Trfrnxocfioiis. 95 



this Society should undertake the investigation of any one of 

 these. 



The Rev. W. Graham remarked on this paper that he 

 accidentally discovered the lake dwelling in the Castle Loch, Loch- 

 maben, about 40 years ago. He said, " it lies soutli-west and 

 north-east ; in length 50 or 60 yards, and in breadth from 30 to 

 40 yards. The piles are of oak, and some are cut for upright 

 standards, and others for cross beams. The rafters are cut to 

 suit a roof at an angle of 45 degrees." 



IV. Lovehj Polly Steirart. By Mr Ja.\ies Barbocr, 

 Vice-President. 

 A parcel of documents came recently into my hands, which, 

 on looking over their backings, I found to be legal sweepings, 

 and among tliem were several wills or copies ; but as the 

 name of this Society did not figure on any of the wills I 

 put the parcel aside as being devoid of interest. I had 

 been scanning Ramage's " Drumlanrig and the Douglases," 

 and after putting the papers aside I returned to it, when, 

 after perusing less than a page, I came upon names of 

 persons corresponding to those I had seen on the backs of the 

 wills. I now opened the parcel and made a comparison, and not 

 only did the names correspond, but the persons referred to were 

 the same. There is a copy of the will of William Stewart, wlio, 

 when residing at Closeburn Castle, and acting as factor for Dr 

 Menteitli, was an intimate friend of Burns and the subject of his 

 song, " You're welcome, Willie Stewart," the second stanza of 

 which runs : 



" Come, bumpers high, express your joy, 

 Tlie bowl we maun renew it ; 

 The tappit-hen, gae bring her ben, 

 To welcome Willie Stewart." 



There is the will of Miss Hannah Lee, William Stewart's step- 



m daughter, a young lady then 21 years of age, residing at Closeburn 



H Castle with her mother and stepfather, and who died at the age 



■' of 23. There is also a copy of the will of Mrs Catherine Stewart, 



B wife of Mr Bacon, landlord of Brownhill Inn, where Burns was 



K wont to frequent, and who on one occasion, finding tlie landlord 



B too fond of thrusting himself into the company of his guests, 



^P composed the epigram : — 



^K, " At Brownhill we always get dainty good cheer, 



^■^ And plenty of bacon each day iu the year ; 



^H We've all things that's neat, and mostly in season ; 



