his offspring, and that the mother of this Donald M'Kay, the bastard, fhould become his wife. Hereupon, a party of the Morifons from Afhir, headed by Donald M'Kay, the baftard, and Donald M'Leod, who among other qualifications was incomparably skilled in handling the longbow, marched in a dark morning for Edderachylis; not directly towards Scoury, where James M'Leod lived, but to fome other places nearer them, where James's best friends, and ableit fupporters dwelt, in order to dispatch them first; which having done, and three or four men, whom they furprifed in their beds in their feveral dwellings, cruelly flain, they proceeded to Scoury; where, after flaying two or three more of the M'Leods, they found James, upon getting fome notice of their approach, had taken fhelter in a small house he had fometime before built in the middle of a lake in Scoury. But with arrows, having fire bound to them, this house, being thatched with ftraw or reeds, was foon made to blaze, when he was obliged to come out; whereupon Donald, his coufin german, killed him dead with a musket bullet. And as James had a fon of his along with him in this ifland, Donald did for him alfo; for after he had fwam to the farther fide of the lake, and endeavoured to run for his life, he flew him with an arrow from his long bow. James M'Leod, or M'Rory, being in this manner flain, Donald thought himself fure of possessing at least half of Edderachylis, according to agree ment, but here he found himself miftaken; the Morifons now told him, he must be content with fome other reward, for that Donald M'Kay muft have all Edderachylis: whereupon Donald in a rage declared that would not do, and immediately betaking himself to his friends in Affint, in a fhoit time returned with a body of men to take poffeffion. But the Morifons, aware of his motions, pre pared to meet and fight him upon his first entering the country; and as both parties were ready for an engagement in a place called Maldy, Sir Hugh M'Kay of Far prefented himself to them upon the top of a hill hard by with 300 men, and finding how matters flood, immediately called both before him to a conference in order to an accommodation, which none of them durft refufe. At this interview Sir Hugh propofed to Donald M'Leod, that he fhould refign his pretenfions to Edderachylis in favour of his fon Donald, and that he himfelf, in confideration of his doing fo, would grant him other land near himfelf, called the Davoch of Hope, as alfo Donald M'Kay's mother to be his wife; which propofal he at once agreeing to, the whole difference ended, and peace and harmony took place. This promife Sir Hugh actually fulfilled, giving Donald the Davoch of Hope, where he lived to an extreme old age, with a family of fix or feven fons, continuing the fame ruffian to the laft. He was buried in the kirk of Diurnefs, where, upon the fouth wall in the infide of the building, there is a monument of his with the initials of his name, and his arms cut out in the ftone, and the year 1619. What became of the fons cannot be discovered, but the lands of Hope are all in the poffeffion of the Reay family, as a part of their estate. In this manner came Edderachylis into the hands of the M'Kays, or that branch of them who call themfelves the family of Scoury; but of them there were only three proprietors. before it became a part of the estate of Reay; the first of these was Donald already mentioned, the fecond his fon Hugh, and the third his fon Hugh, who was the famous General M'Kay, commander in chief of the forces in Scotland under King William III. He was born in Scoury, this parish, and as George Lord Reay Kk married 'married his daughter, he gave him Edderachylis, as her tocher. delve as much ground as will require two pecks of beer feed in a day is nothing uncommon; nay, fome have fown four in a day's work. There are many inftances of fingle men in this parish, who with good seasons have reared as much corn as, with the help of potatoes, has fubfifted families of 6 or 7 perfons plentifully by the Cafcroim. But for this they have one advantage, denied to many others, that there is always plenty of manure; for befides what the cattle furnish, there is almost every where the greatest profufion of fea-ware, which makes the best manure, especially when cut early in the fpring and mixed with earth. Agriculture.] The inftrument chiefly ufed for tillage is called a Cafcroim, or crooked foot; being a crooked piece of wood, the lower end fomewhat thick, about two feet and an half in length, pretty ftraight, and armed at the lower end with iron, made thin and fquare to cut the earth. The upper end of this inftrument is called the fhaft, whereas the lower is termed the head: the fhaft above the crook is pretty straight, being 6 foot long, and tapering upwards to the end, which is flender; just below the crook or angle, which is an obtufe one, there must be a hole, wherein a ftrong peg must be fixed, for the workman's right foot, in order to push the inftrument into the earth; while in the mean time standing upon his left foot, and holding the fhaft Ani- A Species of ferpent abounds firm with both hands, when he has in this manner driven the head far enough into the earth with one bend of his body, he raises the clod by the fronheaded part of his inftrument, making ufe of the heel, or hind part of the head as a fulcrum, in fo doing, turns it over always towards the left hand; and then proceeds to push for another clod in the fame form. To fee fix or eight men all at work with this inftrument, as is often to be feen, ftanding all upon one leg, and pushing with the other, would be a pretty curious fight to a stranger. With all its difadvantages the Caf croim of all inftruments is the fittest for turning up the ground in the country; for among fo many rocks, a plough can do little or nothing, and, where no rocks are, the earth is commonly fo marshy, that cattle are not able to pafs over it, without finking deep. Therefore it is of pretty general ufe in the Highlands, and is of great antiquity. One man can turn over more ground with it in a day than four are able to do with a common fpade. For a fingle man to PARISH OF LITTLE DUNKELD. (Perthshire.) mals. near the hermitage and Little Dunkeld which is found no where elfe in the parish.-It grows to the length of 20 inches; is of a yellowish colour, and fpeckled all over with brown fpots, which give it the appearance of a beautiful marble. Its bite is not thought poisonous. This reptile is never feen in elevated fituations, but always in grounds of a warm expofure. The black nake worm, from 8 to 10 inches in length, a noxious animal, is fometimes met with, but very feldom, in the same tract of ground. A quadruped found in the moors at the eastern extremity of the parish is entitled to notice, as a remarkable variety of the lizard tribe. It is about 9 inches long; the body or trunk is of an unufual length in proportion to the tail, which does not taper gradually from the hind feet as in other lizards, but becomes fuddenly fmall like that of a moufe. The back is full of fmall protuberances, and guarded with a skin almost as hard as a fea fhell. The eyes large, clear, and circular, like thofe of an ordinary trout; trout; the jaws more than an inch in length, and the teeth fo ftrong as to be heard making a ringing noife upon the iron point of a pole, at the distance of more than ten feet. It is believed in that part of the country, that about 50 years ago, the bite of this animal proved fatal to a child two years old. It is never feen but upon very dry ground. When irritated, it expreffes its rage by the reddening and gliftning of its eyes. Antiquities, and Na-A round mount tural Curiofities.] S at the bottom of Birnam hill on the fouth-eaft fide is worthy of remark. It is faced with fleep oaks, except for a few yards where it was fortified by art. This eminence has been known for time immemorial, by the names of Courthill, and Duncan's-Hill, and is believed to have been on fome occafions occupied by the unfortunate Scottish king of that name. It looks full in the face, at the distance of about 12 miles, the celebrated Dunfinan-Hill, the feat and fortrefs of Macbeath. Within the range of an arrow from this mount, are to be feen a number of tumuli, or small heaps of stones, about the length of a human body. It is not unlikely that upon digging, human skeletons would be found under thefe tumuli. Higher up the fame face of Birnam are the ruins of an oblong fquare building, with circular turrents at the corners: It is called (in Gaelic) Forhaillon. Birnam was antiently a forest, and a part of the royal domain of Scotland.-There is a beautiful little field fome more than 2 miles above Little Dunkeld called Yoke Haugh, (Dalmacoing) concerning which there is the following cu, rious tradition: A man, who may be called the Cincinatus of Scotland, happened, along with his two fons, to be ploughing in this field on the day of the battle of Luncarty. Hearing the fate of the battle, and feeing the Scotch army retreating this way, he was inftantly fired with heroic indignation, and, together with his fons, feized, each of them, the yoke of an oxen plough, perfuaded their countrymen to rally, and marching at their head, they met the Danes on the banks of the Tay, fomewhere near Caputh, where there was a fecond action, in which the Danes were completely defeated, and this aged hero exhibited prodigies of valour; in con, fequence of which, he was dignified by his fovereign with peculiar honours, obtained the name of Hay, and the implement with which he fought for his arms. The yoke is ftill the arms of the noble family of Kinnoul, who are thought to be defcended from this faviour of his country. ON THE CHOICE OF A WIFE. FROM LETTERS FROM A FATHER TO HIS SON, BY J. AIKIN, M. D. DEAR SON, ly takes this affair under its manage. ment, and excludes reafon from her fhare of the deliberation. I am inclined to think, however, that the neglect with which admonitions on this head are treated, is not unfrequently owing to the manner in which they are given, which is often too general, too formal, and with too little accommodation to the feelings of young perfons. If, in defcanting a little upon this fubject, I can avoid thefe errors, I flatter myself you are Kk 2 HERE is no fpecies of advice which feems to come with more peculiar propriety from parents to children, than that which refpects the marriage state; for it is a matter in which the first must have acquired fome experience, and the laft cannot. At the fame time, it is found to be that in which advice produces the leaft effect. For this, various caufes may be affigned, of which, no doubt, the principal is, that paffion common capable Capable of beftowing fome unforced attention to what an affectionate defire of promoting your happiness, in fo effential a point, may prompt. The difference of opinion between fons and fathers in the matrimonial choice may be stated in a fingle pofition that the former have in their minds the first month of marriage, the latter, the whole of its duration. Perhaps you will, and with juftice, deny that this is the difference between us two, and will affert that you, as well as I, in thinking of this connexion, reflect on its lafting confequences. So much the better! We are then agreed as to the mode in which it is to be confidered, and I have the advantage of you only in experience and more extenfive obfervation. I need fay little as to the fhare that perfonal charms ought to have in fixing a choice of this kind. While I readily admit, that it is defirable, that the object on which the eyes are most frequently to dwell for a whole life, fhould be an agreeable one; you will probably as freely acknowledge, that more than this is of too fanciful and fugitive a nature to come into the computation of permanent enjoyment. Perhaps in this matter I might, look more narrowly for you, than you would for yourfelf, and require a fuitablenefs of years and vigour of conftitution, which might continue this advantage to a period that you do not yet contemplate. But dropping this part of the fubject, let us proceed to confider the two main points on which the hap pinefs to be expected from a female affociate in life must depend her qualifications as a companion, and as helper. Were you engaged to make a voyage round the world on the condition of sharing a cabin with an unknown meffmate, how folicitous would you be to discover his character and difpofition before you fet fail? If on in quiry, he fhould prove to be a per fon of good fenfe and cultivated manners, and especially of a temper inclined to please and be pleafed, how fortunate would you think yourself! But if, in addition to this, his tastes, ftudies, and opinions, fhould be found conformable to yours, your fatisfaction would be complete. You could not doubt that the circumftance which brought you together, would lay the foundation of an intimate and delightful friendship. On the other hand, if he were reprefented, by those who thoroughly knew him, as weak, ignorant, obftinate and quarrelfome, of manners and difpofitions totally oppofite to your own, you would probably rather give up your project, than fubmit to live fo many months confined with fuch an affociate. Apply this comparifon to the domeftic companion of the voyage of life-the intimate of all hours-the partaker of all fortunes-the sharer in pain and pleasure-the mother and inftructress of your offspring. Are you not ftruck with a fenfe of the infinite confequence it must be of to you, what are the qualities of the heart and understanding of one who stands in this relation; and comparative Linfignificance of external charms and ornamental accomplishments? But as it is fcarcely probable that all your would with in these particulars can be obtained, it is of importance to afcertain which qualities are the most effential, that you may make the best compromife in your power. Now, tastes, manners, and opinions, being things not original, but acquired, cannot be of fo much confequence as the fundamental properties of good fenfe and good temper. Poffeffed of thefe, a wife who loves her husband will fashion herfelf in the others according to what the perceives to be his inclination; andif, after all, a confiderable diversity remain between them in fuch points, this is not incompati ble with domeftic comfort. But fenfe and and temper can never be difpenfed with in the companion for life: they form the bafis on which the whole edifice of happiness is to be raised. As both are abfolutely effential, it is needlefs to inquire which is so in the highest degree. Fortunately, they are oftener met with together than Teparate; for the juft and reasonable eftimation of things which true good fenfe infpires, almoft neceffarily produces that equanimity and moderation of spirit in which good temper properly confifts. There is, indeed, a kind of thoughtlefs good nature which is not unfrequently coupled with weakness of understanding; but having no power of felf direction, its operations are capricious, and no reliance can be placed on it in promoting folid felicity. When, however, this eafy humour appears with the attractions of youth and beauty, there is danger left even men of fenfe thould overlook the defects of a fhallow capacity, efpecially if they have entertained the too common notion, that women are no better than playthings, defigned rather for the amufement of their lords and mafters, than for the more ferious purposes of life, But no man ever married a fool without feverely repenting it; for though the pretty trifler may have ferved well enough for the hour of dalliance and gaiety, yet when folly affumes the reins of domeftic, and especially of parental, controul, fhe will give a perpetual heart-ache to a confiderate partner. On the other hand, there are to be met with inftances of confiderable powers of the understanding, combined with waywardness of temper, fufficient to destroy all the comfort of life. Malignity is fometimes joined with wit, haughtiness and caprice with talents, fourness and suspicion with fagacity, and cold referve with judgment. But all these being in Themfelves unamiable qualities, it is hefs neceffary to guard against the poffeffors of them. They generally render even beauty unattractive; and no charm but that of fortune is able to overcome the repugnance they ex+ cite. How much more fatal than even folly they are to all domestic felicity, you have probably already feen enough of the matrimonial state to judge. Many of the qualities which fit a woman for a companion, alfo adapt her for the office of a helper; but many additional ones are requifite. The original purpose for which this fex was created, is faid, you know, to have been, providing man with a help-mate; yet it is, perhaps, that notion of a wife which leaft occupies the imagination in the feafon of courtfhip. Be affured, however, that as an office for life, its importance itands extremely high to one whofe fituation does not place him above the want of fuch aid; and fitness for it fhould make a leading confideration in his choice. Romantic ideas of domeftic felicity will infallibly in time give way to that true ftate of things, which will fhew that a large part of it must arife from well ordered affairs, and an accumulation of petty comforts and conveniences. A clean and quiet fire fide, regular and agreeable meals, decent apparel, a house managed with order and economy, ready for the reception of a friend or the accommodation of a ftranger, a fkilful as well as affectionate nurfe in time of fickness-all these things compofe a very confiderable part of what the nuptial state was intended to afford us; and without them, no charms of perfon or understanding will long continue to bestow delight. The arts of housewifery should be regarded as profeffional to the woman who intends to become a wife; and to felect one for that ftation who is deftitute of them, or difinclined to exercife them, however otherwise accomplished, is as abfurd, as it would be to choofe for your lawyer or phy fiycian |