which is in the possession of my correspondent to this day. His
great-grandson (the grandfather of my correspondent), being
converted to Methodism by some wayside preacher, discarded in a
moment his name, his old nature, and his political principles, and
with the zeal of a proselyte sealed his adherence to the Protestant
Succession by baptising his next son George. This George became
the publisher and editor of the Wesleyan Times. His children were
brought up in ignorance of their Highland pedigree; and my
correspondent was puzzled to overhear his father speak of him as a
true Macgregor, and amazed to find, in rummaging about that
peaceful and pious house, the sword of the Hanoverian officer.
After he was grown up and was better informed of his descent, 'I
frequently asked my father,' he writes, 'why he did not use the
name of Macgregor; his replies were significant, and give a picture
of the man: "It isn't a good METHODIST name. You can use it, but
it will do you no GOOD." Yet the old gentleman, by way of
pleasantry, used to announce himself to friends as "Colonel
Macgregor."'

Here, then, are certain Macgregors habitually using the name of
Stevenson, and at last, under the influence of Methodism, adopting
it entirely. Doubtless a proscribed clan could not be particular;
they took a name as a man takes an umbrella against a shower; as
Rob Roy took Campbell, and his son took Drummond. But this case is
different; Stevenson was not taken and left--it was consistently
adhered to. It does not in the least follow that all Stevensons
are of the clan Alpin; but it does follow that some may be. And I
cannot conceal from myself the possibility that James Stevenson in
Glasgow, my first authentic ancestor, may have had a Highland alias
upon his conscience and a claymore in his back parlour.