NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 189 



All this while Billy Pringle he labours in 

 vain ; and though no provost, nor laird of a ma- 

 nour, yet was he forsooth a venerable command- 

 er, who endeavours what he may to pacify the 

 awd wife ; but she was so inconsiderate, nothing 

 ballances her passion ; his arguments, she inter- 

 prets them all affronts ; and his pacifications but 

 inducements to aggravate her revenge. Where- 

 upon he resolves no more pleadings, but to use 

 silence as the best interpreter. Which she ob- 

 serving, stood still a while ; and though out of 

 wind, and not answering a word, yet the storm 

 was not over ; for no sooner she recruits, and 

 recovers fresh breath, but lets fly at him like 

 George at the Dragon. 



This rais'd such an uproar all the town over, 

 and a general confusion among the spectators, 

 that now my Lord Provost displays his autho- 

 rity ; who to pacify, if possible, the bulk of the 

 rabble, that were at that time all in an uproar, 

 came puffing and blowing, almost out of breath, 

 commanding the peace ; asking them, if they 

 longed to be hanged for a riot ? Get ye home, 

 quo the provost, every man to his house ; and 

 that quickly too, or lie send ye packing. But 

 observing the tumult make no haste to disperse, 

 he commands the peace in their Majesties name, 

 whilst he lays about him with a sturdy oak- 

 saplin he had in his hand ; telling them all the 



