History of the Frasers of Lovat

484 HISTORY OF THE FRASERS.
ardent young political adventurers, to behold the axe of
the avenger so long in falling on the victim ; and would
scarcely frighten them from compromising their lot in
chances so long deferred. The old man's grey hairs excited
a sympathy which he knew the art of cultivating ; and if
he had been left powerless and poor, to wither in unpitied
solitude, seeing all his schemes baffled, and the policy he
had so skilfully cultivated reversed, he would have afforded
a more solemn example to those whose projects of ambition
are not founded on the honest wish to serve their fellow
creatures."*
The William Fraser who accompanied his Lordship in
the Tower and on the scaffold was his Edinburgh law-agent,
the " Little Willie Fraser " whom Lovat describes as being
" married to a very pretty smart woman that will take great
care of" his eldest son, Simon, Master of Lovat, in that
city, whom he had for some time in charge. James Fraser,
who was also present and was embraced by his Lordship,
was the second son of the Fraser of Phopachy who
was so much maligned by Lovat on repeated occasions,
under the most offensive and opprobrious names. In one
place he describes him as a "hellish knave." In the
Records of the Tower, under date 24th of March, 1747,
he is designated "James Fraser, Apothecary, in Craven
Street," as one of the six gentlemen for whom Lord Lovat
requested permission to have access to him in prison, and
who were allowed to see his Lordship "at all seasonable
times, provided that no more than two of the said persons
be at one time admitted to him."
Lord Lovat married first, in December, 17 16, Margaret,
fourth daughter of Ludovick Grant of Grant, and it is said
that the festivities on the occasion of the marriage cele-
bration were more than ordinarily characteristic of a great
Highland wedding. Extensive preparations were evidently
made for it a considerable time in advance. The account
for groceries and spices alone amounted to £6g 9s 6d Scots,
and included 16 lbs. 12 ounces of white sugar at 12s per
* Life of Simon Lord Lovat, pp. 261-262.