for
literary attainments and scholarly accomplishments. He has unfolded
the history of his family with all that fulness of information by which
he is characterised in _The Oliphants in Scotland_ and The _Jacobite
Lairds of Gask_. And I must express my great indebtedness to Mr
Oliphant for the information I have derived from these volumes in
writing this article. But I am persuaded that Mr Oliphant's literary
fame will rest more on another work he produced some years ago,
entitled _The Old and Middle English_, in one volume, and _The New
English_, in two volumes, than on the other two, interesting as they
are. In these volumes Mr Oliphant has traced the development of the
English language during the last 600 years. The most competent
scholars and critics have spoken of these volumes in the highest terms
of commendation, and declared that Mr Oliphant has done, unaided, what
would have required a company of philologists to achieve. Mr Oliphant,
however, is not only devoted to literary pursuits, but he also takes a
practical interest in the welfare of all in the parish; often visits
them in their dwellings, and has a great pleasure in promoting their
social enjoyments. In these respects he is cordially supported by Mrs
Oliphant. And I only express the best wishes of all on the estate that
they may be long spared together to dwell among their own people, and
to maintain the same friendly relations with them in the future as they
have done in the past.

AT THE HEAD OF STRATHEARN

By Rev. JOHN MACPHERSON, Comrie

The head of Strathearn may be said to be the parish of Comrie, because
it comprises some miles of the strath as well as the lake from which
the strath derives its name. The name Comrie is taken from a Gaelic
word _Comhruith_, signifying confluence or running together of streams,
and is aptly applied in this case. This one can easily see by standing
for a few moments upon the Bridge of Dalginross. Looking westward, he
sees the River Ruchill joining the Earn behind the Parish Church; and,
turning to the east, at a distance of a few hundred yards he sees the
Lednock discharging its waters into the same river. Hence the name
Comrie, probably in the first instance applied to the village built at
the junction of the three rivers, was afterwards given to the parish.
The parish of Comrie, as presently constituted, includes what was
formerly called the parishes of Comrie and Tullichettle. Hence the
mini