292 The Ancient Burgh of Roxburgh, by Thomas Craig. 



even a little longer ; for it has evidently been bevelled all 

 round, but the upper part of the bevelling has been 

 broken off. Near the centre has been cut a figure which may- 

 be taken to represent either the shears or the compasses, most 

 probably the former, as a lengthwise indention has been cut 

 above where the two limbs meet, which is of greater extent than 

 woiild be required for compasses. Another consideration favour- 

 ing the idea that the symbol represents the shears, is the fact 

 that they invariably mark the grave of a female of high rank ? 

 The carving is not deep, neither is the workmanship first-rate, 

 though it is respectable enough to show that it is the work of a 

 mason. 



V. This also is a sand-stone, and measures nearly 1 foot broad 

 by 1 foot 7 inches long. It is in fair preservation. From a base . 

 of " corbie-steps" rises a shaft, from a point on the top of which 

 radiates an eight-branched design, each branch thickening to- 

 wards the end, and terminating in half diamond shaped, half 

 spear-shaped figures. 



VI. This is another sand-stone, which is very little defaced by 

 time or weather. . It measures 1 foot in breadth, by 5 \ feet in 

 length, and has evidently been the lintel of a window. At the 

 centre there is a raised projection, pointing inwards, which, 

 roughly speaking, may be said somewhat to resemble the club 

 represented on playing cards, but, instead of being rounded, 

 having five sides borne on a narrow shaft. At the top and 

 bottom are halves of this figure. Between these figures the stone 

 is cut slopingly downwards. 



These stones are now lying in an uncared-for state in a clump 

 of trees overlooking St. James's Green, and belonging to the 

 Duke of Hoxburghe, whose property they are. A more appro- 

 priate resting-place would be under the arches of Kelso Abbey, 

 and thence they could be removed at very small trouble and ex- 

 pense. 



It may be further mentioned that in 1788 other relics of an- 

 cient Roxburgh were obtained. The British Chronicle, published 

 at Kelso, in its issue for October 17 of that year, gives the ap- 

 pended particulars regarding them : — " The workmen now em- 

 ployed in digging out the foundation of some religious houses 

 which stood upon St. James's Green, where the great annual fair 

 of that name is now held, in the neighbourhood of this town, 



