bartizans, and
displayed at each frequent angle a small turret, rather resembling a pepper-box
than a Gothic watch-tower. Neither did the front indicate absolute security from
danger. There were loop-holes for musketry, and iron stancheons on the lower
windows, probably to repel any roving band of gipsies, or resist a predatory
visit from the Caterans of the neighbouring Highlands. Stables and other offices
occupied another side of the square. The former were low vaults, with narrow
slits instead of windows, resembling, as Edward's groom observed, »rather a
prison for murderers and larceners, and such like as are tried at 'sizes, than a
place for any Christian cattle.« Above these dungeon-looking stables were
granaries, called girnels, and other offices, to which there was access by
outside stairs of heavy masonry. Two battlemented walls, one of which faced the
avenue, and the other divided the court from the garden, completed the
enclosure.
    Nor was the court without its ornaments. In one corner was a tun-bellied
pigeon-house of great size and rotundity, resembling in figure and proportion
the curious edifice called Arthur's Oven, which would have turned the brains of
all the antiquaries in England had not the worthy proprietor pulled it down for
the sake of mending a neighbouring dam-dyke. This dovecot, or columbarium, as
the owner called it, was no small resource to a Scottish laird of that period,
whose scanty rents were eked out by the contributions levied upon the farms by
these light foragers, and the conscriptions exacted from the latter for the
benefit of the table.
    Another corner of the court displayed a fountain, where a huge bear, carved
in stone, predominated over a large stone basin, into which he disgorged the
water. This work of art was the wonder of the country ten miles round. It must
not be forgotten that all sorts of bears, small and large, demi or in full
proportion, were carved over the windows, upon the ends of the gables,
terminated the spouts, and supported the turrets, with the ancient family motto,
»Bewar the Bar,« cut under each hyperborean form. The court was spacious, well
paved, and perfectly clean, there being probably another entrance behind the
stables for removing the litter. Everything around appeared solitary, and would
have been silent, but for the continued plashing of the fountain; and the whole
scene still maintained the monastic illusion which the fancy of Waverley had
conjured up. - And here we beg permission to close a chapter of still life.14
 

                                 Chapter Ninth