LAST OF THE INVEREYS.

311

that I'll mind them for their trouble, besides being obliged to them. I was at first thinking of going up myself to take them; but on second thoughts I reckoned it would be better to send you in my place, as perhaps, if they saw me and a few men with me going to the glen, they might take them out of the fforest before I reached. But they won't suspect you; only it is necessary to keep this order secret till you have execute it. I beg you'll behave yourselves like men, and not let me be affronted.—I am, dear Uncle, 'Your most affect. nevew,

'ALEXR. FFARQUHARSON.'

The finale of the Auchindryne history is thus given :

'James, the laird's son, was, alas, not of the same stamp as his father. He associated with the Duffs; and their son, a James also, taught him expensive habits.

'This did not at all please the old man, who foresaw a dark future; but he could not change his lad's heart. But what he could do, he tried. He offered every one of his tenants leases of their holdings while grass grew or water ran, at the same rents they then paid. But they little understood his generosity or true motives. They thought the laird must see that land was to get cheaper, and they feared they might be ruined. Only one of them, the farmer

.

of Dalbreckachy, Alastair Lamont, could be prevailed on to accept a lease of the kind. Having prevailed with one, he did not give up with the others. So every time they came to pay their rents he renewed his offer, but in vain; and even Dalbreckachy, who had accepted, often begged the laird to cancel his lease, and put him on the same footing as the others. "Na, na, keep it, laddie," the laird would reply; "it will do you and your family good when I am in the mools. Keep ye it, laddie."

.6.66

He had sore misgivings; but he kept it on, just not to displease the good old man. By and by word reached Braemar that the laird was dying. Lamont took alarm, and hurried off to Balmoral with the obnoxious lease. He was ushered into a room where the old man sat alone in his chair, very "wae" and sad.

"O laird!" cried the farmer, as ye hope to meet God in mercy, tak' this lease off my hands, for it will be the ruin of me and of my family."

Well, well," said the poor laird, with a sigh of resignation, "God's will be done." And he threw it into the fire. "But, Alastair," he continued, “the day will come when the men of the Braes of Mar would dig me out of the grave with their teeth, could they get such leases as you all refuse. God protect ye, my bairns, for I'll soon be away."

'Too soon that day came, alas! James succeeded

LAST OF THE INVEREYS.

313

in his place. He had before his accession contracted a debt of eight thousand pounds, due the greater part to the Duffs. They came for a time to a kind of settlement, by James letting the Earl have part of his hill Craig an Fehithich, opposite Mar Lodge, which the Earl planted to beautify the view from his windows.'

The sum which the Earl allowed for it was then considered extravagant; and when some one expostulated with the Earl on his prodigality, he is reported to have said very jocularly, That he knew what he was about, as that hill would serve as a key to the rest.'

'The evil day came at length. Pressing demands were made by the Earl of Fife, and James determined to sell off the estate and clear away his debts. The tenants, on learning this, came forward in a body and offered themselves to clear off the debt to the Duffs, provided James would not sell his lands. But it would not do. In spite of all their devotion, the estates were sold to the Earl of Fife, and Inverey left Braemar. He gave Ballater and Tullich to Monaltrie for his estate of Bruxie, whither he himself retired.

Afterwards we read in the newspapers: "Died at Fock's Lodge (near Edinburgh), James Farquharson, the last of the Invereys."

'Lewis Farquharson, his brother, who had married

the heiress of Ballogie, was once present at the Braemar gathering, and he was made very welcome for auld langsyne. The hearts of the people yearned to him; and they felt sad and wae when the memory of old times came over them. But it was Mr. Innes with them; Mr. Innes this, and Mr. Innes that.

"Not Innes," replied he; "I am that at Ballogie; but I am Farquharson in Braemar."

'That went to the people's hearts; there was a tear in every eye. But they cheered him; yes, they did it heartily, though their cheers were like to choke them; and then he went away.

'The next thing-ay, there it is, as I picked it from the blank leaf of a missal belonging to the family:" 27th September 1830.-Obiit Dominus. Ludovicus Innes (quondam Farquharson de Inverey), novissime autem de Balnacraig et Ballogie, anno ætatis suo 67." Lewis had a son, who died young and unmarried; and so the race is nearly extinct.'

CHAPTER VII.

Social Usages of the Braemarians-Dress, Food, etc.-Last Case of Witchcraft-Cheese-peel.

HE next and last point of interest in Braemar history was the auspicious event of it

becoming again, as in days of old, a royal residence-a change conducive to its highest interests. But, before touching upon that subject, I may notice briefly the state of the people as to social usages, dress, food, etc., about the end of the eighteenth century, as at that time the old habits, customs, etc., had but begun to give way by the introduction of Saxon usage and modern improvement.

And first as to dress. After the defeat at Culloden the soldiers had orders to oblige the people to lay aside their ancient costume. This in Braemar they entirely failed in doing. But a kind of compromise was made. The kilt they did not, and would not lay aside; but they agreed to have it of other material than tartan. They adopted instead a greyish sort of colour, with a few narrow stripes of white