ties, being composed of antiquarian trifling not justified by its accuracy, and little touches of spleen scarcely redeemed by their wit. It is not this, however, that would have induced the author to vindicate his own labours, which, as they must be open to much substantial criticism, historical and scientific, would be fortunate to escape with no greater shock than what may be received from Mr Riddell's pedigree-picking. But a manifest tendency, throughout the whole critique, to cast suspicion upon certain antiquarian proofs relied upon in the Memoirs, and to give rise to vague ideas of old fabrications and forgeries-ideas only deriving weight from being suggested by an antiquary who is understood to be devoted to researches of the kind-seemed imperatively to call for a vindication, which the author has endeavoured to render interesting to the general reader. EDINBURGH, June 1835. CONTENTS. Of the Heirs of the Investiture after the demise of Isabella of Causes which obstructed the immediate Entry of the Heirs-Ge- neral of Earl Duncan to their succession in the Lennox after the demise of the Duchess-Liferent Grant of the Lennox to First attempts of John Lord Dernely to appropriate the honours of Lennox-His irregular service reduced in a Plea with Hal- History of John Lord Dernely's second usurpation of the Ho- That John Lord Dernely was not Earl of Lennox by virtue of any special grant from the Sovereign, or new constitution That John Lord Dernely had no other right to the Honours of VINDICATION OF THE ANTIQUITIES OF MERCHISTON AND THIRLE- STANE, IN REPLY TO MR RIDDELL'S "OBSERVATIONS UPON THE Reply to Mr Riddell's insinuation that the evidence for the an- Reply to Mr Riddell's Assertion that there is no Foundation in fact for the Statement contained in the first Lord Napier's at- testation, that the Napiers in England were his near relatives Reply to Mr Riddell's Theory that the Grant of Arms by 2. Privy-seal or Signet of the same Earl, also preserved there. ib. ib. ib. 4. Armorial carving referred to in the Case for Woodhead, |