to deeds dated in 1473 and 1490, and in both instances the shield carries a bend charged with three crescents. This proves that Kilmahew, a family that rose upon its Lennox vassalage, and never quitted the district, did not assume a single bearing in consequence; and so the theory fails that the Lennox arms of Merchiston, a family having no connection with the district until a subsequent period, are arms of vassalage to Lennox, derived through cadency from Kilmahew.*

Of the Napiers of Wrychtishousis.

Another remarkable confirmation of the idea that Merchiston was not a branch of Kilmahew, or obtained the Lennox armorial bearings through such cadency, is to be found in the history of the Napiers of "the Wrychtishousis,” a family which is nowhere genealogically recorded. I have also succeeded, however, in tracing to modern times this ancient race.

Upon the site of Gillespie's Hospital, and within a quarter of a mile of Merchiston, once stood another lofty and massy tower of very ancient date, around which clustered, in various forms of Scottish architecture, intricate ranges of buildings, and peaked turrets, which had been added in different ages to increase the accommodation afforded by the primitive tower. The general effect is said, by those who still remember it with regret, to have been singularly picturesque, especially when viewed from the Borough-muir in sunset. One remarkable feature of this interesting fabric was the heraldic carvings in stone, which at various times

* The Quarterly Review observes, "The Merchiston Napiers may have been originally, as some other families of the name certainly were, vassals of the ancient Earls of Lennox," &c.

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had been bestowed upon its walls literally crowded with armorial bearings. These had obviously been for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of successive alliances of the owners of this castle, and their accuracy is proved by other authentic records.

The property was unfortunately acquired about the year 1800 by the Managers of the fund for Mr Gillespie's mortification, who deliberately and tastelessly removed what time itself had spared. This, however, was not effected without meeting with a spirited remonstrance. In the Edinburgh Magazine for July 1800, a writer, signing himself Cadmon, addressed two letters to the public" on the Demolition of Wrytishouse near Edinburgh," taking for his motto

"Vain transitory splendour! could not all

Reprieve the noble mansion from its fall?" This appeal had not the effect of saving the building, but has been the means of preserving a very interesting notice of its antiquities which this writer examined con amore. He found a date, carved above a window, so old as 1376. It is remarkable, however, that even this enthusiastic champion of the Wrychtishousis did not discover to what race it had chiefly belonged. If, amid all that flesh is heir to, Cadmon have himself survived the chances and changes of more than thirty years, it may gratify him to find that the object of his solicitude is even yet remembered, its antiquities explored, and its ancient proprietors recorded.

From at least 1390 to 1680, this venerable pile, with some goodly acres attached to it, belonged to a race of Napiers whom I have succeeded in tracing through all that time as a separate family from Merchiston, and without a symptom of cadency between them. Douglas in his Peerage records, but without proof, as the lineal

male ancestor of Merchiston, a William de Naper, who got a charter under the Great Seal" Willielmo Naper, filio quondam Johannis Naper," of the lands of Easter Garmylton, in the constabulary of Haddington, which were resigned by William Naper, son of John Naper of Garmylton, dated at Methfen 4th February, 6, Robert II. 1376-7.* Mr Wood also notes that he was governor of the Castle of Edinburgh, as in a charter to Alan Lauder" Willielmus de Naper, custos castri de Edinburgh" is a witness, 1401. Whether the assumption be well founded that William, son of John Naper in East Lothian, is the same who was governor of the castle in 1401, I have not had the means of ascertaining. But I find a record of him of Edinburgh Castle at an earlier period than the above, and can nearly identify him with the founder of the family of Wrychtishousis.

For fourteen years, commencing with 1390, William Naper is each year invariably mentioned in the Great Chamberlain Rolls of Scotland, as the colleague in office of a well known and wealthy person of the period, Adam Forrester of Corstorphine. They are designed in these royal accounts," Custumarii burgi," that is, they farmed by royal grant the customs of Edinburgh, an important source of the revenue, and it also appears that they exercised their office by means of deputies allowed by the terms of their charter. Precisely during the same period and in each year, namely, from 1390 to 1404, William Naper is also mentioned as constabularis (sometimes custos) castri Edinburgi." After that period the name disappears from both offices at the same time. There seems no room to doubt that this is one

* Mr Riddell (p. 130) makes some pointed allusions to the Garleton charters comprehended in an inventory of the Wemyss charterchest. We take the liberty to refer that learned gentleman to Wood's Peerage and the printed portion of the Great Seal record.

and the same person, which is curiously confirmed by the fact, that a connecting link can be found between Wrychtishousis and the custumarius burgi on the one hand, and, on the other, between the constabularis castri, and the same property.

1. In Robertson's index of charters, there is one by Robert III. in the year 1390, to "William Naper of the lands of Wrychtishousis, ane part thereof, by resignation of Adam Forrester,"&c. This most probably was a transaction between the two custumarii burgi of the very period.

2. By old charters of the Wrychtishousis which I have examined, both in the Register-House and private repositories, it appears that the tenure by which these Napiers held that property was the payment to the King of a silver penny, upon the Castle-hill of Edinburgh. This may have been connected with some particular event, such as the following. In the year 1400, the Castle of Edinburgh was beleagured by Henry IV. at the head of the whole military force of England. But the place baffled all his efforts, and had the important effect of redeeming Scotland from total subjection. Upon this memorable occasion Archibald Earl of Douglas, and his royal son-in-law the unfortunate Duke of Rothsay, threw themselves into this stronghold (of which William Naper was then constable, as he had been for many years) and so stoutly kept at bay the most insolent army that ever entered Scotland, as to compel the King of England to raise the siege. There were some knightly and romantic proposals at this warlike pageant round old Dunedin. The Prince sent a personal challenge to King Henry, and urged a decision of the contest by single combat, or its classical determination by a limited number of nobles selected from each side. The

Duke of Albany, whose army hovered at some distance from the English host, announced by his herald that if the King of England would remain six days longer under the walls of the castle, he, Albany, would give him battle. This proposal better suited the experience and temper of Henry, who gave his own mantle and a chain of gold to the Scotch herald in token of eager acquiescence. But Albany only meant to mock him, and the monarch was at length constrained to depart from this impregnable rock, the " sad and solitary place without verdure," as it had been described by the daughter of Henry III., to meet Owen Glendower at home. It is interesting to compare with this historical event an item in the Great Chamberlain's accounts, which occurs very soon after, and most probably regards, the dilapidation occasioned by the siege. It is to this effect, in Latin, "And for repairing the gates of the Castle of Edinburgh, and for expences incurred about its drawbridge, according to the account rendered upon oath by William Naper, constable of the said castle, eleven pounds and sixpence."

Fourteen years services as constable, including so memorable a siege, may perhaps account for the silver link between the Wrychtishousis and the castle hill, and, upon the whole, it may be fairly presumed that the custumarius burgi, the constabularis castri, and the William Naper who got a crown charter of this property upon the resignation of Adam Forrester are all one and the same person.

Cadmon, in his second letter, observes, "I am of opinion, that persons well versed in the local heraldry of this part of Scotland might, from the armorial bearings, shields, crests, and a various insignia interwoven in different places with initial letters, determine the family