Trmisactions. 109 



street were many, and huge turf stacks encroached on the public 

 way. More objectionable to the pedestrian than the piles of 

 " divots " were the heaps of refuse, emitting odours not akin to 

 those of "Aiabythe blest." If the sanitary condition of the 

 place was unsatisfactory, the authorities could not justly be held 

 responsible, as not infrequently they ordered cleansing operations 

 and passed Acts forbidding the placing of " ashes," &c., on the 

 street. On 31st October, 1717, they dealt comprehensively with 

 the whole question of the improvement of the town. 



" The said day they enacted and ordained that the hail middens with 

 the turf and peat stacks be removed off the town streets, and the hollow 

 places where the same stood or lay be filled up by ilk ane of the inhabitants 

 to whom the same belonged, and the street be filled up before, everyone's 

 door to the middle of the street under the penalty of ten pounds money 

 foresaid, to be paid by the transgressor in case of default. . . . The 

 said day it was enacted and ordained that any that build within the burgh 

 shall for hereafter always build the principal part of the building fronting 

 to the forestreet of the burgh in a straight line, and that they plant timber 

 for their yards in the terms of the Act of Parliament, and whoever does 

 otherwise that his work be stopt by the Dean till he comply therewith. " 



The first improvement effected in Annan last century was the 

 building of a bridge across "the drumlie river," The old ferry 

 boat belonging to the burgh having become perilously rickety, the 

 Magistrates and Council, in 1700, decreed its destruction, and 

 instead of purchasing a new one they ambitiously commenced to 

 build a bridge, hoping to be aided in their undertaking by the 

 Marquis of Annandale, who had more than once rendered them 

 financial assistance. Hampered in their operations by want of 

 funds, they made slow progress, and at one time it seemed likely 

 that the bridge would never be completed. On 3rd November, 

 1702, the Council finding that for half-a-year the men engaged in 

 the work had received no wages, and considering that " the 

 Marquis of Annandale his chamberlain, refused to clear and pay 

 off what was resting to the said workmen," resolved to ask their 

 Commissioner to Parliament to approach " my Lady Marquis of 

 Annandale," begging her in her lord's absence to grant orders to 

 satisfy the workmen, and offering any security available. The 

 help desired was cheerfully given by Lord Annandale, and five 

 years later a grateful Council unanimously agreed that, " for the 

 great and good services done by my Lord Marquis to the burgh," 

 his tenants should be exempt from the duty exigible on farm 

 produce " brought through the said burgh, and liberties thereof." 



