y persons whom he was exciting to action,
his exertions with my "cousin Gortuleg," and his delight to find that
"honest Kilbockie," whom he had been vilifying, had not stirred, and
would do nothing without his consent, might be amusing if they were not
traits of such wanton irreclaimable falsehood in an aged man, soon to be
called to an account, before a heavenly tribunal, for a long career of
crime and injury to his neighbours.

If any further instance of his duplicity can be read with patience, the
following letter to Lochiel, who, according to Lovat, had a very
affectionate friendship for him, affords a curious specimen of
cunning.[237]

"1745.

"Dear Lochiel,

"I fear you have been over rash in going ere affairs were ripe. You
are in a dangerous state. The Elector's General, Cope, is in your
rear, hanging at your tail with three thousand men, such as have not
been seen here since Dundee's affair, and we have no force to meet
him. If the Macphersons will take the field I would bring out my
lads to help the work; and 'twixt the two we might cause Cope to
keep his Christmas here; but only Cluny is earnest in the cause, and
my Lord Advocate plays at cat and mouse with me; but times may
change, I may bring him to Saint Johnstone's tippet. Meantime look
to yourselves, for ye may expect many a sour face and sharp weapons
in the South. I'll aid when I can, but my prayers are all I can give
at present. My service to the Prince, but I wish he had not come
here so empty-handed. Siller would go far in the Highlands. I send
this by Evan Fraser, whom I have charged to give it to yourself; for
were Duncan to find it, it would be my head to an onion. Farewell!

"Your faithful friend,
"LOVAT."

"For the Laird of Lochiel.
"Yese."

But perhaps the most odious feature in this part of Lovat's career was
his treachery to Duncan Forbes, whose exertions had placed his unworthy
client in possession of his property, and whose early ties of
neighbourhood ought, at any rate, to have secured him from danger. A
party of the Stratherric Frasers, kinsmen and clansmen of Lovat's,
attacked Culloden House, as there was every reason to believe with the
full concurrence of Lovat. Forbes, who was perfectly awa