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THE INVERESHIE FAMILY.
The family of
Invereshie is one of the few old Highland families showing an almost
unbroken line of prosperity, at present standing higher than ever.
Putting aside for the moment his Ballindalloch holding, Sir George
Macpherson- Grant stands head and shoulders territorially over all
other Macphersons both in acreage and rental. By origin Sir George
is descended of the two houses of Macphersons of Dalraddie, and
Grants of Rothiemurchus, being of Invereshie originally by purchase,
and of Ballindalloch by destination. Invereshie alone falls within
the scope of these papers, and I pass at once over the fabulous
origin given by Douglas and the asserted connection with the old
Invereshies, and mention the first Macpherson of Dairaddie, properly
so termed, viz., Paul, whose name and designation in the original
charter of Dalraddie is stated thus, "Paul Macpherson, son lawful of
Donald Macpherson in Dalraddie." This charter, or rather disposition
and feu contract, is granted by George, Marquis of Huntly, Earl of
Enzie, with consent of Lady Anna Campbell, his spouse, and George,
Lord Gordon, his son, dated 12th October, 1637, and registered in
the books of Council and Session at Edinburgh, 24th July, 1767. The
lands conveyed are thus described—
"All and whole, the
town and lands of Dalraddie, extending to a davoch of land,
comprehending therein the seats and town following, viz., Kynintchar,
Knockcaillich, Lynanruich, and Balavullin, which are parts and
pendicles of the said davoch !ands of Dairaddie, with all and sundry
their houses, biggings, yards, tofts, crofts, woods, fishings,
multures, mosses, muirs, outsetts, insetts, parts, pendicles, and
other pertinents whatsoever, as well not named as named, together
with the sheillings, grazings, and pasturages in Teavorer,
Teriuchneck, and Badabog, and other parts used and wont, and as the
tenants and possessors of the said lands were in use of before,
lying within the parish of Alvie, Lordship of Badenoch, and the
Sheriffdom of Inverness."
I have no note of Paul's son, but in
1683 John of Dalraddie, his grandson, appears, and in 1691 Angus
Macpherson, also described as grandson of Paul, is found. This John,
third of Dairaddie, had a son, also called John, married to Isobel
Cuthbert, daughter of Provost Cuthbert of Inverness, of the
Castlehill family. Of this marriage there were two sons—John, fifth,
who succeeded, and married to one of the Cluny ladies, leaving no
issue, was succeeded by his brother George, sixth.
I now turn to the Macphersons of
Invereshie, which by this time had been acquired by Dairaddie. The
first Macpherson who acquired the heritable right to Invereshie was
Angus Macpherson, by disposition and feu contract by the forenamed
George, Marquis of Huntly, his wife, and son, in his (Angus')
favour, dated 22nd October, 1637, registered in the Books of Council
and Session on said 24th July, 1767. The following is the
description of the subjects :-
"All and whole the lands of Invereshie,
Countilate, Corarnstilmor, with houses, biggings, yards, tofts,
sheillings, grazings, and whole parts, pendicles and pertinents
whatsoever, with the liberty of the woods and pasturages in the
whole foresaid lands as well in property as in commonly used and
wont, all extending to a davoch land of old extent. The lands of
Farletter, Corarnstilbeg, with houses, biggings, yards, and whole
other pertinents thereof, extending to a davoch land, with the
fishing of salmon upon the Lake of Loch Insh and the water Spey,
running through or by the same, commonly called the fishing of Farletter. The land of Inveruglass and Clauchan with the mill
thereof, formerly upon the water of Dallishaig, now upon the water
of Tromie, extending to the half of a davoch land of old extent. The
lands of Dell of Killyhuntly with the croft thereof, extending to a
davoch land of old extent. The lands of Invermarkie with the mill
thereof, comprehending the lands of Achnisuchan, alias Auch
Guisachan, with the mill croft of Invermarkie :—all extending to
four davochs and a half davoch of lands, with houses, biggings,
yards, tofts, crofts, woods, fishings, sheillings, grazings, and
whole pertinents thereof used and wont, lying within the Lordship of
Badenoch parishes of Kingussie and Insh, late Regality of Huntly,
and Sheriffdorn of Inverness."
Angus Macpherson, first heritor of
Invereshie, was a few years after he became owner, killed in one of
Montrose's battles, and left a son John, very young, whose estates
were managed by the Tutor, also called John Macpherson. John
Macpherson, second of Invereshie, was succeeded by his son Gillies,
but commonly called Elias Macpherson, who falling into serious
pecuniary difficulties sold his estates to Macpherson of Dalraddie.
Elias afterwards became a soldier, and died abroad without issue,
about 1697. His uncle, Sir Eneas Macpherson, left no male issue, but
he had at least one daughter, who married Sir John Maclean of Duart.
The premier male line of Invereshie thus terminated, but it is
understood there are male descendants in existence of Angus before
mentioned, the first heritor of Invereshie.
I now revert to George, sixth of the
Dalraddie line, who possessed Invereshie and Dalraddie for upwards
of 6o years, and being a man of great prudence and thrift, bordering
on penuriousness, placed his family on a very secure footing, and by
his marriage brought the fine estate of Ballindalloch ultimately to
them. He purchased the very convenient adjoining estate of
Balnespick. Before this purchase, although Invereshic extended to
the Perth and Aberdeen marches, the frontage to the Spey, only from
the flat near the church of Insh to the Feshie was insignificant. I
rather think that it was he who managed to secure for a trifle the
Glebe of Insh, but this may have been managed before George's time.
Some of the ancient residenters in and about Insh have inherited
curious stories of his penuriousness. Be that as it may he preserved
and added to his estate, and has the credit of making the first fir
plantation in Alvie, viz., "Baddan Shonat," a piece of planting not
far from the home farm of Invereshie, so called from a clever strong
country woman, Janet, who carried the plants on her back from
Ballindalloch, after George Macpherson's marriage. Naturally, Alvie
grows the finest fir, but it has not been the worse of the handsome
and thriving plantations of recent years made on the plains of the
Mackintosh and Invereshie estates. In old times these two families
were not only near neighbours, but close and hereditary friends.
Here is a letter from Invereshie to Mackintosh of Balnespick on
behalf of the Laird of Mackintosh, dated Invereshie, 17th May,
1779:- "I am
favoured with yours just now, with respect to my casting and using
divots for my houses on the Muir ground west of Lagganlia and
Croftbeg. It was by an indulgence which we had from Laird Lachlan
Macintosh, and his successor, Laird William, during their pleasure.
I never pretended to have any title of using any property upon said
ground, but by permission, and when that permission is withdrawn I
will always be thankful for past favours. If it is continued I shall
give as full an acknowledgment as may be desired in these terms. As
to my miler or others of my people, if they have encroached in
casting divots or peats upon Mackintosh's property, I shall notify
to them to stay for the future. All here joins me in compliments to
you and Mrs Mackintosh.—I ever am, dear sir, your affectionate
humble servant, (Signed) GEORGE MCPHERSON."
The first break in this hereditary
friendship occurred towards the end of last century, when Mackintosh
found it necessary to embank the turbulent Feshie for some distance
from its inver into the Spey. The losal of Dalnavert being situated
below Invereshie, received naturally the first and bulk of the
Feshie when in flood, and as a great part of the farm was becoming
useless, Mackintosh resolved to make on his side a straight and
powerful embankment, which was carried out at the enormous expense
in those days of over a thousand pounds sterling. This did not at
all suit Invereshie, whose lands were thereby every winter flooded
from Loch Insh to the Feshie, but it was a matter that could not be
stopped, and only mitigated in part by an additional cut made by
Invereshie for surplus river Spey water. In later years march
differences in Glenfeshie occurred, and a well-meant effort of final
settlement by excambion failed. As the whole of Glenfeshie has been
for several years let as one forest, difficulties have been, for a
time at least, overcome.
George Macpherson was succeeded by his
son, William Macpherson, who did not marry. George's second son,
Captain John Macpherson, a man of sterling character and
cultivation, far beyond his turbulent or dissipated neighbours,
predeceased the elder brother, William, on whose death the
succession opened to his nephew, George, afterwards Sir George
Macpherson-Grant, who had succeeded prior to his uncle William's
death, to the estate of Ballindalloch. Sir George, first Baronet,
may be considered as the real founder of the family. Shrewd,
ambitious and determined, party and men were made subservient to his
wishes, and he was steadily successful. He bought up at great
expense all the ridiculous but burdensome stipulations in his Gordon
charters, finally acquiring not only the freehold of Invereshie, but
the lands of Invertromie, and also a great slice of the Gordon
Kingussie lands. He was succeeded by his son, Sir John, whom I
cannot more fitly describe than as a fair-minded, scrupulous, and
honourable gentleman, whose promising life was unhappily cut short
after a too brief career. His son, the present Sir George, is so
well known that I need but say that he, like the present Lochie],
has, by zeal, industry, and thought, in course of a long reign,
strengthened and added to the best traditions of his house, and
shown what a great Highland proprietor can and ought to be.
THE GORDON RENTALS AND REMOVALS.
The rental of the Gordons in 1667, was
as follows, and it may be mentioned that from the large holdings of
Mackintosh and Invereshie acquired early the Gordon rental was
smaller in Alvie than in the other parishes of Badenoch:-
Here follows a list of some of
Mackintosh's tenants in the parish of Alvie in 1635—Angus Macqueen,
principal tenant of Meikie Dunachton; John Mac Coil vic William
there; Angus Mac Conchie there; John Roy Mac Allister vic Fionlay
there; William Roy Mac Huistean there; Donald Mac Coil vic lain Dhu
there; Andrew Miller there; Donald Mac Conchie vie Gorrie there;
Allister Mac Fionlay vic Ewen there; Mac Fionlay Dhu there; Kenneth
Mac Fionlay Mor there; James Gow there; Duncan Mac Gorrie there
Ferquhar Dhu there; Donald Dhu Mac Gorrie there James Shaw in
Dunachton beg ; Soirle Mac Fionlay vie Ewen there; Finlay Mac
Allister vic Fionlay vie Ewen there: Katharine nin Donald Roy there;
William Mac Allan Roy there; Gillespie Mac Coil vic Gorrie there;
John Mac Haniish vic Aonas there; Alexander Roy in Pittourie;
Lachlan Mackintosh of Stron, principal tacksman of Kincraig; Finlay
Mor there ; Alister Dhu Mac Fionlay there; Soirle Mac Allister vic
Fionlay there; Allister Mac Fionlay there; Hugh Macqueen there;
James Shaw in Dalnavert; William Shaw, his son, there; Thomas Mac
lain vic William there, William Miller there; Donald Mor Mac
Allister there; John Mac Hamish, tailor, there; Angus Macpherson of
Invereshie, principal tacksman of the croft of Dalnavert, bewest the
water of Feshie.
I next give a list of
several of the tenants and occupants of Alvie generally in 1679
:—Lachlan Macpherson of Dellifour; Leonard Macpherson, his son,
there; Duncan Dow there; Ewen Mac Coil there; Angus Mac Coil vic
Phail there; John Macrae there; Allister Mac William vic lain Mor
there; Allister Macpherson there; Donald Macpherson in Pittourie;
Donald Mac Phai] vic Coin ich there; Patrick Macpherson there;
Thomas Mac Griasich Chotter there; Allister Macpherson of Pitchern,
there; John mor Mac a ghillie rioch there; William Mac lain vic
Gillandrish there; William Gow there; Donald Macpherson in Pitchern
; Allister Mac Allister vic Muriach there; Ewen Oig there ; Allister
Mac Coil Reach there ; John Macpherson in Dairaddie; Finlay Mac Ewen
there; John roy Mac Coil vic Eachen there; William Mac Gillie
Michael there ; Allister Mac Hamish vic an Taillor there; Donald Mac
Phadrick mar there; Donald Gordon there; Thomas Dow there; John Mor
Mac lain vic Thomas there; Donald Maclean of Wester Lynvuilg; Donald
Mac Conchie vic Phail there; Hucheon Rose there; James Mac lain vic
her there ; James and Angus Macpherson there; Angus Macferquhar
there; Donald Mackenzie there; John Mac Gillie Phadrick vic lain
there; Donald Maclean there; John Mac Phail vic Coinich there; John
Oig Mac Ferquhar there.
After his marriage Alexander, fourth
Duke of Gordon, brought Jane Maxwell, the new Duchess, to the north,
and they visited all his estates. She was not taken with Gordon
Castle, but so much struck with Kinrara that she at once made up her
mind that it should become her Highland residence, and she stuck to
it to the last, ordering that her remains be there laid.
Both Kinraras, Gordon's and
Mackintosh's, are beautiful, and nowhere in Badenoch are the hills
more set off with birch than at North Kinrara. But, alas, at the
beginning the Duchess' wishes were carried out by the removal of a
numerous and contented people. Even yet after the lapse of more than
a hundred years green oases on the sides of the wooded Tar Alvie
showing ancient cultivation, are to be found—and it is a great
satisfaction to me that ere matters have fallen into utter oblivion,
never to be recalled, I record the woeful events which occurred in
1770, in connection with the clearing of North Kinrara. Upon the
20th of February, 1770, the Duke signs in London a precept agreeable
to the ancient Scottish form, to warn out Patrick Grant of
Rothieniurchus, principal tenant, and the following people, in the
personal occupation of the lands of Kinrara and Dellifour
1, Donald Grant, in the boat house of
Knappach; 2, Peter Grant, in Easter Kinrara; 3, John Grant there; 4,
John Shaw there; 6, James Grant, in Wester Kinrara; 7, Anna Forbes
there; 8, James Grant, in Balnacruick; 9, James Cameron, in Sloch;
10, Alexander Macdonald, senior, in Gortnacreich; 11, Peter
Macdonald there; 12, Alexander Macdonald, junior, there; 13, Donald
Grant, in Abban; 14, Alexander Cameron, in Croftgown; 15, Robert
Cameron there; 16, Annie Grant there; 17, Mr William Gordon,
minister of the Gospel there; 18, Peter Grant, in Dellifour; 19,
James Grant there; 20, John Campbell there; 21, Alexander Cuthbert
there; 22, Alexander Cameron there; 23, Christian Macpherson,
Mailander there; 24, Malcolm Macdonald, Altnagown, probably over one
hundred souls, doubtless poor enough, but honestly paying the whole
rent exacted by the Gordons, while allowing a neighbouring laird to
sit free for the best part of the possession. Great precautions were
taken that the services were legally complete. Patrick Grant seems
to have then resided at Dell of Rothiemurchus, but the house was
shut up, and copies were not only left in the lock hole, and stuck
on the church door of Alvie, but also a copy left in a cloven stick
on the grounds of Kinrara and Dellifour.
Retiring from the great Metropolis the
Duchess statedly and for long periods lived at Kinrara, nearly
always accompanied by her daughter Georgina, afterwards Duchess of
Bedford. Lady Georgina was passionately attached to Badenoch, but
unlike the others, the steady close friend and protector of all poor
people far and near, and her name to the present day is deservedly
held in the warmest affection.
DUCHESS JANE'S
INSCRIPTION, As
I said, Duchess Jane, who died in London in April, 1812, is interred
at Kinrara, with an absurdly inflated inscription about her
descendants, quoted by Banker Macpherson, page 82 of his Old Church
and Social Life in the Highlands. At page 81 Mr Macpherson makes
this statement, "If Duchess Jane prepared the inscription to be
placed on the monument." If Duchess Jane prepared the inscription,
as Mr Macpherson alleges, then she had among her many undoubted
gifts one hitherto unknown, no less than the second sight, or more
properly that of foretelling futurity.
The descendants of her five daughters
are given nomination on the monument, and under the head of Lady
Georgina, fifth daughter, above referred to, who married John, Duke
of Bedford, there are mentioned four sons and two daughters, viz.,
Lady Georgina Elizabeth Russell, and Lady Louisa Jane Russell, the
present Duchess Dowager of Abercorn. It is to the last venerable
lady, who not long since celebrated her 8oth birthday, surrounded by
over one hundred descendants, I have to refer. Peerage authorities
tell the public that Lady Louisa Jane Russell was born on the 8th of
July, 1812, three months after her grandmother, Jane Duchess of
Gordon's death. How could Duchess Jane, if she prepared the
inscription, know that an unborn child of her daughter Georgina,
would be a girl and named Louisa Jane, perhaps Mr Macpherson, if he
stick to his text in any new edition, will explain and clear up.
The end of the inscription runs
thus—"This monument was erected by Alexander, Duke of Gordon, and
the above inscription placed on it at the particular request of the
Duchess, his wife." I quite admit an ordinary reader, who perhaps
never heard of any Duchess but Duchess Jane, might be misled by
this. Mr Macpherson ought to know, but seems to have overlooked that
Duke Alexander was married a second time, after Jane Maxwell's
death, to Mrs Christie, who had been in the first Duchess's service,
and was much attached to the Gordon children. The inscription,
although obscure in its latter part, can by no possibility have been
prepared by Duchess Jane.
THE OSSIAN MACPHERSONS.
A pretentious erection, said to have
been originally designed by the architects of The Adeiphi, London,
was erected by Mr James Macpherson alter he became purchaser of
Raitts in 1788 and had removed most of the old possessors. These
under the Borlums were very numerous, and mainly removed by the
first James, while a total clearance was made by the second James
Macpherson, who leased the Mains of Raitts and a considerable part
of the estate in 1809 to Thomas Dott, feuar in Hilton Hill, near
Cupar-Fife, at an enormous rise of rent, viz., 36o forehand. A list
of the people removed by Macpherson in'I8O9 will be found as an
appendix. To
Croftmaluack was assigned the name of Chapel Park, and having called
a series of bastards to succeed as heirs of entail, he departed,
securing, by payment, interment in Westminster Abbey Macpherson's
works, other than the Ossian fabrications, have fallen into
oblivion. He was deeply imbued with the atheistic cant so
fashionable in the second half of last century and gave free rein to
his views in the Introduction to the History of Great Britain and
Ireland, a publication scathingly reviewed and exposed in a scarce
pamphlet called "Remarks" on the "Introduction," published in London
in 1772. For
some years he resided in a certain locality, in London, near the
Houses of Parliament, long since swept away, which locality is so
graphically described by Dickens in "Nicholas Nickleby" that, though
somewhat lengthy, I transcribe it—
"Within the precincts of the ancient
city of Westminster, and within half a quarter of a mile or so of
its ancient sanctuary, is a narrow dirty region, the sanctuary of
the smaller members of Parliament in modern days. It is all
comprised in one street of gloomy lodging-houses, from whose
windows, in vacation time, there frown long melancholy rows of
bills, which say, as plainly as did the countenances of their
occupiers, ranged on Ministerial and Opposition benches in the
session which slumbers with its fathers, " To Let," " To Let." In
busier periods of the year these bills disappear, and the houses
swarm with legislators. There are legislators in the parlour, in the
first floor, in the second, in the third, in the garrets ; the small
apartments reek with the breath of deputations and delegates. In
damp weather, the place is rendered close by the steain of moist
Acts of Parliament and frowsy petitions ; general postmen grow faint
as they enter its infested limits, and shabby figures in quest of
franks flit restlessly to and fro like the troubled ghosts of
complete letter writers departed. This is Manchester Buildings ; and
here, at all hours of the night, may be heard the rattling of
latch-keys in their respective keyholes : with now and then —when a
gust of wind sweeping across the water which washes the Building's
feet, impels the sound towards its entrance—the weak, shrill voice
of some young member practising to-morrow's speech. All the livelong
day there is a grinding of organs and clashing and clanging of
little boxes of music ; for Manchester Buildings is an eel-pot which
has no outlet but its awkward mouth—a case-bottle which has no
thoroughfare, and a short narrow neck—and in this respect it may be
typical of the fate of some few of its more adventurous residents,
who after wriggling themselves into Parliament by violent efforts
and contortions, find that it, too, is no thoroughfare for them that
like Manchester Buildings it leads to nothing beyond itself; and
that they are fain at last to back out, no wiser, no richer, not one
whit more famous, than they went in."
THE DR JOHNSON CORRESPONDENCE.
It was while in Manchester Buildings
that Macpherson and Dr Johnson had the famous tussle. A few years
ago, at the cost of a few shillings, I became possessed of several
papers, copies of some of which follow. Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are
in Macpherson's handwriting. What appears in italics are underlined
by him No. 1. "Private.
"Dear Sir,—Upon mature consideration I
have sent the enclosed ostensible letter. However unwilling I
may be at this time especially to do anything that may create
noise, I find I cannot pass over the expressions contained in Dr
Johnson's pamphlet. I desire therefore that you will use your
endeavours with that impertinent fellow, to induce him to
soften the expressions concerning me, though it should occasion the
delay of a few days in the publication. If he has a grain of
commonsense I suppose he will see the impropriety of the words, and
prevent further trouble. You may show to him the enclosed but to
none else, and take care to keep it in your own hands.—! am, dear
sir, Yours affectionately
(Signed) "J. MACPHERSON."
"Manchester Buildings."
"Jany. 14th 1775."
(Addressed) "To William Strahan, Esq.,
New Street, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street," and endorsed by Mr Strahan,
the publisher, "J. Macpherson."—
No. 2.
"Dear Sir,—A friend of mine this moment
put into my hands, a sentence extracted from a work entitled 'A
Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland' which I am informed is
written by Dr Johnson expressing his incredulity with regard to the
authenticity of the Poems of Ossian. He makes use of the words
insolence, audacity, and guilt. To his want of belief, I have not
the smallest objection. But I suppose you will agree with me that
such expressions ought not to be used by one gentleman to another,
and that whenever they are used, they cannot be passed over with
impunity. To prevent consequences that may be at once disagreeable
to Dr Johnson and to myself, I desire the favour that you will wait
upon him, and tell him that reelect he will cancel from his Journey
the injurious expressions above mentioned. I hope that upon cool
reflection he will be of opinion that this expectation of mine is
not unreasonable.—Dear Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant.
(Signed) J. MACPHERSON.
"Manchester Buildings."
"Jany. 15th 1775."
(Addressed) "William Strahan, Esq."
Macpherson seemed in a great hurry for a
reply in the form of an apology, and again writes Mr Strahan,
probably the same day, but there is no date—
No. 3. "Private.
"Dear Sir,— I expected to have had Dr
Johnson's final answer to my, I think, very just demands at seven
o'clock. I beg leave to enclose to you the Jurtort of such an
advertisement as would satisfy me. As I am very serious upon this
business, I insist that you will keep it to yourself, for were it
not the present circumstances of an affair in which you, as well as
I are concerned, I should before this have traced out the author of
the Jouiney in a very effective manner. Unless I have a satisfactory
answer I am determined (indeed it is necessary) to bring this
business to a conclusion before I begin any other.—Dear Sir, Yours,
etc., etc., (Signed) J. MACPHERSON."
"Past 4 o'clock."
No. 4. "To the
Printer of the 'St. James Chronicle.'
Advertisement."
"The author of the Journey to the
Western Highlands of Scotland, finding when it was too late to make
any alterations, that some expressions in page and had given offence
to the gentleman alluded to, he takes this mode of informing the
public, that he meant no personal reflection ; and that should this
work come to a second impression, he will take care to expunge such
words as seem, though undesignedly, to convey an affront. This is a
piece of justice which the author owes to himself, as well as to
that gentleman."
No 5. "Privatee.
"Dear Sir, —Something like the enclosed
may do. Will you transcribe it carefully, as it would be highly
improper anything in commendation of the work should go in the hand
of the author. I can easily trace the malignity of the Johnsonians
in the "Plain Dealer." Such allegations, though too futile to impose
on men of sense, may have weight with the foolish and prejudiced,
who are a great majority of mankind. I think, therefore, it were
better no such things should appear at all if that can be done.—Dear
Sir, your's affectionately (Initialed) " J. M."
Addressed to "Mr Caddell, bookseller,
opposite Catharine Street, Strand."
"½ past 4 o'clock."
No.6.
"Mr James Macpherson,—I received your
foolish and impudent letter. Any violence offered to me I shall do
my best to repel, and what I cannot do for myself the law shall do
for me. I hope
I shall never be deterred from detecting what I think a cheat by the
menaces of a ruffian.
"What would you have me retract? I
thought your book an imposture. I think it an imposture still. For
this opinion I have given my reasons to the publick, which I here
dare you to refute. Your rage I defy. Your abilities since your
Homer, are not so formidable; and what I hear of your morals induces
me to pay regard not to what you shall say, but to what you shall
prove. You may print this if you will.
(Signed) "SAM JOHNSON."
It is quite possible that Mr Caddell
never sent the prepared apology. In any case no apology was made,
nor the contemplated steps, if any were really intended, taken by
Macpherson. THE
OSSIANIC ORIGINALS.
I shall next refer to the original
Ossian papers which Mr Macpherson said he had deposited for
exhibition. No one apparently did examine them, and when the
Highland Society, years after Macpherson's death, took up the matter
of their authenticity, no papers could be found. His
representatives, at least those called as heirs of entail, professed
they could find none, and it was contended and has been generally
thought that Macpherson had destroyed them before his death, huffed
at their being questioned, and that when he offered exhibition no
one appeared. By accident, however, reading over some legal
proceedings connected with Macpherson's succession and estates I
found, not long since, a distinct reference showing that as late as
1807 these Ossian papers did exist, and I now give the verification.
Mr Alexander Macdonald, merchant, of
Thames Street, London, aged 25 years and upwards, deponed on oath on
examination before a Commissioner in 1807 that Mr John Mackenzie,
late of the Inner Temple, was one of James Macpherson's executors,
and George Mackenzie, late surgeon 42nd Regiment, was administrator
of John Mackenzie's estate. That the said George Mackenzie, previous
to his leaving London in autumn, 1803, deposited with the deponent
all the books, papers, and documents found in the repositories of
the said John Mackenzie at his chambers, Fig Tree Court, Temple.
Depones that by the authority of the said George Mackenzie he,
Macdonald, had delivered the papers to Mr Alexander Fraser,
solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, London. That the said John Mackenzie by
his memorandum showed that he, one of James Macpherson's executors,
received these Macpherson papers in autumn, 1796, from Sir John
Macpherson, another of the executors. Depones that there were a
great variety of books and papers, contained in an iron chest and
two or three tin boxes, sent to Mr Fraser, but the deponent had no
means of knowing to what subjects they related, save and except thd
the contents of the iron chest were composed chiefly of the
manuscript of the poems of Ossian, that having been pointed out to
him by the said George Mackenzie, by whose directions he acted.
Here then certain Ossian papers are
clearly traced to the custody of Mr Alexander Fraser of the
Leadclune family, in 1807, who lived on to about 1832, as I think,
but I have no note of his death. What became of them is hard to say,
and though some of them have no doubt disappeared for ever many may
exist. The Macvurrich manuscript, which had been entrusted to
Macpherson, has fortunately turned up after many vicissitudes.
People have made up their minds that no poems such as those given by
Macpherson ever existed, but that he had collected a number of
valuable manuscripts does not admit of any doubt, and it may be
hoped that at least some of them may yet be recovered and given to
the world, as has been so handsomely done by the present Clanranald
in the case of the Macvurrich MS.
JAMES MACPHERSON'S MORALS, SUCCESSORS,
AND FORTUNE. It
will have been noticed that Dr Johnson had no high opinion of
Macpherson's morals, a well-founded view, for rarely even in the
profligacy of last century has it been more flagrantly flaunted than
by him. The eldest natural son, James, according to his tombstone in
Kingussie Churchyard, was born in 1765, and the name of his third,
though not the youngest, is there found, born in 1778, so that the
business is found at least running over a period of 20 years. But
what could not wealth and wordly success surmount? A detestable,
cringing, and apologetic tone has been used by several writers from
whom better things might be expected that cannot be too severely
censured. Let me just for a moment refer to his manner of life in
his later years. A certain woman, Margaret Macpherson, deponed at
Edinburgh on the 14th of December, 1808-
"That her name was Margaret Macpherson,
otherwise Bain, and that she was wife of Walter Bain, mason in
Dundee. That she was about twenty years in the service of the late
James Macpherson of Belville, and that she acted during the last 14
years in the capacity of housekeeper. That she was with Mr
Macpherson, both when be resided at Belville and in England. That Mr
Macpherson was in the habit of talking much to the deponent
confidentially on matters of business, especially during the latter
part of his life. . . . Depones that Mr Macpherson has shown her
several letters from the Colonel (Colonel Allan Macpherson of
Blairgowrie), some of which she read herself, and others that were
read to her by Mr Macpherson, and as far as she recollects the
general purport of them was to solicit Mr Macpherson not to take
infeftment upon the estate of Blairgowrie, as it would bring the
Colonel to disgrace, and break his wife's heart."
Is it any wonder that no respectable
woman ever entered the doors of Belville, although from some hints
by Mrs Grant of Laggan, that good lady was not disinclined to
gratify a rather prurient curiosity by doing so, of course paying
her respects to the "housekeeper."
By means of the gold and jewels of the
Nabob of Arcot, a determined enemy of Britain, Mr Macpherson sat in
Parliament for Camelford, afterwards disfranchised by and through
its utter corruption, amassed a considerable fortune, his allowance
being 12,000 pagodas annually from the Nabob. From Macpherson's
accounts against the Nabob, I excerpt the following as specimens. "
H— of C—" means House of Commons, and a pagoda was worth perhaps 3s
to 4s according to the exchanges :-
Further—oh the shame of it—he was able
to buy a tomb in Westminster Abbey. It is to be hoped that the day
may not be far distant when such monuments as those of Macpherson's,
and of frauds like Sir Cloudesley Shovel's, will be swept out of the
national Walhalla.
Macpherson educated and sent his eldest
natural son, James, to India, introducing him to a friend in these
terms, by letter, dated London, 12th of July, 1782 :-
"This, I trust, will be delivered to you
by James Macpherson, who is appointed a cadet on your establishment.
Mr Macintyre will probably have informed you what and who he is. I
shall therefore only introduce him to your countenance and
protection."
This son James was a poor extravagant creature who did little in
India, as may be judged from the following personal account given by
himself under date
"Camp, Shur Cur, 30th November, 1786.
" I assure you I have entirely laid
aside my extravagance and steadfastly resolved to be as economical
as my station will allow of nor can I fail to act up to this
resolution, having continually such good examples as the Marrattas
before me."
Upon being called as heir of entail at his father's death early in
1796, he came home, making no figure further than removing the
people and raising his rents. He had, it is true, to encounter
tremendous litigation in connection with his father's intricate and
involved affairs. He came out as a great Whig in politics, being
dominated therein by Ballindalloch, and in his estate affairs by
that objectionable politician, Sir David Brewster, who, posing as
patriot, as placeman feathered his nest handsomely at the public
expense ; ruling for years at Belville as if it were his own. James
Macpherson, the son, though married had no family. The next in
succession was one of his natural sisters, Miss Anne Macpherson, who
was not likely to marry, and indeed did not even live in Scotland,
so the Brewsters reigned, and the estate seemed within their legal
grasp. This James Macpherson, dying without issue in 1833, the next
heir of entail, Miss Anne Macpherson, succeeded. She, a stranger to
the north, and from the misfortune of her birth, had hitherto led a
retired but thoughtful life, having considerable firmness of
character. Miss Macpherson found it necessary to free herself of the
Brewsters, who tried to continue supreme as in James Macpherson's
time, and she at last had to turn the key of her door on Sir David.
His desire to outlive Miss Macpherson, who at her accession was
rather delicate in health, and well over 50 years of age, was not to
be gratified. She got stronger, while age was fast creeping over Sir
David, and the chances were that she would survive him. To add to
his vexation Miss Macpherson regularly recorded improvements under
one of the Entail Acts, constituting these a debt on the entailed
property. His latest appearances in Inverness were to scrutinize the
vouchers recorded in the Sheriff Court books, through a magnifying
glass, to discover, if possible, erazures, vitiations, or
imperfections which might thereafter be the ground for setting aside
the charges as affecting the succeeding heirs of entail. But he was
called away, while Miss Anne Macpherson, known as the "Miss dubh,"
lived honoured and respected until 1862, reaching the age of 84,
when she was succeeded by her sister Juliet's son, the late Colonel
Brewster, who assumed the additional name of Macpherson in terms of
the deed of entail.
I pass over at present some of the cruel
aspersions by some of the Brewsters on members of the Borlum family
and its connections, although I deeply resent them, as these can be
dealt with more properly in a work for which I have been gathering
materials during the last 40 years, and hope to be able to publish
some day, after visiting the New England States and Georgia, to
verify some important points, and to be called Annals of the
House of Borlum in Great Britain and America.
THE MACKINTOSHES, AND THE DUCHESS OF
BEDFORD'S GLENFESHIE HUTS.
The family of Mackintosh is connected by
property with the parish of Alvie for over 600 years, by authentic
writings, and at present the largest heritors are able to say that
they were there prior not merely to the Gordons but to the Wolf of
Badenoch, and even to the Comyns. I have baid so much about them in
the little work, Dunachton Past and Present, published in 1866, that
I do not incline to say much here in addition. But I would point, in
evidence of antiquity, to Dalnavert, and that curious wooded
eminence on the losal of Dalnavert, latterly known as Keppoch, but
of old "the Shian," where as far back as the 13th century dwelt
Ferquhard Mackintosh, son of Shaw, or Seth, as it is written. The
superiority of that part of Alvie parish, including Invermarkie, was
in 1336 part of the Earldom of Ross. I might also say much about
Mackintosh's part of Glenfeshie, formerly Ric Aitchacan,
Ric-na-Bruich, and Achleam-a-choid, now all forest, and
unfortunately of late years dependent on the greater Glenfeshie
belonging to Sir G. Macpherson-Grant. The place which Lady Georgina
Gordon, Duchess of Bedford, was so fond of, sometimes called "The
Island," sometimes "Georgina," was the favourite residence of the
Duchess of Bedford, and her "huts" were visited by the highest in
Great Britain. Mrs Fraser, wile of James Fraser, sometime forester
in Glenfeshie, who died lately at Lynchat, was a favourite servant
with the Duchess, and Mrs Fraser, who could hardly restrain her
tears when referring to her late loved mistress, has often told me
that the Duchess was in the habit of saying that she loved her huts
in Glenfeshie over and above every spot in the world. The huts were
mere turf walls, bottomed with stone, and by and over each door
rowans were planted and trained, carrying out the ancient view that
they kept away witches. In the memoirs of Charles Matthews there is
a graphic description of the
locality and of crossing the River Feshie in flood. Above the
fireplace in the dining-room hut, was a fine picture of a stag on
the rough plaster, by Sir Edwin Landseer. The whole needed the
greatest care from the severity of winter weather. The Duchess'
chief residence was at the Doune of Rothiemurchus, but she spent
much of the season at the huts. After her death both sides of the
Feshie were rented by the same sporting tenants, and the houses
opposite the huts being built of wood were dryer, and consequently
became the principal residence of unhardy Southrons. The late
Alexander Mackintosh, twenty-sixth of Mackintosh, was on such
friendly terms with the Duchess—a splendid tenant in every
respect—that latterly no conditions were inserted in her leases, the
result being that the huts fell into ruins, particularly in the time
of the Duke of Leeds, over whom the Mackintoshes had no control, nor
was he there even with their consent. Mark the ill consequences. Her
Most Gracious Majesty rode on one occasion from Balmoral, through
Glenfeshie, and to the Spey, and records her surprise and regret to
see the state of ruin in which the huts had fallen, through the
vandalism of the owner. I think, but not having the Queen's book by
inc as I write cannot verify it, that she was guided by Lord
Alexander Russell, who is still alive, and who ought to have known
all about the place in which his mother so frequently stayed. He did
so himself, for a hill road still known as "Lord Alexander's Road,"
is called after him. He did not, however, know the truth, for he
allowed Her Majesty to believe that the ruin lay at the door of the
Mackintoshes. The real truth was that Mackintosh had nothing to do
with it, could not interfere, and knew nothing about it, the
wrongdoer being Her Majesty's own "cousin and Councillor," that
notorious Duke of Leeds, of whom the well known story is related as
to his treatment of guests invited to the forest.
He was so selfish that he could not
endure any visitor killing a stag. Upon one occasion a young
gentleman was invited to Glenfeshie, to whom the Duke showed so much
attention as to attract the notice of Watson, the head stalker. Next
morning early, Watson, to make sure, knocked at the door of his
Grace's bedroom, and asked if Mr So-and-So "was to have a stalk, or
the walk" in use to be given to visitors. The Duke was deafer than
usual, and the query had to be repeated in tones sufficiently loud
to be overheard by others, as? also the gruff reply, "A walk." To
the credit of the young gentleman, who either heard the colloquy or
was told of it by others, he left the place immediately and told the
story, which circulated in every club, sporting and political,
making it so disagreeable for the Duke that he either ceased renting
forests, or would not be accepted as a tenant, and had to purchase
Applecross.
When I had charge of the Mackintosh estates the late Alexander Æneas
Mackintosh, twenty-seventh Mackintosh, authorised the dining-room to
be restored as far as possible, and a pretty wooden hall of the
finest Glenfeshie wood, with handsome windows, was erected, with the
old gable on which was Sir E. Landseer's picture properly enclosed
and incorporated. As to its present state I know not, not having
been in the Glen for many years. I desired that Lord Alexander
Russell should be called on to explain the true position of matters
to Her Majesty, but the late Mackintosh thought, as it had become
ancient history, it was not worth while stirring up a matter which
was passing into oblivion, so it was dropped for the time. It has,
however, always rankled in my mind and I welcome this opportunity of
letting the truth come out.
I pass from Alvie with regret, endeared
as it is and ever will be to me, not only from old family ties but
happy personal reminiscences of times and people gone for ever,
leaving naught but that fond memory which brings the light of other
days around me." |
