92 Scottish Eukghal Life. 



OFPJCIALS OF THE TOAVN. 



Tlie Council seems to have possessed an ample establishment. 

 In addition to the officials mentioned in the minute I have quoted, 

 and the executioner, to be after wai'ds referred to, we have a 

 record, first in IGOO, of the appointment of a drummer and a 

 piper. The former was to get £10 of fee " and his meit through 

 the town," feeding- apparently at the tables of the burgesses turn 

 about. Whether he was expected to provide music for the feast 

 with his drum does not appear. 'I hose who had not houses were 

 to pay him 3s 4d per day for his food ; and any who refused were 

 to be poinded for double that sum. The piper was a functionary 

 of older standing. In 1581 his remuneration was fixed at £5 per 

 annum, but it seems to have increa.sed. In 1600 it was stipulated 

 that he was to receive " his dewtie usit and wont," and the 

 drummer and he were to " pairt (or divide) the yule wages betwix 

 them," this no doubt being some perquisite at the Christmas season. 

 The " Kirkmaster " corresponded to some extent to our modern 

 beadle. The "tounship" in 1578 ratified an act of the minister 

 and elders directing- that lie was to be paid ijs for ilk marriage 

 and xijd. for the baptisme of ilk substantious maun's bairn, vjd. 

 for the simpl (simple, />., common) folk; the kirkmaster fylland 

 ane forme and bulk to the brydgrum and bryd, and [certifying ?] 

 thairiu to the solemnizatioun, and haifand ane besein and towell 

 to the baptisme." At a latei- appointment it is minuted that the 

 kirkmaster is to ring the church bell, and also to "ring the 

 burriall bell throw the toun when nytboris [that is inhabitants] 

 deceisses, and to mak the graiffes, for the qik he sail haiff of ilk 

 deceisset honest man vjs viijd." The Council also appointed a 

 " knok-keeper," or keeper of the clock, and to one holder of the 

 office of kirkmaster, who would seem to have been in the building 

 trade, payments were made, under the title of " wajxlane," "for 

 the mending and uphalding of the kirk and for the tolbuith 

 mending." Then in 1598 the court was equipped with an official 

 corresponding to our procurator-fiscal. In that year Robert Bell 

 was elected " pr. for the common weill, and he to expone, delait 

 [prosecute], and i-eassoun upoun all effairis tuching the weill of 

 this burgh and commounis of the same." 



THE council's KELATIoN TO CHURCH AN1» EDUCATION. 

 The Council had even more intimate relations with the 



