3i4 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



and punish offences committed by the fishermen and sailors 

 of the fleet. 



Another Association, headed by the Earl of Pembroke 

 and Montgomery, received about this time (apparently 

 against Lord Portland's wish) the sanction of the Cor- 

 poration for working the Lewis fisheries, and established 

 a station in the island. We shall see later on how the two 

 Companies fared there. 



Colin, Earl of Seaforth, only lived long enough to see 

 his efforts for encouraging the development of the fishing 

 industry in Lewis, crowned with success. He died at 

 Chanonryon I5th April, 1633, at the early age of thirty-six, 

 his premature death being probably the result of some 

 malady, of which there are hints in his letters. 



He was a man of conspicuous ability, and his efforts for 

 developing the resources of Lewis and raising the status 

 of the town of Stornoway, should be remembered with 

 gratitude by Lewismen, although primarily, perhaps, his 

 exertions were instigated by a desire to add to his personal 

 income. He was a munificent patron of the Church, and 

 a warm friend of the cause of education. His style of 

 living was magnificence itself. When he visited Lewis in 

 state, he was attended by a bodyguard which Royalty 

 might envy, and a flotilla of boats was required for the 

 stores of wines and beer which accompanied him. He 

 built Brahan Castle and made considerable additions to 

 the Castle of Chanonry. All this magnificence had to be 

 paid for, and we are not surprised to learn that he imposed 

 high rents upon his tenants, which they, very naturally, 

 considered a most " grievous imposition." He was by far 

 the most influential landlord in the Western Highlands 

 and North Isles, and it is with pardonable pride that the 

 author of the Ardintoul MS. relates how Maclean, Clan- 

 ranald, Raasay, Mackinnon, and other great chiefs came to 

 pay their respects to him. His sister, Janet, was married 

 to Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat ; and his sister Sybilla 

 was the wife of Macleod of Harris. Thus, by family influ- 

 ence, as well as by territorial power and personal ability, 



