 is founded on something prior to
the feudal system, about which the writers of this age have made such a pother,
as if it was a new discovery, like the Copernican system. Every peculiarity of
policy, custom, and even temperament, is affectedly traced to this origin, as if
the feudal constitution had not been common to almost all the natives of Europe.
For my part, I expect to see the use of trunk-hose and buttered ale ascribed to
the influence of the feudal system. The connection between the clans and their
chiefs is, without all doubt, patriarchal. It is founded on hereditary regard
and affection, cherished through a long succession of ages. The clan consider
the chief as their father, they bear his name, they believe themselves descended
from his family, and they obey him as their lord, with all the ardour of filial
love and veneration; while he, on his part, exerts a paternal authority,
commanding, chastising, rewarding, protecting, and maintaining them as his own
children. If the legislature would entirely destroy this connection, it must
compel the Highlanders to change their habitation and their names. Even this
experiment has been formerly tried without success - In the reign of James VI. a
battle was fought within a few short miles of this place, between two clans, the
M'Gregors and the Colquhouns, in which the latter were defeated: the Laird of
M'Gregor made such a barbarous use of his victory, that he was forfeited and
outlawed by act of parliament: his lands were given to the family of Montrose,
and his clan were obliged to change their name. They obeyed so far, as to call
themselves severally Campbell, Graham, or Drummond, the surnames of the families
of Argyle, Montrose, and Perth, that they might enjoy the protection of those
houses; but they still added M'Gregor to their new appellation; and as their
chief was deprived of his estate, they robbed and plundered for his subsistence.
- Mr. Cameron of Lochiel, the chief of that clan, whose father was attainted for
having been concerned in the last rebellion, returning from France in obedience
to a proclamation and act of parliament, passed at the beginning of the late
war, paid a visit to his own country, and hired a farm in the neighbourhood of
his father's house, which had been burnt to the ground. The clan, though ruined
and scattered, no sooner heard of his arrival than they flocked to him from all
quarters, to welcome his return, and in a few days stocked his farm with
