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418 Gaelic Society of Inverness.
wanderings of the erring slieej) of the Kingussie fold. In numerous
instances several closely- written pages are devoted to the
narration of a single case of discipline. Many of the details recorded
are such as would not certainly be legarded in the present
day as tending to editication, and only such gleanings are given
as are of general interest in the way of illustrating the manners and
customs prevailing among the Highland people, down in the case
of so lie parishes even to the third or fourth decade of the present
century.
It would appear that there were black sheep calling for the
exercise of ecclesiastical discipline in those days even among the
"Ministers' men." At the Session Meeting on 21st March 1725,
"John Macdonald, in Kingussie,' was appointed to make "public
satisfaction " for drinking a whole Fabbath night till ten o'clock
next morning, and " caballing" with other men and "some women"
in the Minister's house, "the Minister being that day in the parish
of Insh." Apparently the too-trustful Minister had in his temporary
absence, left all his belongings under John's charge, and the
"caballers," it is recorded, not only consumed ?11 the aquavitae in
the Ministers house " at ye time," but also " four pints aquavitie,
carried out of William Frasers house." John maintained that
" they had but three chapins aquavitie,'' and boldly defended " the
innocency of theii meeting by their not being drunk as he alledges."
Proving anything liut obsequious to the appointment of the Ses-
sion, John, as " the ringleader of the cabal," was solemnly referred
to the Presbytery of the bounds for contumacy. The Presbytery
in turn remitted him back to the Session, " to satisfie according to
their appointment, otherwise be charged before the Comissary and
be punished in his Person and Goods, in case of not satisfying for
his prophanation of the Lord's day, and insnaring oyrs forsaid to
ye same sin." The crest-fallen John had perforce no escape for it
in the end, but humbly to stand before the congregation and be
" severly rebuked for his wickedness."
Here is a singular enactment by the Kingussie Session anent
"JPennie Weddings," which appear to have been prevalent in
Badenoch down even to within living memory :
^' April Ath 1725.—The Session enacts that nocoupplebe matrimonially
contracted within tlie united parishes of Kingussie and
Insh till they give in into the hands of the Session Clerk 3 lbs.
Scots or a white plaid, or any other like penniuHortli, worth 3 lbs.
Scots as pledge that they should not have pennie weddings, otherwise
to forlite their pledges if they resile."
A few months laU'v it is recorded that " Malcolm Bain in
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