LIST OF PLATES. View of Smyrna 1696 Wonderful Egg Plan of the Trenches, &c. at the siege of Vienna 1683 La Favorite Palace, the head quarters of the Grand Vizier at the siege of Vienna 1633 Regalia of Charlemagne, &c. Page 74 99 189 191 346 ANECDOTES. ANTIENT SCOTS CUSTOMS. A VERY dreadful circumstance occurred in 1665, which affords a striking picture of the pe+ culiar manners of the Clans at that period. Alester Mackull*, one of the vassals of the Laird of Murlle, having received some offence or injury from the above chief, conspired with others, and murdered the Laird and his brother. The Privy Council commanded the offenders to surrender themselves to take their trial, without effect; upon which an order was issued to a clan residing in their neighbourhood, requiring them to bring in the heads of Mackull and his associates. This they accomplished, but with the loss of near eighty persons killed and wounded; when the heads were exposed on the gallows between Leith and Edinburgh. Four young men were whipped through the streets of the latter city by the common hangman *The editor gives the names as he found them in his authority. about the same time, and afterwards transported to Barbadoes, for interrupting and abusing Mr. James Scot, Minister of Ancram, when preaching. FRACAS BETWEEN A FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND A GRAND VIZIER. The London Gazette of March 29th, 1666, describes a very singular scene which took place the 13th of the preceding February at Constantinople, in these words : Last Friday in the afternoon, the French Ambassador, with more pomp than usual, went to his audience to the Grand Vizier. At his entry he made several stops, expecting the Vizier would have risen to him; but, finding no more respect, he sat down on a stool provided for him, and by his dragoman demanded more honour in the name of his master, whom he styled all along (Emperor of France). But the Vizier, incensed with the manner of demanding it, brake out into a passion; which the French Ambassador resenting, rose from his seat, and in going away, threw the capitulations, with the case, over his shoulder, which it seems hit the Vizier on the breast; upon which the Vizier called to his officers to apprehend and strike him, which was presently executed by the Capigis larke haite, or Master of the Ceremonies and Pages, who hurried him out of the chamber, where he received several boxes on the ear, and blows on the breast |