Transactions. 23 
“tawse.” It was not so in my time; but there was a large, raw- 
boned usher who was much given to flagellation, and of whom I 
retain a very unpleasant remembrance even to this day. 
Among the civic notabilities whose names and appearance I 
can recal were the Town Clerk, Mr Francis Short, commonly 
known as “ Frank Short,” and Mr John Staig, whose father was 
Provost for many years in succession. It was the custom in 
those days for the chief magistrate, and some others of the civic 
dignitaries, to walk in procéssion to church on Sunday, preceded 
by two halbert men, arrayed in cocked hats and long-skirted 
coats, and bearing a sort of battleaxe mounted on a pole. On 
entering the church, these formidable-looking weapons were 
deposited behind the pews which the magistrates occupied in the 
front of the gallery. It is to be regretted, I think, that this 
ancient custom has been discontinued ; the appearance in public 
of the ‘‘ powers that be,” with a certain amount of ceremonial 
dignity, has a wholesome influence upon the spectators, and. may 
contribute in some measure to render the magistrates what they 
ought to be, “a terror to evil-doers, and a praise and protection 
to those that do well.” 
Another practice which prevailed at this time was the punish- 
ment of “rogues and vagabonds” by whipping them publicly in 
the streets. The culprit was tied to the end of a one-horse cart, 
which was paraded through the town, a halt being made at inter- 
vals, and the scourge applied. At the conclusion of the perform- 
ance, the “vagabond” was conducted to the confines of the 
burgh, and “drummed out of the town,” I presume to the tune 
of the ‘“‘rogue’s march!” JI think it must have been in recollec- 
tion of this salutary discipline of former days that a “ worthy 
magistrate” is reported to have addressed a culprit who was 
brought before him with the remark—“ It’s a pity whuppen is 
oot of fashion, or I wad gie ye a gude whuppin !” Another old- 
fashioned mode of punishment, applied chiefly to those who were 
drunken and riotous, was to immure them temporarily in a place 
of confinement facetiously termed the “‘ saut box,” which was 
located in the neighbourhood of the Midsteeple. It is reported 
of some unfortunate, who had been summarily placed in “ durance 
vile,” that he shouted through an aperture in his cell to a passing 
acquaintance—‘‘ Tell oor fowk that I’m here,” a rather naive 
mode of accounting for his non-appearance. 
While on the subject of law, and the maintenance of order, I 
