Lairds of Glenlyon

THE LAIRDS OF GLENLVON. Si
could be expected is that your Lop. would do ym justice, they having
the honour to be so nearly interested in your Lop. not asse now, but
now and always continue, my Lord, your Lop.'s Cussine and humble
Servant,
Mingarie, July 30, 171 1. J. Ca. of Lochinell.
A little after the date of the foregoing letter, a circum-
stance occurred, which, for a time, interrupted the good
feeling between Glenlyon and the family of Breadalbane.
At the death of Red Duncan, Robert Campbell's grand-
father, the latter being but a child, Sir Robert of Glenor-
chy was one of his curators, and under the pretext of tak-
ing better care of it, removed the Clach-Buadha (stone of
victory) from Meggernie to Finlarig. It remained with the
family of Breadalbane during Robert's lifetime, who was
sceptical of its virtues or too easy-minded to make the
least effort to regain it. When the excambion with the
Duke of Athole was completed, his mother exhorted Laird
John to reclaim the stone, as if its possession was more
calculated to insure him and his race the enjoyment of the
new property than any legal rights and documents what-
ever. The misfortunes of Robert, and the success of Bread-
albane, afforded proof positive of the inestimable value of
the wonderful stone. Glenlyon therefore demanded its
restoration, and the wily politician and hoary intriguer ex-
hibited his superstitious weakness by giving him a counter-
feit. The Glenlyon family having put it to the test, by
immersion in water, immediately discovered the fraud.
The attempt at imposition roused the Laird to fury, and
he at once galloped back to Taymouth, poured out all the
vials of his wrath upon the head of the Earl, and wound up
a torrent of vituperation with the threat of laying Taymouth
r