[345] Spal. Club Misc., ii. 396. For something more regarding Robin Abroch, see under October 26, 1624.
[346] Privy Council Record.
[347] Von Buch’s Travels through Norway.
[348] Denmylne MSS., apud Pitcairn, iii. 52.
[349] This narrative, as well as the letters of challenge, is printed entire in the Guardian, Nos. 129 and 133.
[350] In March 1615, James Stewart is once more, and very solemnly, condemned by the Privy Council to exile, in consequence of fresh offences of the same kind.
[351] From a paper in Balfour’s MSS., printed in Bannatyne Miscellany, vol. iii.
[352] Some Observations of Mr John Livingstone, MS. Adv. Lib. ‘It appears from the council registers of Aberdeen, that the corporation voluntarily gave a thousand merks for the support of M‘Birnie’s widow and children.’—Notes to Coll. Hist. Aber. and Banff, Spal. Club.
[353] Sting is a Scotch word for a pole, and the phrase sting and ling is believed to express simply the method of carrying practised by draymen.
[354] This unheard-of snow-fall was equally notable in the south. When the thaw came, it caused an unexampled flood in the Ouse of Yorkshire, which lasted ten days, carrying away a great number of bridges. ‘After this storm followed such fair and dry weather, that in April the ground was as dusty as in any time of summer. The drought continued till the 20th of August, and made such a scarcity of hay, beans, and barley, that the former was sold at York for 30s. and 40s. a wainload.’—History of York, 1785, i. 256.