THE CLAN MACLEAN INSTITUTED 189 2. ¦^^^M-: -t,^v;; ^'";,K PRICE ONE SHILLING. ; Glasgow : JOHN TIIOMLINSON, Stanley Works, Partick. 1893- t / /»..- 1 ^ V ^,G;-.;7455 CONSTITUTION AND RULES. I. — The Association shall be called " The Clan MacLean." 11. — The objects of the Association shall be the reviving, fostering, and promoting of Clan interests and sentiments, by collecting and preserving records and traditions in any way relating to the Clan ; the cultivation of social intercourse among the Members ; the rendering of assistance to necessitous and deserving Clansmen and Clanswomen ; the encouraging of the study of the Gaelic language and literature, and education generally. III. — The membership shall consist of Life, Extraordinary, and Ordinary Members. Life Members shall contribute a single payment of not less than Three Guineas ; Extraordinary Members an annual subscription of not less than Ten Shillings and Sixpence ; and Ordinary Members an annual subscription of not less than Two Shillings and Sixpence. Ladies, an annual subscription of not less than One Shilling; and those residing in rural districts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, or serving as non-commissioned Officers or Privates in Her Majesty's Army, or as Seamen in the Royal Navy, shall contribute an annual subscription of not less than One Shilling. Ladies can become Life Members by contributing a single payment of not less than one guinea. IV. — All persons bearing the surname MacLean in any of its various forms or spellings, including ladies, bearing the name either by parentage or by marriage, shall be eligible as Members; also, persons bearing other surnames, but whose maternal parent was a MacLean, are eligible as Members, but not as Office- Bearers. v.— The Office-Bearers of the Association shall consist of the Hereditary Chief and Chieftains of the Clan, a President, six Vice-Presidents, a Council, consisting of not less than six nor more than twenty Members; a Treasurer or Joint Treasurers, and a Secretary or Joint Secretaries, who shall constitute a Council of Management, and who, with the exception of the Hereditary Chief, shall be elected annually at the General Meeting of the Association. The Hereditary Chief and Chieftains shall hold office for life. VI. — The Funds of the Association shall be lodged in a Bank, in Glasgow, in name of the Clan MacLean Association, and the said account shall be operated upon by Cheques drawn by the Treasurer, and signed by the' Secretary and President, or any of the Vice-Presidents. VII. — The Ordinary Meetings of the Association in Glasgow shall be held on the first Thursday of each Month, from October to April inclusive. The Meeting in April shall be the Annual General Meeting, at which a Statement of Intromissions, signed by one or more Auditors, showing the state of the Associa- tion's affairs during the preceding year, shall be submitted, and on approval shall be engrossed in the sederunt book of the Association. VIII. — No addition to, or alteration of, the constitution shall be made, except at the Annual General Meeting of the Association by the resolution of two-thirds of the Members present. Notice of such addition or alteration shall be given in writing to the Secretary one calendar month prior to the date of said meeting, and shall be specified by him in the intimation calling the meeting, at which the same is to be discussed. BRANCH RULES. I. — A Branch of the Clan MacLean Association may be formed in any district containing Twenty Members, and such Branch shall be subject in every respect to the Constitution and Rules of the Association. II. — Each Branch shall be managed by a Chairman, Vice- Chairman, and not more than seven Members of Committee, — two of whom shall be the Treasurer and the Secretary. Each Branch shall have the right to appoint its own Office-Bearers. III. — The Treasurer shall receive all subscriptions and donations, and shall enter regularly in a book kept for the purpose an account of all monies received and paid by him for ordinary local expenses. He shall make up such accounts to the 31st October and 31st March respectively, and shall within .seven days thereafter send to the Secretary of the Association a copy of such accounts, duly vouched and audited, together with a remittance of the cash on hand. All accounts shall be subject to the final approval of the Council. He shall not at any time retain in his hands more than three pounds. IV. — Each Branch Secretary shall conduct all correspondence, keep proper books, and other records of all Branch transactions and meetings, and prepare a report annually, which after being approved at a meeting of the Branch Committee, shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Association, at least twelve days prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Association. V. — The Council reserve power to alter the above Rul^ as they may see fit. * (Klan iHac^ean Jlssodation. Instituted 1892. OFFICE-BEARERS FOR 1893-94. C/iief. Col. Sir Fitzroy Donald Mac Lean, Bart, of Duart, Morvern and Brolas. CJiieftaitis. MacLean of Gailean (Swedish Branch). MacLean of Pennycross. MacLean of Torloisk. AL\cLean of Ardgour. President. R. MacLean MacLean, Eliot Hill, Kent. Chaplain. The Rev. John MacLean, D.D., 189 Hill Street, Glasgow. Vice-Presidents. Magnus MacLean, M.A., F.R.S.E., 8 St. Albans Ten, Glasgow. John MacLean, 60 Mitchell Street, Glasgow. William MacLean, 115 Sl Vincent Street, Glasgow. A. H. MacLean, Hughenden Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow. Lachlan M'Lean, 68 St. Vincent Crescent, Glasgow. William MacLean, 58 West George Street, Glasgow. Treasurer. C. J. MacLean, Writer, 115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. Joint Treasurer. A. J. MacLean, 73 Byres Road, Partick, Glasgow. Secretary. John MacLean, 73 Byres Road, Partick, Glasgow. Councillors. Archibald MacLean, 149 Renfrew Street, Glasgow. Ni-iL NL\cLaine, 2 Rutland Crescent, Paisley Road, Glasgow. RoiiERT MacLean, 31 Cadogan Street, Glasgow. Donald MacLean, 40 South Portland Street, Glasgow. John MacLean, 86 Wilson Street, Glasgow. Dr. MacLean, 88 Paisley Road, Glasgow. Allan S. MacLean, 78 George Street, Whiteinch, Glasgow. WiLLL^M Q. MacLean, 36 Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow. Duncan MacLean, 40 Edmund Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow. John MacLean, 100 Barrack Street, Glasgow. Donald MacLean, 296 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. Spencer B. MacLean, A\'oodlands Road, Glasgow. Donald ]\L^cLean, 15 MacLean Street, Plantation, Glasgow. Hector MacLean, 34 Blantyre Street, Glasgow. John MacLean, 73 North Street, Glasgow. Hugh MacLean, 310 Garscube Road, Glasgow'. John MacLean, 4 Buchanan Street, Partick, Glasgow. Peter IvLacLean, 76 Elderslie Street, Glasgow. Charles MacLean, 3 Cadzow Street, Anderston, Glasgow. Clan Piper. WiLLLAM MacLkan, 4 Trafalgar Street, Greenock. Clan Bard. John INIacLean, Ballymartin, Tiree. GREENOCK BRANCH. Prt'sidoii. Archibald MacLean, 4 Trafalgar Street, Greenock. Secretary. DuGALD MacLean, 19 Hamilton Street, Greenock. District Secretaries. Peter MacLean, Solicitor, Lochraaddy. EwEN MacLean, 112 Church Street, Liverness. Colin MacLean, Mid Dana, Knapdale. Angus MacLean, Scrap, Tarbert, Harris. Malcolm MacLean, Kirkpool, Tiree. Rev. Arthur John MacLean, Dean of Argyle & the Lsles, Portree. Peter MacLean, Forester, Invergarry. William MacLean, Mishnish Hotel, Tobermory. Murdo MacLean, Lochbroom, Ross-shire. C. A. MacLean, Writer, Wigton. Allan MacLean, 62 Alexandria Street, Alexandria. Rev. F. MacLean, Banff. J. A. MacLean, Union Bank House, Forfar. A. MacLean, 115 Main Street, Bradford, U.S.A. C. H. MacLean, Fintry, Aberdeen. Duncan MacLean, 13 Alexandria Grove, Manchester. John W. MacLean, 42-44 State Street, Chicago. Lachlan MacLean, Kinloch, Pennyghael, Mull. FIRST ANNUAL GATHERING. Held in Glasgozo, 28th October, i8g2. The following account of the First Annual Gathering is taken from the Oba?i Times, of 5th November, 1892 : — THE CLAN MACLEAN. Last Friday evening the First Annual Gathering of the Clan MacLean was held in the Grand Hall, Waterloo Rooms. There- was a large attendance, presided over by the chief of the Clan, Sir Fitzroy Donald MacLean, Bart, of Duart, Morvern, and Brolas, who was accompanied by Sir Andrew MacLean, Partick ; Rev. John MacLean, D.l). ; ex-Provost MacLean, Govan ; Mr. Magnus MacLean, M.A., Glasgow ; Mr. and Mrs. MacLean, Pennycross ; C. J. MacLean, treasurer, INIrs. C J. ISLicLean, Professor Blackie, Rev. Jas. INLacLean, Mrs. and Miss MacLean, Mr. J. MacLean, secretary; Mr. Wm. MacLean, writer; Mr. A. MacLean, Mr. Peter MacLean, solicitor, Lochmaddy ; Dr. C. R. MacLean, Dennistoun ; Messrs. Arch. MacLean, president ; and Dugald jNLacLean, secretary, Greenock Branch ; besides representatives from the various clan societies. Letters of apology were intimated from MacLean, Torloisk ; ]\LacLean, Ardgour; Lord Compton, j\LP. ; Surgeon General MacLean, Thurso ; John MacLean, Clan Bard, Tiree ; Mr. Donald M'Millan, vice-president. Clan MacMillan, &c. During the assembling of the audience the Clan pipers played selections of pipe-music. After tea. The Chairman, who was loudly cheered, said :— Clansmen, ladies and gentlemen,— It is with the greatest possible gratification that I feel myself able to take part in the very interesting occasion which has brought us together this evening, and when I look at the very large assemblage before me, and note the cordial welcome you have given, I cannot fail to realise that the lapse of a century and a half does not cause MacLeans either to forget the noble traditions of their ancestors, or the hereditary chief of their Clan. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you most sincerely for for your kind reception of me, and for the great honour you have conferred upon me by placing me in the chair. (Applause.) As chairman it would be my pleasing duty to bring before you various subjects in connection with the Clan Society, but with your permission I will ask the president of the committee to do so, and will confine myself to one or two remarks. The heads of the leading houses have been elected office-bearers, and we may rest assured that the honour of the Clan is in safe keeping in the hands of the president, six vice-presidents, the councillors, and members. (Cheers.) The rules have been drawn out with every care, and I trust to your satisfaction. We are all very well pleased to welcome our clansmen from the Greenock Branch. Ere long we hope a Clan Society will be established in London. (Hear, hear.) Other branches will probably be formed. We have many true and loyal clansmen in Canada and the United States, and I have great pleasure in naming the Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair, and Professor J. P. MacLean, the former being a great authority on Highland and Gaelic literature, and to the latter we are indebted for a most interesting history of the Clan. (Applause.) When I visited the new world I found the name MacLean everywhere respected, and their loyalty to their chief most marked. (.'\p- plause.) We are honoured this evening by the presence of several distinguished members of the Clan. Many are well known to you, and reside on the soil so much beloved by them — Pennycross, Kinlochaline, Torloisk. We heartily welcome the Counts MacLean of Sweden, who enobled their name after they settled in that country, and were held in the highest esteem. I was present at an interview with the King of Sweden at Christiania, and heard his Majesty's courteous remarks respecting them. (Applause.) The head of the following houses sent their regrets at being unable to be present : — The Marquis of Northampton ; Ardgour, owing to his youth, could not attend; my eldest son. Hector, is preparing for an examination or he would have been present ; and Lady MacLean deeply regrets not being well enough to attend, but hopes to do so on another occasion, and begs you will accept her apologies. (Cheers.) I am confident ray clansmen will agree with me that we may be congratulated on having in our ranks Sir Andrew MacLean, who, through, his own merits, has not only gained the highest position among the citizens of this great and important City, but has received the honour of knighthood from Her Gracious Majesty. (Cheers.) Then we have our learned and esteemed friend of many years standing. Professor Blackie, who is always welcome. (Applause.) Equally welcome are the members of other clans and associations, especially those who belong to the IMull and lona Association, of which I have the honour to be president. (Hear, hear.) A short time ago I visited the battlefield of Harlaw — fought, as you know, on the 24th July, 141 1. I was at once shown the spot where Sir Hector MacLean of Duart, and Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum slew each other in combat. Their bravery has never been forgotten to this day. (Cheers.) No one can read the account of the behaviour of the Clan at Glenlivet on 3rd October, 1594, under Sir Lauchlan MacLean, without feelings of pride. At Inverkeithing, on 20th July, 1551, our battle cry, "Fear eile air son Eachainn," was heard to some purpose, and I now hold in my hand the list of killed and wounded. Their brave names shall be heard by all present, and your hearts will know how to receive them, viz : — List of killed and wounded, Clan MacLean. — Killed — Sir Hector iMacLean of Duart and Morven, colonel of foot for the County of Argyle — chief of the Clan MacLean ; Lachlan, son of MacLean of 'i'orloisk ; John and Donald, sons of MacLean of Ardgour ; Hugh, Murdoch, and Allan, of Coll, sons of Lachlan Abhar MacLean ; Lachlan, Ewen, and John, of Ardnacroish, MacLeans of Ross, race of the Iron Sword ; Hugh, son of ^LlcLean of Isle of Muck ; Allan, son of MacLean of Drimnin ; Archibald, son of MacLean of Borreray ; Charles, son of MacLean of Inverscaddle. Severely wounded — Donald MacLean of Brolas, uncle of the chief, lieut.-col. commandant of Clan MacLean ; John MacLean of Kinlochetive ; Ewen MacLean of Treshnish, the gallant captain of Cairnberg ; John of Totronald, son of MacLean of Coll ; John Diurach MacLean of Ardt(jrnish ; Neil MacLean of Drumnacross. Strength, 800; killed, 760; survived, 40; race of the Iron Sword lost, 140. We do not forget Killiecrankie (1689), nor that our Clan followed the great Montrose, and shared all his triumphs. (Applause.) Clansmen, go to St. Giles' Cathedral, and it will be with feetings of pride that you see the arms of their chief, MacLean of Duart, who commanded the Clan, overhanging the beautiful monument erected to the memory of that brave man. (Cheers.) Alas! we come to the i6th April, 1746. The Clan MacLean mustered not far from Inverness, and numbered 500. I'hey were poorly clad, indifferently equipped, and so badly provided with food that many wandered the greater part of the [previous night to get what they could to prevent starvation. The gathering sounded, and shortly the Highlanders found the enemy on CuUoden Moor. On the MacLean left were the Clanranald, Ke[)poch, and Glengarry clans, all under the Duke of Perth. I'he order was given to advance. The MacLeans rushed forward, attacked the Duke of Cumberland's right flank, and though they fought like lions they were unsupported and obliged to retire. (Applause.) The whole of the front rank, chiefly composed of gentlemen of the Clan, was swept away. All the leaders were killed, including the brave MacLean of Drimnin. That was the last gathering of the Clan until this evening. Under the happy rule of our gracious Queen — God bless her !— we live in peaceful times, and I have not to raise the "Fiery Cross," nor ask you to arm yourselves with all the weapons you can find, but I do call u[)on you, as your chief, to arm yourselves with manly determination to uphold the honour of this noble Clan, and never to forget the name you bear wherever your l^ath in life may lead you ; face its dangers and troubles with the courage of your ancestors, and you will succeed. (Loud cheers.) Professor Blackie, in addressing the meeting, said that he was not a Highlander. He had no Highland blood in his veins. He B -•} . : .¦ )!'¦ I was born in Charlotte Street, Glasgow, not in the west end — laughter — 83 years ago, and he was simply a Scotchman who loved the Highlands and Highlanders. (Applause). He had visited the Highland glens, and saw nothing but desolation in the land. The landlords had in too many cases behaved in a scandalous manner, being content to hand over their estates to the management of factors, who collected the rents which the lairds were so anxious to spend in London. For saying such things he had drawn down upon him the hatred of those who had been guilty of such conduct — but he did'nt care, for he did what was right, and he had earned the gratitude and love of the Highlanders. (Applause.) It was the duty of the lairds to learn the language of the people, and take a deeper interest in their welfare than they had done in the past. It had been truly said — '"The way to a mother's heart is through her children; the way to a people's heart is through its language." It was this that made him study Gaelic. He would advise them to love their country and their language, act naturally, and believe in themselves rather than allow themselves to be swallowed up by the omnivorous John Bull.. (Applause.) Why should they not prefer their own Gaelic songs to those of any nation ? (Applause.) Towards the close of the proceedings, the Rev. John MacLean, D.D., addressed the meeting. He said he looked upon the meeting as a large family party. It v/as certainly the largest gathering of the Clan he had ever witnessed. (Applause.) He rejoiced to see them meeting as a Clan for the furtherance uf objects which were truly excellent. (Applause. ) Of course, he was aware that in commending the formation of a Clan Society he would be blamed by the philosopher and the theologian. The former believed in cosmopolitanism. That was a long word, and it was a sign of the weakness of his cause when he had to go so far afield to find a word to express his meaning. (Laughter.) Let them try as they might they could not get rid of the family idea associated with the Clan. \Vhy should they be ashamed of being called a clannish people? When they heard of a brave deed done they were always better pleased to find that it had been done by a clansman than by a member of any other clan. (Applause.) He shared that sentiment to a large extent. (Ap- plause.) Of course, very many foolish- and bad things had been done under the clan system, but they were not seeking to restore that system in all its details, even if that were possible. What they aimed at was to conserve what was best in the clan system, and upon this basis to build a superstructure that would be creditable to them as a Clan and worthy of the age in which they lived. (Applause.) Although living far from the scenes of the early history of the Clan, they could ever aim at making theirs the model Clan, and in this way they would be doing greater good than was probably ever done in the past by the Clan. They could illustrate in their life and conduct what the clan system was capable of being made in the Nineteenth Century. (Aijplause.) Were they to keep alive the best traits of the clan system, there was nothing to prevent their carrying the clan banner aloft, and making the name of the Clan as honoured as ever it was. (Applause.) If they acted worthy of their traditions as a Clan, the clan system would be honoured, and would have a good effect on the branch of the nation to which they belonged. (Applause.) The clan system was best suited to their nature, and they might rest assured that more good was likely to result from the carrying out of the family or clan idea than by the -attempt to found a universal brotherhood, which was far beyond their capacity. (Loud apjilause.) Provost MacLean, Govan, proposed a vote of thanks to their Chief for his kindness in coming to preside over them thai evening. (Applause.) The gallant Chairman, in acknowledging the compliment said- I am sorry we have to part so soon. I thank you for your kindnes-, in giving irie attention, and I will only add a few more word, before we part, for we know not when we shall meet again; but, believe me, there is a cord which unites the heart of your chief with those of the children of his tribe which neither absence, vicissitude, nor success can rend asunder. (Hear, hear.) I am very iiroud of my Clan, and of the honour of wearing three eagle's plumes in my bonnet, and I trust. I may ever be deserving of your confidence, your attachment, and your affection. That any action of mine should be approved of by my clansmen is sufficient and the greatest reward I could desire. (Cheers.) The singing of '' Auld Lang Syne " terminated a most successful concert. A successful assembly followed the concert, — the grand march being led by the gallant chairman and Mrs. MacLean, Pennycross. MACLEAN BARDS Magnus MacLean, M.A. Although I have attempted to write a paper on " MacLean Bards," I cannot pretend to have any special quahfications for such an arduous task. The subject is a wide one, and it would require the spending of a great deal of time and labour t(j make the paper anything like complete and satisfactory. As I could only spend odd moments, snatched at intervals from my own proper sphere of studies, no doubt many names that ought to have been included are omitted. I shall be grateful if any member will send me the name and songs of any other Clan Bards. Nevertheless, the list I have compiled is a formidable one — one that will undoubtedly surprise many, even members of the Clan. In the collation of them I have received invaluable help from the works of Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair, Prince Edward Island, a gentleman who has done much in the field of Gaelic literature, especially in publishing Gaelic songs, which otherwise might have been lost to posterity. It would have been comparatively easy to write a popular essay on the subject I have chosen, one that would be more interesting and enjoyable to you to-night, than the one I have written; but my object was to draw attention to as many as I could find of MacLean Bards, and to say but little on each in this pa[)er, in the hope that some one of yourselves would take up one or more of them in greater detail some other night before this Clan MacLean Association. Perhaps it would not be out of place for me to read the following extract from a letter I received from Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair m November last : — " I see by the Obati Tele^^raph that the Clan MacLean Society was to have a meeting on the 28th of October. I rejoice very much that such a society has been formed. It was greatly needed. Theie are several historic points to be cleared up. The MacLeans have reason to be proud of their history. I hope they will all take an interest in the work of the Society. I would like to know some- ihitig about the nature and working of the Society. I p-esume the main work is not to meet and eat and talk, but to collect all possible facts about the Clan and the branches and members of it. • keuti before llic Cl.ui Macl.eau Association, Glasgow, 6tli January, iSyj. 13 If I were a MacLean I would gladly join it, but I am not. I take for granted that you will publish all the historic papers that may be read before your Society. If so, perhaps you will let me have the opportunity of being a subscriber for them. 1 would like to get them." The following is a list of the MacLean Bards, so far as I have been able to collate them from the materials at my disposal : — MacLean Bards. Hector MacLean, An Cleireach Beag, Coll, 1537. Hector MacLean, Eachunn Bacach, Mull, 1651. Captain Andrew MacLean of Knock, Anndra mac an Easbuig, Mull, 1635. Catherine MacLean, Catriona nighean Eoghain mhic Lachumn, born 1650, Coll. Lachlan ^LacLean, Lachunn mac mhic Iain, Coll, 1687. John ^LacLean, Iain mac Ailein, Mull, 1665 to 1760. Donald Ban MacLean, Mull, 1715. Margaret MacLean, Maireread nighean Lachuinn mhic Iain, 1 700-1750. Rev. John MacLean, Mull, died 1756. An t-Aireach Muileach : See " Gaelic Bards" by MacLean Sinclair, pa^^e ISQ. Iain mac Thearlaich Oig, Inverscadel, 1745. Eoghain Mac-Ghilleain am Barra. Malcolm MacLean, Calum a Ghlinne, Kinlochewe, Ross-shire, died 1764. Archibald MacLean, Gilleasbuig Laidir, Tiree, died 1830. Donald MacLean, Domhnull Ban na Libe, Mull, died about 1830. Alexander MacLean, An Cubair Colach, went to Australia, 1840. Rev. Duncan MacLean, Glenorchy, born 1796, died 1871. John MacLean, Am Bard Mac Ghilleain, Tiree and Canada, 17S7 to 1848. Donald MacLean, Domhnull Cubair, brother to John the Poet, 1770 to 1868. Charles MacLean, son of John the Poet, 18 13 to 1880. Lachlan MacLean, Lachunn na' mogan, Coll and Glasgow, 1799 to 1845. John MacLean, Waternish, Skye, died 1878. John MacLean, Tiree, Manitoba. Alexander MacLean, Alastair Mor, Tiree, died 15 years ago Rev. Alex. Thomson MacLean, Baillieston, 1832 to 1S82. Rev. Hector MacLean, Lochalsh : Gael. Vol. III. ^Villiam MacLean of Plantation, 1805 to 1892. J. C. MacLean, Glasgow, 1843. Hector MacLean, Eachunn Ruadh, Tobermory, Mull. Lachlan MacLean, Lachunn Eli, Mull, died 1882. 14 Charles MacLean, Aird Meadhonach, Mull, died 1890. Janet MacLean (Biog), Coll. Living Poets. John MacLean, Ballymartin, Tiree, Bard to the Association. Andrew MacLean, Renton, 1848 — Brooklyn. Duncan MacLean, Dunoon and Manchester. Hugh Archibald MacLean, Dunoon and Manchester. Neil MacLaine, Tiree and Glasgow. John MacLean, grand-nei:)hew of John the Poet, Tiree. John MacLean, Liin mac Dhomhnuill mhic Eachuinn. John MacLean, Iain mac Lain mhic Eachuinn. Peter MacLean, Largs and Glasgow. Maggie MacLean, Dunvegan, Skye. Neil -MacLean. Creig, Mull. Lachlan MacLean, Lachunn Neill, Muck and Oban. James MacLean, son to Lachlan, Milngavie. Mary MacLean, grand-daughter of John the Poet, Franklin. AN CLEIREACH BEAG. Hector MacLean, fourth Laird of Coll, known as " An Cleireach Beag," lived in the middle of the sixteenth century. He was a good man, an excellent scholar, and a first rate poet. Many of his songs were composed in Latin. Allan MacLean, son of Lachiann Catanach MacLean of Duart, was then the scourge of the West Highlands. He had a small fleet under his command, by means of which he made plundering excursions to many parts, and several chiefs bought immunity by giving him presents of lands and castles. In this way he got possession of Gigha and Tarbert Castle. He is better known as "Ailein nan Sop," and it is said that he was named thus, because he frequently set wisps of burning straw to the houses which he had first plundered. The Laird of Coll being highly displeased at Allan's conduct in this respect composed a song greatly to his disparagement. As soon as Allan heard of it, he at once proceeded to Coll, seized the " Cleireach Beag," and confined him as a prisoner in Tarbert Castle. It was while Hector Macl>ean was here that he composed " Caismeachd Ailein nan Sop." Allan was so pleased with the tenor of this song, that he immediately gave his liberty to the author. This would be about 1537. EACHUNN 15ACACH. Hector MacLean lived in the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is said that he was present at the battle of Inver- keithing, July 20, 1651, along with eight brothers who were all killed. He himself received a wound from which he was lame ever afterwards, and hence he is commonly known as Eachunn 15 Bacach. He was poet to Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart, fiom whom he had a small annuity, and in praise of whom the bard composed several songs. Three of his songs are published in '' Beauties of Gaelic Poetry," and Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair has published several others in " Clarsach na Coille," and in "The Gaelic Bards from 141 1 to 1765." To most of the songs given in "The Gaelic Bards," valuable historical notes are added by Mr. MacLean Sinclair. ANNDRA MAC AN EASBUIG. Captain Andrew MacLean of Knock, Bishop Hector's eldest son, or as he is better known, Anndra mac-an-Easbuig, was born about the year 1535. He entered the army, rose to the rank of cajjtain, retired, and lived the rest of his days in Mull. He com- posed several very good songs, the best known being " Oran Gaoil, to Barbara, daughter of Bishop Fullarton," and the " lorram" he composed shortly after the death of his own wife and the death of his two brothers, Sir Alexander and Captain John, the former of whom died at Aix-La-Chapelle, and the latter was killed at Reyzerwerts. In 1704, the learned Edward Lhuyd of Wales published his " Archceologia Britannica," which contained a Gaelic-English vocabulary. The second edition of this work appeared in 1707, and in it were inserted complimentary poetical addresses by several Highlanders. The first is by Captain Andrew MacLean of Knock, and the following may be taken as a free translation of it : — Excellent is thy work completed ; Thy deep lore is widely known ; The sweet language of our fathers Orandly to the world hast shown. Praise shall be of Lhuyd's great labours, Which henceforth we emulate ; Friendship for the Gael of England In our hearts he does create. CATRIONA NIGHEAN EOGHAIN MHIC LACHUINN. Catherine iMacLean, or Catriona nighean Eoghain mhic Lachuinn belonged to Coll, and seems to have been con- temporary with Lachlan MacLean. At any rate we find her composing a cinnha to Triath Cholla (Lachlan MacLean). Gu bheil niaithean na duthcha Fo throm churam an drasta, Mo'n uachdaran chliuiteach Marcaich ur nan steud arda, Chaidh thu tamuU do dh-Eirinn Do 'n Eiphit 's do 'n Spain, 'S nuair chaidh thu do Lunnain I'huair thu 'n t-urram ihar chach. i6 Cait an robh ann an Albainn Heachd meanmna mo ruin ? Laocli gasta, deas, dcnlbhach, 'S trie a dhearbh thu do chliii. Corp bu ghile na uiaghar ]iha fo 'n aghaidh gun snnir ; 'Se fhag niise fo Icatrom Am ball seirce 'bha 'd ghnuis. She composed many other songs, mostly to the Coll MacLeans or their relations. All her songs show much tenderness of feeling, and high poetic power. LACHUNN MAC-MHIC IAIN. We know very little of l^achlan MacLean, or Lachunn IVIac- Mhic Iain, excei)t that he was descendant of the MacLeans of Coll, probably a grandson of John Garbh MacLean, seventh of Coll. He composed several very good songs. The cumha to Lachlunn Mac Ghilleain, 'J>iath Cholla, a bhatliadh 'sa' bliadhna, 16S7, has great merit. Marbhaisg air an t-saoghal chruaidh 'S laidir buan an cairich' e ; Cha 'n 'eil mioiiaid ann san uair, Nacli \i\ ghluasad mearachdach ; Aig fcobhas 's a bhios a sgeindi Bheir luchdbleid an aire dha ; '.S gun d' aithnich mis'orm fein (Juni bu Ijhreug a gheallaidhean. An ni sin shaoileas tu bhi 'd laimh, '.'^e gun dail gun mhearachd ann Ma 's ni glaiste san tigh stoir Ge b'o or no eallach e, No duine mascullach og 'San cuir ihu dorhas barantais Sud e seacliad mar am fiar "S ochain ! threig mo bharail mi. IAIN MAC AILEIN. John MacLean, better known as Iain Mac Ailein, or Iain mac Ailein mhic Iain mhic Eoghain, is entitled to a high place, not only among the MacLean Bards, but among the Bards of the Highlands and Islands generally. He belonged to the Ardgour branch of the MacLeans; being indeed the great grandson of Eoghan na h-Iteige, who was the sixth MacLean of Ai dgour. The poet lived all his days in Mull, namely, from 1665 till about 1745. Rev. Nigel MacNeill in his " Literature of the Highlanders" gives 1760 as the date of his death. I may quote you the references made to this poet, both in Boswell's Tour and Johnson's own Tour to the Western Islands. When they arrived in Mull, they called on Dr. Hector MacLean, who took down the poet's songs, and who is represented by Boswell as having written a History of the MacLeans. 17 Dr. Hector Mac Lean was not at home when they called, but his daughter entertained them so well that Dr. Johnson says of her ¦ next morning, " She is the most accomplished lady that I have found in the Highlands. She knows French, music, and drawing, sews neatly, makes shell-work, and can milk cows ; in short, she can do everything. She talks sensibly, and is the first person whom I have found that can translate Erse poetry literally." This is Boswell's account of their reception by Miss MacLean. "Miss MacLean produced some Erse poems by John MacLean, who was a famous bard in Mull, and had died only a few years ago. He could neither read nor write. She read and translated two of them ; one a kind of elegy on Sir John MacLean's being obliged to fly his country in 1715 ; another a dialogue between two Roman Catholic young ladies, sisters, whether it was better to be a nun or to marry. I could not perceive much poetical imagery in the translation. Yet all of our company who understood Erse seemed charmed with the original. There may, perhaps, be some choice e.x[)ression, and some excellence of arrangement, that can not be shown in translation. (No doubt of this. ) After we exhausted the Erse i^oems, of which Dr. Johnson said nothing. Miss MacLean gave us several tunes on a spinnet, which, though made so long ago as in 1667, was still very well toned. She sung along with it. Dr. Johnson seemed pleased with the music, though he owns he neither likes it, nor has hardly any perception of it." Dr. Johnson himself says in his own Journal : — "There has lately been in the Islands one of those illiterate l)oets, who, hearing the Bible read at church, is said to ha\e turned the sacred history into verse. I heard part of a diologue composed by him translated by a young lady in Mull, and thought it had more meaning than I expected from a man totally uneducated ; but he had some opportunities of knowledge ; he lived among a learned people." Dr. Hector MacLean was the only son of Lachlan MacLean of (irulin. He married Catherine, daughter of Donald MacLean of Coll. He practised for a considerable time in Glasgow; and then went to Mull, where he had the farm of Erray, about a mile and a half from Tobermory. It was here that he took down the songs of John MacLean, and other songs, in a strongly-bound note-book of dimensions twelve inches, by seven and a half inches, by one and a quarter inches. After the death of the doctor, his daughter, Mary, of whom Boswell and Johnson speaks in the above quotations, kept the book till she handed it to John MacLean, another poet of whoni more anon, in the year 1818. John MacLean brought it with him to Canada, and it is now in the possession of Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair. Twenty-two of Iain Mac Ailein's songs appear in the c iS " Glenbard Collection," and other eleven appear in the "Gaelic Bards," both books published by Rev. A. MacLean Sinclair. DOMHNULL BAN MAC GHILLEAIN, AM MUILE. This man composed a very good song on Donald MacLean, third of Brolas, who was Lieutenant-colonel under Sir John MacLean, chief of the clan at the battle of Sheriffmuir. The song consists of seventeen verses of eight lines each, and seems to have been composed about 1725. We cannot say who Donald Ban was, or if he composed any other song. He was living during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. MAIREARAD NIGHEAN LACHUINN. Mairearad nighean Lachuinn, or Margaret MacLean, composed the most and the best of her songs between 1700 and 175c. She lived all her days in Mull, but it is impossible to fix either the date of her birth or the date of her death. Some have tried to prove that Margaret was a Macdonald, that her mother was a MacLean, and married to a Macdonald. It is unnecessary to in\estigate the point. A reference to her songs shows that nearly all her songs were composed on MacLeans. We have come acruss the following : — 1. Do Shir Iain Mac Ghilleain, beginning — O, fhuair mi sgeul 's cha'n aicheam e. (11 verses of 6 lines.) 2. Duanag do chlann Ghilleain, beginning — Cha choma learn feiii co dhiu sin. (6 verses of 4 lines.) 3. Cumha do Shir Iain Mac Ghilleain, Triath Dhubhairt, a chaochail 's a' bhliadhna, 17 16 ((}aoir nam ban Muileach), beginning- 's goirt leam gaoir nam ban Muileach. (22 verses of 8 lines.) 4. Do dh-Ailein Mac Ghilleain, Fear Bhrolais, beginning — Mo cheist an Leathanach modhar. (18 verses of 8 lines.) 5. Do Shir Eachuinn Mac Ghilleain a chaochail san Roimh 's a' bhliadhna, 1751, beginning — Thir tha 'n Caithir an Fhreasdail. (16 verses of 8 lines.) 6. Do dh-Ailein Mac Ghilleain, Mac Fear Bhrolais, beginning — Chunnaic mise thii, Ailein. (20 verses of 8 lines. ) 7. Cumha do Lachunn Mac Ghilleain, beginning — Gur h-e mise th' air mo leonadh. (I I verses of 5 lines.) 8. Do Shir Iain Mac Ghilleain, Triath Dhubhairt, beginning — Dh-fhalbh mo chadal a' smaointinn. (9 verses of 4 lines.) 19 9- Oran do Shir Iain Mac Ghilleain, beginning — Ged is stochd mi 'n deigh crionadh. (6 verses of 8 lines.) lo. Do dh-Ailein Mac Ghilleain, Fear Bhrolais, beginnings — Mo run an t-Ailein, marcach, aileil. (8 verses of 4 lines.) REV. JOHN MACLEAN, Rev. John MacLean, minister of Kilninian and Kilmore in Mull, from 13th September, 1702, till 12th March, 1756, was not only, as testified by the Presbytery of Mull, a man of great zeal for the interest of religion and the dignity of the ministerial character, but the author of several very good poems. He also wrote a complimentary poem to the second edition of Lhuyd's " Archseologia Britannica." I take the following tran.slation of it from Rev. Nigel r^IacNeill's "Literature of the Highlanders." Pattison,in his "Ciaelic Bards, "gives the original Gaelic, and gives a translation which is etjual, if not superior, to the one here given. When ihe grey (jael — Milesian race from Spain — To green lerne had crossed the mighty main, Great was the fame they carried lo our shore, Of skill in arms, of j^oetry and lore. When that good seed had spread out far and near, The Gaelic then was honoured there and here ; That musically sweet expressive tongue, To which our fathers have so fondly clung. In royal courts, a thousand years and more, It reigned in honour — spoke from shore to shore ; Then bard and lyrist, prophet, sage and leech. Wrote all their records in the (jaelic speech : Since tirst Gathelus came frcmi Egypt's strand, That ancient tongue was written in our land; The great divines whose fame is shed abroad, In Gaelic accents learned to praise their God, 'Twas Gaelic Patrick spoke in Innis-Fayl, And sainted Calum in lona's Isle ; Rich polished France, where highest taste appears, Received her learning from that Isle of Tears.' lona, alma mater of each tribe and tongue, Once taught for France and Germany their young ! Well may we now our swelling grief outpour, That seat in ruin, and our tongue no more ! (jreat praise and thanks, O noble Lhuyd, be thine, True learned jiatriot of the Camiirian line ! Thou hast awaked the Celtic from liie tomb, That our ]3ast life her recLacLean is better known as the author of "Adam and Eve," a curious book, in which he tries to prove that it was C.aelic that Adam and Eve spoke. It was published in 1S37. He wrote many other books, and a large number of interesting and scholarly articles in the " Teachdaire Gaidhealach," and in '¦ Cuairtear nan (ileann," under the noiii-dc-plni)ie of " Mac-Talla. ' JOHN MACLEAN, SICVE. John MacLean was a native of Waternish in the Isle of Skye. His father, Norman MacLean married a St. Kilda woman, who was therefore known in the district as Mor Irteach. John himself was a sailor. He died at Liverpool in 1878. Two of his songs ai^pear in "The Songster" — "Thug mi gaol do'n t-seoladair," "A ho ro, mo Mhairi lurach." The first is supposed to be composed by his sweetheart to himself, in which she gives expression to her fears regarding his constancy to her, while roaming far and wide throughout the world ; and the second is suppo:,ed to be an answer trying to allay her fears in this direction. 1 i^uote three verses from "Thug mi gaol do'n t-seoladair." tiur liuiunlior inai.-,' ri aireauili Ail an armunn dh-flias gun nilieang, Gu'n aithnichinn fein air fairendh thii 'S Ui aril ail' bhair nam l)eaiin : 28 Bu deas aii- iirlar claraidh thu, 'N uair thairneadh lu'n titjh-dhaiins — Troigh chuimir am broig chliiaiseinich 'S gach giuagach oit an geall I Ach innsidh mise 'n fhirinn duibh — Miir bheil mo bharail faoin, Tha gaol nam fear cho caochlaideach 'S e 'seoladh mar a' ghaotli, Mar dhriuchd air madainn cheitein, 'S mar dhealt air bharr an fheoir ; Ll- teas na grune eiridh e 'S cha leir dhuinn e 's na neoil. 'S ma 's ni e nach 'eil ordaichle, Gu'n comhlaich sinn gu brath, Mo dhurachd thu bhi fallain 'S mo roghainn ort thar chaich ! Ma bhrist thu 'nis na cumhnantan 'S nach cuimhne leat mar bha Guidheam rogha ceile dhviit A's laidhe 's eiiigh slan ! Mr Henry ^Vhyte (iMonn) has given an excellent translation of this song, which he has included in his " Celtic Garland." I shall only quote the last verse : — And if stern fate has ordered so, Tliat we sliall meet no more ; And if by thee forgotten are Our vows upon the shore ; I'll pray that lieallh and happiness May ever with thee stay — A charming wife to comfort thee, And cheer thee on thy way. REV. ALEX. THOMSON MACLEAN, 1832 TO 1882. A good account of the life and works of the Rev. Alex. Thomson MacLean is given in Edward's " Living Poets," from which the following notes are for the most part taken. He was born in Glasgow on the i8th June, 1832, and he died in Baillieston on 6th July, 1882. He was the son of a warehouseman, a man of intelligence and moral qualities much beyond those of his class. His mother was a sister of George Donald, who was author of "Lays of the Covenanters," and of the most gifted of the contributions to the " Whistle Brnkie" and " Nursury Songs." His father died while he was still young, leaving himself and two sisters to the care of his mother. She removed with them to PoUokshaws. Here Alexander was put to employment in a public work. But he attended evening classes, and thus made up for the deficiency of 'his school days. We are told that he was in the habit, after his daily toil, of sitting up late, and that the mental work he thus per- formed during his early years was immense. Shortly after, he had the good fortune of getting the favour and help of Lady Maxwell 29 of Pollok, who provided a school-room for him to undertake the leaching of pupils. By this means he was enabled to attend the Univeri;ity of Glasgow ; and in due course he was licensed as a preacher in connection with the United Presbyteiian denomination. He was minister of the U.P. church at Baillieston till his death. Mr. MacLean commenced early to write verses, his first effusions being published in the Glasgow and other newspapers. In 1857 he issued a volume, entitled " Oran and other Poems," which was very favourably reviewed by the press. The principal poem is a lengthy dramatic piece in blank verse, interspersed with several lyrics. The structure of the poem is in keeping with dramatic requirements, the characters of the dramatis persome being con- sistently sustained, and the subjects managed throughout with remarkable unity and effect. "Oran" contains many jjassages of lofty i)oetry expressed in a terse and vigorous style ; and numerous gems of thought, descriptive, moral, and philosophical, might be culled from it. Mr. MacLean's minor poems are characterised by an easy vivacity and vigour of expression, lively fancy, imagination and pathos, and they evince a ready command of the essential con- stituents of poetical composition. He has, under the various noiiis-iic-phcine of "Delta," "Christopher South," "Asmodais," published many pieces, all invariably meritorious. In 1883, a memorial volume of him was issued by his son. It contains a biograj^hical sketch, and includes selections from his writings in poetry, prose, and sermons, extending to 320 pages. A series of essays under the name " Noctes Bailliestonianae " are exceedingly racy and interesting. We are told that Mr. MacLean's pulpit discourses were earnest and effective, the outcome of a robust intellect and a heart animated by deep religious feeling. While zealous in proclaim- ing the everlasting truths of a pure gospel, he was careful to avoid the hackneyed paths of a cold and formal theology. He poured forth his thoughts in fervid language, untrammelled by pedantic conventionalities, and he enlivened and enforced his utterances by drawing from the rich stores of a highly cultured mind. WILLIAM MACLEAN OF PLANTATION. William MacLean of Plantation, father of our treasurer, was not only a poet of a very high order, l)ut a musical composer of some eminence. His two dramas, " Hrennus " and " Alcander " are worthy of a place beside those of Shakespeare, which they so much resemble. Meantime, without entering into any critical disser- tation of those pieces, I shall content myself by (juoting the fullowing notice from the G/asgoic Herald, 29th Nov., 1892 : — " Death of. Mr. William Maclean of Plantation. — We regret to record the death of this old and much-esteemed citizen. 30 which took place early yesterday evening at his residence, 1 88 West Rei^ent Street. Mr. MacLean had been for some time in failing health ; but while his physical strength was decaying, his mental powers remained clear and vigorous to the last, and his end was entirely peaceful. Mr. MacLean was in his 8Sth year, having been born in Glasgow in March, 1805. He was the eldest son of Mr. William MacLean of Plantation, one of the magistrates of the City, whose estate, situated between Glasgow and Govan, is now almost entirely feued for dwelling-houses and works, while tlie old mansion house, one of our ancient landmarks, is at present in course of demolition. For many years he was in partnershi[) with his father and Mr. William Brodie of Endrick Bank, first as manufacturers, and afterwards as cottoii spinners, at Eaglesham. He was a Justice of the Peace for the counties of Lanark and Renfrew, and long took great interest in the business of the Courts, where he often presided. He was long a director of the Royal Infirmary and other institutions. Work of this kind was congenial to his nature, which found exercise in various ways, such as relieving poverty and distress, and seeking situations for the unemployed. In early days, prior to the passing of the Reform Bill, Mr. MacLean was an ardent supporter of the Liberal cause : but he was opposed to the dismemberment of the empire, and at last election showed his adhesion to Unionist principles by voting for Mr. Baird in the Central Division, and for Mr. Spens at (lovan. Though never taking office except as a manager, he was an influential member of the United Presbyterian Church, and warmly attached to evangelical doctrines. He was distinguished for his musical and poetic tastes. Among his publications in early life were "Chiii^tian Poems," and, later on, two dramatic pieces, " Brennus " and " Alcander," which, with his other writings, were much appreciated by his friends. He composed a very large number of sacred melodies, including several well-known psalm and hymn tunes. One of his latest productions was a loyal ode, both words and music of which were his own, written on the occasion of Her Majesty's visit to the International Exhibition in Glasgow in 18S8, a copy of which was graciously acce[)ted by the Queen. Notably \joVite and courteous, and of much amiability of temi)er, Mr. MacLean was punctilious in his attention to small matters At the same time, in the trying experiences of life, he showed strength of character and sense of duty. Wise in counsel, shrewd and sagacious as well as sympathetic, many sought his advice and assistance in seasons of difficulty, ever assured of his guidance and help. Mr. MacLean married a daughter of the Rev. Robert Muter, !).!)., minister of the then Duke Street Secession Church. His wife predeceased him fourteen years ago, but he is survived by a f:imily of eight— three sons and five daughters." 31 LOVAl. ODK. ( O/i occasiou of Her Majesty's visit to Glasgow, \%th August, i8S8.y Long may \'ictoiia reign O'er Britain's vast domain And deck the lluone ! '1 lie world has never seen Si.) tme and loved a Queen As thuu hast ever been, Empress alone ! Great wise \'ictoria, Thy sovereign power and law Adorn the world, Thy love redeems the slave, Thy troops are leal and brave Thy sailors ride the wave With flag luifurled ! Science and Art now (ill The wide earth with their skill, And own thy sway ! Under thy favoured Crown, Westings from Heaven llnw down On forest, field, and town. Both night and day ! Mr. William Mad ean also presented to the Mitchell Library a collection of sacred melodies, accompanied by the following letter :— "Glasgow, 5th January, 1885, 188 West Regent Street. My Dear Sir, According to promise I now present to the Mitchell Library the MS. volume of sacred melodies (close upon 3000) composed by me, and I do so in the hope that it may be of some service to students of music. \\\ the composition of this work, it has been my aim to form musical cadences adapted to the many varied emotional utterances of our national sacred poetry, and, as far as I am aware, without having copied the work of any other composer. I am, William Wilson, Esq., My dear sir, (Chairman of the Very truly yours, Mitchell Library Committee. Willi.\m ISL^cLkan. There are three supplements to this volume, one in 1885, a second in 1886, and a third in 1887. I take the following account of the first vohmie all in MS. from the N'orth British Daily Mai/, Wednesday, 7th Januar)', 1885 : - ".\ RtMAKKAIJLE MUSIC iiOOK. " There has just been presented to the Mitchell Library a volume of music which in some respects is unequalled, and which, we believe, will be peculiarly interesting to all lovers of sacred 32 song. It is entitled 'Sacred Melodies,' and contains the unpar- alleled number of 2881 tunes and chants, the whole; being composed by our esteemed townsman, William MacLean, Esq., of Plantation, J. P. That such an enormous number of original tunes should be composed by one individual seems almost incredible; but this has been accomplished by Mr. MacLean in a manner which will, we think, free him from any charge of ])lagiarism. The tunes are divided into four great classes — iambic, trochaic, dactylic, and anapaestic; and these, again, are subdivided into numerous metres, suitable for the psalms and nearly all the hymns at present used in our churches. We understand that Mr. MacLean has been engaged compcsing these tunes during the last thirty years, never slavishly, but writing only when the ideas were suggested to his mind. About that time he published a selection of two hundred tunes, which were all very effectively harmonised by several local musicians. This volume, a co{)y of which we have m our possession, has been out of print for some time. The first quality in a psalm or hymn tune, it will be readily admitted, is melody ; for so long as the air is sung by the majority of peo])le in our congregations, those tunes will always be the most popular which have an attractive melody in the air. Hence the reason that such tunes as ' New Henley,' ' Derby,' 'St. Marnock's,' 'Orlington,' and many others were so popular in bygone days ; and those who remember with what power and effect these tunes were sung long ago, will think the singing of our congregations nowadays very tame indeed. The modern tunes composed by our great musicians, and which fill the pages of our new hymn-books, are, generally speaking, singularly destitute of melody, and depend for their effects altogether upon their harmonies. It would seem as if their authors vied with each other in producing novel and striking chords at the expense of the melody, which, as a rule, receives but scanty consideration. In the book now before us, the tunes are not harmonised, but consist of simple melodies only ; and we soon find that Mr. MacLean is the happy possessor of a talent for melody which very few can lay claim to. We can scarcely open a page but we find contrast, reply, imitation, or sequence, and always of the most natural and pleasing description. The peculiar metre tunes are specially good. We catmot here particularise the excellent specimens that occur to us, they are so numerous; but would remark that among the 6,5s., the 7,6s., the 4,7s., and the 6.6,4 6.6.6.4s., will be found many tunes well worthy of attention. ^Ve congratulate Mr. l^IacLean on liaving produced such a book, and trust it may prove useful to editors and others interested in the improvement of psalmody. The volume is in manuscript, and has been executed in a very tasteful manner by Mr. Robert 1). Jamieson, leader of psalmody in Free St. Stephen's Church." 33 J. C. MACLEAN. I have come across the following book, but I have been unable to obtain any information about the author. LEISURE LYRICS, BEING CAIETIES AND GRAVITIES OF VERSE, liV J. C. MACLEAN, GLASGOW, 1843. There are eighty-three pages, and some of the songs are very good. I quote from " Never Despair " : — Can sighing aught improve ye, Or shedding ti'ars avail ; Will fortune aught more love ye. I'or looking sad and i>ale .'' Come throw away this moping And brooding all alone, Jietake yourself to hoping, And half )our grief is gone. Dame fortune lo\es the smiling, .And those who slight her frown, A\v\ laughing, on go toiling. -She raises from the ground. Nil iJesperanduui aye then, Laugh common cares away, Ne'er heed what cynics say then, In sad and solemn way. But wipe away ytiur tear drop>;, Nor let your wrinkles grow ; Earth still has love and dear hopes, If gaily on we go. The same ideas are expressed in another song — The cares and moils of wordly strife If met good-humoured smiling, May smooth the roughness of our life, And guide our markest toiling. JOHN MACLEAN (CLAN BARD). John MacLean, Bard to the Clan MacLean Association, wa.s born in Tiree, in 1827, and he has been living there ever since. Two of his pieces are in the "Coisir Chiuir'— the St. Coluniba collection of Gaelic songs, namely:— "A Chailinn mhaiseach dhonn," and "Hi oro 's na horo eile." "Breacan Mairi Uisdean" is perhaps one of his best known songs. On communicating with him re this paper, he sent the following song : — 34 ORAN DO CHLOINN GHILLEAIN. I.F, IAIN MAC GHll.IEAl.NI, IIREADII, HARD a' CIIOMUINN. AIR I'ON'N: — Mo run i^cal dileas. SklsI) — Oh, 's anil an Cilaschu nan stlobuU aida Tha clann nan Cjaitllieal a nis gu Icir, A' cumail cunihn' air na gais^ich chliiiitcach, A ghleidh an cliithaich d'an sliochil na'n ilcigli. l''huair mi iitir 'o shar dluiin'-iiasal .\ rinn mo ghlua^ad o'n am so 'n de 'S na 'm biodh e 'lathair 's mi cliuireadh failt' air till cridheil cairtleil air sgalh a sgeiil'. Mil chlann (iiiilicain nan iann 's nan luth chleas. \\\\ deas a dhiiihgcadli gu dol air ghleiis Bhi cruinn an (.ilaschu fo'n ceann-armailt' Na treun laoich chalma bu gharbh am beam. 'S e fir nan clogaid nan sgiath 's nan luireach, 'S nan lanna riiisgte 'bu mhath gu streup. An lolair' gharg, fuilteacii, fraochar, feargach, Nam bratach giiarbh air bharr chrannaibh reidh. Air lonarchcitean l)ha iomadii dcarbhadii, Air fuil Vihra.s mheaiimnaih nam fear nach geill, 'N uair 'theich an Reiseiinaid each, le'n ceannard, ('6 sheas 'san am sin ach clann nan trcun ! .\r rlgli 's ar duthaicli, 'sc chosg gu daor dhuinn, .Vn aireamh laoch sin a tluiit 'san streuji, .\n la ud "Gaoir nam ban Muileach," chualas, ".S I'heir sinno luaiilh orra 'n diugh na'n deigh. Tliug eachdraidh seanachas mar chinneadh ainmeil (iiir trie a dh'fhalbh iail le euin air eill, l'"o chrios-bhall airgid 'us a Ihare fhiidair, .\ir feadh nan .stuehd bheann le gunn' air glileus. "S air lochan glan 'o shnith-bras nam fuardiheann, An eal' air uachdar, 'us brcac a leiim, Le slait ag iasgaeh nam biadan tarra-gheal, 'S a siubhal garljhiaieh gu sealg an fheidh. Le brogan fraochain 'us osain bhallad)hreae, .-igian dubh 's i lanna ghorm fo ghartan reidh, Sporan garbh bhruic nui ghlunnan ghaisgeach, .\ir feileadh snasmhor d' am breacan ftin. Le cota riomhach 'us breacan guaille, '.Sgach ni bu du:d dhaibh bhi air an reir, lioineid ghorm agus ite 'n fhir-eoin. 'S le duth'chas sloda mar urram beus. ANDREW MACLEAN. Andrew MacLean was born in the village of Renton, Dumbartonshire, in the year 1848. After leaving the parish school of Alexandria, to which his parents had removed while he 455 35 was still an infant, he was apprenticed to the joiner trade in the print works of that place. At the age of fourteen, however, we fuKl him working his passage across the Atlantic — joining the United States navy, wherein he served till the end of the war. He then joined a commercial college in the city of Brooklyn, so as to fit him for the woik of a newspaper reporter. A writer, in 1883, says of him : — "For the past twelve years Mr. MacLean has been steadily employed in Brooklyn journalism, and for eight years he has been managing editor of the Ea,^le. He is an eloquent and effective public speaker, and the skill and ability he has displayed in conducting an influential 'daily' are generally admitted. Engaged as he is, he has but few leisure hours to devote to poetry; and yet such is the energy of the man that he has actually wriiten much — no small portion of which bears the stamp of poetical genius. His poetry shows sj^ontaneity, freshness, and truth; the descriptive and narrative in particular being full of subtle touches and bits of life — like portraiture, and always api)reciative and pathetic." FKO.M THE SOURCE TO THE SE.\. A clenr lillk- rill ran wilh musical measure Through scenes liiat were sylvan anfi sacied to pleasure, From uniler an ash tree, by pine trees surrounded , lis youiii; current broke free and babbled and boumled ; Then out of the shade, and away from the dun Like a boy to his games, sped to play wilh the sun. Tw a lantlscape of sand, 'twi\t the croft and the sea. As arid and tanned as the heart of Chaldee, Came the brouk rippling cheery — a current of light, A joy to the weary, a gem to the sight ; But alas for the glory of ^\¦c)odland and mead, In the sand died the glitter, the music, the speed. Oh I freshness of childhood ! oh, gladness of prime, Oh, home in tire wildwood ! oh, drawing of lime, From thee do we haste to the levels of lile, To the passionate waste, to the toil and the strife, Where our courage succumbs and our hajipy hope flee, Ere we reach the dim shore of the mist-shrouded sea. DUNCAN MACI>EAN. Duncan ^SlacLean is one of our most prolific Scotch poets. He was born at Dunoon, in 1857, and when he left school he was employed in the Parochial Board office — first as clerk, and afterwards as Assistant Inspector of Poor— altogether four years. We find iiim in the Cilasgow Post Office for a r()U[ile of ye:irs, then as clerk in the office of the Globe Parcel E,\[)ress Company, and now in Manchester, where he is manager to that company. In 1880 Mr. MacPean issued a volume of poems, enti'.led " Hamely Rhymes." Since then he has been a frequent contributor to the poetical columns of several newspapers. "He 36 is a pure, pleasing, and graceful writer, and all his thoughts are instinct with a warm and elevating enthusiasm. His Doric is terse, felicitous, and expressive, and while his poems on the beauties of nature are in a fine appreciative vein, and full of graphic and picturesque description, we find present the natural flow of spontaneity and the rhythm full of melody." I take the following extracts from some correspondence I had with Mr. Duncan MacLean : — " Being a native of Dunoon, my surroundings were literally permeated with poetry, and though now over ten years in Manchester, my heart still goes hack to the dearest spot on earth — home, sweet home. I am a MacLean out and out. My father' was a native of Cowal, and my mother, before her marriage, was a MacLean. A number of years ago I was a very frequent contributor to the Oban Tunes, Highland Magazine, &c. ... Of late years my business responsibilities are greater, and now I cannot devote the same time to poetical efforts as formerly. ... I have a large and miscellaneous collection of poems, &c., in printed form and in MS., which, if you care to wade through, I shall gladly make up in a parcel and send them on, in the hope that the perusal would repay the trouble. Apart altogether from the honour of being incorporated with the ' MacLean Bards,' I should in all probability benefit from the estimate you placed on my productions, for though personally unknown to me, and vice versa, still I know you by repute." The letter accompanying the parcel of his MS. poems, &:c., contained : — There are two poems in particular to which I would draw your attention and solicit your opinion. They are both in MS., and are entitled "The Dream," a sort of allegorial poem; and " The Balgie," a long screed full of ruminations, in blank verse. I published a book of poems, extending to i6o pages, about eleven years ago, when the blossom was in the bud, but as I attach no importance to that premature production, I do not send it you, simply mention it by the way. I used to advocate the Crofters' question very strongly, and though my enthusiasm has not waned, I find my time is fully occupied by things, though probably not so congenial, still of more practical importance to me. My brother's poetical flights of fancy are not quite so prolific as mine. He was apprenticed to the engineering trade in Cjlasgow, but unfortunately never did any good at it, and after drifting about for a number of years, I took him under my wing, and here he has been for the last two years, clerking in the Globe, He writes very good poetry. . . . He is twenty seven years of age, and I am thirty-five. 37 The following may be taken as a specimen of the songs of Duncan Mac Lean : — THE CROFTERS. From the dark and rugged Highlands there has risen up a cry That shoidd stir the hearts of niilHons, and bedim each honest eye; That sliould rouse the CJod of Justice, and make Error shrink with fear; That should stifle slaves of Mammon in their \sild, head-long career. Oh ! the HiL^hlands, grantl and lovel)', with their mem'ries dear and strong — With their jiroud historic heroes, haniled down in deathless song — Are harassed and landlor. By each lovely glen and valley, by each rugged mountain side, ^\'here the jnirple heather bloometh and the thiitle grows with pride — Where the streams in beaut)' fioweth, where the cataracts so grand. Flash their treasures in the sunlight : shout, my brethren, for )oin- land ! Oh I ye Highlanders of Dornoch, and ye sons of dark Portree, All the young shoots of your kindred have been banishetl o'er the sea . And your stalwart sons have fallen in the thickest of the light, While the foemen fled in terror 'fore the grandeur of their might. Vet base landlords call thee cravens, and would sweep ye from the earth, And then confiscate the handets that gave noble heroes birth. Then rouse ye, oh my brethren I from each clachan, hill, and glen, Till the genial glow of Freedom shall light up your souls again. 38 Oh ! ye Iliglilandeis of Morven, and ye sons of Appin, loo, Ik' united in your efforts to destroy this alien crew ; \'e liave l)orne with niatchk-.is patience all their infamy and scorn — \'c have seen your grey-haired fathers swept from crofts where they were Lorn — \'e have seen your sons and dauj^hters breadless, houseless, starved and cold, 15y these monsters men call human, in their wretched race for gold. Then rouse my stru;_;gling brethren ! by the God we all adore Till the lands your fathers cherished shall return to y(ju once more. Oh ! ye brave Lochalier heroes, and ye martyrs of Cilencoe, lie a phalanx, strong and powerful, to oppose your common foe; "\'e have been oppressed for ages, and no nuiniiur passed your lips. While your dear ones have been banished 'cross the ocean in great ships. Ye have seen your aged mothers die upon the bleak hillside — Ve have seen your wives and sisters shedding tears they could not hide: Ye have ^lept upon the moorland, while the stars shone overhead, Cause these monsters of oppression left ye neither home or bed. Oh ! ye Highlanders of Islay and wild Jiu-a, every clan, Sound your slogan in the valleys as ye rush forth in the van; ^\'i;h the strength of mighty mountains your ancestors long ago Made the foenian flee at Alma, as the sunbeams melt the snow. Then rouse ye, oh my bretliern ; there is work'for all to do, Ere the Highlands — land of heroes ! — shall get meted out their due : ' ris a black and dismal story, but the Right is all your own. And these greedy, gras[)ing landlords soon shall tojjple from their throne. Oh ! ye sprouts of famed Culloden, and ye chieftains of Glenroy. In your lovely sliatlis and valleys there remaineth little joy, I'or the god of fleeting riches has usurped the tiod of Right. And the crtjfts that sweetly tlourished ha\-e now vanished 'neath man's might. ^'e could tell a tale of sorrow that would make the angels wce[) ; ^'e covdd piiint to cairiis where martyrs in the cause of Freedom sleep; \'e C(uild tell of mighty heioes who at Balaclava fell. 'Mid the crack of hissing bullet and the piproch's magic yell. Oh, ye Highlanders, l)e steady ! for the cause ye fight is good — ' I'is a death blow at oppression, that shall bruig your children food — 'lis a cry of human anguish that might melt a heart tjf stone — 'ris a scrmuii pure and holy tliat ajjpeals to hut and throne — 'ris a wail of down-trod manhood, asking for their rights again ; And the (jod of Love and NVisdom has not heard their cry in vain, l"'or a mighty wave of feeling has now swejn from shore to shore, And the crofters, proud and loyal, shall get back their land once more. Oh, ye Highlanders, have courage ! rouse to action one and all ! T)rants cannot reign for ever, might 'fore right must cpiickly fall ; And the land ye long have cherished with ilcvotioii past all ])faibe, ."^hall once more resound with laughter 'neath the light of brighter days : For the world has heard your message — it has thrilled them to the core, It has startled human nature as nought else has ihjne befgauilea> a hhratach liidii U(jnal air g.ii^gich, O'n iar 'lis o'n car Uul; iad air a-, garh ccain, Lc tior fhuil guu iruaillr-adh iian laiislcan a Inialadh, Ijhi dileas Iju dual d'lihh gu l.uaidli nu gu ha^. l!ha na Lcaihariiich .'cinuicd 's gac ii ecu n a.^ do dh' ihalMi iad .Mar Icomhan 'u~ culg air Im dmrlih . Nad shuaichcanias fiuchid ilia bratan an fhiur-iiisg, 'San iulair iha riogail a dircadli an aird, Koin a bhi.ni liamjiaich "us long nan craim dirc.uli, Lamh dhcarg 11- (.'ro:s siniu C'aisical didcan 'ii^ mam. Sud a choiil blia gun chrionacli '.^an stochd o'n do ehinn tliu, 'S ioma mcanglan pri^cil a dhiricii an aird, lladar C'ar.saig, \ Lochhuidhc 's Torloisgt ann am Mu'ili-, Aird-gliobhar i:an cmuidli '11-. Dulihairt nan sar. 40 Bha u-aghlach nan Colach Ian meas agiis onair, Gum b'fhoigeantach fearail am lireachdachadh dh'fhas Cha Ini shugraJli ain fcarg nuair a dhui-^geadh an colg Bhiodli e n' cunntas na uiarbh ge b'e iheargadh tigh'nn dan. 'Sioma ceatharnach, ainmeil do theaghlach nan Diiiiiiinin Nuair lhoisiclii;adh iorgail le'm b'ionnihuinn am blar, Siad le'n cinneadh air thoiseach aig latha Chuil-fhodair, 'Mar mhiol choia air lomhain air son a bhi sas. An t-oiglu' thic; ad dheigh-sa air Cinne-na-feile, Na di'chuimhnicheadh e beusan nan treun laoch o'n d'fhis, IJiodh e iochdar ri truaj^hain 's ri dilleachdain shuarach, 'Sa 'Gbaidhli" bidh uailse air luaidh leis na Baird. MAGGIE MACLEAN. n Skye, of great promis to Maggie MacLean is a young poetess from Skye, of great promise Two of her i)roductions appear in Parlane's "National Choir," set tc music by Alan Reid. I got the two following pieces from herself in manuscript form : — Tiiic som; of riiui.E. I. Many a lime i' the hall o' our sires, While night nestles low i' the breast o' the vale, Shall we chil lru^t In a merciful God, by facing the forces of evil unmoved. We are prone to suffer the powers most needed by man to rust. While ihose which upheave his peace, and should be the least beloved. We drag in eagerness forth, thus levelling down to the dust The teachings of pure Cuthullin. I have searched all the hearts of men, I have searched all the annals of time, With glances far-reaching and keen, full swift to detect a flaw. Vet never found purer record ; never impulse so sublime ; Never actions so guided by a just and generous law ; Never a mind that sought such lofty summits to climb As the great mind of Cuthullin. Whence came this greatness that speaks to-day to our highest nesds, Intensely as when in the prime of his useful life he spurred Less by the flow of words than the subtler speech of deeds, Each comrade and maid of his time to follow a path unblurred? Flowers that wither never, ever up-spring from the seeds So nobly sown by Cuthullin. It sprang from the well within, from the promptings of currents divine, He listened to that still voice which we pause never to hear, For the great world's feverish aims their short-lived glamours entwine Around us closely, and smother the prophetic calm of the seer. In secret we feel through it all ineffaceable cravings pine For the even peace of Cuthullin. Therefore it must needs be that his is the talisman true, Since never another that gives such perennial solace I find. Never another from which diviner results accrue, The badge of its heavenly birth is the record he left behind. I shall this talisman hold until to another is due Life nobler than that of Cuthullin. Maids of the vales of the Norland ! Sons of the Isles of the free I lie stirred by the passionate throbbings hopes born of Cuthullin inspire, His influence pure, in his death, thus strongly hurls forth from me Words which are teaming and quivering in a furnace of Celtic Are. His was the land of the Norland ; sons of the Norland should be Worthy the gift of Cuthullin ! etc., etc. MARY MACLEAN FRANKLIN. Mary MacLean is the second daughter of Gillespie, son of John MacLean the Poet. Ten of her songs are given as a kiiid of appendix to the genealogical account already referred to. They are mostly elegies and rhyming hymns. They are simple and affectionate in tone, and they show a fervent patriotic spirit. I once lived in Scotland, the land of the free, The land of all others that's dearest to me ; But fortune was fickle and did me repel. And sent me away from the land loved so well. And when in this world all my labours are o'er, Pray, carry me back to the dear Scottish shore. And lay me to rest in some one of her dells. And over my grave plant her Iwnnie blue bells.t POINTS TO BE CLEARED UP IN THE HISTORY OF THE MACLEANS.* BY REV. A. MACLEAN SINCLAIR, I REJOICE that the MacLeans have wakened up to a sense of tlieir duty towards their ancestors, their present chief and chieftains, and one another. They have slumbered a long time, ever since the dark day of CuUoden to the present year. I am glad to find that the first object of their Association is " the reviving, fostering, and promoting of clan interests and sentiments, by collecting and pre- serving records and traditions in any way relating to the Clan." This is a highly praiseworthy object, and one that should be kept in view steadily. The MacLeans have a history, and a history of which they have no reason to be ashamed. By all means, then, let every obtainable fact connected with that history be procured. Although I am not a INIacLean, I have given a fair share, indeed, a very large share, of attention to the history of the MacLeans. It was drilled into my head, and away down into my heart, in my younger days by an intelligent and affectionate mother, who was proud of her clan, and, I rejoice to say, intensely clannish. The man who is not clannish may have a good enough head, a head fitting him for engaging in the work of tracing himself back to monkeys and poUiwigs ; but I suspect that there must be some- thing wrong with his heart. In this paper I purpose to deal with some obscure and diflncult points in the history of the MacLeans ; and also to point out a few mistakes in our published histories. THE THIRD CHIEF. According to the valuable IMS. of 1467, John Dubh, the fourth chief, was tiie son of Malcolm, son of Marliosa, son of (iilleain. According to Skene's " History of the Highlanders," page 206, Gillemorr Macilean signed the Ragman Roll in i2y6. John Dubh is designated in one place as John Mac Molmari. But Molmari, Maol-Moire, and Gillemorr, (jille-Moire, are the same name. Skene does not state in what document John Dubh is designated as Maol-Moire. If, however, he is actually designated as such in an ofhcial document, I think we must come to the conclusion that the writer of the MS. of 1467 committed a mistake in calling the third chief of the MacLeans, Malcolm. We may regard it as certain that the same man was never called by the two names, Maol Calum or Malcolm, and Maol Moire. l"he indications in the present state of our knowledge are that the name of the third chief * Read before the AsMjcialion on 9th .M.'uch, 1S93. 44 of the MacLeans was Maol-Moire or Gille-Moire, both of which names mean the same thing, Servant of Mary. THE TENTH CHIEF. In his excellent history of the Clan MacLean, Prof. MacLean advances the theory that Hector Odhar, the ninth chief, was suc- ceeded by his natural son, Lachlan, that Lachlan was killed at tlie battle of Flodden in 15 13, and that he was succeeded by his son, I.achlan Cattanach. In support of his theory, he advances the following arguments : — " Tytler calls the chief who fell at Flodden Lachlan, not Hector. If the chief who fell at Flodden was Hector Odhar, then there were only three cjiiefs from 141 1 to 1513 ; but it is scarcely possible to believe that there were only three chiefs during that time. It is more than probable that Hector Odhar did not live as late as the year 1500. As Lachlan, the successor of Hector Odhar, was born out of wedlock, it is probable that the family historians suppressed his name to please his immediate successors. Lachlan Cattanach was called by that name, not from having been brought up among the Clan-Chattan, but from his being a hairy, rough, or shaggy man." I have no faith at all in Prof AlacLean's theory. I believe that Hector Odhar fell at Flodden, and that Lachlan Cattanach, his natural son, succeeded him in the chiefship. Tytler's statement, that the chief who fell at Flodden was Lachlan, proves nothing. There is no authority given for that statement. I presume that Tytler spoke of the chief who was killed as Lachlan, simply because Lachlan was the legal owner of Duart at the time. It is quite possible that there were only three chiefs from 141 1 to 15 13. The MacDonalds were as fond of fighting as the MacLeans, and just as apt to get killed, yet there were only three MacDonald chiefs from 1303 to 1423 — Angus Og of Islay ; John, first Lord of the Isles ; and Donald, second Lord of the Isles, or Donald of Harlaw. There is not the slightest ground for thinking it more than probable that Lachlan Odhar had died before 1500, or even 15 13. Lachlan Lubanach was married in 1365. His son. Hector Rufus Bellorum, Eachunn Ruadh nan Cath, was born probably between 1366 and 1370. Hector's son, Lachlan Bronnach, was born probably about 1391. Lachlan Bronnach would thus be about twenty years of age in 141 1. There is no ground whatever for supposing that he was older. According to the author of the Ardgour MS. he was only a young man in 141 1. The words of that valuable MS. are these : — " It is likely that he was but a young man when his father went to the battle of Harlaw, and that during his confinement in Mar's house he made up his acquain- tance with the daughter, whom he afterwards married ; and that 45 upon her death, he took MacLeod of Harris's daughter for his second wife." Page 21. To me, it is not only hkely, but certain, that l.achlan Bronnach was a young man in 141 1, and that liie daughter of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, was his first wife. He was living in 1463. His son and successor, Lachlan Og, may have been born as early as 141 5. l.achlan Og had two children, Hector Odhar his heir, and Finvola. Finvola was married in 1462. She was probably, at that time, twenty years of age. The date of her birth, then, would be about the year 1442. Whether she was older or younger than her brother, we do not know. We cannot, however, be far astray in assuming that her brother. Hector Odhar, was born between 1440 and 1450. He would thus be between sixty-three and seventy-three years of age in 15 13, the year of the battle of Flodden. The question will naturally be asked— Would a man of that age lead his clan to battle ? Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel was one of the best fighters at the battle of Killiecrankie, yet he was sixty years of age. Eachlan Macquarrie of Ulva, chief of the Macquarries, entered the army in 1778. He was then sixty- two years of age, but he was healthy, active, and perfectly capable of executing any duty of his new profession. He served in the American war, and lived until 1818. Hector MacLean, Eachunn Odhar, was probably as good a man as Lachlan Macquarrie. ^Vhy then could he not have taken part in the battle of Flodden 1 The old men of 15 13 were made of good stuff. They knew nothing about pies or pills, but they knew how to fight. The descendants of Hector Odhar could have no motive for concealing the fact that his successor was a natural son. Lachlan, his son, was legitimated, and put in possession of the estate. Why then deny that he was a natural son ? The old Highland chiefs were honourable men. If they had natural sons, they were not so mean as to deny that such was the case. They treated such sons in a proper manner ; they loved them as their sons, and took care of them. It was to avenge the death of his natural son that Charles of Drimnin rushed madly back into the fight at CuUoden. So far as known to me, the word " Catanach " means belonging to the Clan-Chattan, and nothing else. The word that means shaggy is " Caiteineach." The word "Catanach" is not in O'Reilly's Irish Dictionary, but the word " Caitineach," curled, napped, is in it. The word "Catanach" is- not in the Highland Society's Dictionary, but "Caiteineach," shagged, ruffled as the sea, is in it. The word "Catanach" is not in Macalpine's Dictionary, but " Caiteanach," nappy, shaggy, is in it. The word "Caiteineach" is in Macleod's Dictionary, and is defined as meaning shaggy, rough. But the word "Catanach" is also in Macleod's Dictionary, and is defined as meaning hairy, rough, shaggy ; one of the Clan-Chattan. I am not prepared to say that Dr. Macleod is wrong in explaining the word " Catanach " as 46 meaning shaggy ; all that I can say is that I never heard the word used in that sense, and that I do not think it is used in that sense either in Ireland or Argyllshire. I suspect that if a man had told Neil Macalpine, the Argyllshire lexicographer, that " Catanach " meant shaggy, he would have informed him in fairly emphatic words that it did not. My reasons for believing that Hector Odhar fought and fell at the battle of Flodden are the following : — 1. The Ardgour MS. states that Hector Odhar succeeded his father, Lachlan Og ; that he was Lieutenant-General to John, Lord of the Isles, at the battle of Bloody Bay, in 1482, and that he was killed at the battle of Flodden in 15 13. It also states that he was married to a daughter of MacKintosh, and had Lachlan Catanach by her. It is certain that Hector Odhar had a son named Lachlan. I consider it equally certain that he was not married to a daughter of the chief of the MacKintoshes. Hector Odhar was a prominent man. Had he married MacKintosh's daughter, the fact would be put on record ; but in Alexander MacKintosh Shaw's History of the Clan-Chattan, there is not the slightest reference to such a marriage. At the same time, there can be no reason for doubting that Lachlan Cattanach's mother was a daughter of MacKintosh, or some prominent man among the Clan-Chattan. The fact that he was known as Lachlan Cattanach clearly shows that he was brought up, not in Mull, but among the MacKintoshes. 2. There are two eminent authorities in Highland matters, Gregory and Skene. We are under a very great obligation to both. They may be wrong on some points ; but, as a general rule, they are right. Gregory says that the Lachlan, who was chief of the MacLeans from 1502 to 1527, was Lachlan Cattanach, Lachunn Catanach. History of the Western Highlands and islands — Index, page 447. 3. The Rev. John MacLean, minister of Kilninian, in Mull, must have known the history of his clan. He was licensed to preach in 1702, and died in 1756. In a very fine poem by him, he states that Hector made his body a shield to protect his King from wounds. In a note to this poem, Dr. Hector MacLean, son of Lachlan MacLean of Grulin, says that the Hector referred to is Hector Odhar, who fell at Flodden. The poem will be found in The Gaelic Bards, from IJI^ to 176^, at page 6r. Hector Odhar was between sixty-three and seventy-three years of age in 15 13. Lachlan Cattanach, his son, was in actual posses- sion of Duart. It will perhaps be said that we should, under these circumstances, assume that Lachlan led the MacLeans at Flodden. Hector Odhar had good reasons for leaving Lachlan at home. I.' Lachlan Cattanach was not a popular chief. When he was 47 a young man, the leading men among the MacLeans of Duart held a meeting at which the propriety of excluding him from the chiefship was considered. His father, of course, was favourable to him, but there was a strong party against him. It is highly pro- bable that those who were against him then continued against him. He was legitimated in 1496, and also put in possession of Duart. These facts, however, would not change the feelings of his followers towards him. 2. Lachlan Cattanach was a cunning man, a politician, a schemer, but he was not a warrior. He was not fitted for leading his clan at Flodden. The man that the MacLeans wanted at their head was not a politician, but a general and fighter. 3. Hector Odhar was a born warrior and a good commander. He was also an exceedingly popular chief. Whilst some of the MacLeans were favourable to Lachlan Cattanach, and others against him, they were all attached to Hector Odhar; they would work for him, fight for him, and follow him anywhere. It is possible that " Seanachie," author of the History of the MacLeans, published in 1838, is a little too severe upon Lachlan Cattanach ; still I think that his account of him is substantially correct. Lachlan was evidently a slippery and crafty man. The author of the sketch of "Ailean nan Sop,"' which was published in " Cuairtear nan Gleann," in August, 1841, was evidently pretty well acquainted with the history of the ]\lacLeans, but he speaks of Lachlan Cattanach as a droch d/iuine, a bad man. Lachlan's first wife, Elizabeth Campbell, may have had faults, but it is impossible to excuse Lachlan's conduct in placing her on a rock to be drowned. It is hard to believe that he had a sham funeral for his wife, but from an old Gaelic poem, published in the Gael of January, 1873, at page 296, such seems to have been the case. His wife, who procured a divorce from him, was afterwards married to Archibald Campbell of Acha nam-Breac. Lachlan was murdered in Edinburgh by Sir John Campbell of Cader, in 1528. In the Annals of Loch Ce, he is called "Mac Ciilla Eain mor Mac Echainn," great MacLean, the son of Hector. To use this statement proves beyond the possibility of doubt that he was the son of Hector Odhar. THE FIRST FIVE M.ACLEANS OF .^RDGOUR. Donald, son of Lachlan Bronnach, was the first MacLean of Ardgour. According to the Ardgour MS., Donald's mother was a "daughter of Mac Earchorn, Laird of Kingerloch." In my sketches of the MacLeans, published in the Cdltic Magazine in 1888, I committed the mistake of stating that she was the daughter of Mac-Mhic-Eachainn, Laird of Kingerloch. Her father was not a MacLean but a MacEachern. The MacEacherns occupied Kingerloch before tiie MacLeans.— .S'/'«7/t''jr H'h^Jilanders, VuL //., 48 p. 122. Donald had four sons — Ewen, his successor ; Neil Ban, Iain Ruadh, and Archibald. According to the Ardgour MS., Ewen, second Laird of Ardgour, had three sons, — Allan, John, and Hector. He may have had these sons, but it is certain that the name of his eldest son was Lachlan, and it is extremely probably that the name of his second son was Charles. It is quite possible that he had five sons — Lachlan, Charles, Allan, John, and Hector. I suspect, however, that he had no son named Allan. Lachlan, eldest son of Ewen, was the third MacLean of Ardgour. Gregory says that Lachlan MacEwen MacLean was Laird of Ardgour in 1493. Page 72. Lachlan had a claim to the estate at that time, but his father was still living. We find a remission for all past acts granted to Lachlan MacEwen of Ardgour, in 15 17. — History of the Clan MacLean, pp. 68 and 7/. Lachlan must have died without issue. He was succeeded by his nephew, John, son of Charles. John was the fourth chieftain of the MacLeans of Ardgour. In an official document of the year 1584, he is called John McCarlych, or John, son of Q\\^\\^?>.— History of the Clan MacLean, p. 8j. In the same document it is stated that he was without lawful heirs. His lands were granted to Hector Mor of Duart. Allan, fifth of Ardgour, may have been a natural son of John. At the same time he may have been a brother of John. I have no means of determining who he was. He received possession of the estate from Hector Mor of Duart. The fact that the estate was given to Hector of Duart and not to Allan himself, must lead one to suppose that he was a natural son of John. On the other hand, the fact that his second son was called Charles, seems to indicate that Charles was his father's name, and that he was thus a brother of John. According to the Ardgour MS., Allan was married twice. By his first wife, a daughter of Lochiel, he had one son, Ewen. By his second wife, a daughter of Clanranald, he had two sons, Charles and Lachlan. By a daughter of Marian of Ardnamiirchan, with whom he had handfasted for two years, he had also two sons, John of Inverscadell, and one whose name is not given. He had also a natural son who was known as John Gleannach. He had thus six sons, all of whom were in prosperous circumstances. The descendants of these sons called themselves Clann Mhic-Ailein. Allan was succeeded by his son Ewen, Eoghan na h-Iteige. I have no doubt that the Ardgour MS. gives a correct account of Allan and his sons. But it does not tell us who his father was. It makes no reference at all to John. It thus incorrectly terms Allan the fourth Laird of Ardgour. 49 THE FIRST MACLEAN OK PENNYCROSS. According to the Ardgour j\IS., John Dubh of Morvern had four sons, Donald Glas, Allan of Ardtornish, John Garbh, and Charles. Allan of Ardtornish had three sons, Hector, Charle.^, and Donald Glas. Charles lived at Ardnacross, and had six sons, Allan of Drimnin, Lachlan of Calgary, Allan of Grulin, Donald uf Aros, Hector, and Ewen. Lachlan of Calgary had four sons, Donald, Allan, and Peter. Allan of Grulin had three sons, Lachlan of Grulin, Charles of Kilunaig, and John. Charles of Kilunaig had six sons, Allan, Hector, Allan, John, Lachlan, and Alexander. Alexander was a surgeon, and married Una, daughter uf Alexander Macgillivray of Pcnnyghael. This Alexander was the first MacLean of Pennycross. According to Seanachie's History of the ^LacLeans, page 344, Prof. IMacLean's History, page 309, and Burke's Landed Gentry, John Dubh had Allan of Ardtornish, who had Lachlan of Calgary, who had Allan of Grulin, who had Alexander, first MacLean of Pennycross. Indeed Seanachie's genealogy of the MacLean's of Pennycross, at page 345, is different from the genealogy which he gives at page 340. I think it may be regarded as certain that the genealogy given at page 340 is the correct one. It agrees with the Ardgour MS. It is extremely desirable that we should have a correct history of the MacLeans. It is to be hoped then that the MacLeans who live in Scotland and have ready access to old books and public documents, will put forth every effort in their power to procure materials for such a history. It is also desirable to have as full a history as possible, a history containing as many correct genealogies as can be obtained. It must be admitted that there were men among the MacLeans who were not just what men ought to be. But there is no reason to be ashamed of these men ; they were no worse than scores of other men who lived in their time. The Clan MacLean, taken as a whole, were as good as any other clan. Some niight say that they were better than some other clans. I will not say that ; there is nothing to be gained by such an assertion. I do, however, say that the MacLeans were a good clan, a clan that can boast of good poets, good warriors, and good men. Let then those who can trace themselves, link by link, back to "Gilleain na Tuaighe" do so, and let there be no missing links. Paul did not give heed to fables and endless genealogies ; at the same time he took a manly and proper interest in the genealogy of his own family, he could tell that he was of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. Alex.'VNDer MacLean Sinclair. Belfast, P. E. Island, 14th Dec, 1892. 50 The following short communication was received from Professor J. P. MacLean Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois, U.S.A., and It was read before the Association on 9th March : — There are many obscure things in our history which I trust you will unearth. Among these permit me to mention — 1. There was a Lieut. -Gen. Lachlan MacLean I barely mentioned, not having any further information. 2. A Miss Jessie MacLean warned Prince Charles' forces of the approach of the English just before the battle of CuUoden. Reference is made to her in a paper by Wm. Mackay, in "Transactions Gaelic Society of Inverness." Her name should be rescued from oblivion. 3. Lowry Cole MacLean, Bencraig, Seven Oaks, England, sent me the following information concerning Mary Gouin MacLean, fourth daughter of Lachlan, sixth Laird of Muck, who " was a celebrated beauty, mentioned in several books at the beginning of this century. She was born at the beginning of the century, I think in America, as that was her mother's native country. There are still old men alive who remember her when they were boys, when they used to race down all the short cuts in order to have another look at her. Whenever she went to the opera, the people used to fight for a front place to have a look at her. The Emperor of Russia was so struck with her that he offered her a post at the Russian Court, which, needless to say, she did not accept. Her father at the time of his death (1816) was Deputy-Governor of the Tower of London ; and I know nothing of her between that time and about 1825, when she was married at Marylebone Church, Notting Hill, London, to Captain A. Clarke of Coimbu (or Comrie). Soon after his marriage his regiment (the 6th foot) was ordered to Bombay, where he went, accompanied by his wife, and died of apoplexy, in 1827, three months after his only son Andrew's death. The widow then returned to her husband's people, in Edinburgh, where she died loth April, 1834, leaving a daughter, Hannah, who was living at Oban in 1863, but is since dead (no children). My grandfather, Alex. MacLean of Haremere, who was Mr. Clarke's first cousin, described her as lovely, as was also her sister, Mrs. Henrietta Poore. There was a full-length portrait of Mary Gouin at Oban, but her daughter left it, after her death, to one of the Clarke's. She has numerous neices alive now, one of whom married my uncle, Capt. Henry MacLean ; another Mrs. G. de la Poer Beresford died last month in Australia. Two others are living in Hertfordshire, one of whom has the minature from which the photo. I have was taken." This letter is dated 28th April, 1890. I never received a copy of the photo, although I tried to. 4. In Macleay's ("Rob Roy and Clan Macgregor") account of the abduction of Lady Grange, Margaret MacLean is mentioned 51 as being indirectly a party to it. Also a MacLean, a parish minister, referring to give Lady Grange the consolations of religion. 5. In Stuart's " Lays of the Deer Forest" (I have parted with my copy), an account is given of the brutal murder of a ^LlcLean, after the battle of Culloden, by the English soldiers. 6. An account of Lachlan MacLean, author of " History of the Celtic Language." He has three nephews, J. W. MacLean, 44 State Street, Chicago ; T. K. MacLean, Wichita, Kansas ; D. T. Macdonald, Red Jacket, Michigan. The Gaelic Society of Glasgow should look up the following : — 1. In 1S87, Archibald John MacLean, of Pennycross, discovered many crosses, cut in the rock, in the Nun's cave, near Carsaig, Ross of Mull. I had natural size drawings of all these crosses, which I had intended to publish, but were destroyed when I was burned out. A history of the cross, with traditions, description, and illustrations of crosses, would form a very interesting article. 2. On the Garvelloch Isles (near Lochbuie, Isle of Mull) are interesting ecclesiastical ruins. I made drawings of all of them. These were destroyed. 3. On MacLean of Lochbuie's estate, not far from Castle Moy, are the ruins of a druidical circle. I made a drawing and measurements of these. Also destroyed. All of these subjects are more or less interesting, and I trust that you, or some other enthusiastic Kelt will work out the problems. THE CLANS AND THEIR CRESTS. THE MACLEANS. By Professor J. P. MacLean. Author of " A History of the Clan MacLean ; " '¦'' FingaPs Cave f " The N'orse Discovery of America ;" 6^(-., &'C. Coat-of-Arms of MacLeans of Duart. The origin of the crest of the MacLeans, which is still used on the coat-of-arms of all the various cadets, is associated with Gilleain, the founder, or father of the Clan, who flourished about the year 1250, and possessed lands in Mull and some of the adjacent islands. He was known as Gilleaifi na Tuaigh, or Gilleain of the battle-axe, on account of his carrying, as his ordinary weapon and constant companion, that implement. The crest consists of a battle-axe between a laural and cypress branch. There is a tradition, which has always been current among, and invariably believed in by the MacLeans, that upon a certain occasion Gilleain engaged in a stag hunt with other lovers of the chase. For some special reason the party selected the mountain of Beinn t-sheala, which, it would appear, that Gilleain at that time was not familiar with. In the pursuit of game, owing to his eagerness and fleetness of foot, he became separated from his 53 companions. The mountain having become suddenly covered with mist, he lost his way. For three days Gilleain wandered about, perplexed, discomfited, and unable to recover his route. So incessantly did he labour that on the fourth day he became exhausted through fatigue, when, under a cranberry bush, after fixing the point of the handle of his battle-axe in the ground, he laid himself down. When his companions discovered he was missing they set out on a search for him. On the evening of the fourth day, after the day that he was overcome by exhaustion, his friends discovered the head of a battle-axe above a bush, and on drawing near found its owner with his arm encircled around the handle, with his body stretched out on the ground, and in a state of insensibility. Being thus happily rescued he soon was sufficiently recovered, when the whole party returned to their homes. As the battle-axe played an important part in saving the life of Gilleain it was appropriately adopted as the principal jxart of the crest, and to it the laural and cypress branch were added. The tartan of all the MacLeans, save that of Lochbuie, is com- posed of :— i black, li red, i azure, ii red, 5 green, i black, ih white, I black, | yellow, 2 black, 3^ azure, 2 black, ^ yellow, i black, ih white, i black, 5 green, 11 red, i azure, i| red, i black. To this must be added the hunting tartan. On a scale of 5^ inches, given by sixteenths :— 3 black, 21 green, 3 black, 3 green, 6 black, I white, 6 black, 3 green, 5 black, i white, 6 black, 3 green, 3 black, 21 green, 3 black. In this description I commence at the centre of one block and run to the centre of the next, counting first and last as one. The i?(7lasgow. Miss Lizzie MacLean, 24 Carmichael Street, Govan. Miss MacLean of Pennycross. Miss MacLean, 188 West Regent .Street, Glasgow. Miss MacLean, 113 Hyde Park Terrace, London. Miss Maggie MacLean, 58 Park Road, Glasgow. Miss Maggie S. W. McLean, 68 St. Vincent Crescent, Glasgow. Miss Marion MacLaine, 2 Rutland Crescent. Miss Mary Flora ^LlcLean, University Avenue, Glasgow. Miss Mary Gardner MacLean, Cartdale Plouse, Langside. Miss Mary MacLean, 77 Dumbarton Road, Partick. Miss Mary S. McLean, 68 St. Vincent Crescent, Glasgow. Miss Mina MacLean, Regs. Office, Shamrock Street. Miss Nellie S. MacLean, 3 Grosvenor Crescent, Hillhead. Mrs. A. H. MacLean, Hughenden Terrace. Mrs. Anderson, 57 Wharton Road, W. , Kensington Park, London. Mrs. Andrew MacLean, 4 Princes Gardens, Hillhead. Mrs. Brodie, Ethel Terrace, Mount Florida. Mrs. C. J. MacLean, 3 Grosvenor Crescent, Hillhead. Mrs. Donald MacLean, 40 South Portland Street, Miss E. F. N. MacLean, Redcliff House, l""olkestone. Mrs. Elizabeth .MacLean Robertson, Bath Hotel, Glasgow. Mrs. Hall, Elmbank, Kilmarnock. Mrs. Helen MacLean, Menish Hotel, Tobermory. Mrs. Homan, Norway. OFF I C E RS. WILLIAM A. Mclean, Presideqt. J P. MAClEAN, Correspondirig Secretary. S P MACLEAN, Recording Secretary. ARTHUR A, MACLEAN, Treasurer COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. JAMES A. MCLANE, THOMAS A MACLEAN. JOHN W MCLEAN, ARCHIBALD B MCLEAN, Jh JOHN P MACLEAN \'ici:-1'kesii)i:nts. Geo. II Ml Lkan, Dii Tuos. NtiL McLean, Rev. Calvin I). McLean, FiiANK E. McLean, AHCHltlALD JIcLKAN, Baiiton W. McLean, S. AnELBKdT McLean, 1{. E McLean, Du Root A. McLean, J. O. Maclean. Wm. B. Maclean, Jas. H. McLean, W. HetrpoR MoLbjlh, J. S. McLain, Dr. John McLean", Dr. J. I). BIcLean, A. V. McLean, New York. Elizabetli, N. J. Siiiisbiirj, Conn. Union City, Pit. Bradford, Pa. PiItsbiirKh, Pa. Bay City, Mich. Eseanaba, Midi. San Francisco, Cul. Los Angeles, Cal. Toronto, Out. Brantfoid, Ont. Criuan, Oat. Minneapolis, Minn. Morehead, Minn. Spokane, Wash. Tacoma, Wa.sh. Dn. John McLean, Lr. J. T. McLean, James A. McLean, R. B. McLean, Alex. SIcLean, Prof. Joseph McLean, A. M. McLean, Geo. C. McClean, Chas. A. JIcLane, H. H. McLane, Chas. G. Maclean, L. N. McLean, H. Z. McLai.s, Hrcn II. McLean, Hector MacLean, Hon. Emelin McLain, Pullman. Ill New Pbiladtdphia, O. Hamilton, O. Nashville, Tenn. Richmond, Va. Charlotte, N. C. Lamberlon, N. C. Springfield. Mass. Laredo, Tex. San Antonio, Tex. Pensacola, Fla. Cheyenne Falls, Col. CrawfordsTllle, Ind. St John, N. B. Bridgeion, N. S. Iowa City, Iowa. UF.CEPTION C0:M.MITI EK. Geo. C. McLean, Archibald Maclean, Dr. John McLean, Janesville, AVis. Iloekfoid, 111. Pullman, 111 Dr. Donald Maclean, Detroit, Mich, PiiOF. J. P. MacLean, Greenville, Ohio. Arthcr 0. McLain, Cliicago. A. B. McLean, Sn., Chicago. Hon. Alex. McLean, Macomb, 111. Dr. R. a. McLean, San Francisco, Cal. Hon W.F.Maclean, M.P. Toronto, Ont. /os^. '.if .06 J o c M ^co ^? (ot'?.r >x ac r^ ,j, ^::u?7.'e tjy /^Ap€9tZ/?/^ fijn-Zr^en Ayc/n(/^<^r