Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/342

 206 NOTICES OP ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. century, its strong defences and adjacent buildings surrounding the Castle Piock, our readers will find a multitude of curious and interesting remi- niscences. We looked, but in vain, for a portrai- ture of "Muckle Meg," the most famous of an- cient cannon in these kingdoms, a national relic, formerly removed to the Tower Armory, and very properly restored to Scot- land by George IV. at the instance of Sir Walter Scott. This primitive bombard is formed of iron staves and hoops, and, according to tradition, was presented to James II. in 1455. Those who are curious in this sub- ject will remember, that we owe to a. Scottish writer, John Barbour, the earliest record of the use of artillery in the field. He states, in his metri- cal Life of Bruce, that " crakys of war " were used by Edward III. in his campaign against the Scots in 1327. In default of a figure of Meg of Mons, Mr. Wilson has obligingly permitted us to give the annexed representation of ancient artillery and warlike appliances, from an ancient sculpture once at Edinburgh Castle, and now preserved in the Antiquaiies' Museum. Here are displayed various mui'derous inventions, especially chambers, suited for more rapid discharge, and used as late as the seventeenth century. In earlier times they were commonly employed, and, though rarely found, may be seen in various arsenals, as also in the curious collection found on the shores of the Isle of Walney, Lancashire, described in the Archaeologia by Mr. Arcliibald.' The Maideu. Sculi)ture(l Stone, representing ancient artillery. Museum of Antiqu. Soc, Edinb. Our limits will not permit us to follow our author in his interesting ramble of characteristic reminiscences through the " Lawmarket," and its ' Arrhaeologia, vol. xxviii., p. 37"2.