his stories were better than those of the schoolmaster. He therefore frequently played the truant, and in school passed his time in plotting some kind of mischief. The schoolmaster complained; but old Will secretly admired his son's spirit, and did wonder that he could not be troubled with those little niddle-noddling things, as he called the letters. All attempts to persevere in the education of young Allan were therefore soon abandoned.

Being again exempted from every species of restraint, James resumed his boyish sports with increased zest. When at home, his only employment was to herd two or three asses, which left him sufficient leisure to join in all the pastimes of his joyous companions. Unfortunately, he acquired a taste for cruel sports. Insects, various animals, but particularly cats, were the victims of his barbarity. These wanton and malignant pursuits, no doubt, generated that absence of compassionate feeling so observable in his future career.

As Allan grew up, he became an object of peculiar regard amongst the strong, hardy, and resolute inhabitants of his native district. Challenges were occasionally given, and matches arranged on his abilities. He, however, generally bore away the palm of victory from competitors much his superiors in strength. At last, few durst encounter Allan in jumping, leaping, running, and wrestling. To him the ambitious looked up with envy, and the humble with admiration. Elated with vanity, he became haughty and quarrelsome, which sometimes procured him a hearty drubbing; for, though strong, active, and skilful, he wanted firmness and

courage, and generally, in an extremity, endeavoured, like most Gipsies, to elude the vengeance of the injured by cunning and address.

Allan early began to thieve in a small way. At first, his depredations did not extend beyond the robbery of the gardens in the neighbourhood. Sometimes he accompanied his father to an adjoining pigeon-house, where only a few birds were taken at a time; for old Allan observed the Gipsy maxim of never seriously plundering a friend or a neighbour. But when Gipsies from other parts visited Rothbury in the course of their peregrinations, and stole a sheep or a lamb, he always joined without scruple in feasting upon the booty. Indeed, his prudence was such, that he never was taken into custody during the whole course of his long life. James, however, despised his father's timidity, and, entering upon his predatory exploits with great spirit, was soon distinguished for superior expertness and daring. All the hens, ducks, and geese within his reach, he deemed his lawful prey; and whenever a Gipsy camp was in want, young Jemmy was sent out to forage. In his plundering pursuits, he did not even respect his companions of the vagrant race; for when a party went out to make heather besoms, he always con- . trived to elude working; but by pilfering from the other boys, he generally became possessed of double the quantity of the most industrious.

Notwithstanding all his caution and cunning, he did not always escape detection. On one occasion, he wandered a considerable distance in search of a convenient hen-roost; and having cut off the heads

of six hens and two ducks, he put them into his bag, and then hastened to return. Being then only ten years of age, he soon became tired with the exertion he had used; and, sitting down near the dawn of day in a wood to rest himself, he fell sound asleep. The farmer who had been robbed had traced the plunderer's footsteps down a lane, and across a ploughed field, and was now passing through the wood in pursuit, when he espied the bag containing his fowls. But seeing so young a delinquent, he could not think of either confining or chastising him; while young Allan expressed the most solemn professions of sorrow, and promised, with much apparent sincerity, never again to commit so heinous an offence.

When about fourteen years of age, James evinced a strong desire to excel on the pipes. This wish probably originated from seeing the high esteem in which his father was held amongst the Gipsy tribes for his musical talents, and the warm reception he received from the wealthy at their feasts and seasons of amusement. Old Will was delighted with his son's taste and zeal; for a reputation for music was identified by him as an essential appendage of the family name. He therefore was indefatigable in assisting the exertions of his pupil, whose rapid progress gave certain indications of future excellence. Young Allan possessed an accurate ear, a refined taste, and great sensibility to the beauties of harmony. He was remarkably adroit in learning a new tune, and was justly admired for the exquisite expression of feeling and simplicity which distinguished his performances.

When the young aspirant had attained considerable proficiency in music, his father invited all the wandering pipers and Gipsies of his acquaintance, to celebrate the youth's installation amongst the privileged class of minstrels. The invitation was promptly accepted; and, on the day appointed, several parties unyoked their galloways, and pitched their tents around Allan's humble cottage. James, by his father's orders, played several favourite airs, beginning with "Dorrington Lads," with uncommon spirit and precision, amidst the warm applause of the company; after which, the musicians present gave him their hands, pronouncing him an Approved Piper. The glass then was briskly circu

* The invention of the bagpipe is derived by some from Tubal, others ascribe it to Pan, others to Mercury, to Faunus, to Marsyas, and to the young Sicilian shepherd Daphnis. It is, however, certain, that the instrument was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans; and the Italian swains still use it under the names of piva and cornu-musa. Some have asserted that the bagpipe was introduced into Scotland by David Rizzio, in the reign of Queen Mary. On the other hand, Mr. Pennant, with greater probability, supposes that both the Irish and Danes borrowed the instrument from the Caledonians, as Aristides Quintilianus says it prevailed in the Highlands in very early ages. A bagpipe with a drone appears among the sculptures of Melros Abbey. James I. murdered in 1436, performed on the pipes. Edward III. had pipers; and Chaucer, speaking of the minstrel or vagrant tribes, describes the bagpipe very exactly.

The ancient pipers used to accompany their performances with a degree of rapture and enthusiasm highly striking and affecting. The attachment of the Highlanders to their music called pibrochs is almost incredible, and, on some occasions, has produced effects little less marvellous than those ascribed to the ancient music. On the plains of Hindostan, in the woods of America, on the moun

lated, the moon rose in cloudless majesty, and the merry group soon began their ludicrous gambols.

tains of Italy, the arid sands of Africa, and the field of Waterloo, the martial sound of the pipes has been the signal of victory.

The Highland bagpipe consists of a chanter and two short drones. It is an open chanter, the same as the German flute or hautboy. It plays only the natural notes, and its sound is exceedingly martial and deafening.

The Irish or Union pipe has two short drones and a long one. It is tuned by lengthening or shortening the drone, and produces very soft and melodious sounds.

The Northumberland pipe was anciently much used by the Borderers, and is the same as the Scots Lowland pipe. It is blown with bellows, and has a bass like the Irish pipe. It cannot play the natural notes, but, in its improved form, has F sharp. The lowest note is in unison with D on a violin tuned concert pitch; and it has but fourteen notes, the highest being B in alt. From its peculiar construction, the music which it plays is accompanied with such peculiar ornaments as neither violin nor even organ can imitate but in an imperfect manner. It is extremely well calculated for playing that rustic species of music called reels.

The small pipe is remarkable for its smallness. By having the lower hole of the chanter commonly stopped, and also by the pe culiar way in which the notes are expressed, it plays in the way called by the Italians staccato. It is surprising what volubility some performers on this instrument will display, and how dexterously they overcome its natural disadvantages. The late Mr. John Peacock, of Newcastle, improved this instrument greatly; and Mr. Reed, piper, in North Shields, has made some very elegant and sweet-toned pipes There was formerly a college in the island of Skye, where the bagpipe was taught. The professors made use of pins stuck in the ground instead of notes. A society in Edinburgh gives an annual prize to the best performer on this instrument.

James Allan could play on the Highland bagpipe; but he excelled most on the sweet small pipes. He also played well on the Northumberland raising or gathering pipes, called the "great pipes," to distinguish them from the small ones; and could perform very well on the Union pipes.