In those days “postboys” were employed to drive the runaways from the hotels at Carlisle to Gretna, one of the most noted of whom was Jock Ainslie, on the staff of the “Bush Inn” at Carlisle.  On one occasion he was commissioned to drive a runaway couple, who had just arrived by the coach from London, to Gretna, but when they got as far as Longtown they insisted they were tired and must stay for dinner before going forward, so they sent Jock back.  He returned to Carlisle rather reluctantly, advising the runaways to lose no time.  But when he got back to the “Bush Inn” he saw the mother of the lady whom he had left at Longtown drive up to the hotel door accompanied by a Bow Street officer.  While they were changing horses, Jock went to the stable, saddled a horse, rode off to Longtown, and told his patrons what he had seen.  They immediately hurried into a chaise, but had not gone far before they heard the carriage wheels of their pursuers.  Jock Ainslie was quite equal to the occasion, and drove the chaise behind a thick bush, whence the pair had the satisfaction of seeing “Mamma” hurry past at full speed in pursuit.  While she was continuing her search on the Annan Road, Jock quietly drove into Springfield and had his patrons “hitched up” without further delay, and doubtless was well rewarded for his services.

[Illustration:  WILLIE LANG The last of the “Lang” line of priests.]

It seemed a strange thing that Lord Brougham, who brought in the famous Act, should himself have taken advantage of a “Scotch” marriage, and that two other Lord Chancellors, both celebrated men, should have acted in the same manner; Lord Eldon, the originator of the proverb—­

  New brooms sweep clean,

was married at Gretna, and Lord Erskine at Springfield.  Marriage in this part of Scotland had not the same religious significance as elsewhere, being looked upon as more in the nature of a civil contract than a religious ceremony.  The form of marriage was almost entirely a secular matter, and if a man and woman made a declaration before two witnesses that they were single persons and had resided twenty-one days in Scotland, they were considered as being man and wife.  At the point where the Black Esk and White Esk Rivers join, a remarkable custom called “Handfasting” prevailed hundreds of years ago.  Here, at a place known as Handfasting Hough, young men and women assembled in great numbers and made matrimonial engagements by joining hands.  The marriage was only binding for one year, but if both parties were then satisfied, the “handfasting” was continued for life.  King Robert II of Scotland, it was said, was one of those who was “hand-fasted” there.

[Illustration:  (Facsimile of Lord Erskine’s signature.)]

[Illustration:  SPRINGFIELD TOLL.]