64 FISH AND FISHING IN SCOTLAND. 



should not think this an angling country ; and this being our 

 opinion at the time, we prepared to quit on the same day the 

 " Isle" with all its recollections, intending to reach the shores of 

 the Solway by another route. 



The redoubted Paul Jones, whose real name however was John 

 Paul Jones, the Nelson of his day, was, as I have been assured, 

 a native of Kirkcudbright. Whilst a boy, and in Lord Selkirk's 

 service, he was struck by the earl, which blow he never forgot 

 nor forgave. His true history has probably never yet been 

 written. His was a life of romance. The Grallowegians, disliking 

 his memory, and smarting perhaps under their own discomfiture, 

 have recorded his visit or visitation in some doggerel rhymes 

 which I have often heard sung by a native of Galloway, of which 

 I have already quoted a verse ; here are some more : 



Ye've heard of Paul Jones, 



Have ye not, have ye not ? 

 Ye've heard of Paul Jones, 



Have ye not, have ye not ? 

 Ye've heard of Paul Jones, 



Who was a rogue and a vagabones. 

 Ye've heard of Paul Jones, 



Have ye not, have ye not? 



How he came to Selkirk Hall, 



Did he not, did he not ? 

 How he came to Selkirk Hall, 



Did he not, did he not ? 

 How he came to Selkirk Hall 

 And stole the jewels all, 

 And stole the jewels all, 



Have ye not, have ye not ? 



He was a murderer, 



Was he not, was he not ? 

 He was a murderer, 



Was he not, was he not ? 

 For on board a man-of-war 

 He slew his carpenter, 

 He slew his carpenter, 



Did he not, did he not ? 



The English of that day have succeeded in classing Paul Jones 

 with pirates and buccaneers! an excellent device. When you 

 cannot beat an enemy, be sure to slander him. They tried the 

 same plan with Napoleon, but it did not take. Falsehoods well 

 timed serve a purpose, but they are sure to rebound sooner or 

 later on the heads of their inventors. 



