us. " The floor is laid with black and white marble, the ; 

 walls lined with old oak panels from Dunfermline , 

 Abbey, and the groined roof painted to correspond. 

 Eound the cornice there is a line of armorial shields of 

 the families who kept the borders, such as the Douglases, 

 Kerrs, Scotts, Turnbulls, Maxwells, Chisholms, Elliots 

 and Armstrongs ; and all round the walls are hung coats 

 of mail, pieces of armour, and curiosities, or as Burns 

 would have put it, 



" A fouth o'auld nick nackets, 

 Rusty iron caps and jingling tackets 

 Would keep the Lothian s three in jackets 

 A towmon guid." 



Among special things pointed out, are the keys of the 

 old Tolbooth of Edinburgh, known as the " Heart of 

 Midlothian ; " a clock which belonged to Marie Antoi- 

 nette ; and a suit of clothes at one time worn by Sir 

 Walter, consisting of a broad skirted green coat, plaid- 

 trousers, heavy shoes, and broad-brimmed hat. From 

 this we passed into the armoury, which runs across the 

 house, and forms a sort of ante-room between the dining 

 and drawing-room. It contains some curious coffers 

 and interesting pieces of armour, such as the breast- 

 plate of James IV, Eob Eoy's gun. Montrose's sword, 

 Claverhouse's pistols, James VI's hunting bottle, Eobert 

 Bruce's candlestick, Queen Mary's offering box, &c, as 

 well as some specimens of Indian weapons. The Draw- 

 ing-room is a moderate-sized room, with two windows 

 looking toward the Tweed, covered with a quaint Chinese 

 paper. In one corner stands a beautiful tortoiseshell 

 cabinet, which is said to have belonged to Queen Mary ; 

 and on the walls are hung Eaeburn's full-lenght portrait 

 of Sir Walter, and portraits of Lady Scott and daughter. 

 There are also a frame of fine water-colour drawing 

 by Turner, and a curious painting of the head of Queen 

 Mary after execution. Next comes the library, the 

 largest room of the suite about. 5-0 by 30 feet, and con-. 



