Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

MEMOIR OF ROB ROY. I 29
In many of those desultory forays from the
mountains, which took place in his day, and
spread dismay and misery among the inhabi-
tants of the Lowland borders, Rob Roy was
not the commander. Several other tribes who
assumed his name, were often guilty of rigorous
extortion, and committed irregularities which
he would have considered disgraceful ; and
some of his boldest conflicts were manifested in
chastening the impudence of those marauders.
Many of those evils which arose from feudal
manners, and hereditary antipathies, still re-
mained in the Highlands with unabated viru-
lence, and at this time were greatly aggravated
by the madness of church politics, that defied
all rational restriction ; led to the commission
of barbarities shocking to nature; and rendered
the parties no less despicable as men, than un-
worthy as Christians.
The great families of Montrose and Argyll,
long at variance on political topics, were now at
personal animosity ; and jealous of the growing
importance of each other, were anxious to con-
ciliate the friendship of Rob Roy, whose inde-
pendent mind, and daring spirit, made him
either a valuable auxiliary, or a formidable
enemy.
I