Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 2

260 THE CELTIC MAGAZII^.
On tlie death of his lordship, his estates, Avith all their burdens and
responsibilities, devolved on his eldest daughter, Lady Hood, whose
second liusbaud was James Stewart Mackenzie, a member of tlie Galloway
family, and whose son has just been prevented from selling all that
remains of the Seaforth estates. " Our friend, Lady Hood," wrote Sir
"Walter Scott to Mr Morritt, " will now be Caharfcidh herself. She has
the spirit of a chieftainess in every drop of her blood, but there are few
situations in which the cleverest Avomen are so apt to be imposed i^pon as
in the management of landed property, more especially of a Highland
estate. I do fear the accomplishment of the prophecy that, when there
should be a deaf Cabarfeidh, the house was to fall." The writer concludes
thus : — " Scott's apprehensions proved only too well founded. One sec-
tion after another of the estates had to be sold. Tlie remaining portion
of Kintail, the sunny braes of Eoss, tlie church lands of Chanonry, the
barony of Pluscarden, and the Island of LeAvis — a principality itself —
were disposed of one after the other, tiU now nothing remains of the vast
estate? of this illustrious liouse except Brahan Castle, and a mere rem-
nant of their ancient patrimony (and that in the hands of trustees), Avhich
the non-resident, nominal OAvner has just been prevented from alienating.
Sic transit."
Leaving these extraordinary prophecies Avith the reader, to believe.
di.sbelieA^e, or explain aAvay on any principle or theory Avhich may satisfy
his reason, his credulity, or scepticism, Ave conclude Avitli the foUoAving '
LAMENT FOR "THE LAST OF THE SEAFORTHS."
By Sir Walter Scott.
In vain the bright course of thy talents to wrong
Fate deaden'd thine ear and imprison'd thy tongue,
For brighter o'er all her obstructions arose
The glow of the genius they could not oppose ;
And who, in the land of the Saxon or Gael,
Might match with Mackenzie, High Chief of Kintail ?
Thy sons rose around thee in light and in love,
All a father could hope, all a friend could approve ;
What 'vails it the tale of thy sorrows to tell i
In the spring time of youth and of promise they fell !
Of the line of MacKenneth remains not a male,
To bear the proud name of the Chief of Kintail.
And thou Gentle Dame, who must bear, to thy grief,
For thy clan and thy country the cares of a Chief,
Whom brief rolling moons in six changes have left,
Of thy husband and father and brethren bereft,
To thine ear of affection, how sad is the hail
That salutes thee— the heir of the line of Kintail !
Since the preceding pages Avere in type, Mr Maclennan supplies th
following additional prophecies and explanations : —
The Seer, one day, pointing to the noAv celebrated Strathpeffer minerf
weUs, said : — " Uninviting and disagi-eeable as it noAV is, with its thic
crusted surface and unpleasant smell, the day Avill came when it will I