National Library of Scotland iiiiiiiiiiifliiinfliii*6000067386* . \ i |i MISCELLANIES 1H By C. BOND, INVERNESS. PUBLISHED BY Messrs Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London ; Messrs.Inverness. Bigg, Parliament Street ; and J. Smith] NOTICE. That “ a great book is a great evil," is a saying gener- ally admitted; while, on the other hand, a very small book is frequently found to be equally inconvenient, by being continually liable to bo lost among more bulky volumes, or, if unbound, to be quickly destroyed. Thesescences considerations to accompany induced a second me toedition print ofthe Coronalis, Remini- and the numerous requests I soon received to give tl»e former to the public in a less ephemeral form than that in which they first appeared, justified the arrange- ment I had formed, and induced me, by the addition of some Miscellaneous Pieces, and a small work en- titled Britain's Danger and Safety, to produce a volume, which, while it would not come under the de- scription of “ a great evil," would at the same time be of sutficient size to secure the requisite permaueucy on the book-shelf. The loyal character of some of the principal pieces ofin poetry,a locality originated so indebted in my to occupyingRoyal patronage an editorial and post,con- descension, as to call for every demonstration of grati- tude and loyalty ; in addition to which, it is the bounden duty of every true citizen, when principles subversive of our admirable constitutional monarchy are afloat, to counteract them to the utmost, by easting his influence, howeverthe productions, humble, in verse,the opposite the age scale. of 15 Forand three16 must of plead excuse, while a want of time, owing to engross- ing occupations, may fairly be given as a genera! plea for the entire volume. The essays on Britain’s Danger and Safety appeared in another form, and Jed to the valuable remarks by Dr M'Kenzie on the Highland lieve,Cotter will System tend ;to remarks induce awhich, great andthere beneficial is reason change to be- in the circumstances of the peasantry throughout the Highlands. * The Reminiscences of a Clachnacuddin, forming a ISeries of Highland tales and traditions, with observa- istions hoped, on formerprove acceptablemanners, scenes,to the andgeneral customs, reader, will, and it dinespecially and Highlander. recommend Itthemselves affords me to muchthe Clachnacud- pleasure to know, that the Reminiscences have attracted benevo- lent attention to the necessities of the poor, but vener- able, intelligent, and worthy man, John M'Lean, aged 96, as evidenced by the Session Register, from whom almost all the local particulars and traditions have been derived, and who still abounds with anecdote respect- ing Inverness and its inhabitants : and it will afford me much gratification should the publication of the Re- hillminiscences of his remaining lead to further hours. efforts to smooth the down- Inverness, Nov., 1842. C. BOND. * This work is only included in the 5s volume. i 0) REMINISCENCES OF A CLACHNACUDIN NONAGENARIAN. BY THE EDITOR THE INVERNESS HERALD. INVERNESS, 322>4*!NJ0g % 19 74^ ^/v 0^ REMINISCENCES, &e. INTRODUCTION. There are eorae readers who dislike a “ Preface," for our own parts we cannot place ourselves among the number, as we generally look to the preface, not only to get some hint respecting the author, but also in expec- tation of obtaining an outline of the plan of the work itself; and even though the preface begin with “ Gen- tle Reader," the polite way in which the writers of the two last centuries were wont to introduce themselves, we have so much reverence for the olden time, that we are never offended, provided the preface itself be toler- ably brief. We doubt not our sentiments on this sub- ject prevail among our readers, and that some Clach- nacuddins may be anxious so far to remove the incog- nito from our nonagenarian as to be satisfied at least of his individuality. Now, whether such Clachnacuddins are denizens in the northern metropolis itself; in the great city of the South ; in the back woods of America ; amid the sands of Africa, or under the burning sun of aAsia; la mode whether barbare, employed or whether in teaching among civility our subscribers at Pekin in the 78th Highlanders, who have gallantly gone to “ the rescue" in Affghanistan of their fair captive countrywomen, and of their unsuccessful comrades in arms ; we feel that we shall contribute to the interest which the reminiscences of our nonagenarian may ex- cite, by assuring such, that he is no ideal creation of our own ; that although the snows of ninety winter's rest upon his head, and his frame, is not unscathless from the warfare of time, yet were the Clachnacuddin reader to catch but a sight of his time-worn person and features, even in the outlandish regions to which we have alluded, he would at once recognize a Highlander. Unlike many of his countrymen, who tear themselves from “ the land of the mountain and the flood,” to push their fortunes in the south, he has passed through the periods of infancy and manhood, without ever quitting his native scenes, and shortly expects his mortal coil itself must there mingle “ with the clods of the valley.” His mind, however, not only maintains its empire, but en- dures with all the retentiveness and vivacity of youth. The 6o/hy in which he has lived from infancy to old age, and in which he has passed many days of humble and domestic happiness, is now comparatively silent, save when those whose prattle once enlivened it, snatch a short period from the engrossing claims of their oc- cupation, to administer to his wants; or when their offspring are deputed to perform duties at once peculi- arly grateful to old age, and which present youth in its most engaging and attractive features. Some time too an occasional acquaintance or visiter seeks our nonage- narian's residence, to hear of times and persons long departed, and in return for the gratification they ex- perience, they help in some measure to minister to the necessities or comforts of his departing days. We must, however, give a description of the bothy itself, and when we state that it is supposed to have stood for 200 years, some readers may imagine it to be built of the most durable kind of stone ; such, however, it is not.of black Large oak, whichposts probably (locally belongedtermed, to somecouple-trees,) substan- tial building of still more remote days, springing from the ground, meet at an apex at the top, and serve for supports to the rafters and thatch, the sides and ends of the cottage being formed chiefly of time hardened clay. Though of humble materials and dimensions, 5 the bothy is a standing proof, that even under these circumstances, cleanliness, neatness,{and order, may be successfully maintained. Internally it is divided into a sitting room in the centre, with dormitories to the right and left; the clean white wash upon the walls reflecting as much light as the small loop hole windows will admit; of which, however, the Highland bothy is comparatively independent, owing to the light and air generally being unsparingly admitted by the wide open- ed door. Having thus intimated sufficient, we trust to convince the most sceptical of the individuality of our nonagenarian, we shall, without further delay, in- troduce his TALE OF THE BRIDGE myNearly father, 90 which years loss, ago, thoughI was depriveda serious whenone, was,a child how- of ever,then anameliorated old man of by about the kindness70 years ofof age, my whograndfather, did what heremainder could to ofsupply his life, the which place wasof my extended parent, to during the age the of of97 myyears. grandfather, In my youthful which united, days, tonow say reach nothing through of those a fromperiod what of 155 they years, now theare, Highlands in a variety were of veryways. difl'erent Some ofconsist the alterations, in the facilities however, of thattravelling strike mecommunication, most forcibly, boy,and inI theknew means not onlyof conveying every inhabitant information. of Inverness,When a booksbut even that their made very their dogs way ; thenso far houses north, werewere few, rarities new ; mation,and those newspapers, comparatively were modern scarce vehicles in Scotland, of public and infor- had nofirst existence was not commencedin the metropolis till 1808. of the The north absence ; where of the pressduced asthe a agedmeans to oftreasure recording up events,more minutely necessarily in their in- memories,carefully tothe transmit particulars them of eventsto posterity. that transpired, From andmy grandfather I, in this manner, derived information on previouslya variety of to subjects, my own andtime, in this making will beallusion borne toin events, mind, andcomparatively considered few a buildingssufficient nowexplanation. in Inverness There of wbich are exceptions,I have not beheldseem on the that orgin, account and thoseto recommend which form them- the asselves mementos more stronglyof former to times the affectionsand friends, of bringing an old man,back tovividness my memory not unalloyed the events by of feelings infancy of and pain, youth, at behold- with a pineing myself of the left,forest, as andit were, separated like the from lone the and companions shattered offul, my that early while days. acquaintance I have reason, and friendhowever, after to friend be thank- has upbeen around removed me, fromand, myin side,order others to dissipate have been all springing repining gratifythoughts, fondly I will cherished attempt recollections, to amuse my by hearer,detailing and what to ofI havemy earliest heard, andinfantine what andI personally yet standing remember, acquaintances of one —ThePreviously Bridge. to the erection of the present stone bridge, andthere which existed was one used of untiloak, thewhich following stood a accident little below occur- it, wasred.