Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... description, could be found. The discovery of these urns renders it evident that, at a very remote period, and while the practice of burning the dead still prevailed, that is to say, before the introduction of Christianity, some person or persons of distinction had been deposited there." In 1837, according to Mr. Ritehie, there were "two large slabs." There are now three pieces. It would seem as if they had originally formed one huge stone, probably set upon end, in the centre of the little tumulus, after the fashion of Coilus' Grave . these rude memorial stones so often to be met with in various parts of the country. The mound is whelly artificial, built round by a stone wall about three feet high, the circle being filled up with a light gravelly soil. It is quite apparent that the tumulus was constructed for the remains, and to the memory of a singlo person only--a person, it is to bo inferred, of distinction. There are other circumstances corroborative that an important battle had taken place in the vicinity. A little brook that empties itself into the water of Fail is called the " bloody burn;" and a flat piece of ground along the banks of the stream, opposite the mouth of the brook, is named " the dead-men's helm," probably from its having been the grave of these whe fell in fight . In ploughing this helm not long age, besides several fragments of bones and pieces of ancient armour, a trumpet, " resembling a erooked hern,"* was turned over, so that there can be little doubt of the locality having been the scene of a deadly conflict at a very early period of our history. These facts, theugh they do not amount to proofs of Coilus having fought and fallen on the field which bears his name, ought not to be treated as whelly witheut...