The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE BLACK DWARF. 329
(_r)IJIqIft t~t iJltemtti4
To face the garment of rebellion
With some fine colour, that may please the eye
Of fickle changelings, and-poor discontents,
Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
Of hurlyburly innovation.
HENRY THE ri OURITH, PaC't II.
THERE had been great preparations made at Ellieslaw Castle for the
entertainment on this important day, when not only the gentlemen of note
in the neighbourhood, attached to the Jacobite interest, were expected to
rendezvous, but also many subordinate malcontents, whom difficulty of circumstances, love of change, resentmente against England, or any of the
numerous causes which inflamed men's passions at the time, rendered apt
to join in perilous enterprise. The men of rank and substance were not
many in number; *for almost all the large proprietors stood aloof, and most
of -the smaller gentry and yeomanry were of the Presbyterian persuasion,
and therefore, however displeased with the Union, unwilling to engage in a
Jacobite conspiracy. But there were some gentlemen of property, who,
either from early principle, from religious motives, or sharing the ambitious
views of Ellieslaw, had given countenance to his scheme; and there were,
also, some fiery young men, like Mareschlal, desirous of signalizing themselves by engaging in a dangerous enterprise, by which they hoped to vindicate the independence of their country. The other members of the party
were persons of inferior rank and desperate fortunes, who were now ready
to rise in that part of the country, as they did afterwards in the year 1715,
under Forster and Derwentwater, when a troop, commanded by a Border
gentleman, named Douglas, consisted almost entirely of freebooters, among
whom the notorious Luck-in-a-bag, as he was called, held a distinguished
command. We think it necessary to mention these particulars, applicable
solely to the province in which our scene lies; because, unquestionably, the
Jacobite party, in the other parts of the kingdom, consisted of much more
formidable, as well as much more respectable, materials.
One long table extended itself down the ample hall of Ellieslaw Castle,
which was still left liUCh in the state in which it had been one hundred
years before, stretching, that is, in gloomy length, along the whole side of
the castle, vaulted with ribbed arches of freestone, the groins of which
sprung from projecting figures, that, carved into all the wild forms which
the fantastic imagination of a Gothic architect could devise, grinned,
frowned, and gnashed their tusks, at the assembly below. Long narrow
windows lighted the banqueting room on both sides, filled up with stained
glass, through which the sun emitted a dusky and discoloured light. A
banner, which tradition averred to have been taken from the English at the
battle of Sark, waved over the chair in which Ellieslaw presided, as if to
inflame the courage of the guests,'by reminding them of ancient victories
over their neighbours. He himself, a portly figure, dressed on this occasion with uncommon care, and with features, which, though of a stern and
sinister expression, might well be termed handsome, looked the old feudal
baron extremely well. Sir Frederick Langley was placed on his right hand,
and Mr. Mareschal of Mareschal-Wells on his left. Some gentlemen of
consideration, with their sons, brothers, and nephews, were seated at the
upper end of the table, and among these Mr. Ratcliffe had his place. Beneath the salt-cellar (a massive piece of plate which occupied the midst of
the table) sate the sine nomine turba, men whose vanity was gratified by
holding even this subordinate space at the social board, while the distinc2c2