Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-10
THE. WARLOCK PEAR.
Said to Re the Most Wonderful Nege
tnbIe CMriOsitN in ENistence.

From the Chicago Daily News
Few families possess an heirloom that
can compare either in rarity or antiquity
with the Warlock pear of Coistoun which
is. beyond doubt, the most wonderful vege-
table curiosity in existence and its autheu-
ITCHY beyond dispute. Hugo, Lord de Gift
ford of YeSter, the magician, lived in the
reign of King Alexander III Of Scotland
He presented himself before the king pre-
vious 10 the battle of LarGs, 1853. and is
described by Sir Walter Scott in Mar
rnion."
The wizard lord of Yester gave his
daughter in marriage to a scion of the an
Gent family of Hay, ancestor to the present
Marquis of Tweedale. As the bridal party
was on its way to the church the magician
plucked a pear from a tree hard by and
gave 1t to his daughter as her dowry in
forming her that so long as she and her
descendants preserved it, long should
they prosper. The pear was in consequence
carefully preserved the precious palla-
dunn of the family. whose fortunes. during
the next 300 years, rapidly advanced. John
Hay. in 147S. being raised to the peerage
of Scotland as Baron Hay of Yester. He
was succeeded by his John, second
baron, who was succeeded by his son John.
third baron, whose daughter. Jean. was
married to Geo. Broun, laird of Colstoun
The "Warlock pear" which again played
the part of dowry, thus passed to her de-
scendants. the Brouns of Costoun, who
kings of France. origin alluded to by
their armorial bearings-gules three feurs
de lis, or. In 1886 Patrick Brcun of Col
Stoun was created a haronet of Nova SEQ
tia and succeeded by his son George.
second baronet of Colstoun. in whose time
the pear hitherto carefully cherished and
which, to all appearance, was fresh
when piucked. began, in accordance with
the warning of the euchanter 10 exert its
influence Indignantly. Sir George was mar
ried to the Lady Elizabeth Mackenzie,
| " r1Epht
| (the famous Vscount Tarbat of Queen
Annes reign. whose armorial bearing was
azure, a harris head &c boSsed or. and She
| rot content with merely teholding the pear
! longed to taste it, and, as in the case of
remote ancaS-reSS. the temptation was too
strong to be resisted.
Authorities differ as to whether the Lady
Elizabeth really bit the pear or merely
| dreamed she did. Debrett in his baronet-
| age. states that she dreamed she bit it, but
| the late Sir Richard Brown, bart, author of
| an elaborate MS history Of the house of
| Colstoun, says distinctly that she bit it. and
! 1t is certain that there marks of teeth
| III the pear. which is now hard as a stone
| Whether the bite was real or imaginary
| the fact remained that almost Immediately
| the family fortunes began to wane. Sir
| George Broun was soon afterward drowned
in the Tyne. IT'S, and the Lady Elizabeth
| only escaped by her clothes bearing her up
| In the water. Sir George died without heirs
| n,aie, and the title, which was to heirs male
| general, became dormant, and. though SubSe-
| quently assumed by a collateral branch
| again became dormant in 1916, and so re
| manned for more than fifty years, until af-
| ter proceedings. very interesting. a young
| cadet of a distant branch proved his father
| to be entitled to the baronetcy and was ac-
| cOrdingly declared heir The entire estates
| had passed away, and, together with the
magic cornac: We're become the property of
the family of Ramsey, Earl of Dalhousie
| whose predecessor had married the niece of
| the unfortunate Sir George Broun above
| mentioned
: In a silver box with strong casket. safe
| under locks and bolts. the magic cornac
| now reposes, in the custody of Lord Dali
| housie. and one can readily understand how
| highly the relic Is priced and how jealousy
preserved by the present possesSor.