TALES OF A GRANDFATHER.

Third Series.

CHAPTER LXXIV.

Plans for the Pacification and Improvement of the Highlands, under the Superintendence of Field-marshal Wade -Highland Roads-Tax upon Ale-Opposition to it in Scotland-Riots at Glasgow- The Brewers of Edinburgh refuse to continue the Brewing of Ale-but are compelled by the Court of Session to resume their Trade-Decay of Jacobitism-The Porteous Mob.

[1719-1736.]

Ir might well have been expected, after the foundations of the throne had been so shaken by the storm in 1715, that the Government would have looked earnestly into the causes which rendered the Highland clans so dangerous to the public tranquillity, and that some measures would have been taken for preventing their ready valour being abused into the means of ruining both themselves and others. Accordingly, the English Ministers lost no time in resorting to the more forcible

VOL. XXVI.

nment liberally granting emission for such arrears Seaforth in their obstiher clans submitted, and surrender of their arms, ost serviceable were reich were hostile to Goessel was stationed on and the shores of that extenwere rebuilt in some places, hers, and filled with regular

of very dubious utility, which by King William and disused How again had recourse to. ment of independent compace of the Highlands, and supieves who carried on so bold n. These companies, consistdressed and armed in their e, were placed under the comffected to Government, or suphaving a great interest in the truly said, that such a militia, ge and manners of the country, ten times the number of regu

were collected, for the purpose of being in France, 400 of his old followers and ney to Edinburgh, to see it safely lodged at appearance there on this errand caused strong animadversions on Government for ngs. GENERAL STEWART'S Sketches,

and obvious means of military subjugation, which necessarily are, and must be, the most immediate remedy in such a case, though far from being the most effectual in the long run. The law for disarming the Highlanders, although in many cases evaded, had yet been so generally enforced as to occasion general complaints of robbery by bands of armed men, which the country had no means of resisting. Those complaints were not without foundation; but they were greatly exaggerated by Simon Fraser, now called Lord Lovat, and others, vho were desirous to obtain arms for their vassals, that they might serve purposes of their own.

Accordingly, in 1724 a warrant, under the sign manual, was granted to Field-marshal Wade, an officer of skill and experience, with instructions narrowly to inspect and report upon the state of the Highlands; the best measures for enforcing the laws and protecting the defenceless; the modes of communication which might be opened through the country; and whatever other remedies might conduce to the quiet of a district so long distracted. In 1725, a new sign manual was issued to the same officer for the same purpose. In consequence of the Marshal's report, various important measures were taken. The clan of the MacKenzies had for years refused to account for the rents on Seaforth's forfeited estate to the collector nominated by Government, and had paid them to a factor appointed amongst themselves, who conveyed them openly to the exiled Earl. This state of things was now stopped, and the clan compelled to submit and give