g them. At the same time, we are of opinion
that theirs was a mistaken loyalty, and it was well that they did not
succeed in accomplishing their object. Had they done so, it is
probable that the civil and religious history of our country would have
been different, and Britain might not have attained to the high
position she now occupies among the nations. But, while holding this
opinion, we cannot fail to admire the inflexible steadfastness with
which they adhered to their principles, and the noble sacrifices they
made in support of them. It is supposed that, as Lady Nairne would
often hear from her father of the doings of Mr M'Leish, she has a hit
at him in one of her songs--

"M'Leish's ae daughter o' Claverse-ha' Lee,"

In his latter days, Mr M'Leish was in a very infirm state, and unable
to discharge his ministerial duties. During the two last years of his
life there was only public worship in Gask Church once a month. The
days on which divine service was held, and the names of the ministers
who officiated, are still to be seen in our Session records. During
his long illness it is interesting to read of the tender sympathy which
Mr Oliphant expressed for him, and the Christian spirit of forgiveness
which he manifested towards him. He wrote from the Continent:--"I'm
sorry to hear that Mr M'Leish has been so much distressed in his
health. It will perhaps be agreeable to him, and let him know that I
do heartyly forgive him all the injurys he has done me undeservidly....
I shall mention no other particulars of the way he has treated me, but
as I have sincerly forgiven, I pray our commune Father to forgive him,
which I hope he will be earnest to obtain." There is no record that Mr
M'Leish ever felt or expressed regret at the unkind way in which he had
treated his benefactor.

The Oliphants, after making their escape from this country to the
Continent in 1746, continued to reside in different places there for
seventeen years. And during that long period they sent home to their
friends in this country a great many letters giving a detailed account
of their movements, and of their meeting with other exiles suffering
with them in the same cause and for maintaining the same principles of
loyalty. And these papers and letters, preserved in the Gask
charter-room, have been turned to excellent account by the present Mr
Oliphant in the very interesting volume he compiled entitled _The
Jacobite Lairds of Gask_.