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Douglas, and his three brothers, Archibald, Earl of Moray; Hugh, Earl of Ormond; and John, Lord of Balveny, who are, indeed, specially mentioned by name.—From this circumstance, it is evident, that, had the composition of the poem taken place immediately subsequent to the death of Earl William in 1452, we might at least have expected to find some allusion to an event which struck at the very root of all the grandeur and power of that house. The mere representation of the King, under the degrading form of an owl, complaining to the other birds of his deformity, would, at that time, be altogether insufficient to express the sentiments which the adherents of Douglas entertained of their Monarch; although might well enough serve to dimly shadow forth their feelings, when more caution and reserve, on their part, was necessary in any allusion to the King's person. But however this may be, no possible doubt can be entertained but that the Howlat must be dated previous, at least, to the battle of Arkinholm, in Dumfries-shire, which took place in May 1455: for, on that occasion, the Douglases having again appeared in open rebellion, Archibald, Earl of Moray, husband of the lady to whom the poem is addressed, was slain; and his brother, Hugh, Earl of Ormond, taken prisoner and executed. In the following month, the