pressing on Waverley no light sense of their merit as but for the absence of pork,* abhorred in the Highsoldiers, and of the power of him who commanded lands, resembled the rude festivity of the banquet of them by his nod. Penelope's suitors. But the central dish was a year"And what number of such gallant fellows have ling lamb, called a a hog in har'st," roasted whole. the happiness to call you leader?" asked Waverley. It was set upon its legs, with a bunch of parsley in "In a good cause, and under a chieftain whom its mouth, and was probably exhibited in that form they loved, the race of Ivor have seldom taken the to gratify the pride of the cook, who piqued himself field under five hundred claymores. But you are more on the plenty than the elegance of his master's aware, Captain Waverley, that the disarming act, table. The sides of this poor animal were fiercely passed about twenty years ago, prevents their being attacked by the clansmen, some with dirks, others in the complete state of preparation as in former with the knives which were usually in the same sheath times; and I keep no more of my clan under arms with the dagger, so that it was soon rendered a manthan may defend my own or my friend's property, gled and rueful spectacle. Lower down still, the when the country is troubled with such men as your victuals seemed of yet coarser quality, though suffilast night's landlord; and government, which has ciently abundant. Broth, onions, cheese, and the removed other means of defence, must connive at fragments of the feast, regaled the sons of Ivor who our protecting ourselves." feasted in the open air. "But, with your force, you might soon destroy, or The liquor was supplied in the same proportion, put down, such gangs as that of Donald Bean Lean." and under similar regulations. Excellent claret and "Yes, doubtless; and my reward would be a sum- champaigne were liberally distributed among the mons to deliver up to General Blakeney, at Stirling, Chief's immediate neighbours; whisky, plain or dithe few broadswords they have left us: there were luted, and strong-beer, refreshed those who sat near little policy in that, methinks.-But come, captain, the lower end. Nor did this inequality of distribution the sound of the pipes informs me that dinner is pre-appear to give the least offence. Every one present pared-Let me have the honour to show you into my understood that his taste was to be formed accordrude mansion." CHAPTER XX. A HIGHLAND FEAST. ERE Waverley entered the banqueting hall, he was offered the patriarchal refreshment of a bath for the feet, which the sultry weather, and the morasses he had traversed, rendered highly acceptable. He was not, indeed, so luxuriously attended upon this occasion as the heroic travellers in the Odyssey; the task of ablution and abstersion being performed, not by a beautiful damsel, trained ing to the rank which he held at table; and, consequently, the tacksmen and their dependents always professed the wine was too cold for their stomachs, and called, apparently out of choice, for the liquor which was assigned to them from economy.t The bagpipers, three in number, screamed, during the whole time of dinner, a tremendous war-tune; and the echoing of the vaulted roof, and clang of the Celtic tongue, produced such a Babel of noises, that Waverley dreaded his ears would never recover it. Mac-Ivor, indeed, apologized for the confusion occasioned by so large a party, and pleaded the necessity of his situation, on which unlimited hospitality was imposed as a paramount duty. "These stout idle kinsmen of mine," he said, account my estate as To chafe the limb, and pour the fragrant oil, held in trust for their support; and I must find them but by a smoke-dried skinny old Highland woman, beef and ale, while the rogues will do nothing for who did not seem to think herself much honoured by themselves, but practise the broadsword, or wander the duty imposed upon her, but muttered between about the hills, shooting, fishing, hunting, drinking, her teeth, "Our father's herds did not feed so near and making love to the lasses of the strath. But together, that I should do you this service." A small what can I do, Captain Waverley? every thing will donation, however, amply reconciled this ancient keep after its kind, whether it be a hawk or a handmaiden to the supposed degradation; and, as Highlander." Edward made the expected answer, Edward proceeded to the hall, she gave him her in a compliment upon his possessing so many bold blessing, in the Gaelic proverb, "May the open hand and attached followers. be filled the fullest." 66 much abominated by the Scotch, nor is it yet a favourite food amongst them. King Jamie carried this prejudice to England, tobacco. Ben Jonson has recorded this peculiarity, where the and is known to have abhorred pork almost as much as he did gipsy in a masque, examining the king's hand, says, you should by this line Love a horse, and a hound, but no part of a swine. The Gipsies Metamorphosed. In the number of persons of all ranks who assembled at the "Why, yes," replied the Chief, "were I disposed, The hall, in which the feast was prepared, occu- like my father, to put myself in the way of getting pied all the first story of Ian nan Chaistel's original one blow on the head, or two on the neck, I believe erection, and a huge oaken table extended through * Pork, or swine's flesh, in any shape, was, till of late years, its whole length. The apparatus for dinner was simple, even to rudeness, and the company numerous, even to crowding. At the head of the table was the Chief himself, with Edward, and two or three Highland visitors of neighbouring clans; the elders of his own tribe, wadsetters and tacksmen, as they were called, who occupied portions of his estate as mortgagers or lessees, sat next in rank; beneath James's own proposed banquet for the Devil, was a loin of pork then the officers of the Chief's household, accordingame table, though by no means to discuss the same fare, the them, their sons and nephews, and foster-brethren; and a poll of ling, with a pipe of tobacco for digestion. to their order; and, lowest of all, the tenants who Highland chiefs only retained a custom which had been foractually cultivated the ground. Even beyond this merly universally observed throughout Scotland. "I myself," long perspective, Edward might see upon the green, says the traveller, Fynes Morrison, in the end of Queen Elizato which a huge pair of folding doors opened, a multi-beth's reign, the scene being the Lowlands of Scotland, "was at a knight's house, who had many servants to attend him, that tude of Highlanders of a yet inferior description, who, brought in his meat with their heads covered with blue caps nevertheless, were considered as guests, and had their the table being more than half furnished with great platters of share both of the countenance of the entertainer, and porridge, each having a little piece of sodden meat. of the cheer of the day. In the distance, and fluctu- the table was served, the servants did sit down with us; but the upper mess, instead of porridge, had a pullet, with some prunes ating around this extreme verge of the banquet, was in the broth."—(Travels, p. 155.) a changeful group of women, ragged boys and girls, Till within this last century, the farmers, even of a respectabeggars, young and old, large greyhounds, and terriers, betwixt those of high degree, was ascertained by the place of the ble condition, dined with their work-people. The difference and pointers, and curs of low degree; all of whom party above or below the salt, or, sometimes, by a line drawn took some interest, more or less immediate, in the with chalk on the dining table. Lord Lovat, who knew well main action of the piece. how to feed the vanity, and restrain the appetites of his clans. This hospitality, apparently unbounded, had yet sions to be a Duinhe-wassel, the full honour of the sitting, but, men, allowed each sturdy Fraser, who had the slightest pretenits line of economy. Some pains had been bestowed at the same time, took care that his young kinsmen did not acin dressing the dishes of fish, game, &c., which were quire at his table any taste for outlandish luxuries. His lordship at the upper end of the table, and immediately under was always ready with some honourable apology, why foreign the eye of the English stranger. Lower down stood sap the hardy habits of his cousins, should not circulate past an wines and French brandy, delicacies which he conceived might immense clumsy joints of mutton and beef, which, assigned point on the table. And when the loons would stand by me. But who thinks of clan regarded the generosity of their Chieftain with that in the present day, when the maxim is,- Better high approbation. Many approved Gaelic toasts were an old woman with a purse in her hand, than three then proposed, of some of which the Chieftain gave men with belted brands?" Then, turning to the his guest the following versions:company, he proposed the "Health of Captain Waverley, a worthy friend of his kind neighbour and ally, the Baron of Bradwardine." He is welcome hither," said one of the elders, "if he come from Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine." "I say nay to that," said an old man, who apparently did not mean to pledge the toast; "I say nay to that; while there is a green leaf in the forest, there will be fraud in a Comyne." "There is nothing but honour in the Baron of Bradwardine," answered another ancient; "and the guest that comes hither from him should be welcome, though he came with blood on his hand, unless it were blood of the race of Ivor." The old man, whose cup remained full, replied, "There has been blood enough of the race of Ivor on the hand of Bradwardine." "Ah! Ballenkeiroch," replied the first, "you think rather of the flash of the carbine at the Mains of Tully-Veolan, than the glance of the sword that fought for the cause at Preston." "And well I may," answered Ballenkeiroch; "the flash of the gun cost me a fair-haired son, and the glance of the sword has done but little for King James." "To him that will not turn his back on friend or foe." "To him that never forsook a comrade." "To him that never bought or sold justice." "Hospitality to the exile, and broken bones to the tyrant." "The lads with the kilts." "Highlanders, shoulder to shoulder,"-with many other pithy sentiments of the like nature. Edward was particularly solicitous to know the meaning of that song which appeared to produce such effect upon the passions of the company, and hinted his curiosity to his host. "As I observe," said the Chieftain, "that you have passed the bottle during the last three rounds, I was about to propose to you to retire to my sister's tea-table, who can explain these things to you better than I can. Although I cannot stint my clan in the usual current of their festivity, yet I neither am addicted myself to exceed in its amount, nor do I," added he, smiling, "keep a Bear to devour the intellects of such as can make good use of them." Edward readily assented to this proposal, and the Chieftain, saying a few words to those around him, left the table, followed by Waverley. As the door closed behind them, Edward heard Vich Ian Vohr's health invoked with a wild and animated cheer, that expressed the satisfaction of the guests, and the depth of their devotion to his service. CHAPTER XXI. The Chieftain, in two words of French, explained to Waverley, that the Baron had shot this old man's son in a fray near Tully-Veolan about seven years before; and then hastened to remove Ballenkeiroch's prejudice, by informing him that Waverley was an Englishman, unconnected by birth or alliance with the family of Bradwardine; upon which the old gentleman raised the hitherto-untasted cup, and cour- THE drawing-room of Flora Mac-Ivor was furteously drank to his health. This cremony being re-nished in the plainest and most simple manner; for quited in kind, the Chieftain made a signal for the at Glennaquoich every other sort of expenditure was pipes to cease, and said, aloud, "Where is the song retrenched as much as possible, for the purpose of hidden, my friends, that Mac-Murrough cannot maintaining, in its full dignity, the hospitality of the find it?" Chieftain, and retaining and multiplying the number Mac-Murrough, the family bhairdh, an aged man, of his dependants and adherents. But there was no immediately took the hint, and began to chant, with appearance of this parsimony in the dress of the lady low and rapid utterance, a profusion of Celtic verses, herself, which was in texture elegant, and even rich, which were received by the audience with all the ap- and arranged in a manner which partook partly of plause of enthusiasm. As he advanced in his decla- the Parisian fashion, and partly of the more simple mation, his ardour seemed to increase. He had at first dress of the Highlands, blended together with great spoken with his eyes fixed on the ground; he now taste. Her hair was not disfigured by the art of the cast them around as if beseeching, and anon as if friseur, but fell in jetty ringlets on her neck, confined commanding, attention, and his tones rose into wild only by a circlet, richly set with diamonds. This and impassioned notes, accompanied with appropriate peculiarity she adopted in compliance with the Highgestures. He seemed to Edward, who attended to land prejudices, which could not endure that a wohim with much interest, to recite many proper names, man's head should be covered before wedlock. to lament the dead, to apostrophize the absent, to ex- Flora Mac-Ivor bore a most striking resemblance hort, and entreat, and animate those who were present. to her brother Fergus; so much so, that they might Waverley thought he even discerned his own name, have played Viola and Sebastian with the same exand was convinced his conjecture was right, from the quisite effect produced by the appearance of Mrs. eyes of the company being at that moment turned Henry Siddons and her brother, Mr. William Murray, towards him simultaneously. The ardour of the poet in these characters. They had the same antique and appeared to communicate itself to the audience. Their regular correctness of profile; the same dark eyes, wild and sun-burnt countenances assumed a fiercer eye-lashes, and eye-brows; the same clearness of and more animated expression; all bent forward to- complexion, excepting that Fergus's was embrowned wards the reciter, many sprung up and waved their by exercise, and Flora's possessed the utmost femiarms in ecstasy, and some laid their hands on their nine delicacy. But the haughty, and somewhat stern swords. When the song ceased, there was a deep regularity of Fergus's features, was beautifully softpause, while the aroused feelings of the poet and of the ened in those of Flora. Their voices were also simihearers gradually subsided into their usual channel. lar in tone, though differing in the key. That of FerThe Chieftain, who, during this scene, had appear-gus, especially while issuing orders to his followers ed rather to watch the emotions which were excited, during their military exercise, reminded Edward of a than to partake their high tone of enthusiasm, filled favourite passage in the description of Emetrius: with claret a small silver cup which stood by him. "Give this," he said to an attendant, to Mac-Murrough nan Fonn, (i, e. of the songs,) and when he That of Flora, on the contrary, was soft and sweet,— has drank the juice, bid him keep, for the sake of Vich "an excellent thing in woman;" yet, in urging any Ian Vohr, the shell of the gourd which contained it." favourite topic, which she often pursued with natural The gift was received by Mac-Murrough with pro- eloquence, it possessed as well the tones which imfound gratitude; he drank the wine, and, kissing the press awe and conviction, as those of persuasive incup, shrouded it with reverence in the plaid which was sinuation. The eager glance of the keen black eye, folded on his bosom. He then burst forth into what which, in the Chieftain, seemed impatient even of the Edward justly supposed to be an extemporaneous ef- material obstacles it encountered, had, in his sister, fusion of thanks, and praises of his Chief. It was acquired a gentle pensiveness. His looks seemed to received with applause, but did not produce the effect seek glory, power, all that could exalt him above of his first poem. It was obvious, however, that the others in the race of humanity; while those of his whose voice was heard around, Loud as a trumpet with a silver sound. sister, as if she were already conscious of mental su- they neither knew nor apparently wished to know, periority, seemed to pity, rather than envy, those who but to relieve their absolute necessities, when in were struggling for any farther distinction. Her sen- sickness or extreme old age. At every other period, timents corresponded with the expression of her coun- they rather toiled to procure something which they tenance. Early education had impressed upon her might share with the Chief, as a proof of their atmind, as well as on that of the Chieftain, the most tachment, than expected other assistance from him devoted attachment to the exiled family of Stewart. save what was afforded by the rude hospitality of his She believed it the duty of her brother, of his clan, of castle, and the general division and subdivision of every man in Britain, at whatever personal hazard, his estate among them. Flora was so much beloved to contribute to that restoration which the partizans by them, that when Mac-Murrough composed a song, of the Chevalier St. George had not ceased to hope in which he enumerated all the principal beauties of for. For this she was prepared to do all, to suffer all, the district, and intimated her superiority by conto sacrifice all. But her loyalty, as it exceeded her cluding, that "the fairest apple hung on the highest brother's in fanaticism, excelled it also in purity, bough," he received, in donatives from the indiviAccustomed to petty intrigue, and necessarily involved duals of the clan, more seed-barley than would have in a thousand paltry and selfish discussions, ambitious sowed his Highland Parnassus, the Bard's croft, as also by nature, his political faith was tinctured, at it was called, ten times over. least, if not tainted, by the views of interest and advancement so easily combined with it; and at the moment he should unsheathe his claymore, it might be difficult to say whether it would be most with the view of making James Stewart a king, or Fergus Mac-Ivor an earl. This, indeed, was a mixture of feeling which he did not avow even to himself, but it existed, nevertheless, in a powerful degree. From situation, as well as choice, Miss Mac-Ivor's society was extremely limited. Her most intimate friend had been Rose Bradwardine, to whom she was much attached; and when seen together, they would have afforded an artist two admirable subjects for the gay and the melancholy muse. Indeed Rose was so tenderly watched by her father, and her circle of wishes was so limited, that none arose but what he In Flora's bosom, on the contrary, the zeal of loy- was willing to gratify, and scarce any which did not alty burnt pure and unmixed with any selfish feeling; come within the compass of his power. With Flora she would have as soon made religion the mask of it was otherwise. While almost a girl, she had unambitious and interested views, as have shrouded dergone the most complete change of scene, from them under the opinions which she had been taught gayety and splendour to absolute solitude and comto think patriotism. Such instances of devotion parative poverty; and the ideas and wishes which were not uncommon among the followers of the un-she chiefly fostered, respected great national events, happy race of Stewart, of which many memorable and changes not to be brought round without both proofs will recur to the mind of most of my readers. hazard and bloodshed, and therefore not to be thought But peculiar attention on the part of the Chevalier de of with levity. Her manner, consequently, was St. George and his princess to the parents of Fergus grave, though she readily contributed her talents to and his sister, and to themselves, when orphans, had the amusement of society, and stood very high in the riveted their faith. Fergus, upon the death of his opinion of the old Baron, who used to sing along with parents, had been for some time a page of honour in her such French duets of Lindor and Cloris, &c. as the train of the Chevalier's lady, and, from his beauty were in fashion about the end of the reign of old and sprightly temper, was uniformly treated by her Louis le Grand. with the utmost distinction. This was also extended to Flora, who was maintained for some time at a convent of the first order, at the princess's expense, and removed from thence into her own family, where she spent nearly two years. Both brother and sister retained the deepest and most grateful sense of her kindness. It was generally believed, though no one durst have hinted it to the Baron of Bradwardine, that Flora's intreaties had no small share in allaying the wrath of Fergus upon occasion of their quarrel. She took her brother on the assailable side, by dwelling first upon the Baron's age, and then representing the injury which the cause might sustain, and the damage which Having thus touched upon the leading principle of must arise to his own character in point of prudence, Flora's character, I may dismiss the rest more so necessary to a political agent, if he persisted in slightly. She was highly accomplished, and had carrying it to extremity. Otherwise it is probable it acquired those elegant manners to be expected from would have terminated in a duel, both because the one who, in early youth, had been the companion Baron had, on a former occasion, shed blood of the of a princess; yet she had not learned to substitute clan, though the matter had been timely accommothe gloss of politeness for the reality of feeling. dated, and on account of his high reputation for adWhen settled in the lonely regions of Glennaquoich, dress at his weapon, which Fergus almost condeshe found that her resources in French, English, and scended to envy. For the same reason she had urItalian literature, were likely to be few and interrupt-ged their reconciliation, which the Chieftain the more ed; and, in order to fill up the vacant time, she be- readily agreed to, as it favoured some ulterior projects stowed a part of it upon the music and poetical tradi-of his own. tions of the Highlanders, and began really to feel the To this young lady, now presiding at the female pleasure in the pursuit, which her brother, whose empire of the tea-table, Fergus introduced Captain perceptions of literary merit were more blunt, rather Waverley, whom she received with the usual forms affected for the sake of popularity than actually ex- of politeness. perienced. Her resolution was strengthened in these researches, by the extreme delight which her inquiries seemed to afford those to whom she resorted for information. CHAPTER XXII. HIGHLAND MINSTRELSY. Her love of her clan, an attachment which was almost hereditary in her bosom, was, like her loy- WHEN the first salutations had passed, Fergus said alty, a more pure passion than that of her brother. to his sister, "My dear Flora, before I return to the He was too thorough a politician, regarded his patri-barbarous ritual of our forefathers, I must tell you archal influence too much as the means of accom- that Captain Waverley is a worshipper of the Celtic plishing his own aggrandizement, that we should muse, not the less so perhaps that he does not underterm him the model of a Highland Chieftain. Flora stand a word of her language. I have told him you felt the same anxiety for cherishing and extending are eminent as a translator of Highland poetry, and their patriarchal sway, but it was with the generous that Mac-Murrough admires your version of his songs desire of vindicating from poverty, or at least from upon the same principle that Captain Waverley adwant and foreign oppression, those whom her bro- mires the original,-because he does not comprehend ther was by birth, according to the notions of the them. Will you have the goodness to read or recite time and country, entitled to govern. The savings to our guest in English, the extraordinary string of of her income, for she had a small pension from the names which Mac-Murrough has tacked together in Princess Sobieski, were dedicated, not to add to the Gaelic?-My life to a moor-fowl's feather, you are comforts of the peasantry, for that was a word which provided with a version; for I know you are in all the bard's councils, and acquainted with his songs | Gaelic language, being uncommonly vocalic, is well long before he rehearses them in the hall." adapted for sudden and extemporaneous poetry; and "How can you say so, Fergus? You know how a bard seldom fails to augment the effects of a prelittle these verses can possibly interest an English meditated song, by throwing in any stanzas which stranger, even if I could translate them as you pre- may be suggested by the circumstances attending the tend." recitation." "I would give my best horse to know what the Highland bard could find to say of such an unworthy Southron as myself." Not less than they interest me, lady fair. To-day your joint composition, for I insist you had a share in it, has cost me the last silver cup in the castle, and I suppose will cost me something else next time I "It shall not even cost you a lock of his mane.— hold cour plénière, if the muse descends on Mac- Una, Mavourneen! (She spoke a few words to one Murrough; for you know our proverb,-When the of the young girls in attendance, who instantly curthand of the chief ceases to bestow, the breath of the sied, and tripped out of the room.)-I have sent Una bard is frozen in the utterance.-Well, I would it were to learn from the bard the expressions he used, and even so: there are three things that are useless to a you shall command my skill as dragoman." modern Highlander,-a sword which he must not Una returned in a few minutes, and repeated to her draw,-a bard to sing of deeds which he dare not mistress a few lines in Gaelic. Flora seemed to think imitate, and a large goat-skin purse without a louis for a moment, and then, slightly colouring, she turnd'or to put into it." ed to Waverley-"It is impossible to gratify your "Well, brother, since you betray my secrets, you curiosity, Captain Waverley, without exposing my cannot expect me to keep yours.-I assure you, Cap- own presumption. If you will give me a few motain Waverley, that Fergus is too proud to exchange ments for consideration, I will endeavour to engraft his broadsword for a marechal's baton; that he es- the meaning of these lines upon a rude English transteems Mac-Murrough a far greater poet than Homer, lation, which I have attempted, of a part of the and would not give up his goat-skin purse for all the original. The duties of the tea-table seem to be conlouisd'or which it could contain." cluded, and, as the evening is delightful, Una will "Well pronounced, Flora; blow for blow, as Co- show you the way to one of my favourite haunts, nan said to the devil. Now do you two talk of and Cathleen and I will join you there." bards and poetry, if not of purses and claymores, Una, having received instructions in her native while I return to do the final honours to the senators language, conducted Waverley out by a passage difof the tribe of Ivor." So saying, he left the room. ferent from that through which he had entered the The conversation continued between Flora and apartment. At a distance he heard the hall of the Waverley; for two well-dressed young women, whose Chief still resounding with the clang of bagpipes and character seemed to hover between that of compa- the high applause of his guests. Having gained the nions and dependants, took no share in it. They were open air by a postern door, they walked a little way up both pretty girls, but served only as foils to the grace the wild, bleak, and narrow valley in which the house and beauty of their patroness. The discourse fol- was situated, following the course of the stream that lowed the turn which the Chieftain had given it, and winded through it. In a spot, about a quarter of a mile Waverley was equally amused and surprised with from the castle, two brooks, which formed the little the account which the lady gave him of Celtic poetry. river, had their junction. The larger of the two came "The recitation," she said, "of poems, recording down the long bare valley, which extended, appathe feats of heroes, the complaints of lovers, and the rently without any change or elevation of character, wars of contending tribes, forms the chief amusement as far as the hills which formed its boundary perof a winter fire-side in the Highlands. Some of these mitted the eye to reach. But the other stream, which are said to be very ancient, and if they are ever trans- had its source among the mountains on the left hand lated into any of the languages of civilized Europe, of the strath, seemed to issue from a very narrow and cannot fail to produce a deep and general sensation. Others are more modern, the composition of those family bards whom the chieftains of more distinguished name and power retain as the poets and historians of their tribes. These, of course, possess various degrees of merit; but much of it must evaporate in translation, or be lost on those who do not sympathize with the feelings of the poet." dark opening betwixt two large rocks. These streams were different also in character. The larger was placid, and even sullen in its course, wheeling in deep eddies, or sleeping in dark blue pools; but the motions of the lesser brook were rapid and furious, issuing from between precipices, like a maniac from his confinement, all foam and uproar. It was up the course of this last stream that WaAnd your bard, whose effusions seemed to pro- verley, like a knight of romance, was conducted by duce such effect upon the company to-day, is he reck- the fair Highland damsel, his silent guide. A small oned among the favourite poets of the mountains?" path, which had been rendered easy in many places "That is a trying question. His reputation is high for Flora's accommodation, led him through scenery among his countrymen, and you must not expect me of a very different description from that which he had to depreciate it."t But the song, Miss Mac-Ivor, seemed to awaken all those warriors, both young and old." "The song is little more than a catalogue of names of the Highland clans under their distinctive pecuhanties, and an exhortation to them to remember and to emulate the actions of their forefathers." "And am I wrong in conjecturing, however extraordinary the guess appears, that there was some allusion to me in the verses which he recited?" just quitted. Around the castle, all was cold, bare, and desolate, yet tame even in desolation; but this narrow glen, at so short a distance, seemed to open into the land of romance. The rocks assumed a thousand peculiar and varied forms. In one place, a crag of huge size presented its gigantic bulk, as if to forbid the passenger's farther progress; and it was not until he approached its very base, that Waverley discerned the sudden and acute turn by which the pathway wheeled its course around this formidable obstacle. In another spot, the projecting rocks from the opposite sides of the chasm had approached so near to each other, that two pine-trees laid across, and covered with turf, formed a rustic bridge at the height of at least one hundred and fifty feet. It had no ledges, and was barely three feet in breadth. While gazing at this pass of peril, which crossed, rushed as in some respects a kind of Thersites, but brave and like a single black line, the small portion of blue sky daring even to rashness. He had made a vow that he would not intercepted by the projecting rocks on either side, heroes of antiquity, descended to the infernal regions, he received it was with a sensation of horror that Waverley bea cuff from the arch-fiend, who presided there, which he in- held Flora and her attendant appear, like inhabitants stantly returned, using the expression in the text. Sometimes of another region, propped, as it were, in mid air, the proverb is worded thus:-"Claw for claw, and the devil upon this trembling structure. She stopped upon The Highland poet almost always was an improvisatore. observing him below, and, with an air of graceful Captain Burt met one of them at Lovat's table. H jease, which made him shudder, waved her handker "You have a quick observation, Captain Waverley, which in this instance has not deceived you. The In the Irish ballads, relating to Fion, (the Fingal of MacPherson) there occurs, as in the primitive poetry of most na tions, a cycle of heroes, each of whom has some distinguishing attribute: upon these qualities, and the adventures of those pos easing them, many proverbs are formed, which are still current in the Highlands. Among other characters, Conan is distin never take a blow without returning it; and having, like other take the shortest nails, as Conan said to the devil." chief to him by way of signal. He was unable, quietly led the way to a spot at such a distance from from the sense of dizziness which her situation con- the cascade, that its sound should rather accompany veyed, to return the salute; and was never more re-than interrupt that of her voice and instrument, and, lieved than when the fair apparition passed on from sitting down upon a mossy fragment of rock, she the precarious eminence which she seemed to occupy took the harp from Cathleen. with so much indifference, and disappeared on the "I have given you the trouble of walking to this other side. spot, Captain Waverley, both because I thought the Advancing a few yards, and passing under the scenery would interest you, and because a Highland bridge which he had viewed with so much terror, the song would suffer still more from my imperfect transpath ascended rapidly from the edge of the brook, and lation, were I to introduce it without its own wild the glen widened into a silvan amphitheatre, waving and appropriate accompaniments. To speak in the with birch, young oaks, and hazels, with here and poetical language of my country, the seat of the Celtic there a scattered yew-tree. The rocks now receded, Muse is in the mist of the secret and solitary hill, and but still showed their gray and shaggy crests rising her voice in the murmur of the mountain stream. among the copse-wood. Still higher, rose eminences He who woos her must love the barren rock more and peaks, some bare, some clothed with wood, some than the fertile valley, and the solitude of the desert round and purple with heath, and others splintered better than the festivity of the hall." into rocks and crags. At a short turning, the path, Few could have heard this lovely woman make which had for some furlongs lost sight of the brook, this declaration, with a voice where harmony was suddenly placed Waverley in front of a romantic exalted by pathos, without exclaiming that the muse waterfall. It was not so remarkable either for great whom she invoked could never find a more appropri height or quantity of water, as for the beautiful ate representative. But Waverley, though the thought accompaniments which made the spot interesting. rushed on his mind, found no courage to utter it. InAfter a broken cataract of about twenty feet, the deed, the wild feeling of romantic delight with which stream was received in a large natural basin filled to he heard the few first notes she drew from her instruthe brim with water, which, where the bubbles of the ment, amounted almost to a sense of pain. He would fall subsided, was so exquisitely clear, that although not for worlds have quitted his place by her side; yet it was of great depth, the eye could discern each peb- he almost longed for solitude, that he might decipher ble at the bottom. Eddying round this reservoir, the and examine at leisure the complication of emotions brook found its way as if over a broken part of the which now agitated his bosom. ledge, and formed a second fall, which seemed to Flora had exchanged the measured and monotoseek the very abyss; then, wheeling out beneath from nous recitative of the bard for a lofty and uncommon among the smooth dark rocks, which it had polished Highland air, which had been a battle-song in forfor ages, it wandered murmuring down the glen, mer ages. A few irregular strains introduced a preforming the stream up which Waverley had just as- lude of a wild and peculiar tone, which harmonized cended. The borders of this romantic reservoir well with the distant waterfall, and the soft sigh of corresponded in beauty; but it was beauty of a stern the evening breeze in the rustling leaves of an aspen and commanding cast, as if in the act of expanding which overhung the seat of the fair harpress. The into grandeur. Mossy banks of turf were broken following verses convey but little idea of the feelings and interrupted by huge fragments of rock, and de- with which, so sung and accompanied, they were corated with trees and shrubs, some of which had heard by Waverley : been planted under the direction of Flora, but so cautiously, that they added to the grace, without diminishing the romantic wildness of the scene. Here, like one of those lovely forms which decorate the landscapes of Poussin, Waverley found Flora gazing on the waterfall. Two paces farther back. stood Cathleen, holding a small Scottish_harp, the use of which had been taught to Flora by Rory Dall, one of the last harpers of the Western Highlands. The sun, now stooping in the west, gave a rich and varied tinge to all the objects which surrounded Waverley, and seemed to add more than human brilliancy to the full expressive darkness of Flora's eye, exalted the richness and purity of her complexion, and enhanced the dignity and grace of her beautiful form. Edward thought he had never, even in his wildest dreams, imagined a figure of such exquisite and interesting loveliness. The wild beauty of the retreat, bursting upon him as if by magic, augmented the mingled feeling of delight and awe with which hel approached her, like a fair enchantress of Boiardo or Ariosto, by whose nod the scenery around seemed to have been created, an Eden in the wilderness. There is mist on the mountain, and night on the vale, Stern son of Lord Kennath, high chief of Kintail, Flora, like every beautiful woman, was conscious of her own power, and pleased with its effects, which she could easily discern from the respectful, yet confused address of the young soldier. But, as she possessed excellent sense, she gave the romance of the scene, and other accidental circumstances, full weight in appreciating the feelings with which Waverley seemed obviously to be impressed; and, unacquainted with the fanciful and susceptible peculiarities of his character, considered his homage as the passing tribute which a woman of even inferior charms might have expected in such a situation. She therefore *The description of the waterfall mentioned in this chapter is taken from that of Ledeard, at the farm so called on the northern side of Lochard, and near the head of the Lake, four or five miles from Aberfoyle. It is upon a small scale, but otherwise at Glenaladale, in Moidart, and displayed his standard in the one of the most exquisite cascades it is possible to behold. The appearance of Flora with the harp, as described, has been justly censured as too theatrical and affected for the lady-like simplicity of her character. But something may be allowed to her French education, in which point and striking effect always make a considerable object. Let the clan of gray Fingon, whose offspring has given The young and daring Adventurer, Charles Edward, landed valley of Glenfinnan, mustering around it the Mac-Donalds, the Camerons, and other less numerous clans, whom he had prevailed on to join him. There is a monument erected on the spot, with a Latin inscription by the late Doctor Gregory. The Marquis of Tullibardine's elder brother, who, long exiled, returned to Scotland with Charles Edward in 1745. |