194 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



thus in both these cases wonderful things were 

 done by cabalistical words, which art is called 

 Glamour. 



Now as to the Eildons, I do not exactly see 

 what motive the wizard could have in cleaving 

 them in three ; I therefore rather lean to the story, 

 which is still current in the country, especially as 

 it is very circumstantial, and most agreeable to 

 sober reason. It runs as follows : 



Old Michael Scott the wizard, whose fame as a 

 powerful magician had spread over most part of 

 Europe 1 (the same alluded to as having cleft the 

 Eildon Hills in three), was at continual feud with 

 the holy monks of Old Melrose, and constantly 

 playing his cantrips on them : they on their part 

 were assiduous in using exorcisms, and such means 

 as put Michael Scott's power in some danger ; so 

 the wizard resolved that they should not have the 

 light of the sun during vespers, but that they 

 should either abstain from them altogether, or be 

 put to the expense of oil or candles. 



To effect his purpose he summoned a spirit or 

 imp, or something very like a real devil, who was 

 subject to his bidding, and for whom he was 

 obliged to find constant employment. 



Him he commanded to place a mountain to the 

 west of the monastery, so as to intercept from it the 

 rays of the setting sun. The imp being ingenious, 

 and strong withal, looked around him, and found 

 his affair in the Cheviot Hills. Thither he hied, 

 and with an iron shovel, he took away from them 



1 ' ' Quel' altro Michele Scoto fu, chi veramente 

 Delle magiche Frodi seppe il Gioco. " DANTE. 



