ATHARINE JANFARIE.

Of this ballad first published in the "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border"- the editor informs us that it is "given from several recited copies." It has obviously undergone some alteration; yet much of the rugged character of the original has been retained. The scenery of the ballad is said, by tradition, to lie upon the banks of the Cadden-water, "a small rill which joins the Tweed (from the north) betwixt Inverleithen and Clovenford." It is also traditionally stated that Katharine Janfarie "lived high up in the glen "-a beautiful and sequestered vale, connected with Traquair, and situated about three miles above Traquair House, The recited copies, from which it is probable Sir Walter Scott collected the verses he has here brought together, exist in Buchan's "Ancient Ballads and Songs," and in Motherwell's "Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern." It derives interest and importance, however, less from its intrinsic merit, than from the circumstance of its having given to Scott the hint upon which he founded one of the most brilliant and spirit-stirring of his compositions-the famous and favourite ballad of Young LochinIt will gratify the curious to compare the passages in the two that most nearly resemble each other. We, therefore, print the following extracts from Young Lochinvar, taken from the notes to the modern edition of the "Minstrelsy":

var.

Gordon of Lochinvar was, we are told, the head of a powerful branch of that name, afterwards Viscounts of Lochinvar. Motherwell's version, entitled Catherine John

stone, was "obtained from recitation in the West of Scotland," and shows the state in which the "popular ballad" is there preserved. The "Laird o' Lamington" here figures; and it is worthy of remark, as proving a common origin, that "the Laird of Lamington" was the title given to the ballad in the first edition of the Border Minstrelsy. A few stanzas from Motherwell's version will exhibit the variations between the two copies. The Lord of Lamington having received tidings that his lady-love was about to be wedded to an English gentleman, suddenly enters the wedding-house, where Four and twenty belted knights

who rose to honour and to welcome him; the ballad thus proceeds:

Of the two versions to which we have referred, and another published by Mr. Buchan, Mr. Robert Chambers has composed a fourth. Several stanzas, however, are obviously borrowed from other sources,-Gil Morrice especially. The following passages occur towards the conclusion:

There were four and twenty bonnie boys,
A' clad in Johnstone-grey;

They said they would take the bride again,
By the strong hand, if they may.

Some o' them were right willing men,
But they were na willing a';
And four and twenty Leader lads
Bade them mount and ride awa'.

Then whingers flew frae gentles' sides,
And swords flew frae the sheas;
And red and rosy was the blude
Ran down the lilye braes.

The blood ran down by Cadden bank,
And down by Cadden brae;
And, sighing, said the bonnie bride,
'O, wae's me for foul play!'

My blessing on your heart, sweet thing!

Wae to your wilful will !

There's mony a gallant gentleman
Whose blude ye hae garr'd spill.'