The Feudal System Is Formed For A Nation
Employed In Agriculture, And Has Never Long Kept Its Hold Where
Gold And Silver Have Become Common.
Their arms were anciently the Glaymore, or great two-handed sword,
and afterwards the two-edged sword and target, or buckler, which
was sustained on the left arm.
In the midst of the target, which
was made of wood, covered with leather, and studded with nails, a
slender lance, about two feet long, was sometimes fixed; it was
heavy and cumberous, and accordingly has for some time past been
gradually laid aside. Very few targets were at Culloden. The
dirk, or broad dagger, I am afraid, was of more use in private
quarrels than in battles. The Lochaber-ax is only a slight
alteration of the old English bill.
After all that has been said of the force and terrour of the
Highland sword, I could not find that the art of defence was any
part of common education. The gentlemen were perhaps sometimes
skilful gladiators, but the common men had no other powers than
those of violence and courage. Yet it is well known, that the
onset of the Highlanders was very formidable. As an army cannot
consist of philosophers, a panick is easily excited by any unwonted
mode of annoyance. New dangers are naturally magnified; and men
accustomed only to exchange bullets at a distance, and rather to
hear their enemies than see them, are discouraged and amazed when
they find themselves encountered hand to hand, and catch the gleam
of steel flashing in their faces.
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