Brett (afterward Sir Percy). The Lyon and Elizabeth engaged; and, after a very obstinate fight, the two vessels separated both greatly disabled: the Elizabeth was so much shattered, that with difficulty she regained the port whence she came. Charles, in the Doutelle, pursued his course. As he approached the coast of Scotland, another large ship (which was supposed to be an English man of war) appearing between his vessel and the land, the Doutelle (then off the south end of the Long Island) changed her course, and, ranging along the east side of Barra, came to an anchor between South Uist and Erisca, which is the largest of a cluster of small rocky islands that lie off South Uist. Charles immediately went ashore on Erisca. His attendants giving out that he was a young Irish priest, conducted him to the house of the tacksman who rented all the small islands; of him they learned that Clanronald and his brother Boisdale were upon the island of South Uist; that young Clanronald was at Moidart upon the main land. A messenger was immediately dispatched to Boisdale, who is said to have had great influence with his brother. Charles staid all night on the island Erisca, and in the morning returned to his ship. Boisdale came aboard soon after: Charles proposed that he should go with him to the main land, assist in engaging his nephew to take arms, and then go, as his ambassador, to sir Alexander Macdonald and Macleod. To every one of these proposals Boisdale gave a flat negative, declaring that he would do his utmost to prevent his brother and his nephew from engaging in so desperate an enterprise: assuring Charles, that it was needless to send any-body to Sky, for that he had seen sir Alexander Macdonald and Macleod very lately, and was desired by them to acquaint him (if he should come to South Uist, in his way to the Highlands) that they were determined not to join him, unless he brought over with him a body of regular troops, Charles replied in the best manner he could; and ordering the ship to be unmoored, carried Boisdale (whose boat hung at the stern) several miles onward to the main land, pressing him to relent, and give a better answer. Boisdale was inexorable, and, getting into his boat, left Charles to pursue his course, which he did directly for the coast of Scotland; and coming to an anchor in the bay of Lochnanuagh, between Moidart and Arisaig, sent a boat ashore with a letter to young Clanronald. In a very little time, Clanronald, with his relation Kinloch Moidart, came aboard the Doutelle. Charles, almost reduced to despair in his interview with Boisdale, addressed the two Highlanders with great emotion, and, summing up his arguments for taking arms, conjured them to assist their prince, their countryman, in his utmost need. Clanronald and his friend, though well inclined to the cause, positively refused; and told him (one after another) that, to take arms without concert or support, was to pull down certain destruction on their own heads. Charles persisted, argued, and implored, During this conversation, the parties walked backwards and forwards upon the deck; a Highlander stood near them, armed at all points, as was then the fashion of his country: he was a younger brother of Kinloch Moidart, and had come off to the ship to inquire for news, not knowing who was aboard; when he gathered, from their discourse, that the stranger

you

was the prince of Wales: when he heard his chief and his brother refuse to take arms with their prince, his colour went and came, his eyes sparkled, he shifted his place, and grasped his sword. Charles observed his demeanour, and, turning briskly towards him, called out, "Will not assist me?" "I will, I will," said Ranald; "though no other man in the Highlands should draw a sword, I am ready to die for you." Charles, with a profusion of thanks and acknowledgments, extolled his champion to the skies, saying, he only wished that all the Highlanders were like him. Without farther deliberation, the two Macdonalds declared that they also would join, and use their utmost endeavours to engage their countrymen to take arms. Immediately Charles with his company went ashore, and was conducted to Boradale, a farm which belonged to the estate of Clanronald. The persons who landed with Charles at Boradale, on the 25th of July, were the marquis of Tullibardine, (elder brother of James duke of Atholl) who had been attainted in the year 1716; sir Thomas Sheridan, who had been tutor to Charles; sir John Macdonald, an officer in the Spanish service; Francis Strickland, an English gentleman; Kelly, a clergyman who had been sent to the Tower of London for his concern in the bishop of Rochester's plot; Æneas Macdonald, a banker in Paris, who was Kinloch Moidart's brother; and Buchanan, the messenger sent to Rome by cardinal De Tencin.' P. 37.

The third chapter conducts the rebels to Perth; the style still brightens, and the detail of facts is amusing. We almost imagine that the first part of this work was written at an advanced period of life, when the source of the author's ideas began to be somewhat exhausted.

In the fourth chapter, we find the rebels advancing against Edinburgh; and the account of the transactions in the capital, though rather too diffuse for general history, yet interests by the minuteness of memoirs, under which last title the work might have been published with more propriety.

On Monday the 16th the rebels advanced slowly towards Edin burgh, giving time for the terror of their approach to operate upon the minds of unwarlike citizens, in a divided city. Between ten and eleven o'clock in the forenoon, a message was delivered from the young Pretender to the people of Edinburgh, acquainting them that if they would admit him peaceably into the city they should be civilly dealt with; if not, they must lay their account with military exe

cution.

• This threat was the more terrible, that it was not perfectly understood, and conveyed a confused idea of every thing that could happen in a town taken by storm: the effect of it soon appeared, for about mid-day a petition, signed by forty-eight citizens, was presented to provost Stuart, praying that he would call a meeting of the inhabitants, and consult with them what was proper to be done. This petition provost Stuart refused to grant; but an inci. dent happened very soon which enforced the petition: that incident was the precipitate retreat of the dragoons.

• Colonel Gardner, with his two regiments of dragoons, the town guard, and the men of the Edinburgh regiment, had remained at Corstorphine on the 15th till the evening. At sun-set the colonel, leaving a party of dragoons near Corstorphine, retreated with his two regiments to a field between Leith and Edinburgh; the infantry returned to the city. That night general Foukes arrived from London; and early next morning received an order from general Guest to take the command of the two regiments of dragoons, and march them to a field at the east end of the Colt Bridge. In the forenoon the men of the town guard, and the Edinburgh regiment joined the dragoons.

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When the rebels came near Corstorphine, they saw the party of dragoons, where they had been posted by colonel Gardner; and some young people, well mounted, were ordered to go near, take a view of the dragoons, and bring a report of their number. These young people, riding up to the dragoons, fired their pistols at them, who, without returning one shot, wheeled about, and rode off, carrying their fears into the main body. General Foukes and the two regiments of dragoons set off immediately, and between three and four o'clock in the afternoon passed on the north side of the town by the Long Dykes, (where the New Town stands,) in full view of the people of Edinburgh.

Instantly the clamour rose, and crowds of people ran about the streets crying out, that it was madness to think of resistance, since the dragoons were fled; and some of them meeting provost Stuart, as he returned from the West Port (where he had gone to give orders after the retreat of the dragoons), followed him to the Parliament square, beseeching him not to persist in defending the town, for if he did they should all be murdered. The provost reprimanded them; and went to the Goldsmiths' Hall, where the magistrates and town council were assembled, with a good many of the inhabitants. A deputation was sent to the justice clerk, the advocate, and the solicitor, to entreat that they would come and assist the council with their advice. The deputies returned, and reported that all these gentlemen had left the town. Provost Stuart then sent for the captains of the volunteers, and the trained bands, and desired to have their opinion concerning the defence of the town. The officers said very little, and seemed to be at a loss what opinion to give; other people in the meeting made speeches for and against the defence of the town, not without reproach and abuse on both sides. The crowd encreased to such a degree, that it became necessary to adjourn to a larger place, and the meeting adjourned to the New Church aisle, which was immediately filled with people, the most part of whom called to give up the town; that it was im possible to defend it. Those who attempted to speak against the general opinion.were borne down with noise and clamour.

Meanwhile a letter was handed in from the door, addressed to the lord provost, magistrates, and town council of Edinburgh: Deacon Orrock (a member of the council) opened the letter, and said it was subscribed Charles P. R. Provost Stuart stopped Deacon Orrock, said he would not be witness to reading such a letter; and tising from his seat, left the place, and returned to the Goldsmiths'

Hall, followed by most part of the council, and a good many of the town's people, who called out to read the letter; for it was ab solutely necessary (they said) to read the letter, that the inhabitants might know what threatenings it contained against the city. Others maintained that it ought not to be read; that it was treason to read it. During these debates about reading the letter, four companies of the volunteers marched up to the castle of Edinburgh, and laid down their arms, without orders from provost Stuart, and without his knowledge. These four companies had come from the Collegeyards to their alarm-post in the Lawn Market, when the fire-bell was rung, after the retreat of the dragoons. The captains, leaving their lieutenants to command the companies, went to that meeting at the Goldsmiths' Hall, which was adjourned to the New Church aisle, where they remained a long time. The volunteers becoming impatient to know what was going on at the meeting of the inha bitants, two of the lieutenants went from the Lawn Market, and asked provost Stuart what orders he pleased to give them. The lieutenants returned without receiving any orders from the provost ; and brought very bad accounts of the disposition that seemed to prevail among the people at the meeting. One of the volunteers (not an officer) hearing what the lieutenants said, proposed to his com panions, that they should go to the meeting with their arms, and give their opinion as inhabitants. Other two private men, talking together, differed so much, that they quarrelled and attacked one another; one of them made use of his musket and fixed bayonet, the other threw down his musket; and parried the bayonet with his sword. They were soon separated, without any harm done. Much about the same time a man of a tolerable appearance, (whom nobody ever pretended to know,) mounted upon a grey horse, came up from the Bow to the Lawn Market, and, galloping along the front of the volunteers, called out that he had seen the Highland army, that they were sixteen thousand strong. This lying messenger did not stay to be questioned; for he was out of sight in a moment. By and by captain Drummond and the other captains came to the Lawn Market, and having talked with their lieutenants in sight of the men, sent lieutenant Lindsey to acquaint general Guest, that the volunteers were coming to the castle to deliver up their arms, as no good could be done by keeping them, for the town was to be given up. When lieutenant Lindsey returned with an answer from general Guest, that he expected them, 'captain Drummond (whose company having the right, was nearest the castle) gave them orders to march. Then it was that the volunteer, who stood next to professor Cleghorn, reminded him of the agreement they had made with their companions; and said, Now is your time. No, said Mr. Cleghorn, I don't think it is; to separate from the rest of the volunteers at present, would do more ill than good. Not a word more was said; and the volunteers marched up to the castle. The sun was setting when they laid down their arms; many of them with visible reluctance, and some of them with tears. The example of the four companies, commanded by captain Drummond, was very soon followed by the other two companies of volunteers; and by all the different bodies of men who had received arms from the

king's magazine. At the time the volunteers laid down their arms, the meeting at the Goldsmiths' Hall was still debating whether or no the letter, signed Charles P. R., should be read. Provost Stuart had given orders to send for the town assessors to have their opinion. None of them could be found but Mr. Haldane, who came immediately; and being asked by provost Stuart, whether or not a letter addressed to the magistrates, signed Charles P. R., should be read, he answered, that was a matter too high for him to give his opinion upon having said so, he rose and went away. Provost Stuart exclaimed, "Good God! I am deserted by my arms and my assessors". After this there was a pause. The provost still demurred; but most of the company becoming impatient to know the contents of the letter, it was read at last.

"From our Camp, 16th Sept. 1745.

"Being now in a condition to make our way into the capital of his majesty's ancient kingdom of Scotland, we hereby summon you to receive us, as you are in duty bound to do; and in order to it, we hereby require you, upon receipt of this, to summon the town council, and take proper measures for securing the peace and quiet of the city, which we are very desirous to protect. But if you suffer any of the usurper's troops to enter the town, or any of the cannon, arms, or ammunition now in it (whether belonging to the public, or private persons) to be carried off, we shall take it as a breach of your duty, and a heinous offence against the king and us, and shall resent it accordingly. We promise to preserve all the rights and liberties of the city, and the particular property of every one of his majesty's subjects. But if any opposition be made to us, we cannot answer for the consequences, being firmly resolved at any rate to enter the city; and in that case, if any of the inhabitants are found in arms against us, they must not expect to be treated as prisoners of war.

"CHARLES, P.R.”

When the threatenings which this letter contained were heard, the cry against resistance became louder than ever; and it was proposed to send a deputation to the person from whom this letter came, to desire that hostilities might not be commenced, till the citizens had deliberated, and resolved what answer should be made to the letter. This proposal was agreed to; and about eight o'clock at night Bailie Hamilton and three other members of the council were sent to Gray's Mill, where the Pretender was, to carry to him the request of the council.

Soon after the deputies were sent out, intelligence came to the provost and magistrates (assembled in the council chamber) that the transports with general Cope's army were off Dunbar; and as the wind was unfavourable for bringing them up the frith, that the general intended to land his troops at Dunbar, and march them to the relief of the city.

This piece of intelligence changed the face of affairs. Messengers were sent off immediately to overtake the deputies, and prevent them from executing their commission. Application was made to general Guest for arms, and he was requested to recall the dra