But the good time will come when right will triumph over might; and it is the duty of all patriots to work and pray for its speedy arrival. The waiters upon Providence, whom Macrae treats with great contempt, will be left out in the cold— "Iomadh tighearna 's post', Nach eòl domhsa n(o)is chur an dàn, Le phrabar gu bosdail a'd phàirt; Those who took a more active part on William's side will be treated very much according to their rank and zeal in his cause. By similes, sometimes more forcible than delicate, their utter collapse is vividly pourtrayed: "Bi'dh cinneadh Mhic Aoidh 's am mnathan 'g an caoidh Bi'dh Iarla sin Chat 's e miamhail gu ceart, 'S e triall tarsainn as do New land." The "Tinkler" accuses Argyle of aiming at the crown"Cleas Mhic Cailein fhiar-shuilich, Bha 'g iarraidh thun a' chrùin." When things are righted, this Highland Chief will be the first to be called to account- "Gheibh Mac Cailein air thùs dhiubh, Dh' aindeoin a chùirte 'N galar bu dùthchasach dha." According to Macrae, treachery and disloyalty were hereditary in the house of Argyle— "B'e dhùthchas bho sheanair, Bhi daonnan ri mealladh gach tì; 'S cha b' fhearr e thaobh athar, Ged bu mhor a mhaitheas bho 'righ ; but "The Maiden " will prove an effective remedy for this family disease: "Le maighdeann sgoraidheach sgathail 'S ged thuit e cha'n athais dha i." Altogether the Fernaig Manuscript appears to me to be an important contribution to our stock of Gaelic Literature. The political and religious intelligence, the devout and tolerant spirit, the strong sense and literary power displayed by the various writers in rude and turbulent times, are creditable to our people, while the enlightened compiler is a Highland Chief of whom not only the Macraes, but all his countrymen may well be proud. 6TH MAY 1885. On this date Canon Thoyts, Tain, was elected an ordinary member of the Society. Thereafter the Secretary read a paper contributed by Mr Charles Fraser-Mackintosh, M.P., on unpublished letters of Lord Lovat, between 1739 and 1743. Mr Mackintosh's paper was as follows: SOME LETTERS OF SIMON LORD LOVAT, No matter that turns up in connection with Simon Lord Lovat ever fails of being interesting. At present the North is moved by the appearance of a claimant to the Scottish Lovat Peerage and Estates, whose success would add a hundred-fold to the romance and interest attaching to Lord Lovat's career. The letters after given show Simon at his best, being written after he had succeeded in assuring his position to the title and estates, and when it would seem his hitherto chequered life would be thereafter one of repose and prosperity. They nearly all concern social and domestic affairs, and are in this respect valuable, indicating his real character by and through daily life and transactions. The most pregnant public allusion is contained in the letter to Mackintosh in December 1743, and shows that Lord Lovat was in close communication with the Stuarts, and hoped for an immediate landing. Taking the letters in their order, I make a few comments. They are chiefly addressed to Mr Duncan Fraser, a well-to-do merchant of Inverness, elder brother of Simon Fraser, sometime Commissary at Gibraltar, who purchased the estate of Borlum, calling it Ness Castle, father of the well-known and respected Marjory, Lady Saltoun. The first letter is dated 20th May 1739, and his Lordship's kindness of heart is shown by his determination to right the lady whose cattle were stolen, and which were promised to be restored through Barrisdale, one of the captains of the watch, known as Coll Ban. Mrs Mackenzie had just lost her only brother, the Rev. William Baillie, minister of the third charge of Inverness, son of the well known Rev. Robert Baillie, of Inverness. Lord Lovat's correctness in his affairs, is shown by his laying down the rule of settlement of accounts, taking place monthly. The Governor of Inverness Castle referred to, was no doubt Grant, who was accused in 1745 of somewhat hastily surrendering the Castle to Prince Charles. Dear Cousin, I gave you the trouble of a line yesterday, but received no answer. I hope this will find you and your people in good health, and I assure you and them of my kind humble service. You was yesterday busy at the melancholy occasion of the burial of my dear friend, Mr William Baillie, which gives me great grief and concern. I beg you go from me, and wait of his sister, Mrs Mackenzie, and give her my most humble duty, and tell her that I have not fortitude to write to her upon her brother's death, but that I beg to know how she is, and that she may expect my friendship more than ever, and when the tribute that she must pay to nature is over, that I will expect to see her. In the meantime you may let her know that Barrisdale is my very good friend, and that he has actually a party in pursuit of the thieves that stole her cattle, and acquaints me that he does not doubt of success, so that I make not the least doubt of recovering her payment of her cattle. Let me know if you have recovered all my things out of the Pledger, and when I may send for them. The bag of hops may be kept in a good place in town, where you will think it safe from being spoiled, for we have no good place for it in this house. I entreat you may remember what I told you at parting, that we may clear accounts once a month, and then there will be no difficulty about vouchers for payment. Thomas Houston is to be out here to-morrow morning. I have desired him to wait upon the Governor, and to make him my compliments. If you have heard anything about his diet for Edinburgh, I entreat you to let me know it. I likewise entreat you may know as of yourself, what day the President comes to Bunchruive and Achnagairn, and goes through this country to Brahan, and if he dines at Bunchruive or Achnagairn, and what day he goes south, that my posts may be in good order as he passes. I shall long to hear from you. If there is any news in town, I hope you will send them, and I am, with sincere esteem, dear Duncan, Your affectionate cousin and faithful slave, Beaufort, 20th May 1739. (Signed) LOVAT. The next letter is dated 12th June 1739, and in part refers to Lord Lovat's son, Alexander, who died at Dunmaglass in 1760, unmarried, a General in the Dutch service. At this time he was but a child, his father, however, describing him as having a large head. Notice may also be taken of his Lordship's patriotic intention to purchase a picture of Sir William Wallace, because, as he says, "he always loved to preserve the glory and honour of old and ancient families," though his desire was thwarted by Mr Evan Baillie of Abriachan (brother to Hugh Baillie of Dochfour), his Lordship's bailie and cashier, who probably knew that money could ill be spared. Dear Cousin Duncan,-I have sent the bearer, John Young, General of our Taylors, to take off clothes for my little boy Sandie, so I entreat you go with him to any shop where you can get it most reasonable, and be so kind as to see him cut off as much good, strong drugget, as will make the child a coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with lining and all other furniture conform. I hope his periwig is now ready, that you bespoke, and a little hat for him. It must not be very little for he has a good large head of his age. Be so kind as let me know the prices of everything, and what you bought out of other shops, that I may send you in the money immediately. If Mr Donald buys any books, and that you pay the money for them, I shall send you in that at the same time. I just I am very glad that the Governor is so well. I shall have the honour to write to him to-morrow, and though he should go to Culloden before I go into town, I will certainly pay my respects to him there, as I would do at Inverness, if he will allow me. now got your letter, and I give you a thousand thanks for sending him the salmond in my name; it gives me greater pleasure than twenty times the value of it, for I cannot express the honour and value I have for my dearest Governor. Pray tell Evan Baillie that it was merely for the insinuations that he made to me in his letter, that I yielded my resolutions of purchasing Sir William Wallace's picture, for I always loved to preserve the glory and honour of old and antient families, Pray show this to Evan when he comes home. I offer you, and your father and mother, and all the family, my kind humble service. I hope your mother will remember what I recommended to her in the Roup. Forgive all this trouble, and believe that I am, very sincerely, dear Duncan, Your affectionate and faithful slave, Beaufort, 12th June 1739. (Signed) LOVAT. The third letter is dated 1st June 1740, and shows what a good style Simon kept up. Four-and-twenty guests from different quarters was a large assembly, and contradicts the statement that his house and menage were mean.— Dear Cousin Duncan,-I received this evening your letter. I am glad that you are well after your great fatigue of drinking, &c. I have sent in John Forbes with money to pay Lachlan Mackintosh's hogshead of wine, and to see if there be any provisions had for me in town, for I am to have a throng company with me to-morrow. I believe I will have twenty-four covers, for I am to have strangers from several corners. I have ordered John Forbes to cause send in horses for all Lachlan Mackintosh's wine, and for six dozen of the Spanish wine, and for what provisions can be had. I offer you and your worthy mother my affectionate humble service, and I wish your honest father, and my friend William, a safe return home, and I am with a sincere friendship and regard, dear Duncan, Your affectionate cousin and faithful slave, Beaufort, 1st June 1740. (Signed) LOVAT. Small deer head, surmounted with The seal is almost entire. coronet, around "Je suis prest." The fourth letter is dated 23rd June, same month, and is interesting as showing that there was an upper dining-room at Beaufort, and that east winds ran on till midsummer. This circumstance is important, for the prevalence of east winds about Inverness has been supposed to be a comparatively modern evil. Most old people now-a-days will affirm that in their younger days the prevailing winds were from the south-west, and the summers earlier. Dear Cousin Duncan, -I hope this will find you and your honest father and mother, and my friend William, and all the |