An Old Scots Brigade. By John Mackay. (Blackwood.) —This is
one of those happily now numerous little volumes which are of great service as throwing a side-light on history. It is an account of the military achievements of the regiment raised in 1626 by Sir Donald Mackay, the first Lord Reay, from the time it was formed to the battle of Nordlingen, in 1634. This body, which was subsequently amalga- mated with the present Royal Scots, was one of four that, under the general designation of the " Scots " or "Green Brigade," obtained great distinction under Gustavus Adolphus, and supplied the Scotch Presbyterians with the backbone of their military strength in the struggle with Charles I. Mr. Mackay tells the story of his kinsmen with spirit, and with due attention to details, although with nothing savouring of prolixity. It is rather sad to find that the first Lord Relay was so inadequately reimbursed for his outlay in equipping and despatching nearly 10,000 men to "the German wars,"—that he fell into debt, and "wag obliged to sell his lands in Ross-shire and Caith- ness; then his hereditary sheriff ship of Strathnaver, which he disposed of to the Crown for 21,000; and, last and saddest of all, what was the pride of the Mackay country, the beautiful and fertile district of Strathnaver."
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