222 Two Irongray Traditions. 



Fergusons of Hallhill to the principles of the Covenanted 

 Reformation to find one of them in such a condition. It 

 may be argued it was their sister's or daughter's banishment 

 which induced them to take the Test. Perhaps ! But why 

 does Wodrow make no mention of it in his account? He 

 gathered his evidence very carefully on the spot, and from 

 eye-witnesses if possible. He had a very keen eye for the 

 misdeeds of Lagg and Bruce, and if in his day such a 

 tradition was current we may be pretty sure he would not 

 have missed it. Of course, "the argument from silence" 

 is not a sure one ; but we have not only the silence of 

 Wodrow, but, in addition, the fact that the Fergusons of 

 Hallhill were not staunch Covenanters like many other Iron- 

 gray lairds, but ready to bow the knee in the house of 

 Rimmon. Besides, the story in itself is not probable, and 

 an improbable story requires very strong evidence to support 

 it. I don't know where the tradition originated. But till it 

 comes with better warrant than I know at present, credat 

 JudcBUs Apella. 



The Kirkos of Glenesland, Bogrie, Chapel, and 

 Sundaywell. 



By Sir Philip J. Hamilton-Grierson. 



Several families of the name of Kirko^ held property in 

 the upper part of the parish of Dunscore for a considerable 

 period ; and it may not be without profit to gather together 

 what information we possess regarding them, especially as 

 quite erroneous impressions appear to prevail as to the best- 

 known bearer of the name — James Kirko of Sundaywell. 



Of the origin of the family we can say nothing beyond 

 what the tradition preserved by the writer of an account^ of 

 the parish tells us. He says " that there is a very general 

 tradition that some centuries ago three brothers named Kirk 



1 The name is spelt Kirko, Kirkoe, Kirkco, Kirkhaugh, Kirk- 

 haught, Kirkhauch, Kirkhaucht, Kyrkhauch, Kh-kalch, and Kii'k. 



2 New Statistical Account of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1845, iv., 

 p. 339, note. 



