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that they were seen from the battlements; although, being themselves unable to see the warders, this was highly improbable. It became evident, notwithstanding, from the words they caught here and there, in the pauses of the night-wind, that the conversation of the English soldiers above, related to a surprise of the castle; and, at length, these appalling words broke like thunder on their ears — "Stand! I see you well!" A fragment of the rock was hurled down at the same instant; and as, rushing from crag to crag, it bounded over their heads, Randolph and his brave followers, in this wild, helpless, and extraordinary situation, felt the damp of mortal terror gathering upon their brow, as they clung, with a death-grip, to the precipice.

The startled echoes of the rock were at length silent, and so were the voices above. The adventurers paused, listening breathless; no sound was heard but the sighing of the wind, and the measured tread of the sentinel, who had resumed his walk. The men thought they were in a dream, and no wonder; for the incident just mentioned, which is related by Barbour, was one of the most singular coincidences that ever occurred. The shout of the sentinel, and the missile he had thrown, were merely a boyish freak; and while listening to the echoes of the rock, he had not the smallest idea that the sounds which gave pleasure to him, carried terror, and almost despair, into the hearts of the enemy.

The adventurers, half uncertain whether they were not the victims of some illusion, determined that it was as safe to go on as to turn back; and

pursuing their laborious and dangerous path, they at length reached the bottom of the wall. This last barrier they scaled by means of their ladder; and leaping down among the astonished check-watches, they cried their war-cry, and, in the midst of answering shouts of "Treason! Treason!" notwithstanding the desperate resistance of the garrison, captured the Castle of Edinburgh.*

Robert Bruce then entirely demolished its fortifications, that it might not again be occupied by a hostile power. The wisdom of this policy was subsequently proved by the conduct of Edward III. who, on his return from Perth, caused it to be rebuilt and strongly garrisoned. But his possesIsion of it was destined to be of short duration. One of those stratagems characteristic of the adventurous spirit of the times, was successfully resorted to for its deliverance. In 1341, Sir William Douglas, with three other gentlemen, waited upon the governor. One of them, professing to be an English merchant, informed him that he had a vessel in the Forth richly laden with wine, beer, and biscuits, exquisitely spiced, and produced at the same time samples of the cargo. The governor, pleased with their quality, agreed for the purchase of the whole, which the pretended captain requested permission to deliver early next day, to avoid interruption from the Scots. He accordingly arrived at the time appointed, attended by a dozen of armed followers, disguised as seamen, and the gates being

* HEATH'S Picturesque Annual. Scott and Scotland, pp. 174-7.

opened for the reception of the provisions, they contrived, just in the entrance, to overturn one of the carriages, thus effectually preventing the closing of the gates. The porter and guards were then put to the sword, and the assailants being re-inforced by Douglas and his party, who lay in ambush near the entrance, the English garrison was overpowered, and expelled from the Castle.

During the reign of Queen Mary, when the country was distracted by intestine wars, this fortress was gallantly defended for the Queen by Kirkaldy of Grange. The rest of Scotland had submitted to the authority of Morton the Regent, Kirkaldy alone, with a few brave associates, remaining faithful to the cause of his Royal Mistress. Morton was unable, with the troops at his command, to reduce the garrison, but Elizabeth having sent Sir William Drury to his aid with 1500 foot, and a train of artillery, trenches were opened, and approaches regularly carried on against the Castle. For three and thirty days Kirkaldy gallantly resisted the combined forces of the Scots and English, nor did he demand a parley till the fortifications were battered down, and the wells were dried up or choked with rubbish. Even then, undismayed by danger or defeat, he determined rather to fall gloriously behind the ramparts, than surrender to his enemies. But his garrison were not animated with the same heroic courage, and having risen in a mutiny, they compelled him to capitulate. Drury, in the name of his mistress, engaged that he should be honourably treated; but Elizabeth, insensible alike to the claims

of valour, and to the pledged honour of her own officer, surrendered Kirkaldy to the Regent, who, with her consent, hanged the gallant soldier and his brother at the Cross, on the 3d of August 1573.

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In 1650, the CASTLE was besieged by the Parliamentary army under Cromwell; and capitulated on honourable terms. In 1745, although Prince Charles Stuart held possession of the city, he did not attempt the reduction of the Castle. In modern times, some of the prisoners, during the French war, were confined within its walls. The SCOTTISH

REGALIA, consisting of a Crown, a Sceptre, and a Sword of State, are exhibited in the Crown Room every day from twelve till three o'clock. Visitors are gratuitously admitted by an order from the Lord Provost, which may be obtained by applying at the City Chambers between twelve and three o'clock. Persons procuring orders are required to sign their names and places of residence in a book kept in the City Chambers for this purpose, and the order is available only upon that day on which it is dated.

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Taking these articles in connection with the great historical events and personages that enter into the composition of their present value, it is impossible to look upon them without emotions of singular interest, while, at the same time, their essential littleness excites wonder at the mighty circumstances and destinies which have been determined by the possession or the want of possession of what they emblematize and represent. For this diadem did Bruce liberate his country; with it, his son nearly occasioned its ruin. It purchased for

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