24 Transactions. 



iiess." We have also tho case of the habitual druiikarJ coming 

 up, and altlioiigh little is said, the mere intimation seems to 

 convey the impression that a warm interview was in store. Short, 

 sharp, and summary is the intimation, " Nicholas Greer and Marion 

 Brown, for habitual drinking of hot waters, to be summoned," 

 The ten o'clock movement is looked upon as being an innovation 

 and Forbes Mackenzie as being an interference with the liberties 

 of the lieges, but strange it is to find that both were anticipated 

 so long ago. Drinking in any alehouse or tavern afttrr ten o'clock 

 at night is forbidden under pain of ecclesiastical censure, aud it is 

 commanded " that no person of whatsoever condition be found 

 drinking on the Lord's Day in taverns or ale-houses." Parties at 

 bridals and baptisms seem to have occasioned a good deal of 

 scandal, not only as to the numbers invited, but also as to the 

 disorderly habits of some of those who attended them, for we find 

 that the minister is to intimate that none who have children to be 

 baptised shall invite above twelve nor exceed the number of 

 twenty-four at bridals, and no disorder to be committed. From 

 the foregoing allusions one can quite understand that the Dumfries 

 burgesses were men possessed of means, and with the will to enjoy 

 the good things of this life. They seem also to have had a proper 

 estimation of their own position and importance in the community, 

 and to have had little reason to pray for a guid conceit of them- 

 selves, as the following will show : A supplication was given into 

 the session, bearing in effect " That they, a luunber of merchants, 

 as burden-bearers of this burgh (no ways to be balanced with the 

 vulgar and promiscuous multitude, etc.), claim the two foremost 

 seats of the loft in the kirk called the common loft, for their 

 better accommodation (which place has been for many years 

 possessed by plebeians who rudely and uncivilly have rushed 

 themselves in there without any order), for which cause they 

 oblige themselves to make new entries thereto and erect rails 

 behind, so that those behind be not frustrate of the benefit of the 

 doctrine," and the session ordained accordingly. A rev. gentleman, 

 some time ago, complained of the offensive nature of the language 

 employed by the loM'er classes, and the same thing seems to have 

 caused serious concern to the session in those days, but in this 

 case means to secure decency of language were adopted which one 

 may well envy at the present time.— "1649. — Country people 

 resorting to the mercat jjelching forth horrid oaths and impreca- 



