IN THE HIGHLANDS 171 



(afterwards Dr.), Minister of Eddleston in Peeblesshire. 



1 have no doubt this gentleman cared for him as well as he 

 could, else my father would never have chosen Robertson's 

 son, the third successive member of the family to be 

 Minister of Eddleston, to be tutor to us five boys. 



" I think my father was born about 1758. He was 

 short in height, only about 5 feet 5 inches, but in 

 breadth and strength few of any height could match 

 him. His juniper walking-stick, now beside me, is only 



2 feet 6 inches long. It is said that some celebrated 

 athlete, hearing of his great strength, contrived to meet 

 him and shake hands with him. My father had heard 

 of the boaster, and on their meeting gave him such a 

 wild squeeze that he just howled to be let go, and took 

 care never to try another. I don't believe any person 

 ever saw my father visibly out of temper or in a hurry. 

 My mother and he spoke Gaelic as freely as English — 

 a great tie between them and their people. I never 

 heard of his wearing a kilt or tartan in any shape. 

 Tweeds were unknown seventy years ago, and I re- 

 member him always in iron-grey shooting-jackets, 

 lighter trousers, gaiters and shoes, his waistcoat loose 

 enough to hold easily his large leather snuff-box, divided 

 in the centre, one end full of Fribourg and Pontees' 

 * Yellow Irish Blackguard,' which he used himself, and 

 the other containing ' Black Rappie ' for friends who 

 preferred that more filthy powder. Whether or not it 

 was owing to my father always using * Irish Black- 

 guard,' no one ever could tell that he was a snuffer, 

 or saw a spot on his always displayed shirt-breast rufiles. 

 As a great favour I was sometimes allowed by the maids 



