tterburn_ is the more faithful to history, and
refers (35.2) to 'the cronykle' as authority. _The Hunting of the
Cheviot_ was in the repertory of Richard Sheale (see First Series,
_Introduction_, xxvii), who ends his version in the regular manner
traditional amongst minstrels. Also, we have the broadside _Chevy
Chase_, which well illustrates the degradation of a ballad in the hands
of the hack-writers; this may be seen in many collections of ballads.

_Mary Hamilton_ has a very curious literary history. If, _pendente
lite_, we may assume the facts to be as suggested, pp. 44-46, it
illustrates admirably Professor Kittredge's warning, quoted above, that
ballads already in circulation may be adapted to the circumstances of a
recent occurrence. But the incidents--betrayal, child-murder, and
consequent execution--cannot have been uncommon in courts, at least in
days of old; and it is quite probable that an early story was adapted,
first to the incident of 1563, and again to the Russian story of 1718.
Perhaps we may remark in passing that it is a pity that so repugnant a
story should be attached to a ballad containing such beautiful stanzas
as the last four.

_Captain Car_ is an English ballad almost contemporary with the Scottish
incident which it records; and, from the fact of its including a popular
burden, we may presume it was adapted to the tune. _Bessy Bell and Mary
Gray_, which records a piece of Scottish news of no importance whatever,
has become an English nursery rhyme. In _Jamie Douglas_ an historical
fact has been interwoven with a beautiful lyric. Indeed, the chances of
corruption and contamination are infinite.

II

The long pathetic ballad of _Bewick and Grahame_ is a link between the
romantic ballads and the ballads of the Border, _Sir Hugh in the Grime's
Downfall_ connecting the Border ballads with the 'historical' ballads.
The four splendid 'Armstrong ballads' also are mainly 'historical,'
though _Dick o' the Cow_ requires further elucidation. _Kinmont Willie_
is under suspicion of being the work of Sir Walter Scott, who alone of
all ballad-editors, perhaps, could have compiled a ballad good enough to
deceive posterity. We cannot doubt the excellence of _Kinmont Willie_;
but it would be tedious, as well as unprofitable, to collect the hundred
details of manner, choice of words, and expression, which discredit the
authenticity of the ballad.

_John o' the Side_ has not, I believe, been presented to re