J. F. Campbell Collection > Prophecies of the Brahan seer (Coinneach Odhar Fiosaiche)

THE PROPHECIES OF THE BRAHAN SEER. 39
These are facts of whicli we were entirely ignorant when
first writing down the stanzas ah'eady given. The verses
were sent to us from various quarters, and they have
undoubtedly been floating about the country for gene-
rations. So much for the Seer's prophetic power in
this instance. Were we better acquainted with the
history of the other families referred to in the stanzas,
it is probable that more light could be thrown upon
what they refer to, than we are at present able to do.
While we are dealing with the "wonderful" in
connection with the House of Rosehaugh, it may not
be out of place to give a few instances of the some-
what extraordinary experiences of the famous Sir
George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, already referred to.
He was one of the most distinguished members of the
Scottish Bar ; was Lord- Advocate for Scotland in the
reign of Charles the Second, and was, indeed, a con-
temporary of the Brahan Seer. His " Institutes " are
still considered a standing authority by the legal pro-
fession : — On one occasion, while at Rosehaugh, a poor
widow from a neighbouring estate called to consult him
regarding her being repeatedly warned to remove from
a small croft which she held under a lease of several
years ; but as some time had yet to run before its ex-
piry, and being threatened with summary ejection from
the croft, she went to solicit his advice. Having exa-
mined the tenor of the lease. Sir George informed her
that it contained a flaw, which, in case of opposition,
John Stephen, Esq., niece of Sir Alfied Stephen, C.B., Chief Justice of
New South Wales, and widow of Alexander Hay, Esq., of the 58th Kegt.
He assumed the name? of Fletcher in lieu of his patrony-
mic on the death of his mother in 1856."