NOTES.

NOTE A, Vol. II. page 265.

"God save him."

No Highlander praises any living creature without adding this benediction. It is not confined, in its application, to human beings. If the subject of it belong to the speaker, this expression of dependence is intended to exclude boasting; if you commend what is the property of another, the Highland dread of an evil eye obliges you to intimate that you praise without envy. To be vain of a possession is justly considered as provoking Heaven to withdraw it, or to make it an instrument of punishment; and no true Highlander ever expected comfort in. what had been envied or greedily desired by another.

Upon the same account, it is not judged polite to ask, nor safe to tell the number of a flock, or of a family. I once asked a countrywoman the number of a fine brood of chickens.

"They're as many as were gi'en;" said she, "I'm sure I never counted them."

"The tract of country which has been de"scribed appears, however, to have enjoyed ❝ a considerable degree of tranquillity, till about "the year 1746. At that time it became infest"ed with a lawless band of depredators, whose "fortunes had been rendered desperate by the " event of 1745, and whose habits had become "incompatible with a life of sobriety and hones"ty. These banditti consisted chiefly of emi"grants from Lochaber, and the remoter parts "of the Highlands."

"In convenient spots they erected temporary "huts, where they met from time to time, and "regaled themselves at the expence of the peace"able and defenceless inhabitants. The ruins of "these huts are still to be seen in the woods. "They laid the country under contribution; " and whenever any individual was so unfortu"nate as to incur their resentment, he might "lay his account with having his cattle carried "off before morning."

Graham's Sketches of Perthshire.

NOTE C, Vol. III. page 16.

"Elfin arrow.”

Elfin arrow; more properly, elfin "bolt." The Gaelic term signifies," that which can be darted with destructive force;" there is, therefore, no reason to expect, that these weapons should be feathered and barbed like common arrows. These bolts are believed to be discharged by fairies with deadly intent. Nevertheless, when once in the possession of mortals, they are accounted talismans against witchcraft, evil-eyes, and elfish attacks. They are especially used in curing all such diseases of cattle as may have been inflicted by the malice of unholy powers.

The author is in possession of one of these talismans; which connoisseurs affirm to be no common elfin arrow, but the weapon of an elf of dignity. It was hurled at a country beauty, whose charms had captivated the Adonis of the district. The elf being enamoured of this swain, projected a deadly attack upon her rival. But these arrows are lethal only when they smite the uncovered skin. This proved the security of the Gaelic Phillis. The weapon struck her petticoat; she instantly possessed herself of the talisman, and was ever afterwards invulnerable to the attacks of fairies.

Within these twenty years, a staunch Highlander contrived to make her way into a bridal chamber; and, slitting the bride's new corsets, introduced an elfin arrow between the folds. The lady, feeling some inconvenience from this unusual addition to her dress, removed the charm; in consequence of which rash act she has proved childless!

Until very lately, no unmarried woman in the Highlands wore any covering on the head; not even at church, or in the open air. A snood, or bandeau of ribbon or worsted tape, was the only head-dress for maidens. On the morning after marriage, the cap or curch was put on with great ceremony, and the matron never again appeared without this badge of subjection.

In some parts of the Highlands it is still customary to delay the wedding for weeks, often for months after the ceremony of marriage has taken place. The interval is spent by the bride in preparing her bed, bedding, &c. which it is always her part to supply. The wedding is, with a

coolness of calculation which might satisfy Mr Malthus, generally postponed till the end of harvest, when labour is searce, and provisions plentiful. About a week before the bride's removal to her new home, the bridegroom and she go separately to invite their acquaintance, sometimes to the number of hundreds, to the wedding. The bride's approach to her future dwelling is preceded by that of her household stuff; which affords the grand occasion of display for Highland vanity. The furniture is carefully exhibited upon a cart; always surmounted by a spinning-wheel, the rock loaded with as much lint as it can carry. It is accompanied by the bride's nearest female relative, and attended by a piper to announce its progress. The procession is met and welcomed by the bridegroom and a few select friends.

The ceremonial of the wedding is conducted exactly according to Cecil's statement.

The next morning, the matrons of the neighbourhood commence a visiting acquaintance, by breakfasting with the married pair; each bringing with her a present suited to her means, such as lint, pieces of linen, or dishes of various sorts. Some of these good women generally "busk the bride's first curch." The hair, which the day before hung down in tresses mixed with ribbon, is