The Clans are passing away, and with them a thousand great and glorious historical and romantic associations; while, by the rapid spread of education, even their language cannot long survive; "but when time shall have drawn its veil over the past as over the present--when the _last_ broadsword shall have been broken on the anvil, and the shreds of the _last_ plaid tossed to the winds upon the cairn, or been bleached within the raven's nest, posterity may look back with regret to a people who have so marked the history, the poetry, and the achievements of a distant age;" and who, in the ranks of the British army, have stood foremost in the line of battle and given place to none! 20, DANUBE STREET, EDINBURGH, _October_, 1859. CONTENTS. I. THE STORY OF FARQUHAR SHAW II. THE SEVEN GRENADIERS III. THE LOST REGIMENT--A LOVE STORY IV. MASSACRE AT FORT WILLIAM HENRY V. THE WIFE OF THE RED COMYN--MY GRANDFATHER'S STORY VI. STORY OF THE GREY MOUSQUETAIRE--A FRAGMENT OF THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR VII. THE LETTRE DE CACHET VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN GRANT IX. THE STORY OF DICK DUFF X. THE FOREST OF GAICH--OR THE CAPTAIN DHU NOTES LEGENDS OF THE BLACK WATCH, I. THE STORY OF FARQUHAR SHAW. This soldier, whose name, from the circumstances connected with his remarkable story, daring courage, and terrible fate, is still remembered in the regiment, in the early history of which he bears so prominent a part, was one of the first who enlisted in Captain Campbell of Finab's independent band of the _Reicudan Dhu_, or Black Watch, when the six separate companies composing this Highland force were established along the Highland Border in 1729, to repress the predatory spirit of certain tribes, and to prevent the levy of black mail. The companies were independent, and at that time wore the clan tartan of their captains, who were Simon Frazer, the celebrated Lord Lovat; Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell; Grant of Ballindalloch; Alister Campbell of Finab, whose father fought at Darien; Ian Campbell of Carrick, and Deors Monro of Culcairn.