Chapter II: Part 2

“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!”

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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.]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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ABERDEEN: BROWN & CO.

LONDON: HOULSTON AND STONEMAN.

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