Incorporated Trades of Dumfries. 415 



hended workers in cotton and woollen, dyers, or in the phrase- 

 ology of the time "litsters;" and there is, of date 19th September, 

 1723, an entry of a peruke-maker, John Newal, being booked a 

 freeman of the craft. The Hammermen included not only smiths 

 and all workers in metal, but, as we have seen, such craftsmen 

 as saddlers. 



This method of organisation among craftsmen has passed 

 away with the monopolist system which gave it birth; but in 

 some places the semblance of it remains as a more or less 

 picturesque survival. Of this we have an example in Kirkcud- 

 bright, where an annual election of Convener and Deacons is 

 made. In others its forms are preserved for the administration of 

 funds accumulated in the palmy days of the trades, and dedicated 

 to benevolent or educational purposes. The most noted example 

 of this occurs in the city of Glasgow, where the Trades House 

 administers a property of close on half a million sterling, and 

 the Deacon-Convener occupies ex officio a seat in the Town 

 Council, in which all the trades were formerly represented. 



Addressing ourselves now more particularly to the considera- 

 tion of the records of " the Weaver Traid," as its title is therein 

 written, it will be proper first to inquire what were the terms of 

 admission. It was a pretty onerous probation which had to be 

 passed before the position of Freeman was attained. The minutes 

 are chiefly occupied with entries of the " booking ' ' or admission 

 of apprentices, journeyman, and freeman. By the terms of his 

 indenture, as abbreviated in the minutes, the apprentice is taken 

 bound to serve his master "honestly and dewtyfully," or "truly 

 and honestly," for the space of five years. In some instances it 

 is stipulated that he shall so serve "night and day " and both 

 on "work day and holy days," or again "week dav 

 and Sabbath day;" and further that he shall not hear 

 of his master's " skaith, but shall prevent the same to the 

 utmost of his power." On the other hand, the master (who is 

 in many instances the father of the apprentice) is taken bound 

 to learn and instruct him " in all the points of the weaver trade 

 known to himself," and which the apprentice " is capable to take 

 up," and to maintain him in bed and board; sometimes it is 

 added also in "habiliments." Cautioners are required on both 

 sides for fulfilment of the contract. A fee was required at the 

 booking of an apprentice, and in 1672 the amount of it was fixed 



