Ossian Collection > Romance of the Highlands

THE CLANS AND THEIR SEPTS. 49
CHAPTER V.
The Clans and their Septs.
In the infancy of a nation population is at first scanty,
and the aborigines find occupation chiefly in following
the wild denizens of hill and forest. As numbers increase
a more settled existence is rendered necessary, and
becomes imperative whenever the least system of
cultivation is followed. The descendants of the settler
find homes beside those of the father and other members
of the family, and whether one goes to the frozen north
or to the arid plains of Hindustan, men are found drawn
together in close association. Union is strength, and,
used in proper perspective, is good and commendable.
If then the principle of clanship originated from the
authority of a father over his family, we must acknow-
ledge the undoubted antiquity of the system. It would
take us back to those dim and distant days before history
was written and tradition was the only method of
communication between the generations. If we accept
this foundation it is easier to comprehend that affectionate
obedience which the clan rendered to their chief. Even
residence on the lands of another clan did not detract
from that fidelity and allegiance they owed to their lawful
leader.
While this is the generally accepted belief as to the
formation of clans^ we find other theories more or less
divergent. Robertson says, "There were no clans among
the Gael until after the great Celtic Earls became extinct,
and which began in the thirteenth century." Before this
the tribes were under leaders or nobles called Maormors.
D