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Such retreats were known in early ecclesiastical language as Deserta,' and both in Scotland and Ireland the memory of their primitive occupants is kept up by the term "Disert," or "Dysart," which has been affixed to them.

It thus happens that the territory of Dysart owes its name to the Hermitage of St. Serf, which was doubtless a prominent object of regard when permanent names came to be given; and it would appear that the House, "callit The Hermitage," designed to form part of the dowry of the daughter of Queen Mary's Secretary, had stood in close connexion with the original cave of St. Serf.

Other documents in the Inventory of the papers make reference to the "aikers lying in the Chappells of "St. Servan," and to "the house and yard lying immediately beneath the Church of Dysart possest by Sir Henry Pearson, Chapland of St. Servan's "Chappell, in Dysart."

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The Parish Church was, of course, dedicated to St. Serf. Sanct Serf's hill appears in early deeds as a land boundary, and "Sanct Serf's money was a yearly payment made by the inhabitants of Dysart for purposes connected with his Church.

A Book of Household Expenses, 1564, kept by Robert Oliphant, and regularly balanced and docqueted by "Henry Sincklar," the Lord of Dysart. It is bound in the leaves of an old Service Book, and the entries are very minute and curious.

Journal of John Paterson, Archbishop of Glasgow, while in London in the years 1695-6.

This Prelate had been deprived of his see at the time of the Revolution, and was now in London. In his Diary he records his interviews with many of the leading statesmen of the day, whose influence he was soliciting for the royal permission to his return to Scotland. This was, however, denied to him, and he was also prohibited from residing in any of the northern counties of England.

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:

The following is a specimen of the Diary :"Jan. 26. Sunday before prayers, Mrs. Strachan "told me that she perceived my Lady Warner had a great desire that I should marie her, and said she "had told her she had never seen a person since she was a widow that she could marie save me only. "She is a most discreet and wise woman, and of an opulent fortune. I am much obliged to her, but am "in no thoughts of marrying more. Earl Arran is still my noble friend, and sent me a bottle of Irish usquebeau, and six bottles of Burgundy, Hermitage, "and Frontiniage wine."

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"Abstract of the account of the Orkneys under the family of Sinclair, being a rough draft only." 16 pp. fol.

Memoirs of the Insurrection in Scotland in 1715. By John, Master of Sinclair. This volume has been printed for the Abbotsford Club.

Besides these records of carly date, there is an extensive collection of letters, ranging in date from 1774 to 1830. They were addressed to the first and second Earls of Rosslyn by some of the most eminent political leaders of the period, and relate to many transactions of public interest and importance.

The earliest portion of these were written to the first Lord Rosslyn, better known by his previous title of Lord Loughborough, Lord High Chancellor of England.

'They have only been partially arranged, and are still in their original covers. They consist of:

1. A series of letters from Lord Clive, beginning in 1774.

2. A very extensive collection of letters from Edmund Burke, ranging over the period from 1780 to 1797.

At the commencement their style is formal, but it grows into one of affection, and many of the letters are long and of great interest. One, dated 13th June 1792, is on the subject of a coalition government, where the writer says, "I think with you almost in everything."

Writing on 12th December 1794, Burke recommends a literary aspirant, Mr. Wilde, of Edinburgh, and subscribes your obliged and most unhappy friend." Among the letters is a paper entitled "Some thoughts on the present state of parties," and addressed to the Lord Chancellor.

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3. Another series of letters from Sir John McPherson, 1781-93.

4. Letters from Lord Carlisle, 1781-93.

5. A series of letters from the Duke of Portland, 1792-94.

6. A series of letters from Charles James Fox, only dated by the day of the week.

7. A series from the Bishop of Clonfert, 1783-1804. 8. A series from Lord Lavington in 1792.

9. A series from William Pitt, 1792-1800. Some of these are long, and a few are marked "private."

10. A series from Lord Thurlow, 1796-97. 11. One from Lord Minto, 1798.

12. One from the Hon. W. Windham, undated. 13. A series from Lady Augusta Murray, 1798. 14. Three letters from Lord Eldon, 1801.

15. A series from the Earl of Carnarvon, 1793–94. 16. A letter from the Duke of Sussex, at Rome, 14th Nov. 1795. signed "Augustus Frederick," requests the Lord Chancellor's aid in getting measures passed for his relief, and about his marriage.

17. A series from Lord Moira, 1796-97.

18. One from the Earl of Tankerville, without date. 19. A series from Lord Suffield, 1796.

20. A packet containing letters from Lieut.-Gen. Whyte, Lord C. Somerset, Lady Lucas, and Dr. Laurence.

Besides these political letters addressed to the Lord Chancellor, there are many miscellaneous papers of his own, such as-

1. Memoranda of law cases and opinions, drafts of Bills, with relative remarks, and correspondence.

2. Papers connected with the union between Great Britain and Ireland; and on the admission of Roman Catholics to all the privileges of subjects.

3. Papers about the office of Lord High Steward and its precedency, and on other subjects; with notes and interlineations by the Lord Chancellor.

4. Papers, dated in 1778, relative to the state of affairs in America, and on the subject of a treaty.

5. Papers written apparently in the years 1792-3. One of them, in the Lord Chancellor's writing, is on the usefulness of defensive associations.

The letters to the second Earl of Rosslyn are dated from 1806 to 1830.

One large bundle is made up of separate packets, with the following titles:

1. Despatches Henry Brougham to the Earl of Rosslyn, Oct. 11 to Nov. 17, 1806.

2. Copies, letters, the Earl of Rosslyn to Lord Howe and Mr. Howe, 1806-7.

3. Despatches from the Earl of Rosslyn to Mr. Fox and Lord Grenville.

4. Lord Strangford's letter to the Earl of Rosslyn. 5. Private letters from Mr. Brougham to the Earl of Rosslyn, Sept. 1806 to Jan. 1807.

There are besides, many letters from Mr. Brougham to the Earl, of later dates, on all sorts of subjects, such as the Roman Catholic question, and the King's opinion of it; the position of Mr. Brougham with regard to office, &c.; with drafts of some of Lord Rosslyn's answers.

"Conversation with Lord Brougham on Grey's re

tiring."

"Abercromby's letter to Brougham "-speculations as to the Duke of Wellington's intentions with respect to Ireland and Emancipation.

An extensive series of political letters from Earl Grey in the years from 1821 to 1829.

Several letters from the Duke of Wellington, in one of which, dated 28th May 1829, he offers to Lord Rosslyn the office of Privy Seal.

"Protocol of a statement made by Mr. Stephenson to the Duke of Wellington on the 6th of March 1830, by the command of H. R. Highness the Duke of Sussex, about the death of Lady Augusta D'Ameland, at Ramsgate, on Thursday evening March 4."

Besides these two sets of letters, there is a series dated in 1799 from Lord Nelson, Lord St. Vincent, and Lord Keith to General Sir James St. Clair, Bart., who, on the death of the first Earl of Rosslyn, succeeded to the title in 1805.

There can be no question that Calendars of many of the letters and papers here noted would contribute valuable materials for understanding the history of the period over which they extend; and if they are desired by the Commissioners, Lord Rosslyn is willing that they should be made.

JOHN STUART.

THE PAPERS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF CAWDOR, AT CAWDOR CASTLE.

The Charters and other Records at Cawdor Castle have been recently arranged with great care, and can be readily consulted by reference to an Inventory.

The earliest in date is a charter granted by King Robert Bruce in 1310 to William Thane of Calder of the Thanage of Calder for a yearly payment of 12 merks, and the rent of the land which Fergus the Dempster was wont to pay in the time of King Alexander III.

We may infer that William was a descendant of those bereditary stewards of the Crown to whom the charge of this part of the Royal demesne lands had been committed, and who now had come to hold them here. ditarily for payment of a stated rent, and services. The part of the Thanage originally assigned to the Brehons or Judges for their support, and in reward of the performance of their functions, had also come to be held for a fixed rent, and this rent instead of being paid to the Crown, was assigned to the Thane.

The Thanes of Calder were also hereditary Sheriff's of Nairn, and Constables of the Royal Castle at the burgh of Nairn.

This Scottish tenure, in no long time, was converted into a regular feudal holding, the Thanage being held in barony of the Crown.

The line of the early Thanes terminated in a female, on the death of William Thane of Calder, in the year 1498. His daughter Muriel, when only twelve years old, was married to Sir John Campbell, a younger son of the Earl of Argyle, and thus the thanage, and other lands, were carried into another family.

In 1689 Sir Alexander Campbell of Calder married Elizabeth, heiress of Stackpole Court, Pembrokeshire, and in 1726 his son John was married to Mary daughter of Lewis Pryse of Gogirthen. In 1796, John, the grandson of the last John, was created Baron Cawdor, and in 1827 his son John Frederick, was created Earl of Cawdor and Viscount Emlyn.

The papers at Cawdor illustrate the descent of the land, and the condition and relations of the family during this long period. A selection from them has been printed in a volume contributed to the Spalding Club by the late Earl of Cawdor, and as they may thus be said to have been brought under the notice of the historical student, it is not necessary for me to give any detailed account of their nature in this place. I may remark, however, that the collection is full of instructive illustrations of the condition of the country, and progress of society in the shape of contracts, letters, domestic accounts, inventories of furniture, arms, plate, and the like, with detailed notices of planting and gardening.

In 1454, William of Calder, and Thane of the same, had a royal license for building and fortifying his castle at Cawdor, and the picturesque square tower which he erected, still remains, together with additions of subsequent dates, of which the history can be traced in the papers. In 1455 the Thane had a warrant from the Crown for razing and destroying the old insular Castle of Lochindorb, famous for the long siege which it stood under the Countess of Athol in 1336, for whose relief Edward III. made an expedition to the north in that year.

The marriage of the heiress of the old Thanes of Calder with Sir John Campbell led to much intercourse with families in Argyllshire. Among other lands which Sir John acquired in that country was the territory of Muckairne on the shores of Loch Etive. This had belonged to the monks of Iona, and it was now conveyed to Sir John Campbell by Ferquhard Bishop of the Isles and Commendator of Iona by a Charter, the narrative of which gives a very unfavourable picture of the native population: “Et quia (nobis ut clare con

stat) in prouincia praua et perniciosa nostre terre "antedicte jacent, de quibus summas et proficua in

prefata carta specificatas, nec nos nec nostri pre"decessores unquam habere potuimus, aut potuerunt, nec eadem similiter vel verisimiliter apparet et "arbitramur memoratus Johannes aut heredes sui "habere poterit seu poterint."

Sir John, with the view of strengthening his position in Argyllshire, contracted by bonds of manrent alliances with many of the chiefs of the Islands and Western Highlands. One of these dated at Canistak in Dura, 29th September 1520 is a bond of fostering between him and Neyll McNeyll of Geae, by which Sir John "bindis and oblyes hym for to gif to Neill McNeyll of Geae "in fosteren his secund son callyt Johne, and gif that

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His second son John was Prior of Ardchattan and Bishop of the Isles, and in his last will this prelate constitutes the Laird of Calder, his nephew, to be his executor, leaving his body "to be bureit in Ecolmkill gyf God callis me thair, and to be laid with byschoippe John Campbell in Sanct Michellis crwist quhilkis I haif mendit and thekit." His principal means consisted of outstanding claims against the "men "of the ylis" and others, who seem to have been bad debtors, and among his legacies is one "to Daniel

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McFeye, harper, by [besides] his hundreth pundis "I aucht hym, with the feye, sax lib."

One of the papers connected with Muckcarne (still unprinted) seems worthy of note.

It is a notarial instrument dated 12 March 1541, on the election of Duncan, son of Odo MacDunlewe, clerk of the diocese of Dunkeld, to the parish clerkship of Killespickerrill and Kilmacronack in. Muckarne. The election was made by the parishioners assembled in the Church of Kilmacronack ad diuina audienda," and in token thereof, symbolical possession was given to Patrick [Mac] Finlay, [Mac] Alexander Glass, as procurator for Duncan " per aque baiulum sine vasculum,

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aquam consecratam in se continentem, cum arspers“orio.” “Qui quidem Patricius finlai Alexandri Glass, secutus est curatum per totam ecclesiam, atque ministrauit missam majorem celebranti procuratoris "nomine dicti Duncani in signum electionis et posses"sionis eiusdem."

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The record contains a full list of the names of the parishioners, and is a good example of the Gaelic system of name-giving, where some forefather, or saint, was selected as a head, and the members of the family were recognized by their descent from, or relation to, him.

The few trades from which names were derived may be held to show the circumscribed wants of the community, beyond what the skill of each family could supply. Of these the most prominent was that of fuller; then the blacksmith and the tailor.

The following is a specimen of the names:-Nigellus Joannis McKennich, Dugallus Nigelli, Nigellus Donaldi vic Dunlewe, Dugallus Donaldi Nigelli vic Awlai, Anna dominici Cristini, Gillespik Mac Gillespik vic Achem, pych, Karistina nein a doura, Gillespik Mac Gillemore, Gillefeilan Donaldi Macgillebane, Cristinus Maelmore vie gillelan, Nicolaus Johannis Sartoris, Gillemichel Martini, Joannes Glass Mac Gillemore vic indowra, Dugallus Mac Gillechallum vic Philippi, Efrica dominici vic Calman, Katerina Vicarii Joannis Patricii vic Achromone, Finlaus Martini vic Gillindach, Joannes McGillespic vic choan, Gillecrist duf Mac Philip, Joannes niger Collini vic Philip, Finlaus fullo, Joannes Duncani nigri fabri, Katerina Columbi vic Gillebride, Donaldus Sartoris, Duncanus Joannis Duncani Sartoris, Joannes Joannis Duncani vic Torcatall, Duncanus bane mac Rowane, Gillebride mac lucas, Joannes Glass pectoris Mariota fabri, Mora nein a doura, Effririca fullonis, Cristina fullonis, Finlaus Macheath, Archibaldus Jonis Sartoris, Katerina fabri, &c.

It appears to me that although the Records at Cawdor have to a certain extent been made known to the student, yet calendars of many of those of general historical interest would be found useful, as part of a series suggested in my general report of last year to be made from the miscellanies printed for clubs and families, but not published. JOHN STUART.

THE PAPERS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD FORBES, AT CASTLE FORBES.

THE ancient family of Forbes derived its name from the territory of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, which has belonged to them since the middle of the 14th century, and probably from a much earlier period, although their title can only be proved by records from the date just mentioned.

At an early time three branches blossomed into the Houses of Pitsligo, Tolquhon, and Brux, the first of which shared with the parent stem the honours of nobility.

The members of the House of Forbes soon assumed a position of public importance. The grandson of the first clearly ascertained head having served under the Earl of Buchan in the beginning of the 15th century in that gallant band of Scots which he led into France,

and having married Lady Elizabeth Douglas, only daughter of George, Earl of Angus, and granddaughter of King Robert II. He was a Lord before the year 1445, and his successors have always been ranked as the premier barons of Scotland. His son had a license to fortify his tower of Drumynor in 1446.

In later times the family have borne their part in all the national struggles.

The territories of the family bordered with those of the great House of Gordon, and their neighbourhood often led to mutual misunderstandings and serious feuds, which culminated in bloody battles in the time of Queen Mary. The heads of the rival houses came to an amicable arrangement in 1589, and some papers connected with the subject are in the Charter Room. [57.]

The records at Castle Forbes are well arranged, and are described in an inventory, of which, by the courtesy of Lord Forbes, I was permitted the free use.

The largest portion consists of the charters and records of the successive investitures of the Lords in their lands, which, however valuable for illustrating local history and topography, do not fall within the scope of this report.

Among the miscellaneous papers is an early example of those agreements which the lawlessness of the times led men of power to enter into for their protection. By an indenture, dated 9th August 1467, the House of Forbes, by their heads William Lord Forbes, Sir Alexander Forbes, of Pitsligo, Alexander Forbes, of Tolquhon, Arthur and John Forbes, of Brux, on the one part, aud Duncan McIntosh, Chief and Captain of Clanchattane, with his two brothers, on the other part, bound themselves to take " open upright part in all

quarrells one with the other, and to defend each other "with all their goodly power both by slight and might, "excepting their allegiance to the King and their respective over lords.

Among the letters of any antiquity are two, illustrative of the spirit of knight errantry which actuated many of the younger sons of our Scotch families in the 17th century. They are both addressed to Arthur Lord Forbes by James Forbes, younger, of Corsindae.

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The first is dated London, 29th August 1617 (No. 75 of Inventory), in which he writes, "I haue bein in sueing "for tuo places since I did come into England, quhairof "the worst wold have yielded me 80 lib". sterling; but "altho' I had gryt promeses of noble men, yet the envy "of the Englishe crue hes borne me downe in them both, quhairfoir I haid recourse to the Florence embassadour, and maid acquantance with him, quha "hes gewin me letters to Florence, that (as he hes promesed) sall get me ane hundreth crouns a yeir, as guid clothes as any gentleman of England wears, "with my dyet, quhairfoir I am hying me thither so fast as I can, for the supplie of the quhilk journey I

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"Forbes, sone to Corsindaye, vrytin out off Padua in "Apryll 1621."

In it he refers to an intermediate communication, descriptive of his fortunes, and states that as two occasions of going to Jerusalem had failed, he was now proposing to go to Spain, "quher I will stay two

months to perfyt my Spanis language, and from "thence straicht through France to England, quhair "I sall be in the fust fyfteine dayes of December."

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Of this period is a paper (No. 105) entitled “Certan speaches that past betwix the Lord Reay and the "Master of Forbes since the fyfteinth off December 1630, in Stralsound in Pomergarners lan, in King's "streit, and the tour off London, concerning the Marqueis of Hamiltoun and the Earl of Seafort." This document illustrates some occurrences which had nearly led to the last judicial combat in England, arising (according to the ordinary accounts) from a statement by David Ramsay that Lord Reay had alleged against the Marquis of Hamilton, that the troops raised by him for the service of Gustavus Adolphus were in reality to be employed in placing the Marquis on the throne of Scotland. The document hardly bears out this statement, although it appears that Lord Reay had repeatedly affirmed that the Marquis had no intention of going into the King of Sweden's service, 'bot theas leawis war intendit for sum other purposs quhilk wold break out in its awin tym. "Withall he enquyred of me quhat the Marquis meant "be bringing liom so manie armes to Scotland, and quhat meant his macking so manie canonis and "muskettis in Scotland, and quhat meant his macking "all his cheiff officiaris Scotismen. Well, said he,

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yow will heir newis of this or long." At the end of the paper is written, "At Lutget hill "in Ja'. 1632. Roxburgh' et ' Hadintoun.'

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This gives a lively picture of the difficulties of keeping up a knowledge of friends in foreign parts which the distractions of the times occasioned. It may be added that his Lordship lost two of his sons in the German wars.

The 20th No. of memoranda shows that Lord Forbes was engaged in many law pleas, one of which was against the old ally of the house, the Chief of the Macintoshes. "Item to try at ane sufficient man that "vill playe my actiounis, first, agens Makintosch and "Grant; (2), agens Allen Makkoneldeny; (3), agens sum Stradoune men; (4), agens sum Cathnes men; (5), agens the steillaris of Arthur Veris guidis, giff my Lord of Mar refuses to doo me resoune, and to agree with them for the thrid or halff that beis frei, by the cost and expensis that beis maid in euery "actione."

"Arcturo cœlum dederat custodia ut Vrsæ Arthuro terras sic dedit ursa suas. "JAC. FORBES."

"De sue Gordoniana Epigramma cujus argumentum inter scribendum occurrit.

"Gordoni Herculeos jactant se æquare labores
Captant ambo suam de sue gloriolam;

Sus fera at ista fuit, hæcce domestica: Multùm
Illa vorax hominum, stercoris hæcce vorax.
Ergo quam sue sus distat, tam distat inanis.
Gloria Gordonum-Gloria ab Herculea."

The next letter (No. 83) is also addressed to Lord Forbes, who has indorsed it "Letter from James

The burning of the house of Frendraught in January 1630, which resulted in the death of the Viscount Melgum, Gordon of Rothiemay, and others, arose out of feuds which prevailed between the Gordons and the Crichtons.

It was celebrated in a contemporary ballad, and the proceedings connected with it fill many pages of our criminal records.

The widow of Gordon of Rothiemay was a sister of Lord Forbes, and a letter from her to her brother is preserved, dated 27th November 1634 (No. 108). In it she informs him that her house had been seized by a band of rebellious gentlemen of the Gordons, who took possession of the keys, and advised her either to remove with her family or to remain in a part of the house by herself, "for they will remain heir. If I be " content it is weale; if I be not content, they know "what courss to tak." On the other hand she had received a legal charge from the Laird of Frendraught to appear before the Privy Council, and she was in great doubt what to do. 'If I compeir not, I am in danger of the law; if I compeir and abandon my

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houss and children and leave my estate to the government of thoiss chalmerlans, I know not what compt they will mak to me, sieing they refuse to be comptable to the King and his counsell."

Alexander, the tenth Lord (son of the last), while Master of Forbes, entered into the service of Gustavus Adolphus, in which he attained the rank of LieutenantGeneral. In June 1635, he left the service, when he received a testimonial (No. 109) from the Rix Chancellor Grave Oxell Oxenstiern of his having served his Majesty for five years with fidelity and bravery.

After his return to Scotland he commanded in the army sent from that country to suppress the Irish rebellion in 1642.

Several papers of interest connected with his service at this time are preserved at Castle Forbes.

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Among these is a letter from John Fitzgerald (No. 122), whom his Lordship styles "The Knight of Kerry," dated 4th Nov. 1642. In it he gives advice as to the attack on a certain castle, of which he says, "Itt " is a little iland nott above an Irish accre in compass, "invironed with the sea, and the passadge thereto butt "a drawing bridge, and no possibilitie for enny ship "to com within battering shott of it, the rocks and "shalloues are such a distance 'twixt it and the deep. Uppon extraordinarie calms and nothing even then "to be battered butt a small pile of a castell that will "not conteine twentie men, which is in nature of a gate "house over the bridge, and the Irish thached houses "wherein the people live are nott discernable from the sea nor land, they are soe sunck doune in the park or ground."

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A paper, dated 26th August 1661, and entitled "short relation of the Lord Forbes loyall indevors to serve his Majesty and the Royal family theas many yeers bygon," (No. 138), exhibits a remarkable picture of the vicissitudes to which the loyalty of Lord Forbes had exposed him.

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It begins with a statement that in the year 1626 his Lordship's cousin, the Lord Reay, having engaged to serve the King of Denmark in his wars against the Emperor, of the 2,000 men which he carried over for that purpose, Lord Forbes and his friends furnished 800, besides engaging himself for a large sum to enable Lord Reay to carry on the service; and when in 1628 the Earl of Morton levied a regiment for the relief of Rochelle, Lord Forbes furnished out his second brother and twelve proper gentlemen fully accoutred.

It proceeds to narrate his services and engagements in the war under Gustavus Adolphus for the restitution of the Palatinate, and subsequently, until his employment in the Irish wars just referred to.

In the end of 1643 he came to Scotland for a short time, in the hope of being able to recover some part of his estate, which had become greatly dilapidated, and failing in this he went to Holland, and on the conclusion of peace between Denmark and Sweden he proceeded to the latter country. Coming across to England in 1646, when it was hoped that the King and his opponents would come to some agreement, and with the view of settling accounts for his Irish service, he was thrown into prison, where he remained two years.

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Returning to Sweden in 1651 the Queen allowed him a pension, and in 1652 "did give him a priveledg for taking up sunk ships and goods in the waters, seas, " and harbours belonging to the dominions of Swedin, "his design therein being to be inabled to furnish his Majesty with compitent stor of brass guns, both for a train of artillery by land, and ships by sea." In 1654 the Queen of Sweden quitting the Government, his pension was kept from him, he fell into long continued sickness, and was reduced to great straits.

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It does not appear what was the result of his application to Charles II., but he returned to Sweden, and at Stockholm on the 6th April 1672 he made his will (No. 142). It is in Latin, and in it he refers to his services to the Crown of Sweden, and to his losses of money and friends, beseeching the favourable consideration of the King of England towards his surviving wife and children.

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A letter from the well-known General David Leslie, dated 12th April 1650, (No. 131), addressed "Hono1 o Camerad," announces a contribution to be raised from the army on behalf of "diverss poore and weill "affected officeris and othir poore Christianes in great "necessitie, who have no meanes of subsistence." It was therefore arranged that "Every trouper dedicat "and lay aside a sex pence of his monethly pay, and "the officeris according to thair severall charity and "qualities doe lykeways mortifye and give proportionally of thair pay for such pious and charitable uses as "sall be thoght fitt."

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William, 12th Lord, succeeded to the title in 1691. In 1689 he joined in an address to the Prince of Orange which bore to be from "The Master of Forbes and his "freinds." (No. 164.)

Of his period there is a document of some interest among the Charters, of which it is not known that any other copy has been preserved. It is a memorial to Queen Anne, signed by 20 Scottish Peers, and was occasioned by the resolution of the House of Lords, upon the Duke of Hamilton being created an English Peer by the title of Duke of Brandon, "That no patent "of honor granted to any Peer of Great Britain who "was a Peer of Scotland at the time of the Union can "entitle such Peer to sit and vote in Parliament or to "sit upon the trial of Peers."

From some loose papers, which have not been arranged or inventoried, I selected a "Letter from Sir "Donald Makky, Colonell, out off Germany, brocht "hame be Mr. Robert Farquhar, burges off Aberdein,

" 1627."

The writer of this letter-created first Lord Reay in 1628-has been already referred to in connexion with the cartel between him and David Ramsay. It is dated from the leaguer at Wasterbad, 12th June 1627, where he was serving under the King of Denmark (described as ane resolutt soldett "), and it contains some curious details of the position of the King's army and that of his opponents.

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The writer, with the true spirit of a soldier of fortune, after referring to the small pay afforded by the King, adds, "bot iff he opines not his pourss I "will sik ane uther maister; the King of Speen is ane treu man and ane good payer."

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The letter begins with an address to "my wery ho"norabill good lord and cheiff," the latter term arising out of a family tradition, noted by Sir Robert Gordon in his History of the Earls of Sutherland, that the family of Mackay drew its origin from a member of

the house of Forbes.

John, eighth Lord Forbes, was married to Margaret, daughter of George, Earl of Huntly, in 1558. In 1573 he was divorced from this lady on grounds, of which various accounts have been given, but which probably resulted from religious differences.

The lady was a warm adherent of the old religion, and was believed to have been instrumental in converting two of her sons to that faith. Both of them were admitted into the order of Capuchins under the title of Brothers Archangels. One died in 1592, the other, John, survived till 1606. Of him there is a life in the library at Castle Forbes, where also is a portrait of Brother Archangel, presented to James Ochoncar, Lord Forbes, by the Superior of a Convent in Sicily. (Registrum de Forbes, p. 251, MS.)

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The life appears to have been written by a priest of the order, and is divided into 29 chapters, some of which contain curious notices of the adventures of the two brothers and their mother, and of the religious houses at Bruges and Antwerp, of which brother Archangel became Superior. It is entitled "An Historical Narra"tive of the Conversion and Conversation of F. Archangel, borne of a Noble Family in Scotland, of the "order of S. Francis, of those who are called Cappucins, and of the ladie Margarit Gordon his mother.' Among the papers is the copy of a letter addressed in the year 1600 to the Archangel by his next younger brother Arthur, who subscribes as Arthur, Maister "of Forbes," as if his elder brother were dead. It is directed "A son tres ayme frer Jean Forbes qui s'appelle Capucin religieux de l'ordre Francois en Flan"dre en la vill de Saint Oue Capucins."

It would appear that the Capuchin had written to his brother on various religious topics, including that of the "Catholic" Church, and the letter in question, which is a very calm and sensible one, is the answer to it. On one subject they appear to have been nearly agreed, "So as I am glaid that ye agre with our preichouris not to worschip or adore picturis, so wald "I reioyss if ether ye micht warrand against them "the religious vsing of them or with them be per"suaded to leave them."

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In the library is a volume entitled "The Rentale of are Nobill and Michty Lorde William Lord Forbes, "maid in the year of God ane thousand five hundrethe "fifty-tua zeris of all his landis, as eftir follouis per64 ticularlie, and to indure v zeris."

In the end of the same volume are records of Baron Courts held by the Lords Forbes and their Baillies from 1659 down to 1678.

This volume affords full and detailed information regarding the rural economy, and condition of the country for more than a century, showing, among other things, the smallness of the money rent receivable by the landlord, with the great extent of personal services and payments in kind to which he was entitled.

It seems to me that full calendars of the letters and papers particularised in this Report would be very useful to historical inquirers, and that for the same object a copy should be made of the rental, which is one of the earliest and most minute known to me, with such excerpts from the Records of the Baron Court Book as illustrate the management of land and the relations existing between Lord and Vassal.

JOHN STUART.

THE PAPERS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD TORPHICHEN AT CALDER HOUSE.

In the little vale of the Douglas, which sheltered in their early years the founders of the great house of Douglas, we discover before the middle of the 14th century a neighbouring family who, like the other, took their name from their lands.

The first on record is James Sandylandis, to whom David II. confirmed a charter of Sandylandis and the Redmire in the Lordship of Douglasdale, in the year 1348.

About the same time, James of Sandylandis was married to Alionora, sister of William, the first Earl of Douglas, from whom he received in free marriage the Barony of Wester Calder, and in 1385 James Sandilands, his son, was married to the Princess Joan, daughter of King Robert II.

William, the first Earl of Douglas, was married to Margaret, daughter of Donald, Earl of Marr, by whom he had a son, James, and a daughter, Isabel. James, second Earl of Douglas, fell at the fight of Otterbourne in 1388, without leaving lawful issue, and Isabel, his sister, who succeeded him, also died without issue.

The title to the Douglas estates, and to the representation of the Douglas family, on the death of Isabella, belonged of right to James Sandilands, as in right of Alionora, his mother, but for some consideration he was induced to renounce in favour of George Douglas, Earl of Angus, a natural son of Earl William, his right to the estates.

His representation of the Douglas blood could not, however, be affected by the arrangement, and consequently after the death of the Countess Isabel it became vested in James of Sandilands and his descendants, and in token of this inheritance the arms of Douglas have ever since been quartered with those of Sandilands by this family.

The Charters at Calder House have recently been chronologically arranged, and are easily accessible by means of an inventory.

Those relating to the Barony of West Calder begin in 1338, when it was granted by the Earl of Fife to Lady Beatrix of Douglas in liferent, and her son, John of Douglas, in fee, and the series from that time to the present is full and complete. They afford many valuable illustrations of genealogy and local topography, but do not here call for special note.

There is, however, in the Charter Room a series of papers of more general scope and interest, connected with the history of the Knights Templars in Scotland, whose estates became vested in the family of Sandilands at the period of the Reformation.

At this time the Baron of West Calder was James Sandilands, a man who had embraced the reformed opinions, and is often mentioned by John Knox in his history as an ardent and sympathizing associate. He was succeeded by his eldest son, John, who inherited the principles of his father. Through another son, James, the inheritance of the Knights Templars became united with that of West Calder.

Among the many papers connected with the Templar possessions are some which show the steps by which Mr. James Sandilands was promoted to the office of Preceptor of the order. In 1540 he had the Royal license to pass to the Master of the House of Rhodes, Malta, or otherwise, to obtain provision from him of the Preceptory of Torphichen by the resignation of Sir Walter Lindsay, Lord of St. John's and Preceptor of Torphichen. In the subsequent year he received from the Grand Master a nomination to the "ancianitas" or right of expectation of the Preceptory, on its becoming vacant, which received the confirmation of Pope Paul III.

In 1547 he became Preceptor on the death of Sir Walter Lindsay, and his presentation was confirmed by the Pope. He also received from his Holiness the renewal of a privilege of exemption from private and public burdens formerly granted.

In June 1550 he was invested in the Preceptory, both spirituality and temporality, receiving as symbols delivery of the chalice, missal, and other ornaments of the High Altar, and the keys of the Church as for the spirituality, and by being put in possession of the place of Torphichen, with delivery of earth and stone in the court thereof, for the temporalities.

There are various licenses from the Crown in favour of the Preceptor, permitting him to leave the country; and in 1557 there is one from the Grand Master allowing him to return from Malta, whither he had gone.

The Preceptor, like his kinsman, the Knight of West Calder, was an early convert to the reformed opinions, and he acted with the leaders of that movement. In 1560 he was sent to France by the Scottish Parliament to report their proceedings to Queen Mary. In 1563 he resigned into the Queen's hands all the lands and baronies belonging to his Preceptory, receiving a regrant of the whole united into one whole and free Barony of Torphichen.

About the same time he got a charter from the Queen, with consent of her husband, James, Duke of Orkney and Earl of Bothwell, of all metals in his lands, except silver and gold.

In 1567 he got the Queen's license to proceed to France and Italy, and a few months later he received a letter from the Queen, now a prisoner in Lochleven, recommending him to her brother and the Lords of Privy Council. It is subscribed "Your richt gud sister "and frind." In 1570 he had a license from Queen Elizabeth permitting him to come to the baths in England, and in 1572 he got a fresh permission from King James VI. to proceed to France and Italy, having hitherto been prevented by ill-health from availing himself of the license formerly granted.

He died in 1580 without leaving lawful issue, so that his title and lands devolved on his heir, James Sandilands, ninth Baron of Calder, who thus became second Lord Torphichen.

The Queen's re-grant of the baronies of the Precep tory in 1563 did not contain words creating a peerage, but ever since its date the Lord of St. John and his heirs have been Peers of the Realm; and in 1633 it was found in Parliament that the "title, honor, and dignitie "of Lord Torphichen is annexit to the meane remaner or middle portion of the barony surrounding the place.

Besides the writs which illustrate the proceedings now narrated, there are Royal charters of privilege and confirmation by Alexander II. and Robert I. in favour of the House of the Templars.

There is also a Commission by the Grand Master of the Order in 1532 to the Preceptor, allowing him to feu out the lands which lay more remote from their house, and "because much effusion of Christian blood had "been caused by the inability of the Preceptor to "defend the possessions of the Preceptory with the "armed hand."

Of all these documents I would recommend that full calendars should be made, as they serve to illustrate a portion of our history, of the details of which we are much in the dark.

JOHN STUART.