before the invention of artillery. The entry to the castle is defended by an outer barrier of strong palisadoes. Within this is a dry ditch, draw-bridge, and gate, defended by two small batteries. A little farther on are two gateways, the first of prodigious strength, and has two portcullises. On the right, beyond the inner gateway, is a battery mounting several guns of various calibre, near which are store-houses for gun-carriages and other implements of artillery. On the north, is the grand arsenal, and other store-rooms, capable of containing 30,000 stand of arms. Next are the houses of the governor, fort-major, and store-keeper; near these are a mortar, and several gun-batteries. The summit of the castle contains a half-moon battery, a chapel, a parade for exercise, and commodious barracks for the accommodation of the soldiers. Towards the south-east are a number of houses forming a spacious square, in which the soldiers are regularly mustered and exercised. These houses, notwithstanding the size of the new barracks, still serve for the accommodation of officers. On the east side is the Crown-Room, where the ancient symbols of Scottish royalty are deposited. The Regalia of Scotland, consisting of the crown, sceptre, and sword of state, were placed here with much formality on the 26th of March, 1707. From the national jealousy and distrust consequent on the Union, it was supposed they were surreptitiously carried out of the kingdom, and lodged in the Tower of London. This suspicion was in some degree confirmed, as the keeper of the Jewel-office, there used to exhibit a crown, which he called

the crown royal of Scotland. The problem has, however, been solved. On the 5th February, 1818, in the presence of commissioners appointed by royal authority, the large oaken chest in the Crown-Room was broken open, and these highly interesting relics were dis covered in a state of admirable preservation. Not far from this room, in an apartment overhanging a frightful precipice, Queen Mary gave birth to her only son, James VI., in whose person were united the crowns of two nations, so long opposed to each other in hostile conflict. This room cannot be viewed without an intense interest. We cannot here recall to mind the woes and misfortunes of the hapless Mary, without reflecting that in this room she was delivered of a prince, who, though an infant, was the principal, though unconscious, cause of driving his mother from her throne into a captivity, terminated only by the axe of the execu

tioner.

STIRLING CASTLE.

This castle, which is situated on a rock above the town of Stirling, is of great antiquity, but it does not appear to have been a royal residence prior to the time of James I. It was the birthplace of James II., and in it he perpetrated the murder of the earl of Douglas, with his own hand. The room in which the deed was done

is still called Douglas's room. James III. was very fond of this place, and built within it a nagnificent hall for the meeting of parliament. This is now stripped to its bare walls, and converted into a riding-school. Adjoining to the riding-house is the chapel-royal, which was

erected by Pope Alexander VI. It has undergone a reverse of fortune similar to the parlia ment-house, and is now converted into a storeroon and armory. James V. was crowned here, and the palace was the work of that prince. It is a stately building in the form of a square, with a small court in the centre. Its inside is totally without regularity, but externally it is very curiously and richly ornamented, with grotesque figures upon pillars or pedestals, each of which rest on a figure lying on its breast. The round story of the palace is now converted into barrack-wards for the soldiers of the garrison, and the upper story affords a house for the governor, and apartments to the inferior officers.

A strong battery was erected about the year 1559, during the Regency of Mary of Lorraine, called the French battery. In the reign of Queen Anne the castle was enlarged and repaired; and a flanking battery called Queen Anne's battery, with a barracks and bomb-proof lodgings were erected on the south-side. This castle was a place of considerable strength when the art of ordnance was in its infancy; but is not now considered very strong. It is one of the forts kept in repair by the Articles of the Union.

DUMBARTON CASTLE.

The castle of Dumbarton lies at a small distance from the town, on the point of land formed by the junction of the Clyde and Leven; it is situated on the top of a rock, which presents a picturesque object: the rock divides about the