BOOK II. ing back to apprise their father of the impending

danger, they found the mansion already surrounded-heard the discharge of musquets, and the shrieks and clamors of those within; and, being unarmed, fled for their lives, and had the good fortune to effect their escape.

Rushing to his chamber, the assassins had shot through the head the elder M'Donald, who fell lifeless into the arms of his wife. The laird of Auchintrinken, M'Donald's guest, who had submitted to the government three months before, and had then colonel Hill's protection in his pocket, met the same fate. A boy of eight years of age was stabbed to the heart in the act of imploring mercy. In this manner thirty-eight persons were inhumanly butchered; most of them in their beds-helpless and unresisting. The order extended to all the males in the valley under the age of seventy, amounting to about 200: but the parties which were to co-operate with Campbell, whether by chance, or as it is more probable, by design, did not arrive in time to secure the passes of the Glen, so that 160 escaped. After perpetrating this horrid deed, they set the houses on fire and drove off the cattle-leaving the women and children of the Glen exposed to the storms of that inclement clime and season, naked and forlorn, without food or shelter, in the

midst of the snow that covered the mountains on BOOK IL every side, at the distance of six miles from the nearest habitation: and they are said to have perished for the most part in this wild and dreary waste before they could receive the least comfort or assistance; lady M'Donald in particular, wife of the chieftain, a woman venerable for her years and condition, expiring in a phrensy of grief and

horror*.

• Though Campbell, when the business in question became the theme of public execration, justified the perpetration of this abominable act, saying in the royal coffee-house, Elinburgh, "that he would do it again, if it were again to be done;" yet we are told, that a consciousness of guilt was always visible in his deportment; and it was said of him, "Glencoe seems to hang about Glenlyon night and day—you may see it in his face."

It is curious to observe with what eagerness the execution of this atrocious project was transferred from one person to another. The commander in chief, Levingstone, sent his orders to colonel Hill, governor of Fort William; who devolved the task upon lieutenant colonel Hamilton, who chose to shift it to major Duncanson, who employed captain Campbell as the immediate agent in this bloody business-sending him his instructions in the following words: "You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels the M'Donalds of Glencoe, and put all to the sword under seventy. You are to have special care that the old fox and his sons upon no account escape your hands. You are to secure all the avenues, that no man escape. This you are to put into execution at five o'clock in the morning precisely; and by that time, or very shortly after it, I'll strive to be at you with a stronger party. If I do not come to you at

BOOK II.

Session of

Parliament

A deed so execrable, performed under the immediate sanction of the king's authority, excited the amazement and indignation of all whose minds were susceptible of the feelings of humanity. The king himself, moved with just resentment at the imposition practised upon him, dismissed the master of Stair from his service; and caused a commission to be passed under the great seal of Scotland for a pre-cognition in that matter, which is a usual mode in that kingdom of investigating crimes previous to bringing the criminals to a regular trial. This terrible example of vengeance inflicted on the men of Glencoe effectually prevented indeed any future insurrection, or seditious disturbance; but inspired the highlanders with an implacable animosity against the king's person and government.

The public exigencies not rendering it necesin Scotland. sary to convene the parliament of Scotland at an earlier season, the session was deferred to April 1693, when the duke of Hamilton, being reconciled to the court, was appointed lord commissioner. By the able and dexterous management chiefly of secretary Johnstone, the discontents of

five, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the king's special command, for the good and safety of the country, that these miscreants may be cut off root and branch. See that this be put in execution without feud or favor, else you may expect to be treated as not true to the king and government, nor a man fit to carry a commission in the king's service."

the nation were much assuaged, and the ill-humor BOOK II. and sourness of the presbyterian party somewhat 1693. softened. The king's letter presented by the commissioner, on opening the session, informed the estates, "that his majesty, ever since his coming to the crown, had been firmly resolved to hold a parliament in that his antient kingdom-and that nothing but his necessary presence abroad during the time of action, or in England during the sitting of parliament there, had hitherto hindered his purpose. He intimated, that the calling them together while he himself was absent from Britain was to be considered as a proof of the entire confidence which he placed in their affection to him and his government. His majesty told them, that he had fully instructed his commissioner in all things which seemed to him necessary to be done at that juncture, for the support of the government and the safety of the people; reserving what was omitted, and would admit of delay, to his own presence amongst them. And he was persuaded they would heartily concur in what his commissioner would propose to them in his name, for the common interest of king and people. In order to which, in a particular manner he recommended moderation and unanimity to them, especially in church matters; and that they would provide proper and healing remedies for the disorders which those matters had occasioned."

1003.

BOOK II. This politic and popular speech had its effect. The parliament voted an increased establishment, and large supplies. They determined to vacate the seats of those members who had not yet taken the oaths of fidelity and abjuration; and also imposed fines upon them. them. A committee of security was appointed, who reported to the house, that machinations were still carrying on in support of the late king James's interest; and Neville Payne was brought before parliament, to be examined touching certain intercepted letters. But he sent word to the duke of Hamilton, "that as long as his life was his own he would accuse none; but, that he was resolved he would not die, since he could discover enough to deserve his pardon." On considering the purport of this notification, the duke and his friends thought it best to indulge him with so long a delay for the production of witnesses, that the session elapsed before the expiration of the term; and the enquiry was no farther mentioned.

Act of Comprehension.

The affairs of the church were also conducted with more temper than could be expected. An act of comprehension was brought into the house, including all such of the episcopal clergy as submitted to take the oaths before the 10th of July, 1693. They were only required to subscribe to the common confession of faith, and to acknowledge presbytery to be the only legal government