18 Transactions. 
3. Recollections of Dumfries 60 years ago. 
By Dr Rozert Hipsertr Taytor, Liverpool. 
One of my earliest recollections of Dumfries is in 1820, being 
taken into the town to see the illuminations for Queen Caroline’s 
acquittal, The town must have been very loyal to the Queen, as 
the illuminations and rejoicing were very general. Another early 
recollection is having witnessed the procession of “King Crispin,’ 
when all the assembled trades, in gala attire, and bearing the 
various emblems of their crafts, walked in procession through 
the principal streets of the town. The royal crown was borne 
upon a velvet cushion, and a champion in full armour rode 
before his majesty, and defied the world to question his legal 
rights. Bands of music, and gorgeous flags and banners of various 
forms and devices, accompanied the triumphal march, and all 
went “‘merrie as a marriage bell.” The festival was a great 
event for youthful spectators, and, indeed, it excited the curiosity 
and awoke the sympathy of the entire civic population. I am 
afraid that the conclusion of the spectacle was not always so 
orderly and edifying as the commencement, and that the 
enthusiasm with which the ‘“king’s” health was drank not 
infrequently run to excess under the inspiring influence of 
“John Barleycorn.” The pageant of “King Crispin” was, I 
believe, enacted at stated intervals of years, but has long since 
passed away and been forgotten, except by those whose 
memories are as far-reaching as my own. Mr Starke of 
Troqueer Holm says that he saw the “Crispin” procession in 
1863. 
On one occasion after the celebration of some civic festivity 
and procession, a local poet is said to have given vent to his 
feelings in the following lines, containing an arithmetical com- 
putation which would puzzle even Cocker himself to unrayvel— 
Before the foremost walked with great respect 
Convener Deacon Alexander Affleck ; 
Next unto him walked the hammer-men, 
In twos and twos, twice four equal to ten. 
Another festival in which the Dumfriesians always took a 
lively interest is what was known as shooting for the “Siller 
Gun.” This object was a small model in silver of a gun or pistol, 
presented to the town by King James VI., to encourage the use 
of firearms, and was awarded to the best shot at a target when 
