Transactions. 59- 



and fidelity. The author of the paper next referred to the narra- 

 tive of Thomas Tucker, a Commissioner under Cromwell, from 

 whose report we learn that Ayr had then taken the place previously 

 held by Dumfries as head port of the whole south-western coast, 

 the latter being described as " a pretty mercat town, but of 

 little trade," what there was being mostly by lajid from Leith 

 and Newcastle. Quotations followed from the books of Franck 

 and Brome, bringing down the accounts to nearly A.D. 1700. 

 The author concluded with a review of the condition of the people 

 during the long period under consideration, remarking that, in his 

 opinion, the state not only of the destitute poor but of the 

 unskilled labourer also had not improved in the same ratio as that 

 of the well-to-do classes of a country which is now, in proportion 

 to its population, the richest in accumulated wealth m the whole 

 world. 



III. — Further Correspondence from the Grierson Collection. 

 By Mr James E. Wilson, Sanquhar. 



I have again made a careful search among the remaining 

 correspondence of the late Mr William Grierson, of Dumfries (the 

 Doctor's father), and have succeeded in discovering certain letters 

 and documents which I now desire to place before you. The 

 subjects are of a very miscellaneous nature, but may still be of 

 interest to members of this society and to the general public. 

 The first I will mention is a letter from the late Dr AVightman, of 

 Kirkmahoe, whom John Mayne describes as " the gentlest 

 creature here below," sending- Mr (grierson a hymn to be sung liy 

 the children of St. Michael's Church on the occasion of the jubilee 

 of George the Third. The letter reads thus : — 



" Dear Sir, — I will send this in to-morrow that the children 

 may be masters of it before their public exhibition. Much depends 

 on that. I might have kept it long-er on the anvil, but have sent 

 you the effect of the very first heat. I hope it will answer. I 

 could not wind it up sooner. I hope it will not be too long. 

 Compliments to the good Doctor. — I am always, dear sir, yours 

 very sincerely, 



'' John Wightman. 

 " Kirkmahoe Manse, 



" Sunday, 10 o'clock P.M." 



