by Walter Scott
NOTES
NOTE I, p. 19
The clan of Mac-Farlane, occupying the fastnesses of the westernside of Loch Lomond, were great depredators on the Low Country,and as their excursions were made usually by night, the moon wasproverbially called their lantern. Their celebrated pibroch ofHoggil nam Bo, which is the name of their gathering tune,intimates similar practices, the sense being:--
We are bound to drive the bullocks, All by hollows, hirsts, and hillocks, Through the sleet, and through the rain. When the moon is beaming low On frozen lake and hills of snow, Bold and heartily we go; And all for little gain.
NOTE 2, p. 22
This noble ruin is dear to my recollection, from associationswhich have been long and painfully broken. It holds a commandingstation on the banks of the river Teith, and has been one of thelargest castles in Scotland. Murdoch, Duke of Albany, the founderof this stately pile, was beheaded on the Castle-hill of Stirling,from which he might see the towers of Doune, the monument of hisfallen greatness.
In 1745-46, as stated in the text, a garrison on the part of theChevalier was put into the castle, then less ruinous than atpresent. It was commanded by Mr. Stewart of Balloch, as governorfor Prince Charles; he was a man of property near Callander. Thiscastle became at that time the actual scene of a romantic escapemade by John Home, the author of Douglas, and some otherprisoners, who, having been taken at the battle of Falkirk, wereconfined there by the insurgents. The poet, who had in his ownmind a large stock of that romantic and enthusiastic spirit ofadventure which he has described as animating the youthful hero ofhis drama, devised and undertook the perilous enterprise ofescaping from his prison. He inspired his companions with hissentiments, and when every attempt at open force was deemedhopeless, they resolved to twist their bed-clothes into ropes andthus to descend. Four persons, with Home himself, reached theground in safety. But the rope broke with the fifth, who was atall, lusty man. The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a brave youngEnglishman, a particular friend of Home's. Determined to take therisk, even in such unfavourable circumstances, Barrow committedhimself to the broken rope, slid down on it as far as it couldassist him, and then let himself drop. His friends beneathsucceeded in breaking his fall. Nevertheless, he dislocated hisankle and had several of his ribs broken. His companions, however,were able to bear him off in safety.
The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with greatactivity. An old gentleman told the author he remembered seeingthe commandant Stewart
Bloody with spurring, fiery red with haste,
riding furiously through the country in quest of the fugitives.
NOTE 3, p. 28
To go out, or to have been out, in Scotland was a conventionalphrase similar to that of the Irish respecting a man having beenup, both having reference to an individual who had been engaged ininsurrection. It was accounted ill-breeding in Scotland aboutforty years since to use the phrase rebellion or rebel, whichmight be interpreted by some of the parties present as a personalinsult. It was also esteemed more polite, even for stanch Whigs,to denominate Charles Edward the Chevalier than to speak of him asthe Pretender; and this kind of accommodating courtesy was usuallyobserved in society where individuals of each party mixed onfriendly terms.
NOTE 4, p. 38
The Jacobite sentiments were general among the western countiesand in Wales. But although the great families of the Wynnes, theWyndhams, and others had come under an actual obligation to joinPrince Charles if he should land, they had done so under theexpress stipulation that he should be assisted by an auxiliaryarmy of French, without which they foresaw the enterprise would bedesperate. Wishing well to his cause, therefore, and watching anopportunity to join him, they did not, nevertheless, thinkthemselves bound in honour to do so, as he was only supported by abody of wild mountaineers, speaking an uncouth dialect, andwearing a singular dress. The race up to Derby struck them withmore dread than admiration. But it is difficult to say what theeffect might have been had either the battle of Preston or Falkirkbeen fought and won during the advance into England.
NOTE 5, p. 43
Divisions early showed themselves in the Chevalier's little army,not only amongst the independent chieftains, who were far tooproud to brook subjection to each other, but betwixt the Scotchand Charles's governor O'Sullivan, an Irishman by birth, who, withsome of his countrymen bred in the Irish Brigade in the service ofthe King of France, had an influence with the Adventurer muchresented by the Highlanders, who were sensible that their ownclans made the chief or rather the only strength of hisenterprise. There was a feud, also, between Lord George Murray andJohn Murray of Broughton, the Prince's secretary, whose disuniongreatly embarrassed the affairs of the Adventurer. In general, athousand different pretensions divided their little army, andfinally contributed in no small degree to its overthrow.
NOTE 6, p. 78
This circumstance, which is historical, as well as the descriptionthat precedes it, will remind the reader of the war of La Vendee,in which the royalists, consisting chiefly of insurgent peasantry,attached a prodigious and even superstitious interest to thepossession of a piece of brass ordnance, which they called MarieJeanne.
The Highlanders of an early period were afraid of cannon, with thenoise and effect of which they were totally unacquainted. It wasby means of three or four small pieces of artillery that the Earlsof Huntly and Errol, in James VI's time, gained a great victory atGlenlivat, over a numerous Highland army, commanded by the Earl ofArgyle. At the battle of the Bridge of Dee, General Middletonobtained by his artillery a similar success, the Highlanders notbeing able to stand the discharge of Musket's Mother, which wasthe name they bestowed on great guns. In an old ballad on thebattle of the Bridge of Dee these verses occur:--
The Highlandmen are pretty men For handling sword and shield, But yet they are but simple men To stand a stricken field.
The Highlandmen are pretty men For target and claymore, But yet they are but naked men To face the cannon's roar.
For the cannons roar on a summer night Like thunder in the air; Was never man in Highland garb Would face the cannon fair
But the Highlanders of 1745 had got far beyond the simplicity oftheir forefathers, and showed throughout the whole war how littlethey dreaded artillery, although the common people still attachedsome consequence to the possession of the field-piece which led tothis disquisition.
NOTE 7, p. 93
The faithful friend who pointed out the pass by which theHighlanders moved from Tranent to Seaton was Robert Anderson,junior, of Whitburgh, a gentleman of property in East Lothian. Hehad been interrogated by the Lord George Murray concerning thepossibility of crossing the uncouth and marshy piece of groundwhich divided the armies, and which he described as impracticable.When dismissed, he recollected that there was a circuitous pathleading eastward through the marsh into the plain, by which theHighlanders might turn the flank of Sir John Cope's positionwithout being exposed to the enemy's fire. Having mentioned hisopinion to Mr. Hepburn of Keith, who instantly saw its importance,he was encouraged by that gentleman to awake Lord George Murrayand communicate the idea to him. Lord George received theinformation with grateful thanks, and instantly awakened PrinceCharles, who was sleeping in the field with a bunch of pease underhis head. The Adventurer received with alacrity the news thatthere was a possibility of bringing an excellently provided armyto a decisive battle with his own irregular forces. His joy on theoccasion was not very consistent with the charge of cowardicebrought against him by Chevalier Johnstone, a discontentedfollower, whose Memoirs possess at least as much of a romantic asa historical character. Even by the account of the Chevalierhimself, the Prince was at the head of the second line of theHighland army during the battle, of which he says, 'It was gainedwith such rapidity that in the second line, where I was still bythe side of the Prince, we saw no other enemy than those who werelying on the ground killed
and wounded, though we were not morethan fifty paces behind our first line, running always as fast aswe could to overtake them.'
This passage in the Chevalier's Memoirs places the Prince withinfifty paces of the heat of the battle, a position which wouldnever have been the choice of one unwilling to take a share of itsdangers. Indeed, unless the chiefs had complied with the youngAdventurer's proposal to lead the van in person, it does notappear that he could have been deeper in the action.
NOTE 8, p. 100
The death of this good Christian and gallant man is thus given byhis affectionate biographer, Doctor Doddridge, from the evidenceof eye-witnesses:--
'He continued all night under arms, wrapped up in his cloak, andgenerally sheltered under a rick of barley which happened to be inthe field. About three in the morning he called his domesticservants to him, of which there were four in waiting. He dismissedthree of them with most affectionate Christian advice, and suchsolemn charges relating to the performance of their duty, and thecare of their souls, as seemed plainly to intimate that heapprehended it was at least very probable he was taking his lastfarewell of them. There is great reason to believe that he spentthe little remainder of the time, which could not be much above anhour, in those devout exercises of soul which had been so longhabitual to him, and to which so many circumstances did thenconcur to call him. The army was alarmed by break of day by thenoise of the rebels' approach, and the attack was made beforesunrise, yet when it was light enough to discern what passed. Assoon as the enemy came within gun-shot they made a furious fire;and it is said that the dragoons which constituted the left wingimmediately fled. The Colonel at the beginning of the onset, whichin the whole lasted but a few minutes, received a wound by abullet in his left breast, which made him give a sudden spring inhis saddle; upon which his servant, who led the horse, would havepersuaded him to retreat, but he said it was only a wound in theflesh, and fought on, though he presently after received a shot inhis right thigh. In the mean time, it was discerned that some ofthe enemy fell by him, and particularly one man who had made him atreacherous visit but a few days before, with great professions ofzeal for the present establishment.
'Events of this kind pass in less time than the description ofthem can be written, or than it can be read. The Colonel was for afew moments supported by his men, and particularly by that worthyperson Lieutenant-Colonel Whitney, who was shot through the armhere, and a few months after fell nobly at the battle of Falkirk,and by Lieutenant West, a man of distinguished bravery, as also byabout fifteen dragoons, who stood by him to the last. But after afaint fire, the regiment in general was seized with a panic; andthough their Colonel and some other gallant officers did what theycould to rally them once or twice, they at last took a precipitateflight. And just in the moment when Colonel Gardiner seemed to bemaking a pause to deliberate what duty required him to do in suchcircumstances, an accident happened, which must, I think, in thejudgment of every worthy and generous man, be allowed a sufficientapology for exposing his life to so great hazard, when hisregiment had left him. He saw a party of the foot, who were thenbravely fighting near him, and whom he was ordered to support, hadno officer to head them; upon which he said eagerly, in thehearing of the person from whom I had this account, "These bravefellows will be cut to pieces for want of a commander," or wordsto that effect; which while he was speaking he rode up to them andcried out, "Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing." But just as thewords were out of his mouth, a Highlander advanced towards himwith a scythe fastened to a long pole, with which he gave him sodreadful a wound on his right arm, that his sword dropped out ofhis hand; and at the same time several others coming about himwhile he was thus dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, hewas dragged off from his horse. The moment he fell, anotherHighlander, who, if the king's evidence at Carlisle may becredited (as I know not why they should not, though the unhappycreature died denying it), was one Mac-Naught, who was executedabout a year after, gave him a stroke either with a broadsword ora Lochaber-axe (for my informant could not exactly distinguish) onthe hinder part of his head, which was the mortal blow. All thathis faithful attendant saw farther at this time was that, as hishat was fallen off, he took it in his left hand and waved it as asignal to him to retreat, and added, what were the last words heever heard him speak, "Take care of yourself"; upon which theservant retired.'--Some Remarkable Passages in the Life of ColonelJames Gardiner. By P. Doddridge, D.D. London, 1747, P.187.
I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account givenin the text of the resistance offered by some of the Englishinfantry. Surprised by a force of a peculiar and unusualdescription, their opposition could not be long or formidable,especially as they were deserted by the cavalry, and those whoundertook to manage the artillery. But, although the affair wassoon decided, I have always understood that many of the infantryshowed an inclination to do their duty.
NOTE 9, p. 101
It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutalyoung Laird is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, whoresembled Balmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell atPreston in the manner described. A Perthshire gentleman of highhonour and respectability, one of the handful of cavalry whofollowed the fortunes of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitivedragoons almost alone till near Saint Clement's Wells, where theefforts of some of the officers had prevailed on a few of them tomake a momentary stand. Perceiving at this moment that they werepursued by only one man and a couple of servants, they turned uponhim and cut him down with their swords. I remember when a child,sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and green,distinguishing it from the rest of the field. A female of thefamily then residing at Saint Clement's Wells used to tell me thetragedy, of which she had been an eye-witness, and showed me inevidence one of the silver clasps of the unfortunate gentleman'swaistcoat.
NOTE 10, p. 118
The name of Andrea de Ferrara is inscribed on all the Scottishbroadswords which are accounted of peculiar excellence. Who thisartist was, what were his fortunes, and when he flourished, havehitherto defied the research of antiquaries; only it is in generalbelieved that Andrea de Ferrara was a Spanish or Italianartificer, brought over by James IV or V to instruct the Scots inthe manufacture of sword blades. Most barbarous nations excel inthe fabrication of arms; and the Scots had attained greatproficiency in forging swords so early as the field of Pinkie; atwhich period the historian Patten describes them as 'all notablybroad and thin, universally made to slice, and of such exceedinggood temper that, as I never saw any so good, so I think it hardto devise better.'--Account of Somerset's Expedition.
It may be observed that the best and most genuine Andrea Ferrarashave a crown marked on the blade.
NOTE 11, p. 124
The incident here said to have happened to Flora Mac-Ivor actuallybefell Miss Nairne, a lady with whom the author had the pleasureof being acquainted. As the Highland army rushed into Edinburgh,Miss Nairne, like other ladies who approved of their cause, stoodwaving her handkerchief from a balcony, when a ball from aHighlander's musket, which was discharged by accident, grazed herforehead. 'Thank God,' said she, the instant she recovered,'thatthe accident happened to me, whose principles are known. Had itbefallen a Whig, they would have said it was done on purpose.'
NOTE 12, p. 185
The Author of Waverley has been charged with painting the youngAdventurer in colours more amiable than his character deserved.But having known many individuals who were near his person, he hasbeen described according to the light in which those eye-witnessessaw his temper and qualifications. Something must be allowed, nodoubt, to the natural exaggerations of those who remembered him asthe bold and adventurous Prince in whose cause they had braveddeath and ruin; but is their evidence to give place entirely tothat of a single malcontent?
I have already noticed the imputations thrown by the ChevalierJohnstone on the Prince's courage. But some part at least of thatgentleman's tale is purely romantic. It would not, for instance,be supposed that at the time
he is favouring us with the highlywrought account of his amour with the adorable Peggie, theChevalier Johnstone was a married man, whose grandchild is nowalive; or that the whole circumstantial story concerning theoutrageous vengeance taken by Gordon of Abbachie on a Presbyterianclergyman is entirely apocryphal. At the same time it may beadmitted that the Prince, like others of his family, did notesteem the services done him by his adherents so highly as heought. Educated in high ideas of his hereditary right, he has beensupposed to have held every exertion and sacrifice made in hiscause as too much the duty of the person making it to meritextravagant gratitude on his part. Dr. King's evidence (which hisleaving the Jacobite interest renders somewhat doubtful) goes tostrengthen this opinion.
The ingenious editor of Johnstone's Memoirs has quoted a storysaid to be told by Helvetius, stating that Prince Charles Edward,far from voluntarily embarking on his daring expedition, was,literally bound hand and foot, and to which he seems disposed toyield credit. Now, it being a fact as well known as any in hishistory, and, so far as I know, entirely undisputed, that thePrince's personal entreaties and urgency positively forcedBoisdale and Lochiel into insurrection, when they were earnestlydesirous that he would put off his attempt until he could obtain asufficient force from France, it will be very difficult toreconcile his alleged reluctance to undertake the expedition withhis desperately insisting upon carrying the rising into effectagainst the advice and entreaty of his most powerful and most sagepartizans. Surely a man who had been carried bound on board thevessel which brought him to so desperate an enterprise would havetaken the opportunity afforded by the reluctance of his partizansto return to France in safety.
It is averred in Johnstone's Memoirs that Charles Edward left thefield of Culloden without doing the utmost to dispute the victory;and, to give the evidence on both sides, there is in existence themore trustworthy testimony of Lord Elcho, who states that hehimself earnestly exhorted the Prince to charge at the head of theleft wing, which was entire, and retrieve the day or die withhonour. And on his counsel being declined, Lord Elcho took leaveof him with a bitter execration, swearing he would never look onhis face again, and kept his word.
On the other hand, it seems to have been the opinion of almost allthe other officers that the day was irretrievably lost, one wingof the Highlanders being entirely routed, the rest of the armyoutnumbered, outflanked, and in a condition totally hopeless. Inthis situation of things the Irish officers who surroundedCharles's person interfered to force him off the field. A cornetwho was close to the Prince left a strong attestation that he hadseen Sir Thomas Sheridan seize the bridle of his horse and turnhim round. There is some discrepancy of evidence; but the opinionof Lord Elcho, a man of fiery temper and desperate at the ruinwhich he beheld impending, cannot fairly be taken in prejudice ofa character for courage which is intimated by the nature of theenterprise itself, by the Prince's eagerness to fight on alloccasions, by his determination to advance from Derby to London,and by the presence of mind which he manifested during theromantic perils of his escape. The author is far from claiming forthis unfortunate person the praise due to splendid talents; but hecontinues to be of opinion that at the period of his enterprise hehad a mind capable of facing danger and aspiring to fame.
That Charles Edward had the advantages of a graceful presence,courtesy, and an address and manner becoming his station, theauthor never heard disputed by any who approached his person, nordoes he conceive that these qualities are overcharged in thepresent attempt to sketch his portrait.
The following extracts corroborative of the general opinionrespecting the Prince's amiable disposition are taken from amanuscript account of his romantic expedition, by James Maxwell ofKirkconnell, of which I possess a copy, by the friendship of J.Menzies, Esq., of Pitfoddells. The author, though partial to thePrince, whom he faithfully followed, seems to have been a fair andcandid man, and well acquainted with the intrigues among theadventurer's council:--
'Everybody was mightily taken with the Prince's figure andpersonal behaviour. There was but one voice about them. Those whominterest or prejudice made a runaway to his cause could not helpacknowledging that they wished him well in all other respects, andcould hardly blame him for his present undertaking. Sundry thingshad concurred to raise his character to the highest pitch, besidesthe greatness of the enterprise and the conduct that had hithertoappeared in the execution of it.
'There were several instances of good nature and humanity that hadmade a great impression on people's minds. I shall confine myselfto two or three.
'Immediately after the battle, as the Prince was riding along theground that Cope's army had occupied a few minutes before, one ofthe officers came up to congratulate him, and said, pointing tothe killed, "Sir, there are your enemies at your feet." ThePrince, far from exulting, expressed a great deal of compassionfor his father's deluded subjects, whom he declared he washeartily sorry to see in that posture.
'Next day, while the Prince was at Pinkie House, a citizen ofEdinburgh came to make some representation to Secretary Murrayabout the tents that city was ordered to furnish against a certainday. Murray happened to be out of the way, which the Princehearing of called to have the gentleman brought to him, saying, hewould rather despatch the business, whatever it was, himself thanhave the gentleman wait, which he did, by granting everything thatwas asked. So much affability in a young prince flushed withvictory drew encomiums even from his enemies.
'But what gave the people the highest idea of him was the negativehe gave to a thing that very nearly concerned his interest, andupon which the success of his enterprise perhaps depended. It wasproposed to send one of the prisoners to London to demand of thatcourt a cartel for the exchange of prisoners taken, and to betaken, during this war, and to intimate that a refusal would belooked upon as a resolution on their part to give no quarter. Itwas visible a cartel would be of great advantage to the Prince'saffairs; his friends would be more ready to declare for him ifthey had nothing to fear but the chance of war in the field; andif the court of London refused to settle a cartel, the Prince wasauthorised to treat his prisoners in the same manner the Electorof Hanover was determined to treat such of the Prince's friends asmight fall into his hands; it was urged that a few examples wouldcompel the court of London to comply. It was to be presumed thatthe officers of the English army would make a point of it. Theyhad never engaged in the service but upon such terms as are in useamong all civilised nations, and it could be no stain upon theirhonour to lay down their commissions if these terms were notobserved, and that owing to the obstinacy of their own Prince.Though this scheme was plausible, and represented as veryimportant, the Prince could never be brought into it, it was belowhim, he said, to make empty threats, and he would never put suchas those into execution; he would never in cold blood take awaylives which he had saved in heat of action at the peril of hisown. These were not the only proofs of good nature the Prince gaveabout this time. Every day produced something new of this kind.These things softened the rigour of a military government whichwas only imputed to the necessity of his affairs, and which heendeavoured to make as gentle and easy as possible.'
It has been said that the Prince sometimes exacted more state andceremonial than seemed to suit his condition; but, on the otherhand, some strictness of etiquette was altogether indispensablewhere he must otherwise have been exposed to general intrusion. Hecould also endure, with a good grace, the retorts which hisaffectation of ceremony sometimes exposed him to. It is said, forexample, that Grant of Glenmoriston having made a hasty march tojoin Charles, at the head of his clan, rushed into the Prince'spresence at Holyrood with unceremonious haste, without havingattended to the duties of the toilet. The Prince received himkindly, but not without a hint that a previous interview with thebarber might not have been wholly unnecessary. 'It is notbeardless boys,' answered the displeased Chief, 'who are to doyour Royal Highness's turn.' The Chevalier took the rebuke in goodpart.
On the whole, if Prince Charles had concluded his life soon a
fterhis miraculous escape, his character in history must have stoodvery high. As it was, his station is amongst those a certainbrilliant portion of whose life forms a remarkable contrast to allwhich precedes and all which follows it.
NOTE 13, p. 195
The following account of the skirmish at Clifton is extracted fromthe manuscript Memoirs of Evan Macpherson of Cluny, Chief of theclan Macpherson, who had the merit of supporting the principalbrunt of that spirited affair. The Memoirs appear to have beencomposed about 1755, only ten years after the action had takenplace. They were written in France, where that gallant chiefresided in exile, which accounts for some Gallicisms which occurin the narrative.
'In the Prince's return from Derby back towards Scotland, my LordGeorge Murray, Lieutenant-General, cheerfully charg'd himself withthe command of the rear, a post which, altho' honourable, wasattended with great danger, many difficulties, and no smallfatigue; for the Prince, being apprehensive that his retreat toScotland might be cut off by Marischall Wade, who lay to thenorthward of him with an armie much supperior to what H.R.H. had,while the Duke of Comberland with his whole cavalrie followed hardin the rear, was obliged to hasten his marches. It was not,therefore, possible for the artilirie to march so fast as thePrince's army, in the depth of winter, extremely bad weather, andthe worst roads in England; so Lord George Murray was obligedoften to continue his marches long after it was dark almost everynight, while at the same time he had frequent allarms anddisturbances from the Duke of Comberland's advanc'd parties.
'Towards the evening of the twentie-eight December 1745 the Princeentered the town of Penrith, in the Province of Comberland. But asLord George Murray could not bring up the artilirie so fast as hewou'd have wish'd, he was oblig'd to pass the night six milesshort of that town, together with the regiment of MacDonel ofGlengarrie, which that day happened to have the arrear guard. ThePrince, in order to refresh his armie, and to give My Lord Georgeand the artilirie time to come up, resolved to sejour the 29th atPenrith; so ordered his little army to appear in the morning underarms, in order to be reviewed, and to know in what manner thenumbers stood from his haveing entered England. It did not at thattime amount to 5000 foot in all, with about 400 cavalrie, compos'dof the noblesse who serv'd as volunteers, part of whom form'd afirst troop of guards for the Prince, under the command of My LordElchoe, now Comte de Weems, who, being proscribed, is presently inFrance. Another part formed a second troup of guards under thecommand of My Lord Balmirino, who was beheaded at the Tower ofLondon. A third part serv'd under My Lord le Comte de Kilmarnock,who was likewise beheaded at the Tower. A fourth part serv'd underMy Lord Pitsligow, who is also proscribed; which cavalrie, tho'very few in numbers, being all noblesse, were very brave, and ofinfinite advantage to the foot, not only in the day of battle, butin serving as advanced guards on the several marches, and inpatroling dureing the night on the different roads which ledtowards the towns where the army happened to quarter.
'While this small army was out in a body on the 2Qth December,upon a riseing ground to the northward of Penrith, passing review,Mons. de Cluny, with his tribe, was ordered to the Bridge ofClifton, about a mile to southward of Penrith, after having pass'din review before Mons. Pattullo, who was charged with theinspection of the troops, and was likeways Quarter-Master-Generalof the army, and is now in France. They remained under arms at thebridge, waiting the arrival of My Lord George Murray with theartilirie, whom Mons. de Cluny had orders to cover in passing thebridge. They arrived about sunsett closly pursued by the Duke ofComberland with the whole body of his cavalrie, reckoned upwardsof 3000 strong, about a thousand of whom, as near as might becomputed, dismounted, in order to cut off the passage of theartilirie towards the bridge, while the Duke and the othersremained on horseback in order to attack the rear.
'My Lord George Murray advanced, and although he found Mons. deCluny and his tribe in good spirits under arms, yet thecircumstance appear'd extremely delicate. The numbers were vastlyunequall, and the attack seem'd very dangerous; so My Lord Georgedeclin'd giving orders to such time as he ask'd Mons. de Cluny'soppinion. "I will attack them with all my heart," says Mons. deCluny, "if you order me." "I do order it then," answered My LordGeorge, and immediately went on himself along with Mons. de Cluny,and fought sword in hand on foot at the head of the single tribeof Macphersons. They in a moment made their way through a stronghedge of thorns, under the cover whereof the cavalrie had takentheir station, in the strugle of passing which hedge My LordGeorge Murray, being dressed en montagnard, as all the army were,lost his bonet and wig; so continued to fight bare-headed duringthe action. They at first made a brisk discharge of their firearmson the enemy, then attacked them with their sabres, and made agreat slaughter a considerable time, which obliged Comberland andhis cavalrie to fly with precipitation and in great confusion; inso much that, if the Prince had been provided in a sufficientnumber of cavalrie to have taken advantage of the disorder, it isbeyond question that the Duke of Comberland and the bulk of hiscavalrie had been taken prisoners.
'By this time it was so dark that it was not possible to view ornumber the slain who filled all the ditches which happened to beon the ground where they stood. But it was computed that, besidesthose who went off wounded, upwards of a hundred at least wereleft on the spot, among whom was Colonel Honywood, who commandedthe dismounted cavalrie, whose sabre of considerable value Mons.de Cluny brought off and still preserves; and his tribe lykewaysbrought off many arms;--the Colonel was afterwards taken up, and,his wounds being dress'd, with great difficultie recovered. Mons.de Cluny lost only in the action twelve men, of whom some haveingbeen only wounded, fell afterwards into the hands of the enemy,and were sent as slaves to America, whence several of themreturned, and one of them is now in France, a sergeant in theRegiment of Royal Scots. How soon the accounts of the enemiesapproach had reached the Prince, H.R.H. had immediately orderedMi-Lord le Comte de Nairne, Brigadier, who, being proscribed, isnow in France, with the three batalions of the Duke of Athol, thebatalion of the Duke of Perth, and some other troups under hiscommand, in order to support Cluny, and to bring off theartilirie. But the action was entirely over before the Comte deNairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to the place. Theytherefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marched up ingood order.
'Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare to comewithin a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the courseof all that retreat, which was conducted with great prudence andsafety when in some manner surrounded by enemies.'
NOTE 14, p. 215
As the heathen deities contracted an indelible obligation if theyswore by Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiarsolemnity attached to an oath which they intended should bebinding on them. Very frequently it consisted in laying theirhand, as they swore, on their own drawn dirk; which dagger,becoming a party to the transaction, was invoked to punish anybreach of faith. But by whatever ritual the oath was sanctioned,the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what the especialoath was which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matter ofgreat convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking hisasseveration when made in any other form than that which heaccounted as peculiarly solemn; and therefore readily granted anyengagement which bound him no longer than he inclined. Whereas, ifthe oath which he accounted inviolable was once publicly known, noparty with whom he might have occasion to contract would haverested satisfied with any other.
Louis XI of France practised the same sophistry, for he also had apeculiar species of oath, the only one which he was ever known torespect, and which, therefore, he was very unwilling to pledge.The only engagement which that wily tyrant accounted binding uponhim was an oath by the Holy Cross of Saint Lo d'Angers, whichcontained a portion of the True Cross. If he prevaricated aftertaking this oath Louis believed he should die within the year. TheConstable Saint Paul, being invited to a personal conference withLouis, refused to meet the king unless he would agree to ensurehim safe conduct under sanction of this oath. But, says Comines
,the king replied, he would never again pledge that engagement tomortal man, though he was willing to take any other oath whichcould be devised. The treaty broke oft, therefore, after muchchaffering concerning the nature of the vow which Louis was totake. Such is the difference between the dictates of superstitionand those of conscience.
GLOSSARY
A', all.
ABOON, abune, above.
AE, one.
AFF, off.
AFORE, before.
AHINT, behind.
AIN, own.
AITS, oats.
AMAIST, almost.
AMBRY, a cupboard, a pantry.
AN, if.
ANE, one.
ANEUCH, enough.
ARRAY, annoy, trouble.
ASSOILZIED, absolved, acquitted.
ASSYTHMENT, satisfaction,
AULD, old.
BAFF, a blow.
BAGGANET, a bayonet.
BAILIE, a city magistrate in Scotland.
BAIRN, a child.
BAITH, both.
BANES, bones.
BANG-UP, get up quickly, bounce.
BARLEY, a parley, a truce.
BAULD, bold.
BAULDER, bolder.
BAWBEE, a halfpenny.
BAWTY, sly, cunning.
BEES, in the, bewildered, stupefied.
BEFLUMM'D, flattered, cajoled.
BEGUNK, a trick, a cheat.
BEN, within, inside.
BENEMPT, named.
BICKER, a wooden dish.
BIDE, stay, endure.
BIELDY, affording shelter.
BIGGING, building.
BIRLIEMAN, a peace officer.
BLACK-COCK, the black grouse.
BLACK-FISHING, ashing by torchlight, poaching.
BLUDE, bluid, blood.
BODDLE, bodle, a copper coin, worth one third of an English penny.
BOGLE ABOUT THE BUSH, beat about the bush, a children's game.
BONNIE, beautiful, comely, fine,
BOUNE, prepared.
BRA', fine, handsome, showy.
BRANDER, broil.
BREEKS, breeches.
BRENT, smooth, unwrinkled.
BROGUES, Highland shoes.
BROO, brew, broth.
BRUCKLE, brittle, infirm.
BRUIK, enjoy.
BRULZIE, bruilzie, a broil, a fray.
BUCKIE, a perverse or refractory person.
BUTTOCK-MAIL, a fine for fornication.
BYDAND, awaiting.
CA', call.
CADGER, a country carrier.
CAILLIACHS, old women on whom devolved the duty of lamenting forthe dead, which the Irish call keening.
CALLANT, a stripling, a fine fellow.
CANNILY, prudently.
CANNY, cautious, lucky.
CARLE, a churl, an old man.
CATERAN, a freebooter.
CHIEL, a young man.
CLACHAN, a village, a hamlet.
CLAMYHEWIT, a blow, a drubbing.
CLASH, chatter, gossip.
CLATTER, tattle, noisy talk.
CLOSE, a narrow passage.
CLOUR, a bump, a bruise.
COCKY-LEEKY, a soup made of a cock, seasoned with leeks.
COGHLING AND DROGHLING, wheezing and blowing.
CORONACH, a dirge.
CORRIE, a mountain hollow.
COUP, fall.
COW YER CRACKS, cut short your talk, hold your tongues.
CRACK, boast.
CRAIG, the neck, the throat.
CRAMES, merchants' shops, booths.
CUT-LUGGED, crop-eared.
DAFT, foolish, mad, crazy.
DAUR, dare.
DEAVING, deafening.
DECREET, an order of decree.
DELIVER, light, agile.
DERN, hidden, concealed, secret.
DING, knock, beat, surpass.
DINGLE, dinnle, tingle, vibrate with sound.
DOER, an agent, a manager.
DOG-HEAD, the hammer of a gun.
DOILED, crazed, silly.
DOITED, having the faculties impaired.
DORLACH, a bundle.
DOW, a dove.
DOWF, dowff, dull, spiritless.
DRAPPIE, a little drop, a small quantity of drink.
EFFEIR, what is becoming.
ENEUGH, enough.
ETTER-CAP, a spider, an ill-natured person.
EVITE, avoid, escape.
EWEST, ewast, contiguous.
FALLOW, a fellow.
FAULD, fold.
FEARED, afraid.
FECK, a quantity.
FLEYT, frightened, shy.
FRAE, from.
GAD, a goad, a rod.
GANE, gone; gang, go.
GAR, make.
GATE, way.
GAUN, going.
GEAR, goods.
GHAIST, a ghost.
GIN, if.
GITE, crazy, a noodle,
GLED, a kite.
GLEG, quick, clever.
GLISK, a glimpse.
GOWD, gold.
GRANING, groaning.
GRAT, wept.
GREE, agree.
GREYBEARD, a stone bottle or jug.
GRICE, gryce, gris, a pig.
GRIPPLE, griping, niggardly.
GUDE, guid, good.
GULPIN, a simpleton.
HA', hall.
HAG, a portion of copse marked off for cutting.
HAGGIS, a pudding peculiar to Scotland, containing oatmeal, suet,minced sheep's liver, heart, etc., seasoned with onions, pepper,and salt, the whole mixture boiled in a sheep's stomach.
HAIL, whole.
HECK, a hay rack; at heck and manger, in plenty.
HET, hot.
HOG, a young sheep before its first shearing.
HORSE-COUPER, horse-cowper, a horse-dealer.
HURDLES, the buttocks.
HURLEY-HOUSE, a large house fallen into disrepair.
ILK, same; of that ilk, of the same name or place,
ILKA, every.
INGLE, a fire burning upon the hearth.
IN THE BEES, stupefied.
KEEPIT, kept.
KEMPLE, a Scotch measure of straw or hay.
KEN, know.
KIPPAGE, disorder, confusion.
KIRK, church.
KITTLE, tickle, ticklish.
LAIRD, lord of the manor.
LANDLOUPER, a wanderer, a vagabond.
LEDDY, a lady.
LIGHTLY, make light of, disparage.
LIMMER, a hussy, a jade.
LOON, a worthless fellow, a lout.
LOUP, leap, start.
LUG, an ear.
LUNZIE, the loins, the waist.
MAE, more.
MAINS, the chief farm of an estate.
MAIR, more.
MAIST, most, almost. MART, beef salted down for winter.
MASK, mash, infuse.
MAUN, must.
MERK, an old silver coin worth 13 1/3 pence, English.
MICKLE, large, much.
MORN, tomorrow.
MOUSTED, powdered.
MUCKLE, great, much.
MUNT, mount.
MUTCHKIN, a measure equal to about three quarters of an imperialpint.
NA, nae, no, not.
NAIGS, horses.
NAIL, the sixteenth part of a yard.
NATHELESS, nevertheless.
NEB, nose, tip.
NE'ER BE IN ME, devil be in me.
OLD TO DO, great doings.
OWER, over.
PAITRICK, a partridge.
PANGED, crammed.
PARRITCH, oatmeal porridge.
PAUNIE, a peacock.
PECULIUM, private property.
PINNERS, a headdress for women.
PLACK, a copper coin worth one third of a penny.
PLAIDY, an outer covering for the body.
PLENISH, furnish.
PLOY, an entertainment, a pastime.
POTTINGER, an apothecary.
POWNIE, a pony.
POWTERING, poking, stirring.
PRETTY MAN, a stout, warlike fellow.
QUEAN, a young woman.
REDD, part, separate.
REISES, twigs, branches.
RESILING, retracting, withdrawing.
RIGGS, ridges, ploughed ground.
RINTHEROUT, a roving person, a vagabond.
ROW, roll.
ROWED, rolled.
ROWT, cried out, bellowed,
ROYNISH, scurvy, coarse.
SAE, so.
ST. JOHNSTONE'S TIPPET, a rope or halter for hanging.
SAIR, sore, very.
SALL, shall.
SARK, a shirt.
SAUMON, a salmon.
SAUT, salt.
SCARTED, scratched, scribbled over.
SCHELLUM, a rascal.
SCROLL, engross, copy.
SHANKS, legs.
SHEERS, shears.
SHOUTHER, the shoulder.
SICCAN, sic, such.
SILLER, money.
SILLY, weak.
SKIG, the least quantity of anything.
SMA', small.
SMOKY, suspicious.
SNECK, cut.
SORTED, put in proper order, adjusted.
SOWENS, the seeds of oatmeal soured.
SPEER, ask, investigate.
SPENCE, the place where provisions are kept.
SPRACK, lively.
SPRECHERY, movables of an unimportant sort.
SPUILZIE, spoil.
SPUNG, pick one's pocket.
STIEVE, firm.
STOOR, rough, harsh.
STRAE, straw.
STREEKS, stretches, lies.
SWAIR, swore.
SYNE, before, now, ago.
TAIGLIT, harassed, encumbered, loitered.
TAULD, told.
THAE, those.
THIR, these.
THOLE, bear, suffer.
THRAW, twist, wrench.
THREEPIT, maintained obstinately.
THROSTLE, the thrush.
TILL, to.
TIRRIVIES, hasty fits of passion,
TOCHERLESS, without dowry.
TOUN, a town, a hamlet, a farm.
TOY, an old-fashioned cap for women.
TREWS, trousers.
TRINDLING, rolling.
TROW, believe.
TUILZIE, a quarrel
TUME, toom, empty.
TURNSPIT DOGGIE, a kind of dog, long-bodied and short-legged,formerly used in turning a treadmill.
TYKE, a dog, a rough fellow.
UMQUHILE, formerly, late.
UNCO, strange, very,
UNSONSY, unlucky.
USQUEBAUGH, whiskey.
VENY, venue, a bout.
VIVERS, victuals.
WA', wall
WAD, would.
WADSET, a deed conveying property to a creditor
WAIN, a wagon; to remove.
WALISE, a portmanteau, saddlebags.
WAN, won.
WANCHANCY, unlucky.
WARE, spend.
WEEL-FARD, weel-faur'd, having a good appearance.
WEISING, inclining, directing.
WHA, who.
WHAR, where,
WHAT FOR, why.
WHEEN, a few.
WHILE SYNE, a while ago.
WHILES, sometimes.
WHILK, which.
WHIN, a few.
WHINGEING, whining.
WINNA, will not.
WISKE, whisk.
YATE, gate.
