the proclamation only affected his opponents, impartial though it at first appeared by the inclusion of his own name. At the same time Argyll had a warrant against Lochiel for money due by him. Sir Ewen, however, started for Edinburgh in the most secret manner, and, notwithstanding Argyll's opposition, who was there before him, and was himself a member, the Privy Council, on the 28th October, granted Lochiel a personal protection. He remained in Edinburgh most of the succeeding winter; and he is said to have been so exasperated at Argyll's conduct towards him and his friends the Macleans, that he would have shot his Lordship on a certain day, as he was stepping into his carriage to attend a meeting of the Privy Council, had not Lochiel's servant, who stood at his master's back, wrested the pistol out of his raised hand, as he was about to shoot him.

Lochiel resided in Mull during summer, for the succeeding few years, and Argyll remained at home. In the Spring of 1674, he was taken dangerously ill with a "bloody-flux "-the only ill