,
whether the cow had sat down to her potation, or taken it standing. The
plaintiff answered she had not seen the deed committed, but she supposed
the cow drank the ale standing on her feet; adding, that had she been
near, she would have made her use them to some purpose. The Bailie,
on this admission, solemnly adjudged the cow's drink to be DEOCH
AN DORUIS--a stirrup-cup, for which no charge could be made without
violating the ancient hospitality of Scotland.
NOTE 9.--CANTING HERALDRY
Although canting heraldry is generally reprobated, it seems nevertheless
to have been adopted in the arms and mottoes of many honourable
families. Thus the motto of the Vernons, VER NON SEMPER VIRET, is a
perfect pun, and so is that of the Onslows, FESTINA LENTE. The PERIISSEM
NI PER-IISSEM of the Anstruthers is liable to a similar objection. One
of that ancient race, finding that an antagonist, with whom he had
fixed a friendly meeting, was determined to take the opportunity of
assassinating him, prevented the hazard by dashing out his brains with
a battle-axe. Two sturdy arms brandishing such a weapon, form the usual
crest of the family, with the above motto--PERIISSEM NI PER-IISSEM--I
had died, unless I had gone through with it.
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