138 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



The comments of the Scotsman on this letter were so 

 grossly false and unfair, that the writer was impelled to 

 apply a little good-natured criticism to the Whig organ on 

 his relation to the Highland people, which appeared in the 

 April number of the Celtic Magazine, in the form of a short 

 article, subjoined, and of which he sent the Editor of the 

 Scotsman an early proof, with the following note : 



INVERNESS, March 16, 1883. 



Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, who is honoured with a share in an article 

 in to-day's Scotsman, presents his compliments to the editor of that 

 journal, and at the same time presents him with an early proof of a 

 little free criticism which is to appear in the April number of the Celtic 

 Magazine. Mr. Mackenzie who is quite satisfied with it as a reply to 

 that and other articles in the same journal has no doubt the editor of 

 the Scotsman will accept this small compliment in the same spirit and 

 with the same satisfaction with which Mr. Mackenzie accepts the slight 

 attentions which he delights to receive occasionally from the Scotsman. 



There can be no objection to the reproduction of the article, with this 

 note, and the Scotsman's criticism thereon, if the editor desires to help 

 in the laudable object of extending its circulation. 



More definite and detailed information will be forthcoming if desired. 



It is unnecessary, perhaps, to state that the Scotsman pro- 

 duced neither the note nor the article accompanying it, the 

 latter of which was as follows : 



THE "SCOTSMAN" PROFESSOR BLACKIE, AND 

 THE HIGHLAND CROFTERS. 



In a recent issue of the Scotsman, Professor Blackie published a letter, 

 which we subjoin, setting forth his views on the present agitation and 

 disturbance among the crofters in Glendale, Isle of Skye. This letter 

 the Scotsman, as the special organ of the Scottish Landocracy, could 

 not conveniently swallow, and in trying to dispose of it by a less dan- 

 gerous process, it lost its head. It has done more ; it has thrown away 

 the semblance of any ingenuousness and fair-dealing which innocent 

 people thought had yet remained to it. 



Professor Blackie, speaking for himself and those who agreed with 

 him, wrote "Our sympathies lie emphatically with the law-breakers 



