fi6 T ransac,t,ioni< . 



njrievous opprossions of tlio peasantry. It is often amplified by 

 the addition rnub iiiii/f.iiris et sp.qii.r.lis, specifying tliat tlie multure 

 dues of the baron's mill and the sucken, as we call the population 

 thirled to the mill. These rights are the subject of very fre- 

 quent transactions. The neighbours fought not only with the 

 miller, who was the universal enemy, but with each other as to 

 their roume and order of service. One curious point of the service 

 of the sucken was the bringing home of the mill-stones. Con- 

 sidering that there were few or no roads, the simplest arrange- 

 ment was to thrust a beam or young tree through the hole of the 

 mill-stone, and then for the whole multitude to wheel it along 

 upong its edge — an operation of some difficulty and danger in a 

 rough district." 



The doings in connection with the mills in this town, in times 

 not far distant, fairly well illustrate the above passage. The 

 burgh lands, as well as the kirk lands, were thirled to the mills, 

 and the Town Council were careful that the possessors of these 

 lands should not evade the thirlage. On the 11th August, 

 1652, the Council appointed a committee to see "The hail growin' 

 cornes of the Towne and Kirkland this present croppe, And 

 make Inventorie thairofF and give in to the Toun Counsell both 

 of ye quantity of the lands and of the possessoris thairof." The 

 inhabitants of the town also were required to have their 

 malt ground at the common mills, and not only so, but 

 they must not purchase ground malt which had been 

 ground at any other mill. The following are examples 

 of the Council's dealings in this matter : — " 24th January, 

 1645. The Provost, Bailys, and Council, Considering that 

 Edward Newall has taken malt bye the Toun's Milns be his 

 own confessione, Ordains him to pay five merks and double 

 multure to the Taxmen." 3d December, 1646 — " It is ordained 

 that wliosoever resets or receaves grund malt whilk are not grund 

 at the Towns Milns Sail pey the double multure to the Tacksmen 

 farmers and Tacksmen, And pey Ten punds unlaw Conforme to 

 the foi-mer acts thereanent." 11th April, 1G87 — "The Councell 

 Discharges the hail Inhabitants of the Burgh of bringing in or 

 brewing of grund-malt from the country, to the prejudice of the 

 Touns Milns under the pain of being fiined in the value of the 

 malt and loseing their Priveledge of Burgos-ship." The Council 

 at another time, agree with the Tacksman of the Mills, to allow 

 " Ilk discoverer of resetting or bringers in of ground malt ane 



