the measuring of it. The debate began, whether it was upon Culloden's march or the Town's; but the burgesses of Inverness seized the whale under appreciation, John Forbes of Culloden being then at the south. The English offered to buy her at a high rate, and they should have got her by right, for all men concluded the whale to be a presage of the garrison's expiration and translation from Inverness, which happened shortly after. There was also a monstrous sturgeon fish of ten feet long taken in the yair of Rindewy at the same time. This fish, well dressed and pickled, is meat and medicine. The English bought it at the rate of £4 sterling, and after bringing it in to the citadel, they whispered among themselves that it could not be had in England under £10."

TRIAL OF WITCHES.

"1662. There came to Inverness one Mr Paterson, who had run over the kingdom for trial of witches, and was ordinarily called the Pricker, because his way of trial was with a long brass pin. Stripping them naked, he alleged that the spell-spot was seen and discovered. After rubbing over the whole body with his palms, he slipt in the pin; and it seems, with shame and sorrow, being dashed, they felt it not, but he left it in the flesh, deep to the head, and desired them to find, and take it out. It is said soine witches were discovered; but many honest men and women were blotted and broke by this trick. In Elgin, there were two killed; in Forres, two; and one Isabel Duff, a rank witch, burned in Inverness. This Paterson came up to the church of Wardlaw; and, within the church, pricked fourteen women, and one man, brought thither by the Chisholm of Comar, and four brought by Andrew Fraser, chamberlain of Ferrintosh. He first polled all their heads, and amassed the heap of hair to

gether, hid it in the stone dyke, and so proceeded to pricking. Several of those died in prison, being never brought to confession. This villain gained a great deal of money, having two servants. At last he was discovered to be a woman, disguised in men's clothes. Such cruelty and rigour, was sustained by a vile varlet impostor!"

HORSE-RACES IN INVERNESS.

"1662, March 1. The Magistrates of Inverness set up the post and pillars for the annual horse-race about the hill of Tomnahurich, to be run next May; and advertisement sent abroad to that effect. The silver cup, saddles, and sword, are prepared by the town.

"May 24. The horse-race at Inverness, which had turned into desuetude for many years before, was now restored, and brought to its pristine consistency. The post is set up at the end of the reeds, upon the edge of a march close upon the road; and the stage posts are also round about the hill, along the plain. A concourse of people flocked to Inverness, to behold the course: the Earl of Moray, with his vassals, came in the morning; the Earl of Seaforth, and my Lord Lovat were, the night before, at Kinmylies and Muirtown, dieting their race horses; the Lairds of Grant, Mackintosh, Fowlis, Balnagown; the Barons of Moray, the Lord Macdonell, and the English officers of Inverlochy, and many others. The Provost and Magistrates of Inverness, with the citizens, came in procession over the bridge, to their bounded march; and, with their usual ceremony, hung the silver cup, with blue ribbons, upon the hooks of the painted post, the saddle and the sword set upon the top of it. The matches that run were—the Lord Lovat, Laird of Grant, Kilravock, and Captain Man. All the riders were in white, their distinctions being blue, red, yellow, and green ribbons. The Lord

Lovat rode in person, as also Mr Man. The sign given, near ten of the clock, they start, and closed at two hours. First, Mr Man seemed to carry; but the Laird of Grant's horse quite outrun him in a short time. Lovat (who comes short of no rider in Britain), cunning enough for them all, kept close in the rear till within half-a-mile of the post, and then, to the admiration of all the beholders, taking the start of them, like a bird upon wing, outrun them a full quarter of a mile near, and riding back, gave his congee. Mr Man was next, the Laird of Grant third, Mackintosh fourth. I heard Captain Man aver, that all England over had never a better horseman than Lovat, nor a swifter four-footed beast than his brown mare. Thus my Lord Lovat carried the race, and the best cup, valued at £7 sterling, and the saddle at £3; both which he delivered to Will. White, his page. The magistrates gave the nobles a sumptuous treat, and the day's sport was at end; the rest of it spent in visits and recreations. At the next day's competition, Baillie Finlay Fraser at Inverness carried the cup and sword, with approbation and applause; and that afternoon the Laird of Grant bought the horse, paying £13 for him; and, to my knowledge, it carried the races at the same place next year."

RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. CELEBRATED IN
INVERNESS.

"1662. The 29th of May being the anniversary, thanksgiving for his majesty's restoration was solemnly kept here, by preaching, singing of psalms through the streets, ringing of bells, bonfires, small and great shots, and all other demonstrations of joy imaginable. And no difference observed betwixt Presbyterians and Episcopals; all are seemingly loyal, the laws so strict and observant, and none appear to dissent."

CULCABOCK CORN BURNED-FEUDAL REVENGE.

"1664, March 20. The great barn-yards of Culcabock, belonging to Inshes, and three men, were all set on fire. Eleven stacks, about ten at night, all irrecoverably burnt. It made such a dreadful flame, as put Inverness in a consternation, being so near. This was jealoused (suspected) to be done by Glenmoriston men, for some old quarrels with Inshes."

THE BRIDGE OF NESS FELL.

"1664, September 28. The great old wooden bridge of Inverness was repairing, and, by the inadvertency of a carpenter cutting a beam that lay betwixt two couples, to set up a new one, the bridge, tending that way, ten of the old couples fell flat on the river, with about two hundred persons -men, women, and children, upon it. Four of the townsmen broke legs and thighs, some sixteen had their heads, arms, and thighs, bruised; all the children safe, without a scart (scratch)—a signal providence, and a dreadful sight; at ten forenoon."

LOYALTY OF THE FRASERS-CONVERSATION BETWEEN KING CHARLES II. AND LORD LOVAT.

"1665. Thursday, March 20. Sir Alexander Fraser (who had taken the title of Dores) waited upon my Lord Lovat, and convoyed him to court, accompanied by the Master of Saltoun and Sir Ralph Dalavil; and most opportunely introduced them to the king, as his majesty was going out to St James's from Whitehall, and not many of his court with him. His majesty was pleased to give them a most gracious reception; and, after the custom of kissing his hand, they fol

lowed him fast at the heels until they arrived at the Park. The king then, after his ordinary freedom, enquired into the state of affairs in Scotland and the north of England; and, having heard all their narrations most attentively, after a long pause, the king was pleased to direct his discourse to Lovat, saying-' My Lord, I call to mind that, being with my army at Torwood, in the park of Stirling, in 1650, falling in discourse with one of my chaplains, Mr Colville, and asking him what he thought of the camp, and what clan he thought most loyal, he truly gave me a most singular account and commendation of the fidelity of the Frasers, and their loyalty to the crown. I hope they continue so; and if that some corruptions hath crept in among clans during the late rebellion, that now the Frasers, with others, have returned to their duty, being fully convinced of the evil of raising arms against their sovereign; and that in time the universal and usual character of a treacherous Scot shall be worn off, and loyal impressions received.' My Lord Lovat replied 'Sire, I had the same account from one of my kinsmen who was captain of your majesty's guard that morning at Torwood; and I wish we may deserve the encomium given us by that reverend divine, and may we never cease to do daily what may confirm it. And I pray God, none of my name be ever tainted with the least suspicion of disloyalty; but that I, with them, may ever prove true and faithful subjects to your majesty, and that with our lives and fortunes.""

A CLERICAL JOKE.

"1666. It was a pretty jest and droll of a minister in our diocese of Moray, Master Gilbert Marshall of Cromdale, usually termed Jupiter, from his flights and nimbleness, hearing often of the wonderful fatal year, and many prodigies to happen on it, would seemingly assent to it, and