NOTES ON 



: said to have been found, is a cave in a steep rock, in the face of 

 , aimoul-hillj very dangerous and difficult of access ; the scene of 

 many a merry May-game in the times of Popery, which were pro- 

 hibited by the puritanic severity of the kirk-session of Perth. It 

 is not unlikely that the trick put upon Jamie Keddie (Adamson for- 

 tunately has retrieved from oblivion the hero's name) was a jest, 

 arising out of the humours of the festival. 



We need not card nor cross-staffe for our pole, 

 But, thence ascending, clam the Dragon-hole, 

 With crampets on our feet, and clubs in hand, 

 Where, it's recorded, Jamie Keddie fand 

 A stane, enchanted, like to Gyge's ring, 

 Which made him disappear a wondrous thing. 

 If it had been his hap to have retain'd it. 

 But, losing it, again could never find it. 



The Muses Threnodic. The Sixth Verse. 



Adamson's poem was first printed, 1638. 



Note XVII. 

 Scotland' s great general , the Earl of Leven, was born promiscuously, 



of obscure parents. P. 152. 



If being born promiscuously signifies to be born meanly, this was 

 not the case. The celebrated David, Earl of Leven, was the son of 

 Leslie of Balgonie, Captain of Blair Castle, by a daughter of Stuart 

 of Ballechin. 



Note XVIII. 

 Old Drumkilbo. P. 153. 



Drumkilbo, situated 'about three miles from the village of Mei- 

 gle in Strathmore, belongs to a family of the name of Nairne. 



Note XIX. 

 Tipprofin mossy and boggy, full of pits and horrid blackness. 



P. 155. 



The spacious moss of Tipperfin atones for its extreme ugliness, 

 by producing great quantities of excellent marie. The author has 



