The Minstrel gazed with wishful eye- The embattled portal arch he pass'd, The Duchess' marked his weary pace, Though born in such a high degree; When kindness had his wants supplied, amusement."-SCHETKY's Illustrations of the Lay of the Last Minstrel. It may be added that Bowhill was the favourite residence of Lord and Lady Dalkeith, (afterwards Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch,) at the time when the poem was composed; the ruins of Newark are all but included in the park attached to that modern seat of the family; and Sir Walter Scott, no doubt, was influenced in his choice of the locality, by the predilection of the charming lady who suggested the subject of his "Lay" for the scenery of the Yarrow-a beautiful walk on whose banks, leading from the house to the old castle, is called, in memory of her, the Duchess's Walk.-ED.] 1 Anne, Duchess of Buccleuch and Monmouth, representative of the ancient Lords of Buccleuch, and widow of the unfortunate James, Duke of Monmouth, who was beheaded in 1685. VOL. I.-4 And he began to talk anon, Of good Earl Francis,' dead and gone, And how full many a tale he knew, He could make music to her ear. The humble boon was soon obtain❜d; Was blended into harmony. 1 Francis Scott, Earl of Buccleuch, father of the Duchess. 2 Walter, Earl of Buccleuch, grandfather of the Duchess, ana a celebrated warrior. |