1 20 Transactions. 



(6) Ground plans of Morton Castle, Tibbers Castle, and of the 

 existing remains of Sanquhar Castle. A few instruments of Sasine, 

 old newspapers, early almanacs, (fee, make up the remainder. 

 Among the manuscripts is the following curious account of the 

 funeral expenses of a woman who died in 1810. The account is 

 interesting as giving an insight into the private life of the poorer 

 classes in the days of our grandfathers ; and is further 

 interesting as giving the prices of some articles in daily use 



eighty years ago. It is as follows : — 



Augt. 23, 1810. 



1 Gall. 13 Gills Whisky, 9s 



1 Gall. Rum 



3 lb. fine Sugar, Is 



1 lb. fiiie Tea, 7s 



28 Funeral Letters, Id 



94 lb. Com. Cheese, 44d 



2 Dozen Pipes, .3d 



3 oz. Shagg, 44d 



2 1b. Soft Soap, Sd 



i lb. Soda, 8d 



1 lb. Brown Soap, lOd 



Paid Jas. M'Call, Grave Diggin, Mortcloth, &c. ... 



4 Wine Glasses... 



Total 



4 Wine Glasses retd. 



£2 12 04 

 In the case besirle the manuscripts is the Prayer Book of Sir 

 John Ross, the Arctic Explorer, carried by him on his voyages. 

 It contains numerous markings in the handwriting of Sir John 

 Ross, and also the following note : — " This Prayer Book has 

 accompanied me in the Breseis, Astoria, Driver, Isabella, Victory, 

 and Felix. — John Ross." 



Relics op Robert Burns. 

 The Museum contains a number of relics of Robert Burns, 

 many of whicli are of considerable interest. Chief of these is 

 the poem of " The Whistle," in the handwriting of the Poet, 

 along with a letter of Gilbert Burns, in which the poem was 

 enclosed to Dr Grierson's father in 1815. There is also an Excise 

 Permit filled up by the Poet, and dated Dumfries, 13th November, 

 1792. Of relics said to have been used by the Poet, and 

 believed to be authentic, are the following : — Two drinking 

 glasses, three wooden punch ladles, a fishing reel, said to have 

 been given by Burns to John Ferguson, shoemaker in Closeburn, 



