164 ANNAN IN Last Four DEcADEs oF 18TH CENTURY. 
then the favourite residential part of the town. As evidence of 
-its former dignity I might point to a beautiful eighteenth century 
iron gate within a stone-throw of the house where Edward Irving 
was born. ‘Two or three families dwelt in Wilkin’s Wynd, which 
ran parallel with Butts Street; and in Pott’s Wynd or Green- 
croft Wynd the town had an extension southward. Bank Street 
was not yet in existence ; and, standing on the spot now occupied 
by the Post Office, Gray may have watched a soaring lark, and 
repeated his own divine words :— 
** But chief the sky-lark warbles high 
His trembling, thrilling ecstasy, 
And, lessening from the dazzled sight, 
Melts into air and liquid light.’’ 
In the last forty years of the century the trade of Annan 
made substantial progress. About 1770 an extensive business 
in wine was carried on, as some old merchants’ books which I 
have seen attest; and bushels of corn were exported annually. 
At the close of the century the town had a good and increasing 
shipping trade. West India produce and timber were imported ; 
while the exports consisted chiefly of grain, malt, and bacon. In 
1774 the Magistrates and Council, hoping to attract a new and 
important industry to Annan, made several attempts to obtain 
coal in the neighbourhood of the town. Their efforts were un- 
successful ; but the failure which attended them was attributed by 
many to the fact that the Council did not bore to any great depth. 
A copy of the minute which authorised operations may be 
acceptable :— 
“23rd April, 1774.—The which day the Magistrates and 
Council in council convened, having taken into their considera- 
tion a representation given in to them upon the 29th day of 
December last by George Bell, in Fleamby (in the county of 
Cumberland), setting forth that he had at the desire of Mr Currie 
Carlyle, of Bridekirk, the Magistrates and Council of Annan, and 
some other gentlemen, examined different places in the neigh- 
bourhood for coal, and particularly many places within the 
Burrow roods of Annan, where, in his opinion, there is the 
greatest probability of success, the Magistrates and Council, 
sensible of the great utility of coals for the country in general 
and this burgh in particular, are of opinion that a proper trial 
should be made within the Burrow roods, and for that purpose 
