MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. xxix 



ries deposited in the Advocate's Library. He had contemplated complet- 

 ing the entire series, but circumstances prevented the fulfilment of his 

 intention. The work before us is entitled " A Brief Analysis of the Car- 

 tularies of the Abbey of Cambuskenneth — Chapel Royal of Stirling — Pre- 

 ceptory of St Anthony at Leith." Little of historical value is elucidated 

 from these records, yet they are not without interest. They confirm the 

 existence of an early and settled system of Scotish jurisprudence. Men- 

 tioning a case of arbitration before six laymen, decided in the Church of 

 Perth in 1390, Sir John says " they pronounced an award as precise and 

 formal as could be dictated at the present day. Li another trial about 

 the same time, the prisoner was ordained to do penance. Prom the na- 

 ture of his sentence the ordinary dress of the peasantry at the time is plainly 

 indicated. It consisted of a hood, or cloak with a hood, a hat, hose, shoes, 

 and belt, with a knife. Tiie uetlier garment is not mentioned. Although 

 in a Highland district, the people do not seem to have worn what is now- 

 considered the Highland dress." 



The industry of Sir John was unceasing ; for in 1835, he favoured 

 the public with a work with which his name will be perpetually as- 

 sociated. We allude to his treatise on "The Darker Superstitions of 

 Scotland," published at Glasgow, in a thick 8vo., by Richard Grithn & Co. 

 The labour bestowed upon it must have been immense. The illustrative 

 facts are drawn from all authentic sources in this country, contrasted with 

 similar superstitions in foreign countries in ancient and modern times. 



About this time (1835) Sir John, who was a member of the " As- 

 sociation for Promoting the Arts in Scotland," and being himself, as for- 

 merly stated, an artist of great skill, exhibited to the society a number of 

 articles of his own manufacture. From a lengthy article on the subject, 

 in Chambers Jountal, we quote the following passages : — 



" The amateur artist whose work we are ahout to describe, is Mr Graham DalycU of Edin- 

 burgh, distinjj'uished by his numerous antiquarian publications, and his patient inquiries into 

 the habits of the zoophytical tribes, of which we lately presented some notices to our readers. 

 This gentleman has for many years prosecuted turning as an amusement, and, by the ex- 

 ercise of much natural ingenuity, and an expenditure of lime whicli perhaps no professional 

 artist could have afforded, he has produced some kinds of work, not only of surprising beauty, 

 but of such pccularities of shape and ornament, as would seem to defy the art by which 



