that he had quite forgotten the ceremony
in which Fergus had laboured to engage his curiosity. But next day a
formal GAZETTE was circulated, containing a detailed account of the
battle of Gladsmuir, as the Highlanders chose to denominate their
victory. It concluded with an account of the Court afterwards held
by the Chevalier at Pinkie-house, which contained this among other
high-flown descriptive paragraphs:

'Since that fatal treaty which annihilates Scotland as an independent
nation, it has not been our happiness to see her princes receive, and
her nobles discharge, those acts of feudal homage, which, founded upon
the splendid actions of Scottish valour, recall the memory of her early
history, with the manly and chivalrous simplicity of the ties which
united to the Crown the homage of the warriors by whom it was repeatedly
upheld and defended. But on the evening of the 20th, our memories were
refreshed with one of those ceremonies which belong to the ancient
days of Scotland's glory. After the circle was formed, Cosmo Comyne
Bradwardine, of that ilk, colonel in the service, &c. &c. &c., came
before the Prince, attended by Mr. D. Macwheeble, the Bailie of his
ancient barony of Bradwardine (who, we understand, has been-lately named
a commissary), and, under form of instrument, claimed permission to
perform, to the person of his Royal Highness, as representing his
father, the service used and wont, for which, under a charter of Robert
Bruce (of which the original was produced and inspected by the Masters
of his Royal Highness's Chancery, for the time being), the claimant held
the barony of Bradwardine, and lands of Tully-Veolan. His claim being
admitted and registered, his Royal Highness having placed his foot
upon a cushion, the Baron of Bradwardine, kneeling upon his right knee,
proceeded to undo the latchet of the brogue, or low-heeled Highland
shoe, which our gallant young hero wears in compliment to his brave
followers. When this was performed, his Royal Highness declared the
ceremony completed; and embracing the gallant veteran, protested that
nothing but compliance with an ordinance of Robert Bruce could have
induced him to receive even the symbolical performance of a menial
office from hands which had fought so bravely to put the crown upon the
head of his father. The Baron of Bradwardine then took instruments in
the hands of Mr. Commissary Macwheeble, bearing, that all points and
circumstances of the act of hom