lainy. O, indolence and indecision of mind! if not in yourselves vices, to how much exquisite misery do you frequently prepare the way!"

ALTHOUGH the Highlanders marched on very fast, the sun was declining when they arrived upon the brow of those high grounds which command an open and extensive plain stretching northwards to the sea, on which are situated, but at a considerable distance from each other, the small villages of Seaton and Cockenzie, and the larger one of Preston. The low coast-road to Edinburgh passed through this plain, issuing upon it from the inclosures of Seaton-house, and at the town or village of Preston again entering the defiles of an inclosed country. By this way the English general had chosen to approach the metro

polis, both as most commodious for his cavalry, and as being probably of opinion that by doing so, he would meet in front with the Highlanders advancing from Edinburgh in the opposite direction. In this he was mis taken, for the sound judgment of the Chevalier, or of those to whose advice he lis"tened, left the direct passage free, but dccupied the strong ground by which it was overlooked and commanded. lo poliad **When the Highlanders reached the heights commanding the plain described, they were immediately formed in array of battle along the brow of the hill. Almost at the same instant, the van of the English appeared issuing from among the treesband inclosures of Seaton, with the purpose of occupying the plain between the high ground and the sea. The The space which divided the armtes being only about half a mile in breadth, Waverley could plainly see the squadrons of dragoons issue,cone after another, from the defiles, with their videttes in front, and form

upon the plain, with their front opposed to the line of the Prince's army. They were followed by a train of field-pieces, which, when they reached the flank of the dragoons, were also brought into line, and pointed against the heights. The march was continued by threesor four regiments of infantry marching in open column, their fixed bayonets shewing like successive hedges of steel, and their arms glancing like lightning, as, at a signal given, they at once wheeled into line, and were placed in direct opposition to the Highlanders. A second train of artillery, with another regiment of horse, closed the long march, and formed on the left flank of the infant, the whole line facing southwardse our While the English army went through these evolutions, the Highlanders shewed equal promptitude and zeal for battle. As fast as the clans came upon the ridge which fronted their enemy, they were formed in-. to line, so that both armies got into complete order. of battle at the same mo

ry,

ment. When this was accomplished, the Highlanders set up a tremendous yell, which was re-echoed by the heights be hind them. The regulars, who were in high spirits, returned a loud shout of de fiance, and fired one or two of their can non, upon an advanced post of the Highlanders. The latter displayed great ears nestness to proceed instantly to the attack, Evan Dhu urging to Fergus, by way of ar gument, that "the sidier cray was tottering like an egg upon vasstaff, and that they had a' the vantage of the onset, for even a haggis (God bless her!) could charge down bill. snom ada noquet:bom tons on

But the ground through which the mountaineers must have descended, although not of great extent, was impracticable in its character, being not only marshy, but intersected with walls of dry stone, and traversed in its whole length by avery broad and deep ditch, circumstances which must have given the musketry of the ree gulars dreadful advantages. The autho