Historical memoir of the family of Eglinton and Winton

TREFACE. XI
ancient Parochial Church on the Castlehill of A-r-
drossan, an engraving of which is likewise now given,
scarcely any thing, even traditionally, at all appears
which may in any way be depended upon. As was
to be expected, it has most generally been viewed
as commemorative of the last baron of the original
race, the renowned equestrian hero of the "enchan-
ted bridle." But from neither of the two armorial
shields belonging to it can anything be viewed as
corroborative of this. Other traditions assign this
long neglected memorial to the ancient family
of Montfode of that Ilk, whose feudal fortalice was
seated in the near neighbourhood of Ardrossan ; but
no exemplification of the Montfode Arms has been
discovered whereby to compare with the heraldric
emblems here displayed. The sculpture appears
originally to have consisted of two separate stones
joined together, the upper portion of which being
now lost or destroyed, renders the figure incom-
plete. An inscription, in raised letters, had sur-
rounded the margin of the stone, but which is now
quite illegible and irrecoverably lost.
" — chiefs who under their grey-stone
Have slept so long, that fickle Fame
Hath blotted from her rolls their name ;
And twin'd round some new minion's head
The wreath for which those heroes bled !"
There can be no doubt, the upper one of the two