second, "Meditations on Christ's Passion." These meditations were lectures which were delivered by him as rector of the English College in Rome, and are evangelical, catholic, and devotional.

The "Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge," London, publish a most seasonable volume, in view of present controversies in England, entitled "Parish Priests and their People in the Middle Ages in England," by the Rev. E. L. Cutts, D.D., a singularly elaborate and interesting antiquarian treatise on all the various phases of hurch life in England during the medieval age. The illustrations are excellent, and the volume is a unique contribution to the ecclesiology and ecclesiastical life of England during pre-Reformation centuries. "The Great Antiphons a useful little treatise, also published by the S.P.C.K., upon the anthems for the last week of Advent. "Cottage Cookery," by Mary Henton Sterling (6d.), also published by the S. P.C.K., is a plain, useful guide, thoroughly practical.

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is

Mr. John Macqueen, London, publishes a very useful and well-arranged little volume, entitled "Our Future King," by Charles Lowe, which gathers up the chief events and incidents, grave and gay, in the career of the Prince of Wales. While truthful and candid, this tasteful little brochure is loyal, patriotic, and kindly.

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"Vanity Fair" volumes for 1898 and 1899 are, as usual, magnificent contributions to the life and history of the day. The splendidly clever coloured portraits of leading men of our time with all their characteristic eccentricities hit off in a kind but truthful way, together with the masterly sketches of the lives and principles of these kings of thought and princes of the people, make the volumes rich and rare repertoires of the history of our age. "Perfection is the only word which can be used regarding

these volumes.

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Mr. Walter Scott, London, publishes a very superior novel, entitled "A Girl of the Klondike," by Victoria Cross-one of the brightest and best tales of the kind which it has been our privilege to peruse. It casts an interesting light on a country which, for better and for worse, has been much in evidence during the last five years.

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Messrs. Jarrold & Sons, London, publish a beautiful volume of "Mrs. Sewell's Poems and Ballads," with an excellent memoir of the gifted poetess by Miss E. Boyd Bayly, and a photogravure as well. Mrs. Sewell s poetry needs no commendation from us, and we are glad to see this fine collection reproduced in so attractive a form.

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"Gleanings from the Charter-Chest at Cluny Castle," by Provost Macpherson of Kingussie (Inverness: Northern Chronicle office) is an exceedingly valuable collection of antiquarian papers by one of our most esteemed contributors. We wish the active and able provost many years of useful labour in this and many other useful directions.

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Has the Reformation Reformed Anything?" is the title of a clever booklet by Rev. F. Malachy (London: Washburne) in which the Roman side of the question is fairly stated, though we do not think by any means proved.

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Messrs. Vinton & Co., London, publish "The House Sparrow,' by W. G. Tegetmeier, who describes it as the Avian rat"-a nuisance to farmers. The book shows thorough acquaintance with the subject. "The Live-Stock Almanac for 1899" is a valuable and up-to-date guide to farmers and breeders.

of

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No finer work has proceeded from the famous University Press of Glasgow (Maclehose & Sons) than "The Life of Prince Bismarck," by William Jacks, author Burns in other Tongues,' "A Translation of Nathan the Wise," etc. It is a complete, full, and sympathetic study of the life and character of the man who laid the foundations of the Kaiser's greatness and gathered the German tribes into one great nation. Like all Mr. Jacks' other work, this life of Bismark does him the highest credit, and will for many years be counted as a standard work on the subject.

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Mr. James Lumsden (Sam Mucklebackit), late of Nether Hailes, publishes "Edinburgh Poems and Songs" (Haddington)—a capital, cheery collection of "guid auld Scotch sangs," with a fine rustic flavour and a good kind heart beating in every verse.

L

The

One of the most interesting publications we have seen is "The New Testament in Broad Scotch" (Toronto: John Imrie & Co.)-—only St. Matthew s gospel having been as yet published. It is a splendid idea, and we wish Mr. Imrie every success. Scotch is real Scotch, not vulgarity, and the reading is delightful. We venture to give a few sample verses from the book:

19. Honor yere faither and yere mither; and ye sal lo'e yere neebor as yerzel!'

**20. The lad says, 'A' thir I keep! What want I yet?"

21. Jesus says till him, 'Gin ye wad be perfect, gang and asell a' ye hae, and gie it oot till the pur; and ye sal hae gear laid up in Heeven; and come, follow me!' 22. But whan the young man heard that sayin, he gaed awa, dowie; for he had great estates."-Matt. xix. 19-22.

A volume of poems by John Imrie is also before us, and a few numbers of The Scot, a delightful paper published in Toronto by enthusiastic Scots far away from the heather and the bracken, but whose hearts are with us, and their arms too, as Canada has just been showing the world.

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Messrs. David Bryce & Son, Glasgow, are always enterprising and original, and their charming little shilling booklets, bound in tartan, about things and persons Scottish have an enormous sale. "The Clans of the Scottish Highlands," by R. R. M'Ian and James Logan, is a really splendid volume of coloured pictures representing all the different clan tartans and equipments, with full and accurate historical notes accompanying each of the seventy-four fine illustrations. It is the finest book of its size upon this interesting and intricate subject which we have as yet seen. There are other authoritative works on the clans and their tartans, but remembering its size, this is equal to any of them, and is handy, neat, and yet comprehensive and reliable. We wish Messrs. Bryce would undertake a similar book on the Scottish cathedrals and abbeys.

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The Religious Tract Society, London, among many other valuable and beautiful publications at this season, for which they are justly famous, have just produced ten volumes for 1899 of the "Leisure Hour" and "Sunday at Home.' Better reading could not be found, and though always decent and correct in every respect, it is never mawkish or sentimental or unreal. We warmly recommend these magazines and volumes.

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The wonderful series of Bibles ever issuing from the prolific press of Messrs. Samuel Bagster & Sons, London, has just been added to by the publication of a gem in the way of Bible publishing, "The Gem Bible," than which nothing, either in printing, binding, or general get-up could be more perfectly beautiful.

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The Canadian Pacific Railway, with that wonderful enterprise which has characterised it from its start, has just published a series of magnificent large engravings of scenery on that railway route--gorge and valley, tunnel and precipice, torrent and alp. These pictures are fine works of art and reflect credit on the energy and taste of this, the most wonderful and picturesque railway on earth.

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Messrs. Forsyth Brothers, 267 Regent Street, London, publish a series of delightful new music-some capital songs. "I will make you Brooches" (Ramsay); To you let Snow and Roses"; "Once only by the Garden Gate"; "Moll Magee," all of them catchy and bright; and some fine new piano pieces by Arthur Harvey-full of musical genius. We heartily commend them.

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Mr. Stoneman, Paternoster Row, London, publishes the volume of his beautiful and attractive magazine Sunshine. Messrs. Mowbray, Oxford, send out a splendid selection of calenders and booklets of a religious order-all marked by literary and artistic grace. The Christmas numbers of The Graphic, The Golden Penny, The Queen, Holly Leaves, Pearson's, The Woman at Home, are all beautiful with colour and gold, and rich in story and readable articles. The Woman at Home continues its successful and useful career. Cassell's Queen's Empire in parts is a triumph in the way of photographic reproduction and historical and social interest. The Review of Reviews and the Australian Review of Reviews are always bright, full, and up-to-date. The Christian Budget is the most readable penny religious paper of the day. The Critical Review is always scholarly and dependable. The Expository Times flourishes under the Rev. Dr. Hastings' care. The Presbyterian Review (Toronto) is extremely

interesting to home Scots, and regularly reprints many of our Scottish articles from this magazine.

The Art Union of London (112 Strand) of which the Marquis of Lothian is the distinguished and cultured president, publishes as its new engraving for its sixtyfourth year-"The Banks of the Upper Wye," painted by H. W. B. Davis, R. A., and etched by R. W. Macbeth, A. R.A. The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1897, and the etching is a most beautiful one-the expression of air, space, and colour, together with the tenderness of feeling, being altogether perfect. Nothing could exceed the beauty of this work of art, and we heartily recommend all our readers to secure a copy at once on the very cheap terms offered by the enterprising Art Union of London. For a small subscription a costly work of art can be procured, the union having spent no less than £789,000 on works of art presented to subscribers.

THE FIERY CROSS.1

BY THE NORLAN' LADDIE.

1 The following verses are founded upon the custom which prevailed in olden days of despatching a mounted warrior, bearing a flaming cross, throughout the hills and glens of the North as the signal of battle.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed to Newbattle, Dalkeith; telegrams, Eskbank. He dos not undertake to return unsuitable contributions. Articles on Scotch subject are specially welcome, and have most chance of insertion. He is not responsible for the opinions of his contributors. Communications on business to be addressed to Messrs. Cowan & Co., Limited, Perth.

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

The Scots Magazine.

THE

HE west of Scotland is rich in ruined castles of beauty and of historic interest. One of special note is Bothwell in Clydesdale, a grand edifice of the thirteenth century. Most likely it was enlarged during the occupation of the English, and of all the castles of that century may be counted the finest ruin in Scotland.

At that period it was possessed by the De Moravia, or Moray family. The castle was taken by Edward I., and by him made over to Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, governor of that region of Scotland It was in the hands of the English a good deal till 1337, when the Scotch retook and dismantled it. The castle then passed by marriage to the Douglases, and was held by that powerful family till their forfeiture under James II., 1445. Now it belongs to the Earl of Home.

Bothwell is beautifully situated on a rocky headland with steep banks on the south and west of the Clyde's broad waters, while on the north and east it was cut off from the adjoining level land by deep, wide ditches, the outlines of which may still be noted. The castle consists of a large courtyard surrounded by walls of great height, strengthened at the corners with round, square towers, while a donjon of majestic size "dominates" the whole. The length of the building is 325 feet by 140 feet in width. The donjon is a grand

tower 65 feet in diameter and 90 feet to the top of the parapet. The way in which the circular outline of the "keepe" is broken with a spur to receive the entrance door and portcullis is well worthy of note, as also the large stone chapel, built, no doubt, by the Douglases, their arms being carved there in more places than one. They were probably constructed by Archibald, surnamed "the Grim," about the year 1400. The ornaments and mouldings tally with those of that time, and correspond with Saint Bride's at Bothwell, founded by the said Archibald "the Grim" in 1398, bearing his arms. The College of Lincluden, near Dumfries, was also restored by him.

The different towers were in recent dates called the "Valence Tower," the "Douglas Tower," and "Hamilton Tower," from which it may be concluded that Aymer de Valence added to the castle in the time of the English occupation. Its beauty must have been greatly destroyed in the War of Independence, when it often changed owners, and was dismantled in 1377. The style of the later masonry is much inferior to the earlier work, the junction being easily traced. The noble Castle of Bothwell is a rare specimen of the period. in castellated architecture, when the barons, tired of the narrow bounds of their donjons, built spacious halls round the "Enceinte." There is a noteworthy example of this change in the large hall and chapel, no doubt constructed by the Douglas family, their armorial bearings being carved there in different places, probably engraved by Archibald "the Grim." The corbals, near the parapet, are obviously placed there to defend the doorway, while a drawbridge has also been worked from the portcullis room.

The mother of Alexander III. was Marie de Coucy, sister of Engherrard de Coucy, who built the great Castle of Coucy, which bears a remarkable likeness to Both well. A passage runs from the moat of the donjon through the wall where the flues reach the foot, so that they may be washed out by water let off by the moat. (There is a postern door from the moat, leading to the outside ditch). In castles of this type there is generally a private way of escape from the donjon, to which Bothwell is no exception.

It would appear in this instance the passage of refuge was