xviii MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. 



for the tables of Henry VIII. ; the price covenanted, if the porpoise was not above one horse 

 load, 13s 4d. The Earl and Countess of Northumberland, who perhaps lived in the first 

 style of the times, have on their table, at seven o'clock, for breakfast, ' a loif of brede in tren- 

 chors, 2 manchetts, 1 quart of here, a quart of wyne, 2 pecys of salt fysche, 6 bacound her- 

 ryng, 4 white herryng, or a dysche of sproits.' On flesh days, ' half a chvne of mutton, or 

 ells a chyne of beif boiled.' The annual consumption of linen, 70 ells. Only one table- 

 cloth is allowed for ' the Knights boord in the great chambre, of 5 ells and 3 quarters long ;' 

 and only two washing towels for my Lord. The general service seems to have been in 

 wooden platters ; and, when the family removed, all their furniture travelled with them. These 

 regulations were made in 1512. The maids of honour to Queen Catharine, were allowed ' a 

 chet (wheaten) loaf, a manchet, a gallon of ale, and a chine of beef, for breakfast,' 1531. In 

 times of scarcity, which do not appear uncommon, Holinshed says, the poorer classes were 

 reduced to feed upon tares and acorns. This was in the reign of Elizabeth. Major ridicules 

 the account ^Eneas Sylvius gives of the Scottish fuel, ' carbones nigros lapides vocans.' 

 Trifling as it may seem to possess coals or not, by the regulations of Henry VIII. 's house- 

 hold, they were permitted only in the King'*), Queen's, and Lady Mary's chambers. When 

 we turn our eyes homewards, we are presented with a wretched view of life. Sir Ralph 

 Sadler, the English Ambassador, writes to the ministry in 1543, ' I hade leuer be among 

 the Turkis ; for in my L. of Angus house, wher he is, I cannot be, being the same (as I am 

 crediblye informed) in suche ruyne, as he hethe there scant one chalmer for himselfe and my 

 Ladye his wife ; and lykewayis my L.L. of Cassillis and Glencairne, which dwell xx myllis 

 a sender, and almost xxx myllis from my L. of Anguse, be not so well housed as they can 

 spare me any lodgynge ; for undoubtedlye the 1.1. houses in this miserable and beggerlye 

 cuntrie, be not efter such sorte as in uther cuntries.' " 



Sir John moderately adds : " There may be some exaggeration here," 

 and no doubt of it. National feeling ran high at the time. Cassillis 

 Castle the then residence of the Earl of Cassillis still exists. It is a 

 massive, high, castellated tower with numerous apartments. He had, 

 besides, the town-house in Maybole only four miles distant another 

 large castellated building. The Earle of Glencairn had also more than one 

 residence such as Kilmaurs House Kerrila Castle and Finlay House all 

 strong places nor was Lord Angus worse provided. 



Even at this period Sir John seems to have been an enthusiast, and 

 well-versed in Scottish music : 



" How unlike the production of savages, is the music of Scotland 1 No traits of barbarism 

 are displayed in the Scottish song. Framed to touch the soul, its simple melody interests, 

 while its pathos bears an unrivalled palm what were the most ancient instruments is 



