It was in 1745 that the road-builder in the Highlands, Wade, then a field marshal, but in poor health and seventy years of age, when attempting to deal with the insurrection of the Jacobites, was utterly baffled by the perplexing rapidity of Prince Charles’s marches. He, therefore, most patriotically, resigned in favor of the Duke of Cumberland, the “Bluff Billie” of fame and story. Though Wade won great victories in war, his greatest renown was gained not on the field of blood, but in this peaceful triumph over the Highlanders. In this, he gave an inspiring precedent to those of our own American officers of the army and navy, who have done such noble work in preventing riot and other outbreaks of violence among the races in our composite nation, or who, by persuasion, instead of bloodshed, have induced Indians to submit to law. In digging canals, in achieving hygienic mastery over disease, in surmounting natural obstacles, in ministering to the needy, sick, and hungry upon the frontiers, and in time of pestilence, calamity, and devastation, by storm and earthquake, they have shown their heroism. May the time soon come when society and the world at large will honor the heroes of peace and mark their bloodless triumphs, no less renowned in peace than in war. Admirable in the highest degree is now the Scottish _camaraderie_ of Highlander and Lowlander, but none, to gain it, would in these more enlightened days, pay again the awful price at which it was won. CHAPTER XVII HEATHER AND HIGHLAND COSTUME Let us look at the characteristics of Caledonia’s principal garment, the heather: or, shall we say, rather, the hue upon Scotia’s cheeks? Scotland is a land of colors. Her robes and cosmetics are of many dyes. On her flowers are the flushes of the temporary blooms, on her rocks the tints of eternity. Her tarns, her lochs, her bogs are as dye vats, so rich, yet so changeful, are their hues, over which artists thrill and glow. Scotland’s richest hues are at their full between spring and winter. Then, in nature, pink and purple are the reigning fashions. Over the larger part of the land’s surface grows the plant called, in homely word, ling, or heather, which botanists name _Calluna vulgaris_. These evergreen shrubs flourish all over northern Europe, but other members of the great family are found also in Africa, where they reach the size of large bushes, while one favored child, in the south of Europe, grows to the proportions of a tree. Some of these species brought from southern lands ornament British gardens, and produce their flowers in great profusion in April. In fact, some flower-fanciers rear in greenhouses the different varieties of heather, both exotic and native, with the enthusiasm which others devote to orchids. There are special buildings, called heath-houses, erected for the cultivation of the many varieties.