Where blax'd of old the warning fires.-P. 139. Craigillachy is a solitary mountain that overlooks the entrance to Strathspey, and has been considered for ages past as a kind of rallying point to the clan that inhabit it. On any sudden invasion of the Norwegians on the eastern coast, a fire kindled on some mountain near the sea, was instantly seen in Strathspey, and answered by another on Craigillachy, and that by another on Craigow in Badenoch; so that the intelligence was in this manner often transmitted from the east sea to the west in three hours. By means of this simple telegraph, the whole country was up in an instant, to resist invasion. Craigillachy is the war-cry of of the clan Grant, and even within these few years, if one of them was borne down or injured in any popular tumult at a fair or public concourse out of his own country, he cried aloud Craigillachy, and every person within hearing, allied by descent or marriage to the clan, flew to his rescue. The motto of the clan is, "Stand fast Craigillachy." No. 2. "Shall feed our babes and hoary sires."-P. 141. Quenching the fire is a most emphatic phrase in the Highlands, and never heard without a thrill of horror; it signifies not only the removing of cottagers attached to the soil by long possession, but quenching fires to kindle them no more, that is, depopulating districts once inhabited. It is easy to judge how much those who never quenched a fire must be venerated and beloved. No. 3. "And save the mourners from despair.”—P. 141. The Chief here alluded to is said at one time to have supported at his own expence four hundred women and children, belonging to such individuals in his regiments as were unable to leave any provision for their maintenance. OH, soft and sweet the evening sun I musing wander'd o'er yon height "Where broom bloom'd fair to view;" Whose yellow blossoms gaily show'd O'er violets darkly blue. *See note No. 1. A little higher up I spy'd A roofless castle grey, Where rooks and daws in clam'rous crowds Retir'd at close of day *. A fenceless garden's sad remains, And trees, whose branches scorch'd by fire Two shrubs in vernal pride remain'd, There, seated by a ruin'd tow'r, And why, untouch'd by wasting time, And who are you that lonely mourn * See note No. 2. + See note No. 3. And why does still that cherish'd rose And in this lonely waste forlorn, "Oh, long must I unpitied mourn, "Where mouldering tow'rs decay; "Fierce were the flames that scorch'd their walls, "And fatal was the day. "And long must tears in silence shed, "Bedew that rose so fair; ""Twas planted in the dawn of hope, "For royal brows to wear. My master was a Chief renown'd "In manhood's active prime; My lady was for ev'ry worth "Well skill'd in dangerous art, (But truth, and love, and goodness fill'd "His daughter's gentle heart.) |