"For now it's tell'd him that the tawz "Was handled by revengefu' Madge, SYMON'S HOUSE, as it is seen over the Esk, in the prefixed engraving, from the north-east end of the Marfield Loch, is the first object that presents itself, on coming from Edinburgh with the design of making a regular tour through the scenes, in nature; and it is the last that falls to be illustrated, when the order is followed according to which they succeed each other, and appear, in the pastoral comedy itself. Though last, it is, however, not least. As well as that of Symon, it is the abode of the hero of the poem, Patie; than whom, "A gentler shepherd flocks did never feed DRUMMOND of Hawthornden's Pastoral Elegy The chief and leading characters in the drama, are its guests; and the most important incidents of the plot are transacted under its roof. The rural feast on account of Sir William Worthy's return, is given by Symon, who first heard of it from Hab; and the rejoicings, and gambolings, are held within it, and on its green. Symon, its tenant, is Sir William's host; his trusty favourite; and Patie's. guardian. After taking a solitary survey of his "once fair seat," it is the first place on his arrival, to which the knight in disguise bends his way "to see his boy," "his lad," his "prop," his only child and here he resides with him, and Symon, till he publishes Patie's parentage; discover's Peggy's birth; reconciles Bauldy to Neps; rewards honest Mause, and faithful Symon and Glaud; fixes the wedding of Roger and Jenny; marries his son Patie, to Peggy his niece; makes all around him contented and happy; and the story is concluded. On the edge of the ravine, called the Fairies' Den, between and the present garden, on the north side of New-Hall House, over the two vaults, as mentioned in the description of New-Hall House, is the remain of a round tower that formed a part of the ancient convent, or castle that succeeded it. Before most of this ruined tower was taken down, about twenty years ago, it was of a considerable elevation, and, when it was destitute of trees, formed a conspicuous and attractive object up the ravine from Symon's farmstead. In allusion to this circumstance, while in SYMON'S HOUSE, and before he makes himself known, in answer to this confidential shepherd's hospitable offer of refresh Act 3. Scene 2. DIALOGUE. "SYм.-Elspa, cast on the claith, fetch butt some meat, "And, of your best, gar this auld stranger eat. "SIR WIL.-Delay a while your hospitable care, The local position of the farmstead, in sight of New-Hall House, likewise coincides with the concluding lines of the soliloquy which occupies the whole preceding scene. After examining his place, and lamenting the ruinous condition in which he found the house, offices, and gardens; the sight of SYMON'S HOUSE, from his mansion, and the view of the " gamboling" on its green, gives a check to the knight's reflections, and produces a desire to partake in the festivity of his social tenants. Says he to himself, on observing the farmstead and the bustle about it, in Act 3. Scene 1. SIR WILLIAM solus. SOLILOQUY, (at the end.) "Now tow'rds good Symon's house I'll bend my way, "And see what makes yon gamboling to-day; "All on the green in a fair wanton ring, "My youthful tenants gaylie dance and sing." (Exit Sir William. Peat, the species of fuel, supplied by the Harlaw Muir, of which, in the time of Sir David Forbes, and Allan Ramsay, SYMON'S HOUSE was the farmstead, is, also, from its being peculiar to the vicinity of the upper division of the Pentland Hills, and this district, again, appropriately, and characteristically specified, in the delightful description of the inside of Symon's House prefixed to this illustration; as it was formerly, in the rural picture of the outside of Glaud's Onstead, and the subsequent dialogue. Before Sir William Worthy reaches it, from his mansion, the following engaging representation is given, of the comfortable house where his son was left, and resided, whilst he was "abroad," after being defeated with "Montrose;" and into which he himself was, now, to be received, after his arrival in Britain with Charles the Second at the Restoration, on his return to his estate and his heir. For propriety, and truth, no piece of poetic painting can exceed it. Act 3. Scene 2. PROLOGUE. "It's Symon's house; please to step in, "And vissy't round and round; "Or costly to be found. "Yet all is clean: a clear peat ingle "Glances amidst the floor: "The green horn spoons, beech luggies mingle "While the young brood sport on the green, "The auld anes think it best, "With the brown cow to clear their een, "Snuff, crack, an' tak their rest.” Mr David Allan's representation, of the inside of Symon's House, after the arrival of Sir William Worthy; with the knight foretelling Patie's fortune, and pointing to the "mouse-mark on his side; and of the effects of his predictions on all the company, but especially on Elspa, Symon's wife; is Scottish pastoral nature itself, and does full justice to his author, and honour to his own congenial talents. North, within three hundred yards of the site from which the view of SYMON'S HOUSE was taken, stands the new Marfield farmstead; and, about the same distance, beyond it, is the remain of the old tenement, built when timber in its neighbourhood was so scarce that the cross spars of its roof were supported by a row of rough stone arches, called stone couples, springing at equal distances from the side-walls between the corresponding gables. Apparently from the same cause, one of the out-houses of the Fore 'Spital is covered with a solid arch of stone, without any opening whatever, from the one end to the other. Farther on, in the same direction, rises the central, and most picturesque group of all the Pentland chain, formed by the Broad Law, the |