horsemen, as appears from the arms of Jedburgh, which bear a cavalier mounted, and armed with this weapon. It is called also Jedwood or Jeddart staff.

They watch against Southern force and guile, Lest Scroop, or Howard, or Percy's powers, Threaten Branksome's lordly towers.-Page 10. Branksome Castle was continually exposed to the attacks of the English, both from its situation and the restless military disposition of its inhabitants, who were seldom on good terms with their neighbours.

Bards long shall tell,

How Lord Walter fell.--Page 10.

Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch succeeded to his grandfather, Sir David, in 1492. He was a brave and powerful baron, and Warden of the West Marches of Scotland. His death was the consequence of a feud betwixt the Scotts and Kerrs.

The slogan's deadly yell.-Page 10.

The war-cry, or gathering word, of a Border clan.

No! vainly to each holy shrine,

In mutual pilgrimage they drew.—Page 11. Among other expedients resorted to for stanching the feud betwixt the Scotts and the Kerrs, there was a bond executed in 1529, between the heads of each clan, binding themselves to perform reciprocally the four principal pilgrimages of Scotland, for the benefit

of the souls of those of the opposite name who had fallen in the quarrel. This indenture is printed in the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vol. i. But either it never took effect, or else the feud was renewed shortly afterwards.

While Cessford owns the rule of Carr.—Page 11.

The family of Ker, Kerr, or Carr, was very powerful on the Border. Cessford Castle, the ancient baronial residence of the family, is situated near the village of Morebattle, within two or three miles of the Cheviot Hills. It has been a place of great strength and consequence, but is now ruinous. Tradition affirms, that it was founded by Halbert, or Habby Kerr, a gigantic warrior, concerning whom many stories are current in Roxburghshire. The Duke of Roxburgh represents Kerr of Cessford. A distinct and powerful branch of the same name own the Marquis of Lothian as their chief. Hence the distinction betwixt Kerrs of Cessford and Fairnihirst.

Of Bethune's line of Picardie.-Page 13.

The Bethunes were of French origin, and derived their name from a small town in Artois. There were several distinguished families of the Bethunes in the neighbouring province of Picardy; they numbered among their descendants the celebrated Duc de Sully; and the name was accounted among the most noble in France. The family of Bethune, or Beatoun, in Fife, produced three learned and dignified prelates; namely, Cardinal Beaton, and two successive Arch

bishops of Glasgow, all of whom flourished about the date of the romance.

He learn'd the art that none may name,

In Padua, far beyond the sea.-Page 13.

Padua was long supposed, by the Scottish peasants, to be the principal school of necromancy. The Earl of Gowrie, slain at Perth, in 1600, pretended, during his studies in Italy, to have acquired some knowledge of the cabala, by which, he said, he could charm snakes, and work other miracles.

His form no darkening shadow traced,
Upon the sunny wall.-Page 13.

The shadow of a necromancer is independent of the sun. Glycas informs us, that Simon Magus caused his shadow to go before him, making people believe it was an attendant spirit.

The scaur's red side.-Page 13. Scaur, i.e. a precipitous bank of earth.

A fancied moss-trooper, &c.-Page 17. Moss-trooper was the usual appellation of the marauders upon the Borders; a profession diligently pursued by the inhabitants on both sides, and by none more actively and successfully than by Buccleuch's clan. Long after the union of the crowns, the mosstroopers, although sunk in reputation, and no longer enjoying the pretext of national hostility, continued to pursue their calling.

In mimic foray rode.—Page 17.

Foray, i.e. a predatory inroad.

How the brave boy, in future war,
Should tame the Unicorn's pride,

Exalt the Crescent and the Star.-Page 17. The arms of the Kerrs of Cessford were, Vert on a cheveron, betwixt three unicorns' heads erased argent, three mullets sable; crest, a unicorn's head erased proper. The Scotts of Buccleuch bore, Or on a bend azure; a star of six points betwixt two crescents of the first.

By wily turns, by desperate bounds,

Had baffled Percy's best blood-hounds.-Page 18.

The kings and heroes of Scotland, as well as the Border-riders, were sometimes obliged to study how to evade the pursuit of blood-hounds. A sure way of stopping the dog was to spill blood upon the track, which destroyed the discriminating fineness of his scent. A captive was sometimes sacrificed on such occasions.

Neck-verse at Hairibee.-Page 20.

Hairibee, the place of executing the Border marauders at Carlisle. The neck-verse is the beginning of the 51st Psalm, Miserere mei, &c., anciently read by criminals claiming the benefit of clergy.

Sounding barbican.—Page 20.

Barbican, i.e. the defence of the outer gate of a

feudal castle.

Pass'd the Peel.-Page 20.

Peel, i.e. a Border tower. Several of these towers yet remain in Northumberland.

The Roman way.-Page 21.

An ancient Roman road crossing through part of Roxburghshire.

On Minto-crags the moon-beams glint.—Page 21.

A romantic assemblage of cliffs, which rise suddenly above the vale of Teviot, in the immediate vicinity of the family-seat, from which Lord Minto takes his title. A small platform, on a projecting crag, commanding a most beautiful prospect, is termed Barnhills' Bed. This Barnhills is said to have been a robber, or outlaw. There are remains of a strong tower beneath the rocks, where he is supposed to have dwelt, and from which he derived his

name.

As glanced his eye o'er Halidon.-Page 23. Halidon Hill, on which the battle of Melrose was fought.

Old Melros' rose, and fair Tweed ran.-Page 24.

The ancient and beautiful monastery of Melrose was founded by King David I. Its ruins afford the finest specimen of Gothic architecture and Gothic sculpture which Scotland can boast. The stone of which it is built, though it has resisted the weather for so many ages, retains perfect sharpness, so that