298 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



neighbouring houses to sprinkle them on the doors, the 

 infliction being counted a dishonour, which they tried to 

 prevent by watching their gates with due care and 

 endeavouring to catch the invaders his own door coming 

 in for its share of the baptism along with the rest. 



On other occasions of general gatherings at Droughsburn 

 and the neighbourhood, John entered into all the merri- 

 ment and contributed his share, by both dancing and sing- 

 ing, and also by playing " the trump " or Jew's-harp, a style 

 of music which he still cultivated ; and this he carried on 

 even in his old age. At these times, his tastes were very 

 abstemious ; though he could " take a dram " with the 

 rest, a very little soon raising his hilarity. 



In his advanced years, he once went to a soirc'e in 

 connection with the parish church of Alford, of which Dr. 

 Gillan was then minister, a man whom he had held in great 

 respect since he had known him in Tough. This shows 

 that his opposition to the Establishment had mellowed with 

 age, as it did with even the fiercest dissentients. He sang 

 one of his old songs, new to folks there : 



" To the girl I lo'e I'll ever prove true ; 

 I'll ne'er wear a stain on my bonnet sae blue." 



Though his voice was much cracked by this time, his 

 singing proved effective from the intelligent heartiness with 

 which the sentiments were rendered. His quaint appear- 

 ance in his ancient garments, with his staff in his hand as 

 he sang, is still recalled by those that heard him. 



