17 FEBRUARY 1900, Page 16

A DISCLAIMER.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.1

SIR,—In the kindly notice of my book, "Lady Nairne and her Songs,"which appeared in the columns of the Spectator of February 10th, the reviewer remarks that I am apparently of the Jacobite persuasion. I hasten to say that I am not so. The expression "the King" applied to the author of the letter signed " Charles R.," was meant to be used from the point of view of Mr. Oliphant, a Jacobite of the deepest dye. Like Lady Nairne, I admire the chivalrous loyalty, devotion, and self-sacrifice of the Jacobite Highlanders, but as I have said in my book (p. 33), I think the cause was worthless. I believe my views are generally shared by my brethren of the Free Church of Scotland.—I am, Sir, &c.,