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responsible for the want of success of those who commanded in the expedition. However he resigned his office in consequence.

There was also another war carried on on the continent in this reign; but we will not say any thing further on these matters, as I have some event to tell you which happened nearer home, and which will, I think, interest you more than the accounts of battles and sieges in France and the Netherlands.

You remember the Pretender, the son of James II, who had attempted to obtain the throne of Scotland in the preceding reign.

Another effort was now made for him by his son Charles Edward, who is usually known by the title of the Young Pretender, to distinguish him from his father, who is called the Old Pretender, or the Cavalier. Charles Edward thought the present would be a favourable opportunity for asserting his claims; for the best of the English soldiers were absent fighting against the French; and they had moreover just suffered a defeat at the battle of Fontenoy. So the Young Pretender, having a promise of assistance from France, made his arrangements, and set off, accompanied by his brother, and his officers, and landed in the Highlands of Scotland.

When Charles Edward first made his appearance, most of the Scottish clans were

afraid of joining him. They knew it was a hazardous enterprize which he was attempting, and, if it failed, it might involve them in great difficulty and danger. A few, however, of the chiefs were less cautious; and the young Pretender exerted all his powers to bring over a large party to his side. This was no very difficult matter. Charles was young and handsome in his person, brave and generous in his disposition, and his manners were particularly winning; so that he usually succeeded in talking over his companions, and inspiring them with something of his own ardour and enthusiasm. And then, many of the Highland chiefs were by no means unwilling to be persuaded by the young Prince Charlie, as they called him. You will remember, that they had been not very favourably disposed towards the English government for some time past, and the defeats and severities they had lately experienced had not tended to make them like it better. They considered too, that the change made in the succession at the Revolution, was unfair; that the Stuarts were the proper inheritors of the crown, and that the sovereigns of the House of Hanover were only usurpers; for they did not recognize the principle of the Act of Settlement, by which, as you remember, it was arranged for the crown to pass to Protestant heirs only, thus excluding the Stuarts,

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because they were Roman Catholics. that act, and for the great change which took place at the important epoch of the Revolution, we, as Protestants, cannot be too thankful; but still, in the story I am now going to relate, you must bear in mind, that the Highland chiefs and clans felt very differently at that time; and, however mistaken they may have been, we should, at all events, give them the credit which is their due, of bravely fighting for him whom they considered their lawful sovereign, and generously risking their lives in his cause. But to return to the young Pretender.

It was not long before he succeeded in winning the hearts of a large number of the Scottish chieftains. I have already told you of his pleasing appearance, and manners, and conversation. These went a great way in his art of persuading. And then he used to mix very frequently with the people; he would join the clansmen in their sports; he adopted the Highland dress, and acquired a little of the language. And this is always a very powerful instrument of persuasion with a wild, simple people. I dare say you have heard of the effect which is produced, even now, among the native Irish, when they are addressed in their own tongue. Those familiar sounds strike sweetly upon their ears, and go to their

very hearts; and men, angry and ferocious, and full of rage, have, in a few minutes, been melted and subdued, by a sentence spoken to them in the accents they know and love. Do you remember what I once said to you about the power of language in working upon the heart and feelings? Here, you see, is a striking instance of what words and speech are able to effect.

There was one chieftain whom Charles was particularly anxious to secure to his interests; this was the brave Lochiel, one of the most influential among the Highland clans. Lochiel at first was unwilling to join the young adventurer, for he thought the attempted scheme was quite hopeless; and he determined to go himself to Charles, and tell him his opinion. So he set off accordingly. On his way he paid a visit to his younger brother, Cameron of Fassefern, and mentioned his intention to him. This brother well knew how warm and ardent Lochiel was; and he strongly advised him not to go in person to Charles, but to communicate what he had to say by letter. "I know you," said Fassefern, "better than you know yourself. If this prince once sets eyes upon you he will make you do whatever he pleases.' This was wise advice. When we have determined upon a certain line of conduct as that which ought to be pursued, we

should be careful to avoid any temptation which may lead us to deviate from it; and this is particularly necessary in the case of persons who, like the open-hearted Lochiel, are easily persuaded by those whom they love and venerate, even against their better judgments. Lochiel, however, did not heed the advice of his brother; and the result was just what Fassefern had anticipated.

For some time indeed, the chieftain stood firm and unmoved by all the arguments used by Charles against his opinions and remonstrances. At last the Prince grew excited, and began to appeal to the feelings, the warm generous feelings, of Lochiel. "In a few days," he said, "with the friends I have, I will raise the royal standard, and proclaim to the people of Britain, that Charles Stuart is come over to claim the crown of his ancestors, -to win it, or perish in the attempt. Lochiel who, my father has often told me, was our warmest friend, may stay at home, and learn from the newspapers the fate of his prince."

This appeal overcame the ardent Lochiel at once. "No," he answered, "I will share the fate of my prince, and so shall every man over whom nature or fortune has given me power." And thus the conference ended. An important one it was to Charles and his scheme, for it was generally thought in the Highland

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