1812.—DUNFERMLINE BURNS CLUB FORMED.—"On
25th January, 1812, the members met, and did justice to their "chieftain
of the Pudding race," and to Scotland's chieftain in song. (MS. Note.)
FIRST ELECTION OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS.—The
first election of Police Commissioners for districts in Dunfermline,
conformable to the new Police Act of 1811, took place in the Town House
on 12th May, 1812. (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 150.)
THE POPULATION OF LIMERKILNS in 1812 was
921; and of Charleston, 787. (MS. Note; see also Fernie's Hist. Dunf.
p. 63-63.)
PITTENCRIEFF ESTATE. — William Hunt, Esq.,
proprietor of Pittencrieff Estate, died early in 1812, succeeded by his
brother, James Hunt, Esq.
VENTURE-FAIR COAL RAILROAD.—Early in the
year 1812, Mr. Syme completed a railway between his colliery at
Venture-Fair, one mile north-east of the town, and Knabbie Street, where
his town coal depot was situated. (MS. Note.) This coal depot, which was
situated about the middle of Knabbie Street, north-side, at back of the
houses, has been disused for about fifty years.
ELGIN COAL RAILROAD.—During the summer of
the year 1812, the Earl of Elgin completed a railway between the
Nethertown, Dunfermline, and his works at Charleston. It was also used
for conveying coal to the shipping there for exportation. (Fernie's Hist.
Dunf. pp. 17, 18.)
DUNFERMLINE MANSE CASE—House of Peers'
Decision—On the 9th March, 1812, the House of Peers decided that the
Minister of the First Charge of the Abbey Church was entitled to have a
manse and glebe. (Newspapers of 1812; see also "Abbey Church Manse," in
An. Dunf. date 1816.)
BLACK'S TOWER IN THE HIGH STREET BUILT.—Mr.
David Black, town-clerk of Dunfermline, gained his political law plea
with General Campbell this year, 1812, and as a memento of his victory,
erected a square tower on the roof of his house, in the High Street; at
first it was called Black's Folly, afterwards Black's Tower. (MS. note.)
FRIENDLY SOCIETY.—Dunfermline Shoemakers'
Friendly Society instituted, (Ferni's Hist. Dunf. p. 52.)
PALACE RUINS REPAIRED.—The palace ruins were
thoroughly overhauled and repaired during the spring and summer of 1812,
by the then new proprietor of Pittencrieff, James Hunt, Esq.
While the repairs were in, progress, one of
the workmen made an interesting discovery, viz., in striking with his
trowel the decayed plaster covering the inside of the roof of the fine
bay window, upper storey, at the south-east end of the palace wall, the
whole of the plaster cracked, gave way, and fell
to the ground, when immediately there was
revealed to view a finely sculptured stone, covered with carved emblems,
and having, apparently, in Saxon characters, the date1100. Shortly after
this discovery, on a close inspection of the stone, the sculpture was
found to be a graphic illustration of Luke i. 28-38, and hence it was
afterwards known as the "ANNUNCIATION STONE." The above an exact
representation of this celebrated stone, which may be described thus;—On
the right is a representation of the Angel Gabriel, with outspread
wings, holding in his right hand a sceptre, and in his left a scroll,
proceeding towards the beams on which the emblem of the Holy Ghost is
descending toward the Virgin. On this scroll or ribbon, in old capitals,
are the words—AVE GRATIA PLENA DNS TEC [Dominus Tecum]—that is,
Hail, full of favour, the Lord be with you. Before the Virgin Mary,
on the left, there is a pillar-table, on which a book rests, having on
it in Latin, with some abbreviations, Mary's answer, in small Roman
capitals, viz,, ECCE •ANCILLA DI • FIAT • MICHI •S •V •T—that is,
Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Be it unto me according to thy word;
the abbreviation SVT. means, Secundum verbum tuum. At the lop
appears the emblem of GOD the FATHER, and to the left- descends in rays
of light or glory, the symbol of the Holy Ghost, as already mentioned,
on the head of Mary; in front of the little table is a two-handed pot,
with a lily in it, the supposed emblem of purity; and on the right of
it, in the lower centre of the stone, is a shield with the arms of
George Dury, the last Abbot of Dunfermline on it, all in alto relievo,
therefore the sculpture and the arms must have been cut in Dury's time,
vis., 1538-1560. Below the Dury arms is the great puzzle date, 1100.
From 1812 till 1859, these supposed figures gave rise to much
controversy among antiquaries. (See An. Dunf. 1859, and "Annunciation
Stone.") The Arabic numerals were introduced into Europe about the year
1253. It was this fact, when being compared with this date, 1100, that
perplexed and puzzled archaeologists.
COMMERCIAL BANK.—A Branch of the Commercial
Bank of Scotland was established in Dunfermline in 1812. (MS.)
LITERATURE.--Religious Catechism, with Forms
of Prayer. For the use of Children. Printed and sold by John Millar,
20th Oct., 1812,"This is a l6mo of thirty-six pages—an excellent little
work. The printer was the author. It has been long out of print. The
writer has a copy; probably the only one extant.
A small work, entitled, On the Advantages
of a General Peace. Extracted by Permission from the Edinburgh Review;
printed and published by John Miller, Dunfermline, 12mo,42 pp. Very
scarce. (MS.)
PRINTING PRESSES.—Mr. James Lothian,
teacher, Charleston, near Dunfermline, invented and constructed a small
printing press, which had a peculiarly powerful motion. The press was
used privately for printing elementary school-books, hymns,
Scripture-texts, and geographical questions for the general use of the
school and the village of Charleston. Mr. Lotlian left Charleston for
Alloa in 1813. He died in 1862, in the 82nd year of his age, greatly
respected and regretted by a wide circle of friends. He was editor and
proprietor of the Alloa Advertiser. At this period, in
Dunfermline and vicinity, two printing presses were owned by John Miller
and Andrew Angus. Theirs were public presses. There were likewise two
private presses, belonging to David Paton and James Lothian. (See also
An, Dunf. 1813.)
POST AND STAMP REVENUES.—In Dunfermline, for
1812, the Post-Office revenue was £1000, Stamp-Office, £1840. (Fernie's
Hist. Dunf. pp. 52, 53.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Major David Wilson,
Dunfermlrne, was re-elected Provost, September, 1812, (Burgh Records.)
MONEY DISTRIBUTED IN CHARITY.—During the
year 1812, the moneys distributed in charity to the poor of the parish
of Dunfermline, the Kirk Session, the Town Council, the Fraternity of
Guildry, the eight Incorporated Trades, the Burgher, Anti-Burgher, and
Relief Sessions, and the Friendly Societies, amounted to £1343 2s. 3d.
Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp. 50, 51.)
1813.—DUNFERMLINE CORN MARKET.—This market
was established in January, 1813. The farmers meet at the Cross, every
Tuesday, at one o'clock, and dispose of their grain by sample. (MS.)
THE LIMEKILNS FEMALE FRIENDLY SOCIETY was
formed on 9th April, 1813. (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 51.)
LITERATURE.—" The History of Dunfermline,
gather'd from good Autority, personal knoledge, AND hear-say. Printed by
the Author; D. patton 1813." This history consists of thirty-six pages
"16mo-quarto ;" it is in "limping verse," and descriptive of a few
particulars regarding Dunfermline. It is embellished with seven rough
woodcut illustrations, engraved by the author—1st, the frontispiece,
representing the Town-house from the north ; 2nd, the Tower Bridge (with
two arches too many); 3rd, north-west view of the Monastery; 4th, north
view of the Parish Kirk; 5th, south-back of houses in Bridge Street, and
Arch of the Bridge , 6th, north view of the Guild Hall; and 7th, east
view of the Old Town-house, or Tolbooth. The following is a copy of the
rhyming Preface :—
" To the Reader.
Now reader ye may read this rime,
I thought to let it gett the air
and cairefuly consider'd
and not in my pocket Smother'd
It's the history of Dunfermline
town Some will treat it with a sneer
from different quarters gather'd
and say what nonesence is it
As my materials was not good '
But says another ye need. not spear,
I've given you'd as I had
it it's Just like him that made it
Consider the towels wherewith I
wrought I think this is the worst that can be said
Who cou'd have better made
it For I mean no man to anger
I sought and screaped. heer and there
I hop to see a history of this town
and fowght to gett it gather'd
with print a good dale thranger"
Several extracts from this little history
are inserted in The Annals at appropriate places. It is now
excessively rare. Only two copies are known to be extant. >From one of
them the writer made a facsimile some short time ago. The
woodcuts of this work are still extant, and in good condition.
PRINTING.—William Meldrum, teacher,
Brucefield, near Dunfermline, "got a heart-motion printing-press made by
a smith, purchased a lot of old types, and commenced printing on a small
scale in 1813. His work was chiefly confined, in his bye-hours, to the
printing of handbills, texts from the Scriptures on small cards for
Sunday schools, and sic-like." Mr. Meldrum ceased printing in 1844.
(MS. Note.)
LITERATURE.—"Proceedings of a Craw Club,
Held in Fife on the Fourth of June. As Reported by Peter the Plowman.
Printed for a Craw Club, By D. Patton Dunfermline. 1813." This small "
16mo-quarto," consists of twenty-two pages. There is a vignette of the
Monastery of Dunfermline from the north-west on the title-page, and a "howlet
on the wing" above the finis. The following lines extracted from the
production will suffice to show the tenor of the work :—
"A Craw Club in Fife held a meeting this day
For the purpose of taking (now mark what I
say)
Into their most serious consideration
The harm that's done by the Craws of the
nation
And more especially the Craws that's in Fife
Because that of late they've grown so rife
And to devise some new plan or other
To extirpate them—Fife altogether
Mr. B . . . near Dunfermline of talents most
rare
By the whole meeting was call'd to the chair
Then a member whose name is unknown, to us
Was the first who rose up, and nearly spoke
thus
Preses I rise for the purpose of stating
As brief as I can to this worthy meeting
How that I'm rob'd every day in my life
By these wicked craws, that are harboar'd in
Fife
For instance last week I sew some oat seed
But how these black vermine upon it did feed
I believe they have scarcely left ony ava
But what they've devoured and carried awa;
Beside' they have eaten some bolls of
barley;
So if they continue they'll ruin me fairly "
&c.
Other members are made to speak in much
about the same strain. Then comes "a string of prosaic resolutions," viz,
(1), That every one who has land should shoot the black robbers. (2), A
penny to be offered for " every dead craw." (3), To keep in store " a
twa barrl'd gun and plenty of powder," (4), That a charge be given to
the Laird of L———die to attack them on flank and rear. (5), That a " tun
of bird-lime be secured." (6), That the resolutions be inserted in the
Edinburgh papers. (7), That thanks be given to " the Squire for his
conduct in the chair." This small production is also very rare. The
writer has the only copy known to be extant.
WEAVING—Number of Looms.—The number of
weavers' looms in 1813 was 1000, of which 930 were within the limits of
the parish, (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. pp.55, 56,)
LITERATURE.—"Proceedings of a Craw Court,
held in the Woods of Pittencrieff on Sunday, April 18th; As Reported by
an Ancient Howlet, Portioner in the Abbey-Steeple of Dunfermline, and
carefully Edited by a Friend to the Feathered Tribes. Dunfermline:
Printed for the Craw-Court by John Miller. 1813." This is an 8vo
pamphlet of 12 pages; vignette of north-west view of the Monastery on
title-page. The work is in rhyme, and is based on fourteen "
suppossitionary resolutions." It is an amusing production, and is the
composition of the late Andrew Mercer, Dunfermline. The following is an
extract from the 1st and 14th Resolutions, which will suffice as a
specimen of the work:—
"l, Resolved—
That, from days of King David, that
priest-loving saunt,
The old Abbey grounds were our privileged,
haUnt,
Where, as either tradition, or memory
proves,
We managed our business, and followed our
loves ;
While our neighbours in peace wove their
cloutin and diaper,
We unplagued ftilh Craw Bounties, and they
with Bank-Paper."
"14. Resolved—
That if this our proceeding no tenderness
teaches,
Next week we do publish Addresses and
Speeches;
For we, freeborn Craws, claim the rights of
the press,
And our Whitbreads and Erskines shall get us
redress ;
Or our friends from Blair-Adam can up in a
trice
To London, and fetch us the best of advice ;
Thus, one way or other, we'll work our
relief—
So a fig for the Craw-Club—Long Live
Pittencrieff."
This pamphlet has been long out of print.
The writer has a copy of the few that remain. Mr. Mercer composed, and
published a similar production in 1816.
REID'S MORTIFICATION.—"The rental for crop,
for 1813, derived from this mortification, amounted to £129." (Fentie's
Hist, Dunf. p. 50.)
THE BURGH REVENUE this year from coal,
town-customs, &c., was about .£1500.
PUBLIC LAMPS IN THE BURGH.—There were 115
public lamps in Dunfermline in 1813. (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 13.)
POST AND STAMP REVENUE FOR 1813.—From the
Post-Office, £1050; from the Stamp-Office, £1515. (Fernie's Hist.Dunf.
p. 52, 53.)
LITERATURE.—" The Dialogue Between the Old
and New Light Burghar Kirks of Dunfermline—the second edition, with
aditions and impruvments. Printed and sold by D. P., the author: June,
1813."
REMARKABLE FEAT IN WEAVING.—A Man's Shirt
Woven in the Loom.—Mr. Henry Meldrum, Nethertown, who, in the year 1808,
wove a woman's shirt in his loom, this year " surpassed that feat," for
he wrought in his loom a man's shirt. The breast consisted of a piece of
double-damask woven into the shirt, and had on it the figure of a lion,
with "Britannia, 1813." "An ingenious part of the work is the
contracting of the body of the shirt at the neck-collar, and of the
sleeves at the shoulder and wrist-bands, so as to leave the usual
quantity of surfling or fulness, while the collar, shoulder, and
wristbands are, as in ordinary cases, perfectly plain. All this was done
without any aid from the needle! There are button-holes in the neck and
sleeves, and buttons on the neck of the shirt, seemingly done in the
same way. There is also an imitation of two rows of stitching on the
wrist-bands." (MS. Note.)
LITERATURE.—" The Good Old Way Defended. By
William Smith, teacher. Crossford. Printed by John Miller, Dunfermline,
1813." This work is a rhyming defence of the Old Licht Kirk (the good
old way!) and appears to be a reply to some of the " improvements "
introduced by David Paton in his Dialogue (second edition), published in
June this year. No copy of Smith's book is known to be extant.
THE UNION MASONIC LODGE (250) FOUNDED.—In
consequence of "misunderstandings and dissensions among the members of
St. John's Lodge, No. 26," a great many of them this year severed
themselves from it, and formed a new lodge, under the designation of
"The Union Masonic Lodge of Dunfermline." Their place of meeting was
then, as now, in the Mason's Lodge, Maygate. (MS. Note.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Major David Wilson,
of Dunfermline, re-elected Provost, Sept., 1813. ( Burgh Records.)
CHAPEL KIRK.—The Rev. David Murray was
inducted minister of the Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline, on 23rd December,
1813, as successor to the Rev. John M'Whir, who was on 20th September of
this year translated to Urr, Dumfriesshire.
PAUPER'S ROLL.—The number of poor on roll of
Kirk-Session during 1813, 136; sum disbursed to them, £519 12s. 81/2d .
(Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 46.)
1814.—POST-OFFICE AND STAMP REVENUES IN
1814.—Postal Revenue, £1080; Stamp Revenue, .£1536 10s.
ST. MARY'S CHAPEL.—The last vestige of the
ruin of the Chapel of St. Mary, which stood near the north end of Elgin
Street, opposite foot of Moodie Street, was removed in 1814. (MS. Note.)
BRUCEFIELD SPINNING MILL.—This year, 1814,
it was ascertained that there were 179 persons employed in this milt,
(See An. Dunf. date 1792; Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 124.)
STATISTICAL TABLE, DUNFERMLINE.—The
following is a list of professions and trades in 1814:—
Clergymen (Established Church
and Chapel Kirk),... 3
Clergymen (Dissenting), . . 6
Physicians, .... 3
Surgeons, ..... 6
Writers, ..... 8
Manufacturers, . . . . 32
Brewers, ..... 5
Schoolmasters, . . . . 19
Schoolmistresses who teach English,
..... 5
Officers of Excise, ... 4
Officers of Customs, . . . 1
Messengers-at-Arms, ... 4
Smiths, including Journeymen, but not
Apprentices, . . 64
Weavers, ..... 873
Wrights, . . . . 111
Tailors, . . . . .52
Shoemakers, . . . .68
Barbers, ..... 23
Masons, . . . (about) 48
Fleshers, . . . . 11
Average Value of Table Linen Manufactured in
1814
from..........................................................£90,000 to
,£100,000
Iron-Stone
................................................(tons) 4,000 to 5,000
Coals, Wrought,
.................................................(about) 120,000
Exported..........................................................................90,000
Acres in the
Parish............................................................15,500
Arable..............................................................................12,800
in pasture and under
water..............................................2,000
in
plantations........................................................................700
Real Rent,
.......................................................................£24,000
Landed Property belonging to the
Burgh................(acres) 900
Annual
Revenue,...............................................................£1,500
Public Fairs in the
year,..............................................................8
LIMEKILNS SHIPPING.—In the year 1814 there
were four brigs, one schooner, and about 137 sloops belonging to
Limekilns. (Fernie's Hist. Dunf, p. 63.)
CHARLESTOWN SHIPPING in 1814 consisted of
one brig and sixteen sloops. (Fernie's Hist. Dunf. p. 65.)
LITERATURE.—"Sacred Poetry for Children, on
the Greatness, Wisdom, and Goodness of God as manifested in the works of
Creation, Providence, and Redemption, &c., by J. Miller, Dunfermline;
printed and sold by John Miller. 1814." This small 16mo consists of
seventy-eight very excellent hymns, pp. 98; long since out of print. A
copy is in our possession.
CIARNEYHILL CHURCH ORDINATION.—The Rev. John
Moir, from Bucklyvie, ordained Minister of this Church, on 13th
September, 1814 [Successor to Mr. Blair]. (Mackelvie's Annals and
Statistics, p. 183; see also An. Dunf. date 1868,)
POPULATION NOTES.—Crossford in 1814 had 388
of a population; Mastertown,110; Crossgates, 304. (Fernies Hist. Dunf,
pp. 66-68.)
PROVOST OF DUNFEMRLINE.—Major Wilson, of
Dunfermline, re-elected Provost. (Burgh, Records, Sept., 1814.)
FLAX SPINNING MILL.—A Flax Spinning Mill was
established in the old Poor's-House, at the junction of Viewfield Place
with East Queen Ann Street, by M'lntosh & Inglis. The machinery was
driven by hand. It was lighted by gas—the first so lighted in town; the
burners were thimbles with small holes in the top. Many turned out to
see the "new-fangled light." This mill continued at work for a short
time only. (MS. Note.)
LITERATURE.—" The Saxon and the Gael; or,
the Northern Metropolis, including a View of the Lowland and Highland
Character," 4 vols-12mo. Mrs, Johnston, the talented wife of Mr.
Johnston, teacher in Dunfermline, was the authoress of this work. It was
composed in the Newrow, in a house opposite the end of Canmore Street
during 1813, and published in Edinburgh in 1814.
1815.—THE DUNFERMLINE PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY
was established l/th March, 1815. Its articles were revised in 1817 and
1833.
IRON FOUNDRY.—Mr. Campbell "commenced
Ironfounding on a small scale in the smithy premises of Tam Thomson,
smith, Maygate." (MS. Note.)
THE DUNFERMLINE SAVINGS' BANK was
established in 1815 ; and in 1838 was connected with the National
Security Savings' Bank. (For full particulars see Chal. Hist. Dunf.,
vol. i. pp. 386-388.)
BATTLE OF WATERLOO.—"Great public rejoicings
on the arrival of the news, on the 24th June, that we had gained the
fight, and had silenced Bonaparte," (MS.)
"METHODIST KIRK," MAYGATE.—This church was
founded in 1815, and opened for worship in 1816; the Rev. Abraham
Crabtree, minister. This congregation assembled for worship in the
Masons' Lodge, Maygate, for two years before their church was built. By
the year 1823, the members of this persuasion had so much dwindled away
that the kirk had to be shut up; afterwards it was let for public
purposes, &c.
THE "AULD LICHT KIRK" (Original
Burghers).—The Rev. Wm. Dalziel was inducted minister of this church in
1815. (MS. Note.)
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Major David Wilson,
of Dunfermline, was re-elected Provost, Sept., 1815. (Burgh Records.)
LITERATURE.—"A History of the Town and
Parish of Dunfermline. By John Fernie, one of the Ministers.
Dunfermline: Printed and sold by John Miller, 1815." This "History"
consists of 199 8vo pages, and is embellished with eight copper-plate
engravings, viz.—i. (Frontispiece) View of Dunfermline Abbey from the
South ; 2. View of the Town-House from the North ; 3. North View of the
Guildhall; 4. View of Dunfermline from the West Park of Pittencrieff; 4.
Seal of the Burgh; and four Seals of the Abbey of Dunfermline. The
History is divided into 12 chapters, and concludes with an Appendix of
interesting matter. This is an excellent History so far as it goes. It
is, however, to be regretted that it did not embrace a more extended
range. The selling price to subscribers was 10s. 6d. It has been out of
print for the past 50 years, and has in consequence become very scarce.
The writer has one of the few copies now remaining. It may be noted here
that the Rev. Mr. Fernie wrote his History of Dunfermline in the
year 1814, in Canmore Street—the last house at the east end of the
street (south-side comer).
INSURANCE.—Limekilns and Chariestown
shipmasters established an insurance society amongst themselves, by
which all accidents at sea are repaid under certain regulations.
(Mercer's History of Dunfermline, p. 203.)
LITERATURE.—"A Dialogue Betueen the Old &
New Light Burghar Kirks of Dunfermline, over-heard By a benighted
travler. The third edition, enlarged and improuv'd; To which are Added
Savrl Answers And Epistles to Willy, Concluding in a most serious
Battle. Printed by (the author) D. patron Dunfermline 1815.—price
eightpence." Such is the wording on the title-page of this "
i6mo-quarto." It has 116 pp.; and six rude woodcut engravings by the
author—1. A Mailed Warrior (frontispiece); 2. Wully Smith (teacher of
Crossford) hawking his works, in a bending position; 3. Two Men—an old
priest-like sage, with sword uplifted towards the man in front of him ;
4. A Mailed Warrior—target in left hand, and a sword in the right; 5. An
Old Castle ; 6. The figure of a Sailor before a Steeple, hat in hand,
and pointing upwards with his left. The first 16 pages of this small
book are in prose, detailing the author's opinion of the relative merits
of the Old and New Burgher Churches; then follows a reproduction of his
first work (see " Literature," in ah. Dun/. date 1811); then comes, in
prose, his most serious battle with " Wully," &c. The composition of the
rhyme is similar to specimens already given, consequently extracts need
not be given here, but the short preface prefixed may be reproduced ; it
is as follows :—
" TO THE READER.
'* I hop my matrer ye'll
consult '' Read me fair, employ your
thought
While the manner ye lat
pass ye'll soon know what I mean,
Turn'd up letterers and woris miss-spell'd
When ye see a word thut -will not fit
I hop you will
excuse. pray mend it
with your pen"
The writer is in possession of a copy of
this curious little work, perhaps now the only one extant.
1816.—"A LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL " was
instituted in the old Cameronian Meeting-house, Priory Lane (Reid's
Park), Mr. John Beecher, master. There were 285 pupils. (MS. Note.)
A NEW GRAMMAR (OR HIGH) SCHOOL was founded
in March, 1816. (See date An. Dunf. 1817.) "The scholars, during the
building of the new school, were accommodated in the west room of the
lower flat of the Town-house."
GREAT AND SUDDEN FALL OF RAIN.— One of our
Notes states that on 18th June, 1816, "there was a sudden and very heavy
fall of rain. It came on a little after mid-day, and rained an even-doon-pour
until five o'clock. The streets were strewed with the wreck of
shop-keepers' barrels, boxes, stools, chairs, &c. The lower part of the
town, south of the Netherton, seemed as if it had become a large loch,
and Dry-mills appeared as if standing on an island at the end of the
loch." As this spate, occurred on 18th June (Waterloo-Day), it was long
locally known as "the Waterloo Spate."
THE GUILD HALL—The Spire Inn and
Hotel.—"This building, which had turned out a great failure, and which
had since 1808 stood unfloored, without doors, windows, &c., was in 1816
purchased from the Guild brethren, for a comparatively small sum, by Mr.
Alexander Robertson, manufacturer. It was by him shortly afterwards
floored and otherwise properly finished, and then let on lease as an
hotel to Mr. Robert Laidlaw, who named it ' The Spire Inn and Hotel,'
and for a long series of years carried on business in it." (MS. Note;
An. Dunf, dates 1849 and 1850.)
LETERATURE.—"Proceedings of a Craw Court,
held in the Woods of Pittencrieff, on Sunday, the Tenth of March, 1815.
Viva la Bagatelle. Dunfermline: Printed for the Craw Court by
John Miller." This is an 8vo pamphlet of thirty-two pages. A north-west
view of the Monastery is on the title-page. The work is in rhyme, and
under the following sections;—The Exordium, The Proclamation, The
Gathering, The Convocation, The Deliberation, The Digression, The
Orations. The Libel, The Reply, The Reports, &c; concluding with
Notes. As this work is somewhat similar in its outcome to that of
1813, it will be useless to give quotations. Let the Preface suffice:—
Preface.
Just when I thought my work was
o'er, 'Twould be like meat without a grace;
And that I had to pen no more.
Or whit is worse, a noseless face :
Comes MILLER down to our Old Palace
Brides, I want a. page or so,
(These Printers are most teasing
fellows,) To fill up a blank leaf, you know.
And much. he spoke, and loud he bawi'd,
Come on—fall to't—the boy is wailing."
For something he a Preface called
: Says I, " Dear Miller, cease your prating—
" Why,MILLER, now I thought," says I,
The thing's impossible—can't be ;
"That all was done." Says he, "0
fie: Besides, its use I cannot see;
We want a PREFACE,—roust be had,
I've said. all that I meant to say,
And that directly." I look'd
sad, So don't insist upon't I pray."
Because I had got nought to
say "I must insist upon't," he said ;
In shape of Preface, any way
; A page or two will soon be made ;
And. tho' the matter may be
small; Don't eat the cow, and leave the tail."
It can't consist of nought at
all: But all he said could not avail-
Says he, " A book I never saw
I will not pen a Preface now ;"
Without a Preface (I cried, Pshaw
!) So said "Good bye !" and made my bow.
Mr. Andrew Mercer was the author of the
work; Mr. John Miller, the printer and publisher of it. The writer was
long on intimate terms of friendship with Mr. Mercer. He was a gentle,
amiable, and kind man, abounding in racy humour. (For the other works by
Mr. Mercer, see An. Dunf. dates 1813, 1819, 1828, 1838.)
LITERATURE.—" The Republished Dunfermline
Psalmody. By John Malcolm. 1816." This music-book, a thin 4to, was
highly popular in its day, and had a large sale. It has been long out of
print. (An. Dunf. 1809.)
WEAVING,—The annual value of table-linen
manufactured in Dunfermline, from June, 1815, to June, 1816, was
ascertained to amount to £103,020. (MS.)
THE ABBEY CHURCH MANSE, built for the
minister of the First Charge, July, 1816. (MS. Note.)
FOUNDRY.—Mr. Campbell abandoned his founding
premises in the Maygate, and commenced "the Dunfermline Foundry, in
Clay-Acres, on a large scale. Fifteen hands were employed." (MS.)
LITERATURE.—" An Introduction to the French
Language. By John Johnston, Teacher, Dunfermline." This is a work of 145
pages 12mo, published in 1816 by John Miller, Dunfermline; price 3s.
COMMERCIAL SCHOOL FOUNDED.—In the summer of
1816 the Commercial School was founded. It is situated south of the east
end of Viewfield, and consists of three storeys. It was erected by the
Guildry. (MS. Note.)
POSTAL AND STAMP REVENUES.—Amount of Revenue
from Post-Office, £1141 8s. 10d.; from Stamp-Office, £1577 17s. 2d.
PROVOST OF DUNFERMLINE.—Major David Wilson,
Dunfermline. re-elected Provost, Sept., 1816. (Burgh Records.)
THE "DON" CLUB.—This agricultural club, met
twice a-year in the Spire Inn and Hotel. (Regist. Dunf. for 1829.)
DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN FERNIE.—The Rev. John
Fernie, minister of the Second Charge of the Parish Church, Dunfermline,
died in his house, east end of Canmore Street, on Nov. 2nd, 1816.
CHAPEL KIRK.—The Rev. David Murray, minister
of the Chapel Kirk, Dunfermline, was translated to the Second Charge of
Dysart Parish on 27th November, 1816. (Parish Records.)
DEATH OF JOHN RIED, TEACHER.—John Reid,
teacher. Rotten Row, Dunfermline, died on 23rd December, 1816, aged 70
years. He was a very successful private teacher for nearly fifty years
in the burgh, and "turned out many excellent scholars." He was a
self-taught Mathematician, was learned in the sciences of Astronomy,
Optics, and Mechanics, and constructed many curious sun-dials and tide-rotulas.
Between the years 1790 and 1812 he taught with great repute a navigation
class in his school, which was well attended by sailors, old and young,
from Inverkeithing, Limekilns, Torryburn, &c. For a long period he was
the precentor in Queen Ann Street Church. He died in the high esteem of
all who knew his high intellectual worth. He was interred in the North
Churchyard, Dunfermline, where, in 1817, a monumental tomb was erected
to his memory, having on its white marble slab the following inscription
:—
" To the Memory of John Reid,
nearly fifty years Teacher in Dunfermline, who died 323rd December,
1816, in the 70th year of his age. His Scholars, as a testimony of
their high sense of his abilities and moral worth have erected this
Monument."
Mr. Reid's school and house was at the top
of the Rotten Row, north. side of the street now called West Queen Ann
Street.
