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                                  THE
                            SCOTTISH JOURNAL
                                   OF
                 _Topography, Antiquities, Traditions,_

                                &c. &c.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------


  No. 22.      Edinburgh, Saturday, January 29, 1848.      Price 1½d.


                      ----------------------------




         SOME PARTICULARS REGARDING THE FAMILY OF INVERNAHYLE.

COPIED FROM A MANUSCRIPT IN THE POSSESSION OF DR THOMSON, LATE OF APPIN,
  BY JOSEPH TRAIN.

ALEXANDER, the first Invernahyle, was son to Allan Stewart, third Laird
of Appin. He married Margaret Macdonald, daughter of Donald Macdonald of
Moidart, commonly called _Donul an Lochan_.[1] He had only one child,
Donald, who succeeded him. Alexander, it would appear, lived in Island
Stalker. He rose early on a summer morning, and stepped over to the _Nan
Gall_,[2] which lies contiguous. He had in his hand a Lochaber axe,
which at that period was frequently used instead of the sword. He
reclined upon a verdant spot of the isle, with his Lochaber axe laid
carelessly by him. A deadly feud existed at that time between his family
and that of Dunstaffnage. A brother of Dunstaffnage, called _Cailen
Uaine_,[3] arrived at the island with his barge, and a number of men to
assist him in executing his bloody purpose. He landed unperceived by
Alexander. Upon being observed, he assumed the mask of friendship, and
was about to salute him; but, seeing Alexander defenceless, he cast his
eye on the axe, which still lay upon the ground, and eager to be
possessed of that which, if in the hands of the other, might make him
pay dear for his expedition, he hastily grasped it, expressing himself
thus—“Sma an tua so Alasdair na on bioda leor sauich innte.”[4]
Alexander quickly replied—“Bheil duil agad nach eil sin innte,”[5] and
also laid hold of the axe, being fully sensible of the spirit of Colin’s
remark. During the struggle, Colin’s men surrounded Alexander, and
basely murdered him. Donald, his infant son, was suckled by Morag, a
woman from Moidart, and wife to _Rab a Pheti_, the smith of that
district. Colin, foreseeing that the black deed he had committed might
not pass unrevenged, was very anxious to destroy the child. In this,
however, he was disappointed by the prudence and activity of the
faithful nurse, who, with a strength of attachment truly valuable,
understanding what had happened, regardless of her own safety, fled away
with the child to her own country. Having informed her husband of the
circumstances, they agreed to bring up the child as if he was their own,
and to keep the secret of his parentage concealed from the world, even
from himself, till a proper time arrived for disclosing it.

Donald was accordingly educated in the family of Rab a Pheti, the
blacksmith. When he acquired some strength, he was often called to
assist his supposed father in carrying on his trade. Being of a strong,
athletic make, he performed every task proposed to him with ease, little
thinking he had any right to be otherwise employed. One day, when about
eighteen years of age, it being his turn to work in the smithy, he took
hold of a large hammer, which required the strength of any ordinary man
to wield with both hands, and, of course, deemed too unweildly for a
stripling of his age, yet he found so little difficulty in managing it,
that he wrought it with one hand; and not satisfied with this exertion,
he took another hammer of the same size in his other hand, and beat away
with both alternately, without much apparent exertion. His supposed
father, Rab a Pheti, seeing this, gave up his work and went to the
faithful nurse to tell what he had seen. This honest couple, who had as
much affection for Donald as though he had been their own child, came to
the resolution of disclosing to him the secret they had so long kept of
his birth and parentage. Donald was called, and the mournful tale of his
father’s death, and the risk he ran of sharing the same fate, was
circumstantially laid before him. If we can judge by his future actions,
we may conclude that he listened to the mournful story with strong
emotions. The smith took him in his arms and embraced him. “Your
education,” he said, “has been necessarily obscure, but I trust the
blood that runs in your veins, and the spirit of your fathers, will ever
inspire your conduct and direct your steps.” The smith then presented
him with a sword, tempered with all the art of his trade, praying it
might be the means of clearing his way through difficulties, and
extricating him from every danger. Donald received it as a valuable
token of love. Nor did he allow it long to remain peaceful in its
scabbard. Previous to his setting out for Appin, he, by the advice of
his foster-mother, Morag, waited on his mother’s brother, Macdonald of
Moidart, who gave him a very warm and hearty reception, and offered
freely to support him with his interest and influence in recovering his
paternal property, which had been taken back to the family, on the
supposition of his death when a child.[6]

Donald, upon coming to Appin, and his history being made public, got the
name of _Donul nan Ord_,[7] by which he was known ever after. Nature was
very kind to Donald. He had ready wit, a quick invention, an excellent
address, an uncommon degree of firmness of mind, strength of body, and
activity. Those qualities rendered him a fit leader of a chosen band in
those restless and warlike times. He soon became a terror to the enemies
of his clan and of his friends. His first step was to kill _Cailen
Uaine_,[8] the murderer of his father. Nor did he stop till he had
destroyed nine other gentlemen of the family of Dunstaffnage. This cost
Donald several skirmishes; but his attacks were so bold, and so well
managed, that he was always successful. Argyle soon came to be
interested in the distress that Donald was bringing on his clan, and
employed several parties to cut him off, but in vain. Donald seeing
Argyle’s intention, instead of being intimidated, penetrated with his
chosen band into the heart of Argyle’s country, spoiled his tenants,
carrying away a considerable booty from the sides of Lochow, which at
that time gave a title to the chief of the clan.

There is still handed down a little roundlet, which narrates this
transaction—

                   “Donal nan Ord, dalt a gothain
                    Alleagan nan luarach leabhair,
                    Thog thu creach o’ thaogh Locho,
                    Nach dean Mhac Callen a thoghadh,
                    Na Mhac, na Earo na Otha.”[9]

Argyle, much enraged at the affront offered him by Donald, began to
think of serious revenge, by raising his whole clan and followers to
destroy him; but wisely seeing that this could not be done without some
noise, and aware that Donald might be supported by his mother’s powerful
friends, and also by the Camerons, set on foot a negotiation with the
Laird of Appin, to get Donald to make restitution and be peaceful. The
result was, that Appin, and his other friends, insisted with Donald that
he should come to terms with Argyle, threatening, if he did not comply,
to leave him to his fate. Donald, unwilling to split with his friends,
and thinking that he had done enough in revenging his father’s death,
complied, and actually went to Inverary with a single attendant, to hold
a conference with Argyle, at his own place, and among his numerous
friends. Argyle, who was a man of the world, conceived that, from
Donald’s rusticity, he could easily, by persuasion, get him into a
scrape that might prove fatal to him. But Donald, though he agreed all
at once to the terms proposed, got himself easily extricated. Upon
Donald’s reaching Inverary, he met Argyle in the fields, and is said to
have accosted him thus—

                    “A Mhic Callen griomach ghlais,
                     Is beag an hachd a thagad dhiom,
                     Is nar a Phillis mi air mais
                     Mas a mo a thaghain dhiot.”[10]

In the course of conversation, it would appear that Donald not
unfrequently indulged in a loud hoarse laugh—a habit which some of his
descendants were noted for, as far down as the eighth generation. To
rally Donald a little upon this, Argyle desired him to look at a rock in
a hill above Ardkinglass, then in their view, which resembles a man’s
face reclined backwards, the mouth being considerably expanded. He asked
if he knew the name that rock went by. Donald answered in the negative.
Argyle then told him it was _Gaire Granda_.[11] Donald perceiving the
allusion, and, with his other qualifications, being no mean poet,
replied off hand—

                 “Gaire Granda as ainm don Chreig,
                  Is fanaidh i mar sin a ghna;
                  Gheabh a leitheid agad fein,
                  Nan sealadh tu nan eadan do mhna.”[12]

When at length they came to talk of business, the terms upon which
Argyle offered peace were, that Donald should raise a hership in
Moidart, and another in Athole, thinking probably that he would be cut
off in these attempts; or if successful against such powerful people,
that his disgrace would be less in what was done to his own lands.
Donald readily agreed to the terms. He set out openly for Moidart,
discovered to his uncle the engagement he had come under, and asked his
advice. His uncle told him that the people of certain farms in that
neighbourhood having offended him, to go and spoil them; that he, to
save appearance, when it came to his knowledge, should pursue him to
retake the spoil; but should not be in such haste that Donald ran any
risk of being overtaken. Donald did so; carried off his spoil; set fire
to two or three farms, and got safe off. The affair made a great noise,
and reached Argyle’s ears, who was astonished at Donald’s rashness. He
went next to Athole, and played the same card with equal success; came
back to Argyle, and a peace was concluded, though not with much
cordiality upon either side.

There is a well-known anecdote, which we cannot pass over in silence.
Donald was, on a time, returning from an expedition into Stirlingshire,
and, passing through Monteith, called at a tenant’s house, where they
were preparing a wedding dinner. The Earl of Monteith was at the
marriage, and was to partake of the dinner. Donald and his men were
hungry, and asked for a supply of meat, which being refused, they were
so unpolite as step in and eat up the whole dinner. Upon the Earl’s
arrival with the marriage people, they were enraged at the affront put
upon them. They pursued Donald, and soon came up with him. They called
to him to halt, which he did, and one of the Earl’s men cried out
ironically to Donald and his men, alluding, no doubt, to the quantity of
broth they had consumed—

                    “Stuarticdh bhuidh nan tapan,
                     A bheiradh glag air a chal.”[13]

One of Donald’s men, with great coolness, drawing an arrow out of his
quiver, replies—

                 “Ma tha’n tapan again mar dhuchas,
                  Is du dhuin gun tarin sin tarsid.”[14]

And with this took his aim at the Monteith man, and shot him through the
heart. An engagement ensued betwixt the parties, in which the Earl was
killed, and a number of his followers.

Donald was twice married; first to M. Stewart, daughter of John Stewart
of Bun Rannock, _alias_ Jan MacRoibeart. By her he had four sons, 1.
Alexander, who had the misfortune at an early period to be afflicted
with the stone. Breadalbane took a particular concern in the young man.
He carried him to Taymouth, and got the most able medical assistance for
him. The operation of lithotomy was performed upon him, but he did not
long survive it. 2. Duncan, who succeeded him. 3. Allan, of whom the
present Laird of Ballechelish. 4. John, commonly called John Du
MacDhonuil. He had the lands of Littershuna. He had a daughter, who was
married to Archibald Campbell, _alias_ Gillesbuegdie, of whom the
present Achaladair is descended. Donald married, secondly, —— Campbell,
second daughter of John Gorm of Lochnell, and widow of James nan Gleann.
By her, he had a daughter who was married to Macdonnell of
Achatriachatan, of whom the present Laird of Achatriachatan is
descended. During Donald’s life the feud that subsisted between him and
the family of Dunstaffnage did not entirely subside. It gave much
trouble and uneasiness to the friends of both parties. It was very
prudently concluded, in order to put a final end to it, that Duncan
should pay his addresses to a daughter of Dunstaffnage, which he did
with success. This was carried on unknown to Donald, and when the
marriage took place, he was in very bad blood with his son. It cost the
friends a great deal of work to get him reconciled to him. It was
brought about so far, that he gave him the farm of Inverfolla to live in
with his wife. Duncan had the misfortune soon afterwards to incur his
father’s displeasure, by what _Donald nan Ord_ looked upon as a greater
crime than even marrying Miss Campbell. It was this: Duncan being a
good, honest, domestic man, and the world around him being in peace and
quietness, thought fit to amuse himself with husbandry, which accorded
not with the warlike spirit of Donald. He thought it much beneath the
dignity of a gentleman, and frequently expressed his disgust. One day as
he was walking upon the green of Invernahyle, he looked across the
river, and saw a number of his followers with spades preparing a piece
of ground for sowing seed. He thought to himself that he was wont to
give a different sort of employment to his adherents, and that Duncan
had no spirit. Meanwhile, Duncan came up to his men—took a spade in his
hand, and began to work along with them. This was too much for the old
gentleman to bear, and he marched in wrath across to Inverfolla. Though
many years had impaired his strength, yet rage gave vigour to his steps.
He was observed approaching. The fury of his looks struck terror around
him. Duncan was advised to fly from the impending storm. The incensed
hero looked for his degenerate son. Where is he? He is gone towards the
house. Towards the house marched Donald, inquired and searched, but
could not find the object of his wrath. At length he thought he found
him under the bedclothes, in his own bed. He could contain himself no
longer. He drew his hanger, and made a deadly stroke at the supposed
Duncan. Though the arm was old, it had not wholly lost its strength. He
cut through all the bed-clothes, and made a large gash—in the bolster!
His rage by degrees abated, and he returned home in calmness.

Donald’s mother was left a widow when young. She married Maclean of
Inverscadale, of whom the present Inverscadale.

DUNCAN, the third Invernahyle, married —— Campbell, daughter of Campbell
of Dunstaffnage, by whom he had three sons: 1. Alexander, who succeeded
him; 2. Dugald; 3. Allan.

ALEXANDER, the fourth Invernahyle, married —— Stewart, only daughter of
Duncan Stewart, fifth Laird of Appin, and had issue twelve sons, who all
came to the age of men, and went all one Sabbath to the church, along
with their father, in kilted plaids and armed. Their names, so far as
can be recollected, were in the following order: Donald, James, John
Dhu, John More, George, Dugald, William, Alexander, Duncan and Allan.

DONALD, the fifth Invernahyle, was married to Margaret Campbell,
daughter to the Laird of Lochnell, and had issue four sons and two
daughters: 1. Alexander, who succeeded him; 2. Duncan, of whom
Strathgarry; 3. Donald, married to Margaret Stewart, daughter to
Alexander Stewart of Acharn, issue, sons; 4. Allan, married to Margaret
Campbell, daughter to John Campbell of Achaoran, issue, sons. His oldest
daughter, Margaret, married Donald Campbell of Greenyards, Secretary to
the Bank of Scotland. The second daughter, Anne, married Maccalman of
Arivian, and had issue.

ALEXANDER, the sixth Invernahyle, married Mary Macdonnell, daughter to
Macdonnell of Fersid, by whom he had issue, Duncan, who succeeded him,
and a daughter, Catharine, who was married to James Stewart in
Ardnamurchan. But Alexander was first married to Isabel Campbell,
daughter of John Campbell of Kirktown, in Mucharn, by whom he had two
daughters: 1. Anne, married to Dugald Stewart of Achnacon, of whom the
present Achnacon; 2. Margaret, married to Duncan Stewart, son to
Innishchaorach.

DUNCAN, the seventh Invernahyle, was bred to the law in Edinburgh, where
he had an opportunity of cultivating a fine natural taste for music, to
the enjoyment of which he very much devoted himself in his latter days.
He married, when young, Mary Campbell, daughter of Alexander Campbell of
Barcaldine, and by her had a numerous offspring, of whom there came to
maturity—1. Alexander, the present Invernahyle, who is married to
Catharine Stewart, daughter to Robert Stewart of Appin, and has issue;
2. John, who died while at his education, and was buried at the church
of Kilmadock, in Perthshire; 3. Dugald was bred to the Church, but
preferred going abroad, to push his fortune, and after being successful
for some time in Jamaica was robbed by a partner. He went to America,
and died there; 4. Robert, who was bred a wine merchant in Leith, died
abroad; 5. Allan, who has all along followed the army, is now on
half-pay, a Lieut.-Colonel; 6. James, who was educated for the Church,
and also as a physician, made choice of the occupation of a farmer and
merchant. He is married to Robina Edmondstoune, daughter to John
Edmondstoune of Cambus-Wallace, and has issue: 1. Margaret, married to
Campbell of Achraran, issue, sons; 2. Mary, married to Macnicol of
Sonoch, and has issue; 3. Anne, married to the Rev. John Connochar, and
has issue.

                      ----------------------------




                      DESCENDANTS OF INVERNAHYLE.


                            _Ballechelish._

Allan, the first Ballechelish, third son to Donul nan Ord, married ——
Macdonnell, daughter to Macdonell of Coillickonid, by whom he had issue:
1. Alexander, who succeeded him; 2. Donald; 3. Allan.

Alexander, the second Ballechelish, married his cousin, a daughter of
John du MacDhonuil, and had issue; 1. John, who succeeded; 2. Alexander,
_alias_ Alisdair More, who was wadsetter of Achalader, and married a
daughter of Campbell of Barcaldine, by whom he had issue.

John, the third Ballechelish, married a daughter of Stewart of
Ardsheils, and had issue. He was succeeded by his nephew, Alexander, son
to Alisdair More.

Alexander, the fourth Ballechelish, was first married to a daughter of
Stewart of Ardsheils, issue, sons. He married after her, Isabel Stewart,
daughter to Alexander Stewart of Annat, in Perthshire, and had issue: 1.
John, the present Ballechelish; 2. Alexander, who was killed at Falkirk
in 1746; and one daughter, Isabel, married to Donald Stewart, nephew to
Alexander Stewart, fourth Ballechelish, and son to Donald Mac Alisdair
Mhoir.


                             _Littershuna._

John du MacDhonuil, fourth son to Donald nan Ord. He married a daughter
of James Stewart of Glens, commonly called _Ni Mhic Sheumais_. By her he
had one son and seven daughters. His son, along with another youth, a
son of Sir Donald Campbell of Ardnamurchan, during the rage for
suppressing Popery, went to Craig, a place sacred to Saint Curulames,
carried away the images, and burnt them in the castle of Island Stalker,
offering impious scoffs and insults to the images as they were burning.
They both died when young. One of the daughters was married to Stewart
of Ardsheil; another to Cameron of Collard; another to Stewart of
Fasnacloich; another to Campbell of Clannamacrie, of whom Combie and
Edorline; another to Campbell of Stonefield, of whom the present Lord
Stonefield, and of whom is also descended the present Earl of
Breadalbane; another was married to Macdougall, Baron Dunach, and
another to Stewart of Ballechelish.


                           _Innishchaorach._

Dugald, second son to Duncan the third Invernahyle, purchased from
Campbell of Lawers the lands of Innishchaorach, Duaireachan, and
Innishdainh, in Glenlochy, Breadalbane. He married and had issue: 1.
Allan, who succeeded; 2. Neil, who married a daughter of Stewart of
Druimcharrie, in Perthshire, and had issue.

Allan, second Innishchaorach, married —— Burdin, daughter of Burdin of
Fidals, and had issue; 1. James, who succeeded; 2. Duncan, who married a
daughter of Invernahyle; 3. Dugald, married to a daughter of Alexander
Stewart of Acharn; 4. Alexander, who married —— Macgregor, daughter of
Alexander Macgregor, _alias_ Alisdair Saoileach, and had issue; 5. John,
married —— Farquharson.

James, the third Innishchaorach, married —— Stewart, daughter to Stewart
of Annat, and had issue, Alexander and Neil, who died unmarried.

Neil, second son of Dugald, the first Innishchaorach, was the male heir
to Innishchaorach. He was wadsetter to Ledcharrie and Edarramhionoich,
in Glendochart, and had issue, John, Charles, and Neil. Charles
succeeded to the wadset, which was paid up to him, and with the money he
bought the lands of Bohalic, in Athole, of which he died possessed. He
left them to his daughter, having no male issue.

James, second son to Alexander, the fourth Invernahyle, was wadsetter of
Inverkinglass, in Glenkinglass. He was married, and had a son, Allan,
who settled in Ardnamurchan. Allan married a daughter of Mr Maccalman,
minister of Appin, by whom he had four sons—James, John, Allan and
Dugald. Dugald had an estate in Jamaica, called Mounstewart. It was sold
and divided among his relations. Allan had a son called Andrew, who
settled in Perth, and left a son, a glover. Andrew has two sons, Peter,
a glover, and Thomas, a shipmaster and an heritor.


                             _Strathgarry._

Duncan, second son to Donald the fifth Invernahyle, was bred a
clergyman, and settled first at Kilmun, in Cowal; but, upon the
abolition of Prelacy, removed to Blair, in Athole, where he continued to
preach as an Episcopal clergyman all his days. He first purchased the
lands of Strathgarry, and afterwards those of Inverchaddan. Mr Duncan
married, first, —— Maclean, daughter of Angus Maclean, who was son to
Bishop Maclean of the Isles. By her he had issue: 1. Alexander, who
succeeded as Strathgarry; 2. Donald, who married —— Stewart, daughter of
Urchalbeg, and had issue, three daughters: 1. Jean, who was married to
Donald Maccalman, son of the Minister of Appin; 2. Margaret, who was
married to a brother of Urchalbeg; 3. Mary, married to Alexander
Robertson, had no issue; and again to a brother of Glenlyon, and had
issue. Mr Duncan married, secondly, Janet Maccalman, by whom he had
issue: 1. John, who died unmarried; 2. Allan, to whom he gave the lands
of Inverchaddan: 1. Margaret, married to Stewart of Dunbealeach; 2. ——,
married to Alexander Campbell, second son to Glenlyon; 3. Elizabeth,
married to Donald Maclaren of Invernenty; 4. Robina, married to _Rab a
Pheti_.

Alexander, second Strathgarry, married —— Robertson, daughter of
Robertson of Kincraig. He had two sons, Alexander, who succeeded him,
and lived in Ruhip, a purchase by his father, and Allan, minister of
Killespendy, and several daughters.

Alexander, third Strathgarry, was minister of Blair, in Athole. He
married Isabel Robertson, daughter of Mr Patrick Robertson, brother of
Lude, and left issue, the present Strathgarry, Mr Duncan Stewart,
minister of Balquhidder, Mr Alexander, minister of Mullien, and three
daughters.


                            _Inverchaddan._

Allan, first son by the second marriage of Mr Duncan Stewart, son to
Donald, the fifth Invernahyle. He married Christian Macnab, daughter to
the Laird of Macnab, and left two sons, Duncan, the present
Inverchaddan, and Allan.


The sword, made by the smith, and given to _Donald nan Ord_, is still in
the possession of Captain Dugald Stewart, the present heir of
Invernahyle, together with his steel-cap and _luireach_, or coat of
mail; also the hammers used by him when in the smith’s family.

    [We are indebted for the foregoing interesting paper to Mr
    Train, Castle Douglas, who copied it from a manuscript in the
    possession of Dr Thomson of Appin. Part of the MS. was
    communicated by Mr Train to the late Sir Walter Scott, who
    supplied from it the story of “Donald the Hammerer,” printed in
    the Introduction to Jamieson’s edition of Burt’s “Letters from a
    Gentleman in the North of Scotland to his Friend in London,”
    published in 1822. Sir Walter made various alterations on the
    MS., in the narrative as well as in the style; but, the object
    of our _Journal_ being the preservation of what is original,
    rare, or curious, rather than the cultivation of fine writing,
    we have preferred adhering to the copy, which is more complete
    than when in the hands of the _Author of Waverley_, several
    additions having been made to it by Mr Stewart, Excise Officer,
    Kirkcudbright, who claims kindred with the Stewarts of Appin. It
    will be interesting to the reader to compare our pages with the
    story as related by the “Great Magician.”]

                      ----------------------------




                          HOLY ISLAND PRIORY.

                       BY HENRY CLARKE, M.D.[15]

I have been induced to draw up the following sketch of the Priory of
Holy Island, from its being the most beautiful fragment of antiquity in
the district to which our researches are confined, as well as from its
presenting one of the most remarkable architectural remains of the
period to which it belongs in the kingdom.

It need scarcely be mentioned that, in the earlier periods of Christian
history, the choice of so unattractive a site was in obedience to the
idea which indicated the remote and scarcely accessible island, and the
lone and unfrequented desert, as spots peculiarly fitted for that
contemplative life, and withdrawal from the world, in which the
perfection of religion was supposed to consist.

When the monastic system was introduced into the West, this was its
leading and characteristic feature, and the same spirit which had
selected the inhospitable island of Iona, induced the monk who issued
thence for the conversion of Northumberland, to prefer the bleak sands
of Lindesfarne to the present valleys of the adjacent continent.

It would be needless also to dwell upon the advantages derived from
monastic establishments during the darker periods of history—their
preservation of literature and religion—the solace they afforded to the
way-farer and the pilgrim—the asylum they furnished to the poor, the
sick, the impotent, and the aged—the influence which they exerted in
alleviating, where they could not prevent, the various evils incident to
a barbarous age—the peaceful arts which they cultivated, and especially
that which enabled them to raise those august and sumptuous edifices,
which still remain the grandest examples of architectural skill, and
defy all approaches of the moderns to a parity of excellence.

The exercise of these and kindred virtues ought to redeem the monastic
institution, when reviewed in a candid and equitable spirit, from the
unmeasured obloquy and censure which the license and misrule of some of
its branches in later times have drawn down upon it.

There is no doubt, however, that the very virtues, which originally
inspired awe and attracted esteem, tended, by a natural process,
frequently renewed, and always with similar results, to the gradual
corruption and final overthrow of the monastic system.

Long before the Reformation the elements of discontent had been at work,
and the clamour against the monasteries had been gradually acquiring
force and fixedness, when in the person of

                            “the majestic lord
                      Who broke the bonds of Rome,”

was found a fitting instrument for the expression of the popular will.

In the year 1536, the lesser monasteries were doomed to destruction by
the execrable tyrant who wielded the sceptre of England, and the Priory
of Holy Island was included in the general wreck.

From that hour it dates its gradual decay and present state of
irretrievable ruin. Sir Walter Scott has thus described it in “Marmion:”

                 “In Saxon strength that abbey frown’d,
                  With massive arches broad and round
                  That rose alternate row on row,
                  On ponderous columns short and low,
                       Built ere the art was known,
                  By pointed aisle and shafted stalk,
                  The arcades of an alley’d walk,
                       To emulate in stone.”

The latter part of the stanza is a complimentary allusion to the
fanciful theory of Sir James Hall concerning the origin of the pointed
arch. The application of the term _Saxon_, it would be impossible to
verify or substantiate.

There are no buildings in this country with the characteristic forms of
this church, or the distribution into nave and aisles, that belong to so
early a period. A few rude structures there certainly are which may have
been erected by Saxon architects, one of which occurs in our own
district—the tower of Whittingham Church, Northumberland—characterised
by a peculiar sort of quoining—consisting of long and short stones,
placed alternately over each other—small round-headed apertures divided
by a rude balastre, and the absence of buttresses. The term Norman may
be safely used, if it be understood simply to designate a style which
appeared in this country at the conquest, and prevailed for 125 years,
during the Norman rule; but it is in reality Roman, and was derived from
the imperial city by the architects who diffused it over Europe, with
the religion to which these structures were consecrated. It flourished
during the first thousand years of the Christian era, with long
interruptions during the dark ages, but its rudiments maybe discerned at
this day in the Temple of Peace at Rome, erected during the first
century, and in the Halls of the Baths—those colossal structures in
which the grandeur of thought and magnificent aims of the Roman people
are most conspicuously combined. In these edifices we perceive the
general arrangement of our Norman and Gothic churches—a wide central
space arched over at top, with the vaults resting on pillars
corresponding to our nave; between these pillars lofty arches open into
as many vaulted apartments on either side intercommunicating by similar
archways and constituting side-aisles. The roof of the side-aisles being
considerably lower than that of the central vault, admits the insertion
of lights in the main wall looking into the cave, which correspond with
our clerestory windows.

The general character of Holy Island Priory is Norman, or to speak more
correctly, Romanesque. The West front is almost perfect—remarkably so
when we consider that, in buildings of that period, this part has
generally undergone a change, by the insertion of windows of a later
style, leaving only the Norman door below to point to the real date of
the structure. Here, we have a door of great depth and richness of
effect from the number and boldness of the ornaments. On either side are
plain semicircular blank arches—but not intersecting—and the whole were
flanked by towers, one of which still exists. Of the nave, the southern
portion as well as the south aisle, is entirely gone, but that on the
north is tolerably complete. The piers, with their capitals, which bore
up the arches, are of various patterns, channelled, lozenged, shafted,
and shewing in their sculptured surfaces, and the various fretwork of
the arches, that is, in the only decoration which the style admitted—the
germ of that inexhaustible variety and multiplicity of ornament which
was in the sequel to characterize the Gothic.

The nave, as well as aisles, has been vaulted in stone, as is evidenced
from the vaulting shafts, and commencing springers still seen at the
junction of the nave and transepts, and from the curve of the vault
itself, yet traceable at the west end, but denuded of its ribs. This is
a remarkable and almost singular instance of the centre aisle of a
Norman building receiving a vault of stone. Both in England and on the
Continent, the nave was covered simply by a flat boarded roof, to which
were in a great degree owing the frequent and destructive fires of our
early churches.

There are six arches in the nave, but the last is of smaller dimensions
than the rest. This peculiarity is not unfrequent in Norman and Gothic
churches, as if the architect had not previously calculated the space to
be occupied by his arcade. The effect here has been to produce a
horse-shoe instead of a semicircular arch, from its being of the same
height, but lesser span, than the others. This arch is very rare, even
in Norman buildings.

Above the pier-arches there has existed a triforium, of which the only
remains are a single shaft at either end of the nave, the beginning and
termination of the arcade. The Norman triforium is in England simply a
row of openings or pannels in the wall, to fill up, ornamentally, what
would otherwise have been a blank space. In Germany it is a real
gallery, and appropriated to the young men, and called the Männer-chor.

Of the vaulting of the north aisle one arch still remains, but flattened
at top, and only retained in its position by the wedge-form of the
stones which compose it. This will soon fall, and yet might be easily
preserved. The vaulting was quadripartite—the piers, with their
cushioned capitals, and transverse ribs, are yet seen. In one or two
places, the vaulting from pier to pier yet remains, though the ribs
which would have appeared to support it are gone. This is a proof that
the ribs used in vaulting were introduced merely to satisfy the mind by
_appearing_ to support the arches above, and that the eye, which had
been accustomed to strong lines in every other part of the building,
should not here rest in a blank surface.

We now reach the intersection of the nave and transepts. Here in the
strong and massive piers, we have slender circular shafts set in square
recesses—a style of transition from the short and heavy Norman to the
loftiness and exility of the Gothic, by which the weights above being
distributed to different and independent props, an air of lightness and
grace is produced without any diminution of security or strength.

Above, arose the tower which crowned the whole structure, but of its
existence the only remaining evidence is the most singular and beautiful
feature of the ruin. It is the great cross rib traversing the vault
diagonally from N.W. to S.E., and spanning the mid-air free and
unconnected with the building but at its spring. Had this been a pointed
arch, it would have fallen with its superstructure, but the pressure of
the round arch being only at the sides, it is likely to endure as long
as the parts which buttress it up.

The chancel beyond the transepts had originally a semicircular
termination, as is still discernible on the floor—a feature retained in
all the Norman churches abroad. In this part of the edifice, it is to be
regretted, is a departure from the unity of style which pervades the
rest of the fabric—the circular apse has given place to a rectangular,
lighted by pointed windows, in compliance with the fashion of the day,
and in violation of the grave simplicity of the rest of the structure.

Buttresses of slight projection run all round the building. They were
scarcely needed by the Norman architects, from the enormous thickness of
their walls, and their inferior height; but in them we may trace the
rudiments of what became, in the hands of the Gothic builders, so
beautiful and necessary a member, shooting up into airy pinnacles and
spires, and impressing a lofty and majestic character upon the whole.

Of the conventual buildings the traces are few and indistinct. The most
important to their comforts—the vast kitchen chimney yet remains in all
its original strength and completeness. The large walled space adjoining
was probably the Refectory, with which the kitchen would communicate by
the buttery-hatch.

The building is now secured from violence and wanton dilapidation, and
as it has only to contend against the silent erosion of lichen and
wallflower, we may hope that it will long continue to adorn our
district—a monument of a far distant age and far different state of
society, and a beautiful and affecting link between the past and the
present.

                      ----------------------------




                  CENTENARY OF THE “ABERDEEN JOURNAL.”

ON Wednesday evening, January 5, 1848, the gentlemen connected with the
city and county of Aberdeen gave a splendid entertainment to Mr David
Chalmers, the present proprietor of the “Aberdeen Journal,” in
celebration of the centenary of that newspaper, it being exactly one
hundred years that day since its first number was published.

The art of printing was introduced into Aberdeen in the year 1622, by
Edward Raban, the “Laird of Letters,” as he styled himself, who printed
the first Aberdeen Almanack, “long the only work of its kind in
Scotland, and, as such, acquiring a sort of proverbial celebrity. The
password of pious Mr Turnbull, in the novel of _Red Gauntlet_—‘a plague
on all Aberdeen Almanacks’—will readily occur to the reader.”

Raban commenced business in Aberdeen under the auspices of the
magistracy and University, and one of his successors in trade and
patronage was Mr James Chalmers, son of the then Professor of Divinity
in Marischal College, the projector of the “Aberdeen Journal,” and
grandfather of its present proprietor. “Early in life,” said Mr David
Chalmers, at the centenary celebration above alluded to, “my grandfather
commenced business, as Printer to the City of Aberdeen, and was but a
young man when our country became convulsed by the bold and chivalrous
attempt of the last of the Stuarts to regain the throne of his
ancestors. My grandfather, himself a Protestant, warmly embraced the
cause of the House of Hanover, and through his press and his pen, gave
wide circulation to principles of attachment to the reigning sovereign.
This made him rather a marked man; so that his life was sometimes in
danger; and he had on one occasion to fly from his own house, and seek
refuge in that of a friend in Old Aberdeen, a Professor in King’s
College. In the memorable spring of ’46, the town of Aberdeen had a
visit from the royal army, on its way to the field of Culloden. My
grandfather joined the king’s standard, and took part in this battle,
which forever crushed the hopes of Prince Charles and his gallant and
devoted followers. The services of my ancestors were for a time rewarded
by an official appointment, namely, that of receivers of the rents of
some of the forfeited estates in this county; but these were soon after
restored; and are now happily in the hands of their rightful owners. At
this period, there were in Edinburgh but two papers, the ‘Evening
Courant’ and the ‘Caledonian Mercury’: and one in Glasgow, which has
long ceased to exist. It is known that, at this period, the Government
of the day had much to do in order to efface the painful recollections,
and to appease the angry feelings of the people, justly irritated and
incensed by the needless cruelties which followed that fatal fight.
They, therefore, felt anxious to see the principles of loyalty and good
order widely diffused among the population of the North. My grandfather,
impressed with the same views, engaged in the undertaking which has
given birth to the present meeting. During the progress of, and
subsequent to, the rebellion of ’45, he had published occasional
reports, or what would be now called bulletins, of the state of public
affairs; but it was not until the beginning of 1748 that the ‘Aberdeen
Journal’ took the form of a regular newspaper. From that period, it was
published by him, with varying success, until the year 1764, when he
died, and was succeeded by my venerated and respected father, who
conducted it until his death, in 1810. It then fell into my unworthy
hands; but with this consoling reflection, that during the last twelve
years of his life, I had had the privilege and the happiness of aiding
and assisting him in the laborious duties and distracting cares of an
Editor. Such has been the birth and parentage of the ‘Aberdeen Journal,’
whose life now presents the somewhat singular feature of having reached
its hundredth year during the lives of three successive generations of
the same family.

The few following extracts from No. 1. of the ‘Journal’ will give some
idea of newspaper writing one hundred years ago, and also indicate the
state of public feeling at that day towards our Gallic neighbours:

“As the publick may be alarmed with the report that ran so currently
yesterday upon the Exchange, that a contract is negociating for the
delivery of 400,000 quarters of wheat to our mortal enemy the French, we
hope every Englishman will judge so tenderly of his neighbour, as not to
believe it possible any merchant can entertain so pernicious a thought,
or be such a traitor to his country, at a time when our allies the Dutch
have totally prohibited all commerce with that perfidious nation under
the severest penalties.”

“However the report yesterday might arise, of a particular contract for
sending 400,000 quarters of wheat to France, it is certain that an
article from Bourdeaux, in a late Dutch Mail, mentions that a large
number of English ships, laden with corn, had put in there, and caused a
sudden plenty in the midst of scarcity; adding, that these ships had
sailed under a pretence of being bound for the Mediterranean. If these
were private traders only, who ventured thus to risk their fortunes, in
contempt of their duty and allegiance, the affair deserves to be
particularly enquired into, that the delinquents, if taken, may be
punished. But if their voyage was in virtue of a contract, that is a
_jobb_; the business is the more iniquitous, as it must be a transaction
among persons of no small distinction. We shall not pretend to guess who
the jobbers may be; but it was very imprudent of the French who were to
be essentially served, to blab a secret that may prevent their friends
here from making a little more profit of our present plenty.

“We hear that it having been affirmed, in a certain H—— Assembly, that a
practice of sm——g would never have arisen to its late pitch but for the
encouragement of some R—— H—— persons, one, who seemed to be severely
wrung, exclaimed loudly on the occasion, and affected to clear himself
and friends, by calling for such proof as he knew it was impossible at
that time to adduce.”

While the initials and dashes in the last quotation form a striking
contrast to the out-spoken manner of the press now-a-days, the following
_jeu d’esprit_ denotes the unchangeable and everlasting grumble against
taxation:

                           “NO MORE GAMBOLS.

          ’Twas merry at Christmas, when money was plenty,
          And taxes took off not above five in twenty:
          But how is it possible mirth should arise?
          Now all that can make it is under Excise.
          When light is not free in the worst of dull weather;
          Wheels pay, if we ride; if we foot it, shoe-leather.”

Such was the “Aberdeen’s Journal” a hundred years ago. Its first number
contained 39,560 separate pieces of type; its 5217th No. extends to
above 750,000, or in other words 3 of the 48 columns of the present
paper contains an entire reprint of the first No.

                      ----------------------------




                                CHARTER,

Granted in the Reign of Malcolm the III., King of Scotch, at Fordie,[16]
  5th October 1051, to the Masons in Glasgow.

Malcom the III., by the Grace of God, King of Scots, wishes health and
safety to the Bishops, Princes, Earls, Barons, Ministers, and
Administrators of our Law, and all good men of the nation, both Clergy,
Laicks, or Common people, and to all whom these presents shall come,
greeting. Whereas our trusty and well-beloved friends, the Operative
Masons in the City of Glasgow, Hath, by their Petition, humbly
represented to us, that the inhabitants of this City has been imposed
upon by a number of unskilled and unsufficient workmen, that has come to
work at our Cathedral, and other parts of the City; and, also, has
erected lodges, contrary to the rules of Masonry: And being desirous of
putting a stop to such unskilled and irregular Brothers, most humbly
prays us to grant them our Royal Licence and protection for stopping
such unregular disorders: And we being willing to give all due
encouragement to so reasonable a Petition, are graciously pleased to
condescend to their request: And we do, by these presents, ordain and
grant to our Petitioners to Incorporate themselves together in an
Incorporation: And we strictly discharge any Mason within the foresaid
City, to work in it until he serve his time as an apprentice, for the
space of Seven years, or be married to a freeman’s daughter: And he or
they shall be Examined anent their Skill and Knowledge of the Mason
Craft by three of the Ablest of the Mason trade; and if he or they be
found of cunning and knowledge to be received into the Incorporation,
each shall pay Twenty Pounds Scots to the common funds, and three pounds
to the Altar, and clerk’s and officer’s dues, which the foresaid
Incorporation shall always be allowed to be judges of that and other
laws made for the behoof of the foresaid Incorporation. _Item_, that the
free Incorporate Masons of Glasgow shall have a lodge forever at the
City of Glasgow; none in my dominions shall erect a lodge until they
make application to the St John’s Lodge, Glasgow: And they considering
their Petition, and examining their character and behaviour, grant them
a charter conform to their regulations. _Item_, that all the members of
said Incorporation shall have liberty to quarry stone, lime, sand, and
other materials from the ground of persons, for paying the damages of
what they occupy, or damage, for building of the foresaid Cathedral. But
if the owners of the said Lands and the foresaid workmen do not agree,
each party is to chuse an honest man to value the expence of the
foresaid damages. _Item_, and that any having power from me, maintain my
peace firm and stable against all other pretenders and usurpers, who
encroach on me or my subjects to disturb our peace. _Item_, and that you
and all my subjects in this obey the Magistrates in all things relating
to my peace and the good of the City. _Item_, and that you instruct and
teach apprentices; and that none take, or employ, any man’s apprentice
when their time of apprenticeship is not completed, under the pain of
paying Twenty Pounds, the one-half to the Incorporation, one-fourth to
the Lodge, and one-fourth to Saint Thomas’s Altar, to say mass to their
Soul. _Item_, and I strictly charge and command, that none take in hand
any way to disturb the free operative masons from being incorporated
freemen, or to have a free lodge, to take away their good name or
possession, or harrass or do any injury to my free masons and
Petitioners, under the peril of my highest displeasure. And we order
that notice be taken, that due obedience may be rendered to our pleasure
herein declared. Given at our Court at Fordie, the 5th day of October
1051[17] years, before these Witnesses, Earl David, my Brother, Earl
Duncan, Earl Gilbert of Monteith,[18] Sir Robert of Velen, Adam of
Stenhouse, and Andrew Hamilton,[19] Bishop of Glasgow.[20]

Extracted from the Records.[21]

                      ----------------------------




                 ORIGIN OF THE GUIDE-BOOKS OF SCOTLAND.

THE following letter to the Editor of the _Weekly Magazine_, in 1772,
may be regarded as originating the idea of the _Guide-Books_ to Scottish
Scenery, now so numerous. It is interesting to look back upon the
writer’s notions of “a New Tour,” as he calls the contemplated work, and
his implied admiration of the Highlands. Sir Walter Scott had not then
imparted that charm which his genius has now thrown around so many
localities of his native land, still, as the writer informs us, it had
become, even then, “fashionable among the English to make a tour into
Scotland.”

                                                      Jan. 27, 1772.

    Sir—It is now become fashionable among the English to make a
    tour into Scotland for some few weeks or months; and there is a
    moral certainty of the fashion increasing, as the foolish
    prejudices against the country and its inhabitants daily
    decrease. But it is to be regretted, that an intelligent curious
    traveller from England has no proper helps to assist him; so
    that it often happens, that many return without having seen one
    third of what is most curious in the country, although, perhaps,
    they have passed within some few hours ride, or rather some few
    yards, of such articles of importance; owing to the want of
    proper information, or too great hurry in making the survey.

    To remedy this, it is proposed, that a new tour through Scotland
    be published, in two pocket-volumes, divided into a number of
    little circuits of some few days ride, which may be laid down
    from the map. This work, if properly executed, will be useful to
    the country in general, to the traveller in particular, and
    advantageous to its author.

    Nothing sets off a work of this kind more than proper plates. As
    they take time to contract and engrave, these may be going on,
    while a ride is performing in May from Edinburgh to Berwick, up
    to Kelso, Melrose, Jedburgh, Hawick, Langholm, Moffat; back to
    Edinburgh. At Moffat, that grand fall of water, the _Gray Mare’s
    Tail_, and the curious loch it issues from, are worth notice.
    The latter is called _Loch-Skeen_, and is of a pretty large
    extent; in the midst of which is an island, where a pair of
    eagles nestle every year. This loch is clear on one side, where
    trouts, beautifully speckled, are to be had, and muddy on the
    other, where black trouts take up their abode.

    Then a ride in the end of June, or beginning of July, to
    Dumfries, Drumlanrig, Kirkcudbright, Air, Saltcoats, Irvine,
    Greenock, Paisley, Glasgow, Hamilton, Linlithgow; back to
    Edinburgh.

    In the end of August, or beginning of September, to Hopeton,
    Borrowstounness, Falkirk, Carron, the Canal, Stirling, Alloa,
    Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Dunybristle, Kinghorn; back to
    Edinburgh.

    Next year, in May, to Kinghorn, coast-side to St Andrew’s,
    Cupar, Falkland, Abernethie, Perth, Scoon, Carse of Gowrie,
    Dundee, coast-side to Inverness, making little excursions from
    the coast into the country, to remark what is curious, as
    Forfar, Glammis, Brechin, &c.

    Then let the curious traveller take a proper time to journey
    into Rosshire, Sutherland, and Caithness, to John o’ Groat’s
    House. If he thinks fit to stretch his tour into Orkney and
    Zetland, he will find many particulars worthy of observation. In
    returning, let him visit the Weem, Blair of Athol, Dunkeld,
    Taymouth, Inverary, Loch-Lomond, &c.

    The traveller will find his curiosity particularly gratified in
    traversing the Highlands of Scotland. Icolmkill, though visited
    by many, and though there are some accounts of it, with
    drawings, both in manuscript and in print, ought not to be
    omitted.—Roslin and Hawthornden should by no means be
    overlooked.

    Plates may be copied from Sletzer’s _Theatrum_ _Scotiæ_,
    Gordon’s _Itinerarium Septentrionale_, and the Master of
    Elphinston’s plates of Edinburgh. Keith’s Map of the Frith of
    Forth, and Bryce’s Map of the north coast of Britain, from Row
    Stoir of Assynt to Wick in Caithness, &c., may prove very
    useful; as may Straloch’s Maps, though not easily to be had.

    But there are many noble find landscapes, which I have not seen
    any draught of, as from Drummond Castle, the top of the hill of
    Myat, one of the _Montes Ocelli_, from Stirling-castle, from
    Arthur-seat, Hopeton-house, Inveresk, &c. If the author has a
    knowledge in drawing, these may be easily done.

    A map of Scotland prefixed to this work, with a preliminary
    discourse, giving a concise, geographical description of the
    country, of its monarchy, the changes made, first, by the union
    of the two crowns, usurpation of Cromwell, then by the
    restoration, revolution, and union of the two kingdoms, could
    not fail to be acceptable to the inquisitive and candid reader.

    But the greatest care should be taken to stand clear of all
    party-work, either in religion or politics, because such
    peculiarities will disgust some readers, and thereby effectually
    condemn the work, be its merit otherwise ever so great.

    Many helps may be had to compile such an useful and entertaining
    performance: such as Maitland’s History of Scotland; his History
    of Edinburgh; Guthrie’s History of Scotland; Gordon’s
    Itinerarium Septentrionale; Chamberlain’s Present State; The
    Tour through Britain, vol. 4; Martin’s History of the Isles;
    Macaulay’s ditto of St Kilda; Sacheverell’s Voyage to Icolmkill;
    History of Orkney, now to be published by Coke; Sibbald’s
    History of Fife; Sir John Dalrymple’s Late Memoirs; Moyes’s
    Tour; Pennant’s Tour, &c.

    One that has made some trips into the Highlands of Scotland,
    depictures them in the following manner:

    “Let others think and rove as they please; for my own part, I
    look upon the Highlands of Scotland as the most delightful
    country in the world during the summer-season: where one
    cannot fail to be seized with a kind of religious veneration,
    when viewing, with an heedful eye, the high hills and lofty
    mountains, whose summits are in the clouds, and their sides
    covered over with the verdant grass, the flowery heath in its
    purple glow, or the tall trees, particularly the towering
    firs, waving their tops in the heavens; the awful rocks
    hanging over the heads of the travellers, and threatening, as
    it were, to tumble down upon them; the fine natural falls of
    water here and there, cascading with a mighty, noisy, and
    resounding rush; the large extended lakes, enriched with
    innumerable finny tribes of different kinds, and their grassy
    banks forming beautifully-spangled lawns; and sometimes the
    curling waves, or the roaring billows, of the majestic and far
    sounding-ocean.

    “What a delightful jaunt is it to move, for some miles together,
    through a wood of the fragrant birch, bending down its leaves to
    regale the nose of the traveller. The beauties of a
    country-seat, wood and water, are here in the greatest
    abundance. But if we pass from the inanimate to the animate part
    of the creation, exhibited here in a luxuriant valley, the
    sylvan scene is completed.

    “The gentleman can beat up all kinds of game; the deer and the
    roe bounding up and down; the partridge, the tarmachan, the
    muir-fowl, the wood-cock, the black-cock, and the heath-hen, and
    many others I cannot name, whirling through the air, or whidding
    up and down upon the ground; the wild-goose, gagling, and the
    wild-duck quack-quaking, in their watery regions, or in their
    soaring flights.

    “The feathered choir vie with one another to regale the ear of
    the listening traveller, hopping from leafy spray to trembling
    twig, swelling their throats, and warbling out their lays in a
    wild variety of harmonious notes.

    “The primitive simplicity and the open hospitality of the
    natives, are past all description, though set off, either in the
    flowers of the orator, or in the flash of the poet, enough to
    make the citizen, the court-bred gentleman, and the delicate
    lady, stand amazed, and even to furnish them with a new lesson
    in life. Common decency and natural good manners are daily to be
    seen amongst the vulgar in the Highlands of Scotland; and their
    conduct is marked with a penetrating sagacity. Their apparent
    devotion at public worship is extremely remarkable and
    affecting, so as to draw tears of joy and admiration from the
    eyes of a stranger!”

                      ----------------------------




            THE REVEREND PATRICK GALLOWAY TO KING JAMES VI.

                            7th APRIL, 1607.

Pleas your Gratious Maiestye,

This prasent is to giwe your maiestye most hartelye thanks for all your
maiestyes fauors touards me, speciallye for the constant continuance of
your maiestyes loue with me, as it vas vount, assuring your maiestye you
haue the man vho neuer vas nor shall, Godwilling, be found alterable in
his duetifull affection to serue your maiestye, as becomes him. If it
fall out that I suspend my judgment in something is proponed to me
affhand, till I got fuller resolution both to speak and to stand
honestlye to that vhiche I speak assuredlye, it arryses of no vnsound
and altered affection touard your maiestyes seruice, bot onlye off laik
of foreinforming, vhiche geues light and curage to men to doe; and for
the clearing of this point I referre my self to my Lord of Dunbars
testification, who can and will giue iust information to your maiestye
of it. I heare that your maiestye is ressolued to haue the ministree of
Edinburgh plainted, the estate vhereof is more miserable and desolat nor
ony toune or kirk in Scotland; and, whiche is vorse, the pulpittis ar
sometymes possessed with yong people and persones vnmeete for that
place, vhiche bringis the Gosple and ministree into a contempt and will
ouerturne all in end if it be not remeadit. The planting of it will doe
great good to all the countrey, and help to amend mony thinges amisse,
and procure great forderance of your maiestyes seruice and quyat of this
kirk, provyding the persones be good teachers, peaceably disposed, and
weyll affected. I heare also that your maiestye is somequhat moued to
haue me placed there; bot, Ser, beleefe me, in truth I am not for it, in
respect of mony thinges in thame, and more in me vhiche can not concurre
weyll to make vp so good manage betuix vs. I need not to vse mony vordes
with your maiestye who knoues vs both alsueyll as our selfis doe. I
mynd, Godwilling, to teache euery Sabboth, where euer I be, so long as I
may, and to be readye in most duetifull maner to concurre in your
maiestyes seruice, as I salbe employed, bot to take on the charge of a
particular flock, and such are flock, my heart cannot yeeld, and I hope
your maiestye sall not burden me with it. The bearer hereof, Mr Peter
Heuat,[22] is ane honest man, and your maiestye may reiose in the
planting of him, being ane of your maiestyes owne plantation there, and
ansuring to your maiestyes expectation of him in all pointis, and can
truely and sufficiently informe your maiestye of all particulars here;
bot he is not, as he deserues, and as your maiestye appointed for his
encuragement, ansured of his small pension assigned to him, vhiche is
pitie, and wald be helped to put difference betuix those that are your
maiesties owne men and others. If Mr Jhone Hall,[23] ane honest man, and
ane of your maiestyes owne planting also, and he war remoued, I wat not
vhat suld become of Edinburgh, your maiestyes cheefe toune her. Bot
leafing those particulars, appardone me, Ser, to speak one word of the
common cause. Ser, at Ligbqubo, my Lord of Dunbar did good seruice to
your maiestye, and by God blissing his vyse and canny forme of doing, he
prevailed so as I neuer sawe ane more peaceable and ordourlye assembly
in my tyme, bothe in the progress and end, as it was, and therefore was
admired and praised in all the publique sermones and privat speaches.
The hope of taking order with Papists and quyating of distraction among
ourselves be constant moderation led all menn joyfullie to your maiestys
vay, and if that course selected there be prosequute your maiestey may
assure yourself of peace here during our dayes, that is, if Papistis can
be keeped under be your maiestys auctorite soundly used here, and the
kirk censures be suffered to have their awne place against thame, our
pace will grow, ill tongues wilbe silenced, and all things will go
calmely to your maiestys contentment. Your maiestys glory hath bene, and
is the professing and manteaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and all
the vorld sees your maiestys multiplyed preferments and preservations to
aryse of the presence of Jesus, the Lord of the Gosple with you, and to
tend to the preservatioun and advancement of it by your maiestys
preservation and advancement, tuo thinges inseparably united sense your
maiesty hade being. Lat thame therefor be computed your enemyes that
will not conforme thame selfis to it, and God sall continue his blessing
with your maiesty, and croune you with an incorruptible croune of Glory
in the end. So, most humblye taking my leefe I commend your maiestys
persone, familye, kingdome and affaris to the blessing of God. From
Edinburgh this 7 of Aprle 1607.

        Your maiestys awn & most humble

          & affectionate Servitour

            Mr P. GALLOWEY.

    [The Rev, Patrick Galloway died one of the ministers of
    Edinburgh in 1624. He wrote a history of his own times, the MS.
    of which was in possession of Dr Urquhart of Aberdeen in the
    beginning of last century. It unfortunately cannot now be
    traced. He was father of the first Lord Dunkeld.]

                      ----------------------------




                     MINUTES OF IRVINE PRESBYTERY.

                       [Concluded from our last.]

A visitation of the kirk of Kilmaurs, 24th Aug., 1649.—The Laird of
Craig an elder complains that they had not gotten the communion 3 years
bygone, and generally complains of the inefficiency of their minister,
Mr Wm. Crooks—other elders agree as to this, and Mr William offers to
allow the Presbytery “to disposit in the matter of stipend” in order to
obtain a colleague. The Elders approve of this, and it is recommended to
proceed therewith. A Presbyterial visitation of Cumbraes ordered, the
minister being often absent from meetings, and no references from that
island, and that it should take place as soon as the men came home from
the fishing.

24th Sep., 1649.—The Presbytery propose that so long as Mr Jas.
Clandening remained at Largs, he shall receive 1,000 merks per annum,
and a person appointed to uplift the stipend for that purpose. The
Presbytery refer the case to the Synod for their judgement, viz., what
should be done with those that make a mock of their repentance daily and
never amend.

19th Oct., 1649.—Mr James Ferguson did produce a letter from the
committee of estates, wherein it was earnestly recommended to the
Presbytery that they would put in execution with all possible diligence
the act of Parliament concerning the poor, and restraining of vagabonds
and sturdy beggars within the bounds of the Presbytery; because many of
the bretheren are absent it is referred to next meeting.

1st Nov., 1649.—The Presbytery direct a list of the poor in every parish
to be lifted. That all sturdy beggars and vagrants remove to their own
parishes and particular places where they were born, betwixt and the
15th Nov., and if they fail they will be put into the hands of the civil
magistrate, _and the resetters_ to pay 5 Lib toties quoties. The
Presbytery approve of the overture of setting up of manufactories within
the burghs of the shyre, and does recommend it to Mr Alex. Nisbet and Mr
Wm. Caldwell to speak to the town of Irvine for setting up ane among
them.—The Presbytery likewise approves the overture of said Committee of
keeping the poor of every parish within themselves, until the time that
the way of their maintenance be agreed upon according to the act of
Parliament.

10th Nov., 1649.—Compeared Craig, younger, a Bailie of the town of
Irvine, and Robert Brown, clerk to the town, shews they are willing to
nominate Mr Alex. Nisbet to the stipend that Mr Hew M‘Kale had, in so
far as concerned the titular. The Presbytery having enquired of them
whether or no they had a purpose to detract any thing off the 900 merks
that were in use of payment to give to the colleague, and of the four
score pounds that Mr Hugh M‘Kaile had by and attour the six chalder
victual and ane half. They answered that they could not answer the
Presbytery in these particulars, whereupon they were appointed to bring
a peremptory answer next day with the particulars. It is further
appointed that the overture agreed upon by the Presbytery shall be
offered to my Lord Eglinton, and to my Lord Montgomerie, concerning
change and alteration to be made in these parishes, that they have
interest in, that if they do assent thereto they give in their answer
this day fifteen days, and if they dissent that they give reasons
thereof, that the Presbytery may cognosce upon them, and after the
hearing of the reasons, the Presbytery will go on to conclude and
determine as _they think equitable and fit_.

18th Dec, 1649.—Lord Eglinton and other heritors of parishes proposed to
be disjoined, objected to it on various grounds, but Lord Eglinton
“agreed to annex Perseton to Irvine, because as his Lordship did allege
it _was annexed_ of old.” Lord Eglinton does further dissent, That any
of his lands within the barony of Eglinton, for the present in
Kilwinning, be annexed to Irvine, because they did not pay tythes in the
time of popery.

25th Dec, 1649.—The report of the brethren who were appointed to speak
to the several titulars and heritors for competence. Lord Eglinton had
answered, He “had gotten no other answer except this:—These kirks are
already in a tolerable condition for maintenance, and that he had bought
his tythes dear, and so could not be bound to give any more.”

Compeared the Provost and Bailie of Irvine, who promised, if Dreghorn
was annexed to Irvine, they would do their utmost for a competence to
the colleague, &c. Lord Eglinton declared, That if the Presbytery would
condescend to the annexation of Perston to Irvine, he would be content
to give the 24 bolls of victual that now he pays to Perston to make up
the competence to Irvine, and if this was not agreed to, he would make
no offer at all.

                      ----------------------------




            PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF ORDINARY DELINQUENTS.

9th Dec, 1646.—John Armour, _suspect_ of adultery, having got his first
admonition for his contumacy, having compeared, the Presbytery having
dealt with him a long time to bring him to remorse and confession, stood
still to his denial that he ever had carnal dealings with Isobel Auld,
who fathered her child upon him. The Presbytery finding that he was
hardening his heart, did, notwithstanding his denial, ordain for these
reasons: 1st, Because he had carried himself scandalously with the said
Isobel Auld, after they had been inhibit by the session of Dreghorn.
2dly, Because of his insolence to the session. 3dly, Because of his
disobedience to the Presbytery: That he should stand the three following
Lord’s days in sackcloth, and in case he were disobedient to go on with
the public admonition.

7th April, 1647.—Charles Hall in Newmills, suspect of adultery with ane
Isobell Moore, the scandal being pregnant and flagrant through the whole
parish, &c., which he denied, ordains that the said Charles should purge
himself solemnly by oath before the congregation.

15th June, 1647.—The brethren of the Presbytery having heard the
relation of Mr Wm. Russel, that ane of his parishioners, called John
Bryden, that he had confessed in the session that he had called his
minister’s doctrine dust and grey mould, appoints him to be brought
before the Presbytery next day.

29th June, 1647.—Mr James Ferguson being asked anent the satisfaction of
Isobel Allen, he answered that she continues still in her wickedness,
and that they were dealing with the Erle of Eglinton to banish her the
parish.

John Bryden in Kilbirnie, being summoned for calling his minister’s
doctrine dust and grey mould appeared, and ingeniously confessed his
fault. The Presbytery considering how prejudicial such speeches were to
the whole ministry, after mature deliberation, does ordain that first
upon his knees he make a confession of his fault before the Presbytery,
and after he go to his own congregation, and there in the public place
of repentance make are acknowledgment of his fault likewise, and Mr Hugh
M‘Kaile to go to Kilbirnie and receive him.

29th June, 1647.—James Wallace in the parish of the new kirk, for over
nights drinking, is appointed to be cited _pro secundo_.

27th July. 1647.—Thomas Stevenstone in Dunlop, for making ane promise of
marriage to ane Marion Moore, as she alleged, being summoned denied that
ever he made any promise of marriage to the said Marion, and because the
said Thomas was upon terms of marriage with another, he is ordained to
purge himself by oath upon the day of his marriage.

17th August, 1647.—Robert Fulton and Margt. Storie, in Kilwinning, upon
apparent grounds and presumption of adultery sic as this (among many
others) confessed by themselves in the session of Kilwinning, that he
and she would be in his barn together themselves alone, and the door
being closed on them, being summoned, compeared the said Robert. Being
accused of adultery, he granted his scandalous carriage with the said
Margaret. Being required further to confess, after long dealing of some
of the brethren that were sent out to confer with him, he would neither
grant nor deny. The Presbytery seeing that his conscience was stirring
within him, they threaten to take his oath. The said Robert being
unwilling to give his oath, he desired time to advise and think upon it,
and withal desired the Presbytery to pray for him that he might get
mastery over his corruption, and in the meantime appoints Mr James
Fergusson to deal with him.

7th Dec, 1647.—Katherine Miller and David Logan, Stevenston, charged
with adultery, ordered to satisfy, and because they could not be kept
from each other’s company, Cuninghame head to be spoken to that he may
separit them, and remove! them out of the parish.

The Presbytery taking to their consideration the condition of John
Armour in Dreghorn, who remains still obstinate in the denial of the
fact of adultery, notwithstanding that the woman had fathered the child
upon him, does find that it was to no purpose to deal any longer with
him, and therefore it is appointed that the said John Armour, partly for
his disobedience to the Presbytery, and partly for his scandalous
carriage which he acknowledged, should stand three Lord’s days in
sackcloth, and that upon the last day he purge himself solemnly before
the congregation.

28th Dec, 1647.—Mr John Bell reports that Cuninghamehead has undertaken
to banish David Logan the parish, in case he does not abstain from the
woman’s company with whom he has fallen.

23d March, 1648.—The Laird of Shewalton appeared before the Presbytery
charged with adultery, which he denied—remitted to the session of Irvine
to whom he had formerly been disobedient, and had offered violence to
the kirk officer.

2d May, 1648.—Euphemia Maxwell in Dalry, having brought forth a child to
a trooper, whose name as she affirmed she knew not—

             Note—“One of a troop of dragoons was my daddy,
                     No wonder I’m fond of a soger laddy”—

the Presbytery conceiving that it was but a subterfuge to cloak the sin
of adultery, does refer the said Euphemia to her own session, to try to
the utmost that business, and whether there was any scandal between her
and any other man.

3d July, 1648.—The Presbytery hearing that the Laird of Shewalton had
received some wounds in a fight, upon this ground has delayed the going
on with his process till his wounds be cured.

25th July, 1648.—The confession of Marion Miller, that she had broken
the Lords’ day by flyting and washing a piece of cloth, being produced,
if she heartily submit to the session of Kilmaurs, they would accept, if
she gave signs of repentance.

9th March, 1650.—Compeared Thomas Blair in Kilwinning, who was at the
point of excommunication and in sackloth, upon his knees did confess
double adultery with ane Bessie Moore in Kilwinning, another with
Euphame Maxwell in Dalry. The Presbytery having heard his confession,
and considering the atrocity of his crimes, does recommend to the
Provost of Irvine to apprehend him, and put him in ward till he be sent
to the Justice General, the other parishes to bear burden with the town
of Irvine in paying the expense,

7th May, 1650.—Compeared Isobel Miller in Kilmaurs, and charged with
having sought a drink to destroy a birth in the womb. She denied it. The
Presbytery finding that there were some grounds and probability of the
same, appoints the said Isobel to appear in the public place of
repentance, in the kirk of Kilmaurs in sackcloth till next Presbytery
day, and then the minister to charge her with the presumption, and to
specify to the people the cause of her appearing there, and in the
meantime she is to appear before the Presbytery next day, that she may
hear more of the Presbytery’s mind.

2d July, 1650.—Thomas Blair in Kilwinning having broken ward when he was
to be sent to the Justice General for his double adultery, and now
fugitive, appointed to have ane public admonition before he be
excommunicated.

N. B.—The last minute of Presbytery in the volume from which the above
extracts are taken, is the above. The following volumes are lost till
the one commencing 17th August, 1687.

                      ----------------------------




   THE EARL OF SUFFOLK TO JOHN MURRAY, AFTERWARDS EARL OF ANNANDALE.

SIR,—I have bene with my lord Chaunceler even now to confer with hym
concerning the kyngs maiesties busynes in hande. The Aturney was ther,
whereby speach yt fell into consederation what company of Lords and
counsellors wolde be ther. My Lord Admyrall desyers to be excused; my
Lord Touch wyll not be heer; my Lord Stanhop dare not this weather be so
long in so cold a place; Mr Secretary Harbert can not, for the
Stranguery afflycts hym so; my Lord of Shrewsbery hath bene so yll both
of goute and sharpnes of water, as he hath never yet come to this end of
the toune; and in truth my lord Chancelor hym selfe is in no case to be
at such a busines on fryday. The last day of the tearme may happyly geve
more health to some of thes. My lord Chauncelor wyll not have the stay
to be for hym yf he dye for yt; therfore I thought fytt to sygnifye thus
much. The Lords that are able are all apoynted to assemble at my Lord
Chauncelors house to morrowe, wher no dowbt the day wylbe put of vntyll
the end of the tearm at the soonest; therfore, Mr Murray, I pray you
acquaynt his maiestie with thus much, to the end that my Lords who are
apoynted to come away from thence to morrow may stay vntyll the next
advertysment, which shalbe presently after ther meeting to morrow at my
Lord Chauncelors, wher the dyspatch shalbe made. In hast, from
Northampton Howse, Twesday the I of February,

                                                      Your loving frend,
                                                             T. SUFFOLK.

                      ----------------------------




      LETTER FROM JAMES VI. TO SIR THOMAS HAMILTON, HIS ADVOCATE,

              AFTERWARDS LORD BINING AND EARL OF HADDINGTON,
 _Containing his Majesty’s Opinions on a curious point of Criminal Law._

ADUCATE housoone the assyse is admittid remember to exhorte and
admonishe thame according to my former information writtin with my auin
hande and adde thair to hou farre it is against all

lau to admitt a mannis denyall againis his auin preceiding confession in
sa farr as he deponis contra suum caput allanerlie speciallie his
deposition being freelie geuin without torture and not to the exemaris
onlie bot being uillinglie repetit be him self to the erl of marr and
sindrie other noble gentlemen be uaye of discourse besydis his causing
aprehend and with his auin mouth accusing the deid doer and his brekking
uarde thairefter and that ioined uith are other murther and uillfull
remaining at the home sensyne and of lait his offers be the bishop of
brichen and sindrie others to my self of tua thousande crounis to me and
tenn thousande markis to the pairtie and to be baneist the cuntrey
during the pairteis will and last nou quhat he lies confest sen his
aprehension baith to the bailleis and ministeris of this toune lett
thaime selfis beare recorde according to thaire consciences as to my
earnistness in this turne as godd sall iudge me it is onlie in respect
of the odiousnes of the deid and the infamie that uill redounde to oure
haill nation thairthrouch gif sa abominabill a cryme be not als
notoriouslie punished.[24]

                                         JAMES R.
                                         His Maties. direction xi Martij
                                         writtin with his maiesties
                                         awin hand.

Indorsed by Lord Binning.

                      ----------------------------




                              TAM GIFFEN.

ABOUT the middle of the last century, Thomas, or as he was popularly
called, “Tam Giffen,” resided, or I may rather say wandered, in the
parishes of Kilbirnie, Beith, and Dunlop, as a mendicant. He is reported
to have been a stout-built man, of something more than middle age, of a
sourish turn of mind; and was in the habit of giving laconic, mysterious
answers to those who dared to ask him questions. Much superstition
abounded in the country at that time; and “Tam’s” aspect, which was
remarkably forbidding, together with his strange disposition, soon
attracted the awe-stricken attention of the simple peasantry, who went
so far as to call him a _Warlock_. Tam, with the shrewdness of a crafty
mind, made use of this folly and superstitious fear for his own
aggrandisement; and few, after a time, dared refuse him an alms, from
his “uncanny” notoriety. Of the many strange and unaccountable stories
still related of him. I will narrate the following:—

“One day when the water of Lugton, which separates the parishes of Beith
and Dunlop, was rolling “from bank to brae,” and the holms were in a
flooded state, Tam was observed on the opposite bank by some people.
Happening to lose sight of him for a few minutes, what was their
astonishment to find Tam standing beside them, high and dry! The water,
which was full and over-flowing, was more than thirty feet in width, and
no bridge nearer than two miles. To the hurried question, how he got
across, he quickly replied—”Hoo, I didna come across ata, I was in a
hurry, and just came through below it.”

At another time, a remarkably pious man, in the parish of Dunlop, during
a high gale of wind, ascended to the roof of his house, which, according
to the custom of the time, was of thatch; laid a number of stones and
sticks on the roof, to prevent the wind from blowing the thatch away;
and while on the roof, according to his own account, a tremendous
whirlwind swept round and nearly overthrew him. He mentally ejaculated,
“God save me,” and held on by the rigging. His bonnet and wig were blown
away—where, he could not tell. Next day, after the storm was abated, he
went again on the roof of the house, to mend the damage which had been
done. Looking down, he perceived “Tam” standing at the foot of the
ladder, and surveying him with a most sinister gaze. “Ye held on weel
yesterday,” exclaimed Tam; “gin ye hadna whispered ‘God save me’, we wud
ha blawn ye doun, but we took awa your wig and bonnet: gae awa doun tae
the well in the meadow, and ye’ll get them lying there, aside the sauch
bush.” The man accordingly went, and, in the exact spot, found his wig
and bonnet.

An honest blacksmith, one evening, going to weld two pieces of iron
together, called on his apprentice, who was reported to be a _heedless_
youth, to come and assist him in beating the iron. After calling once or
twice, and receiving no answer, he angrily exclaimed, “I may just as
weel cry on Tam Giffen.” “What do ye want,” whispered a voice behind
him, which was no other than Tam’s: “I was just fleeing through the air
wi’ a wheen o’ them that’s gaun awa to dance in Kilbride kirk-yard the
nicht, and I thocht I wad come in an’ see what ye wanted wi’ me.” “Did
ye come in at the door,” exclaimed the astonished blacksmith. “No, I
just drapped doun the lum—but I maun awa’, or they’ll miss me:” so
saying, he instantly disappeared.

At last “Tam” was discovered lying dead on the banks of the Garnock
water, near Garrit Linn, in a wild and solitary glen, in the parish of
Kilbirnie. According to tradition, he was murdered by the fairies for
disclosing some of their secrets. He was buried in Kilbirnie churchyard;
and his grave is still pointed out to the curious.


                              TAM GIFFEN.

        Aul’ grannie sat carding her woo by the fire
        On a caul winter eve; and, as midnicht drew nigher,
        The bairns gathered roun’ her and quitted their glee
        To list to a tale: mony aul’ tales had she
        O’ brownies, an’ spunkies, and wee merry men,
        That dance in green jackets a’ nicht in the glen,
        O’ ghosts an’ wild spectres, in aul’ castles grey,
        That haud their wild revelries till break o’ day.

        In a circle aroun her the wee bairnies drew,
        An’ eerie they leuked at the fire burning blue,
        Nae whispering was heard when aul’ grannie began
        Tae tell o’ “Tam Giffen,” the wild warlock man:
        Lang, lang in the warld won’d warlock Tam,
        Nae ane could tell frae what kintra he cam,
        He seemed like a stranger on earth left forlorn,
        And some said he ne’er in the warld was born.

        He wandered the kintra, east, north, south, and west,
        And gaed aye to ca’ on them wha used him best!
        Alane in some glen he at morn micht be seen,
        But nae ane kent whar he micht be or ’twas e’en:
        Pale, pale was his lank cheek, but dark lowered his brow,
        An’ his black e’e seemed glancing wi’ unearthly lowe,
        He lauched at the sorrows that made ithers weep,
        An’ never was he kent to slumber or sleep.

        In through the key hole, or doun through the lum,
        When the doors were a’ barred, he at midnicht wad come—
        Or afar in some glen wi’ the bogles wad be,
        A’ the dead o’ the nicht, haudin’ unholy glee—
        Or dancing wi’ fairies far ben in the wud,
        Or sailing in cockle-shells far o’er the flud,
        Or fleeing wi’ witches awa’ through the air,
        Or doing dark deeds that I daurna declare.

        Wi’ a sly noiseless step butt the house he wud come,
        And set himsel’ doun by the side o’ the lum,
        An’ mutter dark words wi’ a strange eldrich soun’,
        An’ leuk as if something was steerin’ aroun’
        Whilk naebody ever could see but himsel’—
        An’ then to the folk he wud strange stories tell
        O’ witches and spectres, and grim goblins near,
        That, flitting in corners, to him did appear.

        When a tempest was brewing afar in the sky,
        There aye was a wildness in Tam Giffen’s eye,
        An’ awa’ out o’ sicht he wad soon disappear,
        Crying wark’s to be dune and I daurna bide here;
        An’ aften wad gude folk in terror declare
        He rade in the black storm on high in the air,
        Leading whirlwinds onward o’er valley an’ hill,
        Working mischief an’ ruin to gude and to ill.

        When Tam saw a priest he grew wild as a stirk,
        And never wad enter the door o’ a kirk:
        If ony are near him attempted to pray,
        In a moment Tam Giffen wad vanish away;
        If ony by chance ever mentioned his name,
        Soon, soon to their terror and wonder he came,
        An’ speired what they wanted by calling him there,
        When he had got business to do in the air.

        Ae nicht when a revel o’ goblins had been,
        Far doun in the glen on the mune-lichted green,
        Tam shared in their glee, and next morning telt a’
        The wonderful things that he heard and he saw;
        Then the fairies an’ goblins an’ witches did meet
        By Garrit’s deep linn—a wild, lonely, retreat—
        An’ wailings were heard on the dread midnicht air,
        An’ Tam Giffen, next morning, was found lifeless there.

                      ----------------------------




                             GOOD COUNSEL.

    [The following “Good Counsel” by Chaucer, freely modernised, is
    said to have been composed in his last agonies. In a MS. in the
    Cotton Library the verses are entitled, “a Ballade made by
    Giffrey Chaucyer upon his dethe bedde, lying in grete
    anguysse.”]

           Fly from the crowd, and be to virtue true,
             Content with what thou hast, though it be small;
           To hoard brings hate; nor lofty things pursue;
             He who climbs high endangers many a fall.
           Envy’s a shade that ever waits on fame,
             And oft the sun that raises it will hide:
           Trace not in life a vast expensive scheme,
             But be thy wishes to thy state ally’d.
           Be mild to others, to thyself severe,
           So truth shall shield thee or from hurt or fear.

           Think not of binding all things to thy will,
             Nor vainly hope that fortune shall befriend;
           Inconstant she, but be thou constant still,
             Whate’er betide, into an honest end.
           Yet needless dangers never madly brave;
             Kick not thy naked foot against a nail;
           Or from experience the solution crave,
             If wall and pitcher strive which shall prevail.
           Be in thy cause, as in thy neighbour’s, clear,
           So truth shall shield thee or from hurt or fear.

           Whatever happens, happy in thy mind
             Be thou, nor at thy lot in life repine;
           He ’scapes all ill whoso bosom is resign’d;
             Nor way, nor weather will be always fine:
           Besides, thy home’s not here—a journey this,
             A pilgrim thou—then hie thee on thy way;
           Look up to God—intent on heavenly bliss,
             Take what the road affords and praises pay:
           Shun brutal lusts, and seek thy soul’s high sphere,
           So truth shall shield thee or from hurt or fear.

                      ----------------------------




                              _Varieties_.

                     Man to the plough,
                     Wife to the sow,
                     Son to the flail,
                     Daughter to the pail,
                     And your rents will be netted;

                     But, man tally ho,
                     Daughter piano,
                     Son Greek and Latin,
                     Wife silk and satin,
                     And you’ll soon be gazetted.

A SCENE IN A SCOTCH COURT OF JUSTICE IN 1757.—The Dean of Faculty at
that time was Mr Lockhart, afterwards Lord Covington, a man of learning,
but of a demeanour harsh and overbearing. It had ever been considered
the duty of the chief of the body of advocates, freely elected to
preside over them, to be particularly kind and protecting to beginners;
but Lockhart treated all who came in contact with him in a manner
equally offensive, although he had been engaged in a personal
altercation with a gentleman out of court, who threatened to inflict
personal chastisement upon him; and there were some circumstances in his
domestic life supposed to render his reputation vulnerable. At last,
four junior advocates, of whom Wedderburn, afterwards Lord Chancellor
Loughborough, was one, entered into a mutual engagement that he among
them who first had the opportunity should resent the arrogance of the
Dean, and publicly insult him. It was by mere accident that the
opportunity occurred to Wedderburn, who certainly made a good use of it.
In the very end of July, or beginning of August, 1757, (the exact day I
have not been able to ascertain), Wedderburn was opposed in the Inner
House as counsel to Lockhart, and was called by him “a presumptuous
boy,” experiencing from him even more than his wonted rudeness and
superciliciousness. When the presumptuous boy came to reply, he
delivered such a personal invective as never was before or since heard
at the Scottish bar. A lively impression still remains of its character;
but newspaper reporting was then unknown in Edinburgh, and oral
tradition has preserved only one sentence of that which probably was the
meditated part of the harangue:—“The learned Dean has confined himself
on this occasion to vituperation; I do not say that he is capable of
reasoning, but if tears would have answered his purpose, I am sure tears
would not have been wanting.” Lockhart here started up and threatened
him with vengeance. Wedderburn—“I care little, my Lords, for what may be
said or done by a man who has been disgraced in his person and
dishonoured in his bed.” Lord President Craigie, being afterwards asked
why he had not sooner interfered, answered, “because Wedderburn made all
the flesh creep on my bones.” But at last his Lordship declared in a
firm tone, that “this was language unbecoming an advocate, and
unbecoming a gentleman.” Wedderburn, now in a state of such excitement
as to have lost all sense of decorum and propriety, exclaimed that “his
Lordship had said as a judge what he could not justify as a gentleman.”
The President appealed to his brethren as to what was fit to be done,
who unanimously resolved that Mr Wedderburn should retract his words and
make an humble apology, on pain of deprivation. All of a sudden
Wedderburn seemed to have subdued his passion, and put on an air of
deliberate coolness; when, instead of the expected retractation and
apology; he stripped off his gown, and holding it in his hands before
the Judge, he said, “My Lords, I neither retract nor apologise, but I
will save you the trouble of deprivation; there is my gown, and I will
never wear it more; virtute me involvo.” He then coolly laid his gown
upon the bar, made a low bow to the Judges, and before they had
recovered from their amazement he left the court, which he never again
entered. That very night he set off to London. I know not whether he had
any apprehension of the steps which the Judges might have taken to
vindicate their dignity, or whether he was ashamed to meet his friends
of the Parliament House, but he had formed a resolution, which he
faithfully kept, to abandon his native country, and never more to
revisit it.—‘Lord Campbell’s Lives of the Chancellors.’

ANTIQUITY OF THE INFLUENZA.—Of this now universally prevailing malady we
have (says the ‘Glasgow Constitutional’) the following account, in a
letter from Randolph, the English Ambassador at the Court of Mary, Queen
of Scots, to Cecil (afterwards Lord Burghley,) dated Edinburgh, 30th
November, 1562. “May it please your Honour. Immediately upon the Queen’s
arrival here she fell acquainted with a new disease that is common in
this town, called the ‘New Acquaintance,’ which passed also through her
whole Court, neither sparing lord, lady, nor damsel, nor so much as
French or English. It is a pain in their head that have it, and a
soreness in their stomachs, with a great cough; it remaineth with some
longer, with others shorter time, as it findeth apt bodies for the
nature of the disease. The Queen kept her bed six days; there was no
appearance of danger, nor many that die of the disease except some old
folks. My Lord of Murray is now presently in it, and I am ashamed to say
that I have been free of it, seeing it seeketh acquaintance at all men’s
hands.” The letter is printed pp. 105-7 of the “Selections from
Unpublished Manuscripts Illustrating the reign of Mary Queen of
Scotland,” presented to the Maitland Club, in 1837, by the late Mr
Kirkman Finlay, of Castle Toward. The last freak of the distemper,
according to the ‘Edinburgh Register,’ was the seizure of the master of
the Duddingston Mills, and at the same time all his millers, and the
mill stood still. To complete the adage that misfortunes never come
single, the millers’ wives were almost all ill, and unable to nurse
their husbands.

AIR, Oct. 3, 1772.—On the 23d ult. we had one of the most selemn
processions of free masons in this place, that I presume ever was made
in Scotland. The occasion of it was laying the foundation-stone of the
works for improving the harbour. The Earl of Dumfries, Grand Master for
Scotland, and upwards of 500 of the brethren, were present. They
assembled at the King’s-arms between ten and eleven o’clock forenoon.
From thence they went in procession to the church, attended by the Rev.
Mess. Dalrymple and M‘Gill, ministers in this place, decently habited in
their gowns, with their aprons under them, their hats below their arms
as the rest of the company, carrying the Bible open in their hands;
violins, and a variety of other music, playing before them. An elegant
sermon was there delivered them from Psal. civ. 15. The stone was then
presented, when his Lordship applied to it the plumb-rule and the
square, and gave it three strokes with the mallet. After that ceremony
was performed, it was handed over the quay with ropes, and his Lordship
solemnly poured upon it a handful of corn, and a cupful of wine and oil;
devoutly lifting up his hands and eyes to heaven, and addressing the
Great Architect of heaven and earth, that the place might abound in
these articles. This gave occasion to three cheerful huzzas. Then the
Rev. Mr M‘Gill, having addressed himself to the brethren, which likewise
was followed with three cheers as before, he devoutly prayed; and the
whole ceremony was concluded with singing the masons’ anthem.—‘Weekly
Magazine.’

JAMES VI. WHEN A BOY.—The celebrated Andrew Melville and his nephew,
James, were introduced to the King at Stirling Castle, previous to his
entering his ninth year. The following is James Melville’s account of
him: “He was the switest sicht in Europe that day, for strange and
extraordinar gifts of ingyne, judgment, memorie, and language. I heard
him discourse walking up and down in the auld Lady Marr’s hand, of
knowledge and ignorance to my grait marvell and astonishment.”—


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                               Footnotes.


-----

Footnote 1:

  Donald of the Lakes.

Footnote 2:

  Ellen-nan-Gall, an island contiguous to Island Stalker.

Footnote 3:

  Green Colin.

Footnote 4:

  This is a good axe, Alexander, if you could whittle well with it.

Footnote 5:

  Do you think but I can do so.

Footnote 6:

  The following is another version of the manner in which Donald was
  transferred to the protection of the smith. It is rot, however, so
  consistent with the previous part of the narrative as the first:

  Donald, the only son of Alexander, being an infant, was, at the death
  of his father, carried away to Lochshiel side, in Moidart, to a
  smith’s family, commonly known by the name of ‘An Gothan Muidartsich.’
  The smith was a descendant of the Clanronald family, and had a tack of
  both sides of Lochshiel, which, together with his trade, supported his
  family. His work principally consisted in the making of arms, hence
  the bye-word, when a warrior met with a sword that pleased him, ‘N’na
  claimbh Mudairstach than seodh.’ The smith, notwithstanding his
  mechanical employment, was considered a person in good circumstances;
  and it being customary at that age for the Highland chiefs to send
  their male family, in disguise, to farmers to rear them in hard hood
  and fatigue, a number of the neighbouring gentry sent their sons, ‘Air
  mhachaladh,’ to the smith to bring them up till the age of maturity.
  The smith would have none except the heirs of property. The peculiar
  family circumstances under which Donald was left to his protection,
  his life being in danger, rendered the smith more careful of him. The
  kindness thus shown by his supposed father, drew the attachment of the
  child towards him. The smith at last got fonder of him than any of his
  own family, and frequently brought him to the smithy to assist him in
  making swords, axes, and such other warlike instruments as were used
  in those times. As Donald grew up, his strength and intrepidity
  increased with his years. He was reckoned a good swimmer, and by
  diving, several times caught salmon in ‘Linidh Bhlathain,’ a pool
  immediately below the smith’s house, in the water of Shiel. On one
  occasion, he came up with one in each hand, and one in his teeth. One
  day, the smith having a piece of work to execute, and no other
  assistance being at hand, called upon Donald to aid him. The article
  he was engaged with required a man to hold it on the study, and two
  men, with hammers used by both hands, to beat it down. Donald seized
  one of these large hammers in each hand, and beat it down with great
  ease. The smith, admiring his strength and activity, could no longer
  contain himself: and after consulting his wife, sent for ‘Mhac Mhic
  Allen,’ the uncle of Donald, to reveal the secret. On the arrival of
  the uncle, the smith told him he wanted to show him what one of his
  sons, who was only eighteen years of age, could do. They went to the
  smithy, and Donald, in order to please his supposed chief, exerted
  himself in beating on the study with the two large hammers. They
  afterwards proceeded to the pool, the smith at the same time taking a
  sword with him, and telling Donald that he need not come ashore unless
  he brought a salmon in each hand. Donald dived into the water, and
  staying an unusual time, the smith drew nearer ‘Mhac Mhic Allen,’ and,
  unsheathing his sword in a great fury, the young man came out with a
  salmon in each hand. “What,” says ‘Mhac Mhic Allen,’ “are you going to
  kill me.” The smith replied, that unless the young man had come out of
  the water, he certainly would have been a dead man. Upon which ‘Mhac
  Mhic Allen’ said, he would rather than a ‘ceud mbare Ferin,’ a hundred
  marks of land, he had a son that could do the same thing. The smith,
  elevated with the young man’s safety, and the exploit before his chief
  and relation, revealed the secret of his birth, upon which ‘Mhac Mhic
  Allen’ embraced the young man—telling him he was his uncle. Donald was
  rather in a dilemma about the loss of his supposed father, whom he so
  dearly loved, and who so fondly cherished him; but when he recovered
  himself, he showed symptoms of indignation against the murderer of his
  father, and craved the assistance of his uncle to redeem his lawful
  possessions. His uncle considered him too young; but Donald said he
  was determined, even single-handed, to attempt the attainment of his
  rights. Upon which his uncle and the smith went to the smithy, made a
  sword, tempered it well, and presenting it to him, told him not to
  sheath it till he had redeemed his rights, and he revenged on his
  father’s enemies. The smith likewise sent his own sons to assist him,
  along with a party of select men from his uncle’s country, who were
  greatly attached to him, he having been brought up among them. Donald
  soon gained his rights, and returned to the smith to take farewell,
  and thank him for his kindness and protection. The smith gave him a
  bull and twelve cows, which Donald regarded as a high affront, knowing
  that he gave twenty and a bull to each of the other heirs of property
  that he reared. He asked the smith what was the reason, upon which the
  latter replied, that he was now getting old, and intended to divide
  his property between his own sons; but that he had as great a regard
  for him as any of the other young men, notwithstanding that he only
  gave him this number. Donald went to the fold and made out the twenty,
  that it might not be said that he got less than the rest; but, upon
  further consideration, returned them all, saying to the smith, he had
  taught him to be a warrior, and he would find sufficient cattle among
  the Campbells, his father’s enemies.

Footnote 7:

  Donald the Hammerer.

Footnote 8:

  Cailen Uaine was killed at the water of Lion, swimming over after
  having been defeated by ‘Donul nan Ord,’ by one of Donald’s men. One
  of Colin’s men who got safe to the other side said, that that was
  clean blood he gave to the salmon of Lion, seeing the arrow quivering
  in his breast. Upon which one of Donald’s men remarked, that he gave
  cleaner blood to the crabs of Island Stalker, without a cause.

Footnote 9:

  Donald the Hammerer, the smith’s step-son. The darling of the mail
  coats. You lifted a hership from Lochow side that Argyle cannot
  redeem, nor his son, nor his grandson, nor his great-grandson.

Footnote 10:

  Grey, withered Argyle, you care little about me, and when I return, as
  little I’ll care about you.

Footnote 11:

  Dirty Laugh.

Footnote 12:

  Dirty laugh they call the rock, and always that way remains; you will
  the same get with yourself, if your wife’s face you would compare.

Footnote 13:

  Yellow Stewarts of the locks, that would seize on the kail.

Footnote 14:

  If we have the locks from ancestry, we have what will draw an arrow.

Footnote 15:

  Transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club.

Footnote 16:

  This document was produced in a process depending before the Sheriff
  of Glasgow, as a ‘genuine’ copy of an ‘original’ charter!

Footnote 17:

  According to Balfour, Malcolm the Third, surnamed Canmore, the
  successful opponent of Macbeth, “was crouned at Scone” in anno 1057.
  This present important document shows that, whether crowned or
  uncrowned, he was King of Scots in 1051.

Footnote 18:

  This illustrious Earl is not mentioned in any of our peerage writings,
  and was unknown until this interesting historical document turned up.
  Hitherto, the first known Earl of Monteith was Murdoch, who flourished
  in the reign of David I.

Footnote 19:

  Andrew Hamilton, Bishop of Glasgow in the reign of Malcolm the Third,
  has been brought to light by means of this charter. No doubt he ‘must’
  have been of the family subsequently enobled, and now holding the
  premier Dukedom of Scotland. The Hamiltons may therefore be supposed
  to have preceded Queen Margaret, who brought so many English
  “Pock-puddings,” as Andro’ Fairservice styles them, into Scotland, and
  to have comfortably placed one of their name in the Episcopal chair
  nineteen years before the espousals of their Majesties.

Footnote 20:

  Mr Innes, in his edition of the ‘Chartulary of Glasgow,’ founding upon
  what he supposed an “authentic instrument,” dated in 1116, fixes the
  revival, or rather erection, of the Bishoprick in the reign of King
  David I. This grant to the masons, however, shows decisively that the
  learned antiquary was quite wrong.

Footnote 21:

  What Records?

Footnote 22:

  Author of a treatise entitled “Three excellent Points of Christian
  Doctrine.” Edinburgh, 1621. He demitted the ministry about the year
  1615.

Footnote 23:

  Mr John Hall continued in the ministry until 1619, when he craved to
  be “dismissed with the King’s favour, in respect of his age and
  infirmitie of bodie, which he granted; yet he was not infirm but he
  might have continued teaching; for there was no sensible decay found
  in his gifts. The truth is, he would not offend the King by not
  conforming for fear of loosing of his pension; and, on the other side,
  would have the Godly believe that he was averse from the latest
  inovation. But they interpreted this forsaking of his station, after
  he had helped to set the house on fire, to proceed only from love of
  ease, lasiness, and fear to lose some part of his reputation, when his
  gifts should begin to fail. So he left his ministry of Edinburgh
  without the people’s consent, resting only upon the King’s demission.”
  Calderwood, 1678, folio, p. 723. These reasons, coming from an
  opponent, are not entitled to much weight. The plea of age is
  overlooked, and infirmity partially admitted. There certainly were
  sufficient reasons for Mr Hall’s relinquishing his clerical duties.

Footnote 24:

  Haddington Papers.




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