ootnote 39: The royal castles of Roxburgh, Hermitage, Lochmaben,
&c. form a class of exceptions to this rule, being extensive and well
fortified. Perhaps we ought also to except the baronial castle
of Home. Yet, in 1455, the following petty garrisons were thought
sufficient for the protection of the border; two hundred spearmen,
and as many archers, upon the east and middle marches; and one hundred
spears, with a like number of bowmen, upon the western marches.
But then the same statute provides, "They that are neare hand the
bordoure, are ordained to have gud househaldes, and abuilzed men as
effeiris: and to be reddie at their principal place, and to pass, with
the wardanes, quhen and quhair they sail be charged."--_Acts of James
II._, cap. 55, _Of garisonnes to be laid upon the borderes_.--Hence
Buchanan has justly described, as an attribute of the Scottish nation,

"_Nec fossis, nee muris, patriam sed Marte tueri_."

[Footnote 40: I have observed a difference in architecture betwixt the
English and Scottish towers. The latter usually have upon the top
a projecting battlement, with interstices, anciently called
_machicoules_, betwixt the parapet and the wall, through which
stones or darts might be hurled upon the assailants. This kind of
fortification is less common on the south border.]

[Footnote 41: I ought to except the famous Dand Ker, who was made
prisoner in his castle of Fairnihirst, after defending it bravely
against Lord Dacres, 24th September, 1523.]

Some rude monuments occur upon the borders, the memorial of ancient
valour. Such is the cross at Milholm, on the banks of the Liddel,
said to have been erected in memory of the chief of the Armstrongs,
murdered treacherously by Lord Soulis, while feasting in Hermitage
castle. Such also, a rude stone, now broken, and very much defaced,
placed upon a mount on the lands of Haughhead, near the junction
of the Kale and Teviot. The inscription records the defence made by
Hobbie Hall, a man of great strength and courage against an attempt
by the powerful family of Ker, to possess themselves of his small
estate[42].

[Footnote 42: The rude strains of the inscription little correspond
with the gallantry of a

--village Hampden, who, with dauntless breast,
The little tyrant of his fields withstood.

It is in these words:

Here Hobbie Hall boldly maintained his right,
'Gainst reif, plain force, armed wi' awles might.
Full thirty pleughs, harnes'd i