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Preface
 William Strahan, the
publisher, writing to Robertson the historian in 1759, told him that "A
History of Scotland is no very enticing title;" and Dugald Stewart,
commenting upon that expression, adds—"The influence of Scottish
associations, so far as it is favourable to antiquity, is confined to
Scotchmen alone, and furnishes no resources to the writer who aspires to a
place among the English classics. Nay, such is the effect of that
provincial situation to which Scotland is now reduced, that the
transactions of former ages are apt to convey to ourselves exaggerated
conceptions of barbarism from the uncouth and degraded dialect in which
they are recorded. To adapt the history of such a country to the present
standard of British taste, it was necessary for the author, not only to
excite an interest for names which to the majority of his readers were
formerly indifferent or unknown, but, what was still more difficult, to
unite in his portraits the truth of nature with the softenings of art,
'conquering,' as Livy expresses it, ' the rudeness of antiquity by the art
of writing.'" [Stewart's Life of Robertson, written in 1796. Was it of
accident or forethought that Stewart, in praising Robertson, omitted one
of the alternatives which Livy makes historical writers propose to
themselves—either to give events with greater accuracy, or to conquer the
rudeness of antiquity by the art of writing?—"Aut in rebus certius aliguid
alla-turos, aut scribendi arte rudem vetusta-tem superaturos." The first
was certainly not the chief object of our great historians of the last
century.] The elegant and profound philosopher concludes that it is
necessary to "correct our common impressions concerning the ancient state
of Scotland by translating not only the antiquated phraseology of our
forefathers into a more modern idiom, but by translating (if I may use the
expression) their antiquated fashions into the corresponding fashions of
our own times."
We cannot doubt that Dugald
Stewart expressed the opinion of the literary world of his day. Perhaps he
overlooked some of the causes which produced such a state of feeling. It
was not merely the dreaded provincialism that was to be overcome—the
nervousness which Scotchmen like Hume and Robertson felt in writing
English. The educated Scot of the middle of last century had something
harder to meet than gibes for his misplaced shall and will, these and
those. There was at that time a dislike amounting to hatred of Scotland
and Scots (not indeed unreturned), which it would be easy to trace upwards
through the most popular writers of England— through Johnson and Swift, to
Lord Strafford and Clarendon, and back to the fierce ballads of the
Edwardian wars. But just then the nation had scarcely recovered its
temper, ruffled by the Scotch invasion, when the unpopularity of the Bute
ministry re-kindled the feeling, which men like Wilkes and Churchill blew
into flame; and perhaps the anti-Scotican rage was never fiercer than when
the little band of Edinburgh writers claimed a hearing from English
readers, a hundred years ago.
Much of the chief
difficulty—the winning the ear of an English audience to Scotch
history—was overcome by Robertson himself. He was skilful in selecting his
period. He was a great master of the dignified style of history; and
edition after edition of his History of Scotland was sold, [Andrew Strahan
(son of his first editor) wrote to him on the 19th November 1792: "the
fourteenth edition of your 'Scotland' will be published in the course of
the winter; and we have the satisfaction of informing you, that if we
judge by the sale of your writings, your literary reputation is daily
increasing."] until England was saturated with that sweet flowing
narrative of the most picturesque and tragical part of our national
annals.
Hume and Adam Smith were
fellow-soldiers in the enterprise, and many others, whose names would be
higher, had they not lived among those giants; until it was no longer a
reproach to a book to have Scotland for its subject or "Edinburgh" upon
its title-page, Still, it was only the thinking people who were gained.
The popular prejudice against Scotland—our condemnation in the world of
fashion—lasted much longer. Scotchmen who are still writing, remember how
carefully they used to guard against slips in their English—how it
fettered their style and even their thoughts. Scotchmen not yet dead old,
remember what pain it cost them to mix in English society for fear of the
disgraceful detection. What young Scot on first going to public school or
college in England forty years ago, had not to endure the suppressed
laugh, the little jeer, for his Scotch Greek or his native Doric!
The change in feeling—in
kindliness towards us, the rise of a certain enthusiasm for Scotland, had
its commencement no doubt in the works of Walter Scott. His national poems
first, and still more his prose pictures of Scotch life and manners, won
the hearts of Englishmen; and those who remember the feeling of boyish
shame of being detected as Scotch, must remember also the marvellous
change which a few years of the spells of the great Magician wrought upon
the people of both countries— upon the proud, self-confident Englishman,
and the sensitive half-sulky Scot.
One other circumstance has
tended more than may be at once seen, to turn the tide of English feeling.
Along with the Scotch romances which have so imbued the present generation
with a kindness for the country that gave them birth, came the rapidly
growing taste for Scotch sport—for the adventurous, rough life of the
Highland shooting and fishing lodge. Englishmen learnt to love the scene
of their youthful sport, and English women could not but sympathize with
the scene of that simple, Arcadian life which women of the higher classes
can taste nowhere else. And so, from all these causes, I believe it has
come to pass that books about Scotland, its history or its manners, even
unimaginative serious books, are now read with patience by all but
inveterate citizens of London.
It was in that belief that,
twelve months ago I ventured, much doubting, to give to the public a
volume about "Scotland in the Middle Ages." A large impression of that
book has now been sold; and I am not without hope that the present volume,
which comes lower down, and tries to join modern thought and customs to
the mediaeval, may be as acceptable as its predecessor.
As in that previous volume,
the substance of the present has been offered to a small portion of the
public before, though not in its present shape. The matter of some of the
chapters has been prefixed to works printed for the Bannatyne Club; that
of others to Maitland Club and Spalding Club works. As I said with regard
to my Lectures, they did not thereby achieve anything to be called
publicity. The societies I have named, like the Roxburghe Club of England,
undertake chiefly the printing of books which cannot be popular, but which
it is desirable to preserve and make accessible to the student. As to
numbers, the Bannatyne Club (now defunct) consisted of a hundred members;
the Maitland has somewhat fewer; the Spalding Club, a Northern
institution, is larger, reaches about three hundred. Of the members who
receive the Club works, perhaps a dozen of each of the first two—it may be
twenty of the last—turn over the books, cut a few leaves (though that is
rather avoided), and then the large quartos sleep undisturbed on the
library shelf. Occasionally a local newspaper, of more than usual
intelligence, has dug something out of those square repulsive volumes; but
I may say confidently, that to the world at large, to the reading public,
even to the class who read history, the present volume is entirely new
matter.
I venture to think such
matter is worth knowing, and if the public is of the same opinion I am
prepared to go to press with a similar one, embracing (1.) Some
information on the old Scotch law of Marriage and Divorce; (2.) A sketch
of the state of Society before and after the Reformation in Scotland; (3.)
A chapter on old Scotch Topography and Statistics.
I have to express my
obligation to the Marquis of Breadalbane, and to my lamented friend the
late Earl of Cawdor, for allowing me to make public here the observations
I had prefixed to collections of their family papers intended for a more
limited circulation.
Edinburgh, January 1861.
Table of Contents
Chapter I
Church Organization
I. —The Parish,
Meaning of the word—Different causes of placing Churches— Foundation and
Founder to be traced by various circumstances—Primeval Monasteries for
instructing Teachers— Glasgow Inquest of 1116—-Proof of very ancient
Endowments—Other traces of ancient Endowments—Abthanies— Monasteries
before David I.—Revival of Christianity in the twelfth Century—English
Settlers and their Settlements— Appropriation of Tithes to specific
Churches—Creation of Parish—Ednam—Melrose—Subdivision of parishes—Wiston,
Roberton, Crawford-john, Symington—Culter, on the Dee— Glen-Bucket, its
Origin—Arndilly, Bucharm—Lamberton— Mother Churches and Chapels—Burghal
Parishes, Edinburgh, Aberdeen—Stirling, Dunipace and Larbert—David I.'s
revival of Monasteries—Parish Churches absorbed—Sources of Parochial
History—-Records of the Bishopric-—of Religious Houses—Ancient valuations
of Benefices—Taxation of Churches for the Crusades—Antiqua Taxatio—Verus
valor—Baiamund's Roll.
The Cathedral
Bishopric of Glasgow,
Kentigern—The Interval till David I.— Ancient Possessions of the
Church—Church dedicated, 1136—New Acquisitions-Successive Bishops—Origin
of the City—Bishop Jocelin—Restoration of Church—Tithes given from Carrick
and Lennox —Papal Dictation—Burgh oppressed by Eutherglen—Judicial combat
used among Churchmen—General Collection for the fabric of the
Church—Archdeaconries—The Use and Constitutions of Sarum adopted—Old
boundaries of the Diocese— Edward I. at Glasgow—Reign of Robert I.—Bishop
Robert Wishart—Bishop Lindsay—First Hamiltons—First Bridge over
Clyde—Proofs of Legitimacy of Robert III.—Inventories of Jewels and
Books—Bishop Lauder—Bishop Turnbull— University Founded—Glasgow an
Archbishopric—Disputes with St. Andrews—Archbishop James Bethune—The
Reformation—The City of Glasgow—The Bishop's Dwellings— One day of Old
Glasgow.
Bishopric of Caithness,
Bishop Andrew—Bishop John mutilated—Bishop Adam—His murder—Bishop Gilbert
de Moravia—His constitution of the Cathedral—Constitution of Lincoln
adopted—The Chapter of Caithness—Scotch Cathedral society of old.
Bishopric of Aberdeen,
Its foundation—Monastery of Morthlach—Bishop William Elphinstone—Policy of
the old church.
II.—The Monastery
Melrose,
Old feudal tenures—Scotch jurisprudence—Galloway customs— State of
cultivation—Pasture—Forest—Game—Old boundaries—Old roads—Early spoken
language—Prices of land and value of money—Old families extinct—Seals,
Arms, Early Heraldry—The Monks as landowners and patrons— Fair play to the
Monks.
Scone,
Culdee foundation—Re-formed by Alexander I.—The fatal stone-—Coronations
at Scone—Privileges of the Abbey— Duel, ordeal—The connexion of Scone with
Caithness— Family of Ruthven.
Newbattle,
Position of the Abbey—Foundation—Destroyed by Richard II.—The last Abbot,
Mark Kerr—Abbey possessions—Early coal working—Rural affairs, pasture,
granges, right of passage, the Abbey wool—The Vale of Lethan—Tombs in the
Abbey—Queen Mary de Couci—Catharine Mortimer—Benefactions of the Douglases—The
Lindesays—Abbey buildings —Original crypt remaining.
Arbroath,
Abbey dedicated to Thomas-a-Becket—William the Lion its founder—Rapid
acquisition of property—The Culdees of Abernethy—Lay appropriation of
ancient Church endowments —Ancient customs—Judicial procedure—Military
service— Extent—The Brecbennach and custody of the Abbey banner— Abthanies—Old
names, Abbe, Falconar, Dempster—Domestic manners, hostelage in Stirling—Culdees—Forgotten
Saints— Evidence of ancient bridges over the North Esk, the Tay, the Dee,
the Spey—Abbey buildings—Offices of the Abbey—The dignity of the
Abbot—Burgh of Arbroath—The Harbour— Fights of the Lindesays and Ogilvies—Tomb
of William the Lion—Effigy of Thomas-a-Becket—Old customs—Banking —The
schoolmaster—The Abbey advocate—Great Angus families extant and extinct.
Kelso,
Situation—Old Roxburgh—Population of the district—Character of the
Borderers—Abbey changed from Selkirk to Kelso —Historical
curiosities—Edward III.'s renunciation of the superiority of
Scotland—Charter of John Balliol in the tenth year of his reign—The
Douglas origin—Proxies to Parliament—Boundaries of the kingdoms; of the
Bishoprics of Durham and Glasgow—Celibacy of the Clergy—Wycliffe's
followers—Agricultural occupation of the Abbey lands—Rental of 1290—Sheep,
cattle, and brood-mares—Steel-bow —Services of tenants—Multures—Rents—Military
services —Character of the Monks—Abbey buildings—Destruction of Kelso—The
Abbey defaced—Style of Architecture.
Inchaffray,
Earldom of Strathearn—The old Earls—See of Dunblane— The Earls the
patrons—Foundation—Endowment of the Abbey—The Earldom a Palatinate—Annexed
to the Crown —Arms of Strathearn.
Chapter II.
The University.
Glasgow,
University founded 1450-1—Papal foundation and privileges —The University
before the Reformation—Ruined—College after the Reformation—Andrew
Melville's teaching—Its effects—Degree of M.A.—Wodrow's Graduation—Josiah
Chorley at College—College in 1672—Laureation—Ceremonies—Thesis; Wodrow's,
M'Laurin's: Hutchison's Inaugural Oration—Studies in 1712—The University
in later times—University buildings—Places of meetings of old—The Faculty
of Arts—Auld Pedagogy—The present fabric—The Mace—Old domestic economy of
the College—Reid's account of University life.
Aberdeen,
Circumstances of the district—Early schools of Aberdeen— Scarcity of books
— University founded 1494 — Bishop Elphinstone; the Events of his Life and
his Character—Hector Boece, the first Principal—William Hay—Vaus—First
Scotch printing—The Reformation—Conference on Doctrine —Purging of the
University—Wandering Scotch scholars— Barclay, Florence Wilson, John
Cameron, etc.— Principal Arbuthnot—The new foundation—The University in
the seventeenth century—Bishop Patrick Forbes—The Aberdeen
Doctors—-Cultivation spreading in Aberdeen—Secular learning—Gordon of
Straloch—The Johnstons and the Poets— Raban's Printing-press—Aberdeen
Academic prints and their dates— Universitas Carolina—Rowe,
Principal—Collegiate Life—Changes of Life, and of Teaching—General
University Court of Scotland—The College fabric—Benefactions— Mace; Seal;
Bells; Spoons; Plate—Number of Students — Some degrees abolished—Reforms
suggested—Union of the Universities of Aberdeen.
Chapter III.
Home Life.
Family Papers—Papers of the
Family of Morton, Origin of Douglases—Early Members—William of Douglas—
Bishop Bricius—Sir William of Liddesdale—Sir James of Dalkeith—Marriage of
his Daughter with Hamilton—First Arms of Hamilton—Chapel of St. Nicholas
of Dalkeith— Sir James's wills, the earliest Scotch wills extant—His
alliances—The Regent Morton—Line of Lochleven—Excitement of a Charter
hunt-—Early Letters of Correspondence unsatisfactory—Low range of
Education—Danger of writing openly—Store of State Papers at Dalmahoy.
Breadalbane Papers,
The Black Book of Taymouth—Sketch of Family History— Black Colin of
Rome—Sir Duncan; slain at Flodden— Colin built Balloch—Sir Duncan ; "
Black Duncan of the cowl"—His rural improvements—Building of houses and
bridges—Travels—Cultivates Literature—Romances, Poetry —Sir Colin—Fond of
Latin, French, and Italian—Cultivates Art—A German painter—George Jamesone—Jame-sone's
prices and speed of work—List of his works at Taymouth.
Chronicle of the Curate of
Fortirgall—Record of the Weather —Notice of passing Events—Deaths of
Rizzio, Darnley, Murray, Archbishop Hamilton, without comment—Last Entry,
1579.
Duncan Laideue's
Testament—A satirical poem—Who was Duncan Laideus?—Account of the
Poem—Extracts.
Bonds of Friendship —Deeds
of Adoption—Fostering in the Highlands—Its purpose—Fostering of young
Argyll with Glenorchy—Correspondence about him—Clan Customs— Early
Highland Farming—Usual Provisions—Household Gear—Arms—Bows and
Arrows—Jewels—Plate—Furniture—Pictures—Baron Court Law—Trees—Irrigation—
Speats—Wolves—Antique Law, Cleansing by Compurgators —"Borch of Hamehald"—Superstition—Whisky—Rod-Fishing
in 1632—The Country Arming in 1638—Kilchurn Castle—Hereditary Bards—The
Deer Forest—Police of the Country—Ferry and Hostelry—Feud with the Clan
Gregor —Aquavitae—Leases to Craftsmen, the smith, the dyker, the
gardener—Stud of Brood Mares—Fowling by Dog and Net —Letters of
Correspondence—James VI.—Venison and Game—The White Hind—Fir Seed and
Planting—The Coygerach of Saint Fillan.
The Cawdor Papers,
Scotch Thanes—Their office and rank—First Thanes of Cawdor —Minority of
James II.—The Earldom of Moray—Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray, slain at
Arkinholme, 1455— Thane William in Office at Court—Chamberlain beyond Spey—His
Accounts in Exchequer—Domestic History of King James II.—The King comes to
Moray—Lives at Elgin —Hunting at Darnaway—Cawdor Castle—Old Cawdor— The
Hawthorn Tree—The present Castle built, 1454— Thane William the last male
of the old race—Muriel the Heiress—The Campbells—Sir John—John Campbell of
Cawdor murdered at Knepoch—Isla—Family Misfortunes— John the Fiar
cognosced—Contracts for Building—Civil War—General pillage—Sir
Hugh—Familiar Letters begin— The Knight's Education—Marries Lady Henrietta
Stewart—Parliamentary Life in Edinburgh—Produce of Isla— Occupants of the
hills, grouse, sheep, deer—Housekeeper's Commissions—Inverness merchant,
general dealer, and banker —The Lady of Cawdor notable—Education of the
Children —Girls' Schooling—The Library at the Castle—Persecuting Laws
mitigated by neighbourly kindness—New Building Contracts—Essay on the
Lord's Prayer—Sir Hugh's Correspondence with the Church Courts—Highland
Dress—Political Opinions—Sir Hugh sends his Grandson to join Mar in
1715—His Death and Funeral—Report on the State of the Property,
1726-Notices of early Planting and Gardening—The Family change their
residence to Wales-Cawdor as it is.
Kilravock Papers,
A little Pedigree—The Bysets and their Norman kindred— Hugh de Rose and
Mary de Bosco—Large possessions— Early styles—Extent of 1295—Papers show
steady progress of civilisation—Character of the family—Building of the
tower, 1460—The ninth baron in prison—Gardening in 1536—The black baron, a
remarkable person: of no party, yet trusted by all—William the eleventh
baron, and Lilias Hay—Hugh, the twelfth—Mr. Hew, the historian's,
conclusion—Seneca translated—The fourteenth baron at school; at Aberdeen;
married to Margaret Innes—Religious correspondence—The fifteenth baron—The
affair at Inverness in the '15—Young lady's school—Her
marriage—Planting—Drinking — The library — The Baron settles at Coulmony —
"Geddes" marries and settles at Kilravock, 1739—Betty Clephane—Dunrobin—Mr.
Lewis—Peaceful occupations— Sport—Prince Charles Edward and the Duke of
Cumberland at Kilravock in the '45—A Whig cup—Gardening—Fruit— Geddes a
scholar—Critical in Greek—Reluctance to ask the Sheriffship—His
music—Occupations out of doors—The Clephane brothers—Doctor Clephane—His
early life and travels —His friends—Dr. Mead—David Hume—Settles in London
—Success in his profession—His kindness to his relations— Letter of
Elizabeth Rose to him—His last letter—His death —Dr. William Hunter's
esteem for him—The Major—Lieutenant Arthur's letter from Quebec—Hon.
General Caulfield —Mrs. Elizabeth Rose—Burns's visit—Hugh Miller's
estimate of her—Branches of Kilravock—General love borne by them to the
chief house—Stewart Rose—General Sir Hugh Rose—The old place.
Appendix
I.—Preservation of the
Records of the Bishopric of Glasgow (p. 29),
Scots College pillaged in the French Revolution—Abbe McPherson—Papers of
Cardinal York—Information collected by Mr. Dennistoun—Adventures of Robert
Watson.
II.—Oath of a Suffragan to
his Archbishop (p. 63),
Henry Bishop-elect of Whithern takes the oath to the Archbishop of
Glasgow, 1530—Terms of the Oath.
III.—Early Scotch (p. 109),
Reference to Scotland in the Middle Ages, p. 260.
IV.—Serfs: Colliers and
Salters (pp. 125, 193), . .498 Fugitive Slaves—Their Gaelic Name—Early
Serfs—Colliers and Salters—Stair's law—Erskine's—Hugh Miller's Account of
a Collier Village-—Lord Cockburn's History of the Law of Colliers and
Salters—Extract from Weekly Mercury, 1778.
V.—The Complaint of the
Abbot of Arbroath, 1460-1470 (p. 170),
Written Pleading in Scotch against Encroachments of Lairds of Meldrum on
the Abbey Lands of Tarves, etc.
VI.—Family Jewels and
Valuables of Glenurchy, entailed, 1640 (p. 379),
Jewels—Plate—Arms and Armour—Beds and hangings— Arras—Damask
linen—Holland—Pewter and tin—Pans and pots—Pictures—The Great
Genealogy—Clocks—Organs— Harpsichords—Brewing Vessels—Furniture of Charter
Room —Cattle—Mares—Cursours—Sheep—Chandlers.
VII.—Letters at Taymouth
(p. 387),
Letter to the Keeper of Kilchurn, 1570—From the King, requesting game for
the Baptism of Prince Henry. From Sir D. Murray—Eagles for Sport—a Horse
from the Prince. From the Earl of Mar—Fox hunting—Earth clogs. From the
Lord Treasurer—Venison and game for the King's visit, 1633. From John
Dickson—Capercailzie—Valuables sent to the Highlands for Safety, 1651.
From James VI.—The White Hind of Corrichiba. From Sir P. Murray—The same.
From the King—The same. From Charles I.—Levying Bowmen for the French War,
1627. From the Lords of Council—Muster of Highlandmen in their country
habit and Arms, .1633. From the Earl of Lauderdale—Fir seed— From the
same. From the Marchioness of Hamilton—Planting Fir—Lord Lindsay, a great
planter. From Jameson the Painter—From the same—His Prices —His Despatch.
From William Bowie, the writer of the Black Booh—Account of his Pupils,
1619.
VIII. The Thane of Cawdor's
Western Journey, 1591
(p. 414),Note of Expense in Travelling—In Taylone—Inverary—Dun-deraw—Lochgoilhead—The
Carrick—Dunoon-—Ferry at Finlayston—At the Water of Leven—Dumbarton—Glasgow
—Servants' Wages—Horse Corn and Bread—Lodging— Food—Drink—Payments to the
Piper—Player on the Lute —Lowland Harper—Linlithgow—Edinburgh—Linlithgow —Stirling—Doune—Stirling—Leith—Stirling—Edinburgh,
7th November 1591.
IX. The Murder of John
Campbell of Cawdor (p. 414),
Quarrel between Cawdor and Ardkinglas—Cawdor murdered—Ardkinglas accused
as guilty—Uses Witchcraft—Threatened with torture, confesses, and accuses
others as accomplices— Later, recalls his Declaration—Little weight to his
Testimony—His mock Trial—Diet deserted.
X. How the Thane of Cawdor
won Islay (p. 416),
Isla; of fabulous fertility; much coveted by the Western Highlanders—His
claim over it sold by Angus M'Donald to Sir John Campbell of Cawdor—Angus
dies—Isla seized by Antrim — Cawdor commissioned to recover it—Advice of
Privy Council as to his proceeding—Royal Commission with power of fire and
sword—Antrim's obligation to deliver up the Island— Royal approbation and
indemnity—Sir James Macdonald escapes from the Castle of Edinburgh—Raises
the Islesmen—Wins Isla and Kantyre—Defeated by Argyll —Sir James's
adventures—Cawdor in full possession of Isla.
XI. Account of the Expenses
of the Family op Cawdor about 1698 (p. 429),
Meal and Malt—Meat—Groceries—Wine and Brandy— Tobacco and Pipes—Bed and
Table Linen—Dishes, &c.— Servants' Wages (including a Chaplain).
XII. Dr. Clephane's Journey
to Kilravock, 1750 (p. 473),
Note of Miles— Leaves Scarborough—Helmsley—Northallerton—Rievaulx—Darlington—Durham—Newcastle
— Tyne-mouth — Morpeth — Alnwic — Berwic — East Lothian — Edinburgh
—-Dundee—Aberdeen — Bog-a-Gicht, miserably furnished—Elgin—A great deal of
Building—Any Records? —Advantages of Moray.
Glossary
THE COYGERACH OF ST. FILLAN—p.
389.
The Coygerach (or Quigrich)
of St. Fillan has emigrated to Canada, as mentioned in the text (p. 394).
Dr. Daniel Wilson, Professor of History, at Toronto, the author of
Pre-historic Annals of Scotland, who drew public attention to it in that
valuable book, has been fortunate enough to disinter the actual relic in
his new country. Dr. Wilson takes it for granted that it was the reliquary
used for containing the arm of St. Fillan, and explains how it may have
served that purpose. That supposition seems to me mistaken; and the
drawing and description given by Dr. Wilson leave no doubt that, whatever
may have become of the arm of the Saint and its case, the Coygerach was
one of those rich crozier-heads so frequently met with in church
treasuries in Catholic countries, many of which have had mysterious
virtues attributed to them.
It is, says Dr. Wilson, a
beautiful and elaborately wrought shepherd's crook, of silver gilt,
wrought on a hollow core of copper, and measures nine and a quarter inches
in height, and nearly seven and a half inches across from the point of the
crook. The interlaced knot-work and other ornamentation is such as is well
known on some of the silver and goldsmiths' work of early Italian work.
The front is jewelled with a large oval crystal. Above this is a figure or
bust of an ecclesiastic; while the lower end of the ridge terminates in
the form of a snake's head, common on bronze relics of a late period.
The relic is now in the
possession of Mr. Alexander Dewar, whose father carried it to Canada in
1818, and whose name, as well as the custody of the Coygerach, seems to
mark him as a descendant of the Deores, the ancient custodiers.
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