Robert I. with his queen, Isabella, besides many other princes and nobles. In short, there is not any spot in Scotland, even Scone not excepted, more fitted to awaken a recollection of former times, and the fortune of the Scottish princes, than Dumfermline. The great actions, and the death, and dying request of Robert Bruce, particularly rush on the mind. His body was buried here. But his heart, at his own earnest desire, was embalmed, and committed to the charge of Sir James Douglas, to be carried and deposited by him in the holy sepulchre at Jerusalem.

This memorable occurrence, which exemplifies the spirit of chivalry, then in the height of its purity and glory, the religious enthusiasm, and, it may be said, the religious chivalry too of the times, is mentioned by all the historians; but by none in so impressive and affecting a manner as the charming and inimitable Froissart, whose dramatic and picturesque manner exhibits scenes as passing before you. I wish I had had a copy of Froissart with me, as I sat musing on a tomb-stone in the church-yard of Dumfermline, with my eyes fixed on the sepulchres of Robert Bruce, and many others of the Scottish kings. I have since seen Froissart's affecting description of that great prince's dying charge to Douglas, in Mr. Johnes's translation of Froissart, which enlivened my recollection of the old cathedral church and church-yard of Dumfermline, in a wonderful manner. Even the elegant narrative of Buchannan, in the purest and most classical Latin, fades and becomes languid before the livelier description of Froissart. As I doubt not but it will appear

extremely interesting, I have subjoined it in a note, for the gratification of my readers.*

"During this truce between England and Scotland, it happened that king Robert of Scotland, who had been a very valiant knight, waxed old, and was attacked with so severe an illness, (the leprosy) · that he saw his end was approaching. He therefore summoned together all the chiefs and barons, in whom he most confided, and, after having told them, that he should never get the better of this sickness, he commanded them, upon their honour and loyalty, to keep and preserve faithfully and entire the kingdom, for his son David, and obey him and crown him king when he was of a proper age, and to marry him with a lady suitable to his station.

"He after that called to him the gallant lord James Douglas, and said to him, in presence of the others, my dear friend, lord James Douglas, you know that I have had much to do, and have suffered many troubles, during the time I have lived, to support the rights of my crown at the time that I was most occupied, I made a vow, the non-accomplishment of which gives me much uneasiness.-I vowed, that if I could finish my wars in such a manner, that I might have quiet to govern peaceably, I would go and make war against the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the adversaries of the christian faith. To this point my heart has always leaned; but our Lord was not willing, and gave me so much to do in my life-time, and this last expedition has lasted so long, followed by this heavy sickness, that, since my body cannot accomplish what my heart wishes, I will send my heart instead of my body to fulfil my vow. And as I do not know any one knight so gallant or enterprising, or better formed to complete my intentions than yourself, I beg and intreat of you, dear and special friend, as earnestly as I can, that you would have the goodness to undertake this expedition for the love of me, and to acquit my soul to our Lord and Saviour; for I have that opinion of your nobleness and loyalty, that, if you undertake it, it cannot fail of success-and I shall die more contented: but it must be executed as follows:

"I will, that as soon as I shall be dead, you take my heart from my body, and have it well embalmed: you will also take as much money from my treasury, as will appear to you sufficient to perform your

As the town of Dumfermline stands on elevated ground, and the steeple, which is very high, is seen at a vast distance in almost every direction, as already noticed, so the prospect from the battlements of this, is one of the most extensive, as well as beautiful, in this island. From thence is to be seen part of fourteen different counties, including the Sontra, and Lammer-Muir Hills; Ben Lomond, Ben Leddia, and

journey, as well as for all those whom you may choose to take with you in your train; you will then deposit your charge at the holy sepulchre of our Lord, where he was buried, since my body cannot go there. You will not be sparing of expense-and provide yourself with such company, and such things, as may be suitable to your rank-and wherever you pass, you will let it be known, that you bear the heart of king Robert of Scotland, which you are carrying beyond seas, by his command, since his body cannot go thither!

"All those persons began bewailing bitterly; and when the lord James could speak, he said, 'Gallant and noble king, I return you a hundred thousand thanks, for the high honour you do me, and for the valuable and dear treasure which you entrust me; and I will most willingly do all that you command me, with the utmost loyalty in my power; never doubt it, however I may feel myself unworthy of such a high distinction.'

"The king replied Gallant knight, I thank you-you promise it me then?'

"Certainly, sir, most willingly,' answered the knight. He then gave his promise upon his knighthood.

"The king said, Thanks be to God, for I shall now die in peace, since I know that the most valiant and accomplished knight of my kingdom, will perform that for me, which I am unable to do for myself.'

"Soon afterwards, the valiant Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, departed this life, on the 7th of November, 1327. His heart was embalmed, and his body buried in the monastery of Dumfermline. Translation of Sir John Froissart's Chronicles, by Mr. Johnes, vol. 1. p. 72-3.

Benvoirlich; the Kippen Hills, and the south-western extremity of the Aichil or Ochil Hills, and the Hills of Campsie; the Pentland Hills; Hopetoun House; Blackness Castle; Linlithgow, and Borroustouness; Culross; the meandrings of the Forth from Stirling to Leith, and the metropolis of Scotland, with its castle and spires: all which places are very distinctly and clearly seen from the steeple of Dumfermline, in clear weather.

FROM DUMFERMLINE TO ST. ANDREWS.

IN my way from Dumfermline I fell in with a great number of people about the door of a decentlooking house. Upon inquiry, I found that a man within had been, for some days, in a trance, or was actually dead. He had no appearance of life, yet he was neither cold nor stiff, nor had he that pale cadaverous colour which dead bodies generally assume. As he had been several days in this state, without the least breath, motion, or sign of life, they were at a loss to know whether it would be proper to bury him or not. For my part, I could give no advice, other than to let the body remain unburied till signs of putrefaction appeared. I mentioned that dead bodies are sometimes found turned on their face in coffins and suffocated, having returned to life after they have been buried, and bleeding at the nose, mouth, and ears. Having thus done what I could to have the body kept a little longer above ground, I soon arrived at Inverkeithing.

I need scarcely, I suppose, mention, that the word Inver, means the mouth or place where one river runs into another, or into the sea. Hence Inveresk, the mouth of the Esk; Inverness, the mouth of the river Ness; Inverary, the mouth of the river of that name; and so on.

Inverkeithing is a royal burgh, where David I. king of Scotland, had a royal palace. There is a fine