[190] Works, p. 170.
[191] Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland, Hugh Miller, p. 48. This battle is supposed to be mentioned by Blind Harry, who has celebrated the achievements of Wallace in the following uncouth lines:—
"Wallace raid throw the northland into playne.
At Crummade feill Inglismen thai slew.
The worthi Scottis till hym thus couth persew.
Raturnd agayne and come till Abirdeyn,
With his blith ost apon the Lammess ewyn"
[192] Works, p. 174.
[193] Works, p. 175.
[194] The editor of the 1774 edition of the Tracts of Sir Thomas Urquhart says that he had compared the genealogy with the records kept by the Lord Lyon of Scotland, which go back as far as the reign of Alexander II. (A.D. 1214-1249), and had found it strictly correct from that period. In Appendix I., which contains the lists of names of Sir Thomas's ancestors, we have taken the liberty of indicating the names on which reliance can be placed, by printing them in italics (see p. 211).
[195] Sir Thomas is said to have remarked about "the Pedigree," that by the first generation of readers it would be received with scoffs, that the second generation would have their doubts about it, but that the third generation would be heavily inclined to believe it. Time has moved somewhat more slowly, however, than he anticipated, and probably but few of us have as yet got past the second stage.
[196] In the article on Crichton in the Biographia Britannica, Dr Kippis subjects our author to grave censure (see p. 158). With respect to Urquhart's present work he says: "Of his total disregard to truth there is incontestible evidence in another work of his, entitled The True Pedigree, etc. In this work it is almost incredible what a number of falsities he has invented, both with respect to names and facts. Perhaps a more flagrant instance of imposture and fiction was never exhibited; and the absurdity of the whole pedigree is beyond the power of words to express. It can only be felt by those who have perused the Tract itself." It is to be feared that Dr Kippis was mentally akin to the Irish bishop who remarked of Gulliver's Travels when it appeared, that "all was not gospel that was in that book."
Some one has said that the names of Urquhart's ancestors, at any rate on the male side, are very likely those of the giants and heathen in the Amadis of Gaul; and certainly Famongomadan, Cartadaque, Madanfabul, Arcalaus, and Basagante remind one of chiefs and heroes of the Cromartie line. In the female line the resemblance is much closer; for Asymbleta, Eromena, and Gonima distinctly recall the Darioleta, Brisena, and Madasima of the romance.
[197] Fountainhall, Decisions, ii. 265 and 315; Morrison, Dictionary of Decisions, xxvii. 11304.