The

of the four fortresses which, by the Articles of Union, are to be kept constantly fortified.* period of its foundation is unknown.

There is no

doubt, however, that it can boast a more remote antiquity than any other part of the city, and that it has formed the nucleus around which Edinburgh has arisen. The earliest name by which it is recognised in history is Castrum Puellarum, or "The Camp of the Maidens," from the daughters of the Pictish kings being educated and brought up within its walls. It consists of a series of irregular fortifications, and although, before the invention of gunpowder, it might be considered impregnable, it is now a place of more apparent than real strength. It can be approached only upon the eastern side. The other three sides are very precipitous; some parts, as an English friend of our own observed, being more than perpendicular. Its elevation is 383 feet above the level of the sea, and from various parts of the fortifications a magnificent view of the surrounding country may be obtained. It contains accommodation for 2000 soldiers, and its armoury affords space for 30,000 stand of arms. Facing the north-east is the principal or Half-Moon Battery, mounted with twelve, eighteen, and twentyfour pounders, the only use of which, in these piping times of peace, is to fire on holidays and occasions of public rejoicing. The architectural effect of the Castle has been much marred by a clumsy pile of barracks on its western side, which, observes Sir

* The other fortresses included in this provision are the Castles of Dumbarton, Blackness, and Stirling.

Walter Scott, would be honoured by a comparison with the most vulgar cotton-mill.

In the earlier periods of Scottish history, this fortress experienced the vicissitudes common to the times, and was frequently taken and re-taken by various conflicting parties. In the present work, we can only advert to one or two of the more striking events in its annals.

In 1296, during the contest for the crown between Bruce and Baliol, it was besieged and taken by the English. It still remained in their possession in 1313, at which time it was strongly garrisoned, and commanded by Piers Leland, a Lombard. This governor, having fallen under the suspicion of the garrison, was thrown into a dungeon, and another appointed to the command in whose fidelity they had complete confidence. It has frequently been remarked, that, in capturing fortresses, those attacks are generally most successful which are made upon points where the attempt appears the most desperate. Such was the case in the example now to be narrated. Randolph, Earl of Moray, was one day surveying the gigantic rock, and probably contemplating the possibility of a successful assault upon the fortress, when he was accosted by one of his men-at-arms with the question, "Do you think it impracticable, my lord?" Randolph turned his eyes upon the querist, a man a little past the prime of life, but of a firm, well-knit figure, and bearing in his bright eye, and bold and open brow, indications of an intrepidity which had already made him remarkable in the Scottish army.

"Do you mean the rock, Francis ?" said the earl; "perhaps not, if we could borrow the wings of our gallant hawks."

"There are wings," replied Francis, with a

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thoughtful smile, as strong, as buoyant, and as daring. My father was keeper of yonder fortress." "What of that? you speak in riddles.”

"I was then young, reckless, high-hearted; I was mewed up in that convent-like castle; my mistress was in the plain below—”

"Well, what then?"

"'S death, my Lord, can you not imagine that I speak of the wings of love? Every night I descended that steep at the witching hour, and every morning before the dawn I crept back to my barracks. I constructed a light twelve-foot ladder, by means of which I was able to pass the places that are perpendicular; and so well, at length, did I become acquainted with the route, that in the darkest and stormiest night I found my way as easily as when the moonlight enabled me to see my love in the distance, waiting for me at her cottage door."

"You are a daring, desperate, noble fellow, Francis! However, your motive is now gone; your mistress

"She is dead; say no more: but another has taken her place."

* The soldier's name was William Frank.

Mr. Leitch Ritchie

here uses the novelist's license in dealing with the name, and in throwing the story into the form of a dialogue, but the events are strictly in accordance with the historical narrative.

D

"Ay, ay, it's the soldier's way.

Women will die, or even grow old-and what are we to do? Come, who is your mistress now?”

"MY COUNTRY! What I have done for love, I can do again for honour; and what I can accomplish, you, noble Randolph, and many of our comrades, can do far better. Give me thirty picked men, and a twelve-foot ladder, and the fortress is our own!"

The Earl of Moray, whatever his real thoughts of the enterprise might have been, was not the man to refuse such a challenge. A ladder was provided, and thirty men chosen from the troops; and in the middle of a dark night, the party, commanded by Randolph himself, and guided by William Francis, set forth on their desperate enterprise.

By catching at crag after crag, and digging their fingers into the interstices of the rocks, they succeeded in mounting a considerable way; but the weather was now so thick, they could receive but little assistance from their eyes; and thus they continued to climb, almost in utter darkness, like men struggling up a precipice in the nightmare. They at length reached a shelving table of the cliff, above which the ascent, for ten or twelve feet, was perpendicular; and having fixed their ladder, the whole party lay down to recover breath.

From this place they could hear the tread and voices of the "check-watches" or patrol above; and surrounded by the perils of such a moment, it is not wonderful that some illusions may have mingled with their thoughts. They even imagined