The times., 1899-11-05
THE WARLocK PEAR.
Said To Be the Most Wonderful 0i
Vegetable Curiosities.
NTom the Chieago DaiIy News.)

AtiOiii int A-AttdSO JdliA NtNS-y
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 yege-
table curiosity in existence and its authen
ITCHY beyond dispute Hugo Lord de Gif-
ford of Yester, the magician, lived in the
reign of King Alexander III of Scotland. He
presented himself before the king previous
to the battle of Largs, 1868, and is de-
scribed by Sir Walter Scott in "Marmion.
The wizard Lord of Yester gave
his daughter in marriage to
scion of the ancient family Of
Hay, ancestor to the present
Marquis of Tweedale As the bridal parly
was on its way TO the church the magician
plueked a pear from a tree hard by ana
gave il TO his daughter as her dOwry, iu-
forming her that so long as she and her
descendants preserved it. so long should
they prosper. The pear was in consequence
carefully preserved as the precious palla-
dium of the family, whose fortunes, during
the next 800 years, rapidly advanced, John
Hay, in 1913, being raised to the peerage
CT Scotland as Baron Hay Of Yester. He
was succeeded by his son John. second ba-
ron. VINO was succeeded by his son John,
third baron whose daughter, Jean, was
married to George BrOun, laird OF Colstouu,
served heir IbU4
The "Warlocl pear" which again played
the part of dowry, thus passed TO her de-
scendants, the Broups of Colstoun who de-
rived their pedigree from the ancient kings
OF France, an origin alluded to by their ar
mortal bearings-gules three feurs de lis,
or In 1885 Patrick Broun of Colstoun was
created a baronet of Nova Scotia and was
succeeded by his son George. second barU-
net CT Cclstoun, in whose time the pear
hitherto carefully cherished and which. to
all appearance, was as fresh as when
plucked began, in accordance with the
warning of the enchanter. TO exercise in
fluence maIignantly.
Sir George was married to the Lady Eliz-
abeth Mackenzie daughter of George, first
Earl Of CromaTtie (the famous Niscount
Tarbat Of Queen Anne's reign. whose ar
mortal bearing was azure hart's head
embossed, or, and she, not content with
merely beholding the pear, longed TO taste
it. and as in the case OF a remote ances-
tress, 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 Baron
etage' states that she dreamed she bit it,
but the late Sir Richard Brown. Bart,
author of an elaborate MS. history of the
mouse oil COlSLOuu, says ulSIlucllY ludt Sue
bit il, and il is certain that there are marks
of teeth in the pear, which is now hard as
stone. Whether the bite was real or
imaginary, the fact remains that almost
Immediately the family fortunes began to
wane Sir George Broun was soon after
ward drowned in the Tyne. 1718. and the
! Lady Elizabeth only escaped by her clothes
| bearing her up in -the water Sir George
! died without heirs male, and the title,
which was to heirs male general, became
| dormant, and though subsequently assumed
! by a collateral branch again became dor
mant in 1916, and so remained for more
! than fifty years. until after proceedings
| very interesting. a young cadet OF dis
] tant branch proved his father TO be en-
! titled to the baronetCy and was according
| ly declared heir. The entire estates had
! passed away. and, together with the magic
! cornac, We're become the property of the
I family of Ramsey Earl of DalhOusie
/ whose predecessor had married the neice
| of the unfortunate Sir George BroUn above
mentioned.
! In silver box, with a strong easket, safe
/ under locks ard bolts, the magic cOTnac
/ now reposes, in the custody of Lord Dal-
i housie. and one can readily understand how
! highly the relic is priced and how jealous
/ Iy preserved by the present possessor.