xviii MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. 



for the tables of Henry VIII. ; the price covenanted, if tlic porpoise was not above one horse 

 load 13s 4d. The Earl and Countess of Northumberland, who perhaps lived in the first 

 style of the times, have on their table, at seven o'clock, for breakfast, ' a loif of bredc in tren- 

 chers, 2 manchctts, I quart of here, a quart of wyne, 2 pecys of salt fysche, 6 bacound her- 

 ryng, 4 white hcrryng, or a dysche of sproits.' On flesh days, ' half a chyne of mutton, or 

 ells a chyne of beif boiled.' The annual consumption of linen, 70 ells. Only one table- 

 cloth is allowed for ' the Knights boord in the great chambrc, of 5 ells and 3 quarters long ;' 

 and only two washing towels for my Lord. The general service seems to have been in 

 wooden platters ; and, when the family removed, all their furniture travelled with them. These 

 regulations were made in 1512. The maids of honour to Queen Catharine, were allowed ' a 

 chet (wheaten) loaf, a manchet, a gallon of ale, and a chine of beef, for breakfast,' 1531. In 

 times of scarcity, which do not appear uncommon, Ilolinshed says, the poorer classes were 

 reduced to feed upon tares and acorns. This was in the reign of Elizabeth. Major ridicules 

 the account yEncas Sylvius gives of the Scottish fuel, ' carhones nigros lapides vocans.' 

 Trifling as it may seem to possess coals or not, by the regulations of Henry VIII. 's house- 

 hold, they were permitted only in the King's, Queen's, and Lady Mary's chambers. When 

 we turn our eyes homewards, we are presented with a wretched view of life. Sir Ralph 

 Sadler, the English Ambassador, writes to the ministry in 1543, 'I hade leuer be among 

 the Turkis ; for in my L. of Angus house, wher he is, I caimot be, being the same (as I are 

 crediblye informed) in suche ruyne, as he hethe there scant one chalmcr for himsclfe and my 

 Ladye his wife ; and lykewayis my L.L. of Cassillis and Glencairne, which dwell xx myllis 

 a sonder, and almost xxx myllis from my L. of Anguse, be not so well housed as they can 

 spare me any lodgynge ; for uudoubtedlye the 1.1. houses in this miserable and beggerlye 

 cuntrie, be not efter such sortc as in uther cuntries.' " • 



Sir John modeiately adds : — " There ma}' be some exaggeration here,' 

 and no doubt of it. National feeUng ran high at the time. Cassilhs 

 Castle — the then residence of the Earl of Cassillis — still exists. It is a 

 massive^ bigh, castellated tower — with numerous apartments. He had, 

 besides, the town-house in Maybolc — only four miles distant — another 

 large castellated building. The Earle of Gloucairn had also more than one 

 residence — such as Kilmaurs House — Kerrila Castle and Fiulay House — all 

 strong places — nor was Lord Angus worse provided. 



Even at this period Sir John seems to have been an enthusiast, and 

 well-versed in Scottish nmsic : 



" How unlike the production of savages, is the music of Scotland 1 No traits of barbarism 

 are displayed in the Scottish song. Framed to touch the soul, its simple melody interests, 

 while its pathos bears an unrivalled palm what were the most ancient instruments is 



