ROBERT POCOCK. 187 



"Monday, l$tli. Mr. Fitz Strathern (Mr. Hume's 

 lawyer) called about the Marchmont title and estate ; 

 when I told him that some years ago I bought of old 

 Mr.Hume a piece of magnetic iron-ore, when I believe 

 he at that time related a story, that he supposed 

 himself entitled to an estate and title. This Mr. F. 

 said he went from Edinburgh to Stronsa to see the 

 sea-snake, which had two spinal piths, or marrow, an 

 uncommon thing in nature, and that it was fifty-five 

 feet long, and its mane or bristles shone very much. 

 He was sent from Edinburgh by order of the 

 College of Surgeons there. I told him Miss Jane 

 Burgess, of St. Margaret's, Hope, had sent me a 

 drawing of it ; which surprised him as he knew the 

 young lady, whom, he said, had married a Mr. Calder, 

 a surgeon, who used her very ill ; but that they were 

 now both dead. 



" Tuesday, 20th. A regiment of soldiers marched 

 out. Busy in printing some bills for the sale of 

 'Frail's superior ginger beer/ This sort of drink 

 has only come into fashion within a year or two. 



" Wednesday, 21,9^. Betsom Fair. Paid Mr. John 

 West yesterday 8s. Gd. Settled with Mr. Prall, 

 chemist, by paying him for the pill boxes, and he for 

 my printing 200 bills for ginger beer. 



"Thursday, 22nd. Walked to Southfleet with Mr. 

 Simmonds, coast inspector in the Customs, and saw 

 the private and mourning coach of Rev. Mr. Rashleigh 

 (aged 77J returning from Boxley, having been there 

 with Mr. Rashleigh, senior, and his son, Mr. Rashleigh, 

 minister of Horton Kirby, and a Mr. Brookes, an ac- 

 quaintance, as mourners ; to deposit there Mrs. Frances 

 Rashleigh (aged 67), who died on the 14th. She was 



