Ancient Scottish ballads, recovered from tradition, and never before ...

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NOTES
ON
YOUNG REDIN.
But there s thrice asfair a ladie as thee,
Meets me at Brandies ivell.—p. 3, v. 3.
" In the dark ages of Popery, it was a custom, if any
well had an awful situation, and was seated in some
lonely melancholy vale ; if its water was clear and lim-
pid, and beautifully margined with the tender grass; or
if it was looked upon as having a medicinal quality;
to gift it to some Saint, and honour it with his name.
Hence it is, that we have at this day wells and foun-
tains called, some St. John's, St. Mary Magdalen's,
St. Mary's Well, &c." Brands Pop. Antiq. p. 82.
These wells were the usual rendezvous of lovers, who
attracted by their solitary situation, and impressed with
the sacred character which they bore, as being dedicated
to some holy person, believed that the vows of love and
constancy breathed beside them, would burn with a
purer and more lasting flame.