THE FIR. 



149 



setting the civil power at defiance in the intricacy of 

 their fastnesses, laid all the surrounding country 

 under that species of contribution so well known 

 at the time it was exacted, by the name of Black- 

 mail. 



This prodigious tree was measured by the Hon. 

 Judge Barrington, before the year 1770, and is 

 stated by him to have been at that time fifty-two 

 feet in circumference ; but Pennant describes it as 

 measuring fifty-six feet and a half. The same 

 elegant tourist also speaks of it as having formerly 

 been united to the height of three feet ; Captain 

 Campbell, of Glenlyon, having assured him that 

 when a boy, he had often climbed over the con- 

 necting part. It is now however decayed to the 

 ground, and completely divided into two distinct 

 stems, between which the funeral processions were 

 formerly accustomed to pass. It is impossible to 

 ascertain its age ; but judging from its present state 

 and appearance, it is not too much to suppose that 

 its date is contemporary with that of Fingal himself, 

 whose descendants the Highlanders in its vicinity 

 are fond of styling themselves. 



