Page:The New Monthly Magazine and Universal Register - Volume 011.djvu/22

10 him food, or changes of linen. He had endured much pain in his head, the consequence of a contusion received at the battle of Culloden. He was sometimes feverish and delirious, until a great effusion of blood from his nostrils relieved him, and his strength and spirits were much reduced by the discharge. An acute sense of his unhappy condition preyed upon his mind. In his ravings, Mrs. Gordon discerned that he yet now poignantly lamented the expulsion of the race he considered to have a legitimate right to the sceptre of great Britain. Mr. Gordon had interdicted his wife from communicating to him any particulars respecting her protegés; that if questioned, he could, with truth, assert his entire ignorance. She, however, took leave to consult him in general or figurative terms, and he suggested a remedy for misplaced loyalty. Mr. Hamilton was a stedfast protestant. Mrs. Gordon, after hearing from her husband the following story, introduced it casually, as if she wished to know whether Mr. H. knew the parties. It was the first tine she sat down in his chamber, since the duties of a sick nurse prolonged her stay with him, and the natural delight afforded by society to a sensitive and cultivated mind engaged the deepest attention to her discourse. We shall find the efficacy of truths, pleasantly imparted, can overcome very inveterate prejudices.

A baronet in the south of Scotland married a roman catholic lady in 1741. Through the lady's influence, her father confessor hoped to engage Sir B. M. in the projected rebellion; but she declined taking any part which might involve his life and property. The priest often reiterated his importunities; lady M. adhered to her prudent determination, and the ghostly father, losing all self command, expected to intimidate her, by denouncing excommunication, with all the dire concomitants of ecclesiastical censure. The lady interrupted him with the dignity of offended self reverence:

"Your threats, Sir, have confirmed my purpose. I see, I feel, that while the protestant house of Hanover reigns over us, I may treat with contempt your unmanly virulence, and order you to leave my presence, no more to return. If a Stewart held the sovereign authority, I must tremble at the least sign of priestly rancour. Henceforth I renounce the fetters of reason, and of personal liberty, in which education enchained me. I abjure your church and its errors."

The priest made abject concessions; but lady M. was inexorable. Mr. M. was not acquainted with the family; but he applauded the lady, and from that period his spirits and health amended.

Mrs. Gordon and John Roy were aware they could not without some risk approach his bed. She waited at the door, while John Roy, after putting off his shoes, gently drew near, and got possession of his weapons. Both were painfully affected by this incident. It brought conviction, that they themselves might be disarmed and seized, when unconscious of danger.

Kenedy waited for the answer he must bring the unfortunate M'Gregors. Mrs. Gordon left John Roy and Mr. H. when she had gently roused the sleeper. Mr. H. was overjoyed to see his friend, and glad to accompany him to Glenmore. John Roy dispatched Kenedy to welcome the M'Gregors. Mr. Drummond availed himself of the invitation to Alvey: but a romantic resource, which we shall hereafter detail, procured for James M'Gregor an easy conveyance to the eastern district. The genius of the might weave from our slight materials an historical story, not less illustrative of the character of the Gael than the Tales of My Landlord are descriptive of the southern Scots.

But to return to the wanderers. When Mrs. Gordon left them, John Roy informed the poet of Bangour, that in the woods of Glenmore he met an old acquaintance, who told him he had been three days without food in a cavern, beneath the root of a fir tree he cut down in a more peaceful season, and had marked, hoping to entrap foxes, or perhaps otters, by laying snares in their den:—but the time came, when he must betake himself to it for shelter from the king's troops. John Roy asked to see the place, and carved his initials on the stump, that he might know it again; and as the person, from whom he obtained the secret, was off to France, he and his friend need not fear treachery. Besides, he had secured the protection of two ladies, who satisfied him that their servant Finlay M'Donald would sooner die than prove ungrateful. Mr. Grant was at Fort Augustus with the army; and his brother Tullochgorum was one of the hostages, lodged in Edinburgh Castle, since some false aspersions had led the