Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

32
leave us, and what will become of us all ? If you do go,
you must return soon, and bear that in mind."
This " Ceolag " to which allusion is made, was the name
given in the family to a spinet, or small piano at Ormiclade,
on which Flora became an astonishing performer. She
acquired a knowledge of the notes from the governess, but
her own correct ear for music, was the real source of her
success. She could play not only the reels and the dance
music of the day with no ordinary efficiency, but also the
ancient " piobaireachds," in which she gave due prominence
to all the pogiaturas and grace-notes of the quick variations.
In the same manner, even at her youthful age, she could
sing Gaelic songs exceedingly well, and repeat lengthy
strains of ancient poetry in that language. All these she
committed to memory from the rehearsals of the bards and
seanachies who then existed in the Isles.
In 1739, L a dy Clanranald had a communication from
Lady Margaret Macdonald (wife of Sir Alexander Mac-
donald of the Isles, residing at Monkstadt, in Skye), ex-
pressing a wish to have a visit from Flora, whom her
ladyship had not seen for two years. She desired this visit
to take place for a praiseworthy purpose, which she in-
timated to Lady Clanranald, and which was to the effect,
that she and her husband, Sir Alexander, were desirous that
Flora should be well educated, and that they had certain
plans in view for that purpose, which they hoped soon to be
able to execute.
Flora appeared much gratified at this act of attention by
Sir Alexader's lady, although as yet she was entirely ignorant
of the special purposes which her ladyship had in view re-
garding her. She had been frequently at Monkstadt before,
where she met with as much kindness from her noble chief
and his lady as if she had been their own child. She there-