94 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



into his presence, the governor interrogated him strictly as to the purport of 

 his visit. " Having just landed," he said, " after a successful voyage from 

 Bordeaux, and having several casks of excellent wine and other precious 

 commodities on board, I thought it my duty, before offering them to the public, 

 to lay specimens of them before your excellency — for sooth to say, these Scotch 

 are as degenerate in taste as they are shallow in purse ; so that unless I obtain 

 the patronage of your excellency, 1 fear I may again put to sea." 



" Show me thy wares— ha ! the grape of Picardy— well I know its flavour! — 

 and this— and this— all old acquaintances !— Why, thou shalt be purveyor to 

 the king, and manage our commissariat to boot." " I knew," answered the wily 

 skipper, " that your excellency was of exquisite science in the grape, and I 

 chose my market accordingly." ..." True— I have had a little experience ; 

 and well I mind me when we lay encamped among the vineyards of Beauvais 

 . . . But no matter — send me instantly a hogshead of each — be expeditious — 

 and count upon me as thy future customer." 



The skipper, with grateful obeisance, retired, and hastened to execute so 

 flattering an order. Next morning, therefore, presenting himself at the gate 

 with twelve of his crew, (among whom was Douglas,) staggering, apparently, 

 under the weight of the casks, the sentinel immediately withdrew the bolts, 

 admitted the skipper, and again shut the gate. But the next instant the casks 

 and bales were thrown to the ground — a broadsword gleamed in the skipper's 

 hand — a well-known bugle startled the garrison — the mariners were trans- 

 formed to men at arms — the sentinels secured — and the gate thrown wide 

 open to Douglas, knight of Liddisdale, and two hundred resolute Borderers, 

 who were anxiously waiting the result of the stratagem. The governor, who 

 little thought that wine would have produced such sudden strife, was surprised 

 by the rush of armed banditti, as their motley garb and accoutrements at first 

 proclaiiMed them ; but recognising the crafty smuggler at their head, and 

 bestowing a hearty malediction on his ingratitude, surrendered his sword to 

 the Douglas, and, with six officers of his staff, made room for a new constable. 



The history of this castle, however, presents many painful retrospects, as well 

 as romantic incidents ; and in its triple capacity of palace, fortress, and prison, 

 would supply materials for a volume.* 



• I[i I55(), it became the residence of Queen Mary, and tlie birth-place of her son, James VI. In I65I 

 it sustained a siege from Cromwell ; and again, in ItiSO, under command of the duke of Gordon, held out 

 for King J.amcs, and in both instances surrendered by capitulation. At the union of the two kingdoms it 

 became the depository of the Stewart Regalia, long locked up, but latterly exhibited to the public; and in 

 the disastrous rebellion of 1745, maintained an effectual resistance against the Highland army. 



Since that period it has been, so to speak, put on half pay— employed as a barrack — and only required 



