Genealogical memoirs of the Duffs

ii4 Genealogical Memoirs of the Duffs.
I am afraid Alexr. Duff of Braco was an
Exception to this Rule ; but there is an old
musty maxim, Exceptio firmat regulam.
To speak seriously, most of their fortunes have
been acquired by Husbandry, or Trade, joined
with good Economy, both innocent & commend-
able callings, and two principal Sources of the
Population, Prosperity, & wealth of a Nation ;
and I do not remember that any of the name
ever held a lucrative post under the Government.
Follows a short Account of the Progress of the
Lordship of Balveny since it belonged to the
old Earls of Douglass to the present time.
As Lord Fife now possesses the greatest part
of the Lordship of Balveny in Property or
Superiority, acquired by his Predecessors in the
last hundred years, and that there were some
singular & unprecedented Steps in the Trans-
mission of that noble Estate, after it was given
away by the Earl of Douglass, and in the manner
of parcelling it out to different Purchasers after
the Earls of Athol had ìt ; I shall here give a