Annals of Garelochside

THE WODROW ANECDOTES OF THE MARQUIS OF ARGYLL.

AT Edinburgh in 1834 a book was published for private circulation only, entitled The Argyle Papers; this work is extremely rare, only fifty copies having been printed, and it "contains some passages tending to clear the character of the Marquis and that of his son from some of the calumnies thrown upon them by their political opponents. From these papers the following extracts are made:-

"May 9, 1701. This day Mr. Alexander Gordon, who was minister of Inveraray, and the only living member of the Assembly 1651 told me, that the Marquise of Argyle was very piouse ; he rose at 5, and was still in privat till 8. That besides family worship and privat prayer, morning and evening, he still prayed with his lady, morning and evening, his gentleman and her gentlewoman being present. That he never went abroad, though but one night, but he took his write-book, standish, and the English New Bible, and Newman's Concordance, with him.

"November 11. That after King Charles' Coronation, when he was in Stirling, the Marquise waited long for ane opportunity to deal freely with the King anent his going contrary to the Covenant, and favouring of Malignants, and other sins; and Sabbath night after supper, he went in with him to his closet, and ther used a great deal of freedom with him; and the King was seemingly sensible; and they came that length as to pray and mourn together till two or three in the morning, and when at time he came home to his lady she was surprised, and told him she never knew him so untimeouse; he said he had never such a sweet night in the world, and told her all, what liberty they had in prayer, and how much convinced the King was. She said plainly they were crocodile tears, and that night would cost him his head, which came to pass; for after his restoration, he resented it to some, though outward, he still termed the Marquise father, and caused his son to write for him up to court, which he did again, but the Marquise would not come; till at last the Earl wrote partly in threatening, and partly with the strongest assurances, which prevailed, and he was no sooner come to his lodgings in ane Inn in London, but he was there seized and carried to the tower, and I think never saw the King, for all his insinuating hypocrisy and fervent invitations.

"The day on which the Marquise of Argyle was execute, he was taken up some two hours or thereby in the forenoon in civil business, clearing and adjusting some accounts, and subscribing papers, there being a number of persons of quality in the room with him, and while he was thus employed, there came such a heavenly gale from the Spirit of God upon his soul, that he could not abstain from tearing, but least it should be discovered, he turned unto the fire, and took the tongues in his hand, making a fashion of stirring up the fire in the chimney, but then he was not able to contain himself, and turning about and melting down in tears, he burst out in these words, 'I see this will not doe, I must now declaire what the Lord has done for my soul ; he has just now at this very instant of time, sealed my chartour in these words, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee;' and indeed it seems it was sealed with another remarkable witness, for at that very instant of time, Mr. John Carstairs was wrestling with God in prayer in his behalf in a chamber in the Canongate with his lady, the Marchioness of Argyle, pleading that the Lord would now seal his Charter, by saying unto him, 'Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.' The Marquise hints at this in his speech. (I had this from my father J. C. Carstairs).

"The Marquise was naturally of a fearful temper, and recconed he wanted naturall courage, and he prayed most for it, and was answered. When he went to his execution he said, 'I would dye as a Roman, but I chuso to dye as a Christian.' When be went out, he cocked his hatt, and said, 'come away, Sirs, he that goes first goes cleanly off.' Ther was one of his friends in the prison with him, and after some silence, the gentleman broke out in tears. 'What's the matter,' said the Marquise, 'I am in pain,' says he, `for your family, my Lord.' 'No fear,' said the Marquise, 'it's none of thir things will ruin my family.' 'I fear their greatness,' says he, `will ruin them.' I wish this prophecy be not too evidently fulfilled in his posterity."

PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE LANDING OF ARCHIBALD,
EARL OF ARGYLE.

"Edinburgh, June the first, 1685.

"Since our last we have an account that the late Earl of Argyle did, on the twenty-sixth of the last month, march from Campbeltoun in Kintyre with two troops of horse, (such as would be had in that country), and seven hundred foot, to Tarbet, and met three hundred of the Ila men, and two hundred more were expected, when they were all to muster, the twenty-eight. His three ships came from Campbeltoun on Tuesday, and the next day went into Tarbet, the greatest carrying thirty-six guns, the other twelve, and the third six. lie had another small vessel with him, which he took upon the coast loaden with corn. The twenty-ninth he loosed from the Tarbet, accompanied with Auchinbreck (who we have already told you had joyned him) and came into the town of Rosa (Rothesay) in the Isle of Boot, where he took a night's provision for himself and his men. The thirtieth, he sailed round the island with his three ships and twenty small boats, and came again to the town of Rosa, and fired seven guns at his landing, having with him, as we are informed, in all about two thousand and five hundred men. He endeavours to persuade and encourage the people to rise with him by assuring them that there are already great risings in England, as you will see by a letter, all written and signed by himself, directed for the laird of Lusse, which is herein sent, and is as follows:

"Campletoun, May 22, 1685.

"LOVING FRIEND,—It hath pleased God to bring me safe to this place, where several of both nations doth appear with me for defence of the protestant religion, our lives and liberties, against popery and arbitrary government, whereof the particulars are in two declarations emitted by those noblemen, gentlemen and others, and by me for myself. Your father and I lived in great friendship, and I am glad to serve you, his son, in the protestant religion, and I will be ready to do it in your particular when there is occasion. I beseech you let not any, out of fear or other bad principles, persuade you to neglect your duty to God and your country, at this time, or to believe that D. York is not a papist, or that being one, he can be a righteous king. These know that all England is in arms in three several places, and the Duke of Monmouth appears, at the same time, upon the same grounds we do, and few places in Scotland but soon will joyne, and the South and West, wants but till they hear I am landed, for so we resolved before I left Holland. Now, I beseech you, make no delay to separate from those abuse you, and are carrying on a popish design, and come with all the men of your command to assist the cause of religion where you shall be most welcome.

Your loving friend to serve you,

ARGYLE.

"P.S.—Let this serve young Loigie, Skipnage and Charles M'Eachan."

THE BURYING PLACE OF THE ARGYLL FAMILY AT KILMUN.

Hugh Macdonald in his Days at the Coast gives the following information regarding the place where the Argyll family have so long been interred.

"The first authentic notice that we have of Kilmun is in a charter, dated 4th August, 1442, whereby Sir Colin Campbell of Lochaweside—ancestor of the Argyll family, engages to found a collegiate church at Kilmun. This establishment, which was duly erected for the `soul's health' of the donor and his family, accommodated a provost and six prebendries, and must have formed a handsome addition to the previously existing institution. The charter of the foundation was confirmed at Perth by James II., on the 12th of May, 1450. Nor was this the only grant of the Argyll family to the Abbey of Kilmun. From the chartulary of Paisley Abbey (with which the institution was ecclesiastically associated) we learn that Kilmun obtained from time to time a variety of valuable gifts from the family, and that ultimately it became a place of considerable importance. The plan, the size, and the architectural style of the church are lost. Only one crumbling fragment remains. This is the church tower, a dreary looking structure of a quadrangular form, immediately adjacent to the modern place of worship, which was erected so recently as 1816. From an early period the church of Kilmun has been the burial place of the now ducal family of Argyll. When yet the Lamonts were lords of Cowal, and the Campbells were simply lairds of Lochaweside, the first of the race was as a matter of favour, permitted a resting place at this spot. From an old Gaelic rhyme, it appears that a scion of the Lochawe family having died in the low country was, at the request of his sire, allowed the privilege of a grave in the churchyard. According to the composition alluded to 'the great Lamont of all Cowal,' in consideration of present necessity—a snow storm prevailing at the time, and preventing the transport of the body to its native district—conceded the boon desired by the knight of Lochawe. Afterwards, when the Campbells became lords of Dunoon, Kilmun became the family place of sepulture. The place of interment was for centuries within the ancient church, and the only access to it was through the body of the edifice. At length, in 1793 or 1794, the present vault—a plain, unostentatious structure, adjacent to the modern church—was erected. This has ever since continued to be the favourite repository of the ducal dust. The entrance to the vault is by a doorway entering from the churchyard, on either side of which there is a small Gothic window. The place has a weary and woe-begone look, and at the time of our visit, it is securely boarded up. in former times the prying stranger was occasionally permitted a peep into the interior, but this is now strictly forbidden. The place has been described, however, by one who was privileged to enter the mansion of the mighty dead. lie says—' On entering, there appears on either hand a broad dais, covered with large stone slabs, and about three feet in height, which extends the whole length of the sepulture, and on which are laid the coffins, five in number, and containing the ashes of four dukes, and one duchess. Upon a lower and narrower dais, formed by a niche in the wall, that runs across between the church and the sepulture, repose side by side, the statues of a knight and a lady. The warrior lies cap-a-pie, with a huge sword by his side, while above him is a boar's head (the armorial emblem of the family) divided into two parts, and also a number of pieces of rusty armour, such as iron beavers, war gloves, swords, etc.' Such is the interior of the last home of the proud dukes of Argyll."

PRINCIPAL CAMPBELL.

From lhodrow's Analecta. Notice of Neil Campbell, minister of Rosneath, afterwards Principal of Glasgow University.

"1727, Novr. 8. Mr. Campbell's patent carne to Edinburgh. We see now that the two brothers (Duke of Argyll and Earl of Isla) carry all before them. Mr. Dunlop and the masters on that side are not pleased, and the other side are dissatisfied, so that I think Mr. Campbell's exchange will be neither as much for his outward emolument or inward comfort. . . . Mr. C. has the advantage that on a change of Court he will not be turned out, as the chaplains probably will be." (The Principal had been translated from Rosneath to Renfrew about 1715,)

"1728, February 8. Upon the 8th of February Mr. N. Campbell had his inaugurall oration, and was admitted Principal at Glasgow. He was transported by our Presbytery Jany. 17. No appearance was made for his continuance at Renfrew. Vide letters about that time. There is a very foolish advertisement given of this in the Edinburgh Newspaper, as if ther had been a generall concurrence of ministers and many present. There were but two of the town ministers present, Mr. M'Laurin and Mr. Wishart. The satisfaction of the audience, they say, was not what was then spoken of, and his own friends say but little of the discourse. Be these things as they will he is like to have a pretty uneasy life for some time."

"1728, May 9. Mr. Neil Campbell our new principal made a very poor appearance this Assembly. He was pushed and required to protest in strong terms against the power of the General Assembly to judge members of Universitys. However he softened it and put it in the form which is in my letters. Now and then be spoke some few words and voted slump. But I am informed he committed a very gross scrape and blunder when he brought in his protest to the Assembly, though he pretended it was in favour of the Crown. He had not the consideration to acquaint the Commissioner with it before hand. Yea, I find he threatened Mr. Colin Campbell, brother to Aberuchle, with the displeasure of the D. of A. if he continoued to vote as he had votted."

"1729, September. The principal carryes all in the Faculty as he pleases, and now begins to make those who differ from him know what they may expect. I believe I notticed Mr. Wishart's being continoued Dean of Faculty, and Mr. Wood made sole factor. This step is much wondered at in a minister to choice a man, a professed and knouen Jacobite, and one who hears no Presbiterian minister and doubts of the validity of our ministrations to be factor to the Col-ledge of Glasgow."

"1730. "As to Glasgow vacancy it is said that Pr. C. is received to the Laigh Church, and the Provost would be for him but the town oppose it becaust it wd. bring a burden on them still to make Principal ministers in the town when a vacancy falls out."

"1731. Principal C. proposed in Faculty whether he should teach or not. Masters not disposed to help him. The Pr. said he expected the College would consider his additional trouble in teaching, especially as some of the masters had received money for extraordinary teaching. They refused, and said he should consider if it was not his duty as Principal Primarius professor of Divinity to teach. The meetings of students of Theology were but form. Principal only hears discourses. Has not this session above two or three prelections, does not explain almost anything but only hears discourses, none present but bursars and few Glasgow lads and few from neighbourhood."

THE CELEBRATED SILVER FIRS AND YEW TREE AVENUE AT ROSNEATH.

THE author has been favoured with the following particulars of the above from Sir Joseph D. Hooker, K.C.S.I., the eminent botanist, and formerly Director of Kew Gardens ; they occur in a letter dated 24th June, 1896.

"I took the opportunity of going to the Kew Library and consulting Loudon's Arboretum, where I knew that these trees are described, in the hope that I might find something that would interest you. There I find that there is a drawing of the finest of the Campsail trees, published by Strutt in his Sylvia Britannica (fig. 2239), made in 1829, when the tree was 90 feet high and 7 ft. 7 in. in diameter 1 foot from the ground. Also that Mr. Loudon was informed by Lord Frederick Campbell in 1835 that the tree was then 200 years old.

"The really interesting point to ascertain is the date of planting; as to which there appears to be no information. Such statements as 200 years are really worthless, except if substantiated. I think it may however be assumed that they were planted by the great Duke who filled Whitton Park, Middlesex, with a magnificent collection of rare trees and shrubs—rivalling Kew. Now Loudon states that there is in Whitton Park a silver fir planted about 1720, which, in 1837, was 97 feet high and 3 feet 9 in. in diameter. Assuming that the Campsail trees were planted about the same time, they would now be 176 years old. With regard to the miserable diameter of the Whitton tree, I should tell you that the soil and climate of the environs of London are totally unsuitable for the growth of silver firs, and that at Kew I found it impossible to keep a single specimen, so ragged and ill-favoured they became, losing all character after the first few years.

"According to Loudon the average height of a full grown silver fir is 100 to 150 feet, and diameter of trunk 5 to 7 feet. This may refer to the tree in its native forests. As may the following table of the average date of growth as shown by diameter of trunk:—

"Loudon also mentions a silver fir at Harefield Park, Middlesex, as one of the first planted in England (in 1603), which was seen by Evelyn, and described by him, in 1679, as being 81 feet high, but forked at the top, and 13 feet in diameter a little above the ground.

"As to the yews, they are more likely to have dated from the days of the monastery. The yew is a very slow growing tree and attains an immense age. Lastly, as regards the report that had reached me of the downward progress of the two silver firs, it is what I should expect, that they are past their prime; but on this point you really should get the opinion of an expert if your work is to have value as to the history of these noble specimens."

THE TAKING OF ROSNEATH CASTLE.

The following is "Blind Harry's" account of the taking of Rosneath Castle by Wallace, referred to in the description given of the castle and grounds. It is from "Schir William Wallace, Knicht of Ellerslie, by Henry the Minstrel." Edited by James Moir. Scottish Text Society. 1889. Bk. 9, p. 281, line 1470.

"Quhen nycht was cummyn, in all the haist thai mocht,
Towart Rosneth full ernystfully thai gang;
For Inglismen was in that castell strang.
On the Garlouch thai purpost thaim to bid,
Betwix the kyrk, that ner was thar besyd;
And to the castell full prewaly thai draw.
Wndyr a bray thai buschyt thaim richt law,
Lang the wattyr, quhar comoun oyss had thai,
The castellis stuff, on to the kyrk ilk day.
A maryage als that day was to begyn.
All wschyt owt, and left na man with in,
At fens`mycht mak, hot serNvandis in that place;
Thus to that tryst thai passyt wpon cace.
Wallace and his drew thaim full prewaly
Nerhaud the place, quhen thai war passyt by,
With in the hauld; and thocht to kep that steid
Fra Sotheroun men, or ellys tharfor be deid.
Compleit was maid the manage in to playn;
On to Rosneth thai returnyt agayn.
Four scor and ma was in that cumpany,
But nocht arayit as was our chewalry;
To the castell thai weynd to pass but let.
The worthy Scottis so hardly on thaim set,
Xlty at anys derflly to ground thai bar;
The ramaynand affrayit was so sayr,
Langar in feild thai had no mycht to bid,
Bot fersly fled fra thaim on aither sid.
The Scottis thar has weyll the entre woun.
And slew the layff that in that hous was foun
Syn on the flearis folowid wondyr fast,
Na Inglisman thar fra thaim with lyff at past.
The wemen sone thai seysyt in to hand,
Kepyt thaim clos, for warnyng off the land.
The dede bodyes all out of sycht thai kest,
Than a gud es thai maid thaim for to rest.
Off purwians vii dayis thai lugyt thar
At rud costis, to spend thai wald nocht spar.
Quhat Sotheroun come, thai tuk all gladly in,
Bot owt agayn thai leit nane off that kyn.
Quha tithandis send to the captane off that steid,
Thai seruitouris the Scottis put to ded,
Spulzeid the place, and left na gudis thar,
Brak wallis doun, and maid that byggyng bar.
Quhen thai had spilt off stayne werk at thai mocht,
Syn kendillyt fyr, and fra Rosneth thai socht."

GAELIC PLACE-NAMES IN THE GARELOCH DISTRICT.

THE author has been kindly allowed by Mr. Donald Maclean, Postmaster, Helensburgh, to give extracts from a most interesting address given in April 1896 to the members of the Helensburgh Naturalist and Antiquarian Society. So many of the names of the parishes have Gaelic derivations that it is of importance to consider their signification. Mr. Maclean says, "what we now call Rosneath village was known as Clachan—still its local name—Rosneath being regarded as the parish name; and Clynder could scarcely be said to enjoy a separate corporate existence, even on a small scale, its extent being limited to a few thatched houses."

From this I conclude that very probably Clynder is Cil'e an tir [Or, An tir chili—the left shore—shortened and transposed to Cli 'n tir, would appropriately describe the position as approached from the south.] —church on the shore—or perhaps, church of the district, tir standing sometimes for the one word and sometimes for the other, just as we appositely find a place further down the same coast named Kilcreggan—"Cille-na-creige," denoting a church by, or beside, the rocks there; while Rosneath—in Gaelic, "Ros 'n fhe," the point of the marsh, or swamp—corresponds well, if we accept tradition, with the natural aspects of this place in earlier times.

The little I can learn regarding Kilcreggan is contained, along with other items of interest, in an obliging note from Mr. Bain, our sub-postmaster at Cove, which you will doubtless wish me to read:-

"Peaton.—By itself, and in compounded names, was written early in the 18th century Peitoun—[Gaelic 'Bidean' (?)—a point, tip, or pinnacle.] `Blarnachtra'—the 'plain or dale of cultivation' —which you suggest, reminds me that in the `forties' that farm was wrought by three or four farmers on the rig-about system, and was the only farm so wrought in the parish, no doubt the survival of a remote practice. Its sheltered crofts facing the south were likely turned over ages before the bleak knowes of the adjoining farms. Craigrownie is a modern compound, the `rowan tree on the rock.' My mother remembers its origination sometime about 1830. Cursnoch—['Coire 's cnoc,'] `corrie on brow, or side of hill,' describes the situation fairly. Letter.—Peaton estate consists of two farms of which Letter is one, so that ' half' [as suggested] is correct."

ADDENDA, 15th May, 1896, on questions brought forward during discussion of the paper, and one or two others not then dealt with:-

Rosneath, formerly Rosneth, now appearing in official lists as Roseneath :—The interpolated "a" is, unfortunately, by usage too firmly established to be now discarded, but, although the intrusive "e" is said to have first appeared in the word nearly fifty years ago, there is no certainty yet of its finding there a "fixed tenure," the noble proprietor of Rosneath estate, and many others, I understand, continuing to write the name without this vowel.

Row, barely recognisable in this shape as the Gaelic Rudha—point or promontory,—may have been at first, when it was the practice to represent our present "u" by "v," written Rvy; but in course of time these sharp "u's" would be replaced by the compound "w," and then the round vowel would come to be used, thus completely disguising and disfiguring a name which, even in its simplest form, Ru, is at once seen to be alike interesting and appropriate.

Gareloch—Gearr loch (Gaelic)—meaning in contradistinction, no doubt, to those on either side of it, the "short loch." These—Loch Long and Loch Lomond—are both, probably, from Ion (Gaelic)—a marsh or morass—terms applicable at one time, it is believed, to the inlet of the sea loch, as well as to the outlet of the other loch. Formerly a like condition may also have been present in the lower portions of the Endrick Valley, whence, perhaps, the plural form observed in the Gaelic equivalent of Loch Lomond—Loch lonean.

Other place names are given by Mr. Maclean, as Camsail, Camis aille, or "beautiful bay;" Duchlaye is for Achlais, "hollow or armpit." "In Bun-a-chara, as the name ought to be spelt and pronounced, we meet with a purely physiographical term, "foot of the turn," the turn here referred to—right opposite the old castle—being made by the river Fruin, which almost doubles itself at the spot indicated. As to the name Glenfruin, Mr. Maclean observes, to quote from Dr. Murray's admirable monograph on "Old Cardross,"—page 10—"From the chartulary of the great earldom of Lennox we learn that about the middle of the thirteenth century Maldouen, the third earl, granted to Donald Macynel a land in Glenfreone (Glenfruin) called Kilbride." This disposes effectually of the current myth that the glen takes its name from the comparatively recent encounter (1603) between the clans Gregor and Colquhoun, leaving us, however, with three possible sources whence the name may have been derived. These are—"Fraon" (Gaelic), shelter in a hill; "Freumhean" (Gaelic), roots; and "Fodh shron" (Gaelic), below the ridge, or "nose." The last appears to satisfy all requisite conditions, and, as a combination, fitting physiographically, may, I think, be accepted without hesitation. The "sron" is unmistakably there, and sufficiently prominent to claim attention as an outstanding feature in the landscape.

The author is also kindly favoured by Mr. Archibald Stewart, Porthill, a Perthshire Highlander, with a few jottings as to the Gaelic topography of some places in Rosnekth. Tom-nan-Sionnach, on the upper bank of the Clachan burn, near the moor, might be rendered the "knoll of the fox," Dhualt burn, "Black burn," beyond Knockderry. The hill above Strouel known as Clach Mackenny, "Mackenzie's Stone." The stream below Barbour Farm, Sughedh burn, or "Pleasant burn." The Camloch burn, near Peatoun, that is, "Crooked burn." The farm of Duchlaye, or "Dark gorge " or "hollow." A height on the moor above Barbour Farm known as Creayan I3reac, the "spotted" or "speckled knoll." The bare rocky point beyond Coulport pier is known as Carrich ll7haol. The old ferry on Loch Long side between CouIport and Portincaple, Port-anLoehan. Mhaol, a "promontory;" 11am, as in Mamore and Mambeg, a "low hill."

Spelling of Rosneath. Some curious particulars are gathered from a scarce book by William Robertson, one of the Deputies of the Lord Clerk-Register for keeping the Records of Scotland, published at the desire of the Right Honourable Lord Frederick Campbell, Lord Clerk-Register of Scotland: Edinburgh, MDCCXCVIII. The volume is entitled An Index, drawn up about the year 1629, of many Records of Charters granted by the different Sovereigns of Scotland between the years 1309 and 1413, most of which Records have been long missing. On page 134, giving index of charters by King Robert II., there occurs, "3, Carta confirming a grant by Mary Countess of Monteith to John de Drommond, of the lands of Rosenethe, in the Earldom of Lennox, disposed by said John de Drommond to Alexander do Meneteth." As Robert II. began to reign in 1370, it would look as if the e after Ros had been interpolated by scriveners in legal documents from an early period.

THE BATTLE OF GLENFRUIN.

The following account of the battle was given by the Marquis of Lorne recently at a meeting of the Greenock Philosophical Society. The details were furnished him by a friend who had gathered them from original Geolic sources and traditions more than thirty years ago:-

"The hostility between the Colquhouns and the Macgregors resulted on one occasion in the slaughter of two sons of the widow of a Macgregor residing at Trelach. The lads were hanged and their heads placed on stakes, one on each side of Rossdhu. Their mother carried home the beads on two pieces of cloth and showed them to the chief of the clan, who knowing and loving the lads, was greatly enraged with Sir Humphrey Colquhoun, and resolved to encounter him. The arrangement was that a meeting should take place with one hundred men on each side, but the Macgregors had a reserve of a hundred to act in case of treachery, these being in command of a brother of the chief. On the other side, Colquhoun collected a force of four hundred men, marching forward with a hundred, and having the remainder of his retainers in reserve. At the place of conference a parley was held, apparently without result. The Macgregors turned to march homewards by a different way, and were then pursued by the Colquhouns, who called up their reserves. The clans met in battle array by the banks of a burn, the Macgregors securing the advantage in point of position, although they were fewer in number. The Colquhouns tried to rush the ford but failed, and the Macgregor reserves, emerging from their place of concealment, plied their bows sharply, completely routing the lowlanders with heavy slaughter, many onlookers falling in the pursuit—amongst them an unfortunate minister, who was a preacher at the seminary of Dunbarton. At the head of Glenfruin the Colgnhouns did make a temporary rally, but being again hard pressed, turned and fled.

"When the rout reached the middle of the glen the victors, who were slaying as they went, overtook the principal of the seminary, who, with nearly forty of his students, was shewing every sign of terror. They were conducted to Macgregor, who ordered them to be confined for safety in a barn guarded by a man named Black Hugh. After the cessation of hostilities, Sir Humphrey's people becoming widely scattered, the chief of the Macgregors enquired of Black Hugh as to his charge. "What have you done with the young lads whom I entrusted to you?" Hugh, drawing a dirk from his belt and shaking it above his head, said, "Ask that dirk and God's mercy what has become of them." "May God look on us," said Macgregor. "If you have killed the lads no mention shall be made of a Macgregor henceforth." He hurried to the barn, and there were all the youths lying where they had been butchered, cold in their blood. The chief turned angrily and called Black Hugh, saying, "Why have you done this I" Hugh answered—"After the youths had been for a time in the barn, they became turbulent, I do not know why. But they spoke a great deal of English, and I could not understand a word of English, but I shook the dirk at them, and told them to keep quiet, but they would not, and attempted to get out in spite of me. It seemed to me that I might just as well lose my own life as let a prisoner escape, and as they came forward one by one to get out, I killed them as quickly as they got within reach. I do not know what it means, but every one as he was pierced with the dirk seemed to me to cry out a sound like 'God's mercy." "It was not to hurt or keep them prisoners, but to protect them from harm that I sent you to the barn," sternly replied Macgregor. It was only then that Hugh perceived that he had blundered. All the Macgregors were sorrowful at the event, and the chief himself greatly distressed. They continued their march in gloom, taking home with them the body of their chief's brother, whom they found where he had fallen on the hillside. The fight, although named after the glen, really began about four miles from the glen, the pursuit continuing in its direction. A much larger number of the Colquhouns were slain on the lands of Finnart than at the head of the glen. After the battle the lowland party became enraged. They went and buried the dead, and kept their bloody shirts that they might be shown to the King ; and Sir Humphrey and his friends got 220 women to ride to Edinburgh, each woman carrying on a spear as a banner a bloodstained shirt, which she said belonged to a man massacred by the Macgregors. The youths who had been killed by Hugh were of good parentage, and the indignation caused by their death was not allowed to sleep by their kinsfolk and tutors. The King was greatly enraged against the Macgregors, having had a hatred against them on account of old strifes. He appointed a day for a Court of Justice, and Macgregor was summoned, but durst not appear. Neither was there any one to speak for him, and in his absence he and his clan were sentenced to lose their lands and name."

THE TRIUMPHANT BOAT SONG GREETING RODERICK DHU IN THE "LADY OF THE LAKE."

Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glenfruin
And Bannaehar's groans to our slogan replied
Glen Luss and Itossdhu, they are smoking in ruin
And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side.
Widow and Saxon maid
Long shall lament our raid,
Think of Clan Alpine with fear and with woe
Lennox and Leven glen
Shake when they hear again
Rodribh•Vich-Alpine-Dhu-hoieroe.
—Lady of Lake.

EARLY FEUS AT ROW AND SHANDON.

ABOUT the earliest of the feus, July 1830, taken from the Colquhoun lands of Row was by James Brown, parish schoolmaster, who took 1 rood and 21 perches of land, part of Ardenconnell, on which was raised the small one-storey house at corner of road leading past Row churchyard. Right was reserved to Sir J. Colquhoun to cut down and carry an ash tree growing on the site. In December 1830 the ground on which the two-storey house at the head of Row pier stands, 1 acre imperial, at feu-duty of £10, was taken by Peter M'Auslane, " Change Keeper at Row." In 1831 the feu known then as Laggarie, consisting of 1 acre imperial, feu-duty £10, was taken by Alexander Colquhoun, wright, Helensburgh. This feu, much enlarged, is now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Heywood Collins, called "Lagarie." In 1831 also Major R. A. Mackay feued a considerable piece of land on the loch side, on Letrualt farm, viz., 18 acres, 3 roods, 2 perches, the feu-duty being £140 14s. 4d., or £7 10s. per imperial acre. In 1833 Miss Hopkirk feued part of Ardenconnell estate, to extent of 5 acres, 2 roods, 20 perches, and upon a portion of this ground the villas known as Woodstone and Rowmore were subsequently built. The first, Woodstone, was but a small plain house, but after it was acquired by \Villiam Couper, writer, Glasgow, the mansion was entirely rebuilt in its present form. Isaac Spy, mason, Ardenconnell, took a feu near Rowmore in 1836. At Shandon the feuing began about 1831 when several small houses seem to have been erected, and subsequently pulled down or rebuilt. In this way Berriedale came to be built by Major the Hon. James Sinclair, who took a large feu of over 9 acres, which was subdivided, and other houses erected. The feuars were taken bound in all these cases to "bring in all grain growing on lands hereby feued or which shall suffer fire and water in the houses thereon to the Mill of Milligs and paying such multure as the tenants of the Barony of Milligs pay for grinding thereof." In almost all cases also the feus had to be enclosed by stone walls.

EARLY MINISTERS OF CARDROSS.

From the well written account of the parish of Cardross in the "Sketches of Churches and Clergy," from which extracts have been given, the following is taken:-

"The first of the parochial rectors is William de Glendynwyn, a faithful adherent of Robert Bruce, and a constant companion of James, Lord of Douglas, called the `good Lord James.' Of his successor, Robert Blackader, 1480, there is much more to be said. He was a man of affairs, and deeply engaged in state matters, for he was sent on embassies to England, France, and Spain, and was one of those who arranged the marriage, the consequences of which were so important to both countries, between James IV. the victim of Flodden and Margaret eldest daughter of Henry VII. of England. He died in 1508 while on a journey to the Holy Land, `going,' as John Knox superciliously remarks, 'in his superstitious devotioune to Hierusalem.' Of his personal habits we have several glimpses ; his costly vestments, and luxurious living astonishing even the wealthy Venetian nobles; and if we look into the Lord High Treasurer's accounts we find that this dashing ecclesiastic loved high play and good company, for on New Year's day, 1490, he supped and played cards with the King, the Earl of Bothwell, the Chamberlain and the Treasurer. Blackader, we know, paid at least one visit to Cardross, though not in the line of his priestly functions, for in 1489 he was present with King James at the surrender of Dunbarton castle.

"The next rector, Jaspar Cranstoun, did not do even as much as this, for not only did he leave Cardross unvisited, but be seems to have even been non-resident in Glasgow. On February, 1501, there was an official visitation of the Chapter of Glasgow, and from the report it appears that the `Prebendary of Cardross did not make residence, the Archdeacon and the Bishop's vicar were boys,' while of another dignitary it is reported that 'he often left the choir during divine service,' from all which we must infer that discipline was pretty free and easy at that time in the Cathedral Church of Glasgow.

"We must not pass over a later rector, Master James Stuart. He is a credit to Cardross, having attained, on the feast of St. Crispin and St. Crispinian, 1522, to the dignity of Rector of the University of Glasgow, an honour which was conferred upon him on more than one subsequent occasion. The rector, churchman though he was, had a daughter who, in 1536, married one of the Haliburtons of DTertroun. Their daughter, Agnes, became the wife of Alexander Erskine, a brother of the laird of Balgoney, and from this marriage sprang the Erskines of Shielfield, one of these was Ralph Erskine, the ninth of whose twelve children was the Rev. Henry Erskine, a notable sufferer during the persecution of the Presbyterians in Scotland, and in later life minister successively of Whitsome and Chirnside. By his second wife, Margaret Halcro, he was the father of Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, the founders of the Secession Church, now merged in the U.P. Church, which thus connects itself with James Stuart, the Rector of Cardross.

"The last Rector was Thomas Archibald. On the eve of the Reformation he feued out the Kirklands and Rectory to John Smollett, only reserving the Manse, garden and pasture for two cows, to the Vicar of Cardross in all time to come. He was chamberlain to James Beaton, the last Archbishop of Glasgow, beloved by all who kn©w him, who took up his residence in Paris, and acted as ambassador for King James. After the Reformation Archibald continued to reside in Glasgow, and corresponded with the Archbishop for many years.

"And now let us see what we know of these Vicars of Cardross, who up till now seem indeed to us but shadowy and unreal personages. In 1518, however, both vicar and curate come before us and speak for themselves. There was at this time a vacancy in the vicarage, and one Sir Thomas Auld (that is Thomas Auld, Dominus, or Bachelor of Arts) received from the rector letters of collation as vicar pensioner. Armed with these, and supported by a notary public, and witnesses, he proceeded to the church to be put in possession, but in the churchyard was met by the curate Sir Peter Flemyng, who flatly refused to lot him have the keys of the church. The discomfited vicar thereupon made a formal complaint, which has come down to our own time. Sir Peter Flemyng was one of these cross-grained troublesome ecclesiastics, who are still to be met with, and who keep every presbytery in hot water. On several occasions, too long to be here recorded, but sufficiently amusing, he was at cross-purposes with his brethren, and he seems to have driven Sir Andrew Watson, chaplain of the Rood Altar, in the parish church of Dunbarton, nearly crazy. The latter complains that 'Sir Peter Flemyng stole his surplice, and his breviary furth of the church, and also that the said Sir Peter stole his key furth of his yard-yett."

"And now, having rapidly glanced over the history of the parish before the Reformation, let us for a moment try to picture the parochial life of Cardross at the time at which we have arrived. The parish, we have seen, was ruled by a rector or parson, a vicar and a curate. The duties of the parson were those of his canonry, and although in earlier times it was expected that he should devote himself to the care of his prebend when not in residence, this had long since fallen into desuetude, and he enjoyed the revenues, without concerning himself whence they came. To the vicar was entrusted the actual charge. He occupied the parish manse, and to him belonged the small tithes, but in Cardross there was a vicar pensioner, who was paid a fixed stipend, and received the altar dues and offerings of the parishioners, while the vicarage teinds went to the rector. The curate was the officiating temporary clergyman, representing the vicar and taking charge of divine service in his absence or during a vacancy."

"After the Reformation 'Readers' took the place of the priests of the Roman Catholics. His duty was simple, extending merely to reading prayers and a portion of Scripture morning and evening, and teaching the children of the parish. The first Reader of Cardross, John Cuick, was succeeded by John Fluttisbury, who held the higher rank of "Exhorter," the name given to a Reader more advanced in knowledge and able to preach.

CARDROSS KIRK SESSION RECORDS.

These Records seem to contain but little of general interest. They commence 23rd February, 1727, and end 19th May, 1734. A long interval follows till 15th April, 1810, when the Records are carried on till the present day. A good deal of consideration was evidently given to the affairs of Mrs. Dloore's Trust.

EXTRACTS FROM WODROW'S ANALECTA, CARDROSS.

"March 1703. James Gordon, minister of Cardross. Licensed in Ireland and preached under license from King James near Derry, was very acceptable there. His house which the people built for him destroyed at siege of Derry—he had predicted it would not stand long. Preached that shortly Ireland would be a desolation. Preached from curious texts, at the ordination of minister from the text `The priests' window shall be towards the North.' Preached on occasion of a monthly fast about 1692, there had been a meeting of Jacobites at Balamahaugh when King James' health had been drank. Some of them came to hear him. lie said, ' weel this is a fast day say you, we should mind our poor abdicated prince. Poor prince, my soul, my soul pities him—weel what shall we doe for our poor prince.' \Vhen Derry was besieged he went to see it, took boat from Greenock and got to Derry Lough, went on board one of the English ships, and remonstrated with Captain Brauny for not going up the Lough when the city was in such straits. An altercation between the Captain and Major Kirk who had provisions for taking to the besieged. He abused Kirk and said he deserved hanging, Kirk threatened to shoot Gordon. Finally Major Kirk agreed to commission both, Captain B. and Gordon, and they went at the boom and broke it. Captain B. was killed, and the ship got in and relieved the garrison. Gordon stayed two days and helped to lay cannon on the walls and returned to Cardross. Had a presentiment of his death. One day when meeting of session was at his house, Mr. G. after the sermon walked pensively up and down his room and said, `Gentlemen, you must think upon another minister,' said no more but walked up and down. Elders talked about it, and asked two of them, Ferms and Geilston, should in name of the Session ask him to-morrow. He was in perfect health, and when spoken to wished to dismiss the subject gently. They pressed him, when he said he had nothing against parish or people, or thought of going elsewhere, but at the moment had a strong impulse moving him to speak as he did. At the end of the week fell ill of a disease and never preached more." On his deathbed he spoke seriously to many of the parishioners, and "he also made some of the most graceless gentlemen in the parish pray beside him, such as old Ardoch and Cougraine."

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ERECTION OF ROW PARISH AND TRANSPORTATION OF CARDROSS KIRK TO PRESENT SITE. (SUPPLIED TO THE AUTHOR BY THE REV. WILLIAM MAXWELL OF CARDROSS.)

IN 1639 the General Assembly granted authority to the Presbytery to settle both parishes, i.e., Cardross and Rosneath, "with ease" to the parishioners "to attend the ministry of the word." In January 1640 this act of the Assembly was presented to the Presbytery by Walter M'Aulay of Ardencaple and John Napier of Kilmahew. At the next meeting of Presbytery, 4th February, 1640, my Lord of Argyll appears by his letter consenting to whatever the Presbytery thought fit to decide. Mr. M'Aulay again appears " requiring the ease of the ministry to be given at the Kirk upon the Row of Connell." John Napier of Kilmahew, John Dennistoun of Dalquhurn, and others appear "requiring the foresaid ease to be at the Chapell of Kilmahew," and John Dennistoun of Dalquhurn "requires the Kirke of Cardross to be transported." On the 18th of February there was a large attendance of parishioners from Rosneath and Car-dross, "and in special John and Daniel Evens, brother german in Keppoch, requiring ease at the Chapell of Kilmahew; while "John Semple and Archibald Bounten in Kirketown within the Parochin of Cardross required they should not be diseased of the service of the ministrations, but that it might remain still at the Kirke of Cardross" (i.e., the old site). A committee of the Presbytery were appointed to meet at the Chapel of Glenfruin and go through the "haul twa parochins" to find the "most commodious place of service."

At the next meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Robert Watson, minister of Cardross, along with John Bounten of Ardocb, Robert Hoill of Fulbar, Younger, and William and Archibald Bounten in OverKirktoii appears and opposes all that had been done. The dispute was at last referred to the General Assembly which met at Aberdeen iu July 1640, and the act of the Assembly was laid on the table of the Presbytery, but afterwards "the matter of Rosnaith and Car-dross " appears to have gone to sleep for some time.

On the 20th December, 1642, the Presbytery again took up the division of the parishes of Rosneath and Cardross, and the Presbytery forwarded a letter to the Commissioners for the settlement of kirks, setting forth that "the lands of Glenfrnin within the Parish of Car-dross and all the bounds upon the Garcloch be annexed to the new kirk of the Row, and that all the lands within the Parish of Rosnaith, lyand eastward frae Mivell Kirkmichall might be annexed to the Paroch of Cardross. And the Paroch Kirk of Cardross to be transported to the most commodious place." In April following, 1643, Mr. Harry Semple, minister of Killearn, was appointed by the Presby tery to proceed to Edinburgh to support before the Commissioners on Kirks the recommendations of the Presbytery. On the 3rd July, 1643, the Lords of Commission pronounced Decree, annexing to Car-dross all the lands in Rosneath mentioned in the Presbytery's letter and ordaining the transportation of the Kirk of Cardross, leaving the new site to be determined by the Presbytery with advice of the Parishioners.

The Presbytery thereafter resolved to visit the Parish of Cardross on 12th September, and to summon the minister and the heritors of that parish to the meeting. "Upon the which day compeared in the Kirk of Cardross Mr. Andrew Cameron, Moderator, and divers members of the Presbytery, with the Heritors and Parishioners and minister of the Kirk of Cardross, for visitatione of the said kirk and designatione of the stance of the new kirk to be builded. And his visitors, having taken advyce of the IIeritors and Minister, went upon the same day to the lands of Wallastoune, accompanied with the Heritors and Minister, and fand that place, with the consent of the Heritors and Minister, to be the most commodious place for the stances of the new kirk and of the minister's manse thairat. And therefore designed ten scoir foots in breed, and ten scoir foots in length, upon the croft that lies on the north side of the King's highway at the back of the house and yaird possessed by Patrick Glen, and designed ane ruid of land for the minister's house and yaird lying contigue with the kirkyaird, with special advyce and consent of Sir Humphry Colquhoun of Balvie, being personally present as having full right to the said lands who mortifies the said bounds for that use in all time coming."

At the next meeting of .Presbytery the minutes of visitation were approved, and very soon thereafter the erection of the new kirk was proceeded with, provided with accommodation for four hundred sitters. It was taken down in the year 1825, and the present church built, which was opened for public worship on the last Sunday of April, 1827.

COUNTY AFFAIRS-ACTS OF COMMISSIONERS OF SUPPLY.

Under the old county management the roads and bridges were kept in repair, and when the new bridge over the bruin was ordered to be repaired in June 1748, the inhabitants of the adjacent country were ordered to work three days in assisting to fill up the ends of the "new bridge built over the water of ffrone." Each tenant yoking four horses in a plough, betwixt Arnburn and the mill burn of Bonnell. And each tenant in Glenfrone on both sides of the Chappell of Glenfrone, to repair with two horses and work three days of next week. They are to bring with them carts, such as have them, and "cars, creels, coups and other proper materials for carrying gravel, sand, etc.," to work six hours each day. Constables to attend and take an account of absent men, and to fine them 20 shillings Scots.

Decree of Justices, 21st August, 1750. At Tolbooth of Dunbartane no Justice of the Peace is to suffer himself to be treated or entertained by Excise Officers at Excise Courts, or by any parties who have suits depending before them.

Decree of Justices, 14th May, 1751. To mend the road leading from ferry of Dunbarton to the kirk of Cardross, and on account of the difficulty of wheeled machines to go thereon, the county to be called out to work on said road after they are done with their bear seed.

Meeting of Justices, 4th June, 1751. Constables are to summon all persons who are fit for service, whether man or woman, and are not presently employed in service to appear before the Justices. They have to give reasons for not being employed in service.

Meeting of Justices, 2nd June, 1753. All the roads in the county to be examined, and Justices appointed in each district for this work, the tenants, cottars, and labourers to work six days, or to pay fines. Intimation to be made of place and time of working at the parish church on Sabbath before work to be done, as prescribed by law. From Clachan of Rosneath to Portindorneck assessors were Colin Campbell, bailie of Rosneath, Patrick Cuming of Barreman, and Patrick M'Adam in Mamore.

Meeting 1st November, 1756. The following were authorised to retail ale and beer and other exciseable liquors :

In Row Parish.

John M'Neil in Ferry House of Portincaple.
Malcolm Colquhoun in Tayichladick.
William Cuming in Shandon.
Aitken AL T Arthur at kirk of Row.
Donald Smith, ferrier at Row of Connell.
Aulay M'Aulay at Row.
Alexander Miller at Stuck.
Duncan M'Farlane in Auchinvennel more—
Glenfrone. James M'Neill in Chapel of Glenfrone.

In Rosneath Parish.

Peter Cuming, Ferry house of Rosneath.
Elizabeth Campbell at kirk of Rosneath.
Robert M'Farlane there.

FROM " DEPREDATIONS COMMITTED ON THE CLAN CAMPBELL."
—Edinburgh, 1816.

List of the Goods taken out of Rosneith, from John Campbell, Captain of Carrick, and his Tennents, yrs, be Stranaver and his partie; Being directed and led on be Dougal M'Glashan, servitor to the Laird of Strachurr, in June 1685; after ye Rebellion was crushed.

ARDENCONNELL ESTATE.

In 1747 the estate seemed to have belonged to Arthur M'Arthur from an advertisement in the Glasgow Journal. In 1749 it is thus advertised in that paper as for sale, " the lands of Arconnel and Lettwalbeg holding feu from the Duke of Montrose £25 17s. 8d. for Arconnel, and £8 5s. 4d. for Lettwalbeg, to be exposed for sale in Court Hall of Tolbooth of Dunbarton."

Arconnel was said to pay rent £164 2s. 8d. Scots silver rent, 27 bolls bear, 25 bolls oatmeal, 3 wedders, 21 dozen hens. Lettwalbeg £31 13s. 4d. Scots silver rent, 27 bolls meal, 2 wedders, 2½ dozen hens at 4s. Scots each. The Feu-duties to be deducted, and £82 14s. 6d. Scots to minister of Row, and Arconnel further pays vicarage dues, etc. £8 4s. 6d. Scots.