[48]. This is still the phraseology of Westmoreland: a poorly man, a softly day, and the like.—Ritson.
[52]. The 6th of December.
[66]. Now a straggling village so called; originally, it would seem, the gate-house, or ranger's lodge, at the east entrance of Stanhope-park. At some distance from this place is Westgate, so called for a similar reason.—Ritson.
The mention of the bailiff's house at the East-gate is (were such a proof wanting) strongly indicative of the authenticity of the ballad. The family of Emerson of East-gate, a fief, if I may so call it, held under the bishop, long exercised the office of bailiff of Wolsingham, the chief town and borough of Weardale, and of Forster, &c., under successive prelates.—Surtees.
[68]. A place in the neighbourhood of East-gate, known at present, as well as the Dry-rig, or Smale-burns.—Ritson.
[92]. The reciter, from his advanced age, could not recollect the original line thus imperfectly supplied.—Ritson.
THE RAID OF THE REIDSWIRE.
From Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, ii. 15.
This ballad is preserved in the Bannatyne MS., and was first printed in Ramsay's Evergreen, ii. 224. Scott informs us that Ramsay took some liberties with the original text, and even interpolated the manuscript to favor his readings. A more accurate copy was given in the Border Minstrelsy. The text in Herd's