98 
PRESENTATIONS. 
Hae March, 1916.—-Mr Donald Urquhart, on behalf of Mr his W. 
Dods, Dumfries—A Stone Weight, perforated, found in the 
Haugh- of-Urr Churchyard, about 18 inches below the surface— 
perhaps once used as a balance or loom weight. 
Mr J. H. Gurney, F.R.S.—The Gannet, a Bird with a 
History. 
EXHIBITS. 
2ist January, 1916—Mr J. S. Drummond—A’ fine display of 
Postage Stamps, with special reference to those of German 
Colonies. 
llth February, 1916.—Mr M. H. M‘Kerrow—Four Square Metal 
Blocks which had been secured during the recent alterations - 
to the Post Office, Dumfries. They had probably been built 
into the walls of the Old Prison, and from the iron rings 
inserted in them, it may be presumed that the prisoners were 
chained to them. A Small Stone Whorl found on Calf Park 
Farm, Mouswald. 
10th March, 1916.—Mr M. H. M‘Kerrow, on behalf of Mr W. 
M‘Naught, St. Ninian’s, Maxwelltown—(1) A Handbill de- 
nouncing Laird Armstrong, writer, as a rascal, a har, and a 
coward, signed Geo. B. Vair, Leith, 6th Feb., 1822. The 
gentleman denounced in this libellous document afterwards 
became Provost of Dumfries. He and the Leith gentleman 
were rivals for the hand of Miss Dinah Grieve, daughter of a 
Dumfries wine merchant, whose business premises were ‘‘ The 
Pillars,’’ on the High Street site now occupied by the shops of 
Mr Montgomery, bookseller, and Mr Constantine, painter. 
The budding Provost, who had the advantage of the father’s 
preference, was ultimately the successful suitor. His dis- 
appointed rival drove from Leith in a chaise, accompanied by 
a friend; sent to Mr Armstrong a challenge to fight a duel; 
and drove off next day without leaving much time for accept- 
ance of the cartel, having before his leaving made arrange- 
ments to placard the town with some copies of the handbill, 
which appears to have been brought ready printed from Leith, 
