Whereas now it passes from the lineage that should have possessed it in SAECULA SAECULORUM.

But God's will be done, HUMANA PERPESSI SUMUS.

Sir John of Bradwardine--Black Sir John, as he is called--who was the common ancestor of our house and the Inch-Grabbits, little thought such a person would have sprung from his loins.

Meantime, he has accused me to some of the primates, the rulers for the time, as if I were a cut-throat, and an abettor of bravoes and assassinates, and coupe-jarrets.

And they have sent soldiers here to abide on the estate, and hunt me like a partridge upon the mountains, as Scripture says of good King David, or like our valiant Sir William Wallace,--not that I bring myself into comparison with either .-- I thought, when I heard you at the door, they had driven the auld deer to his den at last; and so I e'en proposed to die at bay, like a buck of the first head .-- But now, Janet, canna ye gie us something for supper ?' 'Ou aye, sir, I'll brander the moor-fowl that John Heatherblutter brought in this morning; and ye see puir Davie's roasting the black hen's eggs .-- I daur say, Mr.Wauverley, ye never kend that a' the eggs that were sae weel roasted at supper in the Ha'-house were aye turned by our Davie ?--there's no the like o' him ony gate for powtering wi' his fingers amang the het peat-ashes, and roasting eggs.