=A a=, =b=, =c= (disregarding Scott’s interpolations in =b=), do not differ more than transcripts of one original may be expected to do, remembering that copyists are apt to indulge in trivial verbal improvements.[103] =a= was sent David Herd, with a letter dated January 12, 1795, by Andrew Plummer, Sheriff-Depute of Selkirk, as received by carrier from a lady, who neglected to impart how she came by the copy. In this instance, contrary to what I believe to be the general rule, the second volume of Herd’s MSS seems to have the original text.[104] =a= was printed, but not with absolute fidelity, by Maidment, Scotish Ballads and Songs, 1868, II, 66. For =b=, “the copy principally resorted to,” says Scott, “is one, apparently of considerable antiquity, which was found among the papers of the late Mrs Cockburn of Edinburgh.” Scott made occasional use of Herd’s MS. and of Glenriddell’s, inserted some stanzas which he had received from Sheriff Plummer, and in the second edition (otherwise slightly altered) two stanzas from the recitation of Mungo Park. Mrs Cockburn’s MS. evidently agreed very nearly with the copy in Herd, so far as the latter goes. I much regret that exertions made to secure the Cockburn MS. did not result successfully. =c.= “From a note appended to the ballad, explanatory of its circumstances, in which reference is made to Lord Philiphaugh (a judge of Session) as being then alive,” says Aytoun, “the manuscript must have been written between the years 1689 and 1702.”[105] The original manuscript, unfortunately and inexplicably, is no longer in the Philiphaugh archives, and has not come to light after search. The text, if earlier transcribed, shows no internal evidence of superior age, and exhibits several inferior readings,--two that are highly objectionable.[106] =d=, the copy actually preserved among the Philiphaugh papers, is evinced by a watermark to be not older than 1848. It shows variations from Aytoun’s printed text which cannot be other than wilful alterations. =B=, which is both defective, corrupted, and chargeable with flat repetition, and =C=, a few fragmentary verses, are all that have been retrieved from tradition, although Scott says that the ballad “has been for ages a popular song in Selkirkshire.” A manuscript copy was understood to be in possession of the late Mr George Wilson, S. S. C., Edinburgh, but, as in the case of the original of the Philiphaugh MS. and in that of Mrs Cockburn’s copy, inquiry and search were fruitless.