Gan, Gano, or Ganelon of Mayence, is in the Romances on the subject of Charlemagne and his Paladins, always represented as the traitor by whom the Christian champions are betrayed.
29
At Scottish fairs, the bailie, or magistrate, deputed by the lord in whose name the meeting is held, attends the fair with his guard, decides trifling disputes, and punishes on the spot any petty delinquencies. His attendants are usually armed with halberds, and sometimes, at least, escorted by music. Thus, in the 'Life and Death of Habbie Simpson,' we are told of that famous minstrel,?
30
This was the name given to the grand Mother Witch, the very Hecate of Scottish popular superstition. Her name was bestowed, in one or two instances, upon sorceresses, who were held to resemble her by their superior skill in 'Hell's black grammar.'
31
By an ancient, though improbable tradition, the Douglasses are said to have derived their name from a champion who had greatly distinguished himself in an action. When the king demanded by whom the battle had been won, the attendants are said to have answered, 'Sholto Douglas, sir;' which is said to mean, 'Yonder dark gray man.' But the name is undoubtedly territorial, and taken from Douglas river and vale.
32
A romancer, to use a Scottish phrase, wants but a hair to make a tether of. The whole detail of the steward's supposed conspiracy against the life of Mary, is grounded upon an expression in one of her letters, which affirms, that Jasper Dryfesdale, one of the Laird of Lochleven's servants, had threatened to murder William Douglas, (for his share in the Queen's escape,) and averred that he would plant a dagger in Mary's own heart.?CHALMER'S
33
Pancakes
34
Generally, a disguised man; originally one who wears the cloak or mantle muffled round the lower part of the face to conceal his countenance. I have on an ancient, piece of iron the representation of a robber thus accoutred, endeavouring to make his way into a house, and opposed by a mastiff, to whom he in vain offers food. The motto is
35
Diamond-shaped; literally, formed like the head of a
36
Boldest?most forward.
37
Cart-horses.
38
A broken clan was one who had no chief able to find security for their good behaviour?a clan of outlaws; And the Graemes of the Debateable Land were in that condition.
39
A favourite, and said to be an unworthy one, of James V.
40
The names of these ladies, and a third frail favourite of James, are preserved in an epigram too
41
