Trials of James, Duncan, and Robert M'Gregor, three sons of the celebrated Rob Roy

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been alternately vindicated and assailed in
the lapse of many centuries.
Every one has heard of the spirit of clan-
ship, which formed the most characteristic
feature of Highland manners down to a very
late period. The bond of union created by
this singular institution was so strong, that
the duty of the members of the clan towards
tlu ir chief, superseded all other obligations.
To defend him, whoever might be the as-
sailant — to sacrifice life and fame for him,
whatever might be the cause in which he had
embarked — to despise all authority which he
resisted — to know no law of morals, nor per-
haps of religion, which had not the sanction
of his conduct and example — to submit both
mind and body to his sacred and uncontrolla-
ble sway — were the cardinal principles in the
narrow education of every mountaineer, which
he durst not infringe but at the hazard of
death and infamy. — This singular and appa-
rently terrific authority was in its origin
strictly patriarchal. The Highlanders were
divided into numerous tribes, effectually sepa-
rated from each other, for all other purposes
but those of hostility, by the natural boun-
daries of mountains, rivers, and lakes, which
intersect the country in all directions. By
the simple theory of their domestic govern-