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Of the exact time and circumstances of Sir David Lindsay's death nothing is known. It happened, probably, a short time before the disgraceful immolation of the venerable martyr, old Walter Mill, who was burnt at St. Andrew's, in April, 1558. It seems, at first, extraordinary that a man whose writings evidently enjoyed a high degree of popularity, should have expired without any record or memorial, so that we in vain search the family burying-place for a stone to mark the spot where the Lord Lion sleeps with his ancestors; but the fact is explained by the virtuous retirement in which he passed the latter years of his life, and the distracted condition of the country.

The family estate of Lindsay, called the Mount, from which he took his title, continued in the possession of his descendants when Sibbald published his History of Fife,' in 1710. It is now the property of General Sir Alexander Hope, of Rankeilour. In 1806, a farmer, of patriarchal age, who had lived for seventy years on the spot, pointed out to the literary curiosity of Mr. George Chalmers the site of the baronial family mansion; adding, that, within his memory, the walls of the castle remained. All traces of them are now obliterated, but a pleasing tradition still points out a shaded walk, on the top of the mount, where Lindsay is said to have composed some of his poems. It was called, in the youth of this aged man, Sir David's walk; and, in 1801, when the woods of the Mount were cutting, the same venerable enthu siast interceded with General Sir Alexander Hope

for three ancient trees, which stood near the castle, and were known by the name of Sir David's trees. The liberal spirit of that. gentleman probably needed no such monitor; but the trees were spared. It is likely they still remain, and the literary pilgrim may yet stand beneath their shade, indulging in the pleasing dream that he is sheltered by the same branches under which the Lord Lion was wont to ruminate, when he poured forth the lays which gave dignity to the lessons of Experience, and accelerated the progress of the Reformation.

A CHAPTER

OF

ANTIQUARIAN ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. HENRY THE MINSTREL.

II. BRUCE AND ST. FILLAN.

III. BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN.

IV.

V.

VI. EARLY FEUDAL GOVERNMENTS.

VII. TOURNAMENTS FOR THE BLACK LADY, BY JAMES

DEATH OF GOOD SIR JAMES DOUGLAS IN SPAIN.
RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY.

THE FOURTH.

VIII. JAMES IV. AND THE FLYING ABBOT OF Tungland. IX. ARRIVAL OF THE GYPSIES IN SCOTLAND.

X.

ANCIENT SCOTTISH GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS.

I. HENRY THE MINSTREL.

IN the course of the researches connected with these lives, I have sometimes come upon points and illustrations, the discussion of which would have interrupted the continuity of the main subject. I have, therefore, preferred the method of throwing them together, into the form of a chapter of antiquarian adversaria, making no attempt at laborious arrangement; and, without further preface, I begin by saying a few words upon that person so well known to all enthusiasts in ancient Scottish poetry, Henry the Minstrel, or, to give him his more familiar soubriquet, Blind Harry.'

"

Of this ancient bard, whose poetical genius has been honoured by the praise of Warton and Ellis, no life has been given in these volumes, because no materials for such existed; but, with regard to his work, the well-known Book of Wallace,' I must express a doubt whether, as a biography, it deserves the unmeasured neglect or contempt with which it has been treated. Of this neglect I plead guilty, amongst the rest of my brethren, for I have scrupulously avoided consulting him as an historical authority; but some late researches, and an attentive perusal of his poem, comparing it as I went along with contemporary documents, have placed the Life of Wallace' in a different light. I am persuaded that it is the work of an ignorant man, who was yet in possession of valuable and authentic materials. On what other supposition can we

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