We shall here introduce an account of a remarkable Monumental Pillar, the origin of which is unknown; but it is conjectured to have been erected at a much later period than the preceding objects, in memory of victories gained over the Danes.

FORRES PILLAR.

This remarkable monument is near a mile to the north-east of that town. It far surpasses in magnificence and grandeur the other obelisks in Scotland, and is perhaps the most stately monument of the kind in Europe.

On the east side of it, there are several divisions, each of them charged with different sculptured ornaments. At the top are Gothic ornaments; and in the first division underneath, are nine horses, with their riders, marching in order. In the next, is a line of warriors on foot, brandishing their weapons. The appearance of the third is dubious, the expression being indefinite. In the fourth, several men, armed with spears, appear to guard a canopy, under which are hu man heads, that appear to have belonged to bodies piled up on the left of the division. In the fifth, appears a body of horse, followed by men on foot; the first line having bows and arrows, and the three last swords and targets. In the next and lowermost division now visible, the appearance is of horses seized, their riders be headed, with their heads thrown under an arched

cover.

The west side of the obelisk is chiefly occupied by a magnificent cross, and also is covered over with an uniform figure, elaborately raised, and

interwoven with great art and accuracy, that has the appearance of Runic knots. Under the cross are two figures, no doubt representing two august personages, bending forward to each other, evidently in the attitude of friendship.

On the north edge are some curious carvings, and below are rows of human figures, joined hand in hand, in token of amity and confidence.

This pillar or obelisk is above 20 feet in height, and four in breadth. Various are the opinions formed about the transaction it refers to, and the era of its erection, and there remains only room for endless conjecture. It certainly was. erected to preserve the remembrance of an event of national and general importance.

Torfeus, in his Orcades, p. 12, mentions, that after the year 900, Sigurd, Earl of Orkney, aided by the Norwegians, conquered Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, Moray, by his general Helgy, and built a town in the south part of Moray. This shows that they had settled a colony, and established themselves in Moray.

Buchanan mentions, that in the beginning of the eleventh century, under the reign of Malcolm II., the Danes landed in Moray, and defeated the royal army. They seized the castles of Nairn, Forres, and Elgin, and the Burgh, and sent for their wives and children. They were afterwards defeated at Mortlich; but, on their retreat into Moray, Malcolm did not pursue, his troops having suffered so severely. It is probable in some degree, that at this time a treaty of peace was concluded on between the Scots and Danes, and that this obelisk was set up to keep the remembrance of it alive. The

sculptures represent battles with great slaughter, and a treaty of peace between the two leaders of the belligerent powers. This colony of Danes or Norwegians remained in the province of Moray, and probably from their disaffection were so turbulent, till the Moravienses were scattered over Scotland at a latter period.

In his account of these transactions, Buchanan appears not to have had an accurate idea of the geography of the country. He confounds the Burgh, the Roman Ptoroton, with Nairn; and the obelisk he mentions, as erected on the defeat of Camus, is probably the one at Forres, as there are no appearances of any having been erected at a village, in the vicinity of the Burgh, still called the Came.

ECCLESIASTICAL ANTIQUITIES.

UNDER this head we shall give an account of some of the more remarkable Monastic Ruins; also the ruins of some Churches: to which we shall add a description of the few ancient Churches in Scotland, which have happily survived the general destruction at, and subsequent to, the period of the Reformation.

MELROSE ABBEY.

The ruins of this ancient and beautiful monastery afford the finest specimens of Gothic architecture and Gothic sculpture which Scotland can boast. The profuse piety of David I., which transferred almost all the crown lands to the ecclesiastics, who, in return, conferred on him the title of saint, induced him to lay the foundation of this building. To unite local amenity with religious seclusion seems to have been the constant purpose of those who, in the early ages of Christianity, built superb structures to lodge the teachers of a theology which required from its followers only humility of character and lowliness of condition. Accordingly, the royal saint selected for his new foundation, a beautiful spot on the southern