1 1 6 THE BANK A CCO UNTANT. 



about sixteen years ago, in the neighbourhood of Killie- 

 christ. She had taken it into her head that I was some 

 great person in disguise, and used to come to me every 

 evening after work was over, to consult me on such 

 questions as the origin of evil, and the eternal decrees, 

 and others of equal simplicity and clearness. I gave her, 

 of course, the benefit of all my metaphysics, whether 

 doubtfully bad, or bad beyond doubt, and got in return 

 sets of the finest old stories I have met with anywhere. 

 How her eyes used to brighten when she spoke of the 

 bloody and barbarous MacDonald, and the fearful raid 

 of Killiechrist ! She was a sister to that Mr Lachlan 

 McKenzie of Loch Carron the modern prophet of the 

 Highlands, of whom you cannot fail to have heard ; 

 and in some respects she must have closely resembled 

 him. But she is gone, and many a fine old story has 

 died with her/ 



He gives Sir Thomas a bright little sketch of his 

 marriage trip, and subsequent happiness : ' I had the 

 pleasure, last winter, when on a two days' visit to 

 Elgin, of seeing the Priory of Pluscardine, which you 

 have so beautifully described in your tale of the rival 

 lairds ; and a painting could not have recalled it more 

 vividly to my recollection. I saw much during my brief 

 visit, and enjoyed much, for the occasion was a joyous 

 one my marriage and I had Mr Isaac Eorsyth of 

 Elgin for my guide. I saw Lady-hill, with its rock-like 

 ruin, and its extensive view ; the hospital, with all its 

 wards ; the museum, with its spars and its birds ; the 

 splendid institution, so redolent of the showy benevolence 

 of the present age ; and the still more splendid cathedral, 

 so redolent of the showy piety of a former time ; but 

 above all, it was the hermit-like priory, in its sweet 

 half-Highland, half-Lowland glen, with its trees, and its 



