ROB ROY MACGREGOR. INVERSNAID. 121 



rouses the native Highlander in the same manner that the sound of the trumpet 

 rouses the war-horse, and even produces effects little less marvellous than those 

 recorded of the ancient music. But to return to our subject. 



Rob Roy, or the red, the reputed chief of Clan-alpine, or the Macgregors, and 

 pourtrayed with such remarkable fidelity by Sir Walter Scott, was the second 

 son of Donald Macgregor of the Glengyle family, formerly a lieutenant-colonel 

 in the king's service. His mother was a daughter of Campbell of Glenlyon, 

 and, consequently, Rob was a gentleman by birth. He received an education at 

 that time considered liberal, or at least suitable for the line of life in which he 

 was destined to appear. Being of strong natural parts, he soon acquired the 

 necessary but rude accomplishments of the age ; and with a degree of native 

 hardihood, favoured by a robust and muscular frame, he wielded the broadsword 

 with such irresistible dexterity, as few or none of his countrymen could equal. 

 When unruffled by opposition, his manners were complacent ; but where danger 

 appeared, he was resolute and daring ; and became no less remarkable for his 

 knowledge of human nature, than for the boldness of his achievements. Many 

 of his earliest and happiest days were spent in cattle dealing a business in 

 which many Highland gentlemen, as well as their tenants, engaged. On succeed- 

 ing to his paternal estate, however, he began to have higher views in life ; and 

 being invested with unlimited command over a few faithful vassals, he exercised 

 his authority in levying the tax of black-mail in the adjoining counties. The 

 purpose of the exaction and payment of black-mail resembles, in some degree, 

 the reciprocal advantages of a modern insurance office. Rob Roy extorted this 

 tribute from the farmers and small lairds around ; and in return, not only insured 

 their property from the plunder of his own clan which would otherwise have been 

 unavoidable but also engaged to employ his power and influence in protecting 

 it from other predatory incursions, and in restoring it when taken away, to the 

 losers, at his own risk. This impost, which was in some degree necessary in 

 such a country, and not without its peculiar benefits had long been suffered 

 to prevail in the Highlands, and, having the sanction of many ages, was consi- 

 dered neither unjust nor dishonourable. The custom of carrying off the cattle 

 of other clans was still kept up ; and Rob Roy engaged so deeply in the practice, 

 that in a short time he became obnoxious, not only to his neighbours, but to the 

 government. His predatory excursions were for the most part directed against 

 the Lowlanders, whom he considered as his natural enemies, and who were 

 opulent and'less inclined to military resistance. By the severe enactment which, 

 as above mentioned, rendered it capital to bear the name of Macgregor, Rob 

 Roy assumed that of Campbell, the maiden name of his mother ; and, accordingly, 



VOL. II. I I 



