Clan Fraser in Canada

THE SEVENTEENTH LORD LOVAT. 6 I
sudden death, from an affection of the heart, while grouse-
shooting on the Moy Hall moors, in 1887, are fresh in our
minds. An extract from a newspaper article, written on the
occasion of his death, may be taken as a fair estimate of his
character : " By this sudden and painful blow a nobleman
has been taken away who filled a conspicuous place in this
vicinity, and who was held in the highest respect. Having
succeeded to his father in 1875, he has enjoyed the title and
estates for only twelve years (1887). But as Master of Lovat
he was known for many years before that time as a worthy
and popular representative of a great and ancient Highland
house. No county gathering seemed to be complete without
his presence. . . . Homely in his manner, he was
never difficult to approach, and his kindness of spirit showed
itself in many ways. Conscientious and sober in judgment,
he steadily endeavored to do his duty ; and his lamented
death caused a blank which cannot easily be filled." He left
a family of nine, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
XXIII. Simon Joseph, seventeenth Lord Lovat, to
whose health, as our chief, we have drained our glasses this
evening. That he may have a long and happy life is our
fervent prayer; and may God grant him wisdom and grace that
he may be a useful and a prosperous chief; that he may add
new lustre to the distinguished name he bears, and prove
worthy of the ancestry of which he is the proud representative.
We have now traced the long line of chiefs from the
beginning down to the present day, and I must thank you
for the wonderful patience with which you have listened to
the dry bones of genealogy ; in what remains* I hope I shall
prove less tedious than in that which I have concluded.
*This part of the speech, being of a general character, has been omitted for consideration of space.