[1] See introduction to “Peveril,” where the Scottish Novelist describes himself as wearing such old-fashioned habiliments.

[2] While Sir Walter Scott resided at Ashesteil, Jock frequently visited him, and was much noticed, on account of his strange humours and entertaining qualities.

[3] A respectable clergyman of our acquaintance, who is in the habit of preaching his elegant discourses with the help of M.S., was once extremely amused with the declaration of a hearer, who professed himself repugnant to that practice. “Doctor,” says he, “ye’re just a slave to the bit paper, and nane o’ us ha’e that respect for ye that we ought to ha’e; but to do ye justice, I maun confess, that since I changed my seat in the loft, and ha’na ye now sae fair atween my een, so that I can hear without seeing ye, fient a bit but I think ye’re just as good as auld Threshin’ Willy himsel’!”

[4] The Russiade, a poem, by James Hogg.

[5] We are indebted for this and the two succeeding anecdotes to the “Scotch Haggis,” a curious collection of the pure native wit of our country, published in 1822.

[6] The country people call a dispensation of the greater Sacrament “an occasion.” It is also scoffingly termed “the Holy Fair.” In Edinburgh it is called “the Preachings.” But, it must be observed, these phrases are only applied in reference to the outward circumstances, and not to the holy ceremony itself.

[7] We are indebted for this and the succeeding illustration to the late Alexander Campbell’s edition of Macintosh’s Gaelic Proverbs.

[8] Charles, fifth Earl of Traquair, was implicated in the proceedings of the year 1745, though he did not appear openly. See the evidence of Secretary Murray on the trial of Lord Lovat, Scots Magazine for 1747, p. 105.

[9] Note 7 to Canto III.

[10] From which all the works of the author of “Waverley,” besides many other publications of the highest character, have issued. It is perhaps worth while to record, that “Peveril of the Peak” was the last work of the author of “Waverley’s” that appeared here—its successor, “Quentin Durward,” being published (May, 1823) a few days after Constable and Co. had forsaken the High Street for the genteeler air of the New Town.

[11] Even when the judges lived in the distant suburb of George’s Square, they did not give up this practice. Old Braxfield used always to put on his wig and gown at home, and walk to the Parliament House, via Bristo Street, Society, Scott’s Close, and the Back Stairs. One morning his barber, old Kay, since the well-known limner, was rather late in taking his Lordship’s wig to George’s Square. Braxfield was too impatient to wait; so he ran off with only his night-cap on his head, and was fortunate enough to meet his tardy barber in Scott’s Close, when he seized his wig with one hand, took off his night-cap with the other, and adjusting the whole matter himself, sent Kay back with the undignified garment exued. This is a picture of times gone by never to return; yet, as if to show how long traces of former manners will survive their general decay, Lord Glenlee, who continues to live in Brown’s Square, still dresses at home, and walks to court in the style of his predecessors.

[12] The Peter Peebles of “Redgauntlet.”

[13]

[14] The juvenile mob of Edinburgh was in the habit of dressing up an effigy of this hero of liberty, which they treated in the most ignominious manner, every 4th of June—a relic of the odium excited by the publication of the North Briton, No. 45.

[15] H—— died in the month of May, 1808, and was buried on the Edinburgh fast-day of that year. He was interred in the Calton Hill burying-ground; but his grave cannot now be pointed out, as the spot was removed in 1816, along with about half of the ground, when the great London road was brought through it.

[16] He died January 2, 1820.

[17] From the Edinburgh Magazine, 1817.

[18] His expression was, that “begging was a worse trade by twenty pounds a year than when he knew it first.”

[19] This word is of Danish origin.

[20] Dr. Ferguson lived for some time at Neidpath Castle, from whence he removed to Hallyards, in Manor parish. He was a most devoted and enthusiastic snuff-taker. An amusing anecdote is preserved of the good old man’s simplicity of character and love of snuff. One day, on his son’s arrival from Edinburgh, he begged a pinch from young Adam’s box, which, on receiving, he declared to be exceedingly good, and, of course, he inquired where that delightful mixture was to be procured. “I got it from Traquair,” answered his son, alluding to a tobacconist of that name, who dwelt at the corner of the piazzas leading into the Parliament Square in Edinburgh. This the old gentleman did not comprehend, but thought that his son meant Traquair, a little village about seven miles down Tweed, beyond Peebles: and he actually despatched a man on horseback to that place to procure some of the snuff which had so taken his fancy.

[21] The chapel was built in the fourteenth century, by Sir William St. Clair of Roslin, in consequence of a vow which he made in a curious emergency. One day, hunting with King Robert I., he wagered his head that his hounds, Help and Hold, would kill a certain beautiful white deer before it crossed the March burn. On approaching the boundary, there seemed little chance of his hounds being successful; but he went aside, and vowed a new chapel to St. Catherine if she would intercede in his behalf; and she, graciously accepting of his offer, inspired the hounds with supernatural vigour, so that they caught the deer just as she was approaching the other side of the burn.

[22] This spirited article is copied (by express permission of the Publishers,) from “The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.”

[23] Among other ridiculous occurrences, it is said that some of Charles’s gallantries were discovered by a prying neighbour. A wily old minister was deputed by his brethren to rebuke the King for his heinous scandal. Being introduced into the royal presence, he limited his commission to a serious admonition, that, upon such occasions, his Majesty should always shut the windows. The King is said to have recompensed this unexpected lenity after the Restoration. He probably remembered the joke, though he might have forgotten the service.

[24] See the life of this booted apostle of prelacy, written by Swift, who had collected all his anecdotes of persecution, and appears to have enjoyed them accordingly.

[25] “They raved,” says Peden’s historian, “like fleshly devils, when the mist shrouded from their pursuit the wandering Whigs. One gentleman closed a declaration of vengeance against the conventicles with this strange imprecation, ‘or may the devil make my ribs a gridiron to my soul.’”—MS. Account of the Presbytery of Penpont. Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, but nothing of this.

[26] Peden complained bitterly that, after a heavy struggle with the devil, he had got above him, spur-galled him hard, and obtained a wind to carry him from Ireland to Scotland—when, behold! another person had set sail, and reaped the advantage of his prayer-wind, before he could embark.

[27] That part of the novel which represents Claverhouse eating his disjeune in the hall of Tillietudlem and seat of “his most gracious Majesty Charles the Second,” must therefore be considered as entirely unfounded in truth. Could Scribbie Young’s “tower” be the Tillietudlem of the Tale? Surely not. And, besides, we are given to understand that a small eminence or knoll in the neighbourhood of Lanark Castle, which has probably been at some former period surmounted by a ruin, is popularly termed Tillietudlem.

[28] Crichton says, “King was a bra muckle carl, with a white hat and a great bob of ribbons on the back o’t.”

[29] Even the loftiness of the surrounding buildings is taken into account. “The uncommon height and antique appearance of these houses,” says the author, “some of which were formerly the property of the Knights Templars and the Knights of St. John, and still exhibit upon their fronts and gables the iron cross of these orders, gave additional effect to a scene in itself so striking.” This sentence, it is somewhat remarkable, is also used (perhaps I should say repeated) by Sir Walter Scott, when he finds occasion to describe the same scene in his “Provincial Antiquities of Scotland.”

[30] The shop from which the rioters procured the rope, was a small shop in the second or middle division of the West Bow (No. 69). It was then kept by a Mrs. Jeffrey, but was not a rope-maker’s shop. It was a shop of huckstery or small wares, in which ropes were then included. It seems yet to be occupied by a person of the same profession (Mrs. Wilson).

[31] There is an engraving of this medal in Boyer’s “History of Queen Anne,” p. 511.

[32] Mr. John Semple, of Carsphearn.

[33] We are glad to observe that the biographical works of Patrick Walker are shortly to be reprinted by Mr. John Stevenson, Bookseller, Prince’s Street, whose shop is well known, or ought to be so, by all the true lovers of curious little old smoke-dried volumes.

[34] Birrel’s account of this matter is as follows:—“[1600.] The 2 of Apryll, being the Sabbath day, Robert Auchmutie, barber, slew James Wauchope, at the combat in St. Leonard’s Hill; and, upon the 23, the said Rt. put in ward in the tolbuith of Edr.; and in the meine time of his being in ward, he hang ane cloke w’t’out the window of the irone hous, and anither w’t in the window yr.; and, saying yat he was sick, and might not see the light, he had aquafortis continuallie seithing at the irone window, quhill, at the last, the irone window wes eiten throw; sua, upon a morneing, he caused his prentes boy attend quhen the towne gaird should have dissolvit, at q’lk tyme the boy waitit one, and gaif hes Mr ane token yat the said gaird wer gone, be the schewe or waiff of his hand-curche. The said Robt. hung out an tow, q’ron he thought to have cumeit doune; the said gairde espyit the waiff of the hand-curche, and sua the said Robt was disappointit of hes intentione and devys; and sua, on the 10 day, he wes beheidit at the Cross, upon ane scaffold.” P. 48, 49.

[35] The Gallowlee was not the usual place of execution; but the most flagrant criminals were generally hung there in chains. Many of the martyrs were exhibited on its summit, which Patrick Walker records with due horror. It ceased to be employed for any purpose of this kind about the middle of the last century; since which period with one exception, no criminals have been hung in chains in Scotland. Its site was a rising ground immediately below the Botanic Garden, in Leith Walk. When the New Town was in the progress of building, the sand used for the composition of the mortar was procured from this spot; on which account the miracle of a hill turned into a valley has taken place, and it is at the present day that low beautiful esplanade of which Eagle and Henderson’s nursery is formed. The Gallowlee turned out a source of great emolument to the possessor, sixpence being allowed for every cartful of sand that was taken away. But the proprietor was never truly benefited by the circumstance. Being addicted to drinking, he was in the habit of spending every sixpence as he received it. A tavern was set up near the spot, which was formerly unaccommodated with such a convenience, for the sole purpose of selling whisky to Matthew Richmond,—and he was its only customer. A fortune was soon acquired of the profits of the drink alone; and when the source of the affluence ceased, poor Matthew was left poorer than he had originally been, after having flung away the proffered chance of immense wealth. Never did gamester more completely sink the last acre of his estate, than did muckle Matthew Richmond drink down the last grain of the sand-hill of the Gallowlee!

[36] We are indebted for the following ingenious and elaborate article to the gentleman who supplied the notice respecting the “Bodach Glas,” at page 25.

[37] Douglas’s Baronage,—Hamilton of Innerwick.

[38] A retour is a law term, signifying the report of the verdict of a jury, which, by the law of Scotland, is the mode of proving the propinquity of an heir, so as to entitle him to be invested in his predecessor’s estate.

[39] Douglas’s Peerage,—Earl of Haddington.

[40] Douglas’s Baronage,—Hamilton of Innerwick.

[41] See page 6.

[42] Douglas’s Peerage,—Viscount Kenmure.

[43] A principal and conspicuous part of Lord Kenmure’s camp equipage was a barrel of brandy, which was carried at the head of the regiment. This was called Kenmure’s Drum.

[44] Douglas’s Peerage,—Earl of Stair.

[45] So she was styled.

[46] We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Kirkpatrick Sharpe for this unique copy of the “Tripatriarchicon,” from which the above extracts were made.

[47] It is exceedingly remarkable that the greater part of the Author of “Waverley’s” prototypes were natives of this district.

[48] “19th January, 1595, the young Earl of Montrose fought a combat with Sir James Sandilands, at the salt trone of Edinburgh, thinking to have revenged the slaughter of his cousin, Mr. John Graham, who was slain with the shot of a pistol, and four of his men slain with swords.”—Birrel’s Diary, p. 34.

[49] It was reported that Montrose, while a child, swallowed a toad, by the command and direction of his mother, in order to render himself invulnerable. As Mr. Sharpe says, in his amusing work, “Law’s Memorialls,” he swallowed in after-life something worse,—the Covenant.

[50] Wood’s Peerage, vol. ii.

[51] “The Muse’s Threnodie.”

[52] Stewart’s “Sketches of the Highlands,” vol. ii.

[53] “Border Minstrelsy,” vol. iii.

[54] Wishart.

[55] A covenanted minister, present at the execution of these gentlemen, observed,—“This wark gaes bonnily on!”[A] an amiable exclamation, equivalent to the modern ça ira, so often used on similar occasions.

[A] Wishart, “Memoirs of Montrose.”

[56] Wood’s Peerage.

[57] Letter of Archibald, Lord Napier, Brussels, 14th June, 1648, penes D. Napier.

[58] M‘Leod got 400 bolls of meal from the Covenanters for his treachery.

[59] Laing’s History, vol. i.

[60] “Law’s Memorialls.”

[61] “History of the Church of Scotland,” p. 126. In the “Mercurius Caledonius” the place of this inhumation was “under the public gibbet, half a mile from town.”

[62] The rescinded acts, January, 1645, contain a ratification of James Stewart’s pardon for killing Lord Kinpont. He was made major of the Marquis of Argyll’s regiment of foot, 24th October, 1648.—Nisbet’s Heraldry, vol. ii., App. 77.

[63] Scott of Scottstarvet’s “Staggering State of Scots Statesmen” is a curious memoir, written shortly after the Restoration, but not printed till early in the year 1754, after the death of the persons whose characters and actions are mentioned with so little respect in the course of its satirical details. It is adverted to, as in a condition of manuscript, at the 25th page of the 2nd volume of the “Bride of Lammermoor”; and the Author appears to have made some use of its informations in the construction of the subsequent Tale.

[64] This article forms part of a work which I have recently projected, to be entitled, “Pilgrimages to the most remarkable Scenes celebrated in Scottish History.”

[65] This ungainly word is from the Danish; and it is somewhat remarkable, that it is also used in the county of Northumberland, the population of which is supposed to partake with the Scotch in a Danish extraction.

[66] Wishart, p. 200.

[67] These are the remains of the trenches which Montrose threw up to defend the flanks of his infantry.

[68] It ought to be mentioned that the tailor is also called in. In former times this craftsman used to visit a farmer’s or cottager’s house, with all his train of callow apprentices, once a year; and he lived in a family way with the inhabitants till his work was finished, when he received twopence a-day for what he had done, and went away to mis-shape human garments at some other house. About sixty years ago, there was a sort of strike among the tailors, for a groat instead of twopence a day; and this mighty wage continued without further increase till the practice of taking tailors into the family has been nearly discontinued everywhere. It was not the wages, however, but the food of the tailor, which constituted his chief guerdon. The tailor was always well-fed, and if there were anything better than another in the house it was reserved for him. When, in spring time, the gudewife’s mart-barrel was getting nearly exhausted of its savoury contents, she would put off the family with something less substantial for a few weeks in expectation of her annual visitors—“We maun hain a bit for the tailyeours, ye ken!” she would say.

In support of what we advance in the text, we may observe that it is not more than half a century since house-spinning was nearly as prevalent in the city of Edinburgh as in the country, and it will yet be in the recollection of the most aged of our readers, that signs were prevalent in the streets, bearing that “Lint was given out to spin—in here,—down this close,—through this entry,” etc., etc. In these days the Netherbow, a mean range of buildings at the eastern extremity of the High Street, was entirely occupied by weavers who “took in customer-wark,”—in proof of which fact we may cite the multiplicity of the windows in those houses, which are still permitted to exist. Now, alas! the shuttles of this busy neighbourhood, are as silent as the wheels of the spinsters, in whose hands pianofortes and Brookman’s pencils supply the place of “rocks and reels.”

[69] Girth signifies a Sanctuary or place of refuge.

[70] Broken mountain ground, without vegetation.

[71] These are found in several fantastic shapes, such as guns, cradles, boots, etc., and are justly supposed to be the petrifactions of some mineral spring hard by.

[72] Smailholm Tower.

[73] The entrance of Avenel was also from the west.

[74] This story is told in the Border Antiquities. Since we copied it, information has been communicated, deriving the report from a ridiculous and most unromantic incident. The skull was moved from its place in the castle by a rat, which had found a lodgment in its cavity, and contrived to take it back to a particular apartment on finding it removed to any other.

[75] “The family of Grierson is descended from Gilbert, the second son of Malcolm, Laird of M‘Gregor, who died in 1374. His son obtained a charter from the Douglas family of the lands and barony of Lagg, in Nithsdale, and Little Dalton, in Annandale; since which his descendants have continued in Nithsdale, and married into the best families in that part of the country, namely those of Lord Maxwell, the Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, the Charterises of Amisfield, the Fergusons of Craigdarroch, and of the Duke of Queensberry.”—Grose’s Antiquities of Scotland.