"By

( he wished the lease renewed. The two stewards |nificent from its ruins. Upon one of these occade had other views; they refused to renew the lease,sions he used fearful cruelty, causing all the store and the old farmer was about to emigrate, when of provisions, which the English had laid up in Khis Grace of Gordon came unexpectedly from his castle, to be heaped together, bursting the aabroad; he asked for, and obtained, an audience.wine and beer-casks among the wheat and flour, He told his story, tradition says, in a way so cha-slaughtering the cattle upon the same spot, and haracteristic and graphic, that the noble landlord upon the top of the whole cutting the throats of was highly pleased: he renewed the lease with his the English prisoners. This pleasantry of the own hand, and invited him to dinner. The good" good Lord James" is commemorated under the er wine added to the farmer's joy: he told pleasant naine of the Douglas's Larder. A more pleasing ost stories; said many dry and humourous things; tale of chivalry is recorded by Godcroft. and his Grace was so much entertained, that he this means, and such other exploits, he so affrightthe took Ramsay-a stiff Presbyterian-through his ed the enemy, that it was counted a matter of house. From the picture-gallery they went into great jeopardie to keep this castle, which began the chapel, ornamented with silver images of the to be called the adventurous (or hazardous) castle saints and apostles. The old man looked on them of Douglas; whereupon Sir John Walton being with wonder, and said-" Who may these gentle-in suit of an English lady, she wrote to him, that men be, and what may your Grace do wi' them?" when he had kept the adventurous castle of Dou"These,' said his Grace, are the saints to whom glas seven years, then he might think himself thewe address our prayers, when we wish Gop to be worthy to be a suitor to her. Upon this occasion merciful and kind; they are our patron saints and Walton took upon him the keeping of it, and sucheavenly intercessors." "I'll tell ye what," said ceeded to Thruswall, but he ran the same fortune the old man, with the light of a wicked laugh in with the rest that were before him. For Sir his eye," fiend ha'e me, if I would trust them: James, having first dressed an ambuscado near when I wanted my lease renewed, I went to Mei-unto the place, he made fourteen of his men take kle Sandie Gordon and Wee Sandie Gordon, and of all I got was cannie words, till I made bold, and spak to your Grace. Sae drop Saint Andrew, my Lord, and address his betters." His Grace soon after became a Protestant; and tradition attributes his conversion to the story of Meikle Sandie Gordon and Wee Sandie Gordon; a story that for a century and more has been popular in Scotland.

THE GOOD SIR JAMES DOUGLAS.

so many sacks, and fill them with grass, as though it had been corn, which they carried in the way to Lanark, the chief market-town in that county: 90 hoping to draw forth the captain by that bait, and either to take him or the castle, or both. Neither was this expectation frustrated, for the captain did bite, and came forth to have taken this victual (as he supposed.) But ere he could reach these carriers, Sir James, with his company, had gotten between the castle and him; and these disguised The "good Lord James of Douglas," during carriers, seeing the captain following after them, the commotions in the time of Robert Bruce, did quickly cast off their sacks, mounted themoften took from the English his own castle of selves on horseback, and met the captain with a Douglas, but being unable to garrison it, contented sharp encounter, being so much the more amazed, himself with destroying the fortifications, and re-as it was unlooked for: wherefore, when he saw tiring into the mountains. As a reward to his these carriers metamorphosed into warriors, and patriotism, it is said to have been prophesied, ready to assault him, fearing that which was, that that how often soever Douglas Castle should be there was some train laid for them, he turned destroyed, it should always again arise more mag-about to have retired to his castle, but there he

also met with his enemies; between which two, returned back, and soon after meeting one of his companies he and his whole followers were slain, tenants, he was asked, "Weel, laird, and what so that none escaped: the captain afterwards being shall it be noo? shall it be Steeny wood, or Wud searched, they found (as it is reported) his mis-Steeny?" tress's letter about him."

ARCHBISHOPRIC OF ST. Andrew's.

There was no archbishop in Scotland prior to the year 1471, about ninety years before the reformation. The oldest bishop usually presided in ecclesiastical councils. In that year the see of St. Andrew was raised to be an archbishopric, and metropolitan of all Scotland. This was considered an accession of dignity to the kingdom, and as cutting off all pretext for the primate of York claiming superiority. Nevertheless, the change was violently opposed by the envy of the clergy, and the first archbishop, Graham, suffered much persecution.

CAPPADOCIA AND MESOPOTAMIA.

There was in the lowland part of Perthshire, some years ago, a clergyman so eminent in the pulpit for the exertion of his musical powers, that when he pronounced the word Cappadocia, the women began to sob; but when, with the true Caledonian circumflex twang, he brought out Mesopotamia, there was a general concert of affliction.

MORRIS WELLS.

PORT-GLASGOW BELL

A bell having been presented to the town of Port-Glasgow, the wise men, to do it honour, had it painted, but were much surprised to find its tones much deadened. To cure its dumbness, they were obliged to boil, roast, and scrape it, and at last recovered its natural powers.

A REFRESHING FEE.

The celebrated Lord Gardenstone once performed, on Mr. Crossbie, a practical joke of a very humourous nature. This gentleman, in the course of a walk from Morningside, where he resided, met a rustic going to Edinburgh, in order to hear his cause pleaded that forenoon, in which Mr. C had been retained as counsel. The facetious senator directed the man to procure a dozen or two of farthings at a snuff-shop in the Grass-market, to wrap them separately up in a white paper, under occasion served, in the capacity of fees. C.'s the disguise of guineas, and to present them, as heart happening not to be particularly interested in the case, he could not help frequently flagging in his eloquence, to the imminent danger of being non-suited. His treacherous client, however, kept close behind his back, and ever and anon, as he perceived him bringing his voice to a cadence, for the purpose of closing the argument, slipped the other farthing into his hand. The repeated application of this silent encouragement, so far stimulated Mr. C. in his exertions, that he strained every nerve his soul possessed, in grateful zeal for the interest of his client; and, precisely at the fourteenth farthing, gained the cause. The de Moir, the laird of Stoney wood, raised a party of nouement of the conspiracy, which took place troops, and served in the army of Prince Charles, immediately after in John's coffee-house, over a in 1745. After the battle of Culloden, he encoun-bottle of wine, with which Mr. Crossbie had tered much peril of his life. Having, at last, ob-treated Lord Gardenstone, from the profits of his tained a pardon, and restoration of his estates, he pleadings, can only be imagined.

Half a mile north-west of Cairn Catta, in Buchan, at the bottom of a small descent, is a valuable natural curiosity, seldom to be met with. It has nine fine and perpetual prolific springs, called Morris Wells, which have neither increased nor decreased in the memory of man. They are placed in three equal divisions, but the first is not above twenty yards from the last.

STEENYWOOD AND WUD STEENY.

MURDER OF THE DUKE OF ROTIISAT.

till the governor and his council, assembled at Culross, should determine the place of his confinement. The tower of Falkland was named; and thither Albany and Douglas, with a strong band of followers, conducted the prince, seated on a labouring horse, and covered with a russet cloke, to defend him from the falling rain. Here, under the custody of John Selkirk and John Wright, two assassins employed by Albany, the most cruel of deaths, that of famine, awaited the heir of the monarchy: and he was buried in a private manner at Lindoris, distant from the tombs of the Scottish kings, or those of his family, the conspirators not daring, by a funeral pomp, to awaken the attention and detection of the people.

PATRICK FORBES,

the king of the castle of St. Andrew's, till the apTHE crime that chiefly disgraces the adminis-pointment of another bishop. When the unsustration of the Duke of Albany, is the murder of pecting prince was riding with a small attendance, his nephew, the Duke of Rothsay, eldest son of between Nydie and Straburn, near St Andrew's, Robert III., in the guilt of which, it is but too he was seized, and held a prisoner in the castle, clear, he had the principal share. The good qualities of the prince, who was endued with a comely person, an honest heart, and an able head, a sweet and affable temper, and who gave every promise of becoming a wise and active sovereign, excited the jealousy of the crafty and ambitious governor. Dreading him as the rival of his present power, and the subverter of his future projects, he resolved on the destruction of the heir of the kingdom. The power and sense of the Queen, the gravity of Trail, Bishop of St. Andrew's, a chief promoter of concord, the valour and wisdom of the first Archibald Earl of Douglas, had balanced the ambition of Albany; but these three supporters of the monarchy died within a short period, and the governor's passions had no longer any controul, save from Rothsay's merit and just pretensions. The decrepid and infirm monarch was, Patrick Forbes was born in 1564, when the afas usual, distant from the public scene, and guided fairs of the church of Scotland were in great conby those around him, among whom was now, un-fusion. He was distinguished by his family, as Chappily, one Ramorgny, a knight, but a villain, well as by his uncommon merit, being himself whom the generous nature of the prince had made lord of Corse, and baron of O'Neil, in the shire of this enemy. At his suggestion, which may be Aberdeen. He was liberally educated, both at construed that of Albany, Robert sent a written Aberdeen and St. Andrew's; and having a plentiorder to the Regent, to arrest his son, and confine ful estate, a noble alliance, and great credit in his him for a short time, in order to subdue his stub-country, he contributed much towards restoring #born spirit, forgetful how short a path leads a prince from the prison to the grave. The royal mandate was borne by Ramorgny and by another enemy of Rothsay, Sir William Lindsay, whose sister, Euphemia, had been affianced to the prince, and rejected. From these circumstances it may be perceived, that the scheme was laid, and conducted with all the deep and dark art of consummate villainy. Albany, receiving the order with joy, resolved on its immediate enforcement, and that the bearers should be the executors. Privacy was necessary; and Rothsay was inveigled into Fife, upon pretence that he should take possession for

order, by encouraging pious and peaceable ministers, and by instructing the people in set conferences as well as occasional discourses; especially the papists, who would hear nothing from the pulpit. In this laudable manner he acted as a layman; and his abilities became so conspicuous, that he was often solicited to enter into the ministry, by eminent persons both in church and ́ state. He at length submitted to their judgment, and was ordained a presbyter at the age of twenty-eight. He was admitted minister of Keith, where he continued with the highest applause till 1618; and then, at the earnest desire of the clergy

C

and laity of the diocese of Aberdeen, as well as at | permitted her lover to make her private nocturthe express command of the king, was promoted nal visits, the fruit of which was the loss of her to the bishopric of Aberdeen, which he had held honour. This intrigue had lasted some months, about seventeen years. "It was," says Burnet, when some neighbours passing by the house one "with great difficulty, that king James made him night, saw the young man come out, and retire accept that dignity; and for several months he with great precaution. Such a discovery, howrefused it, having proposed to himself to live in a ever, only brought the lady's virtue in question, less conspicuous state. It was soon seen, how and as they were not interested in that, they much he deserved to be a bishop; and that his wisely kept the secret. refusal was not counterfeit, but the real effect of his humility. In all his behaviour he has displayed the character of a truly apostolic man. He visited his diocese without pomp and noise, attended only by one servant, that he might more easily be informed of what belonged to his care, &c."

This excellent man died in 1635, aged seventyone, after having two days before sent for all the clergy in Aberdeen to receive the sacrament with him. His "Commentary upon the Revelations," was printed at London in 1613. He was a great promoter and guardian of learning as well as of religion. "He took so much care of the two colleges he had in his diocese, that," as Burnet says, "they soon distinguished themselves, and became famous all over Scotland." As he was chancellor of the university of Aberdeen, he improved that seat of learning, by repairing the fabric, augmenting the library, reviving the professions of divinity, canon-law, and physic, and procuring another professorship in divinity to be

added.

TORTURE IN SCOTLAND.

A young gentleman, of the name of M'Leod, being passionately in love with a young lady of superior rank and fortune, nearly allied to the house of Montgomery, in Glasgow; and having won her affections, the young couple found themselves under a necessity to conceal their mutual inclination, from a dread of the lady's father, who aimed at nothing less than a noble alliance for his daughter.

Under these circumstances, the imprudent girl

Some time after, the same house was found to be stript of the plate, and other valuable effects, to a considerable amount. The servants discovered the robbery when they awoke in the morning; but not the least conjecture could be made by whom committed. The neighbours then thought it their duty to clear themselves from all suspicion, and with this view they made a declaration before the magistrate of what they had seen. Appearances were so strong against the youth, that the magistrate had him immediately arrested and charged with the fact. He disowned the crime with indignation; but a generous concern for the honour of his mistress would not permit him to confess the true motive of his visit; but still denying the crime, the judges ordered him the torture.

This transaction happening in the time of James the IVth, the torture had been mitigated to what was sufficient to answer the purpose of extorting truth or falsehood, from the unhappy victims, whose strength or resolution was not equal to its torments. It consisted in making them swallow a certain quantity of water, which done, they extended them on the floor of the prison, and placed a plank upon the stomach, on which the executioner stood, and pressed the poor wretch, until he regorged the water with extreme violence; this cruel punishment was repeated until the party confessed the crime of which he was accused.

The rumour of this sentence having passed on Mr. M'Leod, reached the ears of his mistress. Affection and gratitude made her determine to save the life of this generous man, at the hazard

In the interval, the hand of providence wrought his deliverance. Two highway-men were condemned for real crimes, and being under sentence of death, were thrown into the same dungeon. Here they were made acquainted with the cause of Mr. M'Leod's deplorable situation, and having no hopes of life themselves, they resolved not to suffer an innocent man to die for a crime which they had committed. Without loss of time, therefore, they imparted such evident proofs of their having committed the robbery, that the youth was set at liberty.

of her publishing her own dishonour. She threw numbers, close to the beach, as to take them up herself at the feet of the judges, confessed the in pails or buckets. With base avarice, he conintrigue, and added, that it was impossible he cealed the favours of providence: but his new could be the criminal, for she had always let him fishery became gradually known to his neighbours, in and out of the house herself. This declaration who profited by his example, and soon began to was considered by the judges as a love stratagem; sell in the neighbouring country the supplies it produced no effect; and the unfortunate youth, gleaned from the shores. When it was reported, not able to endure the pain of the torture, con- that a shoal of herrings were found so far up the fessed the robbery, and required as a particular frith, the fishermen gave no credit to the tale, favour, that the judges would not delay his death; because such a circumstance had not been known but fortunately for him, this request was not com- before. At last, in 1793, some fishermen of plied with, it being the custom in those days to Queensferry set their herring nets, and their astopostpone the execution of criminals to a fixed day, nishing success roused the torpid spirit of their that the example might strike more terror. brethren, who, from the gradual failure of all kinds of fishing along the coast, had become timid and spiritless. An instance of their want of energy and faith on this subject, has been mentioned by an intelligent seaman. About twenty years before the fishing commenced, the mainsail of his vessel had accidentally fallen overboard in the bay of Inverkeithing; when it was hauled on board, it was found to contain a great number of herrings in its folds. He reported this circumstance to many fishermen, but could not prevail on one of them to make a trial for herrings, so strong was their prejudice against their being found at a distance from their wonted haunts. The success of the Queensferry boats excited general attention, and this fishery has been followed with perseverance and good fortune, not only by the fishermen of Fife, but of a great part of the east coast of Scotland, and of the Frith of Clyde, and of Ireland, who come through the canal in the end of autumn, and remain till the close of the fishing season. At first the herrings sold about half-acrown or three shillings per crane, which is the fill of a barrel placed on the beach, or on a deck, with its two ends taken out. They rose afterwards to ten shillings, about which price they continued some years. In 1800 and 1801, they were as high as twenty-five shillings, and have been this year about twenty shillings. There appears to be no difference, as some people supposed, betwixt these herrings, and those formerly caught in the lower

HERRING FISHERY IN THE FORTH.

In 1793, the new herring fishery began in the Frith of Forth. It is not very creditable to the attention and vigilance of the fishermen of Fife, that this vast fund of national wealth was not resorted to earlier. When the herrings left the shores near the mouth of the frith, it was supposed they had taken their departure altogether from our coasts, and no attempts were made to discover them in the shallow waters of the upper parts of the frith. The discovery of them is said to have been made accidentally by a poor man, named Thomas Brown, who lived near Dunnibirsel. For many years, he had been wont to fish, with hook and line, for haddocks or podlies along the shore. During the winter seasons, he took many herrings In this way and is reported to have observed such