A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans : with an ...

—
COURTS OF THE CHIEFS THEIR POWERS. 137
all disputes occurring among his clansmen. He generally resided
among them. " His castle was the court where rewards were distri-
buted, and the most enviable distinctions conferred. All disputes were
settled by Iiis decision, and the prosperity or poverty of Ills tenants de-
pended on his proper or improper treatment of tliem. These tenants
followed his standard in war—attended him in Ids hunting excursions
supplied his table with the produce of tlieir farms—and assembled to
reap his corn, and to prepare and bring home his fuel. They looked
up to him as their adviser and protector. The cadets of his family, re-
spected in proportion to the proximity of the relation in which they
stood to him, became a species of sub-chiefs, scattered over different
parts of his domains, holding their lands and properties of him, with a
sort of subordinate jurisdiction over a portion of his people, and were
— ;
ever ready to afford him their counsel or assistance in all emergencies.
" Great part of the rent of land was paid in kind, and generally con-
sumed where it was produced. One cliief was distinguished from anotlier,
not by any additional splendour of dress or equipage, but by
being followed by more dependants, and by entertaining a greater num-
ber of guests. What his retainers gave from their individual property
was spent amongst them in the kindest and most liberal manner. At
the castle every individual was made welcome, and was treated accord-
ing to his station, with a degree of courtesy and regard to his feelings
unknown in any other country.* This condescension, while it raised
the clansman in his own estimation, and drew closer the ties between
liim and his superior, seldom tempted him to use any improper fami-
liarities. He believed himself well born, and was taught to respect
himself in the respect which he showed to his chief; and thus, instead
of complaining of the difference of station and fortune, or considering a
ready obetlience to his chieftain's call as a slavish oppression, he felt
convinced that he was supporting his own honour in showing his gratitude
and duty to the generous head of his family. ' Hence, the High-
landers, whom more savage nations called savage, carried in the outward
expression of their manners tlie politeness of courts without their vices,
and in their bosoms the high point of honour without its follies.' "f
In many minds the idea of a Highland chief is associated with that of
a domineering tyrant who plunders and oppresses his people. This
notion is, however, extreme'y fallacious. " Nothing," says Mrs Grant,
• This was noticed by Dr Johnson. He thus describes a meeting between the youii«
laird of CoU and some of his "subjects:" " Wherever we roved, we were pleased to see
the reverence with which his subjecis regarded him. He did not endeavour to dazzle
tliem by any magnificence of dress,—Ids only distinction was a feather in his bonnet
but as soon as he appeared, they forsoott their work and clustered about him : he took
them by the hand, and tliey seemed mutually delighted. He has the proper disposition
of a chieftain, and seems desirous to continue the customs of liis house. The bagpipei
played regularly when dinner was served, whose person and dress made a good appear-
ance; and he brought no disgrace upon the family of Rankin, which has long supplied
tlie lairds of Coll with liereditary music." Journey to the Western IsUmds.
t Stewart's Sketches, i. 46, &c.— Dalrymplc's Memoiis.