The substance of this volume originally appeared in the columns of the Aberdeen Weekly Journal, but it has been carefully revised and important additions made. From the variety of matter, and number of personages treated in the work, it may be interesting to a Wide circle-of readers. I have not deemed it necessary to burden the pages of this volume with a multiplicity of references and foot-notes, as the original sources of information are often indicated in the text itself. It may be well, however, to state that I have long been familiar with the national records of Scotland, such as the Scots Acts of Parliament.