William Watson Mackay, Esq., presently Provost of Dunoon, gave in 1890, the sum of ,£1,000 to certain trustees to be held by them in trust, the free income thereof to be devoted in future to specified philanthropical purposes set forth in the Deed itself. The first meeting of trustees under it was held on 23rd July, 1890. The Deed runs as follows:—

“I, William Watson Mackay, residing at Isabella Villa, Dunoon, having been accustomed during ihe greater part of my life to grauitously extract diseased or malformed teeth of any applicant, irrespective of sect, class, or condition, and having also taken a deep interest in the mental and spiritual improvement of my fellow-man (regarding which there is a great diversity of opinion, though to my thinking the following discourses are well adapted for that purpose, viz.:—“Likeness to God,” by Rev. W. E. Channing. “Loneliness of Christ,” and “Obedience, the Organ of Spiritual Knowledge,” by Rev F. W. Robertson. Principal Caird’s Lecture at the opening of the Glasgow University, “Plea for a Scientific Theology.” Principal Cunningham’s Inaugural Address, at St Mary's College, St. Andrews, “Theology as a Science.” “The followers of the Great Physician,” by Rev. AUen Menzies, B.D., Abemyte. And, “Respectable Sin,” by Rev. W. Bushnell. And in the last mentioned discourse, the words:—“As many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God,” as many, no more, seem to me the embodiment of the highest spiritual truths. And Professor Drummond’s admirably adapted exposition to the Boys' Brigade, of the text, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” And, while aware that the height of mental and spiritual elevation reached in these discourses cannot easily be attained, yet I think it right to have a Standard, as it helps to keep the spirit from sinking, and aids to direct us in the ways of the living God.)

And being desirous perpetually to advance these respective objects, and to settle in manner underwritten, the sum of One Thousand Pounds for the said respective purposes, in the manner aftermentioned, Do hereby give, grant, and assign the said sum of one thousand pounds to— James Calder, Senior Police Magistrate; Alexander Cumming Rutherford; and Robert Graham; Junior Police Magistrates; and Patrick Ogilvy, Robert Cowan, Charles Stuart, John Aitken, William Sharp, John Cameron, John Cochrane, Edward Howell, and James Stewart, Commissioners of Police for the Burgh of Kirkintilloch, and their successors in office; as trustees for the ends, uses, and purposes after expressed. But the said sum of one thousand pounds is given and accepted in trust only, for the several ends, uses, and purposes after expressed, that is to say :—

In the first place, the trustees shall, in each year pay over the income of said fund of one thousand pounds to the following Committee, who shall be called “Kirkintilloch Lecture Committee,” by whom the same shall be administered, viz.:—The Rev. William Patrick, B.D., minister of Free St. David’s Church, Kirkintilloch; Duncan Mackinnon, residing in Muirhead Street, Kirkintilloch ; Andrew Lawrie, Merkland, Kirkintilloch; Alexander Taylor, Wood bank, Kirkintilloch; John Cameron, iron founder, Kirkintilloch : two persons who shall be elccted by the said Commissioners of Police from their own number; and not less than two, nor more than six other persons resident in the burgh or parish of Kirkintilloch, to be elected by the before-mentioned members of committee.

The committee shall always consist, of not less than nine, nor more than thirteen members; whom I would like to be men whose minds mainly concurred with the above views; and any vacancy caused by death, or resignation, or otherwise ; shall be filled up by the remaining members of committee, except as regards the members elected by the said Commissioners of Police, who shall cease to be members, on their ceasing to be Commissioners of Police. Members of committee who shall cease to be resident in the burgh, or parish of Kirkintilloch, and members who have not taken an active interest in the committee for a period of eighteen months, shall ipso facto cease to be members of committee.

The committee shall appoint annually from out of their own number, a president, secretary, and treasurer, the two last mentioned of whom shall submit reports, at such times as the committee shall appoint. Three members shall form a quorum; the president to have a casting vote, in case of equality of votes.

In the second place, the foresaid committee shall apply each year’s income of said fund of one thousand pounds toward the expenses of every kind, whether chargeable to capital or income, which may be incurred during that year, it being hereby expressly provided and declared, that on no account or pretext whatever, shall the capital of the said sum of one thousand pounds be encroached upon, for any purpose whatever.

In the third place, the said committee shall apply the income of five hundred pounds of the said fund, in the purchase of a first-class set of dental surgical instruments, and other dental surgical necessaries (but only if the committee shall consider such an expenditure necessary), and in remunerating some person or persons practising dental surgery in Kirkintilloch, whom they shall from time to time appoint, to give dental-surgical aid to such persons, irrespective of sect, class, or condition, on such days, and at such hours, forenoon and afternoon, as they may appoint, and also at such other times as such practitioners are not otherwise engaged. A diary shall be kept by each practitioner, in which shall be entered all the operations of each day. The balance of any such income shall be applied by the committee, in such manner as two-thirds of the members may think fit, but always so as to alleviate human suffering from physical disease. The patients are always to be spoken to quietly and kindly, both by members of committee, and by the practitioners; no unnecessary questions are to be put to them, and they are to be made to understand, that extracting their teeth is an act of gracious loving regard, not a charity.

In the fourth placet should the committee, after a full and fair trial, find that the services of the person or persons so appointed, are not being taken advantage of to a satisfactory extent, they shall be at liberty to apply the income of said sum of five hundred pounds, in such manner as two-thirds of the members may think fit, but only in the alleviation of human suffering from physical disease.

In the fifth place, the said committee shall apply the income of the remaining five hundred pounds of the said fund of one thousand pounds, in meeting the expenses of courses of popular lectures in Kirkintilloch, on science, biography, history, literature, travels, and other kindred subjects, but all political and sectarian subjects shall be carefully excluded. In the event of there being any surplus income, the committee shall have power, to devote such surplus to the purchase of books for a free library, for the management of which, they shall make such arrangements as they may deem proper. In the event of other courses of popular lectures being instituted, or from any change in the circumstances of the community, the committee consider that the popular lectures now endowed are not required, they shall be at liberty, and are authorised, with the concurrence of two-thirds of their number, to devote the income of the said sum of five' hundred pounds to the maintenance of a free library, or to such other related purpose as they shall elect.

And to enable the trustees to carry out the purposes of this Trust,

I confer upon them all requisite powers,” etc., etc.

All honour to the Provost of Dunoon for his liberal and, spontaneous gift of ;£i,ooo for philanthropical purposes. We could do with a few more like him.

The late Bailie Matthew Wallace presented to the town in 1881 an elegant cast-iron fountain, which is erected at the Cross.

A handsome fountain is also being erected in the Cowgate, at its junction with Broader oft, by John Watson Esq., of Earnock. It is of square form, resting on two tiers of granite, the lower of which is nine and a-half feet square; and the base has on each of the four sides a tastefully-carved recess drinking basin, with a small circular trough at the bottom for dogs.

Above the base are eight circular pillars of polished Peterhead granite, carrying the pediment, which will be surmounted by an ornamental lamp of wrought iron, the top of which will stand nineteen feet above the ground.

The whole structure, both in design and execution, reflects credit on the architect and contractors, and it will be a permanent and useful ornament to the town.

Ye prosperous sons of fortune and Kirkintilloch, whose generous hearts are bursting with benevolence for want of an object on which to give it vent—let us point out to you that our old mother has no town hall; nor any place ot public meeting worthy of her and you.

No free library has been erected to educate and enlighten her sons and daughters; and we cannot expect Mr. Andrew Carnegie to undertake this for the whole of Scotland.

A Baxter has not yet arisen with a public park for Kirkintilloch; and she has not even a curling pond that she can call her own.

Alas! poor old Caurnie! how have thy children neglected thee?