
their duty.
 
86 It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutal young Laird
is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, who resembled Balmawhapple in the
article of courage only, fell at Preston in the manner described. A Perthshire
gentleman of high honour and respectability, one of the handful of cavalry who
followed the fortunes of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitive dragoons almost
alone till near Saint Clement's Wells, where the efforts of some of the officers
had prevailed on a few of them to make a momentary stand. Perceiving at this
moment that they were pursued by only one man and a couple of servants, they
turned upon him and cut him down with their swords. I remember, when a child,
sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and green, distinguishing
it from the rest of the field. A female of the family then residing at Saint
Clement's Wells used to tell me the tragedy of which she had been an eyewitness,
and showed me in evidence one of the silver clasps of the unfortunate
gentleman's waistcoat.
 
87 Charles Edward took up his quarters after the battle at Pinkie-house,
adjoining to Musselburgh.
 
88 The name of Andrea di Ferrara is inscribed on all the Scottish broadswords
which are accounted of peculiar excellence. Who this artist was, what were his
fortunes, and when he flourished, have hitherto defied the research of
antiquaries; only it is in general believed that Andrea di Ferrara was a Spanish
or Italian artificer, brought over by James IV. or V. to instruct the Scots in
the manufacture of sword blades. Most barbarous nations excel in the fabrication
of arms; and the Scots had attained great proficiency in forging swords, so
early as the field of Pinkie; at which period the historian Patten describes
them as »all notably broad and thin, universally made to slice, and of such
exceeding good temper, that as I never saw any so good, so I think it hard to
devise better.« - (Account of Somerset's Expedition.)
It may be observed, that the best and most genuine Andrea Ferraras have a crown
marked on the blades.
 
89 The clergyman's name was Mac-Vicar. Protected by the cannon of the Castle, he
preached every Sunday in the West Kirk, while the Highlanders were in possession
of Edinburgh; and it was in presence of some of the Jacobites that he prayed for
Prince Charles Edward in the terms quoted in the text.
 
90 The incident here said to have happened to Flora Mac-Ivor, actually befell
Miss Nairne, a lady with whom
