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.

TH E ANTIQUAIRY. 27
here a hospi-tiuzr, kospitaZe, or hospiltcnentum (for it is written all these
various ways in the old writings and evidents,) in which the monks received
pilgrims. I know our minister has said, in the Statistical Account, that the
piospitiua was situated either on the lands of Haltweary, or upon those of
Half-starvet; but he is incorrect, Mr. Lovel-that is the gate called still the
Palmer's Port, and my gardener found manny hewn stones, when he was
trenching the ground for winter celery, several of which I have sent as specimcns to my learned friends, and to the various antiquarian societies of
which I am an unworthy member. But I will say no more at present; I
reserve something for another visit, and we have an object of real curiosity
before us."
While he was thus speaking, he led the way briskly through one or two
rich pasture meadows, to an open heath or common, and so to the top of a
gentle eminence. "Here," he said, " Mr. Lovel, is a truly remarkable
spot."
" It commands a fine view," said his companion, looking around him.
" True: but it is not for the prospect I brought you hither; do you see
nothing else remarkable? - nothing on the surface of the ground?"
" Why, yes; I do see something like a ditch, indistinctly marked."
"Indistinctly i - pardon me, sir, but the indistinctness must be in your
powers of vision. Nothing can be more plainly traced — a proper agger or
vallum, with its corresponding ditch orfossa. Indistinctly! why, Heaven
help you, the lassie, my niece, as light-headed a goose as womankind affords,
saw the traces of the ditch at once. Indistinct!-why, the great station at
Ardoch, or that at Burnswark in Annandale, may be clearer, doubtless,
because they are stative forts, whereas this was only an occasional encampment. Indistinct! - whyi-you must suppose that fools, boors, and idiots,
have ploughed up the land, and, like beasts and ignorant savages, have
thereby obliterated two sides of the square, and greatly injured the third;
but you see, yourself, the fourth side is quite entire i"
Lovel endeavoure.d to apologize, and to explain away his ill-timed phrase,
and pleaded his inexperience. But he was not at once quite successful.
H[is first expression had come too frankly and naturally not to alarm the
Antiquary, and he could not easily get over the shock it had given him.
" My dear sir," continued the senior, " your eyes are not inexperienced:
you know a ditch from level ground, I presumne, when you see them? Indistinct! why, the very common people, the very least boy that can herd a
cow, calls it the Kaim of Kinprunes; and if that does not imply an ancient
camp, I am ignorant what does."
Lovel having again acquiesced, and at length lulled to sleep the irritated
and suspicious vanity of the Antiquary, he proceeded in his task of cicerone. "You must know," he said, "our Scottish antiquaries have been
greatly divided about the local situation of the final conflict between Agricola and the Caledonians; some contend for Ardoch in Strathallan, some
for Innerpeffry, some for the Raedykes in the Mearns, and some are for
carrying the scene of action as far north as Blair in Athole. Now, after
all this discussion," continded the old gentleman, with one of his slyest and
most complacent looks, "what would you think, Mr. Lovel, - I say, what
would you think, - if the memorable scene of conflict should happen to be
on the very spot called the Kaim of Kinprunes, the property of the obscure
and humble individual who now speaks to you." Then, having paused a
little, to suffer his guest to digest a communication so important, he resumled
his disquisition in a higher tone. "Yes, my good friend, I am indeed
greatly deceived if this place does not correspond with all the marks of that
celebrated place of action. It was near to the Grampian mountains —lo!
yonder they are, mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the
horizon! It was in conspectu classis -in sight of the Roman fleet; and
would any admiral, Roman or British, wish a fairer bay to ride in than that