Ye ken, in this country ilka gentleman is wussed to be sae civil as to see the corpse aff his grounds; ye needna gang higher than the loan-head--it's no expected your honour suld leave the land; it's just a Kelso convoy, a step and a half ower the doorstane." "A Kelso convoy!" echoed the inquisitive Antiquary; "and why a Kelso convoy more than any other ?" "Dear sir," answered Caxon, "how should I ken?
it's just a by-word." "Caxon," answered Oldbuck, "thou art a mere periwig-maker--Had I asked Ochiltree the question, he would have had a legend ready made to my hand." "My business," replied Caxon, with more animation than he commonly displayed, "is with the outside of your honour's head, as ye are accustomed to say." "True, Caxon, true; and it is no reproach to a thatcher that he is not an upholsterer." He then took out his memorandum-book and wrote down "Kelso convoy--said to be a step and a half over the threshold.

Authority--Caxon .-- Quaere-- Whence derived?
Mem.

To write to Dr.Graysteel upon the subject." Having made this entry, he resumed--"And truly, as to this custom of the landlord attending the body of the peasant, I approve it, Caxon.

It comes from ancient times, and was founded deep in the notions of mutual aid and dependence between the lord and cultivator of the soil.

And herein I must say, the feudal system--( as also in its courtesy towards womankind, in which it exceeded)--herein, I say, the feudal usages mitigated and softened the sternness of classical times.