Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 45 Title: An Inverness Lawyer and His Sons, 1796-1878 Author(s): Anderson, Isabel Harriet An Inverness Lawyer And his Sons An Inverness Lawyer And his Sons 1796-1878 By Isabel Harriet Anderson Author of "Inverness Before Railways" With four Portraits Aberdeen The Aberdeen University Press Limited 1900 CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE A Lawyer of the Eighteenth Century . . . 1 CHAPTER II. John Anderson, W.S. . . . . . 64 CHAPTER III. George and Peter Anderson . . . . . 104 CHAPTER IV. The Guide to the Highlands . . . . 177 CHAPTER V. The Highland Railway and its Handbooks . . 207 CHAPTER VI. Guides to Culloden Moor and to Inverness: Last Days . . . . . . . . 228 ILLUSTRATIONS. Jessie Thomson (Mrs. Anderson), from a miniature, circa 1797 . . . . Frontispiece PAGE John Anderson, from a silhouette, circa 1830 . 64 George Anderson, from a photograph, circa 1865 105 Peter Anderson, from a photograph, circa 1865 . 139 Genealogical Table . . . . . . 248 AN INVERNESS LAWYER AND HIS SONS. 1796-1878. CHAPTER I. A LAWYER OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. TOWARDS the close of the eighteenth century a familiar figure on the streets of Inverness was that of a genial lawyer who had identified himself as closely with the interests of the town as if it had been his birthplace. At every public meeting and every social gathering might be seen the finely proportioned form, set off to advantage by the dress of the period, and the massive features, lighted up by kindly smiles — of Peter Anderson, Procurator Fiscal for the Burgh. Peter Anderson, the only son of John Anderson and Margaret Rayne, his second wife, was born on the 8th of September, 1768, at Lentush in the parish of Rayne, Aberdeenshire. His ancestors had for generations been tenants of the farm of Broomhillock on the estate of Warthill in the same parish. His father, John (born 1724), was the fourth son of John Anderson in Little Warthill, who in 1708 had married Isobel Paul. Of the two oldest sons of this marriage, George (born 1712), and William (born 1714), and of the five daughters, Isobel (1709), Margaret (1716), Elizabeth (1718), Janet (1720), and Helen (1726), nothing is known with any certainty; but we learn from the Rayne Parish Registers that an Isobel Anderson "in this parish" married Hugh Ferguson, Chapel of Garioch, in 1732, and that a Janet Anderson "in this parish" married Adam Singer, Fyvie, in 1737. The third son, Peter (born 1722), who became tenant of Broomhillock, will be referred to afterwards. The name of Isobel Paul is found in the List of Pollable Persons within the Shire of Aberdeen, 1696, printed at Aberdeen in 1844. In it (vol. i., p. 273), she appears, with a brother John and a sister Elizabeth, as daughter of "George Pawll, yeoman," the principal tenant on the estate of Meikle Warthill. The editor of the List, Dr. John Stuart, remarks in his preface: "Many of our yeomen have continued in the localities which had been the home of their forefathers for centuries, and nothing but the destruction of our ecclesiastical records prevents this class of our population from tracing their extraction back to a very considerable antiquity". The extant Rayne Registers record no marriages of earlier date than 1672, and no births of earlier date than 1679, while the first registered death is in 1783. Isobel Paul seems to have survived until at least the year 1768, when she was a resident at Broomhillock with her son Peter, and a member of the Episcopal congregation of Meiklefolla, as proved by a record of communicants kept by the then incumbent, the Rev. Arthur Petrie, afterwards Bishop of Moray. Peter Anderson and his sister Margaret, who was three years his junior, were early left orphans, and the latter was adopted by some relatives; but Peter, who had from an early age manifested an intense love for study, worked steadily and laboriously on the farm of Broomhillock, in order that he might procure the means to purchase books and fit himself for College. At the age of sixteen he was enabled to enter the University and King's College of Aberdeen, having gained the Park Bursary at the competition in 1784. During his first year he attended the class of Professor Leslie for Greek, and during his second and third years the class of Professor Dunbar for Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and that of Professor Ogilvie for Latin. On leaving Aberdeen he entered the family of Captain John Macpherson of Invereshie (great-grandfather of the present Sir George Macpherson-Grant of Ballindalloch) as tutor, and while thus occupied became engaged to Miss Jessie Thomson, a lady of intellectual tastes and considerable powers of wit and humour, who was two years older than himself. But their marriage did not take place until a year after he had settled in Inverness. His relative, the Rev. John Anderson (son of George Anderson, Bellie) was at that time minister of Kingussie, and it was through his recommendation that Peter Anderson removed from Invereshie to Inverness. The following quaint letters regarding his young relative were written by the Rev. John Anderson to Mr. Campbell Mackintosh, Solicitor in Inverness: — "KYLLIHUNTLY, 27th September, 1796. "DEAR SIR, "Our Correspondence has been intermitted for a considerable Time; and I now renew it on a particular Subject. "The Bearer, Mr. Peter Anderson, who has been for many years Tutor to Captain Macpherson's children, during His attendance on them at Edinburgh, has been studying the Law, so as to qualify Himself to practise before the Inferior Courts; and under the Patronage and Protection of his Friends he intends to settle in that Line at Inverness. Of his professional abilities I cannot speak; because I am not qualified to judge, but otherwise I am enabled from a long acquaintance with Him to say that He is accurate as a man of Business, and an honest man. "It occurred to me that a Copartnership in the agent Line might be for your mutual advantage, and on suggesting the Plan to His Friend Captain Macpherson, He agreed with me in Opinion; and wished that it could take place on fair Terms to prevent a Competition of Interests. "Having introduced the young man to your acquaintance I leave you to talk more at large on the Subject over a Bottle; and whatever arrangement you make I have too good an opinion of both to believe that any Diversity of Sentiment in a Question of Interest will create an after Misunderstanding between you as Neighbours or as Brothers of Trade. "I beg an offer of my affecte Compliments to Mrs. MacIntosh; and remain with Regard, Dear Sir, "Your faithful and obedient Servant, "J. ANDERSON." "KILLIHUNTLY, 26th December, 1796. "DEAR SIR, "I had the pleasure of receiving a very handsome Letter from you relative to my Namesake Mr. Peter Anderson when I was on a visit at Ballindalloch; and however much I may feel interested in promoting His Views if His Conduct shall be found deserving of Support, be assured it will uniformly afford me great Satisfaction to hear that in your professional Line you meet with that liberal Encouragement which your manners as a Gentleman and your Integrity and attention as an agent deserve. "Should the young man be otherwise provided for, which is not unlikely, you may depend that the Patronage which has been solicited for him will without Reserve be transferred to you. "I desired my neighbour Mr. Clarke to write you some time ago to forward any account against Balleville or the late due to you since the Commencement of the present year; and as I am in the act of closing my Annual States, I hope it will be convenient for you to send them by the Bearer, and I shall remit you Payment in Course. In future I shall correspond with you myself where legal terms are necessary, without giving Trouble to any other person. "I beg you will offer my kind and affectionate compliments to your fair Companion, and believe me, With Regards, Dear Sir, "Your sincere and faithful servant, "J. ANDERSON. "MR. CAMPBELL MACKINTOSH." The Rev. John Anderson studied at Marischal College, Aberdeen, in 1772-76, was minister of Kingussie, 1782-1809, and of Bellie (the parish in which Fochabers is situated) from 1809 to 1839, when he died, aged eighty. He was twice married. He was a friend and correspondent of Mrs. Grant of Laggan. In her Memoirs and Correspondence several letters are published which she wrote to him after her removal to Stirling in 1803. In her Letters from the Mountains she alludes to him in a letter to Mrs. Smith, Jordanhill, dated Laggan, October 4, 1791, as "a person of fine taste, superior abilities and extensive information". The Rev. John Anderson always maintained a warm interest in the family of his relative Peter Anderson, and after the death of the latter, was often consulted by the widow, who set a high value on his counsel and approval. Peter Anderson was admitted by the Sheriff-Depute at Inverness as a procurator before the Court with all the privileges and emoluments belonging to that office, on the 5th of October, 1796, having first been examined by Messrs Campbell Mackintosh and Alexander Macdonell, writers in Inverness, who found him qualified. He does not appear to have entered into any partnership at this period, but at a later date he assumed as partner Mr. Alexander Shepperd, a well-known solicitor and some time (1835-38) Town Clerk of Inverness. The firm was designated "Anderson and Shepperd". After Mr. Anderson's death, Mr. Shepperd took into partnership Mr. Thomas Falconer, who is well remembered by the older generation in Inverness. Mr. Shepperd was a native of Fordyce and a nephew of the Rev. John Anderson mentioned above. One of his brothers, George Shepperd, was minister of Laggan, 1818-25, and of Kingussie, 1825-43. Mr. Alexander Shepperd was elected a Bailie of the Burgh of Inverness in 1833, and when he was subsequently appointed Town Clerk, the vacancy caused by his resignation at the Council Board in 1835 was filled by the election of Mr. John Macandrew, solicitor, father of the late Sir Henry Macandrew. Mr. Shepperd's immediate predecessor in the Town Clerkship was Mr. Campbell Mackintosh of Dalmigavie, who had filled that office for the long period of fifty years. On the 7th of November, 1797, Peter Anderson married Miss Jessie Thomson, and in the course of seven years four children were born to them: John, born on 16th August, 1798; Margaret, on 22nd May, 1800; George, on 6th May, 1802; and Peter, on 17th December, 1804. Mrs. Anderson's father, John Thomson (who was the son of a Fifeshire farmer), had evidently been a man of culture, for his family seem to have been reared in an intellectual atmosphere and to have associated with men of learning and literary tastes. He was married to Margaret, eldest daughter (born 1724) of the Rev. Robert Bisset, minister of Blair Athole — formerly minister of Kirkmichael — and his wife Elizabeth Crichton. The Rev. Robert Bisset received his degree of M.A in 1718 at the University of St. Andrews and died in 1739. He had four sons, Thomas, Henry (died young at sea), James and Robert, and three daughters, Margaret, Isabel and Elizabeth. The younger daughters married Perthshire farmers named Scott (Bogmill) and Young. One of the sons — the Rev. Thomas Bisset, M.A. St. Andrews, 1750, D.D. 1787 — was minister of Logierait in Perthshire, and was twice married: first to Anna, daughter of the Rev. Adam Ferguson, minister of Moulin in Perthshire, by whom he had one son, Robert, L.L.D. Edin., 1796, author of the Reign of George III., Life of Burke, and other works; and secondly to Mary, daughter of Principal Thomas Tullideph of the United College, St. Andrews, by whom he had six sons, Thomas, John, Adam, David, Charles, Thomson, and five daughters, Alison, Anna, Elizabeth (married Mr. Andrew Thom, Leith: with issue, Adam, M.A. King's College, Aberdeen, 1824; LL.D., 1840; first Recorder of Rupert's Land, 1839-55), Margaret, Jean. By the marriage of John Thomson with Margaret Bisset there were two sons and four daughters. The elder son, Robert Thomson, in conjunction, latterly, with his younger brother John, kept for a considerable time a private boarding school for boys at York Terrace, Kensington. He appears to have attained a recognised position in the scientific world in 1786 (Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 98, i., 583) and to have received the honorary degree of LL.D. In 1796 he purchased from Sir Thomas Alston the estate and advowson of Longstowe, Cambridgeshire, and in 1810 caused himself to be presented to the Rectory, which however he resigned in 1815. His death is announced in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 101, i., 280: "1831, Jan. 6. In York Terrace, the Rev. Dr. Robert Thomson of Long Stowe Hall, Cambridge Dr. Robert married Charlotte Eleanor Luck (who died in 1814) and had two sons and seven daughters, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Helen, Augusta, Jemima, Sophia (married John Donne), and Henrietta (married — Ambrose: with issue George James, who attained the rank of Lieut.-Colonel of "The Buffs," was wounded at the siege of Sebastopol, and created C.B. in 1861). His elder son John was a clergyman of the Church of England, and Henry the younger became a Commander in the Royal Navy. John Thomson, the younger son of John Thomson and Margaret Bisset, was admitted a Pensioner of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1786, when he was described as a native of Edinburgh. He graduated B.A. in 1790, M.A. in 1793, and D.D. in 1808. He died at Kensington, 28th November, 1817, and an obituary notice in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 87, ii., 571, speaks of him as "master of a long-established and highly-respected academy at that place. . . . For the business of tuition he was eminently qualified, as he well knew how to facilitate improvement by clearness and method, and to temper discipline with mildness and urbanity. His knowledge was general and profound; but in his learning there was no pedantry and in his conversation no affected superiority. In his disposition he was kind, frank and liberal. By his death his family have lost a most affectionate relative and his associates a most valuable friend." John Thomson married a Miss Rose of Leicester and had one son and two daughters, Elizabeth and Caroline. His only son John Robert was admitted a Pensioner of St. John's College in 1827, and graduated B.A. in 1832, and M.A, in 1840. Of the four sisters of Drs. Robert and John Thomson, Elizabeth, the eldest, died unmarried. Margaret, the second, married on the 11th of November, 1783, the Rev. James Couper, M.A., Glasgow, 1775 (son of the Rev. John Couper, M.A., 1729, Minister of Lochwinnoch, 1750-87), minister of Baldernock, who was afterwards Professor of Astronomy in the University of Glasgow. They had five children, John, James, Margaret, William and Henry, John was a merchant in Glasgow. James, M.A., 1811, became in that year Rector of Landough, Leckwith and Cogan, and Vicar of Roath, Glamorgan; but came back to die in Glasgow in 1822. William, M.A., 1811, M.D., 1816, was Professor of Natural History in the University of Glasgow, 1829-57, and died unmarried. Henry died when only four years old. Margaret devoted herself to painting and died unmarried. Professor James Couper died in Glasgow in January, 1836. The third Miss Thomson, Jessie, married Peter Anderson. The youngest, Caroline, became the wife of the Rev. James Donne (B.A. St. John's College, Cambridge, 1788; D.D., 1825), who was a minor Canon in Chester Cathedral and afterwards Headmaster of Oswestry Grammar School (in which position the Rev. Stephen Donne, B.A., 1825, his son by a second marriage, succeeded him). From a portrait of Dr. Donne taken in 1830 (which is in the writer's possession) he seems to have been a man of particularly pleasing appearance. He was latterly Vicar of Llanyblodwel and died there on 23rd January, 1844. By his first wife, Caroline Thomson, he had only one son, James (B.A., 1817; B.D., 1836), who in 1824 became Vicar of St. Paul's, Bedford, and died on 17th January, 1861. The Vicar of St. Paul's had married Miss Mary Dobson (the sister of his half-brother Stephen's second wife) and by her had an only son named James, who at a very early age gave promise of much intellectual ability, but died at Eton at the age of fifteen after a very brief illness. By a second marriage to Miss Alice Croxon the Rev. Dr. Donne of Oswestry had two sons, John and Stephen; and John, the elder, a wine merchant in London, married as his second wife, Sophia, one of the daughters of Dr. Robert Thomson of Kensington (and niece of his father's first wife, Caroline Thomson). By this marriage there was also an only son, Robert James, and he too gave early signs of brilliant intellectual powers and was prematurely removed by death, though not at so early an age as his cousin James. He was in the First Class of the Classical Tripos at Cambridge in 1858, and became a Fellow of Trinity College, and afterwards second master of Wellington College — his friend, the late Archbishop Benson, being Headmaster — and there he died, aged twenty-nine, in 1863. From the time of his settling in Inverness until his sudden death in 1823, Peter Anderson devoted himself to whatever was likely to conduce to the welfare of the Highlands. Through his enterprise the first public coach, the Caledonian, commenced to run between Inverness and Perth in 1806, the journey occupying two and a quarter days. He was also instrumental in establishing in 1811 a mail diligence between Aberdeen and Inverness, and in 1819 another as far north as Thurso. He did everything in his power to further native industries, and started a hempen factory near the mouth of the river, at the west side, which he placed under the management of Peter Anderson, a namesake of his own from Aberdeen. Mr. Anderson was a devoted adherent of the Scottish Episcopal Church — his ancestors having been Episcopalians for generations back — and the "old St. John's" at the foot of Church Street, of which a remnant may yet be seen, owed its existence principally to his exertions. A circular was issued on the 10th of February, 1798, to which his signature, along with that of Bishop Andrew Macfarlane, was attached, stating that the members of the Episcopal congregation, in and about Inverness, had purchased a piece of ground on which to erect a neat and commodious place of worship, and requesting contributions from the public for that purpose. The lowest estimate for building a chapel which they had procured was above £500, and as that exceeded the means of the Episcopalians of Inverness, they had to appeal to the general public, The Glasgow Herald of the 23rd of June, 1891, gave an account of some original letters, hitherto unpublished, which had been discovered in a box at Banff. Many of them were from seven Scottish bishops, and among them were eight letters from Bishop Macfarlane. One of his dated Inverness, 31st August, 1798 shews what strenuous efforts were required at that time to raise even £600 for a suitable place of worship. Part of the letter runs thus: "I have had the matter long in view, but discouraged from undertaking it seriously on account that our congregation is unable to do much in the business. An eligible piece of ground in a conspicuous part of this or Kirk Street coming to be sold, I was last year persuaded to purchase it, which I did. We purpose to build thereon an elegant though plain chapel, which I am assured will exceed £700 sterling. The estimates are below £600. This year you will say is an unfit one when so many Burdens are laid on all ranks — and in this place in particular, as we have our Infirmary also by public subscription — but I can delay no longer. . . . I have just commenced soliciting aid by subscriptions, and have succeeded beyond expectation. The Provost and Magistrates have all subscribed liberally. Indeed, I owe much to Provost Inglis, as he hath all along encouraged my going on with my purpose. Culloden and Mr. Baillie, Dochfour, have given me £50 each. But still much is wanted, and sometimes I have my fears. I must try all means, and hope to succeed by the aid and interest of friends far and near." The building, surmounted by a cupola and capable of accommodating 300 sitters, was erected in the year 1801, at the cost of £1,000, and was situated opposite the Gaelic Church. It was superseded in 1838 by the present St. John's at the cost of £2,000. As time passed on a number of appointments were bestowed on Mr. Anderson. He was made Clerk of Lieutenancy, Procurator Fiscal for the Burgh, and agent for the Duke of Gordon, Lovat, Ballindalloch, Belleville and others. His duties in connection with these appointments brought him into contact with all classes of people, and his sympathetic nature and genial manner rendered him a universal favourite. As a factor he was particularly lenient, and no poor widow struggling to maintain her little croft ever had cause to tremble as rent time drew near, or to anticipate a removal from the humble home endeared by the associations of years. From the better class of farmers Mr. Anderson's courtesy had also been the means of winning for him a readiness to oblige, even in the midst of difficulties and inconvenience, as was exemplified once by an amusing incident. A very heavy snow-storm had occurred one winter just before the Martinmas term (when the rents would be falling due) and most of the country roads had become impassable for any cart or gig. From one farm in Stratherrick it had been quite decided that no man on horseback need attempt to go to Inverness with the rent for Mr. Anderson; but the farmer's daughter, a clever, well-educated young lady of sixteen, who was gifted with an extraordinary amount of pluck and courage, announced her determination of undertaking the long journey on foot and paying the rent on the term day. The lawyer was seated in his office at midday when a tap was heard at the door, and on his calling out "Come in," a well-known figure appeared, clad in thick woollen garments and great strong boots, but all covered with snow. "Good heavens! Miss Chirsty!" exclaimed Mr. Anderson, "how on earth did you get here in such a storm?" "On my feet and all alone," cried the merry, rosy-cheeked girl "Did you think I could let such a kind friend be kept waiting for his rent when I had feet?" The lawyer sprang from his chair and gave his young favourite a hearty slap on the shoulder — "You are a splendid girl," he said; "I wish you were my daughter!" On the 2nd of May, 1815, was instituted the "Highland Society of Inverness," and the Inverness Journal of 22nd and 29th September, 1815, contains a list of the elaborate rules — twenty in number — by which the Society was to be regulated. The fifteenth Rule was as follows: "The Society shall hold an Anniversary meeting every year, on the 18th day of June, in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo, and when the same shall happen to fall upon a Sunday, the Meeting shall be held on the Tuesday next thereafter." Of this Society Mr. Peter Anderson was appointed Secretary, and in the Inverness Journal of the 29th September, 1815, the subjoined announcement appears: — "The following are the present Office Bearers of the Highland Society of Inverness, as they appear in the Society's minutes, in possession of the Secretary. President. The Hon. Archibald Fraser of Lovat. Vice-Presidents. The Most Noble the Marquis of Huntly. Col. F. W. Grant. M.P. Donald McLeod, Esq., of Geanies. Sir Æneas McIntosh of McIntosh, Bart. The Right Hon. Lord Saltoun. Directors. Sir J. W. McKenzie of Scatwell, Bart. Charles Grant, jun., Esq., M.P. Lieut.-General John McKenzie of Ballville. Angus McIntosh, Esq., of Holm. William Fraser Tytler, Esq., Sheriff-Depute of Inverness-shire. Lachlan McIntosh, Esq., of Raigmore. Major Thomas Fraser of Newton. Duncan Fraser, Esq., of Fingask. William Fraser, Esq., of Culbockie. John Fraser, Esq., of Achnagairn. Sir William Fraser of Ledclune and Morar, Bart. Affleck Fraser, Esq., of Culduthel. Treasurer. Edward Fraser, Esq. Secretary. Peter Anderson, Esq." In the Inverness Journal of 7th June, 1816, the following announcement is inserted: — "First Anniversary Meeting of The Inverness Highland Society. "In Conformity with one of the Rules of the Inverness Highland Society, their first Annual Meeting will be held in Bennet's Hotel, upon Tuesday, the 18th day of June current, that Memorable Day, which will hand down to the latest posterity, the most indubitable proofs of Highland valour and Highland prowess. "After the ordinary business is gone through, the Members will dine together, and every Gentleman, not particularly engaged, it is hoped will attend. "Peter Anderson, Secretary. "INVERNESS, 4th June, 1816." On the 27th of February, 1817, a meeting was held at Inverness which established the great Wool Fair. Mr. Anderson was appointed Secretary to the meeting and had much to do in the successful inauguration and carrying out of the patriotic movement. The printed Report of the Meeting commences thus: — "INVERNESS, 27th February, 1817. "At a Meeting convened here this day, by public Advertisement in the Inverness Journal, to consider the utility and advantage to the Public at large of holding an annual Market for Sheep and Wool at Inverness, and to fix on the period of the year most suitable for holding the same; "Present: — James Robertson, Esq., Provost of Inverness. James Grant, Esq., of Bught. Hugh Fraser, Esq., of Eskadale. James Grant, Esq., of Corrymony. Lachlan Mackintosh, Esq., of Raigmore. Lachlan Mackinnon, Esq., of Corrychattachan. Mr. Farquhar .Mackinnon, Younger of Corrychattachan. Mr. John Manson, from Skye. Major Jones, from Gortuleg. Captain Haggar. Mr. Ranald McDonald, Floddigarry. Mr. Alexander McCallum, Culigeran. Bailie Alexander Anderson. Captain McDonald, Aonach. George Jeffrey, Esq., Lochcarron. Mr. Hugh Fraser, Aberskea. Mr. John Stewart, junior, Merchant. Bailie John Simpson. Mr. Alex. Grant, Factor for James Murray Grant, Esq., of Glenmorriston. John McIntyre, Esq., Letterew. Mr Alex. Fraser, Manufacturer, Inverness. John Fraser, Esq., of Farraline. And Peter Anderson, Solicitor in Inverness." Further on in the Report the list is given of the gentlemen who were appointed to act as a Committee: — "Thirdly, In order to carry these Resolutions into effect, and render them as public as possible, James Robertson, Esq., Provost of Inverness, Lachlan Mackintosh, Esq., of Raigmore, James Grant, Esq., of Bught, Hugh Fraser, Esq., of Eskadale, Lachlan Mackinnon, Esq., of Corrychattachan, Alex. Anderson, Esq., Agent for the Bank of Scotland in Inverness, John Fraser, Esq., of Farraline, Mr. Alexander Fraser, Manufacturer in Inverness, Simon Fraser, Esq., of Foyers, John McIntyre, Esq., Letterew, James Murray Grant, Esq., of Glenmoriston, William Fraser, Esq., of Culbockie. Mr. James Laidlaw, at Knockfin, And Peter Anderson, Solicitor in Inverness, and Secretary to the Meeting, Were chosen as a Committee of Management; any five, including the Secretary, to be a Quorum, and the Provost to be Convener." If one glances over the columns of the Inverness Journal of those days, Peter Anderson is often seen to appear as taking a prominent part in connection with public affairs, and his name is often associated with those of his namesake the Agent for the Bank of Scotland, and his other namesake and relative, the minister of Fochabers. A list of justices of the peace in the Journal of 11th September, 1818, is headed thus: — "List Of the Names of Persons contained in the Last Commission of the Peace For the County of Inverness, Residing in or connected with the Eastern or Southern parts of the County. A. Anderson, Peter, Solicitor, Inverness. Anderson, Alexander, Banker in Inverness Anderson, The Rev. John, Minister of Fochabers." In those days a series of assemblies was held in Inverness throughout the winter — the season ending in March. The Inverness Journal for 12th March, 1819, contains the following announcement: "An Assembly will be held in the Northern Meeting Rooms on Friday Evening the 26th current, and as a Meeting of Subscribers is to take place on Friday the 19th for the purpose of admitting new Members: it is particularly requested that Gentlemen desiring admission will give in their names to the Secretary, previous to the Meeting, that they may be proposed and received, agreeable to the Regulations. STEWARDS FOR THE EVENING. W. Falconer, Esq. A. T. F. Fraser, Esq., of Abertarff. Dr. McArthur, J. I. Nicol, Esq., Surgeon. Peter Anderson, Esq. "This to be the last Assembly for the Season. "Alex. Shepperd, Sec. "9th March, 1819." Mr. Anderson built for himself a commodious house on Church Street with a large garden at the back from which steps led down to the river. The furniture was of that solid substantial kind which is calculated to stand the tear and wear of generations, and was chosen with a regard to comfort and not to any probable changes of fashion. In this house he maintained a cordial hospitality, and there were few evenings in the week when he had not some of his most intimate friends gathered around him. But his early associations caused him to take a special interest in all that was connected with farming and country pursuits, and for many years he rented a small farm in the Black Isle, close to Kilmuir, and not only spent part of each summer there with his family, but often brought them there to spend a day at various seasons of the year. In those days before railways, when cheap excursion fares did not exist even in the wildest dreams of the imagination, and when a journey to Edinburgh was such a serious undertaking that it often involved the making of one's will before starting, people were content to take their pleasures near at hand, in a homely, leisurely fashion. Mr. Anderson's children never desired any greater excitement than a visit with their father to the farm, and a ramble among the rocks of the Black Isle. To these excursions may be traced the taste for long, country walks and for the study of botany and geology which characterised his sons in later years. Mr. Anderson made close companions of his children, conversing with them on all the subjects which interested himself, so that their minds became matured at a very early age, and the lessons they received at school may be said to have formed only a small part of their education compared to what was acquired by them from companionship with their cultured father. In those days late dinners were unknown and lawyers were free for a walk in the afternoons, returning to their offices after tea and remaining there until nine o'clock. Each afternoon Mr. Anderson brought his younger boys, one on each side, for a walk into the country. On Sunday the walk was always out by Rose Street to the Longman and home by the ramparts of Cromwell's Fort — that being the quietest road. There were no Sunday Schools in connection with any of the Inverness churches then, and Mr. Anderson's children derived their religious instruction direct from their father's lips — in summer amid the beauties of Nature and in winter at his own fireside. In after years his son Peter followed his example, and every Sunday, after morning service, brought his children to visit the scenes which to him were always linked with memories of his father. Seated among the sea-pinks at the Longman, in the hush of a Sunday afternoon, the writer, when a young child, has listened to stories of her grandfather's life and teaching, until his personality became so impressed on her imagination as to become to her an inspiration. There is still living in Inverness a very aged woman named Annie Mackintosh, who well remembers seeing Mr. Anderson and his two younger boys starting for their afternoon walk through the arched entrance, secured by a large iron gate, which at that time led to their Church Street home. Mr. Anderson used to nod kindly to the little girl and speak some pleasant words to her. Annie's father was a candlemaker in Friars' Lane, and she, along with other little girls, used often to stand at the top of the lane to watch the congregation passing into the entrance (near the foot of Church Street) of what they termed the "English Chapel". From any week-day services held there, Mrs. Anderson was never absent, and Annie well remembers seeing her stand at the entrance, holding long conversations with Bishop Andrew Macfarlane, before passing into the Church. Although the children were so accustomed to the companionship of their father, they had been trained to treat him and their mother with unvarying respect, and to be diffident in asserting any opinions of their own. The feelings with which they regarded their father might be comprehended in the one word reverence — a reverence which his sympathetic nature prevented from being mixed with any of the awe with which their mother impressed them. Even when her sons were grown-up men they were accustomed to stand up whenever Mrs. Anderson entered the room where they were seated. A lady (a family connection) who went in January, 1825, to spend her motherless childhood under Mrs. Anderson's care, when the latter had become a widow, has described a pretty, though ceremonious scene, which used to be daily enacted. Each day, a few minutes before four o'clock, the old lady — attired in black silk, with a fine, lace-trimmed white handkerchief pinned across her chest, and lace mittens on her delicate hands — entered the dining-room and was met at the door by her son George, who, with a low bow, conducted her to an easy chair near the fire. Then, when the dinner had been brought in, he again approached her, with a bow, and taking her by the hand, led her to her seat at the head of the table. At the informal dinner parties which so often took place in the Church Street house, the younger boys were always present, but they were served at a side table after all their elders had been attended to, and were not allowed to speak unless spoken to. On one occasion a very animated discussion about some matter of local interest had been taking place at the larger table, and Mr. Anderson, in the heat of argument, had begun to show some loss of temper. "Patience, Peter, patience!" shouted out one of the guests with upraised hand. Little Peter at the side table imagined that the rebuke had been meant for him, and he resented the injustice. "I am very patient," he indignantly exclaimed; "I have not spoken one word since dinner began." The shout of laughter which this remark gave rise to restored good humour to the larger table, and little Peter was called to his father's side, a position which never failed to make him happy. The Frasers of Eskadale. the Frasers of Stoneyfield (latterly of Ness Side), the Denoons and the Gibsons were the friends who assembled most often around Mr. Anderson's dinner table, and indeed so strong was the friendship between him and Mr. Fraser, Stoneyfield, that a compact was entered into that on some particular days of each week they should dine alternately at each other's houses, and this custom was kept up as long as they both lived. It was "Old Stoneyfield" who used to stand on the edge of the hill to watch the coach which passed towards Inverness at four o'clock, in case he might espy some acquaintance whom he could hail and bring home to dinner. The dinner or tea parties of those days always wound up with a substantial supper, and as all the guests were usually intimately acquainted with one another there was a glow of geniality about those gatherings which in the present age of "At Homes" it is difficult to realise. In the dining-room of the Church Street house might often be seen assembled around the tea-table at six o'clock on a Saturday evening a party of boys and girls who during the week were the companions of the lawyer's children at the Royal Academy and Mrs. Gibson's school. But their tongues were generally unloosed only when their host had arisen from the table to return to his office, which communicated with the dining-room by a quaint little flight of steps. One lady, who has only recently passed away, used to remark: "I never dared to raise my eyes above his shoe-buckles until he had reached the steps leading to the office, but by that time I could venture to look at his long silk stockings and knee breeches". The various social gatherings in the house of this lawyer of the olden time owed much of their charm to a lady who may be said to have been the guiding star of Mr. Anderson's household. Some years after his marriage he had offered, with the cordial approval of his wife, a home to his cousin Margaret, the orphan daughter of his uncle Peter Anderson, the farmer at Broomhillock, and this lady remained a loved and honoured member of the household till her death. As her cousin's wife was delicate, Miss Anderson released her from the duties of housekeeping and enabled her to devote all her time to the reading and writing she loved so well. Something higher than tact enabled the Aberdeenshire farmer's daughter to live in perfect harmony with her benefactor's wife, whose tastes and disposition were in many ways different from her own, and to become to her a most congenial companion in the long morning walks which Mrs. Anderson found necessary for her health. Miss Anderson also took the entire charge of her cousin's younger children, treating them with a wise impartiality which ensured their respect as well as with a tenderness which won their affection. The lessons of unselfishness, courtesy and consideration for others which their father impressed on them, were deepened by the teaching of Miss Anderson. Towards the servants of the household, in particular, she taught them to show consideration even in very small things. The children were never allowed to have a second helping of pudding at dinner. "Pudding is not a necessity, boys," she would say; "you must leave plenty for the servants." She liked preparing little dainties for the boys, however, with her own hands, and the usual supper that she gave to each of them was a roasted apple and a wine biscuit. She was fond of young people, and no boy or girl was ever sent on an errand to the house without receiving some treat from her. A lady now living in Inverness, who, when a little girl, was sent with a message from her father to the house during the later years of Miss Anderson's life, still cherishes the memory of the little lady clad in black, with a large white muslin handkerchief over her shoulders, who with winning smiles met her in the hall and led her into a little side parlour to partake of the unwonted treat of arrowroot and jam. The father of this little girl had in early youth served his apprenticeship as a house-painter, and his diligence, conscientiousness and intelligence had attracted the notice of Mr. Anderson, with whom he was often brought into contact. There was no class of boys in whom Mr. Anderson took so deep an interest as those who were endeavouring to make their way, unassisted, in the world, and who had a taste for reading. From time to time he used to bestow the gift of a book on this young lad, and in those days when cheap literature and Free Libraries were unknown, such gifts were not lightly esteemed. The little volumes were always held among the lad's most treasured possessions, and in his extreme old age he kept them under lock and key in his own bedroom lest they might be handled by careless fingers. His eye used to light up when he spoke of the donor, and with enthusiasm he would describe the stately figure, the gracious bearing and kindly heart of that lawyer of the olden time. When this old gentleman died at the age of ninety-one, some of the volumes were presented to the writer. They consist of a History of England; the well-known Evenings at Home; the Book of Trades in several volumes; and the Book of Games; all published at the commencement of the century, and the two latter illustrated with numerous quaint copperplates. The grotesque illustrations in The Book of Games are such as would at once arrest the eye of any one with antiquarian tastes. In 1817 a soup kitchen was started in Inverness by the "Society for Suppression of Begging" — a society instituted in 1815 — but it was extremely difficult to obtain subscriptions for its maintenance except by means of balls. It is interesting in looking over the columns of the Inverness Journal to observe the following announcement in the number for 13th April, 1821: — "CHARITY BALL. "The Subscriptions for the support of the Soup Kitchen being quite exhausted, a Ball will be held in the Northern Meeting Rooms, on Tuesday next, the 17th current, in aid of the Funds, of which the Friends of the Institution are respectfully informed. Alex. Mackenzie Esq., of Woodside, Director. "STEWARDS. Provost Robertson. Hugh Fraser, Esq., of Eskadale. Peter Anderson, Esq. Alexander Anderson, Esq. Alexander Shepperd, Esq. "Tickets of admission may be had of any of the Stewards, or from Mr. Robert Smith, Treasurer to the Institution. Ladies, 3s.; Gentlemen, 10s. 6d. "Dancing to commence at 8 o'clock. "INVERNESS, 11th April, 1821." In a "Report of the Statistics of the Parish of Inverness, in Reference to the Public Funds for the Support of the Poor. Prepared by Direction of the Kirk Session of Inverness, by G. & P. Anderson, Accountants and Solicitors," and printed at the Herald Office, Inverness, in 1838, the following remarks occur: "So far back as the year 1815, a Society was formed in Inverness for the suppression of begging, its leading intention being not to support all the indigent part of the community , but such only as were likely to become common street beggars and had a claim on the parish. In the year 1817 an extraordinary exertion was made in the Town, and a sum of £513 was raised by subscription to relieve the labouring poor who in the winter of that year were suffering unusual privations, and who were from that fund usefully employed in forming roads and improving the banks of the river. In the same year also, public begging having attained a vexatious and oppressive height, without essentially benefiting the most needy objects, the Society just mentioned attached a Soup Kitchen to their Institution, which for several years was conducted with great spirit, and was productive of much good — their annual expenditure, from 1815 to 1828, being between £200 and £300 (one year it amounted to £500), and the number of Paupers on their lists being from 114 to 168." The Institution, however, gradually declined, and the Report states farther on that in 1828 it was decided that "the Poor of this parish should be continued under the care of the Kirk Session, aided by an extended and improved Eldership, under whose inspection the parish, it was proposed, should be divided into small sections or districts with an Elder to each. On the Session devolved from that date the sole public charge of the parochial poor, and the Session for some years continued the Soup Kitchen under the management of the late Rev. Thomas Fraser, one of the warmest and most active friends of the poor of Inverness." Long before 1817, however, Miss Anderson had started a private soup kitchen in her cousin's house, maintained at his expense, where on certain days of each week, all throughout the year, she dispensed broth with her own hands to a number of poor old people. She visited regularly among the poor and the sick, not as a member of any society, but as a private friend who took a personal interest in them. To the poor she ultimately sacrificed her valuable and useful life. When cholera was raging in Inverness in 1834, Miss Anderson could not be dissuaded from going to the plague-stricken and neglected districts of the town where the poor were dying by scores, and carrying food and medicine with her in an enormous muff which is still in existence. One day she came home feeling ill, and on Dr. Manford being sent for, he pronounced it to be cholera, but for the next day or two the symptoms were favourable. On the 25th of September, however, a change took place and she passed away peacefully and gently at six o'clock on the following morning, at the age of sixty-three; and was buried at half-past five the same evening by the desire of the medical attendants. Her devoted nurses all throughout her illness had been her cousin's sons, George and Peter Anderson. In a letter that George wrote on the day of her death, he remarked: "It fell to my lot, in the good providence of God, to close for ever those eyes which were so often moist with tears for me when on the bed of languishing, and which were always on the alert for doing good to others. The full extent of our loss is of course not yet known by us; it will take years to develop it. My Mother has sustained this blow with astonishing composure." Besides providing his cousin Margaret with a home, Mr. Anderson had sought out various relations and connections in Aberdeenshire who, he thought, might be in need of a helping hand, and he brought back one widowed cousin and her boy to live entirely in Inverness so that they might always be within reach of his aid and advice. His only sister, Margaret, had married Mr. James Ledingham (tenant of the farm of Ireland Brae, in the Parish of Rayne, Aberdeenshire), a widower with two sons. She had, in time, seven children of her own, Patrick, Alexander, George, Robert, Jean, Helen, and John. Robert (born in 1799) became a well-known advocate in Aberdeen. Jean, the last surviving of Margaret Anderson's children (who had married a cousin of her own, also named Robert Ledingham) died near Camrose, in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in November, 1890, at the age of eighty-eight, having retained all her faculties and all her kindly sympathies to the very last. John Ledingham, the elder of Margaret Anderson's two stepsons, had evinced a desire to study for the profession of law. Mr. Anderson undertook all the expenses necessary for his education, and afterwards started him in business as a lawyer in Inverness. Mr. John Ledingham afterwards became Town Clerk of Fortrose and died there. He was twice married and left a daughter and several sons. His second wife fell a victim to the cholera not many days after it had carried away Miss Anderson. She was seized with the terrible malady on the evening of the 6th of October, 1834, and died on the following afternoon. In those days trained nurses were unknown. Mrs. Ledingham's stepdaughter was in Edinburgh, and the servants and neighbours were panic-stricken; but George and Peter Anderson by turns aided the grief-stricken husband in ministering to the unfortunate lady all throughout her brief and painful illness, just as they had done in the case of Miss Anderson. While Miss Anderson spent her time in household duties and visits of benevolence, her cousin's wife devoted hers to the study of history and poetry and to keeping up a close correspondence with relatives at a distance. She was an excellent linguist and had made herself acquainted with the works of all the best French authors — always preferring to study them in the original to reading any translation. So great was her partiality for the French language that her marriage gift to her husband had been a French Prayer book. In a letter written to her son Peter in October, 1826, the following remarks occur: "I wish I had Mrs. Johnstone's talents, I would set to write myself. I have read lately with much pleasure L'Histoire de la Conquête de l'Angleterre. I entered so much into the spirit of it that I was for translating it. John damped my intentions by saying no one cared for histories now! I am at present engaged with Mr. Hume at the same period, but he does not throw that light on the subject which M. Thierry does." Mrs. Anderson's pleasure in correspondence was equal to her pleasure in reading, and her letters abound with shrewd (and often sarcastic) remarks which show that she was a close observer of men and things. In one letter she remarks of a young relative who had given her husband some trouble, "Nature has done little for him and he has done nothing to improve that little"; and of an acquaintance who had just returned from a short trip to Paris with his wife: "I hear he is much the same. He did not get his rusticity rubbed off so easily as his wife did by going to France!" To a relative who was engaged in compiling a Family Tree, she writes In my young days I used to think my mother was too fond of claiming kindred with the Great, just as your father-in-law is". But there was one kind of greatness to which Mrs. Anderson was ever ready to bow the knee — the greatness of genius. She had a profound admiration for intellectual powers. Once, when a young girl, she was on a visit to some friends in the South, and it seemed to her that some of the guests who were invited to dinner one day were inclined to boast too much of their grand relations. The conversation had turned upon Highland chiefs, and one of the guests called out to her across the table, "And who is your chief, Miss Thomson?" "Oh, Thomson the poet, of course," she unhesitatingly replied, believing he was the only one of her name worthy of such a title. When her younger sons left Inverness Royal Academy for Edinburgh University, Mrs. Anderson kept up with them a voluminous correspondence. Those were the days when envelopes had not come into use, and when letters were written on large square sheets of paper which when folded were fastened with a wafer. Often those letters had to be kept waiting a long time until information could be obtained that some acquaintance was going by coach who would take charge of them. In those days, therefore, letters were something not only to be valued by the receiver but to be carefully prepared by the sender. The Anderson boys went to the University at an early age. Peter went there in 1818, two months before he had completed his fourteenth year. The first letter written to him by his mother after he had entered on University life is dated 4th November, 1818, and begins thus: — "As Hugh Denoon told me Saturday last that he was to write to George by an acquaintance who was setting off for Edinburgh to-morrow, I cannot deprive myself of the pleasure of addressing a few lines to you. We were all truly glad to hear of your safe arrival at Edinburgh. The coach you met was not so fortunate. Four of the passengers were much hurt by its upsetting near Dalwhinnie, but one of them, in particular, is not expected to live. It is Mrs. McLeod, returning from Demerara with her husband and child, who is so much hurt. Her sister Mrs. Corbet and her husband are at Dalwhinnie attending on her. Your father is sadly grieved at the accident. How thankful we should all be that it did not happen to your coach! I hope it will be a lesson in future to drivers not to drink drams on the road. "We are indeed very dull since you left us. Except George Gibson (who sleeps in your room) we have seen no one since you left us. All Monday and Tuesday after your departure I always imagined I heard you making a noise with your boots through the passage. "On Wednesday Miss Anderson and I took a trip to the farm to amuse us, and Dumple met us near the mill, made up to Miss Anderson and purred round her and followed us everywhere we went, though we walked through the wood and went to different places. We found the young wheat looking most beautiful, the potato harvest completely over. By-the-bye, our potatoes raised there are very bad. Miss A. and I got down some of them boiled in a small pot which we placed in the middle of the table, with a mug full of milk, and without taking off our window shutters or lighting a fire, we made a very comfortable dinner by the light admitted from the door. The sea was so smooth that we washed our feet in it, returned in the afternoon and were so fortunate as to find a boat at the ferry going off, and we got home before it was quite dark. Margaret has been complaining of a sore throat for a few days. She was at Eskadale Saturday last. I daresay she got cold keeping Hallowe'en with them. She is very dull now, but I hope she will soon get well again. "I hope you will find time to write us every particular regarding matters with you, as I have done. Nothing will come amiss to us, as your letters will be the only solace we can look for till your return." In her next letter she says: "Your welcome letter of the 9th I duly received. It makes us very happy and enables us to support your absence with more ease to find that George and you find yourselves comfortable in Mr. Moffat's. I felt sure you would like Mrs. Moffat, and I hope you will every day find your studies grow easier as you get more into the routine of them. I met Duncan McRae the day after he received George's letter, and he told me with a face of concern that you had so much to do that you did not get to bed till eleven o'clock. I comforted him by saying that you would sleep sound when you got there! "I daresay that the news of Mary Denoon's marriage with John Jameson has already reached you. They kept it a profound secret. Mrs. Denoon at different times called on your father to consult him with papers in her hand, but always at a late hour. "You would see by the newspapers that we have had another smart shock of earthquake. I was the only one in the house who heard it (except the maid servants who had not gone to bed). I awoke with the dreadful noise as if a discharge of cannon was going over the house in the same direction as the first great earthquake. I felt the bed shake, for I had not courage to rise, but wrapped my blankets over my head, and at length fell asleep again. Our servants were so alarmed that they did not go to bed all night, and declare they saw the stones under their feet open up. The idea of those earthquakes becoming so frequent is not pleasant. "Our fine weather still continues. I never saw anything more beautiful than the sky has been for several mornings. I have figured you out, running across the Bridges to College, and casting a look of admiration upwards. "I hope you find the other boarders that Mr. Moffat has got agreeable companions. We very much admire the poem written by Mr. Moffat's eldest son. I am sure he will be an honour to his parents. "I have just seen the last number of the Edinburgh Magazine. I would require a key to understand a great deal that is inserted in that work. Who is the Mr. Wm. Scott, and what is the meaning of a plan for an English Academy at Edinburgh? I am aware that it is a satire on some person or persons. "Inverness is at present torn by two opposite parties but, if possible, every man of business should remain neutral. . . . "I am glad that the poor Queen is now at rest! . . . . . . . . . "I forgot to tell you that Margaret Dallas is like to lose her sight. She has had an operation on one of her eyes this week, and the Doctor thinks that a speck is growing on the other. Miss Dallas is quite in low spirits about her. She would have had the prize for Geography at the Examination. "There is now one month of your time elapsed since you went to Edinburgh. In other five you will return home!" Above the address of this letter is written "Honoured by Doctor Fraser," and evidently the escort to take charge of it had only been heard of just before the starting of the coach, for it is the only one of Mrs. Anderson's letters to which she seems to have had no time to subjoin a date. By a letter dated 6th January, 1819, the difficulties as to getting letters forwarded are made clearly apparent. It commences thus: "Mr. D. McRae sent word to me yesterday that if I wanted to write to you he knew a person going by the Mail to-day who would take charge of a letter to you. I sent a letter to George by the Monday's coach, and as there were no passengers going by it, Duncan gave it to Donald McIntosh, who promised to give it to some careful person at Perth, to forward it to Edinburgh. Perhaps he never will receive it. As John's last letter was addressed to Margaret, and as she was at Eskadale, we did not think of opening it till your father received yours on Monday morning in which you referred him to it for an account of the riot at the execution. No words can describe the horror we felt on reading the account of it. I think it is in every respect equally shocking and more insulting to all civil authority than the mob at Porteous's execution. Besides, let us consider the different periods when they happened. It will offer a subject for some future Walter Scott to enlarge on. What a fortunate circumstance that we do not know when such events are happening! We might have figured you out, coming from the College, surrounded by the mob. What a blessing that all was quiet the last night of the year! "Margaret has not yet returned from Eskadale. We have been expecting her every day this week, but as this is Old Christmas I suppose they will all stay to make it another holiday in the country. "Alick Denoon and his two brothers drank tea with us yesterday afternoon. I told him that you did not get a reading of the Inverness papers, as John gave them to Dr. Fraser. He was so kind as to say that he would send you the Courier every week, as his mother gets it. I applied to him also for an account of the [Academy] Examination. He has promised to send me a letter to enclose to you. As usual I believe that there was a good deal of discontent on account of the Prizes. Barbary Fraser [Eskadale] came with hers to shew me after the Examination. On looking at it, I said, I am sure, Barbary, there are many pretty stories here' She answered, 'Yes, they may amuse little Sarah!' Mr. Grant refused to change it, as he said he would give no books after the Directors had chosen them. "You will have recommenced your studies. By great attention and diligence I hope you will gain the friendship of all your teachers, and particularly Mr. and Mrs. Moffat. There is a great satisfaction in being esteemed by those we live with. "I have always forgotten to thank Mr. Michael Anderson for the tartan plaid he sent to Margaret. You will offer him her most grateful thanks and remember us all most sincerely to him and Mrs. Anderson. He has really been grateful, for he has been most anxious to get Margaret to Edinburgh to pass some months with them." A letter dated 5th March, 1819, begins as follows: — "By this time you will have received our Budget by your friend Mr. Duncan McRae. "As Mr. Shepperd sets out to-morrow for your City I vainly flattered myself that the Highland Coach would be running by the time he went, and that Margaret would have gone South under his protection however, I am again disappointed. I hear nothing of it, and I suppose that the want of travellers stops it as much as the snow. "You will see by the newspapers that Mathews the Comedian is here at present. Your father and Margaret accompanied the Banker and his Lady (I mean Banker Anderson) to the Theatre, Wednesday evening. They were very much pleased with the performance. By-the-bye, Mrs. McIntosh, Holm, leads the ton. She is much admired and I hear much improved. So much for a trip to Paris! "Mr. Mathews got a present of a very elegant Spanish dress from the Duke of Gordon when at Gordon Castle, in which he appeared yesterday. "You will see by our papers of yesterday that Mr. Campbell McIntosh has given us a statement of the disbursement of the Inverness revenue. I do not pretend to blame any one, but surely we need a reform of some kind or other. Our streets are dirty beyond anything I ever saw, worse than when I came first to Inverness. If one turns out before breakfast they will find every kind of nuisance lying on the streets, the scavengers not attending to their duty, the roads neglected and everything out of repair, the bulwark from the New Bridge tumbling down, dunghills collected at doors on Douglas Place. Poverty is increasing among our poor and no redress. Miss Anderson danced attendance a whole day on some of our magistrates to endeavour to procure tickets for the Soup Kitchen for one or two of our pensioners, but all in vain. Next application was about Jonathan Anderson's money, and she was equally unsuccessful in that quarter, being informed that as there were no magistrates none could be given. I assure you Col. Bows is much missed amongst the poor; his hand and heart were ever ready to supply their wants and his daughter to administer comfort to all in distress. "Tuesday is the day appointed for Miss Logan's marriage to Mr. Gollan. Two of the elder Eskadales go over on Monday to act the part of bridesmaids to their cousin." This is not the sort of letter that a mother of the present day would consider most calculated to interest a boy of fourteen! On the back of each letter that Peter received from home, he made a long list of the subjects of mutual interest that were to be touched upon in his reply, and it is a noticeable feature of the letters that passed between the boy and his relatives, and characteristic of the contrast to the tastes of the present age, that they never contain an allusion to out-door sports or games of any kind. The letters of his only sister, who was at that time a girl of eighteen, are written in the delicate, pointed hand characteristic of the ladies' writing of that period. On the 24th January, 1819, she writes: "Your kind letter which came by Mr. Gibbs I received this morning on coming to town from Ness Side, where I have been since the beginning of last week, and as I hear there is a passenger going to your City by the Coach to-morrow, I now sit down to let you know how we come on in your absence. I spent the holidays very pleasantly at Eskadale, and as they have got four ponies there, we rode out every day. Anne and I rode into town in about two hours, which I think was pretty well for a beginner though you may think nothing of it. Two old friends of yours, Messrs. Campbell and Clark, dined at Ness Side yesterday, and were inquiring very kindly about you and George. Mr. Urquhart, who was likewise there, told me he had heard very lately from Mr. Nockells whom I believe you correspond with. Tell John that Duncan Gilzean is very ill and has not been out of bed for a long time. Poor James Simpson is also very ill and it is thought he cannot survive long. "Enclosed is a small parcel for Mary Fraser, Stoneyfield, from her mother, containing a gold chain, and tell her she will hear from her very soon. "The Chapel has been very well attended since Mr. Fyvie came, who is really an excellent preacher, and I am glad to say meets with a great deal of attention from his hearers. He is very well acquainted with your friend Mr. Urquhart of the Academy, they having been at College together. "If you can procure any more poems of your young friend's, I will be much obliged to you. "I hope the Kincorths are well, for you have not mentioned them in any of your letters for some time past." Another letter from Margaret, dated 1st March, 1819, runs thus: "My Dear Pat, — Although I have nothing particular to communicate to you at present, I cannot think of letting the favourable opportunity that now occurs pass by without writing you a few lines. I understand D. McRae is going up to qualify himself for being a messenger. I think it will be a great blow to my father, his leaving the coach office, for he is obliging and honest. I don't think he will easily meet with one that will fill his place. "The subscription for the ball that was given last week for the benefit of the Soup Kitchen, amounted to £65, besides expenses. The ball itself was very ill attended, there being a proportion of three gentlemen to each lady. "Mr. Mathews, the Irish Comedian, is to perform here for three nights this week. He has been highly recommended to the people here by the Duke of Gordon, who even wrote to procure the Provost's permission and the use of the Theatre from Captain Bain for him. "Mr. Fraser who is to marry Miss Nasmith is to leave Castle Street immediately. He has taken the house that Mr. Simpson lived in near Culloden. "Miss Bell Denoon, who has been laid up at Mr. Jamieson's with a lingering fever ever since the marriage, has gone home to her mother's now. I am told she is very much reduced by her illness. "Enclosed are two letters for you and John from Mr. Anderson at the Factory. I am sure they are a month old, as he wrote them to go with Mr. Shepperd, but as he did not set out at the time he first intended, they have lain at the Factory ever since. I am in hopes I will be able to leave this in about a fortnight, that is to say if the coach can go then, for Mary Sheriff is in the same way waiting for it to run, and I hear Mr. Kinloch is going South with her. It would be very pleasing for me to go along with them, but as this is only a plan of my own forming you need not say anything about it till you hear from me again. "I am sure that some of your companions would have written you that they heard of Mr. McRae's going South, but we had such short intimation of it ourselves that I could not send to let them know. "You will be surprised to hear that the Rev. Mr. Clark is going to give up his situation in the Academy. I am told he is to get a Gaelic Chapel in London, but I suppose it is only conjecture, for he has not told any one of his plans." Margaret Anderson, the writer of these two last letters had always been extremely fragile, with the shadow of an early death hanging over her, and for the last three years of her life she was prostrated in what was termed "a wasting decay". She died on the 25th of July, 1823, two months after completing her twenty-third year. She had inherited the intellectual tastes of both her parents, and possessed a dignity and gravity of manner beyond her years. She was slightly made and had a delicate complexion and auburn hair. Her brother George's wife, who when a little girl used to watch her admiringly on her way to church, has described her as dressed on those occasions in a soft white muslin gown with little tucks, a black satin spencer, a large bonnet and long veil, openwork silk stockings and prunella shoes, and having a large satin reticule suspended from her arm, containing a prayer book and handkerchief, and a silver vinaigrette engraved with her initials. The small collection of books — all handsomely bound in calf or morocco — which she left behind her, had been treasured and read over and over again in a way that could not be realised by the young girls of the present day. On her book shelf, next to her Bible — which was divided into three separate volumes bound in scarlet calf, richly gilt and adorned with symbolical figures — rested her two favourite books, Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield, and The Sabbath, with Sabbath Walks and other Poems by James Grahame. Among her other books were a French Prayer Book published in 1814, and Miscellanies in Prose and Verse by Mrs. Chapone. Her copy of the Vicar of Wakefield had been published in 1803 and it contains four quaint engravings beneath each of which is printed "Published Oct. 7th, 1797, by Vernor and Hood". On the fly-leaf is written "Margaret Anderson from her ever affectionate Jane Stewart Graham". All Mr. Anderson's sons had decided while very young on following their father's profession, and John had already been settled for two years as a Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh when his marriage to the daughter of Mr. Alexander Mackenzie of Woodside took place in 1823. He and his young wife came north a few months after their marriage to visit Mr. Mackenzie at Viewfield near Inverness. They had decided to start on the 6th of November on their return journey to Edinburgh where George and Peter Anderson had preceded them on the 3rd in order to attend the law classes at the University. On the 4th a farewell party for the young people was given at Viewfield which John's father attended, and at which he seemed to be in the full enjoyment of health and spirits. Only fifty-five years of age, he still appeared to have many years before him in which to pursue his career of usefulness and benevolence. All was heartiness and cheerfulness throughout the evening, and when the usual substantial supper was over, Mr. Anderson left for home, accompanied by a friend, Mr. Thomson. But when passing Kingsmills, he was seized with a pain in the chest and difficulty of breathing, which went on increasing all the way to town, so that Mr. Thomson accompanied him home, where restoratives were at once administered to him by Miss Anderson, but he countermanded two different orders for a medical man, although obliged to lean back with his eyes shut for a long time. At last, however, he took up his candle and went to his own room where every attention was paid him. He appeared to get much better, and conversed freely and calmly with his cousin who attended him, and asked her whether she had heard of the sudden death of Charles Grant, senior (who for twenty years had been member of Parliament for the County of Inverness), the report of which had reached him just before the dinner at Viewfield. (Definite news of Mr. Grant's death did not in fact reach Inverness until the morning of Wednesday, the 5th of November, although it had occurred in London early on the preceding Friday, the 31st of October, and strangely enough the complaint with which he had been seized had been the same as that of Mr. Anderson — spasms in the stomach.) Towards morning Mr. Anderson said that he felt so well that he would go to sleep, and he made two requests. One was that his daughter-in-law might not be told of his illness, and the other that his cousin should retire to her own room and go to rest, "For," he said to her, "you have far more need of rest than I have ". Those two requests — the last he ever made — were indicative of that consideration for others which had been the predominant characteristic of his entire life! With difficulty his wife and cousin were prevailed on to retire. The latter had hardly lain down when Mrs. Anderson, who was on the watch, heard a slight groan. They rushed to his room, but all was over. They thought that perhaps he had only fainted, and Dr. Nicol and Dr. Macdonell were sent for. He was bled, but all in vain. Dr. Macdonell at once proceeded on horseback to Viewfield to fetch John Anderson; but owing to the difficulties and tedium attending travelling in those days, it was not until the following Saturday, the 8th of November, that George and Peter were able to arrive from Edinburgh. A sad and wearisome journey it was to them, who only on the previous Monday had left their beloved father in the apparent enjoyment of health and strength. There is no portrait in existence of Mr. Anderson, but he has been described as having a figure which, though somewhat portly in later years, was finely formed; and marked features which were always lighted up with animation. He was of an ardent and enthusiastic nature, quickly roused to indignation by any tale of injustice or oppression. His son John has described him as being "peculiarly distinguished by an eagerness of manner". In a letter giving an account of his death, John concludes by observing: "A sad consolation belongs to his bereaved family that his loss had met with the sympathy of all ranks. The Inverness Courier of 6th November bears a paragraph expressive of the sentiments of his fellow-citizens towards his memory, written by some friendly hand. But to his family, where every kindlier virtue beamed forth, his loss can never be repaired — certainly never too strongly felt. His children in particular have to lament a parent ever ready at any expense to promote their advancement and interest." The paragraph in the Courier of 6th November, 1823, just alluded to, appeared immediately below one recording the death of the distinguished Charles Grant, and is as follows: — "The strokes of fate have fallen rapidly and severely upon us within the last few days. In addition to the loss of the revered person mentioned above, we have the mournful task of recording the sudden death of Peter Anderson, Esq., solicitor, a man so generally liked and esteemed by his fellow-citizens that his death is felt in Inverness as a private sorrow as well as lamented as a public loss. Mr. Anderson was still in the prime of life, and of a constitution which promised length of days and the enjoyment of vigorous health. Early yesterday morning he became indisposed, and by seven o'clock he had ceased to live. The frankness of his courtesy, and a facility of benevolence which made him the ready listener to all sorts of grievances, and the ready friend of all sorts of men who were in want of assistance — and these have not been few of late years — formed a character peculiarly calculated to gain on the kindliest sympathies of the heart; and we may truly say that, as no member of our community was ever more universally liked than Mr. Anderson, no one was ever mourned by high and low with grief more unaffected and genuine." The Inverness Courier of the 18th of March, 1824, gives a long and interesting account of a "Solicitors' Dinner" held in the Town Hall on the preceding Friday, the 12th of March, at which between fifty and sixty gentlemen were present. Provost James Grant of Bught was in the chair and Mr. Kinloch officiated as croupier. The band of the Inverness Militia was in the gallery of the hall and played appropriate Highland airs at the conclusion of each speech. After many toasts had been drunk, a short and pathetic ceremony was gone through which is thus described: — "At the suggestion of Mr. Kinloch, the memory of a late distinguished patriot, Mr. Charles Grant, was drunk in silence with every rank of respect; and on the motion of Mr. Grant, a similar honour was paid to the late Mr. Peter Anderson, who in his less extended sphere of action had evinced a kindness of heart, and a courtesy of manner which had drawn to him the strong attachment of the members of his profession." Soon after Mr. Anderson's death a Gaelic elegy was written on him by one of the tenants on the Lovat estate, one of the many whom he had befriended and assisted in times of trouble. It is here given in full, as on the original broadsheet. MARBH-RANN AIR PADRUIG ANDERSON, FEAR-LAGHA ANN AN INBHERNEIS, Le HUISTEAN FRISEAL, Tuathanach ann an Sgireachd Chnuic-Mhuire. Och! mo dhìobhal mar'thachair, nach maireann thu Phadruig, 'S gu'n deachaidh do thaisgidh an ciste ghlaiste le àlach. 'S bochd an naigheachd dha'n t-sluagh-sa, och mo thruaìghe! nach beō thu, Dheanamh dìon dha na bochdan, 'chumail ceartas is còir riu. Tha do bhantrach dheth ciurte, 's tric a suilean a' sileadh, Bho'n chuir iad an ùr ort, 's nach 'eil suil ri thu tilleadh; Chaill i brŏd an duin' uasail, ceann tuath' 'm fad 's bu bheo e, Bu tu ceann-uidhe na'm bochd 'sna h-uile port 'san robh t-eòlas. Ach na 'n leagadh i 'taic air Fear-tighe na bantraich, Fa'n se rinn am briseadh, seasamh a nis 'sa bhearn sa, 'S ged dh' fhalbhadh an saoghal 's gach ni a dh' fheudadh a lean-tuinn, Sud an gealladh nach faillnich do 'n neach a thàras a mhealtuinn. Fear do mhaise cha lèir dhomh, ge do fheuchainn an tràth-sa, Ge do shiubhlainn le coinn 'libh 's ni nach fhaigh mi gu brāth e; Bha thu iriosal, uasal, 's tu ro shuairc' ann an nadur; Bha thu treun ann an ceartas, bu mbòr an gaisgeach 'measg chaich thu. 'Se do shuil a bha tlachdmhor's mòr bha 'mhaise 'na t'-aodann, 'Se do chridhe bha fialaidh, leat bu mhiann a bhi' sgaoileadh Air a bhochd 's air an fheumnach 'n uair a dh 'eigheadh an glaodh riut, 'S tu nach duineadh do lāmh orr' 'n ām sārachadh saoghalt'. Bu tu fein n'ar cùl-taic 'n uair bha ghoirt anns an ait'-sa; 'N uair a dhibir an t-aran fo chorruich an Ard Righ — Bha na Seilearan duinte 's cha robh cùinneadh air fhāgail, Ach bha Joseph 'san Eiphit 'deanamh feum do Righ Pharaoh. Tha Mac-Shimmie deth duilich, an ām cruinneachadh māl da, 'S an ām suidheachadh fearainn, nach maireann thu Phadruig; Chaill e 'sheirbhiseach dìleas, bha ro fhirinneach dha-san; Chuireadh tlachd air na mìltean, na'm b'e 's gu'n sìnte do laithean. 'Se do bhās a bha goirt dhomh, chuir e lot ann am airnean, 'Se mo chridhe tha ciurte 's nach robh sinn dùint' ann an cāirdeas. Ach 's fior am focal ri aithris, gur diuithe cairid na brāthair; 'S tu nach fhaiceadh mi 'm eigin 'n ām bhi'g eigheachd a mhāil dhiom. Sinn a dh' fheudas a rādh, gu'm b'e 'm bās oirn 'an gaduich, 'S ann aig' tha na sgiathan, 's e tha gniomhach 'an astar, 'N uair is lugha n-ar dùil ris, is sinn gun chùram gun fhaicill; 'N sin their e, "thoir cunntas, a do stiubhardachd dhachaidh". Ach 's beag is urrainn mi aithris dhe na bu mhaith leam a rādh, Tha mi goirid 'an ùine chum do chliù 'chuir an airde; Ach na'm faighinn mar dh'iarruinn dha 'neach a riaraicheas t-āite, E' bhi maith dha na bochdan's gun bhi goirt anns na māil oirnn. Though the verses are of small merit in a poetical sense, they are worthy of preservation from their quaint simplicity and from their fervent embodiment of the devoted attachment and gratitude with which Mr. Anderson had inspired the tenants on the estates for which he was agent. The Rev. Thomas Sinton, minister of Dores, a well-known Gaelic scholar, has kindly supplied the writer with a closely literal translation of the elegy, and it is herewith given as a fitting close to this sketch of "A Lawyer of the Eighteenth Century". ELEGY (LIT. DEATH-SONG) ON PATRICK ANDERSON, LAWYER IN INVERNESS. By HUGH FRASER, farmer in Kirkhill. Alas! my loss! what has happened, that thou remainest not, Patrick? That thou hast been enclosed in a coffin, locked in by nails? Sad tidings to our people, O woe's me! that thou art not alive. Thou wouldst make shelter for the poor and maintain right and justice for them. Thy widow is stricken, her eyes oftentimes are flowing, Since they have laid earth o'er thee, and there is no hope of thy return. She has lost a true gentleman — a leader of the country folk while living, Thou wert a chieftain for the poor in every place that thou didst know. But if she leans for support on Him who is Head of the house for the widow, That He who hath made the breach might stand in the gap; And though the world might withdraw itself and all that would follow it, That is a promise that shall not fail one who reaches forth to enjoy it. A man so fine of mien I behold not, though I would search for him now, Though I would seek him with candles — a thing impossible to find him. Thou wert at once humble and gentle, and of disposition most kindly. Strong upholder of righteousness, thou wert a hero among men. Thine eye was pleasant, great was the beauty of thy face, Generous was thy heart, it was thy delight to be distributing To the poor and the needy when they would cry to thee; Thou wouldst not close thine hand towards them when in worldly distress. Thou wert our chief support when famine was in the land, When bread was withdrawn from us under the wrath of God. The cellars were closed and no money was left, But Joseph was in Egypt doing good to King Pharaoh. Mackimmie [Lovat] is sorrowful at the time of gathering rent to him — At the time of letting his land, that thou, Patrick, art not alive. He hath lost a faithful servant who was very true to him, Who would have given pleasure to thousands had thy days been prolonged. Bitter was thy death to me, it has caused a wound in my side, My heart is sore though we were not connected by kinship. Truly may the saying be repeated, "a friend is closer than a brother". Thou wouldst not see me in distress at the time of demanding rent. Well might we say it, that death comes on us as a thief, Strong-winged is he; how fell is his swoop! When he is least expected by us, and we are heedless and unobservant, Then saith he "Come home and give account of your stewardship". But little can I relate of what it would be my desire to say, Brief time is mine to raise thy renown. But if I got according to my desire for the one who will fill thy place. That he would be kind to the poor and not rack them with rent. Mr. Anderson was buried in the old Chapelyard, close to the north-east wall. There is no evidence that any of his ancestors ever resided in Inverness, but it was often the custom in those days for new residents to select for a final resting-place the long disused burial-place of some family who had borne the same surname. On the wall within the enclosure where Mr. Anderson was interred are two tablets with quaint inscriptions. There is no date on either of these tablets but the lettering appears to be of the early eighteenth century. On the tablet at the left hand, the centre inscription is as follows: — THIS IS THE BURIAL PLACE APO INTED FOR GEORG ANDERSON MERCHAND & BVRGES IN INVRNES & HIS WIVES KATHARIN SIM IEAN STUART ISOBEL MCKI LLIGIN IANE MCBEAN To the right of this tablet containing the names of "Georg" and his four wives, is another, the names on which are probably those of a son and his wife. The inscription is worded thus: — THIS IS THE BVRIAL PLA CE APOINTED FOR IAMES ANDERSON WIGE MAKER & BVRGES IN INVERNESS & HIS SPOVS ELISABETH BARBVR Above the inscription on the left-hand tablet the initials of the names given below are arranged at each side of a heart and star. On the other tablet a heart alone is engraved between the initials. Below each inscription are arranged the usual symbols of death and the grave which are so often to be seen on ancient tombstones. The Inverness Town Council Records show that on the 27th of September, 1703 the Council granted "licence and allowance to George Andersone, periwigmaker, with his wyfe and familie, to pass and repass the bridge free from paying tole money in tym comeing: he paying twelve pounds Scots money to the Thesaurer". A like exemption was granted on the 28th of September, 1711, to James Anderson, periwigmaker, with his wife, children and servants; and the same James was, on the 31st of March, 1718, ,admitted "burges and gild brother of this burgh for love and favour". CHAPTER II. JOHN ANDERSON, W.S. THE three sons of Peter Anderson had all inherited his intellectual tastes and many of his other marked characteristics, but each of them possessed a distinct individuality of his own. The brothers were warmly attached to one another and delighted in one another's society. John the eldest, who was twenty-five years of age at the time of his father's death, was a man of courtly manners and refined, fastidious tastes. He had a slim, graceful figure, clearly-cut features and hair of a reddish tint. He had inherited short sight from his mother and always wore a double eye-glass, suspended from a chain. His father had never spared any expense to promote his culture and knowledge, and while yet a very young man, he had enjoyed the advantage of visiting different parts of the Continent at a period when facilities for foreign travel were few. He twice visited Italy, and during his excursions there made himself thoroughly acquainted with the character and customs of the people. He also made holiday tours nearer home. He visited Ireland and North Wales and took many excursions in his own native land. In the summer of 1818, along with two friends, he explored the north and west of Scotland on foot, knapsack on back, and wrote an account of his tour which occupies 137 pages. He went when only in his seventh year to the school of his uncle Dr. Thomson at Kensington, and among his school companions there, were the late Mr. James Murray Grant of Glenmoriston and his elder brother Patrick. Both these orphan boys, who were successively lairds of Glenmoriston, had been placed in 1805 under Dr. Thomson's care by their relative and guardian, Mr. — afterwards Sir John Peter — Grant of Rothiemurchus. After having had the privilege of his uncle's tuition for seven years, John Anderson was sent by his father in 1812 to the University of Edinburgh. During 1812-13 he attended the class of Professor Alexander Christison for Latin, and during 1813-14 the class of Professor David Ritchie for Logic and that of Professor Thomas Charles Hope for Chemistry. He afterwards became an apprentice to Messrs. Carnegie and Shepperd, W.S., and served a full indenture of five years to them prior to his passing as W.S. in 1821. It was in 1820 that he paid his longest visit to Italy, and spent part of the summer and autumn there. He arrived at Turin a few days after the accounts of the Neapolitan Revolution reached that capital. On the 23rd of April, 1823, John Anderson was married at Inverness, by the Rev. Charles Fyvie, to Elizabeth Mackenzie, a young lady in her nineteenth year, the only surviving child of Mr. Alexander Mackenzie of Woodside, agent for the British Linen Company's Bank at Inverness. She was a fine renderer of the music of her native land, and an accomplished performer on the harp. Mr. Mackenzie — better known as "Johnny Cope" from his capital rendering of the old Jacobite song — was a man of a particularly genial and social nature, who delighted in gathering his friends around him in a free and easy way. His wife (Miss Barbara Gillanders of Highfield) had died in 1809, when only in her twenty-fifth year, and her sister, Miss Abigail Gillanders, a beautiful and distinguished-looking woman, had presided over his household until 1819, when she became the wife of Mr. Thomas Mackenzie Paterson, writer in Inverness. The marriage of John Anderson to Elizabeth Mackenzie gave great pleasure to the relations on each side, as the banker and John's father had long been intimate friends. The bridegroom's brother Peter, at that time a lad of eighteen, sat down immediately after the ceremony to write a letter to his brother George who was then in Edinburgh. Part of it is as follows: — "INVERNESS, 23 April, 1823. My Dear George, "The ceremony is just over and passed off uncommonly well; Mrs. Anderson was very much agitated but John stood out nobly; they both looked very well and immediately set off for Aviemore. There was a great crowd present; for your satisfaction I will enumerate them. Lady Anne and Torbreck; Mr., Mrs. and Miss Fraser, Ness-Side; Abertarff, his wife and her sister; the three Misses Fraser, Farraline; Provosts Grant, Gilzean and Robertson; Mr. Anderson, Banker; Mr. Kinloch; Misses Grant, Bught, and Misses Macdonald. Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. Paterson, Mr. Shepperd, Mr. Ledingham and Alick Denoon. I believe that makes up the party, Miss Mackenzie, Ord, was Bridesmaid, and Sandy Fraser, Farraline, and I were Best men. At half-past five the whole party are to meet at the Banker's to dinner. I fancy we won't trouble the ladies with our company in the evening; the Banker has laid in a tremendous batch of claret for the occasion. If you don't also make 'the circling cup go round' this evening, you will lose all title to be called George Anderson! . . . . . . . . . "This goes by Mr. George Grant, Advocate. You will be so good as deliver the parcels of Gloves to the respective parties immediately." The young couple settled at 4 Walker Street, Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, and John devoted much of his time to antiquarian and genealogical research, in which he received much assistance from his father-in-law Banker Mackenzie (who was not only an eminent conveyancer, but noted for his antiquarian tastes), especially in connection with the Lovat Peerage case before the House of Lords and other cases as to Highland Genealogies and restoration of attainted Scottish Titles. On the 24th of January, 1825, John Anderson was admitted Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and was joined as assistant secretary with Dr. Hibbert in 1826 and with Mr. Drummond Hay in 1827. The papers which he contributed, and two of which are printed in the Transactions of the Society, are as follows: — 13th December, 1824. "Original Letters written by Simon Lord Lovat." 16th January, 1826. "An Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of the Mercheta Mulierum." (Trans., vol. iii., pp. 56-73.) 29th January, 1827. "Letters from Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton." 23rd March, 1827. "A Dissertation on the Origin of the Picts." 28th January, 1828. "Notices regarding the Site of Macbeth's Castle at Inverness." (Trans., vol. iii., pp. 234-244,) 11th February, 1828. "Passages from the Register of Discipline of the Kirk Session of Inverness in the Scealfing Stole or Cucking Stool," 12th May, 1828. "Extracts from the Orderly Book of the 36th Regiment of Foot on days shortly before and immediately after the Battle of Culloden." 25th April, 1831. "Anecdotes of the Highlanders and of the Rebellion of 1745-6: collected in the North." 23rd May, 1831, "Miscellaneous Remarks on the Fortresses of Scotland and on the Early Manners and Sepulchral Rites of the People." 22nd April, 1833. "Popular Notices of certain of the Highland Clans." 20th May, 1833. "Remarks on the Moorish Antiquities of Spain." 28th April, 1834. "Remarks on the Constitution of the Italian Republics in the Middle Ages." 23rd March, 1835. "Remarks on the Monastic Life." 13th April, 1835, "Notes taken, during a Personal Visit, of the Leading Antiquities of Rome." 18th May, 1835. "Passages from an Historical Sketch of the Highlands." There is a notice of John Anderson (among other office bearers) in an Anniversary Address — given on the 9th of December, 1861, by David Laing, Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland — and the work by which he is now best known to the general public is thus alluded to: "He published an interesting volume entitled Historical Account of the Family of Frisel or Fraser, particularly Fraser of Lovat, with Original Correspondence of Simon, Lord Lovat: Edinburgh, 1825, 4to. He was afterwards employed in the Lovat peerage and other cases connected with Highland genealogies and the restoration of attainted Scottish titles." (Trans.,vol. v., p. 13). The Historical Account above alluded to, was published by William Blackwood and is illustrated by some fine plates. It also contains genealogical tables of the "Family of the Frasers of Oliver Castle" and the "Family of Fraser of Lovat". The Lovat Peerage case referred to was the claim to the Scottish barony of Lovat put forward by Thomas Alexander Fraser of Strichen (grandfather of the present peer), who had in 1823 been served heir male of Thomas, fifth Lord, and who in 1827 led evidence (mainly given by John Anderson), before the Committee for privileges of the House of Lords. His petition was at that time unsuccessful, a rival appearing in the person of the Rev. Alexander Garden Fraser, New York, who claimed descent from John, younger son of Simon, thirteenth Lord Lovat, beheaded in 1747, and became well known in Inverness, where he resided with his family for several years. Mr. Fraser of Strichen was raised to the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1837, and twenty years later the attainder on the Scottish title was removed in his favour. John Anderson was also the author of a work entitled An Essay on the State of Society and Knowledge in the Highlands of Scotland, particularly in the Northern Counties, at the Period of the Rebellion in 1745, and of their progress up to the Establishment of the Northern Institution for the Promotion of Science and Literature in 1825. For an essay on this subject the prize of a gold medal had been offered by Sir George Stewart Mackenzie of Coul for competition among the members of the Northern Institution at Inverness, at the first General Meeting, which took place on the 23rd of March, 1825. The prize was awarded to John Anderson at the Anniversary Meeting on the 27th of October, 1826, when Sir George delivered an interesting address. The essay was published at Edinburgh in 1827. Among the many favourable reviews and criticisms which appeared of this essay, and the congratulatory letters which John Anderson received, there was one from his next-door neighbour which must have possessed for him a very special value. It was as follows: "Sir Walter Scott has great pleasure in acknowledging the pleasure and instruction which he has received from Mr. Anderson's Prize Essay transmitted by the obliging destination of the Council and Secretary of the Northern Institution; as also from that on the Mercheta Mulierum' which Mr. Anderson was so good as to send some two or three days ago. "3 Walker Street, Friday, 22nd February, 1827." Addressed "John Anderson, Esq., W. S. 4 Walker Street The Edinburgh Saturday Post of 26th January, 1828, contained a very long critique on this essay, combined with a comprehensive and interesting account of the Northern Institution. In the course of the review the following remarks occur: "It cannot but be extremely flattering both to his literary talents and his patriotic feelings, to have thus led the way in a tract of useful discovery and carried off the palm in this new field of competition. It must be no less gratifying to the Society to find their exertions so powerfully seconded, and their purposes so ably and satisfactorily accomplished; as the essay throughout bears the stamp of diligence, candour and discrimination, the great and essential requisities in historical elucidation." In 1826 a premium of £50 was offered by the Highland Society of Scotland "for the best and approved essay on the State of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, Agricultural, Manufacturing and Commercial; the progress and influence of the changes at present affecting their condition, and the means of deriving from these changes for the benefit of the population at large the greatest portion of good, and rendering such as have an unfavourable tendency productive of the least possible degree of evil." The premium was awarded to John Anderson, whose essay was ordered by the Directors to be published in their Transactions. It appears in the eighth volume, pages 16-62; and the Inverness Courier remarks in reviewing the essay that "it fully sustains the previous reputation of the author for talent and research". In 1835 John Anderson competed for a prize of 100 guineas which was offered by the Highland Society of London for the best essay on the Highland Clans. The prize was, however, awarded to William Forbes Skene (at that time one of the secretaries of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland) for an essay, published in London in 1837 as "The Highlanders of Scotland," the germ of the same writer's well-known work Celtic Scotland. In the letter, dated 23rd February, 1835, which Mr. J. Macdonald. Secretary of the Highland Society of London, wrote to John Anderson announcing this decision, the following remarks occur; "I beg leave to state that the Committee appointed to consider and report upon the Works sent in for competition, derived great satisfaction and much interesting information from the perusal of your Work; and I am instructed to convey to you the thanks of the Society, to express their regret that they could not award the Premium to your Essay, and to assure you that they very highly appreciate the talent and research displayed in your Work". The MS. of this essay has been preserved, and is in the possession of Mr. Charles Fraser Mackintosh, LL.D., of Drummond, who has kindly lent it to the writer. She is under special obligations to him for the interest which he has shown in her work from its very commencement, and for the valuable assistance which he has given her in forwarding information to her from time to time , and permitting her to have the use of many important documents and manuscripts. The title and introduction to the essay were as follows: — "HISTORY OF THE HIGHLAND CLANS. 1. Wild beats my heart your steps to trace Whose ancestors in days of yore Thro' ruined gaps and hostile ranks Old Scotia's bloody banner bore. Burns. 2. The Dirk and the Target lie sordid with dust, The bloodless claymore is but reddened with rust, On the Hill or the Glen if a gun should appear, It is only to war with the heath cock or deer. Scott. "INTRODUCTION. "The author has divided his treatise into two parts. In the first he has endeavoured to condense such an account of the clans from their earliest authentic annals; of the rise of that singular system under which they were governed, aided by notices of their feuds and warlike deeds — with characteristic traits of Highland manners — as he trusts will afford an impartial estimate of the national features. "The second branch has been devoted to popular sketches of the principal tribes; wherein such domestic incidents are brought forward, as are not woven into the leading memoir. By availing himself of this plan, the author was in hopes he might have succeeded in embodying a narrative which, without being prolix, should yet be sufficiently comprehensive; though perhaps scarcely deserving the title of 'History'." The first part of the work is divided into twelve long chapters. The second part has a separate introduction which is as follows: — "PART II. "My object here is rather to embody the general outlines of Clan History, than to enter into minute details, more properly the province of the professed Senachie. It would be tiresome to wander through the numerous ramifications or genealogical distinctions of the various Casts: all I propose to do is to give a summary view of some of the leading Clans; intermixed with such occasional anecdotes and personal narrations as may blend instruction with amusement." This second part comprises histories of the Camerons, Campbells, Chisholms, Colquhouns, Comyns or Cumines, Frasers, Grahams, Grants, Munros, Macdonnells of Glengarry, Macdougalls of Lorn, McFarlanes, Mackenzies, Macleods, Macleans, McMillans, McNaughtons, Roses of Kilravock.- Sutherlands. Some of those sketches of the Clans were printed in the Inverness Courier and others in the Edinburgh Saturday Post. John Anderson wrote a number of other essays, tales, and poetical pieces, many of which were on subjects connected with Italian History, which seems always to have had a special attraction for him. The following is a list of those articles by him which appeared in the Inverness Courier: — "Adventure in the Alps," 11th Oct., 1821. "The Moors of Spain," . . 1821 or 1822. "Times' Magic Lantern," . . Notices of the Clans No. I. "Chief of Clan Grant" 13th Sept., 1826. II. "Frasers" . . .4th Oct." III. "Mackenzies" Part I. 11th " " " . . . " II. 18th " " IV. "Munros" . . .25th " " V. "Sutherlands" . . 1st Nov. " VI. "Chisholms" . . 8th " " VII. "Sutherlands, Duffus family" . . .15th " " VIII. "Roses of Kilravock" . 27th Dec. " "Letters from Italy" I. . 27th Aug., 1828. II . . 24th Sept. " III. . .8th Oct. " IV. . . 29th " " "Notes from a Traveller's Memorandum Book," 17th December, 1828. Among other articles from his pen which appeared in various periodicals were the following: — "Sicily." Blackwood's Magazine, June, 1821, pp. 334-6; signed "Viator". "The Monk's Tale" Edinburgh Saturday Post. "The Deer's Stalk" Edinburgh Saturday Post, 16th August, 1828. "The Waldenses." Edinburgh Observer, 18th November, 1828. "The Clansman's Tale: a Fragment." Cambrian and Caledonian Quarterly Magazine and Celtic Repertory, vol. v., No. 19, July, 1833. The tale begins on page 328 and ends on page 365 and is divided into six chapters. It is supposed to have been told to the writer by a ghillie. The field of battle is described and the escape of several of Prince Charles's followers. Chapter V. gives the description of a Highland wedding; and the "Song of the Bard" is supposed to have been composed by an old Highlander who had gone abroad shortly after Culloden. SONG OF THE BARD. Where shall the exile look for rest Or find his lost repose, Far from his island of the West, Beset by cruel foes? That land beloved, for ever dear, His eyes no more shall see; Nor rise to glad his sight, to cheer, The mountains of Tiree. But as at even o'er the deep The sullen breakers roar, He'll sit him by the beetling cliff And dream of home once more. The heath he roam'd in sprightly youth, The green dell's mossy shade, The maid he sought with ardent truth, And love's fond votary made, Rise on his mind as fancy's spell Controls the treach'rous hour; Whilst festive boards and mossy shell Exert their gladdening power. Land of his home! you melt again In visions brightly new; Sweep o'er his brain your mimic train Of streams and mountains blue. He hears, he hears the wood-notes wild Of Scotia's accents roll; Those notes which o'er him as a child Enforc'd their soft control. His country needs! her banners fly, Her cross still bright and true; "To arms! to arms!" her warriors cry, "Her foes shall dearly rue." But see! he sinks, the chord is wove, The visions bright and fair; In vain the exile's heart has strove 'Gainst image of despair. Among John Anderson's contributions to literature the one which would probably have proved of most interest to the general public was entitled "A Magistrate's Recollections of St. Vincent in 1836," but though originally intended for publication it still remains in manuscript. It abounds with graphic anecdotes which throw a curious light on many of the different phases of life in the tropics at that period. In 1835, he received through the patronage of Lord Glenelg, the appointment of Special Justice in the West Indian island of St. Vincent, and set sail to enter on his new duties in November of that year, accompanied by his wife and three younger children — two boys and a girl — leaving his two elder boys to the care of his mother and his brother George, and his elder daughter to the care of his brother Peter who had married in the previous August. In the September before he sailed, a congratulatory address was forwarded to him from Inverness, by Mr. Reach, solicitor, and was acknowledged by Mr. Anderson in a letter dated 8th September. The address was signed by all the established clergy, magistrates, medical men, legal functionaries and practitioners of the town, besides many of the other inhabitants. It was published in the Inverness Courier of 9th September, 1835. The principal part of it is as follows: — "To JOHN ANDERSON, Esq. "INVERNESS, 5 September, 1835. "We, the undersigned residents in Inverness, your native town, understanding that you are on the eve of departing from this country to fill the office of a Special Magistrate in the West Indies, beg leave to express our congratulations on your appointment, our earnest wishes for your health and prosperity, and our confident expectation that you will bring to the discharge of your new duties the same good sense, kind but yet firm demeanour, upright principle, and general as well as professional knowledge by which your conduct has been hitherto marked; and that both our fellow-countrymen and the newly emancipated population in the district within your jurisdiction will find in you an active, discriminating, upright and useful magistrate. "(Signed) John Fraser, Provost, Alexander Rose, Minister, D.D. Alexander Clark, " Charles Fyvie. St. John's." etc. etc. In his "Recollections" he writes: "I left Edinburgh on the 3rd of November, 1835, and after some pleasant days spent with kind friends in the Western Metropolis (Mr. William Cooper and his lady) embarked at Port Glasgow on board the brig Richard Brown — Captain Dunlop, master — on Thursday, 19th, at noon, with Mrs. Anderson, three young children and a nursery-maid. In committing ourselves, with our infant charge, to the protection of the Almighty, we had to endure the pang of separating from their elder brothers and sister, who were left with their relations to receive that education which they could not receive abroad. "We were awakened at an early hour of the morning of the 21st by the cry of the mate that a brig was bearing down right ahead of us! In a moment the Captain was on deck and issuing his orders. A confused bustle of footsteps, rattling of cordage, and voices in loud contention, somewhat alarmed the sleepy inmates of the cabin. When it had ceased we learnt that the Buckingham, bound for Grenada (which had sailed from the same port an hour before us), had dragged her anchors and, driven during the gale, must inevitably have dashed upon our vessel had we not slipped our cable and stood about for Greenock." Christmas and New Year's Day found the travellers still on board the Richard Brown, and are thus alluded to "25th. — Christmas Day. With the thermometer in the cabin at 70°, an unclouded sky and tranquil sea, we were reminded of the contrast which the same hour probably presented at home, in fields covered with ice and snow, and an atmosphere of cutting frost! According to our reckoning we were still 700 miles from our destination, and whilst some of our company toasted the healths of their friends there, we did not forget the many kind and dear connexions we had left behind us!" . . . . . . . . . "1st January, 1836. Warm, glowing in light, rose the New Year! How many thoughts of home, of changed destinies, awoke on our minds! The novelty of our situation was every moment recalled to us. Numbers of flying fish shot past: dolphins fled before their rapacious foe the shark; and porpoises played their uncouth gambols. Evening came and with it a scene that I often afterwards mused over, with the same intenseness of delight, but never yet saw depicted either by pencil or by pen; the sapphire-tinted glow of the fading day, visible, yet opposed to the clear influence of the moon and stars, flickering over a boundless and calm expanse of sea! At such a moment we appreciate the affecting reflections of Humboldt, that as we pass from one hemisphere to another, we feel an indescribable sensation in beholding those constellations which we have known in youth progressively sink and finally disappear. And as the humblest traveller may be permitted to follow in the footsteps of even the most intellectual, I could not but desire to realise some portion of his gratification when for the first time 'The Cross of the South' met his gaze. I was led to hope it might now be visible at a late — or rather an early — hour, and I left my cot for the purpose of beholding it on the dawn of the 5th. "Eleven days of charming sailing, gliding at the rate of from 160 to 180 miles per day, brought us within reach of Barbadoes, which appeared at first like a mist on the sea. The booby bird lighting on the cordage, betokened our approach to the shore. The highest point, styled 'Scotland,' gradually cleared forth, and running down by night, we, on the morning of the 7th, came in sight of the Pitons or conical rocks of St. Lucia and the green hills of St. Vincent, seven weeks from our embarkation and thirty-eight days from our leaving Lamlash. "As the clouds, rising under the sun's influence, swept from the base of the rugged sea coast, glimpses of fairy scenes, far removed, were ever and anon presented; objects new, variegated and romantic, attracted the eye and charmed the senses; nature seemed to have put forth features undreamt of before and the mind was kept in a whirlwind of astonished rapture. No European could pen the emotions excited by the first glimpse of this Windward line of beauty. "As they became more distinct from time to time, we eagerly gazed on the luxuriant cane crops overtopped by occasional dwelling-houses or windmills of dazzling white, and the beach lined with the tall cocoa-nut tree, the familiar accompaniment of Tropical Climes. "By twelve o'clock we anchored in the Bay of Calliaqua, and, dashing our boat through the surf which lashes its dark and sandy shore, sprang to land." The "Recollections" (which extend over nearly four years) have an underlying strain of sadness, which shows that the writer had always a heart-sick yearning for his native land. A few more extracts will give some idea of life in St. Vincent at that period. "Happiness is not relative; the mind will find it despite of externals: but so far as the domestic circle, the dear seat of the affections, contributes to it, he who treads these Western shores will soon be reminded that he has parted with home to be a denizen of a land where discomfort and luxury, desolation and hospitality, oddly assort. The badly paved and dirty streets, where broken bottles, hoops of iron and other rubbish lie huddled before the doors, the mean appearance of the low-roofed stores and huckster shops, the defaced and mouldering houses, the naked appearance of the planked uncovered floors and walls of even the best and inhabited tenements whether in town or country, the scanty and ill-kept furniture, the scarcity of books or musical instruments, the barefooted, shirted menials, all bring in painful contrast to the recollection the harmonised comforts of home! — word sacred even here, where the Planters would fain have no abiding spot, but yearn for that 'home' they recognise only over the blue Atlantic. Feebly does the glowing sky (where the moon swims in a mellowness of splendour unknown to northern latitudes), the broad sea sparkling wheresoever the eye roams, or the air breathing of jessamine and ponch-pong at nightfall, and impregnated with an enervating luxury of existence, compensate for what is left behind. We are far from our Fatherland!" . . . . . . . . . "A West Indian residence is highly inimical to study. A few hours' reading may be snatched in the morning — but the forenoon has its cares; and when evening is come and the labours of the dining-room are got over, instead of settling oneself snugly down to an amusing or instructive author, the faculties are so relaxed that the only resource we are able and willing to fly to is bed. The brief and stilly moments which precede sunset are known to comparatively few and these must dine early to enjoy their soothing beauty. With a cigar and a volume of Byron, gazing on the beams of light expiring in a profusion of gold clouds, I have forgotten having sat for four or five hours in the steam of a crowded court." . . . . . . . . . "Circumscribed indeed as the sphere of action is, party spirit operates its baneful effects in this 'Garden of the Antilles' to a degree unknown in the Mother Country. A stranger who is not cognisant of the points of difference may most innocently and inadvertently commit himself in conversation by commending the good qualities or praising the system of management of a third person; and vexatiously irksome to one accustomed to the freedom and bonhomie of social home circles — is the restraint which self-defence imposes in the narrowed topics of Colonial intercourse where every word is watched perhaps to be misconstrued and — as has been frequently the case — tortured into the pretext for a duel — which was some years ago in this isle the too common termination of a feast! Most of the men you meet have been 'out' in their day. "Proprietors of St. Vincent have always borne an impress of more refined manners than is generally attached to the West Indian character, and many of them are gentlemen of education and polished mind; but whether it be that local circumstances operate to the exclusion of all others — or that they have no leisure for the cultivation of aught but their estates and limit the alphabet to five letters SUGAR (the Alpha and Omega of Creole husbandmen) — one certainly hears little or nothing of scientific or literary discussion or of the numerous and delightful themes on which in European reunions men of the most opposite modes of thinking engage with mutual satisfaction." . . . . . . . . . "Should it be said that I have imbibed erroneous impressions, I can only reply to such friends as may do me the favour of glancing over these pages that I have formed my opinions from actual observation — not fanciful theories. Previous to quitting Scotland I read authors on either side of the West Indian question, and I came out unbiassed by any, determined to judge for myself. As I have no predilections to gratify or system to uphold, I shall accordingly set down — 'though naught in malice' I trust — whatever remarks men or manners in any station may call for; and whilst the impression is yet strong on my mind, regardless of any consideration but the truth. He were worse than fiend who does not condemn that system by which the Western Isles were — and yet are — supplied with victims for their fields. The evil consequences are yet rued by both master and servant, for thraldom entails a curse on both. It is the glory of Britain that she struck the manacles from the oppressed and 'for ever' abolished slavery throughout her dominions; but coinciding to the fullest extent in that unparalleled act of magnanimity and justice, I cannot so far shut my eyes on a personal inquiry into the condition of the labouring class, as not to perceive that much ill-directed philanthropy has been wasted on sable brethren, and much lack-a-daisy, mawkish sentiment evaporated on their wrongs, which had more creditably been expended nearer home upon those who have weightier claims. In fact the negro has been dealt with in extremes. He has been decried as a mere beast of burden, or he has been elevated into a scale beyond that assigned him by Providence. Examples of their temporal comforts have been already given; more may arise in the sequel. "With respect to spirituals they of St. Vincent have long had the ministrations of Methodist missions, and if cant phrases and lip homage were to be taken as evidences of Christian principles acting on the heart, the negroes here might stand honourably distinguished. In saying so I mean no offence to the present pastors in communion with that body, as everything I have heard is creditable to their zealous and blameless conduct; but as their predecessors have conveyed to the majority of the blacks all the scriptural information which they possess, it is no ways unfair to suppose they are only uttering what they have been taught, and imitating their instructors in the appeals they make to the sacred name of the Deity, and the unseasonable readiness with which they assent to every order, however trivial, by interjections of 'Please Gād,' 'the Lārd willing'. I have known the first used as a reply by a sick domestic when asked if she would take some medicine! and by a groom when directed to water his horses. "Every action of our lives the believer knows is dependent on the will of Heaven, but he may question the good taste — if not the propriety — of such ejaculations. 'Oh, my Father! My Gād Armighty!' exclaims male or female accused of any delinquency, turning up the huge goggle-eyes at the same time in earnest entreaty. 'I'll kiss the Book, massa! me nēber, nēber, so help me Gād, did such a ting.' At first I was struck with the earnestness of such appeals; and could not but believe that parties so obtesting their Maker were wrongfully accused. Experience wrought a sorrowful conviction to the contrary; and whenever I observed a delinquent particularly vehement in his or her profession of innocence and evincing strong anxiety to swear to the truth of an assertion (which of course they were not allowed to do) my mind almost unconsciously — and as the result showed in most instances correctly — had formed an opposite conclusion even before the charge was investigated." . . . . . . . . . "It is astonishing how soon custom reconciles us to habits and feelings the most opposite to our own. Had I — as I was often tempted to do — given way to this apathetic indifference, I had long ere now thrown away my pen and forborne to write down whatever struck me as novel or remarkable, but I persevered in spite of heat and lassitude and ennui, in hopes I might amuse friends to whom my rough details might prove an antidote for an idle hour. And a scene I have just witnessed comes opportunely to my aid. It certainly illustrates to the fullest extent an important trait of negro character which I have before touched upon. One was brought to me accused of stealing a medal belonging to a Friendly Society. He repelled the charge with ferocity; demanded to 'Kiss the Book'; and, in short, uttered blasphemies too horrible to be repeated. Whilst the investigation was still pending, his master came in and preferred a fresh charge against him as a runaway. It was substantiated; and no sooner did he receive sentence for being so, than he told the complainant in the first accusation that if he would go to such a place he would find his medal. In two minutes afterwards it was exhibited in Court! "The treatment of children by their parents is unusually severe for the veriest trifles; whilst at other periods the same parties exhibit a ridiculous partiality; but towards the children of others, negroes set no bounds in their fury. I will never forget the disgusting details of an assault by a negress on a child of about nine years, who was suspected by her of stealing some yams; nor the mangled form of the poor victim! Yet this wretch, when I sent her to stand her trial at the Sessions, coolly turned up her hypocritical eyes, exclaiming 'O Lord! This is the way Thy servants are treated! Man judgest, but Thou, O Lord, seest.'" . . . . . . . . . "Having occasion one day in my official capacity to ask a coloured woman of the better class if her son was born in wedlock, she exclaimed,'No; in Barbadoes. Where is Wedlock?' When made to comprehend the query, she replied: 'That thing was not the fashion in my day, but since the Reform Bill' every one gets married: I shall do so myself'. Of a verity the reformers at home never thought of such wonderful effects from that renowned measure 'the Bill.'" . . . . . . . . . "1st April, 1836. — Good Friday. The return of this solemn fast reminds me that last year it was spent with our dear children far away; and that after Divine service we had a short excursion to the romantic base of the Pentland Hills. How, over the wide sea between us, rises every well-remembered feature! and localities often gazed on with indifference when present, now — 'by distance made more sweet' — 'awaken thoughts that lie too deep for tears!' "In some such moment did the lamented Leyden pen his Ianthe: — 'The scenes of former life return; Ere, sunk beneath the morning star, We left our parent climes afar, Immur'd in mortal forms to mourn'. "On Easter Sunday the church, which holds from 1,500 to 2,000 persons, was most respectably filled. I never indeed at home beheld a more orderly congregation, and not less than 136 communicants came to the altar. But seven years before, as a lady informed me, she was one of four females who alone did so. It would be unjust to criticise the motives which operate on the majority of those who thus crowd at the festivals (for Easter Sunday and Christmas Day are in one sense gala days with the coloured people); charity bids us hope all things. Were it, however, the mere desire of exhibiting a new dress, it is something gained in the steps of civilisation; for artificial wants must beget industry to have them supplied; and speaking on this topic, the cost of turbans, handkerchiefs and gowns of the black and brown population, certainly were calculated to raise ideas of wonder in a new comer. Some of the blacks, I was assured, would expend as much as 2s. 6d. and 5s. for merely putting on a turban or headdress! Many of them wore kid shoes, silk stockings, bonnets and smart parasols! When would an English peasant's wife come so attired? If she could, she would have more regard to her own station than do so. But Miss 'Therese' cannot bear to be eclipsed by the squat beauty of a neighbouring 'yard' (as the negro always denominates a town house); and 'Snowdrop Angel Agatha' will not yield the palm to brown 'Therese '. Talking of names, these most incongruous appellatives must force a smile from dulness itself. Only think of finding 'Scipio' a groom, 'Cæsar Augustus' a cabin boy, 'Moses ' instead of legislating, heading the vine gang, and 'Euphrosyne' sweeping out the kitchen! As if in actual mockery, 'Cupid' is personified by the ugliest urchin on the estate; and the 'Graces' by woolly-headed, thick-lipped, squabby apologies of humanity, whose very gestures provoke a roar! 'Venus' has been arraigned before me for pummelling 'Vulcan' with fists that might stand comparison with the 'Game Chicken's'. 'Placide' is the cognomen of as veritable a vixen as ever tormented a driver's life out; nor dare he now 'cowskin' her for her impertinence, for he carries no cart-whip. Many of these people are intelligent and excel in 'spinning a yarn'. Any one who has served as a magistrate must know this to the cost of his time and patience, to say nothing of the utter disregard of all truth which he must be compelled to hear sworn to. They appear to consider it meritorious to bamboozle instead of enlightening their judge, and he will require a sharp eye and ear to detect their by-play and fallacies. Every look and word of his are watched before the cautious negro gives response. I took a pleasure in drawing out the aged and acute ones; in listening to their details of early life, and the progressive advances they had witnessed of English supremacy. On the estate where we lived there was one 'old lady' (as the negroes invariably speak of each other) who had beheld many of the horrors of the last insurrection of the Caribs, of which she had a lively recollection. Another octogenarian negro on a Windward property was a boy when the rebellion against the British Government by the natives brought on the first Carib war in 1772. He distinctly remembered when the English settlements extended only to the river Coubaimar; and the successive capture of the isle by the French in 1779 and its restoration to Great Britain in 1783." . . . . . . . . . "The smaller islands of the Grenadines are sought for as cooler retreats — in the month of August in particular. I then spent a few days in Bequia, the largest of the group, with a brother magistrate. Bequia can boast better roads than St. Vincent, but its loneliness is sadly impressed on one who has only recently come from Europe. Without resources from books or cheerful, social intercourse, the life of a planter, at the best, is an apology for life anywhere. It may do very well for a man who enters young into its toils and is not trammelled with too fine feelings to direct his rough and — I will admit — patience-tried, arduous course; but for a gentleman in the educated sense of the word it must be disgusting by its sameness and vulgarity. "The laborious nature of his duties and the coarse subordinates he has to overlook, must roughen (to use no harsher term) his sentiments; and I should imagine that no man would enter a relation on such a career, who could get an opening for him in life, in any other capacity. "The accomplished authoress of Marriage pictures the high-born Earl's daughter as gazing with astonishment on the miscalled 'Castle' of her Highland husband's father. Perhaps with no less astonishment must the sensitive European female shrink from her future home when brought as a bride to one of our West Indian halls! Approaching by a road or track which has no parallel save in the remotest regions of the Alps, she trembles at every step as she sinks in the mire or pitfalls. She descends on the summit of a precipice, climbs up a rude wooden ladder or stair and is ushered into a mean edifice of the same materials, brown and worm-eaten from combined age, mould and neglect. A common lobby lamp swings overhead from a beam supporter, and claps like thunder shake the rude tenement as the wind whistles along the gallery, bursting open doors and window frames. The barrenness around, destitute of books, carpets, fauteuils or any of the articles of vertu or nicknackeries of a European drawing-room inspires but one feeling, that of desolation. From the boiling-house where sugar-making is in full vigour, is wafted to the nostrils a sickening steam, by no means agreeable to untried olfactory nerves. But the toils of housekeeping, the calls upon her patience and temper, the drilling of her black and coloured establishment, who shall picture or pretend to record these? "Man has his daily and more active occupations which beguile the tedium of exile; but as the bow cannot always remain strung nor the lyre be pitched to its highest chord, so does the mind require relaxation to fit it for severer calls. Woe betide him then who in the West Indies has no resources within himself, for he will find none without. But with woman, operated upon by the climate, kept almost a prisoner within doors, and only occasionally paying or receiving a formal visit, perhaps without one friend of her own sex to lighten her solitude, existence is drearier still. She falls into that abhorrence of exercise which is usual with Creole females, lolls on a settee all day long in a dreary indolent mood, — a death in life. Not that I mean that happiness is to be found in crowds or that life has no nobler ends than to be spent in an unmeaning round of routs, balls and the frivolities of fashion. Society still has claims on us, but small indeed is the society to be found in St. Vincent! Even the presence of a garrison does little to an interchange of mutual attentions, and with the exception of a solitary intimacy here and there, the military, citizens and planters reciprocate no compliments. A new corner is received so far as a mere call goes civilly enough; but with caution. The acquaintance seldom goes farther — in town at least — unless the entrant be particularly recommended." It was destined that the Fatherland for which John Anderson had so yearned during his four years of exile should never be beheld by him again. On the evening of the 3rd of September, 1839, he was riding home from an adjoining estate which he had been visiting on magisterial business, and was within a quarter of a mile from his own house, when a very serious accident happened to him. At an abrupt turn of the road a canal was dug into which the horse stumbled, and in striving to extricate himself from his perilous position under the body of the animal, Mr. Anderson had the misfortune to have his left leg and thigh badly bruised, in addition to a fracture of both bones of the leg a little above the ankle joint; and to increase his sufferings, he lay in this state from about seven o'clock in the evening until six o'clock next morning and experienced a most boisterous and unfavourable night. At six o'clock, some negroes, on their way to their work, discovered him, and having rescued him from his terrible position, procured means for conveying him to his own home. For the first few days, although suffering greatly, Mr. Anderson displayed wonderful hopefulness of spirit, and requested a friend, Mr. William G. Grant, to write by the earliest opportunity and apprise his brother Peter of all the particulars of his accident. In that letter, which is dated "19th September, 1839," Mr. Grant says: "Great danger yet remains from the extent of the contusion, independent of the fracture; and the swollen and inflamed state of the whole leg and thigh from the beginning rendered amputation unsafe and has consequently added considerably to his precarious situation, and I add with feelings of deep and sincere regret that there are great fears entertained for his ultimate recovery. I write thus despondingly that you may be prepared for the worst. . . . His friends in St. Vincent are most anxious for his recovery, as he has endeared himself to all classes from the upright and conscientious discharge of his duties as a magistrate." Owing to the great laceration of the leg at the time of the accident, alarming symptoms had set in which nothing but amputation could possibly have prevented. In a second letter dated 21st September, announcing Mr. Anderson's death to his brother Peter, Mr. Grant remarks: "Unfortunately, when this step might have saved his life, the debility was so great as to prevent them [his medical attendants] from attempting it, and consequently he fell thus early a victim, not to the effects of climate, but to purely accidental circumstances over which we have no control." Mr. Anderson lingered until the eighteenth day from the time of his accident. By his own desire his three little children were brought to his bedside to receive his farewell blessing, and immediately before he passed away he laid his hand on the head of his little daughter, whom he had named "Margaret" for his sister and for the beloved cousin who had been the light of his father's household. He died at Colanarie House, at half-past eight o'clock on the morning of the 21st of September, 1839, at the age of forty-one, and was buried next day in Colanarie Grounds, far from his native land and the brothers who had been so warmly attached to him. To those brothers and her elder children, the widow returned with her three little ones. They sailed for Leith in the ship Haidee, a few days after the funeral, as otherwise they would have had to wait until the spring of the following year before a vessel would sail for Scotland. On the way home they encountered a terrible storm and their lives were in great peril. John Anderson had lost an infant son, Alexander, in 1829, but six children survived him: Mary Mackenzie, Peter, Alexander Mackenzie, Margaret Jessie, Francis Gillanders, and George. The eldest son, Peter, went to India in December, 1847, and entered the office of Gillanders, Arbuthnot & Co., in Calcutta, of which firm his maternal granduncle, Mr. Francis Gillanders of Newmore, was one of the original founders. After some years he went to Rangoon, Burmah, to the firm of Gladstone, Wylie, & Co. He afterwards returned to Calcutta, where he joined the firm of Mackenzie, Lyall & Co. as a partner. He was married on the 21st of January, 1856, at Rangoon, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Abbott, youngest daughter of Mr. William Henry Abbott, Ecclesiastical Registrar, Calcutta. He retired from business and returned to Scotland in 1869. He afterwards settled at Hollymount, Wandsworth, near London, where he died after a very brief illness, on 23rd March, 1883. Alexander Mackenzie Anderson entered the army as ensign in 1852, sailed for India on the 10th April of that year and landed at Calcutta on the 15th of September, 1852. He got eighteen months sick leave in June, 1854, and came home round the Cape; returned to India in April, 1856, but came finally home invalided in April, 1857, and died in his mother's house. St. Vincent Cottage, Inverness, on 31st July, 1857. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant in the 38th regiment of Light Infantry, H.E.I. Company's Service, Bengal Establishment. The year of his death was memorable as being the year of the Indian Mutiny. The officer who took his place was the first to fall a victim to the sepoys in that regiment. Mary Mackenzie Anderson was married on the 23rd of July, 1844, to William Paul (son of Robert Paul, Manager of the Commercial Bank, Edinburgh), Agent for the Commercial Bank, Dumbarton, and afterwards Agent for the Commercial Bank, Glasgow. Mr. Paul died at Edinburgh on the 19th of February, 1865, Margaret Jessie Anderson was married on the 17th of November, 1858, to Captain (now General) George Warren Walker, R.E, General Walker was ultimately secretary of the Public Works Department, Madras Presidency, under the Governorship of Lord Hobart. He is now settled at Bath. Francis Gillanders Anderson entered the Commercial Bank in Glasgow where his brother-in-law, Mr. William Paul, was agent. In 1850 he had won the Raigmore gold medal at the Inverness Royal Academy. George Anderson went to India in 1859, and is now settled in Coorg as a tea planter. Mrs. John Anderson died at St. Vincent Cottage, Inverness, on the 4th of February, 1870, after a widowhood of nearly thirty-one years. CHAPTER III. GEORGE AND PETER ANDERSON. GEORGE and Peter Anderson were in partnership as solicitors in Inverness at the time of their brother's death, and their names both before and after that period were usually linked together in various enterprises literary and otherwise. Alike in many ways — for they had both inherited their father's quick temper and enthusiastic disposition along with his intellectual tastes — in others they formed that strong contrast which often affords a greater charm to companionship than can be effected by the closest similarity. George was a man of most winning personality. He had a slight agile figure about the middle height, and beautiful, delicately chiselled features, with dark expressive eyes which were always sparkling with animation. His manner was characterised by warmth and cordiality, openness and vivacity; he had an inexhaustible fund of wit and humour and up to old age he retained a buoyancy of disposition which caused him to regard everything through rose-coloured spectacles. He was ready at any time, even when his hair was silvery white, to join in a Highland reel; and his love for Scottish music was pathetic in its intensity, and had become an inseparable part of his nature. In fact, so great was his love for it, that his daughter devoted her time and attention to perfecting herself in the music of her native land, exclusive of all other, so that she might be able to gratify her father's tastes, and every evening sing to him the old Scotch songs and play the simple melodies he loved. George Anderson was a delightful companion; he read aloud exquisitely and wrote charming letters. But it was by his scientific attainments that he was most widely known. In the obituary notice of him which appeared in the Inverness Courier, the late Mr. Walter Carruthers (who, as well as his learned father, Dr. Robert Carruthers, had been among George Anderson's valued friends) remarked: — "He was eminent as a geologist, the friend and correspondent of Sir Roderick Murchison and Hugh Miller, who often refer to him in their works; he has done much also to identify the flora of the Highlands and was an ardent collector of articles of archaeological and ecclesiological interest in the North. These varied gifts were cultivated from early youth, when geology was very little studied in Scotland, and the future authors of the Guide laid the foundation of their well-known work by constant walking expeditions through the country. . . . . . . . . . "Mr. George Anderson held emphatically the pen of a ready writer; many a column has he written for this journal on subjects of local and general interest, and he had the happy art of never saying a word in print that was out of joint or likely to wound any one's susceptibilities. His readiness of apprehension and facility in composition were also conspicuous when he happened to act as clerk of public meetings. Long before discussion had ceased Mr. Anderson had appreciated the feeling and sense of the meeting, and had drafted a clear business-like resolution which, when read, was seen to embody the whole drift of the debate and was generally adopted without a word of alteration." The two brothers had gone together to the University of Edinburgh in 1818, immediately after quitting the Inverness Royal Academy, where George had won the Raigmore medal for classics, and during their first year attended the Logic Class of Professor David Ritchie and the Natural Philosophy Class of Professor John Playfair. The writer possesses several essays written by the brothers on the same subjects when they were in Professor Ritchie's class. The brothers afterwards attended the Law Classes at the University, but George seems to have gone somewhat earlier to those latter classes than Peter, and to have returned to settle in Inverness before his younger brother had completed his law studies in Edinburgh. They studied Conveyancing under Professor Macvey Napier, and Peter remarks in a letter to George, in 1826: "Napier's Lectures continue to please me exceedingly". On his return to Inverness George was for a time associated professionally with Mr. Shepperd who had been his father's partner. The writer has been unable to ascertain the exact dates at which the brothers were admitted as solicitors before the Court in Inverness, but George was evidently a solicitor in 1825, as he is thus designated in the list published of those gentlemen who became members of the Northern Institution in that year. Under the heading "1825" he is thus described: "March 8 — George Anderson. Solicitor, F.R.S.E., F.S.S.A.". He had not then completed his twenty-third year. Peter, after qualifying himself as an accountant in Edinburgh returned to settle in Inverness. His strong attachment to his brother was what principally influenced him to take this step. Later on he was admitted as procurator before the Court at Inverness, and the two brothers entered into partnership as "G. & P. Anderson. Solicitors". On the 23rd of February, 1824, George Anderson was admitted Corresponding Member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and several papers by him were contributed to that society. 26th January, 1824, "Essay on some Ancient Stone Circles and Cairns in the Neighbourhood of Inverness." (Trans., iii,, pp. 211-222.) 3rd August, 1824. "Account of an Ancient Golden Rod lately found near Inverness." 11th April, 1825. "Description of Vitrified Forts in the Vicinity of Inverness, with an Explanatory Map." (Trans., iv., pp. 188-201.) On the 6th of December, 1824, George Anderson, who was then only twenty-two years of age, had the honour of being admitted Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Among the scientific papers which he contributed to various periodicals are the following: — "Account of the Small District of Primitive Rocks near Stromness in the Orkney Islands." (Memoirs of the Wernerin Society, Edinburgh, iv., pp. 173-5, 1821-2.) "Geognostical Sketch of part of the Great Glen of Scotland." (Ibid., iv., pp. 190-206, 1821-2.) "On the Quartz District in the Neighbourhood of Loch Ness." (Edinburgh Journal of Science, iii., pp. 212-18; iv., pp. 91-3, [1824], 1825.) "Description of the Bituminous Rocks which occur in Ross-shire," (Ibid., iv., pp. 93-5, 1826.) When we consider what a mere lad he was (not having been born till May, 1802) when he contributed to scientific journals, we cannot help marvelling at the brilliancy and early maturity of his intellectual powers and scientific tastes. During the thirties he contributed a series of articles on Highland subjects to the Penny Magazine. In the "Report of the Council of the Banff Institution for Science, Literature and Arts and for the Encouragement of native Genius and Talent" for the year 1830, the name of "George Anderson, F.R.S.E.. Sec., Northern Institution," occurs in the list of "seventy-nine members of whom five are honorary" of which the society consisted on 2nd June of that year. And among the notices in this report of communications made at the general meetings of the Banff Institution there is mention of one made on 5th August, 1830, "On the Science of Geology," by Mr. G. Anderson, F.R.S.E. During a period extending over more than forty years George Anderson was in the habit of contributing articles on various subjects to the Inverness Courier. Amongst them his long account of the old Abbey of Pluscarden, contributed during the sixties, is peculiarly characteristic of his graceful style and his thorough knowledge of ecclesiology. In 1862 he contributed to the same paper a striking and interesting article entitled "Traces of a very Ancient Population on the Shores of the Moray Firth". He wrote, in conjunction with the Rev. Alexander Rose, D.D., a "Description of the Parish of Inverness," in the New Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. xiv., pp. 1-35, [1835], 1845; and in conjunction with the Rev. Doune Smith, a "Description of the Parish of Urquhart and Glenmoriston," ibid., vol. xiv., pp. 36-51. In 1825 he supplied the letterpress for a set of views published by his friend Mr. John Guy Hamilton. This work had been intended to appear in four parts, but only the first part seems to have been published. The title of it is "Picturesque Delineations of the Highlands of Scotland, by J. G. Hamilton, Draughtsman to the Northern Institution, with descriptions of the several views by George Anderson, Esq., F.R.S.E., etc.. Secretary to the Northern Institution. London, published by R. Ackerman; A. Constable & Co., and William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and R. B. Lusk & Co., Inverness, 1825. To be published in four parts, each containing five Views with Descriptions. Part I. Inverness-shire. Plates: Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Pass of Inverfarigaig, Fall of Foyers, and Culloden House." In March, 1825, George Anderson was the means of starting a society in Inverness for "the promotion of science and literature in general, the investigation of the history or former condition of Scotland, and of the Highlands of Scotland in particular, and the establishment of a general museum". This society was named the Northern Institution. The first meeting of the gentlemen who were desirous of the formation of such an institution was held on the 4th of March, 1825, when Provost Robertson was in the chair and George Anderson was appointed secretary. A larger meeting of forty gentlemen — Sir George Mackenzie of Coul in the chair — took place on the 23rd of March, when the secretary explained the objects of the institution and received a vote of thanks for the boon which his exertions had been the means of bestowing on the inhabitants of Inverness. In an address given at a meeting of the Field Club in Inverness, in 1881, by Mr. James Barron, editor of the Inverness Courier, as retiring president, he states in an account of the Northern Institution that at its second meeting on 23rd March, 1825, "A cordial vote of thanks was awarded to Mr. George Anderson, to whom the inhabitants were greatly indebted for the establishment of a society" — so ran the resolution — "which, it is hoped, will succeed in diffusing a taste for liberal knowledge, and in calling into activity the talent of the country, directing it towards the pursuit of those objects by the pursuit of which the human mind is improved in its energies, and large additions made to the comfort and happiness of mankind". Further on in his address Mr. Barron says: "The Northern Institution aimed at taking a high place — almost, it would seem, seeking to rival the Society of Antiquaries. It is, therefore, not surprising to read that the Duke of Gordon was elected President; and that as non-resident Vice-Presidents the Society had Sir George Mackenzie of Coul. Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, and Professor Fraser-Tytler. Provost Robertson, Captain Fraser of Balnain and Mr. Grant of Bught were resident Vice-Presidents. "The office-bearers were more numerous than those of our own comparatively humble club. Mr. Reach, solicitor, was treasurer, and Mr. George Anderson, general secretary; but the society had in addition Mr. Scott of the Inverness Academy, as Latin secretary; the Rev. Duncan Mackenzie as Gaelic secretary; Mr. Alexander Mackenzie of Woodside, inspector of ancient manuscripts; and Mr. Naughten, jeweller, curator of the museum. The Council consisted of Dr. Nicol, Mr. Suter, junior, Rev. Mr. Clark, Rev. Mr. Fyvie, Rev. Mr. Fraser of Kirkhill, and Mr. Macbean, solicitor. Among the hon. members were Dr. Hibbert, then Secretary of the Scottish Society of Antiquaries; Professor Tulloch of Aberdeen; Mr. Telford, the celebrated engineer; and Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster." By December, 1826, the number of hon. members had extended to thirty-five, including many distinguished names — above all that of "Sir Walter Scott of Abbotsford, Bart". The names include those of Dr. Jackson Hooker, Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow; Rev. William Buckland, B.D., Professor of Mineralogy and Geology in the University of Oxford (who was elected at the same date as Sir Walter Scott, 29th April 1825); Robert Jameson, Esq., Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh, etc., etc.; David Brewster, Esq., LL.D., Edinburgh; General David Stewart of Garth; Charles Waterton, Esq., of Walton Hall, Yorkshire. The names also occur of George Anderson's uncle, Dr. Robert Thomson, F.R.S., York Terrace, London; and his cousin William Couper, Esq., M.D., Lecturer on Mineralogy in the University of Glasgow . By the close of 1826, the society also numbered forty-nine corresponding members and 100 ordinary members. The introduction to the prize essay by John Anderson (which has been already referred to as having won the gold medal offered by Sir George Mackenzie of Coul, at the meeting on 23rd March, 1825) commences thus: "The Northern Institution was established at Inverness, in the month of March, 1825, for the Promotion of Science and Literature in general and more particularly with the view of investigating the Antiquities and Civil and Natural History of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. "To aid the researches of the members and to afford to Society at large, throughout the Northern districts of the country, facilities for study which did not previously exist, a Museum has been opened by the Institution for the Collection and Preservation of objects of Natural History, Antiquities and Works of Art, as well as a Library for scarce and valuable books and manuscripts." Between 23rd March, 1825, and 28th December, 1826, the museum received 156 donations, comprising hundreds of articles of great interest and in many instances of rarity and value. To any Invernessian who looks over the list published in 1827, it must be matter of regret that so very few of them have been preserved in the Highland capital. In the list of communications read at meetings of the Northern Institution during the first and second sessions, 1825-6, the following may be observed: — April 29, 1825. — "II. Notice regarding a Stone Coffin opened on the Estate of Leys, the Urns in which are now in the Museum. By Mr. Anderson, General Secretary." "III. Remarks on a Curious Marriage Contract, dated in 1681, in the Author's Possession; Copy deposited in the Museum. By Mr. Anderson." Sept. 16. — "VIII, Remarks on an Ancient Cocquet or Custom-House Seal of the Burghs of Inverness and Cromarty, found some years ago, on the Sea-shore at Aberdeen. By Mr. Anderson, General Secretary." Nov. 25, — "XIV. Notice of a Search for Lead Ore, in a Vein of Heavy Spar, recently made by Lovat, in Strathglass. By Mr. Anderson, General Secretary." Feb. 14, 1826. — "XXII. No. I. of a Series of Papers on Highland Antiquities: (1) on Stone Circles and Cairns. By Mr. Anderson, General Secretary." Hugh Miller in his Schools and Schoolmasters, thus alludes to George Anderson: "A gentleman of literature and science, the secretary of a society of the place, antiquarian and scientific in its character, termed the 'Northern Institution,' and the honorary conservator of its Museum — an interesting miscellaneous collection which I had previously seen and in connection with which I had formed my only other scheme of getting into employment. . . . The Secretary was busy at his desk; but he received me politely, spoke approvingly of my work as an imitation of the old manuscript, and obligingly charged himself with its delivery at the meeting; and so we parted for the time, not in the least aware that there was a science which dealt with characters greatly more ancient than those of the old manuscripts, and laden with profounder meanings, in which we both took a deep interest, and regarding which we could have exchanged facts and ideas with mutual pleasure and profit. The Secretary of the Northern Institution at this time was Mr. George Anderson, the well-known geologist, and joint-author with his brother of the admirable Guide Book to the Highlands which bears their name." The Rev. Donald Sage of Resolis, in his Parish Life in the North, also alludes to the Northern Institution at Inverness and remarks: "The Association was chiefly, if not wholly, got up by the Messrs. Anderson of that town, both men of considerable literary attainments". In a letter dated 25th March, 1825, George writes to Peter in Edinburgh "I am very glad to hear such good accounts of Mrs. A. from John, and I trust she may soon be able to think of coming North. Should neither of you be able to accompany her, I will be ready to join her at any time either at Perth or Dunkeld, but I think you should endeavour to come North, not only on account of your health, but as Mr. Shepperd is desirous of having your assistance. "I am also rejoiced to hear of John's election as an F.R.S.E. [F.S.A. Scot.] and I think it might be of consequence to him, not only to use his new title in the Lovat Book, but to endeavour to get on the next year's Council of the Royal Society. "You would perceive by this week's Courier what a brilliant General Meeting we have had of our Northern Institution, and it is to its debit you will set down this postage. Donations and members are pouring in from all quarters, and I hope you will endeavour to recruit for us in Edinburgh. The Laws will be sent you for distribution as soon as I can get them printed. I have not named either you or John as members, but should you like to become so, I can get you passed at next meeting. "It is part of our plan, in order to secure permanency to the Museum and Library, and to prevent the loss or dispersion of articles and books deposited in them, to create a Trust, vesting the whole property in certain persons, should the Institution cease to exist. The persons proposed are the first Minister of Inverness, the Provost of Inverness, the Sheriff-Depute of the County, and the Secretary of some of your Edinburgh Societies for the time being. Now, at the discussion of our Laws, it was objected to by some gentlemen (especially by Mr. Shepperd) that the persons just named (official men you will observe, for the time being) cannot be made legal trustees, nor can we give them power to execute our intentions. Might I therefore beg of you, as I was directed to get counsel's opinion on the subject, to obtain from Mr. Graham Bell, Mr. P. Robertson, or any other experienced Advocate whom you may know, and who, I hope, will be got to do the thing gratis, their sentiments on this point; and if the plan proposed be erroneous what method they would recommend for carrying through our designs. It would be obliging if you could procure this opinion as soon as possible. Mr. Hopkirk (Mr. Mackintosh's friend) is our first corresponding member in Edinburgh, and perhaps he will assist you. I have likewise to request your kind endeavour to get 300 or 400 copies of the following official letter (after the design of that of the Royal Society) thrown off on copper and sent to me along with the plate. Mr. Mackintosh recommends us to go to Kirkwood & Sons, and he hopes that by using his name you may get the matter done cheaply. The paper is to be gilt, and executed in as plain and neat a style as may be. "I am engaged to a large party in half an hour, and must run away to dress. You will therefore excuse this scrawl and believe me to be ever yours, "GEORGE ANDERSON." "I trust you will be able to send all mentioned in the course of a week." "OFFICIAL LETTER. "NOTHERN INSTITUTION, "INVERNESS . . . . . . . "SIR, "I have the honour to inform you that at a General Meeting of the Northern Institution for the promotion of Science and Literature held this day, you were elected an . Member of that body. "I have the honour to be, "Sir, "Your most Obedient "Humble servant, " . . . . . . Secretary." Peter Anderson was elected a member of the Northern Institution at a General Meeting on the 24th of February, 1826, and took a warm interest in all the undertakings of this society which owed its foundation to his brother. Botany was Peter's favourite study, and not only during the long walking excursions which he took with his brother in early years, but in the rambles in which his children accompanied him in later years, he carefully collected such plants as were at all rare, in order that he might press and preserve them as botanical specimens. This love of botany formed a strong bond of union between him and his intimate friend and correspondent, the Rev. Charles Clouston of Stromness. Peter writes thus to George from Edinburgh on 2nd December, 1S26: "How wags the world with you? What a glorious thing it is living as I do now! I must look into Zimmerman to see what he says of solitude. It is certainly there alone that an approximation to a stable foundation of sound philosophical principles of conduct can be laid. With what a zest I enjoy my occasional commixture with society and with what self-satisfaction do I essay to put in practice those maxims of self-government which I would fain reduce to system! Mind and body healthy, intellect industrious and progressing, hour follows hour in rapid and silent flight, till instant and unbroken repose succeeds the labours of a well-spent day. "Napier's Lectures continue to please me exceedingly. There has last week been a vast hiatus in the Notes, to supply which has cost me twenty long, continuous additional pages which I cannot at present include in yours, as the successive commentaries on the original text, which I take care regularly to make, interfere. Has Douglas got those queries copied? "On Saturday week I dined at Omond's. His mother is kind and ladylike, a very good specimen, as Clouston would say, of the well-bred Orcadian, and has things remarkably genteel and comfortable. I find John Omond, our first acquaintance, is a botanist. He only commenced, however, last year. But his herbarium is beautifully preserved and comprehends about three hundred species on large folio paper. I incidentally hinted to him that if his leisure would permit him next summer, he ought to make a collection for the Northern Institution, remarking that as none had yet been presented, his gift would be the more valued and that he would stand somewhat in the light of the Founder or Father of their Botanical Collection. What I said was more matter of course than anything else, but when I next met him I found that the notion had pleased him so well that he said he would immediately send his present Herbarium. I advised him to think a little of it as he might regret such a sacrifice, but I think there is little doubt but he will send it, which I have advised him to do per coach (taking care first to ascertain whether it will cost more than the usual fare) and I am sure the Institution won't grudge the carriage. By the by I forgot the carrier and will mention that to him. Should he send it, had you not better make him a corresponding member? At any rate I need not tell you to thank him suitably for so handsome and valuable a donation. The press he uses, by the bye, consists of two flat wooden boards which he makes as tight as he pleases by a stick in the ropes, as carriers fasten their goods. "On Saturday next, I mean to have Omond and his brother, Coldstream, Thorburn, Tom Eskadale and James Anderson to dinner. The latter took chance with me some days ago. He is really a fine manly young fellow who thinks for himself, has infinitely more nousse than you would imagine, and his sentiments and opinions are wonderfully matured. The Rector's class in the High School consists every alternate year of mere boys, and it has been James's unfortunate lot to join it in one of those years. The consequence is that he finds himself obliged to mingle with minds infinitely inferior to his own (and really I think the alumni of that seminary generally exhibit a more than average shallowness) and his budding intellect feels much annoyed at being imprisoned in an uncongenial atmosphere. He is now an excellent Latin and Greek scholar — so Carmichael told me — and I think it a pity he should be condemned longer to pursue so comparatively unprofitable a course of study. His time would be infinitely better employed in attending private preparatory classes, as mathematics, algebra, etc., to enable him next winter to enter the Philosophical ones in the college, and in taking lessons in the accomplishments of Elocution, Music and Gymnastics. He has too active powers and too just a perception of the advantages of education and value of knowledge, to excite any apprehensions of his abusing his time, thus in a greater measure entrusted to himself. His first quarter at the High School terminates with the year, and I wish you would call on his father [Banker Alexander Anderson] and use all your eloquence to induce him fo follow a new system with one so well deserving of having a lively interest excited in his behalf. "You will find much useful information in the Beauties of Scotland, particularly on Agriculture, in vol. iv., Perthshire. "In a curious original Manuscript 'Genealogical Deduction,' as it is called, 'of the Roses of Kilravock' — which John got a sight of — written in Charles the Second's reign, I found the following passage: 'This Hugh (7th) Rose of Kilravock builded the Tower of Kilravock, having obtained License by Patent from John, Lord of the Isles and Earle of Rosse for doing the samen, Februarie 18, 1460. I heard by Tradition that the Towers of Calder, Kilravock, Ironside, Dallas and Spynie were built about the samen tyme — the architector of them all being that Cochrane, the great Minion of King James 3rd and by him created Earle of Marr. Remembered for his being hanged over the Bridge of Lauder in his own Scarfe by the Antient Nobilitie.' Preserve this. "Give my compliments to Fyvie and Dr. McLachlin. Remember me to Forbes. "Poor Charlie Denoon! Tell David and Hugh that I don't sympathise the less with them that from delicacy I forbear to intrude it directly on them. "Love to all at home and compliments to Mr. Shepperd." The "friend Hugh," referred to by George in the following letter is the late Colonel Hugh Fraser of the Bengal Engineers, C.B., who for his distinguished services during the Mutiny, would have been created a K,C.B., had not his untimely death occurred in 1858. George Anderson had ridden in from Fort George (where he had been visiting Mr. Henry Welsh who held an appointment there) to stay over Sunday with the family of Hugh Fraser. "NESS SIDE, 16th January, 1825. "MY DEAR PETER, "You must take the bearer, our friend Hugh, completely under your wing for some time, and should his rooms in Mrs. Wallace's prove engaged, give him a share of your own bed for a night or so, till you look about for a comfortable place for him. I am desired by the family here to say that the Miss Whites' house, from all they learn, will not suit, and you need not therefore apply in that quarter, should the application to Mrs. Wallace fail. I have been pressed to name the classes and masters that he should attend, but it strikes me you will best provide for this by a little personal examination; only for drawing, I fancy, he could not go to a better teacher than Ewbank, and if the mathematical department (i.e., with regard to surveying, mensuration, etc.), in the Military Academy is good, I think he would be the better of going there, and should his time permit, of taking an hour of the sword exercise. I hope, however, this Institution is improved since I saw it, as it struck me that formerly there were not men of eminence engaged in it. It is particularly desirable that you should place him with some one who could drill him in accounts and book-keeping, and above all things I would desire that for his views of after life he were imbued a little with the principles of science, if it were only of as much as would enable him to take advantage of the thousand opportunities that will be presented to him in India of rising by this road to future eminence. Could it not be contrived to give him an inkling into Natural History, should it only serve to stimulate his curiosity in after times when he will have more leisure than he can now possess? In short, he is a young subject, and make him one on whom to apply your own views of what education should be. Force him to see life in as many forms as possible and get him to be active and pushing in all his habits. "I would be very glad to hear that Hibbert's visit to the South was in search of the lovely specimen you allude to. In the meantime I rejoice that his absence will allow me to complete my map and notes on vitrified forts in a manner better than expected. You will receive by Hugh a specimen for him of the vitrification of Kessock Hill, with which I am sure he will be pleased, as he will see the quartz turned actually into opal. "Barbara Paterson comes to us to-morrow. My mother has taken a great fancy for her and I am sure will endeavour to show her all kindness. "I have been very gay and very busy of late, and I have every reason to be pleased with my present mode of life. This morning I rode in from the Fort where of course I left many hearts desiring their love to you. Welsh himself spent a day with me lately along with Dunbar and gave us excellent fun — cigars as usual at two in the morning. "I had some hard work at the fire below Doctor Bethune's old house the other night, for the tradesmen gave us but little assistance. I had only got into bed an hour before, having been at a large and late party at Abertarff's. I go to-morrow to Kilravock by appointment when I expect to pick up specimens worthy of preservation. I lately had a famous evening party — Hamilton, Forbes, Mitchell, etc. — quite literary." Four days later a letter was penned which was one of many proofs that Peter Anderson's readiness to oblige and to act a friendly part was not limited to his old schoolfellows. The writer was a Ferintosh farmer whose son had been for some time clerk with the father of George and Peter Anderson. It is addressed to "Mr. Peter Anderson, "at John Anderson's, Esq., W.S., "4 Walker Street, "In haste." "Edinburgh." and is as follows: — "INVERNESS, 20th January, 1825. "DEAR SIR, "Your brother has had the goodness to let me have the perusal of the three letters you had the goodness to write him concerning my lamented son John Fraser, by which I see the lively interest you have taken in his welfare and all that concerned him. My gratitude for your kind attention is more than I can find words to express. I feel myself under great obligations to your family for the kindness he experienced from them since he first entered your office. I shall always with gratitude remember your kindness, that still continued till death (to my great affliction) closed the scene. Will you, along with Mr. Mackenzie (who has some directions to that purpose) have the goodness to add to the many obligations I am under to you, by seeing him respectably interred, and you will much oblige, "Sir, "Your afflicted servant, "DONALD FRASER." In another letter, received the following month from a young Inverness solicitor, the same John Fraser is alluded to. The letter is as follows: — "INVERNESS, 1st February, 1825. "MY DEAR ANDERSON, "I have the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of 24th ult., on hearing of my admission as Solicitor here. Indeed I had written a letter to you on that day, and I don't know why I did not send it, except that one is somehow at a loss in commencing a correspondence and on this occasion it must have necessarily have been more puzzling, as the subject would have been more than usually egotistical. "Since you disclaim the intention of flattering, far be it from me to attribute such a motive to you, but only that your kind partiality has made you over-rate me — and it is pleasant to have the partiality of a friend, even when one is sure that it is carried too far. "I have missed you exceedingly here, — you having been my first, and I may say, only companion here, and I have not formed an acquaintance with any other. To your Mother and Brother I am under the greatest obligations for their uniform kindness to me. "It was with great regret I heard of the death of poor John Fraser, and he is very generally lamented here by all who knew him. "There is very little news in this quarter — only the establishment of the Gas and Water Company here, put the town on the alert for a few days, and the New Insurance Company in Edinburgh disturbed its repose a little. Now all is quiet and I have heard nothing of either for some time. But the Distilleries still keep up their Interest. The one Mr. Shepperd is erecting at Beauly will soon be at work, and two upon the Millburn are likewise getting on. . . . "JOHN MACKINTOSH," At this time Peter had only completed his twentieth year, and was engaged in various laborious studies, but his services, sympathy and counsel were always at the disposal of others. The letters which passed regularly between the brothers when absent from each other, betoken healthy, contented minds, intellectual congeniality. kindliness towards others and thorough confidence in each other; but when seen in company together, the sparkling gaiety of George contrasted so much with the mild seriousness of Peter that the latter was generally taken by strangers to be the elder brother. George's fascinating manner caused his society to be much sought after and he was never without invitations to festive gatherings. A letter from him to Peter, dated 28th December, 1824, ends thus: — "Saturday last I went down by coach to spend my Christmas at the Fort with the Welshes, and a very merry one we had of it, even though Mrs. Welsh and Betsey were ill. "New Year's Day I am to spend at Coul with Sir George if the weather permits of my going over. "Mr. Maclennan, Fort William, has just come to take up his quarters for a day or two. "I have no time to dilate further than just to wish you all a Highland welcome to every good, and many happy returns of the daft days." The ending of a letter dated 9th September, 1826, runs thus: "2 o'clock p.m. Just returned from the marriage of Mary Fraser, Ness Side, with Captain Angus Macpherson. They start immediately for Drumnadrochit on their way to Cork, where they must be by the 20th. They are much afraid of being ordered to the West Indies. Mr. Shepperd was present and I think felt a good deal. We had a fine party. I sit down immediately to acquaint Mary's brothers of the news, and must therefore close with you. "Mr. Robertson (Mr. Ewing's partner), the Struys and Mr. Shepperd dined with me yesterday. "Accept my best thanks, dear Peter, for your good advices, which I am most desirous of following." The latter part of a letter to Peter dated 9th January, 1827, is as follows: "I brought in the New Year with Sir Thomas in grand style at Relugas, where I spent two or three most pleasant days and formed, I flatter myself, somewhat of a real and it may be, I trust, a useful friendship with the Baronet. Let me know how the Wolf of Badenoch' is received by your city and inform me whether I ought not to include a sketch of the Findhorn and of Elgin and Forres in the Itinerary. The Baronet and I took one or two very long excursions by the Findhorn's banks till we got fairly up among the wild mountains of Strathdearn. His conversation and local knowledge were of course most useful to me, and I have come home with the opinion that this river is one of the most interesting and curious in the Highlands. You will see the result of the Baronet's observations noticed soon as given to the Institution in a regular paper. "Have you begun to look to your Perthshire notes? as I mean only to collect materials and not to prepare any article till I see them. What say your friends about the Book? Could you not procure from Mr. Johnson some valuable information? "I saw Banker Anderson on the subject you mentioned, but he stated to me that James had gone to the Military Academy and to a French Master, and that he presumed his hands were full, but that otherwise he would have had no objection to his commencing Mathematics. "As he said all this was done some time ago, I did not consider it necessary to write you sooner on the subject. "Write me about your new situation soon. "Many happy, thrice happy years to you!" In another letter dated 6th February, 1827, George says: "Your critique on the 'Wolf of Badenoch' entirely coincides with my own ideas, for I have read the work with very great pleasure. The Guide Book occupies but very little of my thoughts at present for I am getting extremely busy. Yet I am convinced we ought to give it our most laboured attention, as even in a pecuniary sense it may some day, I have little doubt, be turned greatly to account. "Mr. Omond's plants, I am glad to say, have recovered from the damp state they reached me in. "Clark is astonished at not hearing from you. His address is 5 King Street, Holborn. "I had an interesting letter from Clouston the other day; he seems very much cast down, yet writes with his usual variety and fire. "We are all well and beg to be kindly remembered to you all at Walker Street." Many of George's later letters to his brother were completely filled with descriptions of the beautiful scenery with which he came in contact during his rambles on foot in search of materials for the Guide to the Highlands. In the course of a long descriptive letter written from Campbelltown to Peter in Inverness on the 11th of September, 1834, he remarks: "After inspecting Bute so far as to have secured materials for an excellent article on it I landed at East Loch Tarbert yesterday afternoon and crossing the adjoining isthmus walked down to Tynaloan, whence I arrived here this morning having enjoyed most splendid though hazy views of Islay and Jura and the headlands of 'ould Ireland'. I had no conception of the beauty and fertility of the western side of Cantire and have seen nothing in the Highlands to compare with it. It supplies barley for twenty-four distilleries in this place. The religious edifices also present very interesting remains, but of these as well as of the castles I will yet have to trace out the histories myself, for the country people, including the clergy (!), are entirely ignorant of the subject. . . . Tell our friends in Castle Street (No. 57), that I am to be home on Wednesday, in case of there being any messages for me from Scatwell. "I have proved so far as I could every recommendation we have given in our Book, taking spirits but very sparingly and only when fatigued and near the end of a journey; and feeding on two meals a day. I am now quite satisfied that the body to be in proper healthy trim for walking does not require to be fed above twice in the day, unless by crumacks on the road, and in fact I feel inclined for no more. The days have become so short that I start at the dawn and make the most of my day's work before breakfast. But I must go out and examine Cil-Ciaran and recall the men of other days to my thoughts. So, adieu! May your meditations be always as sweet and improving as mine have been for the last few days. With love to all round Clachnacudden, believe me, my dear St. Patrick (I am in the land of saints here — at least so called) very affectionately yours." "St. Patrick" was the title by which George (who was fond of bestowing pet names on his relatives) sometimes affectionately designated his grave, quiet brother, even when they were no longer young; but it was a title which some of his other friends also bestowed on Peter. Mr. John Guy Hamilton, who was at one time drawing master in the Inverness Royal Academy, wrote thus to Peter (when the latter was in Edinburgh) in a letter dated "Inverness, 25th November, 1824" "By all the saints in the calendar and especially the one who presides with a sprig of clover in his fist over the generous-hearted sons of the sunshiny Isle of the West — St. Patrick to wit — thou art a noble fellow!!! "Thanks to thee, mon ami, for your interest in those views — like yourself. I wish Dr. Couper may come speed. Duke of Buckingham! I had that Noble in my eye through the influence of Mr. Jardene, who recommended W. Couper to his Grace, but if this does — why, thanks to you. No mode of alteration has taken place in our mode of publishing as the enclosed card will show. If Dr. Couper were to mention to his Grace that the Author was a person in whom the Professor took much interest, his Grace would do the thing at once. You might give Couper the hint. I have been closely engaged with my Highland tales — one of which I have this evening finished, and I wish I were near to have your criticism. I here send a few advertisements — perhaps they may do good in your hands. —" The views of places of interest in the Highlands to which the foregoing letter alludes are those which have been already mentioned in this chapter as having been published in 1825 under the title of Picturesque Delineations of the Highlands of Scotland, by J. G. Hamilton, Draughtsman to the Northern Institution, with Descriptions to the Several Views by George Anderson, Esq., F.R.S,E., etc.. Secretary to the Northern Institution. Mr. Hamilton was an artist of genius and taste who laboured under the extraordinary disadvantage of having been born with neither fingers nor toes, but who worked with dexterity and skill by means of having his paint brush strapped to the stump which served him in place of a thumb. Many of the water-colour sketches which he took in the neighbourhood of Inverness were exquisite. Between him and Peter Anderson a strong friendship had sprung up, not only on account of Peter's great admiration for paintings, which in intensity equalled George's love for Scottish music, but owing to a similarity in their opinions regarding many matters of importance. Peter never lost an opportunity of going to see any exhibition of pictures, and during his visits to London on railway business his leisure moments were devoted to visiting the various picture galleries and writing home an account of them. When alone in London he always took up his abode at the good old-fashioned Tavistock Hotel, and he was domiciled there at the time of the International Exhibition in 1862, and lost no time in going to visit its treasures of art. What his taste as to paintings was may be partly gathered from a short extract from a letter to the writer, dated: — "Tavistock Hotel, Covent Garden, London, W.C. 27th October, 1862" "I have been again engaged the greater part of to-day in the Picture Galleries which would prove a special treat to you. But it is impossible for you to conceive the prodigious extent of the collection. There are a great number of Turner's best works of which you will recollect poor Alick was such an admirer. I like his early water-colour sketches best. Of Wilkie's, Blind Man's Buff seemed to me best from the unity of the subject. I cannot say I admire Millais' style — the pre-Raphaelite which affects rigid adherence to representation of Nature. There are a number of Landseer's most celebrated productions. I could only overtake another hurried examination of the foreign school. . . . I could not but regret that I could not afford you the gratification of such a treat. I would have been thankful too of companionship, for I did not see a kent face." But Peter's love for art in any form was far exceeded by his love for nature and for his native Highland hills. When absent in England for even a few weeks he used to yearn for the wild mountain scenery of his native land, and the writer well remembers, when travelling North with him on one occasion, how eagerly he watched for the first sight of the hills, and how his face lighted up as he exclaimed: "There they are!" Peter Anderson was a man of simple tastes and habits. He had always had a disregard for externals, and as he grew older this deepened with him more and more. He considered it of very small importance what kind of house, furniture, or clothing one had, compared to having a fine view from one's windows or being within reach of beautiful scenery. During the last ten years of his life he rented a cottage in the country in order that he might daily have the pleasure of looking across the Moray Firth to the farm which his father had occupied for so many years; and every summer evening he delighted in toiling with his own hands in the garden which surrounded the cottage. But it was chiefly in a world of books that Peter Anderson's life was spent. From his boyhood he had loved to purchase books and to accumulate around him the works of the best authors; so that in later years he had only to stretch out his hand to his book shelves and he was at once absorbed in the enjoyment of the companionship of the great minds — the sages and poets of the past, and raised into an atmosphere where the cares and disappointments of the present faded into insignificance. The love of literature permeated his life and was to him a never-failing source of pleasure. In person he was tall and slender with a light, elastic step. He had inherited short sight from his mother, which had necessitated the wearing of glasses from his boyhood; and this, united to a slight stoop, caused him always to look older than he really was. The gravity and dignity of his manner were softened by a gentle, old-world courtesy, the charm of which was nowhere more fully and invariably experienced than in his own household. To his children (whom he made his close companions — reading to them, walking with them, conversing with them) he was at all times tender and sympathetic; and to all who were in his employment indulgent and considerate, ready to overlook and forgive shortcomings and failings. In fact, he was unsuspicious, sanguine and optimistic to a degree which no one would have imagined from his grave, quiet manner. The faults towards which he was least tolerant were those which were connected with deceit, meanness or jealousy. To break one's promise or to indulge in a spirit of detraction was in his eyes a crime, and any instance of injustice or oppression which was brought under his notice could rouse his gentle nature to anger or indignation. For the last fifteen years of his life he was a widower. On the 4th of August. 1835, he had married Agnes Shaw Grant, eldest daughter of Mr. Alexander Grant, Dundreggan, Glenmoriston, and his wife Isabella Grant, second daughter of Major Alpin Grant, fourth son of Patrick, eighth Laird of Glenmoriston. They had first met in the house of their mutual friends, Mr. and Mrs. David Fraser of Dunaincroy. They were married at Aultsigh Cottage. on the banks of Loch Ness, by the Rev. Farquhar Maciver, Minister of Glenmoriston, in the presence of a large assemblage of Highland relatives; and Mr. Simon Fraser, the old Laird of Foyers (who is alluded to in Mrs. Grant of Laggan's Memoirs and Correspondence) brought his own boat across the loch completely laden with fruit and flowers to grace the festal day. Mrs. Peter Anderson had many personal and mental charms, and a Gaelic ode in praise of her and in honour of her marriage was composed by the female Bard of the Glen. She had intellectual tastes and a talent for poetical composition, united to ready wit and pleasing conversational powers; but while yet young and the bright centre of her household, she was stricken with a lingering illness, and died on the 21st of December, 1853, leaving three children, two girls and a boy. One daughter had predeceased her in 1851. Peter Anderson spent the greater part of his married life in Academy Street, first in that house (approached by a flight of steps) now occupied by the East Coast Railway Company's Offices, and afterwards — from 1845 to 1858 — in a house which stood opposite the Academy, but which was recently taken down to make room for Queensgate. He retained his offices in that building until 1868, although his residence during those last ten years of his life was four miles from the town. Like his brother George he frequently contributed to the Inverness Courier and other papers, and he maintained a friendly intercourse with Dr. Robert Chambers of Edinburgh. Sir James Y. Simpson, and other men noted for literature or science. The subjects on which he wrote for the Courier were very varied. Besides reviews of books, he often contributed articles on subjects connected with the Highlands especially Inverness — in the past. Some of the papers which he contributed to the Courier were biographical. The sketch of the Rev. Alexander Clark of the West Church — minister of the first charge in Inverness — which appeared in "Biographies of Highland Ministers Reprinted from the Inverness Courier in 1889," came from the pen of Peter Anderson in 1852. Mr. Clark had often been associated with him in philanthropic enterprises, and they were for a considerable period joint secretaries of the "Inverness Society for the Education of the Poor in the Highlands". This society had been first instituted at a meeting held on the 17th of November, 1818. The Rev. Donald Fraser of Kirkhill, if he did not absolutely originate the society, at least organised its plan and constitution, and continued to be its principal Secretary until 1830, when he retired from all active duties connected with it, and was then constituted Honorary Secretary. The office-bearers for 1830-31 were as follows: — "PRESIDENT. "The Most Noble the Marquis of Stafford. "VICE-PRESIDENTS. "Col. John Baillie of Leys, M.P.; Lachlan Mackintosh of Raigmore; James Robertson of Aultnaskiach; Sir Francis Mackenzie of Gairloch, Bart.; John Norman Macleod of Macleod; James Murray Grant of Glenmoriston and Moy; Colonel Macinnes, H.E.I.C.S.; Alexander Mackintosh, younger of Mackintosh. "COMMITTEE. "Colonel Macpherson, Inverness; Captain Fraser of Balnain; Captain Duncan Macpherson, Collector of Customs; Alex. Cumming, Merchant; John Ferguson, Wine Merchant; Roderick Reach. Solicitor; George Mackay, Merchant; Bailie John Fraser; James Suter, jun., Merchant; James Wilson. Solicitor; George Anderson. Solicitor; George Inglis of Kingsmills; James Baillie Fraser, younger of Reelig; Affleck Fraser of Culduthel; Captain Mackay, Hedgefield; John Ross, Agent, British Linen Company; Bailie Hugh Innes; Colonel Ross of Castlehill; John Ross, Overyssel Plantation, Berbice; John Mackay. Solicitor, Agent, National Bank. "SUB-COMMITTEE. "Rev. Robert Findlater; Bailie John Fraser; James Suter, jun.; George Anderson. Solicitor; James Wilson. Solicitor. The Treasurer and Secretaries. "TREASURER. "Alexander Inglis Robertson. "SECRETARIES. "Rev. Alex. Clark, Inverness, Peter Anderson, Accountant." The Patron was His Royal Highness Prince Leopold; the Vice-Patron, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, and the Honorary Vice-Presidents, John Stewart of Belladrum, and J. A. Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth. There were ninety-nine extraordinary directors, by donations of £10 10s. and upwards, or subscriptions of £2 2s. annually. The laws and regulations which were drawn up in 1818 were ten in number. The first three were as follows: — I. "That the principal object of this institution being to communicate moral and religious instruction by means of Schools, to the inhabitants of the Highlands, the designation shall be, 'The Society for the Education of the Poor in the Highlands'. II. "For the accomplishments of its objects, the Secretary shall use its endeavours, not only to maintain circulating Schools for teaching Gaelic, and under certain restrictions, English, Writing, and Arithmetic, but shall encourage Sabbath Schools, in places suitable for them. III. "In cases where the English Language is sufficiently understood by Scholars at entry, they shall be first taught to read the English, but in every other case it shall be required that they be taught to read Gaelic in the first place, and thereafter to learn English, Writing, and Arithmetic, on condition of their defraying the expense of School Fees and Books; or when a Scholar of superior genius is recommended by the Schoolmaster, or any office-bearer of the Society, he may be so instructed gratis." At the Annual General Meeting which was held in the Inverness Town Hall on the 6th of October, 1830, a long and interesting report was read aloud by Mr. Peter Anderson, one of the secretaries, after the meeting had been opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Fraser, Kirkhill. There were present: "John Stewart, Esq., of Belladrum; the Rev. Mr. Maclachlan, Moy; the Rev. Mr. Campbell, Croy; the Rev. Mr. Fraser, Kirkhill; the Rev. Mr. Findlater, Inverness; the Rev. Mr. Clark, Inverness; the Rev. Mr. Fraser, Cawdor; Alexander Mackintosh, Esq., younger of Mackintosh; John Ross, Esq., Overyssel Plantation, Berbice; Alexander Cumming, Esq., Merchant; John Ferguson, Esq., Wine Merchant; Captain Mackay, Hedgefield; James Wilson, Esq.. Solicitor; Mr. David Clark, Preacher of the Gospel; Bailie John Fraser; Roderick Reach, Esq.. Solicitor; George Mackay, Esq., Merchant; James Suter, Esq., Merchant; George Anderson, Esq.. Solicitor; David Denoon, Esq.. Solicitor; etc., etc. "John Stewart, Esq., of Belladrum, Honorary Vice-President of the Society, in the chair." The report urged in strong terms the necessity for "additional efforts to ameliorate the intellectual and moral condition of the Highlands," and stated that "The Committee are anxious to recommend that any increase to the number of schools that the funds may in future admit of, should be chiefly in the way of additional Aid Schools which in their opinion are particularly adapted for sequestered and thinly-peopled districts". A note below states: "By an aid school is meant one, the teacher of which is appointed and maintained by the inhabitants of the district and to whom the Society — on being satisfied as to his capabilities and qualification either by actual examination or the report of any fit person — grant a small aid to enable him to eke out his livelihood. The teacher generally lives a week or longer with each family in succession and his labours are for the most part confined to Winter and Spring seasons. This class of Schools is particularly suitable during the winter months for remote grazing districts." The report also stated that The Committee have gratefully to acknowledge a donation from the Edinburgh Bible Society — from whom they last year received a large supply of Gaelic Bibles and Testaments — of 150 English Bibles and the same number of Testaments for sale at reduced prices, and gratuitous distribution — the proceeds to be accounted for". Twenty-two years after this general meeting had been held, Peter Anderson contributed to the pages of the Inverness Courier the appreciative obituary notice of his friend and fellow secretary, the Rev. Alexander Clark. In the previous year (1851) he had also contributed to the same paper a long tribute to the memory of one whose friendship had been prized by both himself and Mr. Clark — Mrs. David Fraser of Dunaincroy (latterly of Dochgarroch). Part of it is as follows: "She was one of the few of whom all concurred in the estimate that she was eminently qualified to have become one of the celebrities of her day, and had her energies been directed into the paths of literature, to have delighted and instructed by her writings. Her lot, however, was to adorn private station, to gladden domestic life, and to teach and charm by bright example and by oral precept, and rare conversational powers. She was indeed very highly endowed in mind and heart, and possessed at once of large stores of general information and by an abundance of that wisdom which peculiarly is from above. Her intellectual faculties were characterised by pervading vigour and elasticity. Quick of apprehension and speedily mastering any branch of knowledge, thought was with her ever awake and overflowing, the mind alike reflective and imaginative, and yet equally practical and flexible, addressing itself at once to the demand of the moment and to present duty, of whatever description. Sound judgment and good sense controlled and regulated all she said or did, and were in their turn enlivened by the graces of an active fancy and a refined taste" Between this gifted lady and Peter Anderson a strong and elevating friendship had subsisted ever since his boyhood when she had as Miss Nasmyth — been the much valued governess in the family of his friends, the Frasers of Ness-side; and during his married life, he and his wife always looked forward to the cordial welcome and congenial companionship, which at all times awaited them in the delightful home of Mr. and Mrs. David Fraser. When Mr. David Fraser's sister married a namesake of her own on 24th July, 1833, the ceremony was performed by the Rev. Alexander Clark, while Peter Anderson officiated as "best man". A letter referring to this event, written to Peter by Mrs. Fraser, on the previous day, is as follows: "My dear Peter, — David promised to see you to-night and Mr. Clark promised to write you, both intending to announce the hour of cause to-morrow, but as I have often found that I myself fulfil intentions more punctually than either of the two, I take this hurried opportunity to say that Mr. Clark hopes that you will call for him at precisely two o'clock, as it is desirable you should all make your appearance at three o'clock when the bride will be in array for the occasion. "I more than once thought of writing you, but really the broth and puddings left me so occupied for some days that each day seemed to promise the succeeding one would bring some leisure, and the culinary art is one for which I have no taste and so little practice that to me a dinner for twelve costs more consideration than one for two hundred would cost Wilson! [of the Caledonian Hotel]. . . . I hear the Gig coming with David and his sister. Tomorrow then at three, I hope to see your spectacles, and till then and aye believe me, affectionately yours. Sarah Fraser." On the 1st November, 1833, Mrs. Fraser wrote as follows to welcome Peter Anderson back from London: "My dear friend, — In the phraseology of the Gael 'ten thousand, thousand welcomes to your own hearth again,' for without a figure of speech or flourish, we have longed very much to see your face, the want of you being on many occasions like that of a right arm! But you do not deal in words, and of course like them not. I shall therefore spare you the infliction of what my heart prompts me to, in sober earnest. "It was this day only Dr. Manford mentioned your having returned a day or two ago. I know you are and must be very busy. I would only therefore in this say — when you can spare an hour not one shall be more delighted to see you than ourselves. To-morrow Manford promised to come to his kail with us. Perhaps you might be able to join him, and you will get away early in the evening, for David is a little of an invalid. "I wish to tell you that Captain Gordon is in town and you ought to call on him. You will hear various versions of our Reformation Meeting. . . Gordon intends being at Dumphail on his way South some time next week, so that if you see him it must be soon." Peter Anderson, though quiet and undemonstrative, had always been of a social nature and enjoyed listening to the conversation of others. He had always loved to gather friends of early days around his board, and even after he had gone to live in retirement in the country there was seldom a week that he did not, when going home from his office, bring some guests with him by train to dine and spend the evening in the cottage that looked out upon the sea. On these occasions — particularly if the guests were old schoolfellows and allusions were made to Inverness in the past — his gravity would relax and he would give proof that he could shine as a conversationalist. The mild grey eyes would light up with enthusiasm, the long slender fingers would wave backwards and forwards, and the low, refined voice would pour forth some old reminiscences or some graphic anecdotes which were generally prefaced by the words: "I recollect my mother telling me that when she first came to Inverness —". In the summer evenings he would take his guests out with him, after dinner, for a ramble through the fields, and no one enjoyed those rambles more than his old schoolfellow, the Laird of Dalmigavie (better known as "Ananias") whose attachment to Peter Anderson was pathetic in its devotion. The latter used to show him the most affectionate consideration and to listen with patient and sympathetic attention while the old Laird descanted at great length on some favourite topic. The guest whom Dalmigavie liked best to meet was his host's sister-in-law, John Anderson's widow, for she played with exquisite taste and feeling the Highland melodies that were his favourites. After listening for an hour or two in rapt enjoyment to her pibrochs and strathspeys and her beautiful rendering of many of the plaintive melodies to which Burns' songs are set, he would say: "Now, Mrs. John, before we begin our toddy, you must give us the 'Mackintoshes' Lament'". This was never refused him, and the old man would sit listening in silent ecstasy to the tune which of all others appealed most to his heart. His host would at last tap him gently on the shoulder and say: "Now, Mr. Mac., if you want to be in time to catch the train you must turn round". One characteristic of Peter Anderson's hospitality was that if a new governess came to reside with any family with which he was acquainted, he gave orders that she should be immediately called upon and invited to dinner. Whoever was lonely or among strangers was always sure of a double amount of attention from him. None who ever were his guests could doubt the sincerity of his welcome. The old-world grace of his low bow, the beauty of his quiet smile, the heartiness of his hand-clasp were things to linger in some corner of the memory, and start up suddenly after the lapse of many years, when some unexpected chord was touched. Somehow, it was not what he said, hut what he was, that always impressed one most and left behind a fragrant remembrance. He was a deeply, but most unostentatiously religious man, and his attachment to the Episcopal Church of St. John's (of which he was for many years secretary and treasurer) was such that even when he had gone to reside at four miles distance from it, it was very rarely that rain or snow could deter him from the long walk there and back on Sundays. His steadfast and reliable nature had won for him the respect and affection of many friends, and from the time he left school he kept up a correspondence with some of his old teachers and old schoolfellows, which only death had power to close. Among the former were the Rev. Dr. Hugh Urquhart of Montreal, Mr. John Guy Hamilton and Mr. John Paterson Clark; among the latter, the Frasers of Ness Side, the Denoons and the Gibsons. It was always his custom to preserve carefully every letter that he ever received, and in one packet which contained some of those which were most precious to him, there were several long, interesting letters signed "Charles Nockells" — written in a clear, beautiful hand, and dated from "Mount Pleasant, Blue Mountain Valley. St. Thomas in the East, Jamaica". One of these contains the following remarks: "Your letter of 27th April, 1825 — from which I derive much pleasure in perusing your kind expressions of friendship — is now before me. It brings to mind those happy days we spent together, and causes a feeling of regret mingled with pleasure. The latter certainly predominates, but still the former will intrude when I reflect that he whose kind and affectionate disposition added then so much to my happiness is now so far distant from me." The letter ends with the words: "Direct to me at Mount Pleasant Estate or to my father's counting-house 'No. 3 Nag's Head Court, Gracechurch Street, London'. I send this by one of his ships, the Emerald." In this packet were several letters of great length, in George Gibson's delicate, pointed hand, written on large square sheets of paper, and so closely crossed on every page as to make the deciphering of them a matter of time and difficulty. Along with those were two letters addressed in Peter's own round hand to "Lieutenant George Gibson, "37th Regiment, "Madras Native Infantry, "Care of Binny & Co., "Madras". These, after very many months of wandering had been returned to the writer with the brief, sad intimation "Dead" written on the outside. The first was written on the 26th of May, 1827, and the second on the 2nd of September, 1829, but it was not until February, 1831, that the latter reached Peter Anderson from the Returned Letter Office. On the back of this last letter is inscribed in Peter's handwriting the following brief but pathetic intimation: "He was drowned on his passage within a few days' sail of Calcutta. — P.A." The letters thus pathetically inscribed will possess an added interest if we turn to the prize list of the Inverness Royal Academy given in the Inverness Journal for 19th June, 1818, and observe the three names that are linked together in close succession: — Rector's Class — Mathematics. 1st Class. George Anderson, Inverness, Dux. 2nd Class. Peter Anderson, Inverness, Dux. 3rd Class. George Gibson, Inverness, Dux. A little lower down appear the names of several of their girl friends, as having gained first prizes. Miss Elizabeth Mackenzie, who afterwards became John Anderson's wife, is mentioned as being Dux in Geography and obtaining the prize for flower painting. Miss Barbara Fraser of Eskadale is first in arithmetic, and Miss Ann Denoon, Redcastle, is first in writing, and Dux in the 3rd French class. This was George and Peter Anderson's last Session at the Inverness Academy. In the following October they left for Edinburgh University, and Peter's beloved schoolfellow George Gibson went to stay for some time with their parents to fill in some measure the blank caused by their absence. The prize that Peter received from the Directors of the Academy on 16th June, 1818, was a curious old-fashioned book (published in 1807) called The Polite Preceptor, or a Collection of Instructions and Entertaining Essays selected from the best English Writers. At the previous half-yearly examination held on the 22nd December, 1817 (when he had just completed his thirteenth year), he was Dux in the 1st Greek Class and received as a prize the Pocket Cyclopædia or Miscellany of Useful Knowledge by Joseph Guy, published in 1815. At this examination George was medallist. In the Inverness Journal for 26th December, 1817, it is stated "The Silver Medal given by Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore, at the conclusion of each Winter Session, was adjudged to George Anderson, son of Mr. Anderson. Solicitor, Inverness, for Proficiency in Algebra and Geometry, and the Prizes bestowed by the Directors were adjudged as follows: — Rector's Class. "To P. Anderson, Inverness, for Proficiency in Mathematics. "Greek. "1st Class. Peter Anderson . . 1 Dux." The Northern Chronicle of 22nd April, 1885, states in reference to the Inverness Royal Academy "It was incorporated under Royal Charter in 1792, and at the outset was mainly endowed through the indomitable exertions of Mr. Lachlan Mackintosh of Raigmore, then resident in Calcutta. . . In 1811 Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore founded what has since been known as the Raigmore gold medal. Up to the year 1840, it was awarded to the best classical scholar. Thereafter it was given in alternate years to the dux in classics and mathematics." Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore also presented a silver medal which, until 1840, was always awarded to the best mathematical scholar. The public examinations, up to 1828, were held half-yearly, one at the end of May or early in June, and one in December, and it was at the summer examination that the gold medal for classics was awarded, while the silver one for mathematics was given in December. In 1828 it was decided to have only one public examination in the year, and this took place every August — the gold and silver medals being presented at the same time. If one glances over the columns of the Inverness Journal for about half a dozen years previous to 1817, the names of George and Peter Anderson will be seen, every now and then taking a foremost place, in the Prize Lists of the Inverness Royal Academy. At the examination which took place on the 22nd December, 1813, Peter is mentioned as being Dux in the sixth Latin Class. He had attained his ninth year only five days previously. At the same examination in 1813 the silver medal for mathematics was awarded to David Gibson, the eldest of several brothers who were bound by the closest ties of friendship to George and Peter Anderson. The first letter to George Gibson which was received from the Returned Letter Office runs thus: — "I was much gratified by receipt of your very welcome letter dated Calcutta, 5th January. Your most interesting one from Rangoon, 29th May, did not come to hand till the 22nd of March. For both these much esteemed tokens of a friendship which I hope will live to prove itself by a daily interchange of offices of affection in future years, accept, My Dear Fellow, my warmest thanks. I feel ashamed when I look back on the long interval since I wrote you (June) but you know we are all — as our old dominie Campbell used to say — 'erring mortals at the best'. "It gave much uneasiness to learn that your campaigning had put you on the sick list, only I trust for a very limited period. I pray God you may escape all those more serious maladies to which flesh is but too subject in your quarter of the globe. "For the last nine months I have been a residenter in Edinburgh qualifying myself for the profession of an Accountant, which I believe I informed you of my having embraced. In about a month I return to Inverness, where I expect to have occasion to spend another winter preparatory to my setting up in business which it is at present contemplated I should do in Aberdeen; but though a good field is there open and it therefore becomes me to act with due deliberation, I feel the current of my sympathies run somewhat adverse to that of the canny Aberdonians and feel more inclined to obey the old proverb which says: — 'Fly like the Stork to thy old nest, Early friendships are the best'. "In short, I would fain pitch my tent amid the scenes of my youth, among the few friends of my boyhood who are still left to muster round Clachnacudden, and near a brother whom I hold most dear. So that unless prudence absolutely forbids, I will most likely form one of the community of our Highland Capital. "Mary Fraser, Ness-side, has been married for about eight months to Captain Angus Macpherson, brother-in-law to Doctor Nicol — a complete love match. The old couple would have had her listen rather to Mr. Shepperd's addresses, or — to speak properly — encourage them, for I don't suppose he ever subjected himself to the risk of a refusal, though the marriage-concocting coteries of the North have it that he did. She is now with her husband's regiment in Jamaica. "Our old schoolfellow James Wilson has also taken to himself a wife, a daughter of Fraser of Newton's. "Poor Charles Denoon died in the commencement of last winter. "Inverness has been deprived of her theatre, which having, by the demise of old Captain Bain, come into Parson Thomas's possession, has been by him converted into shops. It has however had for some time a Subscription Billiard Table, which is sufficiently made use of by the young Solicitors, now a very formidable body. Inverness has now got a capital race ground and is lighted with gas, so you may judge it is much about keeping pace with other places in the march of improvement. "I have not lately heard of the Ness-side boys, but they both passed some time ago as Artillery officers in the H.E.I.C.S., and are at present labouring to qualify themselves as Engineers. "William Mackenzie, the Bailie's son, made a most propitious début in the High Church of his native place lately as a preacher, and sanguine expectations are entertained that he is to turn out a distinguished ornament of the Church. "Since writing the above I have learnt from my brother John (who dined with us in transitu in the course of an express trip to Inverness from London where he has been engaged for about a month in Lovat's Peerage case) that Hugh Fraser has passed as Engineer. "A Prize Essay of my brother John's was published this Spring, on the State of Society and Knowledge in the Highlands at the Period of the Rebellion of 1745, and its progress down to the present time, for which a Gold Medal was awarded him by the Northern Institution for the promotion of Science and literature, founded by my brother George, of which you have perhaps heard, as its proceedings have attracted a good deal of notice. "I believe I told you that George and I had some thoughts of publishing a Description of Inverness-shire. We have since enlarged our plan, and are preparing a work chiefly designed to answer the purpose of a traveller's guide for the Highlands generally. It will likely be some time of seeing the light, as our spare time is very limited. "All our friends in the North are, I believe, quite well, as are my mother and Miss Anderson, by whom you are most affectionately remembered. "Bob Imray we bound last year as an apprentice with Williamson the Upholsterer. "Tom Eskadale is now a briefless barrister at the Scotch Bar. "As the fortunes of our schoolfellows seem to afford you some interest, I will shortly advert to one or two. The names may awaken peculiar trains of thought. John Macrae (the blacksmith's son), our classfellow, is Latin teacher in the Academy of Fortrose. John Macdonald (the tailor's son) is studying medicine, and Davidson (of the Haugh) having lately got an appointment — or certain prospect of one — in India, after being for a time Assistant Latin teacher in the Inverness Academy, has directed his attention to the same study. John Stewart (old John's son) and Hugh Jamieson (the goldsmith's son) are both Assistant Surgeons in the Navy. The destinies of such others as occur to me, must be well known to you. as they have all gone to push their fortunes in India. Claudius Kerr was on the Continent for some months last summer with his mother and sisters. I met him accidentally at the commencement of winter on his way to some watering-place in England. He said he was subject to severe rheumatic headaches and that his constitution was far from having recovered its tone. And now, my dear George, I must for the present bid you adieu, and subscribe myself "Your ever affectionate friend, "PETER ANDERSON." Among the letters from schoolfellows carefully treasured by Peter were many from David and Alick Denoon. The following extract is from one written by Alick and dated "6 Muscovy Court, Tower Hill, London, 2nd February, 1824". — "I know, dear Peter, you had need of all the consolation that could be afforded to one so unexpectedly bereft of so dear a Parent as you have been, but whatever my inclination might be to alleviate your sorrow, I bore too great a share in the loss to be able to write on the subject. The desire of my heart would be to go to you myself, to express my grief and take part of yours. There is no doubt but he now lives with immortality, and I wish my soul no other felicity when it leaves this body than to ascend to his and enjoy the same bliss. "I received a letter from George some days ago; he was then quite well and very busy. I am sure he will be very successful in all his engagements and an honour to his profession. "Would that it were in my power to show how sensible I am of the kindness I have ever received from you all! I do, however, in the meantime fondly cherish the hope. I have found in you most sincere friends indeed, and I trust no changes have taken place which should prevent our being on the same familiar footing as ever. Let therefore the pen supply the office of the tongue. I know that your time must be very much occupied, and will not therefore expect to hear from you till you find it perfectly convenient. I hear of you, I may say, weekly, which is the next thing to hearing from yourself. "I miss your society exceedingly. I have found no true acquaintance here, to whom I could speak my mind. "John Rose has taken his passage for India by the Duke of Bedford; she has already gone down to Gravesend and is expected to sail from thence about the 15th or 20th current. An old classfellow of Hughie and Charlie's goes out by the same ship as a Cadet (a George Mackenzie from Nairn). "I have visited very few places where the Fashionables resort to yet. I had occasion to make some calls at the West End yesterday, and went to Hyde Park on my way, where, I believe, everybody who can sport a Coach, Gig or Horse, goes to, of a Sunday. "I see your friend Kincorth (I'm sure I don't know if it is Robert or Lewis) pretty often. He is in Smith, Inglis & Co.'s Counting House. "Had you any letters from Urquhart since I left Inverness? or do you hear how he is coming on? "I beg to be most affectionately and kindly remembered to your much esteemed mother and Miss Anderson, in which all here cordially unite, and believe me to be ever, my dear Peter, "Most affectionately and sincerely yours, "ALEXANDER DENOON." "P.S. — I need not say what pleasure it will afford me if I can be of any service to you in this quarter. I am happy to inform you that the Royal George is this day arrived, so that we may expect the pleasure of seeing our mutual friend. Sandy Gibson, very soon. — A. D. "5th February, 1824." During the time Peter was in Edinburgh, qualifying himself for the profession of an accountant, his mother was occupying herself in Inverness with reading and writing and country walks just as she had done in her husband's lifetime. Her son George and her cousin Miss Anderson lived with her and bestowed on her the most unremitting care and attention, but she missed the presence of a daughter in the house, and after much perseverance, and many solicitations, succeeded in obtaining for nearly two years the charge and companionship of a little girl who had won a very large share of her affections. Mrs. Thomas Paterson (formerly Miss Abigail Gillanders) the sister-in-law of Banker Alexander Mackenzie, died very suddenly in December, 1824, leaving four children, three girls and a boy, and Mrs. Anderson set her heart on taking Barbara, the eldest child, to live in her own house. The Banker had taken the widower and children to Viewfield, leaving to Miss Anderson the superintendence of all that was necessary to do at Midmills Cottage, where the death had occurred. In a letter, dated 16th December, 1824, Mrs. Anderson wrote to Peter in Edinburgh "Miss Anderson, as on all occasions, made herself very useful. I went up to Viewfield on Friday morning and made offer to take Barbary and to attend to her as if she were my own child. I meant to have sent her to Miss Dallas' school during the forenoon, where she would have been amused and would have learnt a little with the nice little creatures that are attending there. My proposal was rejected both by Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Paterson. Mr. Fyvie dined with us that afternoon and told me that he had just left them, and that it had been fixed on to send Barbary to a boarding school. The child is too young to be sent to a boarding school and I am convinced that every rational creature will approve of my plan. No one can have as much time to attend to her as I have, and she would have been an amusement to me. I have done my duty, so I cannot help it. I went up again yesterday to renew my offer, but neither of the gentlemen gave me an opportunity to do so. Indeed neither of them seemed to approve of it. "Thank God we are all very well just now except for the cold Miss Anderson has. Mr. Shepperd dines with us every Wednesday, and we are all very happy. I rejoice to hear that Mr. David Denoon is expected soon. It will be an addition to our little society." By referring to George's letter to Peter (dated 16th January, 1825), already quoted, it will be seen that Mrs. Anderson's persuasions at Viewfield finally proved successful. To Peter, his mother sent the same sort of lively, chatty letters as those she used to write him when he first went as a boy to the University. One of her letters dated "3rd October, 1826," is as follows: "It afforded me very sincere pleasure to learn from your note to Miss Anderson that you were well and happy. I am delighted to find you are so comfortable. I am writing a few lines to be ready to send you by our friend, Mr. Fraser. Struy, who goes to Edinburgh in a few days. I often hear of parcels going, but seldom in time to write by daylight, and my eyes are so weak that I cannot easily write by candle light. "We have got the bustle of the Northern Meeting over. I don't think that people were satisfied with it this season. There is no one to direct or take any interest there, so of course every one does as he pleases. Waltzing was quite the rage, and oldfashioned people did not approve of that style of dancing. I believe few of our town's beaux or belles were there. "Miss Anderson and I dined Thursday last at Viewfield along with the Misses Macdonald. Springfield. George was asked to be of our party but he was engaged to dine at Mr. Fyvie's, along with the Struys. We waited for supper, and the Banker and John danced a hearty reel with the young ladies. "Miss Anderson desires her love to you and offers her thanks for the book and the trouble of writing to her. Mr. Charles Denoon has been ill of a slow fever ever since he returned from London. He is now getting slowly better, but is still very weak. I wished him to take up his abode with us, to see if change of air would do him good, but he is afraid of giving trouble. "Wednesday 11th. — Saturday last I received your kind letter for which I thank you. Mr. Anderson, Fochabers, has just called. He goes home in the Elgin Star at three o'clock. I had not seen him for a long time and was greatly struck to see how rapidly old age was approaching. He inquired kindly for you and approves highly of your thinking of being an Accountant. He says there is a great field for you, even in Inverness. He says that the two who are here would sink to nothing if an able competition was to start against them. Mr. Thomas Fraser, Eskadale, called on me yesterday. He was at a Ball and Supper, Thursday last, given by Mr. Mackintosh, Castle Street. There were sixty at the Ball and he gave a dinner (consisting of six courses) to twenty guests, the same day. "Miss Anderson and I set out Saturday last to breakfast at Ness Side, to pay a visit on the late marriage. It blew such a hurricane that I thought we never would reach the place of our destination. We sat till a little past twelve o'clock and just as we got to the high road, the rain began and it fell in torrents all the way home. We were completely drenched. "I hear Torbreck has come North yesterday. Lady Anne is in France. "Mr. Welsh dined with us yesterday on his way to Fort William. He expects Mrs. Welsh soon but his daughter is to remain in London all winter. . . . . . . . . . "Do you ever hear from Glasgow? I have not heard from Margaret Couper for a long time. Miss Anderson unites with me in wishing you health and happiness. She will write to you soon." The "Margaret Couper" referred to was Mrs. Anderson's niece, the daughter of the Professor of Astronomy in Glasgow University. She was a fine artist and at her death bequeathed one of her valuable paintings to each of her cousins George and Peter Anderson. In a letter dated 22nd November, 1826, Mrs. Anderson says "I rejoice to find you are so comfortable in your new abode. We are delighted with your description of your parlour and in your next beg to know if you have a comfortable bedroom. I had a letter from Margaret Couper the other day. All friends in Glasgow are well. They have taken your aunt, Miss Thomson, to live with them and given her one of their best bedrooms for her use. When she is inclined to eat with them they are glad to see her, and when she wishes to keep her own apartment everything is sent in to her. Hitherto she is very much pleased. She is now grown so frail that she is the better of her friends being near her, but she is something like Mrs. Imray, not easily pleased in the attention she expects from her friends. They are all complaining of the dreadful state of trade in Glasgow. Dr. Couper, I suppose, cannot easily get his shops let, from which he used to get a good rent. Margaret says that they are obliged to deprive themselves of many comforts which formerly they enjoyed. People must be thankful if they get daily bread at present. "Mr. David Denoon called on me yesterday. He gave me a most distressing account of poor Charles. He had got on a blister yesterday for the pain in his side. They have no hopes of him. Miss Baillie is the only one who is not apprehensive of him. Poor David is sadly cast down and looks like death himself. He seldom quits his brother's bedside. He thinks his illness commenced last winter in Edinburgh and that he felt it while in London, and the cold he got coming down to Inverness brought it to a crisis. "George has taken the white painted press in which the books were, down to his office, and the room where it was makes an excellent breakfast parlour, and the fire we have on in the morning will preserve the books. We intend breakfasting alternately, for a week, in it and the room we used to call the little parlour. Mr. Duncan Mackenzie breakfasted in the former of these rooms one morning last week and was quite delighted with the arrangement of it. George has got a stove to his office which makes it very comfortable. " We all unite in wishing you every comfort. Mrs. Imray is well, at least as much so as she commonly is, and Robert is very busy and seems to be happy at his business. Miss Anderson had a cold lately, but by confining herself for a day or two to bed she has got rid of it. We walk every morning after breakfast, which will enable her to get strength before the winter sets in. I will send the newspapers regularly now that I know your address. George and I enjoy good health. Love to John. Does Mary ever talk of us and tell you that I whipped her once? I am no favourite with her." Mrs. Anderson's eldest sister, Miss Elizabeth Thomson (usually designated "Miss Betty") who is alluded to in the foregoing letter, died in the house of her brother-in-law, Professor Couper, on the 10th of June, 1830, at a very advanced age. In a letter dated 6th February, 1827, Mrs. Anderson says: "I sit down to thank you, my dear Peter, for your last kind letter and to assure you how grateful I am for your great kindness to William Fraser. He wrote to his mother immediately on his arrival in London and mentioned with gratitude how much he thought himself obliged to you and he wished it might be in his power to repay what he thought he owed to our family ever since he knew them. "He was in Yarmouth Roads during the dreadful storm of the fourteenth of last month, every moment expecting to go to the bottom. Mrs. Fraser called on me to-day with a letter she had from him this morning informing her that he was to sail Saturday last. He writes in great spirits. Nothing could exceed the attention of Mr. Jamieson and our friend Alick to him in assisting him to get everything ready for his voyage. Everything was in the greatest style on board the ship that could add to the comfort of the passengers, of whom there were a great number of both ladies and gentlemen. "I am sure you were not a little surprised to hear of Dr. McLaughlan's marriage. Indeed it was long before I could allow myself fo think it was true. Mrs. Macfarlane, the bride, Mr. and Mrs. Fyvie, accompanied by their nurse and baby set off to-day for Elgin. The marriage takes place there Thursday first, in Captain Duff's. The happy pair return to Inverness to occupy the house of Mrs. Macfarlane who is to remain with her son at Elgin till the term, when she returns to Inverness and takes possession of one of Major Duff's large houses at Huntly Place. She expects her son Arthur home from the East Indies and Mr. Andrew Macfarlane home from South America to live with her this next summer. "Mrs. Gibson and her son Mr. David called on us last Sunday. He is now going off immediately for India. She heard from George last week. He is well, but never has seen any of his brothers yet. "Miss Anderson desires me to tell you that you need not be surprised if you hear of her marriage some of these days, as there are so many old lasses going off just now! Miss Gordon, Rose Street, is to be married immediately, and so is an old lady, upwards of sixty, in Nairn. "Tell Mr. Hugh Denoon that Mr. David paid us a visit yesterday evening and passed a few hours with us. He is well at present, but looks thin. "We offer our united love to Mrs. Anderson, John, and the children." On the 27th of February, 1827, a letter was written to George by his uncle, Dr. Robert Thomson of Kensington, which may be inserted here to show with what formality in those days uncles sometimes addressed their nephews: — "MY DEAR SIR, "Be so good as communicate to your Mother what she will be sorry to learn, that she lost her nephew, Captain Henry Thomson, last month! France — such has been the will of God — has thinned my Family. In the month of May last, in the course of one week, three of them were at the same time corpses in one house! That happened at Caen in Normandy. My son breathed his last at Marseilles. He had been ailing for some time, but not so as to give us any alarm. "My Daughters join me in kind remembrances to your Mother and all Friends. "My Dear Sir, "Your affectionate Uncle, "ROBERT THOMSON. "53 YORK TERRACE, "February 27th." Mrs. Anderson died on the 10th of October, 1836, at the age of seventy, having survived her devoted companion Miss Anderson (whose death has been already described) two years. The year after his mother's death, George Anderson married Mary MacKenzie Cobban, the only daughter of Mr. George Cobban, Inverness. Mrs. George Anderson was a woman of great strength of mind and warmth of heart, always occupied with plans for the gratification of others. To her husband she was a congenial and sympathetic companion, able to appreciate and enter into his intellectual tastes and pursuits. She also excelled in many graceful accomplishments. She was a fine performer of Highland music, took clever sketches in pen and ink as well as water-colours, and painted flowers with delicacy and skill. In the old prize lists of the Inverness Royal Academy her name may several times be seen taking the first place in the painting of flowers and shells. Indeed, her love of flowers was one of her principal characteristics, and she devoted a great deal of time and attention to their cultivation. Another great characteristic was her love for all traditions and ballads connected with the Highlands. Being of Ross-shire descent her mind was stored with the legendary lore of that county. Her mother, Mrs. Cobban (formerly Miss Justina Mackenzie) had been born and brought up at Castle Leod, near Strathpeffer, and she had instilled into her daughter a firm belief in the second sight, regarding which Mrs. Anderson used to tell many a wonderful tale with dramatic power. Mrs. Anderson's only brother, Captain George Geddes Mackenzie Cobban of the 50th regiment (the Queen's Own), fell with one hundred rank and file at the Battle of Punniar, 29th December, 1843. The Bronze Star (made out of the enemy's guns) which was bestowed in commemoration of his bravery, was sent to his mother after his death. The hospitality and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Anderson were proverbial. They built for themselves a beautiful home on the Culduthel road which they named "Blinkbonny" (though it is now known by the name of "Thornhill") and there they may truly be said to have kept open house for all sorts and conditions of men. CHAPTER IV. THE GUIDE TO THE HIGHLANDS. IT was in 1834 that the first edition was published of the work by which George and Peter Anderson became best known to the public — the Guide to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland — but more than ten years of labour and research had been required for its compilation. In a letter addressed by Peter to the editor of The Times in July, 1863 (from which farther extracts will be given in the next chapter) he remarks: "As to our qualifications for the compilation of a Guide Book to this now much frequented portion of the kingdom, I may mention that it is now good forty years since, before steamboats had begun to ply even on the route by the Caledonian Canal, as boys we began, knapsack on back, to perambulate the Highlands and Islands in all directions, geologising, botanising, and in search of the picturesque. Having from the first accustomed ourselves to keep notes of what we saw and picked up, our materials gradually accumulated in our hands, and we were led eventually to think of compiling a Guide Book for general use, in doing which we have been favoured with valuable assistance from local friends." From their boyhood up to the time when they were elderly men, the brothers, if obliged at any time to take their walking excursions separately, kept journals to forward to each other, and many a picturesque and interesting account of a walking tour was penned by them which sometimes was afterwards introduced into the Guide in a condensed form. The writer recollects her father writing such an account (filling twenty-eight pages of foolscap paper) of an excursion taken by him in August, 1863 (after the last edition of the Guide had been published) to Loch an Eilan, Loch Enich, the Grampians. Strathspey and Dufftown. Almost every remote corner of the Highlands that is described in the Guide, was visited by the authors on foot, and during those walking excursions they had often to undergo great hardships and sometimes to suffer inconvenience from their ignorance of the Gaelic language. Peter had learnt but one Gaelic phrase: "Mas i do thoil thoir dhomh deoch bhainne blath," the literal translation of which is "If it is thy will, give me a drink of warm milk". However, he found this most serviceable to him wherever he went, and the milk — accompanied by oat cakes — was always offered to him with beaming smiles and often with words of blessing. In these pedestrian excursions the brothers were sometimes accompanied by their friend, the late Mr. Alexander Forbes, Chemist, Inverness, whose intellectual tastes and enthusiastic appreciation of fine scenery rendered him at all times a most congenial companion to them. In the earlier editions of the Guide minute directions are given to pedestrians, which will give some idea of the precautions which the authors themselves found it absolutely necessary to take. Some of the directions are as follows: "Be not over nice in requiring sheets on your bed, if on the western side of the island, for you will often find them damp; and when obliged to sleep in a labourer's or shepherd's cot, endeavour to get straw or ferns as your mattress and after them heather, which, however, requires some art to arrange; but on all occasions avoid sleeping on hay, unless you wish to be reduced to jockey size, Accustom yourselves to live on two meals a day, which are quite enough; but never leave your inn in the morning without a mess of pottage, or taking with you at least a piece of bread, to prevent faintishness by the way. Eat it along with the water you will feel disposed to drink on your journey, but use spirits of all kinds in great moderation, especially during the early parts of the day. Milk and water is a safe and satisfying beverage. If on a botanical or geological excursion of some endurance, carry but one pair of strong large-sized shoes, one pair of trousers, one cloth waistcoat with leather pockets, one square, short coat, provided with six large pockets, two out and two inside and two in the breasts, two pairs of coarse, worsted socks, two shirts, one black silk neckcloth and a cap. Geologists should carry a small chipping hammer, and a quadrant for taking the dip of rocks; and the botanist will find that a few sheets of paper and blot-sheet between pasteboards, and tied with a strong cord or a strap and buckle to be tightened by a tourniquet screw, will form a useful and convenient press for preserving his best specimens. Knapsacks are always tearing and going wrong, and letting in the rain where it is not wanted; so that, if the appearance of a light wicker basket so woven as to be water tight is disregarded, it will be found the best general receptacle for all sorts of stores and comforts. But for the most part, the pedestrian should make his wardrobe so portable as to be easily contained in his coat pockets." In their descriptions of the Orkney Islands, the county of Sutherland and the island of Islay, the authors received much assistance from their valued correspondents, the Rev. Dr. Charles Clouston of Stromness, Messrs. Robert and George Sutherland Taylor of Dornoch, and the Rev. Dr. Mackintosh Mackay of Dunoon. And they were also greatly indebted to their scientific friends, Dr. Hibbert, Sir W. J. Hooker. Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, and the Rev. Dr. George Gordon of Birnie. The edition of 1834 stated on the title page that the authors were "George Anderson, General Secretary to the Northern Institution for the Promotion of Science and Literature; and Peter Anderson. Secretary to the Inverness Society for the Education of the Poor in the Highlands". In this earliest edition six routes are described, which are supplied with appendices that do not appear in any of the later editions. The titles of these appendices are as follows: — "Geology of the Highlands: Distribution of the Different Formations and Rocks." "Botany of the Highlands: Distribution of British, and especially Alpine Flora." "Circles of Upright Stones and Cairns." "Round Towers, Dunes or Burghs, and Sculptured Stones." "Vitrified Forts or Sites." "The Natural History of the Orkney and Zetland Islands." There is also an additional appendix giving a "List of Books relating to the History, Antiquities and Early Literature of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland". In the Inverness Journal of 20th June, 1834, which announced the forthcoming Guide, it was remarked of the authors: — "Constantly resident in the Highlands, they have in the course of long and repeated rambles from the period of their earliest boyhood, traversed almost every district of our land of mountain and flood'. Their descriptions thus possess all the freshness and truth of delineations taken on the spot, and by familiar hands. From their pursuits and connections, the statistical and antiquarian research, exhibited in the pages of their guide, may be expected to be extensive and accurate; and copious geological and botanical treatises and notices — departments with which they are quite conversant — are embodied in it; the whole being interspersed with all the remarkable historical reminiscences connected with the various localities in succession, along with traditions of more local notoriety." The book was published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, and contained 760 closely-printed pages with a very complete map of Scotland engraved by Arrowsmith. Long and favourable reviews of it appeared in a great number of magazines and newspapers, but nevertheless Hugh Miller in his Old Red Sandstone states that it is "a work which has never received half its due measure of praise". Sir Thomas Dick Lauder in a letter to George dated "The Grange House, Edinburgh, 2nd September, 1834," remarks: "I regretted much that I was from home when your brother did me the favour to call yesterday with your beautiful book for which I beg to return my very warmest thanks. I have already dipped into it and admire all I have seen both of the matter and of the manner of treating it. If I can be of any use in adding to that breeze of approbation which I think it must naturally ensure for itself you may believe I shall not neglect the opportunity." Sir Roderick Impey Murchison writing to George on 26th January, 1835, begins his letter thus: "It is with great pleasure that I address a few lines to you as one whose name always brings back to my memory some of the most agreeable recollections of the Highlands. Accept my warmest acknowledgments for the praise you have bestowed upon my poor endeavours to throw light upon the geological structure of my native land, and permit me to say that the work in which these observations are now enshrined appears to me to be of so solid a character that it will ever remain a monument of the skill and industry of its authors. It is no longer a reproach to the inhabitants of the North that its mountains, rivers and lakes have no historian." A long review of the Guide appeared in the Scotsman of 20th September, 1834, part of which is as follows "With the assistance of the Messrs. Anderson's Guide we have had a most delightful excursion through the Highlands and Isles; seen all that is wild and wonderful in those interesting districts, scaled the mountain, skirted the lake, in short traversed in all directions those famed lands where everything is So wond'rous wild the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream. Aye, and have listened to the tales of other years' to boot, on the precise spots where their tragical incidents occurred, and all this without stirring out of an easy chair, or being at a rap of expense — not one of the most unpleasant feelings in the world. Seriously, numerous and excellent as some of our guide books are, we do not hesitate to say that this is one of the very best of them. The Messrs. Anderson have, in this work, done for the Highlands what the most entertaining of topographers, Mr. Chambers, has done for the Lowland districts of Scotland, and this, we think, is no small praise. "No stranger should set a foot in the Highlands until he has provided himself with a copy of Anderson's Guide; and, moreover, it will be found most agreeable reading without any reference to the express purpose for which it has been written, and ought therefore to have a place in every library. "The traditionary and historical notices scattered throughout the work are curious and highly interesting, and not less so are the geological notices with which it is enriched." The Aberdeen Journal of the 10th of September, remarks in the course of a lengthy review: "The volume is interspersed with some of those singular traditionary legends, clannish adventures, heroic incidents and characteristic incidents with which Highland history abounds. The antiquarian part of the work is peculiarly rich, all the most celebrated places being fully referred to. . . . We cannot forbear adverting to the chapter on the 'Vitrified Forts of the Highlands,' as containing a judicious analysis of the different theories which have been broached regarding those singular structures. Messrs. Anderson seem to give the preference to the supposition of Mr. John Williams, a gentleman well known in his day, and who was mineral surveyor and engineer for the forfeited estates in Scotland." The Aberdeen Herald of the 30th of August, gives a long description and analysis of the Guide, from which we have only space for the following extract: "As the work advances it becomes more and more interesting. Graphical descriptions of sublime and beautiful scenery are frequently met with; numerous anecdotes of the olden time are happily introduced; and the deeds of daring and bloodshed, which alternately brighten and darken the annals of the country, are recorded with a proper regard both to the deeply interesting nature of the incidents, and to the limits and peculiar objects of the volume. When they reach 'the encircling hills all black and piled,' the authors seem to catch some of the poetic spirit with which they are instinct; and delineate their harsh and gloomy features — relieved and softened occasionally by the beauty of the adjacent valleys without pretension, but with perhaps as much force and effect as can be committed to the descriptions of scenes which must be viewed in reality to be duly appreciated. The work, however, is not intended for the reader who is in search of mere amusement, and he would sometimes find it no very easy task, but for the copious index and table of contents, to pick out the matter peculiarly suited to his own lighter taste, from the more solid and substantial parts which cannot be so superficially perused." The Edinburgh Observer of the 29th August says of the Guide: "It is not too much to say it is the 'Ebel' of Scottish guide books. The authors have done for the Highlands on a more portable scale what that esteemed writer did for Switzerland. To the man of science it will prove an indispensable vade mecum, with reference to the Alpine flora and the phenomena of geological structure." A very long review in the Glasgow Argus for September contains the following remarks: — "We may say in one sentence that the man of science, the political economist, the agriculturist, the general inquirer or the mere scene-hunter will here find ample materials for instruction or amusement, as all that can be known of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as to their present condition and future capabilities, is here pleasingly and perspicuously laid before him. . . . The work is written with simplicity and good taste, avoiding all sentimental and high-flown description, but presenting in a series of striking and animated sketches, a highly-finished and graphic panorama of the physical peculiarities and the grand features of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland." The Elgin Courier of 27th June, says of the Guide: "We hail with pleasure the appearance of a work, describing with such a graphic pen as it does scenes celebrated in battle and in song, and associated with deeds of chivalry and of love." And the Sun of 29th August describes the volume as "an agreeable companion, alternately playful and scientific, amusing and instructive; now narrating with spirit the romantic legends of olden times, or dwelling with a poetic fancy on the sublime scenery, and now measuring roads and distances, or explaining the secrets of the Scottish flora." The Asiatic Journal of September, 1834, pays the following tribute: "For accuracy of description, comprehensiveness of research, scientific, historical, and antiquarian information, methodical arrangement, in short, for all the qualities which can be desired in a work of this nature, we are not aware of any similar work which can stand a comparison with the one before us. The title of Guide will give to many people a derogatory idea of its merits: it is full of really valuable matter, collected, as we are assured, from personal visits to the scenes described, and from the contributions of scientific friends, the digestion and arrangement of which, we can well believe, has employed the authors — men of literary name — ten years." The Literary Gazette of 16th August, 1834, says: "We do not know two individuals better adapted for the task of writing a guide to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland than the editors of the work before us. One of them, the Secretary of the Northern Institution of Inverness, resides amid their various beauties, which he has never neglected to survey with the eye of an educated and learned, as well as feeling, man; and is well known for many interesting scientific labours already communicated to the public: the other is, perhaps, almost equally well known for labours more particularly connected with the politico-economical situation of the inhabitants of their tourist-trod regions; and it might well be expected that such a diversity of talent might at least produce a good work." A new edition of the Guide was published in 1842 by William Tait, 107 Princes Street, Edinburgh, arranged on a simpler and more distinct plan than the former, and embodying a great additional mass of information on the history and statistics of the Highlands. It was most favourably reviewed by the leading journals, and praised by well-known authorities. W. H. Maxwell, in his Sports and Adventures in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (London, 1844), says: "Throughout the Land of Cakes Anderson will be invaluable as a Highland cicerone. . . . Anderson's is a most valuable guide book, uniting legendary with solid information, and leading the traveller by the hand wherever fancy directs him in his Northern wanderings. . . . In George and Peter Anderson the authors of the best work a Highland tourist can obtain — I have found admirable directors, and consequently put implicit faith." In 1847, another edition of the Guide was published by Adam and Charles Black, 27 North Bridge, Edinburgh, but with the same text as that which had been published in 1842. It was not only illustrated by a map of the Northern part of Scotland on a greatly enlarged scale, and separate maps of the Counties of Perth, of Argyle and Bute, and of Dumbarton, but was embellished by four engravings taken from drawings by Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, with whom George Anderson had laid the foundation of a firm friendship in 1827. These four engravings represent Dunstaffnage Castle in Argyllshire; Duart Castle in Mull; Entrance to Loch Scavaig. Skye; and Pictish Tower in Moussa, Zetland. In 1850, a third edition was published by Adam and Charles Black, 27 North Bridge, Edinburgh, in which the text was carefully revised and remodelled. It contained woodcuts and a valuable map of Scotland on a large scale, detached for ready reference, and was also embellished by engravings from two other drawings by Sir Thomas Dick Lauder in addition to those which had appeared in 1842. These additional ones represent Duntulm Castle in Skye, and Loch Maree, Ross-shire. This volume contained 808 pages. In the Inverness Courier of 12th September, 1850, the London correspondent — the brilliant Angus Reach — remarked in a review of the third edition: "From my personally knowing many of the localities described by Anderson brothers, I can give my testimony to the general accuracy of their delineations, to the truthfulness of their descriptions, to the gentle, mild, temperate and yet searching and discriminating nature of their investigations and remarks. It bears the impress of more painstaking, of more patient, laborious and persevering labour — kindled up and fed by love of the subject — than any book of the kind I ever read, and I am a great reader of guide books, itineraries, vade-mecums, handbooks, and so forth. The accuracy of these generally rests on the character of the publisher, who seldom or never knows anything of the matter himself, but who, you are willing to believe, never employs anybody who does not. Now, this is not the case with the present guide, for one or other, or both, of the two brothers visited personally every scene they have described, and have stated fairly their impressions." An appreciative review in the Guardian of 6th August, 1850, closes with the words; "It is interspersed with scientific information which, as geologists and botanists, the authors are so well able to furnish; and — what will perhaps render it still more attractive to the lover of the picturesque — it is written evidently with the pens of men themselves as intense admirers as ever he can be of the grand but unfrequented scenes which they have undertaken to open to him." The Scotsman in a notice of the Guide on 25th September, 1850, observes "This well-known and valuable work comes before us in this third edition in a greatly improved aspect. It has undergone a thorough revisal, and has been almost entirely rewritten, and being brought fully up to the time, and its contents being the result in almost all cases of personal inquiry and knowledge on the part of the authors, it forms beyond question the fullest and most complete guide to the Highlands and Islands. We can speak to the accuracy and thorough usefulness of the previous editions of this book, from a pretty long and wide experience, pedestrian and otherwise. . . . Throughout the wide and difficult districts embraced, every place and object of attraction or interest is carefully noted, and its chief characteristics briefly described." A fourth edition of the Guide was published in 1863 by Adam and Charles Black, and could be had either complete in one volume as formerly or divided into three. A review in the Inverness Courier of 11th July, 1863, remarks: "The new edition, which has just been issued, is broken up into three convenient and portable volumes, each complete in itself, with good maps and illustrations. One gives us the Western Highlands and Islands with the route of the Caledonian Canal. A second part is devoted to the Central. Southern and Eastern Highlands, with the south side of the Moray Firth; and the third part comprises the Northern Highlands with the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Two of these may rest in the portmanteau or knapsack, while the third is in use; and a most instructive handbook it will be found. For any intelligent tourist mere names and distances will not suffice; while, on the other hand, nothing is more tiresome than indiscriminate eulogy at every turn of a road or bend of a river. In this, as in everything else, there is a just and happy medium, and it has been hit by the Messrs. Anderson. Their resources are various, so that they need not dwell disproportionately on any one subject. They are geologists, botanists and archæologists. They know the traditions clinging to every spot, and they have a lifelong acquaintance with the local and general history of the country. This new edition, too, seems almost entirely rewritten, especially as to the localities traversed by railways. We have an account of the Keith, Dufftown and Buchan districts of Aberdeen, which is quite new. The information for all the remote districts has been carefully got up, and the sections on Sutherland, Skye and the Orkney Islands have been revised by gentlemen on the spot — that for Orkney, in particular, is almost rewritten by the authors' friend, Mr. Clouston of Sandwick. We may mention another instance of the authors' anxiety to bring the work, in point of completeness, up to the very day of publication, and even beyond it; the line of railway from Perth to Inverness is fully described, though some weeks yet must elapse ere it is fully open to the public." A thoughtfully-written review in the Elgin and Morayshire Courier for 16th July, 1863, observes: "It is no small credit to the talented authors that, amid the multiplicity of guides, theirs has so long been able to maintain a foremost place. Few people, indeed, ever think of the labour, information, and patient research required for producing such a work. The very collection of the material for such a volume, apart from the literary taste with which it has been compiled, must in itself have been enormous; and so complete is it in the information it gives, that he will be a diligent person indeed who will be able to find anything of worth or interest omitted along the routes with which it deals," A long review in the Scotsman of the 8th of August, 1863, remarks in reference to the great changes that the extension of railway communication was effecting in the North: "Messrs. Anderson have been fully alive to all this, and have adapted this new edition of their Guide to the altered circumstances. They have given a complete description, by anticipation, not only of the Inverness and Perth Junction Railway, but of the extension of the railway communications of the North to Bonar Bridge, which joins the counties of Ross and Sutherland. The descriptions of the railways north of Perth and Aberdeen appear in a guide book for the first time in those pages." A few extracts from this last edition of the Guide will give some idea of how the minute and poetical descriptions vary from those of ordinary guide books. "The celebrated Falls of Foyers occur on the river of that name, about twelve miles from Fort Augustus. The steamer — passing the mouth of the river, emerging between beautiful wood-embowered alluvial banks, from whose foliage the house of Foyers peers forth — lies to at a pier a little below, to give the passengers an opportunity of visiting the Falls, which are two in number, the nearest about a mile from the lake, and the other about a quarter of a mile farther. "The river Foyers, after passing across the highly elevated and chiefly moorland and open district of country lying to the south of Loch Ness, on its reaching the hills which skirt that lake, enters a deep and narrow ravine, at the commencement of which it is precipitated over a ledge of rock about thirty feet in height, forming the upper fall. To view it to the best advantage (and the traveller should, if he have command of his time, first visit this upper fall, to which the public road and bridge across the river will lead him, but which the steamer wayfarer must be content to forego) it is necessary to descend to the channel of the river below the bridge. From this position the appearance of the headlong and tumultuous mass of waters is very imposing; while the high and perpendicular rocks between which the river pours its noisy and troubled flood, and the aerial single-arched bridge which has been thrown across the chasm, have a highly picturesque effect. A pathway will be found immediately below the bridge, and on the west side of the stream, which conducts to the proper point of view. It is, however, somewhat difficult to reach this position; and the generality of visitors content themselves with the view from the bridge or the rocks above the fall. Below the fall, the channel of the river is deep and rocky, and shelves rapidly down towards the lake; the mountain sides are clothed with luxuriant woods of birch; and the river, interrupted in its course by numerous masses of rock, is lashed into foam and hurries impetuously forward for about a quarter of a mile. It then encounters a second abrupt descent, and is dashed through a narrow gap, over a height of about ninety feet, into a deep and spacious linn. surrounded with lofty precipitous rocks. From one side of this gulf, a high ledge of rock, projecting in front of the fall, obstructs all sight of it from any point along the margin of the river. As we approach this greater cataract, the ground is felt to tremble from the shock of the falling water; and the ear is stunned with its sullen and ceaseless roar. A winding footpath strikes off from the public road, at the commencement of a parapet wall, and leads down to a green bank on the point of the projecting barrier, directly opposite to and on a level with the middle of the fall. Here in security the eye can scan the terrors of the troubled gulf beneath, the whole extent of the fall, and of the encircling and surmounting rocks, partially covered with a rank, mossy vegetation, forced into life by the volumes of vapour which float around, their summits waving with birches, pencilled on the sky. . . . The air. So freshened by the leaping stream, which throws Eternal showers of spray on the moss'd roots Of trees, and veins of turf, and long dark shoots Of ivy plants, and fragrant hanging bells Of hyacinths, and on late anemones That muffle its wet banks. "The accompaniments of wood and rock and mountain slope are always attractive; but when the river is swollen with rain, the scene assumes the features of sublimity, and the spectator, immersed in an agitated and drenching mist, regards it with mingled feelings of awe and admiration. The living spirit of the water wakens, with thundering call, the echoes of the solitude; every other sound is drowned, and all nature seems attentive to the voice of the falling element; and the mighty cauldron is filled with shifting masses of spray, frequently illumined with the bright and lambent tints of a rainbow." . . . . . . . . . "From the rocks surrounding the lower fall, the spectator commands a fine view of Loch Ness, backed by the steep and ample sides of Mealfourvonie; while at his feet sweeps the precipitous bed of the river, a rugged ravine of great depth, with here and there a trembling aspen or gnarled pine; and beyond, the hillside descends to the lake, beautiful with woods of waving birch, and the smiling parks around the house of Foyers, which occupies a site of surpassing beauty, where the spent torrent, still and motionless, joins its waters to the lake. The beach at the landing-place is abundantly covered with columbine, a rare indigenous plant in our Northern latitudes." . . . . . . . . . "From Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit the distance is thirteen miles, and the whole road one of extreme beauty: it generally proceeds at a considerable elevation above the lake, through luxuriant overhanging woods, where the profuse intermixture of oak and ash, with birch and alder, adds much to the richness and tone of colouring. Dark and dense masses of pine are frequently crowning the lofty and craggy heights above; while beneath, the rowan and hawthorn mingle their snowy blossoms, or coral berries, with the foliage of the more gigantic natives of the forest. The road is, in part, overhung by the fantastic branches of the yet youthful oak; while the stately ash, rooted in the steep declivities below, shoots up its tall, straight, perpendicular stem, and with its scattered, terminal foliage, slightly screens the glassy lake or purple ground colour of the opposite hills; and the airy birch droops its pensile twigs round its silvery trunk 'like the dishevelled tresses of some regal fair'. Here, as elsewhere, along the banks of the lake, the sward and the underwood are alike most beauteous, the ground carpeted in early summer with the primrose and wood anemone, violet and harebell; and as the season advances, the leafy green of the forest glade, richly spangled with the modestly glowing and delicate corollas of the wild rose, challenging comparison with any of the denizens of the shrubbery or flower garden. The dark-tufted heath in tufted wreaths presents itself wherever an opening in the wood or a frontlet of rock allows; while the bracken, with its rich verdure, spreads itself over the ground, alike where shaded by the green wood or where sloping otherwise unclad to the base of the rocky surmounting acclivities. "Along the north road are two waterfalls of some claim to notice. "At Aultsigh, a picturesque cottage, three miles from Invermoriston, a stream from behind Mealfourvonie issues forth of a ravine of great depth, flanked on the east side by the precipitous sides of the mountain base, which presents a bold frontlet, the Red Rock, not less than 1,200 feet in height, half-clad with clambering, aged pine trees. The lower declivities, with the front to the lake, are shrouded in birch, of which, and of hazel, holly and alder, there are also still, though the bulk of the wood there has been cut down, specimens of remarkable growth by the burn course, which also exhibits several pleasing waterfalls. The lowest — but a few yards off the road — offers a very perfect picture. At a little distance in front of the fall, between low walls of rock, spanned by an old arch, graced with pendent festoons of ivy and eglantine, the burn descends in a shelving rapid. Through the interlacing ,boughs of oak and hazel appears the cascade, about twenty feet in height; while behind a wooded screen, surmounting the rocky channel of the stream, towers the bluff frontlet with its scattered pines. "We have been the more minute in describing this little scene, as it is associated with the Raid of Cillie-christ (Christ's church), one of the most sanguinary and brutal affairs that stain the annals of an age of general blood and rapine. "In the early part of the seventeenth century Angus, eldest son of Glengarry, had made a foray on the west coast of Ross-shire into the Mackenzie country: on his way home he was intercepted by a gallant little band of Mackenzies, and slain, with a number of his followers. Some time thereafter a strong party of Glengarry's men were sent, under the command of Allan MacRaonuill of Lundy, to revenge his death. Allan led them into the parish of Urray, in Ross-shire, on a Sunday morning, and surprised a numerous body of the Mackenzies assembled at prayer within the walls of Cillie-christ, near Beauly; for so was their little chapel called. Placing his followers so as to prevent all possibility of escape, Allan gave orders to set the building on fire. The miserable victims found all attempts at escape unavailing, and were, without a single exception — man, woman and child — swallowed up by the devouring element, or indiscriminately massacred by the swords of the relentless Macdonells, whilst a piper marched round the church, playing an extemporary piece of music, which has ever since been the pibroch of the Glengarry family. "The work of death being completed, Allan deemed a speedy retreat expedient: but the incendiaries were not to escape with impunity; for the funeral pile of their clansmen roused the Mackenzies to arms as effectually as if the fiery cross had been carried through the valleys. Their force was divided into two bodies: one, commanded by Murdoch Mackenzie of Redcastle, proceeded by Inverness, with the view of following the pursuit along the southern side of Loch Ness; whilst another, headed by Alexander Mackenzie of Coull, struck across the country, from Beauly to the northern bank of the lake, in the footsteps of another party which had fled in this direction with their leader, Allan MacRaonuill. The Mackenzies overtook these last, as they sought a brief repose in some hills near the burn of Aultsigh. The Macdonells maintained an unequal conflict for some time with much spirit, but were at length forced to yield to superior numbers, and fled precipitately to the burn. Many, however, missed the ford, and the channel being rough and rocky, were overtaken and slain by the victorious Mackenzies. Allan MacRaonuill made towards a spot where the burn rushed through a yawning chasm of considerable breadth and depth. "Forgetting the danger of the attempt in the hurry of his flight, and the agitation of the moment, and being of an athletic frame, and at the time half naked, he vigorously strained at, and succeeded in clearing, the desperate leap. One of the Mackenzies inconsiderately followed him, but wanting the impulse of those powerful feelings which had put such life and mettle into Allan's heels, he had not the fortune to reach the top of the bank; grasping, however, the branch of a birch tree, he hung suspended over the abyss. MacRaonuill, observing his situation, turned back and lopped off the branch with his dirk, exclaiming, 'I have left much behind me with you to-day; take that also'. Allan got considerably ahead of his followers, and, having gained the brink of the loch, bethought him of at tempting to swim across, and plunging in, he lustily breasted its cool and refreshing waters. Being observed from the opposite side, a boat was sent out, which picked him up. "The party of the Macdonells who fled by Inverness, were surprised by Redcastle in a public house at Torbreck, three miles to the west of the town, where they stopped to refresh themselves; the house was set on fire, and they all, thirty-seven in number, suffered the death they had in the early part of the day so wantonly inflicted," So high and competent an authority as Professor Alexander Bain of Aberdeen cites an extract from Anderson's Guide to the Highlands, as a specimen of Description in his English Extracts Supplementary to a Manual of English Composition and Rhetoric, 1876. The passage which he holds up for admiration is as follows: — "BEN NEVIS. "The most prominent feature of this neighbourhood is Ben Nevis 'Beinmamh Bhathais,' the mountain with its summit in the clouds, the cloud-kissing hill, or, we believe more correctly, 'the fierce mountain,' whose decided pre-eminence above its supposed rival Ben MacDhui has now been put beyond question by the annals of triangulation of the Ordnance Survey. It appears that while Ben MacDhui is 4,296, Ben Nevis is 4,406. Snowdon being 3,590 feet above mean level of the sea. It rises abruptly from the plain to the east of Fort William, and its circumference at the base is supposed to exceed twenty-four miles. The circuit or outline of the mountain all round is well defined, for it is almost completely isolated by two yawning ravines, and separated from the adjoining lofty mountain ranges, and projects boldly in front of them. Approached from the east, two other summits nearer at hand appear equally lofty; but on a front view the greater elevation of the mountain becomes conspicuous. The base of Ben Nevis is almost washed by the sea; none of its vast proportions are lost to the eye, and its appearance is peculiarly imposing; while the sky outline, which is not peaked, but plain and tabular (deviating but little from a right line) admirably harmonises with its general massiveness and majesty. Its northern front consists of two grand distinct ascents or terraces, the level top of the lowest of which, at an elevation of about 1,700 feet, contains a wild tarn or mountain lake. The outer acclivities of this, the lower part of the mountain, are very steep, although covered with a short grassy sward, intermixed with heath; but at the lake this vegetable clothing ceases. Here a strange scene of desolation presents itself. The upper and higher portion seems to meet us as a new mountain, shooting up its black porphyritic rocks through the granitic masses, along which we have hitherto made our way, and where not absolutely precipitous, its surface is strewed with angular fragments of stone of various sizes, wedged together, and forming a singularly rugged covering, among which we look in vain for any symptoms of vegetable life, except where round some pellucid spring the rare little alpine plants, such as Epilobium alpinum Silene acaulis. Saxifraga stellaris and nivalis, which live only in such deserts wild, are to be found putting forth their modest blossoms, amid the encircling moss. The eagle sallying from his eyry may greet the approach of the wanderer, or the mournful plover with plaintive note salute his ear; but for those birds of the mountain, the rocky wilderness were lifeless and silent as the grave; its only tenants the lightnings and the mists of heaven, and its language the voice of the storm. "On the north-eastern side of Ben Nevis, a broad and tremendous precipice, commencing at the summit, reaches down to a depth of not less than 1,500 feet. The furrows and chasms in the black beetling rocks of this precipice are constantly filled with snow, and the brow of the mountain is also encircled with an icy diadem." CHAPTER V. THE HIGHLAND RAILWAY AND ITS HANDBOOKS. THERE are probably very few people surviving now who are aware of how large a share George and Peter Anderson had in the promotion of railway communication in the Highlands, but their efforts in that cause extended over many years, and were as eager and unwearied as had been their father's efforts to establish communication by coach. When the scheme was first formed in 1845 for a railway between Perth and Inverness, Messrs. George and Peter Anderson were appointed solicitors for it. They were next solicitors to the Inverness and Nairn line in 1854, to the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction line in 1857, to the Inverness and Ross-shire line in 1860, and to the Inverness and Perth line in 1861. In a letter addressed to The Times by Peter Anderson, in July, 1863, he observes: "It may not be out of place to remark that my father, the late Peter Anderson, solicitor, was the first person to introduce stage coaches in the North. In 1806 the Caledonian coach commenced running between Perth and Inverness, and was for many years posted by him at his own risk. In 1811 he was instrumental in establishing a mail diligence between Aberdeen and Inverness, and in 1819 another as far North as to Thurso. It so happens that my brother and I too have from the outset been intimately and professionally associated with the railway movement." In this letter, which is of considerable length, Mr. Anderson gives a sketch of the progress of railway communication in the North up to 1863. Part of it runs thus: The decade just byepast has been one of momentous importance to the Highlands in that it has witnessed not only the extension to, but all but the perfect completion, so far as practicable, of the railway system in the North of Scotland. "In the year 1845, as you are aware, strenuous efforts were made on the part of the people of Aberdeen to obtain an Act for a line of railway from Aberdeen to Inverness, and on the part of Invernessians and others throughout the Northern counties for a direct line of communication from Perth by Dunkeld, Blair Athole, Badenoch and Strathspey to Nairn, with a base line from Inverness to Elgin and branches to the ports of Findhorn, Burghead and Lossiemouth. The latter Bill was thrown out on the ground of the then state of experience of the working of severe gradients of considerable lengths over great altitudes, and most fortunately as it has proved for the interests of the shareholders and of the Northern counties. The supervening depression of the money market disabled the Great North of Scotland Railway Company from availing themselves of their privileges for several years, and then they were not in a condition to progress beyond Keith. In 1853, when the powers of the rival parties, which had been prolonged, were on the eve of expiry, efforts were renewed to get the control of the development of the railway system to the west and north of the Spey, by local parties directly interested in the prosperity of the Highlands. A footing was first secured, and that, after the cost of construction had been better understood and greatly economised, by an Act for making the Inverness and Nairn Railway, which formed a necessary centre for all railway communication south, east and north, and a connecting link in short for all North country traffic. "The Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway, also promoted by Northern parties, and connecting with the Great North of Scotland at Keith, speedily succeeded, and was followed by the Inverness and Ross-shire Railway to Invergordon and now in process of extension to Bonar Bridge on the confines of Sutherland. While the latter line was yet in progress the great desideratum of a direct line to Perth was again propounded in unexpectedly quick succession, this time starting however from Forres and proceeding past Grantown in order the more gradually to reach the upper level of the Spey, and having been carried through with great energy this great consummation is on the eve of accomplishment. The line has been already opened from Dunkeld (to which a railway had been in operation for some years which has now been practically amalgamated by perpetual lease with the Inverness and Perth Junction Railway Company) to Pitlochry, a distance of twelve miles, and on the 3rd of August will be opened for traffic from Forres to Aviemore, while thousands of workmen are doing their utmost along the intermediate interval with the view of the line being opened throughout by the well-understood white day in Sportsman's Calendar, the Twelfth of August. Altogether, by the time the line is completed to Bonar Bridge, the various lines under Northern auspices, including a branch formed to Burghead and another to be run up to Aberfeldy in Strathtay, which will be all worked by the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway Company, with which the Inverness and Nairn and Inverness and Ross-shire Railway Companies will doubtless also be amalgamated, will embrace a mileage of 245 miles. "It is but due to North country landowners to give them the credit that, while railway enterprise, both in 1845 and 1853, was initiated and put into palpable shape by less influential parties — to the largeness of view and right appreciation of their own combined with the public interest of members of their body — is due its rapid growth and vigorous prosecution, overbearing many monetary and other difficulties. This is a peculiarity in the development of the railway system in the Northern counties. The names of the Earl of Seafield and his commissioner, the Honourable Thomas Charles Bruce, chairman of the Inverness and Perth Railway; Mr. Alexander Matheson of Ardross, M.P., chairman of the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway; the Duke of Sutherland and his commissioner, Mr. Loch; the Earl of Fife's Trustees and their commissioner, Mr. Tayler; Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore and Major Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie, chairman and deputy-chairman of the Inverness and Nairn Railway, are particularly deserving of enumeration. "The Great North of Scotland's trunk line and affiliated lines from Aberdeen to Peterhead, Kintore to Alford, Inverurie to Old Meldrum, Inveramsay to Turiff and Banff, Grange to Banff and Strathisla, Keith to Abernethy, and Craigellachie to Lossiemouth comprehend 226½ miles of railway. Thus about 500 miles have been propelled northwards from Aberdeen and Perth, and the resources of the country in consequence are wonderfully developed. "But unexpectedly great as has been the intercourse and traffic on the Highland lines, the Northern counties, north of Elgin and Speymouth, may be said to have as yet but imperfectly experienced the energising influences of railway communication which the direct through line saving sixty miles of circuit by Aberdeen will confer. The Central Highlands will be galvanised into a new existence, and the whole Northern counties will experience fresh and vivifying agencies in all their relations — social, economic and commercial. . . . . . . . . . "Were proof required of the vital importance of the Inverness and Perth Junction line, it might be found in the circumstance that no sooner was the project mooted anew in 1860, than a scheme sprang up for a railway now opened from Dufftown to Abernethy, 32½ miles, and that at the Fort William Wool Fair this month, the project was authoritatively mooted as now seriously contemplated to be immediately carried out, of a line from that place to Newtonmore in Badenoch, a stretch of fifty miles." . . . . . . . . . The late Mr. Joseph Mitchell, C.E., in his Reminiscences of my Life in the Highlands, gives an interesting account of the efforts made in 1845 for the passing of the Bill for a railway between Inverness and Perth, efforts in which he and Mr. Peter Anderson were closely associated. He says: "The construction of railways went on apace throughout the country, involving much speculation, causing ruin to many and bringing fortunes to some. In 1845, however, the mania for railway speculation reached its climax; no less than 620 companies were registered, the united capital of which was £563,203,000. A newspaper described it as "a frenzy of speculation!' Of course it reached the North, and persons in Aberdeen had projected a railway from Aberdeen to Inverness. The Northern public seemed thankful to have railway communication, by this, apparently the most practicable route; but I, being familiar with the country and having taken levels for shortening the road by the Highland route to Perth, felt satisfied of the practicability of a railway across the Grampians in that direction. "I immediately suggested to Inverness and the Northern counties that for the accommodation of the North of Scotland and its inhabitants, that route and not the line promoted by the Aberdeen party, was the railway which should command their consideration and support. "It was sixty-five miles shorter to the Southern markets; and as a feeder I projected a base line from Inverness to Elgin, along the shores of the Moray Firth. "The main line in the direction of the Highland road being a herculean work, I recommended that we should bring the base line to Elgin in the first instance before the public. "A committee was accordingly formed in Inverness, and Mr. Peter Anderson, solicitor, and myself were authorised by them to proceed to Edinburgh, and there issue our prospectus, which was done on the 24th of March. "We calculated we should get the start of the Aberdeen project, which we did by a week, and so secured the capital we wanted. "The prospectus had not been out two days when Mr. Anderson reported that the stock sold like 'wildfire,' and that the brokers begged they might be permitted to dispose of another fourth. My friend, Anderson, demurred to this, as, in his opinion, it would destroy the local influence of the undertaking'. "I told him by all means to let Messrs. Foster and Braithwaite have the other fourth as they asked; as our business was to secure the money in compliance with our instructions. "In the course of the week the whole stock was sold, no less a sum than £120,000 was deposited in the bank for the necessary preliminary investigations and parliamentary expenses, and Mr. Anderson and I returned immediately to the North. "A meeting was held of the provisional committee in Inverness, who issued instructions for the parliamentary surveys, and the necessary notices and information as to the traffic returns. Mr. Smith of Deanston, an eminent agriculturist, and largely employed at that time, was appointed land valuator. "Constant meetings of the provisional committee were held. Many proprietors through whose lands the lines would have to run objected to it, and no small difficulty arose, even for their consent to survey. We were obliged to offer large sums in the name of amenity. The Duke of Athole's agent positively objected at first even to the survey, as did also the then Earl of Seafield. . . . . . . . . . "With difficulty the business of lithographing the plans was accomplished, and on 30th November they were deposited in terms of the standing orders of Parliament. . . . . . . . . . "After 30th November came the preparation of the estimates, and checking the accuracy of our opponents' plans. "At length, on 1st February we were summoned to London; but such was the pressure of work that session before Parliament, that it was quite uncertain when we should be called before either of the committees on standing orders or on the merits. All apartments in the vicinity of Westminster being engaged, we had to take rooms in the Colonnade Hotel, Haymarket (an establishment then much frequented by military men). "When our witnesses were up and all assembled, we numbered about thirty — solicitors, engineers, assistants, traffic takers, land valuators and cattle-dealers. . . . . . . . . . "We were about two months idling in London in this unsatisfactory manner, waiting to pass the ordeal of standing orders before a committee of members, for there were then no official examiners. "One morning Mr. Reid, the Town Clerk of Perth, came to me and said, 'Ye'll be glad to hear we have entered into a compromise with our opponents on standing orders; neither party is to oppose the other'. I expressed my great disappointment at this intelligence. I said, and he knew, the Great North of Scotland plans and book of reference were full of errors, the levels were wrong in many places — in one case to the extent of seven feet — and the line in approaching Inverness was laid down on the seashore for three miles, three feet below high-water mark. This agreement was very provoking, for these errors were (then) sure to be fatal, and we should thus at once have got rid of our formidable opponents. . . . . . . . . . "At last, on 29th April, 1846, the committee on the merits sat, and before it was a formidable array of forensic and engineering talent. "The Committee intimated that they would proceed with the inquiry concerning the Great North of Scotland scheme in the first instance; and that finished, they would take evidence and consider the engineering question of the Perth, Inverness and Elgin railways. We had very able speeches from the leading counsel on both sides. Serjeant Wrangham was leader for the Perth and Inverness; but as he was engaged in some other committee, Mr. Hope Scott was appointed to lead, it being the first case in which that eminent counsel acted as leader before a Parliamentary Committee. "The Duke of Richmond, Lord Lovat and others were put in as witnesses against us. "As our engineering only was in question we produced the first talent of the day. The inquiry occupied a fortnight, and at last the Committee gave their decision 'That the Preamble of the Great North of Scotland Bill was proved, and that the Preamble of the Perth, Inverness and Elgin Bill was not proved'. "The Committee intimated that' they had come to this conclusion with reference to the proposed altitude and engineering character of the proposed Perth, Inverness and Elgin Railway as compared with those of any other line of railway now actually completed and in operation'." This decision was a great blow to Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Anderson, who had laboured so indefatigably on behalf of the cause which they had so greatly at heart. Their wives, who had accompanied them to London, and had shared their hopes and their anxieties all along, felt the disappointment fully as keenly as their husbands did. Further on in his Reminiscences, Mr. Mitchell states: "In 1851-52 a committee was formed and some £300 or £400 subscribed in the North to defray the expense of a deputation to London and elsewhere to urge the Southern railway companies to assist in another effort to promote the Highland Railway scheme. "Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore, Mr. Peter Anderson and I were appointed the deputation for this purpose. We communicated with all the great proprietors connected with the North, whom we found most favourable. We proceeded to London, where we had a meeting with the London and North-Western Railway Directors, and with Mr. Locke the engineer and Mr. Brassey the contractor. . . . . . . . . . "On the return of the deputation a public meeting was held in Inverness in April, 1853, to report the result of their proceedings. . . . . . . . . . "The meeting thanked Mr. Anderson and me for our efforts, and appointed an influential committee to carry out the project, instructing us to revise our estimates and traffic returns, preparatory to resuscitating the company and issuing a new prospectus. . . . . . . . . . "The prospectus was published in 1853. The inhabitants of Inverness and Nairn came forward handsomely with subscriptions. It was a great triumph after being so thoroughly defeated in 1846 for the Inverness people themselves to be able to construct the line to Nairn. "Lady Seafield was good enough to cut the first turf on the 21st of September, 1854. We had a procession of the magistrates and notabilities of the town on the occasion, and a dinner in the Town Hall, where the railway future of the North was eloquently prognosticated. "The works being of a simple character, were soon constructed, and on 5th November, 1855, the Nairn line was opened for public traffic. . . . . . . . . . "In July, 1856. the Bill was passed for the whole line from Nairn to Keith, which was named 'The Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway'. "Thus, singularly enough, notwithstanding the bitter contentions of the Aberdeen Company before Parliament in 1846, for the short line between Inverness and Nairn (fifteen miles), the Highland Company ultimately became the possessors of one half of the railway between Inverness and Aberdeen, fifty-five miles. By this means they secured a more extended base along the shores of the Moray Firth for their great plan of the direct railway through the central Highlands." Until the present railway station was completed in Inverness all the meetings of the Highland Railway Company were held in the dining-room of Mr. Peter Anderson's house in Academy Street. So frequent were those meetings, and so largely were they attended, that in a short time the Brussels carpet in the dining-room was worn to tatters, and it used to be a standing joke in the family for many a day that such and such plans must be postponed until it would occur to the directors to present the household with a new carpet! Of those who used to assemble weekly in that room to transact the business of the Inverness and Nairn Railway Company, only two now survive — Mr. Eneas W. Mackintosh, the cultured and kindly laird of Raigmore, 1 and Mr. Andrew Dougall, late Manager of the Highland Railway. The writer has a vivid recollection of her father's indefatigable labours on behalf of the railway at that period, and of how he used not only to remain in his office until a late hour at night, but to occupy himself in his own room at home with railway documents until the small hours of the morning. Even the short interval of rest between dinner and tea which he used to allow himself in his own home, was often encroached upon by railway business. Whatever the cause might be on behalf of which Peter Anderson was engaged, he always identified himself with it, and made its interests his own. To the furtherance of every scheme in connection with the Highland Railway he devoted his best energies, and brought to bear upon it that enthusiasm and zeal which characterised his nature underneath a quiet exterior. Latterly he had been the sole legal adviser of the Railway Company, as George's time had been fully engrossed with other work (he being Inspector of Poor, Law Agent for the Inverness District Asylum, etc.); but in 1863 Peter retired with a small pension from the appointment of solicitor for the Highland Railway, which he had held for so many years. 1 While these pages were passing through the press, Mr. Mackintosh of Raigmore died at the age of 80. In 1856, George and Peter Anderson published a small pamphlet of thirty-two pages, entitled, Handbook to the Inverness and Nairn Railway and scenes adjoining it. It was published at the Courier office and had a pretty view of Cawdor Castle on its lilac cover. The little book not only gave interesting descriptions of all the places of interest on the route between Inverness and Nairn, but served as an excellent guide to the town of Inverness and its neighbourhood. Appended was a copy of the earliest Inverness Railway Time Table, which possesses sufficient interest to merit insertion here. TIME TABLE IN 1856 Down Trains Timetable in 1856 In 1864, another pamphlet by the two brothers was published by George Waterston, Hanover Street, Edinburgh. It was called Handbook from Perth to Forres, Inverness and Bonar Bridge, by the Inverness and Perth and Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railways. It contained sixty-four pages and a small map. In the preface to this little handbook it is stated, "As the central Grampians, hitherto little known except to the deer-stalker or an occasional adventurous tourist, having now been brought within range of the locomotive, must attract more of general notice, the authors have ventured to enlarge a little upon them, though somewhat aside from the precise railway route, under the impression that the particulars given may prove not unacceptable." A third edition — improved and expanded — of this handbook was published in 1865, by John Menzies, Edinburgh, with the title changed to Handbook to the Highland Railway System, from Perth to Forres, Keith, Inverness and Bonar Bridge. Besides a map, it contained a frontispiece presenting a coloured view of Dunkeld. Favourable reviews of this little hook appeared in many of the leading Scottish papers. The Daily Review of 24th July says: "There is an enthusiasm and vivacity in the composition sufficient to carry away the most prosaic traveller, who visits places more for the sake of saying that he has seen them than from any enjoyment he expects from the sight. At the same time the authors have too much of the habitude of composition and the good taste of educated gentlemen to indulge in the turgid raptures and exaggeration which are the common characteristics of local guide books. . . . Nothing can be pleasanter than to travel the Highlands with Messrs. George and Peter Anderson's new volume for their daily companion." A fourth edition of the handbook was published by John Menzies & Co. in 1868, of which the title was Handbook to the Highland Railway System and the Sutherland Railway. The preface states: "Besides a description of the Sutherland Railway, the whole handbook will be found to have been carefully revised and enlarged. In particular, a correct narrative of the circumstances of Viscount Dundee's death, never before, it is believed, given to the public, has been inserted." This account of Viscount Dundee's death, the writer, who was often her father's amanuensis, well remembers being greatly interested in writing to his dictation. In an appreciative review of this handbook which appeared in the Inverness Courier of 17th September, 1868, the narrative of Dundee's death is given in full as being an extract likely to have much interest for the public. In this review the editor remarks "The great work by which Messrs. Anderson are known, their magnum opus, is the Guide to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, which is by far the most valuable, the most useful, and most interesting of all the guide books to the North. The information accumulated for that compilation is freely made use of in the lesser work before us, but it is adapted to the change of circumstances rendered necessary by the introduction of railways, and so far as the labour of preparation is concerned, may be said to be a new work altogether as it had to be wholly recast if not rewritten." In 1886 a fifth edition of the Handbook to the Highland Railway was published at the office of the Northern Chronicle. It had been revised and corrected by Peter Anderson's only son, and enlarged by a very considerable amount of altogether new matter. It extended to 200 pages and contained a comprehensive map and sixteen engravings, while the cover was most artistically designed. By 1897 the Handbook had attained to its. sixteenth edition. CHAPTER VI. GUIDE TO CULLODEN MOOR AND STORY OF THE BATTLE — GUIDE TO INVERNESS — LAST DAYS. AS the last ten years of Peter Anderson's life were spent in the vicinity of Culloden Station, he often came in contact with the late Mr. Arthur Forbes, who was at that time the Laird of Culloden, and as their tastes were in many ways congenial, an intimacy sprang up between them and an arrangement was made that Mr. Anderson should write a guide to Culloden Moor with which would be combined a detailed account of the battle. The preparation of this little book was of absorbing interest to the author, and, all throughout, it is stamped with his faithful painstaking and lighted up with the enthusiasm which he always manifested for whatever was romantic and chivalrous in the annals of Scotland. The little book, in its pretty green cover, was published by Menzies & Co., Hanover Street, Edinburgh, in the summer of 1867, and was entitled Guide to Culloden Moor and Story of the Battle, with Description of the Stone Circles and Cairns at Clara. With Plans and Illustrations. In the preface the author stated: "Having been for some time resident in the neighbourhood of the Culloden Railway Station, the author's attention has been a good deal engaged with the scene and incidents of the expiring struggle of the Stuart dynasty, and last battle fought on British ground. The Culloden family take a warm interest in all matters connected with the action; and though the battle of Culloden has been repeatedly described in the course of works of more general history and disquisition, the circumstances are becoming unfamiliar to the public at large; and it has been thought that a separate account, embracing a survey of what has been said on various controverted points by different writers, with the addition of more minute topographical details, and the aid of received local tradition, might be acceptable, more especially to strangers visiting the field of battle. To enhance any value the work may have, Mr. Forbes of Culloden has been at the expense of having drawings taken and engraved of certain objects which appeared likely to prove interesting, and plans prepared, all expressly for the publication, by way of illustration and embellishment. These he has liberally placed at the author's disposal, and they are included without any additional charge; so that it is to be hoped the volume will be found, at anyrate, worth the price, and not undeserving of perusal. . . . It has been deemed proper to add a description of the interesting collection of Stone Circles and cairns at Clava, in the near vicinity of the battlefield, as well deserving inspection." The Scotsman of the 27th of August says: "The story, strange and mournful, though so often told, has never been better told than by Mr. Peter Anderson in this neat little pamphlet. In the modest guise of a guide to the locality of the fight, Mr. Anderson, well-known as one of the authors of the Guide to the Highlands, gives an admirable history of the whole battle, and of the events that led up to and that followed it. The ground is traversed carefully but not tediously; and the course of the marches and of the brief and simple action is illustrated by excellent maps and plans. Mr. Anderson's enthusiasm in the subject, and his thorough local knowledge, have enabled him to clear up many doubtful points, and to bring together many scattered incidents and anecdotes of decided interest. . . . It is avowedly a compilation, but the fruits of much reading and personal research are embedded in it; and the result is a descriptive and historical account of the ground and the action better than is to be found anywhere else in anything like similar compass. It is an interesting little work to read at any time and place; but the true time and place to read it are of course when on a visit to Culloden." The Daily Review of 19th August, 1867, remarks: "So long as either of the Messrs. Anderson of the Guide to the Highlands are prepared to offer their services to tourists and others desiring information about notable scenes in the North of Scotland, they will have no rivals, for the public are well aware that their qualifications for the task are unequalled. The present Guide was called for. But its publication is not so much the result of a demand on the part of the public as of the fulness of information Mr. Anderson has obtained on this most interesting subject, partly in consequence of favourable local circumstances, and partly through minute and careful study of the locality and of the history and traditions of the period relating to the last battle fought on British ground. Readers will have, accordingly, the pleasure of perusing a publication which has not been got up for sale, but which has all the interest of a work on which the accomplished author has been engaged as a labour of love. The present laird of Culloden, the great-great-grandson of the illustrious President Forbes, has given Mr. Anderson valuable assistance and co-operation in the preparation of his little volume, pictorial illustrations being introduced to an extent which the small price of the work would not have warranted but for Mr. Forbes's liberality. . . . The author has been able to bring forward not a few facts not hitherto published, and his inquiry into the position of the combatants is the most complete and satisfactory which has yet been given to the public." The guide book in its fourth and fifth chapters relates many incidents which occurred in Inverness and its neighbourhood. The following extracts from these chapters may perhaps be acceptable to the reader: — "The right wing, or rather the portion of the army which directed its course in a body to the south-west, as it comprehended most of the other clans, in its retreat presented so formidable an appearance, that a large party of dragoons, who had been sent to intercept them on their way across the Nairn, opened their ranks and allowed them to pass unmolested, with the exception of a solitary officer, who, attempting to seize a Highlander, was cut down with a single blow of the claymore, and coolly despoiled of his gold watch in presence of his astounded comrades. In the course of the retreat of this body it was that Gillies Macbean, a native of Strathnairn, a man of prodigious bodily strength, said to have been six feet four inches in height, one of the Mackintosh regiment, and a member of one of the smaller tribes connected with the powerful and old Celtic clan Chattan, signalised himself in a manner that has handed down his name to merited notoriety. The author understands that it appears from the records that Gillies was proprietor of Kinchyle, near Dores, at the lower end of Loch Ness, and that his brother was proprietor of Faillie, in Strathnairn, where the Prince and his followers crossed the Nairn in their flight. At the farm steading of Balvraid, being wounded, he could not keep up with his companions, but setting his back to the house wall, determined to sell his life dearly. Tradition relates that he was not cut down till he had made no less than thirteen troopers bite the dust, some of the officers vainly crying 'to save that brave fellow'. Though left for dead, he was found still in life and conscious, by an old woman from one of the houses, who covered him, at his own desire, with straw, but he died shortly after. Gillies had endeavoured to arm himself with the tram of a louban or peat-cart, but was not able to disengage it. It is said that it was by getting on the house-roof some of his assailants got the better of him. The house was one of several there at the time, and stood within what is now the corn-yard. He was buried beside it, and a large stone laid over him, the position of which is still shown, but his friends removed the body. In forming the cornyard, a skeleton was discovered at the south-west corner, and in removing a little mound for the formation of the west side of the square of offices, where the servant girls, little wotting what was underneath, used to rest their pails when carrying water from an adjoining well, there was another dug up. On the north side of the offices there was a malt-kiln, in which some of the wounded Highlanders sought refuge. In the Moor, between Balvraid and Stable Hollow (the line of flight), in cutting turf or otherwise, skeletons have been repeatedly turned up. All the buildings at Balvraid were set on fire by the dragoons on the afternoon of the battle, to signal their victory to the fleet in the firth. The cracked and calcined state of the stones was to be seen in those last pulled down. "From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step. One of the residents at Balvraid fled on horseback. He was owner of a large pot, used for boiling, in the yearly washing of blankets, and being, it is said, the only article of the kind on the Moor, it would seem to have been regarded as of peculiar value, for, strange to say, it was borne away by the fugitive in his flight. His solicitude, however, was in vain, for the precious pot was perforated by a bullet, designed by the dragoons for a more deadly billet. The pot, with the hole in it, was long to be seen, and may possibly be yet in some household on the Moor. "The pursuit to Inverness was most disastrous to the fugitives. These retreated not in terror, but broken-hearted and in despair. . . . . . . . . . "The principal lines of flight of the fugitives to Inverness are laid down on an old plan, apparently of the time of the battle, as by about the west end of the Culloden birch wood to Drakies, and also along the north edge of the Moor and to the west and above Inshes, and from both to Kings-mills. But others descended towards the sea. We recollect in the wall of the former old house at Ashton near Stoneyfield, a cannon ball having been found embedded. In the field to the west of the barn, behind the stables at Culloden House, a skeleton was turned up. It has been remarked, as a curious coincidence, that the horses of persons living in Culloden House almost invariably shy in passing the road opposite the spot. . . . . . . . . . "James Macdonald, son of old James Macdonald, who lived at one time at Culchuinag, whom many visitors will have seen, a sort of cicerone of the place, who died a few years ago, told the writer that in ploughing between the hollow . . . and the road to the river, he turned up seven skulls at one time — proofs of the conflict which eventually took place at this spot. "In connection with Culchuinag, a singular incident occurred. The mother of the late old James Macdonald, the guide above mentioned, whose parents lived there, was baking on the day of battle, when a poor Highlander, who had lost his hand, rushed in and staunched the bleeding stump by thrusting it on the hot stones of the fireplace on the hearth. . . . . . . . . . "The sons of some of the neighbouring gentry, who had ventured, out of boyish curiosity, rather near the scene of action, narrowly escaped from the dragoons who were scouring the Moor. "Colonel Alexander Mackintosh of Farr informs the writer that his father went with the late Hon. Archibald Fraser of Lovat, the late Arthur Robertson of Inshes, and two other boys, all at the school of Petty, towards the battlefield, early on the 16th of April, and saw the wearied troops of Prince Charles march past them, amongst whom was his father, Angus Mackintosh of Farr, captain in Dunmaglass's regiment, who fell on the field that day. He did not speak to his father; but though only a boy in his fourteenth year — and he lived to be ninety — never did he forget the careworn and dejected expression of his father's face. "The late Mr. John Rose, tacksman of Kirkton, who was born at Balvraid, and had the farm of Leanach on an improving lease, used to mention that a party of the Prince's followers devoutly engaged before the battle in solemnly and appropriately singing the twentieth Psalm. Jehovah hear thee in the day When trouble He doth send. "A straw or a feather serves to indicate how the wind sets. There was a very old man in the village of Evanton in Ross-shire, alive within the last thirty years, who used to tell that he had been sent by a neighbouring laird on the morning of the battle, with a letter for a correspondent near the Moor. The bearer ventured as near as he dared to the scene, and so distracted was he by the sight, and din, and danger that he returned home without fulfilling his mission. "A female servant in Mr. Rose's family related that her grandfather had told her that he was at the time a boy herding on the Moor; and having been attracted by the digging of the trenches, had drawn near to look on, and that one of the persons so engaged lifted a man's dissevered arm and struck him on the cheek, bidding him to go away. . . . . . . . . . "A significant testimony to the wanton cruelty of the English troopers existed to a comparatively recent period, in the person of the late Provost John Mackintosh of Inverness, father of the late Mr. Charles Mackintosh of Aberarder. Being an infant of eighteen months at the time of the Prince's stay at Inverness, he had been sent with his nurse, to be out of the way, to a house somewhere in the neighbourhood of Culloden. A few months after the battle a party of dragoons had gone into the house in the nurse's absence, and finding the child in a cradle, they, after pillaging the house, placed the cradle, with the infant in it, on the fire. When found by the nurse, the embryo magistrate was a good deal scorched; and till his dying day he bore the marks on his arms. In convivial moods, Provost Mackintosh used jocularly to boast that he had been wounded at Culloden." The next literary work which Peter Anderson undertook was the Guide to Inverness and its Neighbourhood, which was published in 1868, and which contained an appendix by his brother George on the "Geology of the Neighbourhood of Inverness"; but although he had carefully completed it, he did not live to see it in book form. He had always been fond of the society of men much younger than himself, and for them he had a peculiar attraction, owing to the courteous consideration with which he always treated them and the sympathy with which he entered into their tastes and pursuits. Towards the close of July, 1868, he was dining one day at Culloden House, having been invited to meet two young clergymen who were on a visit there — the Rev. Mr. Cunningham and the Rev. Mr. Macneil. The young men were anxious to climb to the top of Ben Wyvis in Ross-shire, one of our first-class mountains, and very similar to several in the Cairngorm group, with which Mr. Anderson had made himself familiar. He therefore volunteered to accompany them on their expedition on the following Saturday, the 25th of July. The Inverness Courier of the following week remarks: "Not satisfied with the general acquaintance made by him in early life with the Grampian mountains, he had for the last few years passed part of each summer in a minute examination of their more inaccessible fastnesses and corries, and of the various passes through them. In these excursions he exposed himself to great fatigue and no little danger." The day he started with his fellow-travellers from Culloden Station was one of dazzling sunshine and intense heat, but Mr. Anderson was apparently in the enjoyment of health and strength, and his spirits — exhilarated by the prospect of climbing the mountain in congenial companionship — had all the buoyancy and eagerness of youth. Never had he looked brighter than when he turned round at his garden gate and waved his hand in token of farewell. The Courier referred to above, states: "The party went by train to Dingwall, and thence started on foot for the summit of the mountain, but without taking a guide with them. The day was intensely hot, but clear, and on the top the view of the greater portion of the whole North, from the Atlantic to the German Ocean, was very distinct and gratifying. But in coming down, the party lost their way, and floundered for nearly two hours in peat bogs, where they had to leap over innumerable pools and water courses. They were thus thrown too late for the last train from Dingwall to Inverness, and had to take a conveyance across the hill to Kessock Ferry, whence they walked home, another distance of about five miles." It was past one in the morning when Mr. Anderson reached his own door. When jumping across one of the water courses during his descent from the mountain, he had given a strain to his heart and, it is supposed, burst a blood vessel; but so great was his habitual consideration for the feelings of others, and so averse was he at all times to speak of any ailments or sufferings connected with himself, that he refrained from mentioning to his family the circumstance of his having been seized by illness on the mountain side. On the Sunday afternoon he was able to get up for a few hours, and even to walk once round the garden. On Monday he kept his bed, but complained of nothing but fatigue. It was only on Tuesday morning that alarm was experienced. Dr. Wilson was then sent for, but by the time he arrived, Mr. Anderson's weakness had greatly increased, and all efforts were unavailing to sustain his ebbing strength. He died shortly after two o'clock, on the morning of Wednesday, the 29th of July, 1868. The last sentences he ever uttered were, as had been the case with his father, expressive of concern about the health and comfort of others. On the 1st of August, he was laid to rest among his own people, in the old Chapel-yard. All the lawyers in Inverness marched in procession to the grave. The chief mourners, in addition to his only son and his brother, were Mr. Arthur Forbes of Culloden; Mr. Eneas Mackintosh of Dalmigavie; Mr. Andrew Dougall, general manager of the Highland Railway; and Mr. George R. Mackay (son of the Rev. Dr. James Aberigh-Mackay, formerly incumbent of St. John's). In the following September, the Guide to Inverness, on which so much careful and loving labour had been bestowed, was published by Menzies & Co., Edinburgh. An appreciative and sympathetic notice of it (by Mr. Walter Carruthers) appeared in the Inverness Courier of the 24th of September, 1868, which may be given in full: — "It is melancholy to think that while this Guide to Inverness and its neighbourhood was passing through the press, the author was sinking under the effects of over-fatigue, induced by too long a mountain ramble among the scenes he knew and loved so well. The date of the preface to this volume is the same month as that of Mr. Anderson's death. He never saw the finished work, but it is satisfactory to know that it had been fully and carefully completed long before it passed into the printer's hands, and the whole volume bears the mark of Mr, Anderson's habitual painstaking and discernment. There was probably no other person in the Highlands to whom certain extensive districts in the country were so familiar, and especially around Inverness. He was at home on every hilltop and in every valley. Scarcely a week passed, when the weather was suitable, in which he did not make an excursion to some noteworthy spot — now to a tumulus among the hills, of which he had received some notice, again to some vitrified fort, or to mark the progress of ruin at some old chateau, and generally these holiday trips involved a great deal of walking. Mr. Anderson's last pedestrian excursion, as our local readers will remember, was to the top of Ben Wyvis, on one of the hottest days of this unusually hot season. The mere ascent and descent of the hill, even in a broiling sun, would not have been too much for his agile and wiry frame, though it had known sixty-four summers, but a succession of petty misadventures occurred by which the day's walk was prolonged to far past midnight, and from the effects of this excessive fatigue our amiable and accomplished townsman never rallied. The Guide to Inverness, his last literary work, embraces the district which of all others he knew best. the town and environs of Inverness, and the places of interest or of greatest beauty, within the bounds of an easy day's journey — such, for instance, as Foyers, Kilmorack, Glen-Urquhart, Culloden, Cawdor, etc. Regarding all these, information is given as to distances, means of conveyance, inns, etc., and for further guidance, two maps are inserted in the volume, one of the town and immediate neighbourhood of Inverness, and the other of the country between Invergarry on the one hand, and Nigg and Cromarty on the other. These plans are prepared with great care — that of the town being reduced by Mr. Paterson, C.E., from the maps of the Ordnance Survey, which were placed at Mr. Anderson's service, through the courtesy of Sir Henry James, R.E. Mr. Hugh Mackenzie contributes a couple of spirited sketches of Inverness — one, a familiar view of the Castle, the Bridge, and the Haugh roads; the other a very striking and artistic etching, which even old citizens may be somewhat at a loss to recognise, but which on examination will be found to be a very spirited and characteristic rendering of a glimpse of the Castle buildings, taken from about Raining Stairs. An appendix to the volume contains two valuable contributions — one of them an essay on the geology of the neighbourhood of Inverness, by Mr. George Anderson, who is so well fitted to write on this subject with authority and also with elegance. This is followed by an alphabetical list of plants found in the neighbourhood of the town. The volume is neatly printed on good paper, and, after the pleasant fashion of the times, comes out in an attractive illustrated cover." Peter Anderson had had four of a family — three daughters and one son. One daughter — Agnes Jane Grant — died in childhood in 1851. The other two, Jeannette Margaret and Isabel Harriet Grant, survive him. His only son, Peter John Anderson, gold medallist of the Royal Academy in two successive years, and a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh, is Librarian to the former, and Secretary of the New Spalding Club. He has edited several works dealing with academic and municipal history: Fasti Academiae Mariscallanae, 3 vols., 1889-98; Charters and other Writs illustrating the History of the Royal Burgh of Aberdeen, 1890; Inventories of Ecclesiastical Records in the Synods of Aberdeen, Moray, Angus and Mearns, 1890; Historical Notes on the Libraries of the Universities of Aberdeen, 1893; Officers and Graduates of University and King's College, 1893; Aurora Borealis Academica, 1899; Records of the Aberdeen Universities Commission of 1716-17, 1900; Roll of Alumni of University and King's College, 1900. Both John and Peter Anderson had, like their father, been suddenly taken away from this world while in apparent health and strength, and while in the midst of a career of industry and usefulness; but George, who of the three accomplished brothers had been the most brilliant and the most widely known, was destined to fade from earth slowly and softly through long years of feebleness and languor. Soon after his brother Peter's death his health gave way, and in 1869 he removed with his wife and daughter to Clifton near Bristol, where it was hoped that the mildness of the climate might have a reviving effect on him . At first he used to enjoy walks on the Downs leaning on his daughter's arm, but his steps grew feebler and feebler, and by the time his only son had arrived from China to pay him a visit, it had become too great an effort for him to move from his easy chair . But the old instincts of hospitality never faded from him — the old terms of endearment towards his family circle came as of old from his lips. During those last years of his life it was the privilege of the writer to spend months at a time under his roof, and to sit by his side and mark the gleam of pleasure which never failed to illumine his beautiful and refined features when the sounds that he had ever most dearly loved — the strains of Scottish music or the prayers of the Church of England — fell upon his ear. Every evening his devoted wife played his favourite pibrochs, reels and strathspeys over and over again, and his daughter sang to him one old Scottish ballad after another, winding up with the more modern ones of "Sir Randal" by Robert Chambers, and "Douglas, Douglas, tender and true!" Then the piano would be closed, and after reading some passages of Scripture, Mrs. Anderson would kneel down by her husband's side, as he leant back in his easy chair, and read to him some portions from the Book of Common Prayer. When the words "When two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt grant their requests" fell upon his ear, he never failed to clasp his hands and bow his head. As soon as the first words of the closing prayer — the Lord's Prayer — were pronounced, Mr. Anderson's little dog, which never left his side, day or night, rose at once to be in readiness to escort his feeble steps to his own room, (He had given the dog the Gaelic name of M'ulaidh, which signifies "my treasure or favourite".) Leaning on his wife's arm, and with his right hand resting heavily on his staff, while his daughter walked behind, Mr. Anderson would slowly begin to ascend the stairs, preceded by the little dog M'ulaidh, which never omitted to look back at every step, to make sure that her beloved master was safely following her. As soon as he was ensconced in bed, little M'ulaidh settled herself on his feet, to keep watch over him till morning. On the 7th of March, 1878, the earthly life of the brilliant, gifted and lovable George Anderson came to a close after nine years of weariness and weakness. He was laid in a beautiful cemetery near Bristol, and his faithful wife now rests there by his side. She died at Minehead in Somerset on 23rd January, 1881. The obituary notice of George Anderson in the Inverness Courier concludes with these words: "Mr Anderson lived to a good old age: he died in his seventy-sixth year, and all who had the privilege of his friendship, who could enjoy his racy conversation or sympathise with his youthful and buoyant disposition, who experienced his generous hospitality and recognised his remarkable and varied accomplishments, will learn not without some touch of emotion that he has passed away to join the great majority." George Anderson had had four children in all, but two of them, Mary and John, died in infancy. His surviving son and daughter, George Cobban and Justina Jessie have long been resident in Hong Kong. The former entered upon a sailor's life at a very early period, and has been for over forty years in the employment of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. Before quitting their steam service in 1882 he had commanded five of their vessels in succession. At present he is the oldest member of their staff, and holds the appointment of Marine Superintendent at Hong Kong. Family Tree- Following four pages