IN support of this assertion some proof perhaps may be expected; but as any dissertation on this subject might lead to an unwarrantable length, we shall extract the following very judicious remarks of an anonymous, though good critic, on some of the peculiar advantages of the Scottish language for subjects of poetry.

It contains a number of vocables peculiarly expressed, and purely its own. Many of them are monosyllables, and yet they convey an extent and an energy of meaning, which most of the modern languages can but imperfectly collect, even by circumlocution. Its powers of termina. tion, especially in diminutives and expressions of endearment, are far from being inconsiderable, and in many instances it appears to be little

inferior to that of the Italian. It possesses a considerable portion of that rustic simplicity so much admired in the Doric dialect of the Greeks, and not a little also of the smoothness of the Ionic. Like the former, it drops final consonants, substitutes one for another, and converts many of the vowels and diphthongs of English words into A and I; and, like the latter, it delights to throw out the consonants, to produce a concourse of vowels, to soften the sound, and promote the flow of those harsher terms which less easily combine in versification. It abounds in terms and phrases connected with domestic and social life; with rural scenery, sentiments and occupations, and hence is peculiarly fitted for pastoral poetry, the lighter ode, and the description of external nature. It surpasses in humourous representation, and is far from being unsuitable to the plaintive and the tender.'

NOTE ↳, p. 17, 1. 11; and p. 18, 1. 5.

'How saft the kye in King's Park low'd.'
'Owre Castle, Butts, and Knott.'

Upon the south-west of the castle lies a large park, inclosed with a stone wall, called the King's Park, where the court used to divert themselves with hunting of the deer, which were kept in it. At the east end of the park lie the royal gardens: vestiges of the walks and parterres, with a few stumps of fruit trees, are still visible.—In the gardens is a mound of earth, in form of a table, called the king's knott, with benches of earth round it, where, according to tradition, the court sometimes held fêtes champetres. Around the gardens, too, are vestiges of a canal, upon which the royal family and court used to divert themselves in pleasure boats.' Nimmo's Hist. of Stirling shire, p. 250, 251.

NOTE, p. 22, 1. 8.

'Aft grac'd yon castle's princely brow.'

The castle of Stirling, on account of its beautiful situation and delightful prospect, was the fa

vourite residence of our Scottish kings, particularly of the James's.—James III. was so attached to it, that he built a palace, with an elegant chapel in it. To procure funds for the support of a dean, prebends, a numerous band of singers, musicians, and other officers, he suppressed the Priory of Coldingham, and endowed his chapel with the revenues: a circumstance which produced the rebellion that shortly after occasioned the tragical death of that mild and unfortunate monarch. See Henry's Hist. of Great Britain.

NOTE, p. 24, 1. 12, and p. 25, 1. 2.

"On Lady's hill.'

'Strevlina's craigs and valley ring.'

In the castle hill is a hollow called the Valley, comprehending about an acre of ground, and having all the appearance of an artificial work, which was used for tilts and tournaments, with other feats of chivalry; and closely adjoining to this valley upon the south, is a small rocky mount, rising in form of a pyramid, called the Ladies Hill, upon which the ladies of the court took

their station to behold those exercises.' Nimmo's

Hist. p. 252.

NOTE, p. 26. 1. 7.

'Alas! nor he, whase youthfu' bloom.'

'James I. of Scotland was one of the most accomplished and amiable princes that ever filled a throne. He was likewise one of the most unfortunate. After upwards of 18 years captivity in England, and encountering many difficulties on his return to his native kingdom, he was, in the prime of life, murdered by barbarous assassins in the Carthusian monastery of Perth. In the monument of genius, James has been almost equally unfortunate. No vestiges are now remaining of his skill in architecture, gardening, and painting, though we are well assured, by one who was well acquainted with him,* that in all these arts he excelled. Many of the productions of his pen have also perished; for he tells us himself that

*Scotichron. lib. 16. cap. 30.

+ King's Quair, cant. 1. stan. 13.