Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
C5
CAPTAIN A. LEITH-HAY MACKAY.
, , APTAIN MACKAY was lioin in 1849, and
f/i, is the son of the late .lames Gordon
Mackay of Her ^Majesty's War Depart
ment. He received his miHtary education at
the Royal Military College. Sandhurst, and
having gained a free commission, was appointed
Ensign in the 'Jlst Argyll Highlanders, joining
at the depot, then at Fort-George, in March,
18G8. Owing to the reduction of the battalion
on return from foreign service, Captain Mackay
was transferred to another regiment, but was
again transferred at his own request to one of
the Scottish regiments — "The King's Own
Borderers," as it was then called. With this
regiment he served in both battalions abroad
and at home for nearly twenty years, taking
part in the first phase of the Afghan War,
1878 79, till the Treaty of Gandiimack, and
returning home on promotion to his company.
His regiment was stationed in Ireland at the
beginning of the land agitation, where at
Mitchelstown, in May, 1881, a dangerous
collision between Captain ilackay's company
and the populace was only prevented by a little
clear headeduess, and the excellent discipline of
his men. He volunteered for service in Egypt
in the Expedition of 1882, but arrived after the
Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. He retired on comple-
tion of twenty years' service, about half of
which was spent abroad.
Captain Mackay's father, -James Gordon
Mackay, was the only surviving son of Alex-
ander Mackay, Cradlehall. near Inverness, who
was for forty years Inspector of Stamps and
Taxes for the Northern Counties, and died at
Forres, 29th May, 18(J0, aged 73 years.
Alexander's father was John Mackay, Insch-na-
Cardoch, near Fort-Augustus, for many years a
messenger at- arms. He had a large family;
died 4th .lanuary, 1821, and was buried at
Fort-Augustus. One of his brothers became
a Captain in the 42nd Highlanders.
Any information concerning the descent of
John Mackay, lusch na-Cardoch, that can be
furnished by any of our readers will be gladly
received by the writer, the object being to trace
Captain Mackay's family back to a branch
mentioned in the history of the clan.
It may be mentioned that he is a life member
of the Clan Mackay Society.
Editor.
ON NEW-YEAR'S MORNING.
that we who are fatigued by the changes
and chances of this fleeting world, may repose
upon Thy eternal changelessness." — A itihrosuin.
What bringest thou, New- Year ? With dark fore-
boding
I ask of thee, O my mysteriona Guest,
What burdens bear'st thou for my sad soul's loading,
What fresh fulfilment of some sore behest '
Oh, shouldst thou even meet me, flower-crowned,
shedding
Fair gifts on me, true gold without alloy,
I would shrink back, thy dearest favours dreading;
So close is Sorrow, so unknown is Joy.
Peace, restless one ! Hushed be thy sad complaining,
Look how the red dawn lights the grey North Sea!
Over thy little world the Christ is reigning,
And stills its storms as erst in Galilee.
Didst thou but once behold Him, thou wouldst
never
Fear to take Joy or Pain at His command ;
Look upward, where He sits enthroned for ever,
Holding the Seven Stars in His right hand !
R. F. Forbes.