l6o Yarrozv : Its Literature and Romance. [Sess. 



that he was proceeding towards the Lowlands, hurriedly left 

 England with a considerable body of troops, in order if 

 possible to intercept him before he crossed the Forth. On 

 coming into the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, he learned that 

 Montrose and his men were encamped in Ettrick Eorest. He 

 crossed over Soutra Eidge and marched down the Gala Water, 

 spent the night at Melrose, and early in the morning made all 

 possible haste to Selkirk. The Eoyalist troops were completely 

 taken by surprise, were thrown into disorder, and fled in 

 all directions. Montrose arrived too late on the scene to save 

 the day ; hardly indeed was he able to save his own life. He 

 galloped as fast as his horse could carry him up the Yarrow, 

 and over Minchmoor to Traquair, where he found temporary 

 shelter. Some of his troops were caught in a trap in the 

 vicinity of Newark Castle, and put to death in cold blood. 

 The only excuse that can be made for this wanton slaughter is 

 that the Eoyalists would have served the Covenanters in the 

 same fashion had the fortune of battle reversed the situation. 

 Opinion may still be divided in regard to the Covenanting 

 movement, — there were probably faults on both sides, — but 

 the result, most unprejudiced critics must admit, has been 

 favourable alike to religious and civil liberty. 



" The Solemn League and Covenant 



Cost Scotland blood, cost Scotland tears ; 

 But it sealed Freedom's sacred cause : 

 If thou'rt a slave, indulge thy sneers." 



Opposite Philiphaugh stands the modern mansion of Bow- 

 hill — "sweet Bowhill," as Sir Walter called it. Near the 

 house an interesting experiment has been carried out that has 

 a special interest for such a Society as this. Some seventy or 

 more years ago there was a good deal of speculation as to 

 whether trees would grow of their own accord on the hills in 

 the district. The late Duke of Buccleuch, in order to put the 

 matter to the test, enclosed 300 acres of a bare hillside. In 

 a comparatively short time trees began to make their appear- 

 ance, and now it is nearly all covered with beautiful specimens 

 of the trees belonging to the district. 



In the policies of Bowhill, close to the river bank, is the 

 famous Newark Castle, for generations used as a royal hunting- 

 seat. The present tower was built in 1466, but it is supposed 



