E.H.Y.
Robertson of Muirtown (Vol. ii., p. 253.).—In thanking A.R.X. for his reference to a pedigree of Robertson of Muirtown, I should be glad if he can explain to me the connection with that branch of George Robertson, of St. Anne's, Soho, who lived in the middle of the last century, and married Elizabeth Love, of Ormsby, co. Norfolk. He was uncle, I believe, to Mr. Robertson Barclay (who assumed the last name), of Keavil, co. Fife, and nearly related, though I cannot say in what degree, to William Robertson, of Richmond, whose daughter Isabella married David Dundas, created a baronet by George III., and one of whose granddaughters was married to Sir James Moncreiff, and another to Dr. Sumner, the present Archbishop of Canterbury. This William Robertson, I believe sold the Muirtown property. Is he one of those mentioned in the work to which A.R.X. has referred me? and was he the first cousin to Robertson the historian? Perhaps A.R.X. can also say whether the arms properly borne by the Muirtown branch are those given to them in Burke's Armory, viz. Gu. three crescents interlaced or, between as many wolves' heads erased arg. armed and langued az., all within a bordure of the third, charged with eight mullets of the first. The late Rev. Love Robertson, Prebendary of Hereford (son of the above George Robertson), was accustomed to use: Gu. three wolves' heads erased arg., armed and langued az., which are the arms of the original stock of Strowan. As I am entitled to quarter his coat, I should be glad to know the correct blazonry.
C.R.M.
Booty's Case.—Where can an authentic report be found of "Booty's case," and before what judge was it tried? The writer would also be obliged with an account of the result of the case, and a note of the summing up, as far as it is to be ascertained. The case is said to be well known in the navy.
DEMONOLOGIST.
[We have seen it stated that this case was tried in the Court of King's Bench about the year 1687 or 1688.]
Did St. Paul's Clock ever strike Thirteen.—There is a very popular tradition that a soldier, who was taxed with having fallen asleep at midnight, whilst on guard, managed to escape the severe punishment annexed to so flagrant a dereliction of duty, by positively averring, as evidence of his having been "wide awake," that he had heard the clock of St. Paul's Cathedral strike thirteen at the very time at which he was charged with having indulged in forbidden slumbers. The tradition of course adds, indeed this is its point, that, upon inquiry, it was found that the famous horary monitor of London city had, "for that night only," actually treated those whose ears were open, with the, till then, unheard of phenomenon of "thirteen to the dozen." Can any of your readers state how this story originated, or whether it really has any foundation in fact?
HENRY CAMPKIN.
Jan. 9. 1851.