310 Sir W. Elliot on Denholm and its Vicinity. 



poultry and were noted for their breed of geese, wliicli gave 

 rise to the saying " Denholm for lean geese " and " dirty 

 Denholm;" a soubriquet not ill applied, for my early recollec- 

 tion, fifty years agone, of the trim green before us now so 

 neatly enclosed, was that of an open space encumbered with 

 middens, pig-styes, heaps of firewood, goose-dubs, and holes 

 full of black glaur, and every kind of nuisance. Most of the 

 houses had outside stairs, ash-pits in the street, and unsightly 

 lay-tos for cows and poultry. By a subsequent agreement 

 with the late Mr. Douglas, in 1836, it was stipulated that 

 the green should be inclosed and reserved for grazing pur- 

 poses only, that no feus for building should be granted within 

 its precincts, and that the profits of the pasture should be ex- 

 pended on local improvements. It was further provided that 

 the streets should be cleared of all encroachments and a clear 

 road-way maintained. 



The occupations of the inhabitants have been confined to 

 the simplest forms of manufacture. Like most other places 

 the village had its wahsters, who span and wove linen fabrics 

 from flax grown in the neighbourhood; but this employment 

 was suspended about the beginning of the century by the stock- 

 ing trade, which grew and flourished to some extent, one of 

 the most successful traders being Mr. Andrew Scott, whose 

 supplies were never able to meet the demand of the Glasgow 

 market, to which he resorted. The present flourishing firm 

 of Dickson and Laing, in Hawick, first started in Denholm, 

 in 1793, under the designation of Dickson and Beattie, and 

 the dwelling pointed out to us as John Leyden's birthplace 

 was their scouring-house. But they were shortly attracted 

 by the superior advantages of Hawick and transferred their 

 plant to Wilton Mills in 1803. 



The only other branch of industry still in existence is the 

 working of the sandstone quarries on Denholm Hill, origi- 

 nally opened by Mr. Fergusson, and now wrought by Mr. 

 Laing, who supplies the whole district with building material 

 of the best description. 



To facilitate the trading transactions of the community two 

 annual fairs were held, which have gradually dwindled away 

 since the commencement of the present century. The first 

 or summer fair was held in May or June, the second or mart 

 fair in November, the day before that of Jedburgh. They 

 were opened by the superior (corresponding with the lord of 

 the manor,) riding up to the cross, attended by his followers, 

 and making the usual proclamation. He was entitled to 



