relations with the wits and beauties of the reign of Louis XV. By
combining information from these and other sources in print,
manuscript, and tradition, we reach various results. We can now
follow and understand the changes in the singular and wretched
development of the character of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. We get
a curious view of the manners, and a lurid light on the diplomacy of
the middle of the eighteenth century. We go behind the scenes of
many conspiracies. Above all, we encounter an extraordinary
personage, the great, highborn Highland chief who sold himself as a
spy to the English Government.

His existence was suspected by Scott, if not clearly known and
understood.

In his introduction to 'Redgauntlet,' {3} Sir Walter Scott says that
the ministers of George III. 'thought it proper to leave Dr.
Cameron's new schemes in concealment (1753), lest by divulging them
they had indicated the channel of communication which, it is now well
known, they possessed to all the plots of Charles Edward.' To
'indicate' that secret 'channel of communication' between the
Government of the Pelhams and the Jacobite conspirators of 1749-1760
is one purpose of this book. Tradition has vaguely bequeathed to us
the name of 'Pickle the Spy,' the foremost of many traitors. Who
Pickle was, and what he did, a whole romance of prosperous treachery,
is now to be revealed and illustrated from various sources. Pickle
was not only able to keep the Duke of Newcastle and George II. well
informed as to the inmost plots, if not the most hidden movements of
Prince Charles, but he could either paralyse a serious, or promote a
premature, rising in the Highlands, as seemed best to his English
employers. We shall find Pickle, in company with that devoted