modern times, and put to shame their feeble efforts.

But on this day the gallant youth of St Johnstoun were tasked to the utmost stretch of their skill and prowess, by the presence of many competitors from the rival borough of Dundee, who eagerly contested with them the palm of honour. The inhabitants of these towns were then inflamed with envy and jealousy of each other, on account of the animosity occasioned by disputes regarding their privileges on the river Tay, and the priority claimed by each borough, as the most ancient, in all parliaments, coun cils, and conventions; and some bloody falls were the consequence of the wrestlingmatches between their respective townsmen. This sport was, however, speedily put a stop to by the command of the Earl, and others more harmless, in which equal strength and dexterity were required, substituted in its place, to the great relief of all the tender-hearted maidens and matrons who were spectators of the games. It was from the

hands of the youthful brides that the victors received the prizes, which were the gifts of Gowrie, and the consequence attached to these young women on that day gave double interest to the scene. All was gaiety and happiness, and the heart of every inhabitant of St Johnstoun expanded with confidence in the presence of their idolized Earl, who cherished them as friends, and was, in return, repaid by their unbounded affection. But there were present those who looked on him with far different sentiments, namely, the Munroes of Tullibrandon, who, being kinsmen to one of the bridegrooms, were invited to his marriage, which they artfully influenced him to celebrate on that day, that it might furnish a plausible pretext for their presence at St Johnstoun, where they came, attended by many of their retainers, in readiness to follow the hint of Rathsay, in taking part against the man whom it had been unanimously agreed to prefer before them in the politics of the town and shire,-a circumstance which had

not only been detrimental to their pecuniary interests, but had also inflicted a deadly wound upon their pride, not to be healed save by his humiliation. It was therefore in the full spirit of this party rancour that they beheld him reigning in the hearts of the crowd that surrounded him; and the impatience with which they awaited the coming incidents of this eventful day knew no bounds.-That it was destined by the King to terminate in somewhat detrimental to the Earl of Gowrie and his noble house, they clearly understood; but what were the events which were to bring about an issue so desirable, they did not as yet comprehend; for Rathsay, according to his first inten tion, had only sounded them, and ascertained their willingness to assist their Sovereign, should their aid be necessary. They were constantly, therefore, looking around them during the hours spent on the Inch,—like those who, knowing that a tempest is prog nosticated, seek some token of its approach even in the most cloudless skies,—or like

mariners, who, in an unruffled sea, anxiously examine the water around for the dangerous sunken rocks, which their charts tell them

are near.

Noon, however, was far advanced, without any appearance which indicated an interruption to the festive scene, and their eagerness to have the riddle solved became visible to each other, in the hasty and impatient glances they cast toward the different heights and roads in the neighbourhood, in expectation of seeing a party of troops appear; being possessed with the idea that his Majesty meditated a seizure of the Earl's person, upon some charge with which they were unacquainted.

At length a single horseman was descried, riding furiously towards the multitude, which divided to allow of his passage, after he had hastily inquired on what part of the field the Earl of Gowrie was to be found; and presently arriving where he had taken his station, the messenger threw himself from his horse, and withdrawing him out

of ear-shot of those by whom he was surrounded, he spoke with him for a few seconds. During this time, it was apparent to the keen eyes bent upon him, that the Earl appeared considerably surprised and agitated. When he had heard the tidings which had seemed to cause these emotions, the father of one of the brides, respectfully approaching him, expressed a hope that nothing had occurred to mar their present felicity, which would unquestionably be the consequence of their noble patron's having heard aught that caused him distress, and which he feared was the case.

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No, not distress, my worthy friend,” returned the Earl," but surprise assuredly, and some degree of vexation, that our Sovereign hath unfortunately fixed upon this day to honour me with a visit, and thought meet to send me no warning of this intended favour, save what I have just received from my brother, by his attendant, whom he despatched from the hunt at Falkland to inform me of it. Being totally unpro