74 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



and other MSS., were presented by the duke of Lauderdale to Samuel Pepys, 

 Esq., founder of the Library in Magdalen College, Cambridge, bearing his 

 name, and now form part of its rare and valuable contents. It is proper to 

 state as a fact that may account for the flatness, or, at least, absence of fervour, 

 which prevails in Sir Richard's poetry, that he only devoted himself to the 

 muses in his sixtieth year — an age at which, in general, the warmth of imagina- 

 tion subsides into matter of fact, and when men are better fitted for legislators 

 and philosophers, than for poets. The charge preferred against him by Knox, 

 as the principal abettor in the escape of Cardinal Beaton, has never been 

 substantiated ; and the mere suspicion is sufficiently answered by the testimony 

 of Sir Ralph Sadler, who throws the responsibility of that unfortunate act to the 

 secret orders communicated to Lord Seaton by the Regent. 



Yester Castle, the ancient fortress of the Giffords, now represented by the 

 marquis of Tvveedale, is remarkable for a capacious cavern, which long enjoyed 

 the reputation of being the work of magic, and known in the country by the 

 appropriate name of Hobgoblin-hall. A stair of twenty-four steps leads down 

 to this spacious apartment, tlie roof of which is strongly arched ; and from the 

 floor, a second flight of thirty-six steps communicates with a dungeon, fi'om 

 which an outlet is again effected to the Hope-water — a stream which partly 

 surrounds the castle. This fortress has attributed to it the credit of having 

 been the last that surrendered to the Protector Somerset, during the opera- 

 tions which followed the battle of Pinkie. 



About half way between Haddington and Giffbrd stands the old mansion- 

 house of Colstoun, long the seat of the Brouns, a family of French extraction, 

 and located at Colstoun from an early period of the eleventh century. Its 

 founder is supposed to have been one of the leaders of those auxiliaiy troops 

 who came over from France in 1073, to assist Malcolm Canmore against William 

 the Conqueror. Upon the death of Sir George BroHn,* the second baronet, 



* sir Patrick Broun was raised to tlie baronetage by James H. for " zeal in promoting his service, 

 manifested on all occasions ; as also on account of the tirm fidelity of tlie ancient family from whom he was 

 sprung, and whom lie represented." Walterus lo Brun was one of the barons who witnessed an instru- 

 ment of inquisition respecting the possessions of the See of Glasgow, made by David, prince of Cumbei-- 

 land, prior to the year 11 16. From this document, one of the oldest now extant, it appears that Glasgow 

 was the seat of the bishop of Cumberland, the see of which comprised at that time a great portion of ihe 

 south of Scotland, and gave title to the royal heir apparent. The family has produced various men 

 eminent for their abilities, among whom may be mentioned Dr. John Broun, author of " An Estimate of 

 the Manners and Principles of the Times," 1756. William Broun, Director of the Court of Chancery, 

 Lord Colstoun, &c. For these particulars, which our limits do not permit us to enlarge, we are indebted 

 to a genealogical manuscript, by Richard Broun, Esq. (eldest son of the present baronet,) a gentleman 

 well known for several excellent papers on subjects of political economy. — For the tradition of the 



