104 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



do with her soldiers than to place them at the service of the Court of 

 Session in vindication of an unconstitutional law which is not based on 

 principles of justice, and which has, by the progress of events and the 

 evolution of time, become inoperative. The Court of Session looks 

 for precedents. Where are these precedents for the reign of Queen 

 Victoria ? 



Our dual system is no longer possible. Lord Macdonald does not 

 know what to do. Nobody knows what to do. There is an absence 

 of law and justice. In Scotland the administrator of justice is the 

 robber who deprives the people of their natural and indefeasible right 

 to the soil and of the labour which they have incorporated with it. Is 

 that not a terrible contingency for any country to be in ? It is peculiarly 

 disgraceful that it should be so in respect of the Highland race, who 

 successfully defended their country, their lands, and liberties, against 

 Romans and Normans. What have we come to ? Are they going to 

 send for the Highland Brigade from Egypt to slaughter the people of 

 Skye? 



We call for Mr. Gladstone. What can poor Mr. Gladstone do, with 

 time against him, society in a state of revolt, a demoralised House of 

 Commons, a recalcitrant House of Lords, and the Court of Session at 

 its wit's ends ? Let us pray that he may be able to act as a governor on 

 this rickety steam-engine of society which, under high pressure, and by 

 reason of great friction, is in danger of tearing itself to pieces. In the 

 meantime, and until the machine is put in some sort of order, by Rules 

 of Procedure and alteration of the law, it is every man's duty to keep 

 her Majesty's peace and prevent bloodshed ; and as you appear to me, 

 sir, to be doing yours, like a good Seaforth Highlander, or Ross-shire 

 Buff, allow me to subscribe myself, very faithfully and loyally yours. 



The following letters explain themselves : 



TO THE EDITOR OF THE INVERNESS COURIER. 

 Celtic Magazine Office, 2 Ness Bank, Inverness, 8th November, 1882. 



Sir, I have just received the enclosed letter from Mr. Malcolm 

 Mackenzie, Guernsey. Please publish it in the Courier, as you have 

 already published the reply to my telegram from Lord Macdonald's 

 agents. 



Permit me, at the same time, to state that the sum of .1000, in actual 

 cash, has now been placed by Mr. Mackenzie at my disposal in the 

 Caledonian Bank, and, in the event of his offer being entertained by 



