The paper for 4th May related that, lately, ‘a young man, a merchant in Edinburgh, came to Leith to see a female friend take boat in order to cross the water. The boat being put off and near the pier-end before he came down, and he observing a rival in the boat with madame, was so exasperate, that in order to get at ’em, he jumped off the pier-end into the flood, and had actually perished by this passionate frolic, had not two of Montague’s regiment stepped down, and with both difficulty and danger, haled him out.’—C. M.
Feb. 6.
‘Died the Duchess of Buccleuch and Monmouth, Countess of Dalkeith, &c., aged about 90. She was relict of James Duke of Monmouth, natural son of Charles II., beheaded on Tower Hill, July 15, 1685. She had issue by the Duke, James, late Earl of Dalkeith, and Henry, late Earl of Deloraine. In 1688, she was again married to Charles Lord Cornwallis, and had issue a son and two daughters. By her death, an estate of £15,000 per annum, and the title of Duke of Buccleuch, descend to Francis, Earl of Dalkeith, her grandson.’—C. M.
Oct. 18.
Thomas Ruddiman gave in his paper an account of an incident at Musselburgh, such as a subsequent native, the late David M. Moir (Delta), would have delighted to paint in even |1732.| greater breadth. The magistrates, according to ancient annual custom, had to perform the ceremony of riding round the marches of their burghal property. On this occasion, they were attended by their vassals and the burgesses, to the number of 700, all of them of course mounted and in their best array. ‘The trumpets and hautboys marched in front; then the magistrates and town council, followed by the gentlemen vassals, with the town standard; after them the several incorporations, distinguished by their respective shining new standards, and headed by the masters of the crafts. In this good order they marched out to the Links, making a gay appearance. But, alas! while they were marshalling, an unlucky difference arose between the weavers and the tailors, which should have the pas or precedency. In order to prevent effusion of the blood of his majesty’s good subjects, they agreed to submit the merits of the cause to the magistrates. The tailors argued that, as the precedency had previously fallen to them by lot, no opposition could now be offered in that respect. It was alleged, on the other hand, that they—the weavers—were Men, and as such preferable at all events to Tailors. This signal affront could not be digested. Accordingly, to work they went, without waiting the decision of authority; and while the weaver squadron were filing off to take the post of honour, with Captain Scott at their head, Adjutant Fairley, who acted in that capacity to the tailor squadron, directed a blow at the captain’s snout, which brought him to the ground. Thus were the two corps fiercely engaged, and nought was to be seen but heavy blows, hats off, broken heads, bloody noses, and empty saddles; till at last the plea of manhood seemed to go in favour of the needlemen, who took Scott, hero of the weavers, prisoner, disarmed him, and beat his company quite out of the field, though far more numerous. It was with the utmost difficulty that the weavers got their standard carried off, which they lodged in their captain’s quarters under the discharge of three huzzas: ’tis true the conquering tailors were then off the field, and at a mile’s distance. The weavers allege, in excuse of their retreat, that the butcher squadron had been ordered up to assist the tailors, and that they did not incline to engage with these men of blood.’—C. M.
1733. Oct. 30.
A circumstance somewhat like the Tain entertainment, in honour of Governor Macrae, took place in Edinburgh, on this king’s birthday, which was observed with unusual rejoicings, on account of the recent stimulus to loyalty from the marriage of the Princess Royal to the Prince of Orange. ‘David Campbell, his Majesty’s Tailor for Scotland, came to this kingdom from Jamaica, purely on design to solemnise the day. He accordingly entertained at his lodgings in the Abbey his Majesty’s Blue Gowns C. M.
Oct.
The Caledonian Mercury gives a droll, chirping account of an association which, it is easy to see, had in view the prevention of an over-severe excise system for Scotland. Yesternight, says the paragraph, ‘there came on, at the Parrot’s Nest in this city, the annual election of office-bearers in the ancient and venerable Assembly of Birds; when the Game-cock was elected preses; the Blackbird, treasurer; the Gled, principal clerk; the Crow, his depute; and the Duck, officer; all birds duly qualified to our happy establishment, and no less enemies to the excise scheme. After which an elegant entertainment was served up; all the royal and loyal healths were plentifully drunk in the richest wines; the glorious 205; all the bonny birds, &c. On this joyful occasion nothing was heard but harmonious music, each bird striving to excel in chanting and warbling their respective melodious notes.’ The glorious 205, it may be remarked, were those members of the House of Commons who had recently thrown out a bill for increasing the tax on tobacco.
1734. Mar. 6.