Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 1 - 1819.djvu/48

38 Ravenswood, occupying, and in some measure commanding, a pass betwixt Berwickshire or the Merse, as the south-eastern province of Scotland is termed, and the Lothians, was of importance both in times of foreign war and domestic discord. It was frequently besieged with ardour and defended with obstinacy, and of course, its owners played a conspicuous part in story. But their house had its revolutions, like all sublunary things; became greatly declined from its splendour about the middle of the 17th century; and towards the period of the Revolution, the last proprietor of Ravenswood Castle saw himself compelled to part with the ancient family seat, and to remove himself to a lonely and sea-beaten tower, which, situated on the bleak shores between Saint Abb's Head and the village of Eyemouth, looked out on the lonely and boisterous German Ocean. A black domain of wild pasture-land surrounded their new residence, and formed the remains of their property.