Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

20
THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
age, and which had been so perfected by Marlborough
and others. My grandfather had many stories of
the battle to tell, and I have seen and spoken to a
lady who in her turn had seen and spoken to one of
the Macraes who fought at it. I always understood
that the clan marched from Kintail under its own
Chief, a Macra of Inverinate. I have had letters
from distant parts of the world, as well as near,
asking me to write in reply to Captain Macrae's
letter, amongst them a letter from one specially
well informed as to the clan, which is quite distinct
and explicit as to tlie Conchra family being
descended from a second son .
Cliines, Auaust, 1896. HoRATIO R. MaCRAE.
REVIEWS.
VISIONLAND.
Time takes not all good things away ;
He ever leaves within our reach
The sorceries of Visionland,
Where we may touch " a vanished hand,"
And hear the music of the speech
That witched us in a bygone day.
So that it clings to us for aye.
An old-time song gleams through our sleep,
And haunts us on the lonely shore —
A song which moves us to the core
So that we bend our heads and weep.
And with beseeching hands implore
To see the singer's hidden face.
In the sweet hope we there may trace
The lineaments we loved of yore,
kye. Maggie Bogle.
THE MASSACRE OF GLENCOE.
From the Gaelic of Allister Macdonakl,
in " (^'iiinHeacli 'vs CuUI,:" (page (j!t).
The white snow was piling its wreaths in the glen.
The chill wind was sweeping the brow of the ben ;
And as sunset o'ershadowed majestic Glencoe
The force of the tempest more dreadful did grow.
In tlieir homes full of gladness suspecting no harm
The glen-folk made merry in spite of the storm ;
Tho' the red-coated soldier was there as a guest,
The wild night was passing with chorus and jest.
With pledges of friendliness, feasting, and mirth,
None dreamt of a traitor existing on earth ;
Each heart was rejoicing like birds when the sheen
Of the summer sun dances where May buds are
green.
But tears ere the dawning from eyelids were shed.
That had sunk into slumber unclouded by dread.
Their bravest were butchered and innocent blood
Was dyeing with crimson the snow-covered sod.
The father and mother one death-bed did hold.
The sister and brother lay lifeless and cold,
The babe and the grandsire were victims of wrath.
And the glen was resounding with dirges of death.
Clan Iain were scattered, no mercy for them.
We blush at the story of wrong and of shame ;
And as long as the mountains look down on Glencoe,
We'll remember tliat night of dark carnage and woe.
Polniont. AlE.XANDER StEWART.
The Life of Flora MacDonald, by the Rev.
Alexander MacGregor, M.A. Inverness : A.
& W. MArKENZiE. — No more reliable or interesting
account of the life of this famous Highland heroine
has ever been written than that which has just
been issued from the press of Messrs. Mackenzie.
The work is now in its third edition, and has been
made further attractive by the addition of a life of
the author, and an appendix giving the descendants
of the heroine. Many incidents in her life which
were only referred to, or altogether omitted, in
former works, are here described in detail ;
while a tine [process engraving of Flora Macdonald,
from Allan Ramsay's well-known painting, adds an
enhanced value to the volume. Messrs. Mackenzie
have produced the work in first-class style, the
printing being excellent and the binding tasteful
and artistic. We have no doubt the edition will
soon be exhausted.
The '45, from the raising of Prince Charlie's
Standard at Glenfinnan to the Battle of
CULLODEN (with PLAN), BY Ma.JOR GENERAL A. B.
Tulloch, C.B. Inverness: Melvin Brothers. —
This is a most interesting contribution to the
literature of the '45. The gallant author treats of
the rising from a military point of view, and
comments upon the able generalship of the High-
land leaders, who led their men within six marches
of London in the teeth of two opposing armies,
each double their strength. We heartily recommend
the little work to our readers.
"The Scottish Troubadour Vocal Waltzes,
ON English and Gaelic Airs," have just been
arranged and published by Mr. J. Coutts, 80 Great
Western Road, Glasgow. The melodies are tuneful
and lively, and are eminently suited for the purpose
intended. They were rendered at several Highland
gatherings last year, and were received with
enthusiasm. The price is only 1/6.
A wreath made up of Scottish thistles, purple
and white heather, and laurel, was placed by Mr.
Theodore Najiier of Edinburgh on the statue of
Sir William Wallace in Stirling on Saturday, the
22nd ult., that day being the anniversary of the
Scottish hero's death.
We hope the proposal to celebrate Bannockburn
Day as a National Holiday has not fallen through.
Surely Scotsmen have better reason to treat
themselves to a holiday in honour of the indepen-
dence of their country, than in celebrating a royal
marriage, or letting ort' fireworks over the visit of a
dusky prince.
Me.ssrs. Campbell & Co., the well-known
Musical Instrument Makers, IIG Trongatb,
Glasgow, are making extensive preparations for
the winter season, which they expect will be a
record one. Their famous melodeons are known in
every part of the world. As makers of Highland
bagpipes and requisites they have made an excellent
reputation, and we now learn that this branch of
their great business is being extended in view of
the rapid increase of their trade. They supply
bagpipes at all prices, all of the best workmanship.