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We incline to the opinion that Allan-bane's singing for the purpose of scaring away Ellens' sorrow is out of place. We have not forgotten that the minstrel is a foolish man, but the poet ought to know that, considering Ellen's state of mind, singing is uncalled for. His song is a fairy tale and,(as Scott states in a note) founded upon a Danish ballad. We grant the subject of the song to be quite appropriate to the situation, as it shows how some people, living like Ellen and her father, are at last delivered from their troubles; but we object to the singing on such an occasion. Perhaps the poet has thought it unnatural to make Fitz-James find out Ellen's new abode without being guided there by the minstrel's voice. If so, Allan-bane ought to sing where or when Ellen is not present.—

Being acquainted with the almost unavoidable dangers that surrounded Fitz-James on his return from the island(st. 7.), we are horror struck at seeing him reappear before Ellen. We tremble for his life on hearing how unsuspiciously he has followed the guide of Wwhom Roderick said in stanza 7.:—

Red Murdoch, bribed to be his guide, Till, in deep path or dingle brown,

Has charge to lead his steps aside Ile light on those shall bring him down!“ Murdoch must be an exceedingly sly Highlander to have deceived Fitz-James all day long without even giving any cause for suspicion. At least, according to Fitz-James's words, he still believes that cunning fellow to be quite trustworthy.— The straightforwardness with which the maiden refuses his proposal of marriage and her regret at having lured him back in deadly hour“ by the above mentioned parting sign(page 6) are excellent and quite appropriate to her character. There is something sublime in her candid simplicity that inspires even Fitz-James with awe.— He, too, gains our affection more and more. He is one of those good natured men of the world who combine the most exquisite and courtly manners with real kindess. He is not in the least offended with her refusal; on the contrary, his sympathy seems to increase the more he hears of Ellen's sad fate. When he gives her the ring we foresee that it will play a considerable part in the solution of the plot, it being the very talisman she ought to have for her father's deliverance and her friend's safety.— Is it not a pity that on this occassion and without an unavoidable necessity, the poet makes Fith-James tell an untruth by putting the following words into his mouth:—

vlt chanced in fight that my poor sword Preserved the life of Scotland's lord

This ring the grateful monarch gave.(st. 19.)“ We consider it as the poet's imperative duty to represent wrong so, that there remains not the slightest doubt about his disapproval of it. If it is represented otherwise, he more or less degrades his art and harms the world.

Fitz-James's return with the same guide makes us fear the worst. The reader is anxious to know whether the deluded sportsman will get through all the dangers besetting him and feels quite relieved on seeing Murdoch fall a victim to his own and Roderick's treachery in spite of their cunning. Blanche's part on this occasion is severely censured by Jeffrey.*No machinery“, he says,"can be conceived more clumsy for effecting the deliverance of a distressed hero than the introduction of a mad woman, who, without knowing or caring about the wanderer, warns him by a song. The maniacs of poetry have indeed had a prescriptive right to be musical, since the days of Ophelia downwards; but it is rather a rash extension of this privilege to make sensible people be guided by them.“ We quite agree with the English critic and state on this occasion that Fitz-James's placing the two locks on his bonnet after having dyed them in Blanche's blood is anything but a poetical idea. However, such disgusting customs having prevailed in the time of chivalry Scott is not to blame for the introduction of this incident into the poem. Towards the end of canto IV. the poet very cleverly effects a stricking surprise by contrasting the peaceful description of an evening about the summer solstice with Fitz-James's meeting one of his enemies. Their rough conversation is well calculated to set forth the warlike spirit of the age and the generous hospitality of the Highlanders, but it is not exempt from exaggeration and mere boasting. In stanza 28. Fitz-James censures his own»frantic feat’ which has brought him into such troubles, but immediately after behaves most inconsiderately again. He knows imself to be surrounded by enemies,

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