142 SCOTLAND ILLIjSTRATED. 



as usual, he proceeded to the gate, following the sturdy bondsman who drove 

 the team, as if merely to see the forage safely delivered. His person and business 

 being already familiar to the sentinel on guard, required no passport. The gate 

 was thrown open and the wain passed on, till Binnoch,* watching the moment, 

 and rushing up to the beam, severed the main-trace by a single blow of his axe, 

 while the horses springing forward left the wain under the centre of the arch. 

 Binnoch at the same moment striking the porter to the ground, vociferated 

 the watchword, when eight well armed accomplices leapt from the middle 

 of the hay and rushed to the assault. The alarm was spread ; and a strong 

 body of the garrison hastening to the spot endeavoured to shut the gate, but 

 in vain. They then attempted to drop the portcullis, but nothing could be 

 done; the wain, which occupied the centre of the gate, prevented alike the 

 closing of the doors and descent of the portcullis; while the armed Scotch, 

 pouring in from an ambush where they lay waiting the result of the experiment, 

 spread a panic among the troops, and forcing a passage through the street, 

 took immediate possession of the castle. 



" And then the watcliword of the Bruce once more 

 Rang from the pele to Forth's resounding shore." 



Whether Linlithgow be the Lindum of Ptolemy is a question not yet 

 decided ; but sufficient evidence exists to prove that it is a place of great anti- 

 quit'y. On the site of the Roman camp, according to Fordim, Edward I., during 

 the campaign of 1300, erected a castle or pele, which, being surprised in the 

 marner already stated, was demolished some years later by order of Bruce. It 

 was afterwards rebuilt and enlarged, at various epochs, until it assumed the 

 form and importance of a royal palace. The front and porch were erected by 

 James V., and the north side by his successor. In point of sculpture the east 

 side is extremely interesting, and presents a striking specimen of the ornamental 

 architecture of that period. The west side forms a strong contrast in this 

 respect, being little better than a dead wall, and indicating rather a prison than 

 a palace; for in those days of stratagem and distrust security was the first 

 consideration, and the best sanctuary of royalty was in the heart of a fortress. 

 The magnificent description in " Marmion " is highly coloured ; and although 

 little remains to verify the poetical picture, those who visit the palace with 

 minds enriched by historical associations will find in its deserted halls a prolific 

 source of melancholy enjoyment. The ground on which this venerable ruin 



* The family of Binning trace their pedigree to this peasant — the William Tell of his time. Their 

 motto is — " Virtute doloque." 



