now unknown stood in the way of their union, and she eloped with him. Tradition adds further that the lady left the castle by a window in the courtyard, which is still pointed out, and met her lover, who had a clergyman in readiness to perform the marriage ceremony. The spot where the marriage is said to have taken place is not more than a stone's throw from the road leading to the house of the gamekeeper. It is romantically picturesque, but is forbidden. to visitors. I will notice one more tradition and pass on. The visitor to Rowallan will notice two bridges in front of the castle. One spans the Carmel and the other what is known as the Mill Lade. This lade or burn is a branch off the Fenwick Water. Long ago it used to turn the wheel of Rowallan Mill, but the mill is now in ruins, and the wheel no longer performs splashing music on the bank of the mossy stream. I have heard the following tradition related in connection with it:-Once on a time the cutlers and tinkers of Kilmaurs, finding the Carmel insufficient to supply their wants, petitioned the King to grant a greater supply of water. The King (it does not matter which) replied that he would grant as much from the Fenwick river as would flow through the leg of a boot. This they gratefully accepted, and formed an artificial stream between it and the Carmel. The lade is said to be that stream; it flows through a beautiful track of country, and in some parts retains traces of artificial construction.

CHAPTER X.

The origin and descent of the Mures of Rowallan-A letter from Queen Mary to Sir John Mure-Sir William Mure: his writings and version of Psalm xxiii.: events in his life-The last of the Mures-The late Countess of Loudoun's attachment to the Castle-The Grounds the resort of pleasure parties-An Address to Rowallan-A ride into the

town.

I WILL now as briefly as possible glance at the history of the Rowallan family, and bring this ramble to a close. The source from which I principally derive my information is a curious volume entitled "The Historie and Descent of the House of Rowallane, by Sir William Mure, knight of Rowallan. Written in or prior to 1657." The manuscript of the above work, together with a number of poetical pieces from the pen of the same author, was found among some old family papers in one of the rooms in Rowallan Castle some fifty years ago. The book is both interesting and curious, and throws considerable light upon the manners and customs of our forefathers in bygone ages, when might was right, and when a strong arm and a bright blade were often the only title to broad acres. The style of the book is simple, and the editor has retained all the peculiarities of the manuscript, which greatly enhance the value of the work. Rowallan, according to this authority, had been in the possession of the Mures "from unknawne antiquity," but this is questionable; for it is the opinion of various writers that Polkelly was the first inheritance of the family, and that Rowallan was acquired by the marriage of Isabella, daughter of Sir Gilchrist Mure, during the reign of Alexander III. The Mures of Rowallan (the writer of "The Historie" states) were descended from the ancient tribe of O'More in Ireland. The surname of Mure in Scotland, Moore in England, and More in Ireland, are synonymous, all having sprung from the same source. The earliest member of the family spoken of is the Sir

66

Gilchrist Mure already referred to. He was dispossessed of the house and living at Rowallan by the strong hand of Sir Walter Cuming, and compelled to keep close in his castle of Polkelly until the King (Alexander III.) raised sufficient forces to subdue Cuming and his adherents. In 1262 Sir Gilchrist fought at the Battle of Largs. His friends and retainers, led on by himself, behaved with such bravery that the King conferred upon him the honour of knighthood, and reponed to him his whole inheritance.' For the sake of peace, and for his own security, Sir Gilchrist married his daughter Isabella to Sir Walter Cuming. At the death of Cuming Sir Gilchrist "secured not only title and full possession of his old inheritance, but also in his border lands quherin he succeeded to Sir Walter foresaid within the Sherefdome of Roxburgh, being sensible and mindful of the deserving of his friends and followers in time of his troubles, deals with all of them as became a man of honour, bestowing freelie vpon each some parcel of land, according to his respect, interest, or (happly) promise to the persone," etc. Sir Gilchrist seemingly greatly increased the possessions of the Mures. He died about the year 1280, nearly eighty years of age, and was interred in the Mures' Isle, Kilmarnock. Sir Gilchrist was succeeded by his son Archibald, who was slain in battle near Berwick in 1289. He is described as being a man "wt much discreation & judgment," and capable of holding his own "in the turbulent times qurin he lived." Sir Archibald was succeeded by his son and heir, William, who, according to the "Historie," died about the time King David, after his return from France, was taken prisoner at the Battle of Durham. This battle was fought upon the 17th October, 1346. During the early part of this knight's lifetime Scotland was brought "to a verie lo ebb, being deserted by the nobilitie, tiil by the valour of William Wallace it was set againe upon the feet, and after his death established by Robert Bruce, who, having outwrestled many sad calamities, did (after) successfully sway the cepter." Sir William was succeeded by his son Adamea shrewd man of business, who greatly improved and enlarged the family inheritance. His eldest son was named after himself, and his daughter Elizabeth was "made choyce of (for her excellent beautie and rare vertues) by King Robert

K

to be Queen of Scotland." Sir Adame died in the year 1332, and was succeeded by his son Adame, who seemingly was a hanger-on about court, and an expectant of its favours. This Sir Adam died in 1399, and was succeeded by his son Archibald, who "died in battell against Ingland, 1426." Robert succeeded his father, Sir Archibald, and was SheriffDepute of Ayrshire in 1430. Archibald succeeded his father, Sir Robert, and is supposed to have been slain at the Battle of Sark in 1448. Robert succeeded his father, Sir Archibald. He was called "the Rud of Rowallane," being of large stature, great strength, and not disinclined to a fray. The author of the "Historie" mentions that "the King in his bearne head proponed to round wt him, and as he offered swa to doe dang out his eye wt the pang of ane cocle-shell. He was a man reguarded not the weil of his house, but in following court, and being unfit for it waisted, sold and wodset all his proper lands of Rowallane, qlk may be ane example to all his posteritie. he married Margerie Newtoune daughter to the laird of Michael-hill in the Merse. ane drucken woman & ane waistor man, qt made then this house to stand but the grace of God." "The Rud" resigned in favour of his son John. During his lifetime a protracted feud existed between the houses of Rowallan and Ardoch (the ancient name of Craufurdland) which was the cause of a great deal of bloodshed. It is recorded that the evidents of both families were destroyed, and that John Mure and others were summoned before the Chief Justice of Scotland for breaking the King's peace against Archibald Craufurd. John, son of the above, succeeded to the title and estates. He was married to a mistress of James IV. The author of the " Historie" says"This Johne was ane very worthie man and died at flowdone field wt King James the fourth. the year of our

The

Lord 1513." Mungo succeeded his father, Sir John. historian says "He bigged the hall from the ground and compleated it in his awne time. He was a man of singulare valour and verie worthie of his hands, qrof he gave good proofe in divers conflicts. He died in battell at the Black Satterday In the yeare of our Lord 1547." The editor of the "Historie" adds a note to the notice of Sir Mungo Mure; it is a quotation from the Rowallan family tree, and is as follows:"This moungov muire raisit ye hall vpone four

vouttis [vaults] and laich trance and compleitit the samen in his awne tyme; he deceissit in battell fechtan agains Ingland in pinkie feilde: 1547." John succeeded his father, Sir Mungo. He seems to have passed his life in peace, having further improved the castle and estate. The following is another quotation from the Rowallan family tree :-"This Johne Muire 3 of yat name delytit in policye of plainteing and bigging, he plaintit ye oirchzarde an gairdein, sett ye vppir banck and nethir banck ye birk zaird befoir ye zett, he bigit ye foir vark frome ye grounde ye bakuall and vomanhous, he leuit graciouslie and deit in peice anno 1591: of aige 66." This Sir John Mure had a seat in Parliament, and early embraced the reformed doctrines. In the appendix to the "Historie" there are copies of three letters addressed to him. One is from Mary Queen of Scots, soliciting aid after her escape from prison. As it will doubtless interest the

reader, I beg to submit it. It is as follows:

"Traist Friend, We greit zou weil. We believe it is not unknawin to zou the greit Mercie and Kyndness that almythie God of his infinit gudness hes furthschevin towart us at this Tyme in the Deliverance of us fra the maist straitless Preson in quhilk we ware Captive of quhilk Mercy and Kyndness we cannot enough thank & therefore we will desire zou as ze will do us acceptable Service to be at us with all possible [speed] on Settirday the aught of this month be aught hours afternone or sooner gif ze may well accompanyt with zour honourable Friends and Servantis bodin in feir of weir to do us Service as ze sall be appointit because we knaw zour Constance at all Tymes. We neid not mak longeir letters for the present bot will bit zou feir weil-Off Hamilton the 6 of May 1568 and that ze with the folks bait on fute and horse be heir on yis next Sunday at the fordest.

"MARIE, R."

It does not appear that Sir John responded to this summons. William succeeded his father, Sir John. He is spoken of by the historian of the house as being "of a meik & gentle spirit, & delyted much in the studie of physick, which he practised among the poor people wt very good successe. he was ane religious man and died gratiouslie in the yeare of his age 69, the yeare of our lord 1616." William succeeded his father,