Transactions. 19 



the prize was competed for. The contest took place at stated 

 intervals, every seven years I believe, and the scene of action 

 was the Kingholm, as affording suitable space for the erection 

 of targets, and the accommodation of the numerous combatants 

 and spectators who usually assembled. How far this practice 

 tended to enhance the skill of the marksmen in handling the 

 musket I cannot say, but I have been told that a spectator of 

 the fray cynically remarked that he thought the target was the 

 safest place in the field. The last occasion on which the "Siller 

 Gun " was competed for on the Kingholm was, according to Mr 

 M'Dowall, in 1828. But a more recent competition took place 

 elsewhere in 1831, when it was finally won by Deacon Alexander 

 Johnston, and was carried by him in the great procession which 

 took place in the burgh at the celebration of Burns' Centenary. 



In the olden times of which I now write, the streets of Dum- 

 fries were lighted with oil lamps, a very imperfect mode of 

 illurainition compared with the brilliant gas and electricity of 

 the present day. The little "winkles" were made to display 

 their feeble glimmer by a town functionary, who, armed with a 

 flaming torch and a short ladder, ascended each lamp post in 

 succession, and applied the needful iire. This useful citizen was 

 an object of much interest and jocularity to the "small boys" of 

 the town, who used to follow him shouting — -" Leary, leary, licht 

 the lamps ; lang legs and short .shanks." The trimming of the 

 lamps, which took place next morning, was rather a comical 

 performance, at least so I used to think. " Leary " ascended his 

 ladder as before at each post, provided with a can of oil and a 

 pair of scissors. The tin cover of the lamp was then removed, 

 and, to leave his hands at liberty, was usually placed on the top 

 of his hat, while he trimmed the wick and filled the shallow oil 

 vessel. 



My early recollections of Dumfries watchmen are derived from 

 the experience of a night occasionally spent at the house of a 

 relative who resided in the burgh. The guardian of the night 

 was armed with a lantern, and as he passed along on his tour of 

 inspection announced in loud tones the hour of night, accom- 

 panied with certain meteorological observations regarding the 

 state of the atmosphere, and the general appearance of the 



heavens. Thus, I have heard the following announcement 



" Past ten o'clock ; a fine starry night." 



