Transactions. 19 
the prize was competed for. The» contest took place at stated 
intervals, every seven years I believe, and the scene of action 
was the Kingholm, as affording suitable space for the erection 
of targets, and the accommodation of the numerous combatants 
and spectators who usually assembled. How far this practice 
tended to enhance the skill of the marksmen in handling the 
musket I cannot say, but I have been told that a spectator of 
the fray cynically remarked that he thought the target was the 
safest place in the field. The last occasion on which the “Siller 
Gun” was competed for on the Kingholm was, according to Mr 
M‘Dowall, in 1828. Buta more recent competition took place 
elsewhere in 1831, when it was finally won by Deacon Alexander 
Johnston, and was carried by him in the great procession which 
took place in the burgh at the celebration of Burns’ Centenary. 
In the olden times of which I now write, the streets of Dum- 
fries were lighted with oil lamps, a very imperfect mode of 
illumination compared with the brilliant gas and electricity of 
the present day. The little “winkies” were made to display 
their feeble glimmer by a town functionary, who, armed with a 
flaming torch and a short ladder, ascended each lamp post in 
succession, and applied the needful fire. This useful citizen was 
an. object of much interest and jocularity to the “small boys” of 
the town, who used to follow him shouting—“ Leary, leary, licht 
the lamps; lang legs and short shanks.” The trimming of the 
lamps, which took place next morning, was rather a comical 
performance, at least so I used to think. “ Leary ” ascended his 
ladder as before at each post, provided with a can of oil and a 
pair of scissors. The tin cover of the lamp was then removed, 
and, to leave his hands at liberty, was usually placed on the top 
of his hat, while he trimmed the wick and filled the shallow oil 
vessel. 
My early recollections of Dumfries watchmen are derived from 
the experience of a night occasionally spent at the house of a 
relative who resided in the burgh. The guardian of the night 
was armed with a lantern, and as he passed along on his tour of 
inspection announced in loud tones the hour of night, accom- 
panied with certain meteorological observations regarding the 
state of the atmosphere, and the general appearance of the 
heavens. Thus, I have heard the following announcement— 
“« Past ten o'clock ; a fine starry night.” 
