Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

2l6 HISTORICAL NOTICES.
has been to trace the origin of the race, with
a view to correct the errors into which tra-
dition and absurd tales had led his clansmen
on the subject; in this he maybe allowed to
have been successful. His possession of the
original manuscript, in which the faithful labours
of the seneachies of the house of Maclean are
recorded, justifies him in giving a decided ver-
dict upon that subject, as well as upon the many-
other disputed points which in the progress of
this work will be found cleared up and set at
rest.
In the preceding pages it will be observed
that the Macleans (for several ages the most
powerful family in the isles) were no less cele-
brated for their stedfast and disinterested loyalty
than for their strugles with fortune, resulting
(though the fact is singular enough) from the
constancy of their loyalty. Selfishness they ever
despised ; time-serving principles they knew not.
This naturally made the selfish and the cunning
their determined foes. Dissimilarity of principles
made them ever be regarded with dislike by the
time-serving and calculating house of Argyle ;
and by the circumventing wiles of that house
they were at length brought to the verge of ruin.
Nevertheless the descendants of Gillean still hold
a high position in the land. In the service of
the sovereign and in defence of the country few