Author of "Anecdotes of the Russian Empire" (which he had visited in the suite of the late Lord Cathcart Ambassador), and particularly known as a tasteful and philosophical critic of Shakespeare's Dramas, was proprietor of Croy-Leckie in Stirlingshire, and spent his vacations there for above twenty years. He died early in November 1814. Croy-Leckie has been recently purchased by the penult proprietor, Robert Muirhead Esqr.

A living military character, Sir John Downie, British Knight, now employed in the Spanish army, is a native of Stirlingshire. He was born at Blargorts, his father's property and residence, in the Parish of Kippen. Sir John's brother is the present Mr Downie of Blargorts,

We may close this long section with what had escaped us in its place. Alva had been in the possession of cadets of the Marr family from before the middle of the 17th century. The last of the Erskines of Alva was a senator of the College of Justice, first as Lord Barjarg, and afterwards as Lord Alva. His father, Erskine of Tinwald, had

been Lord Justice Clerk; and bought Alva, of his nephew Sir Henry Erskine, in 1759. The Justice Clerk has a marble monument at the east end of the church of Alva. The late Lord Alva sold his estate of this name to Mr Johnston, father of the present Mr Johnston of Alva.

WE

We may be permitted to mention another particular which we missed doing in its place, that the name of Alexander, after figuring in the parliamentary representation of Londonderry and Old Sarum, had been ennobled, in 1789, by the Irish title of Baron Caledon, of Viscount Caledon in 1797, and Earl Caledon in 1800. Dupre Alexander, 2d Earl of Caledon, succeeded his father, the 1st Earl, in 1802. He married Lady Catherine York, daughter of the Earl of Hardwicke; and

has by her a son, Viscount Alexander.

His motto is PER MARE PER TERRAS.*

* DEBRETTE'S Peerage. We regret that, from an obvious anachronism, we cannot venture to transcribe his account of the origin of this noble Irish family; and that we have no other channel of information. Debrette's account may, for aught. we know, be right in the main. If so, it follows that Earl Ca- ledon is the representative of Sir William Alexander 1st Earl of Stirling; however the intermediate generations have been deprived of their birthright.

SECT. XV.

BATTLE OF KILSYTH.

15th AUGUST, 1645.

IN 1645, when Charles I's affairs were much on the decline in England, a vigorous effort was made for him in Scotland, by the Earl of Montrose. His services were no sooner offered than accepted, and his plan of operations submitted than adopted. He was created Marquis of Montrose, and appointed Commander in Chief in Scotland. On his arrival here, he was instantly joined by several of the northern clans. A small army was raised. A supply of fifteen hundred foot from Ireland, under the command of Alexander MacDonald, son of a chieftain of Kintyre, who had been despoiled of his patrimony by Argyle, contributed to augment the patriot band.† Montrose, putting himself at the

*

* (IT is a mistake that MacDonald was the Earl of Antrim's brother. Editor.)

+(IN "the Red Book of Clanronald," there is a passage written by an actor in the campaign. This book is composed in Gaelic, and in the ancient characters used by the Gael of Ire

head of this armament, began his operations. in the north; and his success was at first so rapid, that, in the space of twelve months, he gained six victories, and over-ran the greater part of Scotland. The first three victories at Tibermor, Aberdeen, and Inverlochy, were gained over tumultuary armies, collected in haste, and headed by generals not much renowned. His progress, however, alarmed the Scottish Council; and they began to think of a more regular plan of defence against an enemy whom they had seemed to despise. They sent Baillie, and Urrey, commanders of reputation, to suppress Montrose.

DIVIDING their forces, they marched separately in quest of him. He had the dexterity to turn their separation to his advantage. Having totally routed Urrey at Aldern, he

land and Scotland before printing had come to be general. An English translation has been made. We may quote, from a MS we have perused, part of the passage alluded to. "Alexander MacDonald came from the west coast with a great army of men to their (the royal army's) assistance; namely, John Muidartach, with a band of good young men of his own country and kin, and Donald his son along with them, and the clan MacLean from Mull, the Stewarts of Appin, the clan Gregor and others. When they came to Montrose's camp they were joyfully received, &c." Editor.)

did the same to Baillie at Alford. He marched towards the Forth, and encamped at Tillibody.

NEXT day, passing by Stirling, not only to avoid the castle, occupied by the Covenanters, but a more dreadful foe, the pestilence, then raging in the town, he crossed the Forth, eight miles above, at the ford of Frew. After shortly halting, to refresh his men, at Dundaff, his estate, he encamped on the fields of Kilsyth; and, finding advantageous ground, resolved to await the enemy.*

BAILLIE followed with such speed, that he had encamped at Tillibody the same evening his antagonist did at Kilsyth. In return for certain outrages committed by Montrose's troops in the parishes of Dollar and Muckart,† Argyle ordered the house of Menstrie belonging to the Earl of Stirling the King's Secretary, and the house of Aithrey, the pro

GUTHRIE'S Memoirs.

+(CASTLE CAMPBELL was now unhappily destroyed. Even the august ruin, bearing the name of the clan, has, now, by some mischance, gone out of the hands of the Chief. Editor.)