The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

298 APPENDIX TO THE
of the Family of St. Clair, by RICHARD AUGUSTIN
HAY, Canon of St. Genevieve.
This adventurous huntsman married Elizabeth,
daughter of Malice Spar, Earl of Orkney and Stratherne, in whose right their son Henry was, in 1379,
created Earl of Orkney, by Haco, king of Norway.
His title was recognized by the Kings of Scotland,
and remained with his successors until it was annexed
to the crown, in 1471, by act of Parliament. In exchange for this earldom, the castle and domains of
Ravenscraig, or Ravensheuch, were conferred on William Saintclair, Earl of Caithness.
NOTE L 2.
Still nods their palace to its fall,
Thy pride and sorrow, fair Kirkwall.-P. 197.
The Castle of Kirkwall was built by the St. Clairs
while Earls of Orkney. It was dismantled by the
Earl of Caithness about 1615, having been garrisoned
against the government by Robert Stewart, natural
son to the Earl of Orkney.
Its ruins afforded a sad subject of contemplation to
John, Master of St. Clair, who, flying from his native
country, on account of his share in the insurrection of
1715, made some stay at Kirkwall.
If this couplet does him no great honour as a poet, the conclusion of the story does him still less credit. He set his
foot on the dog, says the narrator, and killed him on the spot,
saying, he would never again put his neck in such a risk. As
Mr. Hay does not mention this circumstance, I hope it is
only founded on the couchant posture of the hound on the
monument.