Transactions. 267 



The Castle, which stood on the site of Greyfriars' Church, was 

 built by John Lord Maxwell and Elizabeth Douglas, his lady, 

 anno 1572, on part of the ground formerly belonging to the Grey- 

 friars' Monastery. The building was of three storeys, with four 

 large vaults in the basements, and a turnpike stair and 

 bartizan covered with lead ; and there were four or five acres of 

 ground attached to it and walled in. For near thirty years, from 

 1660 to 1687, the Castle was not possessed by the Nithsdale 

 family, but in 1688, immediately before the Revolution, it was put 

 into complete order and occupied by them. Before the Rebellion 

 of 1715 the Earl of Nithsdale sold the Castle to John M'Dowall of 

 Logan for the sum of one hundred and forty guineas. 



The bridge of Dumfries consisted of nine arches, with a tenth 

 arch under the street, and there was a port on it in the middle of 

 the river, which had, our author says, till within these si.xty years 

 great valves or gates, which the administrators have laid aside as 

 troublesome. 



It was the custom for the county families to reside occasionally 

 or permanently in the county town, and many of them built 

 comparatively handsome houses for themselves there, which much 

 enhanced the town's appearance. 



The situation of the town is described as one of the most 

 delectable in the nation, the river Nith being on one side and 

 Lochar Moss on the other, with corn lands between, and with 

 many delightful walks and " refreshing turns " around. The 

 following verses are offered as applicable : 



In Nithsdaleshire towards the south there stands 

 A royal burgh, which all that shire commands, 

 Drumfries 'tis call'd, and very near the town 

 The river Nith in chrystal streams runs down ; 

 A pleasant bridge that's built with arches nine 

 Of red freestone as stretched with a line 

 From Vennel-foot to (lalloway it tends 

 And divers roads thro all that country send.s. 

 Nciir eight miles south the mountain Criifel stands 

 Well known, and seen from several distant lands, 

 And on the east old Solway's force makes way 

 With swelling tides both in the night and day, 

 And north-east too, tho' distant from the town 

 Queensberry stands with her adorning crown. 

 Yea round about with many little hills 

 This town seems guarded from all threatning ills ; 

 And yet we find much of the country round 



