Now, here's to the honest and leal and true, And here's to the learned and wise, And to all who love our Highland glens And our Bens that kiss the skies; And here's to the native Celtic race, And to each bright-eyed Celtic fair; And here's to the Chief of Altnacraig-- And hurrah! for the Celtic Chair! NETHER-LOCHABER. GENERAL SIR ALAN CAMERON, K.C.B., COLONEL 79th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS. A POPULAR writer[A] of the past generation, in some introductory observations to his historical essay, makes the following on Scotland and its natives:--Considering the limited population and extent of that country, it has made a distinguished figure in history. No country in modern times has produced characters more remarkable for learning, valour, or ability, or for knowledge in the most important arts, both of peace and of war; and though the natives of that formerly independent, and hitherto unconquered kingdom, have every reason to be proud of the name of _Britons_, which they have acquired since the Union; yet they ought not to relinquish all remembrance of the martial achievements, and the honourable characteristics of their ancestors. Acting on the recommendation embodied in the foregoing quotation; and as the conductors of the _Celtic Magazine_ have intimated their intention of making biographies form occasionally part of its contents, the following sketch of one who, in his day was not the least distinguished among our Highland countrymen, but of whose eminent services to his country, little or nothing has appeared, may prove interesting. Biography is admitted to be one of the most interesting sections of literature. We therefore trust that this feature in the Magazine will be appreciated. The field will be found extensive, inasmuch that, happily for the country, its benefactors have been numerous, the record of whose deeds deserve to be remembered in this Celtic periodical for the entertainment, and may be, the emulation of its readers. The details of the life and public services of the gallant gentleman now submitted, and deserving record, are supplied partly from oral information collected at intervals, and partly from documents received by the writer, but which, although imperfect, it is hoped may be acceptable, even at this distance since the lifetime of the subject.