290
Zustand von
Schottland
sie waren so weit davon entfernt sich aus einem Könige etwas zu
machen, dass ihnen die Verfassung des Königthums selbst zuwider
war. Es war dem Geiste des Klanswesens, dem sie ergeben
waren, zuwider; und von ihrer frühesten Kindheit auf gewöhnten
sie sieh daran Niemand als ihre Häuptlinge zu achten; diesen
zollten sie willigen Gehorsam, und diese hielten sie für weit erhaben
über alle Potentaten der Erdefl") Und wirklich wird Niemand,
der in Wahrheit mit ihrer Geschichte bekannt ist, sie für fähig
halten ihr Blut für irgend einen König, wer er auch sei, zu ver-
progress, and who lived by the swords which acquired for them the fruits of other
men's inrlustry. With their interests, a peaceful, streng government was as inconsistent
as a Well-guarded sheepfold with the interest of wolves." Burtows Hisiory of Scot-
laml, I, 105, 106. „The Highlanders, in all reigns, heve been remarkable for dis-
turbing the established government of Scotland by taking up arms on every invasion
for the invaders." Marclumfs History of llw present Rebellion, London 1746, p. 18.
Siehe auch {Vlrwlcgfs Joumey througla Saotlanrl, London 173171, p. 129; und eine kurze
aber sehr merkwürdige Beschreibung der Bergschotten vom Jahre 1744 in 17m Mis-
callany of tlw Spaldlng Club, H, 87-89.
90) Ein Beobachter, der treffliche Gelegenheit hatte ihren Charakter zwischen den
Aufständen von 1715 und 1745 zu studiren, schreibt: „The ordinary Highlanders
esteem it the most sublime degree of virtue to love their ohief, and pay him a blind
obedience, although it be in opposition to the governnxent, the luws of the kingdom,
or even to the law of God. He is their idol; and es tltey przjess to lmow no king
but Mm (I was going farther), so will they say, they ought 1:0 do whatever he com-
mands, without inquiry." Letters from a "Gentleman in tlle Nortlz. of Scotland, edit.
Lgndon 1815, I1, 83, 84. „The Highlanrlers in Seotiand are, of all men in the
world, the soonest wrought 1111011 10 follow their leaders or chiefs into the Held,
lmving a wonderful veneration for their Lords and Ohieftuins, as they are called there:
Nor do these people euer consider the vqlidiiy of llze engaging cause, but blindly follow
their chiefs into what mischief they please, aud that with the greatest precipitation
imaginable." Pattenis Hisiary of ille Rebellion, London 1717, p. 151. „The power
of the chiefs over their clans was the true souree of the two rebellions. The clansmen
cared no more about the legitimate raee of the Stuarts, than they did about the war
of the Spanish snccession." „The Jacobite Highland ehiefs ranged their followers
on the Jacobite side-the Hanoverians ranged theirs on the side of govermnent.
Lovatfs eonduct was a. sort of experimentmiz orucis; he made his elan Hanoverien in
one rebellion, and Jacobite in another." Bzwtorfs Limes of Lovat und For-bes, p. 150.
Vergl, den Parteiwechsel der Maokintoshe in Brownds History qf llze Hzlqlzlands,
H, 285. Noch zur Zeit des Amerikanischen Krieges galt der König für untergeordnet
dem Häuptlinge. „One Captain Frazer from the northern distriet, brought down a
hundred of his clan, all of the name of Frßzßr- Few of them could nnderstand a
Word of English; und the ouly distinct idee. they had of all the mnstering of forces
which they saw uround them, was that they were going to üght for King Frazer and
George ta Three." Peamyis Traditions of Pcrllz, p. 49, 50, Perth 1836.
