24 TRANSACTIONS. 
ness.” We have also the case of the habitual drunkard coming 
up, and although 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 after ten o'clock 
at night is forbidden under pain of ecclesiastical censure, and 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 number of merchants, 
as burden-bearers of this burgh (no ways to be balanced with the 
vulgar and promiscuous multitude, &c.), 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 lower 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 belching forth horrid oaths and impreca- 
