“ Thus fell Wallace, a victim to the selfish policy of Edward: but his example was not lost to his countrymen, for the spirit of resistance, which he was among the first to inspire, wrought out in more auspicious days, the deliverance of his native land. The more narrowly the character of Wallace is examined, the more interesting it appears, for his love of country was unmingled with any base or selfish motive. His ruling passion was a love of liberty, and an aversion to the domination of Edward, which never forsook him. ”

“ Bruce felt awed by the majestic appearance and deportment of the patriot, and his voice though loud, became tremulous as he thus addressed him:— "I am surprised, Sir William, that you should entertain thoughts, as it is believed you do, of attaining the crown of Scotland; and that with this chimerical object in view, you should thus continue to expose yourself to so many dangers. It is not easy, you find, to resist the king of England, who is one of the greatest princes in the world. ”

“ Sensible how much the success of the cause depended upon exertion, Wallace wasted no time in idle triumph, but hastening back to Dundee, renewed the seige with so much vigour that in a short time it capitulated, and one by one, all the others strongholds in the kingdom fell into the hands of the patriots; and Scotland was thus once more freed from the foreign yoke. ”

“ Freed from one enemy, the Scots had still another to encounter no less formidable. The country in consequence of bad seasons, and the devastations of a long protracted war, was utterly unable to support its own population. To afford, therefore, a temporary relief to the pressure of the famine with which they were threatened, an invasion of England was determined on, and almost all the military force of Scotland, under the command of Wallace and the young Sir Andrew Moray, whose father fell at Stirling, poured into the northern counties of England. ”

“ Wallace himself then lay down on the deck, that nothing might be seen which could intimate any purpose of resistance. In a quarter of an hour De Longueville's vessel ran on board that of the Champion, and the Red Rover casting out grappling irons to make sure of his prize, jumped on the deck in complete armour, followed by his men who gave a terrible shout, as if victory had been already secured. But the armed Scots started up at once, and the rover found himself unexpectedly engaged with men accustomed to consider victory as secure, when they were only opposed as one to two or three. ”

“ Having entered Scotland, and defeated the Scots army at Dunbar, one stronghold yielded after another, almost without resistance. Edinburgh Castle surrendered, after a short siege; Stirling was abandoned; the spirit of the whole nation sunk in despondency; and Baliol, seeing no further hope of effectual resistance, submitted to the mercy of the conqueror.
Edward had been joined in this invasion by Bruce and his adherents, to which this nobleman was induced by the hope of obtaining the forfeited kingdom of his rival. ”

“ An alarm spread that he was killed but Edward, mounting his horse, regardless of bodily pain, shewed himself to his troops, and instantly led them to battle.
Wallace drew up his infantry in four circular bodies, and disposed the archers, who were commanded by Sir John Stewart, in the intervals. The horse, amounting only to a 1000, were in the rear, and a morass covered their front. Having made these dispositions he jocularly, observed, "Now, I have brought you to the ring, hop gif you can.” —That is, “ Dance if you have skill." ”

“ They came up with the Scottish army, advantageously posted near Irvine, far superior to them in numbers, but badly armed and undisciplined, and still more enfeebled from dissention. All the leaders were independent, and all untractable. They could agree upon no measure for the benefit of the common cause; and Sir Richard de Lundin, who had hitherto made no submission to Edward, openly went over to the English with his followers, justifying himself by saying, "I will remain no longer with a party that is at variance with itself." ”

“ The wary monarch knew how to keep alive these delusive effectations, and turn them to his own advantage; but on Bruce mentioning his claims, after Baliol and his son were made prisoners, he contemptuously asked, "Have we nothing else to do but to conquer kingdoms for you?"—Bruce silently retired, and passed the remainder of his days in opulent obscurity. ”

“ Waving, however, every thing of a questionable nature, there are abundant authentic, materials of which no doubt can be entertained to establish his claim to the applause and gratitude of his country especially when we consider the constancy of his attachment to her cause at when deserted by those whose duty it was to defend her, — the extent and magnitude of his achievements and the inadequacy of his resources when opposed to the mighty power of the English monarch. ”

“ He attacked, and plundered vessels of all nations, like one of the ancient Norse Sea-kings, as they were termed, whose dominion was upon the mountain wave. The master added that no vessel could escape the rover by flight, so speedy was the bark he commanded; and that no crew, however hardy, could hope to resist him, when, as was his usual mode of combat, he threw himself on board at the head of his followers. ”

“ Let us fight, as is our bounden duty." The English at last determined to attack the Scottish camp by advancing along the bridge, contrary to the advice of Sir Richard Lundin, who offered to show them a ford, and with five hundred horse, and a body of foot, to fall upon the rear of the enemy. Fortunately Wallace had been able to restrain the impetuosity of his followers, and thus preserve all the advantages of his position. ”

“ This he did, after taking Bruce's castle at Lochmaben, by the western borders. Edward had no sooner left the country, than the Scots rallied again, and again endeavoured to retrieve their broken fortunes: for all the tract north of the Forth, as also Galloway, was still in their possession. By general consent, William Lamberton, bishop St Andrew's, Robert Bruce, earl of Carrick, and John Cumming, the younger, were chosen guardians of the kingdom, but Wallace was now lost to its cause. ”

“ Warrenne, the governor, exerted himself to quell a rebellion he had neglected to prevent, and hastily dispatched a body of troops, under the command of Sir Robert Clifford, and Sir Henry Piercy, to stop the progress of the insurrection in the western provinces. ”