The Troubles of the House of Argyle.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 2

The Troubles of the House of Argyle.

His Grace of Argylu i? floating in a sea of troubles. The anomalous marital relations that are aaid to exist between the Marquia of Lome and hie wife, the Princess Louise, have led to an estrangement between the Duke and the Royal Family, which was increased by the divorce suit of Lord Colin Campbell, with its attendant costs, that will still further deplete the resources of the highland chief. Added io the^e family vexations his tenants have risen in open revolt ngainst the high rents charged on his escates. Now, the duke is very eenfitive when his pocket is attacked, ac the following letter will show, addressed to his crofter tonanta in Tiree in reply to a communication from them, urging the withholding of arrears until the question of a reduction of rent is dealt with by the Land Court: " Inverare— JoSn Campball, John McKinnon and others : Until about three years ago I had no rea ? on to complain of any of you, but since that titno some of you have been taking advantage of lawlessness to avoid paying your just debts. I am quite willing to allow for bad markets during the past years You are mistaken about the intention of the Crofters' Act. It was Dever intended to encourage tenants to withhold rents which they can pay till the commis?ion comes. lam goii gto apply to the commission as well as >ou, and I am quite willing to leave one third of your arroard to remain unpaid till the rents are settled by the commission ; but the amount you are withholding, somoi Lirnea more than two yearo' rent, is quiec I unreasonable. I hope the time will soon ! return when you will have pride in discharging your obligations like other honest j men. - Akgyij: " By the wav, his Graca is i writing a book entitled *■ Scotland as it Was and as it Is," with illustrations. Tho work is divided into seven chapter", of which tho titles indicate pretty olearlv the contents : Celtic Feudalism. Acjo of Char tere, Ejnch of the Clan 4 ', Tho Appeal from j Chiefs to Owners, The Kcsponse of Ownership, Before the Dawn, Tho Burst of InHu-> try. The Duke is recogni°ed at a clever writer, but his work is likely to be tinged ] with prejudice. Thug in an able article on i the question his Grace deprecated any j sweeping concessions being made in regaid ! to home rule, as he stated that Ireland wan in the popition of a man bound hand and ! foot, and if one limb was released he would | naturally try the more to free himself j altogether.