Hew Morrison Collection > Clàrsach na coille

MEMOIR. XXV.
Wivs fouel of society. Like the g'cnurality of barJs ho
was also fond of a cheerful glass, and sang the praises
of " Fear na Tòiseachd." His soul was free from
malice and resentment; a satirical venemous poem he
never wrote. His whole life was exemplary. He was
an affectionate husband, a kind parent, a true friend,
and a sincere Christian. He was an enthusiastic
Highlander, und never forgot the land of his birth.
He was liked and esteemed by all who knew him,
and he died without an enemy. The poet was about
live feet and nine inches in height, stout and well-built.
He had dark hair and grey eyes, and a broad and
massive forehead. His voice was soft and musical,
and he was a good singer."
All that I wish to add to the above account of the
poet is that he had a very powerful memory, and that
his stores of information connected with the Highland
Clans and Highland Poets, Avere very great. He was
a seanachie as well as a poet.
John Maclean had four sons and two daughters ;
Christy, Charles, and Archibald born in Scotland, and
John, Allan and Elizabeth born in this country.
The jioet's wife, Isabella Black, died June 5th, 1S77.
She Avas ninety and one years of age. She retained
the full possession of all her intellectual powers to the
last. She was an active, healthy, and industrious
woman. No woman could be better qualified to
make a home for herself in the woods than she was.
If she could not handle the lyre, she could handle the
hoe, the sickle and the rake. She was kind and
liospitable. Her house was ever open to the stranger.
It would indeed be difficult to find a house which had
freely lodged more travellers. She was devotedly
attached to her husband. She was a good and pious
woman. She is buried beside her husband.