DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

(ae) with an incredulity and contempt ageravated by lack of information. But as the news spread of Charles’ advance to Edinburgh the Government were roused ; and whilst a reward of 80,000/. was offered for the person of the Young Pretender, Sir John Cope, the commander of the English forces in Edinburgh, was ordered to arrest his pro- gress. Charles skilfully evaded the English army. All along his march he met with demonstrations of loyalty, to which the fascination he exercised on the fair sex no little contributed. On one occasion, at Edmonston, he was invited by the ladies of the house to stop and have some refreshment, but he declined to dismount. Having drunk a glass of wine in the saddle to their health they begged the favour of kissing his hand; but Miss Clementina Edmonston thought it more satis- factory to ask permission to ‘pree his Royal Highness’s mou.’ It is needless to say that he not only complied with her wish, but took her in his arms, to the no small vexation, it is said, of the other ladies, who had been more discreet in their request. On the 14th September Charles arrived at Linlithgow, sixteen miles from Edinburgh, and on the following day, having skirted the town, he advanced with the Duke of Perth on one hand and Lord Elcho on the other towards