Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-31
q b01t& Eiterature
Fr on the Dublin University Maga1ine.
THE LAST VICTIM
OF THE
SCOTTISH MAIDEN.

A Scottish maiden What pleasant
vision do not these words call up. Who
that has ever kept his twelfth Of August
on the northern moors could fail to be re-
minded by them Of some bright-eyed
Highland lassie whom he has met at early
dawn OF day crossing the mountain stream
barefoot, with her plaid thrown over her
iair hair, and ber clear voice ringing out an
Old sweet ballad Of her native land; or
happily, if he had an entrie to the homes
OF the Scottish aristocracy, they will bring
before him some yet fairer picture of a
pure pale face, where eyes of a blue, ten
der AS the morning sky, spoke of noble
and truthful soul within; and he has learnt
to love the race that once had such deadly
ieuds with his Saxon ancestry, because Of
the "glamour" cast around him by the
golden-haired daughters of the land.
But very different is the real picture of
that Scottish maiden of whom we are
about to speak; nor was she any vision of
the fancy, but a terrible reality, whom all
men knew and feared throughout broad
Scotland, two hundred years ago. A dark
and stern lady was she truly, and one who
brooked no riyals-tor they whom she had
once embraced were never clasped to NOR
tai heart again; and the lovers whom she
plllowed on her bosom, slept sleep that
know no waking. Few there were, even
OF the bravest, who did not shudder some
what as they saw her keeping her unchang-
ing watch through storm and sunshine, be.
meath the shadow of old st. Giles, the prin-
cIPal church OF the northern capital and
ottontlnCs, when Ut4GJ -..'. s.o'. - :, -
beneath her feet was stained with blood,
they muttcreG curses on the loathly mai
den" that had done to death so many a
gallant Scot. Yet to some this ghastly la
div (which was none other than the public
ruillotine) appeared to have attractions,
such as a bright-eyed damsel would have
envied for II is recorded Of the noble
Marquis Of Argyle, the last who had died
in her embrace, when our story commen'
ces, that nc ran eagerly up the steps, and
exclaimed as he laid his head on the block
"This is the sweetest maiden have evel
kissed" This saying Of his was often CT
ted, and the world wondered what bidder
panp had so darkened life for the gallan
noble, whose homage was courted by tn,
fairest ladies, that he should die with word
of such bitter meaning on his lips; bu
when, some few wears later, the malde
pressed with her cold hand the throat c
him who proved to be her latest victim
the strange and tragic circumstance of b
death obiiterated all recollection Of tn
Marcus and his dying words.
Ithappeued singularly enough, howeye
thst these two, the Lord Of Argyle, an
Kenelm Hamilton who succeeded him o
the block, had been in life the deadlic'
enemies; and by a peculiar chain Of ci
cumstances, which we shall now proceed
detail, the death of the one caused that
the other.
II was about month after the execute
Of the Marquis that Hamilton, whose rae
so closely allied to the kings of Scotlan
was even prouder than Argyle's, fouI
himself, compelled by political business,
pass a night in the little town Of lnveral
close to which stood the magnificent cast
of the same name, which had been t
heritage of his dead rival.
Never, perhaps, did any one approa
that beautiful spot with greater ill-will th
Kenelm Hamilton; he was young IN
of peculiarly fiery and impetuous disI
sition, OF whom it WAS often said that
love and his hatred were alike to be DIRE;
cd, so ardent and passionate was he
either; he was the second son Of that !
bio family Of Hamiltons, between wh'
and the Argylos there had been dea
feud for many generations past. Ne'
however, had it burnt more tiercely thai
the time Of which we write, when the fl
lies had been represented by tho Marc
who had Just been compelled to lay his
~ head at the maiden's feet, and kene
with his wild and angry temper; for
older brother was an idiot, who bore
family title, but lacked the wit to def
thoir honor when aSSailed, Deep had
tho hate between Argyle and Hamil
which tho new-shed blood Of the for
had not ayailed to quonch ; for, in addi
to the old clan feud, there was pri
Quarrel between them which had fear
embittered their traditionary hatred.
MARQUIS Of Argyle had been betrothe
most from boyhood TO bis cousin, the
Ellen Graham, and although their eng
ment had been matter of family ARA
mcnt, he loved her well and truly; N
the lady, however. She had not been
suited whom she was bound, while
child, to the Marquis, and with the
feminine spirit Of contradiction, she re
ed to choose herself, and accepted tn
dresses Of Kcnelm Hamilton, who, by