PROPOSED HIGHLAND NEWSPAPER, TO BE CALLED "THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER" EDITED BY ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, F.3.A., Scot., WE have for some time been strongly urged, from influential quarters at home and abroad, to take the necessary steps for starting an Independent Weekly Newspaper in Inverness, for the special purpose of advocating the claims and promoting the interests of the Highland people. It has been suggested that the present time is specially opportune for a movement in this direction; and that our Mr Alexander Mackenzie's special knowledge of his countrymen, their history, and wants in the present crisis, points to him as the most suitable to conduct such a paper; the marked success of the Celtic Magazine, under his guidance, when all similar attempts by others failed, being an earnest of his ability to prove equally successful in conducting a Highland newspaper. To embark in the direction proposed is a serious undertaking, both as regards its financial responsibilities and the labour and energy necessary to make the paper influential and prosperous. Very liberal support has been already offered, and nothing is wanting to induce us and Mr Mackenzie to move in the matter, but a certainty that the paper shall be widely and energetically supported by Highlanders, and by their numerous friends at home and abroad. To test the feeling existing among those specially interested, and to put the matter beyond question, the present Circular is issued, as the most practical means, to enable all who are willing to support a Highland Newspaper to do so in a substantial form, by subscribing, and agreeing to pay a year's subscription in advance; the money not to be paid until it is finally decided to issue the paper. Should the result, prove satisfactory, steps will at once be taken to start a paper of eight pages, at one penny. If, on the other hand, such interest is not shown, in the manner indicated, as will secure a certain subscribed circulation to begin with, of at least five thousand copies, it will not be deemed prudent to proceed any further in the matter at present. Whether or not the Highlanders shall have a represen tative paper is thus left in their own hands; and they should, in a matter of this kind, remember that "Heaven helps those who help themselves." All who feel interested regarding the position and prospects of the Highland people; and who care for the Language, Literature, Traditions, and the Material interests of a noble but ill-used race, will, it is hoped, aid us in securing the necessary support for carrying out the object aimed at. It is believed that the manner in which the Celtic Magazine has been conducted to such a successful issue, will be accepted as a sufficient guarantee that the same prudence, firmness, and energy which secured that success will be applied with even greater results, to the conduct of such a Newspaper as is now proposed. The leading friends of the Highland people are now satisfied-that the report of the Royal Commission has been issued that the real work of those who demand and will insist upon a change in the present Land Laws is only beginning in earnest. This points strongly to the necessity of Highlanders having a special organ of their own to advance their claims. A Gaelic department will form a feature of the paper; and special attention will always be given to Local News from every Strath, Glen, and Hamlet, where Highlanders are to be found. Orders for the paper should be forwarded without delay, to Celtic Magazine Office, Inverness. A. & W. MACKENZIE. JEWELLER TO THE QUEEN, INVERNESS, Has a large and beautiful Stock of JEWELLERY, in the Fashionable and most desired Patterns; and which have been patronised by many distinguished persons of taste. SILVER AND ELECTRO-PLATE in a great variety of patterns, suitable for Presentation, and including all the Articles required for Table use. P. G. WILSON'S WATCHES are of the best and most improved construction, carefully finished, and guaranteed first-class Time-Keepers, CLOCKS AND TIME-PIECES in great variety, suitable for the Drawing-room, also for Dining-room, Hall, Office, Lobby, &c. The Largest Stock in the North of Scotland to choose from. The Repairing of Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery receives careful and prompt attention, while the charges are as moderate as any in the trade. Orders by Post receive most careful attention. MACDOUGALL'S. Our deliveries of New and Special Fabrics for the present Season are now to hand. Our Large Stock, and Improved Facilities, enable us to submit greater Choice and better Value than Minor Establishments, or Large Associations, and we have great confidence in respectfully soliciting the honour of a visit. MACDOUGALL & CO., Manufacturers of Tartans and Tweeds to Her Majesty and the Royal Family, THE ROYAL CLAN TARTAN WAREHOUSE, INVERNESS AND LONDON. ALEXANDER SIMPSON (LATE INNES & CO.), Tea Dealer, Family Grocer, & Italian "THE GROCERY," 13 HIGH STREET, INVERNESS. Business Established in 1767. Agent for the Edinburgh Life Assurance Co. and the Phoenix Fire Assurance Co. WOOL Established 1780. -GROWERS CAN HAVE THEIR WOOL manufactured into GOUDS for own use by sending it to ROBERT HOUSTON & SONS, 28 WEST BLACKHALL STREET AND ROCKBANK MILLS, GREENOCK. EACH CUSTOMER'S LOT IS KEPT SEPARATE, unless he instructs otherwise. Fixed lengths not guaranteed; but average MACDONALD BROTHERS, yield from 24 lbs, clean scoured Cheviot Wool FLESHERS, 12 UNION STREET, Beg to inform their Customers and the Public generally that they have made extensive purchases of CATTLE and SHEEP for the Summer and Autumn Trade, and they are in a position to execute any orders entrusted to them on very short notice. SHOOTING LODGES and Country Orders punctually attended to. The Best Meat only kept. 12 UNION STREET, INVERNESS exceeds 21 yards Strong Tweed, or 28 yards "Homespun or Summer Tweed.' REDUCED CHARGES on Tweed Pieces, 35 yards and upwards, 28 inches wide and Broad Blankets 18 yards and upwards. Write for Patterns and Prices. New Season's Designs. Carriage of Wool per Goods Conveyance payable by R. H. & S. FOR SALE. - Scotch Cheviot Tweeds, Blankets, etc., Ou own manufacture; any length cut. NERVANTS.-Families requiring Servants, and Servants requiring Situations, will please apply to the Register Office, 47 Castle Street, Inverness. THE PRINCE, after spending several days in Holyrood, where he daily consulted his Council of War in the drawing-roomLochiel, being, of course, one of the members-resolved to march into England at the head of an army numbering between five and six thousand troops, some artillery, and abundance of arms and ammunition. On the 8th of November, the first division entered England, when they raised a loud shout and unsheathed their claymores. Lochiel, in the act of drawing his weapon, accidentally cut his hand, which was considered such a very bad omen, that many of those present grew pale when they were told of the mishap. One curious incident which occurred to Lochiel on the march through the North of England is recorded. The English people were in utter terror of the Highland soldiers, whom they were led to believe were inhuman beyond conception-that they were cannibals, and were particularly fond of feeding on young infants. Great surprise was experienced when it was found that, instead of these wild charges being true regarding them, the Highlanders actually paid for everything they required, and expressed great gratitude for any refreshments given to them or favours shown to them. Cameron of Lochiel, on entering the lodgings which had been marked off for him, his hostess, a woman of years, fell at his feet, supplicating him, with hands joined, and with a flood of tears, to take away her life, but to spare her two children. He demanded of her if she was mad, and to explain herself. She replied that everyone said that the Highlanders ate children, and made them their ordinary food. Cameron having assured her that they would do no evil to her little ones, or to any body, whoever they might be, she fixed her eyes for a moment upon him with an air of surprise, and at once opened a closet, calling out with a loud voice, "Come out, my children, the gentleman will not eat you." The children came out immediately from the closet where she had concealed them, and fell at his knees.* Lochiel accompanied the army all the way to Derby, and on the return march to Scotland, he was present, and, with his men, took a prominent part and did excellent service in the left wing of the Highland army at the battle of Falkirk, where the Highlanders again routed the enemy under General Hawley, mainly composed of tried soldiers who had fought at Dettingen and Fontenoy. Here Lochiel was slightly wounded, by a musket ball, during the heat of the action, in the heel, which, being observed by his brother, the doctor, who always kept near his person, "he begged him to retire to have it dressed, which he accordingly did; but as the doctor was lending him his assistance, he himself received a slight wound," + a ball having entered his body, where it remained during the remainder of his life. Shortly after the battle the Chief was able to lead a detachment into the town of Falkirk, finding nothing but a few straggling parties in the streets, whither he was followed by the Prince, who, with Lochiel, took up his quarters in the town for the night. Next day, during which the Highlanders remained in the town, a curious incident occurred, which Home, himself an eyewitness, thus describes :-" Lord Kilmarnock, in the morning of the 18th, came to Falkirk, which is within half-a-mile of his house at Callender (where he had passed the night), bringing * Memoirs of the Chevalier de Johnstone, translated from the original French by Charles Winchester, vol. i., p. 60. |