"If such be your advice, my dear lady," said I, "the course of my
story shall take its rise upon this occasion at a remote period of
history, and in a province removed from my natural sphere of the
Canongate."

It was under the influence of those feelings that I undertook the
following historical romance, which, often suspended and flung
aside, is now arrived at a size too important to be altogether
thrown away, although there may be little prudence in sending it
to the press.

I have not placed in the mouth of the characters the Lowland Scotch
dialect now spoken, because unquestionably the Scottish of that
day resembled very closely the Anglo Saxon, with a sprinkling of
French or Norman to enrich it. Those who wish to investigate the
subject may consult the Chronicles of Winton and the History of Bruce
by Archdeacon Barbour. But supposing my own skill in the ancient
Scottish were sufficient to invest the dialogue with its peculiarities,
a translation must have been necessary for the benefit of the general
reader. The Scottish dialect may be therefore considered as laid
aside, unless where the use of peculiar words may add emphasis or
vivacity to the composition.

PREFACE.

In continuing the lucubrations of Chrystal Croftangry, it occurred
that, although the press had of late years teemed with works of
various descriptions concerning the Scottish Gad, no attempt had
hitherto been made to sketch their manners, as these might be supposed