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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http: //books .google .com/I i i THE NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF SCOTLAND. VOL. X. i THE NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF S C T L A N 1). BY THK MINI8TER8 OF THE RE8PECTIVE PAR18HE8, UNDKK TUB SUPERINTENDENCE OF A COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE CUSBGY. VOL. X. PKRTH. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH AND LONDON. MDCCCXLV. PERTH. 2:ttre CONTENTS. ABRRDALGIE AND DUPPLIN» • PAOB 876 ABERFOYLR, ■ 1150 ABESNETBY, 838 ABBBNYTE, . 219 ALTTH, 1110 ARNGASK, • » 88? AUCHTERARDBR, 285 AUCHTERGAVEN, 423 BALQUBIDDBRy 344 BENDOCHY, 1176 BLACKFORD, 297 BLAIB-ATHOL, 558 BLAIRGOWRIE, • 896 CALLANDER, 349 CAPUTB, 670 CARGILL, 1167 CLUNIE, 1024 COLLACE, 210 COMRIE, 578 COUPAR-ANGUS, 1141 CRIEFF, 487 C17LROSS, 597 DRON, 862 DULL, 752 DUNBARNY, 790 DUNBLANE, 1038 DUNKELD AND DOWALLY, 958 DUNNING, t 716 ERROL, • • 367 FORGANDBNNY, • 948 FORTEVIOT, • 1172 FORTINGAL, . • 527 FOSSOWAY AND TlTLLfEBOLE, 1016 FOWLI8 WESTER, • 249 GASK • • 281 GLBNDOVAN, . • 338 INCBTURB, • • ■ 825 KENMORR, • • +52 KILLIN, . • • - . 1066 VUl CONTBNTS. KILMADOGK, KILSPINDIE, KINCARDINE IN MONTKITH, KINCLAVEN, KINPAUNS, KINNAIRD, KINNOULL, KIRKMICEIAKL, LECROPT, LETHENDY AND KIN LOCH, LITTLE DUNKELD, LOGIERAIT, LONGFORGAN, MADDRRTY, MEIGLK, . . . METIIVRN« MONRYDIE, MONIVAIRD AND STROWAN, . HONZIE, MOULIN, MUCKART, MUTllILL, PERTH, PORT OF MENTKITH, RATTRAY, REDGORTON, RHYND, ST MADOKS, ST MARTINS AND rAMBUSMICIlAKL, SCONK, TIBBERMORE, TRINITY CASK, TULLIALLAN, WBEM, PAGE 1224 1162 1243 . 1129 1205 228 933 785 1 160 1001 1005 685 405 748 232 142 198 723 262 637 301 311 I 1095 239 562 361 007 873 1043 1028 335 867 702 PARISH OF PERTH. • PRESBYTERY OF PERTH, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. REV. WILLIAM THOMSON, D.D. Old or Middle Church, 1560. REV. ANDREW GRAY, . West Churchy 1716. REV. JAMES ESDAILE, . Eatt Chwxhy 1771. REV. JOHN FINDLAY, . St PauVt, 1807. REV. JOHN FERGUSON, . St Stephen' 9y\9;^. REV. JAMES MILLAR, St Leonards, 1836. I. — Topography and Natural History. Latitude and Longitude, — The latitude of the Academy of Perth is 56° «3^ 40" N., and its longitude b° 26' 20" W. As a subject intimately connected with geographical position, it may also be mentioned, that the magnetic variation was 26° 54' W. in Noyember 1836. In 1815, when the magnetic north seemed to baye attained its furthest range to the westward of the true north, the variation was 28^ lO' W. ; hence the annual diminution seems at present to be about 3^ ; but as the changes of all variable mag- nitudes, when near the maximum state, are smaller than the mean rate of change, the decrement will probably become more rapid till toward the close of the present century. Name. — The etymology of,the name is uncertain. Lord Hailes in his Annals, says, that he had been favoured with different inter- pretations of the word, and that not knowing which to choose, he had omitted them all. Fordun, in his Scotichroiucon, tells us, that he had found in some ancient writings that the town was for- merly called Bertha. The names of many places in the neigh^ bourhood are of Celtic origin. The vernacular language of the people not many miles from Perth, is Celtic, at the present day. Bhar-tatJia is a Celtic word, and signifies the height of Tay.-f- Thus ■ Drawn up by the Rev. Dr William Thomson, Minister of the Old Church pa- rish, Perth. For the valuable communication on the subjects of Topography, Mirteorology, Hydrography, Geology, and Mineralogy, the writer is indebted to his very talented 6cienti£: friiad» Adam Anderson, Esq. LL. 1)., Rector of tlie Perth Aeademy. -f- I shall here give some names in point. Dundee (Gaelic) Dhun-tatha, the hill of Tay ; Broughty (Gaelic,) Bhruich-tatha, the sloping ground, or brae of Tay ; PERTH. A 2 PERTHSHIRE. Kinnoul Hill, which is immediately contiguous to the town, may be the height referred to. B. and P. were and still are used by the Celts indiscriminately, and Bert, Berth, and Perth, are evi- dently contractions for Bertha. The parish of Perth contains altogether about 3410 imperial acres, and exhibits a considerable diversity of soil and aspect. Up- wards of two-thirds of it consist of rich arable land ; and of the remaining third about 750 acres are planted, and 350 acres are in a state of hilly pasture, the rocky nature of which seems to bid defiance to the farther encroachment of the plough. Boundaries^ Topographical Appearances. — The shape of the parish is somewhat incurvated, the extreme length, following the varying direction of the curvature, being about five miles, and the greatest breadth about a mile and a quarter. As the Tay washes the concave side of the arch by which the parish is bounded on the north and east, the general slope of the ground is toward the same quarter of the horizon. On the east and south-east, it is bounded by the Tay and the parish of Rhynd ; on the south by the parish of Rhynd and Aberdalgie ; on ,the west by the parish of Aberdalgie, Tibbermore and Forte viot; and on the north and north-east by the parish of Redgorton. The mountain ranges which occur in the parish form the west^ ern extremity of the Sidlaw hills, and are of limited altitude, the highest point (MoncriefF hill) rising only to the height of 756 feet above the mean level of the ocean. The surface of the parish is nevertheless diversified with numerous swelling ridges of moderate elevation, which graduate by insensible degrees into rich and fer- tile plains in a state of the highest culture, and bearing abundant crops of every species of grain. Though the hills skirting the parish are of the limited height already noticed, the view from their summit is at once extensive and varied, presenting on all sides prospects of unrivalled fertility and beauty, in which every object that can adorn the landscape is finely and harmoniously blended. The view from MoncriefF hill, in particular, is acknowleged to be one of the finest in Scotland. The soil of the parish consists, in the upland district, of a rich loam, which has resulted from the decomposition of the trap tuff, Ktncarathie, (Gaelic) Ceaii.car-tatha, the head or turn of Tay ; Abdie, Abbey-tatha, the abbey of Tay. N. B. — There is no Celtic word for abt)ey. The word spelled tetha in Gaelic sounds as ta in English. 3 and other mouldeiitig rocks, which at one period crownedtbe more elevated ridges. The low grounds along the bank of the Tav are composed chiefly of aluminous earth or clay, resting on beds of gravel and other alluvial, or rather lacustrine deposits, and are well adapted for bearing every species of grain. Their height above the mean level of the sea, varies from 20 to 30 feel, and as the plain on which the town is erected is still lower, it is occasionally exposed, during a flooded state of the Tay, to the inconvenience of partial inundation. Cultivation has been carried in the parish almost to the sum- mit of the hills, insomuch that crops of every description are raia- ed within 200 feet of the most elevated point. The following heights have been carefully ascertained by the ba- rometer. Migbat point of Edinburgh roMl (Mordun hill,) IRafeM. Hillabcne Fiiartoirn Turnpike, . . SM St Hmgdalcne'i hill, ■■ - 462 Hi^wst point on rat lida of the pviih, • - 618 MoDcrieff hill, . ■ - ■ 7X No caverns or fissures that can claim particular notice are to be (bimd in the parish, excepting perhaps on the south-side of Moncnefi' hill, the precipitous face of which exhibits some basaltic rocks of a columnar structure, occasionally standing out in detached masses of tlie most fantastic forms, and separated from the main body of the trap rocks, with which they are connected by intervening Assures of considerable width. Otology. — The greater part of the parish rests upon the red sandstone formation, which stretches through the valleys of Strath- more and Strathearn. The character of this rock, wherever it pre- Knls itself in the neighbourhood, whether in aniGcIal excavations, or deep ravines formed by the action of water, exhibits little varia- tion, either in composition or external appearance. In some few instances, the mica predominates, and being feebly united with the siliceous particles by means of an aigillaceous cement, the stone, when exposed to the weather, crumbles down, and is thus unfit for the purpose of building. Occasionally, nodules of granite, primitive limestone, porphyritic trap, Lydian stone, and hard masses of in- durated clay are imbedded in the sandstone; but noorganic remains, either of an animal or vegetable nature, have at any time been dis- coTered in it within the parish. Dip and direction of the Stratification. — The dip of the strati- Bed rocks, which is towards the north-west, has been carefiilly ex- 4 PERTHSHIRE. amined in a great variety of situations, and generally ranges from 1 0^ to 20°.* The lowest stratum of the extensive formation of sand- stone which traverses the parish occurs at the Friartown turnpike, about a mile and a half from the city, where the dip is Xb"" towards the N. W. by W. At the waterfall of Craigie, which is about half a mile to the north-west of this point, (and though about 80 feet lower in situation, occupies a more elevated place in the stratification,) the sandstone is covered by the trap which seems to have flowed over it, from the great mass of that rock to the south-west of it, when the latter was in a state of fusion. The inclination of the subjacent sandstone has accordingly undergone.no change, the dip being 12° 45' towards the N. W. ^ W. ; but the layers, in immediate contact with the trap, are assimilated to it in appearance, and possess great hardness, with a semi-crystalline structure. Tracing a line from the Friartown to the parish church of Money die, which is almost exactly in the direction of the plane of the dip, the distance is about 6 miles ; and as the dip of the stratification at the latter point, is 12^ 30' towards the N. W., it mav be inferred that the stratum of sandstone at Moneydie occupies a position, which had originally been upwards of a mile above that which is presented to view at the Friartown. Both strata where they crop out being at present nearly on the same level, it would seem that the portion of the sand- stone rocks above the Friartown, corresponding with the strata at Moneydie, has suffered great disintegration ; and indeed, however extravagant the opinion may seem, it is far from being inconsistent with appearances to suppose, that the debris of these rocks gave birth to the shifting hills of loose sand, which occur at the mouth of the Tay ; as well as to the extensive accumulation of arenaceous tumuli lying between that river and the mouth of the Eden, form- ing what is called the Tents -moor. The trap rocks which run along the southern boundary of the parish may be regarded as a continuation of the Sidlaw range of hills, and possess a direction which coincides with that of the planes of the adjacent sandstone strata; and it seems highly pro- bable, that the latter received their present dip and position from the same internal movement which gave existence to the former. From the main body of the trap, whin dikes may be traced, issu- ing at various points, and retaining for many miles a westerly direc- tion. These dikes, which are generally about 60 feet wide, seem to have resulted from immense fissures in the sandstone, formed * In the imme<^iate ▼icinity of the trap rocks, the dip extends soxnetimet to 35*. PERTH. ri O at the period when the strata were shifted from their horizontal po- sition ; their cavities being at the same time filled up by the melt- ed matter, which flowed into them from the principal mass of the fused trap. In accordance with this hypothesis of the origin of whin dikes, it is uniformly observed that the stratum of sandstone, in contact with the trap, exhibits a more compact and crystalline aspect ; the siliceous particles being more intimately blended ¥dth the mica, and other substances of which the sand- stone is composed, and converted into a homogeneous rock of great hardness ; while the dip of the stratification, at the distance of a few yards from the vein, is considerably altered, so as to exhibit, within the compass of several feet, a great variety of inclination. The hill of Moncrieffis almost entirely composed of compact trap, or greenstone, which on the south side exhibits a columnar structure. Near its western extremity, patches of conglomerate make their appearance, but it is difficult to trace either their thickness or ex- tent. On the western side of the great Edinburgh road, detach- ed rounded hills, also of the trap family, and occasionally present- ing an abrupt face of moderate elevation, towards the south-west, stretch onward to the western boundaries of the parish. These rocky eminences sometimes graduate into conglomerate, the nodu- les of which are always more firmly united at the line of junction; and frequently they betray the most unequivocal symptoms of hav- ing been exposed to igneous action. At other times, the basalt passes-by degrees into the rocks of a porphyritic structure, which are usually associated with trap ; felspar and augite being the more common ingredients in their composition. In some Ccises veins of calc-spar, varying from a small fraction of an inch to se- veral inches in width, traverse the more compact rocks ; and oc- casionally these calcareous veins include detached angular portions of the principal rock through which they are disseminated. Conglomerate, — An immense bed of conglomerate, composed chiefly of rounded nodules of porphyritic trap, varying in size from a pea to a man's head, runs along the southern part of the parish, above the farm of St Magdalenes. At various pi ces, thin laminae, consisting of fine-grained materials, of a siliceous nature, may be observed between the larger boulders of which this rugged rock is composed ; and in such cases, it is worthy of remark, that both the degree and direction of the dip coincide exactly with those which belong to the sandstone of the district. Thus, on the north side of St Magdelene's Hill the dip was found to be 14° 30' 6 PERTHSHIBE. towards N. W. JW., while on the south side of the same hill, at the distance of nearly two miles, the dip was 13° towards N. W. At Invermay, six miles onward in the direction of the plane of the strata, the same bed of conglomerate makes its appearance, (but disjoined by the vale of Strathearn,) with similar layers of sandstone interposed, having the same dip and direction. It may also be traced along the southern face of the Sidlaw range, as far as the western shoulder of Kinnoul hill ; its continuity bein^ in- terrupted at this point by the bed of the Tay. It is a curious cir- cumstance, however, that the planes of the lowest strata of the con- glomerate, on both sides of the river, are so nearly coincident, as to imply from that circumstance, and other appearances, that they had formerly been united; large detached masses of conglomerate occurring in the bed of the Tay, in the very position they might have been expected to occupy, in consequence of the disruption of the river. Previously to this event, the whole of the parish of Perth, with the flat and extensive district towards CrieflFand Dun- keld, on which water-worn materials are everywhere to be found, must have been covered by the waters of a lake, of no ordinary magnitude. In support of this opinion it may be stated, that trees of large dimensions, chiefly of the oak and willow kind, and other vegeta- ble productions, are frequently found in the alluvial soil on which the town of Perth is built, at a depth varying from 25 to 40 feet below the present surface ; and, what is still more confirmatory of it, oaks upwards of two feet in diameter may be still seen protruding from the immense bed of clay which forms the southern bank of the Tay, at the Friartown, in positions not less than 20 feet above the highest level of the river, in spring tides. In the mass of clay con- taining these organic remains, beds of fine sand, and other indica- tions of aqueous arrangement are distinctly observable : so that at a period, in the annals of geology, comparatively recent, no doubt can be entertained of a barrier having existed across the present channel of the river sufficient to raise its waters far above their pre- sent level. In fact, an obstruction of 200 feet in height, in the bed of the Tay, between the hills of Kinnoul and Moncrieff*, would cause the waters of the river to find their way to the ocean by the valley of Strathmore; nor are indications wanting that such a state of things once existed, in the chain of lakes, and the gravelly and sandy subsoil, which characterize the district of country stretching between the town of Forfar and Lunan bay. No ores of any description have been discovered to exist in the PEETH. 7 parish ; but agates of great beauty are found in the adjacent pa- rish of Kinnoul ; as well as the sulphate of barytes, the carbonate of strontites, calc-spar, &c. AUumal Deposits. — The alluvial deposits which cover the stra- tified rocks in the less elevated parts of the parish consist of gra- vel formed of rounded portions of granite, quartz, gneiss, and other primitive rocks, intermixed with sand and clay, both of which are frequently in a stratified state. Boulders. — Irregular blocks ofgranite and gneiss, measuring from 3 to 4 feet in every direction, are occasionally to be found on the borders of fields in the less perfectly cultivated spots of the parish ; but in consequence of the improved state of agriculture which now prevails in this district, these obstructions to the plough have long ceased to be observed in the lower grounds. These boulders, be- longing to rocks of the primitive class, must have been rolled from a very great distance to reach their present locality. The alluvial materials, composing th^ subsoil of the lower part of the parish, are largely impregnated with the muriate of lime ; and accordingly, the water obtained from wells and pits, sunk in the town and neighbourhood, are, in all cases, found to hold in so- lution a considerable quantity of the same salt, together with more limited portions of the muriate of soda and magnesia. Rivers and Streams. — The parish is intersected by no running stream deserving of notice, with the exception of the lade for con- veying water to the town-mill to be afterwards described, but it is bounded on the north by the Almond, and on the east by the Tay, which is not only the largest river in Scotland, butif the magnitude of streams be estimated by the quantity of water they convey to the sea, the largest in Britain. The surface from which the various tributaries of this noble river derive their supplies, possesses an area of 2750 square miles, whereas the basin of the Spey contains only 1298| square miles, and that of the Forth 541 square miles. It must be admitted, indeed, that the volume of water, discharged by a river into the ocean, is not always proportional to the extent of the sur- face which it drains; since the varying latitude of the district through which it flows, and still more the inequalities of its sur- face, especially when that surface assumes a mountainous character, modify, in a considerable degree, the quantity of rain that flows into the basin of a river. But in the case of the Tay, as contrasted with the Spey and the Forth, the criterion mentioned may be safe- ly applied ; the geographic position and condition of surface being 8 PERTHSHIRE. pretty much alike, with respect to the basins of the three rivers. It seems probable, therefore, that the Tay discharges about twice as much water as the Spey, and four times as much as the Forth. Quantity of Water discharged by the Tay, — Opposite to the town of Perth, the quantity of water, flowing through a section of the stream, measured with great accuracy for a judicial purpose, was determined by Dr Anderson to be at the rate of 3640 cubic feet per second, at a time when the river was in its mean state. As the area of the basin supplying the various tributaries of the Tay (excluding the basin of the Earn) is equal to 2*398 square miles, if we assume the annual fall of rain for the hilly districts to be dO inches, and suppose that one-third of it is lost by evaporation, and the various processes of vegetation, the mean discharge would be at the rate of 3496 cubic feet per second, which is probably not far from the truth, and differs but little from the above result. In the course of the summer of 1819, the discharge, after a long drought, was reduced to 457 cubic feet per second ; and at the close of the summer of 1835, it was still less. From the gradual exten- sion of the system of draining now generally prosecuted in the i^icultural districts, a very sensible change has taken place, of late years, in the magnitude of the stream, during great floods, as well as long-continued droughts ; and though, owing to the same cause, the Tay now conveys more water to the sea, than it did at a for- mer period, it' is an undoubted fact that the size of the stream, in its ordinary state, is considerably reduced. Tides. — The tide from the ocean flows up the river to a point about a mile above the town, in spring tides ; and rises, at the har- bour, about ten feet above the alveus, or the bed of the stream. At high water, according to the survey of Mr Jardine, the surface of the river attains the same level with the German Ocean ; but it appears by the observations of that accurate and distinguished en- gineer, that the level of the high water at Perth is actually 18 inches higher than it ever attains in the frith of the Tay, three or four miles above Dundee. This singular result is to be ascrib- ed, partly, to the frith of the Tay being so large, that the tide at the mouth of the river begins to subside before it has had suffi- cient time to fill that capacious basin, through the contracted inlet, by which it is admitted at Broughty Ferry ; and partly, to the sub- sequent elevation of the water above its natural level, in conse- quence of the gradual contraction of the channel of the river, from the town of Newburgh to the city of Perth, PERTH. 9 The form of the Tay being so extremely unfavourable to the production of river tides for navigable purposes, it was some years ago su^ested by Dr Anderson to the magistrates of Perth, the conservators of the navigation of the river, that they ought to adopt all the means in their power, in co-operation with landed proprie- tors along its banks, to contract as much as possible the breadth of the stream below the town, by encouraging the construction of embankments in suitable situations, and the junction of islands with either bank, wherever the river flowed in two channels, — com|>en- sating, at the same time, for the diminished area of the section of the stream by a corresponding excavation of its bed. Several is- lands have accordingly been joined of late to the nearest bank, and the result justifies the expectation that the prosecution of si- milar operations, on a more enlarged scale, will ultimately prove highly beneficial to the navigation of the river ; while it will be the means of recovering, at a trifling expense, extensive tracts of rich and valuable land. In fact, were a barrier of loose materials to be thrown across the Tay, from the lands of Pitfour to the west end of Mugdrum island ; and were a similar erection to be execut- ed from the eastern extremity of that island to Invergowriebay, land would be gained, along the north bank of the river, to the extent of upwards of 4000 acres ; and the river, by the operation, would be rendered navigable as far as the harbour of Perth, for vessels of 300 tons burden. The embankment would require for its completion, 960,000 cubic yards of earth, which would cost about L. 20,000 ; and the facing of stone next the river, which would be about 150,000 square yards, would amount to an equal sum ; so that the land would be obtained for about L. 10 per acre, — while the rise of the tides at Perth would be increased by the operation, probably from three to four feet* in perpendicular height. Meteorology. — In describing the meteorological phenomena of the parish, we shall first give a synoptic, or tabular view of the varying physical conditions of the atmosphere, by which the cli- mate of a country is chiefly afiected ; and conclude with such ge- neral obser\'ations on the subject, as the facts stated may seem to suggest. The circumstances which mainly contribute to the pe- culiar character of a climate, vve shall describe under the usual * The jimcCion of two island* with the western bank of the river, one n little abore, and the other a little below the Castle of Elcho, has already had the effect of raising the tides from six to nine inches, and accelerating the time of high water, at Perth, by half an hour. 10 PERTHSHIRE. heads of, Istf Atmospheric pressure, 2dj Temperature ; and Sd^ Humidity. 1. Atmospheric Pressure. — The mean height of the barometer, as deduced from a register of the state of the instrument for a pe- riod of six years, viz. from the beginning of 1829 to the close of 1834, is given for each month in the subjoined table ; the obser- yations having been made daily, at nine o'clock in the morning, and half-past eight o'clock in the evening. A column is annexed to point out the deviations of the means, for each month, from the mean height of the barometer, during the entire period of obser- vation. Month*, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, Height at Height at i AhberatioM of 9 A. M. past 8 p. M. Monthly meant. In. In. In. 29.884 29.889 + .082 .701 .749 —.101 .835 .851 + .033 .778 .786 —.024 .922 .830 + .122 .792 .810 —.010 .859 .870 + .057 .764 .770 —.057 .792 .816 —.010 .809 .825 +.007 .726 .746 . —.076 .763 .750 —.039 Means, 29.802 29.808 The mean pressure, derived from the means of the months, is 29.802 by the observations at nine a. m. ; and 29.808 by the ob- servations at half-past eight p. m. The extreme range of the means, on either side of the mean for the entire period of obser- vation, or the differences, in excess and defect, between the latter mean, and the greatest and least means of each month, during the six years of observation, are, in reference to the morning observa- tions, as follows : Exceu, Extreme range of Meana, In. In. .246 .757 .001 .618 .044 .260 .251 .733 .070 .207 —.008 .26^ .078 .366 — 070 .135 .023 .388 .126 .488 ..010 .325 .367 .771 It appears by these observations that the means, in defect, great- Month*. Defect In. January, .511 February, .617 March, .216 April, .482 May, .137 June, .277 July, .288 August, .205 September, .365 October, .362 November, .335 December, .404 PERTH. 11 ly exceed those in excess, in reference to the average mean for the whole period. Hence it may be concluded, that the causes which give rise to a diminished pressure are more sudden, as well as more powerful in their operation, than those which tend to produce an opposite condition of the atmosphere ; a result which implies that the causes contributing to a low state of the barometer are of local extent, and partial operation ; and may be satisfactorily explained by referring them, partly, to a diminution of aerial elasticity, occa- sioned by the rapid condensation of aqueous vapour ; and partly, to the combustion of large portions of carburetted hydrogen, in the upper regions of the atmosphere, over the place of observation. Hence it may be concluded, that an arithmetical mean between two observations of the barometer, the one expressing the highest, and the other the lowest height of the mercury, will rarely give the true average height for the interval of time between the ob« servations. This fact, which seems to have hitherto escaped the notice of meteorologists, is of considerable importance. The annual range, or the difference between the highest and lowest state of the barometer, in the course of each year, from the banning of 1814, tQ the close of 1822, being a period of nine years, was as subjoined : Vean. Highest, IxmeH. Afnmdl range. Inches. Incites. Inches. 1614, 80.785 28.a*i5 1.950 1B15, 30.G84 28.682 2.002 1816, 30.802 28.534 2.268 1817, 30.744 28.532 2.212 1818, 30.f!35 28.253 2.382 1819, 30.588 28.890 1.696 1820, 31.074 28.717 2.367 1821, 30.876 28.255 2.621 1822, 30.635 28.424 2.211 Means, 30.755 28.569 2.189 The mean annual range thus deduced from observations for a period of nine consecutive years is 2.189 inches: the extreme range for the same period, being the difference between the high- est state of the barometer, which took place on the 9th of July 1820, and the lowest state of it, which occurred on the 5th of March 1818^ is 2.821 inches. The greatest change observed to take place within a limited period occurred in the year 1820; when, ten days afler the very unusual altitude which the mercurial column reached on the 9th of January, it sunk to 28.830, being a change of 2.244 inches, in that short interval of time. We have already stated, that the mean height of the barometer at Perth, deduced from the observations for a period of six years, viz. 12 PERTHSHIRE. from 1829 to 1834, inclusive, was 29.80*2 inches ; but we may now remark, that if the mean height of the instrument be deriv- ed from the observations from 1814 to 1822, inclusive, it would somewhat exceed the former result, being 29.857 inches. It may be added, that the difference between this mean, and the mean of the highest altitude, viz. 30.755, is only .898 inches ; whereas the difference between it and the mean of the lowest altitudes, viz. 28.569, is 1.298 inches. Hence it appears that the aberrations of the barometrical pressures from either side of the mean, are greater in defect than in excess, in the case of the annual, as well as in the case of the monthly results; a state of things, the cause of which we have already endeavoured to explain. 2. The Temperature. — The mean temperature of the parish, as deduced from the annual mean, by Six's thermometer, accord- ing to observations continued from the beginning of 1829 to the end of 1834, is 48^.14. The mean obtained by the annual means, from observations taken at nine o'clock in the. morning, and half- past eight o'clock in the evening, is 47*^.9. The mean of the an- nual extremes, derived from the greatest heat and greatest cold, for each year, is 48^25 ; and the mean of the highest and lowest temperature for the entire period of years is 47®.5. Lastly, the temperature of the water, drawn from a well of considerable depth, was 48'.9, at the beginning of September. The mean temperature of each month, derived from a period of six years, and consequently from upwards of 180 observations, is as follows, the means being those of the morning observations. Meanajbr Highest Lowest Range of Alouths. 6 years. means, means. tneans. January, 87.032 41.000 32.837 8.163 February, 89.750 41.059 37.679 8.380 March, 42.812 45.355 39.774 5.581 April, 46.256 47.800 43769 4.031 May, 52.853 56.581 49.871 6.710 June, 56.978 58.333 54.400 a933 July, 59.712 61.000 58.193 2.807 August, 57.613 61.618 54.839 6.774 September, 56.387 56.467 51.133 5.334 October, 49.876 54.097 47.903 6.194 •November, 41.744 43.867 40.533 3.334 December, 39.357 41.968 36.645 5.323 It appears that in different years, the month of July possesses the greatest uniformity of temperature, and the month of January the least The temperature of March, April, and May, especially that of the last of these months, has a considerable range in dif- ferent seasons, owing to the variable winds which prevail in our PERTH. 13 spring ; and the temperature of August and September seems to be still more fluctuating ; a circumstance that occasions the late and early harvests, which happen in different years. The lowest temperature, as indicated by Six's thermometer, within the period to which these observations refer, was on the 26th of December 1830, when the instrument stood at 16°; and the greatest heat, as ascertained with the same instrument, was 79^, that temperature having occurred on the 28th of July of the same year ; the great- est annual range being thus 63°. The mean annual range, however, is onlv 57.°5. The most abrupt change of temperature occurs between Octo- ber and November, and to this we must, probably, ascribe the in- crease of pulmonary complaints, which take place at that gloomy and disagreeable season. The causes which conspire to produce a diminution of tempera- ture, like those which tend to occasion a low state of the barome- ter, seem to operate to a wider extent than the causes which give rise to an elevation of temperature ; and accordingly we find, that, for a given period of observation, the thermometer is generally de- pressed further below the mean temperature, than it is elevated above it. Thus if the mean tem|)erature of Perth be estimated at 47^.95, which is the mean of the different results already given, the greatest heat by Six's thermometer, for a period of twenty years, was in no instance observed to exceed 79% or dr.05 above the mean ; whereas the greatest cold within the same period was found to be — 10°, or 57°.95 below the mean. This very reduced temperature took place on the night between the 17th and the 18th of January 1820, when the thermometer, in a northern ex- posure, sunk to — 10". During the whole of the following day, the instrument remained under zero, except for a short interval at noon, when it rose to I*'. The effects produced by this great reduction of temperature were such as are usually observed to accompany the most intense cold, in high latitudes. The evaporation from the surface of the ice, which then covered the Tay, being conden- sed in the air almost immediately after its formation, produced over the river a partial fog, which being gently wafted to the neighbour- ing trees,, attached itself by degrees to the naked branches, and gave birth to innumerable and diversified exfoliations of the most singular beauty. And so great was the intensity of the cold within doors, that the windows of apartments, where a constant fire was kept up, were covered with a thick coating of ice, which 14 PERTHSHIRE. obscured the light of day; while liquors of various kinds were completely frozen, in situations where it might have been supposed they were beyond the reach of frost Had the cold been of long- er duration, or less interrupted by occasional remissions of severity, its physiological effects would have been more fatal to animal and vegetable life than it actually proved. During the short time it continued, several instances occurred in the vicinity of Perth, of per- sons perishing by its intensity ; domestic animals were found frozen to death, in attitudes which proved the sudden cessation of their vital functions ; and in some instances, the trunks of the largest trees were reft from top to bottom, by the congelation of their juices, as if they had been shivered by lightning. Among the peculiari- ties of this remarkable cold, it is deserving of notice, that on the morning of the 22d, when the thaw commenced, the thermometer rose from — 1° to 51° in the course of three hours, being a transition nearly as great, as if we had passed in that short interval from the ordinary cold of winter to the extreme heat of summer. A change of temperature, not quite so abrupt, but more injurious in its conse- quenceS) and scarcely less remarkable in degree, considering the season of the year in which it occurred, was experienced at the end of October, of the present year, 1 836. On the evening of the 28th of the month, a fall of snow commenced, which covered the ground to the depth of several inches. The wind blowing violent- ly from the north, a keen frost set in, and continued with increasing severity during the whole of the 29th and dOth, till on the night of the last of these days, the thermometer sunk to 12% being below the average of the greatest winter cold for a period of several years. The potatoes, owing to the coldness and lateness of the season, being still in the ground, were in many places great- ly injured ; and in the high districts, many fields of oats were com- pletely covered with snow. 3. The Humidity of the Atmosphere. — In a large proportion of meteorological observations, the pressure and temperature of the atmosphere are given with greater precision than its hygrome- tric condition. This is to be ascribed, partly to the want of a suit- able instrument for determining the quantity of moisture contain- ed, at different times, in the atmosphere ; but still more to the ab- struse and intricate nature of the subject itself, which requires for its due elucidation, not only the greatest accuracy of observation, but the subsequent application of tedious and difficult calculations, for the purpose of deducing the requisite results. These results PERTH. 15 may be arranged under the heads of, 1^, the Abwolute Humidity of the air ; 2dj its RelaHve Humidify; and dd/y, the Temperature to which the air must be reduced, before the moisture which it contains b^ns to assume the liquid form, or the state of visible Tapour. As the subject of atmospheric humidity is still, notwith- standingits great importance, very imperfectly understood, we shall, before giving the results of our observations, endeavour to lay be- fcre the general reader a brief explanation of the several points, to be determined by hygrometrical observations. For that purpose, we may begin with stating that the quantity of moisture which can exist in a given volume of air, or in any other substance having an affinity for moisture, is regulated, and limited almost entirely by temperature. Thus when air is per- fectly damp, or saturated with moisture, 7920 cubic inches of it are capable of holding in the vaporous state, the subjoined quanti* ties of moisture, at the temperatures to which they are annexed : At 32° it can contain 1 grain ; at 53° 2 do. ; at 66"" 4 do. ; at 75° 8 do. ; QSi"" 16 do. ; at 89° 32 do. Hence it appears, that the quantity of moisture capable of being held in a vaporous state, by a given volume of air, increases in a faster ratio than the tempera- ture, — a state of things which enables us to explain a great num- ber of meteorological phenomena connected with the humidity of the atmosphere. Thus it affords a simple and satisfactory ex- planation of the reason why the intermixture of different strata of air, by means of mountains, electrical action, or any other phy« sical cause, is usually followed by a cloudy atmosphere, and not unfrequently by rain. It accounts for the increasing dampness of the evening air ; explains the cause of the copious rains which fall in tropical climates ; and the reason of the rapid progress that is produced in vegetation by a slight increase of temperature, in consequence of the still greater increase of atmospheric humidity. The absolute humidity of the air being the quantity of moisture which a given volume of it actually contains, it is quite unneces- sary to add anything to what has been briefly stated on this head, farther than simply to repeat, that it can never exceed a precise and determinate quantity, at a given temperature, however long the air might remain over water ; but the relative humidity is of a variable nature, and depends fiiUy as much upon temperature as upon the presence of moisture. To render the meaning of the expressions perfectly clear, we shall assume a particular case, and 16 PERTHSHIRE. suppose that 7320 cubic inches of air contain two grains of mois- ture in the vaporous state : If the temperature were exactly 53% the air thus charged with humidity would be perfectly damp, or contain its maximum quantity of moisture at that temperature ; but if the temperature of the same air were to be raised to 66% in which case it could hold in solution four grains of moisture, or double of what it actually contained, the relative humidity would be expressed by | or ^ ; complete dampness being denoted by unity. Moreover, if a hygrometer, whose indications were rigidly conformable to the humidity of the surrounding air, should be ex- posed to an atmosphere containing in solution the quantity of mois- ture we have supposed ; and if the scale of the instrument were so graduated that zero was placed at perfect dryness, and lOO^'at perfect dampness, the index would- point exactly to 50^. More- over, if the temperature of the same air were afterwards raised to 75% the index of the hygrometer would descend to 25% now im- plying that the moisture contained in the aerial medium was only one-fourth of the whole quantity it was capable of holding in the vaporous state, at that elevated temperature. * It thus appears that the relative humidity of air, containing the very same quanti- ty of moisture, n^ht assume an unlimited variety of indications, as given by a hygrometer : Nay, however paradoxical it may seem, air may, in many cases, become absolutely drier, and yet be rela- tively damper. After the explanations which have been given of absolute and relative humidity, we need scarcely remark, that whatever be the quantity of moisture contained in a given volume of air, there will always be a temperature, more or less depressed below that of the atmosphere, which will be barely sufficient for maintaining that ^moisture in the state of vapour. The smallest depression of tem- perature below that point, which is termed the point ofdepositioriy and by some the dew-pointy will give rise to a separation of mois- ture from the air, in the form of visible vapour, producing fog, rain, or snow, according to the extent and rapidity of the change of temperature ; and according to the height in the atmosphere at which the change takes place. For ordinary purposes, the point of deposition may be deter- mined with sufficient accuracy in the following manner : Fill a • It may be proper to mention that there is no hygroscopic substance known, which possesses a dilatation by moisture that is exactly proportional to the rela- tive humidity of the air, to which it may be exposed. PERTH. 17 cylindrical glass vessel, or a common tumbler, with cold water, and observe if the outside of it become dim with moisture ; if a deposit tion tsike place very quickly,, the water is too cold, and must be allowed to stand for a few minutes to receive an increase of tem- perature from the air, after which the experiment must be repeat- ed, either with another tumbler, or with the one already used ; provided its surface be previously wiped with a dry cloth. When the water is brought to a temperature barely sufficient to cause a deposition of moisture on the external sur&ce of the tumbler, that temperature is the point of deposition, and may therefore be as- certained by suspending a thermometer in the water. On the other hand, if the temperature of the water is not low enough to occasion a precipitation of moisture on the surface of the tumbler, it must be reduced by artificial means, by ice for example, (when it can be procured,) or by any of the ordinary frigorific mixtures used for the purpose, till an incipient deposition of moisture is just perceived. When due precaution is employed, the point of de- position may be ascertained by the method we have described, (which was first proposed by Dr Dahon,) with greater accuracy, than by means of the costly and troublesome instrument called Daniell's hygrometer. Thus, suppose it had been found that a deposition of moisture ceased to take place, when the temperature of the water was 48°, but that it was perceptible when it was 47% the latter might be regarded as the point of deposition, and since it lies between 32^ and 53°, it would be found by an easy calcu- lation, even from the scanty table we have given, that at 47° air in a maximiun state of vaporization, ought to contain about 1.7 grains of moisture in 7320 cubic inches. Let it be farther sup- posed that the temperature of the air at the time of the experi- ment was 53°, at which temperature the same volume of air could hold in solution two grains of moisture, and the relative humidity would be expressed by ^-~- or .85, • complete dampness being de- noted by unity. Having thus explained the means by which the absolute quan- tity x)f moisture in a given volume of the air ; its relative humidity and the point of deposition, may all be easily determined, we shall now proceed to give the results of observations connected with the mean hygrometric state of the air, for a period of three years, viz. from the beginning of the year 1818 to the end of 1820. • Th€ most rigid calculation would give the rftlatiTc humidity in the circumstan- ces suted, at .824. PERTH. B 16 PERTHSHIRE. MMnmm Point qf Relative No. qf grains ing the very positions where we ought to expect, according to the views given in the tcstf the commencement of the depressed temperature that is experienced to the east- ward of the Stoney Mountains In America, and of the Uralian mountains in Asia. On the other hand, should it be estaUished by subsequent observations, that the me- ridiaai of greatest cold adranoe to the westward of the chain of these mountains, the ItypothiHriff of Sir David Brewster would acquire some claim to the attention of phi- losophoB, however liule it nuiy be supported at present by any known analogies. 2.65 1.85 4.60 2.15 1.15 aao 1.36 .02 2.00 .85 1.25 2.10 1.84 .61 2.45 1.78 .02 2.70 2.55 2.10 4.65 2.18 1.67 a85 1.90 .90 2.80 2.28 1.87 4.15 .92 .48 .80 1.18 2.07 8.25 20 PERTHSHIRE. accompany thunder storms in July ; and the latter to the uniform* ly cloudy weather which generally prevails in November. The mean annual quantity derived from the above table is 30.89 in- ches ; but if it be deduced from a period of sixteen years, it is only 25.948 inches, which is probably nearer the annual average. The minimum quantity, belonging to the period of sixteen years, was 15.59 inches, being the quantity in 1814; and the maximum, 31.01 inches, which fell in 1817. The greatest quantity of rain observed to have fallen at Perth, in a short period of time, was on the 7th of October 1823, when 2j\ inches fell in fifteen hours. The driest months of the year are March and April, and the wettest July and August. The cold north-easterly winds which ge- nerally prevail in the two former months, come to this country from the northern regions of Europe, charged with humidity at a low point of deposition ; whereas, in the Iwo latter months, the tempera- ture of the season having attained its maximum state, the absolute humidity of the air is increased in a corresponding degree. Hence the reason of the great dryness of the air in March and April, and of its opposite condition in July and August Tlie results obtained by a rain-guage at the top of a round tower on the summit of a detached conical hill belonging to Lord Gray, which is 612 feet above the level of the sea, and about 3 miles to the eastward of Perth, considerably exceed the quantity of rain collected in guages placed on the plain at the bottom of the hill, and about half a mile to the south-west of it. Thus,, for a period of six years, viz. from the beginning of 1814 to the end of 1819, the mean quantity of rain collected in a guage placed in the centre of the garden of Kin&uns Castle, was 26.15 inches; whereas that which was received in a guage at the top of the tower, amounted to 34.965 inches. In 1816, which was a remarkably rainy season, especially during the harvest months, the former gave 24.95 inches, one-half of which fell in July, August, September, and October; and the latter no less than 52.43 inches. This singular result receives a satisfactory explanation from the circumstance, that the prevailing wind of the district being from the south-west, and there being no hill of equal altitude for many miles in that direc- tion, the air, when transported to the summit of the hill, is consi- derably reduced in temperature, and being previously charged with humidity, to a degree corresponding with the temperature of the plains over which it has been wafted, it is frequently cooled down below the point of deposition, and thus deprived of a portion PERTH. 21 of its humidity, either in the form of small rain or of a dense fog, which, though minute in quantity, is sufficient, by the frequency ofiihe process, to affect the rain-guage. Winds. — The prevailing winds in the neighbourhood of Perth blow from between the south-east and south-west, but most fre- quently from the latter quarter, the most severe gales being ei- perienced from the same point of the horizon. By taking the means for a period of six years, viz. from the beginning of 1^9 to the end of 1834, the number of days which the wind blew from the principal quarters of the compass was as subjoined. Greatett deviations from men at. r p-Am Quarter*- No of day t. In exceu. In defect. N. and N. £. 234 4\ 6k E. andS. £. 97^ 1 4 16^ & and S. W. 174 39 3fi W. andN. W. 70 41 26 Sky. — In every region of the globe, the face of the sky presents an aspect which is intimately connected with geographical position, and the character of the earth's surface, whether flat Ar mountain- ous, over which it is spread. Thus in the equatorial zones, the heavens are more serene, as well as more elevated in appearance, than in the less genial climes belonging to the higher latitudes, in con- sequence of the decrement of heat, in the atmosphere, being more rapid as we advance from the equator towards the poles. Hence the region of clouds becomes depressed in a corresponding degree; especially in situations where the inequalities of the surface con- tribute to intermix the different strata of the atmosphere, and to produce that blending of vaporized air, upon which the formation of clouds chiefly depends. Though Perth, as already noticed, stands extremely low (being only a few feet above the level of the ocean) ; and though it is closely surrounded on all sides, except towards the north, by hills, the flanks of which descend to the plain on which the town is situated ; yet these hills being of moderate elevation, the hygrometric state of the incumbent atmosphere is little affected by their vicinity, and the air is accordingly more dry and clear, than might have been expected. Fogs are not more frequent than in the open plains ; and the diseases resulting from a damp soil, and a humid atmosphere, are of rare occurrence, or rather altogether unknown. The gravelly and sandy subsoil of the district, and the perpetual change of air occasioned by the current of the river, in all states of the weather, contribute to render the climate of Perth more salubrious, than that of many towns pos- 22 PERTHSHIRE. sessing a greater elevation above the level of the sea. The annual number of fair days is, according to the observations for six con- secutive years, 253 ; and the number of days on which there was either rain or snow, 112. Hence, the relation of the former to the latter is more than that of 2 to 1. • Thunder. — There is no recorded instance of a thunder-storm having been attended with fatal effects in Perth, or in its imme- diate vicinity. This is to be ascribed to the lowness of its situation, and the influence of the hills, by which it is nearly on all sides surrounded. The elevated ground in the neighbourhood, bein^ for the most part covered with trees, these act as natural conduc- tors, by which the electric fluid is slowly dissipated, before it has been permitted to accumulate in such a degree, as to be in a con- dition to produce violent explosions. Aurora Borealis. — The aurora borealis is not uncommon, more especially in the winter months, when it displays all the varied and fantastic appearances, which that remarkable meteor usually ex- hibits in high northern latitudes. When distinguished by more than ordinary activity and brilliancy, it not unfrequently terminates its restless developements, by assuming the appearance of a splen- did arch of light, about 5^ in breadth, spanning the heavens in a direction that is always at right angles to the magnetic meridian. Occasionally the coruscations are tinged with the prismatic co- lours, in which the red greatly predominates ; but the other co- lours, though feint, are also discernible. The appearance of the meteor is generally considered to be a precursor of unsettled and stormy weather. Parhelia, — Lunar rainbows are seldom seen ; and parhelia or mock-suns have been still more rarely observed at Perth. Of the latter, however, a striking instance occurred on the 30th of April 1835, the various phenomena of which were accurately measured with suitable instruments. About mid-day a luminous circle, pass- ing through the sun, and parallel to the horizon, began to make its appearance. This circle, which was about half a degree in breadth, was intersected by a halo encompassing the sun, and tinged all round with the colours of the rainbow, the red and yel- low being as usual, in such meteors, next the sun. The altitude of the sun's centre at half-past one o'clock, when the phenomenon was brightest, was 45° 15' ; and at that time it exhibited the ap- pearance represented by the subjoined diagram, which is a stereo- graphic projection of it on the plane of the horizon of Perth : In this representation N. EL S. W. is the horizon ; Z. the zenith ; S. PBRTH. 23 north. the true sun ; & and s. two parhelia or mock-suns ; F, G, H, a luminous circle surrounding the zenith; C. K. D. L. a smaller luminous arch surrounding the sun. The latter y halo, when carefully examined, was found to be elliptical, the longer axis being 43^. Beyond the halo, C, K, D, L, which exhibited very distinct- ly all the prismatic colours, the two parhelia, s and s', appeared at the dis- tance of 1^ from the intersection of the circles. The following arches were measured : A& = 22*' 30' ; CS. = 22** 45'; SD. = 20^ W; AM. = 42^ O'. The parhelia, though considerably inferior in bright- ness to the true sun, were extremely luminous. The phenomenon was risible, fix>m about noon till two o'clock, when it gradually vanish- ed. The sky during the appearance of the meteor was entirely free from clouds, but somewhat hazy. The wind had been blowing for se- Teral days from the NE. and the temperature was low for the season. Botany, — The rarer plants found in the parish are the GeranU wm eohtmbinum ; it grows near the summit of Moredun hill : the Sedum anglieum ; it grows on the rocks at Craigend : the Erythnea centaurium of Persoon, or Chironia centaurium of Curtis ; it grows on the dry pastures near these rocks : the Botrychium Limaria of Willdenow ; it grows on the North Inch of Perth : the Potentilla arffenteoj it grows sparingly on the rocks near Craigend, but more plentifully on the rocks in the parish of Kinnoul ; the Grammitis Cetarach ; it grows on the side of the Moredun hill ; but it is found in greater abundance on Kinnoul bill, and in the den of Pitrodie, parish of Kilspindie. The species of plants used for culinary, medicinal, and other pur- poses are what are generally found in other lowland parishes in Scotland. The soil appears to be congenial to the growth of every sort of timber, though not all equally so. There are no trees remarkable for either age, size, or form. There are no forests. The planta- tions extend to about 750 acres. IL — Civil History. There is no separate history of either the parish or town of Perth. By many of the Scottish historians particular mention is made of the town. The chief of these historians are Greoffrey de Mon- mouth, lUchard de Circenster, and Fordun, Major, Hollinshed^ 24 PERTHSHIRE. Boetius, Buchanan, and Sir David Dalrymple. Mr Henry Adam- son,, son of James Adamsbn, Provost. of Perth, and brother of Dr Adamson, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, wrote a metrical history of it about the year 1620, which was published after his death in the year 1638. It contains a faithful narrative of many interesting facts, but it is intermingled with traditions on which no reliance can be placed. For a considerable period after Boetius wrote his history, it was a generally received opinion that Bertha and Perth were two dis- tinct towns ; that the former, having been destroyed by a land flood of the rivers Tay and Almond in 1210, the latter was thereafter built in a contiguous situation. In this he was implicitly followed by Hollinshed, Buchanan, and other writers. Boetius had evidently as his text-book the Scotichronicon of Fordun, which was written 1377, on which almost all the early history of the country is founded. But in the Scotichronicon there is not a sentence which gives the least authority to believe that Bertha was a town distinct from Perth — that they were not one and the same ; indeed, the contrary is there distinctly taught " Villam quoque quae olim dicebatur Ber- tha, nunc quoque Perth, in Scotia aqua de Taya cum aqua de Al- mond maxima ex parte pertransiit." Lib. viii. c 72. Boetius wrote in the year 1525-26. He was a native of Dundee. In conse- quence of certain privileges granted by the Scottish Kings to Perth, but denied to Dundee, the inhabitants of the latter place were dis- posed to depreciate the former, and Boetius seems to have partaken- of this spirit, and thus to have fallen into a discreditable violation of historical truth. But what brings complete discredit on his story is the language used in many charters previous to 1210, referring to certain localities in the town. It mav be sufficient to refer to one of them, which belonged to the Abbey of Scone, and is contained in the old chartulary in the Advocates' Library of Edinburgh.* • " Charter of William the King to Henry Bald concerning a land in Perth. ^^ William, by thegraceof God, King of Scotts, to all good men uf his whole realm, clergy and laity, greeting : Know all who are or shall be. me to have given and consigned, and by this my present charter to have confirmed, to Henry Bald, that land in my burgh of Perth which James, the son of Simon and others, my Provost of Perth, have delivered to him according to my precept : To wit, that land which is in the front of the street which lends from the church of St John Baptist to the Castle of Perth on the east side, opposite to the house of Andrew, the sm of Simon, (lllam scilicet quae est in fronte vici illius qui tendit de ecclesia Sancti Johannis Baptisti usque ad castellum de Perl, ex orientali parte contra domum Andre® filii Simonis,) To be held he him and his heirs, of me and my heiis in fee and heritage freely, peaceably, fully and honourably, rendering theme yearly to my Chamberlain one pound of pepper at the feast of Ht Michael. Witnesses, Hugh, Chancellor ; Philip dc Valoines, my Chamberlain ; Malcolm, son of Earl Duncan ; William de Hay ; Alexander Sheriff of Stirling ; Roger de Mortimer ; Philip de Lundin ; at Perth Uth day of April." PERTH. 25 Whea this charter waa granted may be inferred from the follow- ing&rts. Hugh Roiburjh, Bishop of Glasgow, vaa made Chancel- lorof Scotland in 1189, and died in 1199. Philip de Valoines was made great Chamberlain about the year 1 160, and held the office about thirty-three years. Duncan M'Duff the fatherof Malcolm Earl of Fife died in 1203, and William de Haydied before the year 1109, The charter then must have been granted before the end of 1 199, that is, ten years before Boetius' ancient Bertha was destroyed, and a new city Perth built in another place. And it may be proper to observe, thaterery person who b acquainted with Perth at the pre- sent day can without the least difficulty, and with the utmost cer- tainty, point out the localities described in the charier. So that Perth now is exactly where and what it locally was in 1 109. The Picts, after they embraced the Christian faith, consecrated the church and bridge of Perth to John the Baptist. John, they appear to have made the tutelary saint of the town. Hence it was called St Johnstoun. In the Scolichronicon, Vol. ii. p. 90, it is called St Johnstoun, as the name by which it had been pre- viously known. " Villa St Johannis, quae nunc Perth dicilur, Bertha dicebatur." Unde Villa Johinnii plurlbui uinln Bertha dicebatur ; Perth quoquu dicitur, at, quia lincitur sic fucitalur. But there is no public document in which it is dcsignutcd St Johnstone. , Burffk Seal. — In the reign of Alexander II. a. d. I2I-3-1249, the bui^h had a common seal, but its particular character and im- pression are unknown. Of the seal which it had in the year 1400, many impressions are still in existence, appended (o the charters of the religious houses of Perth.* On the obversp it represented the beheading of John — Salome eral charters of the Mlowing dales: Nov. 1, NM: 26 PERTHSHIRE. standing by and holding a platter to receive the head. On the re- versoy he is represented enshrined, surrounded by a number of priests. Around both sides, the legend is ^^ S. communitatis ville Sancti Johannis Baptiste de Berth." The seal used since the Reforma- tion bears a golden eagle displayed, viz. an eagle of the double or imperial kind — the two heads looking opposite ways^ A red es • cutcheon charged with the holy lamb passant, carrying the ban- ner of St Andrew, with a silver double tressure, surmounts the breast of the eagle. The legend at the bottom, ^^ pro lege, rege, et grege." Antiquity of the Town. — But Perth must have been a place of con- siderable note longbefore the period when existing history refers to it Near to the east end, and on the south side of the High Street, there is a house having on its front a marble stone, bearing the arms of the family of Aldie, with this inscription, ^* Here stood the house of the Green." This house of the Green, which was removed by Co- lonel Mercer of Aldie about fifty years ago, for the erection of the present one, stood on what had been for ages reckoned the site of an old British temple, which, when HoUinshed wrote his history, 1571, was believed to have been built by the son of Regan, second daughter of Lear, who governed Britain long before the birth of our Saviour, and dedicated by him to Mars. The belief of this rests on the authority of Geoffrey, who wrote his history in the be- ginning of the twelfth century, and in the reign of Henry L In connection with this tradition, it may not be out of place to state, that the workmen, when they had dug about three feet below the level of the street, to find a proper foundation for the present build- ing, discovered two parallel arches. Under each of these, they found an apartment 26 feet long and 14 broad. The walls were 3^ feet thick, and strongly cemented. In the one there was a door to the south, and in the other one to the north. In digging some time since in the grounds of Mud Hall, about fourteen miles from Perth, in the parish of Bendochy, several similar subterraneous buildings were discovered, which, when cleared of the ashes and earth with which they were filled, were found to be about 40 feet long, and 6 feet wide, and 5 feet deep. Such buildings answer to the description which Tacitus gives of those of the Germans, De Mor. German. c. 16. See Dr Easton's Statistical Account of Kirriemuir, p. 177, for similar appearances in that parish. It is a generally received opinion that Perth was built and forti- fied by Agricola. This opinion is founded on a passage in the << Description of Britain by Richard de Circenster," an historian PERTH. 27 of the fourteenth century. Speaking of the Horestii, a people who inhabited the greater part of the county of Fife, and that por- tion of the county of Perth which lies to the south of the Tay, he says that their towns were Alauna, Lindum, and Victoria, — that the last named of these was the most illustrious not only in name but in reality, and that it was built by Agricola ob the river Tay, 20 miles from the exit of that river into the sea. There is here a description of the situation of Perth as accurate as could be look- ed for in a history written at that period. The distance between it and the exit of the river into the sea is indeed more than 20 miles. It is 26 miles. But Hoffman, in his Lexicon, published 1677, gives us computations of distances which very much corre- spond with that here given by Richard, supposing Victoria and Perth to be the same place. Hoffman says that Perth is distant from Dunkeld 12 miles, whereas it is 15 — from Stirling 2*3 miles, whereas it is d2 — from Edinburgh 32 miles, whereas it is 43 ; and it is a strong corroborative circumstance, that there are four mili- tary or Roman roads from different quarters, all leading to, if not centering in, Perth: one from Aberdour through the town of Kinross ; another from North Queensferry through Kinross also ; a third from Stirling through Dunblane, and the Roman camp at Ardoch ; and a fourth from Abernethy. These have been describ- ed and commented on by Sir Robert Sibbald in his history. Perth was a burgli in the reign of Edgar 1106, as appears from a charter granted by Mauricius de Cromad, in favour of John Mercer, burgess of Perth, of the lands of Meicklour.* The charter of confirmation by James VI. makes particular mention of one which had been granted to it by David I., who died 1153. King David's charter was renewed and confirmed by William the Lion, which is extant.-f- Ancienf Metropolis, — Prior to James II. Perth was the capital of Scotland. The Kings were crowned at Scone, in its immediate vi- cinity, and had a residence in the city. That monarch was born in the Castle of Edinburgh, and was crowned there 1447, whither the Parliament and courts of justice were in a short time thereafter re- moved. But Perth retained its priority as the capital till 1482, in the • See Sutistical Account of Perth by Rev. Mr Scott. t In the city records for 1657, there is the following entry respecting inventory of the town't wrics : " King William foundit the burgh of Perth anno Pomini Icq. ii. c. ten yearSf with divers privileges, and dt*ceast within four years after he rang fourtie- nyn years fra the incarnatione Icq. ii. c. fiftiesix yeares ;** and which inventory men. tions a charter by King William (now referred to) to the town of Perth, after the dett ruction thereof by the great inundation of water, and describing the privileges granted thereby, as also other charters by King Robert the Second, King James 11. — heing twelyc in aU, and which are gereraJfy described. 28 PERTHSHIRE. reign of James III. The estimation in which the town was held by James VI. appears from the following extract from the charter of con- firmation of the whole rights and privileges of the burgh of Perth, 1600. ** Our most renowned predecessors have not only beauti- fied, but abundantly heaped on our said royal burgh of Perth greatest benefices and egregious gifts, liberties, privileges, and immunities, that almost all the donations, liberties, benefits, and privileges conferred on other royal burghs of our kingdom are re- ferred to our said royal burgh of Perth ; and the benefices confer- red on the said royal burgh of Perth (as being first bestowed on our said royal burgh of Perth, and in a manner depending there- on,) are granted as agreeing thereto." In several of the public writings, especially in the time of James IV. it is designated the City of Perth, and it still bears the title. At present it ranks next to Edinburgh on the list of royal burghs. It was, at an early period, a fortified town. It is not known by whom, or under whose reign its walls were originally built.* On the outside of these, there was a fosse or moat, supplied with water by an aqueduct from the river Almond. Its strength as a fortified town in those times may be inferred from the fact that it was re- peatedly subjected to a siege. In the year 1311, Robert Bruce invested it with the most powerful force which he could muster. For a considerable time he pressed the siege with great vigour, but without effect, as he wanted a competent power of engines. He was obliged to withdraw his troops, and retire lest famine and the diseases occasioned by long encampment, on low marshy ground, in an inclement season, should cut off the flower of those true and faithful followers by whose aid he had now nearly conquered Scot- land. But he could not relinquish his purpose, and suffer this single walled town for ever to baffle his efforts. Therefore, pro- viding himself with scaling-ladders, and such other instruments as he could procure, he speedily renewed the siege at a time when those within were pleasing themselves, with the persuasion that they were enclosed within impregnable walls, and had no siege to fear. He chose a dark night, and in its silence, taking a chosen band, conducted them himself in person, partly wading and partly swim- ming across the ditch, deep, broad, and full of water, that sur- rounded the walls. His men were animated on this, as on many other occasions, by the example of the daring valour with which he exposed himself, the foremost, to danger. The contest among * Major, the historian, says, ** Est insuper oppidum dc Perth quod sanctum Joan, nem sive Sancti Johannis vill^ vulgo dlcimus, tolum inter Scotia viUas muratum,** PERTH. 29 them was, who should be first to cross the ditch, and, by scaling- ladders, which they had carried with them, mount the wall. The gallant and perilous enterprise succeeded. The King himself was the second to enter the city."* Historical Events of Importance. — When Edward I. subdued Scotland, towards the close of the thirteenth century, be took the most effectual means in his power to destroy every evidence of its former independence. He caused the chartulary of Scone (the place where, since the time of Kenneth M^Alpine, the Scottish Kings had been crowned,) to be carefully ransacked, for the pur- pose of getting possession of whatever might be found at variance with the King of England's pretensions. And when he left Scot- land, he carried with him to London not only the crown and sceptre surrendered by Baliol, but even the sacred stone on which the Scottish monarchs were placed when they received the royal inauguration — ^which inauguration every one knows took place at Scone, in the immediate vicinity of Perth. Perth was a chief seat of royalty at that time. We are warranted, therefore, to believe that the documents of public value there kept he would be partis cularly desirous to take possession of, and this may account for there not being such records of public characters and interesting events as might naturally be looked for, in a city so prominent in the nation's ancient history. His grandson, Edward HI. is said to have restored to Robert the records which he had abstracted* But it is more than probable that the spirit, in which he perpetrate ed the violent deed, would instigate him without delay, to make away with some of the most important of the papers ; and report says that the vessel that was conveying some of them was lost. But these are matters of probability only, or conjecture, and not of historical fact — See Hailes's Annals. In early times, the city was surrounded with castles, the resi- dences of powerful proprietors, who were often at war with each other and with the magistrates. Ruthven Castle was the seat and fortress of the Ruthvens ; Aberdalgie and Dupplin of the Oli- phants; Craigie, of the Rosses; Kinfauns, of the Chartres'; Gas- conhall and Fingask, of the Bruces and the Thrieplands, &c. &c. When they quarrelled with the magistrates, they caused their tenants to withhold from the town provisions and other necessaries, which was retaliated by the magistrates, who issued out at the head of the citizens, who were all trained to arms, and burned or de- * Heron's History of Scotland. 30 PERTHSHinE. stroyed their castles. In the records of the town, there is pre- served an account of a penalty which it paid to Sir Thomas Bruce of Clackmannan for burning the house of Gasconhall, about five miles east from Perth — also a remission under the Great Seal grant* ed to the magistrates, council, and community of Perth, for burn- ing the house of Craigie in the neighbourhood, dated dth February 1526. In the beginning of the fourteenth century, there existed a dead- ly feud between two powerful and fierce clans — ^the M^Intoshes and the McKays. King Robert III. sent the Earls of Dunbar and Crawford, with a strong force to reduce them to order. These noblemen, with a view to terminate the feud, proposed to their chiefs to select, out of their respective clans, each a band of thirty men, who should, by combat, decide the matter on the North Inch of Perth, in the presence of the King. The proposal having been agreed to by the chiefs, a place for the combat was prepared. It was surrounded by a trench, and by galleries erected for spectators. When the combatants were about to engage, one of the M^Intosh- es was seized with a panic and absconded. But a man of the name of Wynde, a saddler of the town, agreed to supply his place, pro- vided he should receive a half French gold doUan The terms were immediately complied with. The combat began, and was carried on with great fury on both sides, till twenty-nine of the McKays fell. The surviving one, unskaithed, seeing that he could not sin« gle-handed resist the impetuosity of Wynde, and ten M^ntoshes, who were left alive, burst from the arena, leaped into the river, swam across and escaped. In 1589, a company of players appeared in Perth. In confer- mity with an act of the General Assembly passed in 1574, they applied to the Consistory of the church for a license, and produ- ced a copy of the play which they intended to perform. The an- swer given them was as follows : — " Perth, June 3, 1589. The minister and elders give licence to play the phiy, with conditions that no swearing, banning, nor any scurrility shall be spoken, which would be a scandal to our religion which we profess, and for an evil example to others. Also that nothing shall be added to what is in the register of the play itself. If any one who plays shall do to the contrary, he shall be warded, and make his public repen- tance.'* This last sentence must be understood to intimate, that the person so acting should be subjected to imprisonment, and be rebuked publicly in the church. In the record, the actors are PERTH. 31 spokai of as being all of them men. It was not till after the res- toradon of the profligate Charles IL that women ventured to ap- pear on the stage. Female characters were before his reign perfimned by boys and young men, disguised in female attire* The answer of the minister and elders shews that the theatrical perfonnanoes were under the control of the local ecclesiastical juris- diction, and furnishes an eyidence that, unless restrained, the per- formers indulged in what was irreligious and immoral. In 1336, the Earl of Cornwall was murdered by his brother Edward IIL, before the great altar of St John, in the parish church. While the King was standing there, the Earl, who had newly arrived from England, came to him. An altercation between the brothers took place in consequence of some highly aggravated cruelties, which the Earl was reiK>rted to have perpetrated in the western counties, on his way to Perth, and for which the King reproached him. In the heat of the altercation, the King stabbed him with a kind of small-sword, and he immediately expired.^ In 1437, James L was murdered in the Blackfriars monastery, by Walter, Earl of Athole, Robert Stewart, his Lordship's grandson, and Robert Graham, their kinsman. The murderers were seiz- ed, tried, and put to death. The two most deeply implicated in the atrocious crime were the Earl and Robert Graham. They were therefore subjected tx) torture — perhaps the most appalling that is recorded in our country's history.-f- The King was buried * Fordun^ words are ** Comque idem rex ante magnum dtare Sancti JohannU super premism ipsum ut abit arguerat : et ipse regi indignanti animo responderct suinto fratris spatu sive culletto eitracto percuuus, rebus exutus est humanis.** f Caot gives the following account of the torture inflicted. " Walter's punishment, IS he was reckoned the chief conspitator, was inflicted on three successive days. On the first day, he was placed in a cart, in which a stock-like engine was erectedt and by ropes let through puUies, he was hoisted up on high, the ropes being suddenly let gii, he fell down, but stopped near the ground^ with intolerable paio by the luxatioa of his joints. Then he was set on a pillory that every one might see him, and a red hot iron crown set <»i his head, with this inscription The K I mo or TaArroas. On the second day, be was bound upon a hurdle, and drawn at a horse*s tail through the priocipal streets of Edinburgh. On the last day, he was laid upon a plsnk, in a conspicuous place, his bowels were cut out while he was yet alive, and thrown into the firebefcn-e his face; afterwards his heart was pulled out, and cast out into the same fire. Hta head was cut off, exposed to the view of all, and set on a pole in the high* est place of the city. His body was divided into four quarters, which were sent to be bung up in the moat noted pl^es of the principal cities of the kingdom. After him, hn grandson was brought forth to suffer, but, because of his youth, they would not put him to so much pain ; besides, be was not the author but only an ac- complice, being under the direction of his grandfiuher, therefore he was only hanged and quartered. But Jiobert Graham, who perpetrated the villainy with his own handy was carried in a cart through the city, and his right hand nailed to a gallows set op in the eat t : the executioners came ami run hot iron spikes into his thighs, arms and other parts fiutbest removed firom the vitals, and then he was quartered. After this manner was the death of James revenged, barbarous indeed, and which exceeds the bomifb of humanity.*— See Drummootf s and Buchanalin*s Histories of Scotland. 32 PERTHSHIRE. in the Carthusian Monastery, which he himself had, in 1429, found- ed. In 1539, there was interred in the Carthusian monastery, beside the tomb of James L, and his consort Jane, the body of Marga- ret, Queen of James IV. who was killed at the battle of Flodden, 1513. After the death of the King, her Majesty married Archi- bald second^Earl of Angus. He proved unfaithful; she therefore di- vorced him ; and afterwards married a son of Lord Evandale, whom thereafter her son James V. created Lord Methven. Her Majes- ty died at Methven Castle. The King, with a numerous retinue of his nobles, accompanied the funeral procession to Perth. In 1559, the Earl of Argyle and James Stewart, Prior of St Andrews, having learned that the Queen Regent was taking mea- sures for gaining possession of Stirling, resolved to prosecute the cause of the Reformation, or perish in the attempt They accord- ingly set out from Perth for Stirling, attended by three hundred citizens; and, that their determination might appear and influence others, they, instead of ribbons, put ropes about their necks, inti- mating thereby that whoever of their number should desert their colours should be hanged by the ropes. Hence arose the proverb of " St Johnstoun's ribbons." The people joined them every where as they proceeded. Wherever they met with monuments of super- stition, they destroyed them. The gates of Stirling, and of every other town in their way, were thrown open to receive them. They, without violence, took possession of Edinburgh, cast the images out of its churches, and placed in them ministers of the Reformation. There was a painting of the commencement of the march of these heroes of the Reformation, from the south port of the city, in the town-clerk's office, now the chamberlain's office, said to have been well executed. But it was wantonly de&ced in the year 1795, by the town -guard, who, in consequence of some riot in the town and neighbourhood, had obtained a temporary lodgement in the court-room adjoining the office. No vestige of the painting re- mains. Act of cautionary by Adam Ramsay, burgess of Perth, in behalf of John Smeaton, at the hand of the Provost, bailies, council, and deacons of crafts, of certain ornaments belonging to our Lady's altarage situated within the parish church of Perth, — entered on the record a. d. 1544. List of ornaments above referred to, viz. " In primis, ane chesable of blak welwet wt ye prost of blue welwet 3 PERTH. 33 stole, and fiuinour of bird Alexander all amyt and belt Ane ches- able of auld claith of gold, with ye prost stole and fannone of bird Alexander albaniyt and belt ane chesable of grene dames stole and Guinone samyn parrore of burd Alexander and the belt alb and amit ane chesable of auld stole fanone and parrore of the samyn wt ye belt all and ane chesable of auld claith of gold ane uthir auld chesable of quhite silk, and ye third chesable of auld ane stole and fanone. Ane new preut mess buke, ane auld mes buke of pchment, and ane auld mes buke of prent, thre pair of towellis with thre frontellefs ane pend of burd Alexr. of silk with ane frontell yat of reid damess. Ane pend of pime sating under ye tabnekle wt ane litil towel. Three coddis of auld pime silk. Ane corporale with ane cap, ffour great chandiflaris for ye pre- cate, and four for ye herst ffour precate ; ane crowet ; ane pig for wyne ane hingand chandellar of bress ; ane vyer of creive work ; ane valie pendt at ye altr ; ane silwer chandiler gilt, twa new torches and twa aid ; ane spoun of silwar, and aucht chandillaris, which are in John Smetone's hand as zit onedeliverit" Plague. — In the year 1512 the plague visited P^rth. The prin- cipal document respecting it is preserved in the city records. It is a letter from the King to the provost, bailies, and council of the burgh, and is as follows : ^^ James, be the grace of God King of Scottis, to our lovitts the Provest, Baillies, and counsal of our burgh of Perth, greeting zow well : Wit ye ws with consent of our counsall for stanching of this contagious playg of pestilence now raiging in maist pairt of our territorie alone be Goddis grace . . and apperand causes thairof in tym coming, so far as may be done be diligence of men and uisitingis, statutis and articles vnder written, to be maid and kepit anent the samyn in tyme cuming; and our will is heir- fore, and we charge zow straitlie, and commandis that zo mak the said statutis and actis to be kepit within the boundis of zour office, that is to say, that ze incontinent, and in our name and authoritie command and charge, be open proclamatioun at the mercat croce of our said burgh, all and sindrie our leigis and subiectis, and alsua strangearis of all utheris within this oure rcalme, t^^at none of thame tak upoun hand to receive anie personis in our realme, ylis, or ony paire thairof be sey or land, ony infect gudis fra thame, hot that they sail mak scharp travale and diligence to eschew the samjrn vndir the pane of deid ; and gif ony persons vnwitting hap- pinnis to bring ony infect stuf negligentUe, that they still take the PERTH. c 34 PERTHSHIRE. samyn to the provest, alderman, baillies, or officiars of the place quhair thai are to keip the samyn, and sail use the comand of the saidis officiaris thairin, in eschewing the danger of the said infec- tioun, under pain of dead ; alsua that no infect persone or perso- nis, man nor woman, nor ony utheris strangearis being infect or cuming flra ony infect placis or personis, or intromitteris with ony uthers infect personis or gudis, come to kirk or merket preartlie or apertlie, be day or night, vse ony traffik or converse with clene personis under the pane of dead ; alsua that na persone nor per- sonis of quhatsomever estait or degrie closit, in thair housis, or put to ony uther place be the provest, alderman, baillies or officiaris of the burgh or land quhair euir thai are cuming fra all sic hous- 's or placis that thai ar put or sail happin to be put to, be nicht or day, that ward or house so committit to thame, under the said pane of deid, and all sic infect personis, as God re* levis thame of the pestilence, and givis thame strength, may con- verse nocht nor hant with hele folkis, for the space of xl dayis thairafter, thai havand ane quhiet wand in thair hand, or ane qu- hiet claithe on thare breist, as ane taiken of thare seikness, gif thai cum furth, that utheris clene folkis may eschew thame under the said pane of deid ; alsua that the houssis, gif ony be now in- fect, or suspect, or sail happin to be infect« or suspect hereafter, that thai have nalit upone thare stairs, or dur, or other maist out- wart and sicht places of thare said houssis, ane quhiet claithe in taiken of thare infectioun, and that ze within zour boundis se at the samyn be dune, as ze will answere to us at zour uter pirrell, and quha that beis fundin doing or attempting to do contrare the saidis actis, statutis, and ordinanci maid be us and our council for the Weill of our realme or leigis, be ony manner of way in tyme cuming, efter the day of the dait heirof, that ze within all zour boundis mak thay suspect personis be in force put in sur prmance, and amangis vther suspect personis, thare to remane quhill thai be put to ane assize, and gif thai be convict of ony of the saidis poyntis, and articulis, that ze put the samyn to executioun of deid, attour that ze cause clenzeing be maid diligentlie of all infect personis hq^Bsis, and gudes, gif ony be at this tyme, or happinis to be in tyme cuming within the boundis of zoure office, and tak diligent cure, and mak sharp executioun herin, as ze will answere to us thairupoun, and under the pane of dittaye, to be takin of ze for your negligence • • . or fawouris to be poneist with re- gour, and ze be fundin neglegent or inhabit herein. Attour at ze 3(1 PERTHSHIRE. In 1608, the plague again appeared in Scotland. Vigorous measures were promptly adopted by the magistrates and council of Perth to prevent its entrance into the city. All communication with those places where it was known to exist was prohibited. Watchmen were placed at the different ports of the town, to pre- vent the entrance of any one without the sanction of a magistrate. But every means used was unavailing. Many of the inhabitants were seized with the pestilence and died. Of the number who died no correct account appears to have been kept ; but it must have been considerable, as the interments were at the public ex- pense, and places of burial specially appointed. The infected who were sent out of the city to St Leonards, a place in the neighbour- hood, and died there, were ordered to be buried at that place ; as also all the infected who died in the Watergate, Southgate, and beneath the Cross. Those who were sent out to the ** Lone" of Balhousie, also in the neighbourhood, and died there, were order- ed to be buried in the adjoining grave-yard of the Blackfriars ; as also all the infected who died in the north and south side of the Highgate. Those who conducted the interments received for each 12s., and the grave-maker, 6s. Men, designated cleausers, were employed in examining the suspected tenements, and received for each that they cleansed ids. 4d. Duncan Macqueen and others were imprisoned for speaking with David Hunter in Dundee, — the and this eitreme need, which otherwise cannot be helped ; and therefore desires both all the congregation, and also all them that shall come after us in our rooms, to judge charitably of this our ordinance, and rightly to ponder and weigh the causes tliat moved us, vis. the falling of the lives of our poor brethercn and sisters, and could find no other help at the present to relieve them withall, and therefore have received lor that efiect the promulctual sums from the persons under-written, and also discharges the persons underwritten from all other satisfaction to the kirk,— they are to say, George Johnston Bailie, Catharine Heron, James Gibson, John Robertson.*'-^ ** Oct. 11, 1585. Two parties (for gross impurity) ordered to be carted backward through the town, with paper hats on their heads, at 2 of the clock in the afternoon ; thereafter to be locked fast in the irons on the cross, and there to stand till 3 in the afternoon ; then to be put in prison, and on Sunday to be brought forth with their paper hats on their heads to the stool of repentance. They had been persons former- ly suspected of the plague, and put forth to the lodges (the pest-houses,) and hav- ing escaped with life, rendered this unsuitable return, when there was fasting and humiliation that the plague might be removed from the town and other towns in the country.** — " Nov. 7th 1587. Appoints an fast to begin on Saturday night, and to pertinue while Sunday 8 days thereof at even, with great humiliation and prayer to God that it would please him to remove the plague of the pest from the towns of Edinburgh, Leith, &c. and to preserve us therefrom ; as also to preserve us from the pest of the souU which is Papistrie's ignorance, maintained presently by thir Jesuits and Papists new come in, who press to bring men under the thraldom of idolatry and iffnorance, and from the true knowledge of Christ our Saviour, revealed to us m his Word, and to embrace the superstitious rites and ceremonies, from which the good Lord preserve us, — and ordain them to be notified from the pulpit on Thursday next, that none remain ignorant hereof,— that every one may address them to fasting, to prayer, to humiliation, at the time appointed.** PERTH. 37 plague being there ; and an order was issued to close up the houses of James Ross and others, they to remain therein during the coun* dl's will, for having purchased certain goods from John Peebles of Dundee, who died of the pest. In an old manuscript volume, I find the subjoined account of the plague in 1645.* It appears from an entry in the city records of 1667, that in 1645, a house without the Castle gavel port was burnt by order of the council for the purpose of ** preventing the spreading of the plague." It is remarkable that no historian of the time attempted to give any circumstantial account of this devastat- ing pestilence. The engrossing political condition of the country may have in some measure occasioned that. Cholera, — In 1832, the Asiatic cholera visited Perth, as it did many other towns in Britain. As in tlie visitation of the plague, the most effectual means that could be devised were adopted by the con- stituted authorities to avert or mitigate the malady. A meeting of the influential classes of the community was called. The meeting divided the town and suburbs into sections. To each of these a cer- * ** In Perth it raged with great fury, whole families was seized therewith. At firstt when one person in a family was seized, he was carried into a separate place in the hoti9e» where he was visited by the physicians. Such as recovered were of singu- lar use in assisting the sick, it being always the case, that if once they recovered, they never lell into a relapse, for which reason they were called cleansers. But the cala- mity still increasing, and the contagion spreading, not only one person, but severals in a family, nay, whole families, and several families in a lodging, were taken with the distempor. Wherefore a new method was fiiUen upon of shutting up the dwellihg- houses where the distemper was, and allowing none to enter them except the physicians and cleansers. All communication between them and the inhabitants who were whole was entirely stopt. But this method being found inconvenient, by reason that per- sons evil disposed among the cleansers entered the houses of the whole, and thereby spread the infection through the town, it was thought proper for the future to ))ut those out of the town at some distance who were sick. Accordingly, they went out and buiided huts for themselves in different places around the town, particularly in the South Indi, the Vicar Knoll in the grounds of Friartown, Witch hill, near the )ui- riah kirk of Kinnoul, and the grounds near the river Almond, at the mouth thereof, in all which places there are as yet the remains of their huts which they lodged in. The persona who died were buried deep in the open fields, none being allowed to be buried in the precincU of the town, or if they were, it was in a certam place allotted for that purpose, as in the west side of the South Inch. The wearing apparel, goods and gear of the persons affected were burned, and their houses shut up for some time, and their money was afterwards given to persons employed to boil it, who rcturnetl tile tame to the relations of the defunct. This calamity not only raged in the town, but was severely felt through the adjacent country ,-»great multitudes in the neighbouring parishes dying of it. 'lliree thousand of the inhabitants died of it during that time, be- tides many who died afterwards, it not ceasing for several years, though not raging with such violence. It almost depopulated Perth ; many houses in different places being shut up, which afterwards in back parts went to ruin ; and what houses stood to the streets uninfected, were inhabited but by few. Several houses were infected in a great degree to the front, and even some streets were entirely forsaken, particularly one between the church and the Meal Vennel. And the inhabiunts being few in number, had no courage to carry on trade or manufacture, and buildings for many years.** 38 P£aTH8HIRE. tain number of persons was appointed, with authority to remove nuisances, and cause the houses which required it to be thorough- ly cleansed and purified. A temporary hospital was fitted up to receive patients ; and competent medical officers were appointed to attend and take charge of them. A soup-kitchen was established, from which the poor of the place were supplied daily with broth and bread. The consequence of these precautionary measures was most beneficial. To them may be justly ascribed, under Heaven, the comparatively small number of cases that occurred. The deaths were 147. It is proper to mention, that, through the libe- rality of certain noblemen and gentlemen in the county, and of the inhabitants of the parish, no legal assessment was resorted to. The sum collected and expended was L.2091, 4s. dd. Trial and Execution for Witdieraft. — In the year 1623, three women were tried and executed for witchcraft. Their names were, Margaret Hormscleuch, Isabell Haldane, and Janet Trail. In- formation being lodged against them in the session, they were summoned before that court, their depositions were respectively taken, and witnesses were called, and examined to establish their guilt The examination of the witnesses appears to have occu* pied the court for seven days in the months of May and June, and to have been conducted with great minuteness. Instead of enter- ing into particulars, it may be sufficient to state the following things, deponed by witnesses, and confessed by the accused. " With regard to Margaret Hormscleuch, — that she came to Alexander Mason's house, and having seen his wife, who was very unwell, she commanded that south running water should be brought from the Tay, the bearer to be dumb both in going and coming, and to hold the mouth of the pig to the north. That she wash- ed her with this water, and afterwards made a bath of great meal. That the diseased immediately recovered, arose, and supped with her. That she cured Marjory Lamb in the Muirton, (who was sick by the dint of an ill wind,) by washing her with south running water, and rubbing her arms with fresh butter ; and that she learn- ed these cures from Oliver Kattray's wife in Pittmudyne.— That she had restored milk to the cow of Robert Christie from Ruthven, (which had grown yeld) by causing a peck of draff to be carried home to the cow, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost — That she had restored milk to the cow of Andrew Louraine in Mireside, by mumbling some words . over a firlot of draff, which he bought by her directions ; that she sent him home 40 PERTHSHIRE. black wool and butter. That she got a shot star at the bum sidey and sent it in with black wool, and that after the cure was used, the child was healed. That Duncan Tawis and Isabell Haldane caooe to her at her house in Black Ruthven, and Duncan told her, that he thought his bairn was taken away, it being stiff as an aik tree, and unable to move. That having heard this, she promised to come in and see the bairn. That when she came in, she took the bairn upon her knee before the fire, and drew the fingers of its hands and every toe of its feet, mumbling all the -while some words that could not be heard, and immediately the bairn was cured. ^* Being asked where she learned her skill, she deponed as fol- lows, to wit : When I was lying in child-bed lair, I was drawn forth from my bed to a dub near my house door in Dunning, and was there puddled and troubled. Being asked by whom this was done, she answered by the fairy folks, who appeared some of them red, some of them gray, and riding upon horses. The principal of them that spake to me, was like a bonny white man, riding upon a gray horse. He desired me to speak of God, and to do good to poor folks ; and he showed me the means how I might do this, which was by washing, bathing, speaking words, putting sick persons through hasps of yarn, and the like." The above are excerpts of depositions, and confessions, taken by the session, as formally en- grossed in the records. ^^ George Robertson, post, was sent with the depositions of the witches, to purchase a commission to put them to an inquest The clerk was ordained to direct a missive to Andrew Conqueror, com- missioner to Parliament from the town ; and another to Charles Rollock, baillie, who were both at the time in Edinburgh ; and another to Mr John Guthrie, minister there, that they all three might concur for obtaining the commission. ^' The commission having been obtained, directed to the civil magistrates, to try Margaret Hormscleuch, Isabell Haldane, and Janet Trail, accused of witchcraft ; they were put to an assize, and being condemned, suffered the ordinary punishment by being strangled at the stake, and afterwards burned, on Friday, July the 18th 162a " The session thereafter proceeded to censure the persons who had sought cures from them, and caused them to make their pub- lic repentance on a Sunday before noon, clothed in black cloth, and standing under the bell strings (ropes.)" PERTH. 41 There were, as there still are, perforatioDs in the arched roof of the Old, DOW Middle Church, immediately under the tower, through which the bell ropes were let down for the convenience of the ringers. And it was a frequent practice to make delinquents, as a particular mark of disgrace, stand under these before the congre- gation. The place where such tragic scenes as the one now narrated were perpetrated, is said to have been a hollow in the North Inch. Royal bounty towards the Town, — The following is a speci- men of the success of flattering adulation on the mind of King James Vl. It is a letter by the town-council to his Majesty, petitioning his bounty towards the repairing the Bridge of Perth, and the result of it : *^ Moist gratious Soveragne, above all zour Mj subjectb in this zour Mj aldest kingdome, we have cans to esteem zour Mj as our £ither, zea, and as the breathe of our nosethrilles, for, besyde the commoun ressones, for quhilk wtheris of the land may glorie that they have interest in zour Mj dele- verance among ws, our commoun welth, our selfl*, our childrene, were moist gratiouslie deleverit from vtter exterminioun, our li- berties gewin at the first by zour Mj moist nobiil progeni- touris, wome almoist without vigour, revivit by zourselff, so that your grace is restorit vrbi prope modvm . *• • illud quondam vigintatis etatis, our debaittis with our neighbouris for the privil- l^e of our Water of Tay, zour Mj, as a Solomon, indeed a Prince of Peace, a visdome wer tymeouslie remowit, we haid caus to know, quam difficilis sint exitus veterum Imagiorum^ and therefore wer the moir contorted at zour Mj fatherlie foirsicht, quhairby for zour Mj departure frome ws, cause diu plectanti tandem siabilem terminum quasi diuino ore . . * . • And now for the experience of zour Mj moist lowing affectioune toward ws makes us balde to crave that zour Mj wald not withdraw zour helping hand frome that wark quhairinto once zour Mj bed put it, ffor at zour Mj com- mand, we have begun the building of the brig of Tay, and hes brocht it ane gude way fordward without the help of ony saffeing zour Mj, we repairit upon our sute, directed to zour Mj, at Tishy- thall, the grant of sewin thousandis poundis money of this realme, quhilk is in sic sort payit, that ewerie zeir we resaive ane thousand poundis tharof ; and quhill that zour Mj wes resident amang ws, zour Mj granted to ws, for forderance of that wark, exemptioun • The words arc obliterated in tlie record from which I have copied the above letters. 42 PERTHSHIRE. from tazationis for ellewin zeiris^ quhairoff the maist part ar past alredie. This zour Mj moist princelie fiiwour maid the peopile the moir willing to contribute of their awin, till now that the Lordis of your Mj hienes counsell will not allow the same without zour Mj speciall command, quhilk, gif it be directed, they haif promesed to gave their willing consent thairunto ; and thairfor we craive that zour Mj wald direct commandment to thame, otherwayis the pay- ment thairof by our peopill will compell ws to interrupt the wark. As to ws, we haif no moir to offer to zour Mj than our selff ; or giff it be possibill we can do ony'moir than we ar, we vow to zour Mj the multiplicatioun of our best thochtis and affectionis to zour Mj serwise, wissing the samen mynd in all zour Mj subjectis, than the quhilk we knaw that yourselff crawis nothing moir, being asking qwho hes alwayis thocht that ama . . • . • dili • • est imperio. And thairfoir hes ewer lowit amang zour Mj weill affect- ed subjectis sine contemptis fsicilis sine terrore reverendus. And thairfoir, wissing from our heartis now, and in our daylie prayeris, that zour Mj may long regne owir ws, protectit be Aimichtie Grod from all zour enemies, we rest, commending to zour Mj all our maist humble services, Perth, 7 September 1607 zear, moist humble and obedient subjectis. Sic sub*; Robert Mathew, Baillie; James Drummond, Moderator; James Adamson, Dene of Gilde; Hen- rie Elder, Clerk." To this letter the King returned an answer in the month of February 1608, granting exemption to the town from taxation, " for the furtherance of the building of the brig." Royal Visit. — In 1617, James came to Scotland and made a tour through several of the principal towns. Before he came to Perth, his visit was announced by authority to the town-council. The cir- cumstances which characterized this event are peculiar, and, as they are not generally known, I shall briefly narrate a few of them. The annunciation produced no ordinary excitement The chief concern of the functionaries was how to provide for his Majesty's suitable reception and entertainment But his Majesty appears to have taken care that his dignity and comfort should be duly consulted. From the secret council there came a missive to ^^ pro- vide fed beef anent his Majesty's coming to the toun." To de- fray the expense, an order was issued by the town-council to stent the inhabitants for 2000 merks, and again for an additional 1000. While preparations were proceeding, there came from Edinburgh two missives from the secret council^ which, from what we know PERTH. 43 of the King's selfrestimation, were probably dictated, if not written hy himselC These missives were as follows : — ** After our verie hartlie com- mendatiodis, the Kingis Majestie being desyrous, that in the spe* dall burrowis of this kingdoroe quhilk his Majestie intendis, (}od willing, to Yisite the tyme of his being heir, such shewiss of orna- ment, cumliness, and ciyilitie may be sene, as may gif unto his Ma- jestie contentment, and may make the strangeris that ar to accom- pany his Majestie persave and see that the countrie is not sa barine of formalitie, ordour, and civilitie, as the ignorantlie apprehend. His Majestie has thairfoir commandit, that at his first entre in the said burrowis at the port thairof, the chief and principal inhabi- tants in the toun, in thair most comlie, civill, and formal ordour, sail attend his Majestie, and that ane speche sal be maid unto his Majestie be some person (nocht being of the ministeris of. the toun) in name of the haill toun, congratulating his Majestie's com- ing to the toun, and making his Majestie hartlie welcome, and that this speche be deliverit in sensible, ticht, and gude language, as alswa that at the principal portis of the toun quhairat hia Majesty is to enter, his Majestie's armes be engraven and sett up both with- in and without, and that they be overgilt in the best fassoun. And seeing his Majestie intendis, God willing, to visit that toune, we have though mete to acquentzou with his Majestie's will and plesour in thir poyntis, to the effect that according! ie zou may provide zourselfis in time to gif to his Majestie satisfactione thairintill, and recommending the samin to zour diligence, cair, and performance as speciall poyntis, heirtilie concerning his Majestie*s contentment and the credit of zour toun, we commit zou to God. Frome Edin- burgh the xiiiL day of Aprill 1617. Sicsub. your verie goode freindis Al. Cancellor Binning, S. M. Olyphant." Written on the back, ** To our Richt traist freinds, the Provest and Railleis of Perth." Then, in two days after, came the following : — " After our verie hartlie commendationis, haveing wrettin unto zou of lait anent the decoring of the partis of zour towne with his Majestie's armes, both within and without, and anent a speche to his Majestie at his firste eutrie, we haif thocht mete of new to put zou in remembrance thairof, and to adverteis zou that his Majestie's armes moist con- tene the armes of baith kingdomes, according to the impressione and prent and impressione of the great sealle, putting the Scottis armes in the first quarter, and the ditaie of the armes moist be drawn in hir letteres of gold. And anent the speche that is to be 44 PERTHSHIRE. maid to his Majestie, zou sail inform bim whome you are to trust with that matter, that first in name of the toun he mak his Majes- tie welcome, and then in sensible and good language, he sal sett forth his Majestie's awin praise, by innumerable comfortis and blessings, quhilk this countrey has haid boith in kirk and policie under his Majestei's moist happie government, and lait go ikr as modestie may' permitt, he sail speik to the praise of the toune both anent the antiquitie theairof, the services done by the saim to the crowne and estait, the willingness of the present inhabitants be their best endeavouris to serve his Majestic in all and everie, by and in thair possibilitie, without ony private respect or consideratione, and the constant and firme resolutione of the toun to contineu in all dewtifull obedience to his Majestic and his royal progenie and successouris in all tyme coming. This being the substance of the speche, you sail cans it to be deliverit in the best forme that may be, and remitting the same to your awin graive considerationis as a poynte heightelie importing the credit of your toune, we com- mit you to God. From Edinburgh, xvii. day of Aprill 1617. Sic sub. your verie good friendis, Al. Cancell. Bining, Geo. Hay, S. Murray, Balfour of Burley." Written on the back, " To our Right traist freindis, the Provest and Baillies of Perth." Upon the receipt of these missives an order was issued by the town-council to convene daily till the King's coming. On the 4th May, they received a missive from the Chancellor and President to provide a propin to his Majesty at his entry into the city, and to meet him with black gowns. Theyappointed fiftypersons to meet him, and ordered the propin to be 1000 merks, and the silver keys of the city ovei^lt The King's arms were painted over the Highgate port. The arms were also cut in stone, and placed on the west side of the bridge nearest the tolbooth. The Bridge of Earn be- ing the town's chartered property, and as the King must pass it on his approach, the following appointment was issued : '^ Appointis Henry Bannewis to tak cair upon the bigging of the calsayeis of the Brig of Erne, and brig thairof, and to take triel with the cosches of his Majesty, that they discretlie be careit langlandis the brig, hot hurt to the samen, and to the cosches, and the coun- cill to consider his panes, and the said brig to be ledget with tim- mer and new daillit" The town-officers were ordered to be furnished with clothes of red Fleming. The skinners were ord^ed to " provide for the PERTH. 45 sword dance,* the baxters for the Egyptian dance, and the school* master and the bairns gud dance to his M^esty." The wappen* shaw was one of the manly and athletic exercises in which the 3fouth were accustomed to engage in the North Inch. They went under the name of weapon-shawings. The magistrates put them under requisition on the occasion, and required them to practise for a week before the arriyal of the King. To gratify his Majesty to the full, four Latin poems were pre- sented to him by four of the citizens, full of the roost fulsome flattery, which would ha?e disgusted any one but James* They are to be seen in Mr Cant's notes on Adamson's Muses, &c In accordance with the instruction given in the missive, a speech was delivered before his Majesty. The person selected to do it was James Stewart, a merchant burgess. It is preserved, replete with servile adulation. There is in the town's record an ^' act granting to the children of James Stewart, who made and declaim- ed the oration to his Majesty on his entry into the town, in which his Majesty took grtaJt pleasure^ the sum of 300 merks, and the same to the survivor of them, and Cathne Peebles, their mother." In 1632, Charles I. came to Scotland to receive the crown of the kingdom. On that occasion he made a triumphal entry in- to Edinburgh, and amidst much pomp was crowned in Holyrood- houseon the Idthof June. Thereafter he visited Dunfermline, — the place of his birth, Stirling, Linlithgow, Falkland, and Perth. When it was made known to the magistrates and council of Perth that it was his Majesty's intention to visit the city, they, without delay, adopted every measure within their power to give him a suitable reception. Inter alia^ they ordered the bridge of Earn to be re- paired, and some improvements to be made on the south gate-port. Thev ascertained the number of beds and stables that could be furnished ; they ordered the best houses to be kept for the En- glishmen, (t. e, the King's English attendants,) and the malt barns to be fitted up for stables. They ordered " forty head of oxen to be provided," — appointed officers, and assigned them their duties, and provided them with new clothes. They issued an order prohibit- ing women wearing plaids during his Majesty's stay. They caus- ed a speech to be prepared to be spoken before the King by two boys equipped in suitable habiliments, for which they were each to receive a hundred merks. They appointed a body " of well • The council gare the skinners T.. 40 for their dance. 46 PERTHSHIRE. clad persons to go out with them to meet the King." Of the many amusements furnished for the occasion, ^* the Sword dance'' by the Skinner and Glover Incorporation appears to have been the most interesting. There is an entry in the council books, 27th May L6dd, that it should be performed before his Majesty, oppo- site to the chancellor's (Earl of Kinnoul) yard head, on a raft upon the water. The following account of the dance is given iu the register kept by the Glover Incorporation : — ^^ Memorandum of his Majesty's coronation, and coming to Scotland, his entry to Edinburgh and Perth, 15th of June 1633, — which day, our dread sovereign, Charles King of England, France, and Ireland, came to Edinburgh, being accompanied with the nobility of Scotland riding before, and the nobility of England riding behind him, de- sired, out of his gracious favour and love, with his nobility of both kingdoms, to visit his own burgh of Perth upon the 8th of July, and came to his lodging, and went down to the garden thereof: his Majesty's chair being set upon the wall next to the Tay, where- upon was a flat stage of timber, clad about with birks, upon the which, for his Majesty's welcome and entry, thirteen of our brethren of this our calling of glovers, with green caps, strings, red ribbons, white shoes, with bells about their legs,* shering rapers in their hands, and all other abulzement, danced our sword dance with many difficult knotts and allafallajessa, five being under and five above upon their shoulders, three of them dancing through their feet, drink of wine, and breaking glasses about them, which (God be praised) was acted without hurt or skaith to any, — which drew in to great charges and expenses, amounting to the sum of three hundred and fifty merks, (yet not to be remembered,) because wee were graciouslie accepted be our sovereign and both estates, to our honour and great commendation." Thereafter two tailors, David Black and George Pourie, came forward, and personating, the one the Tay, the other the City, performed a poetic comedy before his Majesty. It is to be found in Mr Cant's History. Inundations, — The situation of the town being low, and upon the bank of a river that is fed by numerous mountain streams, it is * These bells, with different pieces of the dresses then worn by the performers. are preserved by the glover calling. They are to be seen in their hall in the best possible keeping. There is, in the same place, also their flag or banner of yellow silk, having a square of blue silk in the centre, with the arms and motto of the cal- ling emblazoned on it. It is above 226 years old, and is very little tarnished. There is here besides an ostrich egg, which hung in their halls for above 200 years. Tradi- tion says, that it came to them in the time of the crusades, from the land of Palestine. 4 PERTH. 47 tobjeded to inundatioos. The most remarkable of these were in 1210» 1621, 1740, 1773, and 1814. A particular account of (bat which occurred in 1210 is gi?en by Fordun in his Scotichronicon. There is an account of it given also by Major or Mair, an author of the fifteenth century, and by Guthrie, an author of the eighteenth century. But that of Fordun appears to be the most circumstan« tial, while it differs in nothing essential from the others. It is as follows : — ^ Some authors have asserted that in this year (1210,) about Michaelmas, there occurred such heavy fidb of rain, that the rivers overflowed their usual channels, and swept away the crops from the fields. It is said that the rivers Almond and Tay became samuch swollen, that the town of Perth was almost wholly inundated. A large mound or hillock (situated at the old junction of the Almond and Tay *) was forced down by the waters, and overthrew not only several houses, but the bridge over the Tay, and an old chapeL King William, his son Prince Alexander, and the Earl of Huntingdon, the King^s brother, left the town in a small boat, and reached the dry land in safety. A few of the nobles who happened then to be at court accompanied them in other boats ; others on the tops of houses, along with the town's people of both sexes, with difficulty escaped a watery grave ; for in consequence of an extraordinary spring-tide, and the fall of vast torrents of rain, the river rose to ^uch a height, that not boats merely, but large vessels could be impelled along the streets and broad ways with* out any difficulty or impediment" The historian Major ascribes the flood to the sudden and unexpected melting of snow in the upper quarters of the country.f * The old junction of these rivers waa at the north end of tlie North Inch. f In the kirk-session records I find the following entry relative to tlie inundation of 1621 :— *^ Tuesday, 16th Oct. 1621. — The council and eldeis having convened, have ordered a voluntary collection to be uplifted of the haill inhabitants, £>r decla- ratioo oi their thankfulness to God for their deliverance from the fearful inundation of water, threatening destruction both of the town and the inhabitants, to be applied for the use of the poor, — the manner wRereof follows : *- An remembrance of God*s visitation of Perth.** ** It is to be noted and put in register in this book, the great and miraculous de- liverance that Use Lord gave to this burgh of Perth of an fearful inundation of water eompaating the same in all parts, so that therethrough the Brig of Tay was hailly dung doun, except only one bow thereof standing. None could get furth of it, nor yet cum within it to make any relief thereto.* ^ The manner of the rising of the water was this,— .the rain began on Friday the 12th October, about ten hours of the day ; it continued that day and Saturday ; and in * This catastrophe was ascribed to the lowness of the bowi of the bridge. The water had not free issue through them ; it rose above them, and being thus gorged, its Ibrce and weight bearing against the upper part of the structure, covered the key sioost, and tbm whole at last gave way. 48 PERTHSHIRE. Citadel on South Inch, — In the year 165), Cromwell, after he bad defeated the King^s troops in an engagement near Burntisland, marched directly to Perth. He found the gates shut against him. His purpose was to besiege it, but, having proposed honourable terms to the citizens, he obtained possession.* In the following year he built the night, unlocked for, the water rose so high, that all them that dwelt outwith the caste! gavel port in laigh houses, the water increased so, that they behoved to go to high houses, for preservation of their lives ; and being iu high houses, the water rose to the loftings in the highest mid houses in the castel-gavel before six hours on Mon- day in the morning ; and the wind and weet continuing, the water came up to Gil- bert Henderson's yett (gate) in the Castel gavel, and to Margaret Mon3rpenny*s yett in the Fish Market, and to Donald Johnston's yett in the Highgate, to the Meal Vennel in the South gate^ and the water ran like miln-clouses, at the yetts of diverse parts on the north side of the High gate. An great tempestuous wind at the eait blew all this time. The water also came above Henry Sharp's shop in the Speygate. The like fearful inundation of water was never seen in no living man's remembranee, which brought the people under such fear, that they looked for nothing but to have been destroyed. ** Whereupon Mr John Malcolm, minister, powerfully endowed with God's spirit, caused ring the preaching bell on Sunday at seven hours of the morning, and the haill inhabitants came to the kirk ; and there he exhorted them to repent for their sins, which had procured the said judgement of God to come upon the town ; assur- ing them, that if they were truly penitent therefor, and would avow to God to amend their lives in time coming, God would avert his judgements, and give them delive- rance ; whose powerful exhortations moved the people to cry to God with tears, clamours, and cries, and to hold up their hands to God to amend their lives, and every one of them to abstain from their domestic sins. " The like humiliation, both of men and women, has not been seen in Perth before nor since ; preaching and praying continued all that week. Our pastor with great magnanimity insisted in exhorting the people to true repentance and amendment of their lives. *^ The waters began to decrease afternoon on Monday (15th,) but after day light past, there arose a greater tempest of wind and rain than at any time before, which so affrighted the people that night, that they looked for nothing but the waters should have arisen to greater height nor they were before. Notwithstanding thereof, mi- raculously, through the great mercy of Gud, by (without) all men's expectation, the water greatly in the meantime decreased ; which in the morning moved the people in the kirk, and in all other places, to give most hearty thanks to God for his mercy Cowards them. " Mr John Malcolm proved the part of a faithful pastor to his flock, with great godly courage and magnanimity to comfort them with the mercy of God. ** Great plenty of corns in all parts, both stacks and stooks, being on haughs and valley ground, was carried away by the waters ; and divers ships by tempest perish- ed, and horn nolt, kye, and sheep were drowned" * Cromwell proposed honourable terms, under an apprehension that the town had in it a strong military force prepared to n^ke a vigorous defence. An ingenious device by one of the inhabitants occasioned this apprehension. He made carts be in- cessantly driven through the streets, and drums beat, and a continued and loud bustle be kept up, indicating warlike preparations. Cromwell's terms being honourable to the town, they were accepted, and the gates thrown open to him. He and his officers were conducted by the provost ( Andrew Grant of Balhagils, now Murray Hall,) to Uie house of the inhabitant referred to — Mr Davidson, who entertained them. After the en- tertainment Cromwell asked the Provost how, with such a small force as he now disco- vered it to be, he could expect to keep him out of the city ? Upon the provost simply replying, that they intended to stand out till they heard that the King had come to England. Cromwell smiled at his simplicity, but, knowing that it was Davidson who had deceived him, observed, that if he had had time he would hang him.— Upon this a person of the name of Reid entered, and being introduced to Cromwell, pre- sented to him a bond which Charles had granted him for a sum of money which he had lent him, and requested payment from him. Cromwell refused to accept it, ob- 3 PERTH. 49 ai citadel on the South Inch, with the view of keeping the place more effectually in subjection to him. It was strong, and had a command- ing appearance. Its figure was square. It had a bastion at each comer, and was surrounded with a rampart of earth, and a deep moat filled with water. It was near to and connected with the river, and had a pier for loading and unloading vessels. ^^ The en- try towards the town had an iron gate. The commanding officer ordered great trees to be cut down in the king's hunting-park at Falkland and brought to the citadel. The school-house was de- molished. It contained 360 scholars, was three stories high, with room for the rector, doctors, and music-master. They demolished the high walls of the Grayfriars, carried away the stones, with nearly 800 tomb-stones, and 140 dwelling-houses, with the garden walls; also the hospital, a stately building. The stone pillars and abut- ments of the bridge, besides many kilns and fishing-boats, all were carried away to build the citadel. One hundred and forty families were turned out of their houses, and had starved, if they had not been supplied by the town. The surface of the two Inches, which yielded 2000 merks yearly for grass, was carried off to build the ramparts."^ Charles IL, upon his restoration to the throne, made a gift of the citadel, with ^ the whole arms, amunition, and others therein," to the town, as an indemnification for the losses which they had sustained by its erection, and in consideration of their faithful ser- vices to his Majesty (^2Qih June 1661.) It soon after this fell into disrepair; for in 1666, complaints, which appear in the city records, were given in to the magistrates, that, notwithstanding frequent and positive prohibitions, some persons had theftuously taken from it stones and timber. " This year, 1666," says Mr Cant, " the ma- ^trates ordered it to be exposed to public roup (auction.) It was purchased by George Conqueror, merchant and town-treasurer, for 4000 merks, besides 702 merks for 1960 stones which he sold before, for which he was to answer in his treasurer accounts. In the records for 1681, it is entered, that the council, finding the time elapsed which they allowed to Bailie Craigdellie to remove serving, that he was neither the heir nor the executor of Charles. Ileid made this pointed and inanly reply,—*' If your excellency is neither heir nur executor, you are surely a vicious intromitter.** Cromwell turning to the company said, that he never bad such a bold thing said to him. Mr Davidson's house was that in the Watergate, in which the late John Richardson, Esq. of Pitfour, resided. lie gave a tack of the lands of St Leonards for a charger to fight against Cromwell ; afterwards he sold them to the Perth Glover Incorporation. • Cant's History of Peith. PERTH. D 50 PERTHSHIRE. the stones and lime out of the citadel, they empower the treasurer to remove them, and to use them for repairing the south shore; and • in the followbg year, in answer to a petition from David Murray, merchant, they granted him liberty to dig such stones as are under ground within the citadel, for erecting a dyeing work-house in the Castle gavel, and for other purposes. They gave the same privi- lege to Isabel Orney, but no logger than to next Martinmas, they referring themselves to the council for the price. Bailie Craig- dellie's son was allowed to carry away the stones which were left by his father above ground already digged. The place which the citadel occupied does not now appear, the trenches being filled up and the ground levelled. But there are persons alive who distinctly recollect both its appearance and po- sition in 1771. On Mr Buist's map of the city and its environs, (1765,) preserved in the Antiquarian Museum, its position is dis- tinctly laid down. It was 266 feet on each side within the moat. On the north side the wall ran parallel to Grayfriars burying- ground westward across the present south road into the ground where Marshall Place stands. The south wall was nearly as far south as the aged thorn tree on the east of the road ; and the east wall extended along the river side, and at a short distance from the river. For some time before the barracks were built, which was in 1793, a part of it was fitted up for cavalry. At one time there was in it stabling for 200 horse, besides a riding-house, a tavern, a bakehouse, and other corresponding accommodation.* Perpetual Service. — " December 5, 1701. Gift of Donald McDonald, as a perpetual servant to the Earl of TuUibardine. " At Perth, the 5th day of December 1701 years, the Commis- sioners of Justiciary of the south district for securing the peace of the Highlands, considering that Donald Robertson, Alexander Stewart, John Robertson, and Donald McDonald, prisoners with- in the Tolbooth of Perth, and indicted and tried at this court, are, by verdict of the inquest, returned guilty of deaths and that the Commissioners have changed their punishment of death to perpe- tual servitude, and that the said pannelsare at the Court's disposal, therefore, the said Commissioners have given and gifted the said Donald McDonald, one of the said prisoners, as a perpetual ser- vant to the Right Honourable John Earl of TuUibardine ; recom- mending to his Lordship to cause provide a collar of brass, iron, or copper, which, by his sentence or doom (whereof an extract is delivered to the magistrates of the said burgh of Perth,) is to be PERTH. 5t upon his neck with this just inscription, — Donald McDonald, PROVED GOILTT OF DBATH fOR THEFT AT PlRTH, DeCBMBBR 5th 1701, AND GIFTED AS A PERPETUAL SERVANT TO JoUN EaRL OF TuLLiBARDiNB ;" and recommending also his Lordship to transport him from the said prison once the next week. And the said Commissioneis have ordained, and hereby do ordain, the ma- gistrates of Perth and the keeper of their Tolbooth, to deliver the said Donald McDonald to the said Earl of TiiUibardine, having the said collar and inscription, conform to the sentence of doom foresaid.*^ — Extracted furth of the Books of Adjournment of the said district, by me, James Taylor, Writer to his Majesty'^s Sig- net, Clerk of Court — (Signed) Jamks Taylor, Clerk."" Maps^ PUms, tpc. — There are no separate maps, plans, or sur* veys of the parish. There are the following maps of the city t 1. By Mr Henry Buist in 1769, four feet by three. It is in the museum of the Antiquarian Society; 2. by Mr Rutherford in 1792, one sheet, engraved by Mr Kirkwood ; 3. by Mr Macfarlane in 1805, one sheet, engraved by Mr Kirkwood ; 4. by Mr Reid in 1808, four sheet It is executed with great minuteness and ac- curacy. The original is in the possession of the town-council ; 5. by Mr Wood in 1823, one sheet, engraved by Mr Clerk. There was published in 1831, a map of the basin of the Tay by Mr Knox, two sheets, engraved by Mr Gallatly. Eminent Characters connected with the parish by Birth, Rest" dence, or BuriaL — One of the most distinguished characters whose history is connected with Perth, was John Knox, who may justly be said to have commenced here the work of Reformation in Scot- land. In the year 1544, Cardinal Bethune, having obtained an act in fiivour of the bishops and clergy to persecute and punish here- tics, came to Perth, when an accusation was forthwith lodged against certain persons, for interrupting a friar of the name of Spence, while delivering a discourse in which he taught that there was no salvation without the prayers and intercession of the saints. Three of the persons were indicted for nailing two ram's horns to St Francis' head, putting a cow's rump to his tail, and eating a goose on Hallowe'en. A fourth was charged with haunting the company of those heretics, and the fifth, a woman, Helen Stark, was charged with refusing to pray to the Virgin Mary, and saying that she would pray only to God in the name of Jesus Christ The men were found guilty and condemned, and on the following day, they were, under the windows of the Spey tower, 52 PERTHSHIRK. hanged— 'the Cardinal feasting his eyes with this deed of horrid cruelty. Janet Stark desired earnestly to die with her husband, but was refused. She was taken to a pool of water hard by, where, having recommended her children to the charity of her neighbours, and her sucking child having been taken from her breast and given to a nurse, she was drowned, dying with great courage and com- fort. This barbarous execution, or rather murder of innocent per- sons, increased the growing aversion to the priests and their super- stitions, and spread the spirit of Reformation throughout the coun- try. These and various other atrocious acts of Popish oppression perpetrated in the neighbourhood, such as the burning alive Mr George Wishart, the son of the Laird of Pitarrow at St Andrews, and, at the same place, Walter Mylne priest of Lunen, in his eightieth year, prepared the great body of the people to embrace the first opportunity of openly expressing their hatred to the Ro- man Catholic superstition. John Knox, having been in Geneva, was sent for by some Pro- testant noblemen. He commenced his return in 1557, and arriv- ed at Leith May 2, 1559. From thence, he immediately came to Perth to the aid of his brethren, and having publicly made confes- sion of his faith, he entered on ministerial duty. *^ In a sermon de- livered in the Old ( Middle) Church, he declared what command- ment God had given for the destruction of the monuments of ido- latrie, and denounced the mass as an abomination. The service being closed, a priest, opening a splendid tabernacle which stood above the altar, was about to celebrate mass, when a boy cried out, " This is intolerable." The priest gave him a blow. The boy lifted up a stone, and throwing it at the priest, hit the taber- nacle, and broke down an image, and immediately the multitude dispatched the tabernacle and the other monuments in the kirk, before the tenth man in the town understood the matter, for the most part were gone to dinner. This being noised abroad, the ras- cal multitude assembled, and, finding nothing to do in the kirk, run to Gray and Blackfriars, and after they had destroyed the monuments of idolatrie, they began to seek some spoil."* John Ruthveriy sixth Lord Ruthven and third Earl of Gowrie, was the second son of William the first Earl, and Dorothea Stew- art, daughter or grand-daughter of Henry Stewart, the first Lord • Calderwood. PERTH. 53 MethveD. He was bora m 1577 or 1578. When about eleven years old he succeeded bis elder brother James, who died a minor b 158&* He was carefully instructed in the doctrines of the Protestant religion. He was educated at the grammar-school of Perth. While attending the university of Edinburgh, and in non- age, he was elected Provost of Perth (his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and elder brother had all been in that office.) In 1594, he went abroad to prosecute his studies. The town-coun- dl, as a testimony of their respect for the Ruthven family, and of the good hopes which they entertained of him, bound themselves, and their successors in office, by a written obligation, to choose him annually as their Provost, till he should return to his native country. He returned in February 1600 (in the twenty-second year of his age) to the great joy of his friends. The reverse of satisfaction was remarked in the King^s speaking of him and to him. In the month of August, a few months after his return, he and his brother Alexander were murdered in his palace at Perth. There is a mystery connected with this atrocious transaction, which no historian has yet been able to unravel. The scrutiny which has been made into the circumstances of the case, leaves an im- pression unfavourable to his Majesty, which the ingenuity of his most powerful advocates has not been able to remove. His Ma- jesty volunteered to give the city a very full and kindly expressed charter of confirmation of rights and privileges. This, it has been believed, was intended by him to weaken the people's hostility to him, occasioned by the catastrophe. To the same cause is ascribed his entering his name on the guildry-book as a burgess.-f- * *' James, second Earl of Gowrie, was buried in tlie uortb-eost nook of the kirk of Perth, lo88, aged U." t The fallowiag papers have been published on this subject :— 1. In 1600, ** A discourse of the unnatural Conspiracy attempted against his Ma- jesty*s person at St Johnstone, upon the 5th of August 1600.** This is reputed to be the King*s own account of the matter. 2. In IGOI, '* Ruvenorum Conjuratio,*' suspected to be the production of Mr P. Galloway one of James' Chaplains. 3. In 1713, ** An historical account of the Conspiracies of Gowrie and Robert Lo- gan of Kestalrig, against King James VI.** written by George Earl of Cromarty. 4. In 1774> *' Gowrie*s Conspiracy/* This paper is introduced in the api^endix of Mr Cant*s edition of A damson's ** Muses Threuodie,** and is bellcTed to have been written by Lord Hailes. 5. In 1785, " The traditional account of the Town of Perth, concerning the death of John Earl of Gowrie and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, in the year 16(M) ,by the Rev. Mr Duff of Tiberroore." 6. In 17118, *< An historical Dissertation on Gowrie*s Conspiracy, by J. Pinker- ton, E^.** 7. In 1812. " A Treatise on the Gowrie Conspiracy by Mr W. Panton." a In 1818, *< History of the Life and Death of John Earl of Gowrie, by the Rev. Mr James Scott, senior minister of Perth.** M PERTHSHIRE The Mercers of Aldie^ proprietors of Meicklour, sprung from a burgess of Perth, of the name of John Mercer. ** According to an old inventory of writs," says Mr Scott, the venerable author of the former Statistical Account of Perth, " a copy of which I received from Mr David Mercer of Aberdeen, a descendant of the family, there was and perhaps is still preserved, in the archives of the fa- mily of Aldie, ^ an charter granted by Mauritius de Cromod in favors of John Mercer, burgess of Perth, of the lands of Meick- lour, which lands pertained before to Allan of Cambus, and were disponed by the said Allan to the said Mauritius, dated anno 1106, on Wednesday in the afternoon of St Matthew's day,'" viz, September 21st. This charter was granted in the last year of the reign of King Edgar, and before the reign of his brother Alexander. • The family have a burying vault in the Middle Church in the north aisle, which extends a considerable way under the wall into the street This was granted them by the King. The grant must have been before the year 1 126, because in or about that year the King had given away to the Abbey of Dunfermline all right that he had to any part of the parish church. The present represen- tative of that family is Baroness Keith.* Mylne was a celebrated architect, under whose direction the bridge, that was destroyed 1621, was built. He was the descend- ant of the architect Mylne, a special favourite of James III. and was master-mason to James VI. A tomb-stone in the Grayfriars burying-ground was erected to his memory by Robert Mylne, one of his posterity, in the year 1774. Another of his descendants re- moved to Edinburgh, and built Mylne's Court, Mylne's Square, and some buildings near to the Abbey of Holyrood. Two celebrat- ed architects, of the same name, one at London, and the other at Edinburgh, were descended from him. One of them, Robert, got the highest prize in the first class of architecture in Rome. Blackfriars Bridge was built according to his plan, and under his direction. He was born at Edinburgh 1734, and died 1811. Patrick AdamsoTiy Archbishop of St Andrews, was born in Perth 9. '' Summary of the ETidence on the Gowrie Conspiracy, with plans of Gowrie House,*' printed in the 1st vol. of the Tiansactions of the Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth, 1827. ' * The aisle here referred to was in 1621 designated Mercer^ Aisle. In the kirk- session records of that year, February 21st, there is the following entry : ^* Andrew Conqueror, overseer, for the reparation and theiking of Meroer*s Aisle, produced his account, whilk being read were found equitably given, and admitted, whUk amounted to eight score eight pounds, sixteen shillings, three pennies ;*'— the Session, as hospi- tal managers, being up to that year the administrators of the temporalia of the Church. PERTH. 53 1536, and educated at the grammar-school of Pertk He was the author of a tragedy — *' Herod Agrippa, who slew James with the sword," and of a poetic paraphrase on the Lamentations of Jere- miah, published in the Musae Sacrse Poetarum Scotorum, and of various other works. With him originated the reproachful tenUf a Tulchan Bishop. In a sermon which he preached against the order of bishops, he told his audience that there were three kinds of bishops ; the Lord's Bidiop, my Lord Bishop, and my Lord's Bishop ; the first a minister of Christ ; the second a Lord who sits and votes in Parliament, and rules over his brethren ; the third one who is the receiver-general of some court nobleman's rent ; giving leases for his lordship's behoof, but without the means or power of a bi^op. This one he called a Tulchan Bishop, be* cause, as the Tulchan, which is a calfs skin stuffed with straw set up before the cow to cause her give milk, so such bishops are invested with the oflSce that their patrons may by them milk the bishoprics. He was, by Regent Morton, advanced to the ArchbLshoprick of St Andrews. Thus he himself became a Tul- chan Bishi^ For this conduct he was summoned before the sy- nod of the bounds (Fife,) and upon his refusing to recognize the synod's jurisdiction, he was excommunicated. Their sentence was by the assembly removed, in consequence of his giving some ex- planations, or making certain concessions. In 1590 he formally recanted these opinions concerning church government, which had given offence to his brethren, and died in the year following. James Crichtan. — This gentleman is known by the name of the Admirable Crichton, a name given him on account of his extra- ordinary endowments of both body and mind. It is believed by many, that he was in early life a pupil in the grammar-school of Perth. For that reason I have here introduced his name. But I can find no authority for such a belie£ His father was Robert Crichton, Esq. of Eliock, in the parish of Sanquhar, in the county of Dumfries. He was bom in the mansion-house of Eliock, on the 9th of August 1560. After his birth his father sold that property to a member of the family of Dalzell, afterwards Carnwath, and took up his residence on an estate of which he was proprietor in the parish of Clunie, in Perthshire. What authorizes the belief that he was born in the mansion-house of Eliock is, that the apart- ment there, in which his birth took place, has been preserved in its original state by the successive proprietors. (.Vid. Stat. Acct. San- quhar.) It may have been imagined that, the grammar-school of 66 PERTHSHIRE. Perth, being of great celebrity, he would be naturally sent to it for instruction. But it does not appear to have risen to any celebrity, till the time when Mr Rhind was chosen rector, which was in or about the year 1580. No inference can be drawn from Clunie being in Perthshire, as Perth lies distant from it, seventeen miles at least The Rev. George Hdlyhurton^ Bishop of .Dunkeld. The first place of his ministry was Menmour, in the presbytery of Brechin. He was admitted minister of Perth on August 4, )644. In a meet- ing of presbytery, 16th October of the same year, he was severely censured for holding intercourse with the Marquis of Montrose, during his stay in Perth, eating and drinking with him, and act- ing as chaplain at his table; the Marquis being at the time under a sentence of excommunication. Mr Haly burton acknowledged what was laid to his charge, and declared that he had been taken by surprise, and was urged thereto ; that he was heartily sor- ry for what he had done ; that he had given offence ; and that he was willing to give, under his own hand, a declaration anent the occasion of his going to the Marquis, and what was the con- versation between them. By an act of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, No- vember 8, 1644, he was summoned to appear before them on the 27th, to be censured for his holding conversation with the Mar- quis ; he appeared accordingly, and a sentence of deposition was passed upon him. In the following month, the presbytery of Perth joined with him in a supplication to the Commissioners to meet in January 1645. In the month of February, the Assembly passed an act in his favour, requiring the presbytery and synod of Perth to try his repentance, and to report to the Commission for his reponi- tion to his ministry, as the Commissioners shall find reasonable. In a meeting of the presbytery, 2d April 1645, he produced that act, and being removed, the meeting, after reasoning, concluded that he should humble himself upon his knees, and give such signs of re- pentance as might convince the brethren of his unfeigned sorrow for the offence given in despising the censure ofthe kirk, and abusing the censure of excommunication. Mr Halyburton being called in, did humbly on his knees acknowledge the offence, and the scandal given to his brethren and the Christian people, and made promise that, by God's grace (should he be reponed) he would walk more circumspectly in time coming. Whereupon the brethren declar- PERTH. 67 ed themselves satisfied, and ordained the said repentance to be re- presented to the ensuing synod, that from both, reports might be made, conform to the ordinance of the Greneral Assembly. In consequence of the £fiTourable reports of presbytery and synod, the General Assembly, May 16, 1645, ordered his reponition, which took place in the Old Church of Perth on the 15th of June there- after. He was made Bbhopof Dunkeld on the 18th of January 1662. He resigned his charge at Perth in 1664, and died there on the 5th of April L665. Mr George Wishart, Bishop of Edinburgh, preached the funeral sermon. Mr Wodrow says of him, Vol. L p. 102, ^* his character was, a man who made many changes, and was sincere in none of them.'' In addition to the names of '^ eminent characters connected with Perth, by birth, residence, or burial," it may be proper to introduce the names of some of those, who, while the city was the seat of roy- alty, made ii their occasional residence. The Earl of Gowrie : his palace was immediately in front of the South Street, stretching somewhat to the south, on the site of the present prison. It and the premises connected with it, occupied the square which belongs now to the prisons and the County Buildings. — The Earl of Athole : his house was on the west side of the Spey-gate, nearly opposite to that of Earl Growrie. — The Earl of Errol : his house was at the south end and west side of the Watergate. — The Bishop of Dun- keld : his house was near to the same place, and had an entrance from the South Street, probably by what is called the Fountain Close. — Lord Chancellor Hay : his house was at the south end and east side of the Watergate, immediately contiguous to Gowrie Palace. The description of the entertainment given to Charles makes this certain. Lord John Murray : his house was a little to the north of the Old Glover Hall, in Couvre-feu Street The front portion of it still remains. — Lord Crichton of Sanquhar: his house was in the Spey-gate, as appears in a minute of the kirk-session, 4th July 1631. * * Lord Crichton of Sanquhar was' William Crichton of RayhilU son of John the second son of Robert, second Lord Crichton. He was created Viscount of Air, hj James VI., in 16*22, and Earl of Dumfries by Charles I. in 1633. He was one of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, who, in a meeting of the kirk-session of Perth, (the minute of which 1 shall presently introduce.) held in 1CI6, caused it to be sessionally enacted, that the proTOst and baillies of the boreh should be thenceforth annually chosen members. His Lordship*s immediate preMcesaor in the title was Robert Ix>rd Crichton, to whom he succeeded, in conse* 68 PERTHSHIRE. Land-oumers. — The principal land-owners in the parish of Perth are, The Right Honourable the Earl of Kinnoul, non-resident ; The Right Honourable Lord Gray, non-resident; The Right Honourable Lord Elibank, non-resident; Sir Thomas Moncrieff of Moncrieff, Bart, non-resident ; John Nicol, Esq. of Few; the City of Perth ; the Glover Incorporation of Perth. Parochial Registers. — The date of the earliest entry in the ses- sion register is 1577. It consists of 28 volumes. The date of the earliest entry in the register of baptisms is 1561. It consists of 23 volumes. The date of the earliest entry in the register of mar- riages is 1567. It consists of 10 volumes. The session appears to have been a semi-episcopal court till the period of the Revolu- tion. Till then the records were ill kept, several volumes were lost, and in those that are extant, there are not a few chasms and muti- lations. The members of session were not the only ecclesiastical office- bearers of the parish, but, in conjunction with them, there were certain civil rulers also of the city. And the court thus constituted assum- ed and exercised an arbitrary controlling authority in almost all mat- ters, civiland sacred, affecting the well-being of the community. On some occasions elders and deacons had, on taking office, the oath administered to them that they would be '^ faithful and diligent in their employment." And not only so, but if after their election they demurred to accept, they were handed over to the bailies and coun- cil to be dealt with by them. Thus in a minute, of date October 18, 1584, — " Number of elders elected: ordained their names to be presented to the bailies and council, that they may desire and command the persons written to take upon them the office of elders quence of his leaving no male issue. This sixth Lord Crichton had» we are told by Douglas, in his Peerage, a charter of the Barony of Sanquhar, (27th July 1609) and' of the house in Perth, which formerly belonged to John Earl of Gowrie, (19th January 1611-12.) There is in the Perth city records an instrument of seisin, in fa- vour of William, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, as heir to Robert, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar his father, in the great house or tenement of land formerly belonging to John Earl of Gowrie, dated 19th July 1619, proceeding upon a precept from c£ui- cery dated 17th July 1619. From Douglas we learn, also, that this sixth Lord, having engaged in a tilting match with a fencing- master of the name of Turner, the foil of his adversary depriv- ed him of the sight of one of his eyes. Believing that this was an intentional injury, his Lordship hired two persons, the name of one of whom was Carlisle, to assassinate him. This Carlisle shot him with a pistol, 11th May 1612. The assassins were shortly after apprehended, tried for the murder, and hanged. His Lordship fled. \ reward of L. 1000 was offered fur his discovery and apprehension. Being apprehend- ed, he was put upon his trial in the Court of the King's Bench, Westminster, 27th June 1612, and condemned to death, and on the 29th of the same month was hanged on a gibbet, erected in Great Palace Yard, before the gate of Westminster. PKftTH. 59 tor the present year /' the election being not ad viiam out culpamj but annuaL Id the minutes there occur instancesof interference with the affairs of the inhabitants, cognisable only by authority pure- ly ciriL Thus, in January 20, 1617, ** for as meikle as the session, understanding that Gilbert Robertson is tenant of an laigh house locate in die tenement of land pertaining to the hospital, whilk wants an chimney, and yet has daily ingill therein, to the perilling of the hail tenement to lie set on fire ; and therefore ordains that no ingill be kindled nor used in the said house hereafter, and the bai- li^ are requested to interpone their authority for that effect" They imposed and leried fines on persons guilty of certain offences, and sent some whose offences they judged to be peculiarly aggravated, to Halkerston's Tower, which stood over the north entry of the (now) West Church, there to be confined during the pleasure of the court The Episcopalian ecclesiastical dignitaries gave their full countenance to such a constitution of the session, and the conse- quent exercise of arbitrary power. Thus the following stands on record: — ^ Monday penult day of Dec 1616, present Mr John Malcolm, minister. Item, the haill elders were present except Da- vid Sibbald. In the New (now West) Kirk, with the bishops and council, the persons present. Archbishop of St Andrews, James, Archbishop of Glasgow, Alexander, Bishop of Dunkeld, William, Bishop of Galloway, and Adam, Bishop of Dunblane ; William Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, and David Lord Scone, Mr John Malcolm minister, the bailies, council, and deacons of crafts, and elders thereof. Whilk day it is agreed, for better ordering of all matters in the kirk and session, that the provost and bailies hereof shall always be elected and chosen members of the session, and that for this present year James Adamson and Constantino Malice be added to the present session, and give their assistance and concur- rence to the minister and rest of the elders. As likewise that the masters of the hospital, present and to come, shall distribute and dispense nothing but (u e. without) advice of the ministers and ma- gistrates, and that they make yearly account to them and others, three or four of the most discreet of the council and session that shall be named by the minister and magistrates." This entry is desig- nated on the margin, " sederunt of the Lords Spiritual and Tempo- ral." Agreeably to such a state of matters, the sederunt of the ses- sion frequently commenced ^^ whilk day, council and session being convened," &c 60 PERTHSHIRE. A new and more constitutional session was formed (after the Re- volution) in 1690, 4th June. Then the elders and deacons were formally and presbyterially ordained. From this. time the records have been regularly made up, and, with one or two exceptions, care- fully preserved. But it appears that the session continued to tran- sact, at their sessional meetings, the civil business of the hospital, and, in their minutes, to mix up that with matters of discipline : and, when the three Lethendy mortifications were committed to their management in the years 1660, 1686, 1743, to enter the busi- ness of these among the minutes. In 1796 this irregularity was rectified, and now there is a set of books for each of these institutions. In 1807, the original parish was divided into four by the Court of Session. Since that time the session of each parish has had its own register. The two for baptisms and marriages continue, as for- merly, for the whole original parish. The two quoad sacra parishes lately erected, have, of course, each its own register for matters of discipline. It may not be out of place to mention here, that the session of the Middle Church are in possession of four communion cups of singular- ly antique workmanship, chased. They are silver gilt, and have each an unique cover. In 1632, there appears to have been only two. In the session register of that year, we find the following entry: " May 21, the two silver overgilt goblets with gold, with the covers for the communion, and two basins pertaining to the session, are put within the charter kist in the revestry, there to be kept," Another of them seems to have been purchased about the year 1639, or soon after, for in a minute of session of that year, April 29, it is *' or- dained that the hundred pounds ( Scots) paid for permission to bury Lady Stormont in the kirk, shall be employed for the buying of an cup for the use of the communion." In the following year it is mentioned, that Mr John Robertson gave L.20 " to help to buy the cup." Besides these cups, there is a massy silver baptismal font, which appears from the legend to have beep the property of the Old or Middle Church, since the year 1649. The East Church have had it in loan since 1808. The charter kist above referred to is in the Middle Church. It contains a small box, in which there has been preserved since the year 1685 a calculus — the history of which is somewhat curious, and given in the following notice accompanying it: — ^^ September 10th 1685. This day this stone being cut and PERTH. 61 taken from Robert Ferguson, son to Donald Ferguson, by Adam Gordon, chirurgeon, before Mr William Hay, parson of Perth, and some other witnesses, was ordered to be preserved in the hos- pital box, the poore boy being cured att the expense of the session and hospital." The calculus is of the mulberry kind, enveloped by the fusible calculus. It is an inch and three-quarters by an inch and a quarter. The fusible calculus is three eighths of an inch in thickness. The register books of the presbytery of Perth are extant from the year 1618, and the register books of the synod of Perth and Stirling are extant from the year 1638. AntiquiiieSf Sfc — In the locality of the city, there are manifestations of antiquity, which carry us back to times of which no record gives us any account. The soil of the plain on which it stands is of al« luvial origin. At the upper and the lower extremities of it, the ap- pearance distinctly indicates that at one time it was insulated, — that on each side of it there was a water course ; and recent dis- coveries seem to make that almost if not altogether certain. When St Paul's Church, which is on the west side of the town, was built in 1806-7, the workmen, in digging for a foundation, came at about ten feet deep to a piece of well-built ashler masonry, stretching from north to south, in which there were iron staples and rings, such as are met with on piers. (The level of the street here is about 23 feet above the channel of the river at the water engine.) At some distance from this place, in a northerly direction, (Stor- mont Street,) a well was lately dug. At the depth of about 20 feet, there were found two willow trees, sixteen inches dia- meter in the bole, standing in their natural growing position, but with branches broken down. The soil around and above them was clay. The surface here is some^vhat higher than the site of St Paul's. Almost due north from this spot, another well was dug in the house built (1826) by the late Mrs Young of Bel wood, in Bar- rossa Place. And there one tree of the same kind was found at about eight feet below the surface, also in its natural growing position, having round it such alluvial matter as decayed nut-shells, leaves, &C. From these facts, taken in connection with the appearance of the upper and lower extremities of the plain, and its immemorial name, it is scarcely possible not to conclude, that a stream of water must have run at one time in the direction of these places, and that thus the plain had been at some remote period an Inch or Is- 62 PERTHSHIRE. land. From extant documents, it \» clear that the town's lade or aqueduct, which runs from west to east, must have crossed the line of that stream. But the aqueduct is proved to be in all respects at present what it was above 600 yearsago. Long before the year 1111, therefore, the water stream must have existed. To a mere stran- ger this may appear to be a matter of no importance ; but to every one who is acquainted with the locality it must be one of interest- ing speculation. The facts which I am now to state refer to a less distant period of time. In the excavations which have, for above these forty years past, been made for foundations of houses, there have been found in not a few places, a compact black rich earth, saponaceous to the touch, but friable when dried, which at one time must have been in a semifluid state. In that earth, various articles have been found imbedded. In some places there has been found what in- dicated that cattle had been there kept. A few weeks ago, I ex- amined an excavation made on the north side of St John's Church for founding a house. In it there was the kind of earth I have just now mentioned. The following articles were imbedded in it, viz. small pieces of leather, of various kinds, such as are thrown out of a shoe or saddle manu&ctory — such refuse of leather as is found in currying manufactories, — a spur of an antique shape ; a pair of scis- sors, in length similar to those represented on the tailors' arms, af- fixed to their seat in the West Church ; the rowels are peculiarly formed ; a small copper shield having upon it a bend dexter ; pieces of moss and heath, and straw, and oak, and a few oyster shells ; all which articles must have been deposited through mere accident. Over the whole of this deposition there were houses, which, through great age, had fallen into decay, and are now taken down for the erection of others. In accounting for such appearances, which are found in many quarters of the city, it seems most natural to refer to the repeated inundations which befell it in ancient times. In these times, the level of the streets was much lower than it is now. This is proved by the discovery of causeway pavements, 6, 8, and even 10 feet below the present ones ; and any one * who reads the narrative of the in- undationin 1210, given by Fordun, and that of 1621, given by Mr Malcolm, particularly the latter, may easily see how disposed the * In the year 1666* the causeways between the Highgate and the South Street port were raised, by order of the town-council. PERTH. 68 inhabitants would be to abandon those places of accommodation, whether for themselves or their cattle, which had been submerged. From many enactments and remarks that occur in the town re- cords, it appears that the principal fuel of the inhabitants was peat or moss turf. Peat stacks were numerous both within the town and on the North Inch, as were ^* heather stacks," laid up for winter fuel* The refuse and ashes of these appear to have been accumulated occasionally on the streets, so much so, as to require the order of the magistrates to have them removed. When the inundation took place, they, in part, would be carried into the places now mention- ed, and, with the addition of other such refuse materials, thrown in by the inhabitants, would soon give the mass a consistency. This seems to be the most natural way of accounting for the character of the earth, which is purely vegetable, and for the singular blackness of its colour, and the complete preservation of various perishable ar- ticles found in it — water impregnated with moss being a powerful antiseptic and preserver of vegetable and animal substances from corruption. When Mr James Ballingall, upholsterer, erected these buildings on the south of the church, in which are his wareroom and the Central Bank, there was found in the excavation made for the foun- dation, similar black earth, and imbedded in it a boat clinker-built, about ten feet long, resting on its keel. There was lying under it a caulking iron, and the soles of shoes. I infer, therefore, from this circumstance, and from there being found in other similar places, various pieces of cow-house furniture, that the overwhelming inun- dation was unexpected, and prevented the people from removing what they would not otherwise have allowed themselves to be de- prived of ; and this is rendered highly probable, by the narrative given of the inundation of 1621. " In the night, unlooked for, the water increased, so that all those that dwelt outwith the castle-ga- vel Port in low houses, behoved to go to high houses for preserva- tion of their lives, &c" With the lowness of the level of the street corresponded that of the channel of the river. It was so low in 1 600, that the most deeply ladened foreign vessels that traded with Perth did not break bulk till they reached the north shore, i. e. to where the council-house is, while such vessels now come no farther up the river than to the lime shore. Adamson, in his poetic history of the town, written in the year 64 PERTHSHIRE. 1630, intimates very distinctly that barges sailed past the Palace of Scone, and it is highly probable, from the appearance of the ground there, that the course of the river was much nearer the Pa- lace then than it is now. — His verses are *' As wc then talked, our barge did sweetly pass By Scone*s fair Palace, sometime Abbey was.'* In the city records, 27th November 1609, there is an entry con- taining a prohibition of boats ^^ weighing (casting) anchor at the North Inch head," i. e. the head of the original North Inch, which till 1785, reached only to the trees opposite to Boat-land. Before the Reformation, Perth abounded in monasteries and other religious houses. The monasteries were, 1^^, the Dominican or Blackfriars Monastery. It was situated at the north side of the town, and was founded by Alexander II. in 1231, who, in 1244, granted to it the whole ground where his garden was, and also a conduit of water from his milUlead, measuring four inches in wide- ness. The buildings were large and commodious, and were some- times spoken of as a palace. In this monastery, the Scottish kings, when at Perth, usually took up their residence, after the de- molition of the old castle. In the church of the monastery, the Parliament sometimes met, and the national ecclesiastical coun- cils held in it their annual meetings. The designation of the friars was, " the predicatory or the preaching friars of the burgh of Perth." 2rf, The Carmelite or Whitefriars Monastery, designated " the prior and convent of the Carmelite friars of Tulilum, near Perth.'* It was founded in the reign of Alexander III. and was situated a little way west from the town. After the Reformation, when the King's hospital was founded, the lands and rents of the monastery were annexed to it. Sd, The Charter- House or Carthusian Monastery ; this was the only monastery which the Carthusians had in Scotland. It was situated at the west end of the town, near to where the hospital now stands. It was built or founded by King James I. and his Queen in the year 1429. The original letter, sent by the prior of the great Chartreux in France addressed to that monarch, and giving consent to the erection of a house of the Carthusian order near Perth, for thirteen monks, with their competent number of servants, is extant among the papers of the hospital. It is beautifully writ- ten, and dated August 19th 1426. Its designation was, '^ The PERTH. Q5' prior and convent of the house of the valley of virtue of the Caiy. thusian order, near Perth." In the church which belonged to it* there were some royal sepulchres, in which were interred King James L, Jane his Queen; and Queen Margaret, mother of James V. 4M, The Franciscan or Grayfriars Monastery. It was founded by Lord Oliphant in 1460, and was situated at the south-east cor- ner of the town, near the river. The ground on which the mo- nastery and its church stood was, in 1580, ordered to be in all time coming, the common burying-ground for the inhabitants of the town and parish. The religious houses and chapels were, \st. The Nunnery of St Mary Magdalene, with its chapel. This nunnery, with its chapel, was situated about a mile south from the town. The time of its foundation is uncertain. The lands sur- rounding it, with some other lands and annualrents of several houses in the town, belonged to it. After the Carthusian monas- tery was built, the nunnery was siippressed, and its lands and rents were annexed to the monastery. 2dj The Nunnery of St Leonard, the Abbot, with the hospital and chapel. It was founded before the year 1296, and lay a little way south-west from the town. Lady Elizabeth Dunbar, daugh- ter of the Earl of March, who had been privately married to that unfortunate Prince, David Duke of Rotlisay, and whom he was afterwards obliged to reject, devoted herself after his death to a single life, and became prioress of the nunnery and governess of its hospital in the year 1411. After the Carthusian monastery was built, the nunnery was suppressed, and its lands and rents were an- nexed to the monastery. But the chapel continued to stand under the patronage of the monks. 3//, Our Lady's Chapel. It was situated at the foot of the north (High) Street, near to the old bridge. It was an old building in the year 1210, at which time it was in part overthrown with the bridge, by a remarkable inundation of the river. Afterwards it was repaired. I'he old prison is a portion of it. 4^, St Laurence Chapel. It was situated at the castle gavel, or on part of the ground which belonged to the old castle. It was founded by the predecessors of Robert III., December 3, 1405. He gave it to the monastery of the Blackfriars. The reason as- signed for this gift was, that prayers might be offered for the soul of his mother, Elizabeth More, " who was resting in the church PERTH. £ 66 PERTHSHIRE. of the predicatory friars of Perth." The friars, some time after they got possession of it, suffered it to fall into decay. 5th, The Chapel of St Ann, mother of the Virgin Mary. It was situated at the south side of St John's Church. The time of its foundation is uncertain. Sir Walter Eviot, of the family of the Eviots of Balhousie, was chaplain many years before 152di It had an hospital adjoining for the entertainment of poor people. 6th. St James's Chapel. It was situated at the south side of St John's Church. It was dedicated not only to the Apostle James, but also to St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. About the year 1400, the chapel fell into decay, and a new one was built by the alderman and community of the burgh, chiefly by the as- sistance which they received from William Whitson, a burgess. 7th. Allareit or Chapel of Loretto. It was situated near the head, and on the north side of the South Street 8/A. St Paul's Chapel. It was situated at the north-west comer of the street called New Row. It was founded December 25, 1434, by John Spens of Glendewglie, or Glen Douglas. It had an hospital adjoining for the entertainment of strangers, and of poor and infirm people. 9th. The Rood Chapel or Chapel of the Holy Cross. Mr Cant, in his History of Perth, says " it stood at the South Street port, on the north side." 10^ The Chapel of St Katherine. According to the descrip- tion in the foundation charter, it was situated at the west end of Perth, " at the Clay-pots." It was founded June 19, 1523, by Sir John Tyrie, who, for many years, was provost of the Collegiate- Church of Methven. At the west side of it there was founded at the same time, a house ^^ for the entertainment of poor travellers coming thither." All these chapels, as well as the monastery churches and parish church, had altars in them, founded and consecrated to the honour of particular saints, at which masses were celebrated, and prayers offered, for the souls of the founders or of their relatives. Each altar had its particular chaplain, or more than one when it happen- ed to be dedicated to two or more saints, which, for want of suffi- cient room, was frequently the case. Each chaplain had a yearly stipend of L. 10 Scots, besides occasional emoluments. The priests and chaplains, who were very numerous, besides performing ser- Tice at the altars, generally followed the business of the law as pub- lic notaries* PERTH. 67 After the Reformation, James VI. in ] 569, with the advice of the^Regent Murray, founded by charter an hospital, to be called in all time coming King James's Hospital of Perth. The foun- dation was confirmed by a new charter, which he granted when he came to full age in 1587,* and both were confirmed by an act of Parliament in 1587. By these charters and some subsequent acts of Parliament, the minister and elders of Perth were made the go- vernors of the hospital. They were established as a civil corporation in the name and on the behalf of the poor members ofjenu Christ residinff and abiding in the burgh of Perth j with power to hold le- gal courts with their dues and ammerciaments, and to have tenan- tries, and the service of free tenants." The masters of the hos- pital, who were to be annually chosen by the governors, were to produce their accounts not only to the governors and to the super- intendents of the county, who were a kind of temporary bishops, and thereby acted with a degree of civil power, but also when re- quired in the Court of Exchequer. For the support of the hospi- tal, the King assigned all the lands, rents, and emoluments which belonged to the monasteries, churches, chapels, and altars within the liberty and privilege of the burgh of Perth, and also what was paid out of the liberty and privilege thereof, to any other such re- ligious places in the kingdom. But this splendid endowment has been much diminished, partly through mismanagement, partly through the change in the value of the current coin, and partly through the violent seizure of portions of the property by commu- nities and influential individuals. This hospital has been the means of preserving ancient records more fully in Perth, than they are in most other places. The acts and canons which were made by the annual assemblies or national councils of the clergy of Scotland, and which are said to have been * When James, having attained the age of twenty-one, passed the famous act of the general revocation of church lands, it became necessary that the rights of the hos- pital should be renewed ; and more especially as the former gift of hospitality had been granted daring the King's minority, money, as well as interest at court, it might be expected, would be requisite for that purpose, both because of the composition money which the King might demand as the re-purchase of the gift, and because of the cus- tomary expenses of employing lawyers, and of getting deeds expedited by the officers of the crown. The commissioner from the burgh of Perth to the Parliament (held in Edin- burgh 1567) was William Fleming, a mai^ of great plainness and integrity, one of the most popular and respectable citizens in his day. He was in great favour with the Chancellor Maitland, Lord lliirlestane, chiefly through the Chancellor's lady, who was Jane Fleming, daughter and sole heiress of James the fourth Lord Fleming, and to whom William claimed kindred. The signal services done by this individual to the hoapital, and the manner in which the gift was obtained, appear in a curious letter, which is preserved in an old hospital rent-book, sometime before J 6^. 68 PERTHSHIRE. { deposited in the Dominican monastery of Perth, were destroyed or abstracted at the time of the Reformation. But the following do- cuments are extant in the archives of the church or hospital. — The chartulary of the Dominican monastery, viz. the book in- to which the charters of the monastery, 162 in number, were transcribed. Also the account book, or book of the receipts of rents which was kept by the prior of the convent, from the 20th June 1557, to May 6, 1559, and 162 loose charters or writs which belonged to the said monastery ; 20 charters which belonged to the Carmelites or Whitefriars ; 92 which belonged to the Carthusians ; 207 which belonged to the chapels and altars : — all these chapels, monasteries, and religious houses lying without the walls of the city. The other buildings of note were, 1*^, the Castle^ which stood without the walls, immediately at the end of the Skinner-gate. It was the usual residence of the kings previous to the erection of the Blackfriars' monastery. Not a vestige of it remains. 2. The Old Cross, It was not inferior to Mary Magdalene's Chapel. The time of its erection is unknown. But it must have been long before the year 1578, for in the session record of that year, there is the following entry : — " The assembly (session) re- quests the bailies to clear the cross, that the door may open and steik, and that they get a lock and key to the door, and likewise the master of the hospital to buy three locks for the three irons (jugs) where delinquents do penance at the cross." It stood in the middle of the High Street, between the Kirkgate and the Skinnergate, and, as in other towns, it was the place from which all proclamations were issued. What entitles it to special notice here is the following narrative, which I shall give as I find it in Cant's History. " In the guildry register is to be seen * a. d. 1601. Parcere suhjectis et debellare superbosy' and under this motto, * James R." all written with the King's own hand. Upon the next page of the register we see " Nemo me impitne lacessit^ July 24, 1650. Charles R." Written by Charles's own hand. There are blank leaves both before and afler these royal subscriptions. Charles II. was crowned on the 1st of Januarv thereafter. In the miscellaneous manuscript in my custody, before-mentioned, Mr Dundee, who was on the spot, writes thus : — " Item, on the xv. Apprill in anno a thousand vi hundred ane yeir, the King's Majes- tic cam to Perth, and that sam day he was made Provest, with ane great scerlane of the courteours, and the bancait was made at the Crois, and the King's Maiistie wes set downe thereat, and six 3 PERTH. C9 dozen of glassis brokine, with mony owder silver pissis and peuder vescilHs, and then the King made ane great soileime aith to defend the hail libertie of this brouche." With reference to this strange occurrence, I may here remark, that James V. demeaned himself in a manner somewhat similar on another occasion. There is a charter of the Abbot of Melrose, a. d. 1535, constituting that prince the bailiflF or steward of the Abbey of Melrose, vesting in faim all the powers which pertained to that office, and requiring him to be answerable to the abbot for his exercise of the same. Sure- ly James VI. did not act so far beneath his dignity in becoming the Provost of a city, as James V. in becoming the bailiff of an abbey. Notwithstanding the very positive and circumstantial manner in which this matter is presented to our belief, I am much disposed to call in question the truth of the fact as related ; and my simple reason is, that there is not only no mention of it made in the town's records, but a distinct relation given of the election of Sir David Murray of Golspetrie, knight-comptroUer, to be Provost. And it is remarkable that his election was, (what had not taken place before) entered in two books — the red book and the book of general entry. It is impossible to believe that such a very extraordinary event, as the election of the King to be Provost, would be passed without any notice whatever being taken of it in the records. In 1652, Cromwell demolished the cross and applied its mate- rials to the erection of his citadel. In 1668, after the restoration of Charles II. the magistrates contracted with Mr Mylne of Bal- fargie, the King's master mason, to rebuild it, and make it as ele- gant as any in Scotland, for L. 200 ; and in the following year, when it was finished, they issued an order to write Lord Lyoa for a license to Charles W ilson to gild it with the royal arms, and those of the town. It had a spacious terrace above. It was twelve feet high, and had a flight of steps within. On the anniversary of the Restoration, 29th May 1669, " the treasurer was appointed to cover the terrass of the new crois with a carpet, and to prepare glasses and two gallons (Scots) of French wine, to be run out of the mouths of lions, bears, and griffin^, and other heads with which the cross was ornamented." In 1765, the town-council, in consi- deration of the cross being an impediment on ihe street, empower- ed the magistrates to remove it. It was thereafter disposed of at a public sale to a mason, he being the highest bidder, for five ^ pounds. He immediately took it down, and carried off the stones. 70 PERTHSHIRE. 3. The Spey Timer was a fortress upon the city wall, near to Earl Cowrie's Palace, and had in it a strong prison. Among those who were at various times confined in it, were the pious persons whom Cardinal Bethune caused to be condemned for heresy. From it he witnessed their execution. It was the last of the towers on the wall, and was taken down about thirty years ago. Not a ves- tige of it now remains. 4. Karl Gowri^B Palace^ called in the days of its glory Perth's Whitehall, was built in the year 1520 by the Countess of Huntly. It fronted the South Street, and part of the Speygate on the west, the river on the east, the Water Vennel on the north. The city wall bounded its garden on the south, along which wall ran the lade which, at its entrance into the river, formed a dock or harbour for vessels. After the murder of the noble proprietor, it fell into the possession of the city. In 1746, the magistrates made a pre- sent of it to William Duke of Cumberland, as a mark of the gra- titude of the inhabitants for his services against the rebels. The Duke sold it to Government, to be converted into artillery barracks. It continued to be thus occupied till the commencement of the French war, when the Leith Fort became the artillery head-quar- ters. In 1805, it was repurchased by the city, and its buildings, so deeply interesting to every reader of ancient Scottish story, were ruthlessly razed, and the ground given to be the site of the public buildings which have been there recently erected. The materials of the house were sold for L. 597, Ss. 7d. 5. Tlie Parliament House, — Meetings of Parliament were some- times held in the Blackfriars monastery, but this was the place in which they were held in ordinary. It stood on the north side of the High Street, a few paces back from the street. The avenue leading to it still retains the name of the Parliament Close. Its site was where the Royal Arch Mason Lodge now is, for the erec- tion of which it was taken down in 1818. Long before that year it had fallen into decay, and was inhabited by some poor families, but it retained many traces of its having been a building of high pretension. The Scottish Parliament meetings were held in it till the reign of James II., when they and the courts of justice were removed to Edinburgh, that city having then become the seat of royalty. In Mr Cant's lucubration on Boetius' fable respecting Bertha, to which I have referred, there is mention made of urns hav- ing been found in that place on the bank of the river, worn away 4 PBRTH. 71 by the strength of the stream. One of them was very large, above half an inch in thickness, made of a fine light-brown clay, plated on the inside with brass, and capable of containing about ten English gallons. Mr Cant had in his custody a bit of the broM and tern. He observed on the face of the bank six semicircular pillars of earth, about 18 feet in height to the surface of the ground from the bed of the river. The earth of these pillars was quite differ- ent from that of the bank, being of a dark hazel colour, while the earth of the bank was reddish. Round pits had been dug out, and una deposited at the bottom. They were filled with a mixture of glutinous earth rammed down. After an inundation, which had washed away part of the bank about 150 yards farther up the river, he discovered a small tint, in which were a few ashes of oak-wood and part of a lacrymator^. It would contain about an English quart and a half. The pillars were in lines, about ten feet dis- tant from each other. Mr Cant's conjecture was, that the Ro* mans had here a station, a castellum, which carries in it great probability, as, from their regularly formed castellum at Ardoch, there are vestiges of a military way, which leads by Methven to the Tay, about a quarter of a mile above Bertha. IjOw*$ Work merits particular notice, as it is a part of the charter^ ed property of the burgh of no inconsiderable value. It is a strong and skilfully built weir or dike across the river Almond, about four miles up the river, which diverts a large portion of it into an aque- duct that formerly encompassed the walls.* Befmeal cakes, and the Council passed va- rious acts on the subject. In 1625, the deacon, in name of the craft, commenced an action against the taken ofcakts. In \Gd7, in consequence of a complaint given in by him, ^ the selling of cakes was prohibited, under the pain of forfeiting the meal, breaking of their girdles, and being fined — the eve of the fine to go to the ma- gistrates, and the other t j tlie bakers," i. e. the incurponition. In 16J^, bakers weto licensed to bake oatmeal cakes. * St Bartholomew was the patron saint of the corporation, lliey founded an altar to him ; and for keeping up the service of the altar, they appropriated a large portion of their property in the Curfew row. or Couvrefew-street. Sir Waiter Scott has immortalized the glover calling of Perth by his celebrated and admired novel of ^* The Fair Maid of i'erth, the daughter of Simon the Glover.** The calling is very opulent. It is not a little strange, therefore, that they should have lately, by a deliberate deed of their craft, sold, for the trifling consideration of about L. 100, their Hall, which has acquired a classic notoriety, and, besides, is ont of the moat ancient buildings about the city. There is a place descril>ed in an old charter of this corporation as ** the Vindaris, near the said burgh, vulgarly called the Gilt Arl>our of the Silver Hook or Missal : — Palia vestimenu sacerdotalia, and other ornaments of St Bartholomew, founded by the said craft,** — I. e. skinners and glovers. In a charter granted by the Provost and council in the year 158o to John Hunter, skinner, of a piece of ground, called the Duk Dub, it is specially mentioned as lying on the west side of the mill lade of the burgh, and in a precept of clare constat, 16(>8. in favour of George Hay of Bal- housie, in the lands of the Gilt Arbour. It has the name, also, given it of '' the Cow Causeway." I take notice of this principally with reference to what Adamson, in his Metrical History of Perth, avers, that King Robert III. witnefised from this place the bloody conflict on the Noith Inch, between the M'Intoshes and the M'Kays, 1396, and which Cant, the anootator of Adanison, assumes as certain. The historian's averment is erroneous. It must be evident to every ))erson acquainted with the locality of the place — the Cow Causeway — that from it neither the King nor any one could wiineit such a scene on the Inch ; and the chatter aud precept now re- ferred to makes it clear that the old hall could not, as traditionary report gives out, be the Gilt Arbour. PERTH. F ' 82 PERTHSHIRE. coopers, slaters, plasterers, glaziers and masons. Its income was, in 1833, L. 774, 7s. Id. arising from entry -money, recording indentures, house rents, and church seat rents. Tailor Corpo- ration consists of two sciences, tailors, staymakers. Its income (arising from the usual sources) was, in 1833, L. 238, 2s. 6d. The Flesher Corporation* consists of one science. Its income (arising from the usual sources) was, in 1832, L. 132, 7s. 6d. The Shoemaker Corporation consists of one science. The income (from the usual sources) in 1833, was about L. 139, 13s. 3d. The IVea-* vers are not a corporation. They have no right of being represent- ed in the council, and do not exercise exclusive privileges. In 1629, there was an appointment by the council of a deacon of the wea- vers. The building in which the town-council have their deliberations on the affairs of the city, is at the eastern termination of the High Street, in the immediate proximity of the old shore. It was erect- ed under the authority of an act of the Privy-council, obtained in the year 1696, and comprehended not only the council- room but a clerk's chamber, (now the chamberlain's office,) and a pack (weigh) house. One of the reasons assigned in the application for the act was, that the council had to meet in the session-house of the kirk. It was built by William Miln, wright, at Dupplin, and cost 7,500 merks. Particular attention was paid to the ornamenting and furnishing of the room. A painter was employed to adorn the chimney-piece, and " furnish a landscape." Orders were given to provide three dozen of " good rushie leather chairs" and a large table, and a carpet for it ; the carpet to be purchased in Edinburgh, and, if not found there, to be purchased' in London. In the city records 1696, there is an act for paying the "build- • St Peter was the tutelar saint of this corporation. In former times they had an altar before their seat in the Old Church illuminated with wax lights. For sup- porting this altar a tax was laid on all slaughtered cattle, which was usually called Patie*s alt4irage penny. The tax was regularly exacted till 1760, when it was abo- lished by the civil authorities as a relic of popery. Before 1761 the corporation had no market-place. They had stalls in the South Street ;— that was their exclusive privi- lege. Those who brought meat to the town for sale, brought it slung across horses* backs, and they were required to stand with it in this condition on the South Street till it was sold ; the incorporation having the sole right of erecting shambles. But in 1761, the College Yard, lately a public liowling green, was converted into a market- place for them ; for a considerable time it was the only place in the town where meat was exposed to sale, but of late years it has been almost entirely deserted, the fieshers finding it their interest to erect shops in different quarters over the town. In 1821, the council converted the northern division of it into market-places for poultry, ve- getables, and butter. PERTH. 83 ing of a pend (arch) over a piece of waste ground, between the south gavel of the new council-house, and the ruinous tenement on the north shore/* This was done to complete the western front of the building. At this pend or arch the passage boats on the Tay were moored. By an act of council they were all ordered to lie here during night In 1619, the council appointed their meetings to be on Monday, and that those who should come in later than nine o'clock should be fined in 6s. 8d. In the same year they passed ^^ an act prohi- biting persons speaking in the council without leave, and that the offenders should be fined 2s. for each offence." In no burgh of Scotland are the honour, the respectability, and the general good of the community consulted with more judg- ment and fidelity than in Perth. In confirmation of what I say I refer to the contents of the printed ^^ Lor^l Report from Commis- sioners on the Municipal Corporations of Scotland.'' There, there is given a state of the city affairs, full and distinct, which reflects much credit on its Amctionaries. The office of magistrates, in large towns, is generally difficult and laborious, however otherwise it may appear to the many, whose knowledge of it is general and superficial. They act without fee or reward ; and it frequently happens that, the more vigilant and fiiithful and impartial they are, the more reviling treatment they meet with from a multitude of the baser sort of people. Their gratuitous services insure to them no return of gratitude. It is matter of surprise, therefore, that persons of suitable respectabili- ty should be found to fill the office of the magistracy, and parti- cularly at the present time, when there is abroad so much of the spirit of insubordination, and of a desire among the lowest and most uneducated to have the supremacy in every department, both legis- kitive and executive. Our forefathers knew how much extrinsic circumstances, even those that are of no essential importance, in- fluence the minds of the mass of the people. They therefore as- signed to their rulers certain distinctive insignia of office, from the King downwards ; and the practical result has been highly bene- ficial. He must be under the influence of the wildest and most in- veterate levelling republicanism who will not acknowledge this. It is to be lamented, therefore, that among persons, from whose judg- ment in other matters, sounder notions might be expected, there should be attempts made to throw ridicule on these insignia. To the man of mere empty theory, the disparagement of these has the 84 PERTHSHIRE. appearance of wisdom, but to those who know how to control the pas- sions and prejudices of man, it has the reverse. In some of our burghs, there has, for some years past, appeared a disposition to diminish or abstract altogether the badges of magisterial office, on the ground of their serving no purpose but that of ostentatious parade. The proper dignity of our municipal officers may be lowered, but cannot be raised by such a paltry and impolitic mode of proceeding. The magistrates of Perth, in olden times, consulted what was becom- ing their rank, and how they should appear before the public eye, as the^rulers of the City. Thus, in 1688, they were among the nobility and other attendants on the funeral of Lord Strathallan, and it stands on record that they appeared there attepded by their trumpeter.* It may not be out of place here to mention, that in the list of chief magistrates, there appear the names not only of the princi- pal burgesses, but of the most distinguished noblemen and gentle- men of the neighbourhood, some of whom had residences in the town. I may mention the following : the Earl of Gowrie, the Earl of Montrose, the Earl of Athole, Lord Ruthven, Viscount Stor- mont. Sir Patrick Thriepland of Fingask, Sir William Murray of TuUibardin, Thomas Chartres, a descendant of Thomas a Longueville, who came from France with Wallace, ancestor of the Kinfauns family. His famed two-handed sword is preserved to the present day in Kinfauns Castle. Before the passing of the Reform Bill, the burgh was one of four (Perth, Dundee, Cupar, Forfar, St Andrews,) which sent a representative to Parliament. The inhabitants had no voice in the matter. The council appointed a delegate, who, with the dele- * In a former age the magistrates of Perth had a very distinguished official im- portance and authority. The chief magistrate wore a cloak of office, and carried •* a bend rapier." 1 he other magistrates carried " white staves '* Their officers or ser- geants were six, and on particular occasions seven in number, clottied, as at present, in red Fleming, and wore swords, and attended them daily. In church the Lord Pro- TOSt*s seat was ^* lined and covered with velvet.** Tlicre was also at their command a city marshall, a trumpeter, a drummer, a piper, and a swasher. In the records there is *^ an act for repairing the foot mantle and livery for the lacqueys, with the bridle and stirrup-leathers against the Provost going to Parlia- ment,** and theie is in the records, 1678, an entry, that there were deposited ** in the council-house four pairs of colours, an officer's coat with lace, two suits of livery cloaths, with fustian doublets, for lacqueys at Parliament, foot mantle with other horse furniture—a saddle only excepted, and the town*s trumpet.*' The magistrates of those times consulted what became the dignity of the ancient city, the former metropolis of the kingdom, by observing the feudal acts of hospita- lity to strangers and visitors of distinction. The entertainment, except on extraordi- nary occurrences, was, according to the practice then followed, very simple, '* wino and spices," i*. e. spiced wine ; and the visits of strangers, and the reception given to them, appear to have been regularly adveited to in the council minutes. P£RTH. 85 gates appointed by the other burghs, made choice of the represen- tatiire, the delegates acting of course in conformity with the in- ftnictions of their constituents. By the Reform Bill the burgh is entitled to choose a representative for itself. He is chosen not by the council, but by the whole population, within what is called the Bu'liamentary bounds, who hold or rent a property of the value of L 10 yearly. These bounds, as defined by the bill, are, ^' from the Dorth-western corner of the North Inch, on the right bank of the river Tay, in a straight line to the bridge on the mill-lead at the boot of Balhousie ; thence in a straight line to the bridge in the Glasgow road over the Scouring Burn ; thence in a straight line to the southern comer of the water reservoir of the depot ; thence in a straight line to the southern corner of the Friartoun pier in the river Tay, (passing to the south of the Friartoun Island,) to the point at which the same is met by the boundary of the respec- tive properties of Kinfauns, Kinnoul, and Barn hi 11 meet ; thence in a straight line to the north and eastern corner of Lord KinnouPs lodge, at the gate of approach to Kinnoul Hill ; thence in a straight line to the north-eastern corner of the inclosure of the Lunatic Asy- lum ; thence in a straight line to the point at which the Annaty bum crosses the Blairgowrie road ; thence down the Annaty burn to the point at which the same joins the river Tay ; thence in a straight line to the point first described." Laurence Oliphant, Esq. of Condie, was the first whom the burgh constituency elected to represent them in Parliament. The election was on the 27th day of December 1832. He was elected a se- cond time in 1834.* Modern Buildings, — Of these the most worthy of being here noticed is the Bridge om ex the Tay, — built 1771, Mr Smeaton, ar- chitectj^-cost L. 26,631, 12s. 5|d. The Barracks, originally in- tended for cavalry, now fitted up for intantry, — built 1793. — The Dfpo^, a military prison, erected by Government forthe reception of French prisoners, capable of containing 7000 men — built 1812, cost L. 130,000. St Paul's Church, built 1807— cost about L. 7000. The Academy and Public School Buildings, erected 1807, cost about L. 6000, Mr Burn, aLVchiiecL—Theatre^f built 1820, * Before the Union, Perth sent a Commissioner to Parliament. t lliis place of amusement has fallen very much into disrepute. Few inhabitants of anj respectability frequent it. Prices of admission have been lately lowered, not to tbe improvement of the morals of the place, for that has brought to it the lowest and the nuMt qHe*lumuhle characters of society. A correspondent of the Perth Constitutional Newspaper, Dec. 21, 1836, identifies the multitude of its frequenters with the baser sort wh squander their means in tippling-houses. 86 rEUTHSHlRE. — cost L.2625, — County Buildings and Jailj erected 1819 — cost L. 32,000— Mr Smirke, architect Mason Hall— huili 18ia Gas worky erected 1824, — cost L. 19,000, — Dr Anderson, rector of the academy, furnished the plan, and superintended its execution. He invented a method for purifying the gas, equally ingenious and simple. Its brilliancy is yet unrivalled. — Water -works for supplying the city and suburbs with water, erected in 1830 — cost L. 13,609, lis. ll^d. To Dr Anderson also is the community indebted for the whole arrangement of this valuable establishment. A filtering well is constructed in the Moncrieif Island, into which the water of the Tay finds its way through a natural bank of sand and gravel. From this well it is conveyed in a pipe under the bed of the river, to another under the great reservoir, which is i)5 feet high. It is raised into this reservoir by steam engine power, and from thence it is conducted in pipes through the streets. It is at the option of the inhabitants to take it into their dwellings. The establishment was got up under the authority of an act of Parliament, and the expense defrayed by a legal assessment on the real rent of occu- pied houses. The assessment cannot be more than five per cent. St Leonard's Church— built 1834,— cost L. 2500,— Mr Mac- kenzie, architect. IIL — Population. In the year 1562 the population is said to have been 6075, but the correctness of this cannot be relied on. As reported to Dr Webster, when he drew up the widows' scheme in 1755, it was 9019; in 1801, it was 14,878; in 1811, it was 17,248; in 1821, it was 19,068; in 1831, it was 20,016. The population of the parish has been of late on the increase, but no remarkable circum- stance has occurred to which this may be ascribed. There are three villages in the parish. — Tulloch, containing 193 inhabitants ; Craigie, containing 250 ; and Pittheaveless and Cherry Bank, con- taining 114. The yearly average of births for the last seven years is 6022 ;♦ the yearly average of deaths for the last seven years is 603^ ;f and the yearly average of marriages for the last seven years is 164^. • This is the average number of the births that were reported to the session-clerk, and by him enrolled in the itaptism register. There were 242 children who, during this period, died unbapti ed. and were not reported to the clerk. Besides, there were several parents who, from various motives, declined to register their children's names. It is from the register only that information on the point can be derived. No satisfac- tory conclusion therefore, can be drawn from what is here afforded. f The number of persons reported to the keeper of the buryiiig-ground at their interment, as having died of Asiatic cholera in 1832, was as follows :— in the month PERTH. 87 There are no resident nobility in the parish, and, with respect to &milies or individuals of private fortune residing in it, I have not the means of ascertaining with accuracy their number. Of proprietors of land of the yearly value of L. 50 and upwards, there are not more in number than 10. In 1831, the number of inha- l»ted houses was 2049; of uninhabited houses, 182; of houses building, 1 1 ; of families, 4956. The average number in each fa- mily may, be 4 nearly. The people are not remarkable for either strength, or size, or complexion, of any other personal qualities. The number of insane and fatuous people is 40 ; of blind, 7 ; of deaf and dumb, 12. Language J ^c, of the People, — The language generally spoken is English. There ar^ some Highlanders in the parish who can- not speak any language but the Gaelic, and there is a considerable number who can speak Gaelic and English with equal facility. There are no popular customs, games, and amusements in the parish that are peculiar to this part of the country.* The habits of March, 15 ; of April, 26 ; of May, 4 ; of Juoe, 9 ; of August, 1 1 ; of September' 15 ; of October, 31 ; of November, 25 ; of December, 1 1 ; toul, 147- * The games Vhich at present are most common are, foot-lmll, caning quoits, crick- et, and golf. Within these few years, a number of gentlemen have formed them- selves into a society under the designation of " the Royal Perth Golfing Society.** The golf and foot-ball were, in ancient times, favourite games in Scotland, but the Government, in the reigns of the James*s, consulting more the security of the realm than the amusement of the lieges, discouraged these games, and, by le;;^islative enact- ments, encouraged the more athletic and warlike exercises of weaponbliawing and of archery. It was enacted in the reign of James I. that weaponshaws l>e made in ilk shire, and sicklike in burroughs : — In the reign of James II., that the foot -ball and golf be cried down, and bow marks erected in each parish : — In the reign of James III., that sheriffs and bailies of regalities hold weaponshawing, and anierciat thcni that are absent or not well abuilzied: — In the reign of James IV . that neither foot. ball nor golf, nor unprofitable sport for the defence of the realm be used : — In the reiga of James V., that weaponsh:iwing be made twice in the year, in the months of June and October, at days and places as shall please the sherifl', and bailies, and burgesses o( the land. The harness of the weaponshaw was as follows :— ** For every Doblemao, sic as earle, lorde, knicht, and baroune, and everie greate landed man, hjvend ane hundredth pounde of zerlie rent, bee an armed in quliite harnesse, licht or heavie, as the please, and weaponed effeir, and to his honor. And that all others of lower rent and degree in the low>land, have jacks of plaite, halksikes or brigitanes, gorget or pesane, with spleots pause of mailzic, with gloves of plate or mailzie; that gentlemen, unlanded and seamen, have jacks of plate, halksikes, splents, salcate or steil bonet, with pesane or gorget, and everie with sworde ; — and na inaner o( wea- pon be admitted in weaponshawing, bot speares, pikes stacke and lang, of six clnes of length, Leith exes, halbardes, hand bowes and arrowes, crose bowes, culverings, twa- handed swordes, and every man to be an armed as said is, under the peine of five pounde to be tane of everie landed man, fiflie shillings of everie gentleman, and twcn- tle shillings of everie zeaman, alsafl as they be founden faltous in the premisses." Adamson, in his Muses Threnodie, laments that in his day archery was neglected in Perth. Mr Cant, in his notes on the Muses, comments on the lamentation in the following terms : — *♦ Archery, of which the gentlemen of Perth were great masters, was maile an indispensable part of education from the days of James 1. This most acoomplisbed and wise prince passed an act forbidding the favourite diversion of foot-ball, substituting in its place that of shooting with bows and arrows. Every 88 PERTHSHIRE. of the people do not in any respect differ from those of the inha* bitants of the country generally. Their style and manner of dress boy/ when he came to the age of thirteen, was obh'ged at stated times to practise archery at certain bow marks. There is a piece of ground without tlie north port, on the left hand of the road leading to Hunting Tower, called the Bow Butt, where this exer- cise was practised, but the strong and expeit archers had their bow marks on the South Inch. Near the south end of this Inch stands yet a stone which tradition says was the southern mark. The northern is near to the north-west side of the ditch that surrounds the mound, (CromwelPs citadel.) It was fixed on a rising ground called the ** Scholars Knoul." The stone was but lately carried off. 1*he distance between these marks is about Hve hundred fathoms. They must have been very strong and ex- pert archers who could shoot an arrow betwixt these marks. From the city records, it appears that the weaponshaw was from an early period observed in Perth according to statute. The magistrates, by beat of drum and pro- clamation, called out the weaponshawers to exercise on the North Inch at the fixed periods, and sometimes oftener. lliey appointed them a captain and other officers ; they gave them an ensign, which was called the hanzgcnzicr^ uihI the bearer was de- signated the hanzgenzier bearer. At particular times, the Hag, having upon it the holy lamb en pnnsani carrying the banner of St Andrew, was produced. Absentees were fined in 40 shillings each. In 1604, a ** Mr Brown, surgeon, and deacon of the Wrights, produced a letter of exemption under the privy seal, dated 2d February 1507, of divers contents, whereupon the council granted him exemption from all as- sizes, and weaponshawings, and others, during his life.** There is on record an account of a weapons^awing on the North Inch, 27th July 1614 — " The performers were assembled by beat of drum ; Alexander Peebles was nominated * hanzsengier bearer.' Persons were appointed to be * gydaris, and setting the pepill rank for ordour, and disobediencents to be warded,* (imprisoned) The seven ofllicers (town sergeants) got for the occasion a stand of new red Fleming. * Patrick Brcsone is ordained to deliver and lay the pledges, whilk aV in his handis, of the browsteris, in gardic for officerls clathis to this wcaponshawing." A riot took place, occasioned by the disorderly conduct of some of the skinnernien and hammer- men crofts. The Lord Scone, who was Provost of the burgh, was sent for to * take ordour with the riot.* An investigation took place ; the rioters were required to ap- pear next day, and say whether they would refer themselves to the town-council or the secret council. The deacons obliged their crafl to abide by the decision of the town-council. Th-: skinner rioters were fined in 500 merks, to be laid out on the east pillar of the bridge, and they paid the penalty. It does not appear what judg- ment was passed on the hammermen rioters. After the year 1620, there is no account of wcaponshawing in Perth. Horse racing appears to have existed in Perth from an early period. The place appropriated to it was the South Inch ; the course was marked by six stakes. The first account which I find of a prize having been run for is in 1613 ; it was a silver bell, presented by Ninian Graham of Garvock, in name of John Graham of Bogside. In 1631, there were three prize silver bells, but they were declared to be unsuitable, and a cup was substituted in their place, which it appears weighed no more than eight ounces. The race on that year was run on the day after Palm Sunday, and the prize was awarded to Thomas Tyrie of Drumkilbo ; his horse was called Kildair. The Palm Sunday race in 1633 was for a piece of plate, value L. 40. In 1637, the cup was won by Francis Story, servant to Lord Fen ton. Till 1688 the race was called ** the bell race.** By authority of the magistrates it was thereafter called, " race for a cup and other prizes.** The course was transferred from the South to the North Inch many years ago, being in several important respects preferable. By an cxcambion which the town effected with the Earl of Kinnoul in 1785, the Inch has been very much enlarged ; the course is 2220 yards. For fleet horses it is unrivalled, as throughout the plain there is not a single rising ; it is almost a dead level. It may be proper to mention, that, before the excambion took place, the course was nearly the same as at present, the Earl permitting it to go through his park, and the division wall to be for the time taken down. * There is an act of the town*council in 1624, " as to children going about weekly with their bows and arrows, at ute and wont,'* PERTH. 89 have DO peculiarity, as their intercourse with all quarters of the kingdom is free and frequent. Their habits are in general cleanly, and increasingly so. In the city, in which the poor of the parish principally reside, there are places where there is certainly a want of cleanliness, arising in some families from the inadequate means of support, and in others from the profligacy, or want of domestic economy on the part of the parents. I unhesitatingly ascribe much o^he squalid poverty that is found in many of the dwellings of the labouring classes of the community, to the number and proximity of low tippling-houses. These houses have, in many instances, proved a most melancholy source of evil to the families of the poor. It is scarcely to be expected that much attention to domestic comfort can prevail where dissipation and poverty are combined ; but among the sober and industrious operatives, even where the wages are very limited, there is a marked disposition to habits of cleanliness. The truth was lately shewn, when, upon the cholera making its appear- ance in the country, a strict scrutiny was instituted into the state of every quarter of the parish. A want of cleanliness was dis- covered in a few districts, but the utmost readiness was shewn by the people to remedy the evil. On the whole, the people enjoy the comforts and advantages of society, and are contented with their situation. There are, as in all such population, some who are discontented with their allotment in society, and are easily moved to take a violent part in the political questions of the day, and follow the standard of the turbulent agitator. The press is teeming with periodicals that are violent on both sides of every matter, bearing on the interests of the country, and such productions an ignorant and credulous multitude generally prefer to those that are moderate and dispassionate ; and thus it happens that our politi- cally disposed operatives arc particularly violent in their attach- ments and animosities. Were there fewer inflammatory newspapers brought into active circulation among them, they would be a much more sober, prosperous, and happy portion of the community. With respect to the general " character of the people, intellec- tual, moral, and religious," I am disposed to speak in commen- datory terms. The reading portion of them is considerable, and they have easy access to various libraries containing useful and practical treatises. When we speak of the morality of a place, it is always comparative, and I know of no town of the same size in which there is more attention paid to moral duty. If, on the one hand, it cannot be denied that immoral characters have become 90 PERTHSHIRE. more openly dariDg, it will not be denied, on the other, that moral characters have stood forward more openly and avowedly. The religious character of the people may, in some measure, be inferred from the fact that, exclusive of a Roman Catholic chapel, there are nineteen places of public worship in the parish to a population of 120,016. I am not aware of how the matter stands with respect to the other places of worship in the parish ; but this I know, that there is this year, in the establishment churches, a greater ni^p- ber of sittings taken than there was in any preceding year. There are persons among us who openly profess infidel prin- ciples, and some, also, who openly disregard all religious ordinances, and, what in this country is uniformly symptomatic of an abandon-- ment of all feeling of religious propriety, there are some tradesmen who walk abroad on the Lord's day in their ordinary working habiliments, as if ^to show a marked contempt of what the com- munity in general hold to be sacred. With the exception of these characters, who are generally held in the lowest estimation by their fellow townsmen, the inhabitants of the parish are entitled to the appellation of a moral and religious people. There is no ^^ poaching in game or the salmon- fisheries." Smyg- gling some years ago prevailed to a great extent, but it has now very much decreased — whisky being obtained from legal distilleries of a superior quality, and at as low a price as it can be obtained from smugglers. Pawnhroking is carried on to a very small extent. There are several brokers ; almost all of them are of the lowest order of Irish Roman Catholics. IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The number of acres in the parish of Perth, either cultivated or occasionally in tillage, is 2606, standard imperial measure, or about 2032^ Scotch. It has been all, at one time or ano- ther, cultivated. The two Inches have for a very long period been irt pasture. There is no undivided common. There are about 750 acres of wood ; all planted. The kinds are almost entirely Scotch pine and larch. The management is good. The average rent of arable land is L.3, 12s. 5d, per acre. Some fields are so high as L. 5 per acre. There are no lands let for grazing except the Inches. The lessee is bound by his tack, which is from year to year, not to charge more than L. 2, 2s. for each cow. Many, however, are admitted for less than that sum. Sheep are not pastured on il for the year. That was prohibited in 1697, and the prohibition has continued in force ever since. The lessee PERTH. 91 is permitted to put sheep upon them, only after St John's market, which is held on the 6rst Friday of September. The wage of a common farm-servant for the year is about 6^ bolls of oat-meal, and a Scotch pint of sweet milk per day, and lodging. The wages of artisans, such as wrights and masons, are, besides victuals, about 2s. per day in the summer season, and is. 8d. in the winter. The price of butter is from 7d. to lOd. per pound; of eggs from 6d. to 9d. per dozen. Very little cheese is made. The price of common carts, including wheels and axles, is about L« 10, 10s. each; of com carts without wheels and axles, L. 3, 10s. ; of ploughs (iron) L. 3, 10s.; of harrows, L. 1, 8s. ; a thrashing mill of six horse pow- er costs about L. 100. Little live-stock is reared, as, from the land lying so very conti- guous to the city, greater profit arises from the production of corns. The stock that is reared consists principally of the Angus breed. Short-homed cattle have been of late introduced and successfully. No sheep are bred in the parish. With respect to the character of the husbandry pursued, it may suffice to remark, that the general practice is to take a white and green crop altemately. On dry lands, the green crops consist of potatoes, turnips, and grass. On strong land, the six course shift is followed; 1. fallow; 2. wheat; 3. beans; 4. barley; 5. grass; 6. oats or wheat The farmers are judicious, enterprising, and sub- stantial. Draining has been carried on to a considerable extent. There is much strong land. A considerable portion of it has been fur- row drained, and much improved thereby. There are no meadows, and there is of course no irrigation. The fields lying close upon the Tay have been embanked and secured from the general floods. The duration of leases varies from fifteen to twenty-one years. As the prices of grain have for some years past been falling, the length of leases has been unfavourable to the occupiers, in so far as rents are paid in money. Most of the rents, however, are now paid, half in money and half in grain. On the estate of Moncrieff, the rents have been converted en- tirely into grain, on terras which were satisfactory both to the land- lord and the tenant. In such cases the occupier is of course less affected by the length of his lease. The farm-buildings are generally good. They have been al- most all of them erected within the last thirty years. There are 02 PERTHSHIRE. no enclosures in the parish, with the exception of a few in the high grounds of upper Friartoun; their fences are of stone. All the dry lands would be greatly in^proved by enclosures. There has been little recent alteration in the mode of farming, except in the increased culture of potatoes, since the London mar- ket for that article was opened about seventeen years ago. From the proximity of the city, manure can, in abundance and without difficulty, be procured, either from the city itself or from London by sea. But it may well be doubted whether the land can bear such severe cropping. With regard to " the obstacles to improvement," that which seems to be most felt, and which is most complained of, is the want of enclosures, and consequently of pasturage, in the dry lands. The property is almost all entailed, which may be a reason why the ex- pense of enclosing is not incurred. The enclosing of the fields which are on the highways is obviously of very great importance to the farmer, as his crops are never safe without it. But, for some cause or other, various high-rented fields are altogether unprotect- ed from high-way encroachment. Tenants having only a tempo- rary interest in the soil cannot be expected to incur the expense of rearing up permanent fences. They entered on their leases with sufficient capital for the undertaking ; but that capital has, in some cases, been diminished under a management equally prudent and vigorous — the prices being lower than they were contemplated to be, when the leases were entered on. Thus, the tenant has no inducement to lay out on his farm more of his means than what is absolutely necessary to the production of such returns as will enable him to live, and pay the proprietor. " The covenants of leases" are generally fair, and present no obstacle to improvement, the want of enclosures, or a provision for making them always excepted. Quarries and Mines. — There are no mines in the parish. There is one freestone quarry, which appears to have been wrought at some remote period to a considerable extent, but the stone is so exceedingly soft that the houses in the city, which have been built from it, have become very much decayed ; it has, therefore, been entirely deserted. There is in the parish an excellent trapstone quarry, from which a great quantity of road-metal has been recently taken. It lies about a mile and a half on the road to Edinburgh. Fisheries, — The only fisheries in the parish are salmon fisheries. The rents of these are at present about L. 1350 per annum. The PERTH. 93 principal ones belongbg to the city are on small islands a short way down the river. The whole belonging to the city are let for about L. 830. Last lease, they were let for L. 1300; ten years ago the rent was L. 1500. All the fish taken in the river above New- burgh are shipped from Perth by lighters for the Dundee steam ships, in which they are conveyed to London. The number shipped in 1835 was above 25,000 salmon and 50,000 grilses, making 5000 boxes, or 250 tons of fish. The yearly average of ten years, however, might be only about 4500 boxes^ or 225 tons. The rental of the whole fishings of the district will rate between 1^8000 and L. 10,000, and employ upwards of 450 men. Previous to 1828, the close-time commenced on the 26th of August, and ended 10th December. It was then altered by act of Parliament, and commenced 14th September, and ended the 1st of February. But it has been found that the 14th of Septem- ber is too late for shutting, as many of the fish far advanced to- wards spawning are killed between the 26th of August and 14 th of September ; and, on the whole, the prolongation of the time has been of very little benefit to those interested in the matter,, while a great many fish that ought to have been left to stock the river are destroyed. A bill has now been introduced into Parliament to fix the close time for the Tay, from about the 25th of August to the middle of January, which has the approbation of all concerned in the Tay fish- ings. The act of ld2tt was, however, productive of several good effects, especially in affording greater facilities to the punishment of poachers, and the protection of spawning fish, so that there is reason to believe that not one is now killed in close-time, for twenty previous to the passing of that act. Owing to the above and other causes, grilses have increased very much of late years, — the num- ber taken being fiilly sevenfold to what it was forty years ago. Produce. — The average gross amount of raw produce raised in the parish, as nearly as can be ascertained, may be stated as follows : — Produce of grain of all kinds, whether cultivated for food of man or the domestic animals, namely, wheat, oats, barley, pease, beans, about d,G04 imperial quarters, which, at an average of the fiars prices for the last thrcj years, amounts to about . . . L. 8778 Ditto of potatoes from about 189 acres, at L. 10, 10s. per acre, or 14*21 tons at L. I, Ss. per ton, . 1984 10 Ditto from 90 acres of turnips, at L. 8 per acre, or 3600 tons, at 48. per ton, . . . 720 (One-half of the turnips require to be consumed on the farm.) Gross produce of hay, 44210 stones at 6d. per stone. . 1 105 5 L. 750 1350 94 PERTHSHIRE. (Three-fourths of this, in the shape of grass or hay, require to be con- sumed on the farm, and one -fourth only can go to market.) Produce of crops cultivated for the arts, of land in pasture, . . • of gardens and orchards, none, of the annual thinning, &c. of woods, &c. of fisheries, . . . of coals, quarries, or metals. Total yearly value of raw produce raised, L. 14,687 15 Manufactures. — The manufactures of Perth consist principally of cotton-coloured goods, of which umbrella cloth is the staple. A great quantity of handkerchiefs, checked and striped ginghams, imitation Indian shawls, scarfs, trimmings, &c. are also woven. The number of weavers is about 1600, some of whom are em- ployed by manufacturers in Glasgow and Paisley. But a consi- derable number are employed by manufacturers in Perth, Scone, Methven, and Milnathort. Most of the umbrella cloths are sent to London, Manchester, and other towns in England and in Scotland. But the other goods are generally exported to North and South America, the East and West Indies. Many of the shawl pieces are for the Turkey market. There has lately been erected a mill for spinning flax and tow yarns, containing 850 spindles. The number of hands employed in it are, one manager and four foremen; 18 boys from twelve to fifteen years old ; 47 girls from twelve to fifteen years old ; ] 7 girls from fifteen to twenty years old ; 16 women twenty years old and upwards ; in all 103. The working hours are sixty-nine in the week, being twelve each day excepting Saturday, on which there are nine only. There is only one set of workers ; but if the arrange- ments contemplated are completed, there will be two sets, working eight hours each day, or forty-eight hours in the week. There is preparation making for additional 400 spindles. Tulloch, which lies about two miles to the west of the city, is memorable from its having been the first bleachfield established in Scotland. It was established about the commencement of the eighteenth' century, by a gentleman from Ireland, of the name of Christie. The present proprietor of Tulloch is Hector Sandeman, Esq., who, with great integrity and enterprise, carries on an ex- tensive bleaching and printing- work. The number of hands em- ployed is 250. He has erected an apparatus for the produc- tion of pyrolignous acid, which is used in his works as a solvent for various metals and minerals. The charcoal is disposed of to foun- PERTH. 95 ders and dyers, and to private families for culinary purposes. It may here be mentioned, that the 6rst potatoes produced in Scot- land were at this place, from seed brought over by Mr Christie from Ireland. There are three iron founderies of considerable extent. Their work in cast-iron machinery and blacksmith's articles is well exe- cuted, and has an extensive sale. Navigation. — The direct importation from foreign parts into Perth for the year 1835, consisted chiefly of Baltic produce, and of the following articles : cheese, B40 cwt. ; clover seed, 780 cwt. ; foreign spirits, 120 gal.; flax, 2000 cwt; lintseed, 30 quarters (the importations of this article generally consist of from 600 to 800 quarters yearly;) and'a considerable quantity of timber, — pine, Nor- way, Baltic, and American, the whole imported in twenty-two ves- sels, the sales whereon were L.5191. Besides the above, there were corns, bark, hides, smalt, madder, tar, &c. Importations of bones and animalized carbon, to a considerable extent, have taken place, not only from the continent, but coastways, which have been found (the bones being ground) to be very beneficial in raising turnips. The articles imported coastways are, coal, lime, salt, manure, &c^ The quantity of coals in 1835 was, from England, about 22,000 tons ; and from Scotland, about 1 1,500 tons. The value about L. 28,500. The exports to foreign parts were trifling. Indeed, from the con- tiguity of the great shipping port of Dundee, a great many articles were sent thither in lighters for exportation, and a number of car- goes, ostensibly for Perth and its county, were entered inwards there from the continent, and transhipped into lighters hither. But the quantity of potatoes shipped from Perth for the London mar- ket during the last year was 27,1 14 tons, or 108,456 Scotch bolls. The value in Perth about L. 65,000; and the value in London, which includes freight, &c about L. 101.000. The other exports consisted of corns of all kinds, about 40,000 quarters, and a con- siderable quantity of timber, slates, &c. The number of vessels belonging to Perth is 78, — 5467 tons. The number of coasting-vessels which entered the port last year was 736, — about 40,000 tons. The only navigable river connected with the parish is the Tay. V. — Parochial Economy. Market'Town. — Perth is a market-town, and the only one in the 96 PERTHSHIRE. parish. Its population, as I have already stated, was, at the last census 1831, 20,016. It was in early times a place of great trade. In Camden's Britannia, the following distich is quoted from an English writer, Alexander Necham, who was Abbot of Exeter in 1215, and died in 1227. " Transis, itmple Tai, per rura per oppida, per Perth Regnum sustentant illius urbis opes." ** Great Tay, thou passest on through fields, through towns, through Perth. The wealth of that city supports the kingdom.'* An extensive commerce was carried on during many ages between Perth and the Netherlands. The merchants of Perth visited in their own ships the Hans towns. The German merchants, very early, frequented the port of Perth, and not {f few industrious Ger- mans, who wrought in the woollen and linen manufactories, and in staining cloth, seem to have fixed their abode at Perth, and to have been received as burgesses. But William the Lion, following the example of his grandfather. King David, put the foreign merchants under a great restriction when they came to Perth with their goods. In a charter which he gave to the town 1210, and as a further dis- couragement to these merchants, he granted to his burgesses in Perth, in that same charter, " that they might have their own mer- chant guild — fullers and weavers excepted." It does not appear that Perth has, since then, been disting^uish- ed as a place of trade. About 6fty years ago, several enterprising individuals directed their attention to the manufacturing of cotton goods, — there being a demand for them in the market to a very en- couraging extent This gave employment to weavers. The num- ber of these rapidly increased, as high wages were held out to the people who would engage in the trade, and as proficiency in it was very soon and very easily acquired. Besides capitalists in Perth, there were others in Glasgow who had agents here, employing weavers. But, owing to adverse circumstances and events, some ca- pitahsts failed, and others were necessitated to restrict their opera- tions. The number of operatives thereupon diminished. Wages fell very low, and no small distress ensued. There can be no doubt of the fact, that the temporary prosperity of this branch of trade was chiefly owing to the too adventurous spirit of speculating indivi- duals. Though it cannot be said to have yet revived, there are gentlemen among us, who, by sound and spirited application of skill and capital, are employing a considerable body of operatives. At the period now referred to, and for long before, the glove «i PERTH. 97 trade of Perth was prosperous. Perth-made gloves had a prefe- reoce throughout the kingdom. One tradesman had seventeen men employed in cutting out work for his sewers. The quantity yearly manu&ctured for home consumption was between 2000 and 3000 pairs. But the trade is now almost entirely gone» the sale of the article being in the hands of haberdashers and cloth- merchants, who obtain it from various quarters in England and Scotland. The con- sequence of this has been the falling off of another branch of trade, that of skinners, which, not many years ago, was very prosperous, and which, in ancient times, occupied such a numerous body of the in- habitants, that the main street from the north, being chiefly occu- pied by them, was named Skinner Street. About the year 1795, the number of sheep and lamb skins prepared and dressed was 30,000. The trade is now limited to two or three individuals. I'he number of these skins, prepared and dressed by them, is about 27,000. Perth was, forty years ago, the only town in Scotland, with the exception of Edinburgh, and perhaps Glasgow, in which book- printing was carried on to any extent. The Messrs Morison, who were distinguished for intellectual endowment and literary attain- ment, vigorously applied themselves to this branch of trade. They printed, Mr Scott informs us in his Statistical Account of Perth, between twenty and thirty thousand volumes annually. Since their time the trade has been more generally diffused over the kingdom, and in many other provincial towns it is prosecuted with consider- able spirit. Of course it is not now in Perth what it formerly was. Villages. — The villages in the parish are, as I have already stated, Tulloclm^ containing 193 inhabitants; Pitheaveless and Cherry-bank, containing 114 inhabitants ; Upper and Lower Crai- gie, containing 250 inhabitants. There was at one time a con- siderable village at South Muirtown, but it is now removed. Means of Communication. — Perth is a post-town. The net re- venue of the office is about L. 4000. The mail from Edinburgh arrives at 9 p. m. on its way to the north, to Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness. The mail to Edinburgh is dispatched at 1 a. m. The Glasgow mail arrives at half-past 8 p. m., and is dispatch- ed at 1 a. m. The mail from Aberdeen and Dundee arrives at 10 minutes before 1 a. m., and from Inverness at 11 p. m. The turnpike roads in the parish, from south to north, are about four miles and a half, and from east to west about two miles. The roads diverge from the city as a centre,— one to Edinburgh, PERTH. o 98 PERTHSHIRE. on the south ; two to Glasgow, on the west ; and one to Dunkeld, Inverness, &c. on the north ; one to Aberdeen on the north-east They are not now as they were formerly, ill made and ill kept They are made and kept in repair entirely upon Mr M* Adam's judicious system, to the incalculable benefit and comfort of the tra-* Teller. On all these roads, four-horse coaches run daily. The Bridge of Perth is the only one in the parish that merits particular notice. It was founded in the year 1766, and finished in 1771. It is simple and elegant It has nine arches. Its length is 880 feet, and its breadth 18 feet of carriage way, and 4 feet of foot pavement, in all 22 feet between the parapets. It has been repeatedly proposed to make it wider ; and some advances have been made with that view. But the parties immediately inte- rested have not as yet agreed as to the way of carrying the pro- posal into effect To the spirited and patriotic exertions of the late Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Kinnoul, the county are indebted for this important building. In the traditional account of the origin of Perth, given by Mr Henry Adamson in his Muses Threnodie, it is said that Agricola having fortified the town with walls and a strong castle, did also, with much labour to his soldiers, and probably to the poor natives, also construct a large wooden bridge over the river at Perth. This may be true ; but he produces no fact to give probability to the tra- dition. Among the records belonging to the Abbacy of Scone, there is, as I have already stated, an order from King Robert Bruce^ 1329, to the abbot and monks, to allow the magistrates of Perth liberty to take stones out of the quarries of Kincarrathie or Bal- cormac, for building the Bridge of Tay, the Bijdge of Earn, and the church. A citizen of Perth, of the name of Dundee, has re- corded several events, with their dates, in a miscellaneous manu- script, of which Mr Adamson was in possession when he wrote the Muses Threnodie. The manuscript was commenced in 1570^ and was continued by his son till 1 636. In contains, inter alia^ a notice of " the falling down of the three bowis of the Brig of Tay be the greet watter, and of Lewis Vaiter, on the 20 day of Dec. in anno 1578." — " The downe falling of five bowis of the Brig of Tay on the 14 day of Janewir in anno 1582 yeiris." — " The downe falling of the bra trein pillaris of the Brig of Tay on the 29 day of De- cember in anno 1589 zeiris." This must have been the bridge that was built in 1329; and the substantial correctness of Mr Dun- dee's notice is established by the contents of a decreet of the Lords ^ 3 PERTH. 99 of Council in 1586, m eavsa, the magistrates of Dundee verms the magistrates of Perth, in which the latter plead, why they should not pay certain duties claimed for repairing the shore and bulwark of Dundee, that their need was equally great ^^ of sic exactions to support the common weil of thair awin burgh, mair requisit to be bott and helpit, nor the said shore and havin of Dundee, speciallie the brig haiffiog twyst fellin doun and decayit, and laitlie being erectit of tymmer, is readdy to fall without present help,*' &c. From this time till 1617, the bridge was under repair, and a con- siderable portion of it built anew. Among the records of the House of Pittheaveless, there is an order from the King and secret coun- cil, 7th February 1599, for allowing the magistrates of Perth to take stones out of thequarry of Pittheaveless for repairing the Bridge of Tay, on payment of fifty merks yearly, until it be finished. The progress of the work, the obstructions which occurred, and the means resorted to for obtaining the necessary funds, are entered faithfully and fully in the city records. In 1617 it appears to have been finished, as in that year 3000 merks were paid as the price of the last arch. The high national importance attached at that time to this bridge, appears from the charter which James gave, during its re- pair, to the town, confirming their whole rights and privileges, dat- ed at Holyrood, 15th November 1600. In it he designates the bridge " a most precious jewil of our kingdom, and a work pro- fitable and primely necessary to our whole kingdom and dominion, and for the suppression of rebels and such as are viciously aflccted, most commodious; and also keeping the one -half of the kingdom, with the other half thereof in faith, obedience, duty, And office, to- wards us their kings, in our kingdom and dominion." But in the year 1621, and about four years after the completion of its re- pairs, it was, as has been already stated, swept away by a flood. Numerous attempts were made to rebuild it. James himself, and Charles Prince of Wales, and many of the nbbility and others, subscribed with that view. King Charles II., in 1662, ra- tified all grants given by King James VI. and King Charles I., his grandfather and father, of the sum of 40,000 merks for rebuilding the bridge. There is preserved in the Antiquarian Society Mu- seum the following list of subscriptions, — Holograph — Richmond Knox, 2500 merks; Geo. Hay, 1000 merks; Mar, 1000 merks; Roxburgh, 800 merks ; Erskine, 400 merks ; Gray, 800 merks ; Carnegy,400 merks; Buccleugh, 800 merks; Asprynie, 400 merks; 100 PERTHSHIRE. Seaforth, ROOmerks; Prarsthalt, 800 merks; Lorton, 800 merks; Linlithgow, 500 merks; Melrose, 800 merks; Lauderdale, 800 merks; Cranston, L. 100. The scheme was ultimately abandoned* There are no canals or raiUroads in the parish. Between Perth and Dundee there is one passage stean^-boat, and sometimes two, which ply daily. The river not being deep enough in several places to ad- mit of their passing at all hours, their arrivals and departures are re- gulated by the flowing of the tide. There is at present an iron steam- boat constructing to pFy on the river, through the enterprise of Messrs A. M*Farlane and Sons, iron-founders. It is of 70 horse-power, 112 feet long, and will draw from 33 to 36 inches water when loaded with 600 passengers. From the present spirited exertions made to remove the fords and deepen the channel of the river generally, it is expected that the boat will make the passage twice each tide* A rail-road between Perth and Dundee is projected ; surveys have been taken, and some subscriptions raised to carry the pro- ject into effect. But it does not meet with the concurrence of se- veral of the proprietors, through whose parks and pleasure-grounds it would require to be carried ; and some obstacles will stand in the way of bringing it to the city, which it will not be easy to sur- mount It is not, therefore, probable that the work will be at pre- sent proceeded in ; and the more especially, as the improvements in the river navigation promise to make water conveyance both more rapid and more frequent Harbours, — In the royal charter now adverted to, there is an inhibition on all sea-vessels, small and great, coming within the water of Tay with merchandise, from disloading or breaking bulk till they come to the bridge, t. e, the bridge at the east end of the High Street, now called the « Old Shore" and « Old Light" Here was the harbour at that time, 1600 ; but it is now removed from the town down the river to what is called the Lime shore. This removal appears to have been gradual, in consequence of an accu- mulation of gravel in the bed of the river impeding the navigation. The removal was first to the south shore, opposite to the Gray- friars burying-ground ; and, finally, in 1752, to where it now is. What was in 1600 the principal, the only harbour, receivfhg ves- sels of the greatest burden that could come up the river, and even ships mounting great guns, (as appears from the account given by Buchanan of an attempt to storm the town in 1544 from the river . or eastern side,) is now frequented by small craft only. The citizens of Perth and the inhabitants of the surrounding coun- 102 PERTHSHIRE. salmon-fisbing stations became more numerous and valuable. To such an alamiing extent had these obstructions arisen, and so long had the authorities neglected to assert their right to remove them, that many years ago it was judged advisable to consult the most eminent engineers, as to the steps which ought to be taken, with xhe view of asking new powers firom Parliament. Messrs Smeaton and Rennie severally reported their opinion, the former recom- mending a line of quay, suited to the craft then frequenting the port, — the latter recommending a suite of wet-docks on the South Inch. Mr Jardine afterwards surveyed and proposed a new harbour on the site of the old one, but projecting much farther into the current of the river, together with the removal of the weel-ford, it being the greatest obstruction, and nearest to the harbour. Mr Jardine's plan was adopted, and an act of Parliament procured for carrying it into effect on the 17th June 1830, under the di- rection of a board of commissioners twenty-nine in number. The commissioners had proceeded so far with the works under this act, as to complete the new pier, when doubts were started£as to the efficiency of the remaining part of the plan, which provided^for the removal of the weel-ford, and the deepening of the river upon an inclined plane, within the very limited space from the County Buildings to the Friartown Hole. It is but justice, therefore, to Mr Jardine to state, that his recommendations were never fully carried out, but were departed from, chiefly because they did not embrace other fords between Perth and Newburgh, which would still have presented great obstructions to the navigation, although the weel- ford had been removed. During 1833, this important subject occupied much of the atten- tion of the town-council, the merchants, and the public generally. It was at last resolved to employ Messrs Stevenson and Son, en- gineers, to make a complete survey of the river, and to report fully their opinion as to the best mode of improving the harbour and navigation. On the 22d January 1834, these gentlemen gave a very full report, in which they recommended the removal of all the fords in the river from Friartown to Newburgh, by a dredging-machine, excavating from 4 feet 3 inches, to 4 feet 9 inches ; the junction of the several small islands to the mainland, by which means they an- ticipated that the track from Newburgh to Perth would be deep- enened to 16 feet at spring tides, and 1 1 feet at neap tides ; there- by admitting vessels of 380 tons burden to pass at the former, and PBRTH. 103 of 130 tons to pass at the latter tide.* The greatest difficulty in the way of this eolaiged impro?eiiieDt was tbe risk to the salmon- 6shiiigs from the operation. The report of these gentlemen then re- commends the formation of a tide-harbour commencing at the Friartown; an entrance lock to a canal leading from thence to a ca^ pacious wet-dock, to be excavated about 200 yards to the westward of the present quay. The total estimated expense of these works is as under : ImproYemeiit of tbe DBTigatioii* • L>5600 14 3 Tide harbour, - . . 9169 18 Entrance lock, - . . 10343 8 8 Ship canal, .... 6464 12 II Wet dock, . . - 22737 4 4 L. 54,314 le 2 It was recommended that these extensive operations should be proceeded with progressively, the benefit of the first branches being available by themselves, without reference to the remaining parts. The suggestions of the Messrs Stevenson were substantially ap- proved of by the town-council, and at a public meeting of the inha- bitants ; and an act of Parliament was applied for, and obtained on the 27th June 1834, for carrying these operations into efiect under the direction of a board of conunissioners, thirty in number, of whom the Member of Parliament for the city is one, fourteen are members of the town*council, six are justices of the peace in the county, three are ship-owners, and six are burgesses of Perth. By the act, ample compensation is provided for the salmon-fishing proprietors for any damage arising to the fishings from the opera* tions. The time allowed by the act for the completion of these works is twenty years from its passing, 27th June 1834 ; five years for deepening and improving the navigation of the river, and the remainder for the execution of the other works. Since the passing of the act, the commissioners have been actively engaged in carrying its provisions into efiect. And al- though they have met with some difiSculties and obstructions in the formation of the tide harbour, it is likely that they have now over- come the greatest of these, and that the work will proceed with ra- * In 1682, the town-council passed an act granting allowances to the then " late ProTott» ( Mr John Glas) as tacksman of the fishings, to take out a great stone in Um fishings opposite the sleepless Inch.** He failed in the attempt. The stone has, since that time, been very injurious to the fishings. It was this year, 18<')6, taken out by Mr TumbuD, employed to deepen the rirer, and lies on the contiguous shore. It ii above four tons weight. 104 PERTHSHIRE. pidity, while the success of their operations on the fords has been in the highest degree satisfactory and encouraging. Ecclesiastical State. — The original church of Perth was desig- nated " the Church of St John the Baptist." It is altogether un- known when and by whom it was founded. It could not be built before the year 412, for it was not till then that the Picts, who in- habited the country to the south of the Grampian mountains, be- came converts to the Christian faith ; and if it be the fact, that till the time of St Ninian (from Galloway) there was no church built of stone in the country, it could not be before the year 452. The Picts were the ancestors of the generality of the people, and Ninian laboured as a missionary among them. The church edifice was extensive and magnificent, as appears from historical facts and from vestiges which still remain. But . after the year 1226, when it, with the tithes of the parish, was given to the Abbey of Dunfermline, the edifice was neglected. The monks endeavoured to throw the burden of Qpholding it upon the town, and the town upon the monks ; and when the monastery churches began to be built in the parish in the reign of Alei^ander II. its interests were almost entirely neglected. This was parti- cularly the case during the national disturbances which began in the year 1290. At length, however, Robert Bruce, having in a great measure restored good order in the kingdom, directed his attention to the repairing of the church of St Johnstone. His death, which took place 1329, put an end to these laudable efforts. The following letter he addressed to the abbot and convent of Scone, as proprietor of some quarries in the neighbourhood, to ob- tain the stones which might be necessary. " Robert, by the grace of God King of Scots, to our beloved and faithful religious men, the abbot and convent of Scone, greeting : We request, and that very earnestly, that you will grant liberty to take hewed stones from Kincarrachie and Balcormac, for the edification of the church of Perth and of the Bridges of Perth and Earn, providing always that this liberty shall not be of any prejudice or damage to you. Given at Glasgow, the 4th day of July, in the forty-third year of our reign." In the year 1400 the edifice was in good repair. Before that time the east end or choir had been rebuilt. The former altars of the saints were removed, and a multitude of new ones began to be founded ; only the great altar of St John Baptist, according to the superstitious feelings then prevalent, required to be kept up and to PERTH- 105 Stand in the same place, viz. at the east end of the building. The first of the new altars was that of St Ninian, to whom I have now referred. It was founded 14th August 1401 by Robert Brown, a burgess of Perth. The whole length of the building is 207 feet. The most prominent part of the edifice is the square tower. It remains the same that it was originally, only that it has been at some after period surmounted by a wooden erection of a pyrami- dical shape covered with lead, designated in an act of council in the year 1675, ** the prikit of the steeple,'' — an erection which is by no means in good keeping with the building. The whole height is 155 feet. It was repaired in the year now mentioned, and in 1767 the pricket received a new covering of lead. The magistracy under whose reign this work was done have their names perpetuat- ed upon it in alt. It had anciently one dial or horologe on the north, — another was put on the south side in 1675. There was at one time in it a set of bells of celebrated power and tone. Respecting them there is the following entry in the city records, of date 2Jst March 1652. " VisitBtioune about the Steepell and Bellis. PreKhing BeU. L On the upper syde of the Bell without Meckle pearling is about. Pxx. Joannes Baptisti Votar Ego Vox clamantis in Deserto Mecline Petrus Magheneus me fonnavit Sit benedictu qui cuncta Creavit. 147 zeiris old. 1506. IL Commone Bell This bell is in the diameter in wydnes wtne the lippis 1 ell 1 quarter and ane half. Joannes Baptisti Votar Nofl autem gloriari opportet in cnicem domini nostri Jesu Christi. Anno Domini 1520. This upmost on the head Pearling on Ilk syd of the Bell Facta sum Meckline per Georgio Magheneus Ego vox clamantis in deserto Parata viam Domini Stamps of John the Baptist on Hk syd In middest Christ ryding on ane as colt and people crying. IIL On the skelloche* littill Bell anno dom. 1400 253 zeirs old 253 zeirs old this bell is IV. On the Curfew bell on legeabill letters old character No date onlie this read I pro nobis I clamare V. Anno 1526 Seven houre Bellis without the steepill viz. on Bell for the haill ho', and six for the haff hour. on It twa crounes and ane cross. * SkeDoehe, Northern Scots, a ihrill cry or squall. Jam. Scot. Oic^Skellat, a ioaU bcQ, a sort of iron rmttlei — lb. i 108 PERTHSHIRE. the session ordains the lofts to be put up in the kirk." ** March 5, 1593^ the session ordains the masters of hospital to cause repair the kirk floor." *^ June 18, 1599, the session condescends that L. 3 be given to the tailors for the reparation of their seat in the kirk, which was transported at the desire of the minister." ^' March 29, 1609, James Adamson, master of the hospital, produced account of sums of money disbursed by him at the command of the session, for bigging of twa lofts in the kirk, the one for the pro- vost, bailies, and council, and another for common people, and the scholars of the granmiar-school, which account being heard and allowed, the accounter was found to have super- expended L. 160, Is. and 6 pennies, which sum they ordain to be paid to him of the first and readiest casualities of the hospital." '^ April 1600, the session ordains a collection to be made the next Sabbath for reparation of the kirk, and for that effect ordains twa baillies to be at every kirk door, and the elders to be with them." *^ June 10, 1616, the ses- sion ordains the pulpit to be repaired, with a new sad green cloth fringed with green silk, like the pulpit of Edinburgh." ^^ January 21, 1639, whilk day the session ordains the of the burgh of Perth to put forth their auld seat equal with their new seat, and to repair the glass windows forenent both their seats." *^ September 3, 1639, whilk day the session ordains the masters of the kirk wark to do nothing of the kirk wark till the spring time, but only point and mend the sclates." Numerous similar extracts might be produced to evince the fact, that the temporalia of the church of Perth was, at the early period referred to, under the jurisdiction and management of the ministers and elders, — that all things connected with it were arranged and disposed of as they pleased. It is true they had no power given them as a kirk-session over the temporalia, but they had the power as the appointed hospital managers. A complete change has taken place. The temporalia are now entirely under the jurisdiction of the civil authorities of the city, and the kirk-session or ministers and elders have not even a sitting in the church to dispose of to any individual, however destitute. As a matter of curiosity, it may be worth while to inquire how this change has been brought about — whether members of the town- council holding office in the session, which they did for a consi- derable time during the semi-episcopalian semi-presbyterian period of the church of Scotland, may not have contributed to effect the change. PERTH. 109 It is an illustrative fact, and not out of place to mention, that the town-council got possession of, and retained for many years, till obliged to give it up, a property of considerable value belonging to the hospitaL James VI., among other immunities and privileges, gifted to the hospital by charter L. 69, 6s. 8d. of yearly burgage ikrm, formerly paid to the Exchequer, and for that sum the town was to bold count annually to the Exchequer, at the filling up of the aeque, as paid by them to the hospital. The town agents contriv- ed to conceal the grant, and might have continued to do so in all time coming, had not one of the ministers, in 1754, discovered the fact, in consequence of an incidental perusal which he had got of the town's great charter. An investigation forthwith commen- ced, and demands were made to obtain possession of the property. These were upon various grounds resisted, particularly the not very honourable one of n^ative prescription. Recourse was then had to the civil court, and in 1758, the Lords of Session decerned against the town, requiring them to pay in all time coming the said sum of L. 69, 6s. 8d. and also to make count for thirty-nine years, with certain deductions of bygones, to the amount of L. 2377, 12s. 8d. Sterling. Another illustrative fact may be mentioned. Immedi- ately upon the charter being granted, the minister and elders, as hospital managers, entered on possession of the Blackfriars and Charter- House lands. In a few years, the magistrates and council claimed as their right to have the management of the property. Their claim was indeed resisted, but they contrived to gain their point by means of that most disgraceful and outrageous transaction, which I have before particularly detailed (page 59.) Having, at this illegal self-constituted session, got into the management of the hospi- tal affairs, they contrived to appropriate to the use of the town the proceeds of these lands. The presbytery interfered, and threat- ened legal measures. They then proposed to the session to alie- nate the said proceeds to the maintenance of a third minister. The session applied to the presbytery for advice, who referred the matter to the General Assembly. The Assembly appointed a committee of legal members to consider it and report. The report was decid- edly against the town-council. Still, however, the council continued to hold the property, and appropriate and draw the rents. A num- ber of the councillors being members of session, the session was gained over. The presbytery coming to the knowledge of this, did at their own risk, and with their own means, and even though oppos- ed by the kirk- session, commence a process before the C!ourt of 110 PERTHSHIRE. Session, (1758) against the town, for recovering that property to the hospital, and for count and reckoning with respect to bygone abstracted rents. After a very keen litigation for more than two years, in the course of which the cause was carried to the House of Peers, Mr Boswell, one of the presbytery's counsel, craved that the hospital should be found entitled to the mails and duties of Blackfriars and Charterhouse lands since the commencement of the ptocess, and passed from the other claim of bygone mails and duties, pro loco et tempore. Accordingly, the Lords pronounced their final decree on the 25th of July that year, ordaining the town of Perth to cede the possession of the Blackfriars and Charterhouse lands to the hospital masters, and the tenants to pay their rents in all time coming to the said hospital masters, &c One other illus- trative fact I shall mention, and which is immediately to the point. The parish church of St John the Baptist was specially gifted in the charter to the hospital, and for many years the kirk-session exercised the uncontrolled administration of its concerns. They originated and appointed every alteration or repair that was made upon it, externally and internally. All the seats in it were erected by them, or by others with their permission. And both its walls and Its roof were repeatedly repaired by them. Nay, the steeple, and its clock, and its bells, were theirs, and they employed and paid persons for keeping them in proper order. The extracts which I have given (pp. 105, 6, 7.) from the session records make this mar nifest. Now the session have no acknowledged claim to the church, or to any thing pertaining to it. It is in the possession of the city and other incorporations, and it does not appear that there has ever been a legal transference of the property from the hospital to any individual or body of men whatever. The hospital has lost this with other property, through the incapacity of its managers to re- sist encroachments. From the year 1560 to the year 1595, the church was supplied by only one minister. From 1595 to 1716, it was supplied by two. In 1715 the town-council took into consideration, that "the inha- bitants of the town and parish had considerably increased," and being, with zeal for the glory of God, concerned for the advance- ment of the work of the gospel, and in compassion to the souls of many hundreds of people, " agreed that a third minister should be called and elected by the town-council and kirk -session, or present- ed by the council, if calling and election will not suffice," and un- animously agreed to assign the sum of 1000 merks Scots yearly. PERTH. 1 I 1 out of the common good for bis maintenance, with the promise that the sum shall revert to the common good when the popula- tion shall so far diminish that one church shall be sufficient for the accommodation of the inhabitants. Accordingly that portion of the Old Church which had been se« parated from it, some time before the beginning of the seventeenth century,* and which had, for a few years before this, been occasion- ally used as a place of worship, was fitted up to be an additional church. Mr Wilson preacher of the Gospel, was presented, called, and ordained accordingly, November 1, 1716. From that time till 1740 there were thus three ministers. But in that year Mr Wilson having been found guilty of following divisive courses, was deposed, and no one was appointed to succeed him. Matters re- verted to what they were previous to 1715, — only the two ministers preached alternately in the two churches. In 1771, the choir or east end of the edifice was separated from the old church, as the west had been, and converted into a third church. An additional minister thus becoming necessary, an or- dained assistant was appointed. But it was not deemed expedient that each should have his own distinct church. The three there- fore observed a rotation, making the round of the churches every three weeks. This unedifying and uncomfortable practice con- tinued till the year 1807, when the town council with the two mi- nisters, the landward heritors, and the presbytery, applied to the Lords of Session, and obtained a decreet disjoining f the parish, and erecting it into four. A fourth church being thus required, it was accordingly, in conformity with the condition of the decreet, * The particular purpose to which it was originally appropriated is unknown. But, as appean in the city records, it was in 1G04 in a state to require repair. In 1608, a general meetiDg of the inhabitants was held in it to raise the funds for the bridge which was building. In February 1618, the council issued an order to red the house where the guns lay in the new (West) Kirk, to receive tlie corps of Lady Montrose, mend the lock and key, and to lay the guns in the north side of the said kirk.** In the same year, August 25, the General Assembly of the church was held in it ; when, through the bully. ing and threatening of James, the famous five Perth articles were passed. In 1628 the convention of burghs took place in it, preparatory to which the great west window was repaired. In 1654, *'^ a room was divided off in it for the purpose of holding courts.*' In 1671, the Justiciary Court met in it. The seat erected for the judges cost nearly L. 173, 129. In 168i, the council gave license to the Marquis of Athole to hew stones in it. Prom the time when it became one of the city churches, I7I6 till 1771 f neither bap- tism nor the Lord's supper was dispensed in it. These sacraments were dispensed in the Old (Middle) Church only. !t was not till 1772 that these ordinances were dispensed in all the three diurches. Middle, West, and East. f The dty record for 1603 contains an order to speak to the Laird of Weem to stand the towo*a favoorer and friend in their adoes, and specially anent the division of the «- titm in Edinbtugh, to see if the same may be had *-*m our town.** 112 PETHSHIRE. erected, and each minister was restricted to his own church and parish. In the year 1788, a chapel was built by subscription and by col- lections made in the churches throughout the synod, for the High- landers who resided in Perth and its neighbourhood. By an act of Assembly in 1834, it became a church in common with many other chapels, and, as it was intended for the benefit of the High- landers in the city and neighbourhood, the presbytery assigned to the minister of it as his charge the whole Gaelic population resid- ing within four miles round it In the year 1834-35, a number of the friends of the Establish- ment, taking into consideration the increased population of Perth and its vicinity, and the great need of additional church accommodation occasioned thereby, agreed to build, by subscription, a new church.* It has been built accordingly. A constitution has been obtained for it from the General Assembly ; and a minister has now been officiating in it for above twelve months. Thus there are six Established churches in Perth. Their sittings are 6650 ; but none of ^these is free, or accessible to the community rent free. Two thousand nine hundred and fif- ty-four belong to the city corporation. The remaining 3696 are the property of other corporations, and the proprietors of St Ste- phens and St Leonards churches. The seat rents drawn by the city and other incorporations amount at present to L. 1050, 15s. 7d. The city expenditure on the churches, as stated in the report of the Commissioners, is L. 989, 19s. 4d. Thus the income to the city and corporations from the churches is L. 60, 16s. 3d. more than what is expended on them by the local authorities. That the city is a pecuniary gainer, by its connections with the Church Establishment, to a higher amount, I shall hereafter show. It may not be improper to remark her^ in passing, that the prac- tice of seat-letting is at variance with the fundamental constitutional principle of an endowed church. The great design of an endow- ed church is, that the poor as well as the rich may have free access * In 1650, the population in the landward part of the parish was so great, that the Presbytery found it to be their duty to recommend the erection of it into a separate charge ; and, in order to carry that into effect, to lay the matter before the Commis- sioners for Plantation of Kirks. Two of the brethren were deputed by the Presby- tery to hold conference with the heritors thereanent. Repeated conferences were held ; but obstacles were thrown in the way, and they proved unsuccessful. The minute of Presbytery, 9th April 1651, says, " the affairs of the landward parish of Perth de- layed, because of the troubles of tie times.** PERTH. 113 to the dispensation of religious ordinances. But that privilege they cannot enjoy, if heritors and corporations may at pleasure deny it to those who cannot pay them the rents exacted. The moral in- terests of the poorer classes in Perth, as well as in other such towns, have suflTered severely from this. There are not a few poor families in it who cannot possibly pay rent for the sittings which they require. The melancholy consequence of this is, that many young persons never acquire church-going habits, and gradually fall into the habitual neglect of Sabbath observance ; and then these, when they become heads of families, render the evil more inve- terate and extensive. It is a miserable and short-sighted po- licy to raise a revenue for any purpose, however important and va- luable, at the expense of the religious instruction and moral im- provement of the industrious poor. But such a policy does exist, and by wise worldlings is defended. The poor may be urged by the ministers of the church to attend ordinances with their families ; but in many cases the requiring it is almost a mockery, as they are excluded by the proprietors of the sittings, who will not accommo- date them without their advancing a sum which their limited in- come puts it out of their power to advance. The want of proi)er and sufficient church accommodation for the poor is a demoralizing evil which is every day becoming more apparent. Those who le- gislate and rule upon an enlightened Christian principle, unbiassed by considerations of party attachment, must admit that it is a pa- ramount duty to make spiritual provision for those of their subjects . who are spiritually destitute. The ministers of the East and Middle Churches have each a stipend of 70 bolls of barley and 80 bolls of oat-meal paid by the heritors of the old parish, and L. 130 each paid out of the city re- venues. The minister of the East Church has, in addition, the vicarage teind, which is L. 7, 8s. lOfd. The stipend of the mi- nister of the West Church is L. 250, an J that of the minister of St Paul's is L. 280, both paid out of the city's revenue. That of the minister of St Stephen's (Gaelic) Church is L. 80, and to increase as the income from the seat rents increases. That of St Leonard's is L. 100, and to increase in like manner. There are neither manses * nor glebes. The town-council are patrons of the East, * The pariah church, which had been dedicated to St John Baptist, the manse which belonged to it, and another house in the city, with the whole tithes of the parish, were given by David I. to the Abbey of Dunfermline. The abbot and monks received the xeetory tithes, and employed a vicar to officiate at Perth. At the Reformation the pro- perty of the abbeyiy aoa of other such religious houses, reverted to the Crown. In PERTH. H 114 PERTHSHIRE. West, Middle, and St Paul's. The minister of the Gaelic Church is chosen by the male heads of families being communicants, and so also is the minister of St Leonard's. By the Court of Session decreet 1807, the council guaranteed to the minister of the East and Middle parishes, besides victual stipend, L. 80 each of money stipend, and to those of the West and St Paul's, L. 200. But afterwards they voluntarily gave aug- mentations to the ministers of the West and St Paul's L. 80 each, and to the ministers of the East and Middle, L. 50 each. In 1835, the West Church became vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr Kennedy. During the vacancy, it was at different times keen- ly contested, by a party in the town-council, that the augmentation granted to Mr Kennedy should be withheld from his successor. The Strathmore Journal, a Perth newspaper, took up the point, and emitted, on the 4th February 1836, the following strictures, which, as they entirely accord with the sentiment that I enter- tain, I shall here introduce. — " Stipend of the West Church mi- nister. — We have not been much fascinated with the resolution of the town-council to restrict the stipend of the new incumbent in this parish to L. 200 in future : and we cannot comprehend the conduct of some of those who voted for that motion, and yet hold forth that by doing so they merely wished to delay a settlement of the matter. It does appear to us quite unreasonable that, in a city such as this, one of the clergymen should be restricted to the minimum rate of stipend in the Church of Scotland, when the ex- pense of living is so much greater than in country parishes. It must be noticed, also, that the Perth ministers have neither glebe, garden, nor manse ; and so the L. 200 proposed to be given is not worth more than L. 150 comparatively. This stinted remunera- tion is not economy, but positive parsimony, and it can hardly be expected that a clergyman of talent, such as Perth should have, will be obtained, or, at any rate, remain long in a situation where he is only to receive such a reward for his labours and attainments, as is to be found in the poorest livings in the church. For the 1589, James VI. conferred on Anne of Denmark, at the time of his marriage with that Princess, the lands and other property of the Abbey of Dunfermline. The deed was confirmed by Parliament in 16U3, but it was enacted that she should allow for the offi- ciitiri^ clergy and for some other purposes specified, one-third of the bcnifits of those churches which had belonged to the Abbey. The tack.snian of tlie tithes of Perth was John Koss, laird of Craigie. He paid a third part for the purposes enacted, and trans- mitted the overplus to the Queen. Her Majesty, however, soon after the year 1600, gave up her right to the tithes of Perth, and the town>council became patrons of the parish. PERTH. 1 15 sake, therefore, of the respectability of this parish, and the city generally, we look forward with some interest to Mr Dewar's mo- tion at the next council meeting, when the delay party will, we trust, vote more in accordance with their avowed wishes, than they did on Monday last." The discussion here commented on is re- corded in the prorincial newspapers, and presents to the public a curious and not very creditable specimen of the reasoning, by which the members of a town-council came to the conclusion, that the stipend of L. 280, previously given to the minister of the West Church of the city, was L. 80 too much, and that therefore it should be for the future, or in the mean- time, only L. 200. The liberality displayed may be judged of by the fact, that though the burgh of Perth be the first in Scot- land in point of unincumbered property, and freedom from local taxation, it now proposes to remunerate its ecclesiastical office- bearers at a lower rate than any other burgh in the nation. The ministers of Edinburgh receive per annum, L. 520 ; those of Dun- dee, L. 275 ; those of Aberdeen, L. 300 ; those of Glasgow, L.425; those of Montrose, L. 340; those of Paisley, L.313. The discussion referred to ended in a motion, carried by a ma- jority, that the stipend of the West Church should, in the meantime, be L. 200. At a future meeting of council, it wa<9 carried that the sum should be raised to L. 250. In consequence of reiterated broad averment, by some municipal rulers who are hostile to the Establishment, that the church is a burden on the funds of the city, Mr Dewar, one of the magistrates, published a pamphlet, entitled " an Inquiry as to the pecuniary gain or loss arising to the town-council of Perth, from its connection with the Established Church, containing a translation of Queen Anne's charter, of date 20th November 1604, which conveyed certain lands properties, and revenues to the town on account of the church.*' In this pamphlet, Mr Dewar has discussed the subject in a man- ner clear, masterly, and conclusive, and, by authorities the most unquestionable, has established the fact, that the town has by its connection with the Established Church been not only no loser, but a gainer to a very considerable extent ; that it ^^ is at the present moment a pecuniary gainer to the extent of at least L. 300 per annum.'' By the Queen's charter, it became titular of the teinds of the parish, and obtained possession of considerable property, which has never to the present time been valued or paid an fractio of stipend* Mr Dewar thus concludes his able pamphlet : <' In the 116 PEKTHSHIRE. meantime churchmen, those in Perth at least, have reason to be glad, that their religion does not cost the community a fraction, but has been beneficial to it both in a pecuniary, and in a far more important point of view. The dissenters in Perth have reason to re- joice, that the burden of supporting the Established Church which they have been taught to consider so galling, has never pressed upon either their purses or their persons, or on any thing else con- nected with them excepting their imaginations." There are in the city two home missions, appointed and super- intended by the General Session. The expense is defrayed by a subscription. One of the missionaries is appointed to officiate every Lord's day evening in the Middle Church. In 1814, a Sabbath Evening School Society was organized, to be conducted upon the localizing system. The office-bearers, teachers, and taught, were of all the religious denominations in the place. The returns of children in the schools were frequently as high as 1400, and visible good effects resulted to the community. But its pros- perity was blasted, by the voluntary agitation introduced among us some years ago. It then decayed and disappeared. In the Mid- dle and West parishes. Sabbath schools have been since establish- ed, under the superintendence of their respective sessions. In the Middle parish, there is one congregational school, attended by 81, and eleven local schools, attended by 200 young persons. In the West parish, there is one congregational school, attended by 215. The erection of local schools is in progress. The teachers of all these schools are the ministers and elders, and those religious friends who are zealous in the cause. With respect to Dissenting and Seceding meeting-houses — there are both. The dissenting houses are, one for Independents, another for Baptists, another for general Baptists, and another for Glassites. The Seceding houses are, one for Old Light Burghers, another for Old Light Antiburghers, two for the New Light Burghers and^ Antiburghers, or United Secession, and two for Relievers. The ministers of these places of worship are paid by the seat-holders and hearers, out of seat rents and collections. One of them has a stipend of L.200, another of L. 180, another of L. 170, another of L. 100, and another of L. 90. The other ministers have no fixed sums allotted them. They depend on " the spontaneous li- berahty" of their respective flocks. Almost all the meeting-houses are in debt, — some of them to a considerable amount But there is in some cases a satisfaction connected with the debt, as it forms a PERTH. 117 bond of union. Besides the meeting-houses which I have mention- edy there is an Episcopalian chapel, a Wesleyan Methodist chapel, and a Catholic chapeL The following will give a view of accommodation and attend- ance in all the places of public worship in the parish in 1835 : — SUting$. Let or SiUinys. Letoroc- EatabHahmetU. East Cbarch, . West Do. Bixddle Do. . St Pftul*8 Do. St Stephen's Do. 762 St Lepital Female School, •JG 12 6 15 1 1 6 110 The Dbpensary, . 47 1 1 37 13 U 18 Aged and Indigent Females, f!7 10 6:413 3 17 Sabbath Schools, . 10 10 913(i T Clothing Indigent Femsles, 60 185 5185 9100 Clothing Indigent Old Men, 118 36 96 130 21106 Infant Schools, . 73 8 6 72 3 15 6 ^498 11 5 ^435 18 11 ^62 12 6 This was the state of matters in 1833. Since then, the average contribution by the Establishment has increased to those Societies which continue in existence. The average amount of church collections yearly for religious and charitable objects is about h. 730. Education. — Perth is the most centrical town in Scotland. It is not matter of surprise, therefore, that in 1697, when, with a view to the public interest of the nation, it was proposed to remove the University of St Andrews to another place, this city should be made choice of, and particularly as it is more accessible than St Andrews to the population of the highland districts. A corre- spondence upon the subject was, for some time, carried on by Sir 120 PERTHSHIRE. James Stuart, the King's Advocate for Scotland ; and the Earl of Tullibardine, the Principal Secretary of State; Mr Munro, Provo&t of the Old College of the University of St Andrews ; Mr Craigie of Glendookie ;* the magistrates and town-council of Perth, &c. The arrangement did not take place. How it failed is matter of uncertainty. The following extract of a letter of Provost James Cree of Perth, 1698, to Mr Anderson, Rector of the University, shews how the city of Perth regarded the proposition. " For as we are confident that it will be found in due time a meane through God's blessing, to advance the public good of the Universitie, and also of the kingdome, so we are resolved to cum as great a length for advancing so noble a design as we are able, whereof we hope we have given sufficient evidence in the offer of a fund for pro- vyding of lodgings and accommodations needful for that effect" f Perth has been for a long time celebrated for distinguished teachers in its schools of learning. The first Rector of the Gram- mar School after the reformation, whose name is on record, was Mr William Rynd. Such was his reputation that he was appointed governor and travelling tutor to the young Earl of Gowrie, and his brother Alexander, when they went to study at Padua. His suc- cessors in office, of whom a list has been regularly kept, appear to have been men of professional eminence and great ardour in train- ing their pupils. Mr Logan, a gentleman of high scholarship, is the present Rector. * Mr Craigie alleges various reasons of translation, among which are the following : It would contribute much to the civilizing of the Highlands, Perth being near to them. The victuals are dearer at St Andrews than anywhere else, viz. fieshs and drinks of all Mirtii.— hou8e and yard for the college, or the sum of 20,000 merks to build one. In the articles of communing between the commissioner of the university and the town -council, the town-house js designated that great lodging situated next to the Spey- gate, whereof the council are heritable keepers, t. e. Couriers Palace, and the whole proffer is estimated at 80^000 merks. PERTH. 121 Hie Aeademi/^ instituted 1760. — Dr Robert Hamilton^ the well known Professor of Natural Philosophy in Marischal College, Aber- deen, and author of ^* Inquiry into the Rise and Progress, the Re* demption and present State of Management of the National Debt of Great Britain," was the rector of it for ten years before he was raised to the professorship. Its present rector is Dr Adam Ander- son, of distinguished scientific attainment The total number of schools, including those of the academy, which is an endowed institution, is 35. The branches of instruction generally taught, are, I. — In the Academy. 1. By the rector and his assistant : Arithmetic, book-keeping, algebra, elementary and practical geometry, including the mensu- ration of surfaces, surveying, fortification, measurement of solids, gauging, navigation, geography, natural philosophy, astronomy, and chemistry. 2. By the rector of the grammar-school and his assistants^ Latin, Greek, ancient geography, &c* du By the master of the school lor modem languages : ' French, Italian, Spanish, and German. 4. Bv the master of the writing school : writing, plain and orna- mental,' practical arithmetic 5. By the master of the drawing-school : painting with oil and water-colours, pencilling, and architectural drawing. 6. 7. By the masters of the two English schools : reading English, grammar, elocution, composition, history, and geography. II. — In various quarters of the town and suburbs. 1. The Endowed Trades' School, reading, writing, and arithmetic. 2. The Endowed School for the Children of the Poor: reading, writing, and arithmetic. 3. In the Subscription Manufacturers' School : reading, writing, and arithmetic 4. In the Subscription Female School : reading, writing, arith- metic, sewing, and knitting. 5. 6. In the two Subscription Infant Schools : reading, sewing, and knitting. III. — In various quarters of the town and suburbs, there are twenty-two unendowed schools, in which all the ordinary branches of education are taught * * In 1660, tl)e Town Council, in consequence of a representation given in by Mr Andrew Anderson, tchoolmatter, prohibited *'* all women who kept schools from taking any men to learn, than those that were seven years old and under, and that they should 122 PERTHSHIRE. The following stipends are paid out of the common funds of the burgh: — To the rector of the academy, L. 100; his assistant, L. 25 ; the rector of the grammar-school, L. 50 ; his assistant, L. 25 ; the master of the school for modern languages, L. 25 ; the master of the writing school, L. 25 ; the master of the draw- ing school, L. 25 ; the two masters of the English reading schools, L.25. The regulated fees for teaching duringa session often months and a half are ; the mathematical classes, four hours, L. 4, 6s. ; Latin and Greek, four hours, L. 2, 12s. ; modern languages, one hour, L. 3, 2s. ; writing and arithmetic, two hours, L. 2, 6s. ; drawing, one hour, L. 3, 2s.; English, four hours, L. 1, 8s. There is a teacher of music, who has a salary of L. 15, but his fees and hours are not fixed. Salaries paid to the masters of other schools in the parish are : to the master of the Trades' School, L. 76 ; the master of the Ma- nufacturers' School, L.20;* the master of the school for the poor, L. 50 ; the master of the Guildry School, L. 26; the mistresses of the infant schools, L.50; the mistress of the female school, L.20.-f- I have not been able to ascertain with sufficient accuracy the number of persons, young and old, who cannot read and write. But I am able to state, from personal knowledge, that the number of those is great, whose instruction in reading is lamentably defi- cient They are reported to be taught to read, and are rated ac- cordingly. But in general, theirs is the reading of half-educated children. Of the simplest book they cannot make out a page, without difficulty and much hesitation. They cannot comprehend aright, therefore, the import of what they are reading. This un- happy state of matters, among many of the labouring classes of the community, may be ascribed to two causes. The first is the strong temptations which are held out to poor parents of numerous families, by manufacturers and certain master tradesmen, to employ their children, at a very early period of life, — which temptation many of them have not moral principle to resist. Thus we often find children employed in spinning-mills and in weaving shops, sent thither by their parents ere they have been above a few months at school. There are indeed evening-schools with good teachers not presume to learn any boyit to write," and *^ t)ie jdnitor of the grammar School was appointed to visit the women*! schools, and put the councirs act in force.** * Each scholar pays Id. per week ; the average number of scholars is between 90 and 100. f With half of the fees, and half of the price of the work done. PERTir. 123 attached to many of our manufacturing institutions, and the pro- prietors of these have acted laudably in this respect But it must be acknowledged that the schools have much more value in ap* pearance than they have in reality : for how is it possible that such young creatures — a great portion of whose time, nature says, should be spent in amusing pursuit — can apply with requisite at- tention to the tasks of an evening school after a long day's toiling in a ^inning-mill. They in general require to be then put to rest, and not to any new exertion whatever. That children, at whatever age they be, may be taught efficiently, it is necessary Uiat their physical strength be unexhausted. Another reason to which I am disposed to ascribe the present deficient instruction in reading, that prevails among many of the labouring classes of the community, is insufficiency on the part of the teachers. Many of those (whose pupils are from among the poor) do not look upon teaching as an art which requires any previous training, but an employment which any one almost may easily follow ; and they, therefore, cannot be expected to conduct a school with advantage to the pupils, unfortunately placed under them. In short, they know nothing, as they ought to know, of the deeply important business in which they have engaged. Incalcu- lable detriment arises from this to the young generation. Their attention is directed solely to the drudgery of tasks, in reading words and sentences, and nothing is done to engage their under- standing in the import of what they read. With such schoolmas- ters, teaching is a mere mechanical operation. By them the young idea is not taught to shoot at all, and their ffood scholars^ as they call them, are at best mere readers, not understanders of what is read. These remarks are intended to have a general and not a local application. In Perth there are teachers who have ability and zeal in no ordinary degree, and who make it their special endea- vour to train their pupils, from the commencement of their reading exercises, to see and understand the import of what they read ; and, what is of prime importance, to make them acquainted with scrip- ture truth and moral duty. They sustain a character for pro- fessional attainment and vigorous discharge of professional duty, which will not be found equalled in many other such towns in Scotland. In 1834, the magistrates and town-council, with a laudable con- cern for the elementary instruction of the young among the ope- 124 PEUTIIjJHlUE. rative portion of the community, caused a survey to be taken of the city and suburbs, to ascertain the state of school accommoda- tion. A great deficiency was ascertained to exist, and measures were promptly adopted to correct the evil. A public subscription was opened for the purpose of erecting additional schools, and ap- plication was made to the Lords of the Treasury for aid out of the sum set apart by Government for the erection of schools in the large towns in Scotland. The town gave a donation of L. 200, and individual gentlemen subscribed to the amount of L.200 more. This having been represented to the Treasury, and satis- factory pledges having been given that the schools would be erect- ed, and conducted in conformity with the requirements of govern- ment, the sum of L. 400 was obtained. L. 800 being thus secured for accomplishing the benevolent object, the building of the school- houses immediately commenced, and they are now nearly finished. They will accommodate 400 scholars. The city is pledged to give to each of the teachers a salary of L. 10 per annum, and the scholars are to pay, for the day school, 8d. per month, and for the evening school, 6d. per month. The mode of teaching is to be, as far as it may be found practicable, that of Mr Wood of Edinburgh. The magistrates and town-council are the patrons. Literature. — There are in Perth six circulating libraries. Of these, the principal one is that which goes under the designation of the Perth Library, It was instituted in 1786. It originated with the late Rev. Mr Peebles, minister of the Episcopal Chapel. By his judicious management, it was settled on that basis on which it still rests. By certain unalterable articles of agreement in the deed of settlement, respecting the trustees, the curators, the gene- ral meetings, and election of office-bearers, it is preserved entire, and cannot be alienated. It is consigned over to the public, and conveyed in trust to certain official characters in the town and county, for the purposes of the institution. It contains between five and six thousand volumes, chiefly of history, philosophy, and belles lettres. It is kept in an apartment, fitted up for it within the monumental structure erected by the citizens to the memory of the late Thomas Marshall, Esq. of Glenalmond, formerly provost of Perth, to whose public spirit the city and its neighbourhood are in- debted for many of its most important improvements. The libra- rian attends for two hours each lawful day; and 15s. per annum entitles to the use of the library. The other circulating libraries are the property of private asso- PERTH. 125 dattoDS. In some of these the books are Dumerous and well selected. The Literary and Antiquarian Society was established in 1784. Its founder was the late Rev. James Scott, one of the ministers of the city, who, to the mind and manners of a gentlemen, and the piety and zeal of a Christian minister, added an unpretending but ardent love of literature and the fine arts. Its primary object was to investigate the history, and preserve the antiquities and records of Scotland generally, and more particularly of that portion of it of which Perth may be considered as the capital ; but when many literary and scientific men profiered their countenance and co* operation, Mr Scott and his associated friends enlarged the scheme of the society's pursuits, and gave it the name which it now has* It has lately obtmned a charter or seal of cause from the magis- trates* Since the year 1818 it has issued diplomas. An annual general meeting of the members is observed. On these occa- sions, papers are frequently read on literary, scientific, or antiqua- rian subjects, and, generally, deposited in the society's archives. Among these there are some by Dr Anderson of the Academy, on scientific questions, characterized by originality and a profound power of investigation. The society has a museum, consi5:ting of scarce and valuable books, manuscripts, and coins ; also of subjects of natural history, and of various articles of dress, &c. which cha- racterize the habits and manners of barbarous nations. It has re- ceived of late many valuable additions from natives of Perthshire — and others in foreign countries. The present Noble President is the Right Honourable the Earl of Kinnoul, and its annual meeting is held in the museum, which is under the same roof with the public library. There is in the city a public reading or news-room. It is spa- cious, and brilliantly lighted with gas. It is supplied with about twenty newspapers, English, Irish, and Scotch, and of every shade of political opinion. There are also magazines, reviews, and other periodicals. There are four weekly newspapers printed in Perth — the Courier, which commenced in 1809 — the Strathmore Journal, which com- menced in 1820 — the Constitutional, which commenced in 1835 — and the Chronicle, which commenced in 1836. Mr Morison publishes annually *' the Perth aud Perthshire Register, contain- ing accurate lists of the nobility, constituency, and institutions of the county and city, also the Tay shipping- lists. 126 • PERTHSHIRE. In 1772, a periodical, uuder the designation of ^^ the Perth Ma- gazine," commenced. After the publication of five volumes it ceas- ed. A similar literary effort was made a few years ago ; but it did not succeed. Charitable and other Institutions. — King James VI. Hospital or Alms House. To this institution I have already adverted, but the following particulars it may be pfroper here to introduce respecting its history. In neither of its charters — the one obtained before, the other aA:er, the King's coming of age, is there any injunction to build a house for the reception of the poor. They speak mere- ly of property given for their aliment They bear that his Ma- jesty, moved by certain weighty considerations, deemed it his duty to provide, by all honest ways, an hospital for the poor, maimed, and distressed persons, orphans, and fatherless children within his burgh of Perth, had therefore given, granted, and disponed to the poor members of Jesus Christ, now and in all time coming, abid- ing in, and residing within the said burgh, certain properties — the designation of which evinces the endowment to have been most munificent.* But it appears that soon after the endowment was granted, an, hospital-house was considered to be necessary, to carry into proper and full effect the intention of the Royal donor : for, so early as 1579, t. e, about ten years after the first charter was granted, there is in the session record the following entry : " Ordains Js. Sim, uptaker of the casualities pertaining to the hospital, to give to the poor folks in the hospital straw to lie upon." Thus there was then an hospital-house. But it must have been only a temporary one, for on the 7th December of the same year, this entry occurs : * These properties consist of " All and hail the lands, tenements, houses, buildings, churches, burial-places, chapels, colleges, yards, orchards, crofts, annual rents, fcu-farms canonries, pensions, mills, mill-lands and their sequels, fishings and fish mercat, fruit rents, duties, profits, incomes, emoluments, kain service, aims, distributions, deal-silver, obites, aniversaries, and others, whatsoever, which any way pertained to chapelaiies, altarages, prebendaries, founded on whatever kirk, chapel or college within the liberty or privilege of our burgh, in ]>ossession whereof the chaplains or prebends thereof were originally, the said^*^ cc/c/n are lying, or were uplifted respectively with the ma- nor-places, yards, lands, ground-annuals, emoluments, and duties whatsoever, which formerly pertained to the Dominican or Predicant friars, to the minor or Franciscan friars, and to the White friars of our said burgh, together with the yard belonging to the monastery or place of the charter-house in our said burgh ; as also all and sundry other lands, houses, and tenements lying within said burgh, given and founded to whatever chapelaries, altarages, kirks, monasteries or aniversaries, wherever they are with- in the kingdom ; as also all and sundry ground annuals and other duties which can be demanded, by whatsoever kirk without our said burgh, from the Provost, Bailies or in- habitants, out of the revenue of said burgh, and all and sundries of the foresaid to be bolden by the said members of Jesus Christ, and present, being, and to be therein, in all time coming, of us and our successors for ever." 3 PERTH. 127 " The Assembly," (i. e. the session or managers,) " think it good that the minister and some of the elders propose to the council, when they converse towards the advising of an hospital in which the poor may remain, either the Grayfriars or St Paul's Chapel." And again: on 9th April 1595, the ministers and elders conde- scendand agree that an hospital-house shall be erected for the main- tenance and entertainment of such aged and honest persons as are impoverished, and have not to maintain themselves, &c And again, in the following year, ^* the Session with one voice think it expe- dient that an hospital-house for the entertainment of the poor within our own congregation be erected and builded — the place to be in the chapel called our Lady's chapel at the shore, and for this effect, ordains James Anderson, master of the hospital, with all diligence, to buy timber and other materials for the furtherance of this work." That it was finished and occupied in 1 599, appears from an entry of that year : " The session ordains the master of the hospital to cause outred the timber work of the nether house of the hospital with all diligence, that some honest &iled men may be put therein and maintained." Cromwell, in 1652, having taken the city, demolished the hos- pital, with other public buildings, and applied the materials to as- sist in raising his citadel in the South Inch. With a reference to that catastrophe, the following report was given in by the ministers of Perth to the presbytery, at a presbyterial visitation in 1676. — ^^ They had no hospital-house, it having been pulled down by the Englishers, and never yet rebuilt," The present hospital-house was erected near the site of the Carthusian monastery, which had been destroyed at the commence- ment of the Reformation in 1 559. To defray the expense of its erection, money was raised by subscription, collections were made at the churches within the bounds of the synod, and the city con- tributed 2000 merks Scots. Mr Cree, provost of the city, laid the foundation. It was finished in 1750. It is a large and well ar- ranged building, three stories high. The foundation charter expressly limits the application of the funds to the " poor members of Christ's body, residing" not in the parish, but " in our burgh of Perth."* And accordingly, the poor * At the time when James granted the charter, which was a short lime after the Refiinnation, there were only two denominations of professing Christians in the country, — thoae of the Protestant Established Church, and those of the Roman Catholic Churcb. The Establiibcd Church was designated, in different acta of Par. liaroent, partieularlj in that which ratified iu form 159-2, " th« trew and bally kirk ;** 128 PERTHSHIRE. residing in the burgh were alone admitted into it, while it was in- habited by poor. There, was a teacher for the young, and the master acted as chaplain. A new arrangement took place in 1814. After due inquiry in- to the most economical mode of management, it was agreed to break up the establishment, and, reserving the hospital master's apartments, and the managers room containing the records, to let the house, and make each pauper an out-pensioner, at a certain sum per annum, to be paid weekly. Since the above-mentioned period, that system of management has been followed. The net income of the hospital is L. 597, 8s. 6d. The number of poor receiving from it is 61. In the year 1660, James Butter, sheriff-clerk of Perthshire, dot- ed two fifth parts of the lands of Scones Lethendy, to maintain four poor persons of the burgh of Perth. In the year 1686, Mr Jackson doted one half of one-fifth of the lands of Scones Leth- endy to support one poor relation, whom failing, one of the name of Jackson, whom failing any other. In 1 743, Mr Cairnie doted two- fifths of the lands of Scones Lethendy, to the poor of the burgh ^ of Perth, reserving two-thirds of the free rent to two of his descen- dants nearest the age of fourteen years, one-half to be paid to them annually, for ten years, and at the expiry of the ten years, the re- served half to be paid in full, but without interest, the other third annually to the hospital poor. Of these mortifications, the minis- ters and elders were appointed trustees, and the patronage of the two first was vested in the Magistrates and Ministers. It so happens that these lands are contiguous, and form one dis- tinct estate, in all 610 imperial acres, including 145 imperial acres of planting. The free rental is L. 513, 8s. 6d. ; two persons of the name of Cairnie get at present annually, L. 130 ; the hospital poor L. 50, 18s. 6d. ; total L. 180, 18s. 6d. Under Butters's and Jackson's mortifications, L. 170 are given to twelve annuitants, and a balance of L. 162, 10s. is applied for re- demption of about L. 1500 of debt incurred in building steading, &c &c. Dispensaries. — The Perth Dispensary commenced in 1819. The objects which it was intended to embrace, were the relief of the the poor members of Christ*s body, therefore, in such a charter, granted at such a time, could be those only who were bona Jide members of the Established Church. The decision in the case of Lady Hewly's bequest, shews distinctly who in the burgh of Perth are entitled to the benefit of the hospital funds. PERTH. 129 sick and diseased poor, by furnishing them with necessary advice and medicine — inoculation for cow-pox to all who might apply, without regard to recommendation, and the delivery of poor preg- nant women. For the proper administration of the institution, rules and regulations were drawn up, and medical oflBcers and a com- mittee of management were appointed. Annual reports have been regularly made to the stated meetings of the institution, and these hatre been most flattering and satisfactory* In January 1834, it was resolved, after mature deliberation, to adopt, in addition to the charity, the self-supporting system, which has been introduced with so much advantage in England, with the view of extending the usefulness of the institution, and ena- bling the honest and industrious mechanic or labourer, by means of a triiSing weekly payment, to procure for himself, his wife, and his children, that medical advic« and medicine which he would other- wise be unable to obtain, without resorting to the aid of public or prifale charity. The following table of results for the last year may serve to give a Tiew of the operations of the Dispensary. The patients admit- ted were as follows : Pamper Clatt, Free member Ciatt. Medical Deportment, Medical Depariment, Cored, . 440^) Cured, ^1 i io RelicTcd, . 84 1 nudes 240 Reliered, . 2 1 T*'*^ \% Dead, 37 T female. 373 Dead, 1 | ^"^^^^ ^^ Kemaaoing, ,91} —-31 613 Midmifirf^Department. Midjc\frry Depariment. DdiTered. 48J * . JlJ'J g Delivered. Bcnudnini^ 4 ^ 48 Total of pauper patients 661, and 31 of free member patients, giving the number 692 cases during the season. There fs a separate establishment from the above, but with the same designation. It originated in a disapprobation of the Dis- pensary's adoption of the self-supporting system in 1834. It em- braces no other object than the relief of the necessitous poor. It has not as yet published any table of results. Infirmary. — The erection of an Infirmary in Perth has been long desired and long contemplated. It is now in progress. Funds to the extent of about L. 5000 have been realized, and the building, agreeably to an approved plan drawn by Mr Mackenzie, architect, is far advanced. When finished, it will be capable of receiving fifity-six patients. The f6undation was laid on the 5th of October last, by the Right Honourable Lord Kinnaird, with masonic honours.. PERTH. I M30 PERTHSHIRE. Friendly Societies.* — About ihe time that the Highland Society directed its attention to the ascertainment of the true principles upon which friendly societies should be founded, there were in Perth eighteen in active operation, viz. the first, second, and tiiird shoemaker's, the coachman's, the mason's, the labourer's, the carter's, the fisher's, the stocking-maker's, the cabinet-maker's, the Stone and Perth free-mason's, the provident, the new Row, the High Street, the South Street, the Pomarium weavers', societies* The " first shoemaker's society," and the ** coachman's," were in- stituted in 1776, The former continued fifty>nine years; the others were gradually formed in succession. When the Highland Society's report was published, the most of them were experien- cing difficulties which sprung from their originators being ignorant of the true principles on which they should have proceeded. The light thrown upon the subject by this report, the subsequent attempt of Government to legislate upon it, and various internal causes, threw them into a state of alarm, and although many of them were possessed of considerable funds, and, with good manage- ment, might have struggled through, yet, in the course of a very few years, the great majority of them were abandoned. Those now in existence are " the Scone and Perth," the ** mason's," the " carter's," and the " labourer's," but even these are in a languish- ing condition. Little can be said of the benefits resulting from them to the community. That the community was ever much benefited by these institutions is questionable, for though many individuals and families received timely relief while in distress by their means, they were accompanied with evils of a deteriorating description. In the early period of the Societies' histor)', the members were very reluctant to be put upon the fund. Indeed, it was consider- ed by some of them as equivalent to being put upon a pauper fund. It very often happened that individuals in distress would defer reporting themselves for eight days or a fortnight, to see whether they might not get better, and render application to the fund unnecessary. This reluctance, however, soon evaporated, and at length it happened that no sooner was an individual affect- ed with a slight cold, or headach, or trifling temporary ailment, than he was reputed to be sick, and immediately received for a week or two something in the shape of aliment Others again who were members of two or three societies, would continue on the sick list, drawing m ore money than they were able when in health 4 PERTH. 131 to earn, at their ordiaary employments. These things were ob- served by the honest-minded and industrious members, and a spirit of jealousy and discontent was engendered in their minds even against those who were in real distress. Their frequent meetings for business was another evil. Most of the societies laid out their funds in the purchase of property. That requifed many committees, in which disputes arose which could not be finally settled without a meeting of all the members. These meetings not only consumed much time, but not unfre- quently ended in an adjournment to some public-house, where the matter was of new discussed, and where, amidst bumpers drunk to the prosperity of the institution, &c. scenes of not the most sober descrqption took place. Itwasnotunfrequently the case, that some of the principal orators had, through their beneoolent and disinterested exertions at these seasons, to be placed on the sick list, and receive aliment for a week or two. Banks. — There are two provincial banks, — the Perth Bank, and the Central Bank; and four branch banks, — one of the Bank of Scotland ; another of the British Linen Company ; a third, of the Commerdal ; and a fourth, of th^ National. Saving Banks. — There is a savings bank in Perth. It was formed in the year 1815. The sum at present lodged is L. 3188, Ids. lOd. The sum deposited this year, (1836,) is L. 381, 16s. 9\A. The sum drawn is L. 334, 19s. 8d. The investments are generally made by the labouring classes out of their savings. When the d^)osit of any one amounts to L. 10, he is required to dfaw it and lodge it elsewhere. The interest allowed is 3 per cent The bank is open every Monday morning at nine o'clock. It would be to the benefit of the industrious poor and for the well-be- ii^ of the country, though not to the interest of the banking cor- porations, were the Government scheme of such institutions intro- duced. Poor and Parochial Funds. — There are two separate funds out of which the poor receive aliment. One arises from an assessment on the whole inhabitants of the parish, producing, at five per cent. on the real rent, L. 2128, 13s. 3d. The other arises from the collections, &c. in the Established churches, amounting to L. 723, he. 2^; m all L. 2851, 18s. b^d. From this sum must be de- ducted the expenses of management, which for the assessed fund. 13^ PERTHSHIRE. are L. 88, 6s. 3^d, and for the church fund, L« 25, — in all L. 1 13, 6s. 3id. The funds arising from the assessment are distributed to the poor of the parish generally, without any respect to religious denomination^. The funds arising from the church collec- tions are distributed to the poor belonging to the Established church, and to those especially who are advanced in life, as they are supposed to have contributed to these in the days of their strength and prosperity. The parish was in 1807 divided into four parishes by a decreet of the Court of Session, and it was ordered in that decreet, that the money collected for the poor in each church should be placed at the disposal of the sessions of the four parishes, forming one general session. This general session ac* cordingly distributes these fiinds. It has a meeting on the first Thursday of every month for this purpose. It has been alleged that the proceeds of these two funds should be thrown together as a common stock for the support of the parish poor generally. But to this there are material objections. The Dissenters and Se- ceders have collections at the doors of their meeting-houses for their own poor exclusively, and they will not consent that these collections shall form part of a. common stock for the parochial poor. If, therefore, the legally assessed funds, and the Establish- ed Church charities, be made common stock, the poor connected with the Establishment will be in less favourable circumstances than the poor in connection with the Secession. It is reasonable that if the phurch door collections be joined to the assessed Ainds, so should the meeting-house collections. The number who receive out of the session funds is 219 ; and the number who receive out of the assessed funds is 576 ; but a good many poor receive out of both. The following Incorporations give to their poor members, whose number at present is 217, Tlie Guildry, L.8no TTie Hammermen, L. 1-20 The Glovers, 670 The Shoemakers, 90 The Wrights, 350 The Bakers, 60 The Tailors, 150 The Fieshcrs, so L. 1970 L.800 There are charity societies. The sums distributed by them in the year 1833 were as follows : by the Destitute Sick Society, L. 74, 6s. 6d. ; by the Aged and Indigent Female Society, L. 67, 10s. ; by the Society for Clothing Indigent Females, L. 60, 188. 5d. ; by the Society for Clothing Old Men, L. 1 18^ 8s. 6d. The PERTH. ^ 133 free proceeds accruing to the poor from the hospital of King James VL is on an average L. 435, 5s. Id. — and those accruing to them from the mortifications of Butter and Jackson are L. 312, 10s. I baTe not access to know to what extent the Seceders and Dis senters contribute to the support of their poor. It may not be out of place here to state, that there is a charity school for young females, supported by a subscription ; the sum subscribed is about Lb 46, — two for infants, supported by a sub- scription also ; the sum subscribed is L. 50, — one for the poor generally, supported by the magistrates and council — the accommo- dation furnished by the hospital ; the sum given is Lb 50, there is also a dispensary for the poor ; the sum subscribed is about L. 50. The sum total, arisingfrom these sources, may thus be about L. 196. There is no indisposition in the great body of the poor to ap- ply for parochial relief. The high-toned feeling of independence, which at one time characterized the lower orders of society in Scot- land, isnow seldom to be met with in town and country parishes, that are densely peopled; and by few comparatively is mendicity account- ed degrading. The causes of the poverty, which exists in Perth, are various. Among women, they are chiefly the want of suitable employment, such as spinning, knitting, &c. by which many of them were wont to earn a comfortable subsistence ; and, in not a few cases, to improvident marriages, and an extravagance in dress, and living, which they have unfortunately acquired when in the service of the more opulent. Among men, they are chiefly the frailties of age, or weakness occasioned by diseases, which incapacitate them from engaging in laborious work. I lament that I am ne- cessitated to confess, that no small number of poverty cases in Perth must be ascribed to habits of intemperance, in both men and women, — an evil which the increased numberof dram-drinking-shops has greatly promoted. The great proportion of those who are on the Perth pauper list are foreigners. They have come down from the Highlands of the county, driven from their cottages, and pendicles, and little farms, by the unpatriotic and illiberal system, prosecuted by some proprie- tors, of letting out their estates to a few individuals. They come with the miserable capital of a few pounds, scraped together with much toil and industry, into the town, and generally at an advan- ced stage of life. There it is soon spent, and they sink into pau- perism. Police. — The police is administered under two statutes, obtain- 134 PiiRTHSHIRE. ed in 1811 and 1819. The commissioners are, the Lord Pro- vost, the Dean of Guild, and the four bailies, seven members of the guildry, and one member for each of the seven incorporated trades chosen by these bodies,- according to certain statutory rules. The territory is divided into a certain number of districts and wards. The power of the conmiissioners extends to paving, clean- ing, loaded carriages, gunpowder, &c. and the regulation of the market-places. When any cause of complaint occurs, the matter is brought before the Lord Provost, or one of the bailies, by the procurator-fiscal of the city, or the police superintendent, or it is brought before the sheriff-depute of tbe county, or his substitutes, by the procurator-fiscal of the county, or the police superintendent Power is given to commit to hard labour or solitary confinement, for a period not exceeding sixty days, and to impose a fine not ex- ceeding L. 5. The bill of 1819 was obtained to amend and correct what was wrong and awanting in that of 181 1. But still there is a material defect in the police establishment of the city. In all criminal cases it is complete ; but it is not so in those cases which affect the com- fort and safety of the inhabitants. Whatever nuisance or obstruc- tion takes place in the streets may be found fault with by the su- perintendent, and complained of to the judge, but he is without au- thority to effect the removal of these, and punish the transgressor, by a summary procedure. Recourse must be had at common law, which is at once tedious and expensive^ It is principally owing to this that those nuisances take place in the city, which occasion fre- quent and severe animadversions from strangers and others. But neither the police magistrate nor the superintendent is to be blam- ed, but the bad construction of the bill. It is essentially defec- tive, and never will the peace, and comfort, and good order of the town be effectually secured till another be obtained, constructed upon a more comprehensive principle. Besides, the operation of the bill, such as it is, does not embrace sufficiently extensive bounds. It extends very little beyond the royalty. This is an evil of great magnitude. The population without the royalty is fully greater than it is within, and there is no visible line of demarcation between the habitations in the one place and those in the other. It is the interest, therefore, of the whole com- munity, both within and without burgh, to unite, without delay, and apply for a legislative enactment, extending the police establish- ment over the whole suburban population. Hints may be most ad- PERTH. 135 irantageotisly taken from the police bill of the neighbouring town of Dundee. PHmoms. — The number of persons committed to the jail of Perth during the year ending October 1835, from the city and county, was d75. Causes of committal stand thus : Aiult, ... 229 Contempt of oourtt 1 Theft, ... 100 Iwuing of baw coin, 2 PrrhiBg, . - 25 Fire railing, - - . 3 F o i gMj, - - 7 TrenMHing, - . 2 Mnr^r, - . . 3 Riodng, ... 2 Rape^ ... I Derangement, .7 About 70 more were committed for a few days from other coun* ties to be tried at the Circuit Court The prison is reckoned to be very secure. Only two or three pri- soners hare effected an escape since its first occupation, which was in 1819. The ground floor is not sufficiently ventilated. Three prisoners sleep in one cell, and four in each of the rooms, but in separate hammocks. They are allowed to associate daily in the air- ing-ground, and in a dirty day room in complete idleness, thus neu- tralizing all attempts at refonnation. Each prisoner b allowed per day one-half quartern loaf, and a portion of oat-meal and milk. The superintendence is by a jailor and turnkey, who live within the pre- cincts. There is no matron to take the superintendence of the fe- male prisoners. A chaplain was appointed about three years ago, who gives instruction through the week, and preaches twice on the Lord's day. The inspector of prisons in Scotland, Mr Hill, reports as follows : ^* Very little good effect can be produced by imprisonment in the Perth jaiL The number of recommittals is very considerable, as may be inferred from the fact, that two of the prisoners at present in it (both women) have been there more than twenty times be- fore. Indeed, it is believed that no small number of the lowest class at Perth are well content to be in the prison occasionally, as they £ire better there than at home, and are not required to do any work. The conduct of the prisoners is generally bad, and sometimes very turbulent. Occasionally, they enact what they call a *^ Hell scene." '^ Having assembled in the day-room, and provided a plentiful supply of water, they put out the candles, and then, amidst shouts and yells, and other discordant noises, and ut- tering revolting exclamations, they pull the fire to pieces, and fling the live coals round in every direction ; others, at the same time, dashing water about, and in every way creating uproar and confu- sion.** ♦ #••#♦♦*♦ << It. is but justice to the town-coun- 140 PERTHSHIRE. portance which the city must have had in ancient times. It was a walled city, but the period when it became so is unknown. After the battle of Falkirk in 1298, Edward L of England having reduced all the fortressesr in Scotland, strongly fortified Perth, and repeatedly made it the residence of his deputies. For some time, his son Edward, who succeeded him, resided in the city. He was succeeded by Sir Aymer de Vallence, who defeat- ed Robert Bruce at Methven 1806. In 1311, King Robert stormed the town, which was fortified by an English garrison. At the head of a chosen band he waded through the deep water m the moat, and was the second man who mounted the wall. He put the garrison to the sword, razed the walls and filled up the moat. In 1335, Edward III. strongly fortijied it, laid the ex- pense on six rich abbacies, * and appointed Sir Thomas Ochtred, Governor. In 1339, Robert the Lord High Steward, who was afterwards raised to the throne, laid siege to it. The siege continued for four months. By means of mines, the water in the moat was drained off, and the place becoming untenable, the Go- vernor surrendered. In 1443, it was besieged and taken by Sir William Wallace. In 1644, after the battle of Tippermore, it was taken possession of by the Marquis of Montrose. In 1651, Cromwell, when about to besiege it, proposed honourable terms, and gained possession of it ; and to overawe its inhabitants, built a strong citadel on the South Inch. In 1715, the Earl of Marr, and the rebels took refuge in it, after the battle of Dunblane, and kept possession till they were dislodged by the Duke of Argyle. In 1745, the rebels again obtained possession of it, and attempt- ed to repair the fortifications, but the government forces followed them, and compelled them to retreat. In 1769, Sir David Dalrymple published " Historical Memo- rials, concerning the provincial councils of the Scottish clergy, from the earliest accounts to the era of the Reformation." From these memorials it appears that they were held in Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, St Andrews, Linlithgow, Scone, Roxburgh, Car- lisle, Northampton, and York, to the number of 37. Of this number sixteen were held in Perth, in 1201, 1206, 1211, 1221, 1242, 1269, 1275, 1280, 1321, 1420, 1428, 1436, 1450, 1457, 1459, 1465. * Major, the historian, says — ^* ex sumptuosis lapidibus urbis muros extrui jubet sex senobiorum cxpensis fcilicet, Sancti Andreas, Dunfermilinga? Lundoris, Bidmu- rinoch, Arbrothas, et Cupri; et arccs aliquot reparare jussit, scilicet. Sanctum An* dream, Lochris, Strivilinffum, Puellarum Arcem, et Roxburgum inquibus, suoscus- todes et Locumtenentes Tocavit.** — Lib. ▼. PERTH. 141 To those who are acquainted with the localities of the city and its neighbourhood, it may be somewhat interesting to have the following facts brought before them. The walls, which were once esteemed a sufficiently strong protection, have complete- ly disappeared, except in one place on the north side, where a small fragment remains. The fosse or aqueduct which sur- rounded the walls, and which was broad and open, has been much reduced in breadth, and been, since about 1802, arched over, on the south, and on part of the west side. Before this took place. Canal Street was an unpaved and narrow pathway, along which ran the aqueduct. Between it and the South Inch there were gardens, which, having originally their principal en- trance by the Spey Port, were called the Spey Gardens. In 1801, Marshall Place, on the South Inch, began to be built. This occa- sioned the removal of the gardens, and the cutting down of the northern division of a beautiful avenue of lofty trees which sur- rounded the Inch. The road to Inverness via Dunkeld was, at a remote period, nearly where it now is, only it commenced at the High Street Port, passed through the Miln Wynde, and the field on which the barracks stand. Its course, as far as to the Bridge of Almond, was changed, at an after period, — and, commencing at the north end of the Skinner Gate, where was the North Port, ran through the centre of the North Inch, and the Muirtoun village. In 1664-5, missives passed between the town-council and the presbytery of Dunkeld, *' as to the helping of the Muirtoun causeway." The present line of road was formed about the year 1790. Before this time, the north road to Stirling via Methven and Criefif, commenced at the High Street Port, and ran by Dove-cot-land, and Goodly Burn. The south road to Stirling commenced at the South Street Port, and ran by the Hospital House, Earls Dykes, and Pittheaveless Castle. The road to Edinburgh commenced at the same port, and ran by Leonard Causeway, and the Bridge of Craigie. It was afterwards changed, when it issued from the Spey Port, and passed to Mordun Hill, through the east side of the South Inchh — intersecting the ruins of Cromwell's Citadel. The present road to Edinburgh by Princes Street was not opened till about the year 1 770. The bridge over the Tay to the east of the city, which was destroyed by a flood in 1621, was not replaced till 1771. The river was crossed by means of boats and barges, which plied between the Quay at the foot of the High Street, and that on the 142 PERTHSHIRE. opposite shore — called the Gibraltar. Immediately after the building of the bridge, George Street, leading from it to the High Street, was opened. Charlotte Street, leading from the bridge also to the Dunkeld road, was not built till 1783. John Street, lying between the High Street and South Street, was opened in the year 1801. ' The suburban population was very in- considerable, till within these fifty years. Within that period al- most all the houses on the south of the city, including Pomarium, have been built, — and a great portion of those which are on the north and west But the populous yiaglles of Balhousie and Muirtoun, in the neighbourhood, have been thrown down, or allowed to fall into decay. March 1837. PARISH OF METHVEN* PRESBYTERY OF PERTH, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. THOMAS CLARK, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Nam€y Boundaries, 8fc. — It is not known by tradition, neither is it to be found upon record, that this parish ever had any other name than that which it now bears, the orthography of which, it is said, is derived from the Gaelic word " Meodhan^* signifying " mid^ die ;" and it is imderstood that the name, or rather the word from which the name is derived, has special reference to the situation of the parish, in regard to the GreaJt Strath, or Strathmore, which ex- tends from Stonehaven on the east, to Dumbarton on the west, and is bounded on the north by the Grampians, and on the south by the ridge of the Ochil hills, — near the centre or middle of which strath this parish is situated. The average length of the parish from east to west is 5 miles, and the breadth from north to south between 3 and 4. The whole area is estimated at about 17 square miles, or, more accurately, 10,700 imperial acres. It is bounded chiefly on the north and on the east, by the river Almond ; on the west, by the parish of Fow- * This Account has been chiefly drawn up by Mr R. Wilson, schoolmaster, Meth- Tcn ; and Mr Thomas Bishop, orerseer, M ethven Castle. MBTHVEN. 143 Its Wester, and on the south, by a small stream, called the Pow, which separates it from the parishes of Madderty, Findo Gask, and Tibbermore. We have said chiefly an the norths because the Almond runs through part of the parish in that direction ; the lands which constituted the original estate of Lynedoch (more properly Lednoch) forming part of this parish, are situated on the north bank of that river. Topographical Appearances. — There is neither hill nor lake of any note in the parish, but the sur&ce is agreeably diversified by hollows and rising ground, and as the higher parts are in general tastefully laid out in patches of thriving plantation, the landscape eflTect in many instances is highly creditable to the taste and skill of the proprietors. SoiL — The soil consists principally of clay, but there are tracts of considerable extent, both of loam and gravel, with moorish soil, recumbent on a tilly bottom. With the exception of 100 acres of moss, and about 250 acres of moor, the land in the parish is all either in a state of cultivation, or under plantations. There is a tract of up- wards of 1000 imperial acres towards the north part of the parish, which, until about forty years ago, was a common ; but soon after that time, it was divided among the heritors and feuars in the pa- rish, and is now in a comparatively high state of cultivation. Here, now, several farm-steadings are erected, and many families decent- ly and respectably supported, and wealth is now derived from, and comfort enjoyed upon, this extensive tract of ground, which was formerly a perfect waste. So much for the spirit of enterprise and the hand of industry. Climate and Diuases.'^The climate may be said to be mild and salubrious, especially towards the south, for the lands in the parish in general have a southern exposure ; but in the northern parts, the climate is not so genial, evidently on account of their greater elevation above the level of the sea, and of their proximity to the Grampians, .from which the boundary of this parish on the north- west is not farther distant than a mile and a half. It is evident, however^ that the climate here has undergone a very material im- provement since the year 17d8, when the former Statistical Ac- count was written, both from the agricultural improvements effect- ed since that period, by the important operations of draining, and, not less so, from the great extent of land in the parish, now cover- ed with thriring plantations, which was then in little else than a state of bleak barrenness. 144 PERTHSHIRE. It cannot be said that there is any distemper, disease, or species of sickness peculiar to this parish, and we may regard it rather as remarkable for health and longevity than otherwise. Several of the parishioners have, from time to time, attained very advanced ages, one of whom, a female, died in the month of August last, in the hun- dredth year of her 'age. It may not be improper to notice here a fact, which we consider worthy of record, namely, that in the year 1832, when that scourge of the human race, cholera^ was permitted to visit this country, and to commit its mournful devastations in some of the neighbouring parishes, the inhabitants of this parish were not only mercifully preserved from that direful visitation, but the mortality here that year did not much exceed the half of the average annual mortality for the seven years immediately preced- ing, or for that of the four years that have since elapsed. Meteorology. — The prevailing winds are from the W. and S. W., and it is from these points we have the greatest quantity of rain. We have also occasionally very heavy rains from the east, and in the spring months we have frequently cold and stormy weather from that quarter. A register of the weather has been regularly kept here for many years, at an elevation of about 300 feet above the level of the sea, from which we have constructed the following Mbteorological Table. (Observations taken twice a-day, at 10 a. m. and at 10 p. m.) Year. 1880, Barometer. Thermometer. Rain. ; Lowest Highest. Lowest When. Wind. Highest When. Wind. In.lU08. 28.00 30.90 I5« Dec. 26. N. 77* July 28. S. W. 32.91 18.31, 28.87 30.42 19° Not. 19. W. 78 July 7. & 26.79 ias2. 2a80 30.22 23* Jan. 7. w. 76 June 14. E. 26.00 1833, ?a80 30.20 W Jan. 15. N. 80 July 17. S. W. 32.12 1834, 28.47 30.40 2V Dec. 28. W. 80 July 1- E. 30.54 1835, 28.00 80.20 23° Jan. 17. W. 81 June 10. E. 30.25 1836, Aver. 2a29 30.20 19'» Feb. 26. N.E. 78 May 17. W. 82.00 1 1 of 7 28.29 da36 20f 78;^ 80.08 years Hydrography. — The Almond, which is a bold and rapid cur- rent, though it intersects a portion of the parish at Lynedoch, is rather a boundary to this parish than a river Hbelonging to it. It takes its rise among the hills which lie between Loch Earn and l^och Tay. It winds its way through the steep and rugged moun- tains of Glenalmond, receiving in its course the numerous tribu- tary streams which descend, through the extensive tract of Logie- almond, from the hills on the north, — passes this parish, — becomes 3 METEIVKN. M-'i a boundary between the parishes of Redgorton and Tibbermore, and falls into the Tay two miles and a half above Perth. As it passes Lynedoch House, the seat of the Right Honourable Lord Lynedoch, and the ^«9ods at Methven Castle, the seat of Robert Soiythe, Esq. which are contiguous, the scenery is grand and pic- turesque, and furnishes some views, which, for beauty and roman- tic effect, are- rarely surpassed. Geology and Mineralogy, — The sole rocks in this district belong to the old red sandstone or trap groups. On the line of the river Almood, up to near Lynedoch, as well as throughout the southern part of the parish, the sandstone is of a bright-red colour with greyish spots, and dipping slightly towards the north. This is sofi and friable, containing large portions of clay and lime ; it quickly moulders down by the action of the air. At the new bridge of Lynedoch, a thick-bedded, fine-grained, pale gray sandstone makes its £^pearance, and occupies all the north-western parts of the pa- rish. This is worked as a building stone, and is eminently adapted for architectural purposes. In the space of less than two miles from Pitcaim, up the Almond, no fewer than five veins or dikes of trap cross the country, from north-east to south-west, nearly parallel to each other. These are chiefiy of that variety called greenstone, and afford excellent quarries for road metal and causeway stones. One of these veins, which appears at Cromwell Park dam dike, has a singular aspect The middle portion is amorphous trap, like the cement of an old castle wall, while on both sides of it, like the hewn ashler work, are walls of horizontal basaltic columns, lying at right angles to the axis of the vein. The whole may be about fifty feet in thickness. There are no minerals found in the parish wor- thy of notice, or not of ordinary occurrence in similar localities, if we except the innumerable veins of satin-spar with which the red argillaceous sandstone is everywhere intersected. These vary from an inch and a half to an eighth of an inch in thickness, but they are too friable and ill-coloured to be of any value. Botany. — A considerable number of plants might be enume- rated, as natives of this parish, and rarely to be found in other districts of the country, but notice shall be taken only of the following few, which are rare. L Corallorhiza innata^ found in the wood of Methven in 1804, being upwards of thirty years from the time that it had been previously found in the country. It ceases to show itself in flower when the coppice is cut down around it, until it be again protected with the shade of the young PERTH. K 146 PRRTHSHIKE. shoots. The Epipactis grandijlora^ latifolioj and ensifolia are also found in the same wood, as also are the Listera nidus^avis,' Paris quadrifiliaf Chrysoplenium alternifoliiim^ and Convallaria majalisy the latter in great abundance ; the Erigeron alpinus^ on a rock by the side of the Almond, near to the house of Lynedoch, — and in a morass near the south boundary of the parish and close by the turnpike road from Perth to Crieff, the Schenchzeria pa- lustris^ this being its only habitat as yet known in Scotland. Woods and Plantations, — The natural woods occupy about 260 imperial acres, and are contiguous to the banks of the Almond. They consist chiefly of oak, Quercus pedunculata, with a mix- ture of birch, ash, alder, and hazel. The Quercus sessilijlora is not indigenous here. These woods have been treated as coppice for some hundreds of years, and they are still periodically cut as such, at a proper age. Some of the aged reserves are oc- casionally taken away, and some of the best seedling growths left to supply their place. There are about 1500 acres under planted trees of intermediate ages, from 150 years old and downwards; and to these, annual additions are making, not only of species/which are indigenous, or which have long been naturalized, but also of others recently imported. The soil in general appears to be most congenial to the oak, producing timber of great durability. Beech also succeeds well on all the hard-bottomed land that has been previously under cultivation ; and on moor soils the larch thrives uncommonly well, of which there are several hundred acres, which for quality cannot be surpassed. Remarkable Trees. — A noble and venerable ash, known bv the name of the Bell Tree^ supposed to be coeval with the first religi- ous establishment in this parish, stands in the west corner of the churchyard. At 3^ feet above the surface of the ground, this tree measures 20 feet in circumference ; and it contains in all 380 cubic feet of timber. Forty years ago it exhibited a magnificent top, but, wearied, as it were, of its former pliancy, it now chooses ra- ther to break than bow, and yearly it does homage to the soil which nourishes it, by surrendering a portion of its withered branches. The Pepper Well oak at Methven Castle is a tree of great pic- turesque beauty, and contains 700 cubic feet of wood ; the trunk measures 17^^feet in circumference at 3 feet above the ground, and its branches cover a space of 98 feet in diameter. It has at- tained an increase in girth of 3 feet since the year 1796. In the year 1722, 100 merks Scots were offered for this tree, and tradi- METHVEN. 147 turn reports that there is a stone in the heart of it, but, like the Grolenos oak, it must be cut up to ascertain this. A black Italian poplar, Populus accledesca^ stands by the burn- ade at Tippermallo, which was planted on the 5th May 1776. By a measurement of it taken in 1836, it was found to contain 300 cubic feet of timber; at 3 feet from the ground the girth is 1 1 feet 6 inches. There are perhaps but few instances of such a rapid increase of timber, this being at the rate of 5 feet yearly since it was planted. The management of woods and plantations is now better under- stood and more successfully practised than formerly, when the error of planting too thick, which is still too prevalent, and of neglecting to thin in proper time, operated so injuriously against the rearing of timber trees. The planter by this method may have had in some instances an earlier return of profit, when small wood was in request, and this is the only recommendation which in gene- ral can be bestowed upon too thick planting. There is perhaps no proprietor in Scotland who has realized a greater amount for trees of his oion planting than the venerable Lord Lynedoch, from whose plantations many thousands have been shipped to England. II. — Civil History. Ltand^oumers. — The chief land-owners are, Robert Smytlie, Esq. of Methven; Lord Lynedoch; Lord Elibank; and Baroness Keith. The property belonging to the latter forms part of this parish only quoad civilia, and is situated at a distance of several miles north-east from the rest of tlie parish, on the confines of the parish of Auchtergaven, and at the bottom of the Gramj)ian hills. The parish otherwise is of a compact form. The relative propor- tion of the lands in the parish, belonging to each of these proprie- tors, may be estimated at a half, a fourth, an eighth, and a sixteenth respectively, and the remainder, being about another sixteenth, is held by small proprietors and feuars. The ancient valuation of the parish, as appears by the county cess-books, and that by which the public rates are still charged, is L. 6400, 4s. 6d. Scots. Parish Registtr, — The earliest register of this parish extant, or known ever to have existed, appears to have been commenced in the year 1662, and, with the exception of nineteen years, that is from 1730 to 1749, the record has been continued up to the present time. This omission is supposed to have been occasioned by the political troubles which then distracted the country, — at least no other cause for it can now be assigned. The register is not volu- 148 PERTHSHIRE. minoiis, considering the extensive period which it embraces, but, with the exception above noticed, it seems upon the whole to have been regularly kept. From this register we learn a fact which has perhaps but few parallels in the history of the church, namely, that the present in- cumbent is only the (ouTih presbyterian minister in this parish since the period of the Reformation. The first was Mr William Mon- crieif, who was ordained here on the 14th June 1694, and after a ministry of fifty-six years, was succeeded on the 12th December 1750, by Dr James Oswald, who resigned the living in the year 1783, and died in August 1793. Upon Dr Oswald's resignation, the Rev. John Dowe, who had then been eleven years minister of Can- nobie, in Dumfries- shire, was translated to this charge in February 1784. He died in November 1823, and was succeeded in August following by the Rev. Thomas Clark, the present incumbent. Antiquities. — We take this article, without alteration, from the former Statistical Account written by the late Rev. John Dowe, who was eminently distinguished for extensive and authentic anti- quarian research, and whose authority we regard as unquestion- able. " The first mention found of Methven in history is about the year 970, when Colenus, reputed the 79th King of Scotland, is said to have been killed in its neighbourhood, by Rohard, Thane of Methven, whose daughter he had deflowered. Before 1323, the lands of Methven belonged to the Mowbrays, whose ancestor, Roger Mowbray, a Norman, came to England with William the Conqueror. The first religious establishment here was a pro- vostry or collegiate church, founded anno 1433, by Walter Stew- art Earl of Athol, who amply endowed it with lands and tithes, for the salvation of his soul, according to the superstition of those times ; and who was a principal actor in the horrid murder of King James I., his own nephew. An aisle, which was connected with the last church, appears, from a stone built in the wall, to have been erected by some of the royal family. On this stone is sculptured the Royal Lyon of Scotland, with the crown above, and there are some defaced illegible Saxon characters below. This aisle may have been built by Margaret the Queen Dowager, when she re- sided at the Castle of Methven. It is now the burying- place of the family of Methven." In reference to the Mowbrays above-mentioned, occasion is IMETIIVEN. 149 takeu to introduce the following illustrative note, which, in our opinion, is highly deserving of a place here. ^^ A branch of this fiimily afterwards established itself in Scot« land, and became very flourishing. To Sir Roger Mowbray be- longed the baronies of Kelly, Eckford, Dalmeny, and Methven, lying in the shires of Forfar, Roxburgh, Linlithgow, and Perth ; but for adhering to the Baliol and English interest, his lands were confiscated by Robert L, who bestowed Eckford, Kelly, and Methven on his son-in-law, Walter, the eighth hereditary Lord High Steward of Scotland, whose son, Robert, was afterwards King, and the second of the name, in right of his mother, Mar- jory Bruce, daughter of Robert L The lordship of Methven was granted by him to Walter Stewart, Earl of Athol, his second son, by Euphame Ross, his second wife, and after his forfeiture remain- ed in the crown a considerable time. It became part of the dowery lands usually appropriated for the maintenance of the queen dowager of Scotland, together with the lordship and Castle of Stirling, and the lands of Balquhidder, &c. all of which were settled on Margaret, Queen Dowager of James IV., who in the year 1524, having divorced her second husband, Archibald Earl of Angus, married Henry Stewart, second son of Andrew, Lord Evandale, afterwards Ochiltree, a descendant of Robert Duke of Albany, son of King Robert II. Margaret was the eldest daugh- ter of Henry VII. of England, in whose right James VI. of Scot- land, her great grandson, succeeded to that crown, on the death of Queen Elizabeth. She procured for her third husband a peer- age from her son, James V. under the title of Lord Methven, an- no 1528; and on this occasion the barony of Methven was dis- solved from the crown, and erected into a lordship in favour of Henry Stewart and his heirs-male, on the Queen's resigning her jointure of the lordship of Stirling. By Lord Methven she had a daughter, who died in infancy before herself. The Queen died at the Castle of Methven in 1540; and was buried at Pertii, be- side the body of King James I. Lord Methven afterwards mar- ried Janet Stewart, daughter of the Earl of Athol, by whom lie had a son, Henry II. Lord Methven, who married Jean, daughter of Patrick Lord Ruthven, and was killed at Broughton, by a can- non ball from the Castle of Edinburgh, in 1572, leaving a son, Henry III. Lord Methven, who died without issue. This third Lord Methven is mentioned on the authority of Stavarfs Genea^ logical Account of the House of Stewart. In the year 1584, the 150 PERTHSHIRE- Lordship of Methven and Balquhidder was conferred on Lodo' wick Duke of Lennox, in whose illustrious family it continued till It was purchased in 1664, by Patrick Smythe of Braco, great grandfather of the present Lord Methven, from Charles the last Duke, who dying without issue, anno 1672, his honours, (of which Lord Methven was one,) with his estate and hereditary offices, fell to Charles XL as his nearest male heir ; the King's great-grand- father and the Duke's being brothers." " It is only necessary to mention farther under this article, that Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, celebrated in one of our most po- pular songs, are said to have been buried in this parish, about half a mile west of the present house of Lednock." And that " the common tradition is, that Bessy Bell was daughter of the Laird of Kinvaid, and Mary Gray of the Laird of Lednock. Being near neighbours, a great intimacy subsisted between the young ladies. When they were together at Lednock, the plague broke out, anno 1645 ; to avoid which they retired to a romantic spot called Burn Braes, on the estate of Lednock, where they lived for some time, but afterwards caught the infection from a young gentleman, an admirer of both, who came to visit them in their solitude : and here they died, and were buried at some distance from their bower, near a beautiful bank of the Almond.'* Resident Landed Proprietors, — The only landed proprietor per- manently resident is Robert Smythe, Esq. of Methven. Seat, Methven Castle, " which stands with a dignified appearance" on a bold and steep eminence in the park, where, according to Guthrie the historian, Bruce, in the year 1306, was defeated by the Earl of Pembroke. The castle is a good specimen of the style of an- cient baronial building, and was finished in the year 1680. Its ori- ginal dimensions have been greatly enlarged by extensive addi- tions built to it from time to time, both by the late Lord Methven, and by the present proprietor, Mr Smythe. Lord Lynedoch, the only other landed proprietor, who has a seat in the parish, resides also occasionally at Lynedoch House or Cottage, which is pleasantly situated on the north bank of the Al- mond, and is justly celebrated for the beauty of the surrounding scenery. III. — Population. The actual statement of the population of this parish, at any very remote period. — if any such statement ever existed — cannot now be traced. The earliest account we have of it is in the year METHVEN. 151 1755, when it was said to be 1790. Again, in the year 1793, it was stated at 1786. It is supposed, however, that in each of these cases the population was estimated by the very imperfect mode of allowing three, four, or five individuals to each family. — a method, which, even under the most favourable circumstances, can be viewed only as an approximation to the truth, while in no case can it be depended upon, if »ny thing like accuracy be re- quired. By the Parliamentary census taken at different periods, the population was found to be as under : — Year. Population lucrcasc. Decrease. In 1801, 2073 1811, 1654 581 18-21, 2904 250 1831 2714 J90 The chief cause assigned at the time for the increase from 1801 to 1811, was the general introduction of vaccine ino- culation, which, previous to 1801, was scarcely known in this parish. Another reason then given was the encouragement afford- ed by Colonel Graham of Balgowan, now Lord Lynedoch, and by the Honourable Lord Methven, father of the present pro- prietor of the estate of Methven, to enterprising agriculturists to settle upon their estates. The apparent increase of 250 from 1811 to 1821, was evidently owing to this circumstance, viz. in the former case it was the population of the quoad sacra parish that was enumerated, while in the latter, it was that of the parish quoad civilia. The decrease of 190, between the years 1821, and 1831, was principally occasioned by the almost entire depopulation of the estate of Bachilton, the property of Lord Elibank, which in the year 1821 was occupied by twelve tenants, — farmers, besides' their cottars and dependents ; whereas at the latter date, this ex- tensive and valuable property may be said to have been, as it still is, in the hands of one person. The village of Methven contains a population of 1000; and that of Almondbank 300, these being the only villages in the pa- rish. The rest of the population are chiefly engaged in rural and agricultural employment. It is impossible accurately to state the average number of births in the parish ; for although all those who belong to the Establish- ed Church regularly attend to the registration of their children's names, even before they are baptized, yet very few of those who are in connection with the Seceders take the trouble of discharg- ing this duty to their children. If, however, we suppose the births 152 ^ PEUTHSHIRE. of the latter to be half the number of that of the former, the ave* rage annual number of births in this parish for the last seven years would be 58. If there be any advantage in the registration of births, either in a public or private point of view, the method by which this can be most generally accomplished is certainly a desi- deratum of no mean importance. The average number of deaths for the last seven years is 37 ; and that of marriages, 17. Within the last three years there have been 10 illegitimate births. Character of the People — It is not to be expected that every few miles of different locality should furnish the observer with striking peculiarities of character, but there are advantages possessed in one place which another does not enjoy, and which have a consi- derable influence in modifying the feelings and habits of a com- munity. Thus, without facilities of reading, and freedom of inter- course with other districts, how slow would be the march of im- provement, — how imperceptible the change of society. The in- habitants of this parish possess both these privileges. Having a library of considerable extent and variety, they have within their reach the means of knowledge, and, living in a district intersected by the great road which connects Glasgow with Perth and Dun- dee, they become early acquainted with what is transacted in these populous cities, and imbibe some portion of the activity and enter- prise of their inhabitants. Thus they are an intelligent and. in- dustrious people, devoting their time to the acquisition of the means necessary for their support, and spending their leisure hours in amusing or profitable reading. They are, moreover, kind and hospitable, moral and religious, shewing a becoming regard for the authority of the gospel, and a most exemplary regularity in attend- ing public worship. IV. — Industry. Agriculture and Rural Economy. — The total number of imperial acres in the parish is about 10,700 ' Cultivated or occasionally in tillage, - . - 8600 Under wood and plantations, - - ... 1750 Moor to be cultivated or planted, .... 250 Moss, - - ... . 100 10,700 The gross rental of the parish exceeds L. 1 1,000 ; and the ave- rage rate of the arable land let is about l^. 1, 7s. per acre, compris- ing the various gradations from L. 3 per acre down to 12s. The extent of the farms varies from 280 acres to 40, — and pendicles METHVEN. 153 and cottage holdings from 20 acres to less than one. Leases are generally for nineteen years. No particular breed of bestial can be ^ated as peculiar to the parish. Many Ayrshire cows, for the purpose of the dairy, have of late years been introduced. The grazing of a cow for the season costs about L. 3. Every farm has a thrashing-mill, and none but iron ploughs are in use. Ploughmen's wages vary from L. 12 to L. 18 per annum, with victuals. HiUbcmdry. — The alternate system of cropping is generally practised, and, on account of the diversity of soils, this is judicious- ly modified to suit the capabilities of land, localities, and climate. The best wheat lands are cultivated under a six course rotation, in which grass with clover has a place only for one season, beans and pease, with other leguminous plants, occupying the intermediate years between the grain crops. Lands of medium quality, which include the greater portion of that which is arable, are kept under a five years rotation, with two years under grass, the first year hay, and the second pasture. On dry and gravelly soils, and also on the inferior moorlands, a six years rotation is followed, with three years grass in succession, while the generality of small pendiclers and occupiers of village acres practise that of four years ; the first, green crop ; the second, bar- ley with grass seeds; the third, cutting grass or hay ; and the fourth, oats. Bone-dust has been used with much advantage as a manure, for the raising of turnips, on the dry lands which admit of the crop being eaten ofi* with sheep ; but lime is the stimulant most in use, ibany thousand bolls of which have of late years been carted from Perth, it being brought there by shipping from the Frith of Forth and the north of England. Potatoes, particularly the Perthshire red, are extensively culti- vated for the London market, and, for several years have brought higher returns to the farmer than the rest of his other crops. Ex- cellent crops of turnips are also raised for home consumption, especially for feeding cattle, which find purchasers both from Perth and Glasgow. Some good crops of mangold wurzel have also been raised. Several tenants now see the advantage of sowing out their fields with different kinds of natural grass seeds suited to the soil, in mixture with rye-grass and clover. As this system will improve the pasturage, so it will be the means of extending it, and conse- quently of lessening the quantity of land, so frequently held under 154 PBRTHSHIUE tillage, which is the greatest defect with which the present system is chargeable. Value of Annual Produce. m Grain of all kinds, sold or consumed, deducting seed, L. 21500 Green crops, do. do. - - . 9300 Hay and pasturage, . - • . . 7165 Woods and plantations, .... . x5oo Moss, ...... 30 Amount, L. 39,495 Manufactures. — The only manufacturing establishment in the parish is at Woodend, in the immediate vicinity of the village of Almondbank, and belongs to the Messrs Turnbull of Hunting- tower BleachBeld, in the adjoining parish of Tibbermore. This was formerly a paper manu&ctory, but was lately converted into a weav- ing establishment, and is 6tted up with power looms. It gives em- ployment to a considerable number of people in that quarter. The population of the village of Almondbank is chiefly employed at the public works on the river Almond, which are numerous and ex- tensive, but none of them are in this parish but the one now men- tioned. The principal employment of a great part of the population of the village of Methven is hand-loom weaving. They are chiefly sup- plied with work by resident agents, who obtain it on commission from manufacturers in Glasgow. V. — Parochial Economy. Roads, 8fc. — The north road from Perth to Glasgow by way of Crieif passes through the village of Methven, which is situated six miles from Perth, eleven from Criefl*, and fifty-eight from Glasgow. There is no other turnpike road in theparish, but several county roads intersect it, which greatly facilitate the intercourse between this parish and the neighbouring districts in all directions. These roads are generally kept in a state of excellent repair, and are maintain- ed by the funds arising from the statute labour conversion. Two coaches (one of them the royal mail) pass and repass from Perth to Glasgow daily, and there is a penny post-office here, which was established about five years ago, in connection with the post-office at Perth. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish church, which is conveniently situated, is a large commodious and substantial building, although not an elegant one, and, with the addition of an aisle built to it in the year 1825, at the private expense of Robert Smythe, Esq. of Methven, the patron and principal heritor of the parish, contains METHVEN. 165 about 1 100 sittings, which are in general nearly all occupied. The only other place of worship in the parish is a meeting-house in con- nection with the United Associate Synod, formerly Antiburgher Seceders. About the year 1770 this parish had become one of the most thorough Seceding parishes in Scotland, and the parish church at that time was almost entirely deserted. By an enumeration, very carefully taken in the beginning of the year 1 836, it was found that the gross population of the quoad «acra parish was then 2450, and that the number of communicants belonging to the Establish- ed Church was 903. In this parish there are no Dissenters in the proper acceptation of that term, for all those who do not belong to the church are connected either with the United Associate Synod, or with the As- sociate Synod of Original Seceders, who have a place of worship in a neighbouring parish. The number of families in the parish altogether is 630 ; of these, 354 belong to the Established Church ; 1234 to what were formerly Antiburgher Seceders : and 21 to the Original Seceders. The manse is an elegant modern edifice, built in the year 1830, at a very considerable expense, and may justly be regarded as an unquestionable proof of the liberality and good taste of the heri- tors. It is the largest, and perhaps the best finished and most convenient, manse in the presbytery. The stipend, as modified in the year 1829, is 18 chalders, half meal, and half barley, payable by the fiars of the county. The glebe consists of 15 acres of good land, capable of bearing all kinds of crops, besides 10 acres of unimproved moor land, which was allotted to the minister, as his portion of the common, at the time it was divided. Education, — Nothing can be more satisfactory than the state of education in this parish. There are very few if any adults that cannot read, and by the exertions of the benevolent, the poorest children have the means of instruction afforded them. About one- ninth of the population is continually employed in attending school, and while the general progress is extremely gratifying, there are many instances of great proficiency in every department of education. The parochial school has, for above twenty years, been under the superintendence of the present eminent teacher Mr R. Wilson, whose services and whose character have earned for him the esteem and confidence of all those among whom he 156 PERTHSHIRK. has so long and successfully laboured. And besides his profes- sional duties^ which have been uniformly discharged with great fidelity and talent, he has rendered invaluable services to the com- munity in the management of several benevolent institutions. The advantages of the savings-bank in this place are chiefly ow- ing to his business talent, and gratuitous labours. The existence, and happy effects of the friendly society, as it is now constituted, have the same origin ; and much of the comfort of the poor is to be traced to the kindness and accuracy with which he conducts their pecuniary affairs under the direction of the heritors and kirk- session. The salary paid to the schoolmaster is the maximum, and the amount of school -fees actually received may vary from L. 25 to L. 30 per annum. The rate of fees is 2s., 2s. 6d. and 3s. per quarter, for the ordinary branches of education, and 5s. for Latin, book-keeping, practical mathematics, &c. &c. The number of scholars attending the parochial school varies from 120 to 150. There is an unendowed school in the village of Almondbank, numerously attended, there being from 70 to 90 scholars who re- ceive instruction in this place. The right of nominating the teacher to this school belongs to Robert Smythe, Esq. of Methven, who along with some other benevolent individuals, contributes an- nually a few pounds for the education of poor children in that dis- trict. There is also in the village of Methven a school supported en- tirely by the Secession congregation of this place, and, so far as we know, this school is well attended and well taught, so that the means of education are abundantly supplied in this parish. Literature, — A library was established here in the year 1790, and now consists of more than 1100 volumes. It contains many standard works in divinity, science, and general literature. It is supported by the annual contribution of its members, the number of whom at present is 130. The members meet quarterly for con- ducting the general business of the society. It is governed by a pre- sident and committee of management, who are annually elected. The institution is in a prosperous condition, and eminently fitted to promote the dissemination of general knowledge. Friendly Society. — A Friendly Society was instituted here in the year 1790, but, from the imperfect knowledge, or rather the perfect ignorance which then, and for many years afterwards, prevailed re- garding the equitable principles upon which institutions of this METHVEN. 157 nature ought to be founded, this society, like all others of the same kind, had long to grope its way in uncertainty, and from time to time to vary and adjust its rates of contributions and allow- ances, according as the funds were supposed to be adequate to the purposes contemplated or not. This state of ignorance was evi- dently the true cause, both then and afterwards, of the almost uni- versal failure of Friendly Societies. But by the caution and fore- sight of some of its leading members, this Society was safely guid- ed through those difficulties which proved so fatal to others, and was even comparatively in a prosperous state in the year 1824, when the Report of the Highland Society of Scotland upon Be- nefit or Friendly Societies was published. For this important production, the public owe a deep debt of gratitude to Charles Oliphant, Esq. W. S. Upon the appearance of the Highland Society's Report, the members of this society, generally, eagerly availed themselves of the information it afforded, and showed a resolution, in spite of every difficulty, to reduce to practice, in their own case, the principles therein expounded. They, therefore, immediately set about re- modelling the Melhven Friendly Society, in strict conformity to the data contained in the Report of the Highland Society, and for this purpose they appointed a large committee of their number, to whom, in terms of the Friendly Society Act of 1802, they dele- gated all the power and authority the society itself possessed, to alter, to amend, and to enlarge its laws, its principles, and its ob- jects. The society accordingly, on the 22d May 1826, adopted a new constitution, principally derived from, and entirely founded upon, the Highland Society's Report, embracing the three great schemes therein exhibited, namely, Ist^ For affording weekly payments in money during sickness, until the member attains the seventieth year of his age. 2ch Ore, in his camp in the parish of Camock, and arrive with his troops at the scene of action, before mom- niog, as Chalmers supposes. 172 PERTHSHIRE. It is natural to think that the ever-watchful Romans would not permit a camp, so situated, and so fitted to annoy them, to remain undisturbed in the vicinity of so important a station as Orrea. Ac- cordingly, judging from the number of tumuli, or cairns, the vici- nity of this camp would seem to have been the scene either of a succession of contests, or of one great and bloody battle. No ac- count, or even tradition, indeed, concerning this camp, or these tumuli, has come down to us. But this is perhaps the most con- clusive circumstance that removes their date to the time of the Romans. For, had such transactions as they unquestionably in- dicate taken place in more recent times, we may conclude that some tradition, at least, about them would have come down to us, as has been the case with the battle of Luncarty with the Danes. That these tumuli or cairns were erected over ?iative chiefs, and not over the leaders of the Romans, or other enemies, is establish- ed by one circumstance, besides the practice of our ancestors, which of itself, however, might appear conclusive on the subject, whilst the same circumstance, as well as the magnitude of the prin- cipal cairn, bespeak the quality of the person intended to be com- memorated, and at the same time connects these cairns with the camp in question. The circumstance to which I refer, is the name which is given to the lands on which the camp stands. The names of places are one of the best evidences which we possess of ancient historical events, in the absence of historical records. The lands on which the camp stands are called Pitcairn, that is to say, the cairns of the graves ; pit^ in Gaelic, signifying a grave. This name then connects these cairns, which stand on the lands of Balm- blair and Bridgeton, with the camp, which stands on the lands of Pitcairn ; and therefore proves that the persons buried under these cairns perished in battle. The same name, which is compounded entirely of Gaelic ety- mons, proves that these tumuli were the burial places of native chiefs. For had they been erected over Romans, the name would have given some indication of its Roman origin. And, the cir- cumstance that these cairns have given the name to the adjacent lands, proves that' the principal person intended to be commemo- rated was a great landed proprietor in the country. For if he had been any inferior personage, or even any person of equal import- ance from a distance, though he might have given his name to the place of his burial, it is not likely that lands, which had never be- longed to him, or with which he had no connection, would have taken the name which is given them in tenures, from the circum- RKDGORTON. 173 stances of his death. Now in the time of the Romans the land was not parcelled out amongst a number of small proprietors as at present, but was held in great districts by a few nobles or petty princes. In this way, by putting together the different circum- stances in our possession, and comparing them with the ancient state of society in our country, we arrive, almost with certainty, at the conclusion, that the principal cairn in this place, of which an admeasurement is given at the foot of the page,* is the burial-place of a great landed proprietor, or British Chief, who perished in bat- tle, in defence of his country, most probably against the Romans. Battle of Luncarty. — Not much inferior in interest to the site of the Roman station of Orrea, is the scene of the battle of Luncarty, so extraordinary and almost romantic in its circumstances, and so important in its results. The field on which this battle was fought lies on the banks of the Tay, about two miles above the mouth of the Almond, and within the period of the incumbency of the last minister, which extended to forty years, was covered with small tumuli ; but there is now no other memorial of the contest but two upright stones, one of which, about four feet high, retains the name of Denmark. Although this battle is mentioned by all our his- torians, by Boetius, Fordun, and Buchanan, the precise year in which it was fought is not accurately known ; but it took place un- der the reign of Kenneth III. about the year 990, or somewhat earlier, Kenneth having been assassinated by Fenella in 994. The Danes had landed in great force at the mouth of the river Esk ;f and having taken the town of Montrose, they levelled both the town and its castle with the ground, massacring all the inha- bitants without distinction of age or sex. They then marched across the whole province of Angus, laying the country waste in their progress till they reached the Tay, where they encamped on one of the hills in the vicinity of Perth. The King was at Stir- ling when intelligence of these occurrences was brought him ; from whence he immediately marched with all the strength he could muster, to watch the motions of the enemy ; having written to those nobles who were not at hand, to follow him as soon as pos- sible, with all their forces. He speedily arrived at Moncrieff Hill, * This extraordinary cairn is situated on the top of a circular mound, the summit of which it entirely occupies. The cairn is raised to the height of 13 feet perpendi- cular above the mound, and has a diameter of 100 feet, thus occupying a space of 872 square yards. t Traducta dasae ad Eskc fluminis ostium — oppidum proximum diripiunt : in di- reptom fnro et igne samunt ; aroem solo apquant : cives sine discrimine occidunt : nulU vel aexui, Tel atati parcunt— Buch. Lib. 6, 5* ^t. 174 PERTHSHIRE. — Buchanan says at the confluence of the Tay and the Earn,*— * where he fixed his camp, which was soon filled by a multitude of his countrymen ; the nobles having joined him with all their re- tainers. Whilst he was here organizing his forces, word was sud- denly brought him that the enemy had crossed the Tay, and were laying siege to the town of Perth, then called Bertha. When the King heard that a place of such importance, and so near, was in danger, he immediately marched thither, and, passing by the ene- my, took up his position at Luncarty, to the north of them. The Scots were next day eager for the encounter, and drew out their forces in order of battle, on a level piece of ground ; but the Danes, who were stationed on an opposite eminence, would not be drawn from their advantageous position, and the Scots could not attack them in it without great danger. The King therefore threw forward his archers and javeline throwers, (sagitarii et jaculatores) who so annoyed the enemy from a distance, that they were forced to advance to the contest on more equal terms. A terrible battle ensued on the level ground, which was foiight for some time with doubtful success. At length, the centre of the Scottish army was exposed by the flight of both wings, which the Danes were pursu- ing with great vigour. It would have been a most disastrous day to the Scots, says Buchanan, had not assistance been providential- ly brought to them in their extremity by one man."|- The battle was observed by a man of the name of Hay, who, with his two sons, all of them of great strength both of body and mind, J were employed in a field, on the opposite side of the river. His love of his country, for which he was remarkable, was touched by the danger of his countrymen ; when, seizing on the yoke of his plough, and his sons on whatever they could find, and crossing the Tay at the shallow part of the river, they reached the field of bat- tle at the critical moment of the flight, which, first by entreaties, and then by threats, they endeavoured to stop, declaring that they would put to death those who persisted.§ Then throwing them- selves with fury upon the foremost of the pursuing Danes, they gave the Scots a moment to rally on an eminence, which still re- tains the name of Turn-again hillock. The battle was now re- * Brcvi ingens multitudo in castra Regis, quae erant ad conflucntcm Tai et ler- lue fluininum accessit. Id. loo. cit. f Fuisset profecto ilia dies longe Scotis funestissima, nisi velut divinitus per unum hominem in prope despera fuisset oblatum auxilium. Buch. Lib. 6, §. 32. 4: Qui cum corporis, animique viribus magnis essent, nee minore in patriam cari- tate. Id. loc. cit. § Se quoque Tociferantes adversus fugientes, Dauos fuere. Id. loc. cit. 3 REDGORTON. 175 newed on somewhat different ground, when Hay, leading some of the clans down a deep ravine, took the Danes in flank and rear, which threw them into confusion. At this critical moment again, another circumstance occurred which completed their disorder. A great shout was raised by a number of grooms, and a rustic crowd of peasants,* which appeared to the Danes to be a new army, and increased their pania The fortune of the day was now, therefore, entirely changed, and the Danes were routed with such prodigious slaughter, that those who escaped the sword perished in the river. A despairing effort was, however, made to save their commander's life, by defending an eminence close to the banks of the river ; but ^1 their efforts were unavailing. For here the Danish General, according to Fordun, the King himself, was slain ;-t- and the stone mentioned above, which yet retains the name of Denmark, still marks the spot of his fall. Such was the celebrated battle of Luncarty, which, having been turned from defeat to victory, by the undaunted valour and success- ful conduct of one man and his sons, laid the foundation of the for- tune of the family of Hay, which includes in it the three earldoms of Enrol, Tweeddale, and Kinnoull. After this complete victory, the King wishing to march in tri- umph into Perth, directed that splendid robes should be brought for the gallant Hay and his sons, that they might make a suitable appearance, but he refused to put them on ; and, having only wash- ed off the dust, and marching into the town, dressed in his every-day garments, and carrying the yoke with which he had done such ser- vice over his shoulder, he fixed the eyes of all men upon him, and received the whole credit of the fortime of the day.J An assem- bly of states having been held shortly after, at Scone, it was there decreed to give the valiant Hay his choice of the Greyhound's course or the Falcon's flight, as a suitable reward for having deli- vered his country from so formidable an enemy. Hay having chosen the Falcon's flight, the noble bird was unhooded on the top of a hill in the vicinity of the city, and stooped not in his flight till * Ad banc Danorum trepidationem agasones, et imbellis agrestium turba sublato clamore xpeciem novi exercitus prabuere. Id. loc. cit. f In illo admirabili bello de Luncardy ubi Norica gens una cum suo rege total!- ter perierunt. Ford. Scoticbron. Lib. x. Cap. 16. ^ Haius ad Regem productus — splendidas vestes slbi et filiis oblatas, ut inspeo- tiores Bertham ingrederentur, renuit ; ac tantum abstcrso pulverc, quotidiano ami- culo Indutus, jugumque quo erat in praelio usus, ferens — multis ad novi generis speo- taculum aoeurrentlbus urbem ingreditur : omniumquc ora et oculos in se unum con* ▼ertift : ae lolua prope omnem Ulius diei celebritatena tulit. Buch. Lib. 6, §. 33. 176 PERTHSHIRE. • he reached the conBnes of the parish of Enrol, where he alighted on a large stone, which still bears the name of the ^^ Hawk's stane." All the intervening ground was given in property to the family of *^ Hay of Errol/' though it has since that period been either ap- portioned to different members of the family, or alienated to other parties. In memory of these events, the family of Hay still wear as their arms, argent, three scutcheons. Gules : with the yoke in- scribed, t. e. three golden shields in a silver shield ; an indication, as Buchanan thinks, that the public safety was defended by the singular valour of three men, in an important battle.* * Of the existence of this battle there can be no doubt. And although some critics have pretended to find impit>babilitie8 or impossibilities in its principal circumstances, there is such unquestionable evidence of their truth, besides the direct testimony of all our historians, as no criticism can overcome. Lord Kames, in his *' Sketches of the History of Man,** has said, *^ Tliis story has every mark of fiction. A man ploughing in sight of a battle, on which depended his wife and children, his goods, and perhaps his own life ; three men, without rank or figure, with only a stick in the hand of each, stemming the tide of victory, and turning the fate of battle. I mention not that a plough was unknown in Scotland for a century or two after that battle ; for that circumstance could not create a doubt in the historian, if he was ignorant of it.** A little attention, however, to the circumstances narrated above, will, I think, remove this objection. If it be remembered, that the Scottish army did not arrive at the scene of action till the preceding day, and that the field in which Hay was at work was on the opposite side of the river from the field of battle, it will not appear so ut- terly incredible that he was at work as is pretended. Besides, the fair inference from this part of the criticism, only extends to the circumstance of his being actually en- gaged in agricultural labour. It does not follow that he could not be in the fields observing the action, nor imply the impossibility of his seizing the yoke; and bis me- rit would be as great on the one supposition as the other. Again, the criticism of this able and respectable author is as full of self-contradictious as the story itself. In order to give point to his criticism, he is obliged to suppose (what is not stated by any historian) that Hay was " unconcernedly" following his ordinary occupation, and this at the very moment that his own narration represents him as roused into rage at the flight of his countrymen. If the interest he should naturally have taken in the fate of the battle fVom '< his 9ijt and children, hi* goodt^ and perhopt hit life** being dependent upon it, ren- dered it impossible for him to be an uncuncemed ^spectator, as the criticism implies, would not these be excitements to strong and even desperate efforts in behalf of his countrymen ? Add to this that the learned author, in order to make his case the stronger, has founded on Hay and his sons wanting ** rank and figured which yet, if they had possessed, would not have been of the slightest avail to them in the given circumstances. Not only in that age, but especially in the circumstances supposed, personal prowess was every thing, and ** rank and figure*' nothing in stemming the tide of victory. Lastly, the learned author concludes his remarks on this battle by saying,*^* that a plough was unknown in Scotland for a century ox two after that bat- tle." It is a pity that the author had not quoted the authority on which so confident an assertion is founded. It is certainly contrary to all that we have read of the an- cient state of our country. A plough not known in Scotland till about the year 1 100 or 1 200 ! ! One might have thought that the Romans would have introduced the knowledge of the plough into our country eight hundred or a thousand years before this, if it had not been previously known. But what do their historians say on the subject ? Csesar De hello Gallico, lib. v. says that those '* qui ex Belgis transierunt** inhabited the coasts ** atque agros colere c. Do. Do. Do. Do. Villa Novi castrie. Villa Novicastrl. Vill. Nov. castri. Vill. Novicastri. Vill. Novicastri. Vill. Suedmundic. Vill. Suedroundi. Remarks. R. de Hadalie was Master of the Mint in the 1st 6 years of Edward I. Only 2. Particular mint mark. With particular mint mark. Ob. with mint mark, rev. with a cross. Only one found. asseveration, Lord Kames had either forgot the date of the battle of which he speaks, or had not remembered that Luncarty is in the very heart of the kingdom of the Picts, and in the vicinity of its capital. The battle of Luncarty was fought al>out the year nine hundred and ninety of our era. Agricola wan settled in his camp at Orrea, almost on the same spot, about the year eighty, or nine hundred years Ite- fore. Not a plough known during all this time ! ! Credat Judscus ! Tacitus shows us, ai great length, the care of Agricola to. initiate the Scottisli youth in the arts and luiury of the Romans ; I wonder he never gave them any lessons in agriculture ; the more eqpccially as some knowledge of that art was absolutely necessary to enable them to pay the tribute, which, the author tells tis, consisted of money and corn. And one cannot help wondering how the Scots could discharge these vectigalia before a plough was known among them. Abemethy and Brechin still testify to us, that the Picts were great artificen, but they could be no agriculturists, for a plough was not known io Scodand fbr three hundred years after the overthrow of their kingdom ! I PERTH. M 178 I'EUTIISHIRE. £dw R. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. £dw R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Do. Do. Edw. R. R. AngL Dus. Hyb. Edwa. R. AngL Dus. Hyb. Edwa. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Edw. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Edwa. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Edw. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Do. Do. Do. Do. Edw. R. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Henrici Dei Gra. Henrici TercL Face in a triangle. Edw. R. Angl. Dus. Hyb. Do. Do. Alexander Dei Gra. Johannes Dei Gra. Johannes. Dei Gra. Johannes Dei Gra. VUl. Suedmundi. Civitus Eboraci. Do. Do. Ci vitas Dunelm. Do. Do. Villa Berwici. Do, Do. Villa Brtstolie. Civttas Ozoniae. Civitas Cestrie. Civitas Lincoln. Vill. Kingestou. Romanorum Rex. Ntcoli iu London. Civitas Waterford. CiTitas Dublinie. ScottUh CoiuM, Rex Scotorum. Rex Scotorum. Civitas S. Andre. ' Civius St Andree. Cross with open dots, only 2. Cross and pallets without dots. With crook. The W divided by limb of cross V4.T. Only one. Only one. Ob. with mint mark and eagle. Rev. with cross and pellets in quarters. Fresh and entire. Scarce. Only one. Ancient Manners. — For a long time after the Reformation, so- ciety was in a state of disorder, the contemplation of which is apt to fill us with profound astonishment. The corruption of manners, which the depravity of the Popish clergy had introduced, and coun- tenanced, was not so speedily reformed as the errors of their faith; and for more than a hundred years after the introduction of Pres- bytery, ndt only the immoralities of drunkenness and debauchery, but the grosser and more enormous crimes of adultery, incest, as- sault, and murder, prevailed to an almost incredible extent The criminal law against these crimes seems neither to have been regu- larly nor vigorously enforced, and the correction or punishment of them seems to have been left, in a great measure, to the church. The records of our Presbytery, which extend back to 1619, teem with such enormities, and present us with strong pictures of the corruption of manners, — the defective administration of the law, — and the ancient power" of the clergy. There are two instances of this kind, connected with this parish, which are so extraordinary in their nature as to deserve to be recorded. In 1620, Harry Shaw of Pitmurthly, made an assault upon Mr Young, his minister, an aged and infirm man, because he had executed a summons against him, by direction of the Presbytery, " pursuit himj'* as the riecord says, ^' invadit him to the danger of his Ufe^ having in his hands ane rung^ with ane long dirk or else ane dalger ; and, although the poor old man repeatedly called for mercy, made him swear that lie would never speak of him before the Presbytery^ or by the blood of Jesus he should instantly die^ Yet the only punishment inflicted for this dastardly and cruel assault was, that he should appear in REDGORTON. 179 the kirk of Redgorton ^^ane Siibbath in lynen clothes^" " and confess thai he did the minister wrang in the manner foresaidJ^ * The other case referred to is more extraordinary still. On the 2dd November 1619, Colin Pitscottie, eldest son of John Pitscot- tie, of Luncarty, which was then a barony, was charged before the Presbytery with having murdered Alexander Lamb, in Ben- chill, mider cloud of night, in the house of Walter Whytock, smith, within the parish of Redgorton. No notice was taken of thb murder by the civil authorities. But, after various procedure, Colin Pitscottie appeared before the Presbytery, and confessed himself guilty of the murder. Yet the only punishment inflicted on him for this crime, was, that he was ordained '^ to make his public repentance for the mwrther ofumquhil Alexr Lamby in the kirk of Redgorton^ in lyning clothes ane Sonday afoimoonJ* The details of these very singular proceedings will be seen in the ex- tracts from the presbytery records given at the foot of the page.* • Extract from the Records of the Prethylery of Perth.^.The presby of Perth halden in the reristry, 12th Septr 16*20. Quhilk day WUHahin Young, minister of Redgorton, complains to the brethren upon Harry Shaw of Pitmurthly, of the quhilk complaint the tenour follows, bearand in effect, that the said Wm upon Thursday the 7 of Septr instant, he being among the stooks upon his own l^leib, in ane solitar and quyet place, callit the How of the Park, at his mediutions ID quyet and sober manner, thinking of na evil to have been wd or done to him of person or persons, but to have lived under God*s pace and our sovirane Lord^s. In the meantime, the said Harry Shaw of Pitmurtblie haveing conccivit ane dedly haterit agminest the said Wm Young, for citing him before the Presbytery of Perth, upon an sclander of adultery committed by him wt Janet Mar, the spouse of John Patone, sometime in Pitmurthlie, of set purpois, provision and forethought fieUonie wt crueltie invadit and pursuit him of his lyfe, haveing in his hands ane rung with ane long durk, or else ane dalger, and the said Wm Young seeing him in ane rage, and threatning him of his lyfe, ran away, the said Harry followed him ane great spaice, and cryed theif thy * feit shall not beir the from me,* the said Wm Young being ane eagit man^ and feiring he sould have fellit him wt the rung, cryed many tymes God's mercy, the said Harry overtaking him that was fleeing callit him traitor, and askit quhat he said of him to the presby, and quhen the said Wm answerit he mi^ht 9pw at Mr Johne Straquhan, his good friend, the said Harry Shaw commandit him to sweir that he sould neevir spcek of him again to the presby, or be the blood of Jesus he sould presently die. And wt greit difiicultie was steyed from &rder troub- ling him, be some puir men that cam from sheiring of the corns, and immediately thereafUr the said Harry made vant of his doing to his ain scheiriris, and expressly declared that he had causit the minister swair, and cry many times God*s mercy. The presby ordains information hereof to be sent to my Lord Archbishop of St Andrews, to rais ane summonds to summond the said Harry Shaw before the hie commission for the said violent and barbarous fact. At Perth, 8th day of October 1620 — Quhilk day compeirit Harry Shaw of Pit- murthlie, and being accusit of the wrangis lione be him to Wm Young, his minister, and being dcmanditin special gif he boistit the said Wm Young, and cheisit him and cryit * theif thy feit sail not beir the from me.* And when the minister crylt God*s roercie, gif he said then to the minister, theif quhat said thou yesterday of me to the presby, and bade the minister sweir that he sould never speak of him any moir to presby. The said Harry Shaw with great humilitie con fessit the samyne and every poynt thereof The presby ordains him to mak his public repentance in the kirk of R^orton ane day in Ijrning dotbes, and thair exprimlie confess he did the minister wrang in man- ner Ibroaid. * The Presby of Perth hauldin in the Revistry of the paroch. kirk thereof, the first 180 PERTHSHIRE. Modern History. — St Serffs, which, as has been stated, was i»ne of the three parishes which were united together at the Re- day of December, 1619, Alexr. B. of Dunkeld Modr— The quhilk day Mr Young, minister at Regorton, informs the Presby that Colin Pitscottie appeirant of Luncar- die, recentlie in the month of Novr. hist, by past, the 23 day thereof, cruellie murtherit umquhill Alexr. Lambe in Benchill, under silence and doud of night, comroitit be him in the dwelling-house of Walter Quhytock, smith, within the parochin of Regor- toun, diocese of Dunkeld, sheriffdome of Perth. The presby ordains the said Colin Pitscottie be summond literatorie to compeir befoir the Presby the 8 day of Decer. instant, at thetyme of meitting, to heir and see him ordeinit to satisfy the discipline of tht; kirk, for the removing of the sc'ander arysiug of the said murther, wt certifi- cation quhiddcr he compeir or not the Presby will proceed agains him. wt the censure of the kirk. The Presby of Perth (ut supra) 22 day of Deer. 1619. Quhile day is producit ane summons duely execute and indorsit, bearing that Coline Pitscottie appetrand of Loncardy is lawfullie sumfnonit at his dwelling-house in Myretown of Loncardy, to compeir tbls day befoir the Presby, to answer to the discipline of the kirk, for removing of the sclander arising from thefoimamit murther, wt certi6catton, an he compeir not, the presby would proceed to the sentence of ex- communication agaiuse him, as the said summonds and execution thereof in them* selffes at length bearis. Quho being ofl and diverse tymes callit exprimly at the said revistrie door, lawful tyme of day, and noght compcirand, be himselff nor na utheris in hie name, the modr. and brethren finding him to continue in his disobedience, ordains the censures of the kirk to proceed against him, and to that effect public ad- monitiones to be given him in the kirk of Redgorton, that he pretend na excuse, and with the admonitiones, public prayeris to be joined, that God may bring him to the knawledge of his sinue, and repentance therfoir, that he incur not the fearful sen- tence of excommunication. The first admonition to be given him next Sabbath. The Presby. of Perth (ut supra) 16 day of Feb. 1620. Quhilk day Wm Young reports that he gave the first public admonition on Sonday last to Colin Pitscottie^ foirsaid, wt prayeris joyned therewt, ordains him to pro- ceed. The Presby of Perth (ut supra) Ist March 1620. Quhilk day Wm Young declares that he admonishit not Colin Pitscottie on Son- day last, in respect that the said Colin's fathir promisit to send his letter subscrivit with his awin hand. The Presby finds fault wt the said Wm Young, that he proce- dit not againse him, without that he had received his letter befoir Sonday last, 'i here- fore ordains him to proceed on Sonday nixt, and giff" him the second admonition. The Presby of Perth, (ut supra) 19 day of Julii 1620. Quhilk day compearit Coline Pitscottie appeirand of Loncardy. and confessit the murther of umquhil Alexr. Lambe, in Benchill, committed by him in the month of November last, he beganehis repentcnce publicly befoir the brithrin, and promises for removing of the sclander to declair his repentance publictlie ae sail be injoyncd to him. He meined himself to the brithrin, that he has sutche urgent affairs with friends, that he may noght be in this countrie for the space of six weeks, and there- fore desyrit that his public repentance myght be delayed to his return. The modr. and brithrin grantis him the space of ane month, and ordaines him to compeir again befoir the presby the 16 day of August nixt to com, quhillc he promisis to do. The Presby of Perth (ut supra) the 18th day of October 1620. Quhilk day compeirit Johne Pitscottie of Loncardie« and declarit that Coline Pit- Bcottie, his sone, was noght in this countrie, nor will not be afoir Mertimes next, and most humblie besought the modr. and breithrine, to continue the proceeding of the proces and censures of the kirk agains him. And faithfully promises that at Mertimes next he sail compeir, and sail obey their wisdoms in declaring his repentance, for re* moving of the sclander of that unhappy fiu:t of the murther of umquhill Alexr. Lambe committit be him. The Presby after advysment upon tlie said John Pitscottie his promis continues all proceeding againes him until the said terme of Mertimes nixt. 'I he Presby. of Perth (ut supra) the 21 day of Novr. 1620. Quhilk day comperit Coline Pitscottie appeirand of Lancardie. and confessit his offence in committing of the murther of umquhil Alexr. Lambe, and promises for re- ITtOving of the sclander to mak his public repentance as sail be ordeinit to him. The KEDGORTON. 181 formation, — was formerly the parish to which the barony of Hun- tingtower belonged. Abbot Milne, in his History of the Bishops of Dunkeldy gives a curious account of the reason why that church was abandoned as the place of worship of the ancient family of Ruthven, to whom the barony of Huutingtower belonged, and who bad their residence at that ancient castle, on the op])ositc side of the River Almond. He tells us, " that a son of Lord Ruthven, having come to this church to be baptized, was drowned in the River Almond in returning home, and that from that time the church of St Mary's, at Tippermuir, became the )^rish church of the whole lands on that side of the river." But the lands whose history is most interesting are the Inuds of Benchill. These lands were long the property of the Gowrie family, who were generally provosts of Perth. After the Gowrie conspiracy, they were forfeited to the Crown, along with the rest of the &mily property. They subsequently came into the pos- session of the Amots of Benchill, who also, for a long time, were provosts of Perth. They next came into the possession of the family of Naime, and af^er the Rebellion 1745, were a second time forfeited to the Crown, with the exception of Nether Benchill, which a few years before had been disponed to Graham of BaU gowan, and concerning which a curious historical notice is given below. The Chief Land^Oumers. — The principal landed proprietors are. Lord Lynedoch, who possesses two-thirds of the whole pa- rish ; the Duke of Athole ; Mr Smythe of Methven ; and Sir J. Stewart of Murthly. Modem Buildings. — Almost the only modern building worthy of notice in the parish is the Chapel of Ease, now formed into the Ecclesiastical Church of Stanley. It is a very handsome structure, with a tower 85 feet high on the northern end. It is capable of containing 1000 hearers, and was erected at the ex- pense of L. 3000, laid out solely by Denniston, Buchanan, and Company, for the benefit of their work people employed at their extensive cotton-mills at Stanley. Being situated on the top of a bank, of considerable elevation above the river, it forms an ob- ject of interest and ornament for a great district of country round it. There are also at present building, and nearly finished, a mill Piesbj. ordains him to mak bis public repentance ane day in tbe kirk of Ragortoun, on aoe Sonday afbimune, confbrme to the ordinance set down in the butk of disci- pline anent murtheris, quhilk be promises to do. 182 PERTHSHIRE. for spinning cotton, and another for spinning flax, of which an ac- count will be given under the article Manufactures. Parochial Registers. — The first entry of births in the parochial register is 18th November 1706. The record has been kept pret- ty regularly since that time, with the exception of the period from September 1709, till June 1715, which is blank, and the year 1743, in which there are only two entries. III. — Population. The following is the population of the parish at different periods. Population in 1755, 1074 1763, . 600 1772, 1700 1798, 2123 1811. 2216 1821, 1589 1831, 1866 1836, 1912 In 1831 there were of females, • • 1005 males, • • 861 Number of families. • • 403 inhabited houses, • • 267 fiimilies employed in agriculture, 1 • 48 in handicraft and mannikctures, I70 not employed in either dirision. 257 Number of population in the country, 668 in villages. 1244 The latter of these numbers is distributed in five villages in the following proportions : Stanley, • • 600 Pitcairn Green, • 260 Luncarty, • • 226 Bridgeton of Almond, • • 95 Craighead, • • 63 The yearly average of births for last seven years. 36 of marriages. • • • 16 of deaths, • • • 19 Illegitimate births for 3 years • • • 9 The season ldd'2, in which Asiatic cholera prevailed, was the year in which the greatest number of deaths occurred, the number in that year being 28, of whom 13 died of cholera. If the 13 who died of cholera were not taken into account, it would reduce the average of deaths in the seven years to 17, and render it very nearly equal to the number of marriages. The year 1833, which succeed- ed the season of the cholera, was more than usually healthy, the number of deathsi in that year being only 8. This would seem to prove that some of those who were carried off by cholera were those of feeble constitution, and who would have died bv other diseases, or by the course of nature, in the following season. The deaths in the season of the cholera itself too, if the number who died of that disease be deducted, falls below the average ; which REDGOaTON. 183 seems to favour the supposition, that some who died of cholera would have died that very year of other distempers. At the^same time, it is certain that some young and healthy persons, who, by the calculation of human chances, might have survived many vears, were carried off by that dreadful malady. The number of children in the parish has been taken, in the district of Stanley, under fifteen years of age, and in the rest of the parish, under twelve, which give as nearly as possible the same re- lative result The number of children in Stanley district under 15 Tears of age is 299 in the rest of the parish under 12 years of age is 377 Giring as the arerage number of children in each family, 3} Taking the number of childrm in Stanley under 15« in proportion to the num- ber of inhabitants in the district, as the rule, it would gi?e as the number of children unber 15, in the whole parish, - - - 71 ^ ATcrage number of each family, - - . 4| Number of insane persons, ... .2 &tuous, .... 4 deaf and dumb, - - . . | persons above 80 years of age, of whom one is 93, - 10 The only residing heritor in the parish is John Marshall, Esq. the principal partner of the Luncarty Company, who hold a feu of upwards of 130 acres from Lord Lynedoch. The language generally spoken in the parish is Scotch, which, as education advances, is receiving an admixture of indifferent English. None of the natives speak Gaelic, but some recent set- tlers are imperfectly acquainted with English, and some, as they express it, have the advantage of the ^^ twa tongues.** Their ha- bits are cleanly, — at least much more so than in country parishes, where there is not such an admixture of people employed in pub- lic works. With the exception of the inhabitants of Stanley, most of those who are employed in public works are engaged in bleaching, which may be regarded as the staple of our manufactures. The people employed at such fields enjoy regular but not extravagant wages ; which, with prudence, are sufficient to provide for the comfortable subsistence of an orderly family; but do not give scope for that extravagance, arising from exorbitant wages, which is the fertile source of all manner of dissipation. This secures a propriety in their deportment, and a steadiness in their character, above what is ordinarily found in those who are engaged in public woi^ We cannot, therefore, free ourselves from some appre- hension that the flax and cotton spinning-mills that are erecting in 184 PERTHSHIRE. the parish, may introduce a dissohiteness of manners, and a disre^ gard of religion, which is as yet foreign to the character of our people ; and of which we have only had a slight specimen in the few strangers that have been attracted to the flax spinning-mill that is already in operation. Poaching salmon formerly prevailed in some degree, but is now entirely suppressed- Poaching in game also was formerly more prevalent than it is now. There are still some characters, how- ever, that are suspected to be addicted to it ; but these are al- ways looked down upon by the rest of the people. Smuggling and pawnbroking were never known among them. IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — There are in the parish 7080 acres. Of these there at p under woodf - - 860 uncultivated, including roads, fences, &c. 440 in grass about - - 600 under culture, - - - 6780 Rent of Land. — The average rent of land in the parish may be stated to be from L. 1, lOs. to L. 2 per acre. The grazing of a full-grown ox may cost from L. 2, lOs. to L. 3; of a two-year old do. L. 2 to L. 2, 5s. ; of a yearling do. L. 1, 10s. to L. 1, 15s. ; of a Highland sheep ds. to 9s. ; of a Leicester do. 12s. to 16s. Live-stock. — The breed of black-cattle in this parish was not, till within these twenty years, distinguished by any peculiar charac- ter, but consisted of a mixture of all different forms and sizes. About that time, however, an importation was made of the Tees- water, or short-homed blood ; and the prevailing stock on the best farms is now a cross, in various proportions, of that breed with the Ayrshire, or some other breed. Most of the farmers are also getting into the way of keeping a few Leicester sheep; and Lord Lynedoch has in the parish a small flock of Southdowns. With these exceptions, there is no re- gular breeding-stock of sheep kept in the parish, but most of the farmers are in the way of having a flying stock, which is bought in autumn, and sold at difiierent periods. If the stock purchased be three year old wedders, they are flaked through the winter on tur- nips, and sold early in spring. K they be two-year old wedders, they are kept on turnips through the winter, and grazed the ibl- lowing sunmier; or if, as is the more common case, they be Highland ewes, they are crossed with Leicester rams, and after feeding their lambs, are generally got fat by autumn, when they REDQORTON. 185 are disposed of to make way for a new stock. This system re- quires the land to be retained for three years in grass, which makes what is called the six course shift, and is followed with great ad- vantage by the best farmers. There are some, however, that still pursue the older practice of keeping their land only one year in grass, and thus taking a white crop every alternate year; which brings the rotation of crops so quickly round, and thereby so tires the land, that speaking in general, there is not more grain rais- ed on a farm by the four than by the six course shift. Potatoe Crop. — The principal dependence of the fiirmer in this parish, as in the rest of this county, is on their crop of potatoes. The Perthshire reds have for a number of years held a high cha- racter in the London market The price, however, has been very fluctuating, having varied from 7s. to 15s. per boll of eighteen stones. An average crop on tolerably good ground may vary from 30 to 40 bolls per acre. So that a crop of potatoes is more valu- able than any crop the farmers can raise ; and it is only from this circumstance that they have been enabled for a number of years past to pay their rent But unfortunately a great failure has taken place, very generally, in this crop, for several years, from a defect of vegetation in the sets planted. In some cases this fail- ure has extended to half the crop ; and in some, it has been so complete, that the whole has been ploughed up. Wherever agri- culture is treated of, a short statement of the causes and remedies of a failure, which is of such vast importance to the community at large, and of such transcendent interest in the rural economy of this great county, cannot be misplaced. Having paid some at- tention to this subject, I may state very shortly some considera- tions, which could be easily established by referring to what has occurred in the practice of various agriculturists. There are two classes of causes which must be taken into view, to account for this &ilure, and for all the phenomena which have occurred with respect to it The first of these may be denomi- nated the remote cause ; the second the proximate causes. The remote or primary cause appears to be a failure in the ve- getative power of the potatoe, arising from its age ; or the length of time that it has been planted since it was raised from seed. The potatoe cultivated in Perthshire has been in existence for perhaps sixty years. It is not certainly so long since it came into general use. But its age is to be determined by the number of years that it has been planted, and not in any measure by the ex- 186 PERTHSHIRE. tent of its propagation. The potatoe then seems to be in that stage of its existence in which, under favourable circumstances, it will grow as luxuriantly, and produce nearly as good crops as ever it did ; but in which its vegetative vigour is so far diminished that its growth is obstructed by causes, which, in the earlier stage of its existence, it would have overcome. These causes I have denominated the proximate causes of the failure ; and, so far as they have come under attentive observation, they may be reduced to four. The first, and perhaps the most general of these is permitting the potatoes to spring in the pits. The farmer will t«ll you, if you state this as a cause of the failure of his crop, that this can- not be the case. For he has repeatedly planted potatoes, when they were much farther sprung, without having a blank in his field. He forgets that a plant will push out its shoots much more fre- quently in one stage of its existence than in another. The second proximate cause of thisfeilure is the practice, which has been generally resorted to, of planting the potatoe crop at too late a period of the season, by which means the plant has not time to ripen, or come to full maturity. Betwixt the new and old terms of Whitsunday is the period generally adopted for this operation, whereas it ought to be performed in the middle of April. The third cause is keeping the potatoes too long above ground after they have been cut. This I know to have been remarked in the practice of several farmers, and was very strikingly exhibited in my own immediate vicinity ; where two sacks of old cut potatoes were placed at one end of a field, and two sacks newly cut, placed at the other, and two women set to plant them. They filled their baskets alternately from the one and the other as they reached the ends of the field, and the result was, that every two alternate drills was a complete failure, whilst in the other alternate two, there was scarcely a blank. The fourth cause is the practice of planting the potatoe sets upon the dung, especially if it be hot from the yard. The .soil is the natural place for a plant to grow in ; and it will often grow there, when it will grow nowhere else. But my observation of this cause is not founded on this reasoning, but upon what occurred in the practice of a clergyman in the north. Having a portion of a field on which the dung was spread in the drills, but which he could not get planted over night, he directed the harrows to be drawn longitudinally over the drills, in order to throw a little earth over RKDGORTON. 187 the dung, that it might not be dried before the morning. The result was, that the potatoes planted upon the hot dung were a great failure, while those planted in the soil were a full crop. The statement of these causes will in a great measure suggest their proper remedy ; and therefore a few words upon the subject will suflBce. It is obvious that the first or remote cause can only be remedied by having recourse to plants recently raised from seed, which is the method provided by nature for renewing or preserv- ing the vigour of every one of her productions. Upon this point I cannot but refer to the experiment made by Mr Bishop at Meth- ven Castle, who has been successful in raising a very excellent potatoe from seed, which he has now cultivated to some extent. It must be a long while, however, before plants raised in this way can be diffused over the whole country, and therefore it is of importance to attend to the remedy of the secondary causes ; and of these the first is the only one which does not itself suggest its own cure. Upon the first cause also, it is necessary to say the less, that the farmer has practically fallen on a partial cure by bringing his seed potatoes from the hiU country. Plants raised in a cold climate are slower in springing than those raised in a warmer la* titude; and if they be not only raised, but kept till about the season of planting, in the upland districts, they are often found not to have put forth a single shoot, whilst in the low country they have grown together like a mat, and perhaps are pushing through their cover- ing. Where this remedy is not attainable, its want may be in a great measure supplied by burying them deep in the pits, or put- ting a great thickness of earth over them, to prevent if possible the warmth of spring from reaching them before the season of planting. Draining^ Sfc, — Draining has been carried on to a good extent in the parish ; and almost all the waste land has been improved, except in the barony of Mullion. There is only one water-meadow in the parish, which has been irrigated within these few years, by Lord Lynedoch. But it is upon a very poor gravelly soil, and al- though it be certainly an improvement, it has not been found to answer expectation. Produce. * — It has been seen above that there are 5780 acres in the parish under culture ; and about 600 in grass. Kfrom the latter be deducted what is occupied by manufactories, &c. it will leave 500 available for pasture. * For woods, sec page lf»6. 188 PERTHSHIRE. The raw produce from the whole, taking the rotation of crop- ping to be five years, may be as follows : 1156 acres of oats, at 5 bolls per acre, at Ids. per boll, L. 4335 578 1 do. poUtoes, at L. 1 1 per acre, - 6358 578 5 do. turnips, at L. 7 per do. - . 4046 1 156 do. barley, at 5 bolls per acre, at L. 1 per boll, 5780 1 156 do. hay, at L. 4 per acre, - - 4624 1156 do. second year's grass, at L. 2 per acre, - 2312 500 do. pennanent pasture, at L. 2 per acre, - 1000 L. 28,455 Fisheries. — The Tay has long been famous both for the quan- tity and quality of its salmon. But a great diminution has taken place of late years in the value of the fisheries. This defalcation has taken place over the whole course of the river, and is to be ascribed partly to a decrease in the number of the fish taken, and partly to a fall of the price in the London market. This defalca- tion has taken place to such an extent, that the rental of the river is not now above one-eighth of what it formerly was. Lord Lyne- doch's fishing, for instance, in this parish, which used to bring L. 550, now lets for L. 65 per annum. Manufactures. — Although the village of Stanley, which is con^ nected with the extensive cotton-mills at that place, now the sole property of James Buchanan, Esq. of Duanhill, and his sons, be partly situated in this parish, yet, as the works themselves are in the parish of Auchtergaven, they will fall to be described in the account of that parish. It has been already stated that bleaching may be regarded as the staple of the manu&ctures of the parish. But, besides the three bleachfields at Luncarty, Pitcairnfield, and Cromwell Park, there are also in the parish two power-loom establishments, a flax spinning-mill in operation, and a cotton spinning-mill, ready to be -put in motion, all at Cromwell Park, where there are three falls of the Almond : and a flax spinning-mill at Pitcairnfield, also on the Almond, where there are two falls. Luncarty has . long been considered the most extensive linen cloth bleachfield in Scotland. The ground belonging to the com- pany extends to ISO acres and upwards, held in feu from Lord Lynedoch, for the payment of a feu-duty of L. 150. The power required for driving the machinery is obtained by water brought from the, Tay, by a dam dike, carried nearly across the river, and conveyed in a lead about two miles long, and which takes in the united waters of the Shochie and the Ordie, by the bed of these rivers being raised to the level of the lead by a powerful dike car- REDGORTON. 189 ried across them. The waters of the Shochie and Ordie are, how- ever, previously brought into the works, by a separate dam-dike, which gives a fall of twelve feet, on these waters by themselves. They are then conducted into the same channel with the water from the Tay, along with the superfluous water which had escaped over the upper dam-dike ; and the whole form a very powerful stream, on which three several falls are obtained. The power thus obtained, gives motion to twenty*four sets of beetles, which are in Aill operation, along with the corresponding number of calenders, and also to the necessary bleaching machi- nery, such as washing-stocks, nibbing-boards, &c. &c ; besides a fall reserved for giving motion to four other sets of beetles, in a separate building, which can be set agoing, should a press of busi- ness or other emergent, at any time require their operation. The first part of the operation of drying in some descriptions of goods, and the whole operation in others, which is often a very tedious process, is here accomplished in a very beautiful and ex- peditious manner, by the cloth being carried over fourteen cylinders, which are heated by being filled with steam. The cylinders are placed in two rows, every one being placed opposite the interstice of two in the other row. 'i*he cloth being wove round the cylinders in the two rbws alternately, is thus drawn over three-fourths of every one of them, and is taken out in the state of dryness re- quired. It is stated in last Statistical Account, that there were then 500,000 yards of cloth annually bleached here. There is now at least four times that amount of business done. There are therefore annually bleached here, of linen cloth, of which a considerable proportion is damask, 2,000,000 yards. In these different operations there are regularly employed from 120 to ISO hands, all of whom are resident on the company's grounds, and the greater part of whom have been born and brought up on the place. Cromwell Park is situated on the Almond, the water of which is collected and raised by a very beautiful dam-dike, in the form of an arch, having its convex side of course up the stream, and abutting on each side, upon one of those dikes, or veins of trap, which cross the river. Before this mode of arching the dam- dike was adopted, it was repeatedly carried away by the violence of the river when in flood, and from its waters being here con- fined by the trap dike already mentioned. But from the form 190 PERTHSHIRE. now adopted, it promises to stand as long as the abutment shall en- dure. By this means, three fells are obtained, which give motion to as many different works. The uppermost of these is that which belongs to Alexander Reid, Esq., and consists of a flax spinning-mill, power-looms, and a bleach- field ; so that the whole operations requisite to work up the flax into a finished article, ready for the market, are conducted on the premises. In the spinning-mill, there are 430 spindles, which spin flax from 2 to 3 lb. per spindles, and of tow from 3^ to 7 lb. per do., 1 1,000 spindles, per week, amounting to, per annum, 57,200 spindles. This is worked up by 40 power-looms capable of working, per week, of cloth each l5o yards, making per annum, after allowing for stop- pages, &c. a total production of about -300,000 yards. The whole is afterwards bleached upon the premises, and fi- nally finished by four single sets of beetles, for the markets. The whole of these operations employ 120 hands. The two next falls are possessed by Hector Sandeman, Esq. who has upon the upper of them a cotton spinning-mill, and power-looms. The spinning-mill is just finished and ready to be started, and will be in full operation before this account passes through the press. It contains of self-acting mules 1728 spindles; throstles 1152 do.; capable of spinning of No. 40 for warps per week 1000 lbs. ; of No. 36 for wefts per do. 1000 do. ; making a total per annum of about 100,000 lbs. The whole is intended to be worked by power-looms, of which there are for five-fourths 42 looms ; for eight-fourths 20 do.; of which there are in operation 34 do. The water- wheel for weaving is 10 horse power; do. for spinning 20 do. The third fall is employed in driving beetles for dressing cloth, which is bleached at Tulloch-field, and carried back there to be printed. The water-wheel is 17 horse power, and drives four single sets and two double sets of beetles. There are at present employ- ed 45 hands ; will be required in spinning 30 do ; the whole employing 75 hands. All these different works are on the pro- perty of Lord Lynedoch. Upon the same river there are, at Pitcairn-mill, two falls ; to the upper of which the river is taken in by a dam-dike run ob- liquely across the river, and abutting upon the rock, upon which the old bridge of Almond is founded ; a mine being driven through the rock, behind the foundation, for the passage of the water. This fall, which has been for some time employed in driving a RKDGORTON. 191 flour-mill, is intended to drive a Bax spinning-mill by day, which is now erecting, and the flour-niill by night. It is held by a com- pany of bakers in Perth, on a subset from R. Sutherland Esq. of which there are only seven years to run, who have again subset it for driving a flax-mill to Messrs M^Dougal and Langlands. The flour-mill, which was formerly capable of grinding 200 quarters per week, will by this restriction not be capable of grinding above 50 quarters, or per annum, 21600 quarters. The spinning-mill will contain BOO spindles ; capable of spin- ning per week of 3 pound yam, 2400 spindles ; giving a fabrication per annum of 124,800 do. * The bleachfield at Pitcairnfield is in the possession of Ro- bert Sutherland, Esq., who holds it and the preceding fall on a long lease from Robert Smythe, Esq. of Methven. The power here is obtained from the old mill-dam of Pitcairn, where there has been a mill as far back as our records go. This fall, besides the other requisite machinery, gives motion to eleven sets of beetles, which, besides finishing the goods bleached at the field, are em- ployed in dressing a considerable quantity of umbrella cloths ; an article, the febrication of which is much attended to by the manu- fecturers of Perth. There are employed at this work 50 hands. V, — Parochial Economy. Market^Taum. — The nearest market-town, there being none in the parish, is Perth, which is upwards of two miles from the most adjacent part of the parish ; and upwards of eight miles from the remotest part ; except the barouy of Mullion, which is from ten to twelve miles distant Perth is also the post-town. Roads. — The only turnpike road in the parish is the road from Perth to Dunkeld, which runs through it for four miles, and a branch from it passing Stanley. On this road, the Dunkeld coach passes and repasses every day, as is the case also with the Inver- ness mail. There are four statute labour roads in the parish. One cros- ses it from east to west ; one from north to south ; one branching off from the Dunkeld road crosses a part of it from south-east to north-west ; and one crosses from south-west to north-east Bridffeg. — In a parish situated as this is, at the confluence of two rivers, the one of which is seldom fordable, and the other ex- tremely dangerous when in flood, and which cannot be approach- * The eompletion of this work has been stopped since this account went to press, in consequence of the pressure on business in Dundee. 192 PERTHSHIRE. ed, except from the north-west, through the middle of the Gram- pians, without crossing one or other of^hese rivers, — bridges must always be an object of great importance. There is no bridge across the Tay betwixt Perth and Dun- keld, the former about two miles and a- half from the southern boundary of the parish ; the latter about eight from its northern limits. The only communication which we have across the Tay, therefore, is.by a boat impelled by oars ; and which can carry four or five horses, half a score of cattle, or a couple of scores of sheep at a time. This mode of conveyance, however, is not applicable to the River Almond, over which all our communication with the south and west takes place. The Almond is a very rapid river, and often comes down in a flood of four feet in a perpendicular breast, in which no kind of boat could live. Accordingly we have three bridges across that river. Of these, the middle one, called the Old Bridge of Almond, has now stood for more than two hundred years. It consists of one arch, founded on two rocks, and was built in 1619, by a number of gentlemen, the chief of whom was John Graham, Esq. of Balgowan, the ancestor of Lord Lynedoch, as appears from the following very curious entry in the presbytery record. " The presby of Perth hauldin in the revestrie pf the paroch kirk thereof the 26th day of Maii 1619, Mr Johnne Guthrie moder. Quhilk day comperit Johnne Graham of Balgowan, and exponk to the presby that the water of Almond being ane gryt river, quhairn be the violence thereof many ar yeirlie perishit (as is mair nor notorious,) for remeid quharof he and certaine uthir gentillmen has concertit with certaine measones to sett ane stone brige over the same, quhilk is ane wark wery deir and cost- lie, and cannot be gottin performit without that godhe and well aflectat gentillmen, and utheris, contribute to the building of the same. And in respect that it is ane necessarie wark for ane com- mon well and wary costlie, he desiris that the brithiring of the ministry every ane will deal with their awn parochineris for helpe to the samin with als greit diligence as possibly they can, that the wark may be endit befoir winter come. Quhilk desyre, as godly and reasonabill, the brithrin promises to obey, every ane for their awn pairt." The lower bridge is on the line of the Dimkeld road, from two to three miles below the former. It consists of three arches, each of them forming the segment of an ellipse, and was built in 1827. REDnORTON. 193 It is a very neat structure, but the settling has sunk the parapet over the central arch about an inch below the level of the rest of the wall The third bridge is that on which we are most disposed to pride ourselves. It is situated at Dalcruive, about as far from the old bridge to the west, or up the river, as the second is below it As a modem structure, it is remarkable for its elegance and simplicity, for the grandeur of its elevation, and the beauty of its workman- ship : — ^as a benefit, as well as an ornament to the district, it is worthy of the splendid scenery amidst which it is placed : — as an example of munificence and public spirit in an individual, it stands by an unmeasurable distance at the head of all the public, or re- corded traasactions of this great county. This bridge, like the Old Bridge of Almond, is founded on two rocks, or rather upon a dike, which here crosses the river, and affords a firm foundation for the superstructure on either side. It consists of one semicir- cular arch of 80 feet span ; the abutment of which is upwards of 10 feet high, so that the height of the top of the bridge above the bed of the river is fully 50 feet. The foundation stone was laid 25th August 1832. The arch was keyed 20th August 1836, and the centre struck the 1st of September following ; and such is the accuracy of the workmanship, that no perceptible settling has taken place. The approach to this bridge has required the cutting down of two hills, and the filling up of the valley betwixt them ; the whole of which, as well as the building of the bridge, has been ac- complished, we may say, at the sole expense of Lord Lynedoch, the county-having as yet contributed only L. 150 from the road- money towards the expense. One of these cuts too, having been carried through the ridge, along which the ride from Lynedoch to the bridge of Bertha runs, has been crossed by a beautiful little bridge of a semicircular arch, a miniature as it were of the former, at the cost of L. 500. The whole of this public improvement, the building of the bridges, the filling up of the valley over which the road is carried, with the cutting of the hills, and erecting the corresponding retaining walls, has cost his Lordship about L.4000, a sum rarely expended by an individual in one undertaking for the public benefit. The erection of the Old Bridge of Almond has transmitted the name of his -ancestor, as a benefactor of the public, for two hun- dred years. The erection of this bridge promises to transmit his Lordship's fiune in the same character, to a still more remote posteri- PERTH. N 194 PERTH8HIRE. ty ; — and forms, indeed, a monument to his memory, more perish- able only than that deathless name which he has carved out with his sword on the field of Barossa, and at the sieges of St Sebas- tian and Bergen-op-zoom. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish church is situated about the centre of the lower part of the parish ; and though not in the im- mediate vicinity of any village, is as convenient as it could be for the general population, being at an equal distance from the vil- lage of Luncarty on the east, and Pitcairn-green on the west It is therefore from three to four miles from the extremities of the lower part of the parish ; but it is upwards of eight miles from the extremity of the barony of Mullion. Though conveniently situated for the lower part of the parish, it is impossible that it can be so, for a district located from six to eight miles from it, as Mullion is. It was built in 1776, and the only repair it has since received is, that it was ceiled at the commencement of the presient incumbency in 1812. It is accordingly both defective in comfort for those whom it contains, and inadequate to the population of the parish. Its discomfort consists in its not being floored or paved below ; and in the narrowness of the pews, which do not admit of persons sitting in them without being cramped, unless they sit obliquely, which the state of the occupancy does not admit of. It is seated for 414, and there are upwards of 500 communicants ; so that it cannot contain the whole communicants at one time. And if it be admitted that every young communicant should have seen the solemn ordinance of the Lord's supper only twice administered be- fore he comes to be a partaker of it ; then there must,* on a com- munion Sabbath, be 160 communicants who cannot find accom- modation in the church. Accordingly it happens that on such oc- casions, not only is the church overcrowded, but, from the church door to the church-yard door, there is a mass of human beings who cannot get entrance into the church to keep with decency the me- morial of their Redeemer. The manse was built at rather a later date than the church, and was repaired in 1829. The glebe consists in all of about 8 acres of land; and there is a rent of 4 bolls of meal, and 10s. Scots paid by Mr Smythe of Methven, for the possession of an- other. The stipend has been recently modified to 17 chalders, half meal, half barley. But it is as yet uncertain whether this will be made good. There is a Chapel of Ease, now erected into an ecclesiastical REDGORTON. 195 parish^ at Stanley* The minister has a stipend of L. 150 for the payment of which he holds a bond by Denniston, Buchanan, and Co*, and that company has also very handsomely given him a house, for which there is no compact in the deed of erection. There are two Dissenting meeting-houses in the parish ; one of which belongs to the United Secession, and is attended by 61 in- dividuals, young and old, belonging to this parish, according to a list taken in 1835-36; — the other of which belongs to the Ori- ginal Seoeders, which is attended by 63 within the parish, ac- cording to the same list But part of both congregations come from the adjacent parishes. The ministers of both chapels are paid, I believe, entirely from the seat rents, and may be stated to have a stipend of L. 70 or L. BO each. There are at present belonging to the Establishment 1617; to other denominations 280 ; not known to belong to any denomina- tion, 15. This, however, would not give a just view of the state of dissent in the lower part of the parish ; for it gives nearly a sixth of the population as Dissenters. But it is worthy of observa- tion, that there is a remarkable difference in the proportion of dis- sent in the two districts of the parish ; a difference which shews that dissent is greatly increased by removal from the means of in- struction and superintendence in the Establishment. In the barony of Mullion, which contains a population of 100, th^re are 56 Dis- senters, which gives a proportion of more than one-half of the in- habitants ; whilst in the lower part of the parish, in the midst of which the church is situated, there are only 224 Dissenters out of a population of 1812, which gives only a proportion of one-eighth of the inhabitants. There are of fiunUiM that attend the Established Church, . 324 Families of whom part attend the Established Church, and part belong to some denomination of Dissenters, . . . . .9 Families attending Dissenting Houses of any kind, ... 61 IndiTidnak belonging to the Establishment, . . 1617 Indindiiab of all denominations of Dissenters, . . 280 The average number of communicants in the Established Church, 500 C qqo In the church of Stanley belonging to this parish, . . . 183 S The Established Church is at all times well attended, in sum- mer by as many as the house can contain. And were there bet- ter accommodation, or more of the kind that we possess, there would be a still more numerous attendance ; as many are withheld from going to church by not knowing where they are to sit, or whether they may obtain a seat at all. The average amount of church collections for religious and cha- ritable purposes is L. 27, 5s. lid. 196 PERTHSHIRE. Education. — If there be any thing like a reflection upon the he- ritors of the parish, implied in the statement which has been given of the state of our church accommodation, it is gratifying to turn to the encouragement which they have uniformly given to the in- terests of education in the parish. In the year 1828^ when the parish school became vacant, — in order to invite a person of respectability to the office, they doubled his house accommodation, and added an additional piece of ground to his possession. And this year, when they found that the number of scholars, whom the character of the person they had selected for teacher had drawn together, could not be accommodated in the school-room, they have added fifteen feet to its length. The number of schools in the parish is three ; of parochial schools one. The salary is the maximum, and the school fees may amount to upwards of L. 30, if the whole are paid up. There are no children betwixt six and fifteen years of age who cannot read or write ; and only one above fifteen destitute of these qualifications, which is regarded as a phenomenon by those who are aware of the deficiency. The whole of the barony of MuUion is beyond the distance which children can possibly travel to school ; and, together with some portions of the parishes Auchtergaven and Moneydie, quoad sacra^ would be greatly benefited by an additional school. Poor, — The average number of poor on the stated roll who are provided for by assessment is 25 ; average amount of monthly payments L. 4, 12s. t3d. ; of yearly do. L. 55, 7s. Besides these, there are a number of poor who are left to the management of the session, who receive L. 47, 2s. 2d. ; making the whole expenditure for the poor per annum, L. 102, 9s. 2d. ; of which the average amount of church collections, duesof morthcloths, &c. is L. 27, 5s. lid. Alehouses. — There are no less than eleven houses in the pa- rish licensed to sell ale and spirits. But of these, there are five, which being placed on the public roads, and not in villages, may be regarded as supplying the demands of the public beyond the hounds of the parish. Still six remaining houses should be more than adequate to supply the necessary demands of the parish, though the others should sell no spirits to the parishioners. And it would be desirable if the means of doing so could be devised, that some of them should be suppressed. Any attempts that have been made 3 REDGOUTON. 197 by the kirk-session for the accomplishment of this object have been counteracted from other quarters. General Observations. There are few parishes in Scotland that have undergone greater improvement, since the date of last Statistical Account, than this, whether we look merely at its external aspect, or regard it in an agricultural, or in a mercantile point of view. The woods which were then but recently planted have grown up, both for ornament and for utility. The marshes have been drained, and the waste land improved ; and a new and better system of agriculture in- troduced. It begins to be generally understood that the land cannot stand a constant system of cropping, without intervals of rest. The sheep husbandry is, therefore, daily gaining ground ; and the breed of cattle has been improved both in size and earli- ness of maturity. In manufactures those anticipations of future prosperity which were then indulged have been in a great mea- sure realized, though not exactly in the anticipated lines. There were then five' hundred thousand yards of cloth bleached an- nually in the parish, there are now from three to four millions. There were then about two hundred thousand yards of cloth print- ed, there is now nearly double that quantity made. The cotton- works now about to be put in motion may be nearly equal to those which were then in contemplation ; besides which there are or will be from twelve to thirteen hundred spindles, for spinning flax, and the introduction of power looms has opened up an extensive branch of manufacture, which was then altogether unknown. In the midst of such extensive operations, it would houseless to speculate upon the capabilities of the parish for future improve- ment It is only to be wished that the agricultural and commer- cial interests of the country may continue, or be increased; of whic^^ its local advantages, and the spirit of its people will always make this parish a proportional participator. Jpnl 1837. PARISH OF MONEYDIE. PRESBYTERY OF PBRTH, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. J. W. THOMSON, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Extent and Boundaries, — Thb parish of Moneydie (spelt Mo- nedie in the former Statistical Account) is of a lon^ irregular form, extending from S. E. to N. W. about 10 miles in length, and varying from 1^ to 3 miles in breadth. Its superficial extent may be reckoned about 18 square miles. It may be necessary here to explain the reason of the wide dis- crepancy between these statements, and those of the former Statis- tical Account The present parish of Moneydie consists of two por- tions, viz. the old or original parish, and the new parish or Logieal- mond, which, about eighty years ago, was disjoined from the neigh- bouring parish of Monzie, and annexed quoad sacra to Moneydie'. Of these two portions, the author of the former account treated separately, — giving the statistics of each by itsfelf. As the two districts differ so widely from each other in many particulars, some advantage itadght no doubt be gained in point of minuteness, by giving a distinct and separate account of each. It is hoped, how- ever, that every important and practical end may be gained, and some confusion avoided, by conjoining the two, and describing the parish as one whole, distinguishing them only in those particularis where circumstances seem to render such distinction necessary. The parish of Moneydie is bounded on the east by the parish of Redgorton ; on the south by Redgorton and Methven ; on the west by FowHs; and on the north by Auchtergaven, Little Dunkeld, and a detached portion of Redgorton. The western, or Logieal- mond section of the parish, lies on the southern face of the first range of the Grampians, sloping down toward the River Almond, which forms the march with the parish of Methven. The eastern extremity reaches almost to the River Tay, near Luncarty bleach- field. With the exception of the Logical mond hills, which rise to a height probably of 1800 feet above the level of the sea, there are no rising grounds of any importance in the parish. MONEYDIE. 199 Rivers. — Tbe Almond is the only river of any consequence in the parish, and abounds with salmon and trout. There are be- sides two smaller streams, the Shochie and the Ordie, both of which take their rise in the Grampian range, and flow into the Tay, aflbrding excellent trout-fishing. Geohffyj Soil, Sfc. — With respect to geological structure, the pa- rish is distinguished , by nothing remarkable. The Logiealmond Hills consist for the most part of blue slate rock, blended with smaller portions of other primitive formations. In the lower grounds, every diversity of soil almost is to be met with. In the vicinity of the streams, a light alluvial soil chiefly prevails, varied occasionally by a rich black loam, on a hard gravel bottom. A little fiirther from the bed of the fiyetj a kind of strong red earth is found, and a considerable proportion also of black loam. On the more elevated grounds, the soil consists for the most part of coW wet till. Clay is of rare occurrence ; and, except in the re- mote psffts, near the hills, there is little or no peat moss. Qzufmei.-*In Glenshee, there is a slate quarry, which, is now but little worked, owing to the greatly superior quality of the slates found in the neighbouring quarry of Craiglia, situated a few miles to the westward in the same range of hills, but in the parish of Fowlis. About the middle of Logiealmond, there is a quarry of grey freestone, of a remarkably fine quality, and easily wrought. 11. — Civil History. In Roman Catholic times, the parish of Moneydie seems to have been a parsonage connected with the diocese of Dunkeld. Little informtion tending to throw light upon this period of its history can now be obtained. About the year 1480, the living was held by Alexander Myln, Canon of Dunkeld, who also styles himself ^* Prebendary of Moneydie." Myln was the author of a work en- titled ** Lives of the Bishops of Dunkeld," a rare and curious work, containing much interesting information both of a general and lo- cal nature.* In the Cathedral Church of Dunkeld, the following inscription is found : — Hie jacet eximius vir Magister Alexander Dauffkuj Rector de Monidie^ qui obiii 1 7 Dec, anno Dni Millesi^ mo qmgenJtenmo XLViii. Ancient Proprietors of Land. — According to Myln's account a large proportion of the property of the parish seems to have been in tiie possession of his diocesan. About the middle of the fifteenth * This work has been recently reprinted in the first volume of the Transactions of the Lhcrsrj and Antiquarian Society of Perth. 200 PEKTHSHIRE. century, he tells us, that Bishop Brown " purchased from Ro- bert Waus, citizen of Edinburgh, for three years of the fruits of the Church of Cramond, the lands of Wester Kinvaid, Wester Low- stown, and Easter Lowstown. These lands he mortified to the church, and got them united to the barony of Dunkeld, but upon the express condition that a layman was to hold them of the church, and to perform the services to the King which fell to these lands." In addition to these, the bishop was proprietor of the lands of Pittendynie and Kinvaid. The present glebe of the parish, which has evidently belonged originally to the estate of Pittendynie, was in all probability allocated during the time of this bishop. The next largest proprietor in the parish in these days seems to have been the master of Gowrie : for in an old ^^ list of lands and baronies contained in the seizin of James Mas- ter of Gowrie," and executed on the 1 1th April 1584, we find enu- merated *^ the whole and entire lands of Moneydie, Balmblair, Ragilmy, with the half of the milns, multures, and miln-lands." The estate of Strathord was thep in the possession of Sir Patrick Crighton, from whom it was purchased by the ancestor of the first Lord Nairne. The only other proprietor of that period was An- drew Malcolm of Moneydie Roger, father of the Rev. John Mal- colm, minister of Perth, a distinguished scholar, and intimate friend of Andrew Melville. The above were all in the old or ori- ginal parish of Moneydie. The annexed district of Logical mond, which extends to more than double the size of the original parish, appears then to have been in the possession of a family of the name of Logic. Present Proprietors. — At present, the original parish of Money- die is entirely in the possession of Lord Lynedoch and the Duke of Athole : and almost equally divided between them. Logieal- mond is wholly the property of Sir John Drummond Stewart, Bart, of Grandtully. Eminent Persons. — In the former Statistical Account, there are notices of two eminent persons connected with this parish. The first " Bessy Bell," celebrated in song as the companion of " Mary Gray," a daughter of the house of Lynedoch, who, during the ra- vages of the plague, which seems to have been remarkably se- vere in this quarter,* took refuge together in a sequestered spot, (still pointed out) on the banks of the Almond ; where, however, * In digging the foundations of Uic new church about twenty years ago, the work- men came upon an immense accumulation of bones, as if they had been thrown to- gether into a pit, supposed to have been the remains of victims of the plague. MONEYDIR. 201 receiving occasional visits from a lover, they both caught infec-* tion, and fell victims to the desolating malady. The other indi- vidual mentioned is a great-grand-uncle of the late Sir William Drummond of Logiealmond, a zealous partban of the house of Stewart, who signalized himself at SheriiTmuir, not more for his bravery, than for his prodigious feats of strength. His formidable broadsword is still exhibited as a curiosity in the Tower of Lon- don. Without any disparagement to the merits of this redoubted warrior, it is presumed that posterity will be more disposed to re- cognize as the ornament of his family and of his country, his late eminent and accomplished kinsman, the author of ** Origines," and the " Academic Questions." Antiquiiies. — In the department of antiquities, few parishes, it is believed, are more barren than Moneydie. Some years ago, a few vestiges remained of the old castle of Kinvaid, which are now completely removed. The author of the last Statistical Account speaking of this ruin says, *^ it seems to have been built before lime was known as a cement" From Myln's history we learn that it was built by Bishop Brown, for the purpose of protecting his tenantry from the predatory incursions of some of their lawless neighbours, and cannot therefore be above 350 years old. A spot, supposed to have been the site of a Roman camp, is still pointed out ; but its genuineness is very doubtful. Like many other Roman camps, if its history were known, it would very likely turn out to have been a sheep-pen. Or if it must be held to have been a military post, it is more likely to have belong- ed to the Scots or the Danes, being in the immediate vicinity of the spot where the battle of Luncarty is supposed to have been fought Several cairns of stones have been met with, which upon examination have been found to cover human bones. One or two circles of stones also may still be seen, which are not unlikely to have been places of Druidical worship ; and particularly at the western extremity of Logiealmond, there is one remarkable block about 12 feet high and 18 feet in circumference, standing upon its narrow end, with three other stones in its immediate vicinity. It is conunonly called the Kor Stone. In the boundary line between Logiealmond and the old parish, there is a point at which the three dioceses of Dunkeld, Dum- blane and St Andrews met. Tradition has it, that the three bishops, happening to meet at this point in the course of their perambula- tions, pledged each others health out of three wells that 202 PERTHSHIRE. ed to exist within the limits of their respective territories. One of these wells was in existence forty years ago, and may possibly be so still. The parish of Moneydie belonged originally to the presbytery of Dunkeld, and was annexed to that of Perth only about eighty years ago. From the presbytery seat of the former it is distant about ten miles, while it is only six from Perth. Parish Register^ jfc. — The parish register goes back as far as the year 1655, and has been kqpt with tolerable correctness. One volume, however, embracing the period between April 1680 and August 17] 7, has been lost There is also an important blank from August 12, 1666, to August 28^ 1670, which is supposed to have been occasioned by the unsettled state of the church at that pe- riod. The following is a list of the ministers of this parish, with the dates of their settlement and death, so &r as has been ascertained : David Drummond, ordained May 17, 1655 ; William Smythe, or- dained before 1679; Alexander Chapman, ordained before 1705, died 1716 ; John Gardner, ordained August 6, 1717, died June 20, 1738; Gilbert Mann, ordained July 19, 1739, died April 30, 1754; Patrick Meek, translated from Rattray, December 26, 1754; and again translated to Kinnoul July 1761 ; George Fraser, trans- lated from Redgorton, May 27, 1762, died 1807 ; James Somer- ville, ordained 1807, died November 30, 1827 ; the present incum- bent was ordained August 7, 1828. IIL — Population. The population of this parish seems to have been at one time much greater than it now is. The causes of decrease may be easi- ly stated. In the old parish, within the last fifty years, many popu- lous hamlets have been completely rooted out, and the small pen- dicles possessed by cottagers have been thrown together and form- ed into large farms. In Logiealmond, where the system of large farms has not yet been adopted, and where the population is large in proportion to the soil, any decrease that has taken place has been in consequence of emigration. Within the last eight years, upwards of 100 persons have emigrated to Canada from Logieal- mond alone. The population is entirely agricultural, with very few excep- tions. Births^ Deaths^ and Marriages. — The yearly average of births for the last seven years is 17; of marriages 8; and of deaths no register is kept. It is proper to remark, however, that the num- ber of births here given, does not exhibit an accurate average, as MONETDIE. 203 there are some parents (chiefly Dissenters) who pay no attention to ha?e their children registered. Numberof pcnonv under 15 jrean of age, 875 upwards of 70, 99 The number of persons at the various intermediate stages, it is not so easy to ascertain. Unmarried men, bachelors and widowers upwards of 50^ears^of age, 28 women (exdustre of widows) 45 22 widows, 45 . . 42 The average number of children to a ikmtly is S^ At present there are no persons in the parish who can come un- der the denominations of ^ insane or fatuous." There are one or two who may be called of weak intellect ; one who is deaf and dumb) and one blind. Social CamfbrtSj S^e* — The people generally speaking are healthy and robust, and seem upon the whole to enjoy a reasonable mea- sure of the comforts and advantages of society. Among the pea- santry, the staple articles of food are potatoes and oatmeaL There are few cottagers who do not keep pigs ; but, with the exception of pork, animal food is rarely to be seen, except in the houses of the more substantial farmers. General Charaeter^ tfc. — With regard to " the general character of the population, intellectual, moral and religious," it is believed that they are pretty much on a footing with other parishes simi- larly situated. The outward forms of religion are in general punc- tually attended to ; few, if any, habitually absent themselves from public worship ; and the general tone of morals is upon the whole sound and healthy. The most prevailing vice perhaps in the pre- sent day, and in all parts of the country, is intemperance. Among the many causes that have contributed to bring about this melan- choly state of things, there can be no doubt that the lowering of the duty on spirits has had a most material effect; at the same time it may be questioned whether or not the needless increase in the number of public-houses has not contributed as largely to the same mischievous result Upon this point, the following fact is worthy of notice. In the old parish of Moneydie there was not, unn til within the last six months, a single whisky shop of any descrip- tion, nor was there known to the minister a single individual ha** bttuaUy addicted to drunkenness. In the Logiealmond district of the parish, on the other hand, there are unfortunately five public- houses^ and, as might be expected, the sin of intemperance and its accompanying vices are found to prevail in a proportionate dqgree. Such a fact as this goes strongly to corroborate the view ol theste 204 PERTHSHIRE. • who trace the increase of intemperance to the increased facilities of indulgence afforded by the multiplication of public-houses. It is a comparatively rare thing to find persons drinking to excess in their own dwellings. The public-house is the invariable place of re- sort It is there the habit is first acquired, and there it is strength- ened and confirmed. A bottle of spirits is seldom or never found in the house of a person addicted to drunkenness ; and, on the other hand, it is as seldom found awanting in the houses of sober persons, in the same rank of life. From this it would appear, that if, instead of adopting the temperance society principle, (which is neither more Dor less than entire abstinence, and the chief defect of which seems to be, that it aims at more than the word of God enjoins,) an associa- tion could be formed for discountenancing the practice of frequenting public-houses, the members of virhich association should resolve never to enter the door of a public-house, except on certain occa- sions to be specified ; and if at the same time every exertion were made for diminishing the number of such houses throughout the country, it is humbly conceived that more practical good would be achieved in the way of suppressing intemperance, than by any other mere human means that have yet been suggested. Smuggling and Poaching. — At one time, the practice' of illicit distillation prevailed to a considerable extent in the parish. It is now, happily, almost unknown. Salmon poaching, however, still continues to be carried on ; but chiefly by persons unconnected with the parish. IV. — Industry. In the old parish of Moneydie there are : Imperial acre8,],arable, 27 1 8 Do. pasture, 771 In Logiealmond : -3489 Imperial acres, arable, 2237 Do. pasture, 4869 .7106 Total, 10,595 Of the land under pasture there are about 300 acres in the old parish, and probably 600 in Logiealmond, which, by a judicious application of capital, might be brought under tillage. About 800 acres are under wood ; a large portion of which is old and valuable, and consists for the most part of Scotch fir. In the more recent plantations, larch, spruce fir, and oak, chiefly prevail. Of late years, oak has been very extensively planted on the estates of Lord Lynedoch ; and as this kind of wood seems to thrive upon every MONETDIE. 205 kind of soil, and to find nourishment where hardly any other trees will grow, there is little doubt that it will turn out a profitable mode of employing waste land. Rent. — The rent of arable land varies from 10s. to L. 3 per acre. The average in the old parish is about L. 1, 10s., and in Logiealmond L. 1, 38. The real rent of the whole parish is about Lb 7800, whereof about L. 3700 are in Logiealmond. The valued rent is L. 3023 Scots. Improvement. — That great improvements have been introduced into the practice of agriculture within the last forty years, are suf- ficiently indicated by the fact, that the rental of the parish, which was then only L. 2600, is now exactly trebled ; a circumstance which cannot be attributed to any rise that has taken place in the price of com, for at the close of last century, the value of wheat did not differ materially from that which it has borne for the last five or six years. Within the period before-mentioned, however, an immense deal has been done in the way of draining, enclosing, and improving waste laud. The system of run-riff^ which then prevailed to a great extent, is now completely abolished ; numbers of small pendicles are thrown together into one large farm ; and land, which formerly afforded subsistence to a hundred or a hundred and fifty individuals, is now in the possession of one tenant, not giving food to above twelve or fifteen persons, but proportionably augmenting the rent to the landlord. From these causes, together with various improvements in agricultural implements, — the intro- duction of new and improved seeds, bettersystemsof rotation, and in general the superior character of the whole mode of farm manage- ment, land which used seldom to yield more than three or four returns, now produces eight or ten, and sometimes more. The most decided improvement that has of late years been in- troduced is the application of bones as a manure for raising tur- nips. By means of this discovery, the farmer is now enabled to apply the whole strength of his dunghill to his potatoe crop ; and by sowing his turnips with bones, and then eating them off the ground with sheep, his whole fallow break is completely manured, and put in excellent order for the succeeding crop of barley. The advantages of this system are great. Of late years, the quantity of potatoes raised in this part of the country, and exported to the London market, has been very large. With the low price of grain for some time past, the chief dependence of many farmers for pay- ing their rent has been upon the potatoe crop. But experience 206 PERTHSHIRE. has shown, that, without very heavy manuring, there is no crop that more speedily exhausts the land. And there is little doubt, that, in process of time, it must have proved utterly destructive to all light soils lying beyond the reach of town manure, had not the introduction of bones come so opportunely to the aid of the far- mer, and enabled him to apply the whole of his farm manure to the potatoes. The ordinary price of bone-dust in Perth is about 2s. per bushel, and about ten bushels are employed to the acre. Another decided improvement in husbandry consists in pastur- ing grass land with sheep and cattle, instead of cutting it for hay ; but this is a practice, of course, which can only be followed with advantage in those £firms which are peculiarly adapted for stock. Cropptng.^The system of cropping most commonly followed is what is technically termed a four-course shift, viz. oats, green crop, barley, and grass. Most farmers, however, let their land lie two years, and sometimes even more in grass. There are no beans grown in the parish, and very little wheat. Lint, which at one time was cultivated to a considerable extent, is now seldom sown, owing to the almost entire discontinuance of the practice of do- mestic spinning. I^ock. — Cattle of all descriptions are reared in the parish, from the bulky Teeswater to the diminutive west Highlander. The rate of grazing differs of course very materially, according to the size and description of the animal. The summer grazing of a large full-sized beast when fattening for the butcher, may be rated at L. 3 to L. d, 10s. The sheep are principally of the Leicester breed, those at least which are fed upon the low grounds. Besides being peculiarly adapted to the . nature of the pasture, they are prized chiefly on account of their fattening so easily, being less destructive to the fences than Highland sheep, and also on ac- count of the superior value of their fleeces. Large numbers of wedder hogs of this description are annually reared, and sent to the Glasgow market from this parish, by Mr Richmond of Money- die, one of the most extensive and enterprising agriculturists in Perthshire, by whom this kind of stock was first introduced into this part of the country, about forty-five years ago. The grazing of a full-grown sheep, including a few turnips in winter, may be rated at from 5s. to 12s. according to circumstances. Produce. — The gross amount of raw produce, according to the nearest approximation that can be formed, may be stated to be, MONEYDIE. 207 Grain, 1062 imperud acres, at L. 6 per acre, L. 11892 PoUtoes, 495 ilo. ' do. at L. 9 per do. S960 Ttarnipt, 495 do. do. at L. 4 per do. 1960 Hay, 800 do. do. at L. d per do. 2400 SoirngraM, pasture, 1180 do. do. at L. 1 per do. 1180 HiUpaMure, 5^13 do. do. at 1*. fkL do. 423 1059ft L. 21825 Wapeg.'^The wages of farm-senrants vary from L. 10 to L. 14 per annum, together with 6^ bolls (140 lb& per boll) of oatmeal in the year, and 1^ Scotch pints of milk daily. Married men have besides, a house and garden, rent free, and as many potatoes as they can furnish dung to raise upon their master's field* Many of tli^n have^ besides, an allowance of coals. The ordinary wages of women servants are from L. 4 to L. 6 per annum. Day-labourers receive Is. 6d. per diem, and women working in the fields from 8d. to l(kL Harvest-^ork is for the most part done by threaving, which is gmierally at the rate of from ^Jd. to djd. per threave. Mamtfudures. — There has been recently established in Logie- almond, a flax spinning-mill, driven by water-power from the river Almond. It affords employment to about fifty persons, chiefly fe- males, and natives of the country. When trade is prosperous, as at present, the mill is kept going throughout the whole twenty-four liours, by means of relays of workers— one set commencing at six o'clock in the evening, and another relieving them at six o'clock in the morning. TheVe can be no question that this establishment has tended greatly to promote the physical comfort of the inhabi- tants of the district, by affording constant work and good wages to many individuals, who formerly could obtain neither. But it may, at the same time, be seriously doubted, whether or not these ad- vantages are not more than counterbalanced, by the usual train of moral evils which the introduction of manufactures seldom fails to bring along with it V, — Parochial Economy. Market'TaumSy Sfc. — There is no village in the parish. Perth is the nearest market-town, and is six miles distant. It is also the post-town ; although there are penny post-offices at Methven and Aughtergaven, each of them at the distance of four miles. No por- tion of a turnpike road passes through the parish : it is traversed however, by a statute labour road, which branches off from the Dunkeld turnpike towards Logiealmond and Glenshee. EedegkuHcal State. — The church, which is a handsome and sub- stantial edifice, was built about twenty years ago, and is seated for 208 PERTHSHIRE. 460 persons. Nothing, however, could be more awkward or in- convenient than its situation. It is set down at the distance of two miles from theeastern, and seven from the western extremity of the parish, where the great bulk of the population reside. A circle with a radius of two miles round the church, includes only about 330 parishioners, out of 1050, leaving 720 at an average distance of 5 miles. Accordingly, as might have been expected, there is a Secession meeting-house, planted in the midst of this population, (in Logiealmond) at the distance of six miles from the parish church. Under such disadvantages, it is not to be wondered at, that, in the course of nearly a hundred years, a large body of the inhabitants have become Seceders. It may be remarked also, that there are no Seceders (with one solitary exception) within two miles and a-half of the church. The following Ls a statement of the num- bers of church people and Dissenters. Individuals belonging the Established Church, 724 ; United Secession, 325 ; Episcopalian, 2; total 1051. . At Chapelhill, in Logiealmond, there was an ancient place of worship, which had lain in a ruinous and dilapidated state since the beginning of last century, but which it was thought, by a little repair, might be rendered fit for the reception of a congregation. A subscription accordingly was set on foot in the district, and through the exertions of the people themselves, aided by the liberal contributions of the sole proprietor, Sir iTohn Stewart, and the Misses Drummond of Logiealmond, the edifice was completed in a neat and substantial manner, at an expense of about L. 1 50 ; and opened for public worship by the minister of the parish on the 5th of October 1834. Since that time, divine service has beea regularly performed in it every Lord's day, to the unspeakable comfort of very many persons, who before, on account of this dis- tance from church, were almost excluded from the enjoyment of public ordinances. The Rev. Mr Omond, now minister of Mon- zie, was the first regularly ofiiciating preacher. The chapel, which is situated at the distance of four miles from the parish church, and two miles from the Secession meeting-house, is seated for about 320 persons ; and is completely filled, and to a great extent, by persons who formerly, for convenience sake, took sittings in the Secession place of worship. A small seat rent is exacted, averaging 2s. 6d. which, together with the collections at the church door, constitutes a fund, out of which the preacher's sa- MONBYDIB. tfi9 lary and other necesMury expenses are defrajed. All the poor are aeoommodated with free rittings. Although the erection of this place of worship has had the effSdct, to be expected, of diniinishiDg considerably the congregation iblingin the parish church, it is no small satisfection to think that, instead of fifty or sixty worshippers, which was all the usual atten- dance from Logiealmond at the parish church, there are now up- wards of 800 in the regular enjoyment of the means of grace in eoDDexion with the Establishment Mtmte, SHpendj Sfc. — The manse, which was built about the same time as the church, is in good repair, but inconveniently sroalL The offices are old and ruinous. The stipend was augmented in the year 1880 to 16 chalders; but the teinds not proving sufficient, it amounts only to 130^ bolls of victual, two-thirds meal and one-third barley, and 1m 108, 5s. 2d. in money. The glebe contains 7 Scotch acres of good average land. EdwDoHovL — There are three schools in the parish, viz. the paro- chial school at Moneydie, another at Chapelhill, and another at Heriotfield, both in Logiealmond. The parish schoolmaster has the maximum salary (Lh 34, 4s. 4^) The fees are fmall, and do not amoimt to above L. 10 per annum. He is also session*clerk, the emoluments of which office are about L. 5, 16s. The teacher at Chapelhill has a free school-room and dwelling-house, with 100 merks Scots of salary from the heritors ; he has also about two acres of land as cow's grass. The teacher at Heriotfield has merely a free school-room, which is attached to the Secession meeting-house. The branches taught in all these schools are nearly the same, reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, book-keeping, and practical mathematics. The parish schoolmaster is also qualified to teach the elements of Latin, Greek, and French ; but for these branches there is little or no demand. In all the schools the Scriptures are regularly read, and the catechisms of the church taught The following is a statement of the number of scholars : At Uie parish school, 50; Chapelhill school, 76 ; Heriotfield school, 60; total, 186. It will be seen that there are thus somewhat more than one-sixth of the population at school. It is necessary to remark, however, that many of these are not permitted to remain above eight naonths out of the twelve, as the circumstances of the parents often render it desirable that their children should begin as soon as pos- sible to do something for themselves. The consequence is, that, PERTH. o 210 PERTHSHIRE. whenever summer begins, numbers of the children are taken from school, and sent to herding or some other employment. So far as is known, there are no persons in the parish of sufficient age, who are unable to read, (except perhaps one or two aged individuals,) and the greater proportion are able also to write. All classes are fully alive to the benefits of education, and anxious to obtain it for their children. Poor and Parochial Funds. — The district of Logiealmond be- ing annexed to this parish only quoad sacra^ the kirk-session have nothing to do with the poor of that quarter. In the old parish, there are only five persons receiving aid from the poor's funds. They are allowed from ls.dd. to 3s. per week. The average amount of collections at the church doors is L. 17 per annum. The kirk- session have besides a sum of L. 70 laid out at interest There is no assessment ; and any deficiency of funds is made up by a half yearly donation of a few pounds from the heritors. Alehouses, — The number of alehouses, (or as they should ra- ther be called whisky-shops, for comparatively little malt-liquor is consumed,) has been already adverted to. FueL — In Logiealmond, peats and wood are almost the exclu- sive articles of fuel. In the east end of the parish, coals, princi- pally English, are used, and which cost at Perth about Is. lOd. per cwt. April 1837. PARISH OF COLLAGE- PRESBYTERY OF PERTH, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. JOHN ROGERS, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Namey Boundaries^ S^c. — The etymology of CoUace is uncer- tain. It is situated 7 miles north-east from Perth, is perfectly in- land, and surrounded by the parishes of Cargill, St Martins, Kin- naird, and Abernyte. Its length and breadth being nearly equal, and upwards of 2 miles, it contains nearly 6 square miles. The surface upon the whole is rather flat, except towards the hills, where the ascent is too steep for the plough. The soil in COLLACB. 211 general consists of alight, sharp, blackish loam, in some places in- termixed with clay ; but the bottom is free, being a dead reddish sand. The Sidlaw hills, which commence in the parish of Kin- noull, here assume considerable eleyation. Sid or Sud^ in the Gaelic, signi6es Sauthj a name most appropriate, as they form not only the boundary of CoUace on the south, but also of a great part of the valley of Strathmore. Ranging north-east, they traverse the country with little interruption for thirty miles, and lose them- selves in the German Ocean, at the promontory in Angus-shire called the Red-Head. The climate is variable. In winter and « ^ing, piercing and stormy winds from the south-east, are accom- panied with a chilly hadr from the sea ; but in general the atmo- q>here is clear, temperate, and salubrious. The mean annual tem- perature, ascertained from careful observations taken twice a-day for a series of years, is about 47^ of Fahrenheit. There are no epidemical diseases, and as to longevity there are not a few both of men and women seventy years of age and upwards, enjoying wonderfully good health, and engaged in their various occupations ; several are above eighty. 11. — Civil History. Parochial Registers, — There are neither ancient nor modem historical accounts of this parish, nor have any events taken place worthy of public record. The parochial registers go back to 1713, and have been pretty accurately kept They consist of six thin folio volumes. Eminent Men. — In reference to the eminently good men connect- ed with this parish, and now numbered with the dead, we have much pleasure in doing justice to the memory of William Nairne, Esq., a younger son of the family of Dunsinane. Bred an advocate at the Scotch Bar, he soon became Sheriff of Perthshire, and in due time was promoted to the important offices of a Senator of the College of Justice, and member of the High Court of Justiciary, with the title of Lord Dunsinnan. A more upright Judge never sat upon the Bench. In 1809, when hb public duties were becoming oppres- sive to his declining years, he resigned both gowns, and retired to his residence at Dunsinnan. He had become sole proprietor of the parish some thirty years before, by purchase from his nephew Sir William Nairne, at whose death the title also devolved on him. To the improvement of his paternal estate, he had as early as possible applied, with unabated zeal and perseverance, and so judicious were those improvements, that Lord Dunsinnan lived to see his rents doubled, and often quadrupled. 812 PERTHSHIRE. Tq ihi$ welfSur^ of the parisbf and more eapeoWUy to their reli- gious instniotion,.he was equally attentive. He feared Qod, and fapnQured the King. He remembered the Sabbath day, and was never absent from church, except from necessity. His example was highly useful in his own time. Still more useful must such [praiseworthy conduct be in our times, to put to shame, if possible, inereasipg impiety, and to stem the overflowing tide of iniquity. Lord DuQsinnan died 22d of March 1812, being upwards of eighty years old, and was buried within the walls of the old church of CoUace^ now converted into a mausoleum for the Dunsinnan &- nuly ; anil to which there is access by a large arched gateway of uncommon beauty, apd of the rare and ancient order of Saxon ar- chitecture. Lord Dunsinnan was succeeded by our present sole heritor, James Mellis Nairne, Esq. who has followed the exam- ple of his predecessor, and has laid out a great deal of money in improving and beautifying his estate, though it is strictly entailed on heirs-male. Modem Buildiuffs. — Dunsinnan House, situated in the north- west comer of the parish, with a fine southern exposure, and screen- ed from the winter blast by extensive plantations, has been lately greatly enlarged and modernized by Mr Nairne. No pains have been spared to render this mansion not only elegant, but capable also of containing the largest family. The offices have been re- built on the newest and most approved plan, and are uncommonly spacious and convenient The new church, which was finished in 1813^ is a handsome Qothic structure, with a square tower sur- mounted by minarets* Built on commanding ground, and sur- rounded with venerable trees, it is highly ornamental, and much and deservedly admired. In 1885 a new school and school-house were erected, fiimish- ir^ ample acconunodation for master and scholars. This build- ing, combining every desirable requisite, with a prudent regard to economy, may be safely recommended as a model for all such pa- rochial new structures when they are required. The garden, partly surrounded by i^ substantial wall,' eight feet high, is tastefully laid out, and the whole premises are kept in excellent order. QKarritf^^- Two quarries, which have been long wrought on the estate, furnish freestone in abundance, and of the best quality, for all the houses and other nMuson-work in the parish* AfUiquiiie$. — Of these the i9Pst remarkable is the far-famed hm of Duosinane, which rises nearly 800 feet above its base, and COLLXCB. 213 1114 feet above the level of the sea. Its oval and conical sum- mit is 169 yards in length, by 89 in medium breadth. Upon this insulated and chosen site, Macbeth, the Thane of Glammis, in 1943^ and soon after his usurpation of the Scottish crown, erected a strong and lofty castle. Here he held his court, and for some years was attended by his reluctant vassiils, and kept the surround- faig country in the most degrading subjection. In the meantime Maleolm, son of the old and good King Duncan, whom Macbeth had murdered, fled into England for protection. The reigning prince, Edward the Confessor, not only gave him a kind recep- tion, but was prevailed upon also to support his claim to the Scot- tish throne by a powerful army, commanded by his brave Greneral Siward, Earl of Northumberland. The discontented barons flock- ed to the English standard reared in Malcolm^s behalf; and in the eourae of the year 1094 this overwhelming force approached t6 Donsinane. Being observed from the battlements by Macbeth, he considered his fortifications untenable, and immediately fled northward. He waft pursued, overtaken, and slain, according to common report, at Lumphanan in Aberdeenshire. His fortress was immediately razed to the ground, and that the destruction might be the more complete, fire was employed, as appears from the calcined matter and scorched materials among the rubbish. Such as take the trouble of ascending this remarkable hill, will find themselves amply repaid. The enthusiasm of classic ground will be felt and acknowledged by the scholar. Tlie scenery, indeed, may call up some of the blackest pages of Scottish history, but our recollections will be accompanied by the grateful feeling of as- surance that such barbarous times are for ever gone by. The view presented from Dunsinane on every side is rich, varied, and pic- turesque. Nor is it a more delightful, than it is a commanding station. In a clear day, there is nothing to prevent the practised eye from taking in fifty miles all around, and obtaining a glimpse of sixteen difierent counties in the horizon. This eminence is also &vourable to devotion. Turning to the north and north-west, an amphitheatre of unconmion grandeur and beauty rises before us. Grampians piled on Grampians in countless succession, rear their heads beyond the clouds. They display the majesty of the Almighty Creator, and fill us with the most sublime conceptions of the power of him <*who meteth out the heavens with a span, weigheth the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.* * For fiirUier pArticuUn, see notes taken on the spot in 1778, by Sir John Sin- 214 PERTHSHIRE. IIL — Population. By the last Statistical Account in 1793, the population was 41$ By the census in 1801, . . 562 1811, . . 663 1821, . . 691 1881, 730 The gradual increase of the population is chiefly among the la- bourers and handicrafts, which is in a great measure owing to the increase of trade and manu£aictures. Three-fourths of the people live in the villages, the remainder in the farm-houses and bothies. The yearly average of births for the last seven years, 18 of deaths, . . . 12 of marriages, ... 6 The Dumber of persons under 15 years of age, • . 200 betwixt 15 and 30, .162 betwixt 30 and 50, .212 upwards of 70, . . . 37 Of the 730 inhabitants in the parish 351 are males, and 379 fe- males. The number of families 142, each &mily at an average consisting of about five persons. Inhabited houses 141. One person blind, and two others fatuous. During the last three years there have been 7 illegitimate births in the parish. IV. — Industry. Agriculture and Rural Economy. — All the land in the parish which is considered arable is under cultivation by the plough, and in a high state of improvement. Iron ploughs are becoming ge- neral, and, when drawn by two good horses, can overtake the work- ing of 50 acres Scotch measure. Iron harrows are also coming into use. The number of imperial acres under tillage, is . .1 747 under wood, chiefly Scotch fir and larch, 560 under pasture, • 100 Hard wood thrives very well in hedgerows. Some of it was lately cut, measuring 3^ feet in diameter. There are some beech trees at Collace village whose girth is not less than 9 feet The rent of land varies according to quality. Some of it is so low as L* 1» some of it so high as L. 3 per acre. The average may be taken, therefore, at L. 2. The tenants, while they are most frugal and industrious, are considered, from the crops they raise, as managing their farms in the most skilful manner. Owing to clair, and published under the title of " Additional information respecting the Castle of Dunsinnan.** Sir John, though then only eighteen years old, gave promise of those talents, and of the powers of tbat inquisitive and discriminating mind, which in due time was to be directed to the acquisition and diffusion of such important practical knowledge, as has raised him to the highest rank among the benefactors of his country. See also Lord Hailes*s Annals of Scotland. COLLAGE. 215 tlie nature of the soil and climate, wheat and beans are not always profitable* The green crop system is therefore commonly follow- ed — a five-shift rotation, including two years in grass, has been found most advantageous, and best adapted to the soil. Plough- men's wages from L. 12 to L. 14 per annum, with the usual al- lowance of meal and milk ; women's wages, from L. 6 per an- num to L. 6, 6s. ; mason's and carpenter's from 2s. 6d. to ds. per day ; day-labourers Is. 6d. In winter, their wages are proportion- ally less. Women employed at out-door work, 8d. per day ; when lifting potatoes, Is. without victuals. Produce. — The average gross amount of value of raw produce raised in the parish, as far as can be ascertained, is as follows : Imperial acres. Quarter ^** P^ V' 264 of barley, 1064 at L. 1, 98. 453 ofoatu, 1916 at L. 1,4s. 500 of grass, (artificial) cut and pastured, value 193 ofpotato^ - • • 2414 of turnips, • - - • 18 of tares or &lIow. L. 589 4 1542 16 2299 4 iao3 1721 859 17474 Total value of raw produce, L. 8314 4 In the above calculations, the green crop (with the exception of part of the hay and potatoes) is understood to be consumed on the &rms, which is the practice generally followed in this parish. A few horses are reared for sale, the breed of which, as also of the cattle, being very much attended to, have greatly improved of late years. A considerable number both of cattle and sheep are fed oflF every winter, and disposed of at a fair profit to the butcher. The farm-steadings are among the best in the country, and kept in ex- cellent repair. The principal farms are let on leases of nineteen years — those of small dimensions for shorter periods. Manufactures. — The produce of the loom has long been our staple article of commerce, and has of late greatly increased. In the progress of human improvement, it has been ascertained, that yam fit for being woven into linen cloth, can be produced by ma- chinery, not only cheaper and better, but also in inconceivably greater quantities, than by the former tedious means of hard la- bour — a new direction has thus been given to the industry of this, and of many other parishes in Scotland. The spinning-wheel has been entirely superseded, or used only for the very refuse of flax ; and the spinsters, thrown out of their old and congenial employ- ment, have been obliged to have recourse to the loom. In weav* ing the lighter fabrics, we are happy to find they are succeeding 216 PERTHSHIRE. 'remarkably well, and without any apparent injury to health. This increasing branch of business has attracted a new set of agents, who weekly resort to the mill* spinners of Dundee, purchase their yam lo the annual amount of some thousand pounds, and bring it home in carts, when they distribute it amongst their customers, who work it into cloth, according to pattern laid before them. The webs when finished are returned to Dundee, where they find a ready market, — but with this drawback, the prices are more fluc- tuating in this than in any other trade, there being a continual de- pendence on the precarious state of distant and foreign markets, over which the home merchant can have no controL*— Upon the whole, however, there is such a profit to the agents as is consider- ed remunerating, and which enables them to give sufficient en- couragement to those whom they employ. There are upwards of 100 looms in the parish in full operation, by young and old of both sexes. This new channel for labour, as was to be expected, has occasioned in the meantime a slight rise in the wages of ser- vants, and handicrafts of every description. V. — Parochial Economy. In former times, there were two considerable annual markets in Kinrossie. The ancient Cross now only remains. The business in cattle and small wares has been transferred to Burreltown, and other places in the neighbourhood. Perth is the chief market- town, to which there is access by an excellent turnpike road, which traverses the parish for two miles, leading eastward to Cupar- An- gus, to which there is a daily post-boy from Perth, leaving and taking up letters at a receiving-house as he passes. There is also a splendid daily coach called the Defiance, with four very su- perior horses, which follows the same route, in its way from Edin- burgh to Aberdeen, Ecclesiastical State* — The church, which was built, as has been observed, in 1812 and 1813, is kept in good repair, and is socentri- cally and conveniently situated, that the bulk of the people are within a mile of it, and none further distant than two and a-half miles. Th6re is accommodation for upwards of 400 sitters. The church is generally well filled, and the number of communicants has often exceeded 400. This includes nearly 100 strangers from the neighbourhood, whose parish churches are at such a distance as renders it next to impossible for their being regularly attend- ed. The unequal, and, as it may be called, reckless division, of many of the parishes in Scotland, is an evil which has been long COLLAGE. 217 felty and juidy compbuned of. Should thit grierance be inquired into by the proper authorities, they would find it quite practicable, and eaay to reform so glaring an abuse. Tliis would greatly pro* mole the interests of religion, and contribute much to the comfort and ooDTeoienee of many thousands, in country parishes. As it would not be pnqposed to interfere with theciWio, but merely with the qimad sacra of the church, the arrangements, to give conreni* ency to the fullest extent, would be settled without the smallest oppositioD. The glebe contains nearly 9 imperial acres, and may be worth Lb 15 per annum* Tlie manse and oflBces, which were built in 1778^ on rather a small scale, have been repaired within these twenty years, and so much improved and enlarged, as to render them more commodious. The amount of stipend is Lh 150 yearly, including L. 87, Ss. 8d* from Government. The average number of persons receiving regular parochial aid is 7. The average- sum allowed to each is about L. 4 per annum, including 6s. to each for coal money. A house and garden are provided for each of them gratis* Small sums are occasionally given to such as are reduced to straits, but who are not on the poor^s roll. There is also an extended roll for coal money, which is distributed annually on the Monday after the sacrament The number of families in the parish attendmg the chapels of Dissenters or Seceders is 12. Edmoatioiu — The parochial school, which is centrical, being close to the church, is the only one in the parish. The salary is the maximum, and the accommodation most complete. The fees may amount to L. 30 per annum, and this arises more from the number of scholars (averaging upwards of 70 for three quarters of the year,) than from the rate of payment, which is very mo- derate ; beginning with 2s. per quarter for English, and rising only to ds. and 4s., when writing, arithmetic, and geography are included. The schoolmaster, besides being qualified to instruct the rising generation in the common routine of country schools, is capable of teaching geometry, mathematics, and many other branches of education, which are seldom required here. There is no fiu mily without a Bible, and no member of it exceeding ten years of age who cannot read it To assist in effecting this in the case of poor scholars, there is a small fund available. It arises from the mortification of seat-rents in the old church of Collace, by the fa- 218 PERTHSHIRE. ther of Lord Dunsinnan, upwards of one hundred years ago, and the transaction being engrossed in the session records of Collace, is in substance as follows : " The Hon. Sir William Naime of Dunsinnan, hath by letter under his own hand, of date 16th Au- gust 1736, doted the seats in the east loft and those under it, to be let, and the money to be bestowed for the benefit of teaching of poor children in the parish of Collace." The amount of these during the last thirteen years was L. 11. There has been a very considerable falling off in this fund, which has arisen chiefly from the erection of the new church, as it contains fewer seats for letting, but Mr Naime has generously made good the defi- ciency. There is a library, under the patronage of Mr Naime, consist- ing chiefly of historical, geographical, and religious books, the foundation of which was lately laid, by a handsome donation of ex- cellent works from the patrons, and although only in its infancy, it is most acceptable to the people, and is rapidly diffusing a taste for reading among them. Parochial Poor Funds, — These arise from the interest of money, the use of the mortcloths, and other small sources ; but chiefly from collections, made every Sunday after divine service in church, which amount on an average to L. 12, 10s. a year. Donations are also occasionally given by Mr Nairne. About L. 40 are annually distributed to the poor by the kirk-sesion. Inns. — There is only one inn or public-house in the parish, which is very useful, and under the best regulations, and against which no complaint was ever made, as encouraging in the smallest degree drunkenness or immorality. FueL — The fiiel generally used in the parish is English coals from Perth, at the average cost of Is. per cwt * ^ May 1837. PARISH OF ABERNYTE. PRESBYTERY OF DUNDEE, SYNOD OF ANGUS AND MBARNS. THE REV. JAMES WILSON, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Name, — The name Abernyte seems to be of Gaelic origin, referring to the situation of the principal village of that name in the angle near the confluence of two rivulets. One of these, per- haps, was anciently called the Nyte. Boundaries, Extent. — The whole parish, including Glenbran, annexed to it quoad saeroj is an irregular kind of oblong parallelo- gram, terminated by the highest hills above, where several parishes meet from Strathmore, as well as this district. It is bounded by the parish of Inchture below ; Longforgan on the east ; and Kin- naird on the west Its greatest length may be about 3 miles or little more, and its greatest breadth about 2, and it contains 4 square miles. Topographical Appearances. — The most populous parts of the parish in the lower grounds are nearer Dundee ; but those conti- guous to Dunsinnan hill, in the parish of Collace, are nearer Perth. The whole is situated in those eminences that rise gradually from the Carse of Gowrie to the top of the Dunsinnan ridge. The highest point here is called the King's Seat, which, according to an avejcpge of various measurements, seems to be 1155 feet high. The most cultivated parts of the parish are probably not above 300 feet above the level of the Tay, and about three or four miles in a straight line from it. The highest range of hills, which commands a noble prospect, runs parallel to Strathmore on the north-west side, and on the south-east in most places, to irregular undulations of inferior heights, with some hol- lows between. These inferior heights also form very interesting points of view through the whole extent, and in this parish protend, nearly at right angles, two other eminences like arms, on the north and south sides, embracing the beautiful glen of Abernyte. It opens toward the Carse on the south-east, and is bounded on three 220 PERTHSHIRE. sides by bold acclivities of well cultivated fields, watered below by the two united rivulets sufiBcient for a good mill. And this con- formation of the hills and vale, with the nature of the substratum in some places, is well adapted for emitting springs and rills. Meteorology.^^ The mean tempenUure of May 1831f as indicated by the thermometer in the shade 1 IM lere only • . 67^ Of June, . . 61 » While the hottest day was the 2d, about 67<' OfJuly^ 60^« The hottest day, the 31 st, about &dP Of August nearly, . . 64<* . The 2d being the hottest day, l(y* Of September, . 56^o The hottest day, the 1 1th. about W* The arerage pressure of the atmosphere in May 1831, according to the barooMter was nearly . . 30 In June, . « S9| In July, nearly . . 30 In August, . . . 29f In Septem'ber, . 29 The climate here is good^ and the air salubrious; consequent-^ ly, since the ground has been well drained, the people in general are healthy, not much subject to any particular distempers. The most prevailing complaints are, colds, rheumatism, fevers and dropsy, besides those incident to youth. But the natural small- pox rarely appears ; and now at least, there seem to be few or no instances of scrofula, and none of ague, which was formerly very prevalent. Hydrography. — There are some cold perennial springs in dif- ferent parts of the parish. These, with the drainings, contribute mainly to the united rivulets that pervade the vale, and in con- fluence with a larger stream below, in the parish of Inchture, de- volve meandering to the Tay. Here is a beautiful cascade of forty feet, almost all perpendicular, at the head of a romantic den, a deep wooded ravine in the low grounds. Geology, — The rocks in this parish are sandstone with amygda- loid containing agates or pebbles. The arable ground in the lower parts of the parish is in general of a light, but fertile soil, lying mostly on a bed of gravel, and some of clay, or both united. In some places, the soil is pretty deep. The higher ground in general is, of course, by no means so fertile. In some places^ it produces little except coarse grass or heath. But now, there is little of that last description left UDplaQted. ABERNYTK. 221 IL — Civil History. I^amt^Oumer$. — There are seven heritors, but none resident ex- eq>l one. James Miller, Esq, of Milton, and R. A. Bannennan, £sq« of Abernyte, are the principal heritors in point of valuatiojn. Lord Kinnaird, too, is a non-resident heritor, whose ancestors in very ancient times resided in their beautiful domain of Kinnaird, in this neighbourhood, whence they derived their name. Parochial Register. — The parochial register commenced in the year 1664 The first entry is in these words : <* December 4, 1664. The wbilk day Mr Andrew Shippert was admitted minister of Abemeit, by Mr Robert White, minister at Instur, being authorized by my Lord Bishop of Dunkelden to that effect^ ** Collected that day 7 shillings two pennies.'' ( Scots.) At the first meeting of session, the new minister found, that there was no session record, nothing in the poor's box, no money lent out, and no mortification for behoof of the poor. He preached his first sermon on Romans 8th ch. ii. ; and on every succeeding Sabbath for a long time, the entry in the session book is, ^* the nnister preached both sermons upon his ordinar." There is something interesting about church discipline, which was frequent and severe. But the register is not very regularly kept Antiquities. — ^* Upon the top of a hilt called Glenny law, are two cairns," said the Rev. James Adamson, ** and a few years ago there was another on the glebe, under which a few bones were found. These cairns were said to have been raised in consequence of a battle between two powerful families, the Grays of Fowlis, and the Boyds of Pitkindie, in this parish, in which the latter were victo- rious. On the same hill, is one of those circles called Druid ical, consistiiig now of only seven stones. And in Stockmuir, about a mile firom this one, there is another of nine stones ; both consisted of more ; three or four have been taken from the first not long ago. In* a few years there will be no vestige of either. Upon the top of King's Seat there is the ruin of a circular enclosure, similar to Mac- beth's Castle, but much smaller. This commanded a more exten- sive prospect than the castle itself; probably a watch-tower or out- post" The ** Long Man's Grave" is a noted spot at the road side, north-east from the classic ground of Dunsinnan hill. There is a tradition that a traveller had committed suicide there. Hence, perhaps, he was buried there. Others say he was murder*^ ed. North from Ballairdie, in the planting, are some remains of 222 PERTHSHIRE. an ancient ruin, called in Stobbie's map ^^ Carquhannan Castle," in Knox's Basin, ^^ Carguhannan." In the neighbourhood, it goes by the name of Balchuinnie. There is a fine spring near it, called " the King's WelL" The writer of this account found here, at the manse, what seems to have been in ancient times a baptismal font, an old octagon of hewn stone, perforated in the bottom, to emit the water occasionally. III. — Population. There are here seven proprietors of land above L. 50 of yearly value. At no distant period, the population was probably double of what it is at present, owing to the smallness of farms in those days, to the great number of cottagers, who possessed a large com- mon as cow's grass, owing also to the number of mechanics, parti- cularly weavers, on the old fashioned loom. There are still 64 young and old in two villages, including farm-servants and their families. The yearly average of births for the last seven years is . . 5 of deaths, ... .3 of marriages nearly ... 2 The average number of persons under 15 years of age, is 94 between 15 and 30, . . 76 30 and 50, . 51 50 and 70, 24 upwards of 70, of whom 1 is 96, . 9 Unmarried men, bachelors, and widowers, upwards of 50, . 2 Of unmarried women upwards of 40, ... . . 3 Average number of children in each family at home, at least in the parish, . 4 Number of families in the parish, . ... 48 chiefly employed in agriculture, . . 18 trade, manufactures, or handicraft, 9 There is but one insane pauper, who had been sent to an asy- lum several years ago. None blind, deaf, and dumb. The farms have been much enlarged within these forty years, and the mode of living is surely improved. But with increased rents and taxes, &c., the farmers are so burdened, that even they can afford very few luxuries. The lower orders are much at a loss for want of the usual employments of females. For spinning yarn, and knitting of stockings are at so low a rate, that it is now hardly worth the while to attempt that kind of work, and they have hardly any other means of subsistence out of service, except for a time in the fields in summer and harvest. IV. — Industry. In this parish, are cultivated about 1703 acres of standard im- perial measure, including a small portion in occasional tillage, and 172 of improved pasture, without any undivided common for many years. There may be 297 imperial acres, which cannot well be ABERNYTB. 223 improved but by planting. And some even of that number may be under roads and streams of water. Of plantations, there may be about 341 imperial acres, chiefly firs of various kinds, espe- cially larch and Scotch firs, thriving and properly attended to. Ash, elm, and plane trees thrive well also. Rent — The average rent of land is about L. 2 per Scotch acre, of grazing an ox or cow L. 1, 10s., ewe 6s. for the season. The real rent of the parish is about L. 2037. Wages. — Farm-servants come to maturity receive from L. 10 to L. 15 per annum, and 6^ bolls of meal, with a pint of sweet milk daily ; labourers from 8s. to 10s. weekly ; and artisans from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. dailv, without meat. Female servants in the house have its common fare, and about L. 6 of wages per annum. In summer, at day's work in the fields, when occasion re« quires, females receive about 9d. without victuals, and the same rate at threaving in harvest as in the Carse. Carts cost from L. 6 to L. 12 ; ploughs from L. 1 to L. 4; rollers from L. 1 to L. 10 ; Uirnip sowing machines from L. 1 to L. 6, harrows from 10s. to L. 3 per pair; wheel-barrows, from 10s. 6d. to 16s. Husbandry, — There are few pans of the country better cultivated than this, considering the high rents, and the very low prices of grain, which are great checks to enterprise. The proprietors, too, are heavily burdened themselves, and yet make great reductions of rent, notwithstanding the clamour even of many substantial citizens about cheap grain. The land seems sufficiently drained, and, owing to its declivity, it does not admit of irrigation. Very little embanking is here required. Tlie duration of the leases is from nineteen to twenty-one years. The farm-buildings have been greatly improv- ed, and in some instances rebuilt within these few years. But some are deficient, especially for feeding bought cattle, to which attention has been turned of late. The principal improvements recently made consist chieflv in the use of bone dust, in more extensive and regular green cropping, in feeding cattle, and eating a certain proportion of the turnips on the ground with sheep. The improve- ments in farming are considerable ; but cannot be equal in magni- tude to those in manufactures by machinery, especially from the fortunate discovery of steam engines. Hence, from the very low prices of the staple commodities, both proprietors and farmers are much depressed in many places. The rents, though greatly re- duced, are still too high for material improvements in manuring, deepening, and transporting soil, &c. Exhausted capitals, and 224 PERTHSHIRE. want of enclosures in jDQOst places, especially on the higher ground for sheep, are great additional disadvantages ; so that a consider- able proportion of the land is in the landlord's own hands. The old valuation of the parish, according to the cess-book, is L. 1126, Ids. 4d. Scots. Produce. — It is difficult to ascertain completely the gross amount of raw produce. But the following statement seems to approxi- mate to the truth. The value of wheat, with straw, 8M quarters at L. 2, \(h, - L. 700 barley with straw, 879 quarters at L. I, 8b. - 1280 12 oats, with straw, 11 4G quarters at L. 1, 28. - - 1260 potatoes 80 acres at L-le, - - 800 turnips, 200 acres at L. 6, ... . looo hay and second crop, 240 cultivated acres at L. 8, - 1440 land in pasture, 720 acres at L. 1, lOsi - - 1080 inferior improved pasture, 297 acres, at 10s. - 148 10 natural pasture, 172 acres, - - - 21 10 all the gardens, • - - * 24 one orchard. - - - - 17 Total value of raw produce, L. 7721 12 There are few trees full-grown in the parish, and it is seldom that any of them are cut down. The profits of thinning and prun- ing young trees do not much exceed the expense as yet ; and the profits arising from feeding cattle are already included in the value of the raw produce. There is no trade nor manufacture here, but for domestic purposes. V. — Parochial Economy. There are a few small bridges here in tolerable repair. The roads, within these few years, have been Macadamised, and kept in good order without a toll. Some of the fences are pretty good. But three-fourths of the land are unfortunately defenceless. Ecclesiastical State. — The church is at the lowest extremity of the parish, near three miles from the thinly inhabited places above. But it is commodiously situated for the extremities of some neigh- bouring parishes. The church was rebuilt in the year 1736, and has been lately repaired. It may accommodate the whole po- pulation ; and there is no seat rent The people are very ac- commodating to one another, and to strangers. The manse seems as old as the church. But about 1820, the manse received con- siderable repairs and additions, partly at the expense of the in- cumbent, as well as of the heritors ; for the accommodation was too little. But now, it is as commodious as can well be expect- ed. The glebe consists nearly of 7 acres arable, besides 3 of pas- ture, and a pretty lai^e garden. Being a small living, the sti- 4 ABERNYTE. 225 pend, of course, should amount to L. 150 ; but it has been less for several years, owing to the low fiars. There is a tabernacle here, built about forty years ago, by Mr Haldane, for the missionaries, when he was an heritor in this pa- rish. It is now occupied by a few Burghers, who have no stated minister. All the families in the parish except four, containing eight individuals, commonly attend the EstabHshed Church, and partake of its ordinances. The average number of people who at« tend both places of worship, though small, it is difficult to state ; because it varies so much on different days, according to circum- stances. But about 130, on an average, commonly attend the Es- tablished Church ; and much fewer, the Dissenters. The average number of communicants is about 160. The average amount of church collections yearly for religious and charitable purposes is between L. 2 and L. 3. Education. — There is one parochial school, which seems suffi- cient for the parish, except a female school, which has been some- times attempted without a salary. The public school-house, in- cluding the school-room lately built, is large and commodious, and could accommodate some boarders. The master has the maximum salary; and teaches English, writing, and arithme- tic, geography, and the principles of religion, very successfully, and could well teach mathematics and every other branch that might be required here, — he being now a preacher of the gospel. The probable amount of the school fees may be L. 25 per annum : and from other sources the teacher may receive about L. 4, 10s. per annum. , Poor and Parochial Funds, — Besides a pauper lunatic, there are at present only three families receiving a regular allowance, about a guinea in four weeks. But there are some other families who receive occasional supply. The average amount of collections for the poor, since the Seceders commenced preaching here, is only about 4s. 6d. — with the addition of some allowance at mar- riages, and for the mortcloth at funerals. There is a regular assess- ment of the heritors, for a pauper lunatic in an asylum, amount- ing in general to L. 20. There is but one alehouse in the parish, and the people are sober. Fuel consists generally of coals from Polgavie; and there is a frequent sale of brushwood in the neigh- bourhood. Miscellaneous Ob^rvations. The more striking variations between the present state of the pa- PERTH. p 226 PBRTHSHlRe. rishy and that which existed at the time of the last Statistical Account, seem to consist in improved instruments of agriculture, in using bone dust for turnips, and in the general introduction of thrashing mills by water, where it is practicable ; also, in the enlargement and im- provement of farms, and raising of rents : though both the rents and servants wages have fallen since the peace. There is a con- siderable difference also in the prices of work, of horses, and espe- cially of cattle fattened for the butcher. There is a remarkable difference in the low rate for spinning yarn, in the disuse of lint and of fallow, which is reckoned unnecessary for our free light soil, while potatoes are cultivated to such advantage, and the ground is sufficiently cleaned. But some farmers subdivide their land into too many little patches. There is little waste land here. But it is well known that there are many millions of that description in Great Britain and Ireland. Now, as humble ad- vocates for the comforts of the poor and labouring classes, we beg leave humbly to suggest a plan of general improvement, equally beneficial to rich and poor, especially to labourers, be- ing aware of no public reform more important for the temporal benefit of all classes of the community, without encroaching on the rights and privileges of any. A great proportion of the land in the United Kingdom that is too poor for bearing some useful crop may be still more improved for pasture. And what is unfit both for tillage and for pasture ought to be planted with useful kinds of trees, suitable to the soil. Even the heathy rugged Gram- pians may be planted to the great advantage of the community, especially of the proprietors themselves. Qf this, the late patriotic Duke of Athol set a noble example, whose extensive plantations, in less than seventy years, will, in the opinion of a good judge, who has been appointed to survey them, be worth eight millions Ster- ling, at Is. the solid foot. Roads had previously been made through them ; and there is still, at the sides of the roads in various direc- tions, sufficient room for grouse and deer, &c. and shelter for all. Whatever ground in Great Britain and Ireland is capable of im- provement, and yet every way neglected, should, by Act of Parlia- menti be taxed or fined at so much per acre, until the suitable im- provements are made. Or, perhaps, the same good effects might be produced more agreeably by the stimulus of premiums ; or with* out premiums, the plan would benefit the revenue. The proprie- tors, indeed, are in many cases too much depressed already. But the plan in time would tend to enrich them, and improve even ABBRNYTE. 227 ihe soil itself. In cases of entail, as much land might be per- mitted to be sold as would be sufficient. Multitudes of additional labourers might be furnished with cottages, and each with a few acres of improveable land at a moderate rate. It is unnecessary to enter on details. But it may be added, that in every district where it may be expedient, there might be a public ploughman with a pair of horses and implements of husbandry, like common est- riers at present All should be served in their turn, by lot, every year ;* and the ploughman might have three or four acres, himself. As part payment he might get his horses fed for the day, where he might be working. How greatly this plan would beautify and en- rich the country I of what immense importance to the State and to all concerned, to retain thus by encouragement, and to employ be- neficially, a race of hardy, healthy, and industrious peasantry, of peaceable and virtuous habits, rather than drive them murmur- ing and disaffected to great towns, where they would necessarily cause greater stagnations of trade and manufactures, by gluts in the markets, and, perhaps great and dangerous commotions; or to banish them expensively to foreign lands, where they may swell the number of our enemies I This simple plan would meet the grow- ing demand for timber, procure useful employment for the indus- trious poor, save much of the poor's rates, and in a great measure prevent the needless drain of the precious metals for many foreign commodities. It is unnecessary to say more than that such a plan as this, with embankments and enclosures, and the draining of bogs, with the making and improving of roads, and such public works, would afford employment to the industrious, and advantage to all, — besides improving the climate, adorning the face of nature, and ad- ding greatly to the strength and wealth of the united kingdom. Mat/ 1837. PARISH OF KINNAIRD. PRESBYTERY OF DUNDEE, SYNOD OF ANGUS AND MEARNS. THE REV. JOHN SPENCE, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Name, — The name of the parish (as observed in the former Statistical Account) is of Celtic origin, and is compounded of two "words signifying " high end or head." This is descriptive enough, whether it refers to the parish or to the estate of Kinnaird, both of which are higher at the one end than the other. An old castle or manor house, belonging to the latter, stands on the upper part of it. Situation, Boundaries. — The parish lies about half-way between Perth and Dundee, and has a beautiful southern exposure, looking down on the Carse of Gowrie, part of which is contained within its bounds. It is bounded on the south by Errol ; on the north by CoUace ; on the west by Kilspindie ; and on the east by Abernyte and Inchture. The extent is about 2 miles in one way, and near- ly 3 in the other. ' Several points command an extensive view in all directions, particularly of the Highland mountains. We have nothing here to attract naturalists ; the productions of the earth, so far as yet discovered, being all of the more common kinds. II. — Civil History. Antiquities. — This part of the world has not been the scene of any remarkable events, nor has any individual distinguished in the history of his country ever belonged to it; the only thing in any respect curious is Kinnaird Castle, an old and stately ruin, but of which there is little on record. It presents an excellent spe- cimen of the sort of dwelling-places in use, when safety was more considered than comfort, — having walls of an enormous thickness, and the different storeys floored by stone arches. We find that the Noble family of Kinnaird, whose present seat is Rossie, in the neighbouring parish of Inchture, were once connect- ed with this property, though they have long ceased to be so. " In the reign of King William, 1170, Randolph Rufus obtained from that prince the lands of Kinnaird, in the county of Perth, which KINNAIRD. 229 continued in his family till the time of King Charles I., and from that barony took his surname ; from him descended Sir Richard Kinnaird of that Ilk, whose son, Reginald, marrying Margery, daugh- ter and heiress to Sir John Kirkaldy of Inchture, in the same .county, he with her had those lands, in which he was confirmed by the charter of Robert III." Lcmd'-oumers. — The sole land-owners in this parish are. Colonel Allen of Inchmartine; Sir Peter Murray Thriepland of Fingask ; Robert Richardson, Esq. of Kinnaird ; and Alexander Greig of Hallgreig. Parochial Reffister. — A parochial register is kept with great neatness and regularity ; the first entry is dated December 1633. III. — Population. Popukttonin 1811, . 445 W2\, - 465 1K)1, - 461 The average number of persons uuder 1 5 years of age, 1 53 betwixt 15 and dO» . 142 90 and m, 88 50und70, . 70 upwards of 70, .13 Widowers and bachelors upwards of 50 years of age, 6 Widows and unmarried women upwards of 45, 16 Average number of children in each family, 4 Number of the pc^pulation residing in Tillages, * 816 Average number of births yearly for the li^t seven years, 14 marriages, 2 deaths, . . 7 Number of fiunilies in the parish, ..... 90 chiefly employed in agriculture, .80 trade, manu£Eictures, or handicraft, 27 During the last three years there have been 2 illegitimate births in the parish. Resident Heritors, — No heritor at present has a residence in this parish. Beautiful situations for houses, liowever, abound, and there are great facilities for building. Very fine stone for this purpose is found close at hand, IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The number of cultivated acres is about 1550 imperial measure ; the number of acres that have never been cul- tivated is about 1500; the number of acres that could be culti- vated .with advantage does not exceed 50. The average rent of the land in cultivation is about L. 1, 16s. per imperial acre. The uncultivated part of the parish, consisting chiefly of moor ground, is pastured with sheep from the Highlands in winter, at about is. dd. per head, (say from December 1st to April 1st ;) xheremainder of the season, it is pastured with oxen. The highest 230 PERTHSHIRE. price per head for pasturing oxeD is about L. 1, 10s. Farm-ser- vants are hired by the year. They receive about L. i2 in money with sixty- five stones of oatmeal annually, and three imperial pints of milk daily ; day-labourers in summer get ]s. 8d. per day, and in winter Is. 4d. ; artisans, such as wrights, masons, &c. about 2s. — no victuals being provided. Raw Produce, — The raw produce consists chiefly of grain, po- tatoes and turnip. Potatoes, for a number of years past, may have averaged 2s. per cwt. ; turnips when sold off the land from K 6 to L. 1 2 per acre ; grain prices vary a good deal. This year best wheat is L. 2, 4s. per quarter; barley, L. ], 6s. 6d.; oatmeal 14s. 6d. per boll. Grain is the principal production of the parish, and all the in- habitants may be said to be more or less engaged in agriculture. Rearing of stock is little attended to ; the ground which is not arable being unenclosed and of inferior quality. The grain raised is gene- rally of the first quality. The arable land is almost all fit for carry- ing crops of wheat. The quantity of grain of all sorts raised is about 3250 quarters; of potatoes 1800 bolls (of 5 cwt. per boll;) of turnips about 100 acres ; of hay about 10,000 stones ; of flax 50 stones ; of fruit, apples and pears, the average value is nearly L. 60 Sterling. The total yearly value of raw produce is about L. 7700 Sterling. V. — Paiiochial Economy. Market^Tovms, — There are no market-towns. Markets are, however, held on a small scale in some villages at no great distance. Perth and Dundee are the chief places of resort for the sale and purchase of commodities. Each of these towns is distant from us ten or eleven miles, and the great road passes within half a mile of the parish. There is a port on the Tay, about four miles off, from which much of our grain is shipped, and at which coals, lime, &c are laid down. This is a great convenience. There is a post- office within rather less than three miles. Ecclesiastical State, — The church is conveniently situated. It was built only a few years ago, and is abundantly large as well as comfortable. The manse is quite new, and is substantial and commodious. The glebe consists of 7 or 8 acres, and is of good soil, though with the disadvantage of a northern exposure. The sti- pend is as follows : Imperial quarters wheat, 2.994768 ; ditto bar- ley, 6ad99616 ; bolls meal, 91.561392 ; money L. 8, 6s. 8d. Dissenters, — There are no dissenting chapels in this parish. Only one of the inhabitants is a Seceder. The rest belong to the KINNAIRD. 231 Established Church, and attend dmne service with much regu- laii^ and decency. EdmeoHon. — There is no seminary of learning besides the pa« rish school, which, however, is abundantly sufficient. 1 he peo- ple are all anxious that their children should receive a good edu- cation, and never grudge laying out money for this purpose ; con- sequently the attendance is very numerous. The heritors have built a large and comfortable school- room, and are soon to erect a new house for the teacher, — the present one being very old. He has the highest salary allowed by law. His fees may amount to L. 24 per annunu Ltibraries, — There is no public library ; but one or two have been established in the immediate neighbourhood, which answer every purpose ; a taste for reading seems to spread fast, from which, if always properly directed, much good may be anticipated. Poor, — The average number of persons who receive parochial aid is about d. They get from 4s. to 8s. per month according to circum- stances* There is still an aversion to take assistance in this way, so long as it can possibly be avoided, and, under the influence of this very laudable spirit, many submit to considerable hardships before making an application. It has never yet been necessary for us to make an assessment for supporting the poor. This is avoided prin- cipally by maintaining a fund, the amount of which at present is upwards of L. 300. The interest of this, together with collections at the church doors, amounting to about L. 12, 10s. per annum, usually does more than answer all demands. Alehouses, — We have only one alehouse, and there is no occa- sion for another. The fewer of these the better. Miscellaneous Observations. There does not seem to be a very remarkable difierence in this parish, since jast Statistical Account was published. No dout^ the mode of agriculture has been improved; some new methods have been successfully tried to make the ground yield her fruits more abun- daintly, and of superior quality. Several new houses have likewise risen on the ruin of old ones, every way superior to their prede- cessors. Sundry spots of waste land have also been planted, and much more it b to be hoped will soon be done in this way. One great improvement has recently been made. The higher and lower parts of the parish have been connected by means of a new road, over which carriages of all kinds may travel in any weather; whereaS) formerly, there was nothing but a precipitous rut, danger- 232 PERTHSHIRE. ous even for horses. This road is now become a sort of thorough- fare between the Carse of Gowrie and Strathmore, and is of public advantage, as well as private benefit. May 1837. PARISH OF MEIGLE. PRESBYTERY OF MEIGLE, SYNOD OF ANGUS AND MEXRNS. THE REV. JAMES MITCHELL, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Situation^ Extent^ Sfc. — This parish is in the centre of Strath- more, bounded on the north-west and north, by the rivers Isla and Dean; on the east and south, by the parishes of Essie and Nevy, and Newtyle ; on the south-west and west by those of Kettins and Cu- par-Angus. It lies in 56° 36^ north Lat and 5" east Long, from Edinburgh, being in length 4} miles from west to north-east, and from 1 to 2 miles broad. It probably derived its name from its local situation, — the church and manse being built on a plain be- tween two marshes or " gills," which might thus have given rise to the word Midgile or Meigle. Strathmore. — Strathmore, " the great strath or vale," reaches from near Perth to Brechin, about 40 miles long, 4 — 6 broad, bounded on the south and south-east by the Sidla Hills, and on the north and north-west by the Grampians. There are no caves in the parish, and no part of it is hilly. The gentle eminence on which Belmont Castle stands (says Dr Playfair) is 204 feet above the level of half-flood mark at Panbride, near Arbroath. The village of Meigle lies quite contiguous to the church, and is watered by the burn of the same name. Geology i 8fc. — Two quarries of red sandstone have been wrought, and used for building. The dip inclines to the west Marl was dug in great abundance in the Gill, on the south. It was covered with peat-earth. The remains of the marl are now mixed with the moss by cultivation. But where a bed of marl is found (as under the road to Dundee) it is very soft and white, retaining scarcely any remains of shells. Alongst the side of the marl-moss (called My res,) and occa- MEIOLE. 233 ftionally running into it, there is a stratum of sand, apparently sea- sand, which seems to be the deposit of an arm of the sea, that had flowed through the strath, from near Perth to Douglaston, and thence towards Arbroath. It may, however, be the deposit of an interior lake long ago emptied. On the Sidla hills, distant only one mile and a-half, geologists have observed some marine or aque- ous remains. The soil in general is a fine black mould, inclining to brown, on a bottom of mortar, and yields good crops of wheat, barley, oats, and green-crop. There are also some sandy and clayey soils. Each of them is generally well improved and cultivated. In the river Dean, good perch, pike, and trout are caught. The trout are often taken in February and March. Their flesh is red, and the flavour excellent. A few salmon ascend the Isla, but very few are taken. The common white trout and also pike are caught in that river. There are no forests. The plantations are of oak, ash, beech, elms, and of the plane and service-trees, of the larix and difierent sorts of pines. On moist soils, the birch, alder, and willow are planted, and occasionally elsewhere. There are some fine aged elms, beeches, and ash, chiefly in Belmont park, formerly Kirkhill, where the Bishop of Dunkeld occasionally resided. One of the beeches, standing in a back-court at Belmont, is somewhat re- markable. The height of it to the top is 74 feet, the girth is 13 feet 9 inches at 3 feet from the ground. The solid wood below the ofiset of the branches, which are large and extended, is 276 feet. There are some springs of excellent water in the parish ; some of them flowing from sandstone rock, others from clay and gravel. II. — Civil History. No ancient history of this parish is known. Boece mentions it, speaking of Vanora's tomb erected here. And there is no modern account of it, previous to the late Statistical Account, by Dr Play- feir, then minister of Meigle, afterwards Principal of the United College of St Andrew's, and known fo the world by his chronolo- gical and geographical works. lAmd-aumers. — The chief land-owners arc, Lord Wharnclifle ; Lord Strathmore, by late purchase ; Mr Murray of Simprim ; Mr Nairne of Drumkilbo ; and Mr Kinloch of Kinloch, whose pro- perty is ** temporaliter" in Cupar Angus. Parochial Reffisters. — The earliest date of the register of bap- tisms is the 31st of July 1727. It is pretty regularly kept ; but 234 PERTHSHIRE. no register will be ever quite complete, till it be made imperative on Dissenters and all persons to record the baptism of their children. Antiquities. — In the park of Belmont, there is a tumulus call- ed ^' Belliduff," which tradition gives as the spot where M^Duff slew Macbeth ; and about a mile distant, stands a large whinstone nodule, or block of twenty tons weight, ca:lled Macbeth 's stone. In all probability there has been fighting near these apparently sepulchral monunlents ; but it is more probable that Macbeth was slain at Lumphanan in the Meams. A font or trough for holy water was dug out of the rubbish, when the body of the old church was taken down. Its form is oc- tagonal, each compartment having some emblem of the crucifixion upon it, as the " mock robe," the " spear and sponge," &c. It is a very hard stone, and placed on a pedestal in the minister's gar- den. In the church-yard are the remains of the famous sepulchral monument of Vanora, or Guinevar, wife of the fabulous King Ar- thur, according to tradition. It relates that Arthur lived in the sixth century — that he lost a battle with the Picts and Scots — and that Vanora was made a prisoner, and detained in captivity on Barryhill, distant about two miles and a half from Meigle. Barry- hill, in the parish of Alyth, was fortified of old. Vanora, says tra- dition, held an unlawful intercourse with Mordred, a Pictish King ; and Arthur, when he received her again, enraged at her infidelity, caused her to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. She was buried at Meigle, and a monument erected to perpetuate her infamy. Such is the traditional story. But even Arthur's existence is now doubt- ed, while of the Arthur of romance every one has heard. The monumental stones called Vanora's have been described so often, and so minutely, that it seems unnecessary to dilate upon them in a work intended to be as concise as possible. Pennant, Dr Playfair, Pinkerton, Forsyth, and Knox, have given ample de- tails, and to them the curious inquirer will at any rate have re- course. Let it suffice to say, that on each of these stones, now quite separated, there is a variety of sculptured figures, chiefly of the monstrous kind. One is a huge serpent fastened to a bull's mouth ; another like a centaur — and there are two representations of wild beasts tearing a human body, — and one where the body seems tied or close to chariot wheels, — which may relate to Vanora, or may have given rise to the tradition. MEIGLE. 235 r#.-~ The body of the church was built about fifty-four yean ago ; but two aisles of the old one remain. It is a plain building of stone. Belmont House, the seat of Lord WbamclifTe, (called Kiridiill till about seventy years ago, when it was rebuilt,) is a hand- some quadrangular building, retaining part of the ancient tower, in the back court. The lawn is extensive and finely wooded, and well kept, as is the garden. Meigle House, Drumkilbo, and Kinloch, are good mansions, and pleasantly situated. Potento, a moderate sized house, occupied by a tenant, is delightfully situated on the south bank of the Dean ; surrounded with wood, and near the rocky banks of the river. On the opposite side of the Dean, is Caerdean, where there are still the vestiges of a camp. in. — Population. There is no authentic record of the population till Dr Playfair (Statistical Account) gave the amount at 1148. Since then it has decreased. Population in 181 1 , - 928 18-21, - 847 1831, . 873 The causes of the decrease are the enlargement of forms, and the removal of a linen manufactory. About 301 persons reside io the village of Meigle ; 45 in Longlees ; and in the country 530. The aTerage number of baptisms is . .18 of proclamutions, . 9 But marriages less by 4-5, one of the parties residing elsewhere. The average number of persons under 1 5 years of age is 316 betwixt 15 and 30 245 30 and 50 191 50 and 70 110 above 70 . . 30 Number of fiunilies, ... .... ]9I chiefly employed in agriculture» • -' - 81 < in trade* manufactures, or handicraft - 83 The number of bachelors and widowers upwards of 60 years of age 1 8 unmarried women under 45 years of age, 35 children in each £unily, . . . ^{^ nearly. One insane (a man) is in the asylum. There are two (males) fatuous ; and six of both sexes idiots, or quite silly. One peer occasionally, and three families of independent for- tune, reside in the parish. There are seven proprietors of the year- ly value of L. 50 and upwards. IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The arable acres in the parish, exclusive of Kin- loch, are 2726 ; about 178 acres are under wood, and 100 acres in pasture, a small part of which is in the natural state. In parks 236 PERTHSHIRE. and lawns, trees have been for a long time planted, and pasture and wood-land are thus intermixed. There is no undivided com- mon, but a small part of what was such may be profitably im- proved by tillage, or planted with trees. The woods and beltings are regularly thinned and pruned. Bent, — Land rent is very various. The average rent (partly in grain and money) of land fit for wheat is reported to me, by fac- tors and tenants, at L. 2 to L. 2, 15s. ; that of land fit for bar- ley and green crop, L. 1, 10s.; and of land of an inferior quality, L. 1. But of this last description of soil there is little in the pa- rish. There is little permanent pasture, except in lawns and parks, of much value, and it is either pastured by the proprie- tor, or let together with arable land. The rent may average about L. 3 (o L. 4. The rental of the parish is about L. 5000. Wages. — Wages, including the value of victuals, (oatmeal and milk,) and lodgings of a farm-servant for one year, are stated at L. 20 to L. 24, 1 Is. ; and for a woman, living in the house, at L. 5 to L. 7. Day labourers get 2s. a day from March to September. Women for field work, 8d. ; masons and carpenters have from 2s. to 3s. in the long day — less in winter in proportion. Live-stock. — Few sheep are bred. In this parish and the neigh- bourhood the Leicestershire is generally most esteemed. Angus-shire cattle are the principal stock ; but some are bred from a cross with the short-horned (Teeswater) bull, and accounted good feeders, and early fattened. The general duration of leases is nineteen years. The farm-buildings and enclosures are well-preserved. Proprietors give encouragement to improvements, and in most instances have given deductions of rent since the late war — or when times required abatement. And their kind consideration is generally admitted by the tenants. There is no regular manufactory now in the parish. About fifteen men and women are chiefly employed in weaving coarse linen. Machinery has nearly put an end to hand-spinning, and old women, especially, get little or nothing to do, and are (many of them) reduced to poverty. A Perth manufacturer who resides here has a work-mill, &c for dyeing and dressing cotton cloth, for umbrellas. The people employed (from six to eight) live comfortably, and work only twelve hours every lawful day. About 72,000 yards are finished and sent to London annually. MEIOLE. 237 V. — Parochial Economy. Markets — Meigle is a market-town, but has now no regular weekly market. Lately it has had a fortnight tryst for the sale of cattle, which is well attended. It has also two fairs in the year, for cattle and horses, and ordinary traffic, when a considerable mul- titude assemble. The nearest market^town is Cupar Angus, five miles distant, but Dundee (13 miles) is the principal market-town, and port for shipping of grain. The quantity of grain and of po- tatoes sold is not ascertained, but is very considerable. Means of Communication, — Meigle has a post-office, and three post-runners daily. There are about six miles of turnpike-road in the parish. Every lawful day a coach runs to and from Edin^ burgh and Aberdeen, by Perth and Queensferry, and one from Blairgowrie, — and one from Cupar Angus, to meet the rail-road coach, to and from Dundee, at Newtyle, (two miles from Meigle) three times a week. A very old bridge over the Dean connects Meigle with Airly, in the county of Forfar. A well-built bridge has lately been erect- ed by subscription over the Isia, connecting this parish with Alyth. Bridges over the burn of Meigle, and over-drains, are kept in good repair, as are the fences. Ecclesiastical State. — The situation of the church is convenient for the people. Its distance from the extremities of the parish is from two to three miles. The church is in pretty good repair. Two bishops of Dunkeld, and two Presbyterian ministers of the seven- teenth century, are buried in the north aisle. The church affords accommodation for about 700 persons. Tenants, and householders have seats free, but, owing to the great inequality of the popula- tion on different properties, some seats are let The manse was built in 1809-10. The glebe, exclusive of gar- den, house stances and roads, is about 5^ acres of good soil, and worth L. 17 or L. 18 yearly. The stipend is 14 chalders meal and barley, vicarage worth about L. 3, and L. 8, 6s. 8d. for com- munion elements. There are no chapels of ease, or other places of worship in the parish, except an Episcopalian chapel, whose minister is paid by his people. He has two other chapels. There are 23 Epis- copalians, and 38 Presbyterian Dissenters in the parish. Divine service in the parish church is generally well attended. The average number of communicants is from 390 to 400. There is no society for religious and charitable purposes, but charity inva- 238 PERTHSHIRE. nous ways is liberally exercised towards the indigent, and the wants of the poorer inhabitants are readily relieved. Education. — There is one parochial school and one unendowed. The parochial schoolmaster's salary, including L. 2, 2s. Ojd., in lieu of a garden, amounts to L. 36, 7s. Id. ; as session-clerk he has also a salary of L. 2, 10s. ; register of baptisms and marriages, L. 5; school fees, L. 25; total L. 68, 17s. Id. He has good ac- commodation. The unendowed school produces yearly about L. 15 to the teacher; but he is paid for other things, as collecting the road-money, &c. In the parochial school, the usual branches of education are taught, also Latin, Greek, French, geography and practical ma- thematics. In the other, the teacher is qualified in much the same manner, but has no advanced scholars. School fees for read- ing and writing are very moderate. The poor pay none. Every person above childhood, or eight years of age, can read, and there are few who cannot write. The people in general are alive to the benefits of education, and endeavour to send their children to school, part of the year. The distance from school is nowhere great. Poor, — The church collections average yearly about L. 36, 10s., which sum, together with interest of money saved by the session, (L. 16, 17s. yearly) and mortcloth-money, has hitherto supported, in part or wholly, from nine to fourteen paupers in ordinary times. According to circumstances, we give from 4s. to 10s. a month. There is no alms-house or workhouse in the parish, or in any of the towns near it. A house of this kind is much wanted, to which we could send silly or weakly paupers, paying board, &c. for them. Few are averse to receive parochial relief. Some, how- ever, consider it degrading. Friendly Society. — The ploughmen have a friendly society here of about eight years standing, and it is found advantageous. We had a saving bank, but, from the low rate of interest for money, are giving it up. Inns. — There are five inns or taverns in the parish. Not more than two are necessary for travellers, &c. Puel, — The fiiel used is chiefly coal from Dundee, the cost, in- cluding carriage, about Is. 5d. per cwl. Wood is also used as fuel. MiSCBLLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS. Since last Statistical Account was written, great progress has been made in the theory and practice of husbandry; and in 3 RATTRAY. 239 Strathmorey landlords and tenants have concurred in advancing the art by all the known and approved methods. The latest improve- ment is the application of bones for manure, which was introdu- ced by a fiurmer here, and generally adopted. It is pretty well known in Scotland, that the farmers in Strathmore are amongst the most intelligent and enterprising of their profession. Great improvements have also been made in building gentle- men's seats, and tenants' houses, and the parish now presents a highly cultivated and pleasing aspect. Drawn up \QQ3— Revised May 1837. PARISH OF RATTRAY. PRESBYTERY OF DUNKELD, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. WILLIAM HERDMAN, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Name. — The name of Rattray seems to have belonged alike to the parish, and to the principal family that dwelt in it, and pro- bably was transferred from the one to the other. It is said that there are records which bear the name of Rattray of Craighall and Rattray, as early as 1066. No account is given of the etymo- logy of the name. BaundarieSf Sfc. — Rattray is the westmost parish in Strathmore, the district adjoining in that quarter being the Stormont. It is bounded by the river Ericht, which runs along the west and south side, the whole extent of the parish, and separates it from Blairgow- rie. On the east, it is bounded by the parish of Bendochy, and farther north by the parish of Alyth. The breadth of the parish, from west to east, is about 2 miles; the length from north to south is 5 ; besides the detached portion of Easter Bleaton. Topographical Appearances. — The whole surface of the parish inclines by a very considerable declivity from north to south. The southern part, washed by Ericht, is flat; but the ground soon be- gins to rise toward^ the village, a short way behind which, perhaps not more than a quarter of a mile, these hills commence, which continue to increase in elevation and ruggedness, till they termi- nate in the Grampian mountains ; though at the distance of many 240 PERTHSHIRE. miles beyond the boundaries of this parish. The high grounds on the north break the cold winds from that direction, and render the climate more mild, and the country more sheltered in the lower parts. The soil being dry, and the air mild, the situation of Rat- tray is thought to be very healthy. The most prevailing winds, though soft, are from the west; the most stormy, and accompanied with most rain and snow, are from the east, coming from the sea. As in other places, there are occasional distempers and fevers in Rattray ; for every person must die ; but there are no epidemics peculiar to the climate. Hydrography. — The only river in the parish is the Erich t. It issues from some springs in the Grampians; and, taking a souther- ly direction, holds on through Glenshee and Persie, till it reach the Strone, where it receives the water of the Ardle, a considerable mountain stream from the north-west ; the Ericht and Ardle unit- ed proceed nearly in the same course as before, pass by Craighall and Blairgowrie, and round the southermost point of this parish ; about two miles beyond which, they fall into the Islay, and thence flow- ing lo the west, they join the Tay at Meiklour, by which they are conducted to the ocean. In winter, and on all occasions of much rain, the Ericht swells into a flood ; and if this flood happens in autumn, like her more powerful neighbour the Islay, she carries off large quantities of grain from the low country. Mineralogy. — To the naturalist the mineralogy of this parish might afford matter of curiosity and entertainment. The rocks on the side of the Ericht above Craighall are of singular and formi- dable appearance. They rise to upwards of 200 feet above the bed of the river, and in front are almost as perpendicular as if cut with a chisel. No use has ever been made of them, and they re- main as they issued from the hand of nature, enormous masses of whinstone, and proofs of her gigantic power. As the access at top is hazardous, there is generally a strip of the surface planted, which is enclosed by a stone-wall, to prevent cattle from approaching it. The soil on the hill grounds is cold, thin, and moorish ; yet it is all let for corn and cattle farms, though the only grain raised is oats, as yielding the most profitable return. The soil in the lower part of the parish is dry, gravelly, and a good deal incumbered with loose stones. The produce of such ground must depend greatly on the season. In a dry summer, the crop is very light, and in such a year as 1826, it was almost nothing, either in corn or fodder. In a season of moderate rain, the crop is very good, and the grain true RATTRAY. 241 and pure. The crops commonly raised are oats, barley, and wheat ; though the latter more sparingly than in former years, when the price and increase were more abundant IL — Civil History. Eminent Men. — In the Civil History of the parish of Rattray, Mr Donald Cargill deserves distinguished notice. He was one of the mi- nisters who lived and suffered under the unhappy reign of Charles H. He was bom about the year 1610; his father was proprietor of an estate called Hatton, in this parish, and he was the oldest son of the family. He was educated first at Aberdeen, and then at the University of St Andrews ; and after obtaining a licence to preach, was called to be minister of the barony church in Glasgow. This situatioD, and his own zeal for religion, connected him with the covenanted clergy of that period, and involved him in all their troubles. After undergoing many hardships, and experiencing many escapes, (which it is unnecessary to mention) he was appre- hended in 1680, carried to Edinburgh along with some others, tried, and condemned by the Justiciary Court for high-treason, and the following sentence pronounced : ^' that he should be hanged at the Cross of Edinburgh, and his head placed on the Nether Bow." Hiis sentence was immediately executed ; and such was the con- fidence and composure of the sufferer at the last, that when about to ascend the ladder, he said, *^ the Lord knows that I go on this ladder with less fear and perturbation of mind, than ever I entered the pulpit to preach !" Such are the hopes that cheer the just ! Antiquities. — If large gray stones be entitled to the appellation of antiquities, or are any indication of the religious worship of our an- cestors, a few of these appear in a field, thence called Standing- Stanes, which are supposed to be the ruins of a Druidical temple. A more interesting object appears a little way to the south of that field. Alarge earthen mound rises in the low grounds, called the Hill of Rattray, on the eastern summit of which are the remains of a large build'mg, named the Castle of Rattray, and which was anciently the residence of the family of that name. The mound is of an oblong form, something resembling the shape of an inverted ship; but the eastern comer of it is circular, as if sucked up by the action of a whirlpool, when the waters were retiring from the earth. In the perilous times, which were so frequent during the reign of our Scottish Kings, the family of Rattray removed from this hill to Craighall, as a place of security against the sudden incursions of PSRTH. 242 PERTHSHIRE. Craighall is a very singular place. The house is seated on the top of a rock, about 214 feet almost perpendicular above the Ericht. A balcony on the outside of the drawing-room windows, secured by an iron railing, serves as a parade, whence the river, and rocks, and surrounding scenery may be viewed. Craighall is accessible only in front, which is from the south ; and on each side of the entrance, a little in advance of the house, are two round buildings, evidently intended for protection, with some openings for missile weapons, as if for the use of archers, a mode of defence very common in for- mer ages. The old house of Craighall, the date of which is opt known, was greatly altered about five yeare ago, by the late Baron Clerk Rattray. Without enlarging the premises, he new-modelled the apartments within, and added turrets to the corners without, which serve considerably to ornament the building. Land-owners. — The principal proprietor in the parish is Robert Clerk Rattray, Esq. of Craighall, son of the late worthy Baron, who succeeded to the estate on the demise of his cousin. Miss Janet Rattray, in 1B17. The present proprietor, with his family, reside at Craighall during the greater part of the year. The other he- ritors are, the Earl of Kinnoul ; John Rattray of Coral- Bank ; the Rev. George Whitson of Parkhill ; Colonel Chalmers of Glene- richt; Lord Wharncliffe; Miss McDonald of Easter Bleaton; and Mr Crichton of Mains, — besides a number of feuars of inferior note. Rattray is comparatively a small parish, the whole valuation being L. 2575 Scots. Parochial Registers. — The parochial registers are of consider- able antiquity. They commence about the Restoration in 1660, and, with a little interruption in the Revolution 1688, have been filled up and preserved with tolerable care. III. — Population. The population of Rattray must have undergone great altera- tion. In the time of Dr Webster it was reckoned 751 ; in the re- turn made to Sir John Sinclair it was stated at 500 : the number of the inhabitants at present is 1375, — a large increase in the space of forty years. This population resides chiefly in two villages, cal- led Old and New Rattray, the latter of which did not exist at the date of the last report. The new village is seated on both sides of the road to Blairgowrie, and extends almost to the Ericht, which divides the parishes. The ground for houses and gardens is fixed by the proprietors to persons from the country, and parti- cularly from the Highlands, who, finding it necessary to change their RATTRAY. 243 residence, seek a more sheltered situation. The rate of feuing is about Is. the fall, or L. 8 the acre, though some of it lately has risen much higher. The two villages are almost contiguous, and the climate and soil of both are warm, dry, and healthy. The in- crease of population is chiefly owing to the spinning-mills, which ha?e been reared within the last twenty years, and which will re- quire particular attention. The average number of births for the last seven years is 32, of marriages 12; of deaths, though more various, the number is perhaps nearly the same. The population of Old Rattray, of all ages and sexes, is about 400 ; of New Rattray, 800, — leaving 600 and upwards for the country part of the parish. The number of proprietors of L. 50 and upwards annually is seven ; and the whole rental about L. 2000. The inhabitants of the country are all engaged in agricultural operations ; those of the villages are employed in trades and ma- DQ&ctures. The great business of the common people is weav- ing of a coarse fabric, the materials for which are sent from Dun- dee. The inhabitants in general are sober, industrious, and eco- DomicaL In former times, smuggling in malt and whisky prevail- ed much in this neighbourhood, but has now almost disappeared, in consequence of the decisive measures adopted by Government. Tlis is a happy change for the character, the circumstances, and the morals of the people. Poaching in game is much complained of by gentlemen at certain seasons of the year ; which shows the idle, pernicious, and despicable habits, of a few of the lower orders of the people. Number of fiimilics in the parish, ..... 318 chiefly employed in agriculture, - - - 64 trade, manufactures, or handicraft, 1 49 IV. — Industry. AgricuUure. — Rattray being comparatively a small parish, and not remarkable for soil, furnishes no great scope for agricultural operations. The farms in general are of moderate size; and those in the higher grounds, intended both for pasture and til- lage, are seldom let by the acre, but by as much rent as the ten- ants imagine they will bear, according to the mode of husban- dry to which they are to be applied. The land about the village gives L. 3 per acre. The leases for small portions are for nine or eleven years ; for farms, fifteen or nineteen years. On the estate of Craighall, there are considerable plantations of Scotch and larch fir, which were much enlarged by the late Baron Clerk Rattray. They are scarcely in a state for felling, but they are regularly thin- 244 PERTHSHIRE. ned, and the produce sold for fiiel to the people in the neighbour- hood. Along the sides of the Ericht, the timber raised is copse- wood or small oak, which is cut down at a certain age, chiefly for the sake of the bark, and yields a very profitable return. There is a commonty in the higher part of the parish, of near- ly 300 acres, called the Broad Moss, which is become almost a waste, for want of being divided. The only use made of it is in individuals at pleasure casting turf for fuel, and the neighbouring tenants sending their cattle to brouse on it. Though called a moss, it is more properly a muir, being a high-lying barren sub- ject, but under proper management, might have become a planta- tion of some value. The farmers have their grounds laid out in such proportions, that, in addition to grain, they raise potatoes, turnips, and artifi- cial grasses. When potatoes bring good prices, besides their use for the benefit of the family, they are sent in large quantities to Perth and Dundee ; when the demand is low, they are consumed at home in feeding cattle. The turnips and grasses are^ solely for the support of the bestial on the farm. The occupiers of land rear or purchase annually as much stock as they can maintain, which they feed when two or three years old, and sell to butchers or dealers, who send a great proportion of them to the Glasgow mar- ket. The Strathmore and Angus breed, which have a mixture of the Teeswater, red and white, are much esteemed for their size and keeping ; and for some time past have been the principal ar- ticle that have put money into the hands of the farmer. The wages of farm -servants are from L. 10 to L. 12 a year with their board; day-labourers in summer get Is. 6d. or Is. 8d. ; in winter Is. 2d. without victuals Fishings, — The principal fishing station in this parish is the Keith, where the waters of the Ericht rush over a rock, and fall jnto a pool below, whence the salmon are taken. The fishing is the property of Lord Whamcliffe ; and during the season, when there is plenty of water in the river, salmon of the size of from eight to twelve pounds are caught in abundance. I shall transcribe the account of this fishing given by my predecessor, as it is more mi- nute and exact than any which I can pretend to give. " There is, at a little distancexfrom Rattray, a cascade or fall of water, about ten feet high, over a rugged rock, which forms a pool below, where sal- mon are caught It goes by the name of the Keith fishing, and rents at L. 30 a^ year. .The mode of fishing is curious. They RATTRAY. 245 make what they call a drumuck, resembling thin wrought mortar, which they throw into the pool to disturb the clearness of the wa- ters. The &shers stand on the point of the rock with long poles, and nets upon the ends of them, with which they rake the pool, and take up the fish.'' Besides this particular station, fishers and sportsmen, who occasionally visit the Ericht in summer, take treat and salmon by the rod, at various places along the river, as far as it skirts the parish of Rattray. Manufactures. — Under the name of manufactures may be com* orehended spinning-mills, of which there are seven in the parish of Rattray. The river Ericht, affording abundance of water, and numerous (SeiIIs for driring machinery, has -induced persons in the neighbourhood and even some from towns, to feu ground, and erect these structures. The mills vary in size from six to twenty horse power. The work about which they are employed, is manufacturing flax and tow into yam ; the former from one to three hanks, the latter from four to eight hanks per spindle. The number of persons necessary for these operations may be stated in round numbers at 250. They work all the six days of the week, commencing their labour at half an hour before six in the morn- ing, and, excepting an hour allowed for each diet, continuing till seven o'clock in the evening. Few are admitted to the mills be- fore twelve years of age, the wages of whom are 2s. per week ; and the average amount of all classes, young and old, beginners and experienced labourers, may be 6s. 6d. a week. I am not able to say how far the regulations in the late Factory Bill have been adopted, or what effects they have produced in this part of the country. It is evident, that, in a pecuniary view, these establishments are highly beneficial. They furnish the young with an income, and parents with the means of supporting their families, to an extent which could not otherwise be procured. But I am afraid that here their praises must terminate. Their effects on health must be deemed injurious^ from the long confinement the labourers endure, and the thick atmosphere they are constrained to breathe. Their influence on morals cannot be favourable, unless a rigid superinten- dence be maintained by proprietors and guardians ; as we never fiiil to observe, that when large bodies of people are assembled, human passions ferment and disorders ensue, except strict vigilance be preserved. A very laudable attempt to correct or prevent these evils, was made by the Legislature in their late enactment 246 P£RTBSH1RC< V. — Parochial EcoKomv. It has been already observed, that there are two villages in the parish, called Old and New Rattray, in which mostly the articles necessary for family use may be at all seasons found. Blairgowrie, a much more considerable village, is at hand, where there is a post- o£Sce, and shops of all kinds in abundance for food and clothing. Cupar- Angus is the next place of consequence, at the distance of five miles from Rattray, and to which there is a turnpike road from Blairgowrie. At Cupar- Angus, the turnpike roads break off to Perth and Dundee; and through Cupar- Angus, the Defiance coach runs daily from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Lately, a railway was formed across the Sdlaw hills, from Dundee to Newtyle, by which coals, lime, and manure are brought from town in waggons, and grain and potatoes are sent in return. On the railway, there are close coaches for passengers, which are much used as a cheap and expeditious mode of travelling. A bill is just now be- fore Parliament for extending the railway from Newtyle to Cupar- Angus, which is expected to be a great benefit to this district of Strathmore. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish church of Rattray was built in 1820 and 1821, is a very commodious house, and in perfect order. It was made to contain 620 persons. In appropriating it, the first consideration was bestowed on the poor. A portion, which would accommodate twelve sitters, was allotted to them. A simi- lar portion was allowed to the elders, and for baptism room ; and the same to the minister's family ; after which, the area of the church was divided among the heritors, according to their respec- tive valuations. The heritors, after accommodating themselves and their tenants, let the surplus seats to the trade's people in the parish, who have no right of their own. These seats to the lower orders are exceedingly cheap, at an average scarcely amounting to Is. 6d. the sitter. The whole seats are occupied. The church is very conveniently situated for the parish in general, though there is one property, called Easter Bleaton, ten miles distant from it. This detached portion is cut off from the rest of the parish for five miles, by the intervening parishes of Bendochy and Aly th ; but the few inhabitants, there, are accommodated with public worship at the chapel of Persie, a preaching station in the higher part of the parish of Bendochy, not above two miles distant from Easter Bleaton. The manse of Rattray was built in 1813 and 1814. The glebe 4 ttATTRAY. 247 contains 15 acres, the greater part of it outfield; and in whole it might let for L. 20. The living of Rattray is one of the small stipends, augmented by Government to L. 150 per annum. Tliere is a dissenting meeting in the parish, formerly of the Antiburgher connection, but now belonging to the United Associate Synod. Their chapel will contain 340 sitters, but is partly unoccupied. The stipend arises from the seat-rents and collections, and is said to be from L. 80 to L. 100 a-year. Dissenters attend well on public worship ; and the members of the Established Church are not deficient in this praiseworthy conduct. The average number of communicants in the parish church may be 500 ; the collec- tions throughout the year L. 15. Since 1775, there has been an assessment on the parish for the support of the poor, which has had the effect of diminishing the collections, but could not now be easily dispensed with. The number of paupers on the list generally exceeds a dozen ; and instead of considering it degrading, every one is eager to prefer his claim as fast as he can. The average an* nual amount of assessments is L.45 : of church collections, L. 15. The number of families in the parish attending the chapels of Dissenters or Seceders is 65. Education. — With regard to education, it may be said that there are principally two schools for that important end; the parish school in Old Rattray, and a private one in New Rattray. The parochial teacher has the highest salary allowed by law of L. 34, besides the dues of baptisms and marriages, which must amount to some pounds more. His fees may amount to L. 15 per an- num. The private teacher depends entirely on the fruits of hiit industry. The numbers attending each school are nearly the same, — upwards of 40 : the wages for beginners are 2s. per quar- ter ; 2s. 6d. for reading and writing ; and 3s. for arithmetic and liatin. Both masters profess to teach Latin, arithmetic, writing, and English. I have reason to believe, that they are not defici- ent in attention and diligence. Besides these, there are schools on a lower scale kept by females, chiefly for young girls ; and some occasionally kept by males for the benefit of those in the remote parts of the parish. Perhaps, there are none of five years of age but have begun to learn to read ; and none farther advanced but are taught both to read and write. The blessing of education is brought within the reach of all classes in society. If they are poor, the kirk-session pay for them ; if they are in a better situation, they can easily furnish the expense from their own industry. They 248 PERTHSHIRE. need only show a willing mind, and the invaluable advanta^i^e will be attained. Fairs. — There are two feiirs in Rattray, — the one on the last Fri- day of April, the other the last Friday of August. They are intend- ed chiefly for the sale of cattle. In all villages, ale-houses exist in abundance, and perhaps there are six or eight of them in the pa- rish of Rattray. Inns are necessary for the accommodation of the public ; but, by the idle and profligate, they are perverted to pur« poses of disorder and abuse. Fiieh — Coals, the best of all fuel, are rather expensive in this part of the country. They are brought either from Perth, or by the railway from Dundee to Newtyle, and between purchase and freight are necessarily dear. By the wise appointment of the Creator, however, every place possesses it own advantages. In the high grounds, within three or four miles, there are mosses where peats are dug, and dried, and brought home in summer, as a pre- paration against the approach of winter. There are also occasion* al sales of wood in the neighbouring plantations, where fuel is got at a reasonable rate. With a portion of each of these, coals, peat, and wood, every person endeavours to be provided. Those on the roll of poor are furnished with a certain allovrance of coals at Christmas ; and all others lay up for themselves, as their wisdom or their wealth direct and enable them. Miscellaneous Observations. The only other object pertaining to this parish, which I shall mention as a matter of curiosity, is an iron bridge, which Colonel Chalmers of Glenericht, has thrown across the river, a little below his house. The bridge is supported by a stone pillar at each end, from which a direct span, not an arch, stretches across the whole breadth of the river. The bridge is of such wideness as to admit a passage for a carriage, with a foot tract on the side for travellers, the bottom or floor of both of which is covered with gravel to pre- vent alarm to man or beast. By this bridge, the Colonel has easy and elegant access to his property on both sides of the river, and also to the great road which runs from Braemar to Perth. The bridge was constructed by a Mr Justice in Dundee, and is well worthy of the notice of strangers. May 1837. PARISH OF FOWLIS WESTER. PRESBTTBRY OF AUCUTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING. THE REV. ALEXANDER MAXTONE, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Name. — Fowlis is a Gaelic name, and derives its origin, accor- ding to a local tradition, from the following circumstance, charac- teristic of the age and country : One of the Earls of Stratheam, desirous of having a church in the vicinity of his castle, stood on an eminence, on which he had a summer seat, and resolved to erect it where the sun first shone, which was on the spot where it now stands ; and which he denominated Fowgnolish, under the light. The name is limited to this spot, and to the half of the village ; the other half is Lacock. Extent, S^c — The extent of the parish is 7 miles from east to west at its greatest breadth, and 10 from south to north. It is situated on the north side of Stratheam, west from Perth 8, and east from Crieff 2 miles ; and divided by two mountain ranges. The south range separates the lower part of the parish from Logiealmond, and is 3 miles in breadth, on which are large tracts of moss, and heath, and plantations, and only a few cottages and cultivated farms. The north range is of higher elevation than the south, divides Logiealmond from Strathbraan, and forms a part of the Grampian mountains, extending from the Atlantic to the Ger- man Ocean. Topographical Appearances, — The surface of the parish is re- markably irregular. There is only one valley in it, which stretches along the banks of the Pow, the whole extent of its southern boundary. From this valley to the summit of the south moun- tain range, the position of the ground is greatly diversified, and divided into different names, including the Braes of Fowlis, the Braes of Dury, Gorthy, and Keillor ; all of which have an ele- vated southern exposure, and are interspersed with trees, and clumps, and stripes of copse, which have a fine imposing effect to the eye of the traveller, along the turnpike road, exhibiting rich 250 PERTHSHIRE. enclosures, enchanting slopes, and sinuous ravines, formed by streams descending from the mountains, when swollen by the rains, in noisy and impetuous torrents, to the plains below. In no part of the parish is the inequality of its surface so^striking, as at Cultoquhey, its western boundary. Mounds composed of gra- vel are piled together there, in great numbers, and arranged in such a singular variety of grotesque sizes and figures, that they suggest the idea of a lusus natures. They appear as if they had been formed by the course of a river, probably the Shaggy, which is said to have run formerly in this direction. Some of them are covered with luxuriant wood ; and the village of Gilmerton is situated at their extremity on the west. A mile to the east of this, is the gate to Abercaimey, which opens to an approach on the margin of a copious mountain stream, meandring in a deep murky ravine, densely crowded with trees and shrubs, which, in its serpentine course, is sometimes invisible, and heard murmuring around projections of rocks. This narrow shady avenue, which is a fine specimen of romantic scenery, leads to a magnificent park, embellished with the enchanting art of imi- tating nature, in which extensive lawns salute the eye, the antique alley, venerable oaks, clumps and trees scattered in a lavish style of sylvan beauty, whose dark shades serve as foils to set off the lovelier mantle of the verdant surface. No bold features of moun- tains, and rocks, and cascades, no wild misshapen forms, no gro- tesque shapes constitute the beauties of this landscape. Nature is here arrayed, in gentle attire, in the softer charms of beauty unit- ed with utility ; rich meadows, pleasing acclivities, gardens ena- melled with flowers, artificial islands and lakes, enlivened with swans and cygnets ; and every hortulane and rural decoration, es- sential to an elegant and commodious residence. To the north-east of Abercairney, on a rocky protuberance, is Laterbannochy, once the site of a mansion-house, the residence of a family of Murrays, ancestors of Lord Stormont ; from which there is a delightful view of the admirable scenery of Drummond Castle ; and all the intermediate objects are embraced, at once, by the eye, as in a fine landscape painting. This splendid prospect was probably the cause of fixing on this position for the house, as it is different from the site of the other ancient mansion-houses in the parish. They were generally erected on the brink of those fissures and streams which are so numerous in the braes. Near one of them the manse stands, to the east of Laterbannochy, and FOWLIS WESTER. 251 io the same eleyation, — having a soutbera exposure, and command* iDg a view of Strathearn, Strathmore, and the Ochil and Lomond HOls, forming the grand and distant outline of this^extensive pro- specL At the distance of a mile to the east of the manse, once stood the castle of the Earl of Stratheam, on the east side of a den in which the bum of Dury runs. .The site was peculiarly appropri- ate for this Celtic chie^ the great proprietor and chief magistrate of the district The House of Gorthy was situated to the south- east of this, on the side of another den of the same name with it- selt It is now demolished, but the lawn is still marked by vene- rable trees with which it was ornamented. Behind a division of the south mountain range, and towards the eastern extremity of the parish, is the estate of Keillor, in which there is a considerable proportion of fertile soil, well cultivated, and partially inclosed. Here stood an ancient castle, with a den on each side of it, which a rivulet has formed into a peninsula. To the north of the lands of Keillor is the Ahnond, a beauti- ful river, which intersects the parish for the course of two miles. On the verge of this river, in a small but sweet spot, Mr T. Mer- cer has a neat cottage, embossed in wood and hills, which tower above it. West from this at Buchanty, there is a small copse, which, as well as the picturesque scenery above and below the bridge, are much admired, and numbered among the attractions of the district. There the water in the river finds its noisy way, over fragments and clusters of stones and rocks, torn asunder and hol- lowed, and worn into a variety of forms, and chasms, and pools, which with trees hanging on its side, in a deep mass of shade, and the soft spray of the cascade, when tinged with the pris- matic rays of the sun, form a coup d'ceil, truly romantic To the north-east of this, is the part of the parish in Logiealmond, in which there is a breadth of arable land, which rises with conside- rable acclirity to the northern mountain range. This range feeds numerous flocks of sheep, and gradually descends on the north side, to the termination of the parish, at the river Braaii, famed for its scenery and cascades as it approaches the city of Dunkeld. In the same range, are the hills of Conachan, at the western extremity of the parish, which are pastured with sheep, and extend to Strona- veille in Wester Glenalmond. Hydrography. — The parish is abundantly supplied with water. Copious perennial springs issue from rocks, and are soft and cool 252 PERTHSHIRE. in their temperature. Loch Luag is situated at the western boun- dary of the parish, in a narrow glen, from which there is a sublime and diversified prospect of the bold romantic scenery of Monzie and Ochtertyre, and the stupendous amphitheatre of hills around Comrie, with the lofky Benvoirloch towering to the clouds. The Pow is a slow running river, and once covered a great part of the ground, in its vicinity, before a channel was dug for it, by authori- ty of an Act of Parliament, remarkable for being the last of the Scottish acts. It has its source in the mosses below Methven, and joins the Earn nearlnnerpeffray. The Almond rises occasionally to a great size, and pursues a rapid meandring course, until it emp- ties itself in the Tay, above Perth. It is joined by the Shellegan, a fine limpid stream, which runs through the arable fields of Lo- giealmond. There are many pleasing cascades in the numerous ravines, in which the streamlets from the hills flow, but none of them are of great magnitude. The one at Buchanty has attracted most notice, from its singular appearance and curious course. Geology and Mineralogy. — The mountains and plains are gene- rally composed of rocks of granite, slate, and sandstone, of great thickness and extent ; and the direction and dip of the strata are to the north and east The slates are found in the hills of Lo- giealmond. There is a species of limestone at Buchanty, and a mass of columnar trap, which runs from east to west. The soil on the banks of the Pow is alluvial, and has been transported and deposited there by the inundations of the river. There is a great variety of fertile soils in the parish, which res! chiefly on rock, and are gravelly, sandy, loamy, and clayey. Where they rest on rock, they are in many parts thin and dry, but fertile ; and where the substratum is clayey, they are wet, cold, and retentive. The minuter animals appear less frequently on them than on the loamy soil, where they receive more nutrition. Zoology. — Such of the wild xjuadrupeds and fowls as are natives of the north, and the migratory birds which frequent Scotland, are numerous in the parish. Goats were pastured on the hills of Lo- giealmond about fifty years ago ; but they are all now displaced by another species of stock. The Fife, the Aryshire, the Tees- water breed of cattle, and excellent horses of the Clydesdale breed, the Garron and the Cleveland Bay, are reared to great size and value. Botany.— There is a great collection of herbaceous and green- V FOWLIS WESTER. 253 house plants in the gardens at Abercairney. Pines, grapes, apri- coftSi and nectarines, grow there to great perfection^ Few trees grow on the north side of the parish ; but there are large planta- tions of forest trees on the south side of the Almond, to all of which the soil is congenial, except the Scotch fir, which is slow and stinted in its growth. At Abercairney, there are two ashes of uncommon size and age. 11. — Civil History. Historical .Eo«iti!i.— The village of Fowlis was once a place of consideTable importance, where the Stewart of Strathearn held his court. This court is memorable for one decision, at which Sir Alexander Moray of Abercairney, who had been charged with cul- pable homicide, pled in 1397 the privilege of the law of clan Mac- Doff; and being within the ninth degree of consanguinity to him he was acquitted, on paying twenty-four merks of silver. The Marquis of Montrose is said to have been riding through the Bog of Bannochy, when his horse stuck at a place which is still called Montrose's goat. He first erected his standard at the bridge of Buchanty, where he was joined by the Drummonds and Graemes, on his way from Athole, with Macdonald, before he fought the battle of Tibbermore. These reinforcements were chiefly from Menteith, and under the command of Lord Kilpout, eldest son of the Earl of Men- teith ; — they had been raised by order of the Committee of Estates at Edinburgh, and were marching to the general rendezvous at Perth. Tne advanced party of Montrose's army were startled, when, proceeding through Glenalmond, they came in sight of so large a body of men. posted in their front, upon the hill of Buch- anty. Graeme of Inchbrakie, who commanded this advanced par- ty, immediately dispatched intelligence of what he saw to Mon- trose, who, with all his characteristic expedition, brought up his main body to vanquish them, should they refuse to join him. At his approach, a negociation instantly commenced. The oflicers be- ing gentlemen of his own family, and Highlanders of a kindred clan, were easily induced to abandon their destination, and to join the royal standard. This unexpected accession to his force, which now mustered three thousand men, animated this enthusiastic leader, and he resolved to commence offensive operations, by at- tacking Perth next morning. Eminent Men. — Sir David Moray of Gorthy, son of Sir Robert Moray of Abercairney, was Governor to Prince Henry. He ac- 254 PERTHSHIRE. quired reputation by the success with which he wrote in English verse, ^< The Tragical Death of Sophonisba ; Caelia, containing certain sonnets ; and a paraphrase of the 104th Psalnu" John, his brother, a learned and pious man, was minister of Leith, and an intimate friend of Andrew Melville's. He was prosecuted and ordered into conBnement by King James VL, for a sermon which he published, containing some free remarks on the conduct of the bishops. Andrew and George Moray of Abercairney, and Peter Max tone of Cultoquhey were slain in the fatal field of Flowden , 1 5 1 dw A proprietor of the latter house has been long famed for a cele- brated litany, which he repeated every morning, at a well near his re- sidence. Anthony, of the same family, was, in the reign of Charles I., prebendary of Durham. Mr Drummond of Broich, was deposed from his office, as minis- ter of Fowlis, at the Revolution, because, as stated in the records of the kirk-session, he would not pray for King William and Queen Mary.— The late Dr Ritchie, Professor of Divinity in the Univer- sity of Edinburgh, an eminent scholar, and a learned theologian, was a native of the village of Fowlis. — The Reverend Dr Alison of St Paul's, Edinburgh, and the late Principal Taylor, of Glas- gow College, were educated at its parochial school, which was then a seminary of reputation. Land-aumers, — The chief land-owners are, James Moray of Abercairney ; Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre ; Mercer of Gor- thy; Stewart of Logiealmond; Maxtone of Cultoquhey; Graeme of Inchbraco ; Lord Lynedoch ; Mrs Robertson Williamson of Law- ers ; and Captain McDonald of Sunnysyde. Parochial Registers, — The earliest entry in the parochial regis- ters is in 1674. They are voluminous, and regularly kept, with the exception of a few years after the Revolution. Antiquities, — In the village of Fowlis, there is an ancient Cal- vary cross, on one side of which is a representation of a wolf-chase, in has relief, in which there are figures of men on horseback, and a blood-hound. The wolf appears grasping a head in his fierce jaws, and tradition says that, in the course of the chase, he ran through the town of Fowlis, and snatched off the head of a boy. In the same group of Bgures, are six men dressed in a peculiar grotesque style, and following an animal, supposed to be led to the sacrifice. The figures on the other side are much defaced, but there are gyves or chains on it, which fastened culprits, and ex- posed them to infamy, a species of punishment similar to the pillory. POWLIS WESTER. 255 On the margin of the Almond, at the bridge of Buehanty, St Methven, the local and tutelary saint of the parish, had a chapel, which is now demolished. At Cultoquhey, there is a small camp in which urns with ashes have been dug up, and which probably was connected with the great camp at Fendock. Tradition says, that Comhal Cult, the father of Fingal, fought here with the Ro- mans, and lost the battle. At the junction of the road from Fowlis with the turnpike, there is a large cairn, on which is a standing piUar, or the monumental stone of some hero or chieftain, who had hilen in a battle, which is said to have been fought here. Heaps of stones of this nature were formerly accumulated on battle fields, and so long as there was any memory of the dead, every passen- ger added a stone to the heap. Hence the Gaelic proverb, ^' I will add a stone to your cairn." The castle of the Earl of Strathearn is now a verdant mound. One of the most considerable families of the kingdom, whose ori- gin is now uncertain, formerly resided in it. Grim, Thane of Strathearn, was killed in 1010, at the battle of Mortlach, where Malcolm IL fought with the Danes. Walinus, a man of rank in England, is said to have received this dignity from Malcolm Canmore in 1068. Malise signalised himself as a brave and gal- lant man at the battle of the standard in 1138. In a council of war held in the Scottish camp, the evening before the battle, the King signified his intention, that the archers and men at arms should lead the van of the army. " Whence this confidence in these men, cased in mail, (said the Celtic chief, Malise Earl of Strathearn,) I wear none, yet will I advance farther to-morrow than those who are sheathed in steel. Earl, said Alan de Percy, you have said more than you dare perform." The King interposed to put an end to the dispute. Ferquhard, his son, with five other Earls, conspired to seize the person of Malcolm IV. at Perth, 1 160, and assaulted the tower in which he sought refuge, but were repulsed. Gilbert, in 1200, founded the abbey of InchafFray. Ro- bert was one of the guarantees, on the part of Alexander King of Scots, for ratifying the differences in 1237, between him and the King of England. MaUse, when a peace was concluded between Alexander IL and Henry III., was, in 1244, one of the guarantees of the truce. Malise, his son, signed the famous letter to the Pope, and during the minority of David Bruce, opposed Edward Baliol with all his interests ; and when that prince prevailed, his earldom was forfeited, and given to Warren Earl of Surrey. His countess also, 256 PERTII.SHI.RE. in 1320, when a treasonable conspiracy was formed against King Robert the Bruce, through fear or remorse, betrayed the guilty se- cret, with which she was entrusted, and was condemned to per- petual imprisonment Malise died without issue, by which the male line of the family became extinct; but the daughters of the preced- ing Earls had been married to the progenitors of the ducal families of Hamilton, Athole, and Montrose ; and to the noble families of Ruthven, Oliphant, and Bothwell, who got with them great estates. Sir John Moray of Drumsergard, (lineal heir and representative of Sir Andrew Moray of Bothwell, his grandfather, the eldest sur- Tiving branch of Freskine de Moravia,) was married to Mary, only sister of Malise, the last Earl, who got with her the lands of Abercairney. The earldom, which had been forfeited by Ba- liol, was resumed by King David, and conferred on their son, Sir Maurice Moray, heir of line, whom failing, to return to the Crown, in the same case, and as entire as possessed by Malise in the time of his forfeiture. Maurice was killed at the battle of Durham, in 1346, and leaving no issue, the earldom returned to the Crown, according to the last grant The family of Abercairney, continued by Alexander, the Earl's brother, are therefore the lineal heirs and representatives of the ancient Earls of Stratheam, as well as of the Lords of Bothwell. The only other heritor resident in the parish is Maxtoue of Cultoquhey, whose property has been in the singular predicament, during all the time it has been possessed by his fiunily, of being neither increased nor diminished. He has the same common an- cestor with the Maxwells, the one name being Maccuston, a Saxon, and the other Maccus- villa, a Norman termination, denoting the town and villa of Maccus, the son of Undyn, who had lands upon the Tweed, which acquired from him the appropriate name of Maxton and Maxwell. Fowlis appears to have been a favourite seat of the Druids. Several of their clachans have been demolished, but there are still four large Druidic stones, standing west from the village, one of which is a crondeach^ or altar-stone, in which there is an artifi- cial cavity, where the blood and oil of the sacrifices flowed. On the summit of the hill, due north from the same place, there is a Druidic circle of stones, and a double concentric circle. This is believed to have been the temple of an arch Druid, which when erected was probably in the midst of a forest in which were the oak, and consecrated grove, the favourite objects of their super- FOWLIS WESTER. 257 stition. The circle consists of sixteen stones, between which and the double circle there is a large stone incumbent, where the arch Druid stood, and addressed himself to those around him. The outer precinct of the concentric circle is 18 yards in circumfe- rence, in which are forty stones. Three yards north from it, there is a large standing stone, which is probably monumental of some illustrious dead, as they were then interred around those places, where they worshipped the Supreme Being. To the west of this temple, there is a Si'ti/i, which signifies in Gaelic a mount of Pfoce, near which is a fairy hillock, where urns have been found, and which was believed to have been inhabited by an inferior kind of genii, called fairies. On the SVunsy the Druids held assizes, when it was customary to kindle a large bonfire, called Samhin^ or the ^e of peace. On Hallow eve, a Druidical festival, these fires are still lighted up, in this district, and retain the same name. Modem Buildings. — The House of Abercairney is a superb modem edifice, in the form of an ancient cathedral, and in the Gothic style of architecture. Its exterior is much admired for its lightness, elegance, and symmetry ; but it is far surpassed by the exquisite enrichments of its interior finishing. The mansion-house of Cultoquhey has also been lately erected. It is a structure of beautiful and substantial workmanship, and graceful proportion, in the style of the Elizabethan age, from a design of Mr Smirkc. III. — Population. The population of the parish has of late fluctuated considerably. By Dr Webster's list it was rated Inl75jat 1 700 In 1770 it was I KM) 1794 . 1-2-24 18:31 . 1G8I This fluctuation is owing to the erection of the village of Gilmer- ton, to the quoad sacra part of the parish being included in the. census, and to the extent of modern farms. The population in the villages is . . . 396 country, • . . 128.3 The yearly average of births for the last seven years is ;)0 deaths, ... 20 marriages, . . 18 The average number of persons under 15 years of age is 541 betwixt 15 and aO, . 430 30 and 50, . 355 50 and 70, . 262 upwards of 70, . 93 PERTH. U 258 PERTHSHIRR. Families of indwpendeat ibrtuoe who generally rcatdc in the parish, 4 Tlie number of unmarried men, bachelors, and widowers, upwards of 50 years of age, . • . 89 unmarried woman upwards of 45, 5(y families. . . . 341 A x'erage number of children in each family. 4 Number of inhabited houses, . . 30.5 insane and fatuous, ... 4 IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The number of acres occasionally in tillage, is 7009 pasture, 16000 wood, 2(K)0 Rent ofLand, ^c. — The average rent of arable land is L. 1, 13s. pet acre. The rate of grazing an ox or cow is L. 2, and 5s. per ewe or full-grown sheep pastured for the year. The rate of labour for the different kinds of farm-labourers and country artisans is ] s. 6d. per day, in summer, and Is. 2d. in winter, and the rate of mason, carpenter, and other mechanical work is 2s. The sheep is of the black-faced Linton breed, and attention has been paid to their im- provement The husbandry pursued is generally of an improved character. Many acres of waste land have been reclaimed, and due attention has been paid to draining ; though the Pow inundates the fertile valley, on its banks, and deteriorates its luxuriant crops. Were its channel enlarged, this would be prevented, the soil would be ameliorated, and the aqueous meteors which blight the crops would be less injurious. This great and obvious in)provement has often been proposed, but no measures have hitherto been adopted to carry it into effect. The general duration of the leases is for nineteen years, and the farm-buildings are in a superior style. The greater part of the arable ground is enclosed with hedges and stone dikes, but many of them are insufficient fences, and the enclosures are defective in their subdivisions. Every branch of agriculture has advanced ge- nerally of late; but the property of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochter- tyre has received the most elegant and substantial improvement, in respect of farm-building, fences, and planting. The chief ob- stacles to improvement arise (torn the distance from manure, and sea-ports, and the depression in the value of the produce of the soil, which represses the enterprise and industry of the tenant Quarries, — On the lands of Abercairney and Cultoquhey, there are two excellent quarries of durable sandstone, which admits of a fine polish, and has a beautiful colour. From them both the mansion houses on these estates have been recently built. Craig- FOWLIS WESTER. 259 tea slate quarry, from which ],200,000 slates are sold annually, is of a superior quality, and has a beautiful dark biue*colour. FMeries. — The only 6sh taken in the parish is in the Aimond. On the cascade at Buchanty, which is divided in its stream, by the projection of a rock, a basket is suspended, and the salmon and white trout, in attempting to overleap the cascade, which impedes their progress up the river, plunge into the basket, and are cap- tured. Prodncei — The average gross amount of raw produce raised iti the parish^ Produce of grain of all kinds, « L. 1 7000 potatoes, cabbage, &c. 2500 hay, ..... 1500 flax. ...... 200 lands in pasture at L.2 per cow, and at 5s. ewe, or full-grown sheep, pastured for tbe year, ..... 9600 gardens and orchards, 400 annual thinning and periodical felling of woods, plantations, and cop8e,600 quarries, ... 300 miscellaneous produce, ..... 1900 Total yearly Talue of raw produce raised, L. 28000 Manufactures* — The principal manufacture in the parish is the weaving of cotton cloth, and the weavers are furnished with the raw ihaferial from Glasgow. The construction of sieves, a species of handicraft, is almost peculiar to this place. Several families have been for generations employed in this trade, who carry them to the Perth and Fife markets, where they meet with a ready sale, at re* munerating prices. V. — Parochial Economy. The town and lands of Lacock adjoining to Fowlis, are a burgh of barony, with the privilege of a weekly market every Wednesday, and two yearly fairs ; but none of these have been held of late. Crieff, which is 6ve miles distant, is the nearest market-town. Villages. — There are two villages in the parish, Gilmerfon and Fowlis. The former is neat and well built, in a pleasant situation, through which the turnpike road passes from Perth to Crieff. The latter generally is in the state in which it has been for centuries, and ih its exterior appearance is a monument of the building of olden times. The progress of improvement, however, has commenced. Several of the houses have been lately slated, and the inn has been rebuilt, in a substantial and commodious manner, which, with the school-house, is an ornament to the villasfe. The parish enjoys the means of communication in all directions, by the excellent turnpike roads which have been formed. The 260 PERTHSHIRE. one to Perth, on which the royal mail travels, passes through it, the length of seven miles. Ecclesiastical State. — The situation of the parish church is con- venient for the population. It was repaired about thirty-five years ago, and affords accommodation for 800 sittings. The manse and offices were rebuilt in a neat and substantial manner in 1820. The extent of the glebe is seven acres, and its value is L. 20. The stipend is 7^ chalders of barley, and the same quantity of meal. 325 families, and 800 persons of all ages attend the Established Church, and 16 families attend the chapels of Dissenters. The two resident heritors and their families attend the chapels of Epis- copalians. 323 persons are connected with the parish of Monzie, and 60 with the chapel at Aumulrie, quoad sacra. Divine wor- ship in the Established church is well attended, and the number of commui)icants is 600. Education. — There are four schools in the parish, in which all the usual branches of education are taught. Two of them are un- endowed. The parochial schoolmaster has the maximum salary, and the legal accommodation. The s(;hool fees average L. 26. The schoolmaster at Buchanty is provided with a school-house, and has L. 5 of salary paid from the bishop's rents. The expense of education is, for children, 8s. ; and for those of greater age and attainments, L. I per year. Poor and Parochial Funds. — The average number of persons receiving parochial aid is 24, and the average sum allotted to each is 4s. per month. The amount of contribution for their relief last year was L. 70, the half of which arose from church collections, and the other half from the interest of L. 86 Sterling, and the vo- luntary assessment of the heritors. Fairs. — St Methvaninas market is held at Fowlis annually, on the 6th of November, and is a useful market for the sale of black- cattle, and hiring servants. This was anciently the festival of the parish, and the anniversary of the saint to whom the church was dedicated at its consecration, when the people constructed pavi- lions and booths to indulge in hospitality and mirth, which also became a commercial mart, and assumed the name oiferice or holy- day. Many of our most ancient fairs have a similar origin. Miscellaneous Observations. The parish, since the date of the last Statistical Account, has made great improvements in rural economy. Waste ground has been planted and brought into cultivation. The roads are in a FOWLIS WESTER. 261 loiperior conditioD, and new ones have been constructed, which increase the facilities of internal communication. Farm-stead- ings were then covered with thatch, and indifferent in building and accommodation ; but they are all now slated, well built, and adapt- ed for every necessary purpose. Wheat, potatoes, turnips, and ar- tificial grasses are cultivated in a much greater breadth. More manure is laid on the soil, and it is ameliorated by fences, cleaning and draining. Horses and harness, the different breeds of cattle and sheep, and all the implements of husbandry are much improv- ed. In short, such is the degree of agricultural science general- ly diffused, and the high state of the culture of the soil, that there is now little prospect of any great future improvement No doubt more waste ground might be profitably planted and enclosed, and the present enclosures greatly improved. The immediate de- mands on the soil are so pressing, that less attention is paid to a permanent than a present advantage, ^y being too frequently in tillage, and operated upon by stimulating manures, it is in some parts in a state of exhaustion, and Would require rest to consoli- date and invigorate its powers of vegetation. The cottage system is established in the parish, and has the effect of promoting the industry and independence of the labour- ing classes. It might, however, be extended. Had labourers and artisans a garden attached to their house, and as much ground at a moderate rent as would feed a cow, waste land would be culti- vated, and they would continue longer in a state of comfort and independence. Mr Jacob, who was employed some years ago by the British Government to inquire into the agricultural system of the continental nations, has laid before the public a detailed account of an establishment of this nature in Holland. Such agri- cultural settlements are deserving of attention. They would yield a due return to the landlord, at a moderate rent, afford profitable employment to the population, furnish them with many of the ne- cessaries of life, and lessen the tendency to pauperism, an increas- ing evil. May 1837. PARISH OF MONZIE* PRESBYTERY OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING. THE REV. JOHN REID OMOND, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Name. — Monzib is derived from the Gaelic, Moighidh^ and signifies a level tract. Figure. — The parish, though extremely irregular in its outline, and not reducible to any known figure in mathematics, neverthe- less approaches more nearly to the form of the parallelogram than any other, — being intersected throughout its entire length by the river Almond. Boundaries and Extent. — It is bounded on the north by Dull, Weem, and Kenmore ; on the east by Fowlis ; on the south by Crieff; and on the west by Monivaird and Comrie. It extends about 12 miles along the course of the Almond, and its greatest breadth is estimated at 7. Topographical Appearances. — Situated within the limits of the Orampians, it presents a wearisome succession of hills, seldom trodden by the foot of man ; but, to compensate for this mono- tony, it contains two valleys, Glenalmond and the Vale of Mon- ?ie, — the only habitable parte of the parish, — both of which pos* sess no small degree of attraction to the admirers of natural beauty. Vale of Monzie. — The vale of Monzie commences at the south- ern boundary of the parish, and extends about five miles in a di- rection north-east, with a rise of several hundred feet, where it unites with Glenalmond, at nearly right angles. It is watered for about three miles by the Shaggie. The upper part of this small stream, — the lofty banks of which are covered with luxuriant copse- wood, — is rendered picturesque by three waterfalls, one of them 55 feet in height At that point where the wood terminates, the banks suddenly widen, giving place to a pretty extensive plain. Her^ stand the parish church, the hamlet, and at some distance * Drawn up by Mr John J>aurie, Parochial Schoolmaster of Monzie. 4 MONZIB. 263 the stately mansioa of Monzie, embosomed among trees of the largest growth, in " the full efflorescence and stateliness of their manhood/' The whole is bounded on both sides by hills of considerable though unequal elevation, and in front by the Knock, rearing its perpen- dicular masses of pine into the middle air. Here also, including the neighbouring village of Gilmerton, with the numerous farm- houses upon the estates of Monzie and Cultoquhey, are congre- gated two-thirds of the whole population. To one stationed upon the Highland road, east from the church, the view is of great beauty. In the foreground are the luxuriant woods, the rich pas- tures, and the House of Monzie, beautifully harmonizing with and forming an appropriate centre point to the whole. Extending the line of vision out of this narrow valley westward, we have, in the middle distance, the dark rampart of the Comrie hills, and far be- yond and above these, the delighted eye descries and rests with rapture upon Benvorlich, Benmore, and Benledi, blending their lofty summits with the blue tints of heaven. Were it not a well- authenticated fact, that Dr Johnson regarded Scotland as a regioo destitute of trees, one might be tempted to conclude, that he had visited this spot, and received from it his first impression of the ** Haf^y Valley," in Rasselas. GhnalmoruL — Glenalmond, to the eastward of its junction with the Vale of Monzie, is an open cultivated country, but here the banks of the river suddenly assume the form and character of lo% hills ; their bases on the opposite sides of the glen approaching so near, as, in some places, barely to leave room for the bed of the river. They may be said to average from 1000 to 1200 feet in height. They are entirely destitute of trees, but here and there may be seen a stinted shrub, seeking a scanty subsistence among the rocks. One of the highest eminences on the east side of the ^en is crowned with the ruins of a Celtic fort, and upon the top of a hill on the opposite side of the glen is a cairn. The river Almond here measures 70 feet in width. Its waters are transpa- rent, and nm with considerable velocity over a bed of rock and gravel. Its general depth varies from a few inches to several feet. This romantic pass continues for upwards of two miles, and, on ac- count of its narrowness, is familiarly known by the name of the " Small Glen." A new road, leading to the Highlands, runs through it, formed upon the most approved principles of engineer- ing, and kept in a state of admirable repair. It is nearly upon the same line with the military road, formed by Government for the 264 PERTHSHIRE. improvement of the Highlands, after the suppression of the Rebel- lion in 1745. Clach'-Ossian^ or OssiavLS Stone. — Towards the upper extremity of the pass, and near the side of the river, is a large stone, eight feet in height, and nearly cubical in form, which is said to mark the grave of the Caledonian bard, Ossian. When General Wade formed the military road, already mentioned, the soldiers, induced either by cu- riosity or the hope of finding secreted treasure, removed this stone from its ancient bed. Their curiosity was indeed gratified, but that constituted their chief reward. They found below it four stones set on edge, forming a small chamber, 2 feet long, 1^ broad, and *2 deep, containing bones and some pieces of coin. This was held decisive of its being a grave ; but the question, ^is to who might be the occupant of this " narrow house," the " four stones with their heads of moss" — remains unsolved. . An- other grave having been prepared at some distance, the bones were carried thither to the music of the bagpipe, and again consigned to the earth.* Although laid open to the view about ninety years ago, two of the stones still retain their erect position, and the chamber is not more than half-filled with rubbish. Surveying this simple tomb, situat- ed amidst the wild seclusion of Glenalmond, the reader of Ossian naturally reverts to the lines of the bard, so truly descriptive of it ; " Narrow is thy dwelling now ! dark the place of thine abode ! with three steps I compass thy grave, O thou who wast so great before ! four stones with their heads of moss are the only memorials of thee, a tree with scarce a leaf." Above the bridge of Newton, where the Small Glen terminates, the hills on each side recede, leaving a stripe of level ground on either side of this pastoral stream. This is known by the name of Western Glenalmond, and contains several interesting objects, which fall to be noticed under the head Antiquities. Tlie Thief ^s Cave, — In one of the lateral glens, communicating with Western Glenalmond, is a cave, called the thiefs cave, from its having been the retreat of a noted sheep-stealer, called Alas- tair Baine. It is of considerable dimensions, said to be capable of containing sixty men, and situated about midway up the fiice of a rock, called the eagle's rock. It might have afforded a more secure retreat, but for its total want of wood. Attracted by • These particulars are communicated by Peter M'Ara, an old man of eighty- four, stUl alive, and a native of Glenalmond, who received them from an eye-witness. MONZIE. 205 the light of his fire in the night, his pursuers came upon him in the very act of roasting one of his fleecy victims, and for his crimes he underwent the last penalty of the law at Perth, having previ- ously, without the form of trial, suffered the loss of one of his ears for a similar offence committed at Glen Ledneck. Kirk of the Grove. — In the vicinity of the cave is a natural cu- riosity, known by the name of the <^ kirk of the grove," consisting of several large stones piled above one another. Not far from this, stands a solitary and aged pine, perhaps the last of an exten- sive forest ; but as the Caledonians are said to have frequently planted ft fir tree near or upon the tomb of a warrior, it requires no great stretch of the imagination to suppose that this may point out the last resting place of an ancient hero : — *^ a tree stands alone on the hill, and marks the slumbering Connal." The small glen having attracted the notice of Mr Wordsworth, any apology for introducing the subjoined beautiful lines, from the pen of that distinguished poet, will, it is hoped, be deemed unne- cessary. In this still place, remote from men, Sleeps OssiAN, in the Narrow Glen ; In this still place^ where murmurs on But one meek streamlet, only one : He sang of battles, and the breath Of stormy war, and violent deatli ; And should, metbinks, when all was past, Have rightfully been laid at last Where rocks were rudely heaped and rent As by a spirit turbulent; Where sights were rough, and sounds were wild, And every thing unreconciled ; In some complaining, dim retreat, For fear and melancholy meet ; But this is calm, there cannot be A more entire tranquillity. Does then the Bard sleep here indeed ? Or is it but a groundless creed ? What matters it ? — I blame them not Whose fancy in this lonely spot Was moved ; and in such way expressed Their notion of its perfect rest. A Convent, even a hermit*s Cell Would break the silence of this l>ell : It is not quiet, is not ease ; But something deeper far than these : The separation that is here Is of the grave ; and of austere Yet happy feelings of the dead : Andy therefore, was it rightly said That, Ossian, last of all his race ! Lies buried in this lonely place. Temperature. — The temperature, as might be expected from the mountainous character of the district, is various ; that of Glen-* 266 PERTHSHIRE. almond, on account of its elevation, is cold, and contrasts strik- ingly with the mild atmosphere enjoyed by the southern portion of the parish. Prognostics of the Weather, — Among the phenomena of the at- mosphere, that indicate a coming change in the state of the weather, must not be omitted, the sound of the waterfalls upon the Shag- gie, and the roar of the distant Turret. In the vicinity of rivers, there are times, especially in the stillness of evening twilight, when the music of the rushing waters, and the fitful sighing of the wind, break upon the ear with more than ordinary solemnity, arresting the attention of the listener as if the voice of a spirit spoke. At such times, if the sound sent forth by the water is clear and loud, stormy weather may be expected ; but should it seem to recede from the ear, until it is lost in the remote distance, fair weather will soon follow. The approach of a storm may also be learned from observing the motions of the crows. When these are seen busily feeding, and hurrying over the sur£ice of the ground, all in one direction, and in a compact body, a severe storm may be an-* ticipated. Whirlwinds and Earthquakes. — The small glen having no la- teral communication or opening, resembles a funnel cut in the solid earth, presenting in its sinuosities various obstacles to a free trans- mission of the air ; it is therefore subject to contrary currents and eddies of the most violent character. Recent instances have oc- curred of travellers on horseback having been blown from the sad- dle, driven to seek shelter in holes or behind rocks, and there de- tained for hours, until the fury of the storm abated. Slight shocks of an earthquake, emanating from Comrie, (seven miles distant) as a central point, are frequently experienced in this parish ; but their severity has been greatly abated within these thirty years. It may not be uninteresting to mention, that a shock was felt at Comrie, on the 25th of August 1834, one of the days on which an eruption, attended by most disastrous consequences, took place at Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Longevity, — The climate seems to be favourable to longevity, there being many individuals above eighty years of age ; and one man died in 1825 at the advanced age of 103. Rivers, — The river Almond, which rises in the parish of Ken- more, traverses the parish of Monzie from east to west for a dis- tance of about twelve miles. After a course of eighteen miles, it falls into the Tay, two miles above Perth. The Shaggie, the Kel- MONZIR. 267 tie» and the Barvick, three small streams issuing from the hills» after a shcyrt and somewhat precipitous career, join the turret, and pour their united waters into the Earn, a little above Crieff. Waierfalls. — Like most Highland districts, this parish presents UB with a due proportion of waterfiills. Besides the three upon the Shaggie already mentioned, and many others of smaller note, there is one upon the Keltie 90 feet in height; while the Banrick, throughout nearly its whole extent, is one succession of cascades, the romantic effect of which is heightened by its lofty and steep hanks of naked rock, overshadowed by a thick, though unequal covering of such wood as can contrive to extract nourish- ment from a scanty soil, or from the fissures of the craggy preci* pices. When the visitor approaches this romantic dell from the west, and his ear is assailed by the moaning of the winds mingled with the sound of the waters, as they leap from rock to rock, the melodious lines of Spenser are vividly recalled to his mind ; ** The water's fall with difference discreet Now soft, DOW loud, unto the wuid did call ; The gentle, warbling wind low answered to all.** Geology and Soil. — Slate, sandstone, and limestone, are all found in this parish ; but the latter being of indifferent quality, ^ and far from coal is not wrought The prevailing soil is light, dry, and good. Zoology, — Among the various species of animals may be enu- merated the hare, the rabbit, the otter, the badger, the fox, the roe- deer, the squirrel, the weasel, the stoat, the marten and the wild cat : the common gray eagle, the falcon, the salmon-tailed glade, the common buzzard, the sparrowbawk, the merlin, the wood- cock, the pheasant, a great variety of the duck tribe, the partridge, the snipe, black game and grouse in great abundance. There is plenty of common trout in all the streams, and in the Almond are both sea-trout and salmon ; the former come up to spawn in the middle of July, and the latter in the end of October, and both return to the sea in the end of November and beginning of December. At Buchanty there is a fall upon the Almond, which effectually prevents the salmon and sea-trout from ascend- ing farther up the river, and many of those that endeavour to take this leap are caught by means of a basket or cruive, so placed as to intercept them in their fruitless attempt. Planiatunu. — There are several hundred acres of thriving plan- 268 PERTHSHIRE. tation in the parish, chiefly upon the estates of Monzie, GlenaU mond, Callander, and Cultoquhey. These consist principally of larch, Scotch fir, oak, ash, elm, and willow ; for the growth of all of which, the soil is well adapted. Extraordinary Larches. — In the garden of Monzie are five larches, remarkable for their age, growth, and symmetry. They are coeval with the celebrated larches of Dunkeld, having been brought along with them to this country from the same place, and are now superior to them in beauty and size. The tallest mea- sures 102 feet in perpendicular height : another is 22 feet in cir- cumference at the ground, and at the distance of 2^ feet from the ground, 16 feet, and it throws out branches to the extraordinary distance of 48 and 55 feet from the trunk. The late Duke of Athol, it would appear, evinced a more than ordinary degree of interest in the progress of these fine trees, — sending his gardener annually thither to observe their growth. When this functionary returned and made his wonted report, that the larches at Monzie were leaving those of Dunkeld behind in the race, his Grace would jocularly allege, that his servant had permitted General Campbell's good cheer to impair his powers of observation. IL — Civil History. There is no account of the parish, either printed or in manu- script, so far as is known, except that contained in Sir John Sinclair's national work. We shall, therefore, avail ourselves of the little information that can be gleaned from the session records, aided by tradition. Establishment of Preshyterianisnu — The records of session com- mence 5th April 1691, and are dated at Logy, where there was and still is a chapel. The first fact they record is the ordination of nine elders for the parish of Monzie, by Mr William Reid, minister of Rattray, " according to the appointment of the pres- bytery of Perth thereanent" The next minute is dated at Mon- zie, 15th July 1691, and records the ordination of Mr William Chalmer, the first presbyterian minister of Monzie, — Mr Reid of Rattray again preaching and presiding. Traits of Ancient Manner Sy Witches^ Sfc. — It affords a curious picture of the manners of the age, to be informed, that the parish- ioners were in the practice of assembling upon the Green of Monzie on the Sabbath mornings to play at foot-ball ; and that on these occasions, Mr Chalmer, who experienced great difficulty in indu- 3 MONZIE. 269 cing his people to attend church, occasionally took part with them in this amusement ; — by thus gaining their affections, he prevailed on them to accompany him to the house of prayer, and there listen to his instructions. Mr Bowie succeeded Mr Chalmer in 1711, and died in 1740. During his incumbency the Earl of Marr s§t up the standard of rebellion; and on the 12th of November 1715, was fought the battle of Sheriffmuir, within twenty miles of Mouzie. In reference to this civil war we find the following entry in the session records : " Monzie, June I9th 1715. ♦ * ♦ ♦ * The session being' informed that there is a rebellion about to be in the nation, and that Alexander Drummond •♦♦♦♦♦ has joyned that partie, they can doe nothing in that affair at this time." For more than two hundred years antecedent to this period, the mania of burning for witchcraft had raged with violence all over Europe. History informs us, that about the year 1515, 500 witches were executed at Geneva in the short space of three months ; in the diocese of Como, 1000 in one year ; in Germany alone, from the year 1484 to the suppression of persecution for witchcraft, 100,000. England, according to Barrington, put to death 30,000 ; and Scotland, with a narrower field and a smaller population, was nothing behind, — multitudes being burnt in every part of the kingdom. Need it excite wonder then, if in this san- guinary and appalling tragedy, — when " one-half of the population was either bewitching or bewitched," — the parish of Monzie should have immolated one solitary victim. Tradition informs us, that the name of the woman who was burned for this alleged crime was M*Nieven. The scene of her execution was the brow of a hill, commonly called the Knock, and the particular spot is still recog- nized by the name of M'Nieven*s Craig. Whether or not she was convicted before the Court of Justiciary is now uncertain ; but as the privy-council was in the practice of granting commissions to resident gentlemen and ministers, to examine, and afterwards to try and execute witches all over Scotland, it is probable that this unfortunate creature was convicted before one of those local tri- bunals. The date of this transaction must be between 1711 and 1722, when the last execution for witchcraft in Scotland took place at Dornoch. While at the stake, she is represented, like the sibyl of old, as pouring out predictions and denunciations : but these, in all probability, are much beholden to the inventive powers of others, and were they now detailed, could not afford gratification to any 270 PERTHSHIUE. rational mind. The unshaken belief of the people in witchcraft, and the atrocities of what, it is feared, was little better than a po- pular and lawless execution, must have powerfully operated upon their heated nninds ; for even to this day, when viewed at a dis- tance through time's dusky horizon, the " Witch of Monzie" pre- sents to the imagination a certain undeBned magnitude, shedding a dim inglorious halo around this period of our parochial history. — Belonging to the old church of Monzie, taken down in 1880, was an instrument of punishment called the jougs. It was simply an iron collar, fastened to the outside of the wall, near one of the doors, by a chain. No person alive, it is believed, has seen this pillory put in requisition ; nor is it known at what period it was first adopted for the reformation of offenders ; but there can be no doubt, that an age which could sanction burning for witchcraft, would see frequent occasion for this milder punishment. It is now regarded as a relic of a barbarous age, and has been affixed to the wall of the present church merely to gratify the curiosity of antiquaries. One glimpse more may be obtained into the condition of so- ciety at that period. Formerly there were extensive cattle markets held at Crieff, which have since been carried to Falkirk. These necessarily brought down from the north, crowds of Highlanders. They are described by people old enough to remember them, as barefooted and bareheaded, although many of them old men. Be- ing numerous, they used to enter the houses of the country people, take unceremonious possession of their firesides and beds, carry oflF the potatoes from their fields or gardens, and sometimes even the blankets, which had afforded them a temporary covering for the night NeiD Boundaries of the Parish, — Logiealmond and InnerpeflFray formerly belonged to the parish of Monzie, although lying detach- ed from it, and at a great distance from the church. To obviate this inconvenience, and that all might be admitted to' a participa- tion in church benefits, a decreet of the Court of' Session was ob- tained in 1702, separating them from Monzie, and annexing the former to the parish of Moneydie, and the latter to Muthil ; by the same decreet, the lands of Callander, Coynachan, Dalmore, Newton, Crag-na-farer, Curriemuckloch, the three Fendochs, Dalick, the Downies, the Lethandies, Greenfield, and Mill Rodgie, belonging to Crieff, — as also the lands of Cultoquhey, (including Oiknerton,) Counachan, part of the Parkneuck, belonging to MONZIR. 271 Fowlis Wester, were taken from these parishes, and annexed to MoDzie. This is found to be a more convenient arrangement, and is denominated Monzie parish quoad sacra ; while those lands within the old boundary are called the parish of Monzie quoad ci- viHa. The former build and repair the church : the latter build and repair the manse and school, and pay the minister's stipend and the schoolmaster's salary. Chief Land-HnonerBn — The chief land-owners are, Alexander Campbell, Esq. of Monzie and Inverawe ; James M. Patton. Esq. of Glenalmond, Anthony Maxtone, Esq. of Cultoquhey ; James Moray, Esq. Abercairney ; Mrs Williamson of Lawers; Tho* mas Patton, Esq. of Glenalmond ; and Sir Patrick Murray of Ocbtertyre^ Bart. Parochial Beffisters, — The parochial registers are comprised in eight folio volumes. The minutes of the kirk-session commence in 1691, and are brooght down to the present period ; but there is a ehasm of five years between 1706 and 171 1. The register of baptisms begins 24th November 1720, and is continued for six months; It is then discontined till 17th May 1724, during which year and the whole of 1725, there are only three entries. No names occmr in 1726, and in 1727 the register recommences, and is continued down till 1836. The register of marriages or marriage contracts, or proclamations, commences in 1728, and is continued to the year 1831, without interruption. There is no register of deaths. In addition to the above records, there is a cash-book regularly kept for the funds appropriated to the poor. The following is a list of all the ministers of Monzie since the establishment of Presbyterian ism in 1691 : Mr Chalmer, Mr Bowie, Mr Monroe, Mr Lundie, Mr Walker, who had three as- sistants, viz., Messrs Davidson, M^Leish, and M'Aulie, Mr Bartie, Mr Erskine, Mr Taylor, Mr Cameron, Mr Omond. . Antiquities. — This parish possesses some claim to the notice of the antiquary. Indeed there are few localities in Scotland more rich in Celtic and Roman remains than this and several of the adjoining parishes. Within the range of a few miles the travel* ler may visit the Roman camps at Ardoch, Comrie, and Stra- geth, — ^the first allowed to be the most entire specimen of Ro- man castrametation in Britain, — besides many small forts and frag- ments of military roads, some of ihe latter several miles in length. Druid Monuments and Subterranean Buildiru/, — But to return to the parish of Monzie. There are, first, its Druidic monuments^ 272 PERTHSHIRE. consisting either of a single stone of large dimensions st)Binding on end, or of 41 whole group arranged in the form of a circle. Spe- cimens of both may be seen in the park of Monzie. Adjoining these is a subterranean building of rude construction, having a few steps of a stone stair within it. The roof is gone, and the build- ing itself is but partially laid open to the view. When explored a few years ago, there were foijin^ in it a sword and a stone hatchet, both of which are now preserved in Monzie House. A large Druid stone, with rude carving upon it, lies on the side of the pub- lic road, between the villages of Monzie and Keppoch. This was one of a circle, which Mr Monroe, the then minister of the pa- rish, caused to be broken and dispersed ; the rest are now built into the stone wall which surrounds the glebe. At a place called " Clach'Tia-tiom-paTiy'' in Wester Glenalmond, is an oblong cairn, measuring about 60 paces in length ; and immediately adjoining are several Druidic stones. The cairn appears, from openings that have been made in it, to have been divided into chambers for the reception of the dead. Ancient Chapels and Burying Grounds. — A little farther down the glen, at Tomenbowie, formerly stood a small chapel ; it is now in ruins, but the burying ground remains, and even yet occasion- ally affords within its narrow precincts a last home to the weary. Near the north-east corner of the parish once stood " Stuck Cha- pel," in which, tradition says, sixty men took the sacrament, on the evening before the battle of Luncarty, in 976, and having gone to the 6eld only six returned. The cemetery still exists, but not a vestige of the chapel is to be seen. Forts, — On the top of Dunmore, overlooking the Small Glen and the Roman camp, are the ruins of a fort, believed to be Cel- tic It consists of a stone wall, in some places double, surround- ing probably half a rood of ground. The stones upon the west side are partially vitrified ; and at Middle Lethendy is another of larger size. Camps. — A few hundred yards above the village of Monzie, up- on an eminence called " Knock Durroch" (the Oaken Knoll,) is a small entrenchment, supposed to be Roman. It is of an oval form, measuring 120 paces in length, and 80 at its greatest breadth. It is surrounded by a double trench, which at one place appears to the eye to be not less than 8 or 9 feet in depth. At Cultoquhey, the property of Anthony Maxtone, Esq. there is a similar camp, but of much larger dimensions. MONZIE. 273 Pauloeh Camp. — But the chief object of interest to the aati- quary is the camp at Fendoch, called in Gaelic Haenfhandoch^ L e. Fendoch point. Its traditionary name is the Roman Camp, and there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of the appellation ; and that it is in reality the work of the Roman legions under Agrioola, or one of his successors. It is situated upon a table-land, at the lower extremity of that remarkable pass called the Small Glen, already described, and within view of the fort upon Dun- more. The River Almond, issuing from this defile, turns to the left, so as to form a right angle with its former course ; and with its steep banks constitutes a natural defence to the camp on the north side. The west is protected by a marsh ; the south by a small stream called the Burn of Fendoch ; and the east by a na- tural declivity. It may probably contain 45 acres of ground. It would appear that, at the period when the former Statistical Account was published, the trenches were entire, and in some places six feet deep ; but both rampart and trench are now &st disappearing under the operation of the plough. The rampart upon the north side, after running for a considerable distance in nearly a straight line upon the brow of the table-land, suddenly descends into the plain below, incloses a spring of excellent water, again climbs the bank, and pursues its rectilinear course. This is the only spring within the camp. Near the side of the river, there is a small elliptical inclosure, formed of turf and stone, measuring 12 paces by 8. The moor on the east side of the camp bears marks of having once been the arena of conflicting armies, and was covered till lately, to the extent of several acres, with cairns ; and when these were removed to form a new road, some fragments of urns containing bones were found underneath. Several of these eaims measured 10, 13, or 14 paces in diameter. On the right hand side of the road leading to Bucbanty, and at no gr^t distance from the cairns, is a small eminence called ^^ The Gallows Hill,'* and a few yards distant from it is a small enclosure of turf of nearly circular form. It is evident that the former, from its name, is a vestige of comparatively late antiquity. Ancient Belies. — An old man is still alive in the village of Mon- zie who recollects of having found, when engaged with some com- panions in a hunting excursion, in his younger days, several heads of spears, in the vicinity of the camp ; but they were disregarded as things of no value. There is a silver coin, evidently Roman, in the possession of Mr James Young, Crieff, which was found in FCBTH, S I *274 PERTHSHIRE. this place* ^ It is of the size of a sixpence, having on one side A head in high relief; and on the obverse three figures, the centre one an eagle ; the other two, as well as an inscription on each side, are so much effaced as to be nearly illegible. In the month of August 1834, while a labourer of the name of Donald Stewart, was employed in digging across the eastern ram- part of the camp, for the purpose of constructing a stone fence, he discovered at some distance below the surface, three pots or kettles, the largest of which broke in pieces while he was in the act of rais- ing it from the ground. The other two measured 8J inches in diameter, by 3 in depth, and 1 inches in diameter, by 4^ in depth, respectively, and were composed of a series of concentric circles, fastened together with nails, the larger pot having a straight handle 21 inches in length. Along with these were deposited three heads of spears or javelins, 7 inches in length, two of these still having wood adhering to their sockets : a piece of flat iron or other metal, 18^ inches in length, having a striking resemblance to a Roman sword preserved in the Museum of Antiquaries, Edinburgh, except that the latter measures 25 inches in length ; but as the former appears to have been broken at one end, it must have been at one time longer : three pair of bits, two pair of shears, 1 1 inches long, the blades alone measuring 4 inches : a sort of spoon, the handle of which measures 10 inches, including the diameter of the mouth ; — this corresponds exactly with the descriptions and repre- sentations given of the thuribulum found in Pompeii : a beautiful hinge of a yellowish metal, still covered with a slight coating of what appears to be silver, 4 inches in length, carved, and in excel- lent preservation : two implements resembling the wimble used by carpenters for boring ; a piece of flat iron about 2^ feet long, bent in the form of a pair of sugar-tongs, the edges at one end bent inwards, sb as almost to meet and form a socket, the other end be- ing broken off. Besides these, there were other articles, whose uses were not very apparent. Those, whose size would admit of it, were found carefully packed in the largest kettle, (which, as al- ready stated, was broken,) and a flat stone was placed over its mouth. The discovery of these relics establishes one important fact, namely, that cavalry lay in this encampment. The whole of the articles above described, except the hinge and one of the spears, have found a secure asylum in the custody of John Buchanan, Esq. Secretary to the Western Bank, Glasgow, whose property they have become. While all traces of that power, which the mighty Roman cast MONZIE. 275 like a mantle over the world, are fast hastening to decay, it would be matter of lasting and extreme regret should all such interesting fragments not be collected aud preserved with scrupulous and jealous care. To the imaginative miud it might seem like the ga- thering up of laurels which have fallen from the conqueror's brow, for here it was that a power mightier by far than that of Rome pro- claimed, *' hitherto shalt thou come, but no fitrther." Besides the antiquities already enumerated, which may be term- ed native to the parish, the House of Monzie contains a splendid collection of paintings, ancient armour, and many articles of virtu. Some part of these are wrecks of the feudal times, which have sur- vived the period of their usefulness ; but here also may be seen re- mains of Roman and even Babylonian antiquity, brought together like converging rays of light, into one common focus, thus com- bining with the present, ages and countries the most remote, and shedding a lustre over the pages of their written history. Modem Buildings, — The chief modern buildings, besides the church, are the mansion-houses of Monzie and Cultoquhey. III. — Population. The first account taken of the population of this parish, so far as is known, was at the request of Dr Webster in 1755, when it amounted to 1192. Another account was taken in 1792, by the Rev. George Erskine, then minister of Monzie, which amounted to 1136, exhibiting a diminution of 56, in a period of thirty-seven years, or about 1 ^ in the year at an average. And by a third enu- meration in 1836, made expressly for this work, we find the popu- lation to be 940, being a decrease of 196 in forty-four years, or about 5 in the year at an average. The present population is distributed as follows : — Momie viUage, .... 118— in 1792, 1 12 Cailt, ..... 25 Keppoch, . .13 £«Ute of Monsiey exclusive of these three villages, 134 Gilmeitooy ..... 232 Estate of Cultoquheyt exclusive of Gilroerton, 87 CaUander, . . . 62 The other districts not included in the above enumeration, 269 940 As the village of Gilmerton has sprung into existence within these few years, and Monzie has remained nearly stationary since 1792, the decrease has taken place in the population distributed among the &rms, and is to be accounted for by these being let out to fewer hands than formerly. 276 PERTHSHIRE. The yearly average number of recorded births for the last seven years is 12| : and the number of illegitimate births during the last three years appears from the session records to have been 10. Families of independent fortune and Proprietors of land. — There are three families of independent fortune who reside within the pa- rish, and six proprietors of land above the yearly value of L. 50. Language spoken. — The Gaelic is spoken in western Glenal- mond, while the Scottish dialect, with a strong Highland accent, prevails in the rest of the parish. The fact, however, that few in- dividuals in the southern districts even understand the Graelic, is evidence su£Bcient that that ancient tongue is fast falling into disuse. Games and amusements. — During winter, the national game of curling is a favourite out-of-door amusement The practice of as^ sembling in large numbers at weddings has been long upon the decline. Handsel Monday, old style, is spent in paying and re- ceiving visits, exchanging congratulations and feasting ; and where the requisites of music and a commodious apartment, or bam, are to be found, the young people conclude their festivities with a dance. Cards and draughts are also to be found among their amusements, and in summer the game of quoits is a favourite pas- time. DresSy Ordinary Food^ Sfc. — The habits of the people in re- spect of dress may be considered as cleanly, to which the gene- ral introduction of cottons has materially contributed. The ap- pearance of the rural population on Sundays indicates a pleasing degree of self-respect and comfort Like the majority of their countrymen, they are more solicitous about making a decent per- sonal appearance in public, than enjoying the luxuries of good eat- ing. Potatoes, pork, and the produce of the dairy, constitute a very considerable proportion of their ordinary food. Their bread is commonly of oat or barley meal, but the occasional use of tea and wheaten bread is becoming common. In estimating ^< whether the people on the whole enjoy, in a reasonable degree, the com- forts and advantages of society, and are contented with their situa- tion and circumstances," regard must be had to some standard of comparison. Those accustomed to the modes of living, and to the usages of manufacturing towns, would perhaps pronounce the people of this parish poor, and in want of the luxuries and even many of the necessariesof civilized life. And, although in this there might be no exaggeration, yet the people may be described as more con- tented with their situation, than those who thus affect to compas- sionate them. Not — ^it will be admitted — because poverty is of 4 MONZIE. 277 itself calculated to produce conteut, but simply because their wants are few, and their wealth does not exceed their ability to control it As prosperity seldom sets in upon a rural population with so strong a current as it frequently does upon manu&cturing districts, so the former are to a considerable extent without its concomitant improvideDce and crime* life flows on with a more equable cur- rent, and as there are not the same alternations of prosperity and depression, so is there less of misery and disappointment Poaching. — Poaching in game or the salmon -fisheries does not prevail to a great extent, and smuggling, once so common in this parish, is now unknown. IV. — Industry. AgricHlture. — The number of acres in the parish, whether ara- ble or in pasture, cannot be ascertained ; and there is no land in a state of undivided common. Wood. — The trees indigenous to the soil are the hazel, birch, oak, alder, plane, fir, common and mountain ash ; and those plant- ed are chiefly the larch, Scotch fir, oak, ash, elm, plane, and wil- low. The management of plantations is well understood. Rent and Grazing. — The average rent of arable land per acre is fnnn L. 1, 10s., to L. 2, but small pieces called pendicles some- times bring L. 3 per acre. Grazing an ox or cow costs from L. 2 to L. 9^ or upon hill pasture from 16s. to L. 1, 10s. : a sheep or ewe, on low ground, from 9s. to 10s., or on hill pasture, from 3^ to 4s. Rate of Wages. — A farm- servant, fit for all work, with bed and victuals, costs L. 12 per annum. A farm labourer engaged by the day, costs in summer Is. 6d, and in winter Is. 2d. or Is. dd; a female servant with bed and victuals, costs L. 6 per annum ; a mason receives without victuals from 12s. to 14 per week; a car- penter from 12s. to 13s. ; a thatcher with victuals Is. 6d per day. Live^gtock. — The common breed of sheep are the Highland or black-faced, and great attention is paid to their improvement. The cattle are a cross breed between the Highland and Lowland, and a few Ayrshire cows are kept Husbandry. — The character of the husbandry pursued may be termed good. A considerable quantity of land has been taken in, drained, trenched, and cleared of stones ; but the expense of lime, on account of the long carriage, (being brought from Perth, a dis- tance of from fourteen to seventeen miles,) is a great drawback to improvement. 278 PERTHSHIRE. Leases and Farm-Buildings. — The general duration of leases is fifteen years, and this is regarded by the farmer as a fiivourable period. Many of the farm*steadings have been lately rebuilt upon an improved plan, but much in this respect remains to be done. Quarries. — There is a quarry of excellent freestone upon the estate of Cultoquhey, of a red colour, and great durability ; and upon the property of James M . Patton, Esq. of Glenalmond, there is another, besides two quarries of slate, all of superior quality. Amount of raw Produce. — The average gross amount of raw pro- duce raised in the parish, as nearly as that can be ascertained, after making a suitable deduction for what may be consumed upon the farms, is as follows : Grain of all kinds. Potatoes, Hay, Grass parks, Sheep and wool. Cattle, Dairy produce. L. 981 205 110 1000 . 3195 513 337 L. 6341 V. — Parochial Economy. There is no market-town in the parish of Monzie ; but this de- ficiency is but little felt, as Crieff is only three miles distant, where there is a weekly market, besides eight fairs in the year. Villages. — The parish contains two villages, Monzie and Gil- merton, the former having a population of 118, and the latter of 232 souls. Monzie is built upon the property of Mr Campbell, and the inhabitants are merely tenants ; while Gilmerton is feued off Mr Maxtone. Moads and Fences. — There are about eleven miles of excellent turnpike road, besides several miles of road maintained by statute labour. As a great proportion of the parish is pastoral, much of the land is unenclosed, but where fences are necessary, they are in general kept in good condition. Ecclesiastical State. — The situation of the church, near the south- ern boundary of the parish, is convenient for the majority of the parishioners. It was built in 1830-31, and opened for public worship, by the Rev. Mr Cameron, on Sabbath, 24th July 1831. It is after a plan by Mr Stirling, architect, Dunblane, and is built to contain 512 persons. MansCf Glebe^ and Stipend. — The manse was built in 1779. 3 MONZIE. 279 The glebe contains about 1 1 acres of superior land. The stipend is the minimum, the annual sum of L. 15, 16s. 8d., being contri- buted by the Exchequer. Ntmber of CommunicantSy ifc, — The number of male heads of £unilies in communion with the church amounts in the present year to 153 ; and the total number of communicants is about 450. Church Collections. — The average amount of church collections for the poor, and to defray incidental expenses, for the last five years, is L. 25, 86. 2^. The number of Dissenting or Seceding families in the parish is 11. Education. — There are two schools in the parish, viz. the pa- rochial, and a private school at Gilmerton. The branches taught in the parish school are, reading, writing, arithmetic, geometry, book-keeping, geography, Latin, Greek, and French. The school salary is the maximum ; the school fees average about L. 30, and the parochial schoolm^ter has more than the legal accommodation. His other emoluments amount to L. 7, Ids. per knnum. The expense of education per annum is asunder: reading, 10s.; reading and writing, 12s. ; reading, writing, and arithmetic, 14s. ; LAtin, Greek, French, book-keeping, or geometry, L. 1. If En- glish grammar is taught with any of the above branches, 4s. addi- tional are charged. All are taught to read and most to write, and the people are generally alive to the benefits of education. There are several hamlets and farm-houses' in Glenalmond, so distant from the parochial school as to derive little or no benefit from it. These are, first, Easter Lethendy, containing 8 persons; Green- field, 8 ; Wester Lethendy, 1 ; Mill Rodgie, 20 ; Meikle Downie, 12; Little Downie, 18; Dalick, 35; Easter and Middle Fendoch, 75 ; total 177. The distance of the nearest of these from the parish school is about three miles, and the children are sent to the school of Buchanty, situated in their immediate neighbourhood, but within the parish of Fowlis. To these must be added Newton, contain- ing 1 1 persons ; Curriemuckloch, 13 ; Dalmore, fo ; Coynachan, 5 ; Auchnafree, 20 ; total 59. The nearest to the parish school is Newton, distant about six miles. The children are sent for education to a school at Amulrie, distant from the nearest of them about one mile, and from others from five to seven miles. Poor and Parochial Funds, — The number of persons regularly receiving parochial aid is 7, at the rate of Is. per week, and five of these are either old or infirm females. Occasionally sums are 280 PERTHSHIRE. also distributed to others, who are not so destitute. The weekly collections made in the church, and the sums drawn for the use of the mort cloth ; and L. 12 of interest for a sum of money placed at the disposal of the kirk-session, for the benefit of the poor, — are, with the aid of private charity, found suflScient for their mainte- nance. The heritors, however, assess themselves annually in the sum of L. 21, 17s. for the support of a lunatic, in Murray's asylum, Perth, and two illegitimate children. There is, unquestionably, a reluctance on the part of the people to accept of parochial aid. Fair. — There was formerly a fair (St Lawrence's) held on the green of Monzie, on the 22d and 2dd of August, for sheep and the ordinary articles of merchandise. The first day of the fair is still held at Monzie, for lambs, sheep, and cattle, but the second day of it has been transferred to Crieff, and is now reckoned one of its eight annual feirs. Alehouses. — There are three alehouses in the parish, — one in Monzie, and two in Gilmerton. Fuel. — The fuel is coal, peat, and wt)od. A ton of coal, brought from Bannockburn, a distance of twenty-five miles, costs L. 1. The same quantity from Dollar, distant twenty-four miles, costs 15s. A cart load of peats upon the estate of Monzie, including cartage, is Ss., and the wood (which is bought chiefly at sales) is equally dear. Miscellaneous Observations. That this parish has made equal advances in prosperity with other parts of the country, during the last forty years, we do not take upon us to assert ; but when we compare the present period with that in which the last Statistical Account was drawn up, we recognize a great improvement in its general condition. The present is distinguished beyond the former period by a more enlightened and judicious management of farming opera- tions, — an improved breed of cstttle and sheep ; superior roads, a total abolition of smuggling, and, as a consequence, by a greater sobriety ; an improved style of living and dress ; and a more ge- neral diffusion of the blessings of education. The establishment of infant schools (if one might hope for such where the population is so thinly scattered,) with a library con- taining a judicious selection of books, calculated to instil sound principles and correct views on all subjects, would unqu^tionably go far to elevate and improve the moral and intellectual condition of the people. May 1837. t PARISH OF GASK. PRESBTTBRT OF AUCHTBRARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING. THE REV. THOMAS YOUNG, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Name. — Gask, the name of the parish, is admitted to be a term of doubtful origin. Probably it is of Celtic derivation, and, ac- cording to the speculations of those acquainted with that language, may be regarded as compounded of two words, Ga or Gath^ signi- fying a dart, and uisffe water, thus Ga^uisge becomes Gask, — the signification being swift-running water ; or it may be from Gu or DhtMo^e^ and will signify dark-running water, — an acceptation of the term which applies to the Earn passing along the south side of the parish. Others trace it to a Gaelic word signifying a bero or great man ; and others suppose it may have been applied to point out the residence of some distinguished individual render- ed fiuDOus in former times, when the numerous encampments in this parish and its vicinity were inhabited. Situation, ^c. — It is nearly a square, each side of which is rather more than two English miles. A Roman causeway intersects the parish from east to west on the highest ground. The beautiful bank on the south side is divided Into fertile fields, where the mo- dem system of agriculture has been, for the last twenty years, cultivated with success, the soil being partly clayey and partly loamy. The River Earn is the boundary on the south. On the bank extending to the north are extensive plantations, with corn-fields and pastures; while a considerable part of this division of the pa- rish is bounded by a moss, which, notwithstanding the inroads made upon it by industrious farmers, still supplies the parishioners with peat for fuel. The Earn, which forms the boundary to the south, is a considerable river, though not navigable, the windings of which from the west to the east side of the parish are about three miles. It produces salmon, white and yellow trout, perch, flounders, pike, and eel. 282 PERTHSHIRE. The parish produces wheat, barley, oats, pease, potatoes, turnips, sown and pasture grass. It supports itself with all kinds of grain, independent of considerable quantities which are sold, and there are more than 1200 acres of wood, consisting of larch, Scotch fir, oak, &c These woods abound with all sorts of game, such as hares, rabbits, pheasants, black-cock, partridges, wood- cock, snipes ; and roe-deer, foxes, otters, badgers, and wild-duck. Marl is found in different parts, with large beds of freestone and grey slate, which are quarried with little difficulty. IL — Civil History. Land-oumen. — James Blair Oliphant, Esq. of Gask, is the chief proprietor in the parish. His ancestors for many generations have resided on the property. His house is a large substantial building, erected in the beginning of the present century. In its vicinity are many large and beautiful old trees. A small portion of land to the east belongs to the Earl of Kinnoul, who, along with Mr Oliphant, is the only other heritor in the parish. Antiquities, — The Roman causeway, which extends through the parish, on the highest ground, is 20 feet broad, composed of rough stones, closely laid together. It points west to a Roman camp still distinguishable in the parish of Muthil, near the Chapel of Ease, at Ardoch, and east to another camp in the parish of Scone. By the side of this causeway, Roman stations are still visible, capable of containing from twelve to twenty men. They are enclosed by ditches, which are very distinct Within Cask's policy, vestiges of two camps may still be traced, one on the south side, the other north of the Roman road or street^ as it is called by the inhabitants. A few years ago, on one of these Roman stations, north of the causeway, a number of human bones were dug up, all entire, par- ticularly two skulls. The place from time immemorial has been called the Witch Know, and the traditionary account is, that witches were burned there, and, as vestiges of coal- cinders are to be seen, the probability is that some people were put to death on that emi- nence. In the same place was lately found a small urn, of coarse workmanship, which would contain about three English pints. It was about two feet and a half below the surface. Eminent Men. — Two individuals belonged to this parish, who have risen to high honours in the church, — the late Principal Taylor of Glasgow College, and Dr Stewart, minister of the parish of Newburgh, in Fife. More recently, a native of this parish, Mr GA8K. 283 Laurence McDonald, has been distinguished as a sculptor, particu- larly in making busts. Parodiial Reguter. — The earliest date of the parochial register is the 10th of January 1669, and it ends 28th December 1679. Next volume commences 25th May 1703, and ends 20th July 1744. Third volume begins 29th December 1756, and has been regularly kept since that time. III. — Population. The population in 181 1 was 483 1821, 522 1831, 428 The decrease during the last ten years is owing to several te- nants being removed, in consequence of an enlargement of farms, — a want of employment for young men who go to large towns, — and the death of some aged individuals whose houses are not now inhabited. Tbe number of fiunilies, ...... 89 chiefly e^nployed in agriculture) 66 in trade, manufacturei, or handicraft» 17 persons under 15 years of age, 146 between 16 and 30, 106 30 and 50, 95 50 and 70, 59 above 70, .... 22 badielors and widowers above 50, A unmarried women above 45, . 8 fiituous persons, ... 4 Average number of births yearly during the last seven years, . 8 marriages, taking the same average, 3 deaths, . «... 5 IV. — Industry. AgricuUuTe. — All the land is cultivated except the 1200 acres under wood. Teeswater and Ayrshire cattle, Leicestershire sheep, with the common breed of horses, are reared throughout the pa- rish. The average rent of arable land is L. 1, 7s. per acre, and the length of leases generally nineteen years. Farm-steadings have of late been much improved. Prices. — As there is now but little encouragement for females to spin, many of them are employed in the labours of the field, and are paid 8d. per day. The wages of labourers in summer is Is. 6d. per day. Is. 3d. in winter. Wrights, 2s. in summer. Is. 8d. in winter. Tailors, Is. 4d. with victuals. Masons, 2s. 2d. in sum- mer, Is. 8d. in winter. V. — Parochial Economy. Markets. — There is no market-town in the parish. Dunning and Methven are within four miles ; Auchterarder six ; and the large 284 PERTHSHIRE. market-town, Perth, only eight miles distant Turnpike roads have been much improved ; but the roads which intersect the parish are tar from being good. There is one village called Clathey, con- taining a population of 84 individuals. Ecclesiastical State. — The church is conveniently situated in the centre of the parish, somewhat more than a mile from the extre- mities. It was built in the year 1800, and is in good repair. It will accommodate nearly 400, — all free sittings. The manse was built in the same year, and, as the ground of the glebe is inferior to the former glebe, which was in the neighbourhood of Gask House, it is much larger, being nearly 20 acres. The stipend is L. 150 per annum, of which L. 61, 17s. 8d. is paid by his Majesty's Ex- chequer. There is no chapel of any kind in the parish. There are, however, six families of Dissenters in the parish ; thirty-seven New Light Seceders. The rest of the inhabitants regularly at- tend the parish church, where divine service is uniformly perform- ed on the Lord's day, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper dispensed twice in the year, the number of communicants being at present exactly 200. Collections made on particular occasions are seldom below L. 6, and seldom exceed L. 10 Sterling. Education, — There is no school but the parochial one in the parish. English reading, writing, arithmetic, and Latin are taught, at the following rate of fees ; reading, 2s. ; reading and writing, Ss. 6d. ; arithmetic, Ss. ; Latin, 4s. per quarter. The people discover their regard for education, by generally sending their children to school, and as it is situated near the parish church, none are so far distant as to be unable to attend. The school may contain from 60 to 70 scholars, and the master, as to house and garden, has the legal accommodations, and the maximum salary, amounting to L. 34, 4s. 4id. Library. — There is a parochial library, which was founded in 1824. It is supported by the contributions of the subscribers, and at different times the Gask family has increased the number of books by valuable donations. Poor and Parochial Funds. — The number of individuals receiv- ing parochial aid is 6, and the average sum given is Is. dd. week- ly, when they are able to go about and do something for their own support. Besides this weekly allowance, they are allowed supplies of coals and meal in winter. The poor in this parish are much indebted to the Gask family, who pay particular attention to their wants, and bestow liberal supplies. The amount of collections at ACCHTERARDBR. 285 the church for last year was L. 17, 10s. 2d. The collections, with the interest of L. 260, under the management of the kirk-session, have hitherto supported the poor without any legal assessment Irmsj S^c. — There are no inns or alehouses in the parish. FweL — The fuel used is peat, coal, and wood. Peat costs about Is. per load ; coal 2d. per stone, and the price of wood sold by auction is regulated by the demand. May 1837. OF AUCHTERARDER.* PRESBYTERY OF AUCHTERARDBK, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING* I. — Topography and Natural History. Figure, Boundaries, Sfc. — The parish of Auchterarder is Smiles from south to north, and 3 miles from east to west It inclines, in the form of a parallelogram, from the Ochil hills to the water of Earn, in a north-easterly direction. It is bounded by Blackford on the west ; Glendevon on the south ; Dunning on the east; and Trinity-Gask on the north. The greatest elevation i^ Craig- Rossie, one of the highest of the Ochils, which are 2359 feet above the level of the sea. To the west of this hill, the body of which runs north and south, there is a very striking chasm, commonly called the *^ Heuch of Coul.'' From the Ochils various rivulets come down, which meet in the Ruthven, a considerable stream, which nearly bisects the parish, and at the north-east extremity loses itself in the Earn. Climate. — The climate may be regarded as favourable. Crops are ripened earlier than in a more westerly direction, and not a week later than in the Lothians. The situation of the town is high, and more than ordinarily healthy. Geology. — Auchterarder rests upon a formation of old red sand- stone. In the lower part of the parish, this sandstone has an ar- gillaceous basis ; and is commonly called liver rock, thick in the post, and excellent for building. In the higher parts, it has a sili- ceous basis ; veins of mica slate traverse the rock, — rendering it very hard and frequently unworkable. Near the sur&ce, in some • Drawn up by Mr James Aitkeii. 286 PERTHSHIRE. places, it becomes very micaceous, and schistose, in bands from one to four inches thick, furnishing fit material by its flatness for fences without lime. The strata seem generally to range 1 5^ to the north- east, and to dip at an angle of 13^. 4'. Several trap dikes cross the parish, almost directly east and west Great isolated blocks seem to have been thrown up by some giant force, and lie piled upon each other. The direction of these masses is to every point in the compass, and dips with every inclination. The rock of sandstone at the side is highly indurated, very finely grained, bears evident marks of having been under the action of fire, and appears to have received, when in a state of fusion, much of the nature of the trap rock into its composition. Limestone is to be found in the upper part of the parish ; but it is not wrought on account of the distance from fuel. Attempts have been made to find coal, but without success. Agate, calcedony. and jasper, may be got in great abundance along the water-course at the base of the hill. Soil. — Boulders were of very frequent occurrence ; but, by the aid of gunpowder, and other means, they have been mostly forced to quit the field, and take their place in the fence. In the parish, there is a great variety of soil. The eastern part is sandy, the lower part inclines to clayey loam. The neighbourhood of the town ex- hibits a fine specimen of rich black loam. Zoology. — Roe-deer are frequently to be seen. A red deer may occasionally be observed crossing the parish, from the north, on its way, it is said, to enjoy the benefit of the salt water. The fox here finds a cover, and the otter a retreat. Wild ducks and some- times a wild goose, woodcock, and kingfisher, are the rarer spe- cies of our undomesticated animals. The horns of an " elk," found imbedded in the soil, render it probable that this species once existed in the parish. In the ponds at Damside, out of which marl was taken, leeches are to be found. During the greatest part of the year, they are never seen, and are supposed to lie buried in the slime ; but during the heat of summer, they come up in numbers to the margins of the different pools. They are of two kinds, — one which cannot possibly be got to draw blood ; another the genuine medical leech, Hirudo medidnalis. It is larger and more vigorous than those im- ported into this country, which may be accounted for, by its being taken directly from its native element, and not exhausted by con- finement and long carriage. This kind is preferred, by the people in the neighbourhood, to foreign leeches. AUCHTERARDER. 287 Botany. — It does not q)pear that there are many plants peculiar to this parish. Tuuilago or coltVfoot is of frequent occurrence. Petagites or butter-bur grows in one place, larger than we have seen it m any other. Trefoil is plentiful in our meadows. The Orchis £unily seem to be natives of this parisn. IL — Civil History. The earliest notice we have seen of Auchterarder is in a char- ter by Alexander II. in the year 1227, conveying the teinds of the King^s revenue of the lands of Auchterarder to the Convent of Inchi^ray. In 1328, King Robert Bruce granted a charter of the lands of Auchterarder to Sir William Montifix, Justiciar of Scotland, on the payment of a small sum, reservitig the liberties of the burgh and burgesses, as they were in the reign of Alexander IIL One of the daughters of Sir William, marrying Sir John Drummond, received as her fortune the barony of Auchterarder, which brought this property into the possession of the Drummond family, in which it continued until of late. In one of the books of Exchequer, entitled Liber Responsionum, 1576, there is this me- morandum : ^* Assignit to the baiilies of Octerardour the tent day of November, to compeir and mak comp, and to that eflfect bring with thame the copie of their last comp, with sic uther writtes as thai will use for making of thair seasance." This curious excerpt seems to countenance the opinion, that Auchterarder once enjoy- ed the privileges of a royal burgh. This is, however, rather a doubtful matter. On diligent search, it does not appear from the Rolls of Parliament, that it was a royal burgh, when the act 1696, for the division of commons, was passed, in which was excepted the property of royal burghs, all there enumerated. Auchterarder was one of the Scottish towns ironically compared by George Buchanan with the fine English cities. Some English noblemen, boasting to King James of the properties of the English towns, the sarcastic Scot replied, that he knew a town in Scotland which had fifty draw-bridges, and which is afterwards described as a " country village between Stirling and Perth, called Auchterar- doch, where there is a large strand which runs through the middle of the town, and almost at every door there is a long stock or stone laid over the strand, whereupon they pass to their opposite neigh- bours, and when a flood comes they lift their wooden bridges in case they should be taken away, and these they call draw-bridges.*' — So goes the story. In the troublous times of 1715, Auchterarder appears to have 288 PERTHSHIRE. t suffered severely, as shown by the subjoined interesting document, the original of: which is to be found in the possession of the So- ciety of Antiquaries.* It is almost needless to add, that the indemnification on that occasion proffered by the Pretender was never forthcoming; whilst, on the other side, the reigning family did make compensation for the losses sustained by those who had neither personally nor by their friends been implicated in the rebellion. ^^ Burning money," as it is called, was received by many. The family of Perth, to whom Auchterarder belonged, having forfeited their possessions, the Commission appointed to take charge of the annexed estates appears to have devoted much at- tention to Auchterarder. In 1778, a survey was made of the ba- rony by Mr Wigh, acting for the commissioners, and published by their authority. In this report, the inhabitants are described as '* idle and poor, — farmers not thinking it necessary to thin their turnip ^hile small, allowing them to grow until they be the size of large kail plants, and then it is thought a great loss to take them up, unless in small quantities, to give to the cow. A few tenants excepted, no family had oat-meal in their houses, nor could they get any. They eat nothing better than bear-meal and * '* BT THE KINO, A DECLARATION. ^' James R.— Whereas it was absolutely necessary for our service and the public safe- ty, that the villages of Auchterarder and Blackjbrd should be burnt and destrojvtfl, to prevent the far greater inconveniences and hardships which must have ensued to our mibjects, had our clemency and tenderness prevailed upon us to preserve these places. We were, therefore, at last, induced by the strongest motives, though with the greatest reluctancy and unwillingness, to give our orders for the effect above-mentioned, which we understand since have been put into execution. And in regard we came into this our ancient kingdom with a sincere and first intention to case and relieve all our subjects in general of the hardships and calamities which they have laboured under for these several years past; and being, therefore, most sensibly affected with the losses and sufferings of our good subjects, by the devastation of these villages, which justly moves our compassion and tenderness towards them ; and being, therefore, re- solved to make them suitable reparation for the damages they have sustained on this occasion, so as in the end they may be no losers thereby. It is therefore our SHll and pleasure, that all and sundry the persons concerned do immediately prepare esti- mates of their several losses and sufferings, and that they deliver the same in writ- ings to their several masters, so as we may order relief and reparation to be made to them for what losses and damages they have sustained in their houses, goods, fumi* ture, and corns, or any other manner of way whatsoever. This we hope will he suf- ficient to convince them and all the world, of the tender regard we have for our sub- jects, and of the part we bear in all their sufferings. And we hereby charge an4 command the minUtert of the several paroch churches of Auchterarder and Black' ^- fird, publickly to read this our declaration to their several congregations, immediate- ly after divine service the two Sundayt next after the date hereof, and copies hereof to be affixed on the church doors, so as all the people concerned may have due notice of this our intention towards them, and may, accordingly, reap the benefit thereof. — Given at our Court at Scoon, this 26th day of January 1716, and in the fifteenth year of our reign, by his Migesty's command.-^ Signed) Mar." Printed by Mr Robert Freelwirn, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Migesty, MDCCXVI. AUCHTERARDBB. 289 a few greens boiled together at mid-day, for dinner, and bear-meal pottage evening and morning." On this report, Lord Kaimes remarks, that he had twice visited Auchterarder, and made particular inquiries about it, and bears his testimony to the want of employment and distress of the people, and to the necessity of introducing manufactures, and establishing a weekly market. His Lordship speaks of one that sows clover, and mentions that a formal complaint had been entered before the sheriff against him by his neighbours, for causing them to herd after harvest, contrary to use and wont ; and engages, that, if this person should prevail on others to sow clover also, he should receive a reward from the Board. This Commission erected a granary to hold the unsold provisions of one market day until the next ; they gave houses, rent free, on condition of beginning and continuing the manufac- ture of linen. To this Commission we are disposed to ascribe the still rising state of Auchterarder. Plan of the Parish. — A plan or survey of Auchterarder, and some other parishes, was published in 1824, showing the length of the different roads, and their directions, and the names and localities of all the houses in the landward part of the parish. Parochial Records. — The records of the kirk-session have been kept with great accuracy. Those on baptisms, marriages, and burials, commence in 1661 ; those on discipline and poor's funds, ID 1668. They amount to thirteen volumes, and the entries seem continuous. Land-owners. — Captain Hunter, Colonel Graeme, Earl of Cam- perdown, Patrick Brugh Smeaton, James Beveridge Duncan, John Malcolm, Peter Smitten, James Brugh, James Sheddan, John Mailer. Mansions. — Auchterarder House is the principal one in the pa- rish. It is an erection, in the Elizabethian style of architecture, built by Captain Hunter, who, a few years ago, purchased the estate of Auchterarder, and who is doing much to improve and beautify the place. Antiquities. — A little to the north of the town, there is a ruin re- ported to have been a hunting-seat of King Malcolm Canmore. As happens to many other pieces of antiquity, the romantic has been made to yield to the useful. A great part of this building has been torn down, to put up the offices of a neighbouring farm. The walls of the remaining corner display great strength of masonry ; they PERTH. T 290 PERTHSHIRE. are nine feet thick, and cemented so (irmly that it is almost as dif- ficult to tear them asunder as to quarry the rock. Half a mile to the east of this, there are the remains of an old church, commonly cal- led Saint Mungo's, evidently an erection of Roman Catholic times. There is another ruin in the parish, the old church of Abruthven. This parish appears to have been united to Auchterarder, before the Reformation. The minister, however, of the united parishes continued to live in the manse of Abruthven, and often preached in that church. Here is the burial-place of the Dukes of Montrose. Their aisle is an elegant and chaste piece of architecture, surmount- ed by a well executed urn, which, seen from the public road, has a good effect. In this ducal mausoleum, raised upon pedestals, are five crimson-coloured cofiins, decorated with plates and escutcheons. In the vault beneath, it is said there lies a long line of illustrious ancestors — men distinguished for arms and address, and for excel- lent endowments of body and mind. IIL — Population. In the year 1755, 179), 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831, 1836, Residing in the town, village of Smi country, Yearly average of births, deaths, marriages. The births are taken from the parish records ; but many Dis- senters do not register. The number of deaths and marriages m^y be relied on as correct. There are in the parish under 12 years of age, . 943 upwards of 70, . 74 Families of independent fortune, ... 4 Proprietors of land of the yearly value of L. 50 and upwards, 19 Ministers 3 ; medical practitioners 5 ; writers 6 ; teachers 7 ; banker 1 ; veterinary surgeon 1 ; Unmarried men upwards of 50, 70 women upwards of 45, 120 Number of fiunilies, .... . 763 chiefly employed in agriculture, 108 in manfactures, . 478 males employed in retail trade, or handicraft, • 233 labourers employed in agriculture, 75 in manufactures, . 325 males not included in any of the above classes, 177 male servants above 20 years old, . 4 female servants, . . . 115 There are 5 fatuous persons, 1 blind, and 6 deaf and dumb. 1194 1670 2042 2508 2870 3182 3315 • 1961 ithyhaugh. 397 • • 937 • • 63 • • 65 • 28 AUCHTE HARDER. 291 Charaderofthe Population. — The inhabitants of Auchterarder may be regarded as in circumstances of more than usual comfort. The land is very much subdivided — many cultivating a great part of their own properties. Many have houses of their own, and keep a pig or perhaps a cow. On account of the distance from lime, most of the farmers in the neighbourhood are willing to let the people have as much land for potatoes, as they can supply with manure. By this means, the family with the whole establishment is supported year after year, with a principal article of food. IV. — Industry. jfyrieulture. — Acres in rotation under the plough, 7176 constantly waste or in pasture, 6571 With the exception of about 150 acres on the banks of the Earo, and some rock and moss upon the hills, all might be culti- vated. Traces of the plough are perceptible in the highest parts ; but it has been thought more profitable to allow these uplands to remain permanently in pasture. Common. — There is a common of 228 acres, lying immediately to the west of the town. No one can tell how it came to be ap- propriated to its present use. From time immemorial, every one liv- ing in Auchterarder having a cow, has been in the habit of send- ing it to graze in the moor — quarrying stones, cutting turf, or appro- priating to himself out of the moor, whatever he thought proper, without leave asked or obtained from any. Sixty cows belonging to different persons in the town are annually sent to pasture ; and the houses are all built with stones taken free from the moor quarry. Attempts have been frequently made to effect the division of this common, — the proprietor of the barony of Auchterarder claiming a great part as his, — the portioners claiming their respective shares, — the feuars also insisting that they have a right of participation. The question has been repeatedly before the Court of Session. In the meantime, the moor is allowed to remain in its natural state, sending up a most luxuriant crop of furze and other indigenous productions. IVoocL — ^298 acres are planted, chiefly with larch and oak. No old wood is now standing in the parish, and little has been cut for sale, for many years. A tree is only felled when thinning is re- quired, or for some agricultural or domestic purpose. Rent of Land. — Average rent of arable land per acre, L. 1, 10s. Average rent of grazing a cow, L. 3. ^92 PERTHSHIRE. Wages. — Agricultural labourers receive from Is. 6d. to 2s. a- day ; masons and carpenters and other mechanics, 14s. a-week. Livestock. — The parish of Auchterarder, until of late, was very deficient in stock of cattle, and indifferent to the breed reared in it A marked improvement in this respect is now visible. Cows of the Ayrshire breed for the dairy, and of the Teeswater for feed- ing, are universally sought. In the two hill farms which are in the parish, the description of stock raised is reckoned of a supe- rior kind. In the lower part, some attention has been given to the Leicester breed of sheep. Improvement of Land. — Draining has been carried to a great extent Scarcely is there a field without its drain ; and in most places, draining might still be prosecuted with immense advantage. Captain Hunter may be mentioned as having by this means brought many patches of useless morass into a state of profitable tillage, or converted them into pleasure grounds. Much waste land has also recently been reclaimed, by embankments on the side of the Earn. These, however, are not always sufficient to guard off in- undations. It is said, that if a few cuts were made to render the course of the river less tortuous, the destruction of fields and of the labours of the husbandmen would often be averted. The farmers on the low lands complain bitterly of the numerous dam- dikes, which obstruct the natural course of the river. The farm-buildings, with few exceptions, are excellent, recent- ly erected and commodious. The enclosures are far from being good ; and in some parts, a fence of any description is never met with to impede the passage either of the wayfaring man, or the wandering quadruped. . An agricultural Association has existed in the parish for upwards of twenty years. It has an annual ploughiog-match, when eight premiums are awarded. Considerable doubts are entertained con- cerning the advantages of this Society, and it is not kept up with very much spirit Produce. — Oats, 14S5 acres, at 7 bolls the acre, at 17s. per boll, L. 8538 Barley, 1 199 acres, at 7 bolls the acre, at L. 1, Is. 6d. do. 9022 Wheat, 236 acres, at 10 bolls the acre, at L. 1, 7s. 6d. do. 3245 Potatoes, 600 acres> at 40 bolls the acre, at 5s. do. . 6000 Turnips, 600 acres, at L. 8 an acre, . 4800 Pease, beans, flax 200 acres, at L. 5 an acre, . 1000 Hay, 1435 acres, 140 stones an acre, at 7d. per stone, . 5859 Grass 1435 acres, at L. 2 an acre, . 2870 Natural pasture 6571 acres, at 4s. an acre, . 1314 Thinning wood, . . 75 AUCHTBRARDER. 293 Gardens, ... 140 Quarries. .... 50 Total Taliieof raw produce raised, L. 42,918 Real value, of property assened in 1815, 64)4 Scottish Taluadon of the parish, • 5284 Manufactures^ — The trade of Auchterarder consists mostly in the weaving of cotton, supplied from Glasgow. There are upwards of 500 looms in the parish. Malting is carried on to a considerable extent. There are four malt barns, in one of which 7644 bolls of malt are annually made. On the water of Ruthven, there are 13 mills or manufactories on a small scale ; grain-mills 4 ; lint- seed oil-mills 2 ; flax-mills 2 ; a saw-mill ; a paper-mill ; a fulling- mill ; a woollen manu&ctory of shawls and blankets and similar materials. V. — Parochial Economy. In Auchterarder there is a weekly market, held on Saturday. It is the principal mart in the district ; and business to a conside- rable extent is done in grain. Fairs. — There are 6 fairs annually held here, one on the last Tuesday of March ; one on the day after Amulree, which is on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of May ; one in each of the harvest months, the Friday before the Falkirk trysts, principally with the view of allowing the people in this district, who may wish to buy stock, an opportunity of the cattle passing to Falkirk ; and one on the 6th of December, when, besides cattle, the current ac- counts of the year for lime and other articles required in rural and domestic economy are usually settled. Means of Communication. — There is a daily post by the way of CrieflF. The Perth and Glasgow coaches pass daily through the town. There are carriers who go every week to Glasgow, Edin- burgh, Perth, and Stirling. The turnpike road extends six miles in the parish. Villages. — The only village of note is Smithyhaugh, recently sprung up. It is distant two miles and a half to the east of Auch- terarder. It is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Ruthven ; its trade is chiefly weaving from Glasgow. The population of the district amounts to 638. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish church stands in the mid- dle of the town of Auchterarder, which is on the north-west corner of the parish. It was rebuilt in the year 1784. In 1811, the front wall was removed out, the old roof supported by a cross beam,^and 360 sittings added. The church now contains 294 PERTHSHIRE. 930 sittings, and is in a state of good repair. There are two other places of worship in the parish, — one Relief, and one United Se- cession. The Relief can accommodate 583; sittings let, 433, unlet 150. The Secession can accommodate 500; sittings let, 250, unlet, 250. Many who attend the dissenting meeting-houses come from other parishes. Of the inhabitants of Auchterarder, young and old, 593 belong to the Relief, of whom 342 have seats taken, and 315 are communicants. The attendance at the Secession meet- ing-houses is as follows : Auchterarder, 366, of whom 234 have sittings taken, and 226 are communicants; Dalreoch, 39, of, whom 17 have seats rented, and 20 are communicants ; Kinkell, 35, of whom 23 have seats rented, and 18 are communicants ; 16 persons attend Dunning. There are 13 Episcopalians, who go to Muthil ; 8 Methodists, who go to Perth ; and 2 Roman Ca- tholics, who attend at Crieff. There are belonging to the Church, . . . 2196 to other denominations, . . > 1070 Not known to belong to any, . . . « . 49 Communicants belonging to the church, . . . 1146 to Dissenters, .... 636 Having right to seats in any place of worship, 1617 in no place of worship, . . 755 ' Whole families without a sitting, . .103 Examinable persons belonging to the Establishment who cannot obtain a seat, 555 The greater part of the seats in the parish church are occupied by proprietors or their tenants, by whose favour the people of the town obtain admission to a place in the house of God, — a very disagreeable mode of tenure, and often made an excuse for persons absenting themselves from public worship. No preference seems given to parishioners. Several pews and sittings are held by persons from other parishes. A petition was lately given in to the presbytery, numerously signed, complaining of the want of church accommo- dation, and praying to be directed how this might be obtained in connection with the national church. The stipend of the minister of Auchterarder is, meal, 5 chal- ders ; barley, 5 chalders ; money, L. 52 ; communion elements, L. 8, 6s. 8d. The extent of the glebe is 5 acres ; its value L. 20. The stipend of the Relief minister is L. 115; of the Secession, L. 100. They have both houses from their congregations. Benefactions. — The most interesting benefactor of late years in the parish was John Sheddan, Esq. of Lochie. This singular person deposited in the hands of the kirk-session, in the course of several ) L. 61 1. His beneficence was not confined to anv«one class of AUCHTERARDER. 295 persons, or mode of distribution, it extended itself to all who were recommended to his compassion, or whom be knew personally to be in indigent circumstances ; with bis own hand, be is known to have distributed in various sums L. 850. Nor was Mr Sheddan^s charity confined to the physical wants of the poor, — he aimed at a nobler object, — the instruction of the mind, and the salvation of the souL That the education of the poor might not be neglect- ed, in the year 1811, be erected a school-house, and endowed it with adjacent land to the value of L. 1000 ; and that the heathen as well as his own countrymen might be sharers in his beneficence, he gave L. 200 to the Foreign and British Bible Society. Mr Sheddan died in 1831. Education. — There are seven schools in the parish, two of which are taught by females. There is a parish school, the teacher of which has the maximum salary, and the legal accommodation. His class fees amount to about L. 40 per annum ; his other CTioluments, though multi&rious, are but trifling in amount. There is the school built by John Sheddan, and endowed with the interest of L. 1000, on condition of teaching twelve poor children gratis. The school in Smithyhaugh was built by public subscrip- tion, is under the management of a committee of individuals resi- dent in the place, and held rent free by the teacher. The other schools are all on the private adventure of their respective teachers. The branches taught are, reading, writing, arithmetic, book-keep- ing, mathematics, geography, Latin, French, Greek. In those taught by females, there is also needle-work and music The school fees vary in the different schools ; in the parish school, per quarter, reading, 2s. 6d. ; writing, ds. ; arithmetic, geography, and grammar, ds. 6d. ; mathematics, book-keeping, Latin, and French, 5s. There are at their education during some part of the year, 587, of whom 307 are boys, and 280 girls ; of these, 40 are under five years of age ; 383 are learning writing, arithmetic, or the higher branches of education. We do not think there are any above six years of age who cannot read, and very few grown up who cannot write. We would say that the people are generally alive to the benefits of education. We have a mechanics' institute, in which lectures are deliver- ed to mechanics, during the winter months, on literary, and scien- tific, and moral subjects ; attendance 80 ; admittance for the season Is. 6d. Friendly Societies. — Friendly societies in this parish are fast 296 PERTHSHIRE. sinking into decay. Formerly there were five, with a great nuni' ber of members; but, partly on account of the kirk-session refus- ing to aliment some of the members, and partly because persons in better circumstances reckoned it rather a degradation to take the funds, a disposition has generally prevailed to dissolve the so- cieties and divide the stock, and year after year has this been ef- fected. One only is now existent, the Weavers' Society, instituted in 1781. It has 161 members, and a capital of L. 450. A mo- tion has also been made for its dissolution. Poor Funds. — Parochial relief is aflForded to 22 regular pau- pers: sixteen receive Is. weekly; five, Is. 6d. ; one, 2s.; ten of the regular paupers receive L. 1 yearly for rent ; five of them 10s. ; five, not regular paupers, receive yearly for their rent, Li. I. Dis- tributed in occasional charities, L. 47, 14s. 8d. Total annual amount for the support of the parish, L. 131, 16s. 8d. This ex- penditure is met by collections at the church door, L. 59, 1 Is. 3d. ; interest on mortified funds, L. 23 ; annual assessment, L. 50. This last mode of supporting the poor has been recently introdu- ced into this parish. Inns, — There are in the parish 23 public-houses; 21 in Auch- terarder, and 2 in Smithyhaugh, — in which spirits and ales are sold. The policy of the Justices, for some time, has been to di- minish the number of these, by withholding license, as much as possible, from persons wishing to begin business in this line, and withdrawing it from those who have been guilty of any gross misde- meanour. Fuel. — Coal is the principal fuel used. It is generally laid down at the door at the rate of 8d. per cwt. The Glendevon turnpike has greatly lowered the price of coal in Auchterarder. Miscellaneous Observations. Since the time of last report, Auchterarder has kept pace with the general improvement which has been going on in the kingdom. In the town, old foundations have been erased, and buildings of very superior appearance and comfort erected in their stead. In the country, a much better system of husbandry prevails, princi- pally by the increase of green crop, and the feeding of cattle of a superior breed. Water. — In former Accounts of Auchterarder, the want of water seems uniformly to have been stated as the greatest deficiency. This defect has been abundantly supplied. In 1832, mainly by the kind and scientific exertions of Captain Ay toun, a spring, nine BLACKFORD. 297 feet above the level of the town, has been made to pour in 72 gal- lons, every minute, of the most excellent water, which has been taken into many houses ; and baths have been fitted up in some,— the water supplying not only the necessaries but even the luxuries of life. Few things would tend more to improve the general appearance of the country than the planting of Craig Rossie. This hill pro- jects considerably from the other Ochils, and, covered with wood, it would present an object strikingly grand and picturesque. The erection of a church at Smithyhaugh or Abruthven would be most beneficial to that district, which seems naturally formed to have a distinct pastoral superintendence. The people themselves could not support a clei^man ; but we fondly anticipate that, at no distant date, something will be done to assist them in this. We cannot conclude this Account, without referring to the im- portant law-suit on the power of the veto with which Auchterarder has been long connected. In the future histories of our church, Auchterarder will be noticed as having first entered the lists, and fought the battle for all Scotland in defence of the laws of the church, and the rights of the people. May 1837. PARISH OF BLACKFORD. PRESBYTERY OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. JOHN CLARK, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Name. — If the name be not altogether English, it may, per- haps, be traced to the Gothic word fort^ singifying not only a strait or firth, but also a road or passage. Some probability is given to this deri?atioD by the circumstance of the parish being situated between the great vales of Strathallan and Strathearn, and conse- quently forming the line of communication between them. Situation^ Extent^ ^c, — It lies midway between Perth-and Stir- ling, and is intersected by the great road between them. Its length from north to south is about 10 miles. It is bounded on the south by the water of Devon, and by the river of Earn on the north. Its breadth is about 5 miles ; it is bounded by the parish- 298 PERTHSHIRE. es of Auchterarder and Trinity- Gask on the east, and by those of Muthil and Dunblane on the west Soil. — In such extent of surface, the soil is necessarily varied. The south part of the parish is traversed by the Ochil hills, and affords good pasture for sheep. The middle is formed by the ex- tensive moor of TuUibardine, which is covered with young planta- tions. The northern part consists of rich and well-cultivated lands. Climate. — The climate corresponds with the high elevation of the land above the level of the sea. The prevailing winds are those from the west. Rains in summer, and snow showers in winter, are more frequent than in the lower surrounding districts. The difference, however, is not so great as to cause any peculiarity in the produc- tions of the earth ; or in the kinds of animals to be found ; or in the constitution and health of the inhabitants. Rivers. — Beside the rivers Devon and Earn, at the south and north extremities of the parish, there are three others of inferior size, — the Madrany, which rises in the hilly part of the parish of Muthil, and falls into the Earn at Kingkell, — the Ruthven and the Allan, which both take their rise in Gleneagles. The first is but a small stream, and runs eastward through the parish of Auch- terarder till it falls into the Earn. For three miles of its course, it runs through Kincardine Glen, a place of great natural beauty, — its high banks being broken with small cascades, and all covered with fine copsewood of oak, hazel, and birch. The Allan too, is here but a small stream. It runs to the west, through the adjoin- ingpacish of Dunblane, and falls into the Forth below Stirling Bridge. IL — Civil History. Land-ovmers. — The landed property in the parish principally belongs to James Moray, Esq. of Abercairney ; and to Lords Strathallan and Camperdown. What does not belong to them is the property of three other individuals. Parochial Registers. — The parish records extend back to 1738^ and have been regularly kept since that period. Antiquities. — There are not many vestiges of antiquity to be found here. From the immediate vicinity, however, of the cele- brated Roman encampment at Ardoch, there are several traces of military works and adventures. There are three places where entrenchments are still so evident as to leave no doubt of their having been used as out-posts to the Ardoch station. And the situation of all the three is well chosen for local defence, for mu- tual communication, and for extensive survey. In different other BLACKFORD. 299 places, there are also many tumuli or cairos, showing the frequency of conflict between the natives and their Roman invaders. In some phces, the strife must have been evidently great ; as the cairns stand close to one another, and are ranged in a semicircular form, diowing how orderly the coiAbatants stood, how closely they fought, and how closely they felL Beside these, there are two other re- mains of ancient warfiure. These are the ruins of Kincardine and of Ogilvy Castle. Their situation indicates that these castles had been reared for defence, and great strength of masonry was employed in their structure. There are also a few vestiges of antiquity of another de^rip- tion. ' These are the ruins of two chapels, the one at Glen- eagles, and the other at TuUibardine. The date of the one is not ascertained ; the other was built in the fifteenth cen- tury. At TuUibardine also, may be seen a few thorn trees that may be Tiewed with a kind of antiquarian interest. They are thus referred to in Pittscotie's History : " James the Fourth was fond of ship- building, and built the Michael, the largest ship ever seen before. She was 240 feet long, 36 feet within the sides, which were 10 feet thick ; she was a year in building, and took up all the oak wood of Fife, except Falkland ; she hs^ 300 mariners, and carried altogether about 1000 men. Her length and breadth is planted in hawthorn at TuUibardine by the wright that helped to make her." Only three of these trees now survive the ravages of time and the encroachments of the plough, so that, like every other human memorial, they have long ceased to answer the purpose which the planter intended. III. — Population. In the year 1811 the population amounted to 1666. In 1821, it amounted to 1892, and 1831 to about the same number. The number of females exceeds that of males by two. 674 of the in- habitants reside in the village, where they are employed as weavers, day-labourers, and mechanics. Number of families in the parish, • - - 394 chiefly employed in agriculture, - - 9 1 in trade, manufactures, or handicraft, 140 IV. — Industry. fP^e».—L According to times and circumstances, the wages vary from Is. to 2s. arday ; Is. 6d. may be taken as a feir average. Those inhabitants not resident in the village are scattered over a wide extent of country, and employed chiefly in agricultural pursuits. Within the last fifteen years, the inclustry and skill of the peo* 300 PERTHSHIRE. pie, especially in agriculture, have rapidly improved. Much waste land has been cultivated, and what was formerly under cultivation is now managed in a more skilful manner. Manufactures have improved correspondingly in the same period, — especially a ma- nufactory of coarse woollen cloths, which contains a good deal of machinery, and gives employment to seventy or eighty individuals. V. — Parochial Economy. There are two markets held here yearly, but those held at the neighbouring town of Auchterarder render them of little import- ance. The roads, both public and private, are good, and inter- course between different places is easily maintained. The dif- ferent turnpike roads extend about twenty miles. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish is within the bounds of the presbytery of Auchterarder. The church is so situated as to ac commodate the more populous part of the parish, but inconve- niently for the more distant quarters. It was built in the year 1738, and was lately repaired. It contains seating for 500 per- sons, who pay no seat rent whatever. There is no other place of worship of any description in the parish. The manse was built about eighty years ago, and was repaired within the last fifteen. The glebe consists of 24 acres of very light gravelly soil ; and the stipend, as lately modified, consists of 12 chalders of meal, 2 chalders of barley, and L. 30 in money. ScliooL — The schoolmaster has the highest legal salary, and good accommodation both in dwelling-house and school-house. The usual branches of education are taught, and taught so cheap as to render education attainable by all. The school fees vary from 2s. to 4s. a quarter, according to the branches taught. There are three other schools in different parts of the parish, supported by those who attend. Poor and Poor's Funds, — The number of poor on the public funds seldom exceeds 10 or 12. To support these and other in- digent and industrious persons, who require occasional assistance, a sum varying from L. 80 to L. 100 is annually distributed. This money is collected at the church doors, and by contributions from the non-resident heritors. There is certainly less reluctance to be- come pensioners on this charitable fund, than there' was shewn in former times, and there is an increasing indisposition on the part of natural relations to assist one another. Miscellaneous Observations. There have been many and great improvements in the parish, 3 MUCK ART. 301 witbin the last twenty years. The chief of these has been the for- mation of roads, which has opened new channels for intercourse, and supplied new means and motives for improvement. With the improvement of the soil, the circumstances and habits of the people have also improved. They have become more industrious, more temperate, more alive to the comforts and conveniences of life, and more anxious to employ means by which these may be procured. May 1837. PARISH OF MUCKART. PRB8BYTBRY OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING. THE REV. JAMES THOMSON, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Name^ Bmmdary^ Sfc. — The name of the parish has been writ- ten in various ways. The most ancient way appears to have been Mucard, the more recent Muckhart, and the modern Muckart. It is obviously derived from the Gaelic words " Mucy' a wild boar, and " gart^^ the head, or " ard^* high ; alluding, as some suppose, to the shape of the hill terminating above the Yetts of Muckart, which, from one point of view in the parish, is suppos- ed to bear some resemblance to a boar's head ; or, according to others, to its being in ancient times infested by the wild boar. The shape of the parish is triangular. Its greatest length in a straight line, from east to west, is about 4^ miles, and its greatest breadth, from north to south, about 2 miles : altogether it may contain about 6 square miles. The Devon forms its principal boundary, sepa- rating it, with the exception of one farm, from the parish of Fosso- way, on the south and east. On the north and west, it is separated respectively, by two small streams, from the parishes of Glendovan and Dollar. Topographical Appearances. — A branch of the Ochils, running east and west, lies along the northern boundary of the parish, and is terminated on the east by a conical shaped hill, called Sea Mab, 302 PERTHSHIRE. which is about 1350 feet above the level of the sea. The whole ridge of the Ochils in the parish is covered with grass, miDgled with a little heather, and forms excellent pasturage for sheep. The course of the Devon, for some distance above the Rumbling Bridge, presents a remarkable appearance ; a passage being apparently cut for it through the solid rock. In some parts of the fissure, on the lower portion of the rock, th^re are manifest traces of the action of running water ; but higher up, the rock is rough, bearing the ap- pearance, in many places, of having been rent asunder. And as the level of the country at the Crook of Devon is such that, with a very little labour, the whole of the stream might be thrown into Lochleven, some who are fond of geological speculation have sup- posed, that the fissure had been opened by some convulsive movement of Che earth, and after the water had found a pas- sage through, it gradually deepened it by wintery torrents, un- til it reached the present level. In this fissure occurs the na- tural curiosity usually termed the " Devil's Mill." The water, in falling the height of some feet into a cauldron, is generally sup- posed to strike against a loose block of stone, which occasions it to emit a sound bearing some resemblance to that of a common grinding mill. And from the circumstance of the sound being con- stantly heard, on Sabbath, as well as other days, it has acquired its present name. The whole appearance of the fissure is very re- ' markable, the water forcing its way a little above the mill through a crevice of considerable length, and scarcely six feet in breadth. Meteorology. — In the upper parts of the parish, from its eleva- tion above the level of the sea, the climate is considerably colder than in the lower parts adjoining to Dollar ; the difference of level being not much short of 400 feet. And as, in addition, the hills . attract a great deal of moisture, the harvest in general is consider- ably later. The quantity of rain that falls at the Yetts must be very great, as the clouds may often be seen travelling along the face of the hill, and depositing their moisture, when, at the distance of half a mile from it, all is sunshine. And as these clouds in general draw to one point. Sea Mab, and thence proceed along the Ochils to Milnathort, or diverge to the Cleish Hills, on the opposite side of the vale, its neighbourhood gets a goodly share of almost every passing shower. Unfortunately there is no rain- gage to estimate the amount that falls, nor, as far as has been discovered, has any record been kept by any of the parishioners 4 MUCRART. 303 of the variations of the thermometer or barometer, or other at- mospherical phenomena. Hydrography. — The only stream of consequence in the parish is the Devon, which has rather a remarkable course. Rising toward the west of the Ochils in the parish of Blackford, it flows at first in an eastern direction for nine or ten miles, then southerly for about five, when, after passing the Crook, it turns nearly due west, and after a (iirther run of fourteen or fifteen miles, empties itself into the Forth above Alloa, about five or six miles from its source. Its depth varies very much, according to the season, and accord- ing to the inclination of its bed. In most places, it may be forded with safety, unless during a flood ; but at the same time, it con- tains a number of very deep pools, which it has cut out in its im- petuous course. It is rather rapid, so long as it skirts this parish ; but after tearing it, and especially when it reaches the carse grounds, it becomes very. sluggish, and presents little that is attractive in its ai^pearance. Being in many places confined in a narrow bed, and descend- ing from a high to a low level, the Devon, while it bounds the pa- rish, presents many &lls, and much natural beauty. While pasl sing the fissure above the Rumbling Bridge, to which allusion has already been made, the whole of its course for half a mile may be termed a succession of rapids. In some places, it may be seen bounding from rock to rock; storming at being confined within such narrow limits, and tumbling into some rounded basin to wind its way out to encounter some further turmoil. And at others, it may be seen through the overhanging wood, at a great depth below, indicating its existence by the whitened spray upon its surface. When riewed from the parapet of the Rumbling Bridge, the sce- nery beneath, on both sides, is such as is not often to be met with. Raised considerably more than 100 feet above the level of the stream, the passenger beholds it confined within two vast walls of solid rock, forcing its darksome way to the comparative calm and quietude of the scene below. After leaving the Rumbling Bridge, the Devon, in its course for nearly a mile, is rather smooth. But then it presents a very uncommon appearance. It suddenly pre- cipitates itself, by a fall of 30 feet, into a cauldron from which, when the water is not flooded, there is apparently no outlet The shape of the cauldron is circular, and the fall of water causes it to boil as if some vast furnace were highly heated beneath. From 304 PERTHSHIRE. this cauldron, by an unseen communication, it glides into a second ; from this second, in a similar manner, into a third ; and finally, in- to a fourth ; when at last, in one body, by a fall of 44 feet, it reach- es the open space below it. Geology and Minercdogy. — The rock that prevails in the upper part of the parish, is trap or whinstone. Near the banks of the De- von, at the Vicar's Bridge, there are some strata of ironstone, lime- stone, and sandstone or freestone ; and in the west end of the pa- rish, there is a bed of coal. The ironstone is wrought on the Fossa- way side of the Devon, and is esteemed a very rich ore. On the Muckart side, however, it is not wrought, owing to the want of a proper level to carry away the water. The limestone in the parish is occasionally wrought by the proprietors for their own use, but not for sale ; there being abundance of limestone in the neighbourhood. The coal occurs in the shape of a basin, fiiUy half a mile in length, by as much in breadth. There are a number of seams, but only one is wrought ; from which, some thousand tons are taken annual- ly, and carried principally to the western part of Strathearn. In both the ironstone and limestone, a number of fossil remains oc- curs, principally shells. Some rather pretty specimens of rock crystal are occasionally found, in quarrying trap for road metal. In the upper part of the parish, a number of rolled blocks occurs, composed generally of trap, but occasionally of sandstone, of con- siderable magnitude, — although there is no sandstone rock in the neighbourhood, but what is at least 200 feet lower. The soil in the upper part of the parish is in general light and gravelly, con- joined occasionally with moss, and, if not resting upon rock, rest- ing upon sand or gravel. Farther west, the soil becomes more re- tentive ; and on the banks of the Devon, in the immediate neigh- bourhood of Dollar, in the lower part of the parish, it approaches more nearly to sand. Zoology. — No rare animals occur in the parish, and the only cir- cumstance worth mentioning is the fact, that the same species as the Lochleven trout is in some solitary instances found in the Devon. Some have attempted to account for this, by the supposition, that some of the small tributaries of the Devon and other streams that flow into the loch, niay, in very moist weather, be so connected in certain situations, that the small trout from the one may find their way into the other. Sometimes the trout in the Devon attain to a great size. One was caught lately, with the common fly, which measured 22 inches in length, and weighed about 7 pounds. 306 PERTHSHIRE. From the house down to a small stream flowing past it,tbere are the remains of a covered way, as if indicating, from the means em- ployed to reach the water in safety, that in these troublous times it was occasionally converted into a place of defence. All that now remains is apparently a small part of a turret or corner of the building. Several stone coflSns have, from time to time, been found in different parts of the parish ; but there seems to have been nothing about them worthy of notice. IIL — Population. The population of the parish, according to Dr Webster's account in 1765, was 535 )7d2» 526 1801, 538 1811, 540 1821, 704 1831, 617 1833, 664 The last census was taken by the present incumbent, and in- cluded 324 males and 340 females. From the above it will appear that there is a considerable de- crease in the population between 1821 and 1831. This may be accounted for from the circumstance, that, at the first of these pe- riods, very considerable improvements were going on at Blairhill and Balruddery, which required an additional number of labourers ; and, moreover, a distillery in the parish was then in active opera- tion, which has now been given up. The number of the population residing in villages in the parish, in \S^, was 210 in the country, . 454 Yearly average of births for the last 7 years, 20 of marraiges, . . 7 Number of persons under 15 years of age, 256 from 15 to 30, . . IS** 30 to 50, .141 50 to 70, . . 74 70 years and upwards, . 9 Number of resident heritors who have more than L. 100 Scots yaluation, . 3 proprietors who hsTe more than L. 50 Sterling per annum, 15 unmarried men above 50 years of age, . 17 females above 45 years of age, .... 27 £irailiea, ....... 135 Average number of children in each family ... 3^ Number of inhabited houses, 135 uninhabited houses, . 4 houses building. . 2 fiituous persons, 2 Number of males employed in agriculture, as farmers, cottars, and farm-servants, 104 in manufacture, .... 4 in retail ti-ade, . * 1 9 in handicraft— .masters 13, journeymen and appren> tices, 1 1 . Number of clergymen, 2 ; surgeons, 1 ; schoolnuisters, 2 males employed in mines, . 3 MUCKART. 307 Numlwr ci male lenrants not cmployad in agriculturt, above 20 yemn of age, S under 30 do. .2 ibnalet, do. do do. 26 The people, upon the whole, appear to enjoy in a reasonable degree the comforts and advantages of society ; and the only great subject of regret is the number of public-houses which, for a po- pulation of 664, amount to 13, and exert an unfavourable influ- ence on the morals of some of the people. IV. — Industry. Number of aem cultiTated regularly or occasional) j, 2664 uneulttratedy . . . 905 undivided common, . SCO under wood, 250 Rent of Ixtnd. — Rent of arable ground per acre, L. I to L. 3, average, L. 1, 5s. Rent of grazing per ox or cow, L. 3 to L. 4 ; per ewe or sheep, 4s. to 6s. Bate affVoffes. — Labourer's wages per day, Is. 6d. ; mason's 2s. to 28. 3d. ; Wright's, 2s. Huthandry. — Little attention was paid, until of late, in im- proving the breeds of cattle and sheep. The short-horn breed of cattle has, however, been introduced by one enterprising pro- prietor, along with the Leicester and Southdown sheep, and, from his success, others seem disposed, in some degree, to imitate his example. Various improvements in the land have been carried on with grea# spirit. Mr Haig of Blairhill has com*- pletely changed the aspect of his part of the parish ; and there can be little doubt that his improvements have been as profitable as ornamental. The improvements on the property of the moor, belonging to Mr Mowbray, have excited general attention, from the rapidity with which they were carried on, and the remark- able success which has attended them. It appears that, with- in three years, he has built stone dikes of more than nine miles in length, lipped and pointed with lime ; planted upwards of 700 chain of hedges, and laid about the same length of drains, as well as trenched upwards of 100 acres of ground with the spaue. It is impossible, owing to the peculiar circumstances of the parish, to give any statement of the average gross amount of raw produce raised in it. From the high rent got for grass parks, the great object of the proprietors, in the upper part of the parish, is to lay down their ground for permanent pasture in the best condition. This induces them, from time to time, to lift some fields, when the grass has become deteriorated, and take a rotation of crops : which leadff to such an uneartainty as to the gross amount of produce, as would 308 PEUTIISHIRE. set all calculation at defiance. The total rental of the parish, however, as nearly as can be ascertained, may be about L. 4250. V. — Parochial EcoNOMy. Market-Town, — Alloa, which is about ten miles distant from the centre of the parish, is properly the market and post-town, al- though there is a penny-post to Dollar, which is about seven miles nearer. Means of Communication. — There may be about six miles of turnpike road in the parish, — one line stretching from Dollar to a bridge over the Devon, on the road to Milnathort ; and another from the Rumbling Bridge to about a mile up Glendovan. One coach from Glasgow to Perth passes through the parish daily, and another from Edinburgh to CrieflF three times a weeL The num- ber of bridges in the parish over the Devon is four, all in good repair. The first is on the road from the Yetts to Milnathort; the second at Fossoway Church ; — the third is the Rumbling Bridge, on the new road from the south ; — and the fourth the Vicar's Bridge, on the old county rodd from the south, about two miles east from Dollar. At the Rumbling Bridge, before the present arch was built, there was one beneath it, at about 86 feet above the stream, which still is allowed to remain, and adds much to the effect of the scenery when viewed from below. It was very narrow, and had no parapet, which must have made it very dan- gerous at any time, and particularly at night. The Vicar's Bridge is supposed to derive its name from an event that took place at the commencement of the Reformation. It was there where the Vicar of Dollar, who had embraced the Protestant faith, met with an untimely end from the hands of his persecutors. Ecclesiastical State, — The church is situated to the north-east of the principal village called the Pool, very conveniently for the villagers, but not equally so for those residing in the west end of the parish. It appears to have been built since the Roman Ca- tholic times, as the font stone is used to form part of the front wall. The following dates are cut on stone in different parts of the building— 1620, 1699, 1715, 1789,— which, as far as can be ascertained^ indicate that the church was rebuilt at the first of these periods ; got a thorough repair at the second, w hen the first active Presbyterian clergyman was settled after the Revolution ; was again repaired at the third ; and was partly rebuilt and re- paired at the last. At present, it is rather ruinous, and not suffi- cient for accommodating the population in connection with the Es- MUCKART. 309 tablished Church. The consequence is, that many of the young people remain at home, and others make it an excuse for irregu- lar attendance* The number of communicants at present is more than that of the regular seats in the church. The manse is newly built, at an estimate of L. 600, is very commodious, and does credit to the contractors. The glebe con- tains 10 acres 1 rood, and may be worth about L. 20 per an- num. The stipend is L. 150, part of which is paid by the Exche- quer. There is one meeting-house in the parish, connected with the United Associate Synod. The present incumbent, it is understood, in addition to a manse and a valuable glebe of IS acres, has L 100 per annum, paid partly from the seat rents, and partly by collections at the church doors. The number of fa- milies connected with the Establishment is 89, including 438 in- dividuals. The parishioners connected with the Secession church amount to 226* Their meeting-house contains sittings for about 360, and of these there are about 285 let. Divine worship in the Established Church is generally well attended, and the number of communicants is about 200. The average yearly amount of col- lections at the church door is about L. 15. Education. — There are two schools in the parish, the one paro- chial and the other unendowed. In both, the same branches in general are taught, viz. English reading and grammar, writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, and Latin, conjoined occasionally with geography, algebra, and French. The salary of the parish school- master is L. 25, 6s. 8d. ; the amount of the fees may be L. 17 ; in- terest on some mortified money, L. 9. These may give as a total in- come L. 51, 6s. 8d. ; along with a house and garden. The school fees are lOd. a month for English reading, with 2d. additional for any of the other branches, such as writing, arithmetic, or Latin. The fees in the unendowed school are understood to be a trifle higher. With the exception of two fatuous persons, all in the pa- rish arrived at years of discretion, as far as can be ascertained, have been taught to read, and almost invariably they have at least got some lessons in writing, although many may have altogether neglected it in after life. Literature, — There is a library in the parish, for the united pa- rishes of Glendovan, Muckart, and Fossaway, containing a good selection of books. Poor and Parochial Funds. — The average number of persons on the regular poor's roll is six, receiving each at the rate of 310 PEUTHSHIRE. L. 4, Os. 7d. yearly, along with a cart of coals. The poor's funds, arising from collections at the church doors, which may amount to L. 15, 5s. Id.; the use of the mortcloth, L. 1 ; interest on L. 240 mortified money* L. 8, 8s. ; and a voluntary assessment by the heritors, L. 12, 16s. 4d. ; amount altogether to the sum of L. 37, 9s. 5d., which is expended in regular monthly allowance to the poor on the roll, in temporary supplies to others in needy circumstances, and in paying the salaries of session*clerk, beadle, &c. MiSCBLLANEOUH OBSERVATIONS. Since the drawing up of the last Report, a total change seems to have taken place upon the face of the parish. Then, it was diffi- cult of access; but now, by the opening of the new road from Stir- ling to Milnathort about the year 1810, and that from Dunferm- ine to Crieff in 1816, it has become a thoroughfare. Upwards of 10,000 tons of coal pass through it annually, and from 4000 to 5000 carts of lime, — besides carriers' carts, and crowds of visitors to the falls, in all kinds of conveyances, in the summer and autumn months. Then, a considerable part of the higher district of the parish was covered with heather or peat-moss, mak- ing the ague not an uncommon complaint ; now, in the same dis- trict, unless in some plantations, the heather is no longer visible, and the moss is converted into a rich pasture meadow, and, instead of being, as it was then, bare and exposed to every wind that blows, this district is already clad with numerous beltings and clumps of trees, and in a few years will be as sheltered and ornamented as any parish in the neighbourhood. The circumstance, that the rental of the parish is now nearly four times the amount of what it was about the year 1792, al- though there is no great difference in the price of agricultural pro- duce, may show how busy the hand of man has been in the work of improvement September 1835. The materials for the above report were collected in 1833; aiul the various ntate- nients made are to be understood as having a reference to that date. PARISH OF MUTHILL. PRBSBYTEBT OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH & STIRLING. THE REV.- J AMES WALKER, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History. Nmme^ — The author oS the last Account of this parish says, thai, <' as the names of almost all places around are Gaelic, and ge- nerally descriptive of their local situation, this parish probably takes its name from an Ense word of somewhat a similar sound, which sig- nifies the north ride of the HiU" We prefer to derive the name from the Gaelic word, Mddailj compounded of Modj signifying a court of justice, and Dailj a field, bounded by river and hill ; and accordingly, that part of the parish lying near to the village pre* sents something of a delightful Geld or valley, limited by river and hilL The name was formerly spelled Mothil, as appears from a brief history of the Culdees, selected by Keith, wherein it is said, that one Michael was parson of Mothil, and Macbeath was his chaplain* In the history of Scotland, Mote-hill and Moothill are often mentioned. On the eminences so named the Druids sate, and delivered their decrees and their addresses to the people. It is said by Skene, de Verb. Signific ^^ Quhen Malcolm the Se* cond gave all the lands to the barrones of the realm, he retained to himself Montem placiti de Scona, the ^ mute hill of Scon^,' where he might hold his courts, and do justice to his subjects, in deciding their pleas and controversies." Chalmers, in his Caledo- nia, observes, there was a Moothill in every district of North Bri- tain, during an age when justice was administered to a coarse peo- ple in the open air. In this parish accordingly, there is still a place in the village, called " the Ward," where the chief of the strath distributed justice to his vassals. From this, Muthill would appear to have been held in some esteem, and it is certain that, previous to the Reformation, it was the residence of the Dean of Dunblane, and afterwards the seat of the presbytery, which now meets in Auchterarder. Boundaries and Topographical Appearances. — Muthill is one of the most extensive parishes in Strathearn. Upon a general calcu- 312 PERTHSHIRE. latioD, it may be said to contain about 80 square miles. Its figure is very irregular^ extending downwards into the vales of the Allan and the Earn. It is bounded on the north-west by Comrie and Monivaird ; on the north by Crieff; on the north-east by Madderty ; on the east by Trinity- Gask; on the south-east by Blackford; and on the south-west by Dunblane. The village is three miles from Crieff, nineteen from Stirling, and about the same distance from Perth. As to the general appearance of this parish, it is sufficiently diver- sified, and will be judged so by the traveller in passing through it ; but if viewed at a distance from the east, all inequalities are lost sight of, except that of Torlum Hill, and the aspect which it then assumes is that of two inclined planes, ascending gradually from the north and south extremes to a transverse ridge of considera- ble elevation. The transverse ridge, however, is found to be double as we come near it, and between the ridges flows the river Machony. The one ridge or part next to Muthill village, extends in a circuitous direction onwards to the foot of Torlum, and is in a state of culti- vation ; the other, bleak and barren, known by the name of Corry- aur, extends from the Muir of Orchill westerly, until it terminates abruptly amongst other hills wild as itself. The south ridge may be considered the natural division of the parish, and has led us to speak of the Muthill side and the Ardoch side. Each of these sides has its attractions and its beauties ; the one has its Allan and its Knock rivers : the other its Earn and Ma- « chony ; each has its kirk and village, its woods and cultivated lands ; but yet we are inclined to think that the observing traveller must give a preference to the Muthill side. And that he may do so, we would place hun on the eminence of the northern ridge, on his way from Ardoch by the military road. In this position he sees the parish church, a stately Gothic building, with its adjacent cleanly village, looking through the rows of shrubs and trees, — roads in several directions, half-shaded over with limes and chest- nuts, — large fields in the highest state of cultivation, and the wind- ing Earn moving slowly through them. But this is not all. On his left is Drummond Castle, full in view, whose shattered walls re- mind bim of other days; and behind it is Torlum hill, 1400 feet above the level of the gea, unsurpassed for beauty, in its conical shape and its evergreen trees ; and then before him is lofty Benchoan, and Turret Glen, and the Knock with Crieff on its sloping side ; and on his right, the far extending prospect to the hills of Sidla, MUTHILL. 313 CHmate. — From what we have already noticed of this parish, there may be expected in different parts of it a difference of cli-* mate. Accordingly, in comparing the south side with the north, it is found that snow lies two days longer on the former than on the latter ; and in accounting for this we would advert to the peculi- arity of the straths, whereof the districts alluded to form a part ; — Stratheam, lying deep and flat, is defended by its mountain sides from the violence of the storm, and the reflection of the sun's rays from the hills produce a great degree of warmth in it, — while tbrough the opening of Strathallan, currents of wind, that issue from the glens, sweep along the vale, and render it less warm and fertile. The greater spaciousness of Strathern removes it also the farther from the chilness of the mountain air, or of haze at- tracted by the mountains ; for it is not un frequently seen, that, whilst on the banks of the Earn the sun is shining, showers of rain or showers of snow are falling upon the hills. The soil also of Muthill may be taken into consideration as of a drier nature than that of the other, because upon an opener bed, less retentive of the rain, and so of the cold, — for doubtless there is a relationship be- tween the soil and the atmosphere. Storms, however, frequent- ly visit both. Our colder winds come from the east and north- east, and the more violent from the south-west. The parish is, on the whole, healthy. Of the healthy aged we have many examples. Hydrography. — In former days, there were in this parish several springs or wells much esteemed for their virtues, real or imagined. One of these is at Straid, in the district of Blair-in-roan, much frequented once, as effectual in curing the hooping-cough.* In the same district, is St Patrick's Well, so named from a cha- pel once there, probably dedicated to that saint. Part of the foun- dations of the chapel is still to be seen, and close by these are a few houses lately built, which bear the name of the saint. We know not what connection St Patrick had with this sequestered spot ; but it is certain, that the inhabitants, until very lately, held his memory in so high veneration, that on his day neither the clap of the mill was heard, nor the plough seen to move in the furrow. * Not fiirther back than a few weeks ago, a family came from Edinburgh, a dis- tance nearly of sixty miles, to have the benefit of this well. As a piece of useful informatioii, we may add, that the water must be drunk before the sun rises, or im- mediately ajfier it sets ; and that out of a *^ quick cow's honi,'* or a horn taken from a live cow, which indispensable horn is in the keeping of an old woman who lives near by the well ! ! 314 PERTHSHIRE. A third well upon the side of the Machony was of still greater im- portance. It was called the well of Struthill, and by the credulous was much sought after, as its virtues were considered effectual in curing madness. Doubtless, its celebrity was altogether owing to the artifices of the avaricious religionists, who» it would appear, practised on the superstition of frequent visitors, to call forth their liberality in the shape of offerings cast into the well. That this ac- count is more than mere conjecture, appears from the fact, that the Popish chapel which stood near the well was ordered by the pres- bytery of Auchterarder, anno 1650, to be demolished, on account of the superstitions which were practised within it But even this was not effectual to do away the celebrity of the well, or rather, we may say, was not effectual to lessen the avarice of those who kept it ; for in 1668 several persons testified before the presbytery of Stirling, that, having carried a woman thither, ** they had stayed two nights at a house hard by the well; that the first night they did bind her twice to a stone at the well, but she came into the house to them, being loosed without any help: The second night they bound her over again to the same stone ; and she returned loose. And they de« dare also that she was very mad before that they took her to the well, but since that time, she is working, and sober in her wits.'' This well was still celebrated, and votive offerings were cast into it, in the year 1723 ; but such delusions have now happily passed awav. * Formerly, the only lake in the parish was the loch of Balloch, a natural collection of water at the foot of Torlum, not remarka- ble for beauty or expansion. But now we have several artificial lakes, one of which is worthy of notice. It is commonly styled the Pond of Drummond. This is an interesting sheet of water, and cannot but be admired by the visitor. On its north side, is a rocky eminence, about seventy feet above its level ; around it are well wooded banks; and on it, swans, geese, and ducks are at all times seen. Its length is nearly a mile, and its breadth about half the same. Where the loch is now, there was once a cultivated valley, which was portioned out by the King's Commissioners on the forfeited estates, as a reward to some of the bravest men who hazarded their lives in the Rebellion of 1745 ; and after all of them had died out, or were removed, Lady Perth desired it to be form- ed into its present state. * See Darker Superstitions of Scotland, p. 82. MUTHILL. 315 There are four rivers in the parish* The principal of these is tlie Earn, which flows out of the loch of that name, and, running through Comrie and Monivaird, forms a line of separation between Crieff and Muthill on the north-east. Leaving Crieff, it passes be- tween this parish, and its quoad sacra part, named Innerpeffary ; and, keeping its devious course, for at least thirty-five miles through the Tale to which it. gives the name, falls then into the Tay. This river, although generally beautiful in its slowly flowing waters, yet at times, is truly terrific, when swollen by the mountain torrents. It is to be regretted that no bridge is over this river, at Innerpeffary, for oftentimes, by reason of its flooding, the people of that quarter can- not attend church. But we do not despair of this evil being re- medied, as, on each side of the river, the honourable proprietors of the land are both rich and liberal. Linerpeffary may here be no- ticed as a place of some interest It has a large room with a library for the use of students in the neighbourhood, founded by Darid Lord Madderty ; and beside it, there is an old church, now the bury- ing.place of the Perth and Strathallan families, and also close by the riyer is the old castle of Lord Madderty, — all of which remind us of other days. — The Machony is another river which fakes its rise from the confluence of rills as they descend from the heights of Blair-in-roan, and flowing along, is considerably increased be- fore discharging itself into the Earn, near the bridge of Kinkell. lliough not remarkable in itself, it is somewhat so, in its name, for as it signifies in the Gaelic a fight or battle, so we are led by it to think of Blair-in-roan, which also signifies the spotted battle field, as the place where the Romans and Caledonians fought. On the other side of the parish are the Knaik and the Allan, the only other two riyers in it. The former, rising in Glenlich-hom, and passing by the steep banks which form the west boundary of Ardoch Camps, joins the latter, to form the south limit of the parish, and after that moves slowly on, and meets the Forth near to Stirling by the way of Dunblane. All these rivers are excellent for small trout, the Earn especially, for pike, sea-trouts or whitings, and large sal- mon. Geology and Mineralogy. — Like other parts of the country, this has its variety of stone, — as grayish sandstone at Ardoch, reddish sandstone at Lucas, grayish sandstone at lower Concrai^, and at upper Concraig black trap, or as some style it, black whin rock. The three first are used for building, the other is excellent for mak- ing roads. 316 PERTHSHIRE. The sandstone or freestone appears in strata dipping northwards at an angle of 70% with till sand interposed between the strata. » The trap rock, however, is the one which will be most interest- ing to the geologist, and that not so much in its nature as in its history. At short intervals, it rises in ridges, and is again broken down, and thus forming a range, stretches not only across the parish, but across the island, from sea to sea. Below the loch of Drum- mond, as also on the side of the loch, it rises about 50 feet, and in the former place is perpendicular in its front, and as smooth as if cut with a chisel or hammer. From these two great rocks, the places in the neighbourhood may have received the name of Con- craig. Several species of fossil remains have, at different periods, been found in our peat mosses and marl-pits, such as the heads of oxen of uncommon size, and horns of the elk and forest deer ; so that we have proof that certain species of animals, which once frequent- ed this part of the country, are now there extinct Soil. — Along the sides of the Earn and the Allan, the haughs are for the most part a light loam, on beds of sand and gravel, which, with an admixture of lime and marl, produce very luxuriant crops. Between the middle or separation ridge of the parish, and the haugh ground, the soil may be considered to consist of three kinds ; one light, with a free bottom, which does not retain water ; this is next to the haugh ground, and is excellent for producing grass ; the next kind is a strong sandy soil, with a mixture of gravel, but with so much of a till bottom, and so cohesive in its nature, as not to admit the water to pass through it ; and the other is so poor and moorish, as only to send up heath and whins. How- ever, almost to the hill top, from the banks of the rivers, the ground is found to be made productive by cleaning, by draining, and by manuring ; and so every year, we see a little field made out, farther up the hill. The low grounds especially are very productive when limed, and drained, and manured. Lime to warm and quicken the soil is much required ; but that advantage, as yet, is almost denied us, for we have no lime nearer than Loch Earn or Stirling, a dis- tance of about twenty miles. Zoology. — Few places abound more in game than this. Our heath-clad hills and rising grounds are everywhere filled with them. Yet they are not so abundant as they were once, by reason of im- provements and cultivation. Goats have entirely disappeared from this quarter, also the forest deer ; but there is a sufficiency of MUTHILL. 317 grouse, black-cock, woodcock, partridges, pheasants, plovers, wild ducks, wild geese, snipes, hares, &c. The principal sorts of ver* min are foxes, polecats, and badgers. The following account may give an idea of the quantity of game in this quarter. Killed on the Perth estate, anno 1835, hares, 1521 ; grouse, 84*2 ; rabbits, 6268, &c. The large park of Drum- mond Castle is still well-stocked with fallow deer, which adds much to the beauty of its pleasure grounds. The stag has now been driven up to Glenartney for his abode. Botany and Plantations. — Although we had nothing more under this head to mention, than the garden of Drummond Castle, yet that should be enough to induce the botanist to visit our strath. It may be said to be in its style partly Dutch and partly French. The cas- tle stands upon an elevated rock, and on its south side is the far- £imed flower garden, — famed for the manner in which it is laid out, for its locality, arid its size. Scarcely a breath of wind can in- jure the most delicate flower in it ; for on all sides it is protect* ed from the blast ; and every thing about it, as its lofty trees, its descending stairs, its little ponds, and its lovely walks, with va- ried flowers on every hand, render it truly enchanting. We at- tempt not to number the different kinds of heath, of roses, &c. which are to be found in it ; but we notice ono kind of plant, in its hot- house, which latelv attracted much attention. It was the rare plant Aloe Americana. In 1832, June the 30th,- it began to flower. Its temperature was the common heat of the hot-house, and it was nourished by frequent waterings. Its height wjis 23 feet, circum- ference 1 1 inches at the bottom, and I inch at the top ; branches 29, and flowers on each branch 89, in all 2581 flowers. The flowering continued during the month of July, and when all fully blown, the plant died. What made this plant a matter of curiosity, was, the common be- lief, that it only flowers once in the hundred years, and then dies ; and on that account it was visited by most of the florists in Scot- land. Some rare plants are also found in the parish, such as the Pyrola rotundifolia^ Stellaria holosteay Polygala vulgaris^ Eupa^ torium cannahinum^ Anemone nemorosa^ Scahiosa arvensis^ Blech^ num borealej &c. The plantations are to a considerable extent, and consist of fir, in its various kinds, larch, oak, birch, sweet chestnuts, and limes. The largest plantation in the parish is that around Torium Hill, which is said to contain about 600 acres of Scotch 318 PERTHSHIRE. fir. But beaides it, there are others on the Drummond estate, as also on the estates of Ardoch, Braco, Orchill, and Culdees, of pretty large size. In fact, the plantations of Stratheam are amongst its beauties, and contribute much to fertilize it. 11. — Civil History. Accounts of the Parish. — The historical accounts of this parish are mostly of a traditionary nature ; and many of them not much to be depended upon.* All that is written concerning this parish is to be found in the books of the Presbytery of Auchterarder, and in the parochial registers of the kirk-session, and heritors' book. In the kirk-session records, are contained lists of marriages, of births, and baptisms; an account of the distribution of the funds; and of the meetings and doings of the kirk-session. The earliest date of these records is February !2, 1676; and from that time to 1692, incidents are noticed with great regularity. Afterwards, the register is lost, until 1704, when Hally, the first Presbyterian minister, took charge of them, and kept them very carefully, until 1754. After Hally's time, they become irregular and confused, with the exception of the last few years. It is to be hoped, how- ever, that this part of our parochial economy will be more attend- ed to throughout the bounds of the presbytery than in times past, as it has lately feillen under the particular inspection of that reve- rend court. Eminent Persons. — As an individual eminent in the church, we cannot pass by the Reverend William Hally, minister of this pa- rish, so well known in the religious world, especially in connection with the revival at Cambuslang, &c It is well known that the year 1688 was the glorious time of freedom to the Church of Scotland, from the power and persecu- tion of Popery and Prelacy ; but it is also well known that in many parishes these churches held their sway for years, after that bles- sed revolution. Muthill was one of these. By law, the Episco- * Passing along the military road to Ardoch, and near the Mill uf Steps, there are still to be seen the foundations of a blacksmith*s house, who lived seventy years ago, and who bad a beautiful daughter. This young woman could not endure the frowns of her stepmother, and with others embarked for America. On her way thither the ship was captured and carried into Morocco. And the tradition bears that the black- smith's daughter became the Empress o£ Morocco ! An old farmer, who died abcut eighteen months ago, told this tale to the writer, and said that he remembered her well, and that slie often wrote to her friends at the Mill of Steps. It is feirther re- lated that she left two sons, who, about forty years ago, are said to have applied to the government of this country for aid to place them upon the throne of their de- ocMed fkther, against an usurping kinsman, on the plea that they were of British de- scent. But the two young men are said to have been entrapped and cut off by some ambitious relative. 3 MUTHILL. 319 paUans were ejected ; and, from the history of that trying time, we find that the presbytery, /ure devolutOj sought out for an able mi- nister to this parish, but, that it was not until the year 1704 that Hally was ordained by them. In this, the presbytery was fortu- nate in llieir choice, for no one could have filled the situation bet- ter than be. With a heart devoted to the work given him to do by bts Lord and Master, he began, and continued, to labour amongst the people for about half a century ; and although many jFears hare passed nnoe his demise, Hally yet lives in the recollec- tions of the people, for his unblemished character and Christian boldness on the side of truth. At his settlement he had the greatest opposition to C4>ntend with. The Episcopalians, although ejected by law, stOl held out against his ordination, and their minister was resolved to possess the pulpit. ** The opposition," says the piresbytery record, ^* proceeded to the extent of a riot Several individnals of the parish kept the doors of the kirk and kirk-yard, armed with swords and staves, which they made use of, in beat- ing and wounding several that had come there to hear the word.'' But the presbytery persevered in their duty, and went on with the ordination of Hally, in the church-yard ; and in that place he preached for many Sabbaths,* oftentimes pelted with stones, by his widied opponents. At last, through the kind interference of the Duke of Athol, and the firmness shown by the presbytery, and especially by Hally himself, the contest was given up, and the keys of the church were surrendered to him. This took place in March 20, 1705. And then Hally entered that pulpit, which he filled in an eminent degree for forty-nine years and eleven months. * Hally vras succeeded by the two Mr Scotts, father and son, — the former. minister twelve years, — the latter forty- two; these again were socoeeded by Mr Russell. They were all faithful servants ef God, — and, as a proof of this, there has been no Secession church established here ; and we can say of the parish, at the pre- sent time, that there is not perhaps another, in Scotland, where the people are more attached to the Established Church. 7%« Dntmmand Family. — Few families in Scotland can trace a longer line of descent, or boast of nobler alliance, than the house of Drummond.f Its founder was Maurice, a Hungarian noble- * Viig Robe's Narrative of the Revival of Cainbuslang. t Vide Genealogy of the House of DrummoacU by the Honourable William Drum- mood, afterwards first Viscount of Strathallan, 1681, — one who was as illustrious by hts deeds aa by his writings. In his publication, are ^veral curious and interest- ing documents, which merit the attention of the antiquarian. 320 PERTHSIUKE. man, who was one of the attendants of Edgar Atheling, Prince of England, and his sisters, Margaret and Christian, when, in 1068, they took refuge in Scotland, to avoid the insidious designs of William the Conqueror; and who, upon Margaret's elevation to the Scottish throne, was, for his eminent services to the royal fu- gitives, rewarded with a grant of lands, and distinguished by the name of Drummond. * After a continued succession in the male line from Maurice the founder, through twenty-five generations, the estate of Perth and representation of the house of Drummond devolved upon the Honourable Clementina Sarah Drummond, the only survivor of her father, James Lord Perth. In 1807, this lady was married to the Honourable Peter Ro- bert Burrell, eldest son of Lord Gwydir, who succeeded his father as Baron Gwydir, 1820, and his mother as Baron Willoughby de Eresby, 1828; and thus the estate of Perth, and the representa- tion of the house of Drummond, belong now to the Right Ho- nourable Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby, who, with their family, are not more distinguished by their rank, than by their kindness and liberality to all around them. Their residence is Drummond Castle, when in this country, which merits some at- tention. It stands at the foot of Torlum, in the western part of the vale of Strathearn, and has a site of considerable elevation, rising gradually from the public road. It was built in 1490, by John first Lord Drummond, one every way distinguished both for his virtues and his illustrious deeds. Some writings of his, which reflect honour upon him, may be found in the genealogical account already referred to. The building now exhibits all the appearance of having suffered from the hand of time and from violence. Tradition says, that it was besieged, taken, and garrisoned by Cromwell's army ; and that, at the Revolution of 1689, it was demolished, with the ex- ception of some fragments, which are still standing. The south wing was fitted up for a library by the late Lord Perth, but is now an armoury. Respect is paid by the present family to the abode of their ancestors, for some repairs were made last summer upon the old walls, to preserve their ruins from further destruction. * An ioterpretation is given of this word by an ancestor of the family as follows : Drum signifies a height—ondef & teave ; hence the name Drummond was given to Maurice, to express bow gallantly he conducted through the swelling waves the ship in which the royal fugitives had embarked for Hungary, when they were forced, by stress of weather, upon the Scottish coast, where they were received by Malcolm with royal munificence. 4 MUTIIILL. 321 The modern castle is a little east from the old, on the same rock, and forms two sides of a square, and although not, at all, such a mansion as the family would have, were they residing constantly in this place, it is, however, comfortable as a summer residence during their visit, and is often the abode of the first nobility of the land. In the castle* there are a few paintings which interest the con- noisseur* Amongst these, we may notice the following : Charles I. with bis Queen and children. Duchess of Ancaster, Lady Ann Gor- don, Lady Ann Drummond, Lady Sarah Bruce, Cardinal Howard, Lord and Lady Perth, James V., James VL, two of Queen Mary, one in her sorrowful, the other in her happier days, a full-length of Peregrine Beatie, Lord Willoughby de Eresby, 1555, George second Marquis of Huntly, the Duke of Perth, James fourth Earl of Perth, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, 1684, the Chan- cellor's son, &C. Other Families. — Other families of high respectability connect- ed with this parish, are those of the house of Ardoch, of Orchill, and Braco ; and Lord Viscount Strathallan, who lives at StrathaU Ian Castle, Blackford parish, has also a part of his property in this parish. Eminent Men. — Few individuals connected with this parish have risen to any great distinction, in science or literature, if we except Dr Barclay, so famed for his skill in anatomy, and his writings thereon. His uncle, the Rev. John Barclay, founder of the sect styled the Bereans, may be noticed as born in this parish. Rental — The valued rent of the parish in 1835 was L. 7784, Os. 4d. Scotch. Real rent in 1831, L. 14,937 Sterling. Camps at Ardocfu — All antiquaries who have written on the subject of Roman camps in Scotland, have alluded to those at Ardoch. These camps deserve this distinction, as the most entire in this country, nay, perhaps in Britain ; but we believe they would not have been half so much noticed, were it not for the mystery about them, as to whether they were the Castra Stativa of Agri- cola, when on this side of Bodotrla, skirmishing with the Caledo- nian leader Galgacus, or the abode of some other Roman or fo- reign foe. It is not our intention, in noticing these camps, to dispute with the many great authorities, from Richard Cirencester, Hec- tor Boetius,&c, down to a Lieutenant- Colonel Miller, who have published on this subject ; but we shall adhere to the life of Agri- cola, written bv his son-in-law, as the onlv common source to PERTH. X 322 PERTHSHIRE. which any historian can go for information, regarding the monu- ments, and transactions of that great commander, who came to subject the hardy tribes of Caledonia to the Roman sway. And certainly from that Life, we are as muph entitled to 6x upon Ardoch, and its neighbourhood, as the scenes where Agricola abode and repulsed Galgacus, previous to the decisive battle apud Montem Grampium, as others are, to fix upon the neighbour- hood of Loch Orr, in Fife, Blairgowrie, or Battle Dykes, north of Forfar, or Keithic, near Brechin. We consider the camps at Ar- doch and the other places of that nature, connected with them, to have been the abodes of the Romans, in the year 82, when they came to invade the inhospitable regions of the north. The whole space which was occupied by the Romans in their encampment, at Ardoch, consists of four departments, viz. the sta- tion, the procestrium, the great camp, and the less. The station is a permanent camp, situated upon an eminence close by the pub- lic road from Stirling to Crieff. The position was happily chosen for defence ; on all sides the camp was protected ; on the west, by a defence from the banks of the Knaik, rising fifty feet above the surface of the water, and having two fossae between it and the banks ; on the south, by a deep morass that rose a con- siderable way eastward, with its two fossae also ; and on the east and north, by deep intrenchments of five ditches, and six ram- parts parallel to the station ; all of which were very sufficient to guard those within, and to keep off besiegers. The area of the statidn within the intrenchments may still be seen, and is of an oblong form, 420 feet by 375, with its four sides nearly facing the cardinal points of the compass. The place of the Praetorium or general's quarter is a regular square of 60 feet in the side, in the rear or part farthest distant from the enemy ; but it is marked off rather irregularly, — for on inspection, it is not found to be exactly in the middle between the gates, nor paral- lel with those of the station. It is, however, elevated above the general level of the ground, and appears to have been inclosed by a stone wall. Within this, also, there are the foundations of a build- ing 30 feet by 27, which gives some probability to the conjecture, that ther^ was a place of worship once there, which is still called the Chapel hill.* * From one of the sides of the Prsctorium it is said that there was a hole, which went downwards in a sloping direction for many fathoms, in which it was generally beliered treasures as well as Roman antiquities might be found. In order to ascer- tain this, a man, who had been conc'emned by the baron court of a neighbouring MUTHILL. 323 Of the four gates which belonged to the Roman station, three only can now be distinguished, the fourth being scarcely traceable. Fronting the Praetorium is the Praetorian Gate, crossing the north lines in an oblique direction. Opposite to that gate, and behind the Praetorium where the Decuman gate should be, is a road lead«- iog out of the camp, which may have been the Decuman ; and cowards to the right and left of the Praetorium, are to be seen the two, which were called principal gates, as being at the ends of the principal street which crossed the camp in front of the Prae- torium. Upon the Polybean system of castrametation, this fort would acoonunodate 1200 men. Immediately adjacent to the north side of the' station, is the Frocestrium or pro castrum (for a camp,) or an addition to the other, as probably used by Agricola for containing his men and baggage, when he thought of dividing his army into three parts, in order to watch the movements of Galgacus, and fight him from the neighbouring hills. This procestrium seems to have been strongs ly fortified, and a subsequent work to the other, for part of the area of the great camp was included in it ; but its intrenchments are levelled by the plough) while the comer of the former is yet visible. Its south gate is also to be seen, as connecting it with the station, and this again with the fragments of another gate on the north stde^ It was of an oblong shape, consisting of 1060 feet by 900, and is capable of accommodating 4000 men. North-west of the procestrium is the great camp, — so styled Lord, upon obuuDing a pardon, agreed to be let down by a rope. He, at first, brought tip from a great depth, Roman spears, helmets, fragments of bridles, &c. ; but on be- ing let down a lecond time was killed by foul air. A gentleman, who lived at the House of Ardoch, anno 1 720, ordered the mouth of the hole to be covered with a taill stone, to prevent hares running into it when pursued by his dogs : but as there was c«rth to a considerable depth laid over the mill-stone, it cannot now be found, although diligent search has been made for it. Should it ever be discovered, it will Iprobaoly lead to a tank which was formed by the Ramans, in order co receive water filtered from the river Knaik. Sir William Stirling, a former proprietor, inclosed the whole camp with a stone wall, so as to protect the interesting remains from injury. t^ the ploughshare, or in any other way by the hand of man ; and we have little doubt that his successors will be equally careful, in all respects, of these Roman ves- ^gia. Many stone cofins have been found at different times, in digging about the camps or near them ; and the skeletons contained in them have been of an uncommon size. About a mile frest from the camps, a stone coffin was found, containing a skeleton seven ieet long. A mile and a half distant in the muir of Orchill, another was found of the same length, in Cairn WoehiL These have generally been in cairns or heaps of stones, whidi may be accounted for, from a practice in former days of throwing a stone upon the respected dead, or upon any place remarkable, in passing by. So Among the Highlanders there is still a saying, that if one shall do a favour to another, a ** atone shdibe added to his cairn ;**— .that is, his grave khall be remembered and 324 PERTHSHIRE. from its size. Its mean length is 2800 feet, and its mean breadth 1950; it would, therefore, according to the Poly bean system, hold about 26,000 men, and this was what induced General Roy to believe that it was in this camp that Agricola held his great army, previous to his dividing it into three bodies, in order to meet and conquer the Caledonians. The form of this camp is oblong, but not so regular as that of a parallelogram, — a fact which seems to prove that the Ro- mans did not stick close to mathematical nicety, where the nature of the ground did not well permit. The public road to the north, via Crieff, known of old, as the military road, enters by its south gate, and so has cut down one-half of the epaulment which cover- ed it; but the other half still remains rather entire. The north gate is a little east of the road, covered by a straight traverse, and another gate on the west is in the same, way protected. On the east side, towards the north, there is a gate that has been defend- ed, not only by a square redoubt, within the lines, but also by a clavicle, — from which circumstance, it may be supposed that a weak legion was there quartered. On the west side of this great camp is a smaller one of an oblong sihape. Its size is 1910 by 1340 feet, and it would afford accom- modation for 12,000 men. To the antiquary, this one is very in- teresting, especially in tracing the itinera of Agricola. It is evi- dently higher in position than the other camps— one-half of it lies within the other camp, which is adjacent to it — and the fact of its being left so very entire, would incline us to fix upon it, as the abode of the third part of the Roman army that remained with their leader, whilst the others were encamped at Strageath, and Dealgin Ross ; for the entireness of the camp proves that it was the last occupied, and that Agricola left it in great haste with his third division, to aid the 9th legion, who were then almost sub- dued, in the camp of Dealgin Ross, on the plains of Comrie. As to the fact of these being the camps of Agricola, we shall only refer to Tacitus. We take up the history of Agricola while at the isthmus between the estuaries of the Forth and the Clyde, and trace his steps onwards to the Grampians ; and, from the plain reading of the Latin text, throughout the fourth year, it appears he was employ- ed there in erecting forts to secure the conquests which he had made on the other side. This was the case, unless we adopt the very improbable notion that the two rivers named Glpta and Bodotria MUTHILL. 325 were on the borders, or were the boundaries between Scotland and England, and that the Taus is the Solway, &c — which view would overturn all our conceptions of the Roman movements ; and would be making the Taus of Tacitus not that beautiful river which separates Fife from Angus and Perthshire ; the Glota not' tlie Clyde ; and the Mous Grampius not that grand mountain range so well known to every Scotsman, but some little hill in the south. But the rivers Forth and Clyde answer too well to Tacitus' de- scription of Clota and Bodotria. ^^ Nam ,Clota et Bodotria, di* versi maris aestibus per immensum revectae, angusto terrarum spa- tio diremuntur. Quod tum praesidiis firmabatur; atque omuis propior sinus tenebatur, summotis velut in aliam insulam hostibus." This description cannot be applied to any other rivers between Anglesey and the Grampian Hills, but to the Forth and Clyde. This boundary, says Tacitus, would have been sufficient to li- mit the Roman conquests in Britain, had it been consistent with the bravery of their army or the glory of their name. But as it was not, then we read of their crossing the Frith of Clyde, some say at Dumbarton, the following year. With the new nations spoken of as lying to the west, or opposite the coast of Ireland, he had many successful encounters ; and having subdued them, he placed forts with a view to future operations, and afterwards pro- bably returned to the isthmus from which he went, there to winter and make ready for his Caledonian invasion in the spring. But, before leaving this part of the history, we would advert to a difficulty as to the third year's undertakings. — *^ Vastatis usque ad Taum (aestuario nomen est) nationibus.'* Agricola is said to have continued his devastations through the several nations to the mouth of the Tay. This being the case, it is evident he must have returned to the isthmus, where he erected his forts, for his undertaking in the fourth and fifth years were of course posterior to that in the third ; and in this view, we require not to correct the historian's words, as some have done, by saying, that by the Tay he meant the Solway Frith, or the Tweed, or the Tyne. In the fifUi year, it is said that Agricola placed forces towards the west, on' this side of the Clyde, which shewed that he was medi- tating an invasion against the Caledonians. That invasion he undertook in the summer of the following year ; but as to his route from the isthmus towards the camp in which the 9th legion was attacked in the night, and afterwards to the Grampian Hills, 326 PEETHSHIRE. vihere the decisive battle took place, we are left entirely to con- jecture. Next he encamps at Ardooh, eight miles and a-half from the former station, which agrees with the calculations of Ptolemy and Richard ; and, granting all this, the remaining part of Agricola's history, so far as the parish of Muthill is concerned, beconties plain. We have only, in accordance with others, to state, that Agricola being apprized that his enemy surpassed him in numbers, and in the knowledge of the country, and that they meant to at- tack him in divers bands, divided his army into three parts, and marched, to prevent their surrounding him. One part encamped at Dealgin Ross, the other at Strageath, and the other remained with Agricola, in the small oblong camp at Ardoch. On this hypothesis, it was the 9th legion which was assailed by the Caledonians, during night, and had their guards slain in the trenches of Dealgin Ross ; and this may have been owing to the information which the Caledonians might receive of the 9th le- gion, as being the weakest ** ut maxime invalidam," During the time that they were engaged in the camp, Agricola heard from his spies, in what direction the great body of the Caledonian army lay, and as it seems to have been between him and the camp, so he hastened forward, and commanded tho lightest of his foot and oavalry to charge them, whilst yet engaged in the rear, and the whole army presently after to give a mighty shout. This attack of Agricola and his men upon the rear-guard of the Caledonians must have been in a small glen, in the west end of this parish, two miles south of Dealgin Ross ; and so the design of the shout would be, that t^e Romans in the camps of Dealgin Ross might hear and know that tho$e in the small camp of Ardoch had come to their assistance. This may be inferred from the Roman sol- dfers regaining courage, and beating off their enemy to such a de- gree, that, had not the woods and marshes served for shelter to the fugitives, the war had been concluded by this victory. Wq therefore fix upon Blair-in-roan as the place of the de- cisive battle between Galgacus and Agricola at this time. Of this we have presumptive evidence,-^the name itself, as signifying the spotted battle-field, — a small stream which runs through the glen, and is one of the sources of the^achony, named Tai-na-blair, sig- nifying the stream of the battle-field, — besides, the several upright stones in that quarter, still called by the country people the Ro- man stones, — and in addition to all this, the discovery a few years *^ * / ; .-V> MUTHILL. 327 ago, of a very large urn filled with the ashes of the dead, and near by it, several stone coffins, covered over with a heap of stones or a cairn* The other camp or station of the Romans was at Strageath, up- on the banks of the Earn, near to Innerpeffary. Its origioal work appears to have been of small dimensions, and the intended ad* ditions to it, seem never to have been fully executed All its en- trenchments are now levelled by the plough. IIL — Population. In 1755, the population amounted to 2902, 1770, . . 2640, decrease 269 1792, 1821, 1831, line. 2948, increase 308 2925, decrease 23 3297, increase 372 3421, increase 124 Thus in eighty-one years the population has increased 519, which has been chiefly owing to the improvement of land ; for in propor- tion as more of it is brought under crop, more hands are required. The increase has been both in the villages and in the country. In MttthiQ village there are , 1210 In Biaco village, Ardoch, 384 .In the country, 1887 Nomhar of finniliea in the parish, . 695 chiefly employed in agriculture, ;. . 158 in trade, manu&cture, or handicraft, 1 97 inhabited houses, 453 The average number of births for the last five years, 80 deaths, . . . > 50 marriages, . . .25 The number of illegitimate children during the last year was 6. Character of the People^ S^c. — Of the inhabitants we may safely say, that they live comfortably and soberly, and at peace with one another. We have not the temptations of a populous city to con- tend with — neither have we the influx of strangers to captivate us with their novelties and oftentimes with their vices — neither have we any residenters wasting overgrown fortunes amongst us, and ex- citing the envy or dislike of their poorer fellow men. But we have a rural and simple-hearted people, remarkably kind to each other, and given to " rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." IV. — Industry. HuAandry. — This parish consists of ten estates. About two- thirds of the whole belong to Drummond. Most of the heritors reside on their properties, and agricultu-* ral improvements are promoted by them. This is very percep« tjble in the draining of meadow and marshy ground^ and in tb^ 328 PEaxHSHiRi:. corn-fields rising higher and higher upon the acclivity of our hills ; also in the attention paid to the cropping of land, and the adop- tion of improved implements of husbandry. The order of crop- ping in general) is that of five divisions, viz. after lea, oats — next turnips and potatoes — next barley, with rye-grass and clover,-'and then grass for hay or cutting,— -and afterwards the lea. Wheat is seldom sown in this quarter, because less profitable than barley. Besides it is an uncertain crop, for by our long win- ters and continued frosts, there is a danger, some seasons, of its being altogether lost. Much attention is now paid to the grow- ing of turnips, by manuring with bone dust, &c., which crop is found to be very profitable. Distilleries. — Connected with the agriculture of this parish is the distillation of whisky, which is much to be applauded in every thing, except the object for which it is made. The three distilleries here are advantageous in the consumption of the grain, and the feed« ingof cattle, and the manuring of the ground, as also in employing many workmen; but when we think of the 100,000 gallons which they annually send forth, as of so little benefit to the human consti- tution, but rather very productive of much evil both to the soul and body, we would pause before we commend them ; and say that we hope for better days — days when the public purse will not be filled by « Scotland's scaith." Produce. — The following table will show the gross amount and value of raw produce raised yearly, on an average price for the last ten years : — Arable Und 11564 acres, Oats, 2312.8 7 bolls at 17s. L.> 137,615 rented at 30s. per acre. Barley, 2312.8 6 bolls at L. 1, 2 152,71 1 Green crop, 2312.8 Do. at L. 10 per ac. 23, 1 SO Hay» 2312.8 200st. p.ac. at6d. p. st. 231,200 Pasture, 23 1 2.8 Do. at L. 3 per acre. 6942 Plantation 2503 do. At L. 20 per acre in 20 years. 60,060 Uncultivated 12,170 do. At 10s. per acre. 6085 Total 26,237 do. L. 607,783 V. — Parochial Economy. In this part of our statistics, the statements will be better un- derstood, by noticing Muthill and Ardoch separately, for the lat- ter is now a parish of itself quoad sacra. Market'ToumSy ifc. — The village of Muthill once had its mar- kets, but all these have been properly given up, owing to its near- ness to Crieff. The public road to the south passes through the village. At present, its population is about 1210, chiefly consist- ing of the Icibouring classes, and those connected with them. MUTHILL. 3S9 About sixty of its inhabitants are employed in weaving cotton, which is sent to them from Glasgow. Few villages, we think, can be compared with Muthill, as to the beauty of its locality, its cleanliness, and the simple and artless manners of its people. All its poor are well supplied, and none of them are allowed to beg ; whilst, on the other hand, none of its inhabitants are so rich as to keep their hands from working. But what strikes the visitor of Muthill most, is, the amphitheatre of hills around it ; and then, its stately church, unequalled, it is said, by any country church in the land. Ecclesiastical State. — The parish church is well situated for the convenience of the major part of the people; and, with the excep- tion of 50 in the district of Blair-in-roan, all have it in their power to attend, and do attend the church regularly. Those in Blair- iu^raan attend at sacramental times, but in general go to Comrie, because they are two or three miles nearer that place. The parish church is of a recent date. The old building was condemned in 1825, having stood four centuries. Spottiswood says, that ^^ Bishop Ochiltree succeeded, a wealthy prelate, and well esteemed ; and so purchased to his see a great part of the forfeited lands of Stratheam, adorned the cathedral of Dun- blane^ built the bridge of Knaik and Machant, with the church of Muthill; and did in his time divers other good works.'' The ruins of this ancient fabric serve to suggest the thoughts of other days, and other men, who, although dead, yet live in dear recollec- tion. Beside the ruins, a monument, erected by the people, in me- mory of their late beloved pastor, Mr Russell, may be noticed ; and another erected with some taste, beside the grave of Mr Erskinc, son of an Episcopal clergyman, who lived and died here. The foundation stone of the new church was laid in March 14th 1826, and the building was finished in August 1828; ex- pense of the whole, L. 6900 ; it is of the Gothic style, and is seated for 1600 people. The sittings are all free, and are divided amongst the heritors, in the proportion, in which they paid for the building of the church. The manse stands on the north side of the village, with the glebe around it. It was built in 1720, rebuilt, or nearly so, in 1782, and since that time, it has been constantly receiving addi- tions and repairs, as every old house must do. The glebe, inclusive of the site of the manse, and of the gar- den, consists of 9 acres of excellent land, and the stipend is 16 330 PERTHSHIRE. chalders of grain ; the one-half meal, and the other barley ; with the allowance of L. 10 for communion elements. Besides the parish church, there is in the village a neat build- ing, where the Episcopalians of Strathearu assemble on the Sab- bath, and other days. The population of Muthill, exclusive of Ardoch district, is, 2472 ; and of these about 44 are Episcopalians, and 9 others. Dissenters. Poor oTid Parochial Funds. — The average number of poor on the roll is 80 ; and the average sum given to each of them annual- ly is L. 2, or L. 160 in all. This sum is made up from the church collections, L. 62 ; from Ardoch collection, L. 3, 10s. ; and from a voluntary assessment, on the part of the heritors. And it would be ungrateful not to mention the meal-list of Lady Willoughby, on which there are commonly 60 poor persons, and who have also from the same Lady, their rents paid, and an allowance of fuel and clothing. • . Societies. — A Bible and Missionary Society has for some years been established, in this parish, and is supported by collections on Mondays after the dispensation of the sacrament, which is once in the four months, or three times in the year. The sum' raised in this way, hitherto, has been about L. 26 per annum, which, with some other occasional contributions, prove that the people are some- what alive to the spiritual wants of their fellow men. And this Christian feeling, we would hope, is on the increase amongst us, for during the last half-year, we have collected L. 49 for the Ge^ neral Assembly's four schemes. Savings Bank. — A savings bank has been in operation for more than two years, and promises to do well. At present the amount of its funds is L. 270. Education, — On Muthill side there are eight schools, whereof the parish school is the most important, and by far the most nume- rously attended. The salary is the maximum, viz. L.34, 4s. 4id. which, together with a commodious house and garden, value L. 10, salaries of kirk-session and heritors' clerk, &c. L. 12, 10s. and school fees, L. 16, 10s. make the situation of the schoolmaster somewhat comfortable, although not so much so as it should be* The number of scholars attending the parish school has of late years been about 100, but it is likely that the number will soon be increased, as at present a very spacious and elegant school-house is building, which will contain many more than the former, and be MUTHILL. 331 mucb more comfortable and healthy. As to the success of the pa- rish school, we have only to remark, that frequently young men have gone from it to college, where they have been highly approved of both as to their scholarship and good behaviour. Three of the other schools are partly endowed by Lady Willoughby. The other four have no endowment, which is a matter of regret, as no teacher of abilities will accept of them, or if he do, his stay will be but short. The number of scholars instructed in all these, an« nually, as found at their examinations, has been about 400. We have also about 300 attending the Sabbath schools, a part of edu« cation truly important and useful. Libraries. — There is one supported by subscription in the viU lage ; also in the reading-room furnished by the Right Honour-* able I»rd Willoughby de Eresby, besides a sufficient supply of Scotch and English newspapers, there is a collection of books on agricultural pursuits for the farmers; but the most valuable library in this quarter is that of Innerpeffary, for the use of minis« ters and students. It was left by Lord Madderty, with a small salary for the librarian, which, with the fees of a school that he teaches in one of the wings of the building, afford him a small living. In the library, there are many rare and excellent books» especially on divinity, Ardocb. -^Statistics of Ardoch quoad sacra. — Tl>e perambu- lated bounds of the Chapel district (now a parish quoad sacra^ extend into the parishes of Dimblane and Blackford, and are as fol* lovrs : To Glenlichhom and Green Scores on the west ; Muir- houses, Cameron hills, and Redford on the north; Rahallach, Read and Butter Gask, on the east i and Middle Cambuscheny and Toddleburn, on the south. The church was built in 1780, and styled by the constitution ** the Chapel of Ease at Ardoch." A very thriving village is now rising up beside it, named Braco village, from the circumstance that it consists of feus on the estate of Braco. But we confess that we should have preferred the name Ardoch. Under the fostering and faithful care of the Reverend Messrs Simpson, Logan, Millar, Young, M^Farlane, and Laird, the members of the congregation have so increased, that there are as many communicants who attend the dispensation of the sa« crament, as there are seats, in the church. About a mile and a half south from the church of Ardoch, there is a handful of the United Secession, who have a meeting-house or church. A Mc United Secession, 159 Episcopalians, 12 Original Seceders, 6 Relief, 6 Bereans, 1 332 PERTHSHIRE. Patterson is their minister — number, young and old, 138— sti- pend promised, L. 60. We give the following statement of the district of Ardoch, as furnished to us readily by its present mi* nister, Mr Laird, Population. — In Muthil parish, 949 BeloBging to the Established Church, 1401 In Dunblane, 601 In Blackford, 85 1586 For the care of these 1401 people, we regret to say, that the minister has only a bond from the managers of the church for L. 80, with a free house or manse and garden, and keep for a cow; and we regret, also, that the church cannot contain the people. The people have done much for their church and for their mi- nister ; but yet they require some aid to enlarge their church, and some endowment for the better support of their minister ; and we trust that both will soon be granted them. Besides a prosperous church, they have also a prosperous school* A hundred children are well instructed there, in the common branches of learning. The schoolmaster's income arises altogether from the school fees, which doubtless should be otherwise. An- other school, where a very few children are taught, is about a mile to the north of the village, and has attatched to it L. 2 a year of endowment, left by the Rev. William Hally, minister of Muthill. There are also two unendowed schools in the quarter of Dunblane. The church is conveniently placed for the district, and has at- tached to it a space of country of nearly seventy square miles. Number of sittings in the church 600 ; collections annually, L. 40. Average number of births, 78. Braco village is rapidly enlarging in its buildings, and in its population. At present it has 180 families, and a population of 384. For their moral improvement there is a well-selected library, kept up by subscription. There are also in it two cattle-markets during the year ; and it has also its four public-houses. Miscellaneous Obseryations. During the last forty years, the population of the parish has increased from 2948 to 3421 : its schools have increased from three to ten ; and its cultivated fields have increased to double or treble their number. Of Presbyterian Dissenters, the number has been lessened from 160 to 9, and of Roman Catholics from 42 to 2. Other changes have not been so conducive to its well being and GLENDOVAN. 333 eomfort We allude to the increase of public-houses, from 7 to 20, throughout the parish ; and especially in the village, from 3 to II, — which during last year retailed 1583 gallons of whisky. AuguMt 1837. PARISH OF GLENDOVAN. PRBSBTTERT OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLINOi THE REV. JOHN BROWN, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History- Thb changes in this parish have been so few, that the writer has little to add to the Report which he furnished to the former Statistical Account. jVai»i«.*-The parish derives its name from the water of Devon, which runs through it in a narrow glen, in a direction nearly from west to east It is situated in the middle of the Ochils, — and is 6 English miles in length, and rather more than 4 in breadth. II. — Civil History. Parochial Registers. — These commence in the year 1700. Ldrndraumers. — There are five land-owners in the parish, viz. LfOrd Camperdown, J. S. Hepburn, Esq., Robert Haig, Esq. William Low, Esq., and Miss Jane Rutherford. HL — Population. Amount of population in 1801 » • 149 1811, . 170 18*21, 139 1831, . 192 Kumber of fiimilies in the parish, . • * 34 chiefly employed in agriculture, - - ]3 trade, manufactures, or handicraft, ^ There were no illegitimate births in the parish during the last three years. IV. — Industry. The farms are the same in extent, and managed in the same way, as reported in the former Account: the arable and pasture land remains the same. Of the arable land, seventeen acres have been, at considerable expense, prepared for being watered by the river Devon. 334 PERTHSHIRE. There has also been for some time past) at Bumfoot, in this pa^ rish, a mill, on a small scale, for spinning wool. This year great ad*- ditions are being made to it. The present erection is double the width of the former, and two stories are in the course of being ad- ded to it It is situated in the midst of a wool country, and I hope the tenant will not be disappointed in his expectations. V. — Parochial Economy. Since my former Account a tolWoad has been made through the Glen: tt passes through the parish for three miles and a hal£ tt was executed at great expense : the forming, metalling, cut^ ting earth and rock, building bridges, and conduits, damages, &c cost L, 5257, 16s. ; but the advantages obtained have been very considerable* The farmers who formerly took from 7 to 8 cwt. sel- dom more, now take from 15 to 18 cwt» ; and carters, who load heavily, take from 20 to 25 and sometimes 80 cwt* The villagers, . who are supplied from Blairengone and Dollar, burn their coal about 6d. per cwt. cheaper than before the road was made, estimating summer and winter together ; and a much greater quantity of lime is now driven by the farmers. ^ Ecclesiastical state, — There are four families in the parish who attend a Dissenting meeting at the Yetts of Muckart. They are descendants of those who separated from the church, when Messrs Wilson, Erskine, MoncreifT, and Fisher left it, and erect- ed themselves into a presbytery. All the rest belong to the Es-* tablished Church. The stipend amounts to L. 150 Sterling. Education. — The parochial school is the only one in the parish. Salary the maximum. Amount of school-fees received, from L. 25 to L. 30. Poor, — The average number of persons receiving parochial aid is four; and the average sum allowed to each is Is. per week. The average amount of church collections for the poor is L. 7 "per annum : and there is no assessment. September 1837. PARISH OF TRINITY-GASK. PRB8BTTSRT OF AUCHTERARDER, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLIKO* THE REV. ALEXANDER H. GRAY, MINISTER. L— Topography and Natural History* Trinity Gask, generally pronounced Tamty, occupies a beau- tiful situation in Stratheam, extending principally on the north side of the river, about four miles east from Crieff, and two straight south from Auchterarder. f^Namc^^The word Gask signifies, I am told, slope or hrae^ and this description is perfectly applicable to the parish, as the amount of level ground in it is comparatively very small. There is ano* ther place bearing the name of Cow or Coul (t. e. behind) Gask^ in the parish ; and when Kinkell was joined, the united parishes got the name of Trinity-Gask, or the three united braes, which it still retains. Extent, 8fc. — There are about 1^ square miles of the parish extendii^ westward on the south side of the Earn ; on the north) it is about 5 miles long by 3 broad, — giving a total of 16 J square miles. Hydrography. — The only remarkable spring is the Trinity Well, a little south of the manse, of great renown in Popish days for the performing of miraculous cures, fortifying against plague, witch- craft, and such other evils. 1 have heard it said that a prohibi- tion of such practices is to be found in the records either of the parish or of the presbytery, but I have not hitherto been able to discover it The right of bleaching at this well is one of the pri* vileges of the minister. The Earn is our principal river, flowing along the whole length of the parish, from west to east, in windings beautifully diversified. In many places, its sloping banks are rich- ly wooded by the hand both of nature and of art. Mineralogy. — The parish presents few features of interest to the mineralogist. At Colquhalzie, in the western extremity of the parish, the Earn flows through a deep ravine or chasm of red clay* stone rock of a soft quality, crumbling by the action of the sun and frost To the westward, it becomes gradually intermixed with 836 PERTHSHIRE. micaceous particles, assumes a hard and durable quality, passing into red sandstone; quarries of which have been worked near Millearne, and at Lawhill, near the church. The trap dike, so conspicuous at Dninmiond Castle, traverses the county from west to east parallel with the northern boundary of the parish, occa- sionally rising into rugged ridges. Specimens of a heavy grayish stone, found at Denbum, on the property of Sir Thomas Moncrieff, were, I am told, sent some years ago to skilful mineralogists, who reported that they contained a small proportion of copper ; but the distance from coal is so great that the return never could have compensated the outlay. ITie parish contains soil of every variety. Zoology. — We have many varieties of cattle. The short-horned breed, recently introduced by the patriotic exertions of the Viscount Strathallan, are rising rapidly in estimation, and very high prices are given for bulls and bull calves of that valuable stock. There are few sheep pastured. The Leicester kind seem the general favourites. The beneficial practice, however, of feeding off turnip with sheep, is ra- pidly extending, for which purpose the black-faced are most com- monly used. The fish found in the Earn are salmon, yellow and sea trout, pike and perch. The Earl of Kinnoul, the Viscount Strathallan, Sir Thomas Moncrieff, Mr Home Drummond, and Mr Hepburn, have a right to fishings, but the operations of the stake-nets on the Tay have for many years rendered the upper fishings of little value. Plantations. — There are no very uncommon plants found in the parish. The extent of plantation is about 1000 acres, prin- cipally upon the properties of Mr Oliphant of Gask, Sir Thomas Moncrieff, Viscount Strathallan, Mr Graham Stirling, and Mr Hepburn. The oldest woods consist entirely of Scotch firs, the more recently planted of larch, spruce, and oak, all of which seem to agree well with the climate and soil. The largest hard-wood trees are found aroimd Millearne House and Colquhalzie, but they are in no respect remarkable. n. — Civil History. Parochial Registers. — The Session records of the parish contain accounts of baptisms, fines, collections, distributions, and disci- pline. They commence in 1641. The most memorable facts mentioned are " on Sunday, the 5th of November 1643, the cove- nant was read, explicate, and public intimation made tliat all be present the next day to swear and subscribe it," — " On Sunday, the 12th November, this day all did swear and subscribe the co- venant." We have also an account of the first provision made by TRINITY-GA8K. 337 the kirk-session for a parochial teacher, ordering his salary of 100 merks yearly to be exacted of the parish. The rebellions in 1715 and 1745 are not noticed in any manner. In 1774, there were no less than twenty-four table services ; now they seldom exceed five or six. . The parochial registers are very full in some respects, and equal- ly scanty in others. From 1770 to 1B34, they have been very cor- rectly and neatly kept, especially whilst under the charge of the late schoolmaster, Mr John Macintyre. Eminent Men, — I am not aware that any eminent characters have been connected with this parish, either by birth, residence, or burial. Dr Kemp, who afterwards became too notorious, was or- dained minister of this parish in 1 770, and was translated to Edin- burgh. Dr David Ritchie, now of St Andrew's Church, Edin- bai^h, was schoolmaster here for several years ; and my imme- diate predecessor Dr James Burgh, ordained in 1794, died 1834, from his great natural talents, learning, shrewdness, kindliness of heart and of demeanour, would certainly have, made no inconside- rable appearance in the church, had he not, for many years pre- vious to his death, been incapacitated for much exertion by bodily weakness and infirm health. LoTtd-moners. — The proprietors of the parish, arranged accord- ing to the rental of their properties, are. Sir Thomas MoncrieflT, Bart. ; The Viscount Strathallan ; Thomas Graham Stirling, Esq. of Strowan; J. G. Home Drummond, Esq. of Abbotsgrange ; J. Stewart Hepburn, Esq. of Colquhalzie ; The Earl of Kinnoull ; J. R Oliphant, Esq. of Gask ; Anthony Murray, Esq. of CrieflF; William Muckersey, Esq. Antiquities, — The only antiquities are the ruins of an old castle, at the eastern extremity of the parish, called ^^ Gascon Hall," said to have been the place where Sir William Wallace encounter- ed the ghost of Faudon, as narrated by Blind Harry; but its appear- ance would not justify any such remote origin. No one can fur- nish any information regarding it ; the idle traditions of the coun- try are every one more absurd and contradictory than another. It stands close upon the north side of the Earn ; but there are no in- scriptions nor monuments of any kind from which its origin and his- tory can be ascertained. The real Gascon Hall is said to have stood about a mile and a half north-east from this, amongst the pre- sent woods of Gask. There is also a peculiar-looking stone standing on the high ground, about a mile west, and north from this PERTH. Y 338 PERTHSHIRE. ruin, called the " Borestone." It has borne an inscription, but age has so completely obliterated the characters, that it is impossible to de- cypher a single word. The figures of animals, among which the boar, stag, and elephant predominate, may still be traced. Some maintain that it was a try sting-place for the hunting of the wild boar, others that it was an instrument of punishment, with which idea the stone corresponds. It is about 5 J feet high, with two holes at the top, through which the arms of the delinquent might be thrust, and be kept there in a sort of pillory. There are many traditions and legends connected with this relic also, but they are too ab- surd to be committed to writing. There was a chapel in former times upon the present farm of Cow or Coul Gask. The place still bears the name of Chapel-hill ; but it was trenched over some time ago, and not a trace of it is now to be found. Dr Ross, the present tenant, who was born upon the farm, has no recollec- tion of ever having seen crosses or any other curious relics. We have about four miles of the Roman road from the Stormont to the camp at Ardoch in this parish. Two of these are in a dreadful state of disrepair, — in winter indeed totally impassable. The other two, through the active liberality of Lord Stratliallan, and other pro- prietors and tenants, have lately been very much improved, and in a short time will form part of an excellent road to Perth. Some coins have been found in the parish, but none, I believe, of any great antiquity. About six years ago, a tumulus, about 3 feet by 2, con- sisting of four large stones, and covered with a fifth, was discovered upon the property of Lord Kinnoull, containing a considerable quan- tity of decayed human bones. It was supposed to be a relic of the Romans, but there was nothing from which this could be positive- ly determined. The remains of the skulls lying at the eastern end would indicate an origin prior to the introduction of Christianity. Around the sarcophagus, and mingled with the stones of the cairn which covered it, were ashes and burnt bones, as if animals or cap- tives had been sacrificed on the tomb of the chief. Modern Buildings. — The only modern building deserving par- ticular notice is the mansion of J. G. Home Drummond, Esq., built in the style of an embattled manor-house. It is in the late or Tudor Gothic siyle of Henry VII. and VIII. The carving, in stone and wood is beautifully executed, and almost entirely by workmen in this and the neighbouring parishes. The grounds are also laid out with the greatest taste, and, aided by its commanding situation, Millearne House constitutes one of the chief attractions TRINITY-GASK. 339 of the surrounding neighbourhood. The gardens and hot-houses contain an extensive collection of exotic plants. III. — Population. There are old people in the parish who speak of the population of -Trinity- Gask in their early days as having been double its pre- sent amount. Id 1755) Dr Webster's report makes the population 913 1796, it was 795 1831, . . 620 1837, . . .554 This rapid decrease is caused by the converting of a number of small into one large farm, and the dislike which the tenants have to keeping up the cottages upon them, both from the expense which it occasions, and the annoyance and loss to which they are subject- ed, by their occupants persisting in keeping poultry, which support themselves at the farmer's expense, and greatly aid the poor people in paying their rents. The yearly average of births is 8 deaths, - 10 marriages, 4 The aTerage number of persons under 15, is - 162 churchmen ; 71 dissenters. betwixt 15 and 30, 137 62 30 and 50, 40 31 50 and 70, 8 14 upwards of 70, 9 11 Episcopalians, 8 ; Roman Catliolic, 1 . 8 1 364 190 The only resident proprietors are, J. G. H. Drummond, Esq. residing at Milleame House ; and J. Stewart Hepburn, Esq. whose mansion of Colquhalzie is beautifully situated on the south side of the river. All the proprietors, with the exception of Mr Muckersey, are possessed of lands yielding far more than L. 50 of yearly rent. The number of unmarried men, bachelors and widowers, upwards of fifty years of age is - - - - 9 unmarried women upwards of forty- five, - - 14 There are 86 families with an average of 4 children. There are only two houses at present building, and three uninhabited. There is only one insane person in the parish ; no blind, deaf, nor dumb. IV. — Industry. Trinity-Gask is entirely an agricultural parish. We have two or three weavers, as many masons and carpenters as are requir- ed for the work of the parish, two shoemakers, but no tailor. The number of arable acres is 4290. Perhaps 2000 more might be brought in, and they are now in the course of being so. The expense, however, is very great, from the amount of draining requir- 340 PERTHSHIRE. ed. The number of acres underwood is nearly 1000. The trees are, Scotch firs, spruce, larch, and oak, with a few beeches here and there. The management of them is most skilfully conducted. Rent — The average rent of arable land in the parish may be rated at L. 1, 5s. per acre. It is impossible to hazard any opinion upon the rate of pasture; some of it is worth L. 2, 10s. and other parts again not worth Is. Considerable attention seems to be paid to the breed of cattle, and with great success. The character of the husbandry pursued upon the principal farms justly stands decidedly high ; draining and embanking are carried on to a great extent ; but irrigation, from the steep and unequal surface of the country, cannot be adopted. The leases in general are for fifteen, seventeen, or nineteen years, the last the most common. The farm-houses and steadings are in excellent order. All our landlords are actuated by a praiseworthy desire of seeing their tenants as comfortable and prosperous as pos- sible. The great obstacles in the way of improving the moorish lands are such as no capital nor industry could surmount with any prospect of a reasonable remuneration, arising as they do from the nature of the soil and climate. There are two quarries, both sup- plying stones for the building of farm-houses, steadings, dikes, &c They are of an inferior quality. The stone for Millearne House was brought from Dollerie, in the parish of Maderty. Produce, — The average gross amount of raw produce, as nearly as I can calculate, may be, Grain of aU kinds, . . L. 7050 Potatoes and turnips, . 4700 Hay and pasture, 2900 Gardens of the cottagers, 120 L. 14770 The only association in the parish is a society for the encourage- ment of good ploughing. It assuredly is productive of good, though sometimes giving rise to feelings of jealousy among the competi- tors, to say nothing of a little excess among the judges when de- ciding upon the rival claims. V. — Parochial Economy. There is no market-town nearer than Auchterarder, fully five miles south from the centre of the parish. There is certainly a boat by which passengers cross the Earn, and save nearly a mile ; but, except in very dry weather, the roads are so fearfully bad that the near way is sure to prove the most fatiguing and vexatious. Crieff is six miles west from the centre of the parish. Auchterar- 342 PERTHSHIRE. long be put upon a level with the neighbouring parishes. There is one Dissenting chapel, in connection with the United Associate Synod, in this parish. The first was built almost immediately after the Secession took place, and the present about 1 790. The present minister (Mr Forrester) came with the understanding that he was to have L. 65 a-year ; but the very utmost the congrega- tion can accomplish for him is to pay the rent (L. 39) of the farm upon which he resides, and to give L. 5 a-year, raised by two col- lections, to defray the sacramental expenses. The congregation, ga- thered from the surrounding parishes, consists, I am informed, of about 100 hearers, and 84 members. The chapel is seated for 800, but might contain 1000, and in former days was crowded every Sabbath, people coming from distances of twelve and sixteen miles* The number of families in connection with the Established Church is 50, and the average number of persons attending the parish church about 150 ; — many of the church people, except at the sacrament, attending the Established Church nearest them ; those at the east end going to Gask, — at the west, to Muthill,— and at the south, to Auchterarder. The number of comtnuni- cants, last two years, was 183. The number of families connected with dissenting chapels in Kinkell, Auchterarder, and Dunning is 36. The average amount of collections in the church is L. 18; pro- clamation of banns, 10s. 6d. ; mortcloth, fines, &c. L. 1, lis. 6d. Education, — The parochial school is the only one in the parish ; and the branches of education taught are, reading, writing, arith- metic, elements of practical mathematics, English grammar, geo- graphy, and Latin. The present schoolmaster is also qualified to teach Greek and French ; but these are not demanded by the heritors. His salary amounts to L. 35, 9s. 4d. He is also precentor, and session-clerk, with a salary of L. 2, 10s., and his school fees will make his income fully L. 50 a-year. He has a good house and garden. I have not yet met with any of my parishioners betwixt six and fifteen who cannot read and write. There are 50 upwards of fifteen who cannot write, — none, I hope, who cannot read. The people are deeply sensible of the infinite importance of education, and are willing to make many sacrifices to secure it for their children. The great distance of the west and south ends of the parish must make it inconvenient for young children to attend the parish school at any season of the yeaf, and for all in those quarters during the winter. They f^ere- TRINITY-GASK. 343 fore attend the schools of the neighbouring parishes in preference. Three additional schools, in the south, west, and east ends of the parish would certainly be a great convenience ; but there could not possibly be a sufficient number of children to fill them. Literature. — There is no library of any description in the parish as yet ; but there is every reason to hope that we shall be able to establish one in connection with the Sabbath school, to which the parents all seem anxious to afford every countenance and support. Poor's Funds. — The average number of paupers is 8; monthly allowance, 4s. When they have no relatives willing or able to take care of them, the house lent is also paid, generally L. 1, 10s. a year. We at present have 5 paupers, and only one house rent to pay. The collections amount to about L. 18 a year. The heri- tors for some time past have annually given a voluntary contribution of L. 50. In addition to this, we have the interest of a capital sum of L. 80. Allowances of coals are very general. This is assuredly a very heavy charge for so small a population, but there is an in- sane pauper, boarded at the rate of L. 15 a year, and his clothes; one illegitimate child at L. 4, 16s. and his clothes ; and till very lately another at L. 9. There is now good ground for believing that the heritors may be spared nearly one-third. The people do, generally speaking, feel a reluctance to apply to " the box ;" and one woman six weeks ago voluntarily gave up her allowance, her health having so much improved that she was able to work for her- sel£ Inns. — We have one public-house, the toll-house at Kinkell bridge, which, perhaps, could not be dispensed with. Fuel. — The want of fuel is perhaps the very greatest drawback upon the comfort of Trinity- Gask. Dollar, at the distance of twenty miles, is the nearest coal-hill. Tillicoultry, of which the coals are of a superior quality, is four miles farther, so that when driving and other expenses are paid they cost 2^d. a stone, — a present 2d. Subscriptions are being raised just now in this and all the neigh- bouring parishes, to sink a shaft at Tullibardine, in the parish of Blackford, on the property of the Viscount Strathallan, with the confident hope of finding coal. The subscription is advancing with great spirit, and, should the attempt prove successful, it will prove the greatest of blessings to all the neighbourhood. Peats cannot be got nearer than Methvcn moss, a distance of seven miles from the centre of the parish, and they cost 4s. 6d. 344 PERTHSHIRE. a load. Wood is consumed in considerable quantities, — principally the useless branches of the firs used for country purposes. Miscellaneous Observations. From the last Statistical Account of this parish, we are warrant- ed to infer, that much has been done to advance the style of agri- culture pursued, to reclaim lands, and improve them by draining, embanking, &c. The lands close upon the north side of the Earn are now never, I believe, flooded by the river, though often kept for a considerable period under water by the rain and melting snow from the higher grounds. There is now a considerable' quantity of bone dust and lime used. More of both would be em- ployed, were not the distance from Perth (thirteen miles) so great. Should any railway ever come near us, it will be a great en- couragement to attempt reclaiming many parts of the moor lands which now lie hopelessly waste. Every great farm has a thrash- ing-mill attached to it, and there are grinding mills, driven by water, at an easy distance from every part of the parish. The principal road through the parish is very good, and now 100 stones of coal are not considered an unreasonable load, even for so long and continuous a journey. It would add greatly to the beauty of the parish, were more hard-wood trees planted along the hedge-rows, and the fences of every description kept in better repair. September 1837. PARISH OF BALQUHIDDER. PRESBYTERY OF DUNBLANE, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. * L — Topography and Natural History. Name. — The name is compounded of the words, baHe-ckul'tir, signifying the town or territory at the back of the country. Extent J §-c. — The parish is about 18 miles in length, and between 6 and 7 miles in breadth, and comprises many straths, glens, and valleys, and a vast number of hills and lofty rocks. It seems pro- per to mention some of these. — Strathyre, signifying in Gaelic the warm strath ; Glenbuckie, signifying the glen where roebucks • Drawn up by the late incumbent, the Rev. Mr McGregor. 4 BALQUEIIDDKR. 345 aiatmded in ancient times ; EdiDchip, the hill in the shape of a shoe" nutier^s last; Lochearnhead, where there is a small country village ^th a good inn, having every requisite accommodation for travel- lers ; E^inample, from the words, eadan^ face, and teampnilj tem- ple, and importing that a place of worship had been on the £ice of the hill at a very remote period : here stands an ancient castle belonging to the family of Breadalbane ; it is surrounded with lofty plane-trees ; and there is a grand waterfall close to it, which at- tracts the attention of travellers : Glenogle, signifying the terr\fk ^&ii, is a narrow pass leading from Lochearnhead to Glendo- chard in Breadalbane ; it is surrounded on both sides of the road by stupendous hills full of rocks and scamachsy the haunts of foxes and ravenous birds. Boundaries. — The parish is bounded on the south by the pa- rish of Callander; on the east by the parish of Comrie; and on the north and west by the parish of Killin. Topographical Appearances. — The country on both sides of the river and lakes is environed by a ridge of hills, some of which are of considerable height, and rise almost perpendicular from the strath. A few of them may be mentioned Binean, signifying the mountain ofbirdSi is nearly as high as Benmore, which is immediately adjoining : Stobchon, the hill of the dogs : Beinchroin, the mountain to here the deer used to roar : Craigruigh Hill, the King's rock, where, it is said. King Robert Bruce concealed himself after he had lost the battle of Dalrey, and before that of Bannockbum was fought ; on the south side of this stupendous hill are numerous rocks, cavities, and scamachs ; and to a traveller below, it appears indeed wild and romantic : Sithean a chath, an eminence at the western extremity of the parish : Fioghan situated on the north of the Kirkton Glen, and halfway between Balquhidder and Glendochard. Above the manse is a stupen- dous rock, much admired by all travellers, and seen at a great dis- tance. It is the resort of hawks, wild pigeons, and martins. About forty or fifty years ago the face of the hills was gene- rally covered with heather, which has now almost disappeared. Hydrography. — There are a vast number of springs, chiefly pe- rennial, in the parish. The lakes are, Loch^voil^ Loch-doine^ half of Lochhdmaigy and a part of Locheam. Loch-voil or phuil sig- nifies the muddy lake : Lochdoincy the deep water : and Loch^lub^ naig^ the winding lake. The only river of note in the place is Bal^ vag^ signifying the smooth running water. It takes its rise at Loch^ 346 PERTHSHIRE. voil, and runs smoothly in a serpentine direction to the south-east, about five miles through the strath, and discharges itself into Loch- lubnaig. Calair, a lesser river than Balvag, flows from Glenbuckie, and rages furiously in time of flood, from which circumstance the name is derived. Geology, — The rocks in this parish are mica-slate, clay-slate, quartz rock, primitive greenstone, and porphyry. Veins of galena or lead glance traversing the mic^-slate occur in several parts, but none of these appear to have been worked for the ore they contain. Woods, — There are several woods in the parish, consisting chiefly of oak, coppice, birch, ash, alder, and mounUiin-ash. There are likewise several young plantatious of Scotch, larch, and spruce firs, which are thriving well. There are some plane-trees of con- siderable size, and also oaks. The soil seems to be well adapted for growing all kinds of wx)od usually planted in the country, such as firs, oak, plane-tree, &c. II. — Civil Histoky. Antiquities, — In a field somewhat to the south-east of the manse, there is a stone resembling an obelisk, about five feet high. The people call it Puidrac : but the nature and origin of it, the writer has not ascertiiined. About a mile to the eastward of the manse, a desperate battle was fought between the M'Larens and the Leneys, some suppose in the time of the Alexanders. The McLarens from time imme- morial were inhabitants of Balquhidder, and the Leneys resided near Callander. The natives mention every circumstance relating to this conflict with great exactness. Eminent Men, — The late Sir John MacGregor Murray, of Mac- Gregor, Bart, was buried in the family vault, about a mile to the east- ward of the manse ; he was a distinguished Gaelic scholar, and zea- lous and unwearied in his exertions to collect and preserve the ancient poetry of the Highland bards. He held the rank of colonel in the army, and raised a regiment of infantry, called the Clan Al- pins, for the service of his country, which was commanded by his brother. Colonel Alexander MacGregor Murray, who was also bu- ried in the mausoleum belonging to the family. Land-oicners, — The chief land-owners are, the Marquis of Breadalbane; Sir Evan J. Murray MacGregor of MacGregor, Bart.; Alexander Buchanan, Esq. of Arnprior ; Earl of Moray ; and John Lorn Stewart, Esq. of Glenbuckie. arochial Registers. — There is a register of baptisms and mar- BALQUHIDDER. 347 riages kept in the parish, the earliest date of which is November 1696 : it is regularly kept. MoTision^ Houses, — There are two mansion-houses, Edinample Castle, and Glenbuckie House, the former built some centuries back, and the latter about ten years ago. HI. — Population. The greatest number of souls in the parish, so far back as can be traced, was 1592; by last census, the population was 1049. The yearly average of births for the last seven years is 24, and that of marriages 9. There are 9 proprietors of land, whose rentals all exceed L. 50 yearly. Graelic is the language generally spoken, but it has been ra- ther losing ground within the last forty years. Number of &milles in the parish, . . • . .218 chiefly employed in agriculture, . . J 13 in trade, manufactures, or handicraft, . 30 IV. — Industry. Agriculture, — The number of acres which are occasionally under tillage, has not been ascertained. The arable land and hill pas- ture are generally let together, excepting some small lots, consist- ing of a few acres arable land and meadow, which may be rented at the average of L. 1 per acre. J^ive-Stock. — The common breeds of sheep and cattle are the black-faced sheep and West Highland cattle, and considerable at- tention is paid to improve them, by introducing sheep and cattle from other stocks. As a proof of the attention which is paid to the im- provement of sheep stock in this parish, it may be stated that they generally bring the highest prices at the Falkirk Tryst V. — Parochial Economy. Market-Town. — There is no market-town in the parish, and the nearest market-town is Callander, distant from the Clachan about twelve miles. Villages. — There are two small villages in the parish, one in Strathyre, and the other at Lochearnhead, both on the turnpike road that leads from Stirlincr to Fortwilliam. Means of Communication. — The length of the turnpike road through the parish is eleven miles. There is a post-oflSce at Lochearnhead. There are two bridges on the river Balvag, and in fiill repair. Ecclesiastical State. — The church is situate about the centre of the parish, conveniently, at that time, for the population. In the 348 PERTHSHIRE. Braes district, to the west of the church, where there were 50 te- nants, with a cottar perhaps under every tenant, there are at pre- sent only 3 tenants and 1 cottar ; so that now the greater part of the population is in the Lochearnhead, or the north-east district, and in Strathyre the south-east district. The church was built in the year 1631, and has been repaired several times since ; it may contain about 600, and the seats are ail free. The manse was built in the year 1774, and was repaired about twelve years ago. There are no Dissenters in the parish. Divine service is generally well attended in the summer season. Education. — There are three schools in the parish. In the parochial school are taught, Latin, writing, arithmetic, reading, English and Gaelic. In Strathyre district, there is a school sup- ported by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Know- ledge, in which are taught English, writing, arithmetic, and Gae- lic There is another school, established at Lochearnhead, and supported by the General Assembly's Committee ; the branches of education taught in it are Latin, writing, arithmetic, English, and Gaelic In all these schools, strict attention is paid to the morals of the youth, and to their religious instruction. The pa- rochial schoolmaster's salary is the maximum, and the school fees may amount to L. 10 a year. He has not a garden, but has the fiars price of 2 bolls oat-meal in lieu thereof. There are none in the parish between six and fifteen years of age who are not taught to read, and the people in general are alive to the benefits of edu- cation. October 1837. PARISH OF CALLANDER. PRESBYTERY OF DUNBLANE, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING. THE REV. P. ROBERTSON, MINISTER. I. — Topography and Natural History . Name. — Callander is generally supposed to be derived from the Gaelic oames Calladhy signifying a ferry, and sraidj the way leading to the ferry, by which is meant the ferry across the river Teatb, a little below the place where the present bridge stands. Extent^ Sfc. — From east to west, the parish extends about 18 miles. In many places, it is very narrow, varying from one to six miles. A range of the Grampian mountains bounds the parish on the north and north-west Topographical Appearances. — The most conspicuous mountain is Benledi, contracted for Bemn-le-Dia^ the hill of God. This name was probably given to the mountain by the Druids, who had a temple on the summit of it, where the inhabitants in the vicinity assembled for devotion once a-year, and it is said that this meeting continued three days. The height of Benledi is 2863 feet above the level of the sea. The view from the summit is very fine. To the east is seen the Frith of Forth as far as the eye can reach ; to- wards the south, the Frith of Clyde and the hills of Arran ; and to the north and west is a splendid view of the Grampians, one rising higher than another. Benledi stands about two miles west of Cal- lander, and adds much to the beauty and grandeur of the surround- ing scenery. The next mountain to be noticed, is Stuic-a-chroin, which in the east is seen between Benledi and Ben vorlich, and makes a respectable appearance among the Grampians; it is 3171 feet above the level of the sea. Uamhmhor, from the Gaelic words, uamh signifying a cave, and mor or mhor great, may be mentioned also among our higher hills. Tradition says, that in the cave of this pile banditti took up their residence, and plundered the neighbour- hood, until in self-defence the tenants were obliged to rise in arms and extirpate them. Such practices were very common in the High- lands, in those feudal times when the law was set at defiance. We 350 PERTHSHIRE. ought not to omit mentioning a very picturesque hill, which rises above the village of Callander, and which, by having been planted a few years ago by Lord Willoughby de Eresby, contributes much to the beauty of the village. The principal valley in this parish is that in which the village is situated, bounded 6n the west by Ben- ledi : on the north, by the romantic Crag of Callander and hills of Leney, through which the river Teath meanders with its richly wooded banks. The valley may be about 40 feet above the level of the sea. Climate^ een traversing this neighbourhood, particularly in winter. Hares, rabbits, and foxes are numerous; the latter often commit sad depredations among the sheep and game. Wild cats, badgers, &c. are also found. Such places as the Glen of Hracklatid and the Trosachs afford shelter and security to these destructive animals. We have here the grouse, black-cock, the ptarmigan, the partridge, the phea- sant, the snipe, and plover. Wild ducks and other water- fowl abound, and not unfrequently the eagle is seen soaring in the heavens, or perched on the pinnacle of a rock in the Trosachs. Our lakes, and rivers, and mountain streams, abound in trout, sal- mon, pike, eel, perch, char, and other small tish. Botany. — The oak, the ash, alder, Scotch fir, birch, plane, holly, hazel, and the willow, grow spontaneously, 'I'he oak is valu- able, and is cut commonlv everv sixteen or twcntv vears, and the bark sold to the tanners. The proprietors pay great attention to their oak woods, and some of them are beautifying the ap- pearance of the country by rich and extensive ])lantations of Scotch fir, larch, spruce, plane, elm, beech, lime, chestnuts, pop- lar, and other trees. There are some trees which have grown to a good size, mostly of hard wood, and some Scotch fir. On the glebe are still remaining full grown trees, planted by the Earl of Cal- lander about the year 1596 ; and a venerable hawthorn in front of the manse, with its branches curiously entwined, is still in full vigour. The most common shrubs which grow upon the higher grounds are broom, whins and, heath of the usual kinds. Of the heath, the Highlanders in former times made a dye, first by boil- ing woollen cloth with alum, and then with the tops of heath, which produced an orange-colour. It has been used too in tanning leather. Juniper grows in all soils and situations, and of difl'erent sizes. The PERTH. / 854 PEUTHSHlllE. berries are three years in ripening, and upon the same bush they may be seen in their different stages. The juniper is esteemed a good antiscorbutic. * The grasses to be met with are the ryegrass, red, white, crow- foot clover, scirpus or rush grass, eriophorum or cotton-grass, alo pecurus or fox-tail ; with rib-grass, water-cress, thyme, mint, cow parsnep, chickweed, and wood sorrel. There abound here also digitalis, solanum or nightshade, hemlock, nettle, thistle, dande- lion, mugwort, mallow, filices or ferns. These last are much used in the Highlands for thatching houses, and endure for many years. When used for thatch, the fern is pulled out of the earth by the root. It is also used for making manure, and when cut green and properly dried, both horses and cows eat it IL — Civil History. Village. — The village of Callander is built upon feus held of the family of Perth. To each feu is attached an acre or two of land, for which the feuar pays about L. 1, lOs. per acre, or from that to L. 3, ac- cording to the quality of the soil. The houses are built substantially with stone and lime, and covered with slate. The street is wide, and regularly cleaned and repaired. There is an abundant supply of excellent water in different parts of the village, conducted in leaden pipes, the original expense of which was defrayed by Lady Wil- loughby, who has done much to add to the neatness of the village and the comfort of its inhabitants. Through Callander passes the principal road to the Western Highlands by Lochearnhead, Tyn- drum, and Black-mount ; and from this place, there are several other roads branching out in different directions. Antiquities, — About a mile west of Callander, there are the re- mains of a fortification on the top of a hill, called Dun ho chais" tily the hill of the castle. This must have been a place of considerable strength ; the face of the hill is perpendicular, rising to the height of about 300 feet, and quite inaccessible on the south. The gateway and three tiers of ditches and mounds are distinct upon the top. The mounds are strengthened with large stones, and within was a sunk well, which has been filled up, as cattle were liable to fall into it. From the summit of this hill, there is an extensive prospect, particularly to the east ; the * 1 have beard it said, that when the plague was in Scotland and )iad reached Callander, the people to the westward at I3ridge of Turk, where this plant abounds, were in the habit, two or three times every day, of setting fire to a quantity of juniper. Whether this prevented contagion or not, 1 know not, but the plague did not reach them. CALLANDBR. 355 approach of an enemy might be seen many miles off, and the people of the country would thereby have time to arm themselves and take shelter in this stronghold. In the plain of Bochastle, and in the immediate vicinitv of this fortification, is an artifi- cial bank of earth and stone, which perhaps was erected for the purpose of reducing this fort; but we have no authentic record on this subject In Loch Catherine is an island, which the inhabi- tants in Strathgartney used for the like purpose. When aware of the approach of an enemy, the most valuable possessions, with the women and children, were immediately conveyed to it. Then the men armed themselves and took possession of the passes and de- files of the Trosachs, to prevent the advance of the enemy. Dr Robertson, late minister of the parish, in a sketch of the scenery of Callander and the Trosachs, gives the following ac- count: — " In one of the defiles of this bve-road, the men of the country at that time hung upon the rear of the invading enemy, and shot one of Cromwell's men, whose grave marks the scene of action, and gives name to the pass (Bealach an duine^ the pass or defile of the man). In revenge of this insult, the soldiers re- solved to plunder the island, and, with this intention, one of the party swam in to fetch the boat to his comrades, who stood on the shore in full view of all that was to pass — but, just Jis the soldier had got to the nearest point of the island, one of the women severed his head from his body. The hostile party seeing this disaster, made the best of their way out of their perilous situation." There are still seen at the manse, the remains of the Castle of Callander, which, with the adjoining lands belonged to the Earl of Callander. It consisted of a square strong building of considerable height. The property was forfeited in the reign of James I. or II. of Scotland, and passed to Livingstone, who was created Earl of Callander and Linlithgow. This person pro- bably repaired the castle, after his accession to the earldom, as a stone is still preserved in the walls of the manse, bearing his initials and those of his lady, A. L. E. H. 1596. We find the re- mains of another forti6cation on the farm of Achinlaich, the pro- perty of Mr Buchanan of Arnprior. The hill is planted, and the ditch and mound on the top have been thus preserved, and are still very distinct. It was probably used for the like purposes as that on the Dun of Bochastle, There is a beautiful circular mount adjoining the church-yard of Callander called Tom-ma" Ckessaifff the hill of St Kessaig, who was the tutelar saint 35G PERTHSHIUE. of this place. A market is still held here, annually, in the month of March, which goes by I he name of FeiU-ma'Ches^ saig^ L e, the festival of St Kessaig. There is a similar tu- mulus, ahout half a mile west, at a place called Little Leney, where was a chapel of old, and which is still used as a hurying- place. There is only jone turnpike road in the parish leading from Callander to the West Highlands. The other roads in the parish are kept in repair, by money raised from the tenants, who are assessed according to their rents and tlie extent of their farms, and also from such others as are able to ])ay. The money thus col- lectcil is laid out by commissioners in repairing roads and bridges. There is a new line of road in progress from Kippen to Callan- der by Thornhill, which, when completed, will be of essential bene- fit to this place, as it will open up to us a direct communication with the farmers in the Frews, who have been in the habit of supplying this place with hay, &c. III. — Population. The population in 1 7.55, 1772, 1787, 1791, 1811, 1821, 1831, was 17jO 17{K) 18a) 2100 2042 20;u 1909 In 1831 the inhabitoJ houses were, - - • 3U> Families occupying these houses, - - . - 441 Families chiefly employed in agriculture, . - . - 89 trade, manufactures, and handicral\, - 167 Several individuals of independent fortune reside within the bounds of the parish ; and during summer and autumn, families come here from large towns, and take lodgings for a few months. There are eleven heritors, only two of whom are resident. Cap- tain Houston Stewart lately purchased the property of Gart, upon which he has erected a splendid and commodious mansion-house, and is now engaged in laying out the grounds, in improving the soil, and in beautifying tlie place, which lies along the north banks of the Teath. Both the English and Gaelic languages are spoken in the parish, and divine worship on Sabbath is performed in both. The name of almost every farm and hill is derived from the Gaelic. The Highland dress is not so generally worn as it was forty years ago. The people are in general well-informed, intelligent, sober in their habits, kind and affectionate in their dispositions, and upon the whole, moral, religious, and well disposed. 4 CALLANDEU. 357 IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The pasturage of this parish is adapted for the rearing of black cattle and sheep. The attention of the tenants is therefore turned to this object, and many of them cultivate no more of their low grounds than what will serve to raise meal and pota- toes, for the consumption of the family. There are, however, farms in the parish which are entirely arable, and these are in general well managed. A regular rotation in cropping is attended to, and green crops are becoming common. The fanner tiiids the advantage of this, not only as the means of pulverizing and ameliorating the soil, but as of essential benefit in rearing young stock, which en- ables him to pay his rent when the price of grain is low as at pre- sent. A considerable quantity of waste land has been improved and brought into cultivation within the last twenty years, and the draining of wet and spouty land has rapidly increased, in some in- stances at the exj)ense of the landlord, and in others at that of the tenant himself Leases. — The general duration of the leases of arable farms is from thirteen to nineteen years ; and of sheep farms, from nine to thirteen. The style of farm-houses has been much improved of late ; many of them are comfortable and covered with slate. Were the farms more subdivided with sufficient inclosures, the industri- ous tenant would be more encouraged in going on with his im- provements. Oats are sown about the 22d of March. Potatoes planted about the end of April. Barley and turnips are sown in the middle of May. Very little flax is now raised in this parish* The kinds of oats sown are the Flemish, the Cupar-grange, the Hopetoun, and the Blainslic. The straw of the Cupar-grange is reckoned the best for feeding cattle, but the others are earlier and more productive, particularly the Flemish. The smooth barley is preferred to the rough bearded sort, and fetches a better price in the market. The barley sells at 19s. 3d. per imperial boll; the oats and oat meal at 14s. 6d. the boll of 140 lbs. avoirdupois im- perial weight. The valued rent of the parish is L. 3278, lOs, V. — Parochial Economy. Means of Communication. — The village of Callander has its ad- vantages. There is here a daily post; a coach that runs to and returns from, Stirling every lawful day in summer, and twice a-week in winter. Post-chaises and cars are to be had for hire, and there are regular carriers to Edinburgh, Stirling, and Glasgow, t358 PKRTIIsniRE. Ecclesiastical State. — The church is situated in the centre of the Tillage, and is a neat building, with a spire and bell. It was built about the year ] 773, and seated to contain 800. The seats are divided among the different heritors, according to their valued rents, and by them portioned out among their tenants. The manse was built in the same year. An addition was given to the present in- cumbent in 1810 ; and the former manse repaired at the same time It is a comfortable, convenient house, delightfully situated on the banks of the Teath. The glebe contains about 11 acres of very good land. There are no free teinds in the parish. The present stipend, as fixed by a scheme of locality in 1817, is 97 bolls, 1 peck, 1 lip« py of meal, 48 bolls, '2 firlots, 2 lippies barley, and L. 72, 14s. 24d. of money. Divine service in the church is generally well attend- ed ; but the extent of the parish renders it necessary that it should be performed at other stations as well as in the parish church. Hence it is customary for the minister to preach occasionally at Bridge of Turk, about six miles from this — and also upon the side of Loch Catharine, at a greater distance. The number of com- municants may be about 700. Number of Episcopalians, 2 ; Se- ceders, 4 ; Independents about 16 ; Roman Catholics, 6. The people are attached to the Church of Scotland. The average amount of collections at the church is in summer L. 1, 10s., and in winter L. 1, which collections are distributed among the poor of the parish. Education, ��� There are a parochial school, and two others upon the establishment of the Society in Scotl.ind for Propagating Christ- ian Knowledge. — In the parochial school, the following branches are taught : Latin, Greek, mathematics, arithmetic, book-keeping, mensuration, English, Gaelic, and writing. In the school at Bridge of Turk, there are taught, Latin, English, Gaelic, arithmetic, writing; and the other school is for sewing, reading, writing, arithmetic, and English grammar. The parochial schoolmaster's salary is the maximum, and the school fees may average from L. 30 to L.40 per annum. The salary paid by the Society to the teacher at Bridge of Turk is L. 15; the school fees may be about L. 1, 1 Os. The teacher of the sewing and reading school has a salary of L. 6. Much praise is due to the excellent Society for Propagating Christian Know- ledge ; but for it, thousands in the Highlands would have been de- prived of the means of instruction. The people are alive to the benefits of education. All in this parish have the means of instruc- tion, and all from six years and upwards can read. A very visible CALLANDBll. 359 change in the conduct, morals, &c. of the people has taken placei since the facilities of education were increased. Libraries. — There are three libraries in the parish supported by subscription, consisting of Histories, Travels, Religious publi- cations, &C1, and the books are lent out upon paying a small sum quarterly or yearly. Poor and Parochial Funds. — The regular poor upon the roll amount to about 45. The funds from which they are alimented, are the collections in the church, with the interest of L. 200, amounting in all to between L. 70 and L. 80. These funds are ma- naged by the kirk-session. On emergencies, the heritors make a voluntary contribution to assist the kirk-session funds. Much is done privately in this way by the family of Perth, who not only give money, but a regular supply of meal, clothing and coals, to a number of poor. Besides this, there are several opulent resident individuals who are very liberal in their donations, and when applied to in any cases of peculiar distress, cheerfully con- tribute to alleviate the sufferings of the indigent. Fairs, — There are several fairs held in the parish, one in the month of May for black-cattle, sheep and horses. "1 his fair is call- ed CockhiU, from its being held upon a hill of that name. The stance for the market is given free by Mr Hunter, the proprietor of the lands. Another very considerable market is held in March, called Peill ma Chessaig, There are also two or three smaller fairs for the sale of lambs, hiring of reapers, and the transaction of country fbusiness. ; Irms. — Callander forms a regular stage on the road from Stirling to the West Highlands. Owing to this, as well as to the Trosachs being in the parish, it is much frequented by travellers, for whose accommodation a large inn was built some years ago, to which an addition has been made this year, There are other inns in the village, and one on the banks of Loch Achray, near Loch Catharine. Fuel. — Owing to the improvement in the roads, coal is much more generally used as fuel, than it was twenty years ago ; and al- though it is carried from Bannockburn, a distance of eighteen miles, it is found to be cheajier than the making and carrying of turf or peat The latter, however, is still much used, and found about a mile from Callander. Miscellaneous Observations. There is a marked improvement in the state of this parish since the former Statistical Account was written, particularly in husbandry. 360 PERTHSHIRK. Rich crops of oats, barley, turnips, and potatoes, may be seen grow- ing upon places, which, a few years ago, were covered with barren heath, or so swampy that the cattle could not get access to the few tufts of grass that might appear here and there. Still there remains much to be done, a great deal of land is to be seen lying waste, and in a state of nature, which at a little expense might be brought into cultivation, and abundantly repay all trouble and outlay. The attention paid by graziers to the breed of cattle has great- ly promoted improvement in this respect, and several farms in the parish are noted for the excellence of stock, both of black cattle and sheep. Great attention is paid to ihe smearing of sheep in the beginning of winter, and selecting proper places in the low country for the wintering of the hogs, so that both the carcase of the animal, and quality of the wool are benefited thereby. The wool is sent to Bannockburn, Glasgow, and Liverpool, and bought by the carpet-manufacturers. Although much has been done by «ome of the proprietors in the way of planting, there is still a great deal of waste land unfit for tillage, which, if. planted, would both beautify the face of the country, and enhance the value of proper- ty. Considerable improvement has taken place within these few years in the management of the police of the country ; yet there are many crimes allowed to pass with impunity. Would it not tend much to diminish crime if there were fewer licenses granted for selling spirits, and more attention paid to the character of the persons to w horn licenses are given ? t November 1837. PARISH OF RHYND. PRESBYTERY OF PERTH, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLIN(;. THE REV. JAMES TRAQUAIR, MINISTER. L — Topography and Natural History. Extent^ ^c. — Rhynd, a term which, wc are informed, signifies in ^he Gaelic language, a point, is a small parish situated at the con- Quence of the Tay and Earn. It is 4 miles in length, and ahout i mile in breadth, resembling, in some respects, an acute-angled triangle. It is bounded on the west, by the parishes of Dunbar- ^ey and Perth ; on the north and east, by the parishes of Kinfauns and St Madoes, from which it is separated by the Tay ; and on the south, by the parish of Abernethy, from which it is separated l)y the Earn. As might have been supposed from its situation, the land on the south-east part of the parish, and near the confluence of the rivers, is extremely flat and level, consisting chiefly of clay, intermixed, oc- casionally, with black loam of the finest quality. In the north-west part of the parish, and behind Moncrieft'-hill, it is considerably elevated, and slopes gradually towards the Tay, and is rather of a sharp or gravelly nature, but calculated, when properly cultivated, to repay abundantly the labours of the husbandman. From the low and flat situation of the greater part of the parish, the air is somewhat moist and hazy, but not unhealthy. It is rather, as we know from experience, the reverse. The wind, which blows from the west, sometimes with great violence, and the immense currents of fresh water, which are continually flowing along the two sides of it, lend to purify the atmosphere, and to purge it from the noxious qualities with which it might be apt to be impregnated. — Individuals of every rank and condition of life, often attain, here, an exfreme old age, eighty or ninety years being no uncommon or extraordinary occurrence. To this parish, accordingly, we are informed, the inhabitants of Perth, in the days of old, resorted in great numbers, when the plague was raging, in that ill-fated city, and spreading, in all directions, its baleful and destructive influence. 362 PERTHSHIRE. In the course of the last year, also, it may not be improper to ob* serve, only two funerals of the parishioners entered the church-yard, — a sufficient proof of the salubrity of the clime, and of its congeni- ality to the human constitution.- Topographical -4ppcara7ice«.— This parish, as might have been supposed from its situation, is possessed of considerable local beauty. The shelving banks of its rivers, adorned in many places, with stately trees, or with shnibs and bushes, — the meandering of its mighty waters, often in serpentine mazes, along its flats and haughs — the movement of vessels of various descriptions, up and down their channels, at every flux and reflux of the tide, supply- ing the wants, and administering to the comforts of the inhabitants, who live in the neighbourhood, are calculated to delight the eye, and to charm the imagination. 11. — Civil History. Land-awners, — There is no resident proprietor in the parish. The Earl of Wemyss and March, the principal heritor, resides at Gosford House, in the county of Haddington, and Mr Macgill of Kembach, the other heritor, resides at Kembach House, in the county of Fife. Antiquities, — This parish appears to have been well known in for- mer times. It was among its woods and winding streams, we are in- formed, that Wallace, occasionally, was wont to skulk from the ma- lice of his enemies, while he was endeavouring to avenge the injuries of his country, and to deliver his countr3mfien from a foreign yoke. The nunnery of Elcho, the ruins of which are still visible, de- monstrates the skill and judgment of the priesthood in the dark ages, as well as the power and influence of which they were pos- sessed, who always selected, as might have been anticipated, the most eligible situations for erecting those edifices, where literary leisure, as well as piety and peace, might take up their abode, but which, from the folly and weakness of mankind, were often pervert- ed to other and very different purposes. The Castle of Elcho, situated on the banks of the Tay, at pre- sent also in a ruinous condition, must at one period have been a place of some notoriety. Its walls are of considerable strength and thickness, and built of very hard and durable materials. The battlement^ on its summit, to which there is access by several winding stairs, which are still in good preservation, affords a varied and extensive prospect up and down the river in all directions. The present noble proprietor has, lately, much indeed to his ho- RHYND. 363 nour, covered it with a new roof, in order to preserve from the further injuries of the weather, the residence of many of his illus- trious ancestors. III. — Population. The resident inhabitants of the parish are the cottagers, who live in small huts or cottages, scattered up and down, and the fish- ers, who are employed in the Tay and Earn, and who are also occasionally employed by the farmers to assist them in their agri- cultural operations ; together with two or three tradesmen, whose labours are continually required. There is no public-house of any kind in the parish — a circum- stance which the inhabitants have little reason to regret. The parish was at one period much more populous than it is at present. At the period of the former Statistical Account, it cimount- ed to 49.5 ; it is now, only 400. This diminution was occasioned by throwing into one large farm, a considerable number of small parcels of land, which were occupied by separate and distinct tenants, and who, of consequence, were compelled to leave the place, and remove to other situations, where they could find employment. Of the present population, 88 belong to the Secession, and the re- mainder adhere to the Established Church. Number of £unilies in the parish, . .74 chiefly employed in agriculture, . . . 24 trade, manufoints and parts of ye ministerial function among yem."* Antiquities — There are few antiquities in the parish. Similar to the large stone, at the village of Hawkstane, just within the bound- ary of the parish of St Madoes, are two others in this parish, both in * To thif account of the parochial records may be appended a li&t of all who have been ministers of the parish since the Keformation. This list, the accuracy of which has been fully verified, was made out in the year 18*2*2 by Mr Scott, preacher, who was at that time contemplating a general index of thi» kind for every parish in Scot- land. The dates refer to the year of admission : \5 — , Alexander Dunmuir. 1581, James Smyth. 1614, John Strang, D. D. 16*26, Alexander Orney. 16-10, lliomas Halyburton. 1662, William Bell. 1666, John Nicolson, D. 1). 169*2, Samuel Naime. 1725, Lauchlan Macinto;>h. 17*14, James Wcmyss. 17o9, James Jobson. 1705, David Dow. 1819, James Gricrson. KRROL. 385 elevated and conspicuous situations ; the one in the west, near Clashbennie, and the other in the north-east, near Inchmartin. They are both quite solitary, and without any mark of art ; so larg^e as not to have been easily conveyed to their present situation by hnman contrivance ; and yet in such a position as to lead to the inference, that they were intended to be monumental — intended to mark a place of importance, or to perpetuate the- remembrance of some memorable event. In the public burj'ing-ground, there is one small monument sculptured over with emblematical representations, many of them taken from scripture, but so decayed and effaced, that neither name nor date can be found. It contains in a scroll the creed in Latin, and, in the same language, a translation of Rev. ii. 10. In the wall around the burying-ground, is seen the rude figure of n warrior in chain-armour, hewn in white sandstone. The arms are bent up on the breast, the palms of the hands having originally been made to meet, in the attitude of adoration. The figure has evidently been meant to be in a supine position, but when built into the modem wall, chiefly, it would seem, for the purpose of preservation, it has been stuck into it in a vertical position; and as, for the sake of stability, it has been sunk in the ground, nearly up to the knees, the appearance which it thus exhibits is exceed- ingly grotesque. Two of the ministers of the parish, Mr Omey and Mr Bell, have been buried, each under a stone sarcophagus. Of these humble monuments, the first is adorned with various se- pulchral emblems, and both of them are covered with inscriptions. Mr Bell had formerly been minister of the parish of Dron, in which parish he left, under the charge of the Presbytery of Perth, a few acres of land, the rental of which is devoted to the mainte- nance of a student of divinity in St Mary's College at St Andrews. He died in 1665, and on the south side of the cover of the sarco- phagus, under a scroll containing these words, — Mors patet^ hora iatetf — ^there is a brief historical record of his ministry.* About three miles and a half from the village of Errol, there arc * On the ftorth side* we have an inscription which aflPords a curious specimen of that grave quaintness of expression which is so characteristic oF the taste of the age :•— ** Death crackt this Bell, yet doth his pleasant chiming Remain witli those who arc their lamps a>trimniing: In spite of death, his word some (?) praise still sounds In Christ's church, and in Heaven his joy abounds." The top of the cover contains other two lines of the siune description :— « ** Here ceast and silent lies sweet sounding Bell, Who unto sleeping souls rung many a knell." PERTH. B b 386 PERTHSHIRE. at Westown, the ruins of a small Gothic church, of plain but very excellent workmanship, which, in one of the ancient charters of the estate, is called the church of the Blessed Virgin of Inchmartin. The ministers of Errol used to preach in it, half the day, once in every fortnight ; but after the parish church was enlarged and the roads were improved, this practice was discontinued. It is not above fifty years^ however, since the building was dismantled, nor nearly so long since interments have taken place in the burying- ground around it. Its situation is one of the most beautiful and picturesque that is to be seen in the whole district. The oldest entire building now in the parish is Megginch Castle. It bears the following inscription : — " Petrus Hay^ cedijicium extruxit^ A. D. 1575." Within the park at Murie there is an artificial mound, of a cir- cular form, 40 yards in diameter at the base, and about 30 feet diameter at the top ; the height from the base being about 20 feet. The platform at the top is surrounded by a low turf wall, with a walk outside of it, and the whole is enclosed with a turf wall at the base, in the form of an equilateral triangle. This mound is called the LaW'knolL Its sides are planted with trees, and it stands at the head of an old avenue of lofty oaks, which leads in a straight line towards a place, at the distance of two miles, which is now called Gallowjlat^ but which tradition reports to have been the Gailow'knolly — under the idea that the one knoll was the place where the law was administered, and the other where it was exe- cuted on criminals. The Law-knoll is, in respect of heigl]t, with- in a few feet of the highest position in the parish. Modern Buildings. — The only modern building worth mentioning is the parish church, which was erected in 1831. The former one had stood only sixty-five years, and had all the appearance of being as substantial as it was capacious. When greatly crowded, however, in the evening of the communion Sabbath, June 1830, a panic arose as to the safety of the gallery, which had nearly been attended with fatal consequences. This led to an inspection of the building, from which it appeared that, though there was no weakness in the gallery itself but what might have been easily remedied, the roof and the walls could no longer be depended on. The new church is a very chaste and perfect specimen of the plain Saxon architec- ture, after a plan furnished by James Gillespie Graham, Esq. It is in the form of a cross, intersecting a square, and has a hand- some square tower with pinnacles at the angles, which rise to the KRROL. 387 height of 93 feet above the base of the building. The interior arrangements are peculiarly convenient and beautiful. It is seated for 1448 persons. The whole expense of the buildin/j was con- siderably upwards of L. 5000. III. — Population. The only way by which an estimate can be formed of the an- cient state of the population of the parish is that of consulting the baptismal register. It appears that, even so far back as 1578, the number of baptisms which were registered was 59 : that in 1632 the number was 72; and that in 1728, nearly a century later, it was no higher. Judging from a comparison of the baptismal re- gisters, the population of the whole parish even in 1632, must have been upwards of 2000; and it is known that, in point of fact, it was in 1743 not less than 2229. The population of the landward por- tion does not, at the present day, amount to more than about 1720, and, as the population of the village is supposed to have been near- ly doubled within the last hundred years, that of the former can scarcely, if at all, have increased. The increase in the village has been owing chiefly to the improvement of manufactures. Where any diminution has taken place in the landward part of the parish, it seems to have been occasioned by the uniting of two or more small farms into one. The number of the population residing in the village of Errol, is . 1220 In three snoall villages in the outskirts of the parish, ... 273 In the rest of the couutry part of the parish, . - - . 1 449 Total, - .... - 2942 * The total population at the time of taking the census in 1831 was2992, but fiilly fifty persons included in that return were strangers who were employed as workmen at the building of the new church. The sum now given was that obtained by a survey taken in 1836, and corrected to the present date. The average of births for the last seven years is deaths, - - . marriages. The average number of persons under 15 years of age, is betwixt 15 and 30, 30 and 50, 50 and 70, - upwards of 70, 2942 Number of families in the parish, ..... 680 'chie6y employed in agriculture, . • 224 in trade, manufactures or handicraft, . 374 There is only one individual belonging to the nobility who re- sides in. the parish. The number of families of independent for- tune who reside in it is 9 or 10. . 105 . 36 • 27 1119 863 540 333 87 388 • PERTHSHIRE. The number of proprietors of land of the yearly value of L« 50 and upwards, is 14 The number of unmarried men, upwards of 50 years of age, in ofbacbelont, . . . . 99 of widowers, - ... 22 women upwards of 45 years of age, - .34 The numlier of insane persons is 3 ; of fatuous persons, 6 ; of blind persons, 3 ; and of deaf and dumb persons, 4. The number of illegitimate births in the parish during the last three years has been 9. Where so large a proportion of the inhabitants is employed in and dependent on manufactures, by the frequent and often violent fluctuations of which they are necessarily affected, a great deal of distress is occasionally experienced. Still, however, the people are, in general, contented with their situation and circumstances. In their intellectual character, they .are shrewd and deliberate, rather than acute. Where they have enjoyed the advantages of early and careful cultivation, the natural strength of their intellec- tual powers becomes sufficiently conspicuous. In respect of moral character, the people, as a body, may justly be said to be decent, industrious, and orderly. IV. — Industry. Agriculture. — The whole number of imperial acres which tho parish contains, as nearly as can be estimated from the actual mea- surement of each property, is 8626, all of which are either culti- vated or occasionally in tillage, with the exception of those portions which are under wood. The whole amount under wood, including hedgerows, does not much exceed 200 acres. Very few, if any, of the trees are indige- nous. They are confined entirely to the poorer soils, or to the grounds around the residences of the principal proprietors. Ex- cept in two or three locahties, none of those which have l>een plant- ed for economical purj)oses have advanced so far as to be cut for timber. The young wood seems to be under good management, every attention being paid to its periodical thinning and [)runing. Rent, — The average rent of arable land in the parish does not at present exceed L 3, 3s. or L. 3, 5s. per Scotch acre, which, at the former of these rates, is just L. 2, 10s. jier imperial acre. The land is still generally let by the Scotch acre, and the rent now com- rfionly agreed upon for the best soil, is four bushels of wheat, six bushels of barley, and six bushels of oats, converted into money at * the annual fiars prices of the county. In some instances, it is sti- pulated that the maximum price paid for all these three kinds and quantities united, shall not exceed L. 3, 17s. whatever the fiars fc^ prices may happen to be, — in other words, that the fiars shall regu- EKROL. 389 ^^*e the rent, only when the price of the three quantities does not ^^^^eed that sum. There are no grazings in the parish except in ^*^® parks or enclosed grounds of three or four of the principal P^prietors. When these are let, it is always per Scotch acre, the ^^inary rent being L. 3, L. 3, lOs. or L. 4. Very fine pasture ^oujetimes brings L. 4, 10s. per acre. /Vorface. — The principal articles of raw produce may be stated ^^ the following prices, taking the averjige of the last seven years. Wheat per quarter, . L. 2)1 4} Barley, - - 1 8 5J Oats, - - - I nj Pease, - - - 1 7 7j Oatmeal per half sack, of 140 lbs. avoirdupois, 16s. 5^. ; po- tatoes, lOs. per boll, of 32 stones Dutch, equal to 40 imperial stones or 5 cwt, which is at the rate of 2s. per cwt. The average price of new hay is about 8d. or 9d. per stone. The ordinary price of provisions is regulated by the markets of Perth and Dundee. Very little round timber, fit for mechanical purposes, is cut in the parish^ What little there is, sells for Is. per cubic foot Building stoues for rubble-work can be purchased at the quarry of Clash- bennie, at the rate of Is. per ton ; and stones for hewn- work at the rate of 6d, per linear or 9d. per cubic foot Stones for draining are got for 6d. per ton. Quicklyrie can be delivered at the shore of Port- Allen, at from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per boll, of 52 stones Dutch, or 8 cwts. imperial weight. JVages^ Sfc, — The average rate of mason- work, in the erection of farm-houses, not including materials, is from L. 2 to L. 3 per rood. In building farm-oflices the rate is from L. 1, 15s. to L. 2. The average rate of carpenter-work in roofing such buildings, with foreign timber, materials included, is from 4s. lOd. to 5s. per square yard. When home timber is employed, the rate is about 4s. per yard. Flooring, including joists, when of foreign timber, is about 5s. 6d. per yard ; and when of home timber, it is about 4s. Lvje-Stock. — Very few sheep are reared in the parish. Of cattle, no more are reared or kept than are required to consume the grass, straw, and turnips which are raised on the farms, and neces- sary for turning these productions to proper account. Much atten- tion is paid to the quality of the horses which are reared for agri- cultural work. Husbandry, — The general character of the husbandry pursued in the parish, seems to be skilful and judicious. About two-thirds 390 PKUTHSniRE. of tiie soil consist of clay^ and the other third consists of what is called black landy being in general a fine vegetable mould. Of the former, Jive-sevenths annually are kept under a grain crop, and of the latter, seven-twelfihsy according to the following method of ro- tation : In the clay, the rotations, generally speaking, are these seven : fallow, wheat, beans and pease, wheat, barley, grass, and oats, or, in some rare instances, wheat. In the black land, they are these six : potatoes, wheat, turnips and pease, barley, grass, and oats or wheat. From the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient crop of grass so often as once in six or seven years, some farmers have introduced a rotation of sevens, even in the black land, and of eights in the clay ; while others seem to think that, adhering to the ordinary rotations, in regard to the other crops, it would be better, where circumstances admit, to divide the land so that this import- ant production should not be required from the same soil, more than once in every alternate course of rotation. The drilling of grains has seldom been attempted in this parish. At the time of the former Statistical Report, indeed, and for se- veral years afterwards, the drilling of beans^ with the usual inter- mixture of pease, was a common practice, and some recent at- tempts have been made to revive it in the district. These, how- ever, have been without success, from the prevailing opinion, that the increase of crop would not afford sufficient remuneration for the increase of labour and expense. One plough is required for about every thirty Scotch acres that a farm may contain. Not- withstanding the curvilinear direction of the ridges, no more beau- tiful specimens can anywhere be seen than in this district, of equal and regular ploughing. The rate of production on the best soils is very high. Fallow wheat has often made a return of 16 bolls per Scotch acre,* and even considerably more. Oats, also, in fine soil, and under fa- vourable circumstances, have sometimes yielded 16 bolls. Barley has yielded 13 bolls ; and pease and beans have occasionally pro- duced 14 or 15 bolls. All these, however, are much above the average. Taking in all kinds of grain and all kinds of soil, the average rate of production is thought to be only between 7 anc' 8 bolls per Scotch acre. Hay is sometimes so abundant a crop that even the first cutting yields between 300 and 400 stones p( acre ; but even 300 is reckoned a good crop, and considerab above the average. • The Perthshire wheat boll is equal to 3 bushels, 3 pecks, 1.9442 gallons ir rial measure ; and the boll for other grain is equal to 5 bushels, 3 pecks 0.6009 OS. The Scotch is to the imperial acre as 126 to 100. 392 PERTHftlllRE. refuse of their stems, when they were cut for economical purposes, was gradually adding to the elevation of the surface. These reeds, it may be mentioned, were originally planted by dibbling at the expense of L. 12 per Scotch acre. The average produce per acre has been about 500 bundles, each of 36 or 37 inches circumference. The expense of cutting, binding, and car- rying them out, has been from ds. 6d. to 4s. per 100 bundles, the rope-yarn being furnished by the proprietor. The average price at which those of the best quality have been sold for thatch is L. 1, ds. per hundred bundles; and the price of those of inferior quality, now chiefly used in covering drains, is about 15s. per 100. The average number of both qualities yearly raised in the parish, before the recent embankment was made, was not less than 40,000 bundles. . The first two reaches of the embankment, both of them to the west of Port- Allen, when taken together, extend to fully a mile in length. The average breadth of the space enclosed is about 200 yards. They were begun and nearly finished in 1836 ; but in the course of the winter, and before the work was quite completed, a high tide broke in at two or three places, and did considerable da- mage, which was not thoroughly repaired till the spring of the present year. The width of the embankment at the bottom, is 40 feet, and the height 11 feet It is 2 feet broad at the top, the general level of which is about 3 feet above the highest tides. The slope of the embankment is thus at the rate of nearly 4 feet in width for each foot in height. The outside of it, however, to the height of about 4 feet, is only a little inclined from the per- pendicular, that part of it consisting of a strong dry-stone wall. Above this height, the slope of the outside is the same as that of inside, and is protected, moreover, by a rude causeway of stones on the sur&ce. In both divisions of the embankment, which was constructed in 1636, the whole earthy material was taken from the contiguous soil itself, of the area which it was the object of the undertaking to recover. This was a great sacrifice. For about SO yards immediately within the embankment, the soil has been excavated to a depth of 2 or 3 feet, so that what remains beneath, must, for the present, be in a great measure unproductive. The whole area enclosed, however, is about 70 imperial acres, and it is already bearing a crop of oats, which, in spite of the reeds that have still sprung up in the midst of it, has been sold at the ave- rage rate of between L. 8 and L. 9 per Scotch acre. In the course of the present year (1837), another embankment 394 PERTHSHIRE. raw produce annually raised in the parish, as nearly as can be as- certained, may be stated under the following heads : Produce of grain of all kinds, whether cultivated for food of man, or the domestic animals, . . » £ 45,600 potatoes and turnips cultivated in the fields, > 6500 hay almost all cultivated, . 9300 gardens and orchards, 1200 fisheries in the Tay, . . 500 annual thinning of plantations and occasional felling of woodi 50 a sandstone quarry, . . . 200 reeds, ... . , . 470 Total yearly value of raw produce raised, £ 6^,940 The valued rent of the parish is L. 16,982, 3s. 4d. Scots. The real rent in the year 1829 was L. 26,000 Sterling, including rents of houses and feus; but, at the present time, it scarcely amounts to L 24,000. Manufactures. — The principal branch of manufacture carried on in the parish, is that of different kinds of linen cloth. The only other one, indeed, is the manufacture of a species of soft coarse canvas, made from a sort of secondary hemp, and intend- ed for bags or coverings in the package of goods. In these manu- factures, there are upwards of 300 persons employed as weavers, exclusive of those who are employed in spinning and winding. Of these 300, more than one- third are women. Living in a country village, or in rural situations throughout the parish, the operatives do not seem to suffer any injury to their health, from their employment. Nor is there any evidence that they have been injured in their morals. Navigation, — Besides the daily passage boat between Port- Allen and Newburgh, which is fitted also for the transmission of lime, timber, iron, farm-produce, and other commodities, there is but one vessel which belongs to the port now mentioned, the only one in this parish. That vessel is chiefly employed in the importation of lime and coals, and in the exportation of grain and potatoes. Various other vessels, however, are occasionally employed in carry- ing on the trade of this port. The quantity of lime annually im- ported into the parish, though not all at Port- Allen, is not less than 5000 bolls. The boll consists, as already stated, of 52 stones Dutch. The quantity of coals annually imported at the same place, is about 700 tons of Scotch, and 300 tons of English. The harbour dues are at the rate of Id. per ton on articles in general, and ^d. per boll of lime. These dues were, till lately, levied by the proprietor, on whose property the harbour is situated ; EUttOL. 395 but they have recently been claimed by the city of Perth. The proprietor, however, has the acknowledged right of the ferry to Newburgh, and lets it along with a house for the boatman, at the ^ual rent of about L. 20. V. — Parochial Economy. Market'Tawn, — The nearest market-town is Perth, which is at ^e distance of ten miles. The principal intercourse, however, is ^th Dundee, from the extensive manufactures of which, almost all ^Mose which are carried on in this parish are derived. Besides the village of Errol itself, there are three others Carse^ ^^ange^ fVesioum, and Lee-town. Of these, the last mentioned is ^he largest, although even this does not contain a population much ^bove 100 individuals. Chapelhill and Glendoick are hamlets ^^her than villages. Means of Communication. — There is a post-oflSce at Flatfield, Mrhich is on the public road, almost immediately below the village of Errol, and at the distance of about a mile and three quarters. ^Besides this, there has for many years been a receiving-house in t.he village, between which place and the office, a runner goes every morning ; and since the month of October last, the postmaster him- self has been in the practice of receiving and delivering letters in the village. The length of turnpike roads in the parish is about nine miles. There are besides the mail, two public coaches which travel on the great turnpike road. The only harbour yet capable of being made use of, is that of Port- Allen. Its present is rather a dilapidated state. The em- bankment, however, which is now going on will, among other be- nefits, serve to deepen the channel, and facilitate the entrance of vessels into the harbour, till such time as steps are taken for com- pleting the new pier and harbour, about three-quarters of a mile farther down the river, and so much nearer the village of Errol. Ecclesiastical State, — The situation of the parish church is on a gently rising ground, at the north-east end of the village of Er- rol. There is no place which could have been more convenient for the greater part of the population, with the exception of that on which the former church was erected, but which could not have afforded a sufficient area for the new, without an interfer- ence with the repositories of the dead in the surrounding bury- ing-ground, which it was most desirable to avoid. Its distance from the extremities of the parish does not exceed three and a quarter, 396 FEUTHSHIRE. or three and a half miles, except at one place, where the distance is between four and five miles ; but where there are not more than five or s^ix families. It was built in 1831, and is in the best possible repair. The only benefactions on record do not exceed L. 600, the interest of which is devoted to assist in the support of the poor. There is nothing particularly interesting, connected with the his- tory of these charitable bequests. The number of persons, for whom the church affords accommodation, is 1448. All the sittings are possessed by the occupants, free of seat rent With the exception of those which are allocated to the poor, and of a certain proportion of the communion table seats, which has been assigned for the promiscuous occupancy of those parishioners who neither possess nor are connected with any farm or pendicle, they are all apportioned to particular individuals ; but no heritor derives any emolument from any of the sittings ; neither do the heritors as a body. The manse was built in 1798, and repaired in 1820. The extent of the glebe, including the ground occupied by the manse, offices, and garden, is 4 acres, 2 roods, 1 1 falls, Scotch measure ; but not less than 2{ roods have been lost in the con- struction of a road to the manse, and by the establishment of a right of servitude over another part of the glebe. The annual value of the glebe and garden may be between L. 15 and L. 20. The amount of the stipend, not including L. 8, 6s. 8d. allowed for communion elements, is 9 chalders* of barley, and 9 chalders of oatmeal, at the highest fiars prices of thfe county. The average value of these quantities of barley and meal, for the last ten years, has not exceeded L. 273, Is. 8d. There are three Dissenting chapels in the parish. Two of them belong to the United Secession Church, and the other belongs to the Relief Church. Their ministers are paid out of the seat rents, and in as far as these are inadequate to make the stipulated sums, the deficiency is supplied by contributions among the members. In the case of the oldest of the three, the sum to which the minister is entitled, is L. 130, exclusive of a free house and garden. In the case of both the others, the stipend is now only L. 80, with the ordinary addition of a free house and garden. These statements are made on the authority of information which the writer believes to be authentic, though not official. * 1 Chalder of barley is equal to 11 qrs. 5 bush. pk. I.GIOO gnl. imperial mea- sure ; one chalder of oatmeal is exactly equal to KM) stoiics. ERROL. 307 There are four or five Episcopal families in the parish, but there is no Episcopal chapel. The number of families attending the Established Church is 467 ; and the number of persons of all ages belonging to it is 2025. Tlie Episcopalians generally attend the parish church. The num- ber of families attending the chapels of the Dissenters is, as near- ly as can at present be ascertained, 218 ; and the number of per- sons of all ages belonging to them is 906, exclusive of the very few who are not known to belong to any denomination. Divine service, both in the Established Church and in the Dissenting chsqpels, is generally well attended. The whole number of comnui- nicants belonging to the Established Church, is 996. The ave- rage number of those who actually communicate every year is, in the month of June, 815 ; and in the month of November, nearly 700. Societies. — Of societies for religious purposes, there is, in con- nection with the Established Church, a parochial association, the object of which is not only to lend its annual assistance to the New Perthshire Bible Society, buf^lso to promote the four schemes of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The contribu- tions of the parochial association have consisted partly of collec- tions made in its behalf at church. The average yearly amount of these contributions has been nearly L. 20. The average amount of church collections for charitable puq)oses, exclusive of the ordi- nary collections for the poor, has been about L. 12. Education. — The total number of schools in the parish, exclu- sive of Sabbath schools, is five. Among these, there is only one parochial school. Two of the others are partly endowed, the one by the proprietor who built it on his property, and the other by a society or body of subscribers. The endowment, however, in both cases, consists only in the teacher's enjoying the privilege of a free bouse and garden, as well as the school-house. The fourth school is altogether unendowed. The fifth is a small school-house in which very young children are taught mere reading, and the girls the additional art of knitting, by an elderly widow. The branches which the parochial schoolmaster is appointed to teach, are, Eng- lish reading and grammar, writing, arithmetic, geography, practi- cal mathematics, book-keeping, French, Latin, and Greek. In the two schools partly endowed, the same branches are appointed to be taught as in the parochial school, with the exception of languages ; and most of these are what the masters, though not re- 398 PERTHSHIRE. ' quired, are sufficiently qualified to teach. Tlie parochial school, for some years past, has been conducted entirely by an assistant and successor to the schoolmaster. The latter individual enjoys, as a retiring salary, the legal salary, which is the mnximum^ together with an addition, secured to him by the heritors, sufficient to make up to him a complete annuity of L. 40 Sterling. The assistant, so long as he continues in this capacity, enjoys from the heritors a separate and independent salary of L. 25, besides the school- house, which contains the legal accommodation, the schoolmaster's house, and the legal quantity of garden ground, * all rent free. He is also entitled to the whole of the school-fees. Having, moreover, been appointed session clerk, he derives from this office an addi- tional income of not less, on an average, than L. 15 a-year.