276 GHOST NO LAWYER. 



murder, could hardly have contrived a better mode than 

 by the apparition in the manner which was sworn to. 



" The most rational supposition seems to be, that the 

 crime had come to M'Pherson's (the ghost-seer) know- 

 ledge by ordinary means, of which there is some evidence; 

 but desiring to have a reason for communicating it, which 

 could not be objected to by the people of the country, he 

 had invented this machinery of the ghost, whose commands, 

 according to Highland belief, were not to be disobeyed. 

 If such were his motives, his legend, though it seemed to 

 set his own tongue at liberty upon the subject, yet im- 

 pressed on his evidence the fate of Cassandra's prophecies, 

 that, however true, it should not have the fortune to be 

 believed."* 



* The trial of these men is curious and interesting, but too long for 

 insertion in these pages. 



