EARL OF

Instrument of sasine of these lands given by the GLASGOW. Sheriff depute of Fife to Nicol Scrimzeor, 31st Oct. 1455.

The papers of Lord Glasgow at Hawkhead consist almost entirely of the title deeds of lands. They appear to have been arranged about the middle of last century, or earlier, in 51 masses containing 521 documents. The bundles have, however, been in many cases broken up, and the Charters are scattered over the floor of the Charter room, mixed up with business letters, accounts, and scraps, mostly of recent date.

The bundle No. 1 contained the writs vesting the lands of Auchinback and part of the lands of Halkhead, in the person of Sir John Ross, commencing with a Charter in his favour by King Robert III., dated 30th March 1390, to be held of the King and his successors as Stewarts of Scotland, blench, for payment of a pair of gloves or two pennies of silver.

The next is a Charter by King James II. to Sir John Ross, of Halkhead, Knight, of the lands of Tarbert, in the shire of Ayr, and the lands of Auchinback, on the resignation of Robert Ross, of Tarbart, dated 1450. The last in this bundle is a renunciation by Sir John Ross of his rights over Auchinback in favour of Charles Ross upon condition that he should marry the daughter of Nether Pollock, which was accepted as if he married Sir John's own daughter.

The lands of Hawkhead and the representation of the Lords Ross merged in the Earls of Glasgow by the marriage of John, the third Earl, with Elizabeth, sister and heiress of William, thirteenth Lord Ross, about the middle of last century.

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Among other lands in Midlothian which formerly belonged to the Lords Ross was the Barony of Stenhouse, on which was the celebrated Well of St. Catherine, of which Boece, in his History and Chronicles of Scotland, thus writes, "Nocht two miles fra Edinbrugh is ane fontane, dedicat to Sanct Katrine, quhair Sternis "of oulie (oil), springis ithandlie with sic aboundance "that howbeit the Samin be gaderit away, it springs "in continent with gret aboundance. This fontane "rais throu ane drop of Sanct Katrinis oulie, quhilk wes brocht out of Mont Sinai fra hir sepulture to "Sanct Margaret the blissit Quene of Scotland. Als sone as Sanct Margaret saw the oulie spring ithandlie "by divine miracle in the said place, scho gert big ane chapell thair in the honour of Sanct Katherine. This "oulie hes ane singulare virteu aganis all maner of "cankir and skawis." (Bellenden's Translation.)

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This was a place of devotion and resort in the middle ages, and among the many pilgrimages of King James IV. he did not forget the chapel of St. Catherine. In 1504 we find him making an offering "in Sanct "Katrines of the oly Well;" and, in 1617, when King James VI. returned to his ancient kingdom of Scotland he visited the Well, and by his orders the building which protected it was repaired, with the view of affording easy access to the oily matter floating on the surface, which continued to be prized in the cure of certain diseases.

Among the papers at Hawkhead several relate to the "Kirklands of St. Catherine, called the Oylie Well." Presentation by Robert, Lord Ross, Patron to Roger Wilson, 1566.

His Collation, 1581.

His Instrument of Institution, 1582.

Disposition of the Kirklands of St. Catherine's Chapell, called the Oylie Well, by Michael Gilbert and Mr. Thomas Ballantyne, to James Lord Ross, 1623.

At Kelburne, near Largs, another of Lord Glasgow's seats, there is a large collection of papers disposed in six or seven packing cases without any arrangement. There are a few Charters mixed with great quantities of old accounts, vouchers, and business letters, but none of the Charters are old, or of general interest. The lands of Kelburne have, however, been in the possession of the family of Boyle since the time of King Alexander III.

By a Charter, dated 13th February 1380, David Earl Palatine of Stratherne and Earl of Caithness, granted to John Rollo, with other lands those of Duncrub and Fyndony, with the meadow of Dunning.

The Charter is remarkable for a clause by which the Earl reserves the Cathedra Comitis," or chair on which the Earl administered justice, and the place of the "domus capitalis," of the lands of Fyndony "ex parte orientali cathedre supradicte."

There are other circumstances which seem to point out Dunning as a place of early importance and settlement. On a neighbouring height is one of those raths or duns of the early races, from which the territory seems to have acquired its name of Dunning, while a glen which runs up from the cultivated ground towards the Ochils is associated with one of the miracles of St. Serf, the great saint of Fife. According to the Life of this early missionary, he was on one occasion in retirement in his cell at Dunning when he was told of a terrible dragon which was wasting the country, on which the saint took his pastoral staff and slew the dragon in a valley, which "ab illo autem die" says the Life of the Saint, "dicitur vallis draconis," or according to the Chronicler Wyntoun—

Quhare he was slayne that plas wes ay "The Dragownys Den cald to this day." The glen is still known by this name, but the memory of its legendary origin is entirely lost. At the Church of Dunning, which was dedicated to St. Serf, is one of the towers of which that of St. Rule at St. Andrews is a specimen, and which seem to have been the immediate successors of the round towers, such as we see them at Abernethy and Brechin. A cross of a primitive type was recently found in the floor of the tower.

Gilbert, Earl of Stratherne, granted to the monastery of Inchaffray, which he had founded, the Church of St. Servanus, of Dunnyne, and a yearly sum of 20 marks out of the thanage of Dunnyne, which he gave in consideration of a release to him by the monks of any claim competent to them of augmentation of the Earl's second teinds from the year 1247. Part of this sum of 20 marks consisted of a payment formerly made by the monks to the Earl "pro frecellis," but which was

now to cease.

The Charter by the Earl Palatine, of Stratherne, in favour of John Rollo, was confirmed by a Charter of Robert II., granted by the King at Methven, on the 4th of February in the 11th year of his reign. Both of these documents are now in the British Museum.

The papers at Duncrub are principally the later titles of the lands belonging to Lord Rollo, and do not generally call for special remark.

By a Charter of James V., dated 21st May 1540, in favour of Andrew Rollock, of Duncrub, the King erected his various lands into the Barony of Duncrub, and, with the view of promoting policy and building as well as for the comfort and refection of the lieges coming to the Church of Dunnyn, he erected the kirktoun of Dunnyn into a burgh of barony, with a weekly market; and a yearly fair to be held on the festival of St. Findoca, who was the patron of the adjoining parish of Gask.

Several Charters are granted by an "Alexander "Thane," who probably derived his name from the early Thanes of the Earl, as he seems to have inherited part of their possessions.

One of them, dated 1st June 1546, is by Alexander Thane, of Edindonyng, to James Rollok, son of Andrew Rollok, of Duncrub, of his third part of the Mains of Edindonyng, and by another which illustrates some of the agricultural arrangements of the day, dated 5th March 1540, he conveyed to the said James, "illam

peciam terre cum pertinenciis in qua inhabitat David "Mashell extendentem ad viginti solidatas terrarum "cum tribus lie sowmes animalium in lie ingerss et "tribus in lie outgerss ac totam et integram illam

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meam peciam terre cum pertinenciis in qua inhabitat "Donaldus Flokhart extendentem ad viginti solidatas terrarum cum tribus lie sowmis animalium in lie ingerss et tribus in lie outgerss ac totam et integram meam illam peciam terre vocatam Cultis cum perti"nenciis olim occupatam per Valterum Law cum pas"tura animalium debita et consueta ac totam et integram illam meam peciam terre quam olim occupavit "Johannes Law cum pertinenciis suis et cum pastura "animalium debita et consueta cum domibus ortis "croftis earundem terrarum jacentium in baronia mea "de Edindonyng."

This deed probably describes certain pieces of arable land at Dunning, to which rateable grazings in the adjoining Ochil hills were attached.

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Sir Andrew Rollo, of Duncrub, received the honor of knighthood from James VI., and towards the end of his days he was created a peer by Charles II. The Patent, which is dated at Perth, 10th January 1651, has a remarkable recital narrating the antiquity and services of the family of Duncrub, and then a clause thus translated: "Moreover, understanding that the "name of Rollok was at first Rollo, without the addi"tion of the letter k (as evidently appears from the "ancient monuments of the progenitors of the said family of Duncrub, and by a book of the Clerk register for the time, entitled 'Of the signification of words," and the very same is clear from an infeft"ment granted by our most illustrious progenitor "Robert the Second, the first Stewart who was King of Scotland, and from other evidences), but that thro' length of time and old custom it is now abused and corrupted;" therefore creates the said Sir Andrew Rollo, and his heirs, barons of Parliament by the title of Lords Rollo, of Duncrub; ordaining them to bear the surname of Rollo, and the arms of the Lords of Duncrub. His eldest son, James, was knighted by Charles I. He married for his first wife Lady Dorothea Graham, third daughter of the fourth Earl of Montrose, and sister of the great Marquis. On her death, in 1638, he married, secondly, Lady Mary Campbell, youngest daughter of the seventh Earl of Argyll.

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Among the papers at Duncrub is a letter from Montrose to his brother-in-law. It is without date, but seems to have been written in 1643 when the great general had retired from public action for a time, and paused before throwing himself into the royal cause. In June 1643 Sir James Rollo accompanied the covenanting preacher, Alexander Henderson, to a conference at Stirling, with Montrose and his friends, when public affairs were discussed, but which ended without any mutual understanding being come to.

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The letter, which is as follows, seems to be a sort of manifesto by Montrose as to his position after this communing:-"Richt worschipful and loving brother, Being in regaird of the present conditioune affaires ar and lyk to be into, out of honor and deutie and commoune prudence convinced to ondertak this course, I could not, bothe frome my respects to you as ane particular freind and lykwayes as being onder ane kynd of communing to the contrarie, Bot frielie "and particularly let you know the reasons trewly "that do obledge me to do it. Wherfor you wilbe

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pleasit remember that in all ever past amongst us "ther wer four points I still absolutely provydit, which were, ffirst, If the third point of the covenant, the Kings honor and authoritie to be solemnly adheared 66 unto, since our religioune and libertie wes alreddie so wholie and firmly secured, whiche, wer thay in hayserd or by all appeirance possably questioned, I "should als willingly mainteine as any els alyve. The "secound, that my honor whiche had beine so onjustly "blindined, micht be repaired in sum faire way. The "third, that wheras I had bene at so gret losses, all

just accompts might have beine acknowledgit. The "fourt, that thos of my freinds who had also suffered "should be taken in and acknowledgit in the same way; and thair wer also ane fyft, as yow may remember, which wes the assurances I should have for "al the former. Now in this I think it is so notor to us, and we so consius of it, as we can not in comoune sence differ. And had this beine accordingly done, "I should have als muche past frome my lyffe as ane jot of what wes comouned. Bot since be the con"trarie all hes not onlie failed, bot the quyt other "acting, I could not for all the advantages in the "world be accessorie, bot rathier tak this courss. "to show that my retrait is necessarie, and for no bad "end, I shall wishe to be no longer happie than I

am your affectionat freind efter the auld maner." "Montrose."

The following postscript is in the handwriting of the Earl, the body of the letter being written by another :— "Beleaue I will make all goode I ever professed, "wherof I will intreat you be confident, and iff any "ewille enseu it shall be my counterpartys fault and "not myne, for I shall not be a medler iff I be not "sorely putt to it."

The address on the outside is also written by Montrose, "For the Right Worshipfull my loueing brother "Sir James Rollok."

Andrew, fifth Lord Rollo, succeeded his father in the

peerage in 1758. Having entered the army he was present at the battle of Dettingen in 1743, and at a later period he saw much service in the West Indies. In June 1761 he took the Island of Dominica, defeating the French with great promptitude and bravery, and there are among the papers at Duncrub several relating to this subject.

Copy letter, Lord Rollo to William Pitt, Esq., one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, from Guadaloupe, 3rd June 1761. Others of the same series from Guadaloupe are dated 8th June, 12th June, and 6th July.

Letter from Mr. Pitt to Lord Rollo, 5th August 1761, marked "most secret." Letter, "C. Tounsend," from the War Office to Lord Rollo, in America, dated 25th February 1762. Letter, Lord Albemarle to Lord Rollo, 3rd July 1763. Letter, General Gage to Lord Rollo, 10th May 1763. Draft memorial, Lord Rollo to the King, 16th Sept. 1763.

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After Lord Rollo had taken Dominica, Mr. Pitt wrote to him with expressions of the King's approval of his proceedings, and added "I am now commanded by the King "to inform your Lordship in the greatest confidence "that his Majesty has come to a resolution to attempt "with the utmost resolution, the reduction of the Island "of Martinique by a body of troops from North America, "and that you may expect Major-General Monckton (whom Sir Jeffery Amherst, in consequence of the power given him by his Majesty, has appointed to command on this expedition), with the forces destined "for this most important enterprize, to arrive in your parts towards the end of October. It is therefore "his Majesty's pleasure that your Lordship should, "with the utmost secrecy, make all timely preparations "for co-operating with Major-General Monckton, or "the Commander-in-Chief of the troops above men"tioned, with as large a number of the men under your command as can be spared consistently with "the security of the Island of Dominique, and your Lordship will concert with Sir James Douglas or the "Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's ships at the "Leeward Islands, and with the Governor of Guadaloupe, the proper time and place for such troops as you shall be able to furnish to join the forces under "the command of Major-General Monckton in order "to proceed with him against Martinique, in the exe"cution of which service the King has the firmest "reliance that your Lordship will continue to exert "the same zeal and abilities which you have already so auspiciously manifested for the honor of his Majesty's army."

THE MANUSCRIPTS AT COLZIUM OF SIR ARCHIBALD
EDMONSTONE, BART., OF DUNTREATH.*

The lands of Duntreath formed part of the inheritance of the ancient Celtic Lords of Lennox, and it has been stated by some of our writers that on the death of Duncan, the last earl of the line, in 1426, they fell to the Crown. It appears, however, that the earldom devolved on Isabel, eldest daughter of Earl Duncan, the widow of Murdach, Duke of Albany, who was executed in 1425.

The family papers begin with a charter by this Isabel or Isabella, Duchess of Albany and Countess of Lennox, to William de Edmonston, of Culloden, and Matilda Stewart (daughter of Robert III.), his wife, of the lands of Duntreth, in the Earldom of Lennox, dated 15th February 1445. The witnesses are, James Stewart, Arthur Stewart, and Walter Stewart, her grandsons, William de Levenax, her brother, Mr. David Rede, Rector of Muckarde, her chaplain, and Donald Clerk.

In 1452 King James II. confirmed the said lands to William of Edmonston, and from him the lands are stated to have descended from father to son, to the present time by 13 descents. The documents connected with the transmission of the various lands belonging to the family are in the charter room here.

Among the miscellaneous charters I noted one by Donald Lennox, Earl of Lennox, granting the lands of Muckrath to Alan de Brysbane, as also the lands of Holme of Dalmartyne. This deed must have been granted prior to 1373, when the Earl died. The wit

Since the date of my inspection Sir Archibald Edmonstone died, and has been succeeded by his brother, Sir William Edmonstone, Bart.

nesses are,

"Dominis Malcolmo Flemyng, Comite de Wyigton, Johanne Senescallo de Derneley, et Roberto "Walays militibus, Domino Mauricio perpetuo vicario "de Kilmaronock, Roberto dicto Malkcelland, Fynlao "de Camsy, Kessano clerico, et aliis."

Also the following:-Charter by Friar Henry Levyngstoun, Commendator to the Preceptory of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, to Thomas de Buchanan, of the lands of Lettyr, in the Earldom of Lennox; and another of the. like tenor by Friar Henry Levingstoun, Knight of St. John's, to Thomas Buchanan, dated 3rd February 1461, and sealed with the common seal of office at Trefichin.

The original Record of Temple Courts held at Liston in January and February 1459, by the above_ Henry Levyngstoun, Preceptor. The first is dated 24th January 1459, and the record bears that the court was fenced, the suits called, and an assize chosen. The nature of the business and the mode of its transaction will be seen from the minutes::

"Jacobus Mathei recitauit plegium quem inuenit • Johannes Wilkison viz. quod debet arare et occupare predictam terram quam serjiandus arare inhibuit et "illam arare voluit, cum periculo juris.

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"Dominus petiit in curia ab Alano Ricardi de ser"uicio sibi debito pro terris de Medhope, qui Alanus

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per suum procuratorem petiit a domino mature aui"sari, qui remotus de curia et mature auisatus, intrans "dixit per dictum suum procuratorem se debere ser"uicia in suis curiis de Liston, et illa velle perimplere. "Johannes Bissate in amerciamento curie propter "disturbiam et querelam injuste factam in curia.

"Penes plegium quem inuenit Johannes Wilkison, "ordinatum per assisam quod Thomas Daw illa die ad quindenam ut in propria curia probabit legitime quod Johannes Wilkison dedit consensum et con"cessit ad partissionem illius terre penes quem plegius

"fuit inuentus.

"Braciatores sunt in uoluntate domini."

A number of royal and other letters are arranged in a volume. Of these are several by James IV. and James V. to William Livingston, of Kilsyth, of a purely formal nature. One by the latter monarch permits him, his son, and others to go on pilgrimage furth of the realm.

Letter by Queen Mary to her mother, Mary of Guise, undated, but circ. 1554, in which she states that she has heard how the Governor puts himself in her will, and has again put into her hands the principal places of the kingdom, and how all the princes and great lords have returned to her; that she has arrived at Meudon, beside the lady her grandmother, that she may there keep the feast of Pacque; in conclusion, supplicating the Creator to give her long health and a very happy life.

Several letters of James VI. and one of Charles I., the last being a passport to George Levingstoun to proceed beyond the seas with five servants, dated Denmark House, 12th June 1640.

Bond of Manrent and Maintenance by the Earl of Lennox in favour of William Livingstone, of Kilsyth, 28th August 1506.

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Licence by Alexander Stewart, Archbishop of St. Andrews, by which he grants "full licence, beneuolence, and fredome, to oure louit Widow, Elizabeth Levingstoun, the spouse of umquhile Alexander Levingstoun, our tenent of oure landis and toune of Inchmachane, to compleit the band of matrimone "with ony lauchfull persoun she pleses and thinkis expedient, without ony hurt or dammage to be impute be us to her thairfor. Subscrivit with oure "hand at our City of St. Androis, the secund day of August the yeir of God 1. v. and x. yeris.' There

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is added before the signature, "al hurtis and dammage "at efter may folow to ws resarvait. A., Archbishop "of Sanctadres."

Copy of letter by James, Earl of Morton, Regent, authorizing James Stewart of Doune to receive the bond of manrent from William Edmonstone of Duntreath, conform to the contract and appointment made between them anent the slaughter by the latter of James Stuart of Beith, the father of the former. 27th March 1576.

Letter from the Archbishop of St. Andrews to the Laird of. Kilsyth, dated Dairsy, 27th July 1627, in regard to Mr. John Livingston, on whose behalf the Laird had written. The Archbishop writes that he can only go by the law of the country, "that he had not the place he can blame himself only, that declared "he would not submit himself to the orders received "in the Church. I love peace and would earnestly "have it, but these sort of men will not cease till they

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MONSTONE.

"bring trouble upon themselves. Is it not enough BIRA. ED"that they are overseirs who are already in office. Except they would have a continued trouble in the "Church there is not another way to remove it, unless "his Majesty should be pleased to discharge the Act "made, which they deceive themselves that do expect, "for anything I know."

Six letters from the Viscount Claneboye to his nephew the Laird of Duntreath, in the years 1627-1630.

Four letters to him from the Earl of Antrim, in the years 1629-1631.

Letters of protection from the Earl of Argyll, General Monck, and General Lambert, to the Laird of Kilsyth. Remonstrance by sundry nobles and others, apparently to King James VI.

To the King's Majesty,

That whereas your Majestie att the ymportunitie of some naturall subjectis of this realme of England hath byne pleased to conferr upon them honors, titles, and dignities peculiar to other of your Majestie's dominions, by which the nobilitie of this realme, either in themselves, their children, or bothe, finde they are prejudiced.

Our humble desire is, that with your gracious allowance wee may challenge and preserve our birthrights, and that wee may take no more notice of this

(to our prejudice) than the law of this land doth, but that we may be excused yf in cyvill curtesye wee give them not the respect nor place as to noblemen; strangers say that their being our countreymen, borne and inheritanced under our lawe, thar famylies and abode amongst us, have yet procured ther translation into forrein names only to our injury.

But in this our addresse to your sacred Majestie ytt is farre from us to meddle with, much lesse to limit or interprett the power of sovereigntie, knowing that your Majestie being the roote whence all honor receaves its sappe under what titles soever, may collate what you please, upon whom, when, and how you please.

Wherefore, with all humblenes, wee present this to your gracious veiwe, confident of your Majesteis equall favour herein, and now shall ever pray for the lasting continuance of your happie and glorious dayes.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR PATRICK KEITH MURRAY, SIR P. K. BART., OF OCHTERTYRE.

The first of this branch of the family of Murray was Patrick, third son of Sir David Murray, of Tullybardine, who flourished in the middle of the fifteenth century, and by the marriage of the late Sir William Keith Murray with the heiress of Sir Alexander Keith, of Dunnottar, the representation of the two families became united, and the papers at Ochtertyre which may be considered of most general interest relate to the history of the latter family.

Sir William Keith, who in the middle of the fourteenth century was Great Marischal of Scotland, in the year 1392 acquired from William of Lindsay, Lord of Byres, the lands of Dunnottar, on the rocky coast of Kincardineshire, and one of the earliest documents in the collection relates to the history of a tower which he proceeded to build there.

The site which he chose, a detached and nearly inaccessible promontory of rock, appears to have been one of importance from an early period, as we find in one of the laws of King William the Lion that it is assigned as the "sted of warranty," or place to which warrants were to be returned for the district of the Mearns. It would appear to have been the site of one of the early ecclesiastical settlements of the Celtic period, the church of which was dedicated to St. Ninian. From the paper in question it would seem that before the end of the fourteenth century the church had been removed elsewhere, and that at this time Sir William Keith proceeded to erect his Tower of Dunnottar on

MURRAY.

what had previously been the site of the church and cemetery, an act for which he incurred ecclesiastical censure as an invader of consecrated ground.

In a writ dated 18th July 1394, of which a careful copy made in the end of last century is in the collection here, addressed by Pope Benedict XIII. to the Bishop of St. Andrews, he narrates the petition of Sir William Keith, knight, setting forth the facts just referred to, and alleging how needful his tower was, "ad obvi"andum tribulationibus et inimicitiis tirannorum dicti regni et ad custodiam personarum et bonorum suorum," while its use inferred no injury to the new church or its rector, and therefore concluding that he should be released from any excommunication which he might have incurred.

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The Pope accordingly directed the bishop to inquire into Sir William's allegations, and if they should be correct he empowered him to release Sir William from excommunication, facta prius per eum pro dicta rupe eidem ecclesie congrua compensatione."

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A tower on the west or landward side of the rock is obviously of a much earlier date than the rest of the castle, and a recent examination of it leads me to believe that it is the tower erected by Sir William Lyndesay. It is still known as the Crawford Tower, and a tradition of the seventeenth century preserved by Robert Gordon, of Straloch, connects it with the family of Lindsay, and with the original transaction by which the lands and rock of Dunnottar became their property : Invenitur in registro confirmatio cambii facti inter "Dominos Marescal et Lindsey, qui terras suas de "Strudder (Achter-uder-Strudder in feofamento appel

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latur) pro castello et terris de Dunotyr, ad Linde"sium tunc pertinentibus, cum ea servitute ut filius "infans familiæ de Lindsey tempore belli a Domino "Marescallo in castro de Dunotyr cum servis suis pro

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dignitate aleretur." (Blaeu's Atlas, vol. Scotland, 1662, p. 93.)

The preservation of the Regalia of Scotland in the Castle of Dunnottar in the time of the Commonwealth seems to have led King Charles II. to desire the acquisition for himself of a fortress so strong, and hallowed by services so striking.

Among the papers is a disposition by William, Earl Marischal, in favour of his Majesty of the "castell

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towr, fortalice, and manor place of Donnottar, with "the haill, halls, gallries, chalmers, and uther office"houssis thairto pertainand and belonging, and all "that is within the utter yeat and port of the samen;" but the document (dated in 1662) does not seem to have been completed.

Letter (undated) from the Privy Council of Scotland (temp. Jac. VI.) to the Earl Marischal, asking him to set to work "the haill fowlaris within the boundis of your Lordships Commandiment and utheris pairtis in "the countrie aboute, and caus thame fra tyme to tyme

tak, slay, and send in to Johne Langwill, in Breichin, "all sortis and kindis of Murefowle upon present and "reddie payment" for his Majesties service at Holyrood House," and that your Lordship gif Command "that the fowlaris fill and stop the wombes of the said wyld fowle with heddir, or suche other thing, as may keep the same caller."

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The King, having revisited his ancient kingdom of Scotland in the year 1617, came as far north as the house of Kinnaird, in Forfarshire, to enjoy the sport of hunting. Another communication from the Privy Council to the Earl Marischal, dated from Kinnaird, 23rd May 1617, announces that, although sufficient order had been taken for bringing into his Majesties houses all sorts of provisions for the use of the King and his train, yet the negligence of purveyors, or as they averred the impossibility to get the provisions required, "hes bred such scarcitie heire of kids, lambes, "vealis, fed capons, pigeone, pertricks, pouttis, murefools, blakcok, greyhen, brissell fooles, dotrealls, "salmond, leprous and young haires, and all othir provisioun of that kynd, that if thaire be not some "present coorse takin thaire can be no housse keipit for his Majestie heire."

space at the saidis severall houris of meeting, and a "little bell in the Parliament House also to ring at the "houris of dissolving, as also ordaines the rolles to be "callit everie tyme quhen the preses sittis downe, and quha beis not then present, and enterit eftir calling out of the rollis, to pay the penalties following, vizt., "auchteine shillingis for ilk nobleman, twelfe shillingis "for ilk barone, sax shillingis for ilk burges. Item it is "ordained that thir penalties following, vizt., twentie

pound for ilk nobleman, twentie merkis for ilk baronie, "and twa merkis for ilk Commissioner of burcht shall "be payet be tham respective for ilk dayes absence, "and the half of these penalties for ilk sessiounes absence, but the haill penalties to be payit for the Saturdayis absence, whairin thair is onlie one sessioune, and no licence nor excuss for absence to be granted but be the preses with consent of the houss." The humble remonstrance of the Erll of Erroll, heigh Constabill of Scotland, to the Kingis most excellent Majestie and Estate of Parliament now conveined 21 August 1646.

The history and origin of the Clanchattan from the concurring testimony of the Laird of Wardis and Mr. John Forbes, Sheriff of Aberdene, two of the learnedst antiquaries of the Scots nation. 13 pp. 4to.

Commission by King James VI., to George, Earl Marischal and others, to treat with the King of Denmark for the marriage of his daughter Anna with the King, 10th June 1589, with a docquet, dated at Elsinore 20th August 1589, signed by the Danish senators attesting the correctness of the copy.

Letter from Christian IV., King of Denmark, to George, Earl Marischal, commending to him Severinus Ingemann, Customer of Copenhagen, who had a claim against Jonas Davidson, the Earl's vassal at Peterhead. The letter has the King's signature, and is dated at Copenhagen, 1st October 1604.

Extract of Act of the King and the estates of Parliament approving of the Earl Marischal's embassy to the King of Denmark, dated 5th June 1592.

Notarial instrument, dated 20th February 1439, setting forth that in a General Council, and in presence of the King, the procurator of Alexander of Seton, Master of Gordon, Lord of Tulybothy being then present in said Council, he publicly protested that none of the conditions, writs, or contracts made by his mother or grandfather should come in prejudice of the said Alexander, or his heirs, touching their heritage; or if made, he thereby revoked them. Immediately after this was done, Sir Robert of Keth, Master of that ilk, and Sir Andrew of Ogilby, of Inchmartyne, procu

rators of Sir William of Keth, Marischal of Scotland, publicly protested in the contrary. These things were done within the Castle of Edinburgh, in presence of David of Lyndessay, Earl of Craufurde; Sir William of Crechton, Chancellor of Scotland; Sir Alexander of Mungumry; Sir John de Lyndissay, Lord of Byris; Sir Alexander of Levyngstoun, Lord of Calentare; Sir Robert of Levyngstoun, Lord of Drumry; Sir John of Rothwane, of that ilk; and Andrew Gray, Lord of Fowlis.

Among the lands belonging to Sir Patrick Keith Murray are those of Easter Fowlis in the Carse of Gowrie, which formerly belonged to the Lords Gray. The old title deeds of these are unarranged, and mingled with them are masses of accounts and letters on family affairs of comparatively recent date. From these, how. ever, I selected a few documents of considerable interest, the first being of a class almost unknown in Scotland. In form it is a long narrow roll of parchment, of separate pieces stitched together, and it contains the record of four barony courts held by Sir Patrick Gray, as Superior of the Barony of Langforgrund on a moothill or mound, called in the record the

hund hil" of Langforgrund, in the year 1385. It is valuable as an example of the formal procedure of one of these feudal courts, with a final judgement; and for preserving specimens of the vernacular Scotch of the Carse of Gowrie at a very early period.

The first Court was held at the hill on Tuesday the 16th of January 1385. The Court being fenced, and the authority of the Serjeant admitted, he was demanded if he had executed the precept for summoning the tenants and parceners of Lytylton and Lowranston of Achlyrcoman to appear, who answered that he had done so, and read to the Court his citation as follows:-"I, "Robyn Jopson, sergand, lauchfully made and ordanyt of the chef part of the barony of Langforgund throu "Sir Patrick Gray, lord of that ilk chef part of that ilk barony in the sheradom of Perth, somonde at "the chef plaz of the teneindri of Lytilton and Low"ranstone of Ochtyrcomane within the Lytilton, Sir "Thomas the Hay, of Lowchqwhorwart, and Dam

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Jonat, his spouse, throw reson of his spouse, Sir "William of Cunygham, and Dam Margaret, his spouse, "Elezabeth of Maxwel, Alexandir of Kocborne, and "Katerin, his spouse, for reson of his spouse, and Dugal McDuel, and Eufam, his spouse, for resone of his spouse, the Wedynysday, the xvi. day of the moneth "of Nouember, that thai apere lauchfolly at the Hund"hil in Langforgrond, in the sheradom of Perth, to "Sir Patrick Gray, lord of the chef part of Langforgonde, and orlard of the landys of Lytilton and "Louranzstone of Ouchtircomon, thys tewysday that 66 nw ys the xvi. day of this moneth of Jenuer, to schaw "how and for qwat caus, throw awat chartir or ewydens thai halde or clemys to hald the landys or tenandris "of Lytiltone and Lowranzstone of Achtyrcoman of hym, and of his chef parts of the Barony of Langforgond within the sheradom of Perth, and to do this day efter my somonz for yhour haldyng as the law "and ordyr of law askys in yt selfe, yat I haf mad "this somondys in this maner as I hafe recordyt laufully, lo here my witnez Robyn Jonson of Balligyrnach and Richard of Pentland, William Scot and Androw Không.”

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None of the parties appearing, the Court decerned by the mouth of Robert Laurenson, then Dempster of the King's Court, as well as of the Barony Court, that the Serjeant should levy a distraint from each of the tenants not compearing, of the value of six cows, and that they should again be summoned to a second Court at the Hundhill to be held on Saturday, the 3rd of February, there to show by what right they possessed the lands in question.

On that day the Court was constituted with the same formalities as before, and the Serjeant's citation was read and recorded, but the parties failed to appear. The Court again ordered a distraint of the like value of six cows to be raised, and a fresh summons to a Court to be held at the Hundhill on Tuesday, the 25th day of February.

On that day a third Court was held with the like result, and the parties were ordered to be cited to a fourth Court to be held at the same place on Thursday, the 8th of March.

On that day accordingly a fourth Court was held at the Hundhill by Sir Patrick Gray, at which Sir Thomas Hay appeared and pleaded that he ought not to be held liable in the fines levied for his previous non-appearance, and Sir Patrick of his special grace passed from the question thus raised, and proceeded to ask Sir Thomas by

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what title he claimed to possess his part of the lands in dispute, who answered that he had no charter thereof, nor did he know on what grounds the claim of the coparceners rested, but he requested a delay of 15 days before the giving of judgement, which Sir Patrick was pleased to grant. None of the other parties appeared, and after the whole proceedings in the record had been read over, the following deliverance was pronounced:"Than the Curt fullely awisit with the consale of mony gude men thair beand, decretyt that the lande of Lytilton and Lowrandston in Ouchtercomane aucht to dwell yn to Sir Patrick's Grayis handis, to the tyme that it was lauchfully recouerit fra the forsayde Sir Patrick othir with trety or with proces of "lauch, the dome of qwhilk decrete the forsayde Sir "Patrick delayt graciously deferryt tyl his lauchfulle day next eftir pas, to prowe gif the forsayde personaris "walde seke hym othir with tretys grace or lauch, and assignet thareto, tewisday the xxi. day of Auryll "next for to caus his dome to procede and to be giffyn gif thai come noucht, and that he made many fest in playne Curt.”

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At the final Court held at the Hundhill on the 21st of April "throw Sir Patrick Gray, lorde of the chefe barony of Langforgonde, mony nobillis thare beande, "with consale of tha nobillis, and of his curt, he wele "awisit that the forsayde personaris contenyt in his prosces souch hym nother with grace, lufe, na with "lauch, to delay his dome na his proces, with consale "of the forsayde curt and noblis that thare was, throw "the moutht of Robert Louranson than demstare of oure lord the kingis curt, and of his, it was giffyn for "dome that the Lytilton and Lowrandston of Ouchtercomane suld dwell in the handis of the forsayde Sir Patrick and his ayeris, quhill the tyme that all the forsaydis personaris and all thaire namys nemmyt "sulde recouir the landys othir be grace trety or prosces of law, and thus endyt the proces."

Another document of this series, similarly retrieved, is also of an unusual character. It is an instrument dated in the parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, of Dundee, on 20th February 1409, setting forth that Sir William of Lyndesay, of Rossy, and James Skrimgiour, Constable of Dundee, Knights, Alan of Kynarde of that ilk, and Thomas Maule, of Panmure, appeared before a notary and represented that in their presence Thomas Boyde appeared personally, asserting that he being employed in certain transactions by Andrew Gray, of Fowlis, was sent by him to William Boyde, brother of the lord of Kylmernock, with the view of intimating and arranging the same, all of which the said William agreed to ratify thus "quod si contigerit aliquo tempore in futurum sponsam dicti Wil"lelmi Boyde ab eo abscedere aut aliquo modo euadere, et ad dictam Andream Gray pro recreatione "habenda redire, sibi costagia faciendo aut eumdem reprobando, idem Willelmus Boyde quitas dedit "dicte Andree Gray omnes terras dominii de Fowlis ac firmas earumdem imperpetuum, plenariam po"testatem. eidem Andree concedendo dictas firmas "earumdem terrarum antidicte sponse sue libere deli"berandi et dandi ab eo imperpetuum, ac et dictus "Willelmus Boyde se contentum habuit et concepit quod sepedictus Andreas Gray non relaxauit nec quitum dedit plegiagium centum et viginti marcarum pro quibus omnes terre dominii de Foulis dicto "Andree per Sponsam dicti Willelmi alias fuerant implegiate." These things were done before witnesses Sir Walter of Lyndesay and Sir William of Hay, Knights, Sir John Tempilman, Chaplain, Henry Maule, Esquire, and Andrew of Leys, burgess of Dundee.

noted another early Charter of some interest. By it the granter conveys certain lands therein described for homage and service, and in warranty of the cane or can of other lands. This word can or cane occurs very prominently in our early Scotch Charters, apparently to express the portion of rent paid in kind. In the present instance it would appear as if the can had formed the principal return from the lands out of which they were payable. The Charter is by Margaret Syrays, daughter of Duncan of Syrays, in favour of Sir John