The Ballad of Kinmont Willie. 297 



These litres could hardly have been written before the death 

 of Salkeld, which took place in 1624. The ballad, nevertheless, 

 may have been in existence, in an early form, before that date, 

 and the lines about the death of Willie's captor may have been 

 inserted later. The possibility of their insertion by Scott is 

 excluded by the fact that he knew that Salkeld was not killed. 



There is topographical confusion, as well as historical in- 

 accuracy in "Kinmont Willie." Staneshaw Bank (Stanwix 

 Bank) is represented as on the Carlisle side of the Eden, whereas 

 it is an eminence on the other side. There is no high bank on 

 the south side of the Eden, except a very modern artificial one. 

 Satchells knew that " StonLsh Bank," which he also calls 

 " Stenicks-bank,"9 was on the north side:— - 



" But yet his Honour he did no longer bide. 

 But paced throughout the Muir to the River Eden-side ; 

 Near the Stonish-bank my Lord a time did stay, 

 And left the one half of his company, 

 For fear they had made noise or din, 

 Near the castle they should come. 

 The river was in no great rage, 

 They cross'd near half a mile below the bridge; 

 Then along the Sands with no noise at all 

 They come close under the Castle wall."^° 



Probably Scott knew, independently of Satchells, that Staneshaw 

 Bank was not on the south side of the Eden, for he was well 

 acquainted with Carlisle. Is it not more likely that he left a 

 mistake by an old writer uncorrected than that he misunderstood 

 Satchells and blundered himself? The mistake would not have 

 been easily corrected, for it occurs in several verses : — ■ 

 " Then on we held for Carlisle toun, 



And at Staneshaw-bank the Eden we cross'd; 

 The water was great and meikle of spait, 



But the nevir a horse nor man we lost. 



And when we reached the Staneshaw-bank, 

 The wind was rising loud and hie; 



9. "They met with the rest of their party at Stenicks-bank." 



10. "A True History," p. 18. 



