endurance of this wretched ally's correspondence lasted until the
pretended friendship was succeeded by avowed treachery to the Government
to which he had professed such gratitude, and to the King and Prince
whom he was wont to call "the bravest fellows in the world."[214]

In accordance with this spirit of self-glorification was Lovat's
erection of two monuments,--filial piety dictating the inscription on
one of them, that dedicated to his father, and his own audacious vanity
assisting in the composition of the tribute to his own virtues.

It was his Lordship's favourite boast that at his birth a number of
swords which hung up in the hall of his paternal home leaped themselves
out of their scabbards, denoting that he was to be a mighty man of arms.
The presage was not fulfilled, but Lord Lovat's ingenuity suggested the
following means of imposing upon the credulity of his simple clansmen,
by the composition of an epitaph which he erected in the old church of
Kirkhill, a few miles from Castle Downie.

TO THE MEMORY OF

THOMAS LORD FRASER, OF LOVAT,

Who chose rather to undergo the greatest hardships of fortune than
to part with the ancient honours of his house, and bore these
hardships with undaunted fortitude of mind.

This monument was erected by

SIMON LORD FRASER OF LOVAT, HIS SON.

Who, likewise, having undergone many and great vicissitudes of good
and bad fortune, through the malice of his enemies, he, in the end,
at the head of his clan, forced his way to his paternal inheritance
with his sword in his hand, and relieved his kindred and followers
from oppression and slavery; and both at home and in foreign
countries, by his eminent actions in the war and the state, he has
acquired great honours and reputation.

Hic tegit ossa lapis Simonis fortis in armis,
Restituit pressum nam genus ille suum:
Hoc marmor posuit cari genitoris honori,
In genus afflictum par erat ejus amor.

Sir Robert Munro, who was killed at the battle of Falkirk, being on a
visit to Lord Lovat, went with his host to see this monument. "Simon,"
said the brave and free-spoken Scotsman, "how the devil came you to put
up such boasting romantic stuff?" "The monument and inscription,"
replied Lovat, "are chiefly for the Frasers, who must believe whatever I
require,