1608-1620.] DERBY — YORK — PAISLEY. 359 



" Paisley fairs were celebrated markets in olden 

 times, and very much frequented by dealers in horses 

 and cattle, tradesmen with articles of utility, leos— 1620. 

 packmen with merchandize, bagpipers, bal- Paisley, 

 lad-singers, and a long list of attendants and mendi- 

 cants, all endeavouring to turn a penny. The rural 

 population from the country parishes of the country 

 and neighbouring shires, flocked to the fair to make 

 their purchases, and to enjoy a general holiday. The 

 horse-race, instituted in 1608, by the Town Council of 

 Paisley, called the ' Bell Race,' from their presenting 

 ' Silver Bells,' to be run for annually, was an attraction 

 for drawing crowds of people to the fair. These 

 fairs and races have both been celebrated in song and 

 elegy. In a song ascribed to John, Duke of Argyll, 

 titled ' Argyll is my name,' there is the following 

 verse respecting the fair : — 



' I'll buy a fine present to bring to my dear, 

 A pair of fine garters for Maggie to wear, 

 And some pretty things else, I do declare, 

 When she gangs wi' me to Paisley fair.' 



And Robert Tempill, one of the Betrees' poets, in his 

 * Elegy on Habbie Simson,' the piper of Kilbarchan, 

 has a verse on the races : — 



' And at horse races many a day, 

 Before the black, the brown, the gray, 

 He gart his pipe, when he did play, 



Baith skiral and skreid ; 

 Now all such pastime's quite away 



Sen' Habbie's deid.' 



"Act anent the Silver Bell, April, 1608. — Item — 

 It is concluded that one silver bell to be made of four- 



