[153] In Morren’s edition the order of the first three stories is different. In it the second story as above is first, the third second, and the first third.
[154] This ‘joke’ is left out in Morren’s edition; and the story about the drover, to be found at p. 161, is inserted before the one of the three merry companions.
[155] Perhaps other three miles. The Scottish ‘bittock’ is rather an elastic expression.
[156] Although the Scots have always been more or less of a military nation, the common people have generally had a sort of pitying contempt for mercenary soldiery, as opposed to the old feudal system of raising an army. It would be difficult to account for this feeling, but it is still the fact that even now service in the army is regarded as the last resource of a respectable tradesman or countryman.
[157] ‘Brucket’ in Morren’s edition.
[158] ‘Danger,’ according to Morren.
[159] This biographical preface was, according to Motherwell, given in an edition published in Glasgow in 1779, probably after Graham’s death.
[160] In Morren’s edition the following lines precede the title:—
‘This Catechism deserves no Creed,
It’s only for boys who will not read