48 THE LAST WOLF IN SCOTLAND 



the whole race of wolves in Sutherland. It is rather 

 strange that Charles St. John, who spent his days in 

 Sutherland so profitably for many readers, and was 

 there about the same time as Scrope, has not recorded 

 any tradition about wolves in that wild district. 1 



The death of what, in all probability, was actually 

 the last wolf killed in Scotland is described in Lays of 

 the Deer Forest, by the brothers John Sobieski and 

 Charles Edward Stuart. This work, published in 1848, 

 has been more generally neglected than it deserves. 

 The first volume contains original poems in Gaelic, 

 with translation in English, of the merit whereof I can 

 offer no opinion, not having perused them ; but the 

 second and larger volume, filled with notes to the 

 poems, notes to these notes, and again notes on the 

 notes to the notes, is a fascinating and valuable reper- 

 tory of Highland lore and natural history. There must 

 be persons still living who remember the authors, for 

 John died no longer ago than 1872, and Charles Edward 

 survived till 1880. In their youth they served in 

 Napoleon's armies at Leipsig and Waterloo; and 

 although they failed to convince any but sentimental 

 Jacobites of their descent from Prince Charlie through 

 the Countess of Albany, they made many friends in the 



1 I would fain have given a photograph of Creag-a'-bhocain, and 

 in furtherance of that wish my kind friend, the Rev. Archibald B. 

 Scott, accompanied by Mr. Spark, photographer in Helmsdale, under- 

 took three pilgrimages through Glen Loth and Glen Sletdale. Twice 

 they were completely baffled by storm ; on the third occasion some 

 photographs were taken of the traditional spot, but again the weather 

 interfered to such an extent with the light that the plates are not 

 suitable for reproduction. My cordial thanks are due to these 

 gentlemen for their kindly efforts to fulfil my wish. 



