The death of Rashleigh Osbaldistone* is a catastrophe not in all respects parallel to those just mentioned, but resembling them strongly in the obdurate fierceness of the sufferer, and the somewhat inartificial contrivance of a new train of incidents at the latter end of the tale, expressly. for his removal.

Rob Roy, vol. iii. last chapter.

R

LETTER VIII.

Day-light and champian discovers not more: this is open.

Twelfth Night, Act II. Sc. 4.

Thou art a blessed fellow, to think as every man thinks.
Henry IV. Part II. Act II. Sc. 2.

FROM the incidents themselves, we should now proceed to the manner in which they are embellished by description; but a great part of the observations belonging to this subject has been anticipated in the preceding pages. I have still, however, to point out a few remarkable instances of similarity not hitherto noticed.

The battle scenes of the two writers are no less admirable for variety than for magnificence of imagery; but there are two or three prominent circumstances which occur with peculiar frequency. In most instances the conflict is described as seen by persons looking down upon it from a commanding point, and not mixed in the tumult themselves. The situation of Morton and his companions at Loudon-hill*, and of Queen Mary, Seyton, and Græme, at Crookstone †, are precisely the same

Tales of My Landlord, First Series, vol. iii. ch. 4. + Abbot, vol. iii. ch. 10.

with that of the Lady and two squires at Flodden*: the first shock of battle at Bannockburn is witnessed by Edith from the Gillies-hill+; Rebecca watches the attack on Torquilstone from a window of the castle; and Allan-bane looks down upon the battle of Beal'-an-duine from a height overhanging the Trosachs §. The natural and sublime comparison of hostile ranks engaging to an agitated sea, is introduced in the four passages last referred to, in Risingham's narrative of the battle of MarstonMoor ||, in the description of the British line charging at Waterloo ¶, and in the account of a similar movement by the French, in Paul's Letters **. An approaching body of troops is likened to a dark cloud ++. 'God and the Cause !'-'God and the King' are the cries at Marston-Moor‡‡.

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At

Langside, God and the Queen!' resounded from

+ As in Ivanhoe, vol. iii. ch. 14. Monastery, vol. iii. ch. 11.

Lady of the Lake, Canto VI. St. 15.

# Rokeby, Canto I. St. 12.

SS Abbot, vol. iii. ch. 10.

"Fast as shaft could fly,

Blood-shot his eyes, his nostrils spread,
The loose rein dangling from his head,
Housing and saddle bloody red,

Lord Marmion's steed rush'd by,"

Marmion, Canto VI. St. 27.

is introduced again in the engagement at Loudonhill:

'At length horses, whose caparisons showed that they belonged to the Life-Guards, began to fly 'masterless out of the confusion. Dismounted 'soldiers next appeared, forsaking the conflict,' &c. -Tales of My Landlord, First Series, vol. iii. ch. 4. It is thus a third time touched upon :

"But ere I cleared that bloody press,
Our northern horse ran masterless."

Rokeby, Canto I. St. 19.

And again, in the Lord of the Isles:

“ The Earl hath won the victory.

Lo! where yon steeds run masterless,
His banner towers above the press."

Canto VI. St. 18.

In the fight by Loch Katrine the armies suddenly

shift their ground:

"As the dark caverns of the deep,

Suck the wild whirlpool in,

So did the deep and darksome pass
Devour the battle's mingled mass;
None linger now upon the plain,
Save those who ne'er shall fight again."
Lady of the Lake, Canto VI. St. 18.

And thus in the battle of Inverlochy:

'Allan's threats had forced his own clan from 'the spot, and all around had pressed onwards 'towards the lake, carrying before them noise, terror, and confusion, and leaving behind only 'the dead and the dying.'-Legend of Montrose, last vol. ch. 11.

The difficult subject of a tournament in which several knights engage at once, is admirably treated by the novelist in Ivanhoe, and by his rival in the Bridal of Triermain; and the leading thought in both descriptions is the sudden and tragic change from a scene of pomp, gaiety, and youthful pride, to one of misery, confusion, and death:

The tide of battle seemed to flow now toward 'the southern, now toward the northern extremity ' of the lists, as the one or the other party prevailed. 'Meantime the clang of the blows, and the shout s ' of the combatants, mixed fearfully with the sound ' of the trumpets, and drowned the groans of those 'who fell, and lay rolling defenceless beneath the feet of the horses. The splendid armour of the ' combatants was now defaced with dust and blood,

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