26 Traytsactions. 



need of it. In his 1 iter days he became, I believe, an altered 

 man, and a highly respectable character, a living example of the 

 truth of the adage — " It is never too late to mend." 



I may allude, in conclusion, to a custom which prevailed in 

 my early days in the mode of washing clothes. The young 

 women of the middle class used to come down to the Greensands 

 provided with wooden tubs. These were placed near the river, 

 and half filled with water. The garments to be washed were 

 then put into them, and the owners taking off their shoes and 

 stockings, and tucking up their petticoats, stepped into the tubs, 

 and trampled the clothes, turning round and round during the 

 process. When the water became dirty, I suppose it was emptied 

 out and a fresh supply added, and when the operation was com- 

 pleted, the clothes were spread out upon the grass to dry. This 

 primitive fashion probably would not comport with the more 

 refined notions of the preseiit day, and besides the same end can 

 be attained by other and more effective means. 



There are three worthy persons connected with Dumfries, of 

 whom I remember to have heard a good deal in my youth. 

 Though not public characters, yet as they are long since 

 " gathered to their fathers," and all that can be said of them is 

 good, I may be permitted without offence to mention their names. 

 They are — Robert Gillies, Miss Gordon of Earlston, usually 

 known as " Miss Willy Gordon," and Miss Jane Goldie of Sum- 

 merhill. They were all eminent for their Christian character 

 and their practical good works. Gillies was, I believe, a trades- 

 man in the burgh, and was remarkable for his zeal in originating 

 and conducting Sunday Schools for the benefit of the young. 

 Miss Goldie was, I believe, the founder of the Greensands School, 

 to which so many children have been indebted for their religious 

 and secular education. 



IM December, 1894. 

 Mr Robert Murray in the Chair. 



New Members. — Mr John Millar Grabble, Duncow ; Captain 

 Robert Cutlar Fergusson, Craigdarroch ; and Miss M'Kie, 

 Moat House. 



Donations. — Report of Smitlisonian Institution, Washington, 

 1892 (2 vols.) ; Report of U.S. Geological Survey, 1892 (4 vols.) ; 



