between the Macdonalds of Islay and the Macleans of Duart. These and their followers, as well as their principal supportersChief and people-were charged to keep the peace and abstain from all gatherings and conventions, so as not to hinder or disturb the King in his efforts to bring about a settlement of the disputes between them.

The Earl of Huntly, then his Majesty's Lieutenant in the North, was addressed by the King in a letter written with his own hand, dated at Edinburgh, 20th of April, 1587, in which His Majesty says:-"We have no doubt but the cruelties and disorders in the Isles these years bygone have greatly moved you, whereanent we intend, God willing, to take some special pains. ourself, as well there as in the Borders, where we have been lately occupied." After having stated that he had communicated with the Earl in the preceding October on the same subject, the King proceeds :-"Always fearing that the Islesmen within the bounds of your Lieutenancy shall press to make some rising and gathering, before conveniently we may put order to the matters standing in controversy in the West Isles, we desire you effectuously that with all goodly diligence you send to Donald Gorm's son, Macleod of the Lewis, Macleod of the Harris, the Clan-Ranald, and others being of power in these parts, willing and commanding them to contain themselves in quietness, and that they forbear to make any convention or gatherings, to the hinder and disturbance of our good deliberation, for we have written effectuously to Angus Macdonald, and have spoken with Maclean, being here, for the same effect. And so, not doubting but you will do what in you lies, that all things remain quiet and in good order within the bounds of your charge, as you will do us special acceptable service, commit you in the protection of Almighty God."*

Shortly after, an Act was passed by which it was made imperative on all landlords and chiefs of clans to find securities for large amounts, proportionate to their wealth and the number of their followers, for the good behaviour of all their vassals. If, after having found the stipulated sureties, any of these chiefs failed in making immediate reparation for all injuries inflicted by any of their subordinates, for whom they were made to answer, · Invernessiana, by Charles Fraser-Mackintosh, M. P., pp. 245-6.

*

the aggrieved persons could proceed at law against the securities for the amount of the damage. The Superior was in that case not only to reimburse his cautioner, but had, in addition, to pay a large fine to the Crown. At the same time, many excellent provisions were made by this Act, usually known as the "General Band" for the more regular and easier administration of justice in the Western Isles.

William Macleod entered into a bond of manrent with Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, whose daughter he had married, in the following terms:

Be it kenned to all, me, William Macleod of Dunvegan, to become bound and obliged. Like as by the tenor hereof, I bind and oblige me, my heirs, leally and truly, by the faith and truth in my body, to take, efauld, and true part, assist, maintain, and defend, and concur with Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, Captain and Chief of the Clan Chattan, and his heirs, in all and sundrie their actions, causes, quarrels, debates, and invasion of any person or persons whatever, indirectly used or intended contrary to the said Lachlan and his heirs in all time coming, from the day and date hereof, so that I, the said William Macleod, and my heirs, shall be sufficiently and duly premonished and advertised by the said Lachlan Mackintosh and his foresaids, to the effect foresaid, and shall give faithful and true counsel to him and his heirs, by and attour concurrence, and take efauld part with him and his heirs (as said is) in all their just causes and actions as said is. And sicklike I shall not hide, obscure, nor conceal, by any colour or engine, directly or indirectly, any skaith, displeasure, nor harm, meant or concert, in contrar the said Lachlan Mackintosh and his foresaids by any whatsomever person or persons, the same coming to the knowledge and ears of me, the said William Macleod and my heirs, but immediately after trial thereof in all our best manner, with all expedition and haste, shall advertize, report, and make foreseen the said Lachlan Mackintosh and his heirs thereof. As also to concur, assist, maintain, defend, and take faithful part with them against all mortals (the King's Majesty excepted allenarly). And this my bond to stand firm and stable in all time coming after the day and date hereof. In witness of the whilk, I have subscribed these presents with my hand, in manner under written, at Culloden, the 15th day of January, 1588, before witness. WILLIAM M'LEOYD offe Dunvegane.

(Signed)

He married Janet, daughter of Lachlan Mackintosh, XVI.

of Mackintosh, by his wife Agnes, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, X. of Kintail, without issue. He died in October, 1590, when he was succeeded by his next brother, the famous Ruairidh Mor, afterwards knighted by James VI., and of whom in our next.

(To be continued.)

MADUINN NA SABAID.

Nach àluinn, maiseach, tosdach, ciùin,
"Tha 'ghrian ag éiridh suas ;

'S na gathan tlàth 'tha 'teachd bho 'gnùis
'Cur aoidh air tir, 'us cuan !

Dh' fhuadaich i 'n dorchadas air chul,
'Us dhùisg i 'mach le buaidh;

Sin mar a dh'éirich Rìgh nan dùl

Bho chumhachd bàis 'us uaigh,

Air maduinn chaoimh na Sàbaid naoimh

Le saorsa bhuan d' a shluagh.

Do'n neach 'tha saoithreachadh gu cruaidh,

Fo' iomadh cuibhreach sgìth,

Tha 'mhaduinn so gu sèimh ri luaidh

Air teachdaireachd na sith,

Mar eàrlais air an fhois 'tha shuas

Nach tig gu bràth gu crich,

Am measg nan sluagh a tha bith-bhuan,

Far nach tig bròn g' an claoidh,

An t-Sàbaid chaomh am measg nan naomh,

Nach tig gu ceann a chaoidh.

Tha gniomh do làmh an diugh, a Thriath,

A' taisbeanadh do rùin,

Na neamhan shuas 's an talamh shios

Ag àrdachadh do chliu.

Air son do chaoimhneis shaibhir, fhial,
'S do mhaitheis do gach dùil,

Gun aois, gun chaochladh ort gu sior,
'S bha thu mar sin bho thùs ;

Bho linn gu linn bidh òran binn
Air glòir do righeachds' ùr.

Cò thuigeas òirdhearcas do neairt,
"Thug beatha do gach cré,

'S na miltean saoghal 'tha fo' d' reachd
Air feadh a' chruinne-ché.

Tha 'n gluasad uile fo' do smachd,
'S an earbsa riut gu léir,

'S na cumhachdan a dhealbhadh leat

Gun tàmh a' cur 'an ceill

Do chliù mar Righ os cionn gach ni
A rinneadh leat gu treun.

Ge mòr do chumhachd, 's àrd do ghlòir,
Eisdidh Tu glaoidh nan bochd ;

'S ann uat a thig gach neart 'us treòir,
'S Tu mhaitheas dhuinn ar lochd.
Do làmh a' sgaoileadh maoin do stòir,
'S gach duil a' feitheamh ort,

Gach tràth Thu 'g ullachadh dhuinn loin,
'S do shùil gun suain, gun chlos;

'S bho d' chòmhnuidh shuas tha 'ghnath do chluas
Ri ghlaodh do shluaigh a bhos.

Tha mhaduinn so 'n a dhearbhadh ùr
Dhuinn air do chaoimhneas caomh,

Tha 'n cruinne-cé le iomadh cliù,
A' seinn duit air gach taobh ;
'S an dream a dh' earbas riut an cuis
Freagraidh Tu iad gu caoin,
Cha chuir Thu dòchas neach air chul,

'S cha mheall Thu air a h-aon;

'S air bàs 'us uaigh gu 'n toir iad buaidh
'Us gheibh iad duais gu saor.

N. MACLEOID,

GAELIC SOCIETY OF INVERNESS-FOURTEENTH ANNUAL DINNER.-On Tuesday evening, 12th January, 1886, the Fourteenth Annual Dinner of the Gaelic Society of Inverness took place in the Caledonian Hotel-Allan R. Mackenzie, Esq., younger of Kintail, Chief of the Society, in the chair. The croupiers were Mr. Duncan Campbell, Ballifeary, and Mr. George J. Campbell, solicitor. There was a fair attendance, but nothing like that of former years. The speeches, with one or two exceptions, were weak. The proceedings were enlivened, however, by the singing of several Gaelic and Scotch songs by some of those present, and by the choice selection of Highland bagpipe music contributed by Pipe-Major Paul Mackillop. A spirited reel was engaged in by several gentlemen during the evening; and, taking them all in all, the proceedings, while not nearly up to past years as regards speaking, were of an interesting and enjoyable character.

THE CONFLICTS OF THE CLANS.

(Continued)

THE TROUBLES BETWIXT THE FORBESES AND THE GORDONS IN THE YEARS 1571 AND 1572.

THE two families of Gordon and Forbes were of great power and authority in their country, both of them valiant, wise, and wealthy; both harbouring deadly feud, long rooted between them. The Gordons then lived with great concord and unity among themselves; and, by the tolerance of their Kings, had, for many years, governed the people adjoining unto them, whereby they became wealthy and of great power, and purchased strength among themselves, together with the attendance and following of other men towards them. When, on the contrary, the Forbeses were at war one with another, they daily impaired their own strength, with their own slaughters, and, in end, wrought their own harm by pressing to strive against the Gordons. These two surnames did live together at this time, rather in secret emulation than open envy; because they had (in way of reconciliation) by marriage intermingled their families together; but their hid and longrooted rancour did now burst forth, not only by following contrary factions during these civil wars betwixt the King's party and the Queen's, but chiefly because that John, Master of Forbes (eldest son to the Lord Forbes), had repudiated and put away his wife, Margaret Gordon, daughter to George, Earl of Huntly, which he did by the instigation of his uncle, Black Arthur Forbes, who mortally hated the Gordons. This Arthur was a man of great courage, ambitious, and ready to undertake anything whatsoever for the advancement and reconciliation of his family. The Forbeses, from the first time of these civil discords in Scotland, did follow the King's party; the Gordons did always remain constantly faithful to the Queen, even unto the end.