have constituted those men of no knowledge into a peculiar court
for trying questions of relationship and descent, such as this
business of Bertram, which often involve the most nice and
complicated questions of evidence.'

'The devil they have! I should think that rather inconvenient,'
said Mannering.

'O, we have a practical remedy for the theoretical absurdity. One
or two of the judges act upon such occasions as prompters and
assessors to their own doorkeepers. But you know what Cujacius
says, "Multa sunt in moribus dissentanea, multa sine ratione."
[Footnote: The singular inconsistency hinted at is now, in a great
degree, removed.] However, this Saturnalian court has done our
business; and a glorious batch of claret we had afterwards at
Walker's. Mac-Morlan will stare when he sees the bill.'

'Never fear,' said the Colonel, 'we'll face the shock, and
entertain the county at my friend Mrs. Mac-Candlish's to boot.'

'And choose Jock Jabos for your master of horse?' replied the
lawyer.

'Perhaps I may.'

'And where is Dandie, the redoubted Lord of Liddesdale?' demanded
the advocate.

'Returned to his mountains; but he has promised Julia to make a
descent in summer, with the goodwife, as he calls her, and I don't