The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-03-22
Stirling 6Nstle,

Stirling eastle.
From an interesting article in tho LiteL
Pilgrim, written by Grace Greenwood. en-
titled Countries have seen," We take tn,
following sketch and legend Of Stirling Cas-
tie:
We travelled from the Trosachs TO Stirling
by the stage-coach, taking outside seats, s.
as to have better views Of the lovely and no
bic country through which we passed.
The most interesting object on our way
was tho ruined castle OF Donne, on the
banks Of the Teth, once one OF the proud,
est stronghods in all Scotland. TWAS bull,
by Murdock, Duke Of Albany, who was af.
terwards, with his two sons, behcaded upon
Stirling Castle hill, from which he could See
the hammered towers" Of his princely resi-
dence
The old town Of Stirling is grandly situa.
ted on an erninence, near the river Forth, -
but contains nothing Of remarkable interest,
except the castle, which stands on the high.
est point, overlooking the country for q
great distance, in every direction. Within
sight of its walls, are no less than three ol
the most celebrated Of Scotland's battle.
felds.-Cambus. Kenneth, Falkirk and
Bannochburn. 4lsz isosrg-'-nylsp-ls-'sa sas-ss'usa
Stirling Castle is now only kept up as n
fortress, but throughout the reign Of the
Stuarts, it was favortc and important roy.
al residence. Among the interesting objects
and places which were pointed out TO us by
the soldier who conducted us through the old
palace and castle, was the room in which
King James the Scyond killed, with his own
hand, the Earl Of DOuglas-an unprincely
and most inhospitablc act though tins
Earl, like the greater portion of his family,
was ambitious, INSCRIPTIONS, cruel and re-
belious
! We were also shown narrow road. dc.
scendIng the precipice behind the castle and
called Bltiangiech, which signifies in Gallo,
"wndy pass
James the Fifth used to pass out the Castle,
by this way, when he went on secret expe.
ditions, in disguise, rs he was very fond OF
doing, and he took a name from It, calling
himself "Ms Gujd-m0n Of BailslHgiech "%--
He was merry, daring prince, sort OF
Scotch liaroun Alraschid, and has many
amusing adventures under his assumed cha.
racter--one or two Of which will relate.
One time, when the king had distinguish
ed foreign guests, and was ieasting them
with great state and lollty at Stirling, he
was informed by his steward that provisions
were running rather low, and sent of in
haste to the hills for veniso1. The huntcrs
were successful in killing n fine lot Of fat
deer, which they slung upon the backs OF
/ the horses, and set out fer Stirling.
| II happened unluckiy for them that they
were Obliged to pass tine Castle Of Arnpry.
or, in the district Of Kippin, the scat Of one
Of the Buchanans--a rude, Independent and
care. .for.naught Highland chief 1t happen
ed also, that this Laird was entertaining a
large company, and like the king had
found himself short Of provisions, though
what he lacked in meat he made up in Il.
qu0r, which flowed without stint, / assure
you. la this prcdicameut, when hc was
told 80 much good vcnison was passing his
castle, he did not hesitate to sally out at the
head Of band of his wild Ilighiauders, and
seize upon it. The royal keepers remon-
stratcd against this bold act which they
called "high treason" warning him that he
and his clan would have to pay dearly for
the stolen deer-perhaps head Tor head.
But Buchanan laughed right saucily, say
ing that II James Stuart was King in Scot
land, he was King in Kippin-anl hin.ins
the iattest buck over his shoulders, he
s;rode into the Castle, followed by his men,
bearing the remainder Of the prey--while
the royal Keepers rode on TO Stirling with
lightered horses, but hearts heavy with dis
appointment and chagrin.
Now, kings are quite as easily touched
through their stomachs as through their
sense Of honor and dignity in tins case,
you see, James might justly consider him
self wronged and insuItcd IN both ways
lie was hOt.tempered as well as fearless-so
ne instantly ordered his horse and set out
alone TO the Castle of Buchanan. lie arriy-
ed just as several huge haunchcs Of his vc.
nison were set upon the table, and the feast
ing was about to recommence. He found 4
tall, broad-chested, long bearded warder at
the door, who not recognizing the new
guest, threateningy presented bis battcaxe
TO him, saying grutily that the high and
mighty Laird Of Arnpryor was at dinner,
and must not be disturbed by such as he.
But the king silly slipped into his hand a
piece Of god--which somehow seemed TO
touch his heart at oncc-anl said, "Go up
into the banqucting hall, my friend, and
tell your master that the GuW.maH ~ Bai-
hng'ech has come to dine with the King of
kippcn."
The warder grumbled little, but went to
the laird and told him that there was a
troublesome fellow at the door, with rcd
beard, who called himself "thc Guid.man of
Ballangiech,' and insisted on coming in, to
dine with the King Of kippen.
When the bold Buchanan heard this. he
turned pale, left the table in great haste, and
running to the door, fell at the kings fee,
and begged his pardon for making free with
the royal yenison, and sending such saucy
message to his sovereign. Now, much Of
the kings anger had evaporated in his gallop
from Stlrlng,-he was tired and hungry-he
smet the smoking hot venison, and he heard
within the hall the merry jingling Of wine
cups, and the pleasant laugh ter Of ladies'
so, instead Of taking the Laird's head,
which would have done him no good, or
coniiscating his lands, which he did not
need, he very sensibly concluded to show
mercy to his rash subject, told him to get
up from his knees-assured him that he had
only meant to give hima fright-that he had
really ridden up from Stirling to dine with
him, in neighborly way,--anl begged tnat
he might have that pleasure, before the We
nison should get cold. So the two went in
together, and tho feast went on, without
further interruption.
After this, the Laird Of Arnpryor mcnded
his manners, and was faithful and humble
subject, though he was little apt to boast
to strangers of ellis Maicsty's visit to my
poor Castle" BY the way, he never could
get rid of the title of liking of Kippcn.'
f"Guii.man" signifies farmer
TREATMENT OF SCARLET FEvER.-As the
scarlet fever is very prevalent at nrcsent. il