t of
party is no friend to the love of truth.

But despite the drawbacks and dangers attaching to such gatherings for the
settlement of Border affairs, the day of truce was an institution of great
public utility. It is difficult to see how, apart from such an
arrangement, even the semblance of civilized life could have been
maintained. The Borders really constituted an _imperium in imperio_, and
the wardens, when presiding over their monthly convention, were to all
intents and purposes absolute rulers within their own prescribed domain.
It was generally found that when warden courts, or days of truce, were
regularly held, good rule and order, at least judged by the ordinary
Border standard, were well maintained throughout the entire district.

VII.

THE DEADLY FEUD.

"At the sacred font, the priest
Through ages left the master hand unblest
To urge with keener aim the blood incrusted spear."

LEYDEN.

The difficulties with which the Borderers had to contend were of a varied
character. They had to be constantly on the watch against the aggressions
and incursions of their enemies on the opposite Marches. But it frequently
happened that their most dangerous and inveterate foes were to be found
amongst their own countrymen. This was the case more especially when
blood-feuds arose, setting family against family, and clan against clan.
An interesting, if not very luminous, account of the origin of the "Feud"
is given by Burghley in a report submitted by him to the English
government, in which he deals with what he calls the "Decays of the
Borders." He says:--"Deadly Foed, the word of enmytie on the Borders,
implacable without the blood and whole family destroyed, whose etymologie
I know not where better to fetch than from Spiegelius in his _Lexicon
Juris, in Verbo_ 'feydum:' he saith it is an old Teutch word whereof is
derived by Hermanus Nivoranus (?) _faydosum Hostis publicus_; 'foed'
_enim, Bellum significat_." He further points out that the Scottish
wardens, being native Borderers, are "extraordinarilye adicted to
parcialities, favour of their blood, tenantes and followers," and
consequently he holds they should be disqualified for office.[49]

The evils resulting from these deadly-feuds would have been comparatively
trifling had it been possible to limit the consequences to the persons
more immediately concerned. Owing, however, to the system of clanship
wh