NEW YORK :
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,
90, 92 & 94 GRAND STREET.

1869.

LIBRARY

INTRODUCTION-(18297.ja
THE LEGEND OF MONTROSE was written chiefly

head, and carried it fritâ hogy, it

wrapt in a corner with a view to place before the reader the melan- of one of their plaids, choly fate of John Lord Kilpont, eldest son of

In the full exultation of vengeance, they William Earl of Airth and Menteith, and the sin stopped at the house of Ardvoirlich and demand. gular circumstances attending the birth and his- ed refreshment, which the lady, a sister of the tory of James Stewart of Ardvoirlich, by whose murdered Drummond-Erooch (her husband being hand the unfortunate nobleman fel.

absent), was afraid or unwilling to refuse. She Our subject leads us to talk of deadly feuds, caused bread and cheese to be placed before and we must begin with one still more ancient them, and gave directions for more substantial than that to which our story relates. During the refreshments to be prepared. While she way reign of James IV. a great feud between the pow- absent with this hospitable intention, the barbaerful families of Drummond and Murray divided rians placed the head of hier brother on the talle, Perthshire. The former, being the most numer- filling the mouth with bread and cheese, and bid. oas and powerful, cooped up eight score of the ding him eat, for many a merry meal he had eaten Murrays in the kirk of Monivaird, and set fire to

in that house. The poor woman returning and it. The wives and the children of the ill-fated beholding this dreadful sight, shrieked aloud!, and men, who had also found shelter in the church, fled into the woods, where, as described in the perished by the same conflagration. One man,

romance, she roamed a raving maniec, and for named David Murray, escaped by the humanity

some time secreted herseif from all living society. of one of the Drummonds, who received him in Some remaining instinctive feeling brought her his arms as he leaped from amongst the flames. at length to steal a glance from a distance at the As King James IV. ruled with more activity than

maidens while they milked the cowe, wlich bemost of his predecessors, this cruel deed was se- ing observed, her husband, Ardvoirlich, had her verely revenged, and several of the perpetrators conveyed back to her hone, and detained Ler were beheaded at Stirling. In consequence of

therc till she gave birth to a child, of whom the the prosecution against this clan, the Drummond had been pregnant; after which she was observed by whose assistance David Murray had escapedl, gradually to recover ber mental faculties. ted to Ireland, until, by means of the person

Meanwhile the outlaws had carried to the ut. whose life he had saved, he was permitted to re

most their insults against the regal anthority, turn to Scotland, where he and his descendants which, indeed, as exercised, they had little redwere distinguished by the name of Drummond son for respecting. They bore the sainc bloody Eirinich, or Ernoch, that is, Drummond of Ire- trophy, which they had go sarngely exibited to land; and the same title was bestowed on their the lady of Ardvoirlich, into the old chuch of estate.

Balquidder, nearly in the centre of their countiy, The Drummond-Ernoch of James the Sixth's

where the Laird of MacGregor and all his clan, time was a king's forester in the forest of Glen- being convened for the purpose, laid their hands artney, and chanced to be employed there in

successively on the dead man's head, and swore, search of venison about the year 1588, or early in

in heathenish and barbarous manner, to defend 1589. This forest was adjacent to the chief haunts the author of the dead. This ferce and vindicof the MacGregors, or a particular race of them, tive combination gave the author's late and laknown by the title of MacEagh or Children of the

mented friend, Sir Alexander Boewell, Bart., Mist. They considered the forester’s hunting in subject for a spirited poein. entitled "Clan Altheir vicinity as an aggression, or perhaps they pine's Vow," which ras prinied, but not, I behad him at fend, for the apprehension or slaugh- lieve, published, in 1811.* ter of some of their own name, or for some simi

The fact is asceriained by a proclamation from lar reason. This tribe of MacGregors were out

thc Privy Council, datod sth February, 1599, dl. lawed and persecuted, as the reader may see in recting letters of fire and sword against the Macthe Introduction to Rob Roy; and every man's Gregors.t. This fearful commission was executed hand being against them, their hand was of course with uncommon fury. The late excellent John directed against every man. In short, they sur

* Sea Appendix No. 1. p. 64. prised and slew Drummond-Ernoch, cut of his

1 Soe Appendix No. II. p. 64.

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mcan:

Buchanan of Cambusmors shewed the author of Scotland, the national disposition to wander some correspondence between his ancestor, the ing and to adventure, all conduced to lead the Laird of Buchanan, and Lord Drummond, about Scots abroad into the military servicc of countries sweeping certain valleys with their followers, which were at war with cach other. They were on a fixed time and rendezvous, and “taking distinguished on the Continent by their bravery; sweet revenge for the death of their cousin, but in adopting the trade of mercenary soldiers, Drummond-Ernoch." In spite of all, however, they necessarily injured their national character. that could be done, the devoted tribe of Mac- The tincture of learning, which most of them Gregor still bred up survivors to sustain and to possessed, degenerated into pedantry; their good inflict new cruelties and injuries.*

breeding became mere ceremonial; their fear of Meanwhile young James Stewart of Ardvoir- dishonor no longer kept them aloof from that lich grew up to manhood uncommonly tall, which was really unworthy, but was made to destrong, and active, with ench power in the grasp pend on certain punctilions observances totally of his hand in particular, as could force the blood apart from that wbich was in itself deserving of from beneath the nails of the persons who con- praise. A cavalier of honor, in search of his fortended with him in this feat of strength. His tune, might, for example, change his service as he temper was moody, fierce, and irascible; yet he would his shirt; fight like the doughty Captain must have had some ostensible good qualities, as Dalgetty, in one cause after another, without rehe was greatly beloved by Lord Kilpont, the eld- gard to the justice of the quarrel, and might est son of the Earl of Airth and Menteith.

plunder the peasantry subjected to him by the This gallant young nobleman joined Montrose fate of war with the most unrelenting rapacity; in the setting up his standard in 1644, just before but he must beware how he sustained the slightthe decisive battle at Tippermuir, on the 1st Sep- est reproach, even from a clergyman, if it had retember in that year. At that time, Stewart of gard to neglect on the score of duty. The followArdvoirlich shared the confidence of the young ing occurrence will prove the truth of what I Lord by day, and his bed by night, when, about four or five days after the battle, Ardvoirlich, "Here I must not forget the memory of one either from a fit of sudden fury or deep malice preacher, Master William Forbesse a preacher for long entertained against his unsuspecting friend, souldiers, yea, and a captaine in neede to leade stabbed Lord Kilpont to the heart, and escaped souldiers on a good occasion, being full of courfrom the camp at Montrose, having killed a sen- age, with discretion and good conduct, beyond tincl who attempted to detain bim. Bishop Guth- some captaines I have knowne, that were not 60 rie gives as a reason for this villainous action, capable as he. At this time he not onely prayed that Lord Kilpont had rejected with abhorrence a for us, but went on with us, to remarke, as I proposal of Ardvoirlich to assassinate Montrose. thinke, men's carriage; and having found a serBut it does not appear that there is any authority geant neglecting his datic and his honour at such for this charge, which rests on mere suspicion. a time (whose name I will not expresse), having Ardvoirlich, the assassin, certainly did fly to the chidden him, did promise to reveal him unto me, Covenanters, and was employed and promoted by as he did after their service. The scrgeant being them. He obtained a pardon for the slaughter of called before me, and accused, did deny bis accuLord Kilpont, confirmed by Parliament in 1644, sation, alleaging, if he were no pastour that had and was made Major of Argyle's regiment in 1643. alleaged it, he would not lie under the injury. Such are the facts of the tale here given as a Le- The preacher offered to fight with him, (in proof] gend of Montrose's wars. The reader will find that it was truth he had spoken of him; wherethey are considerably altered in the fictitious nar- upon I cashiered the sergeant, and gave his place rative.

to a worthier, called Mango Gray, a gentleman of The author has endeavored to enliven the good worth, and of much courage. The sergeant tragedy of the tale by the introduction of a per. being cashiered, never called Master William to sonage proper to the time and country. In this account, for which he was evill thought of; so he has been held by excellent judges to have been that he retired home, and quit the warres.” in some degree successful. The contempt of com- The above quotation is taken from a work merce entertained by young men having some which the author repeatedly consulter] while coinpretence to gentility, the poverty of the country posing the following sheets, and which is in great

measure written in the humor of Captain Dagald * I embrace the opportunity given me by a second mention Dalgetty. It bears the following formidable title; of this tribe to notice an error, which impates to an individual

--- MONRO his Expedition with the worthy Scots named Ciar Mohr Mac-Gregor the slaughter of the students at the battle of Glenfruin. Iam informed from the authority of Regiment, called MacKeye's Regiment, levied in John Gregorsoa, Esq., that ihe chieftain so named was dead August, 1626, by Sir Donald MacKeye Lord Rer Dearly a century before the battle in question, and could not, Colonel, for his Majestie's service of Denms thercfore, have done the cruel action mentioned. The inistake and reduced after the battle of Nerling, in does not rest with me, as I disclaimed being responsible for the

tember 1634, at Wormes, in the Palz. Dis!,!" tradition while I quoted it, but with vulgar fame, which is al.

in several duties and observations of sort ways disposed to ascribo remarkable actions to a remarkable name. See the erroneous passage, Roh Roy, Introduction, p. 5,

ander the magnanimous King of Dermaand and no soft sleep the offended phantom of Dugald Ciar Mohr. ring his wars against the Empire; air