Transactions. 133 
7th-8th. The fall here was confined to a comparatively limited 
area, and was most felt in the valley of the Cairn, 18 inches 
having been measured at Maxwelton House. At Cargen it 
measured 6} inches, which with the exception of the fall on 29th 
January, 1865, is the heaviest recorded in one day at this station. 
(The meteorological station at Cargen may be taken as fairly 
representing the average of the south-west district of Scotland. 
Observations have been made at it uninterruptedly for 31 years.) 
IV. Dumfries Academy im 1801-3. By Epwarp J. 
Cuinnock, LL.D. 
The High School of Dumfries dates back to the pre-Reforma- 
tion times. The first record in existence relating to it is dated 
1481, in which mention is made of “ Master John Turnbull, 
rector of the school of Dumfries.” Previous to 1803 there were 
four separate schools—the Grammar School, the Arithmetic and 
Mathematical, the English, and the Writing Schools. In that 
year these four schools were lodged under one roof, but there was 
a lapse of eighty years before they were really amalgamated and 
formed into one school, with a common curriculum and under one 
management. 
In perusing the Dumfries Weekly Journal for 1801, I came 
across the following advertisement—‘Sept. 8.—The Grammar 
School of the town of Dumfries having become vacant by the 
resignation of Mr Gray, the Rector, all persons who wish to 
become candidates for that office are desired to signify the same 
to any of the Magistrates, by a letter, accompanied by proper 
certificates of their moral characters. The Candidates are to 
undergo a comparative trial before two of the Professors at Edin- 
burgh—the time and place will be afterwards advertised.” The 
following advertisement appeared on September 22—“ Vacancy 
in the High School of Dumfries. The office of Rector of the 
Grammar School of Dumfries having become vacant by the 
resignation of Mr Gray, appointed one of the masfers of the High 
School at Edinburgh, the Magistrates and Council have deter- 
mined that such Candidates as wish to offer themselves for the 
above office shall undergo a comparative examination before 
Professors Hill and Dalzell, of Edinburgh, upon Tuesday, the 
13th day of October, 1801, in the Royal Exchange Coffee-house, 
