Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 1, 1893

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
similar nature was made last winter, but
" Military Bumbledom" had to give way before
a storm nf indignation. In this agitation Lord
Archibald played a prominent part, and on
both occasions, it may be mentioned, he re-
ceived the heartfelt thanks of the 79th.
In 1880 he visited Lord Lome in Canada,
passing through the United States. He was
accompanied by his piper, the late Alexander
Duff; a celebrated performer, whose playing
was received with great enthusiasm by High-
landers in all parts of the great continent.
The portrait which is presented with this issue
was taken in New York during this trip.
It may be mentioned that liis lordship has
now been president of An Comunn Gaidhmlach
(The Highland Association) for three years,
and is to preside at the great Mod, or gather-
ing, which is to be held in Oban on 12th
September. He is also President of the High-
land Society of London. He takes a special
interest in the Highland game of cainanachd,
and is president of the Oban Shinty Chili, and
patron of the Glasgow Cowal Shinty Club. In
politics he is a staunch Unionist and an up-
holder of the Established Church of Scotland.
His foothold in the county of his clan is the
estate of Upper Sonachan, Lochow. If we
judge men by their works, Lord Archibald
Campbell has done much to earn the esteem
ami love of his countrymen, and we hope that
he will be long spared to add to the wealth of
our Celtic literature, ami to take a leading part
in all movements calculated to benefit the
Highland people. R. L. Ritchie.
THE BEGGAR WIZARD.
A ROHS-SHIKE StOKY
fT was a custom in Scotland in olden times
(and il may be in vogue in some places
— still) lor a poor crofter or cottar to go the
round of the country in autumn, visit the fields
where the reapers were at work, and politely
ask for a few sheaves. If the crop happened
to be conveyed to the stackyard, he would call
there and ask for the gift. The farmer or
person in charge generally gave from two to a
dozen sheaves, according to the mood he might
l>e in at the time. The beggar, or Bodach-an
Fhaoidh, as he was usually called in the High-
lands, generally had a horse with him to carry
the proceeds of his begging. By nightfall his
I I was usually valuable. As several of those
b ii |" ianil.ul.it, ,1 the country, il was no
unc mil thing lor a fanner to receive a
dozen calls during the harvest; and as most of
those visitors were supposed lo have some
knowledge of tin "black art." it might lie
ruinous to let them away empty. A consider-
able quantity of corn and straw was thus given
away gratuitously to the boctachs, or wizards.
A certain Ross-shire farmer had just begun
to reap his crops some years ago, when one of
the wizards appeared on the field. Being
scarce of reapers, the farmer begged of him to
remain and assist the other reapers, and every
evening he would receive as many shoaus as
he could carry on his back-he had neither
horse nor cart along with him. The wizard at
first declined, but by the farmer's persuasive
entreaties his scruples were overcome, and he
consented and began work. The wizard ap-
plied himself to his work so diligently — he
never flagged all day — that the farmer con-
gratulated himself on his good luck in securing
such an excellent workman on such easy terms.
Indeed, he made up his mind to give him some-
thing in the evening over and above his agree-
ment.
When the farmer requested his reapers
to cease work at (i p.m. the wizard demurred.
saying that they could continue work till 8 p.m.
at least, a remark which struck the farmer as
very singular, seeing that he seemed fatigued
enough already. But as the other reapers
stopped he reluctantly stopped too. He was
then ordered to make up his burden according
to agreement. This he immediately began to
do. He placed sheaf above sheaf in his bundle
until fully half the corn reaped that day was
compactly tied together in a rope with which
he was provided. On every eight or nine
inches of his rope there was a knot, through
which was drawn a line red thread, on each
end of which was a knot also. It was evident,
too. that he was using enchantments, for his
lips were continuously moving, as if muttering
something. Immediately he completed his
bundle he lifted it on his back as easily as if
it had been an ordinary one, and at once walked
a\\a\ wilh il Its great size and weight gave
him no concern whatever he proceeded as
swiftly as if he were a man of hi rculean
strength carrying a few pounds in weight.
During the time the wizard was making up
his burden, and till he marched away with it,
the farmer looked on in blank amazement. He
seemed spelll imiiid : and iiis astonishment was
the rather increased than diminished on notic
in-, when the wizard Lefl that, his burden was
bome by two persons, for he distinctly saw
four legs under it, and the feet on two of the
legs were cloven hoofs! \t that moment one
,.f the reapers ran after the wizard and tried to
cut the rope of his burden, but di.l not succeed.
for although his knife was almost assharp-as
a. razor it had no in, .re effect on the rope than
if the blade had been a piece of paper. Ob-