The gentleman at St. Andrews, who said that there were but two trees in Fife, ought to have added, that the elms of Balmerino were sold within these twenty years, to make pumps for the fire-engines.

Lord Balmerino's estate was forfeited to the Crown on his conviction for high treason in 1746 (ante, i. 180).

Here the rebel Lords of 1745, Kilmarnock, Balmerino, and Lovat, were heard and condemned.

BALMERINO, Lord, i. 180; v. 406, n. 3. BALMUTO, Lord, v. 70, n. 1.

TO THE SAME, Aug. 1, 1746.Trial of the Rebel Lords Balmerino and Kilmarnock 28.

TRIAL OF THE REBEL LORDS BALMERINO AND KILMARNOCK.

For Lord Balmerino, he is the most natural brave old fellow I ever saw: the highest intrepidity, even to indifference.

When they were to be brought from the Tower in separate coaches, there was some dispute in which the axe must goold Balmerino cried, "Come, come, put it with me."

When the trial began, the two Earls pleaded guilty; Balmerino not guilty, saying he could prove his not being at the taking of the castle of Carlisle, as was laid in the indictment.

Then the Lord High Steward asked the Peers severally, whether Lord Balmerino was guilty!

While the Lords were withdrawn, the Solicitor-General Murray (brother of the Pretender's minister) officiously and insolently went up to Lord Balmerino, and asked him, how he could give the Lords so much trouble, when his solicitor had informed him that his plea could be of no use to him?

Balmerino asked the bystanders who this person was? and being told he said, "Oh, Mr. Murray!

Lord Balmerino said, that one of his reasons for pleading not guilty, was that so many ladies might not be disappointed of their show.

The Lords very tenderly and rightly sent this plea to them, of which, as you have seen, the two Earls did not make use; but old Balmerino did, and demanded council on it.

Lord Balmerino asked for Forester and Wilbraham; the latter a very able lawyer in the House of Commons, who, the Chancellor said privately, he was sure would as soon be hanged as plead such a cause.

But he came as council to-day (the third day), when Lord Balmerino gave up his plea as invalid, and submitted, without any speech.