tive, was twenty-two, and sixty-eight knights. Many clerks and esquires were also there slain or taken, and soldiers innumerable. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. approached King Robert. "Whose prisoner are you, Sir Marmaduke?" said Bruce, to whom he was personally known. "Your's, sir," answered the knight. "I receive you," answered the king, and treating him with the utmost courtesy, loaded him with gifts, and dismissed him without ransom. The other prisoners were all well treated. There might be policy in this, as Bruce would naturally wish to acquire the good opinion of the English barons, who were at this time at great variance with their king. But it also well accords with his high chivalrous character. The assembly aisle is a square apartment vaulted over head like the rest of the cathedral of St. Giles, but divided from its nave by a long dark lobby, or two below and above, by some galleries, with glass folding doors, through which a certain portion of the profanum vulgus may make shift to contemplate somewhat of the venerable Edward II., according to the best authorities, scene. Opposite to this side, in the space beshewed, in the fatal field of Bannock-burn, per- tween two tall shapeless windows, is situated the sonal gallantry not unworthy of his great sire and canopy, elevated considerably above the area of greater son. He remained on the field till forced the place, from whence, "high on a throne of away by the Earl of Pembroke, when all was lost. royal state,"-the commissioner looks down in He then rode to the castle of Stirling, and de- theoretic calmness upon the more active part of manded admittance; but the governor, remonstra- the convocation. His throne being surrounded ting upon the imprudence of shutting himself up with a due complement of awkward chubby-cheekin that fortress, which must so soon surrender, heed pages in long red coats, and serving men of assembled around his person five hundred men- different descriptions, in the colours of his own at-arms, and, avoiding the field of battle and the livery. Among these attendants of the mimic victorious army, fled towards Linlithgow, pursued monarch, says a popular writer, I could not help by Douglas with about sixty horse. They were recognising, with some emotions of merriment, augmented by Sir Lawrence Abernethy with twenty Duncan M'Nab, and various of the cadies, his more, whom Douglas met in the Torwood upon brethren; for, certainly, my old friends cut a their way to join the English army, and whom he strange enough figure in their new and gorgeous easily persuaded to desert the defeated monarch, costumes of blue and red, some clad like beafand to assist in the pursuit. They hung upon eaters, and some like lackeys, but all powdered Edward's flight as far as Dunbar, too few in num- as finely as butter and flour could make them ber to assail him with effect, but enough to harass and all squeezing, or attempting to squeeze, their his retreat so constantly, that whoever fell an in- weather-beaten features into an expression of destant behind, was instantly slain, or made prisoner. corum and gravity, little consistent with the Edward's ignominious flight terminated at Dun-usual habits either of their minds or their occubar, where the Earl of March, who still professed allegiance to him," received him full gently.' From thence, the monarch of so great an empire, and the late commander of so gallant and numerous an army, escaped to Bamborough in a fishing vessel. pations. I should, perhaps, make an exception in favour of Duncan; for I must admit, that this crafty Celt bore his new honours, bag, buckles and all, with a measure of meek composure in his aspect, which shewed that he had taken the metamorphosis in comparative tranquillity of spirit. There were there slain, along with the Earl of And, after all, perhaps the powdered young pupGloucester, forty-two barons and bannerets. The pies of plebeian pages, with their cheese-toasters number of earls, barons, and bannerets made cap- bruising each others shins, ever and anon, were the most absurd part of the whole group. Imme- the body of the nation, soon began to find adhediately under, and with his back towards the com-rents in the very bosom of the kirk; and men, erc missioner, sits the moderator, or clerical presi- long, learned to think that a Geneva cloak and a dent, of the assembly. A green table before him Scottish stipend might just be as well applied to is surrounded by several clerks, arrayed in Geneva |the uses of a_tory as to those of a whig, and so, cloaks and bands; and a few of the more leading by degrees, the usual influences of the crown members of either party in the kirk," in close and aristrocracy, finding their way, no doubt, recess and secret conclave sitting." From this among other things, into the minds of churchmen, table, the benches rise in all directions,-upwards, against whom neither crown nor aristrocracy any lodging, row upon row, the ordinary stipendiarii longer contended, there arose, even in the kirk of of the ecclesiastical host. The arrangement of Scotland, a party of tory ministers and elders. these, however, is, although tumultuous, by no These are they who, in general, go by the name of means fortuitous. They stick, on the contrary, the moderates; but that appellation originally with the most senatorial pertinacity, each to his assumed by themselves, and sarcastically adopted own side of the senate house, the right side of by their adversaries, is not derived from the style the throne being occupied exclusively by the mo- of their political opinions, but rather meant to derates, while on the left hand sit, equally pure denote the more gentle and reasonable interpretaand uncontaminated, their opponents. Some tiny tion which they would profess to put upon the galleries on either side are appropriated to the use religious tenets of the kirk. The whigs, in like of ministers, not actually members of the assem- manner, are called wildmen, or highflyers, entirely bly, and preachers and students of divinity, who on account of the alleged ultra calvinistic austecome thither partly to suck in wisdom from the rity of their dogmas. The plain fact of the matdroppings of the "great consult;"-partly, no ter is, that both names are, like most other nickdoubt, if one may judge from their lean and scare-names, sufficiently absurd; the attributes of wildcrow physiognomies, to indulge in fond dreams ness and moderation are, by no means, confined of future repletion, inspired by the contemplation to the opposite sides of the aisle, as are the boof the goodly paunches of the beneficed brethren.dies of those to whom they furnish watch-words Above these, again, high up on either side, is of party strife, another gallery set apart, not for the gods, but the goddesses. Of old, the whole of the presbeterian ministers were whigs, and it was only by The street or lane in which Ambrose's tavern, means of the stubborn zeal with which they ad- Edinburgh, is situated, derives its name of Gabered to the political principles of that state party, briel's road, from a horrible murder which was that they were enabled to revive so often, and, at committed there, a great number of years ago. last, to establish on its present firm basis, a system Any occurrence of that sort, seems to make a proof church government long so odious to the digiously lasting impression on the minds of the holders of the executive power. But after the Scotch people. Gabriel was a preacher, or licenoppressive measures under which the internal tiate of the kirk, employed as domestic tutor in a spirit of their sect long throve and prospered, gentleman's family in Edinburgh, where he had exactly in proportion as its external circumstances for pupils two fine boys, of eight or ten years of suffered after these had been laid aside, and the age. The tutor, it seems, entertained some parkirk found herself in secure possession of all tiality for the abigail of the children's mother, her privileges and emoluments, all those varie-and, it so happened, that one of his pupils obties of political opinion which prevailed among served him kiss the girl one day, in passing through GABRIEL'S ROAD. Cummin, the sanctity and the uncertainty of anti- ples, the possession of a musical clock, an électriquity, must have already involved his character and writings. cal machine, and a stuffed alligator, added to a supposed communication with Thomas the Rhymer, lived, for many years, in very good credit as a wizard. A poem of Rhymer's, called "Sir Tristrem," has been published by Sir Walter Scott. A PRACTICAL PREACHER. It cannot be doubted, that Thomas of Ereildoune was a remarkable and important person in his own time, since, very shortly after his death, we find him celebrated as a prophet, and as a poet. Whatever doubts, however, the learned might have, as to the source of the Rhymer's prophetic skill, the vulgar had no hesitation to ascribe the The minister had been preaching to his conwhole to the intercourse between the bard and gregation, against not only stealing, but all manthe Queen of Faëry. The popular tale bears, that ner of fraud, circumvention, and roguery. A little Thomas was carried off, at an early age, to the after he had returned to the manse, a servant came, Fairy Land, where he acquired all the knowledge, and told him that Rob Roy was at the door, and which made him afterwards so famous. After wanted to speak to him. Robert, being called seven years' residence, he was permitted to return into the parlour, immediately explained the purto the earth, to enlighten and astonish his coun-pose of his visit to the minister, before his trymen by his prophetic powers; still, however, son, and some other persons who were present. remaining bound to return to his royal mistress," Oh! sir," said he, "you made that preachment when she should intimate her pleasure. Accord- against me; you have heard of my cheating that ingly, while Thomas was making merry with his poor woman, widow Robertson, in buying her friends, in the tower of Ercildoune, a person came only cow. I took advantage of her not knowing running in, and told, with marks of fear and as- the price, and of her being in want of money; I got tonishment, that a hart and hind had left the neigh-it at a little more than half value, as you clearly bouring forest, and were composedly and slowly shewed this day. What shall I do to make her parading the street of the village. The prophet amends?" "Give her back the cow," said the instantly arose, left his habitation, and followed worthy pastor, "and allow her time to pay you the wonderful animals to the forest, whence he was back the money you gave her." "Would that," never seen to return. According to the popular reverend sir, "make up for my cheatry, and save belief, he still "drees his weird" in Fairy Land, me from all the punishment, on this account, that and is expected one day to re-visit earth. In the you was preaching about?" "I dare say it might." mean while, his memory is held in the most pro-"Then, sir, to make sure work, I will give back found respect. The Eildon Tree, from beneath the cow, without the price, and keep from such the shade of which he delivered his prophecies, tricks hereafter." This resolution he actually pernow no longer exists; but the spot is marked by formed. a large stone, called Eildon Tree Stone. A neighbouring rivulet takes the name of the Bogle Burn, (Goblin Brook) from the Rhymer's supernatural visitants. The veneration paid to his dwelling place, even attached itself, in some degree, to a person, who, within the memory of man, chose to set up his residence in the ruins of Learmont's tower. The name of this man was Murray, a kind of herbalist, who, by dint of some knowledge in sim IDEAS OF THE ENGLISH RESPECTING THE The terror of the English was truly inconceivable, and, in many cases, they seemed quite bereft of their senses. One evening, as Mr. Cameron of Lochiel entered the lodgings assigned to him, his landlady, an old woman, threw herself at his feet, and, with uplifted hands and tears in her eyes, sup plicated him to take her life, but to spare her two little children. He asked her, if she was in her senses, and told her to explain herself; when she answered, that every body said the Highlanders ate children, and made them their common food. Mr. Cameron having assured her, that they would not injure her or her little children, or any other person whatever, she looked at him, for some moments, with an air of surprise, and then opened a press, calling out with a loud voice, "Come out, children, the gentleman will not eat you." The children immediately left the press, where she had concealed them, and threw themselves at his feet. They affirmed, in the newspapers of London, that they had dogs in their army, trained to fight; and that they were indebted for the victory at Preston-pans to these dogs, who darted with fury on the English army. They represented the Highlanders as monsters, with claws instead of hands. DEATH OF THE REGENT MURRAY. wooden gallery, which had a window towards the street; spread a feather-bed on the floor, to hinder the noise of his feet from being heard; hung up a black cloth behind him, that his shadow might not be observed from without; and, after all this preparation, calmly expected the regent's approach, who had lodged, during the night, in a house not far distant. Some indistinct Information of the danger which threatened him had been conveyed to the regent, and he paid so much regard to it, that he resolved to return by the same gate through which he had entered, and to fetch a compass round the town. But, as the crowd about the gate was great, and he himself unacquainted with fear, he proceeded directly along the street; and the throng of the people obliging him to move very slowly, gave the assassin time to take so true an aim, that he shot him, with a single bullet, through the lower part of his belly, and killed the horse of a gentleman, who rode on his other side. His followers instantly endeavoured to break into the house, whence the blow Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh was the person who had come; but they found the door strongly barcommitted this barbarous action. He had been ricaded, and, before it could be forced open, Hacondemned to death soon after the battle of Lang-milton had mounted a fleet horse, which stood side, and owed his life to the regent's clemency, and that of John Knox. But part of his estate had been bestowed upon one of the regent's favourites, who seized his house, and turned out Bothwellhaugh rode straight to Hamilton, his wife, naked, in a cold night, into the open where he was received in triumph; for the ashes fields, where, before next morning, she became fu- of the houses in Clydesdale, which had been riously mad. This injury made a deeper impres-burned by Murray's army, were yet smoking; and sion on him than the benefit he had received, and party prejudice, the habits of the age, and the from that moment he vowed to be revenged of the enormity of the provocation, seemed, to his kinsregent. Party rage strengthened and inflamed his men, to justify his deed. After a short abode at private resentment. His kinsmen, the Hamiltons, Hamilton, this fierce and determined man left Scotapplauded the enterprize. The maxims of that land, and served in France, under the patronage age justified the most desperate course he could of the family of Guise, to whom he was doubtless take to obtain vengeance. He followed the re-recommended by having avenged the cause of gent for some time, and watched for an opportunity to strike the blow. He resolved, at last, to wait till his enemy should arrive at Linlithgow, through which he was to pass, in his way from Stirling to Edinburgh. He took his stand in a ready for him at a back-passage, and was got far beyond their reach. The regent died the same night of his wound. their niece, Queen Mary, upon her ungrateful brother. De Thou has recorded that an attempt was made to engage him to assassinate, Gasper de Coligni, the famous admiral of France, and the buckler of the Huguenot cause. But the character of Bothwellhaugh was mistaken. He was no the like size and make, which were called the Semercenary trader in blood, and rejec'ed the offer ven Sisters. The invention of fire-arms approachwith contempt and indignation. He had no au-ed slowly to perfection; and it is curious to obthority, he said, from Scotland, to commit mur- serve from the statute, their awkward state, when ders in France; he had avenged his own just quar-extended over Scotland by James V. It was not rel, but he would neither, for price nor prayer, avenge that of another man. The regent's death happened 23d January, 1569. ECHO AT ST. VIGEAN'S There is an echo at St. Vigean's church, within a mile, or thereabouts, of Aberbrothic, which repeats distinctly every word of a moderate sentence. A gentleman lately happened to be angry with his servant while he was at the point where the echo is best heard, fell a scolding him, and heard every word distinctly repeated in his own tone of voice; which, being in the dark, he thought repeated by his own servant. The gentleman became extremely angry, still continuing his abusive language, under the idea that his servant was mimicking him, but on the servant coming up to him, he discovered his mistake, and, instead of being angry, he could not help laughing. INTRODUCTION OF FIRE-ARMS INTO SCOTLAND. possible in those times to predict their future efficacy, or to foresee that battles were to be less bloody, and more terrible; and that contending states advancing nearer to equality by the means of this military artifice, a stability, unknown before, was to be given to kingdoms, and a period put to those destructive and desolating revolutions which make the conquests of the ancient world. In the act of James V., while it is highly important in itself, there is a beautiful simplicity, that is finely descriptive of the times. Among its other injunctions, it ordains, that the guns or artillery furnished by the clergy, according to their temporal lands, were to remaine at the castell, abbay, or mansion of the bishoppe, prelate, or kirkman, to be keiped there, and left to his successoure, quha sall bee halden, to uphald the samin for the defense of the realme," and it concludes with enacting, "that ladies of conjunctfee and liferent, sall furnish effienand to the quantity of their living, for support of the barronnes, and uthers landed-men, in the furnishing of the said artaillarie." ESCAPE OF KING ROBERT BRUCE FROM A When Bruce had again got footing in Scotland In the reign of James II. there is a statute, which shews, that guns were beginning then to be used by the Scots in the field. The words of the legislature are remarkable, on different accounts. "It is thocht speidful that the king mak re-in the spring of 1306-7, he continued to be in a queist to certane of the greit burrowis of the land that ar of ony mycht, to mak cartis of weir, and in ilk cart twa gunnis, and ilk ane to have twa chalmers, with the remanent of the graith that efferis thairto, and ane cumand man to schute thame, and gif they have no craft in the schuting of thame as now they may leir, or the tyme cum that will be needful to thame. At the battle of Flowden, in the time of James IV. it is said that there were seven culverings of very weak and precarious condition, gaining, indeed, occasional advantages, but obliged to fly before his enemies whenever they assembled in force. Upon one occasion, while he was lying with a small party in the wilds of Cumnock, in Ayrshire, Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, with his inveterate foe, John of Lorn, came agains! him suddenly with eight hundred highlanders, besides a large body of men at arms. They brough with them a slough-dog, or blood-hound, which |