"The insurrection commemorated and magnified in the following ballad, as indeed it has been in some histories, was, in itself, no very important affair. It began in Dumfries-shire, where Sir James Turner, a soldier of fortune, was employed to levy the arbitrary fines imposed for not attending the Episcopal churches. The people rose, seized his person, disarmed his soldiers, and, having continued together, resolved to march towards Edinburgh, expecting to be joined by their friends in that quarter. In this they were disappointed; and, being now diminished to half their numbers, they drew up on the Pentland Hills, at a place called Rullien Green. They were commanded by one Wallace; and here they awaited the approach of General Dalziel, of Binns; who, having marched to Calder, to meet them on the Lanark road, and finding, that, by passing through Collington, they had got to the other side of the hills, cut through the mountains and approached them. Wallace showed both spirit and judgment: he drew up his men in a very strong situation, and withstood two charges of Dalziel's cavalry; but, upon the third shock, the insurgents were broken and utterly dispersed. There was very little slaughter, as the cavalry of Dalziel were chiefly gentlemen, who pitied their oppressed and misguided countrymen. There were about fifty killed, and as many made prisoners. The battle was fought on the 28th November, 1666; a day still observed by the scattered remnant of the Cameronian sect, who regularly hear a field-preaching upon the field of battle. "I am obliged for a copy of the ballad to Mr. Livingston of Airds, who took it down from the recitation of an old woman residing on his estate. "The gallant Grahams, mentioned in the text, are Graham of Claverhouse's horse." SCOTT. The gallant Grahams cam from the west, Wi' their horses black as ony craw; The Lothian lads they marched fast, To be at the Rhyns o' Gallowa. Betwixt Dumfries town and Argyle, 5 The lads they marched mony a mile; Souters and tailors unto them drew, Their covenants for to renew. The Whigs, they, wi' their merry cracks, Gar'd the poor pedlars lay down their packs; 10 But aye sinsyne they do repent The renewing o' their Covenant. At the Mauchline muir, where they were review'd, Ten thousand men in armour show'd; But, ere they came to the Brockie's burn, 15 The half of them did back return. General Dalyell, as I hear tell, Was our lieutenant-general; And Captain Welsh, wi' his wit and skill, Was to guide them on to the Pentland hill. 20 General Dalyell held to the hill, Asking at them what was their will; And who gave them this protestation, To rise in arms against the nation?