Their intense attachment to their own tribe and to their own patriarch, though politically a great evil, partook of the nature of virtue.

The sentiment was misdirected and ill regulated; but still it was heroic.

There must be some elevation of soul in a man who loves the society of which he is a member and the leader whom he follows with a love stronger than the love of life.

It was true that the Highlander had few scruples about shedding the blood of an enemy: but it was not less true that he had high notions of the duty of observing faith to allies and hospitality to guests.

It was true that his predatory habits were most pernicious to the commonwealth.