CONVIVIAL RESOLUTION. Ill 



living in Ireland; and it is said that the late celebrated R. 

 B. Sheridan was descended from one of his daughters. 



" The most extraordinary superstition prevalent was that 

 of the Liannan-Spell, or fairy sweethearts; and all inveterate 

 deer-stalkers, who remained for nights, and even weeks, in 

 the mountains, were understood to have formed such con- 

 nexions. In these cases the natural wife was considered 

 to be in great danger from the machinations of the fairy 

 mistress. 



" I now come to the relation of a story better vouched 

 for, and of a melancholy nature, which happened in the 

 year 1 800. Captain John Macpherson, of Ballechroan, with 

 four attendants, and several fine deer-hounds, was killed by 

 an avalanche in Gawick. The house in which they slept (a 

 strong one) was swept away from the very foundation, and 

 part of the roof carried to the distance of a mile. This 

 catastrophe was ascribed by some to supernatural agency, 

 and a great deal of superstitious exaggeration was circu- 

 lated, to the annoyance of Captain Macpherson's family and 

 friends. 



" But a more public, a more wide-spreading calamity, has 

 lately befallen. The gallant spirit is fled the benefactor, 

 the father, the beloved of his people, is gathered to the 

 tomb of his fathers. Mournfully has his lament sounded 

 from the dumb heights of Corrie-arich, and been borne over 

 many a mountain, and through many a glen, from the 

 hospitable shores of the Spey to the dark pines of Rothie- 

 murcus. 



" Thus sadly ends my account * of the possessions of the 

 former Earls of Huntly ; and our journey is nearly ended also. 

 Yon speck of light that you see at a distance below, about 

 the size of a half-grown glow-worm, shines in Bruar Lodge. 

 But let us mend our pace, for foul weather is coming on." 



" Aye, you may mend yours, but you will mar mine : 

 have at you, however. I am lighter than I was, and will 

 be more frugal at breakfast another time ; it was that which 

 touched my wind. I must be eating venison pasty and 

 mutton chops, forsooth ; catch me at that again in the 



* In allusion to the late Duke of Gordon. 



