1EGEND OF THE COMYNS. 73 



their honour was concerned. As an example of the same principle operating 

 in a higher sphere, we may add, that when Macdonald of Kingsboroiigh was 

 upbraided by Sir Everavd Falkner for the fine opportunity he had neglected of 

 making the fortune of his family for ever by betraying the prince, he indignantly 

 replied, " No, Sir Everard, death would have been preferable to such dishonour. 

 But, had I gold and silver piled in heaps to the bulk of yonder huge mountain, 

 the treasure could not afford me half the satisfaction I now feel in my own 

 breast in doing what I have done." Kingsborough, it will be remembered, had 

 not joined the prince's standard ; he gave no countenance to the enterprise ; 

 but when the prince was overwhelmed by misfortunes, he received him hospi- 

 tably, and did not forsake him till he had placed him beyond the reach of 

 his enemies. 



The village of Onich the last of the Lochaber country is chiefly inhabited 

 by families employed at the slate quarries hereafter named, and among the 

 traditions of the country holds the following place : The Comyns, says our 

 authority, while in the plenitude of feudal power, paid little attention to the 

 natural rights of humanity much less to the rights of property when interest 

 or inclination prompted them to acts of despotism, or a breach of covenant. 

 Acts similar to those by which Gesler roused the indignation of the ancient Swiss, 

 rendered the Comyns odious in the sight or their dependants ; but the latter 

 for a time had no William Tell. The tenacity with which these chiefs adhered 

 to the barbarous customs of their ancestors exacting the most servile obedience 

 in cases the most revolting to every feeling and sentiment which can distinguish 

 the reasoning nature from the propensities of instinct made them many deadly 

 enemies. But we shall not here expatiate on the subject of feudal privileges, 

 but return to the illustration the " working of the system." Three marriages, 

 it appears, were contracted at the time in question, between parties belonging 

 to this village the women remarkable for their beauty, the men for honour and 

 personal bravery. It was customary, on such occasions, to propitiate their feudal 

 superior by the payment of a fine, the acceptance of which was a token that the 

 chief waived his claims, and gave a formal sanction to the ceremony. Accord- 

 ingly, on the eve of the marriage, the half-mark, or commutation-money, was 

 tendered by the three bridegrooms at the gates of Inverlochy Castle the resi- 

 dence of Comyn but rejected. The meaning of this was too obvious to be 

 misunderstood. They returned from their mortifying embassy with feelings of 

 indignation difficult to be repressed, and silently prepared for the result. On 

 the day of marriage, Comyn, with his two sons, and a numerous retinue, presented 

 themselves at the ceremony. The fine was again tendered, but again rejected 



VOL. II. U 



