1843.—HERITORS AND LANDOWNERS OF THE PARISH.—The following
shows the name of the landowners in the Parish of Dunfermline,
in April, 1843, with their valuations in the
Cess Book of the county:--
The Right Hon. the Earl of
Elgin £4426 19 6
Mrs. Madox Blackwood, Of
Pitreavie
1801 18 5
James Hunt, of Pittencrieff
1706 15 6
Sir John Halket, Bart.,
Pitferrane
1553 8 4
Andrew Moffat Wellwood, of
Garvock
1220 0 0
George Robertson Barclay, of Keavil
1008 11 4
Charles Durie, of Craigluscar
702 3 4
Robert Downie, of
Appin, for Touch, &c
399 13 7
Col. Martin Lindsay, of Halbeath
367 6 8
Adam Rolland, of Gask
317 7 11
Lady Buchan Hepburn, of Blackburn
314 4 7
James Kerr, of Middlebank
310 3 3
Mrs. Winstanley, 1/5 of
Pitliver,
&c 305 0 0
Messrs. Aitken, of South
Fod
283 0 10
The Guildry of
Dunfermline 268 15
11
POLICE COMMISSION.—On 30th
April, 1843, the debts of the Board were £2,044 14s. 5d. This
debt is in gradual process of being reduced, by payment of
yearly instalments.
WEAVING—Jacquard Machines.—These
machines, when first introduced
in 1825, cost from £12 to £15. In 1843 the same description
of machine could be purchased at from £2 5s. to £3 5s. (MS
Note)
GREAT “ECCLESIASTICAL
EXCITEMENT”—The Free Kirk.—As in other parts of Scotland, at
this period, “the citizens of Dunfermline were much agitated
on the subject of non-intrusion when they heard of the vote of
the General Assembly at Edinburgh, and of the march of the
non-intrusion ministers to Tanfield Hall,” May, 1843. “Great
ecclesiastical excitement” was the consequence. “After this
the building of Free Kirks became the order of the day.” (MS
Note)
STAMP OR DIE FOUND ON
TOWERHILL.—During the summer of
1843, while “digging” on the site of the
Towerhill, an iron or steel “coining-stamp” was found.
It is supposed to be the coining-stamp of some ancient coiner.
It is now in the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries,
Edinburgh. (Vide Antiq. So.
Mus. Catal.
p. 88; Chal. Hist. Dunf. )
THE Poor House (Old Town Green)
was finished and occupied in July, 1843. It is a plain oblong
building of two storeys, capable of accommodating 130
persons. (MS Note)
THE Postal and Stamp Revenues
for 1843 were—Post Office, £3,275 10s. 9d. Stamp Office,
£2,477 4s. 10d.
THE Assessed Taxes for 1843
amounted to £155 19s. 4d.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—“In
consequence of a Town Council hitch,” Henry Kidd, banker, was
in September, 1843, elected pro tem. Provost. In November,
1843, James Smith Ronaldson, banker and writer, was elected
Provost. (Burgh Records.)
PAWNBROKERS.—In December, 1843,
there were no less than twelve pawnbrokers in Dunfermline,
“besides others who did a quiet business in a similar way.”
They styled themselves general merchants (MS Note)
NATIONAL SECURITY SAVINGS
BANK.—The number of depositors in December, 1843, was 1021;
total fund of bank, £18,915 17s. 11d. (MS Note)
SHIPPING AT LIMEKILNS AND
CHARLESTOWN.—At the end of the year 1843 the shipping at these
places was a follows:--Limekilns—6 brigs, 980 tons; 7
schooners, 641 tons; 16 sloops, 738 tons; 1
pinnace, 16 tons. Charlestown—2
schooners, 137 tons; 4 sloops, 121 tons. Sailors, &c., 185;
wages, from £2 per month. (MS Note)
1844.—FREE ABBEY CHURCH.—this
church was founded in June, 1843, and was finished and opened
for public worship on 21st January, 1844; it had
777 sittings. The gable or front of this church is of a
singular type, having two dwared
towers, affecting the old Cathedral style, but it is a most
decrepit imitation. (Newspapers for Jan., 1844) The “auld
Licht Kirk” was purchased by this
congregation immediately after the Disruption, when it was
taken down of r a site for the Free Abbey Church.
ECCLESIASTICAL CENSUS.—The
following ecclesiastical census was compiled for the Rev. P.
Chalmers, A.M., Abbey Church, early in 1844:--Members of all
ages belonging to the Established Church, about 4,00; Free
Church, 2,500; United Secession Church (U.P.), 8,000; Relief
Church, 700; Baptists, 300; Episcopalians, 163;
Congregationalists, 436; Roman Catholics, 105;
Rowites, about 50;
Swedenborgians, 60; Methodists,
30; Unitarians, 36; Universalists,
26; Friends, 8; about 3,420 not belonging to any
congregation. (M.S.)
THE Ancient Society of Gardeners
in January, 1844, had about 270 members.
THE Weaving Trade was in a state
of depression this year, 1844; there were about 500
unemployed. (Newspapers.)
BATHS were established in Queen
Anne Street by Mr. Edward Young, slater,
&c. (MS)
LITERATURE.—“The Stranger’s
Companion Amid the Antiquities of Dunfermline. Printed and
sold by J. Miller & Son. 1844. Price 6d.” This is a small
12mo. of 60 pages and is divided into six chapters, and
contains a very good account of ancient and modern
Dunfermline. A small vignette of the Monastery from the
north-west fronts the title page. This little work went
through several editions, and is now out of print.
MR. DAVID PATON died at this
residence, Wooer’s Alley, Dunfermline, on 13th
July, 1844, in the 78th year of his age. We take
the following from our MS notes:--
Mr. Paton was originally a
weaver, but in after life he constructed a turning lathe, and
commenced the business of turner, supplying weavers with
pirns, bobbins, &c., and was often
in request by youths for their peeries
and tops. He was a great mechanical genius; his workshop was
quite a repository of art and science, being well filled with
all kinds of mechanical nick-nacks
of his own making, finished and unfinished, such as box camera
obscura’s; telescopes and
microscopes; a magic lantern, made out of an old tea chest; a
Franklin harmonicon; wooden clocks, common and astronomical; a
planetarium constructed with wooden wheels, the teeth of which
were cut with a knife, and finished up with a file, but which,
nevertheless, showed very satisfactorily the motions of all
the then known planets round the sun; a machine for twining
thread; a mouse mill, which twined thread by the mouse driving
round a wheel, and which also showed several curious
mechanical exhibitions; and last, though not least, a model
for a perpetual motion, but which would not continue its
movement longer than seven and a-half minutes. Besides all
these contrivances, he constructed a curious printing press in
1810, and by its aid he printed a great many little books
between that period and 1826, which are noticed in the Annals
under the dates of publication. The types, of which he had
bu7t a moderate supply, were much worn out. A story is till
current that he made his own types! This is a mistake, such a
feat was beyond the reach of his art; besides, had he been
able to make one type, it would have taken a life time to have
produced a few thousands of them. It is true, however, that
he cut initial letters about half an inch square for his
books, &c., and he likewise made his own woodcuts for his
illustrations; these letters and woodcuts were made by the
assistance of a penknife, small chisel and sprig-bits (brugs)
of various sizes. The writer has again to repeat his great
respect for the memory of this ingenious man, having in his
early days spent many of his leisure hours in his little
workshop.
LITERATURE.—“Historical and
Statistical Account of Dunfermline. By the Rev. Peter
Chalmers, A.M., Minister of the First Charge, Abbey Church,
Dunfermline, 1844.” This is a most elaborate volume; full of
ancient lore and modern detail; and to future generations it
will show forth the unwearied and persevering researches of
its learned author. The work is a large octavo of 592 pages,
and has 17 fine illustrative copper-plate engraving.
Published by William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London,
1844; price 14
EPISCOPAL OR TRINITY CHURCH, St.
Ann’s Place.—the Rev. William Bruce was ordained minister of
this church in 1844. (See An. Dunf. 1847)
THE Dunfermline Presbytery was
this year disjoined from Kinross. fourteen members
(clergymen) now constitute the Presbytery of Dunfermline. (MS
Note)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—James S.
Ronaldson, Esq., banker, &c re-elected Provost, November,
1844. (Burgh Records)
CHALMERS’ STREET CHURCH.—The
Rev. T. Walker was ordained minister of this church on
16th November,
1844. He resigned his charge in July, 1858, having received a
call to Ballarat,
Australia.
1845.—THE New Prison, which had
for some time past been in course of erection, was finished
and occupied early in January, 1845.
ROTTEN ROW—West Queen Ann
Street.—The Rotten Row, leading east from the middle of
Collier row, or Bruce Street, had its name changed to West
Queen Ann Street, in 1845, because it was “an ugly name.” the
Dunfermline Rotten Row was known by this name 400 years ago.
(MS Note; see An. Dunf. dates 1487, 1500, 1735.) In reference
to the name Ratton,
rattin, and Rattan, it may be
noted that it was anciently applied to undressed timber.
Houses, when constructed entirely of
rattons, were ratton-houses,
and when a number such ratton-houses
adjoined each other, they were known as
ratton rows. There was a quay at
Ayr
known as the Ratton Quay. (See
Burns’s Poems.) When worship was conducted in the nave of the
Abbey Chuirch, Dunfermline, there
was “a sounding roof” known across the church, half way up to
the “top roof,” to keep “the sound down.” this roof was
constructed wholly of undressed timber, and was known as the
rotten or rattan laft. the Rotten
Row of London appears to have got its name from a row of
undressed timber huts.
ABBEY CHURCH—Induction.—The Rev.
James French, of St. Bernard’s Church, Edinburgh, was inducted
minister of the Second Charge of the Abbey Church,
Dunfermline, on 2nd May, 1845. (Parish Regist.)
THE Burgh-Tron and Site of
Fish-Market, &c Removed, 1845.—“From time immemorial the
public Tron and Market for the sale of sundries was near the
lower end of the High Street (north side). When the Tron-beam
was put in its place, “the top beam overhung the pavement, and
as the weighing scales were suspended from this beam, it
caused great annoyance to passersby. This year the site was
changed to Black’s Close, High Street.” (Newspaper.)
CARTOON—“Spirit of
Religion.”—The splendid cartoon, entitled, “The Spirit of
Religion,” painted by Mr. Joseph Paton, was finished early in
1845, and gained the Government prize in August of same year.
(MS Note)
GYMNASIUM.—A very excellent
gymnasium was erected in 1845 in the playground of the High
School, by Mr. A. Haxton, the Rector, which was much
appreciated.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—James
Smith Ronaldson, Esq., banker, &c re-elected Provost,
November,1845. (Burgh Records.)
POLICE.—“A night-watch of twelve
policemen was this year permanently established by the
Commissioners of Police. They were clothed in uniforms, and
were supplied with dark lanterns for night service.” (MS
Note)
HALBEATH COAL PIT.—The fitting
up of Halbeath Coal Pit, executed during the year 1845, is
said to have cost of about £12,000. (MS Note)
DUNFERMLINE PRISON
STATISTICS.—During 1845, the first year’s term of the new
jail, there were 262 prisoners for short periods of
confinement.
1846.—THE Western Bank of
Scotland opened a branch in Dunfermline in February, 1846. It
was closed in February. 1858, in consequence of the disastrous
failure of the head bank in Glasgow.
NEW WATER COMPANY FORMED.—In
consequence of the frequent dearth of water experienced about
this time, and occasioned by the great increase of inhabitants
and the erection of public works, a new water company was
formed, early in 1846, with a share-capital of £13,500
(subscribed). The water to be brought from Craigluscar to the
town. (MS Note; see also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp.
63-65.)
FOSSIL ORGANIC REMAINS.—In the
spring of 1846 several specimens were discovered of the tooth
of the Megalichthys at Halbeath
Colliery. They were highly prized and excited great
interest. Some of the specimens were given to the Rev. Mr.
Chalmers. (MS Note and Newspapers.)
THE Proposed Stirling and
Dunfermline Railway.—A petition in favour of this railway was,
in April, 1846, sent to the House of Commons, in London, with
2,000 signatures appended to it. (Dunf. Advert.)
A GRAND Procession and Public
Meeting took place in Dunfermline, in honour of the Repeal of
the Corn Laws, on 3rd July, 1846. The sum of £78
was subscribed to defray expenses. There was a concert and
soiree in the evening. (Dunf. Advertiser)
HUGHES Mammoth Establishment of
Elephants, Camels, and Horses visited Dunfermline early in
August. Business was almost entirely suspended. Upwards of
£250 was drawn on that occasion by the establishment. (Dunf.
Advertiser.)
ROMAN CATHOLIC CONGREGATION.—The
members of this congregation in 1846 numbered 397. Their
clergyman then became a residenter. (Dunf. Advertiser.)
DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS IN
DUNFERMLINE.—The Dunfermline Monthly Advertiser, in noticing
the floods, says:--
“On the evening of Sabbath, 5th
July [1846] this district was visited by one of the most
tremendous floods ever witnessed here. The rain fell, not in
torrents, but in cataracts. About four o’clock on Monday
morning the various streams in the
neighbourhood were swollen to raging rivers. ‘Tumblin’
broun, the burns cam
doun, roarin’
frae bank tae brae.’ Fifty eight
looms were immersed. The water rose 6 inches above the webs.
A set of cards worth £30 were destroyed. Part of the
Spittal Brig fell. Embankments
and dykes were levelled. Mr.
Beveridge, of Urquhart, sustained
a loss of nearly £200 by such mishaps as sheep drowning, &c.
Several persons were drowned. Several bridges on the
Carnock-burn were overthrown.
Gardens were inundated with slush, mud, rubbish, &c.” (See
also Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol. ii. pp. 283, 284.)
THE EARL OF ELGIN Appointed
Governor of Canada.—The Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin was
appointed Governor of Canada, September, 1846, which office he
held until September, 1854, when he was selected to proceed on
a special mission to the Chinese Government. (Newspapers,
&c.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—James
Smith Ronaldson, banker, re-elected Provost. (Burgh Records)
THE East of Scotland Malleable
Iron Company was formed by Alexander Allison, Esq., of Blair,
Parish of Culross. a large copartnery was formed. It never
proved remunerative, and ended in a disastrous failure, in
November, 1850. (Newspaper)
THE Freedom of the Burgh was
conferred on the Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin, along with a
M.S. address, on 16th December, previous to his
leaving this country to assume the Governorship of Canada.
(Burgh Records, 16th December, 1846.)
1847.—“EARL OF ELGIN.—A public
dinner was given to the Earl of Elgin in the Free Abbey School
in January, 1847, previous to his departure to assume the
reins of government in Canada.” (Dunf. Advertiser.)
THE Free Abbey Schools were
opened by Mr. Bruce on 15th February, 1847. There
was a large attendance if boys and girls.
STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE
RAILWAY.—The Dunfermline portion of this railway was commenced
by James Anstruther, Esq., who cut the first turf on the 8th
March, 1847, in a field near Milesmark. A grand procession
afterwards took place of the Directors, and also of the
Trades, the Mason Lodges, the Gardeners, &c. After the
procession a public dinner was partaken of with the usual
hilarity of toasts. (Dunf. Adver.)
UNION OF THE SECESSION AND
RELIEF CHURCHES.—The union of these churches throughout
Scotland was effected on the 13th
May, 1847, in Tanfield Hall, Edinburgh. The Relief Church of
Dunfermline had its name changed to the Gillespie Church, and
the Secession, along with the new adherents, was called the
United Presbyterian Church. (U.P.) (Newspaper)
THE REV. WILLIAM BRUCE was
inducted minister of Trinity Church, Bath Street (Episcopal),
in 1847.
OLD CHURCH REPAIRS.—The repairs
on the old Abbey Church (internal and external), by the
direction of H.M. Board of Works, were commenced in May, 1847,
under the superintendence of Mr. Andrew Balfour, builder.
FREE ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH, St.
Margaret’s Street, was finished and opened for public worship
May 23, 1847. The opening service was conducted by the Rev.
Dr. Candlish, Edinburgh. (Dunf. Advertiser.)
THE REV. J. MIDDLETON was
inducted minister of St. Andrew’s Church in April, 1847. (MS
Note)
THE DUNFERMLINE STEAM POWER
WEAVING FACTORY.—This factory, erected in Pitmuir Street for
another purpose about 1816, was, in the year 1847, established
by Mr. Scott, but it turned out unsuccessful. The present
proprietors, Messrs. A. Reid & Co. have had this factory since
1859, and they employ about 500 operatives. (MS Note)
A BRANCH of the Scottish
Educational Institute was established in June, 1847.
(Dunfermline Advertiser.)
RELIEF CHURCH UNTENABLE.—In
July, 1847, the old Relief Church, built in 1775, was declared
untenable. A new building was proposed, the congregation
removing in the meantime to Maygate chapel.
THORNTON RAILWAY.—The
construction of this railway commenced in October, 1847—the
pick, spade, and crowbar, being busy at work at the east end
of Reform Street, Gardener’s Land, &c. this railway is a
continuation eastward of the Stirling and Dunfermline railway
also forming. (Dunfermline Advertiser.)
A NEW COACH was “started to run”
between Dunfermline and Burntisland in connection with the
Edinburgh and Dundee Railway.
1848.—GREENWICH TIME.—The
Dunfermline Advertiser for February says,--“On Sabbath, 30th
January [1848], the early ringing of the bells took both
ministers and people by surprise, the clocks having been put
forward 12 ½ minutes all over the country to bring them to
Greenwich time.” It would have been more correct to have
stated that all the clocks in the country had to be set to
Greenwich time, because many of them were “put forward” more
or less than the above noted minutes. Some clocks required no
alteration at all, while others were “put back” several
minutes, according to their position east of the Greenwich
meridian. The difference of time between Dunfermline and
Greenwich meridians in 13 minutes 50 ½ seconds—that is,
Dunfermline time is so much behind Greenwich time.
LITERATURE.—The Dunfermline
Monthly News.—The first number of a small news sheet, under
the above title, was issued on the 23rd February,
1848. It ceased to exist on 23rd February, 1855.
EAST OF SCOTLAND MALLEABLE IRON
COMPANY.—The following note is taken from the Dunfermline
Advertiser for February, 1848:--
“The first annual general
meeting of the shareholders of this company was held in
Hutton’s Inn, Bridge Street, when 60 shareholders were
present, representing 3443 shares. It was reported at this
meeting that the works would be in operation about the end on
June, 1848, and turning out 150 tons of iron weekly. It was
also stated at this meeting that 9928 shares had been
allocated, and the calls paid on these, £21,474 5s.
Another note, from the same paper
of 11th August, 1848, says:--
“Wednesday, the 2nd
of August [1848] was a great day at our Malleable Iron Works.
The large foundry and machinery being all in working order, it
was resolved to start the works that day, and by the kind
permission of Mr. Cadell, the public were permitted to view
the whole. The steam, having been got up in three very large
boilers, was set on, and immediately the engine went off in
majestic style, playing sweetly and easily in all its parts,
and setting in motion those ponderous wheels and beams which
lately passed through the streets of the town. The engine is
80 horse power; the fly wheel, which is 27 tons, makes 70
revolutions per minute,” &c.
GILLESPIE CHURCH.—“The
foundation stone of this handsome church was laid by the Rev.
Professor M’Michael, on the 19th Sept., 1848; but
the church was considerably advanced at this period.” (Dunf.
advertiser; An. Dunf. date 1849)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—James S.
Ronaldson, Esq., banker, &c was re-elected Provost in
November. (Burgh Records.)
1849.—THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.—On the
evening of January 26, 1849, Mr. J. H. Pepper, of London,
delivered a lecture in the Independent Chapel, Canmore Street,
on “Light, and Natural Magic,” during which he exhibited the
Electric Light, “the lion of the evening,” to the great
delight of a well filled house.
SONG SCHOOL OF DUNFERMLINE.—Mr.
George Martin received the appointment of Master of the Song
School, and Parish Clerk in April, 1849. (Dunf. Advertiser)
Mr. James Rankine, Master of the
Song School and Parish Clerk of Dunfermline, died on April 21,
aged 52 years.
Mr. Rankine was appointed to
these offices in November, 1819, and had therefore held them
for the long period of nearly 30 years. In 1820 he
established a school in the Mason Lodge, Maygate, for
“teaching English Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Music.”
The speculation turned out unsuccessful, and his school was
closed early in 1822. In the years 1820 and 1823 he published
“Song Books” (of which notices are given in the Annals under
these dates). Mr. Rankine was a great master of music; he had
a fine melodious voice, and sang with great taste and effect,
for which, says a newspaper, “his fame was in all the
churches.” He was kind, open hearted, genial, and social and
a popular man wherever he was known. He had been long sickly
and Session Clerk of the Parish of Dunfermline. He died
highly respected and deeply regretted. “He was interred in
the South Abbey Churchyard, where there is to be seen a small
tombstone with a strung harp cut on it, erected by some of his
admirers.” (MS Note)
THE Society of Maltmen and
Whipmen was dissolved on the 26th of May, 1849. (Dunf.
Advertiser.)
RALPH ERSKINE’S STATUE.—The
statue of Rev. Ralph Erskine, sculptured b y Mr. Handyside
Ritchie of Edinburgh, was erected by Mr. A. Balfour, builder,
Dunfermline, in June this year, if front of Queen Ann Street
Church, a few yards from the position occupied by the pulpit
in the kirk of 1740. It was inaugurated on the 27th
of that month. “There was a grand procession on the occasion,
composed of a great number of ministers and members of the
Secession Church in Dunfermline and elsewhere, accompanied by
the Freemasons of Dunfermline, and deputations from the Grand
Lodge of Edinburgh, and St. John’s Lodge, Cupar, accompanied
by the Dunfermline Instrumental Band,” &c. (Annals of
Dunfermline, dates 1740 and 1799.)
NORTH CHURCH—Induction.—The Rev.
Charles Rogers was inducted as minister of this church in July
1849. He relinquished his charge in June, 1850. (See Dr.
Rogers’s “Leaves from my Biography,” for an account of his
work while in Dunfermline.)
M’Lean’s Hospital—This hospital
is situated to the east of the Poorhouse—a commodious building
of two storeys; it was finished in June, 1849. It is so named
in consequence of a donation of £500 from the Rev. A. M’Lean’s
trust-funds for its erection, at the suggestion of the
trustees. (Chal. Hist. Dunf. vol.ii. p. 322.)
STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE
RAILWAY.—“The works on this line at Boufies Brae are
progressing rapidly. A viaduct of five noble arches is to
span the valley; two of the arches are thrown, and the piers
for the others are built; while to make way for several minor
bridges, &c, several small houses have been swept away, and
the aspect of the district has been completely changed.”
(Dunfermline Advertiser, Aug. 17, 1849.)
THE CHOLERA.—“The ravages of
this disease here during the week were fearful, about eight or
ten being reported dead every morning. The medical men are
nobly doing their duty, and standing between the living and
the dying. the prayer-meetings in Queen Ann Street Church
were well attended.” (Dunf. Advertiser, Oct. 12, 1849.)
THE REV. MR. CRAIG was inducted
Minister of the Independent Church, Canmore Street, in 1849.
FREE ABBEY CHURCH, Canmore
Street,--The Rev. James M’Kenzie, from Annan, was inducted
minister of this church on 1st November, 1849. (Dunf.
Advertiser.)
GILLESPIE CHURCH was opened for
divine service on Sunday, Nov. 4, 1849; builder Mr. Andrew
Balfour. The collection during the day amounted to £242 5s.
4d. Captain Cameron, R. E., Ordnance Map Office, Southampton,
once informed the writer that Gillespie Church stand on the
highest ground in the city, 354 feet above the level of the
height of mean tide in the Firth of Forth. this site brings
to our remembrance the inscription on the stone in Pannier
Alley, the highest elevation in ancient London. It may be
applied to the site of Gillespie Church:
“When ye have sought the City
round,
Yet still this is the highest ground.”
What a fine site for a steeple!
Since this church was built the want of a steeple has often
been regretted. A fine and large lithographic view of this
church, facing the street, was published in October, 1849, by
Miller & Buchanan, Glasgow.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—William
Kinnis, Esq., was elected Provost, Nov., 1849. (Burgh
Records.)
FIRST LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE IN
DUNFERMLINE.—The Dunfermline News, of 24th
November, 1849 says:
“About the 9th
[November, 1849] happening to be in the eastern district, my
attention was arrested by several youngsters bawling out to
their faithers and mithers, ‘The steam-coach is coming! Come!
Come!’ In an instant the click of the shuttle ceased, and
almost every door poured forth its inmates, while men and
women were to be seen making their way through closes and
yards. When it passed the bridge at the Old Washing Green, it
gave the warning whistle, and many jokes were passed. It has
been no stranger since, as it may now be seen every hour
dragging a score of wagons behind it.”
OPENING of the Railway from
Dunfermline to Crossgates.—The Dunfermline Advertiser of 14th
December, 1849 says:
“On Thursday, the 13th
[December, 1849] this line was opened for traffic from
Dunfermline to Crossgates, whereby 25 minutes are saved, and
the journey to Edinburgh performed in two hours and a half. A
spacious road to the terminus, or station, near Inglis Street,
has been made from James’ Street, at the back of St.
Margaret’s Church, which will be the entrance to the railway
at present. A considerable number of the inhabitants were
astir to witness the start, dark as the morning was.”
LITERATURE.—“Poems.” Published
by Andrew Ewing Shoolbred. The Scottish Press Newspaper
says;--“We commend this modest, but very meritorious volume to
all who relish real poetry offered without pretension.” The
volume consists of 312 pages; price 5s. December, 1849. The
following is an extract from one of the hymns, entitled “Sun
of Righteousness”:
“When darkening clouds of sorrow
roll,
And cast a gloom across the soul.
To Thee I turn for sheer and bliss,
Thou glorious Sun of Righteousness.”
COUNTY BUILDINGS.—The large
spired edifice at the cross, successively known as the Cross
Buildings, the Guild Hall and Spire Hotel, was, during the
later part of 1849 and 1850, converted into a public Court
House, &c., for the use of the Sheriff of the County and his
Substitute for the Western District of Fife, to hold their
courts in. The Procurator Fiscal has also offices in the same
building. The business of the Post Office is conducted in one
of its spacious rooms fronting the High Street.
