Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

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NOTES.
P. 209. In the taking of Wallace we have thought
proper to follow, in a great measure, the account
given by the minstrel. It is, we conceive, the only
rational one we are possessed of: and, as the autho¬
rity of this ill-used author has been supported by the
Tower records, in matters of comparatively trifling
importance, it would be unfair to doubt his veracity
on so important a part of the history of his hero,
particularly when all the notices we have in other
writers tend more or less to confirm the truth of his
statement. Lord Hailes, however, has attempted to
lessen the odium which has, for these five hundred
years, been attached to the memory of Monteith:
however reluctant the learned may he to go in with
what they call "popular tradition," we conceive they
ought to have some evidence beyond mere scepticism
on their side, before they venture to contradict it.
In the remarks which his Lordship has made on the
subject, we cannot discover that acuteness which
characterises his other writings. The able manner
in which Ur. Jamieson has replied to him, leaves
little to be said on the subject. It may,' however, be
remarked, that if there had been a possibility of
rescuing the name of Monteith from the execrations
of his country, the task would not have remained for
the learned annalist to perform. The great family
interest which he possessed, were sufficient to pro¬
tect him from punishment, not only for his treachery
to Wallace, but also for his subsequent perfidy to
Bruce. Yet though that interest was powerfully
exerted to screen him from the consequences of his