"THE ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS," whose members had previous to this
period been confined to the "craft," began this year (1718) to attract the
notice of noblemen and others, who through solicitation were admitted
members.  Henceforward, their preses or deacon wad dignified with the title
of Governor, and lastly by the title of Chancellor."  (Vide Histories of
Dunfermline; Gardeners' Record, &c.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "6th October, 1718: The said day the grand
counsell re-elected Sir Peter Halket of Pitferrane Provost."  (Burgh
Records.)

REV. JAMES WARDLAW translated from Cruden, Aberdeenshire, and admitted
minister of the Second Charge of the Church of Dunfermline, 20th Nov.,
1718.  (Par. Records; also An. Dunf. date 1742.)

1719. - SEAL OF CAUSE TO THE MASONS. - "19th Jany, 1719: A new Gift and
Seal of Cause was granted to the masons by the Provost, Baillies, and
Council."  (Burgh Records.)

THE KING'S BIRTH-DAY ordered to be Held. - "16th April, 1719: The counsell
ordains the King's Birth Day to be observed upon thursday next the 28
instant and the Marches to be rid the same day after the ordinar manner."
(Burgh Records.)

ELIZABETH HALKET'S poem of "Hardy-knute" was first published in 1719.
(Findlay's Domestic Ballads &c.; see also An. Dunf. date 1263, 1618, 1802,
1727, and Appen. F.)

WEAVING. - A Servet, or Table Napkin, Woven by James Blake. - An unique 7/8
Servet, or Table-Napkin, of single damask, was this year woven by James
Blake, damask-weaver in "the Pends," Dunfermline.  It is still in a state
of excellent preservation.  In the centre of the servet there is the
representation of a mansion-house of five storeys, with a sort of tower and
a pillar of each side, and attached to the house there is a row of
buildings like offices; while in other places there are the figures of a
horse, a unicorn, a dog, a monkey, a ship, a chariot and charioteer, a St.
Andrew's Cross, branches of trees, &c.  There are also woven on it at
different places the following three mottoes:-

"Quid gravius capta' - 'Fortunam causamque, sequor' -
Jan. 30, MDCXLIX."
"'Deceptis custodibus' MDCCXIX."

For a considerable length of time the writer was of opinion that all these
mottoes (especially the first one) had reference to the unfortunate King
Charles I.  He had occasion to modify his opinion regarding this, in
consequence of being made aware of the existence of two medals of a later
date, bearing similar words in their legends.  On March, 30, 1861, Messrs.
Dowell & Lyon, auctioneers, Edinburgh, exposed for sale a large lot of
coins and medals.  At page 10 of their catalogue, and Nos. 138 and 139, are
the following remarks on these medals:-

No. 138, Portrait of "James (VIII.)," to the right: Legend, 'Unica Salus.'
- R.A. View of London, with Hanoverain horse trampling on the British Lion;
Britannia weeping: family emigrating, &c: Legend, "Quid Gravius Capta."
(Size 13 1/2 silver.)

No. 139, Portrait of "Clementina," with her titles as Queen of Great
Britain.  R. View of Rome in the distance.  Clementina in a biga at full
speed.  "Fortunam Causamque Sequor:" Exerque, "Deceptis Custodibus,"
referring to her escape in domestic female attire, having deceived the
keepers. (Size 13 1/2 silver.)  There are also similar medals in bronze.

Here we have all three mottoes, as also the dates, on the napkin, and they
are the same as struck on the medals.  It therefore appears evident that
the mottoes and dates on the napkin were taken from the medals.  A set of
the medals would probably be in the possession of some "Dunfermline
Jacobite" in 1719, and Blake would thus have an opportunity of copying
them, and, without attending to their proper arrangement, wove them into
his napkin.

The three mottoes may be arranged as follow:-

1st, "Quid Gravius Capta," i.e., "What is graver (or sadder) than a
captive."  The date, January 30th, 1649, is that of the decollation of King
Charles I.  It will be observed that the so-called "James VIII." adopts
this mottos for his medal legend (vide his medal).

2nd, "Fortunam Causamque Sequor," i.e., "I follow fortune and the cause"
(Clementina's medal).

3rd, "Deceptis Custodibus," i.e., "Deceived the custodier (or Keeper)" -
also on Clemetina's medal.  She Clementina - was for a short period a
prisoner, and effected her escape by disguising herself "in domestic female
attire."  The date (1719) is that of her escape.

No doubt specimens of these medals will be seen in the British Museum, and
in the great museums of the country.  The several figures of animals, ship,
mansion, &c., on the napkin may refer to nothing; probably they are
"fanciful creations."  This napkin was long in the possession of the late
Mr. Laurence Wilson, of Midmill, near Dunfermline, who, shortly before his
departure for America in 1855, sold it privately to the late Mr. Erskine
Beveridge, manufacturer, Dunfermline.  (See Mercer's History of
Dunfermline, p. 163; also Chalmers's History of Dunfermline, vol. i. p.
382; vol. ii. p. 330.)

LITERATURE. - The Rev. James Grame, the last Episcopalian minister of
Dunfermline, was tried for Nonconformity, and deposed 20th June, 1701.
This year (1719) his "Trial" was published.  The following is a copy of the
title-page:-

The Famous
TRYAL
Of the late REVEREND and LEARNED
MR. JAMES GRAME
EPISCOPAL MINISTER OF DUNFERMLINE
Formerly
PROFESSOR OF HUMANITY AT ST. ANDREWS,
Before the Several
COURTS OF CHURCH JUDICATURE
IN SCOTLAND.

Edin. 1719.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "5th Oct. 1719: The said Council elected and
continued Sir Peter Halket as Provost."  (Burgh Rec.)

1720. - GREAT SNOW-STORMS. - "In January and February, 1720, there were
three great falls of snow in the West of Fife.  In Dunfermline the streets
were covered with snow two-three times to the depth of a least a dozen of
feet."  Afterwards, "severe frost set in."  (MS.)

LIMEKILLS ROAD PLEA. - "25 June: This day the counsell commissionat the
Clerk to go to Edinburgh and consult Mr. Grame, Mr. Dalryample, Mr.
Wedderburn, Mr. Walker, and any other George Robertson shall direct to
defend Sir Philips plea against the toun, and to tell George Robertson to
be very carefull and spare no money in defending the touns plea, and to
give George Robertson twelve guineas to disburse on the plea."

THE KIRK UNDERGOING REPAIRS. - "The roofs made tight; Bellhouse repaired;
windows glazed, and the fabric pointed with lime."  (Old Account.)

FREE HONORARY BURGESSES OF DUNFERMLINE. - The Rev. Dr. J. T. Desagulier,
LL.D., London, and Mr. William Walls, were this year made free burgesses. -
"26th August, 1720: The councill appointed ye Clerk to writ out, Seall and
Subscribe two burges and Gild tickets, ye ane for Mr. William Walls, and ye
oyr for John Theophilus Desaguliers, doctor of laws, fellow of ye royal
society and chaplain to his grace ye Duke of Chandos, And to transmit ym to
Captain Halket, now in London.  (Sic Subsr) PET. HALKET."  (Bur. Rec.)  Why
these gentlemen were made burgesses of Dunfermline is now not known.  The
Records do say - "Dr Desagulier was an eminent scientific man, Public
Lecturer on Natural Philosophy in London, and author of several scientific
works."  of Mr. Walls nothing is known.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "The grand counsell re-elected Sir Peter Halket
Provost."  (Burgh Records, Oct. 10, 1720.)

FREE HONORARY BURGESS OF DUNFERMLINE. - "This Day ye Counseall ordered ye
Clerk to writ out, sign and seall a burges ticket to Samuell Walker,
merchant in Leeds, and to transmit it to mr David Walker, advocat, who
deserved it."  (Burgh Records, 17th Oct. 1720.)

1721. FIRE BUCKETS. - "9th Jan. 1721: The counsell appoints the thesaurer
to send to Edinr. for a hyde of good inglish uppers to make water buckets,
to be kept by ye toun in case of fire."  (Burgh Records.)

BORING FOR WATER NEAR THE EAST PORT. - "23d March, 1721: The counsell,
after voting, ordered the thesaurer to pay to James Anderson six pounds
scots as a help to him and ye neighbourhood about ye east port in defraying
ye charges lately made by ye neighbourhood in setting down for water at the
east port."  (Burgh Rec.)  This boring for water for the supply of the town
proved abortive.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket, of Pitfirrane, re-elected
Provost. (Burgh Records, 9th Oct., 1721.)

THE PRINCE'S BIRTH-DAY. - "28th Oct., 1721: The counsell ordained the
prince's birth-day to be observed as usual."  (Burgh Records.)  "As usual"
may mean that it was to be observed with the assistance of "dram-glasses!"

THE NETHERTON AND THE HOWGATE CAUSEWAYS TO BE REPAIRED. - "The Counsell
appointed the Dean of Gild Conveener, and John Mayn to order the repairing
of the street at the east-end of the Nethertoun, and help the broken causey
in the howgeat."  (Burgh Records, 3rd Nov., 1721.)  The Howgate, a name now
unknown, refers to the lower part of the Newrow, between the east end of
Priory Lane and Bothwell Street.

LIST OF THE GUILD BRETHREN IN 1721. - The following list of the Guild
Brethren of Dunfermline is extracted from the last page of one of the
volumes of the Guildry Records.  It cannot fail to be interesting, as it
shows forth the holders of wealth and position of that period in the burgh
and vicinity.  We therefore insert it:-

William Walker.                         Andrew Turnbull.
John Brown.                             John Turnbull.
Jerome Cowie.                           John Henderson, Drymiln.
Thomas Mitchell.                        James Bayn.
James Hutton, Primrose.                 John Halkerston.
Patrick Angus.                          John Cowie.
Robert Anderson.                        John Brand.
Andrew Symsone,                         Robt. Baxter.
John Allan.                             John Finlay.
Robert Wilsone.                         David Ramage.
Wm. Wilson, litster.                    Wm. Stevinson.
John Anderson.                          Alexr Ady.
Adam Wilson.                            John Brown (Junr).
James Rolland.                          Andrew Belfrage.
Robert Walker.                          Wm. Ady.
Wm. Black.                              Robert Hutton.
David Gray.                             Andrew Mayn.
James Wilsone, Limekilns.               Adam Anderson.
Wm. Alexander, Limekilns.               John Hutton (Cross).
James McBeath.                          Wm. Marshall.
Robt. Pierson.                          John Scotland.
John Hart.                              Alexr. Veatch.
Wm. Wilson, maltster.                   James Elder.
George Chrysty.                         John Deall.
Patrick Currie.                         John Wilsone.
Robert Belfrage.                        Peter Rolland
Thomas Anderson, Crossford.             Wm. Meldrum.
John Bethune.                           David Hutton.
Charles Chalmers.                       Matthew Kier.
John Walker.                            James Young.
David Sands.                            John Mc.claron.
John Barclay, Georgetoun.               Heugh Craig.
Robert Paterson.                        John Kirk.
John Thomson, Barns.                    William Wilsone.
Alexander Duncan.                       John Gib.
James Hutton, Dunduff.                  George Turnbull.
Wm. Hutton, Dunduff.                    Peter Black.
Robt. Dalgliesh, Dunnygask.             David Wilsone.
Gavin Stanhouse.                        David Morres.
George Wilsone, Knockhouse.             David Adie.
Patrick Wilsone, Knockhouse,            James Hoog.
Adam Rolland.                           William Hutton.
Adam Walker.                            George Shaw.
Lau. Henderson.                         Peter Curry.
John Lindsey.                           George Adie.
James Crawford.                         John Black.
John Flockart.                          George Kellock.
Thomas Scotland.                        John Wilsone.
John Adie.

Total - 97 members of Dunfermline Guildry.  (Vide MS. Guildry Record for
1605 - 1770.)

ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS. - The Marquis of Tweeddale elected Chancellor
of the Society. - (Abrid. Hist. Soc. Gardeners.)

1722. - DANIEL DEFOE VISITS DUNFERMLINE. - Daniel Defoe, the celebrated
author of "Robinson Crusoe," visited Dunfermline early in 1722, while on
his second tour through Scotland collecting materials for his work. - "A
Journey through Scotland," - which was published in London in 1723.  (See
date 1723 for extract of his article on Dunfermline in that work.)

A COMMISSIONER TO BE ELECTED FOR THE NEW PARLIAMENT. - "8th Oct., 1722: A
letter from the Earl of Rothes, Sheriff- Principal of Fifeshire, directs
the Provost, Bailiies, Counsellors &c., to meet and elect a Commissioner
for the New Parliament, to be holden at Westminster on 10th May.  On the
10th of May, 1722 the Counsel of Dunfermline met, when they elected Captain
Halket to be their Commissioner."

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "8th Oct., 1722: Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane
re-elected Provost.  (Burgh Records.)

PROPRIETOR OF PITTENCRIEFF. - Mr. Arthur Forbes was proprietor of
Pittencrieff in 1722.

THE TOWN-DRUMMER CLANDESTINELY SOLD HIS DRUM. - "17th Oct., 1722: This day
James Hatton, conveened before the Counsell, confessed he sold the toun's
drum to John Hood, and was to have got account therefor tho he never got
it.  The Counell considering that he disposed thereon without the toun's
leave, orders him to pay the said crown to the Treasurer."  (Burgh
Records.)

GARDENERS' SOCIETY AND THE "CIRCULATION OF SAP IN VEGETABLES."  - "On the
10th October, 1722, the following subject was given out to David Bowie,
Gardener, viz.: - On the Circulation of the Sap in Vegetables, and a reason
given why Brambles, Allars, and Sallows, are of such large pith, and put
forth greater growth the first year, than those of smaller pith, such as
Oaks, Box, &c.  Nothing more is said on this matter in the Gardeners' Book
than that the thanks of the meeting was given to Mr. Bowie."  (Abrid. Hist.
Soc. Gard. of Dunf. p. 62, pub. in 1816.)

1723. - DE FOE'S "JOURNEY THROUGH SCOTLAND PUBLISHED. - Under date 1722,
An. of Dunf., it is noted that in that year De Foe visited Dunfermline
during his travels, collecting materials for his new work, entitled, "A
Journey through Scotland," which work was published this year (1723) in
London.  It has been styled "a vaguely written work."  The following are a
few extracts from his "Journey" relating to Dunfermline.  He says -

"From Kinross, in eight miles more I arrived at the Royal Palace of
Dunferling.  This was the Habitation of King James the Sixth, before he
came to England.  It was here that Prince Henry, King Charles the First,
and Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, were born.  It was also the
Jointure-House of Queen Anne of Denmark, who built an Apartment for
herself, at the top of the Entry or pend, with a Gallery of Communication
with the Royal Apartments.  This Palace consists of Two Courts, the Upper
and Lower; the Lower was a house as large as that at London - for Stables,
Hawks and Hounds, and the officers belonging to them.  The Upper Court
makes the Palace, the Royal Apartments to the South and West - Queen Anne's
Jointer-House to the North, and the Church and Remnants of the ancient
Monastery on the East.

"The Church was above Three Hundred Foot long.  It was built after the
manner of that at Litchfield, with a Steple between two Spires on the West,
and Two Spires more on each side of the middle of the Church.  At the
Reformation King James the Sixth repair'd and Buttressed the West End of it
for a Protestant Parochial Church; The Body of the Church and Choir, where
several Kings of Scotland lye buried, continuing still a Heap of Rubbish;
their tombs are still preserved in the open Air; and particularly that of
St. Margaret, in Black Alabaster.  From this Church to the Refectory, or
Frater Hall, as they call it here, was a noble Clyster, turned into a
Tennis-Court after the Reformation.  The Refectory was a Noble Room Fifty
Foot Long, Forty High, and Thirty Broad; in it are Nine Windows to the
South, Twelve Foot High and Three Broad, from whence one hath a most
delicious Prospect of the Frith at four miles distance.  This Hall is
erected upon Two several Vaults, supported by Pillars, like the Foundation
of some of the Cathedrals in England; the lowermost vault, as I suppose was
a Burying-Place there, but what use the Second Vaulted Story was I cannot
imagine.  The Roof of this Hall, as also the Royal Apartments is all down,
and Jack-Daws build now in the Room where King Charles the First was Born.
I believe this was a Royal Palace before the Reformation, for the Arms of
James the Fifth, with his Queen of the House of Guise are still fresh upon
the Apartments, as are also those of the Lord Hamilton, Governor of
Scotland in the Minority of Queen Mary.  The Gardens, as by the walls still
standing, have been very spacious, with a Rivulet running through them."
(De Foe's Journey Through Scotland, pp. 173-176.)

De Foe makes several slips of the pen in his description, viz., Prince
Henry was not born at Dunfermline, but in the Castle of Stirling.  The
entire length of the Church was 275 feet, not 300.  It was not built "after
the manner of Litchfield Cathedral," but that of Durham in miniature, two
west towers with a large central or lantern tower at the junction of the
Choir with the Nave.  "The Noble Room of the Refectory" was 119 feet long,
not 50; the height outside is 43 feet, and about 30 in breadth.  The lower
vaults could never have been a "Burying Place."  The apartment where
Charles I. was born has long been "an ivy mantled ruin."

"Sad are the ruthless ravages of time -
The bulwark, turret frowning, once sublime,
Now totters to its base, and displays
A venerable wreck of other days."

De Foe says that several of the royal tombs in ruins amongst the rubbish
were to be seen.  These were likely the "six large flat stones," under the
pavement of the north transept of the new Abbey Church, and now known not
to have been royal tombstones.  The stone having on it the arms, &c., of
James V. and Mary of Guise, is still to be seen; it has had many sites of
late; at present it stands on the ground inside Frater Hall, adjacent to
the Great Western Window.

Since Defoe's time, the Palace ruins have been nearly all swept away; the
royal ruins are now represented by "one long, lone ivy-buttress'd wall" -

"And now dismantled - prostrate all
Thy former might - there scarce remains
Enough of what thou wert to call
Thy bulwarks and thy wide domains."

ENCROACHMENT ON THE GUILDRY'S PRIVILEGE. - "At a Guild Councill held by the
Dean of Guild, 27th February, 1723, John Maclaron, indweller in
Dunfermline, was brought before said Counsell for encroaching on the
Guildrie's privileges by selling staple ware within the burgh.  He
confessed his cryme, and referring himself to the Counsell, who fyned him
in three pounds Scots, and ordained him to remain in prison till payment."
(Guildry Records; MS. for 1723.)

THE RACE SADDLE. - "26th Apr., 1723: The said day the Counsell resolved to
put out a Saddle for a race to be run on Wednesday next at two o'clock
afternoon.  And Commissionat the two baillies, the dean of Gild and
thesaurer to buy the saddle and draw out the articles."  (Burgh Records.)

THE GARDENERS' RACE. - "30th Apr., 1723: The said day the counsell, for
incouraging of the Gardener's race to be keept up here they agreed that the
town shall next year Contribute thirty shillings sterling for buying and
putting a plete (plate?) for next year."  (Bur. Records.)

SEAL OF CAUSE FOR THE TAILORS. - "22d June, 1723: This day the magistrates
and Counsell granted the incorporation of Tailors a new gift or Seall of
Cause."  (Bur. Rec.) It consists of 3 fol. pp.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "8th Oct., 1723: this day Sr. Peter Halket was
re-elected Provost."  (Burgh Records.)

BARCLAY'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH AND THE TOWN OF DUNFERMLINE IN 1723. -
The following description of the Parish and Town of Dunfermline by Mr.
Barclay (in MS.) is in "Macfarlane's Geographical Collections," vol. i.,
Advocates' Library, Edinburgh.  (See also Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 175,
182.)

"The Parish of Dunfermlin, in the Shire of Fife, hath to the S. the Parish
of Innerkeething 3 miles distant.  To the north Clysh 6 miles; to the NE
and NW Baith and Carnock; the first 3 and the other 2 1/2 miles distant; to
the W. Torryburne 3 miles distant; and from Edinburgh 12 miles, including
the breadth of the river at Queenferry.  (Note there miles are old Scotch
miles, add a half more to each to adjust to modern miles.)

"The most remarkable houses in the Parish are just adjoining the Church.
On the south side Pittencrieff, the Hill call'd Anster Feild 1/2 mile, S.E.
Pitravy 2 miles SSW.; Broomhall 1 1/2 mile, just over Limnekilnes, a little
thriving village belonging to Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirren, with a
commodious harbour for shipping of his coal, which had been long esteemed
the best for Forges in foreign Countries.  S.W. Pitliver 1 1/2 mile; NW.
Balmoole 2 miles, and Balrige 1/4 mile; NE Garvock; W. Pitfirren 1 1/4
mile, and just joining to it Cavill.

"The town is pleasantly situate, in a fruitful soil, on a rising ground
with a brooke, or Rivolet on the west side commonly call'd the Toureburn,
rising from a lake about 2 miles from the town, running to the south under
the Abbay.

"A little without the west gate are the Ruines of a Tower, called Malcolm
Canmore's, who probably lived here.  This Malcolm 3d. built the Church, at
the same time with that of Durham, near the same manner and figure.  More
than half the Church is in ruines, where lye buried, under plain and coarse
marble Stones, Malcolm 3., with his son Prince Edward, his Queen S.
Margaret, Donald 7., Edgar, Alexander I., David I., Malcolm 4., Alexander
3., Robert the Bruce, and Thomas Randall, Regent in King David Bruce's
minority.

"The Abbay has been a spacious and noble Building, but now all in ruines,
except a part built by King James 6. soon after his accession to the Crown
of England.  At the Revolution (1688) the Room was entire where was borne
the Royal Martyr, Charles I., on 2 Nov. 1601; and it may glory in being the
birthplace of Mathilda, Malcolm Canmore's daughter.  Dunfermline is a
Regality, where two head Courts are held yearly by the Marquis of
Tweeddale, or his Deputies, and is a Burgh Royall."  (Fernie's Hist. Dunf.
pp. 175-178.)

There are several errors in this description, e.g. - Pitreavie is
south-east, Balmule north-east, and Baldridge north from Dunfermline.

The following is another Description of the Burgh and Parish of
Dunfermline; author unknown.

"The antient and Royall Burgh of Dunfermline, in the Shire of Fife, stands
on the north syde of the little water of Lyne, when it hath a part of its
name.  It lyes two miles north from the river forth at Lymekills, &c.  The
burgh of Dunfermline is the head burgh of the regality of Dunfermline, and
is bounded on the west by the tourburn, which derives its name from a tour
of King Malcolm Kanmore's, standing without the west port thereof.  On the
west end of the burgh stands the remains of a stately palace and monastrie
of old, the greatest and richest in Scotland.  And on the north syd of the
monastrie stood a very stately Church of Old Gothick work, now all ruinous
except the west end thereof, which makes a large parochiall church.

"The burgh is divided into an upper and lower town, having the Palace
Garden and park in the middle.  On the south-east corner of lower or nether
town, and on the south syde of the Water of Lyne, stands a hospitall, for
maintinance of eight Widows, called St. Leonard's Hospital.

"The North, the East, and West parts of the paroch are full of Coall, a
great part of which are exported from the harbour of Lymkills, lying in the
said paroch, on the north syd of the River Forth, and two miles south fra
Dunfermline.

"Within the paroch of Dunfermline are the Gentlemen's houses following,
viz.: The house of Pitfirran, pertaining to Sir Peter Halket, a large mile
west from the town; about a ridge lenth east from Pitfirran lyes the house
of Cavile, pertaining to James Lindsay of Cavile; the house of Pitliver,
pertaining to Mr. John Lumsdean, a mile and a half south-west from the
town; the house of Broomhall, pertaining to the Earl of Kincardin, near two
miles south from the town, and within a ridge lenth of the river Forth; the
house of Pittencrieff, at the west end of the town, pertaining to Mr.
Arthur Forbes; the house of Eastergellit, pertaining to Henry Wellwood, one
mile south from the town; the house of Pitravy, two miles south-east from
the town, pertaining to Mr. Robert Blackwood; the house of Hill, half a
mile south fra the town, pertaining to William Black; the house of
Baldridge, half a mile north from the town, and the house of Garvock, half
a mile east from the town, both pertaining to the said Mr. Harry Wellwood;
the house of Balmule, two miles north from the town, pertaining to Sir
Henry Wardlaw.

"A mile north, and a little east from the town, lyes a Loch, called Moncar
Loch, or the town Loch, of about seven or eight hundred elns long and four
hundred elns broad.  Near two miles north lyes another Loch, called
Lochend, about the extent of the former.  Two miles north-east from the
town lyes Lochfitty, near thrice as large as any of the other two.

"In the burgh are a great many Weavers, constantly imployed in working
damask, and Diaper, tyckings, and bongall.  In the burgh there is a good
foundation for a Grammar School, affording a good Salary both to a Master
and Usher.  There is also another foundation for a Music School."
(Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 179-182.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket was re-elected Provost. (Burgh
Rec.)

PENDULUM TO THE AULD KIRK CLOCK. - "4th Dec. 1723: The sd day Adam
Stevinson, having acquainted the Council yt he had turned the Clock in the
Steeple to a pendulum (Clock) and desired ye Councill might appoint some
persons to visit her and report, if ye Cloak be bettered yrby."  (Burgh
Records.)  It would appear that this clock had been regulated in its
motions by a horizontal vibrating-bar, fixed on the top of the vertical
verge, or 'scape-pallets.  From about 1292 to 1642, this was the usual
regulator of all clocks.  The son of Galileo first applied the pendulum to
a clock about the year 1639.  Shortly afterwards, "the application" was
improved by the celebrated Huygens.  A "universal altering of clocks from
the old vibrating-bar to that of the pendulum began in 1650."  Previous to
the application of the pendulum, clocks frequently made an error of
half-an-hour, or even an hour in a day!  The pendulum applied to the works
will keep the clock to time for months within a few seconds.  "A glorious
invention was the pendulum."  (See an account of De Vick's vibrating-bar
clock, in Reid's "Treatise on Horology."

THE AULD KIRK BELLS, &C. - Application is to be made to the Presbytery
regarding the repairs of the "Auld Kirk" bells, the roof, and the
"glasses."  (Burgh Records, 21st Dec.)

A TOWN-GUARD ESTABLISHED. - "21st Dec. 1723: The said day the Councell
taking to yr consideration ye prest state of ye country by reason of
robbing and stealing, and that many of ye inhabitants have been desering yt
for some time a Guard of ye neighbourhood might be kept nightly.  They
yrfor appointed yt ye magistrates appoint a Guard of ten men to be kept
nightly in ye Guard House in the meall mercat and yt ye toun furnish ym sth
coall and candle, and yt ye magistrates name the Captain of the Guard out
of ye number of ten to be on Guard each night. - Sic subscribitur, JO.
WALKER."  (Burgh Rec.)

THE GUILDRY BATON. - According to the Guildry Records, the Guildry got a
Baton this year; it was of ebony wood, was about eight inches long, and
half-an-inch in diameter.  A broad ring of silver round it has an
inscription on it.

1724. - THE TOWN GUARD "A NOISY AND RECKLESS SET." - "18 Jan. 1724: The
said day John Reid, mason, gave in a petition to the Council, representing
yt he and his tenents above ye guard-house in ye meall mercat were much
incommoded by the noise made by the guards kept yr and yt lately a gun had
accidentally been discharged and ye ball had gone up through ye floor.  The
Councill taking ys to consideratn. they in order to prevent ye like
inconvenience in time coming ordered ye guard-house to be plaistered and yt
it be rammed closs wth fogg betwixt ye plaister and the floor."  (Burgh
Rec.)

THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF BURGHS MEET IN DUNFERMLINE. - "23d Sept. 1724: The sd
day ye councill ordained the baillies, conveener and Captn Halket to wait
on ye sub-committee of burrows now sitting here, and propose to ym some
queries now drawn up and cause ye thesaurer pay yr dinner."  (Burgh
Records.)  At this meeting an explanation of the Act or Set, or
Decreet-Arbitral, was given by the sub-committee to the magistrates, &c.,
as pronounced by the Annual Committee of the Convention of Royal Burghs, on
13th July, 1724.  In accordance with the Decreet-Arbitral, the Town Council
were elected as follow:-

On the Thursday immediately preceding the term of Michaelmas, the ordinary
Council convene and appoint the Incorporations to assemble, and each of
them to make a leet, or list of four, of the most sufficient craftsmen of
their respective crafts, burgesses and freemen of the burgh, bearing scot
and lot there; and to deliver these leets, the same day, to the provost, or
eldest magistrate in the place for the time.

On the Friday, the leet of four is laid before the Council, who elect two
out of each, and remit the leet of two to each incorporation, appointing
them to elect one of the two as their deacon for the ensuing year.

On the Saturday, the Town Council elect two new merchant councillors, and
two craftsmen, either as two new trades' councillors, or in the character
of two old ones.  Immediately after this, the eight newly-chosen deacons
are presented to the Council as duly elected; such of the old deacons as
have not been re-elected are removed, and the new ones admitted members of
Council.

On the Monday, the ordinary and extraordinary members of Council,
consisting of twenty-six, elect out of the merchants of the Council
(exclusively of the two new merchant councillors) a provost, two bailies, a
dean of guild, and a treasurer; an old provost, two old bailies, an old
dean of guild, and an old treasurer, for the ensuing year.  Then two
merchant councillors, who have not been elected to any office or character,
and two old trades' councillors, are removed in order that the ordinary
administration of the affairs of the burgh may be vested in a Council of
twenty-two persons only.  (See Burgh Records for such elections.)  They are
very curious; the leets are reckoned by strokes of the pen, and in whole
"resemble the teeth of a comb,"  as a writer has remarked.  It will be
observed that there are duplicate provosts, duplicate bailies, &c.  Such
"duplicates" existed long before the present Act (Decreet-Arbitral), and it
is not improbable that the title of "Lord Provost" arose out of such
duplicates - thus the new provost (head provost) would be the dominus, or
ruling provost; hence Lord Provost.  The Act of Decreet Arbitral continued
in force from 1724 till 1833, when it was superseded by the Municipal Act
of the Reform Bill of 1833.  In Dunfermline there were the following
incorporated trades given in their usual order, viz., Smiths, Weavers,
Wrights, Tailors, Shoemakers, Baxters, Masons, and Fleshers.  (See Fernie's
Hist. Dunf. pp. 23,24.)

ELECTION OF PROVOST, &C. "28 Sept. 1714: The sd day of ye sds magistrates
and town councillors, ordinar and extraordinar, did, and hereby doe elect
and choose ye sd Peter Halket provost; Mr. John Walker and Wm Wilson,
malsterer, bailies; Robt. Walker, dean of gild; John Wilson, merchant,
thesr; Capt. Peter Halket, old provost; Jerom Cowie and David Sands, old
bailies; John Hutton, old dean of gild; and Alexr. Veatch, old thesr." &c.
(Burgh Records.)  It is probable that when the new or head provost was
absent, the next in dignity - the old provost - would take the chair and
preside.

1725. - WEAVING FRAUDS, &C. - "13th Feb., 1725: The which day ye
magistrates and town councill taking to yr consideration ye great frauds
committed in making of linnen damask, dornack, tyckings, and Congall's,
contrar to and in manifest contempt of ye many excellent laws for
regulating ye same, and yt these frauds must of necessity ruin so
profitable a manufacture to ye great loss of ye nation in gnrall, of this
place in partlar if a speedy remedy be not provided.  Therefore ye
magistrates and town councill unanimously resolved and agreed yt for
preventing and obviating these frauds in time coming, we will this year and
in all times coming put ye laws into execution agt all who shall commit
such frauds or abuses either by working unsufficient cloath or of ill
sorted yarn, or by bleaching ye sd cloath or yarn qrof it is made with
lyme," &c.  (Burgh Records.)

THE MALT TAX. - An old MS. Note states that "the malt tax bill was ill
receivit be malsterers of Dunfermling, who were to a man against it."  It
was also unfavourably received in most other burghs.

THE MINISTERS OF DUNFERMLINE AND THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDDALE. - The Ministers
of Dunfermline opposed the right of the Marquis of Tweeddale to appoint a
Reader to Dunfermline Church.  The controversy between them went to so
great a length as to prevent the dispensation of the Lord's Supper this
year.  The case was taken to the Court of Session, when a decreet was given
in favour of the Marquis's claim.  The ministers and the Marquis were
unfriendly until 1734 (nine years!) when a reconciliation took place.
(Kirk Ses. Rec.)

FREEMAN WEAVER. - In the Dunfermline Weaver's MS. Minute Book, under date
August 25, 1725, there is the following entry:- "The which day David
Moreson younger was made freeman with the weavers, and gave his oath of
fidelity as use and custom is."  (See An. Dunf. dates 1596 and 1683 for
Note on MS. Minute Book.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket was re-elected Provost, 27th
September, 1725.  (Burgh Records.)

STEREOTYPING. - The art of stereotyping, or the casting in metal of pages
of type, was invented about this period by William Ged of Baldridge, near
Dunfermline.  Ged at an early age left Baldridge for Edinburgh, where he
served an apprenticeship to the jewellery business, and afterwards
commenced jeweller on his own account, "with a strong predilection for
Printing."  The casts of two of his pages of Sallust are to be seen in the
Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh.  (See Museum Catal. p. 81, No. 39; and Cham.
Trad. Edin. for notice of his supposed sisters, see An. Dunf. date 1758.)

THE DRINKING CUSTOMS AT ELECTIONS. - "11th Dec. 1725: "The sd day ye
counsell resolved and enacted yt in all tims coming yr be no drinking out
ye common good on ye seall days of ye elections excepting allennarly on ye
day yt ye magistrates are elected, on qlk day ye councill may spend twelve
pounds Scots and no more.  And ordains ye head court hereafter to be kept
on ye sd munday on qlk ye magistrates are chosen."  (Burgh Records.)

1726. - BUTTER AND CHEESE - Arbitrary Laws. - "30th April: The sd day ye
magistrates and town council statute and ordaind yt no person nor persons
(not inhabitants) of ye burgh presume in any time coming to sell any butter
or cheese on fair-days, or on ye weekly mercat days, viz., Wednesday and
friday; and also yt no inhabitant buy any butter or cheese on ye sd days
except at ye tron ye ordinar mercat place, under ye pain of two pounds
Scots, for said failling and yrin buy or sell, toties quoties, And
intimates this to be intimat by touk of drum."  (Burgh Records.)

FALL OF THE EAST GABLE OF THE CHOIR OF THE ABBEY. - According to two MS.
Notes, "the east gable of the Choir of the Abbey fell into the
Syther-Kirkyard in 1726 in the harvest time."  After the destruction of the
Choir in 1560 the area came to be used as a burying-ground; and as the
Psaltery, or Singing, had been conducted on this area "in the days of the
Abbey," it received the name of "the Psaltery"; afterwards contracted to
"Salter," and, in later times, "Sither-Kirkyard," which was its name as
late as 1821.  The name is now worn out.

LITERATURE. - A small work was published this year, by Rev. Ralph Erskine,
entitled, "The Happy Congregation; or, the Gathering of the People of
Shiloh."  Edin., 12mo, 1726.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - "26th Sept., 1726: The said day ye magistrates
and town councillers, ordinary and extraordinary, re-elected Sir Peter
Halket of Pitfirrane provost."  (Burgh Records.)

"CHURCH BELLS CRACK'D." - An old Note states that the "bell-stocks gave way
at the end of this year, and the bells falling with them, broke them, and
so rendered them useless."

MASON LODGE. - A "Ludge of Dunfermline Masons was holden by David Bald,
Deacon, and Robert Bald, Warden, and remnant brethren, in Wm. Flockhart's
house, Dunfermline, 27 Dec., 1726, regarding Sundries."  (Masons'
Register.)

1727. - DEATH OF ELIZABETH HALKET, reputed Authoress of the Ballad,
"Hardy-Knute." - She was married in 1696 to Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie,
and according to Fernie, was interred in the Pitreavie burying-vault, on
the south-east angle of the Auld Kirk.  (See Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 105;
also, An. Dunf. dates 1263, 1616, 1702, 1719, &c.)

It would appear from the following extract from an old title-deed, which
the writer in 1855 received from the late Mr. Souter, writer, Dunfermline,
that Elizabeth Halket at one time (during the latter period of her
widowhood) resided at the head of the Cross Wynd, Dunfermline: - "And and
haill that tenement of land and houses within the libertie of ye burgh of
Dunfermlyne, upon the east side of the Wynde, called ye Cross Wynde,
purchased by the sayd deceasit Robert Anderson from David Wilsone, which
was formerly ruinous and lately rebuilt by the said deceasit Robert
Anderson, which tenement was lately possessed by Dame Elizabeth Halket,
relict of Sir Henry Wardlaw of Pitreavie."  Date of title-deed, 30th June,
1736.  This talented lady, for some years previous to her decease, resided
in an old house which stood in the north-east corner, at the top of Cross
Wynd.  After her decease in 1727, the old property was purchased by Mr.
Robert Anderson, who removed the ruinous house, and built the present one
on its site.  There is a stone on the front wall of this (second) house,
which bears the initials, "R.A. - E.M." and date "1727," being the initials
of Robert Anderson and that of his wife, and the date when the present
house was built, as noted in the foregoing title-deed.  "Probably Elizabeth
Halket died in the old house, top of Cross Wynd."  (Vide Appendix for
Remarks on the Peom of "Hardy-knute.")

DRUMMER AND PIPER DISMISSED. - "16th Jan., 1727: The Council considering yt
ye drummer and pyper were very negligent in their office, and went rarely
through ye toun notwithstanding seavl reproofs, yrfor deprived ym both of
yr offices."

PROCLAMATION OF GEORGE II. - "King George II. was by the Provost,
Magistrates, and Council proclaimed King of Great Britain, &c., at the
Cross, June 25th."  (Old MS.)

A HAUTBOY APPOINTED INSTEAD OF A PIPER. - The Town Council and inhabitants
appear to have been fond of noisy music in those days - daily ringing of
bells, "tuck of drum," and groaning bagpipes.  Now, here is another
functionary elected to make a great noise, viz., "Hautboy."  "24th July,
1727: The sd day ye counsell agreed yt ye toun shall have no pyper But a
hautboy in place yrof, and elected Wm. Ferguson to be ye touns hautboy, And
yt he have three pounds sterling of yearly cellary, to commence fra ye 24th
Day of June last."  (Burgh Rec.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was re-elected
Provost.  (Burgh Records, Oct. 2, 1727.)

SCHOOL KEPT IN THE QUEEN'S HOUSE. - At this period Mr. Francis Paterson
kept "a promiscuous school for boys and girls in the large room above the
gate-way of Queen Ann of Denmark's House, adjacent to the west side of the
Kirk Steeple."  (MS. Note.)

1728. - ACT IN FAVOUR OF THE INCORPORATION OF TAILORS - "10th June, 1728:
The council hereby grant to the corporation of Tailors the priviledge of
exacting Six pennies Scots for each chapman's stand in the liberties of the
town, in which there shall be any tailor work exposed to sale, Declaring
allways that made gloves are not comprehended in this Act, And for which
the Corporation can exact no box penney."  (Burgh Records.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane re-elected
provost.  (Burgh Records, 30th Sept., 1728.)

THE CHURCH UNDERGOING REPAIRS. - "In 1728, the church, the steeple, and the
church bells, being in need of repairs, estimates of the expenses were
given in to the heritors and town council.  James Noble, slater, undertook
to make the roof of the kirk sufficient, with blue and grey slates, for 58
merks Scots.  Other estimates were accepted (sums not mentioned) for
repairing the point of the steeple, the ceiling above the area of the kirk,
the porch-door, and the loft below the bells." - "October 13th, 1728: This
day the cock was set upon the steeple by the hands of David Inglis Wright."
"October 28th: The repairs being finished (except the bells), and visited
by neutral tradesmen, were found sufficient.  The tradesmen's accounts were
all paid, when the repairs were approved of, the expenses amounting to œ647
1s. 10d. Scots (near œ54 Sterg.)  The two bells being both crakt, were cas
anew at Edinburgh.  The big bell (Queen Anne's donation) weighed 14 cwt.,
and the little bell (belonging to the town) weighed 12 cwt." (MS. Journal
of David Inglis; also, vide Mercer's Hist. Dunf. pp. 179-180.)

The following inscription, in raised Roman letters, is round the outside of
"the bell mouth."

REFOUNDED BY THE TOWN OF DUNFERMLINE AND HERITORS OF
THE PAROCHE THEREOF ROBERT MAXWELL AND COMPANY
FECIT EDINBURGH ANNO 1728.

The large bell is ornamented with a scroll; the small bell has the
representation of a boar-hunt on it - each boar being pursued by two men
and dogs, while a man stands in front with a long pole or spear in his hand
pointing to the hunt.  Dimensions of the Bells. - The large bell, on which
the clock-hammer strikes the hour, is 2 feet 9 1/2 inches over the mouth (8
3/4 feet full in circumference.)  The height of this bell is 2 feet.  The
small bell is 2 feet 7 1/2 inches over the mouth (or 8 1/4 feet
circumference), and is also 2 feet high.  (An. Dunf. date 1720.)

BOOK-KEEPING in 1728 appears to have been conducted in a singular way.  The
following old account relating to the Kirk repairs, the re-founding of the
bells, &c., may be interesting to the curious in such matters:-

Cost of the Bells and particular Accompt fra the founders,     Scots.
œ80 13s. 1 1/2d. (Ster.), or in Scots money,               œ967  17  6
Qrof laid on already by the Presbytery of Dunfermline,      686   0  0
                                                          -------------
                                                           œ281  17  6

Spent with the founder, and at taking doun the bells,         3  19  6
To the half of the extract of the Presbytery's Act,           6   6  0
To the incidents at hanging the bells,                       13  16  0
To creish and tar tot he bell-stocks and tows, with the price
of the tows,                                                  2  18  0
To the half of the expence of executing the horning against
Pitreavy a second time,                                       0  16  0
To Thomas Richardson, carrier pr accompt,                     2  18  0
To the half of the expence of denuncing Pitreavy,             0   3  0
To the half of a doubling and registering horning, 5 sheets,  3   0  0
To lead and oil pr accompt,                                  10  12  0
To the half of the dinner to the heritors                     7   4  0
To staybands to the bells,                                    3  19  6
To a bottle of oil,                                           0  18  0
To the half of Robert Lumsdens, writer, his accompt,         67  18  0
                                                           ------------
                                                           œ406   5  9
From which to be deducted the price of old iron
left,                                           œ10  1  0
Also, the voluntar collection appointed by the
Presbytery,                                      24 14  0
To price of the cock,                            36  0  0
                                               -----------
                                                             70  15  0
                                                            -----------
                                                           œ335  10  9
Twopence on each pound to the collector,                     33  11  0

Note. - Half of the expence allowed by the Lords of Session their decreet
agnst the Earl of Kincardine, Pitreavy, &c., belongs to the toun of
Dunfermline, and is yet unpaid.

Sum laid out for repairing the Kirk of Dunfermling, &c., in 1728:-

                                                              Scots.
Item, to the tradesmen pr particular Accompt, discharge,    œ547   2  6
Item, to the price of the steeple cock,                       36   0  0
Item, to registering the toun's bond,                          1  13  4
Item, to Spent with David Coupar wstimating reparations,       4   4  0
Item, to writing the contracts with the masons and wrights,    3  13  0
Item, to the half of the expence of extracting the Presbytery's
Act,                                                           6   6  0
Item, to Spent with plumbers,                                  0   6  0
Item, to James Smith for locks,                                4  18  0
Item, to two new doors to the Steeple,
Item, to the other half of the expence of executing horning
against Pitreavy,                                              0  16  0
Item, to the half of the expence denuncing him and registering
the horning,                                                   3   3  0
Item, to the half of the expence of the dinner to the heritors,
&c.,                                                           7   4  0
Item, to the half Robert Lumsdeans writer his Accompts,       67  18  0
                                                            ------------
                                                     Scots, œ686  12  1

Sum laid on by the Presbytery for Repairing the
Kirk,                                           œ554  7  4
Price of trees, &c., sold,                         8 14  0
                                                -----------
                                                             563   7  4
                                                            ------------
                                                            œ123   4  9
2 Shillings on each Poind, qrof to the collector,             12   6  0
                                                            ------------
                                                            œ135  10  9
The toun's fifth part, qrof is,                               27   2  2
                                                            ------------

Rests to be proportioned among ye heritors,   œ108  8  7
Half of the Bells,                             184 10  1 6/12
                                              -----------------
                                              œ292 19  5 6/12

Mercer, in his History of Dunfermline, pp. 308-309, places these accounts
under date 1720, which is an error - a typographical one; 1728 is the date.
(Vide Kirk and Burgh Records.)

THE MASONS' REGISTER. - In the Masons' Register of this date there are the
two following entries:- "Payed to Wm Flockhart, St. John's Day, 1728, œ15
18s. Scots; item, payed the Clerk's fee sd day, œ4 - œ19 18s.  (Oldest MS.
of Masons' Register.)

AULD KIRK STEEPLE MEASUREMENTS, &C. - In David Inglis's MS. Journal are the
following measures of objects connected with the Auld Kirk at this period,
viz. - "The height of the steeple from the bottom to the top, is 198 foots;
the length of the stalk, or prick upon which the cock stands, is fifteen
foot long; four foots within the steeple; eleven foots above the steeple -
viz., from the point of the steeple to the first globe, three foots; from
the second small globe to the iron cross two foots and an half; from the
iron cross to the cock, two foots and an half.  The Cock is just a yard
long, and one foot and half thick; so that from the tope of the steeple to
the upper part of the cock, is twelve foots and an half foot; This added to
the 190 foots, makes the steeple from the ground to the upper part of the
cock two hundred foots 1/2 an foot.  From the little bell holes to the tope
of the steeple, is 24 foots, besides the stalk.  The little bell holes are
five foots high, two foots wide."  Note. - From the foundation of the
Steeple to the top point of stone work is only 156 feet; these measures are
too much - they are to each other as 156 to 200 1/2.  (See Mercer's Hist.
Dunf. p. 180.)

1729. - NO COMMISSIONER TO BE SENT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. - The Council
agreed that both the Acts of Council anent the Electing of Robert Blackwood
and James Thomson, and resolved to send no Commissioner to the General
Assemble this year, and the said two acts were accordingly expunged in
presence of the Council.  (Burgh Records; 19th March, 1729.)

MUSIC MASTER AND READER. - "27th Nov., 1729: Which day the Councill
considering that the offices of Music Master and Reader in the church are
both vacant, and that it will be for the interest of the town that these
two offices be united in the person of one man.  Also, understanding that
the Marquis of Tweeddale is willing to present any person that the councill
is satisfied with and agreable to the kirk-session.  The councill appointed
the two baillies and Charles Chalmer to wait upon the Kirk-session and
intreat them to concur with the town to find out a man that is sufficiently
qualified for both desiring the Marquis of Tweeddale to allow the town to
advertise it in the Gazett. (Burgh Records.)

TREES PLANTED IN THE VICINITY OF THE PALACE. - According to an old note,
trees were planted on the north of the Sheeling Hill (Heugh Mills), in
front of the west wall of the Palace, and all the way north to the Tower
Hill; also many were planted on the old floor of the Palace.

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane re-elected
Provost.  (Burgh Records; 29th Sept., 1729.)

THE GUILDRY'S COLOURS. - "At a meeting of Guildry held in October, 1729, it
was remarked that their colours are entirely torn and useless; they appoint
the Dean of Guild and David Morris to buy a stand of new colours of silk."
(Guildry Records.)

ANCIENT SOCIETY OF GARDENERS. - Thomas, Lord Erskine, elected Chancellor of
the Society.  (Gardner's Records.)

1730. - THE SCHOLARS' LOFT, &C. - "The Councill orders the Dean of Guild,
John Scotland, and William Flockart to meet with Mr. Bayne and Mr. Hart,
and commune with them about their drawing rent for the Seats of the
Scholars loft, and anent their not allowing the Scholars to sit according
to their Seniority."  (Burgh Records, 12th Jan. 1730.)

"EXAMINABLE PERSONS IN THE PARISH." - The ministers of Dunfermline, the
Reverends Ralph Erskine and Wardlaw, computed that in 1730 there were 6000
examinable persons in the parish, and made efforts, without success, to
have two other churches in different parts of the parish.  (Chal. Hist.
Dunf. vol. i. p. 431.)  This appears to be a large number of examinable
persons in the parish in 1730; there were only 5000 persons in the parish
in 1713.

GRASS GROWING ON THE HIGH STREET. - An old MS. Note states that in 1730
"the 'hie gaite' was o'ergrown with grass in some places, and that 'kie'
and horses were to be seen feeding thereon."  Fernie, at p. 135 of Hist.
Dunf. has a note somewhat similar.  He says, "In 1791 or 2 some of the
inhabitants recollected the time when the cadgers, or strangers who sold
fish, were in the practice of allowing their horses to graze along the
sides of the High Street, eastward of the Cross.

A COAL AND CAUSEY MEALL DISPUTE. - During a great part of this year "there
raged a coal and causey toll war between the Council of Dunf. and the Laird
of Garvock."  (See Burgh Records, April till August, 1730.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was re-elected
Provost.  (Burgh Records, 28th Sept., 1730.)

NEW ROAD TO KIRKCALDY. - "The councill considering that seeing the town had
got the liberty of a way along the south side of their pearks, and on the
east side so far as Garvock's ground goes, they therefore resolved to turn
the high way along the south side of the town green; and because it cannot
be a good way unless it be mended, they empower the baillies to employ men
to call rubbish from Garvock to sd way, And also empowers them to apply to
the justices of peace to get the sd way declaired the high way from the
town to Kirkcaldy."  (Burgh Records, 7th Oct., 1730.)  Previous to this
period the high way to Kirkcaldy "went along from the foot of the
Witch-loan by the north of the town green."

FRENCH PRINT OF DUNFERMLINE. - A French published view of Dunfermline was
issued this year, entitled, "Vue de la Villa et de l'Abbaye Dunfermling,"
i.e., "View of the Town and the Abbey of Dunfermline."  We have a copy of
this rare view.  It appears to have been reduced from Sleizer's "View of
Dunfermline."  (See Annals, date 1690; also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. p.
124, for a view which was engraven from this one.)

MORTIFICATIONS - Charity Distributed. - "6th Dec., 1730: The said day the
councill distribut in charity the annual rent of the following
mortifications:- David Brown's, 200 merks; Wm. Brown's 100 merks; John
Honeyman's, 100 merks; the town's half of Mr. Graham's, 600 merks, 300
merks; Wm. Brown's, œ35 Scots; John Walker's, 50 merks - for one year, to
Martinmas, 1730, being twenty-six pounds sixteen shillings Scots, with œ30
Scots as a part of the Music Master's cellary, extending to œ56. 16
shillings Scots."  Although it is understood that many of these
mortifications are now unknown, yet it is pleasant to record the names of
the worthy benefactors.  (Burgh Records.)

1731. - THE KIRK BELLS, &C. - "The Council appointed the baillies, Dean of
Guild, Conveener, and Clerk to wait upon the presbytery this day and
consent to the Stent to be laid on by the presbytery for what yet is
resting of the price of the bells and reparations of the Kirk."  (Burgh
Records, 24th March, 1731; see also An. Dunf. date 1728.)

STATIONER. - There was a stationer in Dunfermline as early as this period,
named Henry Moubray - the first on record in Dunfermline.  (Guildry
Records, June, 1731.)

BLEACHFIELD - The King's Park. - "9th July, 1731: Which day it was
represented to the councill by Thomas Cusine, Deacon of the Weavers, that
the manufacturers of linnen Cloath in this town were under a great
disadvantage by reason of a want of a bleatching field, and that the
fittest place about the town for that was the King's Park (the Abbey Park.)
The councill having considered the said representation, appointed Baillie
Wilsone to write to the Marquis of Tweeddale in name of the councill, and
desire that his Lordship would be pleased to allow the town as much ground
in that park as will serve for a bleatching field, and that his Lordship
would use his interest with the tenent to quit his tack of that piece of
ground, and appoints the baillies to represent the sd affair to the
trustees that they would use their interest with the Marquis to procure
it."  (Burgh Rec.)

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was re-elected
Provost. (Burgh Records, 27th Sept., 1731.)

EXHIBITION OF A SCRIPTURAL PAINTING. - Several notes state that "a man came
to Dunfermline in the summer of this year with a very large picture of the
Saviour on the Cross, and charged one penny each to see it.  Great crowds
went to see it in the large room of the Queen's-house during the week it
was exhibited."  Probably this may have been a picture which had been hung
up above the high altar of some great church before 1559.

ESCAPE OF PRISONERS FROM THE TOLBOOTH, &C. - "The councill considering that
of late severall prisoners have escaped out of the tolbooth, and the other
low prisons - They empower the Baillies to cause make a machine fit for
securing prisoners, and to employ smiths to make it."  (Burgh Records, 7th
Dec., 1731.)  This machine was made a kind of iron cage, which became a
terror to the law breakers and the unruly.

POTATOES. - An old note states that potatoes were introduced into the west
of Fife this year, and that they were first set in a garden on the south
side of the Netherton.

1732. - EXECUTION OF JAMES RAMSAY AT TOP OF WITCH-LOAN ROAD. - James Ramsay
of Lambhill in Perthshire, his brother Andrew, his sister Helen and her
husband, Andrew Hutson, in Pliverhall, of Drumtuthell, near Dunfermline,
were tried by the Regality Court of Dumfermline in February, 1732, for
cattle stealing, &c.  The Judges at the trial were James Dewar of Lassodie,
Captain Peter Halket, younger of Pitfirrane, and Henry Wellwood of Garvock,
and a jury of fifteen.  The following notes regarding Ramsay's apprehension
and execution are from the Burgh Records:-

"James and Andrew Ramsay, after a long and violent resistance, were
apprehended within a hut in Pitconochie, dean-park, in the barony of
Pitfirrane.  The place where the hut stood, on a small eminence, was much
covered with whins and broom to screen it from observation.  In the hut
there were found a quantity of straw, two pairs of blankets, a bee-hive
with some honey in it, the foot of a sheep, raw, a timber-plate, with
mutton-collops, a cap which contained honey, and in which there were large
lumps of fat, and livers, and also the lead of a window."

The crimes which the Jury found proven against James Ramsay were, the
stealing four oxen and a quey from John Carswell, tenant in South Cults, in
the parish of Saline, and a bee-hive out of the gardens of Pitfirrane.  The
Sentence of the Court is dated 8th February, 1732, and so far as it relates
to James Ramsay, was as follows:-

"The Judges of the Courts of Justiciary and Regality of Dunfermline Having
considered the foregoing Verdict of Assyze, of the date 5th current,
Returned against James Ramsay, Andrew Ramsay, Andrew Hutson and Helen
Ramsay pannells: They in respect whereof, by the Mouth of John Cummin,
dempster of court - Decern and Adjudge the sd James Ramsay to be taken fra
the tolbooth of Dunfermline Upon Wednesday being the twenty second day of
March next to come, to that place of the common Muir of Dunfermline, called
the witch Loan; and there betwixt the hours of two and four o'Clock
afternoon of the said day to be hanged by the neck upon a gibbet, till he
be dead.  And ordains all his moveable goods and gear to be escheat and
inbrought for the use of the ffiscal of court.  Which is pronounced for
Doom."  (Regality Records, and Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 170-172.)

In the Caledonian Mercury newpaper for 11th February, 1732, there is the
following paragraph regarding this trial, &c:-

"Dunfermline, February 8th, 1732. - This day was finished here a very
tedious trial of four gypses (or gypses habit and repute), strollers, or
vagabonds, which lasted between 18 and 19 hours, by the honoured Captain
Halkett, James Dewar of Lassodie, and Henry Wellwood of Garvock - deputies
of the most Honourable the Marquis of Tweeddale, as hereditary bailie of
the justiciary and regality courts of Dunfermline; when on a full and plain
proof James Ramsay, one of the gang, was sentenced to be hanged the 22d
March next; and the other three to be whipped the first Wednesday of each
month, for one half year, and afterwards to be banished the regality for
ever." (!!!)

"James Ramsay has, since his sentence was pronounced, confessed to the Rev.
Mr. Ralph Erskine that he stole the four oxen and young cow - one of the
branches of the indictment.  During his confinement in prison the Rev.
Ralph Erskine frequently visited Ramsay for spiritual advice and
consolation; he also went with him to his place of execution, soothing his
mind, and offered up a fervent prayer in his behalf to the fountain of
mercy, as he was turned off."

The following extract is from the Burgh Records of 15th March, 1732:-

"The said day the baillies acquainted the Councill that they had this day
received a letter from James Dewar of Lassody, and Henry Wellwood of
Garvock, two of the baillies deputes of the regality of Dunfermline,
signifying to them that they heard that some of the members of the Councill
are making some difficulty anent the obeying the dead warrant, directed to
the magistrates, in consequence of the sd baillies deputes their sentence
pronounced against James Ramsay on the 8th of February last; and in order
to obviate any inconveniences thereanent, they desire the magistrates to
see the said sentence put into execution in the usual manner.  And thereby
declare that by their former dead warrant, they meant not to bring any new
hardship or burden on the burgh of Dunfermline further than what the law
and practice of this burgh requires, nor thereby to invalidate the baillie
heretable of the regality his right in cases of that nature.  And they
desire the magistrates to send their guard to the execution - which guard
they will pay.  The Council having considered the import of the said
letter, agreed to grant to the baillies of the regality the favour of the
malitia to guard James Ramsay at his execution.  And accordingly appointed
the baillies to cause raise the malitia for that purpose on Wednesday next
being the day of the execution."  (22d March.)

So far as is known, this was the last execution that took place in
Dunfermline or neighbourhood.  In the year 1827, when some parts of "the
Witch-loan" were being levelled, Ramsay's grave was opened; his decayed
bones were lifted, but they were re-interred in deeper earth on the same
spot.  (MS. Note).

"THE HANGMAN'S PLEDGE OF FIDELITY." - "27th May, 1732: The said day John
Cummin the hangman lodged in the hands of John Lindsay town thesaurer
fourty pounds Scots, as a pledge of his fidelity.  And the councill hereby
promise to pay annual rent for the said fourty pounds from Whytsunday last
during the said John Cummins life, Upon this express condition that if the
said John Cummin shall at any time hereafter refuse to execute any sentence
of the baillies, or of the baillies of the regality, or baillies of
Innerkeithing, or desert the place, In either of which cases, the said John
Cummin shall forfeit the sd sum and annual rent thereof that shall be
resting, upon which provision the said sum is lodged by him in the towns
hands."

DUNFERMLINE WEAVERS - Bleachfield - "Retaliation Act!" - In the Weaver's
MS. Minute-Book there is the following curious but pugnacious entry
relative to their struggles to obtain a site for a bleachfield, &c:- "March
31st, 1732: The which day David Moresin, Deacon, and Remanent members of
the Incorporation of Weavers, being Conveened within the Session-House of
Dunfermline (Kirk), and having taken to their consideration the Great
hardships they labour under for want of a Bleachfield, and finding that the
most Commodious place for Bleaching about this place is the King's Park's,
commonly called the Abbey Yeards, which place they found they by no means
coud obtain, not withstanding they had made the most reasonable proposalls
to Alexander Miller, Tennant on the heugh-mills, possesor of the park, who
rejected all proposalls Both of Rent and entry of grassum made to him."
Now comes "the Retaliation Act," which gives a glimpse of "the age and body
of the times," by showing how, sometimes, "our ancient forefathers agreed
wi' the laird" when he became obstreperous:- "They (the weavers) therefore,
hereby Statute enact and ordain, that no member of their Incorporation
shall drink ale after the tenth of Aprile next to come, either publickly or
privately that is made by the sd Alexr Miller, under the penalty of one
pound Scots to be payed to the trades Box by each person who drink ale made
of the malt grind as aforsd, and the trade ordains the Deacon to insert
this their act and to sign the same In their name by the unanimous consent
and vote, and the sd fine to be payed for each times Totes quoties.

"Signd.  DA. MORISONE, Deacon."

PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE. - Sir Peter Halket of Pitfirrane was re-elected
Provost. (Burgh Records.)

THE BLEACHFIELD - A GIFT OF œ200. - "Bailie Wilson informed the Councill
that Mr. Hugh Forbes advocat desyred him to acquaint ye Councill that the
'Trustees and Commissioners for improvement of Manufactures' had agreed to
allow the town two hundred pounds sterling to enable them to prepare the
Bleachfield."  (Burgh Records, 26th Dec., 1732.)
 
 

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