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nam partem de Laynester-Scotos vero ita perdomuit ut nullus qui fabricaret navem vel scapham, ausus esset plusquam tres clavos inserere.—Chron. Manniæ,” p. 8. These clavi seem to be iron bolts for fastening the principal parts of vessels.

And mony was the feather bed,

That flattered on the faem.-P. 53. l. 13. This mention of feather-beds, is, perhaps, rather premature; at least we find, from Froissart, that, even in the reign of David II., the French ambassadors, who had been sent to excite the nation to a war with England, complained grievously of their bad accommodation at Edinburgh, and, in particular, of the want of soft beds.

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Half ou'r, half ou'r to Aberdour.-P. 54. 1. 9. There are many variations of this line, but the rhyme seems to justify the present reading.-Bishop Percy has a note on " Aberdour," which, were it correct, would be a great corroboration. He explains it, a village lying upon the river Forth, the entrance to which is sometimes denominated, De mortuo mari;" that is, from its dangerous navigation. But the truth is, that De mortuo mari is only the designation of a family (Mortimer), who were lords of Aberdour. The bishop may have been led into the error, from looking over, cursorily, the Register of the Abbey of Inchcolm, which bears, Alanus de Mortuo

Mari, Miles, Dominus de Aberdaur, dedit omnes et totas demidietates Terrarum Villæ suæ de Aberdaur, Deo et monachis de Insula Sancti Columbi," &c.

The Mortimers, I believe, received their name from the Dead Sea in Palestine, during the times of the Crusades.

FRENNET HA.

"UPON the first of January, 1630, the laird of Frendraught, and his complices, fell in a trouble with William Gordon of Rothemay, and his complices, where the said William was unhappily slain, being a gallant gentleman; and on Frendraught's side was slain George Gordon, brother to James Gordon of Lesmoir, and divers others were hurt on both sides. The marquis, and some well-set friends, settled this feud; and Frendraught ordained to pay to the lady relict of Rothemay, and the bairns, fifty thousand merks, in composi

tion of the slaughter; whilk, as was said, was truly paid.

66

Upon the 27th of September, 1630, the laird of Frendraught having in his company Robert Crightoun of Candlau, and James Lesly, son to John Lesly of Pitcaple, with some other servants, the said Robert, after some speeches, shoots the said James Lesly through the arm. They were parted; and he conveyed to Pitcaple, and the other, Frendraught, shot out of his company.

"Likeas Frendraught, upon the fifth of October, held conference with the Earl of Murray, in Elgin; and, upon the morn, he came to the bog of Gight, where the Marquis made him welcome. Pitcaple loups on about 30 horse, in jack and spear, (hearing of Frendraught's being in the bog) upon Thursday the 7th of October, and came to the Marquis, who, before his coming, had discreetly directed Frendraught to confer with his

lady. Pitcaple heavily complains of the hurt his son had got in Frendraught's company, and rashly avowed to be avenged before he went home. The Marquis alleged Frendraught had done no wrong, and dissuaded him from any trouble. Pitcaple, displeased with the Marquis, suddenly went to horse, and that same day rides his own ways, leaving Frendraught behind him in the bog, to whom the Marquis revealed what conference was betwixt him and Pitcaple; and held him all that night, and would not let him go. Upon the morn, being Friday, and a night of October, the Marquis caused Frendraught to breakfast lovingly and kindly; after breakfast, the Marquis directs his dear son, Viscount of Aboyn, with some servants, to convoy Frendraught home to his own house, if Pitcaple was laid for him by the way; John Gordon, eldest son to the late slain Rothemay, happened to be in the bog, who would

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