"It's ill taking
the breeks off a Highlandman,"--and the boots are here in the same
predicament.'

'The word CALIGAE, however,' continued the Baron, 'though I admit, that,
by family tradition, and even in our ancient evidents, it is explained
LIE BOOTS, means, in its primitive sense, rather sandals; and Caius
Caesar, the nephew and successor of Caius Tiberius, received the agnomen
of Caigula, A CALIGULIS, SIVE CALIGIS LEVIORIBUS, QUIBUS ADOLESCENTIOR
USUS FUERAT IN EXERCITU GERMANICI PATRIS SUI. And the CALIGAE were also
proper to the monastic bodies; for we read in an ancient Glossarium,
upon the rule of St. Benedict, in the Abbey of St. Amand, that CALIGAE
were tied with latchets.'

'That will apply to the brogues,' said Fergus.

'It will so, my dear Glennaquoich;--and the words are express:
CALIGAE DICTAE SUNT QUIA LIGANTUR; NAM SOCCI NON LIGANTUR, SED TANTUM
INTROMITTUNTUR; that is, CALIGAE are denominated from the ligatures
wherewith they are bound; whereas SOCCI, which may be analogous to our
mules, whilk the English denominate slippers, are only slipped upon
the feet, The words of the charter are also alternative,--EXUERE, SEU
DETRAHERE; that is, to UNDO, as in the case of sandals or brogues; and
to PULL OF, as we say vernacularly, concerning boots. Yet I would we had
more light; but I fear there is little chance of finding hereabout any
erudite author DE RE VESTIARIA.'

'I should doubt it very much,' said the Chieftain, looking around on
the straggling Highlanders, who were returning loaded with spoils of the
slain, 'though the RES VESTIARIA itself seems to be in some request at
present.'

This remark coming within the Baron's idea of jocularity, he honoured it
with a smile, but immediately resumed what to him appeared very serious
business. 'Bailie Macwheeble indeed holds an opinion, that this honorary
service is due, from its very nature, SI PETATUR TANTUM; only if his
Royal Highness shall require of the great tenant of the crown to perform
that personal duty; and indeed he pointed out the case in Dirleton's
DOUBTS AND QUERIES, Grippit VERSUS Spicer, anent the eviction of an
estate OB NON SOLUTUM CANONEM, that is, for non-payment of a feu-duty of
three peppercorns a year, whilk were taxt to be worth seven-eighths of a
penny Scots, in whilk the defender was assoilzied. But I deem it safest,
wi' your good favour, to place myself in the way of rendering the Prince
this service, and to proffer performance th