that at this slow rate they would certainly be overtaken, they resolved to call at the first house in their way, and that happening to belong to a friend, a horse was procured, and having reached the sea, they were received on board the Vulture sloop of war.

But to return to the castle. When Niel Mac Vicar had drawn the last number, and while standing on the parapet had seen the disaster of his friends, he carried the rope to his cell, where he substantially repaired and lengthened it with shreds of blankets. This done, he returned to the battlements, and there again fastening it, commenced his descent. But when he reached that part where the fracture had taken place, and which he had endeavoured to secure by adding greatly to its thickness, he found it beyond his grasp, and falling from the same height that Mr. Barrow had done, but with no one to break his fall, he was so seriously injured that he languished and died soon afterwards at the house of his father, a clergyman in the isle of Isla.

Since the publication of "Waverley," the Castle of Doune has enjoyed much additional celebrity, as the fortress to which the English hero was conveyed by his Highland captors, and which the classic author of the novel has so vividly depicted. The village of Doune is gradually rising into some degree of local importance. A church, and many new houses have been recently added, and cotton manufactures established near the bridge—the latter a very pleasing substitute for that of Highland pistols,* for which the village was originally famous.

Cambus-Wallace, the ancient seat of the Edmonstones, and now that of Lord Doune, eldest son of the earl of Moray, to whom the barony belongs, is in the immediate vicinity. In his march from the Highlands, the "Chevalier" took a cup of welcome, presented by a fair adherent, at its gate.

Dunblane, though not immediately in our route, is too important to be passed over in silence, and will amply repay the tourist, who, in pursuit of health or amusement, makes a short sojourn in this much frequented neighbourhood. For its recent celebrity, Dunblane is chiefly indebted to its mineral spring, which, for several years past, has enjoyed high reputation for its medicinal qualities. But, of itself, the scenery is so beautiful, and so rich in historical associations, as to present no ordinary attraction to the summer tourist, "who looks on Nature with a poet's eye."

• While the ancient dress was in use, there was a great demand for Doune pistols, presents of which were frequently sent by the nobility to foreign princes. The art was first introduced here about two centuries ago, by Thomas Cadell, who was considered the first pistol-maker in Britain. Among the national songs to which this district owes so many pleasing associations, we need only quote "The banks and braes o' bonny Doune;"" The bonny Earl of Moray," &c.

DUNBLANE.-BATTLE OF SHERIFF-MUIR.

The village is pleasantly situated on the classic river Allan—a tributary of the Forth-and remarkable for its ancient cathedral, erected by the pious king. David about the middle of the twelfth century. Though greatly dilapidated by time and fanaticism, enough of its ancient style and proportions remain to vindicate its claim as one of the finest consecrated structures of its age.

A cell of Culdees existed here long before the erection of the place into a bishop's see, and continued to flourish for several centuries. St. Blaan, from whom the modern name is derived, was superior of the convent during the reign of Kenneth in 982. Some remains of the episcopal residence are still visible. The last bishop of Dunblane was Robert Leighton, consecrated in 1662, and, seven years later, translated to the archiepiscopal see of Glasgow. His history, so intimately connected with that of his times, is too well known to our readers to require more than the mere allusion to the subject. Besides his daily charities to the poor, this pious and learned prelate settled a fund for some beneficent purpose, or some public work, in all the places where he had influence or charge; and by his last will bequeathed to the clergy of the diocese of Dunblane his valuable library, with funds for its support. This generous bequest has subsequently received many additions, and forms now a collection of great value and permanent advantage to the place and neighbourhood.

At the foot of the Ochil Hills, the fine pastoral chain that divides this and the adjacent county on the east, is the scene of another sanguinary engagement -the battle of Sheriff-Muir. It was fought in November 1715, between the insurgents commanded by the earl of Marr, and the royal army under the duke of Argyll, and, in history, is occasionally distinguished as the battle of Dunblane. On the evening before the battle, the insurgent forces occupied the same station at Ardoch-now the most perfect of the Roman stations in Scotland-which Agricola did in the third year of his expeditions.

On the fatal morning in question, the right of the royal army and the left of the rebels having advanced to within pistol-shot, at their first interview, were instantly engaged. The Highlanders began the action with all their accustomed ardour, and their fire was little, if at all, inferior to that of the best disciplined troops.† But Colonel Cathcart, being ordered to stretch to the right and take them on the flank-a movement which he executed in the most gallant

⚫ In Strathern, a short distance from Dunblane, are the ruins of Inchaffray Abbey, founded in 1200. + Ronald M'Donald, captain of Clan Ronald, was killed at the first fire; but Glengarry, who succeeded him as leader-in-chief, started from the lines, waved his bonnet in the air, and shouting revenge, so animated the men, that they followed him to the muzzles of the muskets, pushed aside the bayonets with their targets, and spread terror and havoc with their claymores.

manner-gave a decisive turn to the contest on that part of the field, while General Witham, with three battalions of foot, rapidly advanced to the support of the Duke, who was now pursuing the advantage so suddenly obtained by the first manœuvre. The Highlanders, though compelled to retreat, retreated like the Parthians. They harassed their pursuers-rallied so frequently, and repulsed the royal troops with such obstinacy, that in three hours they were not three miles from the first point of attack. But, to all appearance, they were completely broken, and the duke resolved to continue the pursuit as long as the light would serve. He was suddenly recalled, however, by the circumstance of there being no appearance of the division of his army under Witham, while a large body of the rebels were strongly posted behind him. Witham's division, while advancing, had fallen in with a body of Marr's foot, concealed in a hollow way full in front, while a squadron of horse stood ready to charge them in flank. In this situation they were attacked by the Braidalbane men, supported by the Clans, a great number of them cut to pieces, and the remainder driven in among their own cavalry, who were thus thrown into confusion. Had the rebel squadron on the right fallen in at the same time, that portion of the royal army had been entirely cut off. This neglect on the part of the insurgents. decided the day. The broken battalions were brought off with comparatively little loss, but, unable to join the other part of the army under Argyll, or to keep the field against the superior strength of the rebels, they retired towards Dunblane, thence to Corntown, and at the end of the long causeway† that communicates with Stirling bridge, took their station to defend the pass. Had the rebels pursued them, Stirling itself would probably have received the former as victors.

*

The battle of Sheriff-Muir reflected little credit upon the skill and experience of the commanders on either side; but, although in itself as indecisive as any action on record, it was followed, nevertheless, by consequences which are supposed only to attend the most signal victories, and, in the language of the day, "broke the heart of the rebellion." Both armies claimed the honour of a triumph, from the fact that the right wing of each had been victorious.‡

• "A Highlander, stung with indignation at the inactivity of his general, could not help exclaiming at the moment, Oh, for one hour of Dundee !'-conceiving, no doubt, that the hero of Killiecranky would have shown very different generalship on such an occasion."-Chambers' Hist.

+ Supposed to be the Roman military way, and continuation of that formerly traced through Camelon. In allusion to this, many of our readers will remember the popular song

"Some say that we wan, and some say that they wan;

And some say that nane wan at a', man."-Jacobite Relics.