[179] Christening was looked upon by the people of Scotland as almost necessary to salvation. That doctrine held by a large section of the Christian church, was here largely mingled with superstition, and the powers of evil were thought to have a malign influence on the body and soul of an unchristened person. The popular ideas on the subject may be found fairly well brought out at p. 34 of the present volume.
[180] ‘Herd laddies,’ in the two abridged editions: but ‘ill-bred laddies’ in Morren’s edition.
[181] All this part, with the exception of the paragraph given in a subsequent note, is omitted in the two abridged editions.
[182] See [note at p. 102] of the present volume. ‘My Lord,’ as feudal superior would have the appointment in his gift, in the same way as, prior to the year 1636, the prelates of Glasgow, had the power of presentation to the Provostship of the city.
[183] Probably a stupid synonym for crutches.
[184] In the olden times the lord and lady moved out and in among their people, and took an active interest in their every day concerns. This intercourse was generally productive of good, and the relationship between a superior and his vassals or tenants was of the most pleasant kind.
[185] This and other names in the chap-book give examples of the need there was in a community, consisting really of one large family, with the same surname common to almost all, for nicknames to distinguish between several persons who also bore the same Christian name. A more interesting account of such a circumstance is given by Cosmo Innes, in his work on Some Scottish Surnames.
[186] The coarse language here used is in no way an exaggerated account of what may have actually occurred at the period with which the author is dealing. Great laxity of morals and of speech prevailed; but vice, it must also be stated, came more to the surface than now. The people were uncultivated, and did not seek to cast a veil of prudery over their failings, however much these were to be reprobated. Swearing was then considered fashionable among the ladies of England: what could be expected from the peasantry of Scotland?
[187] Belief in dreams and omens was almost universal, and was fostered by the chap dream-books, whose modern successors may be found in Napoleon’s Book of fate, etc.
[188] The foregoing paragraph was thus given in the abridged editions:—‘There was a custom in Bucky harbour, when they got a hearty drink, that they went down to dance among the boats, two or three of the oldest went into a boat to see the rest dance, and when they admitted a burgher, there was always a dance. One day they admitted gly’d Rob, who was a warlock, and made them all stop their dancing, for which he was carried before wise Willie to answer for that, for which he was banished to the isle of May, to carry coals to the Light House.’