population of their native country. It is no improbable conjecture, therefore, that Gilbert Hay may have been one of their number, and like the imaginary character in the work of fiction referred to, have thus been brought under the special notice of the French King, and in this manner obtained the patronage of Charles VII. Another event that may have contributed to his holding an official appointment in the Royal Household, was the alliance between Margaret, eldest daughter of James I. of Scotland, and the Dauphin of France. This took place in July 1436, when she was only twelve years of age; and she was attended by a number of persons of rank, some of whom remained in her service. Be this as it may, and without attempting to conjecture on what occasion Hay received the honour of Knighthood, we know, from a passage to be afterwards mentioned, that he resided in France during a period of twenty-four years; and he may have returned to his native country soon after the death of the youthful Princess. She died of a broken heart in August 1445, or sixteen years before her husband, whose character is so ably depicted by Scott, had succeeded to the throne under the title of Louis XI. After Sir Gilbert Hay's return to Scotland, we find him residing at Roslin Castle with Sir William Saintclair, third Earl of Orkney, (a title which he resigned, in 1456, for the Earldom of Caithness)--a nobleman of great influence and wealth, who had accompanied the Princess Margaret to France in 1436. He was twice married, his first wife being Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of Archibald fourth Earl of Douglas; and he lived in such a kingly state, that we are told, his Lady "had serving her 75 gentlewomen, whereof 53 were daughters to noblemen, all cloathed in velvets and silks, with their chains of gold, and other pertinents; together with 200 rideing gentlemen, who accompanied her in all her journeys. She had carried before her when she went to Edinburgh, if it was darke, 80 lighted torches. Her lodging was att the foot of the Blackfryer Wynde: so that, in a word, none matched her in all the country, save the Queen's Majesty."[11] We are further told of this "Prince," William Earl of Orkney, that--"In his house he was royally served in gold and silver vessels, in most princely manner; for the Lord Dirletone was his Master Household, the Lord Borthwick was his Cup-bearer, and the Lord Fleming his Carver, under whom, in time of their absence, was the Laird of Drumlanrig, surnamed Stewart, the Laird of Drumelzier, surnamed Tweedie, and the Laird of Calder, surnamed Sandilands. He had his halls and chambers richly hung with embroidered hangings," &c. In 1446, he founded the Collegiate Church of Roslin, that beautiful specimen of architecture, the ruins of which still excite so much admiration under the popular designation of Roslin Chapel. It was at the request of this nobleman that he undertook the translations which are