But some part at least of that gentleman's tale
is purely romantic. It would not, for instance, be supposed that at the
time he is favouring us with the highly wrought account of his amour with
the adorable Peggie, the Chevalier Johnstone was a married man, whose
grandchild is now alive; or that the whole circumstantial story
concerning the outrageous vengeance taken by Gordon of Abbachie on a
Presbyterian clergyman is entirely apocryphal. At the same time it may be
admitted that the Prince, like others of his family, did not esteem the
services done him by his adherents so highly as he ought. Educated in
high ideas of his hereditary right, he has been supposed to have held
every exertion and sacrifice made in his cause as too much the duty of
the person making it to merit extravagant gratitude on his part. Dr.
King's evidence (which his leaving the Jacobite interest renders somewhat
doubtful) goes to strengthen this opinion.
The ingenious editor of Johnstone's Memoirs has quoted a story said to be
told by Helvetius, stating that Prince Charles Edward, far from
voluntarily embarking on his daring expedition, was, literally bound hand
and foot, and to which he seems disposed to yield credit.
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