pike and spearmen in two separate divisions, and the hagbutters in another. Those who were absent being fined L.5 each 1619 The Duke of Lennox arrived in the town, and was received by the citizens with military honours, 12th August 1620 Sir Thomas Menzies, Provost, having died in office, David Rutherford was elected in his 1621 place Two Corn Mills were erected in the flood-mark, near the Quayhead Patent for curing smoky Chimnies granted by the Town Council to John Watson, for three years 1624 The town of Dunfermline destroyed by accidental fire 25th May; 220 houses, occupied by 287 families, burnt to the ground, also 500 bolls of grain burnt in barns.-L.1600 con tributed by Aberdeen towards the relief of the sufferers 1626 Troops for Germany levied by Colonel M Kay, in the town 1628 Ship of war, called the Thistle, under the command of James Auchmowtie, put into the harbour by stress of weather, and 1300 merks advanced to him by the magistrates, for supplies to the ship and crew 1632 Bridge over Buxburn ordered to be built Proposals for bringing fountain water into the town sanctioned by the Head Court; and the 1688 Coronation of King Charles celebrated in the town with bonfires, firing of 12 pieces of ordnance, and drinking two puncheons of wine at the Cross. These Miscellaneous Occurrences, as well as those mentioned in the end of the preceding Chapter, have been collected from the Council Register, the Registers of Baptisms and Burials for St. Nicholas Church, from the Journals of the Church Session, and other authentic documents, CHAPTER CHAPTER IV. SECTION II. Proceedings of the Citizens at the annual visitation of the Public Lands, &c.-Patrimony of the Borough given off in fee farm-Constitution of the several Corporations of Artificers, &c.-Struggle between them and the Burgesses of Guild-Common Indenture-Proceedings between the Burgesses of Guild and the Administrators of the Town -Tumultuous proceedings, &c.-Decree arbitral of King JamesDecree of the Convention of Boroughs, fixing the set of AberdeenPlague-Leprosy-Witchcraft, and Punishments-Ancient Games, &c. fall into disuse-Modern Plays-Printing-Benevolent AidsFeasting-Disposition of the people-Church Session-Ancient Customs continued-Funerals, &c.-Municipal Laws-Commerce, and indication of Manufactures-Coinage in circulation-Punishments— Dress, &c.-Population-Sirnames-Tables of Births and Burials, &c. of Contributions to the State, &c.—and of Prices of Provisions, &c. FROM A.D. 1559 To A.D. 1633. IN conformity to our plan, we shall stop for a while in the narrative of public events, in order to revert to those local matters which occurred during the present æra. In reviewing these, we shall, at the same time, present a sketch of the manners and customs still in observance among the people. From an early period, the citizens would seem to have been extremely tenacious of those ancient possessions, which we have already had occasion to enumerate, belonging to the community. At the same time, it would appear, that, for a long period of years, prudence and economy had directed the administrators in the management of the revenue arising from these, as far as circumstances would permit. The The boundaries of the lands being very extensive, were generally surveyed, once every year, by the magistrates, accompanied with the younger citizens, who were able to ride.* They perambulated the line of marches, to see that the land-marks were duly preserved, and that no encroachments had been made by conterminous proprietors. On these occasions it was customary to remind the young citizens, on their first visit, of the occurrences of the day, in a peculiar manner, which is in recollection at the present time; and the remainder of the day was devoted to mirth and festivity. This annual perambulation prevailed for ages, but is only now in observance probably once in every five years. These lands, with the salmon fishings of the rivers Dee and Don, previously to the Reformation, had generally been let, from time to time, by the magistrates and town council, with the approbation of the community, on short leases, to burgesses of guild only, at a small yearly rent. A grassum, or fine, however, was generally paid by the tenants, on the renewal of the leases, and applied to the exigencies of the borough. On certain occasions the leases were bestowed on some individual, as a recompense or gratuity for services, either real or supposed, which had been performed to the community. This mode of management enabled the magistrates to support the dignity of the town; to gratify their sovereigns in the way of presents, on their frequent visits; and to answer other objects, connected with their administration. In the year 1551, a project was devised, conducted with much dexterity, and carried into effect, which was the means of bereaving the community of every benefit that might arise to it, from these lands and fishings, in future ages. In furtherance of the scheme, certain individuals, who had obtained places in the administration of the town, influenced the citizens to concur in an application which was made to the crown for a new charter, to enable the magistrates and community to alienate the property, in the way of feu, or fee hold. In this age, money was the sure means of accomplishing any thing of this nature that might have Some of these boundaries are nearly seven miles from the cross. In the line of these there were, and probably still are, certain stones, against which the young citizens, on their first visit, were forced, a posteriori, to remind them of these occurrences. have been required from the crown: accordingly 2500 merks being raised by the magistrates, were paid to the executive government at the time, as a composition for a royal grant in the terms which were suggested. A new charter was then obtained, under the great seal, upon the 4th March, 1551, which enabled the magistrates, town council, and community, to give off the lands and fishings in the way of feu and in fee simple, by which means the designs of those who had projected the scheme were so far accomplished. As soon as this charter had been expedited, no time was neglected in parcelling out the whole of these salmon fishings and the greater part of the lands, among certain burgesses of guild, in fee simple, on payment of a small consideration in money, and for a stipulated annual feu duty, or quit rent; but under this express condition, that the vassals should always be "burgesses, actual indwellers of the town, frequenting and using exercise of merchandize," womankind being particularly excepted.* This restriction continued till of * TABLE, showing the Feu Duties and Compositions for the grants of the Lands and Salmon Fishings belonging to Aberdeen, as fixed by the Head Court of the Citizens, 4th March, 1551. late years, when it was taken off, under certain conditions, in consequence of an act of the town council; and the property may now be held by any person, as vassal. The project of alienating the property, in the manner which has been just mentioned, was not brought to maturity without considerable opposition from several of the citizens; but a very great majority of the community having favoured the scheme, completely over-ruled this opposition, in a head court. The supreme civil court was afterwards resorted to by the few who opposed the measure, for reducing these transactions, which they conceived to be prejudicial to the community; but the tardiness of law proceedings, the heavy expence attending them, with some undue influence which seems to have been used, put an end to the contest; and all further opposition was withdrawn.* By this inconsiderate act, the borough and community were deprived of a most invaluable branch of public revenue for ever, while individual families have been enriched by reaping the fruits arising from the property, so alienated. But this is not the only grievance which attended these alienations; it has often been a subject of extreme regret to the subsequent administrators of the town, who, when any attempts were made to improve the town or the harbour, invariably found their plans and designs thwarted by the jealousy of the vassals in possession of the property: and, on pretence of the intended operations being pregnant with injury to their fishings, or other property, the improvements in view have often been retarded, and not unfrequently abandoned altogether. These circumstances, however, were not anticipated at the time when the alienations were made; and, therefore, no provision was introduced into the feu charters to guard against any contingencies of this nature. But, however much these transactions may, in the present age, be the subject of regret, the |